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Very interesting, 8 out of 18 have been sunk since 3/44. I guess you picked those subs for the test because they were on station at 3/44, but as you said, it shows that even though sub warfare is very effective, it is also quite dangerous.. you say that once Bornéo and Iwo are capture the sub war will become too difficult because of the smaller area of activity. It seems that 2 out of the 8 were sunk by aircrafts, while the others wer sunk by ASW task forces.. Do you have an idea of how many of them had been damaged by ACs before and just finished of by the ships ?

It looks like with a restrained perimeter an interesting idea would be to switch from attacking the merchies towards a greater emphasis on the ASW fleets... I mean you need to break its backbone in order to regain efficiency against the merchies... What are your thoughts on that ?

It looks like with a restrained perimeter an interesting idea would be to switch from attacking the merchies towards a greater emphasis on the ASW fleets... I mean you need to break its backbone in order to regain efficiency against the merchies... What are your thoughts on that ?

Interestingly enough, something like that happened historically. ASW vessels were moved to near the top of the target priority list for the U.S. submarine force. The submariners enthusiastically followed those orders!

Hi all,

Thanks for your comments guys. Hi Castor I think you're right in say comparing a 60 experience crew to a 65 one but comparing a 60 to an 80 experience crew will have some effect. You're right though working torps and SJ radar are massive steps forward.

Hi Veji/Capt - it certainly is dangerous. More so over the past 3 months due to the confined waters i'm operating in. Of the one's sunk by ships 95%+ of them were sunk directly by ships and were not damaged by aircraft beforehand.

A for targetting ASW vessels I don't think i'll bother. I see the risk as too great (with this game modekl) in challenging a 5 ships MODERN PC ASW TF. For the chance of 6 x VP's or a lost sub i'd rather keep them in port.

I will keep a few on patrol but I will move most to ports since when Iwo and Borneo are taken he will have almost nowhere to collect oil from. As such there wil be no TK convoys which have always been my focus.

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Things are hottign up in the SRA.

Kuching invasion forces are 60 miles out. I 1/2 expected this and Faber has bought some CV's to play by the looks of it. I am moving 2 subs towards them and have P38J, P47D and Corsairs on CAP over my fleet. I have not detected any SC TF's so my covering warships will bombard Kuching tomorrow.

SS I-30 attacked my support troops convoy 180 miles NW of Kuching heavily damaged a troop carrying AK. The DE's located I-30 and sunk her.

DD Shirayuki (hit by my submarine yesterday) was located by a Sunderland near Singapore and hit again.

B29's hit Singapore again but were mainly driven off by enemy CAP for 7 losses. We rest tomorrow since my ships are out of enemy fighter range from Singapore.

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

B29's resting around the globe for now.

P51D's are being produced now[:)]

CVE Casablanca class have upgraded from 197 AA to 419 AA[8D]

Usual mass bombing in Burma, SRA and Marshalls.

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SS Raton evaded 4 x ASW vessels 120 miles SE of Hong Kong.

SS Sea Fox sank AK Minato Maru with 2 torpedoes 60 miles west of Taytay.

SS Icefish hit PG Seiko Maru with dud torpedoes 180 miles south of Shanghai[:-]

SS Barb was left heavily damaged by 2 x DC hit and 6 x DC near miss dropped by 3 x PC 60 miles NE of Jesselton - 66/86/0.

SS Halibut sank ML Aotaka with a torpedo 60 miles east of Iwo Jima.

Air sightings = 24
Air attacks = 1

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

SS Boarfish, 2 x DD and an LCI arrive in theatre tomorrow.

Speedy,
 
I note that your subs have sunk 90 TK.  How effective have been other ships and planes against penguin tankers?
 
Regarding sub patrol locations post capture of Borneo and Iwo Jima, will there be no opportunities to intercept penguin resupply convoys to:
 
1.  Kuriles
2.  New Guinea/Solomons
3.  The Mandates
4.  Moluccas/Ceram
 
If he doesn't run resupply convoys (even if they are only single ship convoys) to these locations then either he does not have garrisons (therefore you simply walk into the bases) or the garrisons will literally starve.  There is plenty of sea room, away from prying aircraft (particularly #1 during the winter) to station your subs to interdict these areas.
 
You may also need to consider using your subs to:
 
A.  Protect your bases from penguin SCTF
 
B.  Resupply your bases (BTW what is the Allied situation in China, do the Allies hold any base there or do they only have AF there)
 
C.  Conduct an aggressive sub minelaying campaign in the Sea of Japan
 
Alfred

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - As per norm you make some excellent suggestions. In response:

I will check on the other TK/AO's sunk and by what means. I don't think it's many though. I will keep subs in the Kuriles but the other areas are either empty (NG/Solomans and plan to take these over the next 5 months) or will be subjected to airpower (Ceram/west of PI).

I will keep a few in frotn of my front bases but a great idea on mining the HI. This is what I will probably conduct from about 2 months time in groups of 10 x SS. Thanks.

As for China - it's been a stalemate there from the end of 1942. I've attached a screenshot showing the situation. In short. I hold the central 4 bases. All are supplied ok (Burma road helps). Chungking for example has 5000AV and has almost 20K supplies. Faber has been gradually withdrawing troops from this theatre (presumably to fortify other areas) and interestingly my LCU's are slowly starting to fill out again in China. I don't forsee a lot of action here though unless supplies continue to increase or Faber withdraws rapidly.

Really appreciate your thoughts.

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

The invasion of Kuching started today uinder the heavy guns of BB Royal Sovereign. About 1/2 of my combat force was ashore by days end and in pretty good shape (90% operational). I will probably need to enter my reserve troops into the fray (2 x USA Division + 2 x ARM Bn's) but we'll see. If so they will be covered by a nice surprise for Faber - 2 x Essex class CV's (Hancock and Bennington) which have just reached Darwin.

Ground combat at Kuching

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23570 troops, 259 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 496

Defending force 16065 troops, 98 guns, 151 vehicles, Assault Value = 509



Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

The only damaged sustained by my ships was caused by the CV TF spotted yesterday. They parked 180 miles NW of Kuching and the CRAZY A2A model showed itself again:

Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 72
D4Y Judy x 73
B7A Grace x 54

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 12
P-38J Lightning x 27
P-47D Thunderbolt x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 72 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 46 destroyed
B7A Grace: 33 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 1 damaged
P-47D Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Alcoa Pioneer, Torpedo hits 1
MSW Impeccable
AK Alexander Woolcott
DE McConnell
AK Boulder Victory
DE Manning
DE Cabana, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

A few more Kamikazi and regular strikes came in to no avail leaving 225 enemy planes lost in the day to my 12[8|]

My Corsair/P38J and P47D groups were highly experienced 85-90 average experience but still a crazy result.

Not sure what to do about it since we already have a 40% CAP/1 CV TF per hex limit. Can't really not allow LRCAP.

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

Elsewhere just the regular strikes in Burma, Marshalls etc.

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

SS Sea Fox evaded a load of PC/PG and MSW escort craft 60 miles west of Taytay.

SS Skipjack heavily damaged a DD of the CV TF 180 miles NW of Kuching. DD Yudachi took a torpedo.

Both my submarines near Kuching are moving to protect my ships since BB Kirishima was spotted with the CV's. Faber may detatch them and try a suirface engagement.

Air sightings = 31
Air attacks = 6
Air hits = 1 - SS Tautog by a Sally 120 miles west of Hong Kong - 26/33/0. Back to Darwin.

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

An AK and an LST arrive in theatre tomorrow.

ORIGINAL: Speedy


The only damaged sustained by my ships was caused by the CV TF spotted yesterday. They parked 180 miles NW of Kuching and the CRAZY A2A model showed itself again:

Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 72
D4Y Judy x 73
B7A Grace x 54

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 12
P-38J Lightning x 27
P-47D Thunderbolt x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 72 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 46 destroyed
B7A Grace: 33 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 1 damaged
P-47D Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Alcoa Pioneer, Torpedo hits 1
MSW Impeccable
AK Alexander Woolcott
DE McConnell
AK Boulder Victory
DE Manning
DE Cabana, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Had the same in my aar just a few days ago, my bombers crews were all around 75-80 and my fighters 70-75, 40 Zeros, 80 Vals, 80 Kates all shot down for little loss by 30 thunderbolts and spitfires.

Don't think i want to play the stock verision of this game ever again after results like that keep popping up, but not totatlly convinced that modifications can change it that much.. The air model just cant sustain the extremes that are thrown at in in 43/44/45.

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - I've checked and the only other additions to the TK/AO list are 4 x TK sunk by air power.

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

A very enjoyable day of WiTP.

As I suspected Faber detached BB Kirishima with CA Maya + DD's to attack my invasion forces off Kuching. What followed was a series of 'scrappy' engagements with both BB Kirishima and BB Royal Sovereign receiving 15" and 14" hits respectively (4 to 3).

CA Hawkins and CA Maya duelled with Maya being hit more but the 7.5" shells mainly bounced off the belt armour of Maya. In return CA Hawkins received little damage other than the loss of 'A' Turret.

From that point on it was an Allied victory in the sense that 3 out of 4 enemy DD's were sunk (Akizuki, Oyashio and Hayashio). DD Fujinami limped away heavily damaged with BB Kirishima. CA Maya seemed to be in ok condition.

BB Royal Sovereign is the only unit on my side that received heavy damge (screenshot attached). She's heading back to Pontianak before going to Darwin and then Sydney.

My transports continue to unload troops. We have identified an enemy Mixed Bde and parts of a Division in defence. I expect i'll need to bring more troops but shouldn't be a problem asince I have 2 x USA Division, 1 x USA Para Rgt, 2 x USA Tk Bn in 85-90% condition ready to go at Singkawang.

Singkawang is at level 4 airfields now and a further P38J FG flew in aswell as a Beaufort squadron to give additional torpedo strength up there.

To try and kill the heavily damaged BB Kirishima and DD Fujinami I have erecetd a sub cordon across the whole of South China Sea covering all points between Malaya and PI. There is no 60 mile hex they can get through without a submarine in whichever direction they go. I just need a little luck now to find them.

Tomorrow could be my weakest day of sea defence at Kuching since my SC TF is back at Pontianak refuelling and re-arming. It also lacks BB support now. It will go back to Kuchign within 2 days though and to hopefully provide a bit of cover I have some PT's en-route for point defence.

AK Sea Sturgeon sank at Kuching today due to the damage sustained by submarine torpedo.

CV Hancock and Bennington will leave Darwin tomorrow for Pontianak.

Faber has flown in planes to Soerabaja and Batavia (presumably to hit cripples moving back to Australia). Koepang's B29's will hit Soerabaja tomorrow.

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

IJA strength NE of Moulmein is slowly weakening. He's lost 200 AV over the past month now:

Ground combat at 30,34

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 364787 troops, 2269 guns, 981 vehicles, Assault Value = 9407

Defending force 350165 troops, 1876 guns, 722 vehicles, Assault Value = 7299


Japanese ground losses:
411 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

My strength is increasing all of the time (up 300 AV over the past month) and when reaches 7000 AV I may try and attack.

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

Saipan's B29's are to target Tokyo's HI for the 1st time tomorrow.............

A convoy is forming in San Francisco which will carry 470,000 tonnes of supply and fuel to SRA + 12 more airgroups.

I must have convoys at sea carrying 1,000,000 tonnes of fuel and 800,000 tonnes of supply in total!

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

SS Hawkbill heavily damaged the troop carrying AP Marsue Maru with a torpedo 300 miles ESE of Leyte.

SS Swordfish missed AP Nihonkai Maru with 4 torpedoes 60 miles NE of Taytay

SS 1-46 attacked DD Uhlmann at Kuching but missed. In return she recieved 10 x near miss DC's. Later on in the day she was attacked by convoy escorts being heavily damaged with 8 x DC's.

SS Raton received 1 x DC hit and 1 x DC near miss 120 miles ESE of Okinawa - 23/34/0. Returning to Saipan.

Air sightings = 31
Air attacks = 6

2 x MSW and ML Shirataka all hit previously were confirmed sunk today.

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

An LST, LCI, MSW and a DD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

Well, got your BB-vs-BB scrap...[;)]

Hi all,

We were majorly out of sync today so i'm having to use the CR Faber sent to me.

Another series of interesting night battles rage outside of Kuching. The IJN wins during the night but my LBA levels things during the day. A couple of IJN TF's attacked. The first containing 3 x CL, 4 x DD. The second containing 5 x DD.

By the end of the night the following losses had been taken:

Allies:

DD Nepal
DD Roebuck
DE Raby
DE Richard M. Rowell
DD Wadleigh
AK Mexican.

1 x DD, 3 x DE and 2 x MSW heavily damaged and will probably sink.

Japanese:

DD Kishinami
DD Isonami

CL Isuzu heavily damaged.

The key thing here though is despite bad losses in escorts the transports and freighters were NOT seriously harmed and 90% of my troops are ashore now along with sufficient supplies to maintain them.

During the day SB2C's, Mossie's, TBM's and Beauforts sank CL Isuzu, DD Hakaze and DD Fumizuki.

Interestingly a long range strike by Mossie put 3 bombs into CVE Taiyo at Miri. She does not appear to be heavily damaged but still a nice bit of damage.

I have decided on the following course of action.

I have few surface vessels operational in SRA now. Most of them are damaged and either at Melbourne, Sydney or waiting to move to those bases.

As such thee is little point in leaving undefended transports and freighters open to slaughter at Kuching when I am established and safe there.

I am therefore ordering all ships back to Singkawang/Pontianak under heavy CAP.

CV's Hancock and Bennington will be at Pontianak in 5-6 days and will proivide cover for the second invasion of Kuching.

Still no success of my subs against any enemy damaged ships in SRA be wait on station especially for BB Kirishima.

B29's caught enemy planes napping at Soerabaja and destroyed 24 planes on the ground (Betties, Grace, Tojo's)

A small Betty strike sank the damaged DD Relentless with a torpedo off western Borneo.

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

In other news the US part of the Iwo Jima invasion forces are just about to pass PH. As such new TF's will be formed there to head to Saipan to load troops there and from there we go to Iwo Jima.

A patrol plane reported an enemy TF in the Phillipine Sea heading to Ulithi. I am sending a CV TF to investigate.

The attack on Tokyo met with heavy resistance in the form of 33 x Tony, 15 x George and 26 x Irving. My gunners did well though in shooting down 15 enemy fighters for the loss of 30 x B29. Bombs were dropped causing 61 HI hits - 160 strategic points.

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

SS Skipjack missed DD Usugumo outside of Kuching.

Air sightings = 28
Air attacks = 4

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

An AK, LCI(G), 2 x AP and an MSW arrive in theatre tomorrow as does a P47D FS at Karachi.

Hi all,

Today was a much quieter day in the SRA as my convoy and damaged ships head back to Singkawang/Pontianak. They are about 1/2 way back now.

There no enemy interference by air or sea. Faber sent in 3 x DD to investigate Kuching and they ran into my PT's of which I lost one.

CV TF moving due north of Timor.

Recon indicates enemy planes have moved into Kendari again. As such i've ordered a fighter sweep by P47D's from Maumere.

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

SS Amberjack, Sea Dog and Aspro performed sterling work on a Japanese convoy today. All were patrolling in a 180 mile stretch of water north of Iwo Jima.

During the morning SS Amberjack was the first to spot the convoy. She damaged AP Huso Maru with a torpedo but in return received 1 x DC hit and 3 x DC near miss - 23/34/0.

Just after midday SS Sea Dog found the damaged Huso Maru and put her under with 3 torpedoes.

During the evening SS Aspro sank AP Senkai Maru with 2 torpedoes. Both transports were empty returning to Japan.

SS Croaker damaged AP Teiryu Maru with a torpedo 240 miles south of Camranh Bay. In return she received 1 x DC near mniss - 4/0/0.

Air sightings = 24
Air attacks = 1

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

An SS, AP, LCI and LST arrive in theatre tomorrow.

Hi all,

My returning convoys will be at Singkawang/Pontianak tomorrow. An MSW sunk today due to damage sustained at Kuching.

My CV TF is inbetween Raba and Macassar. Probably about 3 days out of Pontianak now.

The enemy has started to mass planes in the region. I was right in my detection of enemy planes at Kendari. A Fighter sweep of P47D's shot down 25 x George for the loss of 2 x P47D.

Bombers and fighters appear to be at Soerabaja and Madoien. I am sending B29's and PB4Y's to bomb those places tomorrow. F6F's have been alerted on my CV's.
Rangoon's B29's attacked Singapores airfields today. I lost 21 x B29 in A2A but managed to shoot down 11 enemy planes and destroy a further 20 on the ground.

AK Nichinan tried to sneak into Bali but was hit by 3 x bombs from Raba's Spitfire's. PT's also investigated the area, lost 1 to a mine but didn't locate the Japanese freighter.

60 enemy planes were destroyed today to my 30.

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

SS Hackleback was attacked vigorously by DD Tomozuru and 3 x PC 60 miles west of Manila. She received 2 x DC hit, 10 x DC near miss - 34/78/0. Back to Darwin.

SS Halibut missed PC PC-27 with 4 torpedoes 60 miles east of Iwo Jima.

SS Blackfin missed PG Kaikei Maru 120 miles south of Hong Kong.

SS Tang received 4 x DC near niss from convoy escorts 60 miles NE of Taytay - 12/27/0.

Air sightings = 27
Air attacks = 5

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

An AK, AP, 3 x LST, MSW and CLAA Black Prince arrive in theatre tomorrow.

Damn, the Hackleback got it bad. She might not actually make it all the way back to Darwin...

Hi all,

Hi T - aye. It will be touch and go. Any sub over 70 FLT damage will be touch and go.

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

My Submarine force had a good day despite losing one of their number.

BB Kirishima has been found! My sub net succeeded in locating her 120 miles SW of Camranh Bay.

SS Croaker was the boat who got the cookie. She fired 4 torpedoes at the heavily damaged Battleship hitting her with 1 causing further listing and fires. I can only imagine she is close to sinking now.

Later on in the day SS Croaker sank a PC from an ASW TF in the vicinity. PC Ch 4 blew up after a torpedo hit. SS Croaker is out of torpedoes now and is returning to Darwin a hero.

BB Kirishima is not confirmed as sunk yet though but I hope she goes down before reaching Camranh Bay. SS Lancetfish still lies in her path to Camranh Bay but she has an inexperienced crew (55/56).

SS Scorpion heavily damaged CVE Taiyo with a torpedo 300 miles NW of Manila. There are 3 ports she can head for - Manila, HK, or Camranh Bay. Manila is the nearest but also the one that has no SS's covering it right now. 2 are moving to cover an approach there but may not make it in time.

HK and Camranh Bay have 4-6 subs in Taiyo's path.

SS Finback heavily damaged the troop laden AK Gozan Maru with a torpedo 120 miles SE off Davao. In return she received 1 x DC hit and 1 x DC near miss - 29/34/0. Back to Darwin.

SS Halibut turned hunted into hunter today when she sank PC Ch 10 with a torpedo 60 miles east of Iwo Jima.

SS Ling was hunted to her death today by 4 x PC's 120 miles SE of Shanghai. She was hit by 4 x DC and received 12 x DC near miss[&o].

Air sightings = 31
Air attacks = 4

All in all not a bad day.

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

A day of bad weather in the SRA meant none of my attacks were launched against Java and no enemy attacks were made against either my CV's (moving past Banja now. 2 days out from Singkawang) or my Kuching forces (at Pontianak and Singkawang now). We try to bomb the enemy airfields tomorrow.

2 x DE sank due to damage sustained in surface battles at Kuching.

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

Saipan's B29's will target Shimuzu's HI tomorrow.

A CV TF is sneaking near Okinawa to attack suspected enemy shipping nearby.

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

2 x SS, an AK, LCI, LST, DE and a DD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

ORIGINAL: Speedy

A CV TF is sneaking near Okinawa to attack suspected enemy shipping nearby.

I assume this is to compensate for taking all the subs off the convoy routes to go hunt Kirishima and Taiyo. How heavy is this TF -- how many CV's and CVL's?

Hi all,

Hi Capt - No it was purely a jolly since I had detected a cluster of TF's in that direction. It contains 3 x CV's and 2 x CVL's. The irony is today I was in a perfect position to attack what looks like 3 convoys (1 of which may be a TK convoy) and bad weather socked me in! I have attached a screenshot of the area but i'm withdrawaing now since this is hostile airspace and god knows how many 100's of planes are there now.

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

A fine day today was!

BB Kirishima was confirmed sunk entering Camranh Bay[:)]

CVE Taiyo also met her fate at the hands of her former attacker - SS Scorpion. Faber decided to head her towareds Manila but Scorpion tracked her and sank her with a further 3 torpedoes 120 miles NW of Manila[:)] Taiyo was carrying a Grace Daitai since 19 of them were lost today.

SS Kete heavily damaged AK Tosei Maru with a torpedo 60 miles NE of Okinawa. In return she recieved 1 x DC near miss - 5/0/0

SS Lancetfish missed PG Choko Maru #2 with 4 torpedoes 60 miles SW of Camranh Bay.

SS Pampanito damaged AK Toan Maru with a torpedo 60 miles NE of Bonin Island.

SS Capelin damaged AK Kanto Maru with a torepedo 240 miles ENE of Tarakan.

Air sightings = 28
Air attacks = 5
Air hits = 1 - SS Redfish by a Sally 180 miles NE of Camranh Bay - 22/9/0. Back to Darwin.

SS Barb sank due to previous damage today[&o]

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

Bad weather again ravaged the SRA preventing any bombing of Java and any enemy airstrikes against my CV's. Hancock and Bennington will be at Singkawang tomorrow along with all of my transports who will embark more troops for Kuching.

The only airstrike launched in the region was a LR ne by Mosise's escorted by P38J's against enemy TK's at Miri. 19 x P38J tangled with 26 x Tojo on CAP shooting down 6 of their number for the loss of a Lightning whilst the Mossie's put 2 bombs into the oil laden AO Medan Maru and a bomb into the oil laden TK Choran Maru. If these boys stay here for 3-4 more days they will find my CV's attacking them.

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

Saipan's B29's launched a good raid on Shimuzu. 120 found the target protected by 30 x Tojo on CAP. These boys must be rtookies though since my veteran gunners shot down 10 of the enemy for the loss of 3 x B29. They then proceeded to damage 70 of the 120 HI production.

Intel has detected an enemy TF at Woleiai Island SW of the Mariana's. I am sending CV Lexington, Saratoga, Wasp + 2 x CVL to uinvestigate.

200 more ships (1,000,000 load capacity) left PH today for Saipan forming the final transport elements for Iwo Jima. Soon BB's will leave PH to join them and we then embark more troops at Saipan before heading to Iwo Jima.

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

An AK and MSW arrive in theatre tomorrow.

Hi all,

All naval forces have reached Singkawang and 32nd USA Division, 98th USA Division, 503rd Para Rgt, 2 x ARM Bn's are loading up for the short hop to Kuching.

Enemy recon identified CV Hancock at Singkawang. Knowing Faber I wonder if he will tryo to slip in a SC Tf during tyhe night when my ships are loading and my CV's sitting ducks. As such I have ordered my CV TF to advance 180 miles NE of Singkawang to avoid this scenario and to scout ahead for any enemy shipping.

Bad weather once more prevents almost all air operations in SRA.

A CVE TF is moving up towards Pontianka to provide additional air power. They are currently nearing Banja.

AK Nichinan was confirmed sunk today by Spitfires at Bali.

1 of 2 enemy TK convoys has left the Miri area. One still reamains for now.

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

CV Enterprise TF moving back from Okinawa area to Saipan. No enemy interference today.

CV Lexington TF moving towards Woleiai area but found no enemy shipoing and was spotted by enemy search planes today. I will proceed west of Woleiai and then move back to Saipan.

When all CV's are there it will be time to start attacking Iwo Jima and Bonin Island for the invasion. B29/P38J/P51D will assist from Saipan.

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

Another good day for my submarines.

SS S-37 heavily damaged AK Kanto Maru with 2 torpedoes 180 miles east of Tarakan.

SS Kete had a great day in probably sinking AK Minyu Maru with 2 shells and 2 torpedoes 60 miles NE of Okinawa. In the afternoon she heavily damaged the oil laden AO Teikon Maru with a torpedo. She was then hit by a Sally[&o]

SS Guavina evaded convoys escorts 120 miles east of Tarakan.

SS Icefish blew up APD APD-34 with 3 torpedoes 120 miles SE of Shanghai.

Air sightings = 22
Air attacks = 1
Air hits = 1 - SS Kete by a Sally 60 miles NE of Okinawa - 34/44/0. Back to Saipan.

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

A DE and a DD arrive in theatre tomorrow as does a Yak-9 Recon squadron.

How's the Hackleback?

Doing ok. Down to 34/72/0...........

Hi all,

An action packed day throughout the theatre.

Clear weather across the SRA allowed air missions to be launched against enemy airfields at Singapore, Batavia and Soerabaja. Resistance was heavy.

Over Singapore 50 x P38J battled against 54 x enemy fighters (Zeke, Nick, Tony, Frank an Randy's). After the tough battle 4 x P38J were lost against 25 x enemy fighters. This raid will be followed up by B29's from Rangoon tomorrow.

97 x B29 flew to bomb Batavia today. They met heavy resistance in the form of 24 x Jack, 24 x Tony and 30 x Frank. 21 x B29 were lost against 15 x enemy fighters and 6 x G4M on the ground. A P38J fighter sweep will follow up tomorrow.

29 x PB4Y flew to Soerabaja where they met 20 x George and 29 x Tojo on CAP. My gunners performed well osing 3 of their number to 4 enemy fighters. 10 x enemy planes were destroyed on the ground. A follow up P38J fighter sweep will be launched tomorrow along with a PB4Y raid.

Almost all troops are aboard ships at Singkawang. Just the final elements of 32nd USA Division to embark.

CV Hancock and Bennington are moving around the NW tip of Borneo. No enemy air raids or ships were found today but interestingly an enemy TK convoy is still at Brunei. I am ordering my ships to move at speed to the east to be in position to attack them tomorrow.

My CVE's will be at Singkawang tomorrow - a further 180 CV planes to play with.

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

In the Central Pacific CV Lexington TF located the enemy transport TF at Woleai. They were clearly embarking or disembarking an IJN BF. A series of attacks throughout the day left the TF decimated. The followng ships were confirmed sunk:

AP Nichibi Maru
AV Kamikawa Maru
AP Heiyo Maru
AP Montevideo Maru
AP Niitaka Maru
AP Monji Maru
PC Nichi Maru 1
MSW Wa 1
MSW Wa 2

Only PC Toshi Maru 3 and MSW Wa 19 docked at port.

The Japanese counter-attacked with a large raid from Guam:

Day Air attack on TF at 56,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 61
J2M Jack x 17
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 16
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 16

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 61 destroyed
J2M Jack: 17 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 8 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 15 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVL Princeton
CV Lexington, Kamikaze hits 1
CV Saratoga, Kamikaze hits 1
CVL Monterey, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire

Lexington and Saratoga are fine (2 SYS damage). Monterey is ok - 23/4/9.

All 61 x Zeke were Kamikazi.

I am moving east of Woleai and then back to Saipan.

I have ordered the start of the subjugation of Iwo Jima.

B29's with P38J escort will bomb the airfields tomorrow from Saipan.

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

SS Sunfish was attacked by 3 x PC 180 miles south of Hong Kong. She received 11 x DC near miss - 42/56/0. Back to Darwin.

SS Hake damaged AP Chihaya Maru with a torpedo 240 miles NE of Camranh Bay.

SS Gabilan blew up the Patrol Gunboat Sozan Maru with 2 torpedoes 300 miles SE of Camranh Bay.

SS Swordfish was attacked by convoy escorts 180 miles SE of Hong Kong. She received 6 x DC near miss - 28/44/0. Back to Darwin.

SS Halibut eraded 2 x PC 60 miles east of Iwo Jima. I'm playing a cat and mouse game here and leaving the submarine against these 2 PC's day after day on purpose. So far I have sunk 2 of the 4 originals in that group[:)]

Air sightings = 28
Air attacks = 1

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An AK, MSW, AP, DE, SS and 2 x DD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

ORIGINAL: Speedy


Day Air attack on TF at 56,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 61
J2M Jack x 17
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 16
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 16

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 61 destroyed
J2M Jack: 17 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 8 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 15 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVL Princeton
CV Lexington, Kamikaze hits 1
CV Saratoga, Kamikaze hits 1
CVL Monterey, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire

Lexington and Saratoga are fine (2 SYS damage). Monterey is ok - 23/4/9.

All 61 x Zeke were Kamikazi.

2 sys damage from a Kamikaze hit???? [:D][8|] While I don´t like uninterceptable Kamikazes (I don´t like CAP shields either though) it´s a bit of a joke that a kami hit only does 2 sys damage...

Even if a Zeke isn´t a big plane, with a bomb carried and the impact energy from the plane crashing in an unarmored US CV someone might think it could do at least more damage than automatically occurs from cruising around for two or three days... [8|]

Your subs are still doing a good job! [:D]