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And I also took your advice and now I have an Indian brigade at Oosthaven

there is another brigade at sea; I don't know yet if/ where it is going to end, it will depend on when the battle starts... I initially thought this was imminent; I now believe he won't attack before Singapore and Soerabaja are captured

Just make sure that your units at Palembang don't get trapped and destroyed for little gain. I know that being there will delay the Japanese, but that may end up being enough of a deterrence that slows him down on the invasion. Once enough of his LCUs are being used say on Java, then maybe start evacuation the divisions, 1/3 at a time to keep up the number of units that he sees.

I will end evacuating aircraft, but I don't think it will be possible to evacuate the LCUs; I mean there are no ports once Oosthaven is taken. Singapore is too close which mean he will park LBAs there. Palembang will be a death trap for any ship trying to reach it. Moreover, once he has captured Singapore and Soerabaja the navy will have a one-shot chance to fight, then it will have to withdraw to rearm and refuel in Colombo; that means the IJN will run wild

Also, Palembang will be a level 4 fort, in x3 terrain, with plenty of supplies, and strategic resources needed by Japan... the more brutal the fight, the more the chances it will destroy the oil wells and refineries. I think it is a good payoff for LCUs that historically died in Singapore

As how things are advancing, he won't have time to do anything too crazy, I mean he will most likely take Pt Moresby and Darwin, but I doubt he could go after India or Fiji

If he invades the eastern end of Java, you can put some units in Palembang in strat mode. Once they are fully in strat mode, you can divide into thirds and send them by rail to Osthaven. Even 1/3 of each division taken out of Palembang and sent to Ceylon can help the defense there. The same thing with any support units not needed. I doubt doing that will slow the loss of Palembang since it will still be a major operation to take it by invasion.

By all means, try to slash in with your CLs and DDs. Have them follow MTBs and PT Boats that are in two ship task forces to wear down any protective SCTFs. The lower the number of the TF, they move before the higher numbered TFs. Even use those little motor boats with machine guns if you have to.

I think I got lots of arisakas, rice, sake, sapporo beer, green tea and seaweed

I mean last turn Manila was in red... I need to check last turn and compare

OK, this is last turn:

Jan26:
Manila = 1,085 and in red
Clark = 12,938
Bataan = 30,327

for a total of 44,350

vs

this turn:

Jan27:
Manila = 29,043 definitively NOT in red
Clark = 19,303
Bataan = 31,340
Iba = 28,946

for a total of 108,632 ...[&o] [&o][&o] or a gain of 64,282


for those not following the AAR; I captured Lingayen on a surprise offensive, while he had Manila under siege; once I captured Lingayen, the Japanese withdrew to Iba, I believe it make sense that Lingayen had a lot of Japanese supply, as it is on a mid point between the northern landing area and Manila. Most likely the supply had to move to Iba because there was no path to return up north; he then fast transport withdrew his beaten LCUs and I captured Iba without a fight

Now obviously I will set Clark and Bataan to stockpile like there is no tomorrow

Sweet! I don't think you planned the Lingayen move on the basis of a supply grab (or did you?), but that is certainly a nice bonus!

no, not at all!!
main reason was to fix a stacking issue at Clark and also for the fun of upsetting the timetable of conquest

You really upset the time table with all of those new supplies!

Jan27.42

Manila should fall next turn, or at most in a couple turns
Most of Lingayen's supplies, or Tojo rations, are now safely stored at Clark, Bataan. It seems around 12K remained in Manila, which means they will be lost if he captures it

Japanese LCUs heading to Singapore, river crossing/ shock attack coming soon; fort level won't reach L4

Japan captured Tabiteau, with the KB in distant support



Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38601 troops, 396 guns, 412 vehicles, Assault Value = 1057

Defending force 28202 troops, 180 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 401

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1297

Allied adjusted defense: 703

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1367 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2899 casualties reported
Squads: 71 destroyed, 170 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 72 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 29 (11 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Kimura Det
9th Infantry Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
16th Engineer Regiment
Tanaka
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
65th Brigade
48th Engineer Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
Kure 1st SNLF
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Naval Construction Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
4th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
71st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regiment
41st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
2nd Constabulary Regiment
27th Avn Sup
US Forces Far East
Asiatic Fleet
II Corps
Nichols Field AAF Base Force
1st USMC AA Battalion
Cavite USN Base Force

Move your HQs where you want the supplies, that may be part of the problem with so many supplies in Manila.

yes, but I was worried about Clark going overstacked, and HQs lack AV

in any case, one less problem to worry about:

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

Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37766 troops, 396 guns, 411 vehicles, Assault Value = 982

Defending force 26675 troops, 169 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 221

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1146

Allied adjusted defense: 271

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1355 casualties reported
Squads: 61 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (3 destroyed, 36 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
16356 casualties reported
Squads: 367 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 806 destroyed, 66 disabled
Engineers: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 113 (99 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 10
Units destroyed 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
Kimura Det
16th Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
65th Brigade
7th Tank Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
Tanaka
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
Kure 1st SNLF
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Army
1st Naval Construction Battalion
4th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
1st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regiment
2nd Constabulary Regiment
Nichols Field AAF Base Force
II Corps
US Forces Far East
1st USMC AA Battalion
Asiatic Fleet
27th Avn Sup
Cavite USN Base Force

All still quiet as of Jan30.42

The first evidence of Palembang's buildup was revealed this turn; an unescorted flight of Nells was destroyed at Palembang by 25 P-40s and ~28 Hurricanes; these fighters were training and I would had preferred that Buffaloes do the intercept, as showing Hurricanes, the best RAF fighter available, manifests my intent to fight. Next turn, at the very least, he will send recon planes or maybe sweeps. The veil will be lifted

what else, a submarine minefield at Rabaul caught its first victim; a small PB

and I found the next Japanese target: Kendari

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 29, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 84 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Ships
xAK Yokohama Maru
PB Seikai Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 5 destroyed

CAP engaged:
21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (25 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
25 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 100 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 100.
Raid is overhead

Training flight from 21st PS has been caught up in attack

Training planes will not be caught in sweeps. They can get caught up defending. [;)]

Jan30.42

- As predicted, Japan sent recon and sweeps, I decided I had to challenge it because there was a big convoy unloading supplies, I couldn't risk it being destroyed without a fight.
In what is probably the best air-to-air performance so far in the war, ABDA command trashed, mopped the floor with ~18 Zeroes (Yamada?)... I definitively have his attention now.. would mini-KB come to even things up? I am not too worried yet about LBAs because he only has Singkawang and Kuching

- Singapore assaulted, rolls were good for Japan, and this means it will at most resist for another week or maybe 10 days

- Kendari, Sorong invaded,


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.27 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.27 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13910.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13990 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
17 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12150 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

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

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 76865 troops, 627 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 2407

Defending force 42525 troops, 396 guns, 260 vehicles, Assault Value = 888

Japanese adjusted assault: 2026

Allied adjusted defense: 1243

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
10129 casualties reported
Squads: 163 destroyed, 463 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 180 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 48 (15 destroyed, 33 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3415 casualties reported
Squads: 73 destroyed, 112 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 36 (13 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (26 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
16th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
148th Infantry Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
5th Division
41st Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
21st Division
Imperial Guards Division
1st RTA Division
25th Army
56th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
36th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
3rd Cavalry Regiment
2nd Loyal Battalion
1st Malay Battalion
1st Hyderabad Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
1st Manchester Battalion
SSVF Brigade
2/17 Dogra Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
2nd Malay Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
3rd SSVF Battalion
11th Indian Division
III Indian Corps
AHQ Far East
Malayan Air Wing
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Base Force
Malaya Army
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
Singapore Fortress
FMSV Brigade

Against all odds, Singapore resists, as of mid February

I have alredy started 11th Indian Div evacuation; probably around 1,000 troops will be rescued.
the fortress should fall next turn,

then??
at least a couple days to remove mines
a week to rest and recover from losses?
then a few days to load amphibious TFs
he needs to invade or at least get a bridgehead on Java and Sumatra
anywhere else will need some transit time

big question, for me, is can he do any "2nd phase" invasion? in the time left before end of amphibious advantage (month and a half)



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

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 68546 troops, 627 guns, 210 vehicles, Assault Value = 1430

Defending force 32278 troops, 293 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 328

Japanese adjusted assault: 503

Allied adjusted defense: 381

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1921 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 198 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
729 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 114 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 21 (9 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
21st Division
5th Division
148th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
1st Tank Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
56th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
1st RTA Division
16th Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
25th Army
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
36th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
27th Australian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
11th Indian Division
III Indian Corps
2/17 Dogra Battalion
Malayan Air Wing
AHQ Far East
Singapore Fortress
Malaya Army
1st Malay Battalion
Singapore Base Force
SSVF Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
2nd Gordons Battalion
3rd SSVF Battalion

after Feb14's battle guesstimate of Singapore fall changed to sometime close to Feb 18th

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

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 67271 troops, 627 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 1284

Defending force 31089 troops, 279 guns, 198 vehicles, Assault Value = 300

Japanese adjusted assault: 377

Allied adjusted defense: 565

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2041 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 28 (2 destroyed, 26 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1298 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 76 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 14 (8 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
24th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
113th Infantry Regiment
5th Division
Imperial Guards Division
21st Division
1st Tank Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
1st RTA Division
56th Recon Regiment
25th Army
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
36th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade
SSVF Brigade
11th Indian Division
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
1st Malay Battalion
III Indian Corps
27th Australian Brigade
AHQ Far East
Malaya Army
Singapore Fortress
Malayan Air Wing
2nd Gordons Battalion
Singapore Base Force
2/17 Dogra Battalion
3rd SSVF Battalion

Feb 15.42
He baited me with a small TF of cruisers/ destroyers moving on direction to Christmas
then the next turn, the cruisers/ destroyers warped back full speed, and instead I got the KB

so.. losses so far are still ok, he just sank xAKs, but because I didn't see the KB, now the auxiliaries at Christmas and Palmyra can't run away.. instead I will try something else.. they are now moving to Palmyra where lots of P-40s were rebased and will CAP the base

more to come... this will get very interesting next turn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jarvis Island at 166,145

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
B5N2 Kate x 20
D3A1 Val x 22

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

Allied Ships
xAK Am. Packer, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK West Nilus, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
xAK West Notus, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sidney Hauptmann, Bomb hits 1
xAK Forbes Hauptmann, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Jefferson Myers

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK West Notus


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jarvis Island at 166,145

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Sidney Hauptmann, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Sage Brush, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Forbes Hauptmann, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jarvis Island at 166,145

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK West Notus, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Jefferson Myers, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

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

Feb16.42
what a big beautiful air battle... but how costly!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 64
B5N2 Kate x 103
D3A1 Val x 66

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 73

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 15 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
APD Talbot, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AR Medusa, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
ACM Colonel Niles, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
APD Humphreys
APD King, Bomb hits 2
APD Crosby
APD Rathburne
APD Litchfield
APD Crane, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
AR Vestal, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DM Sicard, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AV Wright, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AE Mauna Loa, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
APD Lawrence, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AVD Williamson, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Planter, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Ward, Bomb hits 1
APD Schley
APD Sands, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
ACM YP-74, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DM Pruitt
APD Kane, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DM Montgomery
AP U.S. Grant, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
20 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 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
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
11 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 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
51st PG/16th PS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(19 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 17 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
15th PG/46th PS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(22 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
15th PG/72nd PS with P-40E Warhawk (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(23 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
35th PG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
51st PG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

Massive explosion on APD Talbot
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Talbot
Massive explosion on DM Sicard
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring ACM Colonel Niles
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AE Mauna Loa
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring ACM Planter
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Crane
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring ACM YP-74
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DM Sicard

now it is time to discuss why there was a battle...

last turn I decided to go after the KB.. in Feb42... which I know is recklessly stupid, but I want to take a chance, I think I can inflict good losses, and with some luck Japan will end out coming up worst

Some rationales for this:
- I suspect this game will not reach 43
- I think I can have a chance if I park the carriers near Palmyra, with its significant CAP advantage
- KB had some significant losses in Zero fighters that will reduce escort or CAP or both
- KB has spent torpedoes for 2 consecutive days, I think it should be running low, maybe a few for next battle, then bombs
- There are several Allied bases/ airfields nearby that can be used as shelter for homeless airplanes and damaged ship. there is nowhere to hide for Japan.
- PH is nearby, closest Japanese shipyard is in Japan