Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Ha! The swordfish come in at 1000 feet and his fighters are patrolling at 15K = no intercept. Nice to see that Zero CAP isn't omnipotent.

About that unknown TF in the Bay of Bengal - seven ships is a bit light for an invasion TF and he usually sweeps with a combat TF first, sooo ...

I was thinking surface force to ward against Force Z which was located when it tangled with that sub. I've also been anticipating a bombardment against Chittagong. Maybe the sighting of Force Z got one called off when the IJN had to stand to in case of a surface engagement?

Significantly, there is still no sign of KB and they could be just about anywhere, including under the Golden Gate Bridge. [&:]

[witpqs]

1942 April 03

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The IJN gets even: "SS Sailfish hits Type 93 Mine at Merak". She sank.

Pumps fail aboard SS Sailfish, flooding increases...
Decks awash aboard SS Sailfish, crew prepares to abandon ship

The air battles over Burma are smallish but critical at this stage. Our guys did a little better than yesterday but the Imperial air wing still harried our ground troops.

The Flying Dutchmen flew against shipping at Koepang but missed. Ground combat Near Hengyang went in our favor, as the Imperial commander's orders were not faithfully transmitted and only one unit attacked. Heads are gonna roll!

Ground combat at 81,54 (near Hengyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3882 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1382

Defending force 28886 troops, 165 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 836

Japanese adjusted assault: 12

Allied adjusted defense: 1225

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 102

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

Japanese ground losses:
970 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
32nd/A Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
54th Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
53rd Infantry Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th/C Division

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
50th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division

The same calamity befell an Imperial unit at Moulmein where DAW tried to time an attack to hit our withdrawing troops at their weakest. Looking at the base's fortifications I think our guys might have held for the one turn required to escape. In the actual event of course they will escape handily tomorrow.

Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 849 troops, 39 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 922

Defending force 7692 troops, 40 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 272

Japanese adjusted assault: 19

Allied adjusted defense: 157

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 24 (1 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
113th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
55th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
16th Infantry Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Burma Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
Tenasserim BAF Battalion
16th Indian Brigade

On to the rail station at Pegu. The second of the trapped Imperial regiments was destroyed.

Ground combat at 55,52 (near Rangoon)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3091 troops, 18 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 96

Defending force 1177 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 78

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 78 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), morale(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1330 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 93 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
BFF Brigade
2nd Royal Tank Regiment

Defending units:
112th Infantry Regiment

The next two days or so will tell, but they might have held on just long enough to condemn B Squadron 3rd Hussars all alone awaiting the Imperial hammer to fall at Prome. Units are racing to their aid and to keep the western route open for their own escape. The small IJN carriers have not moved.

[witpqs]

1942 April 04

The Empire captured:
Moulmein
Prome

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Moulmein

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The USMC Raider Bns have loaded up and depart Pago Pago tonight. They will rendezvous with other forces for refueling before approaching the Ellice Islands from another vector as the way from Pago Pago is more likely patrolled by IJN subs. The Flying Dutchmen have caused a redeployment of Imperial combat assets! Today they flew against the IJN and made attacks on CA Kako and CVL Ryujo. No losses and no hits. The RAF was less lucky against shipping at Akyab, losing 4 Swordfish and a few Hurricanes. Prome is back in enemy hands after the over matched B Sqn 3rd Hussars were smashed.

Ground combat at Prome (55,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3195 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 91

Defending force 138 troops, 0 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Japanese adjusted assault: 64

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 64 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Prome !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 33 (33 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
148th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment

The good news came near Hengyang in China, but it wasn't all good. The Chinese forces there held against a determined IJA assault, but took about as many squad casualties thereby losing the odds-balance fight. Another unit is close to arriving to bolster their defense.

Ground combat at 81,54 (near Hengyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45238 troops, 291 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 1315

Defending force 28764 troops, 165 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 822

Japanese adjusted assault: 601

Allied adjusted defense: 847

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2329 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 278 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1795 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 246 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
32nd/A Division
55th Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
53rd Infantry Brigade
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
54th Infantry Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
116th/C Division

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
50th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division

With only one IJA regiment present there, forces NW of Rangoon will try to push through Prome for their escape route. All other forces in the south are moving through Toongou. Some of those already on the central plain are moving to defend Magwe and hold open the escape routes.

[witpqs]

1942 April 05

The Empire captured:
Pakanbaroe

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Moulmein

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


One of the APD invasion convoys ran over RO-64 just outside Pago Pago where air search has not seen any subs lately. Still, it might look look a convoy heading back NE as that was their direction of travel. The Empire has zeroed in on the very last base of the Flying Dutchmen.

Afternoon Air attack on Endeh , at 65,113

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
B5N1 Kate x 12

No Japanese losses

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

But they missed! Supplies are now in the yellow, however. More SigInt of targets in the tip of India, this one of the 12th Division planning for Calicut. Battleship Tennessee, at 0-52(52)-17(17)-0 is beginning her journey from Hawaii to the West Coast for permanent repairs. No information on KB's whereabouts. They could be waiting to pounce on the Marines bound for the Ellice Islands, or they could be shepherding an actual invasion force bound for India, if the SigInt hits are real rather than deception.

Here is the nest that has caused the IJN so much trouble!

[witpqs]

1942 April 06

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Endeh, the last stand of the Flying Dutchmen, was bombarded several times by destroyers to no avail and attacked by carrier planes with the same results. A few port hits overall but the tender remains hidden among the vegetation of the shoreline. Two more planes were lost attacking the Imperial carriers, though and now only two remain.

The convoys with the Marine Raiders have refueled and will now wait two days to put some time in between their sighting off of Pago Pago and their move against the captive Ellice Islands. Notice the multiple submarine contacts again around Samoa and Tahiti.

[witpqs]

1942 April 07

The Empire captured:
Bassein

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Continued air attacks all around China aimed at bases and industry. Not sure why Bassein was occupied by the Empire today as we have lots of troops that are closer. The last of our troops from Moulmein and the Thai border will make Pegu tomorrow and begin walking to Toungoo. The troops now at Pegu are attempting to board trains for a faster ride north to prepare defenses and - of course - counter attack! No sign of KB. One more day of waiting at sea for the Ellice Islands forces, then they move. Disruption is very high among the units, so hopefully they encounter no resistance.

The last redoubt of the Flying Dutchmen is in big trouble.

Afternoon Air attack on Endeh , at 65,113

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
B5N1 Kate x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AVP Poolster, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Poolster is stricken: 34-15(3)-10(1)-26. I presume this means that she is non-operational. Only two flying boats remain at Endeh and it appears there they will stay.

6 Imperial units seen at Akyab with some moving inland.

[witpqs]

1942 April 08

The Empire captured:
Sawoe-eilanden

The Allies captured:
Cox's Bazar

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Broome
Derby
Port Hedland

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


AVP Poolster was finished off by carrier planes. Derby was bombarded, not that the defenses at any of the three Australian ports invaded warrant it. In spite of the shotgun invasion of NW Australia there is no sign of KB. The ships carrying the Marine Raiders are ordered to move to their targets and assault upon arrival. A number of subs are undergoing April upgrades at Perth, those still on their way will refuel their and then make for Melbourne where they are now less likely to be struck in refit. Back stateside a number of support and a couple of ground combat units for Southwest Pacific command will commence loading in two days to make haste to Australia. Most are still filling out but better that they be on hand if the Empire presses matters down under.

The war in Burma continues also. The 18th Division should make Prome tomorrow. All forces there will attack when they arrive. The Empire now has one division plus one regiment at Magwe. We have two brigades and three battalions behind level 3 fortifications. Another brigade will arrive in two days but an armored unit will likely arrive tomorrow. 200nm west of Rangoon is an IJN troop convoy escorted by heavy cruisers, size and destination unknown. The spontaneous liberation of Cox's Bazar seems to signal that Imperial forces have pulled back from that neglected population center, but we can spare nothing to send that way. There are at least two TFs at Akyab, composition and purpose unknown.

Here is an overview map so you can see the big picture with the new activity. The Burma road is still open but will close within a few days.

[witpqs]

1942 April 09

The Empire captured:
Broome
Derby
Port Hedland

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Broome
Derby
Port Hedland
Rangoon

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


More air attacks on Endeh, unnecessary this time. All three invaded ports in Australia fell, and the defenders of Port Hedland were pursued inland by Imperial armor, the 2nd Tank Regiment. Near Hengyang the IJA was rested enough to attack again.

Ground combat at 81,54 (near Hengyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45842 troops, 296 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 1362

Defending force 39467 troops, 286 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1053

Japanese adjusted assault: 752

Allied adjusted defense: 2233

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
5817 casualties reported
Squads: 136 destroyed, 288 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 39 (2 destroyed, 37 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1902 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 238 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Assaulting units:
54th Infantry Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
15th/C Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd/A Division
53rd Infantry Brigade
116th/C Division

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
39th New Chinese Division

While the results were in our favor overall, the reduction in AV might have been in the Empire's favor. Those destroyed squads likely were already disabled. Reinforcements are on the way for our troops. We will also soon abandon Kukong to its fate, making those troops available to form a stout defensive line.

Rangoon being invaded from the sea was not predicted. I thought Pegu might receive such attention. The 18th Division has made Prome and they will attack tomorrow along with the 44th Indian Bde, the BFF Bde, and the 2nd Royal Tank Rgt. Together they wield 539 AV, hopefully enough to dislodge the IJA regiment. There are 7 brigades and 3 battalions at Pegu. All but 1 battalion is either moving by foot or boarding trains for movement north. That battalion will attempt to escape when enemy forces arrive. The defenders of Rangoon are B Sqn 3rd Hussars Rgt, late violently evicted from Prome. They number 3 x disabled motorized support squads and 1 x Vickers tankette and will likely be destroyed before they can escape the city. Magwe has 2 brigades, 3 battalions, and 1 armored regiment that together field 394 AV. There are also 2 base forces moving out on foot. Toungoo, Meiktila, Mandalay, Shwebo, and Katha - the other stops on the retreat - are held by smaller but adequate forces. There us a large (unspotted) radio contact 80nm east of Trinkat in the Andaman Sea. Here is the bird's eye view of Burma.

[witpqs]

1942 April 10

The Empire captured:
Rangoon

The Allies captured:
Funafuti
Prome

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Rangoon

There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Funafuti

The ships carrying the Marine Raider Bn to Funafuti arrived a day earlier than anticipated so one target is taken early. A sub is spotted south of the target so approaching from the east was a good idea. Significantly, though, there is still no sign of KB's whereabouts. There are 2 Imperial units noted at Cox's Bazar, so the Empire has not abandoned that base.

Over Burma it was raining the blood of Blenheims, with a dozen lost from the last attack of the day on Magwe. An attack without escort. The IJA 17th Rgt captured Rangoon as expected, and so the Burma Road is closed. DAW's Imperial minions bombarded at Magwe, likely to assess the defenses.

Ground combat at Magwe (57,47)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4070 troops, 31 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 510

Defending force 13900 troops, 128 guns, 196 vehicles, Assault Value = 495

Japanese ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
21st/B Division

Defending units:
7th Hussars Regiment
10th Burma Rifles Battalion
17th Australian Brigade
9th Burma Rifles Battalion
Railway BAF Battalion
1st Burma Brigade
63rd Indian Brigade
104th RAF Base Force

Air attacks might have contributed to the poor performance of the IJA during the bombardment. The attack at Prome went extremely well.

Ground combat at Prome (55,50)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17174 troops, 200 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 543

Defending force 3072 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 85

Allied adjusted assault: 375

Japanese adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 41 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Prome !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1450 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
44th Indian Brigade
18th British Division
BFF Brigade
2nd Royal Tank Regiment

Defending units:
148th Infantry Regiment

The IJA 148th Rgt has been sent reeling, and the Allied units are ordered to make all possible speed for Magwe.

As you can see in the view of China there are a few changes. Imperial troops are making another move to interdict the road north from Kukong and I have decided that it is now time to call off that city's tenuous defense. The IJA unit NW of Nanning is now moving to the NW, presumably to out flank defenses in that area. As you can see there are sentry units on duty in favorable defensive positions. The front line just SW of Liuchow will soon see another Imperial unit arrive on the scene. ENE of Ichang at least one Imperial unit is again picked up moving west into the wilderness to out flank that city's defense. Finally, a unit has moved to the SW of Changsha (but was not seen moving ahead of time). They have cut the rail line to Changsha, but we should be able to smite them with a large force.

[witpqs]

1942 April 11

The Empire captured:
Endeh

The Allies captured:
Vaitupu
Nukufetau

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Wyndham

There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Vaitupu
Nukufetau

The air combat over Burma was bloody for both sides' bombers. Somehow, an Imperial unit has emerged from the Jungle in record time and cut the road from Pegu. I am surprised they were able to do that so quickly. The last units railing out made it just in time, but there are 3 x Bdes and 2 x Bns in Pegu. The 3 Bdes and 1 Bn are already moving and should make the hex with the blocking unit tomorrow, and will then attack. If other enemy units arrive they will simply be trapped, so the 13 Indian Bde is ordered to march back from Toungoo - where they just arrived on foot - to open a path for them. At Magwe the IJA has decided that discretion is the better part of valor and is pulling out. Additional units (that just railed in from Pegu) are moving in from Meiktila to give them a farewell party.

Again there are two enemy units seen at Cox's Bazar but the base remains in Allied hands. If not a bug then they must be units with no AV?

With the Ellice Islands liberated the Marine Raiders are being hastily loaded back into the cramped APDs that they grew to hate over the past few days. Will the loading be swift enough? PBYs have been flown into Nukufetau and will commence naval search operations at once. AVD support for them is at most two days out and perhaps only one day.

Below is a map of Burma with hex side-ownership shown.

[witpqs]

1942 April 12

The Empire captured:
Wyndham

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Wyndham

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Bloody sweeps over Changsha, taking fliers on both sides. The rest of the situation in China continues - hard to call it "the same" when it is so dynamic at the moment.

The air war over Burma was a little calmer, but our boys still hit the withdrawing Imperials at Magwe, trying to slow them down so forces moving from Prome can trap them. I hit a movement problem out of Pegu that might be critical. My units were already moving NW to Toungoo when the IJ unit appeared on the road ahead. This last turn they reset movement to 0 miles. Sure maybe the code could be better, but I should have realized that with the unit now interposed I would have to give them new movement orders. So basically they have lost one precious turn of movement. Cox's Bazar remains in Allied hands still, and two IJ units remain there.

Still no sign of the KB. The Marine Raiders all evacuated successfully after liberating the Ellice Islands. A PBY squadron is flying search out of Nukufetau and two AVD will make port tonight to support them.

[witpqs]

1942 April 13

The Empire captured:
Cox's Bazar

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


735 AV of troops at Magwe will attack the withdrawing IJA units tomorrow. The 16th Australian Bde did not make it in time to participate in the attack but will arrive during the day. Imperial air attacked all the units converging from Prome so DAW sees the danger quite clearly. Meanwhile those Allied units are in a race from Pegu. The day after tomorrow the 13th Indian Bde should open a path for them and hopefully they will all be there by then. Brave Blenheims keep going in to Magwe without escort, which is based only 1 hex away from the target. Better news off the coast.

Submarine attack near Port Blair at 46,58

Japanese Ships
AV Sanyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KVIII

AV Sanyo Maru is sighted by SS KVIII
SS KVIII launches 4 torpedoes

8 x F1M2 Pete ground losses gives the Intel Monkeys cause to report that she sunk. An attack is refused outside of Liuchow.

Ground combat at 74,56 (near Liuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23275 troops, 180 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 675

Defending force 18310 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 571

Japanese adjusted assault: 270

Allied adjusted defense: 639

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1232 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 96 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
828 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
9th Division
24th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
60th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps

One or more additional Imperial units are moving up, plus one of the three units noted just arrived during the day and did not participate in the attack.

No sign of KB. Here is a look at the fiasco of the (non-)defense of NW Australia.

[BBfanboy]

In April 1942 NW Aus really is indefensible - no time to fortify with troops, aircraft or supplies. I would not call this a fiasco, especially when Aus already sent all its best troops to fight in N Africa. You will get everything back within a year and there is little economic loss from not holding those bases - just the resources at Port Hedland/Corunna Downs. Having the IJA hold them allows you to concentrate on the bases that matter. I believe most of those units in harm's way are pretty small, right? And if they get destroyed you can buy them back cheaply. As the irrepressible Aussies like to say "No worries, Mate!"

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

In April 1942 NW Aus really is indefensible - no time to fortify with troops, aircraft or supplies. I would not call this a fiasco, especially when Aus already sent all its best troops to fight in N Africa. You will get everything back within a year and there is little economic loss from not holding those bases - just the resources at Port Hedland/Corunna Downs. Having the IJA hold them allows you to concentrate on the bases that matter. I believe most of those units in harm's way are pretty small, right? And if they get destroyed you can buy them back cheaply. As the irrepressible Aussies like to say "No worries, Mate!"

You are quite right, of course. But the little electron politicians in the area are just furious, furious I tell you! It's a regular lepton riot. Before I know it they'll have the protons and neutrons smashing about and the place will be littered with quarks.

[:D]

[BBfanboy]

Politicians can be safely ignored as long as they don't withdraw the meager political points they currently allocate. Not sure what a lepton is - don't they have drugs for that now? I'm sure a player of your experience can avoid stepping on quarks and tripping on strings ...

[witpqs]

[;)]

[witpqs]

1942 April 14

The Empire captured:
Ruteng
Kukong
Corunna Downs

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


One of the APDs carrying Marines back to Pago Pago was destroyed by I-2, taking many troops with her. Kukong was empty when the Empire marched in. Near Changsha the Imperial 8th Armored Car Co was destroyed by a large Chinese force. Still no sign of the KB.

Over Burma the skies were somewhat bloody, more than proportional for the small size of the combats as both sides strained to both trap opposing forces and free their own. An IJA regiment made a shock attack across the river into Pegu but fared not too badly. Two of the Allied brigades have advanced along the road and the remaining brigade plus a battalion will make that hex tomorrow. The Indian brigade coming back from Toungoo has come under heavy air attack clearly intended to impede its progress. Meanwhile a second IJA units has crossed the river into the blocking hex.

On the other side, the Imperial Guards division left Magwe before the attack today, but the 21st/B Div regiment did not.

Ground combat at Magwe (57,47)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21497 troops, 224 guns, 277 vehicles, Assault Value = 873

Defending force 3993 troops, 31 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 124

Allied adjusted assault: 487

Japanese adjusted defense: 33

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1184 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 16 (3 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Burma Brigade
9th Burma Rifles Battalion
19thAustralian Brigade
63rd Indian Brigade
17th Australian Brigade
Railway BAF Battalion
16th Australian Brigade
7th Hussars Regiment
10th Burma Rifles Battalion
48th Gurkha Brigade

Defending units:
21st/B Division

All the large combat units at Magwe and the units coming from the south will strive to come together in the hex SW of Magwe, where the IG and 21st/B are now, so they can all attack together. the smaller units will remain in Magwe to provide security from para assaults. Below is a map of Burma with hex side ownership displayed.

[witpqs]

1942 April 15

The Empire captured:
Larantoeka
Prome

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Prome is again captured by airborne assault!

Ground combat at Prome (55,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 246 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

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

Japanese adjusted assault: 3

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Prome !!!

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /1

Here is a view of Burma. All available large combat units are closing on the IJA forces that just withdrew from Magwe. Some will arrive tomorrow and perhaps the balance the following day. Stragglers might arrive the day following.

Meanwhile there are three regiments and a battalion held up on the road just NE of Pegu. A regiment is moving down the road from Toungoo and will open a pathway in anywhere from one to three days. The battalion at Rangoon will likely be destroyed or retreated tomorrow. The battalion with the regiments is now ordered to move back toward Pegu to take up blocking positions on the road to aid in the withdrawal of the regiments by delaying the arrival of the powerful Imperial units that surely will march up the road from Pegu.

[witpqs]

1942 April 16

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


KB sighted!

ASW attack near Port Hedland at 57,127

Japanese Ships
DD Isokaze
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

SS Stingray is sighted by escort
DD Sanae fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sanae fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sanae fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sanae fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sanae attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Hedland at 57,127

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CA Takao
DD Hayashio
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

SS Stingray launches 4 torpedoes at CV Kaga
DD Hayashio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Or at least CV Kaga. Just off Port Hedland, this must be considered a sign that Perth and environs are imminent invasion targets. At Pegu the Empire elected to recon rather than strike at once.

Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8154 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 876

Defending force 436 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
113th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
25th Army
5th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
11th Burma Rifles Battalion

NE of Pegu the 13th Indian Bde has opened a path and the four Bdes are setting out toward Toungoo. The Bn is continuing on toward Pegu to delay the pursuing horde. A new threat has appeared as an unidentified Imperial unit, likely a Thai division, has emerged from the jungle onto the good (fast) road just SE of Toungoo. Toungoo itself has plenty of time as there is no route directly through the jungle, but Taung Gyi requires more troops and two Bns are on the way. Just in case the newly emerged unit moves west to block the retreat of the four Bdes, 2EBs from Toungoo will commence bombing to slow them down.

Here is a view of KB and a battleship escort as seen by submarine Stingray and pieced together by the Intel monkeys. An Australian fighter group training at Perth has been railed out as it is simply not ready to face KB pilots. One P-39 group is at Perth, and one P-40 group at Kalgoorlie. The USA II Fighter HQ is railing to Kalgoorlie as are some small armored units and the MG unit from Albany. Alice Springs is being bolstered too. The upgrade program of militia to AMF 42 Inf squads will be completed in about 10 days for all of Australia. As component units are done the divisions will form to present a more effective defense of their areas. Melbourne and Sydney are heavily garrisoned, Brisbane and Adelaide less but still stoutly. Other locales are defended but range in nature from minor to major speed bumps.

[witpqs]

1942 April 17

The Empire captured:
Pegu

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


There is a sighting of a CS and at least 4 other ships 120nm NE Luganville heading SE. The Enterprise/Yorktown TF is moving closer to the Ellice Islands in case this is another invasion. The TF will also be in position to strike at an invasion of Fiji.

No sighting of the KB today.

The Bn at Pegu was crushed and surrendered after buying all the time it could. The other Bn will make Pegu hex tomorrow or the day after and set up a road block. The four Bdes will need three more days to make the jungle hex SW of Toungoo. One of the two Bns at Toungoo is now moving to that hex in case the presumed Thai Div gets there before the Bdes. Note that Imperial troops are now moving up the other road, north from Rangoon. All but the (weak) BFF Bde has made the enemy hex SW of Magwe and will attack with 1,278 AV tomorrow.