Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

[obvert]

26 Jan 1942

subs: Triton attacked and missed a TK convoy near Kushiro.

DEI: O21 is still around. There was a sub indicated in the port at Soerabaja, so I threw 25 Bettys on port attack at it. The report states O21, 1 bomb hit, heavy damage. It better be heavy. It's taken multiple direct DC hits and at least 3 bombs, according to the reports.

At Soerakarta our forces shocked and got an 11 to 1 killing off almost 200 support troop squads and taking the base. Banzai!

CENT PAC: Baker island was taken this turn. I might put a small SNLF there and some recon and search, but not much will be done with it.

SO PAC: At La Foa the144th Rgt takes the base. No damage.

China: Tanks crossed the water and further ruined 3 Chinese Corps in the hex north of Sian. The other goal of this is to hold the troops in Sian to exiting another way should we eventually force them to retreat. I'd like them thrown into the forest for a while.

Near Nanchang our troops bombarded. With some continued air assaults, we might be able to rout this force here in the clear.

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

Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 40986 troops, 357 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1821

Defending force 40189 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1141

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
11th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
100th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
23rd Group Army
25th Group Army
3rd War Area
10th Group Army
32nd Group Army

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

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: obvert

O21 is still around. There was a sub indicated in the port at Soerabaja, so I threw 25 Bettys on port attack at it. The report states O21, 1 bomb hit, heavy damage. It better be heavy. It's taken multiple direct DC hits and at least 3 bombs, according to the reports.

FOW: Lies. Lies, Lies. [;)]

At least for me, FOW is worst with respect to subs. I take the claimed hits and divide by ten. If even 25% of my reported hits were true, I would be hitting the allied subs BEFORE the left the naval yard. [;)]

[:D][:D][:D]

[obvert]

When I watch the replays, and a critical hit is indicated, usually with some kind of explosion internally, that has to be bad for the sub right? How many of those does it usually take to actually sink the sub? And how much damage is a 'sub leaking water' message? I luckily haven't gotten many hit yet of my own.

We first found the O21 at Balikpapan on the 17 January 42. Here is the history of the toughest sub ever made.

Jan 17

ASW attack near Balikpapan at 64,97

Japanese Ships
PB Chiyo Maru
PB Hitora Maru
PB Kakyu Maru

Allied Ships
SS O21, hits 3 (1 direct)

Jan 18

ASW attack near Balikpapan at 64,97

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 22
SC Ch 23

Allied Ships
SS O21

SS O21 is located by SC Ch 22
O21 bottoming out ....
-----------------------------

Sub attack near Balikpapan at 64,97

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 10

Allied Ships
SS O21, hits 10 (2 direct hits)

SS O21 launches 4 torpedoes at SC Ch 10
O21 bottoming out ....

Jan 19

ASW attack near Balikpapan at 64,97

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Nowaki
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS O21, hits 9, heavy damage (2 direct hits)

Magazine explodes on DD Hagikaze
SS O21 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Hagikaze
O21 bottoming out ....

Jan 25

Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SS O21, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage

Jan 26

Afternoon Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 27



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships

SS O21, Bomb hits 1 (250kg), heavy damage

[obvert]

27 Jan 1942

subs: I-173 sights BB Colorado escorted by two DD off Eureka today. No attack made on the BB. We've not had any luck hitting military ships, after at least 5 contacts within a few weeks. Yesterday we noticed a sub at Truk. 2 CMs and a sub threw about 100 more mines into the port. This turn the Argonaut hits a mine and is reported sunk!

SO PAC: The KB is about two days out of attacking range of Sydney. No detection level rise. No sign of any ships.

DEI: At Batavia Bettys mixed it up with a port attack and sank 5 AMc. Nothing special. Still an anchor icon and a listing of a sub in Soerabaja.

Burma: Armour has almost arrived in Pegu. Sallys are keeping Rangoon at about 25 airfield damage. No sign of AVG or British fighters. Getting uneasy about that.

Malaya: 23 squads destroyed to bombardment at Singers. Soon another DA will commence.

China: Crushed the Chinese Southern Army near Nanchang in the clear with about 6 groups attacking. Then our Southern Army shocked getting a 7 to 1 and wiped out 10,000 Chinese troops! It retreated to another clear hex, so now we'll most likely get another shot as well. A long chase that gets some results.

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

Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 52682 troops, 459 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1820

Defending force 39377 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1095

Japanese adjusted assault: 2108

Allied adjusted defense: 290

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
4354 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 194 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 35 (1 destroyed, 34 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
10370 casualties reported
Squads: 734 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 515 destroyed, 161 disabled
Engineers: 47 destroyed, 55 disabled
Guns lost 32 (20 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Units retreated 11


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
116th Division
22nd Division
17th Division
11th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
25th Group Army
10th Group Army
3rd War Area
23rd Group Army
32nd Group Army

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

[obvert]

28 Jan 1942

Approaching the end of the month. I always like this time to reflect on how things are going and what needs to improve.

Air, Land, and Sea

In the air we had our way early and only recently have the AVG or British units been able to offer any real resistance. A little more care must be taken to mutually support operations, be patient, and to watch fatigue and moral before flying into enemy territory now.

On land quality is starting to show in China. SNLFs in the DEI are doing some major work and will assist in the siege of Soerabaja and the final conquering of Ambon and Koepang soon. The IJA has performed well everywhere and all major units have the best leaders possible (as far as I know[:)])

In the oceans the IJN has don every well so far, and hasn't lost any major warships. Several DDs have gone down, an AMC was lost early, and other smaller APDs, DMS, and PBs, but that's it. No opposition is left in the DEI other than PTs, although they have done very well, sinking a total of 4 xAKs, 1 DMS, and hitting several other ships.

Subs continue to miss important Allied surface vessels. CA Canberra, CA Australia, CL Perth, BB Colorado, and several others I can't remember have been sighted but not damaged. They are pecking away at merchant fleets, and have hit some well escorted ships lately, which is great.

Economy

The economy is humming right along. All air factories have finished their resizing and upgrading. The R n D is moving along with the Rufe and Helen (due in 4/42) about half complete. I just added a second Tojo IIa factory to bring that research to 60 total (5 fixed). Hope to get it by August, but that might be a stretch.

Engines are mostly fixed up, except for the Ha-33, which has a lot to fix (49) and the Ha-32 (24). The Ha-34 is at 35 but will need to go up to around 130-150 soon. I'll wait until supply has gone up to a good surplus in mid-Feb, as there's no hurry.

The Naval construction has been healed and we're starting to show a minor surplus now (16). HI has not been increased anywhere, but will be once we get the rest of Java and secure Singapore. I'll increase Soerabaja, Batavia, Singapore, Georgetown, Saigon, Hong Kong and Wenchow. Centers and hubs for fuel and resources.

Fuel

Some fuel is flowing out of Balikpapan and Miri/Bruneii to Babeldaob and SO PAC. Babeldaob is about up to 50,000, and another 45,000 is unloading. Rabaul has a beginning 25,000. Truk is getting low at 30,000. Kwajalein has 20,000. Some will go to Tulagi as well, which will be the temporary home of 4th Fleet HQ until major campaigns begin in the area. Then this will be moved back to Shortlands.

We've lost 2 TK in this early top up of fuel to the Allied subs. After the respective bases have enough for a month or so of operation, all tankers will hang out in port waiting for the rest of Java to be conquered and the longer patrol distance for Dutch, British, and US subs to go into effect. Greater ASW will hit choke points and a good deal of mining will happen in the straits and small islands approaching the DEI to further thwart the Allied subs.

DEI: At Semarang PTs again attacked a well defended amphib TF. Another xAK and a DMS lost for 1 PT. 85% moonlight. I'd think this should be better now, but it's not.

subs: S-41 attacked. Seal launches 4 torp at a TK, but all miss.

And another hit!! FOW must be happening a lot here.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
G4M1 Betty x 26


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SS O21, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

China: More bombing.

SO PAC: Efate falls today. KB still shows no detection level rise, but it sighted 2 PG and the search aircraft dropped bombs out there. Pretty sure he knows we're here now. Just one day away from the launch point however, so it's maybe to late to flee for all but the quickest.

Malaya: At Singers today our troops working hard for a 3 to 1 attack, but still didn't take the base. I don't think I've seen a 3 to 1 not succeed. Our casualties are slightly higher, but his destroyed units are larger. Sigh. More rest and bombardment. Another attack soon. I hope to have this base by the beginning of Feb.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 94843 troops, 1178 guns, 437 vehicles, Assault Value = 2765

Defending force 31911 troops, 381 guns, 244 vehicles, Assault Value = 538

Japanese adjusted assault: 2423

Allied adjusted defense: 627

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
6190 casualties reported
Squads: 134 destroyed, 269 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 33 (15 destroyed, 18 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
4177 casualties reported
Squads: 155 destroyed, 123 disabled
Non Combat: 167 destroyed, 207 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 50 disabled
Guns lost 65 (17 destroyed, 48 disabled)
Vehicles lost 81 (29 destroyed, 52 disabled)
Units destroyed 3[/font]

[obvert]

29 Jan 1942

SO PAC: The KB reaches out her long air arm toward Sydney Harbour today. I'll post more details than usual on this one. Tried something new with the Vals. Doesn't work well at all. Kates do well in the second attack though, so it's not a lost day. There were 18 ships listed in the port. Didn't hit even half of them. I guess the Vals need to dive to be effective. Period.

The KB will move South to hit both Melbourne and Sydney tomorrow, as well as any fleeing ships still in the area.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
B5N2 Kate x 37
D3A1 Val x 107

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 1
CL Perth, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
B5N2 Kate x 60


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Corrimal, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Carlisle, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
22 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

-------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

subs: Nasty today. KXV puts 3 torps into TK Kiyo Maru. There was a field of burning oil on the sea for hours afterward. Saury attacks two PB escorting another TK which then attack it inconclusively.

And again ...

Afternoon Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
SS O21, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage

[obvert]

30 Jan 1942


subs: Nothing. For the first time in about a month.

China: The Southern Army did it's job today. After all Divisions catching up to the Chinese troops here, bombing for several turns in a clear hex, and bombarding with artillery, troops shock attacked. Losses to the Chinese were staggering, and will render this Army ineffective for a long time. Even better, it retreated on a path which leads to another clear hex after the one forest hex it's in now, and we can probably catch it and really put the hurt on next time.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 84,55 (near Nanchang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 28363 troops, 255 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1548

Defending force 31237 troops, 218 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 773

Japanese adjusted assault: 349

Allied adjusted defense: 105

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
3494 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 164 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
14704 casualties reported
Squads: 686 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 464 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 41 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 33 (23 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 12


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
11th Ind.Mixed Brigade
22nd Division
116th Division
17th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
25th Group Army
3rd War Area
10th Group Army
23rd Group Army
32nd Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

In other news from China, a Div and two Brigades have a Chinese Army trapped in the forest one hex north of Sinyang, with no hex sides under their control for escape. I will attempt to keep it this way by using armour to hit other units trying to get into this hex. I would like to let supply get low and after the result in Sian, bring troops back here to finish them off.


[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 85,47 (near Sinyang)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 45390 troops, 308 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1458

Defending force 23992 troops, 210 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 775


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
84th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army
3rd Group Army
31st Group Army
89th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
20th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade

[/font]
DEI: Troops bombarded Madoien. DA tomorrow.

Malaya: More bombardment at Singers. Shock attack tomorrow. Fingers crossed this is it.

SO PAC: The KB moves SW and hits multiple targets today. First an attack by Kates at Sydney, which had a good hit rate. Looks like the Perth might have gone down after yesterday.

Then Vals and Kates found fleeing xAKs near Geelong and Melbourne, bagging nearly all of them. Finally a group of Kates hit Melbourne harbour, finding nothing there. After the turn a TK and an AK are listed in the port though.

Overall a good strike, although these are low quality transports, it at least takes some capacity for moving supplies around cheaply, and might force the use of better value ships later. Overall, losses to planes and pilots was very low, so this is a win/win operation right now.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
B5N2 Kate x 17


No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Hamakua, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Mangola, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Geelong at 81,170

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N2 Kate x 28
D3A1 Val x 69



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Dumosa, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Era, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Kekerangu, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Mundalla, Bomb hits 11, and is sunk
xAK Period, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Ulooloo, Bomb hits 11, and is sunk
xAK Mernoo, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Cardross, Bomb hits 13, and is sunk
xAK Goulburn, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Mundalla
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Dumosa
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Mernoo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Ulooloo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Goulburn
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kekerangu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Cardross
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Period


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Melbourne at 82,170

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Kini, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Wear, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AMc Durraween, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AMc Korowa, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kini
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Wear

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portsea at 81,171

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
D3A1 Val x 14



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Koonda, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Kooyong, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Mortlake Bank
xAKL Burwah



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kooyong


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Melbourne , at 82,170

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 23



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged


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


Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

Noumea was captured today also. The 144th Rgt will load up and head toward Rabaul, meeting up with another amphib TF on the way carrying an SNLF unit.

[obvert]

1 Feb 1942

All kinds of nice presents arrived today. Several small IJN air units, some of which upgrade to either Vals or Kates, arrived. Plus a number of Brigades were mobilized in Shanghai and Peiping. This means two more Divisions will be freed from garrison and sent into battle, most likely shoring up the central areas. I need some mobile forces to counter any counters he attempts in the area between Hankow and Nanyang, and up the road to Sian if he continues trying to cut my supply line there.

In another 10 days or so the big drop of Naval Guard units for the Central and South Pacific arrive, so I can then shore up the Gilberts, the Marshalls a bit, and get one into Ndeni before any quick attempts are made. Mostly I want to get max troops on atolls and small islands that will force a shock attack upon invasion. The rest can wait a bit and build more slowly. I will develop a mobile fast transport reserve for both the Gilberts (probably waiting at Nauru) and the Solomons and South New Guinea (most likely at Shortlands).

I nearly forgot to withdraw a FP Pete unit and almost lost the PPs.

Malaya: Tokyo Radio was heard today. The Army at Singapore finally pushed through and crushed the last defenders. A 15 to 1 assault!!!

Now, the intrigue begins. Where will they go next? There are a good two months left on the invasion bonus. The menu includes North OZ, Perth and Sri Lanka as well as one other operation I'm not sure about yet that I may look into for the very end of the invasion bonus if other objectives are being met. The most secure option is China, and it is the area that is my primary focus. I do want to put pressure on the Allies though and create the impression that I could still invade deep into India or OZ, and even farther into the Pacific.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 90600 troops, 1151 guns, 434 vehicles, Assault Value = 2602

Defending force 28335 troops, 368 guns, 213 vehicles, Assault Value = 346

Japanese adjusted assault: 5698

Allied adjusted defense: 375

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2637 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 264 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
21436 casualties reported
Squads: 497 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3832 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 166 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 452 (452 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 249 (249 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 29[/font]


SO PAC: HQ decided at the last moment not to attack at Sydney again as 58 fighters and 60 bombers were reported by Jake recon to be in the airfield. We thought of maybe just sweeping, but there's no sense risking these pilots here when it's not favorable conditions and over enemy territory. Also, most zero group pilots had 25-30 fatigue.

Attacks on the runway and supply at Port Moresby continue to put damage on the base. It's listed at 43 now.

subs: KIX attacks two SCs near Blikpapan. KVII hits another SC near Malang with a torp, splitting her in half. Allied ASW DDs attack I-155 near Perth. Two MLs leaving Singapore attack I-158 in the straits near Medan.

And the saga of O21 continues ...
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
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Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
G3M2 Nell x 31
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
SS O21, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage


Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 26
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SS O21, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage[/font]

[obvert]

Central China

The first goals of clearing the northern areas and the south are beginning to achieve results. Over 4500 AV are in or are moving into Sian. The southern army group has routed its Chinese equivalent, and is pursuing now to finish the job.

The reserve was thin for the first two months, and when 15 units moved down from Ichang a few weeks ago I had a scare, but after a relentless bombing campaign, they turned around and moved back. Now two more divisions will be added to the Central Reserve.

[obvert]

2 Feb 1942

subs: Nothing.

DEI: A fast transport TF brought another SNLF to Ambon to try to break the stalemate there. The CD guns put a few hits on the DDs and one on CL Naka.

China: More careful bombing followed by sweeps and massing groups in one spot, but altering destinations randomly and frequently. This has resulted in no surprises from the CAF or the AVG lately.

Landed paratroopers at Chihkiang. They took the unoccupied base with 30 AV in place. Now IJA forces have a window of about 7-9 days to fly in supply and possibly other troops. Because of the base's situation across the river from the large stacks of Chinese troops and in a forest rough hex, if we get to 1-2 forts with 100 AV by the time there is a shock across, the Chinese Corps that arrives could be in for a surprise. If it looks like he sends a bunch of units or we can't get enough supply and AV in I'll just start pulling these out in a few days.

Having trouble pulling supply into the dot base east of Lanchow. A small contingent of armour and infantry is there with one HQ, and I've tried to push and pull supply along, but it's still at only 20. Units are beginning to run low as well. If this doesn't improve soon, we may have to pull back and wait until Sian is conquered.

Malaya: All units resting now for a bit at Singers. Lost a DMS clearing the mines. That's one way to do it.

[obvert]

3 Feb 1942

This will catch me up with game time.

subs: Tarpon is attacked by 2 PBs while stalking a convoy near Nagasaki. This is the first sub this close to the HI. One was near Sendai earlier. I have to get more ASW air and TFs operating in the area now. The string of islands south of Tokyo all have at least 100 mines and an ACM with fuel, so I'm hoping to bag one or two there. I-6 is attacked twice by AM Bobolink, AM Penguin, and AM Rail 4 hexes NE of Pearl. The patrol will be altered now.

And ...
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
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Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 26
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
SS O21, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

China: Zeros sweeping and LR CAPing at and near Chihkiang meet some portions of the AVG. They shoot down 5 in two different combats with no losses. No supply seemed to be transported to Chihkiang in spite of 54 transports set to this task. Maybe the air battles in the area and the AVG LR CAP dissuaded them, but none were listed as intercepted. I'll LR CAP the base this turn.

Our northern reserve division clears a group army off the yellow road supply line, taking out 1/3 of it in the process and kicking it up to the forest hex to the north. Should be a while getting out of there.

Liuchow was plastered by several bombing groups. The best day of damage so far, as these groups slowly improve. All are set to 20% train.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Liuchow , at 74,55

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 16
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 22
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 18
Runway hits 74

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

DEI: In spite of two SNLFs now at Ambon, and a 120 to 28 AV advantage, troops fail to take the base, getting another 1 to 1. We'll go again next turn. Lautern is in the same boat, where we got a 1 to 1 with a 33 to 2 AV advantage.

Burma: Our troops are entering Rangoon, and will bombard tomorrow. We now have 800AV with the armour here, but minus the crushed Rgt sitting in Pegu and mostly made up of poor Thai Divs.

In the meantime, a TF of AKLs is visiting, and our group of Sallys on naval hits them but only sinks 1 ship. A training group of Vals with 62% Nav Bomb skill and 42 avg EXP will take over next turn. I've set three Oscar groups to sweep the hex and one Nate group to escort, but who knows if they will coordinate with the IJN. I don't want supply going in or fuel and oil going out. The ship didn't burn, so it makes me think this is supply in.

SO PAC: Took Norfolk Is for fun and as a potential scout base for later. The KB is heading due south to hit Auckland just in case the Allies haven't run everything to the far edge of the map and to Cape Town. There can't be too much there, but one zero unit will sweep just in case, followed by Kates on Nav/Port strike 9,000 and all Vals on Nav only but one, which will be striking the far northern airfield on NZ to take out any search planes there if possible.

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Naval Building

I pushed Naval Factories to 1600, but there is still not a steady rise in the pool. I have Shinano off. Taiho accelerated. 3 Unryus accelerated. That's all.

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Tracker Ships Building List

I don't really want to turn off the Yamatos. If I'm going to use them it's most likely going to be in late 42 through the end of 43. Anything else I should do? If it says the need is 1509 but the factories are 1600, why is there not a surplus?

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4 Feb 1942

Burma: Well, the AKLs took off before we could hit them. Moved the Vals down to Moulmein just in case they're slow enough to remain in 7 hex range next turn. Bombardment at Rangoon showed that there is some quality there, not just junk. The 1st Burma Division is there as well as an Indian Brigade. IJA and Thai forces are 800 AV to 540AV for the Allies. I might want to bomb a bit and wait for the pieces of the 55th Div and the intact 33rd to arrive from Singapore. Might back off the tanks and send them up the road toward Mandalay.

DEI: At last Ambon forces called it quits. We don't need the place much anymore, so it's a bit anticlimactic. Lautern also fell with the two units there surrendering. Now to Koepang, where an SNLF landed and is up against 50 AV. More on the way. Troops are almost into Soerabaja as well.

China: The other half of the Army is now in Sian. A total of 4,800 AV and 150,000 IJA troops. A DA tomorrow. I have to try now before the stragglers of the Chinese units close off the supply on the road behind. I think I'll have 6-8 days, plus there are two divisions on their way to help clear it if it's blocked.

Air hit Kopang and Sian today. No opposition.

Supply began to filter into Chihkiang. The paratroops are flush now and the forts went to 40%. A few turns of this and I might lift a Brigade in for kicks. He is coming fro the river side, and his recon is not too good unless he's using a British unit I haven't seen yet.

SO PAC: The KB managed to sink 4 AM and an AMc at Auckland. No sight of anything important. Off back north now with a predictable swing past Suva.

subs: And ...
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 26
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
SS O21, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]
edited at the top to change the date from Jan to Feb! [:)]

[obvert]

5 Feb 1942

It's strange as game time lingers around real time. My sense of the two get confused. I previously had written 'Jan' on my last post for the game date Feb 4. [:)]

subs: DD Tenedos runs out of DC ammo chasing I-155 near Perth. I-155 taunts her by launching 2 torps after the DCing but misses. Vendetta takes over but fails to locate the sub. We're moving the subs back into deeper ocean patrols to avoid these ASW groups.

China: The combined airforces both hit Sian today, and disabled a good number of ground troops. Thee is a lot here though, and this may not have effect for a while. Also, as we've just found out, forts are fairly solid. Our second army group marched in last turn, and since everyone had very low fatigue and high moral, and because supply was 4,000 above needs, we set troops to DA.

The forts were lowered from 4 to 3 before the main attack commenced, which is good, or this could have been even worse than it turned out. As it is, our troops lost at least 4 times as many destroyed and 3 times as many disabled as did the Chinese, and all we really accomplished was lowering the forts. Below is the report.

The losses in the report seem slightly exaggerated from the situation found after the battle. Most troops only have 10-15 distruption and fatigue, and most divisions fared well and are from 90-95% of strength. The Brigades fared worse, and most have dropped from a full 210 AV to between 120-150 AV after. Overall, our AV is at 3650 currently, which is about 400 higher than I would have expected counting the reported losses to infantry squads. No vehicles reported lost at all!

Still, it might be several weeks before another attack here, so the most important mission now is ensuring the forts do no rise. All bombing in range will focus on Sian, with major sweeps by Tainan group and several Oscar 1c groups going over each day. Two more divisions, 2 brigades, 4 IJA combat ENG units and 4 armour units (1750 AV) are heading for the road through the forest leading to Sian to ensure supply routes stay open and flowing. One other division has just cleared the yellow road for supply movement and will continue on to ensure it's moving through completely and it will join up with the Sian troops for the next attack.

We will begin bombarding once supply gets out of the red, and see if we can continue without it going back to red. Several convoys of supplies are crossing to Tsingtao and Shanghai currently to top things up.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Sian (83,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 130416 troops, 1140 guns, 422 vehicles, Assault Value = 4826

Defending force 88800 troops, 524 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2860

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 4143

Allied adjusted defense: 2249

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
13420 casualties reported
Squads: 223 destroyed, 1421 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 224 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 68 disabled
Guns lost 100 (27 destroyed, 73 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
7087 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 523 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 301 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 110 disabled
Guns lost 45 (2 destroyed, 43 disabled)


Assaulting units:
58th Infantry Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th Division
11th RGC Temp. Division
37th Division
35th Division
36th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
26th Recon Regiment
13th Division
13th Tank Regiment
13th RGC Temp. Division
1st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Base Force
5th War Area
Red Chinese Army
2nd Group Army
4th Group Army
34th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force
55th Chinese Corps
22nd Group Army
4th Construction Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]
In a clear hex between the yellow road into the forest to Sian and Loyang we attacked 4 Chinese units (600 AV) and routed them. This was the strongest force trying to get up to block the road to Sian, so this should help future attacks immensely. Also today, between these attacks, another month's worth of Chinese replacements destroyed!

I'd like to count them up overall, but I think we're nearing a year's worth of replacements taken out at this point in the war, over two months. I know this rate will not continue as my opponent learns better methods of defense and begins to use the forests better, but it's a great start in what I view as the most important theatre on the map for the Japanese after the conquest and fortification of the DEI.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 86,43 (near Loyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14919 troops, 80 guns, 361 vehicles, Assault Value = 609

Defending force 18702 troops, 124 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 616

Japanese adjusted assault: 497

Allied adjusted defense: 52

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
642 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Allied ground losses:
6850 casualties reported
Squads: 324 destroyed, 149 disabled
Non Combat: 202 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 40 disabled
Guns lost 56 (13 destroyed, 43 disabled)
Units retreated 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
20th Recon Regiment
59th Infantry Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
5th New Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Supplies began to drop in to Chihkiang this turn. Both units are full and the base went to yellow, with forts up to 1 and growing. The units on the river side have stopped their approach and I think Jocke may have realized he can just walk in from behind. If I can find an unrestricted unit to rail in and drop, I still have about 6-8 days to beef this base up if it looks like he's only bringing a small force to take it back. If more than 10,000 Chinese troops are on the way, then I'll vacate quickly. The air was not contested above the hex today.

Also in China, a brigade that was depleted in the southern region was set to reserve and I let it cross the river and shock attack this turn, which almost vaporized the unit! Luckily the Chinese were also in bad shape. The following army is crossing in combat mode this turn, so if the Chinese remain there, some revenge should be taken.

Burma: The AKLs scampered away before the Vals could get em. All is stagnant as more forces rail in from Singapore.

DEI: The 38th and 2 SNLFs march into Soerabaja and will bombard to see the composition of the Dutch troops. One Brigade and 2 more SNLFs are moving in, plus the first Raider para unit which I'll keep in reserve. had to change out two poor SNLF leaders. Still finding duds. Not many good ones for SNLFs. I hope they improve over time.

SO PAC: The KB retires to replenish. Rossel Island makes airfield level 1.

CENT PAC: Abemama, Tabiteuea, Tarawa and Canton all have ENG now and are building forts, and all but Canton are building fields. More Guard units are needed for all.

NO PAC: Still nothing changed here. Building at Adak, Attu and Amchitka.

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Signal 'Intelligence'

As shown by this report, intelligence might be going a step too far in describing information gathering abilities for the Japanese side.

SIG INT REPORT FOR Feb 05, 42

Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Pearl Harbor (180,107).
Radio transmissions detected at San Francisco (218,70).
Radio transmissions detected at Savaii (146,159).
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Pearl Harbor (180,107).
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at San Francisco (218,70).
Radio transmissions detected at Banjoewangi (57,107).

Hmmm. Something is happening at Pearl? AND San Francisco? Should I assume more is happening at Pearl because it got Heavy two times?

I did, however, try to use this to the best of my ability and changed sub patrols around Pearl and the West Coast, as well as sending 2 DDs from Canton to check out Savaii. Never know!

[Mike Solli]

I'd pull the following units out of the Sian attack:

58th Infantry Regiment
11th RGC Temp. Division
26th Recon Regiment
13th RGC Temp. Division

It's not enough to make much of a difference, but I've found that small or poor units are nothing but fodder. I'd also consider pulling the tank regiment out as well.

[obvert]

Thanks Mike.

I kept the two Chinese units in there to get their experience up. These are the two that actually are near fighting condition. They did get trashed, which is fine. I put them in reserve mode for now, but might move them out before the next one.

Strangely the armour took NO losses in the big attack. I pulled it from Singers just for the same reason that I thought it'd get demolished. Here in the clear hex it fared well, and I might even put more in and see what happens.

The Rgt will come out as well as it did it's job of adding to the AV for the first attack, and now is useless for a few weeks or more.

I'm just starting to learn how these big battles work. I was shocked when I first saw loss numbers, but it's not as bad as it looks in the report and as long as supply keeps coming, i think we'll break through here within a month.

[Erkki]

BTW Whenever you get 2 sigint entries from any one place it'll have a detection of 3 or 2... And you get to peek at the port. [;)]

[Mike Solli]

What's your intent after taking Sian? Do you plan on taking that oil center to the north? I've always wanted to do that but never made it that far.