RE: 1943 October 28
Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 2:31 am
Here is a pic of some interlopers - trying to evade detection in an Allied lake!


What's your Strategy?
https://forums.matrixgames.com:443/

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

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.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[

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.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

The attack SW of Toungoo is on for tomorrow.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are today's air losses.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Prince of Wales is 120 nm SW of Cuttack.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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 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 IJN hulkamonsters are midway between Tavoy and Port Blair.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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


Comparing the previous day's bombardment with today's, we see the following units missing.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!311th Ship Eng Coy
211th Ship Eng Coy
18th JNAF AF Unit

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.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
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.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
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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
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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
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