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Ouch on the carriers. I don't even use Halsey. I've been burned before.

Good luck extracting losses in Sing and PH.

Cheers,
CB

Mar 11 - 20, 1942

I decided to issue the AAR in larger blocks. Firstly, so that I don't have to repeat that nothing is happening, and also so that the context can be seen better.

In Java, the Japanese first proceeded west to conquer Surabaya. Immediately after the conquest of Tjepoe, I sent bombers to attack and managed to damage 25 oil fields and 5 refineries. There are only smaller forces in Surabaya, so the Japanese occupied it after a few days of siege on March 19. The coast of Borneo is gradually occupied. March 12 is occupied by Samarinda and then the Japanese disembark at Tangjoengselor and Taram will be next in line.

Subsequently, the Japanese moved to Timor and Celebes and landed at Koapang and Makassar. Only a small crew here. I can't have units everywhere. In addition, aircraft carriers cruise here. The aircraft carriers then moved to the Timor Sea and attacked Darwin on March 18. First, Zero arrives to clear the sky. They did not succeed and on the contrary 4 fall to the ground. Then 20 Zer and 109 Vals arrive. Their destination is the port, where they sank or damaged only three moored ships. The total loss of the aircraft is 29:10, which is definitely an allied victory. The aircraft carriers then retreated to the north.

Fighting is also taking place at Port Moresby, where the fortifications are gradually being lowered, and in the end, to my unpleasant surprise, the base is occupied on 19 March. It is immediately shelled from the sea and repeatedly bombed, and the airport is taken out of service. The Japanese also land at Tassafaronga and Lunga, and on the islands around Papua. I try to harass them with several cruisers that I have in the area and sometimes I manage to sink or damage a small cargo ship.

Singapore is still resisting, and after three months of fighting, supplies are running low. This time the end is really coming. An unpleasant surprise awaited me at Swebo. Although I repulsed the first attacks without any problems and all units are bombed by planes from southern India, on March 20, the Japanese managed to conquer Swebo and drive the defenders into the jungle. All that remains is to retreat north and prepare in India.

There is complete peace in China, only at Sian do the Japanese retreat. Since I managed to surround them, they had to sacrifice one tank unit, which lost 130 vehicles and made their way from the south. Now they continue to retreat and it seems that the attack on Sian has definitely been repulsed. The Chinese troops will regroup, because the opponent has shorter lines and may have wanted to try it at Ichang, for example. I will try to weaken him as much as possible during the retreat.



War under water
KVIII tried to torpedo CV Akagi - all torpedoes missed (10/3/42)
KVII torpedoed DD Okikaze and sank it. Confirmed by intelligence (15/3/42)
USS S-38 torpedoed AK Naukai Maru near Luzon (18/3/42)
USS Grayling damaged AKL Katsura Maru by Woodlark Island (20/3/42)

Intelligence report
Confirmed sinking of CV Hiryu and CL Oi (10/3/42)
Confirmed sinking of CVL Ryujo (13/3/42)
The 29th Division is moving to Takao. Another unit from the continent. I don't know how to deal with this flood. The Japanese have practically doubled the number of divisions in the Pacific.

Air losses (J:A): 44:33

Mar 21 - 31, 1942

The Japanese begin to gradually gain superiority and territory. They are slowly moving north in Burma and British bombers are arriving every day to inflict some casualties. Japanese aircraft do not operate in Burma. The Imperial Guard Division can be expected to occupy all of Burma.



Although another month is gone, Singapore is still under British control. Supplies and forces are running out, the fall of the city can be expected every day, but it is a miracle.

Recently, the Japanese have been very active in Celebes, Timor and the surrounding area. They gradually occupy most of the bases. I was surprised that they used the 11th division for this, divided into about ten parts. Apparently they have enough power to use their divisions like this. At Boela, the Japanese made a mistake. B-17s taking off from Darwin destroyed all Oil and Resources within days.



On the 24th, the Japanese landed in Tarakan, which managed to hold out for about a week before the crew surrendered. Several Japanese cargo ships were seriously damaged. East Java, including Surabaya, is in the hands of the enemy. In Surabaya, however, they managed to destroy all the industry, including the refineries, and the opponent had doubts whether it was worth playing on. I hope so, because I'd like to see this game through to the end.

Of course, I also have some failures. The TF around the British aircraft carrier did not detect the danger in time and was surprised by the Japanese superiority. The loss is unpleasant, but it does not solve anything fundamental.You need to find something positive in everything. The Japanese already know that I'm not afraid to use my ships in battle

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 56,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
B5N1 Kate x 3
B5N2 Kate x 57
D3A1 Val x 65

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 3
Sea Hurricane Ib x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed
Sea Hurricane Ib: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Paul Jones
CL Boise
CL Colombo, Bomb hits 17
CL Ceres, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
CL Capetown, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Napier, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Nestor, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Dauntless, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Dorsetshire, Bomb hits 2
DD Nizam

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 56,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 14

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 7 destroyed
Albacore I: 12 destroyed
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Colombo, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CV Indomitable, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Dauntless, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

The entire Pacific is practically calm. The only activity of the opponent is around New Guinea, where I managed to sink several lonely ships, occupying small islands like Woodlark etc. Port Moresby is the target of daily B-17 raids and the airport cannot be used. Troops retreating from Port Moresby to Buna arrived just in time to repel the Japanese landings.



It's quiet in China. The Japanese Air Force does not operate. The Chinese moved reinforcements to Sian and forced the Japanese to retreat from Sian. There is no longer any danger of his being encircled. On the contrary, there are indications that Japanese forces could be encircled.

Even in the air force it is no miracle. Most of the losses are due to the sunken aircraft carrier as well as the deployment of Dutch aircraft before they are destroyed. They cannot be moved. Total losses in the period 42:110.

What I must mention is that the Prince of Wales docked in Cape Town on March 22, 1942 and began repairs. I had to look in the AAR and on the 22nd December 1941 it was hit by 4 torpedoes and the flooting was 73. Still it managed to sail to Kendari, from there right in front of the enemy to Perth and then to Cape Town for repairs. Unbelievable story. We have to win this war.

War under water
USS S-36 torpedoed and sunk AK Natsukawa Maru near Luzon (28/3/42)
O-19 torpedoed AK Kosei Maru in Java Sea (30/3/42)

Intelligence report
Confirmed sinking of CVL Shoho (24/3/42)

April 1, 1942

I'm going back to the previous format of one-day entries. It is quite difficult for me to take notes and post them later.

Today, submarines were mainly active
O-21 torpedoed and sank AK Wales Maru near Merak. The ship was carrying reinforcements to Sumatra. Four PT boats unsuccessfully attacked this convoy off Oosthaven. The attack was unsuccessful, but the panicked Japanese put to sea again, and the O-21 then damaged another ship. This time AK Amagisan Maru. I hope the equipment from the two ships went to the bottom.

USS Grouper torpedoed and hit BB Fuso off Pearl Harbor. The ship had to return to Lahaina. The submarine was slightly damaged by the escort and is returning to the West Coast for repairs.
The Japanese have deployed some bombers in Burma and are attacking my retreating troops.
For the third day in a row, the Japanese are attacking Singapore. The last cans are eaten, we can only prepare for the worst.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 53625 troops, 720 guns, 400 vehicles, Assault Value = 1230

Defending force 34086 troops, 482 guns, 381 vehicles, Assault Value = 97

Japanese adjusted assault: 934

Allied adjusted defense: 555

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
902 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 115 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Vehicles lost 29 (12 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
378 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 91 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 47 (28 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 22 (2 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

• Iloilo occupied

• 40 ships handed over for upgrades

• Air losses (J:A) 3:0

April 2, 1942

It was necessary to explain to the Japanese that my ground troops in northern Burma could not be bombed with impunity. In addition, without an escort.



The attack on Singapore was surprisingly repulsed. But the situation is critical.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52767 troops, 720 guns, 392 vehicles, Assault Value = 1159

Defending force 33551 troops, 463 guns, 378 vehicles, Assault Value = 86

Japanese adjusted assault: 517

Allied adjusted defense: 515

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:
1608 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 155 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 27 (20 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
754 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 39 (27 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 33 (2 destroyed, 31 disabled)

At Pearl Harbor, the enemy is also repulsed. Here it is not critical yet.

Ground combat at Pearl Harbor (180,107)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43259 troops, 473 guns, 253 vehicles, Assault Value = 1058

Defending force 53506 troops, 982 guns, 1139 vehicles, Assault Value = 528

Japanese adjusted assault: 758

Allied adjusted defense: 2287

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
5363 casualties reported
Squads: 95 destroyed, 284 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1052 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 58 (4 destroyed, 54 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (3 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Air losses (J:A) 32:0

April 3, 1942

The Japanese also used fighters in Burma. I can't compete in aerial combat yet.
Singapore has defended itself.
Air losses (J:A) 5:14

April 4, 1942

The enemy intensified airstrikes on Clark Field and Pearl Harbor.
Air losses (J:A) 5:3

April 5, 1942

About 80 planes fly over Clark Field every day and plow the airfield. It's very annoying, but the losses are minimal. I don't know why the enemy didn't bombard Clark Field from the beginning, but only now that the fortress is level 4. Ground shelling is even less effective and even counterproductive on the Japanese side.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 35524 troops, 274 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 1293

Defending force 53256 troops, 739 guns, 528 vehicles, Assault Value = 2036

Japanese ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Pearl Harbor is not so massively bombed from the air, always around 20 bombers and half are reported as damaged by flak. Ground fighting in Burma also continues. My rear guard is chased across the river by the Japanese, but most of the units retreated in an orderly manner in time. I decided to clear Myitkyina. The Imperial Guard Division is on the march and I would suffer unnecessary casualties. I am leaving Burma completely.



Telegraphic:
Japanese occupied Tjilatjap.
Intelligence reports that the 11th Division will reconcentrate in Surabaya
I have begun preparations for Operation "Peacock"
Air losses (J:A) 1:1

It looks like he his bombing/bombarding at PH and Clark Field to use up your supply. I can't think of any other reason he would continue to suffer greater losses than he dishes out.

April 6, 1942

Nothing worth mentioning happened, so I can mention a few behind the scenes information.
Reconnaissance reported 5 units advancing from Nanyang to Sian. The enemy apparently wants to clear the main road and facilitate their supply. I do not have exact information about the strength and type of units, but intelligence claims that one of the units is the 52nd Infantry Brigade. After 4 months, 3 bombing groups return from India. Their task will be recon. I have absolutely no information about the Japanese, and having information is the first prerequisite to not being surprised.
Assault value in Singapore is 74. White flags are ready. Waiting for the Japanese to finish their sake.

Air losses (J:A) 2:0

April 7, 1942

USS Seal encountered a smaller unprotected convoy off the coast of Formosa. AKL Shinnon Maru was sunk by a torpedo and AKL Nitian Maru was probably sunk by a deck gun. Another submarine, the USS Tautog, arrived in its patrol area off Sakhalin. It is the first deployment of submarines so far north. I would like to attack ships carrying raw materials to Japan here. But the attack on the convoy is not successful. Overall, I hope that performance will gradually improve as we install radars on the first submarines.

The old AV Langley, badly damaged in the first days of the war and anchored in the endangered Zamboanga, set sail about a week ago on an endless mission - the target was Darwin. Japanese planes have been patrolling over it since the first days, and 15 Bettys put an end to the journey this morning. I tried it.

It seems that the Japanese have finished their sake and are rising for another attack on Singapore. To my surprise, it's only 1:1 again and I don't understand at all how those units can resist. I wonder what condition the Japanese units are in. I think Singapore defenders have done the impossible and thanks to them I am not fighting in India or Australia yet.
If I count correctly, the Japanese have 4 divisions, 3 infantry regiments and 2 tank regiments.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52496 troops, 717 guns, 339 vehicles, Assault Value = 1173

Defending force 33077 troops, 429 guns, 374 vehicles, Assault Value = 100

Japanese adjusted assault: 707

Allied adjusted defense: 551

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:
1664 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 179 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
766 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 89 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (4 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
14th Division
33rd Division
5th Division
143rd Infantry Regiment
18th Division
1st Tank Regiment
15th Guards Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
25th Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
27th Australian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
11th Indian Division
12th Indian Brigade
AHQ Far East
Singapore Base Force
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
109th RN Base Force
III Indian Corps
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
223 Group RAF
5th Field Regiment
Malayan Air Wing
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
SSVF Brigade
2nd Malay Battalion
Malaya Army
Singapore Fortress
110th RAF Base Force
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
112th RAF Base Force
111th RAF Base Force
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
109th RAF Base Force
2nd ISF Base Force /1

According to intelligence reports, the 4th Guards Division is moving to Sumatra.
Chinese reconnaissance south of Sian reports that 11 units are already moving north. This makes me a little nervous.
Air losses (J:A) 4:0

I don't know if the AAR written like this is OK, but I'm not a fan of long excerpts from combat reports.

I am currently looking into the idea of how to get reinforcements and supplies to Pearl Harbor, but unfortunately I have not found a reasonable solution. About 3 BB + 10 CA/CL Japanese TF arrive at PH every day. In order to get supplies there, I would need to knock him out. A surface battle is practically impossible. My CL/CA serves as carrier escort and one TF operates around New Guinea to unnerve the enemy a bit and BBs are not usable.

There are about 100 fighters and 60 bombers at the Lahaina airfield. I only saw Sally and no sea Nell/Betty. So I'm not afraid of the bombers, but I'm afraid that the fighters will destroy the air force of the remaining aircraft carriers and I won't have a sufficient and high-quality replacement. Additionally, I think the increase in PH defense is not outweighed by the potential loss of CVs. The option that I would fly over to PH with planes and stay out of range with aircraft carriers is not possible, as the airfield is unusable during everyday attacks.
I can transport supplies by submarines

Any advice on PH?

When you can't compete on the surface or in the air, submarines and mines are your friend! You don't have to go into hexes the Japanese have already mined, just mine the route his BBs take. IIRC, the Dutch subs can carry some pretty effective Type II mines. The O class subs were made for this. The drawback is that the Dutch subs also have working torpedoes and are needed everywhere!

April 8, 1942

It probably won't surprise anyone that the Japanese tried to attack Singapore again. And as usual they failed. It's not even 1:1. Let's go until May guys. The only success is the capture of Kalidjati in Java, where 21st Division moved.
Another 40 ships are being moved to shipyards for upgrades. I'm also gradually pulling the submarines into ports, as radar is an important thing for them.

Air losses (J:A) 4:0

April 9, 1942

USS Sealion torpedoed the large cargo ship AK Syoan Maru. Faulty torpedo. KVIII is successful and hits AK Tatuwa Maru near Batavia. The ship was transporting troops to Sumatra.
Otherwise it's quiet. Part of 6th Guards Division and 14th Guards Regiment are advancing north from Tilitjap. The reconnaissance also reports that the Japanese have begun to move near Palembang and are trying to bypass it from the west. The intention is clear - they don't want to cross the river to Palembang.

Air losses (J:A) 2:0

April 10, 1942

USS Permit attempted to torpedo the AK Tatuwa Maru, which was damaged during yesterday. Unfortunately, this was not possible and the ship is still afloat. Otherwise, unfortunately, there is no enemy activity and the allies are trying to pretend they are not on the map.
I will add at least one point of interest. A few days ago I unmasked the freighter Alchiba in one of the small bays on Oahu. Boarded by VMJ-253 with R4D-1 Skytrain aircraft, the ship secretly departs and tries to get out of the danger zone. I hope one group of transport planes can be saved. It's a small thing, but I take pleasure in every mischief I do to the enemy.

Air losses (J:A) 4:1

April 11, 1942

There is no fighting in the air or at sea today. The only actions are unsuccessful attacks by American submarines. Unfortunately, no hit. The enemy, with the support of the air force, lands additional reinforcements on Sumatra.
Today there is another attack on Singapore, and I think that if the Japanese let their troops rest for a day, I will not be able to withstand another attack.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 51867 troops, 716 guns, 337 vehicles, Assault Value = 1091

Defending force 32268 troops, 424 guns, 369 vehicles, Assault Value = 84

Japanese adjusted assault: 702

Allied adjusted defense: 517

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1672 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (2 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
974 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 33 (4 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)

The Japanese also attack Pearl Harbor, which caused further significant losses. I hope I can tire them out like I did in Singapore.

Ground combat at Pearl Harbor (180,107)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43393 troops, 474 guns, 250 vehicles, Assault Value = 996

Defending force 54180 troops, 977 guns, 1144 vehicles, Assault Value = 572

Japanese adjusted assault: 1066

Allied adjusted defense: 1351

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
4856 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 187 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 91 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 23 (11 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
749 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 50 (9 destroyed, 41 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Air losses (J:A) 1:0

April 12, 1942

USS Tautog again hastily attacked a Japanese freighter near Sakhalin. The targets are here, unfortunately no hits yet.
Today the enemy is more active. Japanese fighters attack my Buffalo over Palembang and three crash to the ground in flames. Conversely, the Allies deploy P-26s and P-35s over Clark Field and one bomber is shot down with one own loss.

At Sian the Japanese are shelling my troops to see what their strength is and after the Chinese 40th Corps has gotten into the enemy's rear and captured the only supply route it appears to have begun a general retreat. I immediately send the released units south of Sian to keep contact with the enemy.


Japanese occupy Roxas (Philippines)
Air losses (J:A) 5:8

How is your supply situation at Pearl Harbor?

60k