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The Dutch got a good hit on Taytay, getting 8-10 more A6M on the ground. Hopefully some pilots too.

In the Central Pacific the Lex DBs hit the injured CL and DD from the previous turn, putting them down.

Unfortunately the KB hits again at PH. It's getting ridiculous with the flak. Again only a few planes even bothered by the nearly 100 guns here. Is there a special rule for Pearl in 41?

The best part of the turn is that the Mutsu appears near the Marianas and the Lex DB and TB hit it with 16 1000 and 500 pounders. [:)]

Heavy fires are listed, but none of the shots penetrates the deck, unfortunately. It may not be a mortal wound, but it should be a long while in the yard.

ORIGINAL: obvert

Is there a special rule for Pearl in 41?

No. Admiral Wa (Andav) reported heavy flak losses made day 2 at PH a bad deal.

Edit to fix "day 2". [:D]

Two Kates and one Val lost. Out of 230 planes striking at Pearl. [:-][:(][&:]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 12, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]FLAK: [/font]I'm flabergasted. The last thing I want to do in this AAR is piss and moan, so I won't. I'm just completely perplexed at the ability of IJN bombers to hit PH turn after turn with seemingly lessening affects from flak. I've hit on day 2 myself as IJN and was very concerned about losses to the KB strike groups. I've hit other babes with a similar accumulation of flak guns and had some devastating results against my strike forces. This just doesn't make sense.

So. I'm going to write off the BB fleet at PH. He'll eventually sink them all if this keeps going, so I won't worry about it or mention it anymore. Just had to get it out of the way.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PACIFIC: [/font]Nice and unexpected to hit the Mutsu. Love it! I'll try to pursue a bit but not put Lex in too much extra danger. I need to keep the eyes on the prize here. I want to slow, to take a tithe for his advance, knowing I can't stop it completely right now. I also want to keep open the option of deep strikes if the KB takes any other forays into far flung regions of OZ or India. I will hit the HI industry or the DEI oil, so I need to keep these CVs in decent shape and available. I'll join up the Lex and Enterprise and move them either to No Pac or to Cent Pac via Wake area, and maybe threaten Kwejalien/Roi Namur, but I need some recon there. I have some Cats set to hit it tomorrow and some B-17s at Wake repairing to hit Roi before moving that way if they can.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]Been sending all significant units to Karachi. All other bases will have minimum garrisons. Karachi will build forts to level 9 and everything will hole up here until it's clear there is no threat to all of india. I'll put good garrisons on Socotra and Diego very soon. They're on the way to Cape Town now, so hopefully will arrive in time.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]The retreats are progressing. Not a lot of bombing yet. The activity in the Pacific may be occupying a lot of IJN bombers at least right now.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] I have decided to fight for the Perth area. The IJ, if they come, will meet stiff resistance over there. The other coast will have some US troops eventually and Sydney and Perth will be the main garrisons. I'll send the first P-38 groups to OZ to protect against VP strat bombing as much as possible. I will not defend NZ or Fiji in a strategic decision that if he wants them he can have them, and will over extend enormously. My early focus will be Southern So Pac, PM and OZ.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NO PAC:[/font] A YP was sunk a few turns ago by IJN DDs, so I think there is a plan to get here quick. I've also got that plan, so we'll see who achieves their goals. I will start building out from the Dutch area first, building the two closest airfields next to it, plus Cold Bay and setting up minor garrisons as recon if possible at Adak and other bases in this area. Sara is on her way up here, and if the other two CVs go North all will be joined up.

[font="Trebuchet MS"][/font]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 12, 41
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Taytay at 75,82, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze
DD Umikaze
DD Satsuki

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
DD Alden
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 1
DD Stewart, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 1
DD Whipple
DD Parrott, on fire


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 35% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Taytay at 75,82, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Heiei Maru #7, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
xAK Meisho Maru, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Midori Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
DD Piet Hein
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 35% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Taytay at 75,82

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 26 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 17 damaged
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Java
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes
DD Witte de With
DD Evertsen
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein

Japanese ground losses:
334 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 63
Port hits 2

CL Tromp firing at Taytay

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Taytay at 75,82, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze
DD Umikaze
DD Satsuki

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
DD Alden
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stewart, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Whipple
DD Parrott, Shell hits 3, heavy damage

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Taytay at 75,82, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Boise
DD Barker, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Bulmer
DD Edsall, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD John D. Ford
DD Peary, Shell hits 1
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope, Shell hits 3, on fire

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Hatsuyuki at 23,000 yards

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Lihue at 180,102, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CL Abukuma
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Arare

Allied Ships
PT-21
PT-22, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-23, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-24, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages PT-24 at 13,000 yards

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Buin at 109,131, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages xAKL Katsuragisan Maru at 8,000 yards

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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 11
P-40B Warhawk x 7
SNJ-3 Texan x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed
SNJ-3 Texan: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
18th PG/19th PS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
B5N2 Kate x 100
D3A1 Val x 130

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1
AK Castor, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CM Oglala, Bomb hits 2, on fire

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

Repair Shipyard hits 2
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
22 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
25 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Taytay , at 75,82

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
P-35A x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AD Choko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Saipan at 114,93

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yayoi, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Tatsuta
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Yayoi
Magazine explodes on DD Yayoi

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Taytay at 75,82

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N1 Kate x 9
B5N2 Kate x 5

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD John D. Edwards, on fire
DD Pope, on fire
DD Stewart, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 114,89

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBD-1 Devastator x 8

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 16, heavy fires
TB Sagi

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Mutsu

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Taytay at 75,82, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
CL Kuma
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Whipple, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards


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Side note: love the picture on the first post of the AAR. I love images like that - they give a sense of the scale of the Pacific War.

FLAK: I'm flabergasted. The last thing I want to do in this AAR is piss and moan, so I won't. I'm just completely perplexed at the ability of IJN bombers to hit PH turn after turn with seemingly lessening affects from flak. I've hit on day 2 myself as IJN and was very concerned about losses to the KB strike groups. I've hit other babes with a similar accumulation of flak guns and had some devastating results against my strike forces. This just doesn't make sense.

So. I'm going to write off the BB fleet at PH. He'll eventually sink them all if this keeps going, so I won't worry about it or mention it anymore. Just had to get it out of the way.

The only AA guns you've got at PH that can hit him are the 75mm M3 guns - they're not amazing AA guns, not by Allied standards. He's flying out of range of the 37mm M1A2 guns, which are overall better.

The 3 inch guns on the BB's and the 5 inch guns on the CL/CA's only contribute half their flak value on port attack - it's these guns in my experience that really make a mess of Japanese planes (esp the 5 inch guns) prior to the proliferation of the 20mm and 40mm AA guns, and if you've moved these ships out of port then they won't fire at all against attacking raids.

The real problem you will have with Lexington IMO is fuel. Where is she going and how much fuel is there for her and her entourage?

Good catch about PH, I didn't realize they were coming in above flak. Excellent pilots against motionless targets, even that high (at least in-game) spells trouble.

Not having so many of those old BB later does change some things for you, but in the meantime is no issue. Spending all of KB's time in Hawaiian waters right now should be an issue for him, though.

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Side note: love the picture on the first post of the AAR. I love images like that - they give a sense of the scale of the Pacific War.

FLAK: I'm flabergasted. The last thing I want to do in this AAR is piss and moan, so I won't. I'm just completely perplexed at the ability of IJN bombers to hit PH turn after turn with seemingly lessening affects from flak. I've hit on day 2 myself as IJN and was very concerned about losses to the KB strike groups. I've hit other babes with a similar accumulation of flak guns and had some devastating results against my strike forces. This just doesn't make sense.

So. I'm going to write off the BB fleet at PH. He'll eventually sink them all if this keeps going, so I won't worry about it or mention it anymore. Just had to get it out of the way.

The only AA guns you've got at PH that can hit him are the 75mm M3 guns - they're not amazing AA guns, not by Allied standards. He's flying out of range of the 37mm M1A2 guns, which are overall better.

The 3 inch guns on the BB's and the 5 inch guns on the CL/CA's only contribute half their flak value on port attack - it's these guns in my experience that really make a mess of Japanese planes (esp the 5 inch guns) prior to the proliferation of the 20mm and 40mm AA guns, and if you've moved these ships out of port then they won't fire at all against attacking raids.

Thanks. The 3in/50 M3 AA and 3in/1918 AA aren't great, but in DBB the IJA 75mm are even decent, so it's just surprising there are virtually no flak losses happening with such regular usage and large numbers.

The big Auxiliaries all have 5in ERB or other 5 in DP guns, some with the 3in as well, and the smaller ships have the 3inch. Maybe it is the DDs and CLs that cause a lot of damage, but even on dec 10 when I had all of those ships present, the result were about 5 planes shot down from 140 + Kates striking.

Again, I'm just hoping I can count on flak from here on out. I've really noticed a difference even in stock with the latest patches, and a lot of my intended strategy will be determined by how effective flak is for the Allies. So it's just worrisome.

If I lose the BBs so be it! Jeff deserves some fun after the games he's taken on recently!! [:D]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

The real problem you will have with Lexington IMO is fuel. Where is she going and how much fuel is there for her and her entourage?

Good catch about PH, I didn't realize they were coming in above flak. Excellent pilots against motionless targets, even that high (at least in-game) spells trouble.

Not having so many of those old BB later does change some things for you, but in the meantime is no issue. Spending all of KB's time in Hawaiian waters right now should be an issue for him, though.

I'm hoping so.

I have two options for Lex. One is already sorted, which is the merging of the Lex and Enterprise TFs. The Enterprise and company come with longer range DDs and didn't make a flank run to the Marianas. So once put together they could reach Rabaul, Nauru, or a few other destinations I'm holding onto right now.

There is also a slow AO, the Sepulga, steaming through the Pacific well North of Midway that can provide 6,500 fuel if needed. She'll aim for Wake but if not needed veer to the North to get to Sara.

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 13, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PH: [/font] Another strike. This time two BBs succumb at last to the hail of bombs. A few 800kg hits seal the deal for the Tennessee and Maryland takes a direct magazine shot with one and keels over into the mud.

So. The KB is 5 hexes from PH. I'll have 50-60 fighters repaired and ready next turn. The B-17Es have repaired from their flight in a few days ago from SF, and at 5 hexes the DBs, Havocs and Bolos would all have fighters escort. I'm setting everything to strike.

ALL IN!! [:)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 13, 41
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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 16
P-40B Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40B Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 98
D3A1 Val x 128

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40B Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 3
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1

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

Repair Shipyard hits 1
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
26 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
24 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]In addition to all available strike planes set to go tomorrow all subs will vector direct to the KB. The S-boats are even now 10-12 hexes aways, so some working torpedoes are near. Fingers crossed. [/font]

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 13, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Most subs are so useless at this point I'm being very careful where the Dutch and RN subs end up.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI: [/font] A Massive flotilla of SCTF and transports is cruising toward what looks to be Palembang. A good move. He's got the Ryujo here loaded with a crack zero group as my flights of the beasts and buffs got shot to hell. I'e got another 20-30 planes that could be escorted by up to 50 Buffs available, but I think I'll give this a pass. The pilots are still crap and the A6M still rules. I may concentrate on buying outage groups and sending them back for better days and better airframes. Plus, my focus for defence will be in areas that could lose me extra VPs later, like OZ. I need a lot more fighter groups than usually appear there to defend the interior so these Brit, Aussie and even a few Dutch unit could be useful if pilots and airframes are conserved.

Force Z is available for interdiction here and because Ryujo has no TB in her current setup based on search results, I may plan a run in, but it will be determined by what happens tomorrow and whether they're picked up by search early.

The straggling four stackers riddled in the previous night's engagements all make a getaway, but still need a few days to ensure they're out of the woods. First stop Balikpapan and then on to Soerabaja for a patch job before heading to OZ. The Boise and Houston TF will most likely retire to the Ambon area and await further action there.

At Singers the majority of units have made it to base, and one more brigade is getting into strat mode which will start railing in two days. All lower Malayan bases have a guard, but the Mersing troops will be pushing soon. I think the one brigade roughed up at Kuantan will not make it back or have to fight through. We'll see.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PACIFIC: [/font] The Lex and Enterprise meet up. A lot of relief here as the two task forces immediately equalise bunker stocks for all. So the next stage will be a tip-toe through the tulips to get to safety North or South of the main Marshall Island bases.

I'll run out of range of Truk and along a path leading to Wake for a day, then may veer North or South depending on developments. My recon to Roi Namur did not fly so I need it to go tomorrow and assess what is at that base. The starting Claudes won't do much for him there, but he can fly in A6M so I'll have to be careful about Nettie strikes from the size 4 field there.

Another small 5 plane B-17D group is flown in to Wake to aim at Roi if the fighter presence isn't huge there. If I can put a few hits on the base it'll reduce any possibilities of stuffing it as the USN nears the place. It would be nice to hit the port on the way through, too. See if his flak is better than mine! [;)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Ankang is para-dropped. I've got plans for this as I know it's a standard move these days. A corp is already heading that direction down the yellow road from the central plains. Another is pushing from Sian. A few more will head up the road from the South. I've got a few units allocated to move up from Sian once they arrive there, so anything he does will be surrounded, but the size 1 field is the most important part of the base. Tomorrow the CAF is set to hit with ~20 bombers and the AVG will LR CAP from Sian along with a low CAP of I-16 to try for transports. Paras don't drop engineers, so if the field is ruined before a base force can get in, that will be nice!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Lots of brigades in OZ in DBB! I don't remember so many from before, and the interesting thing i that they cannot combine into divisions. Hmmmmm. So. I guess there are both positives and negatives to that. Flexibility but less overall power.

[font="Trebuchet MS"][/font]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 13, 41
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Amphibious Assault at Manus (101,119)

TF 112 troops unloading over beach at Manus, 101,119

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Morning Air attack on Hong Kong , at 77,61

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 14

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Muntok at 49,89

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15
Do-24K-1 x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (12 airborne, 8 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Muntok at 49,89

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 5 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Taytay , at 75,82

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
P-35A x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Nako Maru #2, Bomb hits 1
AD Choko Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 6
Port supply hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Aoba-1 with F1M2 Pete (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Woleai at 100,108

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Penguin, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Penguin

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Naval bombardment of Kavieng at 106,122

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CA Indianapolis firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit

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Ground combat at Wewak (96,119)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 464 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Defending force 55 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Japanese adjusted assault: 1

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 7 (fort level 0)

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

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

Assaulting units:
5th JNAF Coy

Defending units:
Lark Force /5

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Ground combat at Adak Island (162,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 927 troops, 4 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 7

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Adak Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
7th Port Unit

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Ground combat at Buin (109,131)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 94 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 8

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Buin !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
II/66th Nav Gd /2


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Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 313 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 20

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ankang !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Some interesting choices coming up about how to get through the Netties and potential subs out here. [/font]

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 14, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PACIFIC: [/font] The Lex and Enterprise make it farther South and a bit east and will try to skirt both major air bases that have HQs and likely Netties. We'll veer closes to Kwajalein and farther from Truk most likely. Next turn I hope they end up near Eneweitok, which has no airfield, happily.

I can't get totally out of range but by staying farther from each hope to force less DL and long range strikes with potentially less coordination. We'll see. A few turns that could have lasting affects.

If the CVs do make it through I might have a good shot to cause some more trouble somewhere soon. [:)]

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 14, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PH: [/font]The KB disappears!!

Suddenly the KB has gone, it seems. Just when I'd decided to make things get a little more interesting. I'm torn whether I should have tried a strike earlier, but the combo of repaired fighters and bombers with the arrival of B-17Es made we wait until today. Now I'll never know if the Cats would have been able to land a torpedo shot, if the low flying 4Es could have punched through CAP and put the hurt on a CV or two. With the BBs operating a few hexes away I though also it would be a perfect day to strike as there would be less flak and fewer ships to soak the strikes. Oh well. Next time! [:)]

Now PH will begin to recover. I'll start sending 4Es West. The 2Es will train. The fighters will train and fly CAP, and a few will eventually head off to OZ. The two Marine Def units have a destination already set but I can't take hem until the KB makes it's next destination known.

The Saratoga will continue to operate in the North now since a mid-Pacific renevous with the other CVs is not an option with the KB steaming somewhere. I do know it went North as the PTs still had DL today at 10/10. So I can pretty much see where he is today and will likely keep up some DL once he gets between Midway and Johnston Island.

Some thoughts on subs next.

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 14, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The subs from the last shot around Ph will all stream West aiming to hit the KB and also to scout it's location. I've decided on a USN sub strategy for the game. They will operate en masse and they will shadow the KB whenever possible. Knowing something of it's whereabouts could change everything, so I'll do my best to stagger patrols and flood the areas where the KB operates.

As a consequence of my decision all USN fleet boats will move to convene in the Marshalls/Gilberts until further knowledge of the KB position is known. Subs from Manila will use at Townsville (where two escaped AS are heading) and all from PH will probably change their base to OZ as well if the KB continues West past the Cent Pac islands.

Dutch boats will operate near Borneo and Java in blue water until Soerabaja is taken, then base out of OZ and guard approaches to Darwin, Perth and the rest. RN subs will guard approaches to Burma as they become available.

S-Boats will all move to base at Townsville as well but will remain in the So Pac area around the Solomons and New Britain, possibly along North New Guinea, also guarding the Eastern OZ areas. ASW air will not be trained up yet so it's easy to stay close to land even near the enemy for a while yet.

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 14, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI: [/font]The IJ land massive force at Palembang. Looks like Lowpe will secure his oil first and worry about PI and Singers later. Maybe a quick and dirty move on Java too?

Could work. I'll position Force Z near Batavia in case any raiders come near but essentially they are overmatched here and will move back soon into the shadows again.

I've realised all Dutch air forces are [R] permanently, so only the RAF and RAAF units will move to OZ. The Dutch will battle it out as long as possible but I'll buy out some of the cheap small airbase units to send to backwoods bush areas in OZ to guard against deep resource hits. Places like Broken Hills.

Not much else will be done to resist the current push into the DEI. The ABDA command has determined from the initial battles that it's surface fleet is overmatched and will conserve forces in a general retreat to take as much oil and supply out of the area and live to fight another day. I'll keep the Good Dutch flying boats operating, and may set up some little dot base holdouts for later in the Southern DEI.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 14, 41
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Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2228 troops, 14 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Defending force 21387 troops, 250 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 536

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Palembang Cdo
Djambi Cdo
Lahat Cdo
W Borneo Mil'ie Cdo
Palembang ML Base Force
224 Group RAF /1
PBg-Ld AA Afd
223 Group RAF /1

Defending units:
55th Infantry Regiment
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
I./143rd Infantry Battalion
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
4th Ind Engineer Regiment
15th Naval Guard Unit
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
II./143rd Infantry Battalion
16th Naval Guard Unit
6th JNAF Coy
36th Field AA Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
302nd Ship Eng Coy
34th Field AA Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
32nd Field AA Battalion
202nd Ship Eng Coy
7th Field Construction Battalion
8th JNAF Coy /1

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 14, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Vindicators and PBYs deal with some small xAKL heading into the So Pac area carrying troops. Love hitting troops on ships, no matter how small the units. It all adds up and slows him down. [8D]

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 14, 41
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 100,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Genmei Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Daitei Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
329 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Genmei Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Daitei Maru

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 100,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Genmei Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PBY-4 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on xAKL Genmei Maru

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 94,117

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 5

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-4 Catalina: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Nittai Maru
xAK Shinkoku Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x PBY-4 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 96,118

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Taiyu Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-4 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 14, 1941[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] At Ankang CAF bombers get 26 hits on the fields and suffer no losses. The IJ seems content to sit here, and if he's not going to bring in other air units this paradrop will not work out. Too many Chinese units nearby and if the fields get wrecked, no way to support the troops on the ground through the addition of more transport.

Hong Kong still holds. Won't much longer of course.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 14, 41
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Morning Air attack on Ankang , at 82,42

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 6
DB-3M x 3
SB-III x 13

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-29A Hudson bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x DB-3M bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb
6 x SB-III bombing from 2000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb
7 x SB-III bombing from 2000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20016 troops, 289 guns, 181 vehicles, Assault Value = 510

Defending force 7734 troops, 132 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 168

Japanese adjusted assault: 432

Allied adjusted defense: 309

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
841 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
367 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
66th Infantry Regiment
38th Division
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
1st Middlesex Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
Hong Kong Fortress

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Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2228 troops, 14 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

We need bigger guns! [:D]