Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Rafid

Fort reduction by engineers is always by one level afaik. Hence forts were 6 before the attack.

I used to think that too, until an AAR here showed a reduction of four levels. Lots of combat engineers, weak enemy AV and good die rolls for the attacker.

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

Yes, 17 (!) Ind. Eng Regiments involved and no fort level reduction, with four of the Rgt wiped-out.

Most of independent Eng Rgts I know, in my scenario (scen 1 stock), have an attachemnt of combat engeneers, usually not that "thick", from start of the scenario and not part of the unit's TOE; thus meaning that by combat attrition and by time they loose their combt eng atachment not to be evr replenished...

ORIGINAL: SlowLargeTarget
Makes no sense anyway to defend the Magwe oil when it cannot be transported back through the Andaman Sea now dominated by the enemy. Wondering why Ed keeps bombing the oil when he dominates the shipping route from/to Rangoon,

I think a big part of Burma's oil is land conveyed, for ex. to Saigon-Cam Rahn.

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

Yes, 17 (!) Ind. Eng Regiments involved and no fort level reduction, with four of the Rgt wiped-out.

Most of independent Eng Rgts I know, in my scenario (scen 1 stock), have an attachemnt of combat engeneers, usually not that "thick", from start of the scenario and not part of the unit's TOE; thus meaning that by combat attrition and by time they loose their combt eng atachment not to be evr replenished...

ORIGINAL: SlowLargeTarget
Makes no sense anyway to defend the Magwe oil when it cannot be transported back through the Andaman Sea now dominated by the enemy. Wondering why Ed keeps bombing the oil when he dominates the shipping route from/to Rangoon,

I think a big part of Burma's oil is land conveyed, for ex. to Saigon-Cam Rahn.

The Japanese do not get as many combat engineers but anyone playing the Allies should have enough to maintain the ones embedded in units as well as the dedicated Cbt. Eng. Bns and Rgts. There are some things that can cause high losses of Cbt. Engs.:

1. landing in the first wave of an amphib invasion. I wait until day two because the beachhead greatly increases landing survival rates on day two.

2. shock attacks. Combat engineers need to crawl carefully up to pillboxes and other forts to destroy them. Shock attacks are basically frontal assaults running directly at the enemy and an engineer burdened with equipment and explosives is really vulnerable. A DA gives them time to use cover and do their job with less exposure.

3. inadequate infantry/armoured support. Engineers need cover fire while creeping up to forts.

4. inadequate protection for their transport/amphib ship. All units are affected by this but Cbt. Engs. are more valuable/have lower replacement rates than infantry so they should get very good air and naval protection.

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

I think a big part of Burma's oil is land conveyed, for ex. to Saigon-Cam Rahn.

AFAIK I don't have any oil in Indochina bases, never had to send tankers to Saigon or CRB except early in the war to pick-up the fuel stockpiles. However, fuel and oil has accumulated at Rangoon.

Anyway, that question concerning Magwe oil will soon become academic. A huge armada has been sighted west of Burma. I'm afraid this is either an invasion of Ramree or an attempt to capture Rangoon, Pegu and/or Moulmein in order to cut-off the entire Burma theatre forces. We will see how ambitious my opponent is.

There is little I can do to react to this threat - most of my AV support I have had in Burma is moving south to cover the Thai and Malaya coast, since I judged that a landing at Victoria Point or even further south is well possible now and would be even worse than losing Burma. Bad timing, but I will throw what LBA is possible into the area. KB will have to deal with enemy LBA on Port Blair and Little Andaman before reaching the Allied deathstar - not good.

What I don't understand about an Allied invasion at Ramree is how they can break out into Burma from there. It seems to me that you just have to block that route at one hex with a good stack and then any Allied attempt to cross is suicide. What am I missing?

Supply. IJ cannot hold easily in any hex near Ramree as it is very hard to keep those units in supply. Allies OTOH can dump 1M supply at Ramree and stay in supply. Burma is just a lousy place to fight for IJ IMHO after '42. Whoever can move the most supply into the area essentially is the winner and that is not a game that the IJ can easily win. If they do win, it is because they are able to interdict the allied supply coming in ... not easy to do if the allied player uses the Deathstar to ensure passage.

With Port Blair taken, don't be surprised if that invasion force heads further south, south east.[X(]

Ramree is the safe choice...

Pegu is the aggressive choice...

Tavoy or points south even more aggressive...

Ramree holds a favored place in the minds of all AFB's...

Yes, my biggest fear at the moment is an invasion at Moulmein or Pegu - I have a total of ten IJA divisions in Burma which would be cut-off.

I have two infantry and two tank divisions moving southwards on the road from Akyab to Prome, reinforced with Arty and AA. The stack is two hexes away from reaching the hex East of Ramree - where the 18th Division has been digging-in for some time to back-stop the Ramree garrison. At Ramree I have an Independent Bde and a SNLF behind level-4 forts. I don't think Ed can move fast enough to trap this army.

In Central Burma the better part of four divisions are digging-in in the jungle hexes North of Toungoo. This will just be a stop-over, I will not make a prolonged stand here - with the constant danger of a landing behind my forces. I plan to slowly cede Burma and even the coastal bases of Moulmein etc. while preparing positions just inland (so Ed cannot pulverize my troops with naval bombardments) on the roads leading to Raheng and Bangkok.

Some subunits are still retreating through the open central plains and are suffering from LBA. No CAP - don't have the airframes to spare and the closest operational airbase is Rangoon - Toungoo and Prome and the Mandalay-Magwe area is being pounded by enemy bombers.

The tenth division is split between Rangoon, Pegu and Moulmein to provide minimum security. The base forces from Central Burma are slowly slogging through the jungles South and East of Moulmein to establish new bases around Bangkok and Raheng. LBA support for an eventual invasion at Ramree will be rather weak.

Two more turns and no landings yet. In fact, naval search has only picked-up carrier forces and minesweepers, but no transports. However, the Allied death-star has attacked Rangoon, in coordination with 4Es. I did not expect this (I should have), believing that Ed would keep the CVs close the invasion forces. Maybe he does, and he is aiming at Rangoon-Moulmein after all! I have lost many planes at Rangoon and even more in futile counter-attacks by a handful of Jills.

The only bright spot in the last two turns was submarine I-176. Although she missed Hornet, she kept contact and managed to put two fish into USS Essex - and lived through ASW attacks to tell the tale. Essex will probably survive, but that's still one carrier less to worry about for some time.

In Northern Oz and the PNG/Solomons the slow reduction of my forces by LBA and ground attacks continue. Enemy forces are at the gates of Derby. I'm air-evacuating the base forces before the airbase is closed completely. The ex-Darwin garrison has been wiped-out surprisingly fast, despite being in 3xDef swamp terrain. Milne Bay and Buka have been lost, but that was planned. I have evacuated most of the garrison forces except some guns and mot support which could not be lifted out. Ed has landed quite sizable forces and I'm happy with that - my goal is to force time-consuming preparations and to slip-out just in time.

Slow grind in China continues, I will launch attacks to close the last remaining open hexside of Chungking soon and then give it another go at the capital.

With the Allied carriers bombing Rangoon, I have sortied both KBs for a "spoiling" attack. By raiding shipping around Port Blair and feinting towards the North, followed by a quick retreat - waypoints and two-day-turns allow for such moves - I hope to entice Ed to give chase and to send his CVs racing south. This would leave the Ramree-Rangoon area without CV cover, forcing either a postponement of the expected invasion or let it proceed under LBA cover only, making it easier for my LBA to hit back.

Of course this means facing enemy LBA on Port Blair and Little Andaman, but with eight CVs resized to be fighter-heavy I hoped to be reasonably safe.

I did not reckon with the guts and determination of one man...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 44,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 177
A6M5b Zero x 26
A6M5c Zero x 13
F1M2 Pete x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18
SBD-5 Dauntless x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 10 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 44,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 156
A6M5b Zero x 23
A6M5c Zero x 12
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 44,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 138
A6M5b Zero x 20
A6M5c Zero x 11
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Far from home, unescorted, heavily outnumbered - and that one guy pushed on and through heavy AA to plant an egg on Kaga. I'm sending a recommendation for the MoH to the Allied High Command myself. Alas, it's posthumously since that brave man got downed by AA just as he released his bomb. This is probably the reason why the bomb struck just a glancing blow at the edge of the flight deck - Kaga suffered only 3 points of sys damage and scores of soiled underpants...

I would start getting my next line of defense around Vinh (or wherever you choose) established. Burma, when it starts to crumble, falls fast. Allied units are faster, so you need to plan to be two steps ahead. Avoid losing units other than the ones you plan to stay in Singers ....

Game date 08/22/1943

Bases lost since the last update: Ramree Island, Mandalay, Magwe, Broome, Wyndham, Truscott, Buna, Port Moresby, Terapo, Munda, Eniwetok.

Yes, the Allies are pushing hard - methodically, prudently but relentlessly.

Allies also landed at Namatanai, east of Rabaul. Aiming to take Kavieng from the south. Two SNLF defending behind level-3 forts - against the entire 1st Marine Div... At Kavieng, 450AV behind level-4 forts - this may delay the Allies for a turn or two.

North of Kavieng and leaving Truk aside, there is virtually NOTHING right up to the China coast, except some units covering garrison requirements in the PI and some base forces as stepping stones for aircraft transfers. Some bold move of the Allies could liberate the North Coast of NG, the Marianas, most of the Carolines and the PI before the end of the year. No sizeable LCU reinforcements for Japan in the pipeline before 1944, nor enough AV support and airbase levels to base a meaningful airforce - if I had a meaningful airforce to spare.

End game in Oz - at the last remaining base at Derby I have 352AV behind level 4 forts and remnants from Port Hedland and Wyndham are struggling to reach that base - which is already under siege. It will fall soon as well, since forts mean nothing - when I do the defending.

I had two NavGuard units plus an Eng unit behind level-4 forts on Eniwetok. They got wiped out - to be expected - but the Allied lost just 2 Eng squads and 3 tanks. I would expect somewhat less lopsided results for an opposed landing into forts, even if numbers and all else is against the defenders.

But well, it's probably my less-than-complete understanding of the game mechanics - first time I get past spring 1942 in AE and I'm still learning.

Proof that I have much to learn:

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 55866 troops, 867 guns, 535 vehicles, Assault Value = 3772

Defending force 141371 troops, 517 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3782

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 8293

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 5)

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

Japanese ground losses:
8994 casualties reported
Squads: 339 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 126 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 62 (60 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
59th Division
38th Ind Engineer Regiment
22nd Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
116th Division
35th Division
7th Ind Engineer Regiment
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
41st Division
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
110th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Division
23rd Tank Regiment
26th Division
70th Division
25th Ind Engineer Regiment
37th Division
19th Tank Regiment
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
39th Ind Engineer Regiment
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
12th Army
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
11th Army
Mongol Garrison Army
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
26th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
31st Group Army
41st AA Regiment
49th AA Regiment
39th Group Army
China Command
CAF HQ
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
Central Reserve
32nd Group Army
12th Construction Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
1st Chinese Base Force

Ouch again...

I thought that having 1/3 of the enemy's AV in the target hex would prevent the shock attack for the crossing echelon.

Only did my research AFTER the results above - dammit, the 1/3 AV must have crossed into the target hex through the same hexside.

Some people must learn the hard way...

PS: The crossing units were 59th Div, 3rd Tank Div, 19th and 23rd Tank Regiments. Last hexside of Chungking closed.

The tank units got through clean, but the poor buggers of the infantry have caught it.

Here is what is left:

Only did my research AFTER the results above - dammit, the 1/3 AV must have crossed into the target hex through the same hexside.

I've made that mistake as well. Fortunately, the lesson is costly enough that it sticks.

Can you pull some ground units from China (or anywhere else) to set up some defense between Truk and Japan itself?

ORIGINAL: jwolf
Can you pull some ground units from China (or anywhere else) to set up some defense between Truk and Japan itself?

PPs are an issue. I have four Inf Divs from the Kwantung Army waiting at Port Arthur, fully prepped for the four main Marianas islands - but have been able to free just a single brigade for movement to Saipan only recently. PPs have been used so far to free the two Tank Divisions for Burma, two Inf Divisions for Rabaul / Lae, the elements of the 30th and 31st Divs which start restricted, and many of the Eng, tank, anti-tank, arty and AA units which are urgently needed at the front. Plus to purchase the growing list of units destroyed by the Allied offensives. Plus to purchase the air units gone down with the carriers I have lost so far. Plus leader changes for air units - best leadership value available when training, best air value when fighting. Since many air groups must rebuild after just one or two fights, there is a lot of leader shuffling with a small but tangible PP expenditure involved. Guess I need to stop that.


Just received the latest turn:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 22, 43

Sub attack near Trincomalee at 33,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-11, hits 28, and is sunk [:(]

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [:)]
BB Massachusetts
CA Wichita
CA Northampton
CL Columbia
CLAA Atlanta
DD Converse
DD Bailey
DD Barton
DD McCalla
DD Lansdowne

Ammo storage explosion on CV Saratoga [8D]
SS I-11 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Saratoga
DD Bailey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Barton attacking submerged sub ....
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lansdowne fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bailey fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Barton fails to find sub and abandons search
DD McCalla attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-11 forced to surface!
DD McCalla firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Bailey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Barton firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Bailey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Barton firing on surfaced sub ....
DD McCalla firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Bailey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Barton firing on surfaced sub ....
DD McCalla firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Bailey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Barton firing on surfaced sub ....
DD McCalla firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Bailey firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

I would guess that Saratoga did not sink, but will be out of action for 3-4 months. The destroyers got their revenge, but that's probably a good trade for you.

Latest turn August 28-29, 1943. A little action in the Andaman Sea, will need some time to prepare a proper report, but here is a teaser:

The Battle of the Andaman Sea Aug 26 - 29, 1943

On Aug 24, 43 Nells on naval search covering the better part of the Andaman Sea, spotted a gaggle of enemy TFs entering the area northwest of Trinkat. Ship types indicated CVs, surface combattants and AP types - another invasion force. Possible targets included Trinkat, Nicobar and Sabang, or less likely a port on the mainland.

All potential taget - except Sabang - have garrisons in place to prevent the Allies from taking them on the cheap, although none strong enough to resist a formal invasion. Trinkat has a Naval Guard Unit, Nicobar a Garrison Brigade. At Sabang only a base force is providing AV support for float planes. Sabang air base has not been build-up on purpose and is only level-1. It is a potential level-7 airbase, but I simply don't have enough infantry units to cover all bases. Units in the reinforcement queue are earmarked for Sabang, but won't arrive before December...

Combined Fleet - or what is available, with most surviving BBs in the repair yards - received orders to sortie from Singers and to take position to cover the weakest and "worst case" target - Sabang. Air units and AV support received orders to concentrate at Victoria Point, Alor Star, Medan, and some fighters were sent to Sabang to provide some local CAP. Submarines were ordered back from the Bay of Bengal into the area between Trinkat and Sabang and minelaying subs held in readiness at Georgetown sent to mine the second-weakest target, Trinkat.

My opponent decided to play it save and went for Trinkat.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 26, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pre-Invasion action off Trinkat (44,64)

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CL Danae
DD Nizam
DD Nestor
DD Vampire
APA Fayette

CA Frobisher firing at 91st Naval Guard Unit
CL Danae firing at 4th Naval Construction Battalion
DD Nizam firing at 91st Naval Guard Unit
DD Nestor firing at 91st Naval Guard Unit
DD Vampire firing at 91st Naval Guard Unit
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Trinkat (44,64)

TF 368 troops unloading over beach at Trinkat, 44,64

Allied ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)

13 troops of a USA 43 Rifle Squad accidentally lost during unload of 7th Infantry Div /1
Motorized Support lost overboard during unload of 7th Infantry Div /4
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 7th Infantry Div /6
M4 81mm MMC accidentally lost during unload of 194th Tank Bn
11 troops of a Can Inf Section lost overboard during unload of 18th Canadian Bde /2
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 7th Infantry Div /7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Trinkat (44,64)

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CL Danae
DD Vampire
APA Fayette
DD Nizam

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

CA Frobisher firing at 91st Naval Guard Unit
CL Danae firing at 91st Naval Guard Unit
DD Vampire firing at 91st Naval Guard Unit
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


The enemy carriers covering the invasion discovered my SAG off Sabang, but launched only relatively weak attacks:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 45,70

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 22
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 71
SBD-5 Dauntless x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 7 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 7
CA Atago
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1
CA Kumano
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 2, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 45,70

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 19
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed


The CAP seems to have prevented worse damage, but the Tonies do not cover themselves in glory. I use the at 10k in their best maneuver band, but they still suck.


Next day started badly for my submarines:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 27, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Trinkat at 42,63

Japanese Ships
SS I-182, hits 7, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Lamson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Trinkat at 44,64

Japanese Ships
SS I-122, hits 15

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Trinkat at 44,64

Japanese Ships
SS I-121, hits 16

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
DD Hammann

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 516 encounters mine field at Trinkat (44,64)

Allied Ships
YMS BYMS-2055
YMS BYMS-2043

7 mines cleared

So, one of the minelaying subs managed to drop the eggs, which of course were promptly swept.


Next, a minesweeper fleeing the battle area was hunted down by the enemy surface cover in a short night action:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Trinkat at 44,64, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMc Keijin Maru, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Shropshire
CA Sussex
CA Cornwall
CL Achilles
CL Newcastle
DD Anthony
DD Bennett
DD Norman
DD Redoubt
DD Relentless
DD Roebuck
DMS Wasmuth


Next came numerous small night air attacks on TF at Trinkat by a total of five groups of Netties - I skip the details, targets included 2 CVEs but no hits for 6 planes lost. I have lauched numerous night naval attacks in the Burma area and the Solomons, for nothing but losses. I still hope to get lucky one day...

The rest of the day was calm, except another weak strike by the enemy carriers against my SAG loitering near Sabang. My own carriers were hanging back a bit near Georgetown and did not react.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 45,70

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 60
SBD-5 Dauntless x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 7 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 6
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Atago


Next turn, I decided to throw-in everything I have in the area against the invasion forces.

KB1 and KB2 were ordered up to a position near Phuket, halfway between Alor Star and Victoria Point - six hexes from Trinkat but as far away from the enemy fleet carriers as possible, in order to strike the CVEs and transports.

I did not seek a fight against the covering Allied CVs, but as a precaution assigned Zeros and my lone George group at Victoria Point and Oscars from Alor Star to fly LRCAP over my carriers. Ed must have been aware of their presence, as both KBs showed DLs.

Most of the 1000 pound SAP bombs had left no impression on tough old Hyuga and the cruisers, except for damaged Kumano which I ordered to retire to Singers.

Hyuga was ordered to join the carriers, being too slow for a dash to Trinkat. The cruisers, including slightly damaged Myoko and Mogami, were sent full-speed to Trinkat, although many of the DDs were low on ammo for their 5inch DP guns and light AA due to the air attacks suffered during the past two days. You have to use what you have.

Never have I sent a turn with more frightened anticipation than this one...

The replay started promising with my handicapped cruiser SAG teaching the Allies a lesson in night-fighting:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 28, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Trinkat at 44,64, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Seagull V: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago, Shell hits 3
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2
CA Mogami, Shell hits 2
CA Mikuma
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 1
DD Akigumo
DD Takanami
DD Hayanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Hamanami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asashimo
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Oshio
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
CA Shropshire, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Sussex, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CL Kenya, Shell hits 1
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 1
DD Anthony
DD Monssen, Shell hits 1
DD Carmick
DD Redoubt
DD Roebuck, Shell hits 3, on fire
DMS Wasmuth, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CA Shropshire sunk by CA Mikuma at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DMS Wasmuth sunk by CA Mogami at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
Hirata, Noboru orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Roebuck collides with CL Kenya at 44 , 64
Task forces break off...

With dawn breaking, the Allied carriers in blind vindictive rage launched a strike against my retiring cruisers. The enemy had come further south from their covering position near Trinkat to a position just off Sabang - apparently hoping to finish-off cripples from my SAG group which had been attacked in that area during the past two days. Well, the enemy strike ran into thunderstorms and a strong leaking CAP from my carriers just one hex away.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Phuket at 48,69

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 77
A6M5b Zero x 15
A6M5c Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 72
SBD-5 Dauntless x 25
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Mogami
DD Kiyonami


Apparently the enemy carrier TF leader was not aware of the presence of my carriers, since the only other strike in the morning phase was directed against a group of small tankers at Medan:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Medan at 46,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 33
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hokaze
PB Heimei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Matsumoto Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Hayakafuku Maru, Bomb hits 1
TK Moji Maru
TK Fujisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Nissan Maru
TK Azuma Maru #2, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage


In the afternoon, the main show opened - not against the invasion forces as I had prepared for, but against the enemy Death Star off Sabang.

Luckily my strike went in first:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 43,69

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 157
A6M5b Zero x 32
A6M5c Zero x 57
B6N1 Jill x 87
B6N2 Jill x 69
D4Y1 Judy x 141
D4Y3 Judy x 30

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 89

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 16 destroyed, 13 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 5 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 21 destroyed, 8 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 20 destroyed, 15 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 13 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed > my escorts must have been prevented from doing their job by the weather!

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Northampton
BB Massachusetts
CV Long Island II, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Brownson
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 5
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Victorious
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Saratoga
BB Indiana
CA New Orleans
DD Pringle, Bomb hits 1
DD Russell
CL Montpelier
DD Downes
CA Wichita
CA Chester

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Independence
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Enterprise
Ammo storage explosion on CV Wasp
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Long Island II


Several carriers on fire - the Allied counter-punch was much reduced:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Phuket at 46,69

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 105
A6M5b Zero x 27
A6M5c Zero x 41
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 14

> includes some LRCAP from Victoria Point and Alor Star

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 58
SBD-5 Dauntless x 40
TBF-1 Avenger x 65

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 14 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 43 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Unryu
CV Katsuragi
BB Nagato
CV Akagi
CV Hiryu
CV Amagi
CA Tone

Not a scratch on my flattops! [8D]

In desperation, the enemy carriers, launched some unescorted bombers in the afternoon - to die bravely:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Phuket at 46,69

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 74
A6M5b Zero x 12
A6M5c Zero x 27
N1K1-J George x 1
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Phuket at 46,69

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 65
A6M5b Zero x 10
A6M5c Zero x 27
N1K1-J George x 1
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 13 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga

With this encouraging result ended the first round of the carrier clash.

In the meantime, the invasion forces took Trinkat without much trouble:

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

Ground combat at Trinkat (44,64)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17821 troops, 285 guns, 239 vehicles, Assault Value = 607

Defending force 2760 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Allied adjusted assault: 414

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 31 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Trinkat !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
985 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (4 destroyed, 7 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
7th Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
18th Canadian Brigade > Canucks in the IO? Now that shows that the CBI is REALLY my opponent's Schwerpunkt...
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
30th USN Special Construction Battalion

Defending units:
91st Naval Guard Unit
4th Naval Construction Battalion


The next day brought more exchanges of air-delivered ordnance, with appreciated results:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 29, 43

Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 43,69

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 107
A6M5b Zero x 12
A6M5c Zero x 17
B6N1 Jill x 36
B6N2 Jill x 10
D4Y1 Judy x 54
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 10 > Sabang CAP fighters joining in!

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
F6F-3 Hellcat x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 17 destroyed, 2 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 19 destroyed, 7 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 5 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed > WTF have the escorts been doing again while the Allied CAP slaughtered the bombers?!?

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
CV Saratoga
CV Hornet
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 1
BB Massachusetts
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Phuket at 47,69

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 95
A6M5b Zero x 25
A6M5c Zero x 40
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 20
SBD-5 Dauntless x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Phuket at 47,69

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 83
A6M5b Zero x 18
A6M5c Zero x 29
N1K1-J George x 1
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11
SBD-5 Dauntless x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 42,70

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 28
A6M5b Zero x 16
A6M5c Zero x 28
B6N1 Jill x 12
B6N2 Jill x 16
D4Y1 Judy x 16
D4Y3 Judy x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 6 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 3 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Wasp
CV Long Island II, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Victorious, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CA New Orleans
BB South Dakota

Ammo storage explosion on CV Victorious
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Victorious

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 42,70

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 10
B6N2 Jill x 7
D4Y3 Judy x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 3 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Victorious, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
BB South Dakota
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage


And finally, just to show the Allies that they are not the only ones who have the guts to fly unescorted:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 42,70

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CV Wasp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 42,70

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 5 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 1


Recap of the results:

CV Hornet - operational

CV Saratoga - operational

CV Yorktown - probably still operational
Bomb hits 2
on fire

CV Wasp - probably unable to perform air ops
Bomb hits 1
Torpedo hits 1
on fire
Ammo storage explosion on CV Wasp

CV Enterprise - likely unable to perform air ops
Bomb hits 3
on fire
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Enterprise

CV Long Island II - likely unable to perform air ops
Bomb hits 2
Torpedo hits 2
on fire
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Long Island II

CV Victorious - might go down
Bomb hits 3
Torpedo hits 1
heavy fires
Ammo storage explosion on CV Victorious
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Victorious

CVL Independence - probably wo't make it
Bomb hits 5
Torpedo hits 1
heavy fires
heavy damage
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Independence

BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 5
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 1
BB Massachusetts
CA New Orleans
CA Wichita
CA Chester
CA Northampton
CL Montpelier


On my side, no ship hit, but offensive air power gutted - some bomber groups have one plane left, and none have more than 10 planes.

I still have 2/3 of my fighters. I will switch air groups around according to torpedo stocks left and add three groups of Kates which have been on LBA ASW duty in the area for temporary carrier duty in order to pursue the action next turn. Netties will risk unescorted daylight attacks and two groups of Lily dive-bombers have been rushed to the front. Subs placed in the potential retreat paths. Fingers crossed for the next turn.

Your main strike was amazingly well coordinated, more than 550 planes! [X(] Very impressive ... and effective as well.

Since you now control the seas in that area ... for a while ... will you consider a counter-invasion anywhere? Or are there no troops for it?

As an AFB, nice job.... I almost cried ;]