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Hi Roger, nice AAR.

I notice both you and your opponent like to put 20+ ships into your surface combat TF's. Is this wise? I thought any more than 15 ships would have a lesser chance of firing a shot. Would 3 x TF of 8-10 ships get better results than one 25 ship TF?

I 'think' you are right, but have never actually checked it out. It seems logical given the game mechanics. There is part of me always thinks cram as much in as possible though - and another part of me that says.... lets get the turn done and back - so I tend to take some shortcuts and just pull TFs together.

I shall have to try this though some time.....

Another scintillating display by the lads this afternoon, who'd support the Toon eh?

Roger

6 hours and 20 minutes without a goal now.........

We are total shite at the minute tbh.....

Gentlemen, they are still there! Indeed their battleships turned round and came back for another visit to Batavia. They were met by our tired but game air boys and dealt a severe blow. In a series of of air attacks on the battleships steaming off Batavia and the KB off Teloetbetoeng the following damage was confirmed:

CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1 (flight deck penetration secondary explosions)
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1 (flight deck penetration secondary explosions)
CV Junyo
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 3, on fire (flight deck penetration secondary explosions)
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2
CVL Ryujo
CVL Shoho
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (massive fuel explosion)

BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (magazine explosion – sinks)
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 3
BB Kirishima
CA Haguro
DD Murakumo

The enemy continue to land troops at Singkawang and this situation remains delicately balanced. If we should lose the base it is a small setback in comparison to what has been achieved in the destruction of the major Japanese offensive.

In other areas we continue to move with our plans, of some significance is the Chinese recapture of Hengchow which has cut the Japanese forces in two and has now stopped any rapid deployment of troops along the central railway.




Aaargh, logged in on wrong login!

A slightly more pleasant/unpleasant graphic, depending on which side you are on....

Gentlemen, the war continues at a pace. The Jap does not give up.... indeed he continues to press us. A Division plus supports has been landed at Merak under a weather front that stopped our planes from attacking them there. His battleships lie off Batavia now, again untouched for the moment. Our prize was the KB. You will see from the attached report that this is now severely damaged, with only two CVLs untouched. It is to be expected that some of these ships will sink, but even if they do not they will be out of the war for a considerable time.

Tomorrow will be a significant day. if the enemy can gain a lodgement on the island at Merak then he can move on Batavia. if our aircraft defeat his supply ships then the situation becomes very different - he will not be able to resupply. Singkawang looks in some danger... but this would not be a significant loss.

While this is all going on we must announce that a substantial force, supported by heavy surface units has begun landing at Balikpapan. We are encountering harrying raids from enemy bombers, but the garrison at Balikpapan is a base force with less than 2K of men - we are landing, I repeat, in force!

One wonders what the next few days will bring.... even if we are reversed in places the final victory is assured. It is only a matter of time!

Nice one, Roger![8D]

And still we continue gentlemen.... one can be quite amazed at the Jap's tenaciousness and his willingness to pay any price. The battle rage, the damage mounts.

At Merak his unloading continues, we feel there are now two divisions plus supports here. had we not sent most of two other divisions to the bottom in their approach we may well have been in serious trouble here. Two divisions will be a handful, but we should hold them and they may well become stranded without hope of supply or evacuation. it is likely the Merak defenders will not however hold this force, they really were only intended as a coast watching body. While this landing continues his battleships remain at Batavia, off shore of our guns, but not of our aircraft. Today's action saw the following success by Beauforts flying short hops from Batavia airfield.

B Hiei, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Kirishima
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1

a follow up raid by bombers added to their discomfiture:

BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 1

The landing force did not go off 'scot free' at Merak:

P Monji Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AP Keisyo Maru
AP Aratama Maru
AP Kyuma Maru
AP Kashiwa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Iwaki Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Arizana Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Nichiryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Kamishima Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AP Kamikaze Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Hakata Maru #7
AP Keizan Maru
AP Koshin Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AP Kidokawa Maru
AP Juko Maru
AP Mizuho Maru

Our estimates are that some 8000+ men have been lost in this landing to date... not counting the troops that never got sight of the coastline.

Not too far from sight of a home port the CV Kaga was found again by our bombers, belching smoke, lying low in the water and making slow headway. We made sure she did not make safety with another 43 bombs hitting her, many 1,000 lbers. She was seen to turn turtle and sink this afternoon. Doubtless many aircraft and aircrew went to the bottom with her.


Although all this is good news we have learned recently that the Japs have broken the defence at Merak and the dutch defenders are now in retreat. Additionally the Singkawang defenders are being very hard pressed by at least three Naval Guard units.

Meanwhile the troops landing at Balikpapan are encountering little resistance and only sporadic air attacks - we expect to repossess this base within two days.

Gentlemen, as usual good and not so good news. Let us deal with the bad news first. two of our battleships have taken torpedo hits. The Arizona was attacked by Betties around Balikpapan and has sustained some damage from a single torpedo, we also had the Resolution on bombardment mission at Sabang suffer a similar fate. Both ships are expected to make it back to repair facilities under their own power.

These are crumbs of comfort to the Japanese. Our aircraft report a steady flow of ships crawling northwards from Java to Singapore. Some of the Carriers are now berthed there and our F-5A Lightnings are keeping an eye on the port. Limping that way are the Japanese battleships, in a strung out line as they are all capable of different speeds and with may levels of damage. The Ise seems to have particular difficulty in steering and took another 12 hits from bombs dropped by Fortresses and Liberators east of Teloekbetoeng. The Kongo is no more, she was observed to sink just after dawn just north of Batavia.

In the waters round Batavia the sharks must be feeding well. Without the battleships to attack our Beauforts, Mitchells, Fortresses and Liberators enjoyed 'milk runs' all day against the Japanese troop transports off Merak.

AP Africa Maru
AP Argentina Maru, Bomb hits 2
AP Baikal Maru
AP Baikal Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AP Hakone Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Hikade Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokuhi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Horaisan Maru
AP Kaihei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kaiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kasui Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1 on fire, heavy damage
AP Keisyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AP Kenzan Maru
AP Kiyoshima Maru
AP Koshin Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP La Plata Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP Meiten Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Mexico Maru
AP Mikage Maru #2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mikage Maru #20
AP Mitsu Maru #3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Miyadono Maru
AP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Monji Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nichibi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Bisan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Hakkaisan Maru
PG Unkai Maru #1

Many were observed to sink.

Probably the most 'killed' ship was the DD Asagiri, in company with other destroyers off Georgetown she was attacked by planes from Kuala and Swordfish managed to hit her with 5 torpedoes.

On land the Japs continue to batter away at Singkawang and it is likely we cannot hold it much longer. On the other hand the remnants of the Japanese landing forces destined for Batavia, now identified as the 38th Divn, 65th Brigade and the 1st Guards Mixed Brigade - numbering around 3000 troops in total were decisively routed today and their surviving men are in headlong retreat to Merak.

Ay Carumba!  This recent action in the DEI is unbelievable!   Great AAR!  

Its certainly nailbiting stuff - every move there's new issues to deal with. I never expected such a ferocious attack....

This is what makes WITP so great, and as long as you have a good opponent its never dull!

Roger

Well Gentlemen, here we area again. there is no cessation of the relentless rhythm of the war at the moment. It has been a good day for us. Recce of Singapore indicates a vast number of the enemy ships are now back there, most showing clear signs of extensive battle damage.One that did not quite make it was the BB Hyuga, which was seen to sink near the straits, almost in sight of some safety! We surmise the BB Ise is struggling northwards at a very slow speed and may not make it. The last 24 hours have ben the round the clock destruction of any Japanese shipping in sight. We have now created a semblance of orders out of what had been improvised. At Soerabaja our long range bombers are based, whilst at Batavia we have the short range torpedo equipped planes mainly. We have also now brought fully into service the airfield at Madioen and Wellingtons from there have joined in the action. A summary of intel shows the following results at close of play.

AP Africa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Baikal Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AP Eiko Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Gosei Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakone Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits31, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Hikade Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokuhi Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Horaisan Maru, Bomb hits 3 ,Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaiko Maru, Bomb hits 3,Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP Kashiwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kasui Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Keisyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kenzan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kiyoshima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kizan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meigen Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiten Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiu Maru, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mexico Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP Mikage Maru #20, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Miyadono Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Monji Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nichiryu Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nissen Maru
AP Nissho Maru
AP Seattle Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Aoi Maru
MSW Himejima Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Hakkaisan Maru

Up near Georgetown another Japanese destroyer gets sunk:

DD Fubuki, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

We believe the advance forces of the Japanese landed at Merak are now arriving at Batavia, we can assure them of a warm welcome.

Bombing of our TF at Balikpapan was attempted, but unsuccessful. Reports from Singakwang suggest time is running out for us there.

As predicted Balikpapan fell during the night and already we have planes landing on the airfield. This is a large airstrip and from here the remaining oil bases of Miri, Brunei and Tarakan are easily within range.

You will see we are taking a massive toll of the enemy shipping - the last few days have been a 'close run thing' but we are over the worst, our pilots are being rotated and the Japs face massive fortifications at Batavia with no supply replenishment. If you will permit me a moment of whimsy - I love those Hollywood films where the cavalry ride over the horizon just when the Indians are massing for their final attack!

Let us see what tomorrow will bring, and what may appear over the horizon...

Gentlemen, another day, another list.... Merak is continuing to drain the Japanese shipping capacity severely.

AP Africa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Argentina Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Arizana Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Azuchi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Baikal Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Batavia Maru
AP Choko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Eiko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakuyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikade Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaihei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kamikaze Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kanayamasan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kashiwa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Keisyo Maru, Bomb hits 3,Torpedo hits 2 on fire, heavy damage
AP Keizan Maru
AP Kensho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kitano Maru
AP Kiyoshima Maru
AP Kizan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kuraido Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kureha Maru #3, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kyuma Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP La Plata Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meisho Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mexico Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Midori Maru
AP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AP Neikai Maru
AP Nichibi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nichiryu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nihonkai Maru
AP Nissho Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Aoi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Asahi Maru #2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Atsu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
P Kenzan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Hachijo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PG Hakkaisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Unkai Maru #1

At the same time a surface TF led by the CA Houston raided Teloekbetoeng and sunk some AGs there... is this the cavalry arriving?

BB Ise continues to crawl northwards.....

The Japs fail to take Singkawang this move. They do however catch some empty tankers off Bekoelen and plant some torpedoes in them.

Gentlemen, more of the same, more slaughter on the high seas. Essentially we have now split our air forces, with a core of , now very experienced, 60+ Beauforts attempting to remove every transport ship in sight. At the same time our heavy bombers are now tasked with interdicting the supplies and infrastructure that supports the Japanese advance on Batavia.

Results observed in the last 24 hours are as follows:

Day Air attack on Merak , at 18,59


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
B-17E Fortress x 32
LB-30 Liberator x 44
B-24D Liberator x 27


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
368 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 96

At Merak and Teloetbetoeng

AP Africa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Aratama Maru
AP Arizana Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Azuchi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Batavia Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Choko Maru
AP Eli Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kamishima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Kanayamasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kasuga Maru #2
AP Katsura Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Keizan Maru
AP Kensho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kidokawa Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kinjosan Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kuraido Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kureha Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kuretake Maru
AP Kyosei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Neikai Maru, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nihonkai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Choun Maru #8
MSW Wa 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Oi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


There is a growing force at Batavia, we hope a growing force needs a growing amount of supplies, which may not be available! Of interest is the third shock attack at Singakawang, but this time a poor overall attack, suggesting perhaps the Japs here are running out of steam.....

Elsewhere there is the usual harrying of Jap ships in the Singapore straits, and a steady pounding of their land forces in China.

More of the 'US cavalry' has just arrived......

Gentlemen I think the next move, and hence the next briefing may well be a little while in the creating.

Gentlemen another 24 hours of intense fighting around Batavia. The enemy were obviously perturbed by our surface Tf that raided Teloekbetoeng and sent a counter force led by the CL Oi to deal with us. The Oi has proved a charmed ship, undergoing air attacks almost every day and never having its paintwork scratched. The interception took place and at night it is still obvious the Japs have the superior training.

CL Oi, Shell hits 2
DD Yukaze
DD Wakatake
DD Fuyo
DD Kari
DD Kiji

CA Houston
CL Java, Shell hits 1
DD Stuart, Shell hits 1
DD Le Triomphant, Shell hits 27, on fire, sunk

As dawn exposed the jap transports to our bombers there was renewed attacks which went on throughout the day – there are fewer targets these days though.

A key initial target was the CL Oi and escorts, this time it must not have brought its lucky charm with it.


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
Beaufort V-IX x 54
P-40B Tomahawk x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 23
B-25C Mitchell x 15


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Oi, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage, sunk
DD Kari
DD Kiji
DD Yukaze


It will not return to attack us again! Our aircraft then turned their attention to the troopships and supply vessels:

AP Aratama Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Azuchi Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaihei Maru, heavy damage
AP Kanayamasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kasuga Maru #2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Keizan Maru
AP Kiyoshima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kizan Maru, heavy damage
AP Kuraido Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kureha Maru #3, heavy damage
AP Kuretake Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kyosei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kyuma Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP La Plata Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meigen Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meisho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nihonkai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Choun Maru #8
MSW Wa 6, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Hachijo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Oi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Thinking that all major Jap bombers were now at Singapore we launched a bombardment raid on Rangoon – sadly there were Betties closer at hand and the CA Exeter took two torpedo hits. On the other hand the DD Uranami took 7 bomb hits and 2 torpedo hits off Georgetown and is presumed sunk.

On land there was no attack at Singkawang, we assume he is resting his troops after several days of assaults. At Batavia we estimate there are now 70+K enemy with another 20K at Merak. They are attempting to take a city that has maximum fortification, has 25K troops defending it and is well supplied. This is an interesting situation and we await their first assault to guage how well they are prepared to take the location……Meanwhile we pound their supply base of Merak with our heavy bombers.

One of our submarines located the BB Ise just outside of Singapore but had no need to attack it as it was seen to capsize and sink.

The Jap has played his cards, he has made his intentions clear. We are yet to see what comes of it other than the major destruction of large amounts of his navy. We, on the other hand have yet to play our cards – though they will be produced when the time is right.

This is a great AAR Roger [&o][&o]
 
You have quite a game going - I think The tide has clearly turned.  You should be able to hammer his supplies and troops around Batavia from the air.  Getting some reserves moving from southern Java would be the on other thing but I am sure that is part of the classified plans 

Gentlemen, business as usual. Though perhaps there is a change in the air....

As you will see from the area map all the Japanese detected forces are now pursuing courses away from Batavia, apart from a couple of ships at Batavia itself. This may have some significance. There are no, repeat no identified inbound convoys. perhaps the Jap forces have enough supplies to sustain a few weeks of attacks, perhaps they are being left to be hung out and dried by us.... time will tell.

What is significant is the much smaller number of targets we have and the destruction wreaked upon them as you will see from the 'scorecard' for this innings:

AG AG-5141, Shell hits 2, on fire
AG AG-5142, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Batavia Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Choko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Eli Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kamishima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Keizan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Keizan Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kitano Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kuretake Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kyuma Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Midori Maru
AP Nissen Maru #3, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Choun Maru #8
MSW Choun Maru #8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Fumi Maru #2
MSW Fumi Maru #2
MSW Hakata Maru #7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
P Kureha Maru #3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Hachijo, on fire, heavy damage
PG Unkai Maru #1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


On average about 10-15 ships are reported sunk each day over the last week, tallying these sinkings against damage assessments is not easy. it seems fair to assume that a torpedo hit on a smaller merchantman or troopship will sink it......

Following a massive air bombardment the Japs renewed their assault on Singkawang but made no headway here. At Batavia a ferocious assault was met with steadfast defence. Some elements of our defences were penetrated, but no serious damage was done and we estimate close to 4K Japanese to be out of action after the attack.

You will notice the map has a classified area on it, I must apologise, but there are elements there that we must, for the moment keep secret.

Gentlemen, the day by day briefings may mask an interesting overall situation. Smithers, who sadly cannot deliver this in person, has been doing some 'sums'.

Japanese troopships used in operation NoGo to date: 94 identified
Troopships identified and not damaged: 4
Troopships hit by torpedoes: 75
Average torpedo hits per Troopship: 1.97
Average bomb hits per Troopship: 3.1

Most bombed ship: AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 31, Torpedo hits 2
Most torpedoed ship: AP Neikai Maru, Torpedo hits 5, AP Africa Maru, Torpedo hits 5, AP Kasuga Maru #2, Torpedo hits 5

We feel safe in assuming that many of these ships will not sail again - no matter what the outcome of the current campaign we feel it is the end of any large scale Japanese invasion forces.

Gentlemen, given the pace of the action is slackening I do not feel the need to disturb you every day and take you away from your tasks. So, let us have a round up of the two days of activity.

Firstly it would appear that the seas round Batavia have become a Jap free area. All the transports and escorts observed are now either sunk or heading back to Singapore. This leaves his forces at Batavia in an interesting position. He has amassed a sizeable force through his determined landings: 4th Divn, 1st Gds mixed brigade, Kure 2nd SNLF, Sasebo 2nd SNLF, 38th Divn, 65th Brigade, 56th Divn all are lined up as an assault force, with support from the 20th Engineer Rgt, 8th Hvy FA Rgt, 1st Engineeer Rgt and 26th Base force. In total there are around 90 thousand troops. They are attacking our forces, well fortified and dug in with ample supplies. We control the air and the sea.

We have now faced two days of attacks, the last one of which was particularly violent and sustained. In these attacks he has destroyed elements of our defences so we are around 60% of how we began. If he can sustain these attacks he will, we are sure, take the city. As a way of interfering with his plans we are bombing his forces as they form up, and last night a BB TF conducted a bombardment from close to the shore.

So if we examine the worst case scenario, he takes Batavia. What then? He holds a major base, he holds a level 5 airfield. He has his forces there…… We would of course immediately destroy the airfield with our massed heavy bombers, if he wishes to stay there we simply starve him out. If he moves down the island we defeat him. He has not got the naval capacity to mount further seaborne invasions so his progress will be slow, and he will be vulnerable to seaborne incursions behind him. As it is we already think he has abandoned Merak.

Best case he fails to break into our defences and the supplies he has brought with him diminish significantly with each attack. He then starves outside the city and some of his finest troops are lost. We do not know yet which way this will go, the next few days will be an indicator – if the attacks continue with the same ferocity then he has managed to bring a lot of supplies into his invasion.

As expected he finally overwhelmed the defenders of Singkawang, who are retreating to Pontiak. His forces here are all naval Guard with no base elements so the level 4 airfield he has captured will serve little purpose at present. We are making arrangements to ensure it will not serve him at all.

While this is happening do not worry, we are not idle. However at present it is best if what we are ‘up to’ is on a need to know basis. We will let you in on the developments when it is safe to do so.

Elsewhere a reconnaissance raid on Ponape was repulsed with heavy losses to the Americans, but yielded valuable information. In China there are few movements, but the general grinding down of enemy forces in four areas where they are trapped all proceeds. Significantly the forces that captured Homan have yet to detect any attempt by the enemy to eject them from the position sitting astride the main link between North and South China.

A massed raid by Liberators from Akyab was staged on Bangkok in reprisal for the attack on CA Exeter mounted from there. We lost 9 planes in the raid, but intelligence photographs show they lost:

A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 11 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 5 destroyed

Last night the CVL Shoho was observed approaching Honk Kong harbour by SS KXIV. She was one of only 2 CVs/CVLs not seriously damaged during recent actions off Batavia. Luckily the torpedoes loaded into this submarine were not as faulty as the ones in most of our subs at present. A clean hit amidships and the pictures from the periscope show the result.

Gentlemen, little actual 'on the ground' action to report. That is not to say there is not fierce fighting, but that nothing really has changed. I do however have a memo from Capt Smithers that make interesting reading. I can't for the life of me work out how he does these sums of his, but he has some strange way of calculating the likelihood of success, and the relative strengths of the two sides in any battle. I think its all above me, but anyway, this is what he says:

9 November 1942 Batavia assaults:

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 71266 troops, 574 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1345

Defending force 32962 troops, 266 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 358

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 7

Japanese max assault: 1256 - adjusted assault: 959

Allied max defense: 348 - adjusted defense: 642

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 7)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 7

Japanese ground losses:
3146 casualties reported
Guns lost 67

Allied ground losses:
599 casualties reported
Guns lost 24


10th Novemnber 1942 Batavia Assaults

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 66396 troops, 416 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1111

Defending force 32067 troops, 225 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 345

Japanese max assault: 960 - adjusted assault: 548

Allied max defense: 331 - adjusted defense: 505

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 7)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 6


Japanese ground losses:
933 casualties reported
Guns lost 24

Allied ground losses:
691 casualties reported
Guns lost 24

11th November 1942 Batavia Assaults

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 61610 troops, 357 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 973

Defending force 31484 troops, 208 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 341

Japanese max assault: 822 - adjusted assault: 391

Allied max defense: 326 - adjusted defense: 600

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


Japanese ground losses:
1879 casualties reported
Guns lost 38

Allied ground losses:
358 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 1

As I say, I'm dashed if i can understand all his squiggles on his blackboard down in the basement, but he drew me a graph and I can at least understand a couple of lines and the direction they are moving in....