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Dec 12, 41
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Night Time Surface Combat, near San Fernando at 80,74, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage[:o]
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
MTB 11, Shell hits 1
MTB 12
MTB 26, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 27

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Night Naval bombardment of Wake Island at 136,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 1
CL Tenryu
DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki

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

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

CL Tatsuta firing at Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion firing at CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu firing at Wake Island
DD Mochizuki firing at Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion firing at DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi firing at Wake Island
DD Kisaragi firing at Wake Island
DD Mutsuki firing at Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion firing at DD Mutsuki


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Night Naval bombardment of Jolo at 74,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 19 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Boise
CL Marblehead
DD Whipple
DD John D. Edwards
DD Edsall
DD Barker
DD Alden

Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 14

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Boise
CL Boise firing at Jolo
CL Marblehead firing at Jolo
DD Whipple firing at Jolo
DD John D. Edwards firing at Jolo
DD Edsall firing at Jolo
DD Barker firing at Jolo
DD Alden firing at Jolo


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Night Naval bombardment of Jolo at 74,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 50 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 16 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
AV Sanyo Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
DD Van Ghent
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 23
Port hits 1

CL Tromp firing at Jolo
CL De Ruyter firing at Jolo
DD Van Ghent firing at Jolo
DD Banckert firing at Jolo
DD Witte de With firing at Jolo
DD Kortenaer firing at Jolo
DD Piet Hein firing at Jolo


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Pre-Invasion action off Wake Island (136,98) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

41 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Oite
PB Kaiun Maru
PB Kaikei Maru
PB Ikunta Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Fukui Maru
AMC Kongo Maru
DD Hayate

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

CL Yubari firing at Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion firing at CL Yubari
DD Oite firing at Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion firing at DD Oite
PB Kaiun Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kaikei Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Ikunta Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Hakkaisan Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Fukui Maru fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Banggi at 69,85

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Do-24K-1: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
330 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Banggi at 69,85

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Do-24K-1: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Haguro Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
388 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Jolo , at 74,90

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 15000 feet *



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Morning Air attack on Jolo , at 74,90

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 74,90

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 2

Allied aircraft losses
Do-24K-1: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hidaka Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb



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Sub attack near Donggala at 68,97

Japanese Ships
SS I-124

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Boise
CL Marblehead
DD Alden
DD Whipple
DD John D. Edwards

SS I-124 launches 4 torpedoes at CA Houston[:@]...strange that the Houston didn't fire in the bombardment run against Jolo even if it was in the very same TF that fired...
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Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32880 troops, 393 guns, 204 vehicles, Assault Value = 932

Defending force 8062 troops, 132 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 226

Japanese adjusted assault: 745

Allied adjusted defense: 637

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
800 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled

Allied ground losses:
486 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Assaulting units:
38th Division
66th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
104th Division
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
23rd Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
1st Middlesex Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
Hong Kong Fortress


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Ground combat at Victoria Point (51,66)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3882 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 63

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 63 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Victoria Point !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
143rd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
208th RAF Adv Base Force /1

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Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1920 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Defending force 1411 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Japanese adjusted assault: 88

Allied adjusted defense: 6

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1636 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 84 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF

Defending units:
141st USN Stn Base Force
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion


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Ground combat at Tabiteuea (137,134)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1813 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 26

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 26 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
51st Naval Guard Unit



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Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 775 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Defending force 374 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 18

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Guam !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
504 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
II/81st Naval Guard Unit
1st JNAF Coy

Defending units:
102nd USN Stn Base Force


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Ground combat at Ocean Island (130,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1271 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Defending force 119 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 46

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 46 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ocean Island !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
53rd Nav Gd /6

Defending units:
Heron Det.

So the DDs lost so far are 5... too many!!
Luckly the Haruna and the other CA that got badly damaged during the battle against Force Z safely arrived at Camra Bay... at least I've saved them

The allies are doing really well!

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 64 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 12 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Boise
CL Marblehead
DD Barker

Japanese ground losses:
856 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 39

CA Houston firing at Jolo
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Boise
CL Boise firing at Jolo
CL Marblehead firing at Jolo
DD Barker firing at Jolo

Wow. The Boise is great on bombardment too! I bet it targeted each and every aircraft individually and put a 6" shell through each one. A couple of trick shots too. Is there nothing the Boise can't do?[:D][:D][:D]

Dec 13, 41

A fine turn.
HK falls at the very second assault! WOW! Now the 38th ID is free to roam South
Managed to extract my damaged ships from Jolo, while the base is constantly pounded and keep shut by american and ducth bombers.
In Malaya our tanks conquered an empty Kluong and now are recing North to set free the paras...around them the Whole malayan army is massing...but their fate is written. The 18th ID has landed at Mersing and is already marching up there, while the 5th is moving to Jhaore Baru, closing the gates of Singapore. The Imperial ID just arrived at Singora and is now moving South.
Only the 2 Aus Brigades have escaped! Great!
The 21st is arriving in Malaya.
The good news of the day come from the skies. 45x2 A6M2s swept Manila, while 30 Zekes swept Kualalumpur, finding 40 Buffalos.
The butcher's bill of the day say 4 Zeke lost (3 ops, 1 A2A) for more than 45 enemy fighters! WOW! Now Singapore has no defenders left even in the air. If the AVG doesn't arrive (and i fear it's too late), the RAF is doomed.
Boise is reaching Sosarbaja. The Houston is attacked by a japanese sub that misses...

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Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 6
P-35A x 13
P-40B Warhawk x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 3 destroyed
P-35A: 4 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
37 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
6th PS PAAC with P-26A (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
24th PG/HqS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 7 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
44 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
24th PG/HqS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10080 and 17080.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes


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Morning Air attack on Kuala Lumpur , at 49,79

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 47

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 11 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
22 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
No.488 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 9 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes



Japanese forces CAPTURE Kluong !!!


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Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32160 troops, 393 guns, 204 vehicles, Assault Value = 865

Defending force 7637 troops, 131 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 163

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 676

Allied adjusted defense: 165

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
491 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
7680 casualties reported
Squads: 203 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 509 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 193 (193 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 79 (79 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 6

Assaulting units:
66th Infantry Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
23rd Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
1st Middlesex Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
Hong Kong Fortress


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Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengchow !!!


Japanese forces CAPTURE Sorong !!!


Japanese forces CAPTURE Brunei !!!



HK is heavily damaged, and so is Brunei...bad luck here... [:-]



The 4th and the 2ns IDs left Tokyo today.

KB is reaching Truk along with the 144th Rgt.

Mini KB with 4 BBs and 30 DDs are assembling at Bab. The operations against Mindanao will start in 5 days.

Hong Kong, Sorong, Chengchow, Brunei all on the 13th. A fast pace at the start! When do you plan to land in San Francisco? Things are developing nicely and the crown jewel of British imperialism totters at the brink! Keep an eye on those DD losses though. You'll need those all purpose workhorses as the Allies gather their wits and start storming back.

Good work!

Bolton the Bastard

So far, you are reaping the costs and benefits of your declared fast advance. You are taking bases faster and are seeing higher than normal losses. The losses are acceptable so far. To me, the question is what you will do with the extra time? A valuable thing no doubt, but do you have a plan that requires or benefits from that extra time? Just curious at the rationale for the rush, so to speak.

Dec 14, 1941

The RAF fled Singapore. At the moment not a single a/c is spotted there.
Same for Manila/Clark. I know they are simply hiding. Very well cause my pilots needed a couple of days of rest.
Minesweepers gather to HK and sweep 130 mines today. Soon the port will be open and ships could use that important base (and repair shipyard!)
The I-157 is lost due to mines at Sosarbaja (tried to get on the Boise). Betties attack the Houston at Sosarbaja but with no luck. No CAP present there [X(]
Makin and Lunga fall.
The 144th rgt is loaded again at Truk (better TF composition) and moves south along with the KB and some SAGs. Rabaul is the obvious target.
The Mindanao campaign has begun. Ships leaving Bab..
At Luzon the 48th ID combines and starts to march towards Clark, waiting for the big guns to arrive from HK.
In China the Chinese are fleeing everywhere. The plains in the north are abandoned and I'm advancing for no cost. The road to Sian seems pretty open...strange!!
The invasion forces are reaching Addak Island in the Aleutians.
No sign of the American CVs

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

So far, you are reaping the costs and benefits of your declared fast advance. You are taking bases faster and are seeing higher than normal losses. The losses are acceptable so far. To me, the question is what you will do with the extra time? A valuable thing no doubt, but do you have a plan that requires or benefits from that extra time? Just curious at the rationale for the rush, so to speak.

So far I do believe losses are acceptable. Clearly 1 CA, 1 CL and 5 DDs hurt, but nothing too catastrophic I think.
Why this pace? Well, I wanna have all the possible options ready.
If Singapore falls by the end of 1941, I may be able to have 8 divisions completely free: the Imperial, the 18th, the 5th, the 33rd, the 21st, the 38th, the 2nd and the 56th. Four of these can take Java easily, while the rest can be used for a bigger plan (India, Oz etc...).

To be honest, if the so called "2nd phase" begins in Jan 1942, the benefits for Japan may really be great, don't you think so?

Dec 15, 1941

The japanese tanks push the brits back on the coast, liberating another base insouthern Malaya. The 18th ID reaches its blocking position. Everything is going fine in Malaya for the moment.
My Netties from Sinkawang decide it was a good idea to go unescorted for some torpedo boats at Batavai and got slaughtered.
Ducth cruisers bomb Jolo again.
KB refuels at Truk.
Landings at Amichtika island and Addak.
Allied CVs spotted south of PH...
Ocean island and the nearby atolls are all taken.
Ships gathering to HK to load the 38th ID.
Tomorrow new sweeps at Manila and Singapore.
Taking shape the general plan for Sumatra and Java.
But Singapore first. As soon as the 21st ID arrives we'll attack.
In Burma Moulmein should be reached within 10 days

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

So far, you are reaping the costs and benefits of your declared fast advance. You are taking bases faster and are seeing higher than normal losses. The losses are acceptable so far. To me, the question is what you will do with the extra time? A valuable thing no doubt, but do you have a plan that requires or benefits from that extra time? Just curious at the rationale for the rush, so to speak.

So far I do believe losses are acceptable. Clearly 1 CA, 1 CL and 5 DDs hurt, but nothing too catastrophic I think.
Why this pace? Well, I wanna have all the possible options ready.
If Singapore falls by the end of 1941, I may be able to have 8 divisions completely free: the Imperial, the 18th, the 5th, the 33rd, the 21st, the 38th, the 2nd and the 56th. Four of these can take Java easily, while the rest can be used for a bigger plan (India, Oz etc...).

To be honest, if the so called "2nd phase" begins in Jan 1942, the benefits for Japan may really be great, don't you think so?

You are doing exactly what you should do. Push forward like a pitbull, take hold of your enemy and do not let go.. The allies are weak in the first 6 months of the war and if Singapore falls in 1941 then you can take the SE coast of India and the North of Australia without any doubt..
(Damn you Quixote....)

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

So far, you are reaping the costs and benefits of your declared fast advance. You are taking bases faster and are seeing higher than normal losses. The losses are acceptable so far. To me, the question is what you will do with the extra time? A valuable thing no doubt, but do you have a plan that requires or benefits from that extra time? Just curious at the rationale for the rush, so to speak.

So far I do believe losses are acceptable. Clearly 1 CA, 1 CL and 5 DDs hurt, but nothing too catastrophic I think.
Why this pace? Well, I wanna have all the possible options ready.
If Singapore falls by the end of 1941, I may be able to have 8 divisions completely free: the Imperial, the 18th, the 5th, the 33rd, the 21st, the 38th, the 2nd and the 56th. Four of these can take Java easily, while the rest can be used for a bigger plan (India, Oz etc...).

To be honest, if the so called "2nd phase" begins in Jan 1942, the benefits for Japan may really be great, don't you think so?

Oh I fully agree. Just probing for the why. If Japan has the SRA well in hand by January '42, it can certainly be a massive benefit. Yet still I would assert that my question remains. What do you plan to do with the extra time allotted?

If the answer is "take target X for reason Y," then fair enough. If it is "capture the SRA and spend an extra 3-4 months digging into defensive positions, then fine."

Just trying to ascertain your overall strategy, GJ.

Dec 16-17, 1941

Two slow turns.
The Mindanao invasion force is approaching Davao. On the 17th is targeted by 12 British Stringbags (the same who sank my CL retrating from Jolo defeat a week ago) and are all shot down by Zuiho's CAP. I fear the intervention of Boise&Friends, so I had formed 2 SAGs, led by Tanaka and by another good leader. In total we have 4 BBs, 4 CAs and 4 CLs, along with 20 DDs... hope it's enough this time.
At Luzon the 48th ID entered Clark and will try a deliberate attack tomorrow. let's see what do we have there. In the meanwhile, the first bombers are hitting Singapore and Manila AFs. No opposition so far.
Damage is light (flying Sallies at 15K) and Singapore Flak is taking a good toll on the Japanese unarmoured bombers (7 downed in 2 days!). But forts aren't being built at least.
The Palembang invasion force is assembling. We should start the landings within 5 days.
In Malaya the 33rd ID is unloading at Mersing. The 21st is 2 days away.
In China we're moving very slow. This time I won't put much effort in the Chinese theatre. Just the minimal advance (Sian and Changsha sectors).

The only real action is in NOPAC. I had two amphib TFs that reached Amichkita and Addak on the 16th. Only 4 DDs for cover... I know...badly planned, but never thought the Allies would have put all those efforts here so early...well, I was wrong!
We landed unopposed...but immediately after an AVD sunk 4 of my transports [X(] and a strong AMphib TF loaded a regiment right in front of my base force at Addak...while 4 modern CLs and several DDs bombed the hell out of my poor base force...[X(][X(].
We managed to escape with what was left of my invasion forces...but I already lost every chance to gain the initiative in the Aleutians and the allies are showing their interest in the upper north...not a good thing!

The 144th Rgt is approaching Rabaul, while the 5th Air Div is unloading at Truk. KB will swing south, in a cover position and possibly looking for the Aus ships (Camberra, Perth, Leander etc...) that normally lurk in these areas in December...

What else? Burma is pretty static at the moment. The allies are massing at Rangoon. Not a bad thing all in all.

The goal now is to conquer Singapore and Palembang by Christmas!

The 56th IDs is getting ready to be moved, along with the 38th, to Java ASAP.

Several units prepping for Balikapan, Tarakan and Timor...

Dec 18-19, 1941

North of Addak, a CV pop up, bombing my base force at Amchitka, followed by some brooklin class cruisers on a bombardment run... wow[X(] How could he be there so early!?!? Guess he got a good intel signal about my TFs...
LAndings at Davao went unopposed. Should take the base tomorrow.
Conquered Baker Island, Tabiutea and a series of small atolls down there.
Lunga and Tulagi are taken.
Landed at Kavieng also.
Approaching Rabaul. KB spotted.
Invasion of Palembang is moving fine. getting into position. ETA on the 21st of Decemeber.
The 33rd is ashore at Mersing and moving to Jaohre Baru. the 21st Is unloading.
The 48th attacked Clark and got a bloody nose...but forts are down to 0. Sooner or later you'll be mine!
In China the AVG shows up and kills 10 of my bombers (Sonias and other crap), losing one plane against the experimental version of the Tojo. Everywhere else he's running away looking for good terrains where to turtle.
Not much is happening. To be honest, I've already slowed down the pace. The bloody nose at Jolo pretty much crippled my plans and made me feel a bit unconfortable to move so fast and with so little concentration. I'm trying to beat this attitude, but it isn't easy.
The 1st RTA DIV is approaching Moulmein.
Port Blair is captured by Japanese paratroops.

If my calculations are right, I should be able to cross with 4 IDs towards Singapore on the 23rd Dec 1941. Should be nearly 1800 AVs worth of experienced divisions. Their prep is low (or non existent), but I hope the enemy is in a worse situation

In NOPAC, he may have gotten intel, or alternatively this could be a major area of emphasis in the Allied war plan. This could present opportunities for you if you can force him to use the USN to fight for these islands this early. I recommend an ambush plan once KB is done with the usual suspects. You could dangle a fake counter invasion TF, apparently protected by inadequate coverage (surface only or CVEs). Then pounce if he takes the bait. If he doesn't, you don't show KB and have a trailing TF with a real counter invasion force. If still winter, take a different base that threatens his SLoC. If not winter, hit an occupied base. You accomplish something whether he fights or not, and also learn for sure how much importance he places on NOPAC.

Brooklyn Class CLs and some DDs left Pearl as soon as he spotted KB retiring to the west.

CV Saratoga could have left San Diego on 8th and been up there in 10 days.

Not hard to figure out. [;)]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Brooklyn Class CLs and some DDs left Pearl as soon as he spotted KB retiring to the west.

CV Saratoga could have left San Diego on 8th and been up there in 10 days.

Not hard to figure out. [;)]

If that is true, then it only means Erik is planning for something big in NOPAC right away, so it's not related to a specific intel... Part of his initial grand strategy... Which is bad for me, but also i feel lucky to have immediately discovered it, even sacrificing 2 good base forces and some transports.

Crib: don't know if i like the idea to fight up there in The Aleutians... To be honest i prefer the idea of exploiting the fact that at least oneof his CVs are up there and not sailing towards the DEI to ambush me...
Winter will end soon and by that time i wanna have the Kuriles well guarded with at least 1 air HQ and several decent garrisons. Already planned a stiff defence there (like the one i did with QBall). Let him come if he wants to...

Nic,

I would not say it is or isn't an aggressive move in NoPac. It is a good reaction to a standard opening in which KB heads due west to support other invasions (Wake and Rabaul) as Japan's move into Aleutians is often unprotected in December. I've gone up there with both American CVs before going down to get Saratoga and await Yorktown at San Diego. Thus, all four American CVs are together on Jan 1st to go......

Now a truly aggressive move is to head for Wake with two American CVs, pick up the Marine fighters at Wake, before staying between Truk and Kwajalien and try to get at the four old CAs supporting a quick invasion of Rabaul without KB. [:D]

Dec 20, 1941

Things are quiet. The allies aren't trying to defend the skies of Singapore or Manila/Clark. It seems they've given up the air defence in the whole SRA. Good because with PDU OFF I really have very few air assets to spare.
The 21st ID is marching towards Jaore Baru, preceeded by the 33rd ID. We're almost ready to go.
The Kaga&Ryuho are supporting the invasion of Palembang. In 2 days we'll land if we manage to avoid those pesky subs that are infesting the whole area.
Davao is conquered very easily on the first attempt. American troops spotted moving out from Cayegan.
Kavieng falls. Tomorrow we'll land at Rabaul. No sign of any allied SAGs in the area. KB will move in a cover position.
The 4th ID unloaded at Truk. One day of rest and then it will reload for Horn Island. The 5th Air Division and 2 base forces are loading at Truk and will be immediately sent to Rabaul, along with some engineers.
The allies retreat from Moulmein.

I'd say his concentration in NoPAC presents an excellent opportunity to destroy Allied naval and ground assets early in the war. I've found that if the allied player sticks his neck out too far too early (say before MAR-APR42) it's easy to lop his head off and bag a lot of points and ground troops destroyed.