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... was all of this! [X(]

Two of the DDs were sunk and we only got a few hits on one DD of theirs. That is a lot of CAs!!!

Then our CAs reacted and got the surprise on the IJN. It didn't give too much of an advantage, but may have saved the TF from disaster. As it was, Salt Lake City took a pounding.

[font="Times New Roman"]May 12 - 13, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Silversides gets a nice big TK in the sights and then ... launches just two torpedoes! [&:]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Silchar is invested and we'll bombard tomorrow. Chittagong and Comila are taken and Dacca is a functioning airbase now. Troops will get to Dimapur in a few days.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Well, it was a good effort but resulted in the loss of one CA, the Salt Lake City, and two DDs. I think maybe we scored one DD as I heard a sinking later in the turn. This should set up things for later when I might be able to lure his forces in for similar kinds of reactions if I can stay patient and disciplined. I'll wait a few days now before sending in the other CA TF from Tarawa, which is already on station there.

I do like so many ships burning so much fuel out here, and I'm sending a few subs at both the cruisers at Malolap and the tankers I can see at Roi Namur, hoping hither base is mined and taking my chances anyway.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SW PAC: [/font] Finally loading up for PM now that Buna has a level 2 field. it'll likely be level 3 by the time of the landing, plenty big to support a small invasion of only one supported division. I have two prepped, but I only see 6k troops here according to recon.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Japanese CL and DDs now bombarding Wenchow on a regular schedule. Not doing too much to the base though. I have some ideas here.

Near Kweiyang Nick moves in a bunch of tank regiments to fill out the hex. The Japanese AV now equals ours at around 1000-1100. I've got a big Corps ready to move in after the first attack to trade out units, if possible.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 12, 43
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Night Naval bombardment of Wenchow at 89,58

Japanese Ships
CL Teshio
DD Tatsukaze
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki

Runway hits 1
Port hits 2

CL Teshio firing at 88th Chinese Corps

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 13, 43
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Mili at 136,121, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 2
DD Hatsushima
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Asagiri
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
DD LaVallette, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Philip, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 2
DD Laffey
DD Carmick, Shell hits 1, on fire


Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 67% moonlight: 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 7,000 yards
DD Philip launches Torpedoes at CA Kako at 7,000 yards

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Sub attack near Gorontalo at 71,96

Japanese Ships
TK Nitiei Maru
TK Ceram Maru
PC Kaki

Allied Ships
SS Silversides

SS Silversides launches 2 torpedoes at TK Nitiei Maru
Silversides diving deep ....

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Mili at 136,121, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 2
CA Kako
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 1
DD Isonami, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 1
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Nashville
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Abbot, Shell hits 2
DD Chevalier
DD DeHaven
DD Radford, Shell hits 1
DD Saufley

Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 75% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 8,000 yards
CA Pensacola fires at CA Myoko at 8,000 yards

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Submarine attack near Kwangchowan at 73,62

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kensho Maru, Shell hits 32, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Triton, hits 1

xAKL Kensho Maru is sighted by SS Triton
SS Triton attacking on the surface
Lent, W.A. decides to submerge SS Triton due to damage

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Getting there. [/font]

He's playing fast & loose with those cruisers - if you had a carrier present, it could have turned into a really bad day for him....as it is, I think you gave him a bit of a bloody nose (nothing serious), but it may just make him a bit more careful next time around.

[font="Times New Roman"]May 14, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Interesting things going on here. Nick moves in the tank division in addition to the Guards Division at Paoshan!!! [X(] This should mean he's well over-stacked. Here will be a test of the benefit of possibly over-stacking a hex to get a momentary combat advantage.

My troops being overstacked by 50% (30k in a 20k hex) resulted in disruption and fatigue rising to around 15 disruption and 5 fatigue for the Burma division, but that's in my own base hex and with some good support there. The base supply requirement went from around 1.5k to 5k. So the Burma Division suddenly had 400 supply out of 2k required, or there about.

If the same thing happens to his troops an attack could be problematic for the Japanese, unless he gets control of the airspace. I currently have about 70 Hellcats, 10 operational Corsairs and 12 Kittyhawk III on CAP at 70%. I'll have more soon once supply gets built up in the base and damaged planes are fixed up. Previously this CAP held off 250+ sweeping Japanese fighters. We'll see if they can do it again. [:)]

If he closes Paoshan field we're in trouble. I'm flying in an Indian brigade with 43 squads (75/20 anti armor/anti soft). I have a few questions about what can be air-lifted. I'll make another post on this. I'd like to essentially 'replace' the Burma Division (now the Indian 39th division) with three Indian brigades all using 43 squads. To me it looks like I can transport everything other than motorized squads in a C-47.

Is this true? 6 pounder AT guns, 25 pounder arty, 3.7inch mountain guns?

If so, I could get about the same AV in here for less stacking cost but much better hitting power than the 200 Burmese rifle squads and Indian and Brit 41 troops. I'm starting today sending in the first brigade while still pulling an RAF base force to equal it out for stacking. If he strikes immediately hopefully he'll kill off some Chinese support squads in move mode and find the going tough against the new 43 squads, making it easier for me to then send in more troops over the next few days. We'll see.

Forts here are level 2 but building again at 21% now.

I've flown in 3 B-25D1 groups to Wenchow. I'm trying to catch the CL and DDs bombarding the base lately. I've got two groups on naval strike low, and the other set to bomb Shanghai port from 8k. I also threw some Wellingtons into Chungking to bomb Hankow which still has no fighters, but some 70 other planes, according to recon.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Big contact for the Seadragon!!! The KB is found moving through the Java Sea! No shots fired, but it's great intel. Confirmed by the screenshot below showing fighter numbers, but the Kirishima and good DDs here, plus the CLAA Tatsuta all point to the real deal. Toying with sending search to guide subs into a secret base we're developing in the DEI. We'll see where it heads tomorrow. Shhhhhhhhh!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] At Silchar I've found a division and a bunch of AA. Once my second Indian division arrives I'll DA if they're still here. In the meantime I'll try to slow things up with some bombardment.

Nearly to Dimapur.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Bombardment will head to Mili tomorrow. Had good bombing results destroying guns on the base and adding two new B-25 groups as well plus a lot of LR CAP.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] PM invasion moving forward.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Still getting these. Still getting subs to intercept. No sightings so far.

Lots happening at Saipan. I wonder if the SIGINT is actually for this TF which is given a waypoint of Saipan and a destination of Babs, but is now unloading that division?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]21/16th Division is loaded on a Gozan Cargo class xAK moving to Babeldaob.

Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Saipan (108,93).
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Saipan (108,93).[/font]

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 14, 43
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Morning Air attack on Mili Naval Fortress, at 136,121 (Mili)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Mitchell II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 44th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Mili Naval Fortress ...

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Ground combat at Paoshan (65,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 492 troops, 38 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 769

Defending force 19483 troops, 113 guns, 100 vehicles, Assault Value = 409

Assaulting units:
22nd Tank Regiment
6th Guards Division
Guards Tank Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
39th Indian Division
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
33rd Base Group
103rd RN Base Force
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
72nd Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
104th RAF Base Force
10th Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
56th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
Fourteenth USAAF
13th Chinese Base Force

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Ground combat at Silchar (59,39)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14035 troops, 268 guns, 177 vehicles, Assault Value = 563

Defending force 16061 troops, 261 guns, 107 vehicles, Assault Value = 463

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

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
70th British Division
268th Motorised Brigade
56th Heavy AA Regiment
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd West African AA Regiment

Defending units:
48th Division
32nd Field AA Battalion
2nd Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
35th Fld AA Gun Co
54th Field AA Battalion
34th Ind.AA Gun Co

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]So good to be able to keep tabs on the beast. Subs are vectoring to the area. [/font]

ORIGINAL: paullus99

He's playing fast & loose with those cruisers - if you had a carrier present, it could have turned into a really bad day for him....as it is, I think you gave him a bit of a bloody nose (nothing serious), but it may just make him a bit more careful next time around.

Maybe. I've thought about moving Wasp up, but it's such a lone wolf I could easily take a Nettie hit too, so I've hesitated. It's enough now that he's got 6 CA in Cent Pac making full speed runs over 15 subs and then going up against much more numerous Allied assets. Still, I don't want to lose these cruisers either! I'll try to get more subs in the way and planes hunting from Makin.

I haven't yet, but I could throw some FP onto my new naval search base near his return path after these runs and see if they stop short and take a few 500 pounders.

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: paullus99

He's playing fast & loose with those cruisers - if you had a carrier present, it could have turned into a really bad day for him....as it is, I think you gave him a bit of a bloody nose (nothing serious), but it may just make him a bit more careful next time around.

Maybe. I've thought about moving Wasp up, but it's such a lone wolf I could easily take a Nettie hit too, so I've hesitated. It's enough now that he's got 6 CA in Cent Pac making full speed runs over 15 subs and then going up against much more numerous Allied assets. I'll try to get more subs in the way and planes hunting from Makin.

I haven't yet, but I could throw some FP onto my new naval search base near his return path after these runs and see if they stop short and take a few 500 pounders.

As the Allies, you can more than afford to exchange three or even four cruisers for one Japanese heavy cruiser. I don't need to tell you the value they have to the IJN - Japan doesn't have enough fast battleships to risk them in combat except under ideal circumstances, and the IJN light cruisers are more or less oversized destroyers, so almost all the Japanese capability to fight surface actions depend on their heavy cruisers.

If I were you'd, I'd stack the hex with several heavy cruiser forces - The Salt Lake City and company might not have gave a good performance, but all's it takes is a single good engagement to put a major dent in Japan's ability to fight surface actions.

I tend to use the pre-war American CAs as CV escorts and allow just my modern CLs and CAs to take on the Japanese CAs.

How many Clevelands, Brooklyns, and Helana Class CLs do you have in the Pacific??

Check to TOE of the 39th before flying them out. I think it might be that one that upgrades to a really crappy TOE later on. Basically they convert to a Brigade sized Division with just 109 squads and some mortars. If that is the case you might as well get rid of them at Paoshan. [:D]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: paullus99

He's playing fast & loose with those cruisers - if you had a carrier present, it could have turned into a really bad day for him....as it is, I think you gave him a bit of a bloody nose (nothing serious), but it may just make him a bit more careful next time around.

Maybe. I've thought about moving Wasp up, but it's such a lone wolf I could easily take a Nettie hit too, so I've hesitated. It's enough now that he's got 6 CA in Cent Pac making full speed runs over 15 subs and then going up against much more numerous Allied assets. I'll try to get more subs in the way and planes hunting from Makin.

I haven't yet, but I could throw some FP onto my new naval search base near his return path after these runs and see if they stop short and take a few 500 pounders.

As the Allies, you can more than afford to exchange three or even four cruisers for one Japanese heavy cruiser. I don't need to tell you the value they have to the IJN - Japan doesn't have enough fast battleships to risk them in combat except under ideal circumstances, and the IJN light cruisers are more or less oversized destroyers, so almost all the Japanese capability to fight surface actions depend on their heavy cruisers.

If I were you'd, I'd stack the hex with several heavy cruiser forces - The Salt Lake City and company might not have gave a good performance, but all's it takes is a single good engagement to put a major dent in Japan's ability to fight surface actions.

It was more averting a catastrophe the first tie around, as we were severely outnumbered. But I do know the mortice of the CAs for sure, and that's partly why I might not sour like I care enough about losing the Salt Lake City. I do care. I don't like losing any ship. But having 6 CA out here wen I know two are in the bag make me drool over the possibilities.

I've decided to bring mobile air support, but kept at a distance for now.

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I tend to use the pre-war American CAs as CV escorts and allow just my modern CLs and CAs to take on the Japanese CAs.

How many Clevelands, Brooklyns, and Helana Class CLs do you have in the Pacific??

All of them so far. I use the CAs on bombardment runs as the 8inch do make a difference I find in that role. I have some CA in CV escort roles too, but these are here to hit bases.

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Check to TOE of the 39th before flying them out. I think it might be that one that upgrades to a really crappy TOE later on. Basically they convert to a Brigade sized Division with just 109 squads and some mortars. If that is the case you might as well get rid of them at Paoshan. [:D]

I did check that and I don't want to unit to upgrade to that less than ideal division. I'll slowly pull them from Paoshan not because I have other plans for them but because the defense should be more effective with a more modernized, better quality set of units.

The Burmese rifle squads are 5/13. The Indian 43 squads are 75/20. [:)]

[font="Times New Roman"]May 15, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Permit, racing toward the KB sighting, heads through dangerous waters and nails a mine at Banjowengi. It should make it home to Perth, slowly, with 23/74/8 damage.

The I-16 gets a good sighting of the Port Moresby invasion. Damn. I'll try to misdirect by having them head toward Cent Pac.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Silchar continues to be bombarded, and two more divisions are two days away.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] A good bombardment of Mili by the two CA and DDs.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SW PAC: [/font] Combat engineers and an HQ load for he Port Moresby operation. Tanks are alsready at Milne Bay and will get on LSTs soon.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The strikes in deep China actually fly after long transfers to Chungking and Wenchow. In spite of the bombardment hitting like clockwork, the B-25D1 groups sortie and one port strike hits several ships, but only sinks one ACM. The low naval strikes find the bombardment TF but can't put a hit on them. The 50cal do punch through the hull of the CL though, which is interesting. I like how they attack multiple times to strafe and then bomb. These guys get one AMc for their trouble but the combat ships are spared. Now I'll get some more truing fro them. All groups immediately fly out but here are still some damaged B-25s at Wenchow.

The Japanese attack southeast of Chungking. We hold easily and both sides take about 150 infantry squads disabled, plus we get about 45 vehicles as well. Now I'll switch out units of something more robust! [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Just quietly building away in the West, wiring and get ready for the next steps.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 15, 43
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Night Naval bombardment of Wenchow at 89,58

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Teshio
DD Tatsukaze
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki

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

Resources hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

E14Y1 Glen acting as spotter for CL Teshio (A Glen??)
CL Teshio firing at 88th Chinese Corps

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Night Naval bombardment of Mili at 136,121

Allied Ships
CA Quincy
CA San Francisco
DD Henley
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford
DD Bagley
DD Stanly

Japanese ground losses:
366 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 1

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Quincy
CA Quincy firing at Mili

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ASW attack near Rockhampton at 99,150

Japanese Ships
SS I-16

Allied Ships
DD Clark
BB Tennessee
DD Worden
APA George F. Elliot
APA W.A. Holbrook
APA J. Franklin Bell
APA Zeilin
APA Harris
APA Wharton
DD Voyager
DD Stuart

SS I-16 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Clark
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...

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Morning Air attack on Shanghai , at 92,55

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Mikage Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Ayatosan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Matsukawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Kirikawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ACM Hinode Maru #18, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Hakkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shanghai at 92,55

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 5

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Namikaze
DD Kisaragi
CL Teshio, Shell hits 5

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

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shanghai at 92,55

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMc Hayakafuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Teshio
DD Nokaze
AMc Hamanogo Maru

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

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Ground combat at 75,47 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25123 troops, 346 guns, 1211 vehicles, Assault Value = 1044

Defending force 36540 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1090

Japanese adjusted assault: 796

Allied adjusted defense: 1228

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1665 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 141 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 58 (4 destroyed, 52 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1739 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 147 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
39th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Tank Division
9th Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th Army
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]I would have been better off sending all of these to bomb Shanghai port, but this was fun and helps me understand how to use them better. [/font]

Oh boy, that is a slap in the face from Wenchow![:D] In Downfall, I have used the for low naval night strikes for great effect, they will stop Japanese ship movement against your bases...

[font="Times New Roman"]May 16, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]The I-5 hits APA Sheridan which hasn't sunk yet but is in trouble. The sub may be a goner with 11 hits and heavy damage in the report.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]The monsoon begins. Hopefully this will impact his ability to supply the NE India front.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Mili takes a beating from the air with USN 4Es hitting the fields and B-25s hitting the troops. Our guys have recovered significant'y but still have a ways to go before another attack.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Nick goes all-in for Paoshan. He doesn't close the base, but puts enough damage on it that I'm going to bug out with all air groups and see if there is a way to come back later. His fighters pay a pretty steep price again, but he had to do it and it was a good strategic move. I'll now suffer from low supply and he'l be able to wear down the troops in the base. On the day I counted 520+ fighters involved (had to tell exactly because of LR CAP) and about 120 bombers hitting the field.

That meant there were a lot of planes in Mandalay and Lashio, the only built up bases nearby. I sent night bombing Libs to Mandalay and only 22 actually made it, but they destroyed 12-14 planes on the ground. Air losses for the day are below.

The Japanese attacked on the ground as well and got another 1:2, but lowered forts to 1 (EDIT: the correct CR from Nick now).

I'll leave about 40 good airframes in Paoshan but get the pilots out except for a few that might fly planes that are repaired. I'll also hit Myitkyina with a B-24 strike preceded by a P-38 sweep. I want to catch bleeding CAP and destroy his most useful airbase near Ledo while I've got the chance. I'll put B-17s on Ledo and also hit Imphal. He has 170 fighters at Dimpaur, but none at any other base in the area right now.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 15, 43
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Sub attack near San Francisco at 210,76

Japanese Ships
SS I-5, hits 11, heavy damage

Allied Ships
APA Sheridan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Edward C. Daly

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

SS I-5 launches 2 torpedoes at APA Sheridan
I-5 diving deep ....

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Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 30
A6M8 Zero x 36
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 40

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 12
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 16 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 36
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 36

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 6
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-61-Ia Tony sweeping at 25000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 56
A6M8 Zero x 36
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 24
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 42

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 6
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
15 x Ki-61-Ia Tony sweeping at 20000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 23
A6M8 Zero x 72
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 20

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 104th RAF Base Force, at 65,45 (Paoshan)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 42
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 30
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 38
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 22

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
23 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 10000 feet
19 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 10000 feet
12 x Ki-43-IIIa Oscar sweeping at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 72
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 36
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 54

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 3 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Paoshan (65,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15306 troops, 215 guns, 550 vehicles, Assault Value = 612

Defending force 19269 troops, 105 guns, 100 vehicles, Assault Value = 425

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 339

Allied adjusted defense: 2137

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
627 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
943 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Tank Regiment
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Guards Tank Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
39th Indian Division
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
16th Indian Bde /1
72nd Chinese Corps
104th RAF Base Force
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
10th Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
80th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
33rd Base Group
Fourteenth USAAF
34th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Base Force
103rd RN Base Force /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]This time he may have had some pilots saved due to the troops in hex. We only lost 6 on the day KIA, mostly Canadians from the P-40s here. [/font]

Nice work sneaking in those B25s!

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Nice work sneaking in those B25s!

Anything I can do that might have to make him cover his rear more. [:)]

ORIGINAL: obvert
Anything I can do that might have to make him cover his rear more. [:)]

That will probably do it! [:D]

[font="Times New Roman"]May 17, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]Lots of subs missing decent targets.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]The bombing directives worked perfectly, with the P-38 sweep drawing LR CAP and downing about 17-20 fighters who were coming in small drabs and had no radar at the base. Then the Libs came in and nailed Myitkyina with over 150 divets on the field. That should be closed now. Imphal was also hit for light damage with no resistance. The B-17s were rained out for Ledo.

There are about 120 fighters (according to recon) now at Dimapur. That is the target tomorrow with all B-17s and B-24s. Corsairs, Hellcats and P-38s (which took no losses in today's sweep) will swarm the base first (hopefully) with some LR CAP from Darjeeling.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Another good hit on Mili.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SW PAC: [/font] All is go for PM. A BB or CA TF is nearing Merauke. I'll keep and eye on it, and if it gets close may wait a few days and throw some air strikes that way.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Bombing at Paoshan indeed closed the base emphatically today. It is now at 85/82 damage. Interestingly some fighters that could only have come from here were lost in the air during the turn, and I think it may have been in a scrap with the LR CAP that didn't make it into the reports. Hopefully they scored too.

I was able to fly out a few more repaired planes, two Hellcats and a Corsair. About 18 Hellcats are left and I ate the loss of 4 Kittyhawk III and had to disband the 12 pane group. It'll be back in 60 days. Again we come out ahead in the tally with the night bombing and sweeps. I feel a bit bad about the night bombing, but this is the rule we agreed to and way less than 50 bombers hit the base. I'm sure if flak was better and the base not so stuffed with airframes this would be a pinprick, but getting 15-20 planes from 28 bombers at night is a staggering result. (I think night bombing is still too good, but that we have to allow it. Mostly for the benefit of the Japanese side, especially late, when hitting bases in the day will be very painful. Night attacks were used effectively late int eh war and that should be an option, and if it's me later with my base stacked with B-29s, I'll remember this and agree that all is fair).

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 17, 43
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Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 28 (All strikes combined here)

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 4 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17

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

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 11
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(31 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(30 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
66th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
68th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(41 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 81
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 49 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 23 damaged
Kittyhawk III: 2 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 2 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 59

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Sasebo 6th SNLF, at 136,121 (Mili)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 30
Mitchell II x 15
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-40B Warhawk x 12 (All strikes combined here)

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
343 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 44th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking Kure 5th SNLF ...

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Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 56

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 16
Runway hits 114

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

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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 37
P-39D Airacobra x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 25

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

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Morning Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 5
Kittyhawk III x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 27
F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at 75,47 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2016 troops, 113 guns, 235 vehicles, Assault Value = 907

Defending force 37418 troops, 136 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1143

Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
1st Tank Division
4th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
39th Division
19th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
12th Army
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
99th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps

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

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Pretty good considering. For two days that is 175:75. [:)][/font]

Absolutely criminal of him to leave Wenchow in your hands in 1943... [:-]