Beans, Bullets and Black Oil :: obvert (A) vs Lowpe (J)

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 24, 1943[/font]

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An interesting turn. A lot of small action setting up what is about to happen. [;)]

I hit Amami-Oshima again and still there were only Rufe's there. There was an AV in port, Akitsushima, which took on bomb hit but had an explosion message as well, so could be in trouble. Interestingly, and very happily, the 'carrier support unable to supply air cover' message tells me the KB is here and not near the Marianas. All is a go for landings beginning tomorrow at Marcus Island.

The IJN sent in two CL and caused some havoc at Ishigaki as my covering CL TF didn't meet them before the Japanese hit a supplying TF finishing it's unload. A bit annoying my TF was in place and couldn't get to the CLs until after, and then did nothing against them. Grrrr. [:@]

The 4Es also hit Moppo. I want the Japanese to have to think about a lot of different possibilities the Allies could try for the next stage. I have a short term plan and a few long term goals and I'm starting the process now since the USN will be arriving with more surface forces soon.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 24, 1943
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ASW attack near Okinoerabushima at 96,65

Japanese Ships
DMS W-22
BB Kirishima
CA Aoba
TB Hato
DD Yugao
DD Tachikaze
DD Ariake
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
SS Sargo, hits 4

SS Sargo launches 4 torpedoes at DMS W-22
DD Yugao fails to find sub, continues to search...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Ishigaki at 90,66, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CL Yura

Allied Ships
AM Kingfisher, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAP Hosang, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
xAP Kutsang, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Nirvana, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAP Derrymore, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 9 (6 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced visibility due to Rain with 67% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 67% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 6,000 yards

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Night Naval bombardment of Kume-jima at 94,65

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Aoba
CA Myoko

Allied ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kirishima
BB Kirishima firing at Kume-jima

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 90,65, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CL Yura, Shell hits 4

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Ceres
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 1
DD Aylwin
DD Dewey, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Allen

Poor visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Asakura, Bunji crosses the 'T'

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Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 33,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
A6M3a Zero x 15
J2M2 Jack x 29
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 21000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Tientsin , at 95,41

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 3
Mitchell II x 18
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 74
P-40E Warhawk x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
330 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 78

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Mitchell II bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Moppo , at 100,54

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 23

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
B-24D Liberator x 14
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 7 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 37

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Liberator II bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Tokara Retto , at 100,62

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 47

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AV Akitsushima, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Massive explosion on AV Akitsushima

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Morning Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Very interesting look at Yokohama. I notice the jets are in process with a heavy investment. I doubt I'll see them though. Lots of Jacks being made.

[obvert]

Here is Cent Pac. All good. Did get a ping on one TF today, so I want to get Marcus in.

[obvert]

A look at Mindanao to New Guinea. No active Japanese forces have been seen here in weeks. Small ABDA troops are prepping for many bases here.

[obvert]

This shows the new lines in Manchuria as well as the air strikes against all Northern fields going on now. All of the Japanese fighters in the area are at Port Arthur, so I've let the dogs loose. About a 100 USAAF 2E can also reach the area from China.

[obvert]

This is still where most of the action is happening, and it's about to get more intense. I'll challenge to 400 fighter defenses of Okinawa with bombardments and sweeps and 4E strikes. I've got The P of W here and enough fighters to make a dent. I'm a bit worried there are more IJN TFs than I can spot, or that the KB will get in range and a battle will get ugly in the daylight phase.

[RangerJoe]

If you have saved the game from when he sent Stalin that rotten sushi, are you considering go back to that time play from there?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If you have saved the game from when he sent Stalin that rotten sushi, are you considering go back to that time play from there?

I'd happily play any game Lowpe wants to play after this one. He's been fantastic and very feisty. Although the Soviets have proved tough to handle so early, the situation was already a bit grim for the Japanese even at that stage when the transports triggered Soviet activation in late Jan 42.

Here is a big map of the DEI only days before the incident in the North.

The Allies held Singers with air superiority. All of Java, Ambon and some of Sumatra were still in Allied hands. A set of TFs unseen on this map were moving in to invade Souther Sumatra after paras were to retake Benkolen, which the Japanese left undefended. Palembang was battered and being reduced by 4Es, as were other oil centers already taken. Allied troops had poured into Java to add to the defenses there and were on the way to Timor, Ambon and other hard points in the Southern SRA. The majority of the USN was in theatre, and although losses were serious, the IJN was also losing ships and getting many more damaged enough to lose them for the short term.

The PI was holding well with some supply left and troops healthy and growing in experience. Parts of Burma were still being held by the Allies with no sign of weakening in x3 terrain.

In the center, the IJA China campaign was stalled, and in the North the Aleutians were quickly turning into a morass for the Japanese, as not enough force could be applied to hold the early acquisitions.

If we replayed this game it would have been even more bloody I'm sure than the current, and yet I think the Allies could have still held out for the duration in the SRA or at least long enough to ruin the majority of oil centers, as well as causing a reduced perimeter that could be exploited very early. I also had big bases at Tulagi, Lunga, Tabiteuauea and Port Moresby than were being coninually reinforced.

Any one of these problems could be isolated and defeated by the IJA in mid-42 with KB dominance, but all of them together would have been hard to handle. I think Lowpe would probably rather just start a new one and see how that went, but you never know. He continually surprises me, and if he had worked through all of these issues the losses could make it hard for the Allies to come back strong in mid-42 as well.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 25, 1943[/font]

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Some good sweeps do find the KB CAP today near Saishu To. The Allied planes do a good job, getting about 2:1 in sweeps against the best of the IJN. The 4Es and Soviet 2Es continue to pound airfields in Manchuria and in the islands between Okinawa, Kyushu and Korea.

Bombardments went in and found Marcus only lightly held. The troops didn't land though, which was my fault. I had them set not to unload for safety and forgot to switch them back. Looks like this will turn out better though since th eTF is right in hex and will start the unload immediately next turn, and since there is very little here anyway. It gave time for the other TFs to get in pace too and now a few other invasions at Pagan and Anatahan will land tomorrow too. Guam is still a day or two out. Only the bombardment TFs have DL which is interesting. We'll see tomorrow, but the CVEs here will now be in the middle of the bunch of grouped TFs providing cover should any strikes from the Marianas develop.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 25, 1943
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Sub attack near Tokunoshima at 97,65

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
SS KXVII, hits 1

SS KXVII launches 4 torpedoes at CL Kitakami
KXVII bottoming out ....

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ASW attack near Okinoerabushima at 96,65

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Aoba
DD Teruzuki
TB Hato
DMS W-22
DD Yugao
DD Tachikaze
DD Ariake
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
SS Tuna, hits 8

SS Tuna is sighted by escort
DD Yugao attacking submerged sub ....

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Night Air attack on Hachinohe , at 118,55

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
DB-3M x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 2
Fires 534

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x DB-3M bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Hachinohe , at 118,55

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
DB-3T x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 2
Fires 1344

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x DB-3T bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Naval bombardment of Kume-jima at 94,65

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Aoba
CA Myoko

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

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 3

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kirishima

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Night Naval bombardment of Marcus Island at 123,85

Allied Ships
CL Denver

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Denver
CL Denver firing at Marcus Island

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Morning Air attack on Saishu To , at 99,55

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 32,580 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3a Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed These all look to be KB groups
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M3a Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
Hiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Saishu To , at 99,55

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 33,890 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3a Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Tunghua , at 106,44

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB-2 x 51

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x SB-2 bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Tunghua , at 106,44

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB-2 x 37

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x SB-2 bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Tokara Retto , at 100,62

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 46

No Allied losses

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

Port hits 21
Port supply hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Tientsin , at 95,41

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 9
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 27
P-40E Warhawk x 6

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Tientsin , at 95,41

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 32
P-40E Warhawk x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Moppo , at 100,54

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Saishu To , at 99,55

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3a Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

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Naval bombardment of Marcus Island at 123,85

Allied Ships
CA Kalinin
DD Stalin
DD Raziashchij
DD Rezkij
DD Rekordnyj
DD Retivyj
DD Rastoropnyj
DD Ryanyj
DD Tblisi

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 5
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA Kalinin firing at Marcus Island
DD Rekordnyj firing at 103rd Ship Eng Coy

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Ground combat at Tientsin (95,41)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2693 troops, 59 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 1359

Defending force 13445 troops, 128 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 488

Allied adjusted assault: 106

Japanese adjusted defense: 941

Allied assault odds: 1 to 8 (fort level 2)

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

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

Allied ground losses:
384 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Tomorrow I'll strike at the bigger of the two airbases on Okinawa, the level 5 base at Naha. It holds 242 fighters at last glance, and I'll send in two bombardments with lots of sweeps, LR CAP and 4Es to follow. It could be a bloodbath.

[obvert]

.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

.

OMG - it finally happened: He's gone dotty!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: obvert

.

OMG - it finally happened: He's gone dotty!

Mistaken post so I put a placeholder. I posted an update from my game with Dan here instead of there. Whoops.

[obvert]

An update on the North. Shikuka was retaken again by the Soviets marching around the IJA blockade. There is an ID on the border between Alexandrovsk and Shikuka held by the border fort and a brigade.

I'll send a US unit here and flip the flag very soon. This will be a bse to bomb the North from. [8D]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 26, 1943[/font]

---

A very important turn on the 26th. The level 5 airbase on Naha is trashed and Japanese losses are heavy after a combined naval and air strike. The two bombardment TFs made it in easily after the Japanese forces left to continue their nightly bombardment of Okinoerabushima. The bombardments didn't close the base but might have had a significant affect on the day's air strikes.

Most sweeps went in after the big 4E raids, but I'd put LR CAP from Kume-Jima out as well, and those P-40K stuck around for the entire morning, fighting off wave after wave of Japanese defenders. The resulting losses to airframes on the field and base hits will be catastrophic for the defenses. Since Naga is only a size 3 airfield, this should mean that in a few days there will be on air cover to keep big IJN TFs here and the door will open for some resupply of forward bases and eventually invasion of Okinawa in a few weeks. This will be key to getting fighters in range of the Strat bombing targets on the Western half of the Home Islands.

In Cent Pac Marcus falls to the Allied assault, and Pagan and Anatahan are invaded and should be in our control by tomorrow. Invasions of Guam and the other dot bases in the Northern Marianas will follow. Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai are also on the menu for this week. Once this operation is complete ships, supply, air units and troops can flow much more easily to the PI and beyond.

In Soviet territory the continued pressure on Japanese airfields closes another size 1 base at Anshan.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 26, 1943
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Pre-Invasion action off Marcus Island (123,85)

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
AMC Prince Robert
PC Taney
SC-641

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

BB Mississippi firing at 103rd Ship Eng Coy

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ASW attack near Okinoerabushima at 96,65

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuzuki
BB Kirishima
CA Aoba
CA Myoko
DD Arashio
TB Hato
DMS W-22
DD Yugao
DD Tachikaze
DD Ariake
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
SS KIX

SS KIX launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hatsuzuki
KIX bottoming out ....

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ASW attack near Naha at 95,66

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-29, hits 6, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Canberra
CL Detroit
DD Mahan
DD Russell
DD Sands
DD Van Galen

SSX Ha-29 is sighted by escort

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TF 117 encounters mine field at Naha (95,66)

Allied Ships
DD Mahan, Mine hits 1

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Night Air attack on Hachinohe , at 118,55

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 4

Allied aircraft
DB-3M x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 3
Fires 777

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x DB-3M bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Night Naval bombardment of Naha at 95,66 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 12 damaged
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 6 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 4 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed on ground

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Canberra
CL Concord

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Resources hits 1
Manpower hits 1
Fires 327
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
Port hits 7

Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at CA Cornwall
CA Cornwall firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion

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Night Naval bombardment of Naha at 95,66

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 17 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 21 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 32 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 3 damaged
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 13 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 3 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
CA Quincy

Japanese ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Resources hits 1
Manpower hits 1
Fires 491
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22
Port hits 5

BB Prince of Wales firing at Naha
CA Quincy firing at Naha

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Anatahan (109,91)

TF 406 troops unloading over beach at Anatahan, 109,91

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Pagan (110,89)

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-634
xAP Tjinegara

SC-634 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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Agrihan at 112,84

Japanese Ships
xAK Kusuyama Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Blackfish

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

xAK Kusuyama Maru is sighted by SS Blackfish
SS Blackfish launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Kusuyama Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kume-jima at 93,65

Japanese Ships
SS I-21, hits 6

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
CA Quincy
DD Waller
DD Chevalier
DD Fletcher
DD Isis
DD Arunta
DD Smith
DD Maury

SS I-21 is sighted by escort
DD Isis attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Anshan , at 102,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 31

Allied aircraft
I-153 x 15
MiG-3 x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-153: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 20 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
A6M3a Zero x 21
J2M2 Jack x 56
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42
Ki-46 KAI Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 24000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Anshan , at 102,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 26,800 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 11

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 10
P-40K Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-66 Vanguard sweeping at 25800 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Anshan , at 102,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 7
I-153 x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-43A-1 Lancer sweeping at 25000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
A6M3a Zero x 20
J2M2 Jack x 49
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Anshan , at 102,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 14
Mitchell II x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 34

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Mitchell II bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
A6M3a Zero x 19
J2M2 Jack x 42
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 8
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 3 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 13 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Anshan , at 102,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 10
I-153 x 8
IL-2 x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x IL-2 bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Anshan , at 102,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
A6M3a Zero x 16
J2M2 Jack x 41
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 33
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 14 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 11
J2M2 Jack x 34
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-25D1 Mitchell x 5
P-40K Warhawk x 21
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 12 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 5
J2M2 Jack x 29
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Anshan , at 102,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 10
I-153 x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 4
J2M2 Jack x 23
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46 KAI Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 8 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 1
J2M2 Jack x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 1
J2M2 Jack x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

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

Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4736 troops, 50 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 157

Defending force 1592 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied adjusted assault: 138

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 138 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Marcus Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2228 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 49 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (16 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
102nd(Sep) Infantry Regiment
151st Cmbt Engineer Battalion
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Coast AA Regiment
8th Port Maint Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
103rd Ship Eng Coy
7th JNAF AF Unit

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

Ground combat at Babeldaob (90,97)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 20814 troops, 243 guns, 106 vehicles, Assault Value = 712

Defending force 2559 troops, 0 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 832

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 832 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2432 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 216 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 55 (55 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Defending units:
16th Army

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

Japanese losses are huge on the day, with almost a 3:1 total, but it's more about the strategic use of these airbases to hold off the Allied advance that makes this an important day. There aren't enough alternatives to keep holding in this area for much longer.

[BBfanboy]

Very nice results! Good to see those two islands cleared as well.

What do you make of the BB/CA TF at Okinoerabushima while you have CA and BB TFs hitting Naha? Is he guarding the islands to the east of Okinawa, putting his TF at risk with your forces so close, or is he hoping to pounce on your weaker TFs?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Very nice results! Good to see those two islands cleared as well.

What do you make of the BB/CA TF at Okinoerabushima while you have CA and BB TFs hitting Naha? Is he guarding the islands to the east of Okinawa, putting his TF at risk with your forces so close, or is he hoping to pounce on your weaker TFs?

I don't know if he knew that Prince of Wales was still here. Maybe he's thinking he can keep those islands suppressed long enough to counter-invade. He's an aggressive defender, and usually after a turn that goes for me I have to watch out, because he'll come right back. The KB is near too, and he could use that with the surface forces to try and clear the area.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Very nice results! Good to see those two islands cleared as well.

What do you make of the BB/CA TF at Okinoerabushima while you have CA and BB TFs hitting Naha? Is he guarding the islands to the east of Okinawa, putting his TF at risk with your forces so close, or is he hoping to pounce on your weaker TFs?

I don't know if he knew that Prince of Wales was still here. Maybe he's thinking he can keep those islands suppressed long enough to counter-invade. He's an aggressive defender, and usually after a turn that goes for me I have to watch out, because he'll come right back. The KB is near too, and he could use that with the surface forces to try and clear the area.

Tense situation - just the way the peanut gallery likes it!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 27, 1943[/font]

---

On the 27th I hoped to solidify the gains against Naha while getting my fleet back into position to protect against a mad banzai rush by multiple small IJN TFs. He didn't move the Kirishima TF, but didn't continue bombarding with it either, and reinforced it with seemingly all of the nearby surface ships.

I kept sweeps and bombers going over Okinawa, and against no CAP the 4Es further wrecked the runway at Naha while destroying 30-40 airframes on the ground. Next I'll hit Naga with the sweeps and 4Es, and if I can break through the 150+ plane CAP there it's all over for these as Japanese bases. I'll set limited LBA air strikes as well to see if I can get lucky.

Pagan falls to the Allied invasion, and Guam is invaded. It looks like he won't hold long there with only a large base force. Saipan seems the only base with infanry on it in the Marianas.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 27, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Naha at 95,66, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Myoko
CA Aoba
CL Jintsu
CL Yura
DD Teruzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Onami
DD Arashio
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
DD Tachikaze
DD Yugao
TB Hato
DMS W-22, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
PT-60
PT-120, Shell hits 1
PT-124, Shell hits 1
MTB 12

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 46% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 46% moonlight: 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Agrihan at 111,83

Japanese Ships
PB Chiyo Maru #4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Scorpion

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

PB Chiyo Maru #4 is sighted by SS Scorpion
SS Scorpion launches 4 torpedoes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Guam at 106,95

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AK Fomalhaut, Bomb hits 3
CL Trenton

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x F1M2 Pete bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 30 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 109,87

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Nichiyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 6
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 4 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 11
B-25D1 Mitchell x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hachinohe , at 118,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6

Allied aircraft
DB-3M x 17
DB-3T x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
DB-3M: 5 destroyed
DB-3T: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Manpower hits 30
Fires 3670

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x DB-3M bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hachinohe , at 118,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
DB-3M x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
DB-3M: 6 damaged

Manpower hits 65
Fires 14074

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x DB-3M bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hachinohe , at 118,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
DB-3T x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
DB-3T: 1 damaged

Manpower hits 2
Fires 14902

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x DB-3T bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x DB-3T bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 109,87

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
TBF-1 Avenger x 11

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Yodogawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Kowa Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAP Atsuta Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Tateisi Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
4 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Agrihan at 113,87

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryunan Maru
xAK Yae Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 109,87

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
TBF-1 Avenger x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Sydney Maru #2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Nichiyu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Yodogawa Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 109,87

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 11

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Tateisi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Yodogawa Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Atsuta Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Agrihan at 113,87

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryunan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Wakatu Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 109,87

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
TBF-1 Avenger x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Atsuta Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Yodogawa Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
PB Kyo Maru #8, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Guam (106,95)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
DD Reid
PC Haida
AP Crescent City
DD Norman

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

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

CL Trenton firing at 15th Base Force

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

Ground combat at Pagan (110,89)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4341 troops, 113 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Defending force 196 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 90

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 90 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Pagan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
199 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
37th (Sep) Infantry Rgt /6
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
640th TD Bn /1
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
828th Aviation Engineer Battalion
1st Marine Defense Battalion
94th Coast AA Regiment
1/532nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1
39th US Naval Const Bn /2
225th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USN Naval Const Rgt /1

Defending units:
9th JNAF AF Unit

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

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 28, 1943[/font]

---

The strikes against Naga go even better than against Naha a few turns ago. Utter destruction. Virtually all fighters destroyed in a day. Almost no 4E losses.

Sweeps and strikes suffered more in Manchuria and Northern China, but still got the job done at Yinkow and bombing troops at Tiensien. His last good working arifield is at PortArthur and once I have nearby bases to sweep from I'll go right for that as well. I'm also beginning to hit the next layer to the South near Rashin where the Japanese could fly periodic LR CAP missions. I want to cripple all air defenses in Manchuria and on the islands surround Japan.

In the Central Pacific Guam lost a forts level to 2 in a 2:1 DA by the Chinese and will be taken in the next few days. A Rota invasion is on its way to what appears an empty base. I'm also now loading for Tinian which appears to have only a small base force.

The fleets around the Marianas will now quickly head toward Formosa to load for next invasions in the area, including Okinawa and then Korea!
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 28, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kume-jima at 94,65, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
PT-60, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-120, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-124, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
MTB 12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 35% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 35% moonlight: 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 28,800 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 43
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
25th Sentai/B with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 4000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 23 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 17 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 25,600 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 38
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 22600 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 37,550 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 20
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 34550 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Naha at 95,66

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 12
P-43A-1 Lancer x 5
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
BB Kirishima

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 30,800 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P-66 Vanguard sweeping at 25800 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 6
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 13
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed on ground
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 9 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
E7K2 Alf: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

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

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 34

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 3 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Division, at 95,41 (Tientsin)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9
A6M3a Zero x 1
J2M2 Jack x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 32
IL-2 x 42

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
IL-2: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Beaufort V bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Division, at 95,41 (Tientsin)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
J2M2 Jack x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 4 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Mitchell II bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st RGC Capital Division, at 95,41 (Tientsin)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 32
IL-2 x 32

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x IL-2 bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Yingkow , at 101,43

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 10
IL-2 x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
IL-2: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 56

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x IL-2 bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Naha at 95,66

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-40K Warhawk x 16

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A1 Havoc: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1
DMS W-22, Shell hits 1
DD Onami, Shell hits 1
CL Yura
DD Tachikaze

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Haha-jima at 113,80

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 8

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Wakatu Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Sensan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Wakatu Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Naha at 95,66

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 24
P-43A-1 Lancer x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 11

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CL Jintsu
BB Kirishima

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nago at 95,65

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yugao

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9
B-17E Fortress x 10
P-40K Warhawk x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Talaud-eilanden (79,97)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 259 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

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

Allied adjusted assault: 6

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Talaud-eilanden !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
2/6th Ind Coy

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

Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11063 troops, 103 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 286

Defending force 2612 troops, 12 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Allied adjusted assault: 119

Japanese adjusted defense: 31

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

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

Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
5th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy
15th Base Force

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

Ground combat at Almagan (110,90)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 114 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

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

Allied adjusted assault: 6

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Almagan !!!

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

Assaulting units:
2/532nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

The Japanese have lost about 400 planes in three days, and more tomorrow as both Naha and Naga will be hit again, as well as some sweeps flying in Manchuria.

[obvert]

This hex between Chinchow and Yinkow, at 102, 42, is becoming the most hard fought battle of the Manchurian campaign. I've tried a handful of DAs here so far, and still have a 2.5:1 AV advantage, but there is a bit of room under stacking limits still. I'm sending in another Soviet ID, a bunch of arty, and I have some Commenwealth armor headed this way. I'll rotate units in and out over the next week and plan to try a few shock attacks to see if I can break the 1st Tank Division down to let the Soviet arty advantage be able to take over this battle.

Air strikes from China may also help to turn the tide if I can maintain air superiority here.

[obvert]

Here is the Marianas. There are still a few fleeing transports leaving the area, but I didn't commit surface ships to chase them. The strategic goal is being achieved and I don't want to risk very needed ships outside of CAP range just to hit a few xAKs. All AP/AK are beginning to transit back toward Babeldaob, and will from there take any excess troops toward Formosa. They'll most likely then begin loading for Naha/Naga.