Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Burma[/font]
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As shown in this map, the Allies appear to be retreating from the contested hex near Taung Gyi. I thought he would try again here, as surely his forces could eventually wear mine down. Every attack that takes 100 squads off of the IJA/Thai troops takes away 20-25% of the whole, whereas if he loses 300-400 squads it's only around 12-15% of his total, so he gains ground with each attack. Plus he got a 1:1, and was on the verge of a 2:1 result. One more might have pushed this toward the brink.

I will effectively abandon Lashio, leaving only a shattered Thai regiment there.

Elsewhere he has invested Prome and Bassein. Only two units are in Bassein, so I'm curious what is there. Seems vulnerable in the clear, and also doesn't put pressure on me as about 100k men there would do. Maybe he's going to take the big stack approach and move all to Prome. This works best for me as then I can at least know where to concentrate.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]New Guinea[/font]
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This area is hotly contested. I will continue to use the KB as long as there is no indication of Allied CVs in the Area. I have decent search from Rabaul and other rear bases that would hopefully indicate a CV move into the area with a day or two warning.

The Allied ships nearing Biak are two TFs with CL in one, the other seemingly all DD. I wonder if he's thinking of aiming at Sorong, 10 hexes from their position. I will let the KB sail in and see what it can hit if they do go, or hopefully be around if there is something else happening that these guys are a prelude to. The big BB TF is at Sorong to protect the transports there, plus a few ASW TFs.

Air forces are spread through the bases from Ambon out toward Biak. I'm waiting for the bombers from OZ to begin shutting these down, but so far I've been lucky and nothing has been hit in the area. There are a lot of fighters to contest if he does come, but they are spread out for the most part. so many bases it will be tough to attack, but also tough to defend.

[ny59giants]

I'm about 6 weeks behind you, so I have question as Japanese player.

Zeros vs P-38s & P-47s: Do you have them all on same altitude, stacked at different altitudes, if so at what?? Taking losses less than 2:1 is a victory at this time. [:D]

B-29s: Have you found where Jocke is basing them and tried to hit them on the ground?? Any particular fighter does best against them.

Thanks!!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I'm about 6 weeks behind you, so I have question as Japanese player.

Zeros vs P-38s & P-47s: Do you have them all on same altitude, stacked at different altitudes, if so at what?? Taking losses less than 2:1 is a victory at this time. [:D]

B-29s: Have you found where Jocke is basing them and tried to hit them on the ground?? Any particular fighter does best against them.

Thanks!!

I was as surprised as anyone when the KB came close to Biak and the zeros caught a bunch of sweeps there, getting around 1:1 results. The ones that got the fighters at Biak were at 10k, mostly. I keep the majority at 10k to be united with the DB strikes and some at 5k to be with TB, then usually a few at 15k if there is a threat nearby. So far so good. (This is one of many similar reports from that battle at Biak).

The report lists the planes at 9k that were set to 5k. Do they jump up to a default setting for CAP even if I have them at a lower altitude? I've had this happen when planes were set to 1k CAP as well.

I'll be posting new results soon from another battle with KB pilots and the best of the Allied air forces.

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Morning Air attack on Noemfoor , at 86,110

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24
A6M5b Zero x 17
A6M5c Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
Ryuho-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (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 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Unryu-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Katsuragi-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
Kasagi-1 with A6M5c Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
Aso-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
Ikoma-1 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
263 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Amagi-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes[/font]

I have the A6M5, 5b and 5c on the CVs now as they upgrade slowly to the 5b. I will keep a few 5c around, as even though they'e slower I wonder if the armor will give time to keep fighting longer. So far I've not noticed any one group doing better than others and the numbers and pilot quality really seem the key vs P-47, P-38, Corsair and Spits.

I've upgraded most of the LBA IJN fighters to J2M3 and N1K2. I've seen the Jack doing really well lately. If kept at 15k it seems to do better, and I can't fly above 20k anyway due to our 2nd band restriction.

As for the B-29 the only chance at daylight interception was the basis for Jocke's thread in the War Room. The A6M5c did unbelievably well, hitting many of the beasts with no losses, and causing a lot of ops losses enhanced by the long distance strike. Judging by my other results though, I'd guess the best plane to battle it with them would be the J2M3 due to the combo of speed, climb and guns.

If he ever chooses daylight raids in China I have Georges, Nicks, Franks and Tojos all at different locations. In the DEI I also have Tony Kai also, so those might be tested. Looks like he'll stick with night judging by his messages to me though.

I think they are in Chittagong, and he has a lot of protection there. Also, Rangoon has been taken from me by night raids on the fields, so I have few great options for striking that base en masse. I may try again if I see an opportunity. The HQa and some base forces probably need to be moved back now to a more secure location, and I need to upgrade more units to Peggys to try from farther away.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]17 - 18 May 1944[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The Steelhead gets an xAK on the way to Sorong and loaded with troops. It has reversed course in an escort TF and might possibly make Manokawari.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] This was one of the more frustrating replays I've sat through. The KB was in a perfect position, 7 hexes to the NW of the landing occurring at Biak, which didn't begin until the day phase. I could have hit troops on ships in a very meaningful way today, but severe thunderstorms shrouded the KB during both phases apparently.

The LBA strikes got through a decent LR CAP and hit s few ships, but no transports were touched, and only one was targeted even. Why!!!!! TBs go after a DD but not the 10+APA here!!!!! I guess I can imagine the DD running in front to screen, but then why did ALL of the DBs dive at combat ships and NONE go for the transports, easily worth 3x the VP cost of the DDs they tried to hit?

The result is more than 120 planes downed for two TT hits, one on the Honolulu and another on a DD. The Oscars didn't fly though other planes from the same base did go, which sucks as that is another 40 planes and 80 bombs not used.

Based on this try I made the perhaps poor and emotionally driven decision to continue pursuit with the KB toward Sarmi and try to hit some of this valuable shipping to hopefully slow operations here at least. I set many sweeps coming from bases nearby to hit Sarmi and wear the CAP down and meticulously went through the KB group settings to make sure all was perfect. I have 3 SAGs moving with the KB, two more ASW TFs, and the CVs are in 4 separate TFs grouped by speed.

Biak is now in danger as the AV is 950 to 500 or so now. I'll be air lifting again it looks like. The new troops look to be unprepped, so that should give me a few days as they settle down. This will cost me when it eventually falls, but if he has to land again I feel the time gained and possibility to hit those ships outweigh the loss of the troops that will be destroyed. I'll aim to bring AV to 650-700, and with level 4 forts that should prove difficult.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] Over 300 bombers are now in Darwin. Waiting for the hammer to fall.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Rangoon is hit again, and Lashio LI is destroyed. No other major moves other than most of the Allied troops heading to Prome as expected. We are now in the monsoon.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]STRAT BOMBING:[/font] B-29s hit Bangkok at night and take out ALL but one HI point. There was a group of Irvings here that did well with the first strikes, by the reports downing two beasts and getting two ops losses for 3 Irvings shot down. They were not around for the later strikes though.

There was only 7% moonlight, and I have an issue with ALL of the industry being hit in those conditions by around 90 bombers being contested by dedicated night fighters and flak. What can I do?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 17, 44
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Sub attack near Waigeo at 82,105

Japanese Ships
xAK Turuga Maru, Torpedo hits 1
SC Ch 48
SC Ch 24
AMC Bankok Maru
xAP Hakozaki Maru
xAK Taketoyo Maru
E Nuwashima
E Shirakami
E W-24

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead, hits 4

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

SS Steelhead launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Turuga Maru
Steelhead diving deep ....
E Nuwashima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Shirakami fails to find sub and abandons search

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Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 13
Liberator B.III x 13
Liberator B.VI x 14
Liberator GR.III x 17
Wellington GR.VIII x 15
Wellington B.X x 29
Wellington GR.XIII x 11
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24J Liberator x 123


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 12
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Wellington B.X bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 22
B-24D1 Liberator x 25

No Allied losses

Light Industry hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 18, 44
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Night Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 14

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 3 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Sub attack near Wetar at 71,113

Japanese Ships
xAK Amagi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PB Tokati Maru

Allied Ships
SS Hackleback

SS Hackleback launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Amagi Maru
Hackleback diving deep ....
PB Tokati Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,78

Japanese Ships
PB Seikyo Maru
PB Kasyu Maru
E W-5

Allied Ships
SS Stonehenge, hits 3

SS Stonehenge launches 2 torpedoes at PB Seikyo Maru
Stonehenge bottoming out ....

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 87,110

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 19
J2M3 Jack x 53
P1Y1 Frances x 9



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
P-38J Lightning x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 14
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 7
F4U-1A Corsair x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 32


Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 10 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
J2M3 Jack: 17 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 8 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Hammann
DD Carmick, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
APA John Penn
DD McKee
DD Bush
AM Kiwi

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
17 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 87,110

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 111 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 29
J2M3 Jack x 18
N1K2-J George x 17

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 3
P-38J Lightning x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 6
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 2
F4U-1A Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 6 destroyed by flak
J2M3 Jack: 3 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
CL Helena
DD Frazier

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 87,110

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
B6N2 Jill x 5

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 3
P-38J Lightning x 2
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3
F4U-1A Corsair x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Biak at 87,110

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 86 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 12
J2M3 Jack x 7
N1K2-J George x 13
P1Y1 Frances x 13

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
P-38J Lightning x 6
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 12
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 5
F4U-1A Corsair x 9
F6F-3 Hellcat x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 6 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
J2M3 Jack: 3 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 8 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 1
CL Cleveland
DD Sims
CL Helena

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ASW attack near Cam Ranh Bay at 65,71

Japanese Ships
PB Wa 14
xAK Kyokusei Maru
xAK Hokumai Maru
xAK Siraha Maru
xAK Norway Maru
xAK Hamburg Maru
xAK England Maru
xAK Burma Maru
xAK Aden Maru
PB Bisan Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Trident

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Pre-Invasion action off Biak (87,110)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

169 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Gillespie
DD Buchanan
APA James O'Hara
CL Honolulu
DD Hammann

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


DD Gillespie firing at 8th Garrison Unit
DD Buchanan firing at 53rd Infantry Brigade
DD Gillespie fired at enemy troops
DD Buchanan fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Biak (87,110)

TF 280 troops unloading over beach at Biak, 87,110


Allied ground losses:
563 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 115 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 80 (0 destroyed, 80 disabled)
Vehicles lost 58 (0 destroyed, 58 disabled) Unprepped? [;)]

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Ground combat at Biak (87,110)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14382 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 538

Defending force 22303 troops, 455 guns, 596 vehicles, Assault Value = 920

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


Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
3rd South Seas Gsn
49th Infantry Regiment
53rd Infantry Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
4th South Seas Gsn
Kure 2nd SNLF
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
8th Garrison Unit /2
66th JNAF AF Unit
24th Field AF Construction Battalion
3rd FF Const Unit
37th JAAF AF Bn
13th Air Fleet /1

Defending units:
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
1st USMC Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Div /8
98th Field Artillery Battalion
51st Marine Defense Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
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Reinforcements:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]TK Suddhadib Maru arrives at Nagoya[/font]

Losses: none.

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of DD Ammen incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS Stonehenge incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
SS Bang is reported to have been sunk near Talaud-eilanden on Mar 27, 1944
Previous report of sinking of SS Burrfish incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Weather is a part of the game I know, but the timing is just really frustrating right now. I imagine this was also the case in the real war. [/font]
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[MAurelius]

great idea with the pic

[ny59giants]

One more question before I run the turn I have waiting. How is your ASW war going?? It seems to me that my merchant fleet is dying by 1000 paper cuts. Every turn another ship in that fleet is hit and usually sunk. [:(] My larger warships have so far managed not to be hit hard, but I don't know what other measures to take.

Thanks...again [;)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

One more question before I run the turn I have waiting. How is your ASW war going?? It seems to me that my merchant fleet is dying by 1000 paper cuts. Every turn another ship in that fleet is hit and usually sunk. [:(] My larger warships have so far managed not to be hit hard, but I don't know what other measures to take.

Thanks...again [;)]

i just checked and I have 95 Allied subs bagged so far according to tracker. I'd subtract about 10 from that list as FOW, but still pretty good. I hit a few a day with air ASW (according to the reports, and I assume 10-15% are actual hits) and if I concentrate on certain spots with the surface forces to clear the seas I can usually hit an Allied sub ro two within a week. The losses go in spurts, partly due to chance, and partly to how much Jocke is paying attention I think.

I change routes and hubs often. If it looks like he's going to focus on an area I'll switch the hub and routes to and from, and get air assets to follow that route with coverage, and then he doesn't get hits for a while.

Currently he's sending a bunch of Brit subs to the Indochina and Chinese coasts. I've got two Sally groups working that area, so most subs are visible most turns. The key for me is to have a Jake group flying night search as well to give a little DL rise that might last into the day phase and to protect ships moving at night, and to have IJAAF flying search/ASW in the day. I've also embedded AVs with most big TK TFs, those with the 18-19 knot TK/AO and the Tonan Whalers, of which I still have five. [8D]

I've lost 27 TK so far and 3 AO.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]19 - 20 May 1944[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] A massive few days for Allied subs. Several subs hit in the Sorong area hit, one near Dagua took out a small TK, and another took out an E in the area near Truk. We also sank another Brit sub and found a few more on the Indochina coastline.

Time to change routes, but some of course can't change, as the troops must get to their positions. The DEI should be where all of his subs are hunting, but many are still hanging around in territory in the Central Pacific and I can just move around them.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] The KB moved within 4 hexes of Salmi, and in spite of many sweeps softening up the defenders at great cost in airframes, the strike did little to the ships there. Only about half of the planes actually flew, again, and only during one phase. What is going on? All have good TF and group commanders, low fatigue, high moral, most pilots are 65-80 exp with a few rookies added recently. Why won't they launch? I had an amazingly rush target fields all sitting right there and got one mediocre strike that may not have even sunk a single ship.

The one good thing on the day were the many very good airframes shot down by the KB pilots. They got better than one to one in the main raid and on the day we lost around 230 for about 80 of the Allies. Not terrible considering I'd do worse if he were sweeping me. Most of the planes lost were Tojos, Nicks and Georges. The KB fighters lost about 40 and the strike planes only 15 Judys and 22 Jills. Nice that the KB fighters auto-swept in front of the bombers instead of escorting, though set to escort. That is much preferable.

Interestingly the Nicks on sweeps did better than the Georges or Tojos. Jacks coming in late did very well, getting 2:1. I thin I learned something there. The Tojos especially were terrible though, losing 24 for 1-2 planes hit when they had a dive advantage. Hmmm. Is the day of the Tojo done for good?

I might consider killing the Ki-44 program and just moving all of the factories to the Tony line, producing the Ki-61 Id for now and the Ki-100 when it's ready. The Ki-61 Id is slower but has better armament and seems to do better now against top flight Allied fighters. At service rating 2 I could still do this, and it might be a good idea anyway while my supply is still abundant in the HI.

The troops at Biak are nailed with a big 4E raid, and suffer some disablements, but not much disruption. New units are being flown in.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] Saumlaki is bombed, closing the base. Nothing lost there. I'll watch for a few turns to see what he does and prepare anti-invasion surface forces.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Around 240k troops have entered Prome. Now the question is which direction they'll move. I have 1.5k AV on the road to the north of that base, dug in. It will stay there until pushed out. If he goes that way I'll be rebuilding a few divisions soon. but that's the wrong way and it will take him more time, gaining no real advantage in position. If he moves the whole stack South toward Rangoon I have 3k AV dug in there and can bring another few divisions. That will be a tough hex to blast through.

The troops North of Toungoo that were moving to one of the jungle hexes that I've now covered changed up and are showing a move to the one next to it now. I'll send two brigades there and leave one to build forts where it is.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] A small combat engineer unit will fill out the last of Marcus Island's stacking limit tomorrow, landing a few thousand more supply as well. I feel good about this place holding for a while now whatever is thrown at it.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 1, 44
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ASW attack near Biak at 88,111

Japanese Ships
SS RO-67, hits 15, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Helena
DD Hobby
DD Frazier
DD McCalla
DD Young

SS RO-67 is sighted by escort
DD Hobby attacking submerged sub ....
DD Frazier fails to find sub and abandons search
DD McCalla attacking submerged sub ....
DD Young fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Submarine attack near Ambon at 74,111

Japanese Ships
xAK Amagi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Muskallunge

xAK Amagi Maru is sighted by SS Muskallunge
SS Muskallunge launches 2 torpedoes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sangi at 77,96

Japanese Ships
AO Takasaki, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
SC Ch 42
SC Ch 41
SC Ch 47

Allied Ships
SS Haddo

SS Haddo launches 6 torpedoes at AO Takasaki
Haddo diving deep ....
SC Ch 47 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Quinhon at 66,69

Japanese Ships
E Chidori
TK San Ramon Maru
TK Nitiei Maru
TK Kuroshio Maru
TK Hoyo Maru
E Hatsutaka
E Niizaki
E W-29

Allied Ships
SS Trident

SS Trident launches 2 torpedoes at E Chidori
Trident diving deep ....
E Hatsutaka fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Niizaki fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-29 fails to find sub and abandons search
E Hatsutaka attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 110,102

Japanese Ships
E No.5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Permit

SS Permit launches 2 torpedoes
Permit diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Quinhon at 66,69

Japanese Ships
TK San Ramon Maru
TK Nitiei Maru
TK Kuroshio Maru
TK Hoyo Maru
E Hatsutaka
E Niizaki
E W-29

Allied Ships
SS Trident

SS Trident launches 2 torpedoes at TK San Ramon Maru
Trident diving deep ....
E Hatsutaka fails to find sub and abandons search
E Niizaki fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-29 fails to find sub, continues to search...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 25

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 10
P-38J Lightning x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 29
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9
F4U-1A Corsair x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 40

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
P-38J Lightning x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 28
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9
F4U-1A Corsair x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 12 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 168 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
P-38J Lightning x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 26
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 196 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 58 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
P-38J Lightning x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 22

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
P-38J Lightning x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 23

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
P-38J Lightning x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 23
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 7 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 91,114

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 130 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 84
A6M5b Zero x 126
A6M5c Zero x 32
B6N2 Jill x 17
D4Y3 Judy x 74

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 10
P-38J Lightning x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 27
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9
F4U-1A Corsair x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 12 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 4 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 15 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 7 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 5 destroyed
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 11 destroyed

Allied Ships
APA Barnett, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL Montpelier, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
CL Cleveland
DD Bush
DD Gillespie
APA Henry T. Allen, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD McKee
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Conway, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD LaVallette
APA U.S. Grant, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Gwin
DD Radford, Bomb hits 1
DD Reid

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
22 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
12 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
10 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
6 x A6M5c Zero sweeping at 5000 feet
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 5000 feet
13 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
14 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
11 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
6 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
5 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
8 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 5000 feet
4 x A6M5c Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
6 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Montpelier
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Conway
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Honolulu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 91,114

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 28
B6N2 Jill x 25

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 6
P-38J Lightning x 5
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 10
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 4
F4U-1A Corsair x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 12 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Helena
APD Goldsborough
APD Bulmer, Bomb hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 25

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 5
P-38J Lightning x 2
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 8
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 3
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x J2M3 Jack sweeping at 20000 feet *

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,78

Japanese Ships
E No.2
E Kasasagi

Allied Ships
SS Stonehenge, hits 18

SS Stonehenge is located by E No.2
Stonehenge bottoming out ....
E Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kasasagi attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 20, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Sorong at 83,105

Japanese Ships
DD Yakaze
xAP Konron Maru
xAP Koan Maru
E Tsuga
AMC Aikoku Maru

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead, hits 13, heavy damage

SS Steelhead launches 2 torpedoes at DD Yakaze
Steelhead diving deep ....
DD Yakaze attacking submerged sub ....
SS Steelhead forced to surface!
DD Yakaze firing on surfaced sub ....
AMC Aikoku Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
Contact with submarine is lost

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Phuket at 48,68

Japanese Ships
xAK Toho Maru
PB Marei Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sturdy

SS Sturdy launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Toho Maru
Sturdy diving deep ....
PB Marei Maru attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Saumlaki , at 78,117

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 16
PV-1 Ventura x 15
B-25G Mitchell x 16
B-25H Mitchell x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 54

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Saumlaki , at 78,117

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 18
B-25D1 Mitchell x 81
B-25G Mitchell x 12
B-25H Mitchell x 33

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 53
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 148

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 49th Infantry Regiment, at 87,110 (Biak)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-24D1 Liberator x 65
B-24J Liberator x 79
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 16
Liberator B.III x 16
Liberator B.VI x 16
Liberator GR.III x 19
Wellington GR.VIII x 16
Wellington B.X x 32
Wellington GR.XIII x 12
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 21
B-24D1 Liberator x 27
B-24J Liberator x 131

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 120

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Liberator II bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Cam Ranh Bay at 65,72

Japanese Ships
E No.12
E Yomogi
E Nomi

Allied Ships
SS Trespasser

SS Trespasser is located by E No.12
Trespasser diving deep ....
E No.12 fails to find sub and abandons search
E Nomi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Ground combat at Deboyne Islands (103,135)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1251 troops, 26 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Defending force 509 troops, 0 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 10

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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

Assaulting units:
N Force Detachment

Defending units:
1st Recon Regiment
44th JNAF AF Unit /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: This is a turn I've been anxiously awaiting for a long time. Most of these units can be sent out immediately and will mostly make up the garrison for the Marianas. It seems monumental to make it to this turn and not have had any severe challenges in the Central Pacific.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]ML G-302 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
TK Toyohi Maru #2 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
21st Ind.Mixed Regiment arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
109th Division arrives at Kanazawa
47th Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
48th Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Takamatsu
49th Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Fukuoka
50th Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Tokyo
52nd Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Sendai
53rd Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Tokyo
10th Ind.Mixed Regiment arrives at Tokyo
17th Ind.Mixed Regiment arrives at Tokyo
51st IMB AA Battalion arrives at Sendai
8th Recon Regiment arrives at Tokyo
I.23-1 arrives at Tokyo
LST T-119 arrives at Hirosaki/Aomori
MTB G-871 arrives at Hakodate

Aircraft Ki-43-IV Oscar advances R&D (12/44)
Aircraft A7M2 Sam advances R&D (8/45)[/font]

Losses: Most sub hits recently have left the ship able to reach port. not so these past days, with 4 ships sunk.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of E No.5 on May 19, 1944 is admitted
Loss of xAK Amagi Maru on May 19, 1944 is admitted
SS RO-67
AO Takasaki[/font]

Ships Sunk: Maybe none. although the Hnolulu looks to be in a bad way and fires were burning on several others. Altogether not the most convincing strike by the KB.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]This is the sister of the AO Takasaki, which is really a gasoline tanker for aviation fuel and supply for CVs. It should really have carried supply I guess. Maybe it's given this designation since it has fuel carrying capacity so we can do what we like with it. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]INDUSTRY[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is the latest overview of the economy. I'm worried about oil, as the Allies just killed 200 points of production in the last month, and will most likely keep on bombing more. HI I have in abundance and will for some time, as the 2.5 million surplus is still growing steadily. Oil I need more of always.

Fuel is okay right now but won't be for long if any more oil centers get nailed. I am still okay to get to mid-45 now but I want more. Give me jets. [:D]

Supply is holding at 4 million. very good still.

So, I am really considering knocking the Tojo factories down and re-building as Ki-61 factories which will upgrade to Ki-100 in about 4-5 months at the current pace of research. Seems like now is the time. What do you guys think?

[Olorin]

Since you have plenty of supply, considering the time you are in, I don't see why not to upgrade.

Btw, how many armament points did you have before the IJA expansion of early '44 took place? I'm in May '43 and have 130k, I'm worried if I need to just conserve that amount or build some more.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

Since you have plenty of supply, considering the time you are in, I don't see why not to upgrade.

Btw, how many armament points did you have before the IJA expansion of early '44 took place? I'm in May '43 and have 130k, I'm worried if I need to just conserve that amount or build some more.

I think you're fine, as mine never got above 95k, and I turned them low for a while in 43, then pumped it back up as units arrived in 44. My tracker shows I have 100k+ still needed for units in the queue, plus what I'll need for destroyed units, but I will likely begin to trail off toward the late part of 44 again to conserve HI.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

Since you have plenty of supply, considering the time you are in, I don't see why not to upgrade.

Btw, how many armament points did you have before the IJA expansion of early '44 took place? I'm in May '43 and have 130k, I'm worried if I need to just conserve that amount or build some more.

Regarding the idea to change the Tojo factories over to another airframe like the Ki-61 Id:

I just realized that I have only 400 of the Kawasaki Ha-60 engines in the pool. So now for some serious planning.

So, now I have switched over only one of the Tojo factories, totaling 61 once it's repaired. This will run for the next 4-5 months until the Ki-100 gets going. The other 110 plane Tojo factory will continue to produce Tojos for a while at least, until I decide what to do with it next. I may also decide to change it to Franks or another airframe, like Ki-83 if that is ready in time, (it just started researching a week ago!!! [8D]). It's quite a way off though so I don't think that will happen.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]21 - 22 May 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Another Brit sub nailed, the Tresspasser near Quinhon. Of the 10-12 sent past Singapore I now only have an account of 2-3 subs. Where did he send the rest? The RO-39 gets one TT into the xAK Donald MacLean near Darwin. One more down, 784 to go. I also lost one E in the same area to the Trident.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] Well, some interesting things happened during these two turns, none of them planned. My BB TF reacted to the bombardment of Biak but apparently didn't catch the perpetrators in time, and ended up hanging out several hexes from Biak in the daylight! That is a bit farther than the react settings I had made, so my only guess is that they reacted once per phase? Anyway, the result was a group of Helldivers getting a free shot out of LR CAP range. The BBs have pretty good AA after recent upgrades and both Yamatos are here. I couldn't figure out why he lost only 1-2 planes to flak until I saw he set them to level bomb from 8k!! Very odd. They managed to ding the deck plating and took out a 12.7cm mount on the Musashi, but that's it. Some B-25 skippers arrived and got a few minor hits as well.

The next day I set them to return and took the react down to one hex less than the distance to Sarmi so that they'd still hit the small ships returning from a supply run to Biak. Instead they reacted all of the way to Sarmi (!!) where the CA TF, a CL TF, two DD TFs and many PTs were hanging out. I thought they might go out in style but that this was it for the IJN main battle fleet. Instead they only tangled with the CA TF and sunk 2 of 4, including the Baltimore plus two DDs for the cost of only one DD!! [&o][:)][&o]

That's the first victory in months for the surface fleet and a definite moral booster. Now though these ships will have to head for Manilla to get the dings knocked out. That will give the Allies too much time in the North New Guinea area without major surface threats. I'll get another group together, but it won't be as strong and will only be used in spots. The KB all stay active in the area to try to pick off any further incursions.

While that all turned out well, strategically these turns were difficult. Because the weather kept the KB from stopping the addition of more troops to Biak, on the 21st they attacked and got a 1:1 lowering forts to 3. This sucks. I'm not sure we can hold this now. I'll still be sending troops in until the next attack, but I think now I have to consider the implications of this battle being lost. That would mean that I'd have to start isolating and bombing the crap out of this place to keep it shut down. This is the line in the sand, and I will put everything into stopping him here for as long as possible.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] At last some action up here. An amphib TF with CVEs as escort moves toward Cold Bay. My Jakes escorted by zeros nail one of the LSTs, but that pinprick won't likely stop anything. I do have some Judys and Georges that have now moved in closer. The motto is take a tithe for space.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] No moves here yet.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Rangoon gets the business. It's starting to have an effect on supply for sure, but more is on the way. I will LR CAP tomorrow to see what I can catch.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] Something is moving in the Central Pacific. A big collection that looks like the Allied CVs near Wake. Eyes open on this one.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 21, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Naval bombardment of Biak at 87,110

Allied Ships
CA Boston
CA Baltimore
CA Wichita
CA Portland
DD Wadleigh
DD Spence
DD Philip
DD Kimberly
DD Claxton
DD Chauncey
DD Beale
DD Fletcher

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 33
Port hits 15
Port supply hits 3

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Boston
CA Boston firing at 8th Garrison Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Darwin at 79,124

Japanese Ships
SS RO-39

Allied Ships
xAK Donald MacLean, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

xAK Donald MacLean is sighted by SS RO-39
SS RO-39 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Donald MacLean

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 88,109

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 33

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 9 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BB Fuso
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 1
BB Ise, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB Yamashiro

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x SB2C-1C Helldiver bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 49th Infantry Regiment, at 87,110 (Biak)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 61
B-24J Liberator x 78
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 21

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.VI x 14
Liberator GR.III x 19
Wellington GR.VIII x 16
Wellington B.X x 16
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 35
B-24J Liberator x 151


Japanese aircraft losses
E15K1 Norm: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 104

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Wellington B.X bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes


Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 16
Wellington GR.XIII x 11
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 25
B-25C Mitchell x 30
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18
B-25H Mitchell x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25H Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Wellington GR.XIII bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 88,109

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
DD Amatsukaze
BB Fuso
DD Yamakaze
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 1
DD Maikaze
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Biak (87,110)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22546 troops, 455 guns, 596 vehicles, Assault Value = 943

Defending force 19393 troops, 119 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 603

Allied adjusted assault: 1669

Japanese adjusted defense: 949

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1934 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled


Allied ground losses:
722 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 127 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 30 (1 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 54 (3 destroyed, 51 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
98th Field Artillery Battalion
51st Marine Defense Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
3rd South Seas Gsn
53rd Infantry Brigade
49th Infantry Regiment
4th South Seas Gsn
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
Kure 2nd SNLF
4th Raiding Rgt /1
8th Garrison Unit
9th Tank Regiment
5th Garrison Unit /1
37th JAAF AF Bn
24th Field AF Construction Battalion
3rd FF Const Unit
66th JNAF AF Unit
13th Air Fleet /1

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

Ground combat at Deboyne Islands (103,135)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1229 troops, 26 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Defending force 493 troops, 0 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 11

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Assaulting units:
N Force Detachment

Defending units:
1st Recon Regiment
44th JNAF AF Unit /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 22, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 9,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
BB Musashi, Shell hits 3
BB Fuso, Shell hits 7
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 2
BB Ise, Shell hits 2
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Harusame, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 8, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
CA Wichita, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Baltimore, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
CA Boston, Shell hits 3
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 1
DD Beale
DD Chauncey, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Claxton
DD Kimberly, Shell hits 1
DD Philip, Shell hits 1
DD Spence
DD Wadleigh, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 9,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Asakura, Bunji crosses the 'T'
DD Maikaze engages CA Boston at 9,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages CA Baltimore at 9,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Boston at 9,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Maikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Wadleigh at 9,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Wadleigh at 9,000 yards
DD Wadleigh engages DD Harusame at 9,000 yards
DD Wadleigh engages DD Amatsukaze at 9,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Maikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Wadleigh at 9,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages CA Boston at 9,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Baltimore at 9,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Portland at 9,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Portland at 9,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CA Portland at 9,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Spence at 9,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Wadleigh at 9,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Kimberly at 9,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Claxton at 9,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Chauncey at 9,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Maikaze at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages CA Boston at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Baltimore at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Wichita at 10,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CA Portland at 10,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Wadleigh at 10,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Wadleigh at 10,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Fletcher at 10,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Kimberly at 10,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Chauncey at 10,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Chauncey at 10,000 yards
CA Boston engages DD Yamakaze at 10,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Baltimore at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Portland at 10,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CA Portland at 10,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Wadleigh at 10,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Yamakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Kimberly at 10,000 yards
DD Chauncey sunk by DD Amatsukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Claxton engages DD Shimakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Beale engages DD Yamakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Fletcher at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Boston engages DD Yamakaze at 8,000 yards
CA Wichita engages DD Maikaze at 8,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CA Portland at 8,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CA Portland at 8,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Spence at 8,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Philip at 8,000 yards
DD Kimberly engages DD Amatsukaze at 8,000 yards
DD Claxton engages DD Maikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Beale at 8,000 yards
CA Portland sunk by BB Yamashiro at 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Spence at 8,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Wadleigh at 8,000 yards
DD Kimberly engages DD Yamakaze at 8,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Claxton at 8,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Philip at 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Boston at 6,000 yards
CA Baltimore engages DD Yamakaze at 6,000 yards
CA Wichita engages DD Harusame at 6,000 yards
BB Musashi engages DD Wadleigh at 6,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CA Baltimore at 6,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Wadleigh at 6,000 yards
DD Wadleigh engages DD Harusame at 6,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Claxton at 6,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Beale at 6,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Shimakaze at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Boston at 8,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CA Baltimore at 8,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Wichita at 8,000 yards
DD Wadleigh sunk by BB Musashi at 8,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CA Boston at 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Claxton at 8,000 yards
DD Kimberly engages DD Harusame at 8,000 yards
Magazine explodes on DD Harusame
DD Harusame sunk by DD Claxton at 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Beale at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Baltimore at 5,000 yards
CA Baltimore engages DD Yamakaze at 5,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Wichita at 5,000 yards
DD Spence engages DD Amatsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Philip at 5,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Claxton at 5,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Claxton at 5,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Beale at 5,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Yamakaze at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Baltimore at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Baltimore at 8,000 yards
CA Wichita engages DD Maikaze at 8,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CA Baltimore at 8,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CA Boston at 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Claxton at 8,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Kimberly at 8,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Boston at 9,000 yards
CA Baltimore sunk by BB Musashi at 9,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Wichita at 9,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Philip at 9,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Fletcher at 9,000 yards
DD Claxton engages DD Yamakaze at 9,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Claxton at 9,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Claxton at 9,000 yards
CA Boston engages DD Maikaze at 9,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Boston at 9,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Spence at 9,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Shimakaze at 9,000 yards
BB Yamato engages DD Kimberly at 9,000 yards
DD Claxton engages DD Maikaze at 9,000 yards
Asakura, Bunji orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Biak (87,110)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

58 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APD Barr
APD Daniel T. Griffin
APD Crosby

APD Barr firing at 8th Garrison Unit
APD Daniel T. Griffin firing at 53rd Infantry Brigade
APD Daniel T. Griffin fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Biak (87,110)

TF 15 troops unloading over beach at Biak, 87,110

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Quinhon at 66,69

Japanese Ships
E Manju
E Yomogi
E No.12
E Nomi

Allied Ships
SS Trespasser, hits 10, heavy damage

SS Trespasser launches 2 torpedoes at E Manju
Trespasser diving deep ....
E No.12 fails to find sub and abandons search
E Nomi attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 89,111, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
DD Shimakaze
DD Maikaze
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
APD John D. Ford
APD Crosby, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
APD Kilty
APD Humphreys, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Sands, Shell hits 2
APD Goldsborough, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Belknap
APD Daniel T. Griffin, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Barr, Shell hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 14
Liberator B.III x 12
Liberator B.VI x 15
Liberator GR.III x 9
Wellington GR.VIII x 16
Wellington B.X x 32
Wellington GR.XIII x 11
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 22
B-24D1 Liberator x 33
B-24J Liberator x 135


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 1 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 41
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 138

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Wellington B.X bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 8
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24J Liberator x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 54
B-25D1 Mitchell x 30
B-25H Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 35

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cold Bay at 175,50

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 11
E13A1 Jake x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LST-479, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LST-447

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


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-77 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-93 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-13 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 8th Garrison Unit , at 87,110 (Biak)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 56 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 31
B-24J Liberator x 71
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Quinhon at 66,69

Japanese Ships
E W-28, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
E Mikura
E W-21

Allied Ships
SS Trident, hits 1

SS Trident launches 4 torpedoes at E W-28
Trident diving deep ....
E W-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-21 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]SS RO-42 arrives at Fukuoka[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of DD Harusame on May 22, 1944 is admitted
Loss of E W-28 on May 22, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]CA Portland is reported to have been sunk near Sarmi on May 22, 1944
CA Baltimore is reported to have been sunk near Sarmi on May 22, 1944
DD Chauncey is reported to have been sunk near Sarmi on May 22, 1944
DD Wadleigh is reported to have been sunk near Sarmi on May 22, 1944
APD Crosby is reported to have been sunk near Sarmi on May 22, 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]The Musashi came through in the surface battle, killing off a cruiser and a DD.[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[PaxMondo]

Nice surface action. CONGRATS!!!

[SqzMyLemon]

Nice job. I'm torn about whether to complete Musashi or not. I usually do, but this time I've halted her. In light of the fact I didn't sink any BB's at Pearl, perhpas it would have been wise to add her to the fleet. If I restarted construction she'd not be ready until July 43.

[obvert]

Thanks guys. A short lived but exciting success.

Now the Allies simply keep pouring it on. It's relentless at this stage of the game, isn't it?

My one feeling right now though is that he may be starting to really overextend. He hasn't cleaned up the LOC on New Guinea, and that could bite him. Now I have to figure out how to make it do that. [:D]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]23 - 24 May 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Another few hits by Allied subs. Definitely a push by the Allied silent service. No ships lost yet, but one has high float damage and might sink tomorrow, loaded with supply near Saigon.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] More shots by the USAAF hit the troops and the US divisions on Biak DA again for another 1:1, again dropping forts to 2 and getting roughly even casualties, which hurts us tremendously more. now I'm shutting down reinforcement runs and letting this one play out on it's own. It really sucks. All down to one day's weather not letting planes fly.

Still, this base is quite far out, and I plan to keep it shut and isolated. I'm moving IJAAF 2E units into the area and I'll try to keep naval forces at bay with the KB and whatever SAGs I can afford. This is a critical spot I need to keep in stasis.

I have a little surprise planned for the next days. Rabaul is now back to no damage, and it has 34k supply, torps and 200 air support. I moved a Frances group, a Judy group and four fighter groups in for tomorrow. I also put two planes at previously unoccupied Hollandia to make him think something is up there and hopefully focus on that region, leaving the LOC less protected or even possibly moving more ships into the area to avoid strikes like the one that wounded the Alabama with 2 TT. I also have Georges and Bettys in the Solomons unreconned and set to 11 hexes. Fingers crossed.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] Now there is something on for real, as a big amphib TF ran over one of tour subs. It got no shots off, but it's good info. I'll not challenge this one in the air. He's going for Dutch it looks like so far, cutting off Cold Bay. This could be a good thing, but he is going to have to shut it down first or it'll end up a thorn.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] There is some attention at Wyndham lately, and the air force showed up in a big way to crush the naval guard there both days. An armored regiment then attacked and got a 1:1, so transports have been moved in to get a portion of the unit out at least.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] I set up a trap over Rangoon and it caught some big tasty fish. About 120 Franks, Nicks, Tonys and Oscars (just what was around so as not to draw attention) on LR CAP met the bombing run on a turn when no sweeps flew. Good luck at last! [8D]The first big group was decimated, as was the next and a few more stragglers before the CAP was worn down and several other groups got free shots. On the day the Allies lost 25+ 4E and 40+ 2E for 71 total planes on the day. We lost 34 fighters, most especially during the engagements with B-25D-1 present. A good day in the air here. Now these groups will skeedaddle home and try to avoid reprisals.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] Eniweitok is the new target. It is taking a pounding. This won't take long as there is only a naval guard there. Unless he is overly cautious. [;)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 23, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air attack on Medan , at 46,76

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 32

No Allied losses

Oil hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 9000 feet *
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Biak at 87,110

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
BB South Dakota
DD Preston
DD Perkins
DD Russell
DD Nicholson
DD Cassin Young
DD Irwin
DD Cotten
DD Brownson
DD Aulick

Japanese ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Massachusetts
BB Massachusetts firing at Biak

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Cam Ranh Bay at 65,71

Japanese Ships
E W-21

Allied Ships
SS Trespasser, hits 4, heavy damage

SS Trespasser is sighted by escort
Trespasser diving deep ....
E W-21 attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sasebo 3rd SNLF, at 70,127 (Wyndham)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 16
PV-1 Ventura x 31
B-25G Mitchell x 16
B-25H Mitchell x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th JNAF Coy , at 70,127 (Wyndham)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 18
B-25D1 Mitchell x 81
B-25H Mitchell x 33


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
332 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 24
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 17
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 70

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
Liberator B.III x 14
Liberator B.VI x 15
Liberator GR.III x 18
Wellington GR.VIII x 16
Wellington B.X x 29
Wellington GR.XIII x 12
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 25
B-24J Liberator x 130


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
Liberator B.III: 1 destroyed
Liberator B.VI: 2 damaged
Wellington GR.VIII: 7 destroyed
Wellington B.X: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 5 destroyed, 11 damaged

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

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 107

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Wellington B.X bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
20th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (24 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
24 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
27th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
30th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (30 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
30 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
33rd Sentai with Ki-61-Ic Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 40 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 52



Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24J Liberator x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 52
B-25D1 Mitchell x 28
B-25H Mitchell x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ic Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase hits 18
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 7
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 8 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 10



Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged

Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 63rd Naval Guard Unit, at 127,108 (Eniwetok)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 180
TBM-1C Avenger x 131

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
243 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 63rd Naval Guard Unit, at 127,108 (Eniwetok)

Weather in hex: Overcast

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


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 20
TBM-1C Avenger x 8

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 49th Infantry Regiment, at 87,110 (Biak)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 48
B-24J Liberator x 67
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 10


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Biak (87,110)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21870 troops, 454 guns, 595 vehicles, Assault Value = 832

Defending force 18506 troops, 123 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 520

Allied adjusted assault: 934

Japanese adjusted defense: 597

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1801 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 98 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1680 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 103 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 40 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 25 (3 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (5 destroyed, 35 disabled)


Assaulting units:
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st USMC Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
98th Field Artillery Battalion
51st Marine Defense Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
53rd Infantry Brigade
8th Garrison Unit
4th South Seas Gsn
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
49th Infantry Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
4th Raiding Regiment
3rd South Seas Gsn
9th Tank Regiment
5th Garrison Unit /1
37th JAAF AF Bn
24th Field AF Construction Battalion
66th JNAF AF Unit
3rd FF Const Unit
13th Air Fleet /1

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

Ground combat at Deboyne Islands (103,135)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1255 troops, 26 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Defending force 209 troops, 0 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 23

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 23 to 1

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

Assaulting units:
N Force Detachment

Defending units:
1st Recon Rgt /1

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Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Deboyne Islands by attrition!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 24, 44
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Sub attack near Manado at 76,99

Japanese Ships
AK Arimasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1
E Tsubame
AK Asakasan Maru
AK Sydney Maru
E Aotaka

Allied Ships
SS Bream

SS Bream launches 2 torpedoes at AK Arimasan Maru
Bream diving deep ....

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ASW attack near Sarmi at 90,113

Japanese Ships
SS RO-62, hits 11

Allied Ships
AM Requisite

SS RO-62 is sighted by escort
AM Requisite fails to find sub, continues to search...

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Sub attack near Groot Natoena at 60,80

Japanese Ships
AK Sinsei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kinsyo Maru
xAK Hiyoshi Maru
xAK Kanko Maru
PB Shosei Maru

Allied Ships
SS Truculent

SS Truculent launches 2 torpedoes at AK Sinsei Maru
Truculent diving deep ....
PB Shosei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Akutan Island at 172,50

Japanese Ships
SS RO-109

Allied Ships
AM Motive
AM Herald
LSI(M) Prince Henry
LSD White Marsh
AP Gen. O.H.Ernst
LST-481
LST-447
LCI-75
DE Reynolds
DE Mitchell
AM Sheldrake


SS RO-109 is sighted by escort
RO-109 bottoming out ....
DE Reynolds fails to find sub and abandons search
DE Mitchell fails to find sub and abandons search

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sanak Island at 174,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-170, hits 7

Allied Ships
DD Prichett
DD Monssen II



SS I-170 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Prichett
I-170 diving deep ....
DD Monssen II attacking submerged sub ....
DD Monssen II fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Monssen II attacking submerged sub ....
DD Monssen II attacking submerged sub ....
DD Monssen II attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 8th Garrison Unit , at 87,110 (Biak)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 32
B-24J Liberator x 47
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 16


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th JNAF Coy , at 70,127 (Wyndham)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 18
B-25D1 Mitchell x 81
B-25H Mitchell x 32


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 50,129

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Silindoeng, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Beatrice, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 63rd Naval Guard Unit, at 127,108 (Eniwetok)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 238
SBD-5 Dauntless x 50
TBF-1 Avenger x 100
TBM-1C Avenger x 40


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Wyndham (70,127)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 720 troops, 0 guns, 106 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Defending force 986 troops, 18 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 32

Allied adjusted assault: 30

Japanese adjusted defense: 25

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/9th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]ML G-303 arrives at Kobe
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company arrives at Tokyo[/font]

Losses: Amazing that none of the several ships hit by TT these days end down yet.

Ships Sunk: none.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The Nick still adds to the fun and shows it's worth over Rangoon, losing only a few planes and NO pilots. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[MrBlizzard]

You are making some good traps here and there, loving it! [;)], it seems from reading several AAR that it's the best (only?) way for Japan in late war. If you attrite him in aircrafts this way it can really slow down his advance!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: MrBlizzard

You are making some good traps here and there, loving it! [;)], it seems from reading several AAR that it's the best (only?) way for Japan in late war. If you attrite him in aircrafts this way it can really slow down his advance!

Well, to an extent, yes. There are still times when the full weight of force has to be brought to meet the Allied advance, but the intermittent surprise and rear area harassment missions certainly are important. More for strategic than for tactical reasons in my opinion. I want him to have to think there is danger everywhere, whether this is true or not. [;)]

Jocke has jumped from Dagua to Sarmi to Biak. There is a lot of space between each of those bases. They are not mutually supportive. In between he left Aitape, Hollandia/Vanaimo and Nabire. He has also left the entire Solomons chain and Rabaul unconquered. I hope now to turn Biak into a highly contested zone with constant air pressure and enough surface force to support and interdict movement of support troops and supply to the base. I will also use the rear bases to hit the LOC if possible and divert attention and units to this area.

In terms of the air war, Jocke has figured out that escorts are not needed if the raids are large enough. He also seems to include the B-25D-1 in every large raid, and this plane with it's erroneous 50+ defensive gun rating functions as escort, killing at better than a 1:1 ratio. He must have some bomber pilot aces by now. He has used fewer sweeps lately, so I am able to hit some raids, but this necessarily must be a sporadic and unexpected move, so his bombing is still very effective.