Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

Here is a pic of some interlopers - trying to evade detection in an Allied lake!

[princep01]

Sneaky Admiral Wa launches barges to ferry troop from Maleolap, et al, to Kwajalein.  Will he try to evacuate these troops by ak/ap back to the Mariannas?  If so, I am sure the Allies will put an eye on him and reduce the lot to fish food. 
 
Good progress and even China is a bit brighter.  We readers prepare for the Marianna campaign.  That should be very interesting,  Just a guess, but I think Wa will fight hard there.

[witpqs]

China is a bit brighter, but Kunming is in more danger now. It's the supply game!

He will fight hard in the Marianas, but will he use the carriers? I'm not sure that he will. If he does the search out of Babeldaob will help with warning. The only surprise route in is from pretty much straight north, which I should be able to partially close down with the capture of Rota. He's got lots of fighters, some bombers, and various search aircraft in the Marianas now.

When the troops go into Rota, which is only a size 1 air base, I plan to hit Guam, Tinian, and Saipan with naval bombardments. I haven't decided on the mix of bombardment assets yet. In two or three turns I'll have a TF of 3x modern CL make a run at Guam, mainly hoping to ruin the bunch of DD that are seen in port there. They are going to start their high-speed run from right next to Woleai, hopefully masking their intended target.

He's only recently started to put some bombers in the Marianas, and the number is so small I wonder if they are really doing mostly search? I think I saw about 10 recently. A short time ago when I saw only 6 they were Bettys making raids against the search outpost on Satawal. Here is a run down of the latest recon, south to north.

Guam
Port: 2(2)
Airfield: 5(5)
Stacking: 35,000
Task Forces: None
Ships: 5 (3x SS, 2x DD) {Have been many DD other turns lately.}
Fighters: 23
Bombers: 10
Auxiliary: 6
Units: 14
Troops: 29,250
Guns: 296
AFV: 165

Rota

Port: 1(0)
Airfield: 1(3)
Stacking: 35,000
Task Forces: None
Ships: 0
Fighters: 0
Bombers: 0
Auxiliary: 0
Units: 2
Troops: 4,620
Guns: 15
AFV: 0

Tinian
Port: 1(1)
Airfield: 3(4)
Stacking: 35,000
Task Forces: (1 Ship; 1x AM)
Ships: 1 (1x AM)
Fighters: 53
Bombers: 0
Auxiliary: 0
Units: 13
Troops: 38,940
Guns: 340
AFV: 54

Saipan
Port: 3(1)
Airfield: 3(4)
Stacking: 35,000
Task Forces: None
Ships: 4 (1x TK, 3x ACM)
Fighters: 58
Bombers: 4
Auxiliary: 12
Units: 14
Troops: 39,440
Guns: 279
AFV: 122

Anatham
Port: 0(0)
Airfield: 1(2)
Stacking: 35,000
Task Forces: None
No Recon

Almagan
Port: 0(0)
Airfield: 1(1)
Stacking: 25,000
Task Forces: None
No Recon

Pagan
Port: 1(1)
Airfield: 2(2)
Stacking: 35,000
Task Forces: None
Ships: 4 (1x AP, 1x AR)
Fighters: 0
Bombers: 17
Auxiliary: 16
Units: 7
Troops: 28,940
Guns: 212
AFV: 102

Agrihan
Port: 0(0)
Airfield: 1(2)
Stacking: 35,000
Task Forces: None
No Recon

So it's pretty obvious he plans to fight. You can bet he has loads and loads of supply on hand, too.

[princep01]

Ohhhh, good recon picture.  Well done.
 
Yes, while it looks like he is preparing, I am not sure he is fully prepared at this point.  Hopefully, you will launch the invasion before he has completed his preparations.  Just a feeling, but I think his CVs will make an appearance in defense of the "inner perimeter".  The odds aren't going to get any better as your CV/CVL strength is just going to increase and increase.  So, I think he will try and challenge you in the Mariannas.
 

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Ohhhh, good recon picture.  Well done.

Yes, while it looks like he is preparing, I am not sure he is fully prepared at this point.  Hopefully, you will launch the invasion before he has completed his preparations.  Just a feeling, but I think his CVs will make an appearance in defense of the "inner perimeter".  The odds aren't going to get any better as your CV/CVL strength is just going to increase and increase.  So, I think he will try and challenge you in the Mariannas.

I still have a bunch of ships that need their fall '43 upgrades. Some fast BB, two of the Yorktowns (the third is almost repaired and upgraded at SF), the Lexingtons, and probably still some DD. I'm not sure any CA or CL need any. I've been able to get most or maybe all of the Fletchers done along with some other DD. One of the Lexingtons also has some damaged devices. I would love to get those done before the Marianas, but I think it more important to move on the Marianas without delay.

I have a lot of Hellcats in the pool and wonder if I should upgrade the CVE squadrons to Hellcats to take advantage of that? One or two of them arrived with Hellcats, but the rest sport various marks of Wildcat.

I also have (I think) 4x 36-plane groups of carrier trained USN fighters. I could pull some DB squadrons to get on board more Hellcats and some Corsairs.

Most of my rationale for bombarding the other bases when we invade Rota is not about the bombers there, rather about suppressing the fighters so they can not be as much use in a carrier battle. I figure they would also be tough on our escorts and attack planes even if no enemy carriers were involved.

And if IJN carriers do show up, we've got subs covering most areas of the launch perimeter, so at least they'll get in some pot shots.

[princep01]

Not sure about upgrading the Wildcats on the CVEs at this point.  The Wildcats can still be useful in escort and ground attack roles.  I guess it depends on what he is flying right now as his first rate fighter.  However, if you decide to do so, I really don't think you would be making a mistake as the USN fighter pools tend to be more resilent that the Army pools.  Maybe convert a few CVEs to Hellcats, but keep enough of a Hellcat pool to make good losses that you will take in the Mariannas battle.

[witpqs]

For between turn study:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIBmgr7rCPs

[witpqs]

1943 October 29

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Biak

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


No successful sub attacks our night, but our own escorts did savage one or two Imperial subs, which is always better than the alternative.

Frustration in China, as the attack NE of Tsuyung continues to come up short. Those troops shall recover and await adequate resupply before going again.

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Ground combat at 69,45 (near Tsuyung)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43302 troops, 594 guns, 284 vehicles, Assault Value = 1098

Defending force 10038 troops, 87 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 225

Allied adjusted assault: 479

Japanese adjusted defense: 562

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
346 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1618 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 20 (8 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Assaulting units:
27th Infantry Division
35th Chinese Corps
11th (East African) Division
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
7th War Area

Defending units:
17th/A Division
RGC Capital Brigade
34th/A Division


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Only 1 supply hit in Burma, that in the naval bombardment of Moulmein, which also netted other hits and 15 damaged fighters (costing supply to repair, I hope). In either 3 or 4 days the next attack will go in SW of Toungoo. Prince of Wales (at Ramree Island) is ordered to readiness mode for her journey. Today the very last unit with '42 Indian infantry squads upgraded to '43 squads. The trapped regiment has about spent themselves so the 2nd Burma Bde will now attack.

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Ground combat at 62,45 (near Lashio)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1880 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Defending force 3872 troops, 10 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 89

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 334

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)

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

Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Burma Brigade
330th Construction Regiment
1st Bombay Construction Battalion


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I'm worried enough about the situation at and SE of Kunming that the B-24 groups that have been targeting Pegu will now switch their attention to the enemy troops SE of Kunming.

Biak is ours.

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Ground combat at Biak (87,110)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8412 troops, 80 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 264

Defending force 3339 troops, 25 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Allied adjusted assault: 165

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Biak !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (10 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
22nd Marine Regiment
14th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
1st Infantry Regiment
33rd Ind Engineer Regiment

The base is pretty well trashed with port: 97, airfield 97/29. It looks like the infantry regiment is still holding out.

Here is an overview map.

[witpqs]

1943 October 30

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Several sub vs escort battles over night, with us losing a sub and the enemy perhaps losing two plus an escort.

In China the usual carnage continues, with the next attack in the north destroying one of our heroic units and making it easier for the creeping hordes to creep ever farther into the hinterlands. Our forces NE of Tsuyung are still recovering and resupplying. Units SE of Kunming are battered but faring a bit better disruption-wise as some bombing has shifted to Kunming, and their supply situation is good. At Kunming supply is poor with 9th Australian Div still having none. At Tsuyung supply is better but still inadequate. Between Tsuyung and Kunming supply is good.

All of the additional units for the next attack SW of Toungoo have arrived there and are proceeding to the front. Arrival in three days with attack ordered for the fourth day from now. The bombardment of Moulmein achieved nothing, but a submarine was sunk on the way in. At least no ships were torpedoed. The trapped IJA regiment near Lashio is still holding on but our unit is gaining experience at little risk.

The bombardment of Guam went well but I was hoping for a more concerted attack on ships in port.

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Night Naval bombardment of Guam at 106,95

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 15 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 5 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Mobile
CL Columbia
CL Denver

Japanese ground losses:
440 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 66

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Mobile
CL Mobile firing at Guam
CL Columbia firing at 12th Division
CL Denver firing at Guam
Massive explosion on DD Oyashio


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[

Guam airfield recons as 25% damaged with only 5 fighters and 2 bombers present (always good to send Betty home), which tells me that the modern 6 inch cruiser guns will do the job on at least some of the Marianas airfields. Saipan with its naval fortress might require bigger attention. Most of the Rota invasion forces have begun loading along the coast of New Guinea and the rest will begin loading tomorrow. Some convoys will stop at Manus to pick up additional supply.

The full-speed run added to the bombardment group's wear and tear. Most of the ships will try to get some minor repairs done at Truk.

[witpqs]

1943 October 31

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The troops NE of Tsuyung are well recovered but need more supply to attack. That is the story all over the front in the mountains of China.

The bombardment of Moulmein went very well.

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Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 18 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Emerald

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

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10
Port hits 2

CL Emerald firing at Moulmein


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Guam airfield still recons at 27% damaged. The troops and supply for the invasion of Rota are still loading, with Manus set as the rendezvous point. CVE Prince William will need about a month and a half at Manus to effect full repairs.

Lake Marshall is still infested, but the boys are working on it.

[witpqs]

1943 November 01

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got a couple of merchants overnight in the Marianas, while our own escorts in various places roughed up a couple of Imperial subs. Battleship Haruna just came off of the sunk ships list. We'll have to sink her again.

The supply situation is improving in the mountains of China. The forces NE of Tsuyung are ready to fight except for supply, but supply is improved. Kunming has more, with even the Aussies getting some. Tsuyung is much better (but still not up to snuff). Supply at Mengtze is poor but there is some. A couple of Chinese base forces at Paoshan that have upgraded to radar and '43 squads are starting out for Kunming in preparation for mounting CAP there.

One more day until the 3,597 AV SW of Toungoo is ordered to attack. Disruption there for many units has not been dropping into the single digits despite the cessation of bombardments (which has improved the situation). Perhaps it is supply, which is adequate but only a little over one month on hand rather than two months on hand. The Empire's 55th Infantry Regiment was finally destroyed near Lashio The bombardment of Moulmein went well (after smashing a sub).

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Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 9 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall

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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 3

CA Cornwall firing at Moulmein


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Over in Lake Marshall success was also had. No troops but perhaps supply? There is a group of 3 or 4 MGB closing in on Kwajalein which will be intercepted when possible.

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-113, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-114, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LB-115, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-116, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-117, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-118, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-119, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-120, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-121, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-122, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-123, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-124, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Farragut

Poor visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 5,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
LB-124 sunk by DD Farragut at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
LB-123 sunk by DD Farragut at 6,000 yards
LB-119 sunk by DD Farragut at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
LB-116 sunk by DD Farragut at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
LB-122 sunk by DD Farragut at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
LB-114 sunk by DD Farragut at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
LB-121 sunk by DD Farragut at 3,000 yards
LB-113 sunk by DD Farragut at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
LB-117 sunk by DD Farragut at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
LB-118 sunk by DD Farragut at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
LB-115 sunk by DD Farragut at 2,000 yards
LB-120 sunk by DD Farragut at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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There was further reduction of the Imperial 1st Infantry Regiment at Biak, and, significantly, the air base services are almost fully repaired. As two base forces will land tomorrow, a group of USMC Corsairs has moved in to provide cover.

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Ground combat at Biak (87,110)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8401 troops, 80 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Defending force 3065 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Allied adjusted assault: 182

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 60 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
415 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Marine Regiment
14th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
1st Infantry Regiment


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The assault forces for Rota are loaded and either adding supply at Manus or en route to doing so.

Here is a look at the mountains of China.

[witpqs]

1943 November 02

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got one merchant over night.

Another Chinese combat unit was destroyed on the road to Ansi. Next up is a base force at Ansi. More supply is still required to attack NE of Tsuyung, even though it does appear to be building up.

Prince of Wales got under way shielded by heavy rain and is 120 nm west of Cox's Bazar. She will refuel at Madras then make for Colombo. There is an Imperial merchant convoy 80 nm north of Phuket heading NE. We have a force of 3x DD sitting just off the NE tip of Andaman Island for several days now waiting for such an appearance. We will give them a day to get where they are going - Mergui or Tavoy - and then release the dogs of war. A sweep of Chiang Mai went very well, with three P-47 squadrons arriving together. Have a look at the air losses below. The bombardment of Moulmein.

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Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 11 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Newcastle

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 18
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

CL Newcastle firing at Moulmein


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The attack SW of Toungoo is on for tomorrow.

Biak is now clear of enemy forces. The Rota invasion convoys plus many of the supporting combat forces are heading to Truk, most from Manus and some from Hollandia, some at sea. There is still a merchant convoy seen at Guam and now we have two task forces six hexes away. One is 4x Fletchers, the other 1x modern CL and 3x Fletchers; both will make a high-speed run to catch what they can. A bombardment of Yap went well.

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Night Naval bombardment of Yap at 96,97

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 7 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K2 Emily: 11 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CA Chester

Japanese ground losses:
295 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 4

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Minneapolis
CA Minneapolis firing at Yap
CA Chester firing at Yap


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Here are today's air losses.

[witpqs]

1943 November 03

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A busy day. Our surface combat TFs that sallied to Guam found only two SSX, which they promptly sank. The convoy they were after is seen hundreds of miles to the north, obviously having finished unloading the day before!

The troops NE of Tsuyung are supplied for an attack and will make one tomorrow. The aerial pounding in China continued on both sides, with increased LRCAP of George fighters near Kunming giving the B-24 groups hell.

SW of Toungoo the attack went in and was bloody on both sides, but more on our side than we had hoped for.

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Ground combat at 56,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 112845 troops, 1752 guns, 2083 vehicles, Assault Value = 3645

Defending force 48812 troops, 437 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 1473

Allied adjusted assault: 1466

Japanese adjusted defense: 1795

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2059 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 180 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 48 (6 destroyed, 42 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
9638 casualties reported
Squads: 268 destroyed, 467 disabled
Non Combat: 36 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 72 destroyed, 75 disabled
Guns lost 179 (62 destroyed, 117 disabled)
Vehicles lost 128 (33 destroyed, 95 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Indian Division
2nd British Division
192nd Tank Battalion
7th Indian Division
20th Indian Division
26th Indian Brigade
50th Tank Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
23rd Indian Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
4th Marine Division
14th Indian Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
13th Indian Brigade
1st Garrison Brigade
17th Indian Division
48th Light AA Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
IV Indian Corps
2/9th Field Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
27th Indian Field Artillery Battalion
78th Light AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
53rd Division
14th Division
29th Division
77th Infantry Regiment
44th Field AA Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company

Supply and fatigue penalties against the Imperials are good news, but obviously were not enough. Our troops are already supplied well enough for the next attack but disruption is through the roof. The troops will rest and then attack again as soon as possible. Our troops SE of Prome and at Rangoon have been ordered to bombard to stress enemy supply. Enemy troop movements are seen at Rangoon so more bad guys are on the way. Off the coast it was a very fortuitous turn to have a pause in bombardments of Moulmein - caused by an oversight two turns ago in not ordering the next TF to the staging point - as elements of the IJN battle fleet made an appearance! The bad news is that our various torpedo bombers paid a heavy price trying to get at them, yet failed in all attempts. Here is one representative attack, although faster fighter-bombers made several attacks without escort.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Moulmein at 54,55

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 10

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 9
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 4 destroyed
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed by flak
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 11 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes



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Prince of Wales is 120 nm SW of Cuttack.

A small group of Bettys tried to attack our transports unloading base forces at Biak but were savaged by Corsairs. Biak itself is almost repaired and will build a size 1 port before expanding the airfield. Enterprise has completed repairs and upgrades at San Francisco and will make her way to the Marianas ASAP. Guam airfield damage is still seen at 23% - no engineers on Guam??? The battle fleet elements will make Truk tomorrow and the day after, while the invasion convoys stand off one hex. Some of the CVE fighter groups will upgrade to Hellcats, but that should not delay the invasion as they will come on line quickly enough.

Here are today's air losses.

[witpqs]

Here is that IJN surface force, with obviously wrong contact reports showing.

[witpqs]

1943 November 04

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In a night combat plus a day combat, DD Laffey accounted for 12 barges in the Marshalls.

The attack NE of Tsuyung made some progress.

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Ground combat at 69,45 (near Tsuyung)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42437 troops, 583 guns, 284 vehicles, Assault Value = 1034

Defending force 9839 troops, 87 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Allied adjusted assault: 687

Japanese adjusted defense: 751

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
542 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1835 casualties reported
Squads: 73 destroyed, 64 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 14 (8 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
35th Chinese Corps
11th (East African) Division
27th Infantry Division
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
7th War Area

Defending units:
17th/A Division
RGC Capital Brigade
34th/A Division


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

The 11th and 27th will need less time to recover than the others, and that might be the key to the next attack. Meanwhile, the bombardments near Prome and at Rangoon gave us current info on what is there. Our troops at Rangoon are now low on supply, but will bombard tomorrow anyway and keep doing so if they can. That will show us just which enemy units pull out, and of course it will burn up enemy supply.

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

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 54846 troops, 873 guns, 629 vehicles, Assault Value = 1952

Defending force 60305 troops, 451 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 1710

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
3rd Cavalry Regiment
Gardner's Horse Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
44th Indian Brigade
16th LRP Brigade
23rd LRP Brigade
72nd British Brigade
45th Indian Brigade
25th Indian Division
150th RAC Regiment
14th LRP Brigade
5th Indian Division
XV Indian Corps

Defending units:
63rd Inf Group Brigade
1st RTA/A Division
9th Division
16th Garrison Unit
3rd Division
40th Inf Group Brigade
1st RTA/B Division
311th Ship Eng Coy
1st Air Army
1st RF Gun Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
211th Ship Eng Coy
18th JNAF AF Unit
62nd JAAF AF Bn


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

Ground combat at 55,51 (near Prome)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 31966 troops, 421 guns, 151 vehicles, Assault Value = 1079

Defending force 41601 troops, 375 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 1295

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
18th British Division
81st (West African) Division
111th LRP Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
77th LRP Brigade

Defending units:
33rd Division
19th Division
2nd Guards Division
19th Tank Regiment
35th Fld AA Gun Co
21st Fld AA Gun Co
16th AA Regiment

The IJN hulkamonsters are midway between Tavoy and Port Blair.

One CVE has upgraded fighters at Truk. The other candidates arrive there tomorrow. The various elements of the fleet are also topping up fuel and ammo, which exhausts Truk's daily capacity.

Here are today's air losses. The Empire is sweeping Tsuyung and flying LRCAP over the battle hex to the NE. So, we have moved in a rested squadron of P-38 (at 34k) and our first squadron of Spitfire Vc (at 20k) to bolster the battered Chinese Air Force groups (flying at 10k and 15k). Another P-38 group will sweep the battle hex.

[witpqs]

The infantry SW of Toungoo is still heavily disrupted.

[witpqs]

1943 November 05

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


One of our subs put 4x torpedoes into an AV in the Marianas over night. Another was hit badly in the DEI during daylight. She will probably make it home if she can evade the ASW group.

NE of Tsuyung, an Imperial unit has moved in from the mountains to reinforce their line (drat!), and it looks as though at least one unit is moving off the line, back down the road. Our four combat units all show in the red for supply, with the African and US divisions having enough to attack, and the Chinese units not. No attack tomorrow. There were no sweeps or air attacks on Tsuyung, so our beefed up CAP did not get a workout. Our sweeps over the battle hex NE of Tsuyung were the last mission flown there, so the bombers still met Imperial LRCAP.

The troops at Rangoon have been well resupplied, and their bombardment shows that some troops have indeed moved out.

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

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 54766 troops, 873 guns, 629 vehicles, Assault Value = 1945

Defending force 58226 troops, 435 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 1698

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

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
45th Indian Brigade
16th LRP Brigade
Americal Infantry Division
23rd LRP Brigade
25th Indian Division
3rd Cavalry Regiment
44th Indian Brigade
Gardner's Horse Regiment
150th RAC Regiment
72nd British Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
14th LRP Brigade
5th Indian Division
XV Indian Corps

Defending units:
1st RTA/A Division
40th Inf Group Brigade
16th Garrison Unit
9th Division
63rd Inf Group Brigade
3rd Division
1st RTA/B Division
1st RF Gun Battalion
1st Air Army
34th Field AA Battalion
62nd JAAF AF Bn


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

Comparing the previous day's bombardment with today's, we see the following units missing.

311th Ship Eng Coy
211th Ship Eng Coy
18th JNAF AF Unit

Quite different from what I assumed was going on! Given that Moulmein still shows airfield and port damage, they might be moving there to effect repairs. The troops SW of Toungoo still need rest before attacking again, a minimum of one day but two of the divisions need two or three days. I doubt they will be given three days, but one for sure. 42 AV was added by a Bn moving up to the line, but without them, AV has recovered to 3,001 - quite a nice gain!

The big news in Burma is off the coast, as the IJN hulks are now 120 nm W of Bassein and heading NE. There are a number of small surface combat TFs at Ramree Island, and rather than combining them and hoping for a big battle I will leave them configured as is and send them all out to try and catch the IJN on the way in (thereby protecting present and inbound convoys). See the map below. Note that the IJN is also covering for its own merchant convoy (3x xAK seen) unloading at Mergui.

A number of CVE fighter squadrons upgraded to Hellcats today, and the fleet is moving out for the invasion of Rota. Tomorrow is D-2, barring changes due to enemy action. Tomorrow also brings rain to the area, so perhaps the fleet will gain a day or so without the Empire being alerted to their presence.

[witpqs]

1943 November 06

The Empire captured:
Ansi

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Ansi has fallen. Too little supply for the next attack NE of Tsuyung.

As I pretty much expected, there were no battles in the sea off of Burma. Probably one more day before the next attack SW Toungoo, but there is less rush with no reinforcements seen approaching. On that front another Bde of ours has arrived on scene.

Totally not as I expected, USN carrier planes made attacks against shipping at Rota. While they got some, I would rather have not suffered the aircraft losses and sorties expended going into an invasion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rota at 107,95

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
N1K1-J George x 9
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 66
SBD-5 Dauntless x 29
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze
DD Ikazuchi, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PB Lushan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
E Sanae

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
902 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
5th Sentai/A with Ki-84a Frank (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
204 Ku S-1/B with N1K1-J George (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 21000
Raid is overhead
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Ikazuchi


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rota at 107,95

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7
Ki-84a Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 39
SBD-5 Dauntless x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
E Sanae
DD Harukaze

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
902 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
5th Sentai/A with Ki-84a Frank (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
204 Ku S-1/B with N1K1-J George (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 21000
Raid is overhead
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead



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

Fast BB groups will bombard Guam and Tinian, while two CA groups will bombard Saipan. I expect Saipan will be a rough go for them. A 4x DD force will patrol into Rota to clear traffic there, in case it hangs around.

Here are the day's air losses.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: witpqs
Totally not as I expected, USN carrier planes made attacks against shipping at Rota. While they got some, I would rather have not suffered the aircraft losses and sorties expended going into an invasion.

Very annoying aspect of the game. I spend more time trying to avoid strikes then having them fly in truth. I probably lost over 1000 planes to strikes flying against AMcs, PBs and other small shipping. [:(]

[witpqs]

1943 November 07

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Significant bombing of our troops NE of Tsuyung. It seems that DAW HQ figured to spoil an attack, but was fooled by our lack of supply!

11 Avengers were lost attacking the IJN surface force, six hexes SW of Bassein. They went despite their escorts - also at Bassein - refusing to fly for some unfathomed reason. The attack is on for tomorrow SW of Toungoo. There will be blood.

The first CA bombardment going into Saipan ran into a Japanese DD and neatly sank it. The two CA bombardments of Saipan together have the airfield at 19% damage. The fast BB bombardment of Tinian missed the base completely, but did rough up the troops. Not the mission. The fast BB bombardment of Guam has the airfield 78% damaged. Despite Tinian being fully operational there was no aerial opposition to several attacks by DB squadrons against DD, E, and PB targets at Pagan. Although they could be lurking just out of search range, there is no sign of Imperial carriers, battleships, or cruisers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Saipan at 108,93, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
DD Nicholas
DD Stevens

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 75% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages CA Astoria at 2,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi sunk by CA Astoria at 2,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi sunk by CA Astoria at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tinian at 108,94 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
BB Washington, Shell hits 1
BB North Carolina

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB South Dakota
BB South Dakota firing at 54th Division
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Washington
3rd IJN Special Coastal Gun Battalion firing at BB Washington
BB Washington firing at 3rd IJN Special Coastal Gun Battalion
BB North Carolina firing at 54th Division


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Saipan at 108,93 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 11 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 3 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 3 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 4 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CA Northampton

Japanese ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 22

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Astoria
CA Astoria firing at Saipan Naval Fortress
Saipan Naval Fortress firing at CA Astoria
CA Northampton firing at Saipan


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Saipan at 108,93 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 6 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 2 damaged

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco
CA Pensacola

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA San Francisco
CA San Francisco firing at Saipan
CA Pensacola firing at Saipan Naval Fortress
Saipan Naval Fortress firing at CA Pensacola


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Guam at 106,95

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 9 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 6 damaged
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana

Japanese ground losses:
639 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 15 (4 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 29

BB Alabama firing at Guam
BB Massachusetts firing at 12th Division
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Indiana
BB Indiana firing at Guam


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

Two CA groups will hit Tinian tonight, and BB Oklahoma will hit Saipan. In the morning, the troops will go ashore at Rota. The two CVE TFs, two small SCTF groups, and an ASW group will stand guard over them. The fleet carriers and other forces will be one hex SE. BB Tennessee has just refueled at Truk and will steam to the fleet carriers to be available for bombardment duty. BB New Mexico is still four days away from Truk. Rain is forecast again tomorrow. The invasion convoy itself has not been sighted, undoubtedly well protected by CAP, but I'm sure it is expected anyway. I am a bit curious as to which island Devious Admiral Wa expected me to land on first.