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DECEMBER 25TH, 1942


MALAYA:

Armored spearheads from Mersing and northern Malaya converge on Johore Bharu today, completely isolating a pocket of over 35,000 Allied troops in Kuala Lampur. Imperial Guards, 5th and 55th Divisions should invest Kuala Lampur tomorrow. The 2 IJA divisions at Mersing should arrive in Johore Bharu tomorrow.

56th, 16th and 38th Divisons, currently in transit to Kuching for the invasion of Java, are all re-routed to Mersing as Japan has a golden opportunity to pocket half of the British/Commonwealth Malayan garrison in Kuala Lampur and destroy the Allied troops at Singapore and Kuala Lampur in detail.



DEI:

Sinkep Island is captured by 91st NLG and Oscars and A6M2s are immediately staged in. Japan now has a forward fighter base to cover the invasion of Palembang.


Balikpappan falls in a deliberate attack and another 3500 Dutch troops surrender. The oil facilities are captured mostly intact here....only 22 out of 400 oil points are damaged. Engineers are rushed in to repair the airfields damaged by the heavy naval bombardments. Balikpappan will give us another level 4 Betty base to hit Java with so it will be made operational ASAP.

At Brunei, 205 of 300 oil points had been sabotaged by the retreating Dutch engineers so over 80,000 supply is on the way to facilitate repairs here.

Assault troops will go ashore at Makassar tomorrow.

Tarakan will be invaded in 2 days.


Bettys/Neiis from Kuching continue to hit the Allied cruisers ain port at Soerabaja:

Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 39
H6K4 Mavis x 2

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 1
Brewster 339D x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M Nell: 13 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Exeter, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Port hits 1





PI:

Naga falls in a surprisingly easy assault as 3 Philippino divisions are pushed back to Lucena:

Ground combat at Naga

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28130 troops, 114 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value =
626

Defending force 9697 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Japanese max assault: 632 - adjusted assault: 891

Allied max defense: 122 - adjusted defense: 29

Japanese assault odds: 30 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Naga base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Guns lost 14


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


Undefended Ormac is captured.


60,000 troops from Lingayen should arrive at Clark Field tomorrow.

DECEMBER 26th-27th, 1941



DEI:

Makassar is captured and IJN troops go ashore at Tarakan. After 2 more naval bombardments a deliberate attack will be ordered at Tarakan tomorrow.


The Nells and Bettys are sent over Soerabaja port at 9000 feet today and the results are much more impressive:

Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 71
G4M1 Betty x 38
H6K4 Mavis x 2

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 1
Brewster 339D x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
G3M Nell: 3 destroyed, 20 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 14 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Exeter, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Dragon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 2
AK Van der Bosch, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Edsall, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PT TM-14, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Soemba, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Benkalis, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported

Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2


Nells and Bettys continue to sink Allied shipping at sea:

Day Air attack on TF, near Teloekbetoeng at 19,58

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 11
G4M1 Betty x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Van Spilbergen, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lematang, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Bombur uses his B-17s in an attempt to destroy the oil facilities at Balikpappan but the A6M2s are waiting for them:

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 15
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Oil hits 1

4 B-17s are shot down vs a loss of one oil point......I will accept that rate of exchange.



CENTRAL PACIFIC:

KB bombs Wake Island port and airfield again for the 5th day in a row as the Kate training program continues. The naval troops will storm ashore in 2-3 days.

Undefended Nukufetau is captured as Japan extends its perimeter.


Allied shipping is hit by Nells at Fanning Island:

Day Air attack on TF, near Fanning Island at 114,92

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Haleakala, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage




PI:

14th Army with 60,000 troops invests Clark.

Allied shipping at Manila is hit by naval bopmbers:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6
C5M Babs x 2
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
C5M Babs: 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AS Otus, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 38
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 6 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AS Otus, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Don Jose, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Churruca, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1







MALAYA:

The "super Kate" bombers are unleashed at Singapore for the first time at 27,000 feet and the results are dramatic in comparison to the Sallys:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 61
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 49

Very few Kates are damaged or lost to AA. The Kates suffer minimal morale loss and fatigue accumulation. My normal Singapore attack with 100 plus Sallys was lucky to score 12-15 runway hits at a cost of 30-35% Sallys destroyed/damaged and survivors with morale in the 20s.


Japan lauches its first assault at Johore Bharu:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21479 troops, 205 guns, 117 vehicles, Assault Value =
377

Defending force 8488 troops, 31 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Japanese max assault: 314 - adjusted assault: 121

Allied max defense: 111 - adjusted defense: 77

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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

The forts are reduced here and the fate of the 35,000 Allied troops isolated in Kuala Lampur is sealed:

Banzai! Banzai!!! Unbelievably he debuts a Pearl Harbor Act II ...

Marvelous, just marvelous.... as Belisarius always like to say....[:D]

Dear Admiral, perhaps you could make this post "Hoepner - Free", too....[:D][:D][;)]

ORIGINAL: trollelite

Dear Admiral, perhaps you could make this post "Hoepner - Free", too....[:D][:D][;)]

I'm still waiting for my PH dear opponent[:D]...

Sorry Admiral to hyjack your thread. However great move in Malaya! Seems quite strange that he had left so many men trapped up there[&:]

The Mersing amphi- strategy is an old trick, once it flourished, but then, as people realized the level 1 port and road impedes quick advancement.... Some guys resort to combine it with airborne assualt, as my current Jap opponent. It however only works against unprepared allies commander.

trollelite and General Hoepner.....

Thanx for the comments. I agree with you trollelite about the time it takes for units landing at Mersing to make it to Johore Bharu. It seems like its been over a week since I invaded at Mersing and the 2 divisions that made the invasion, 4th and 33rd, still havent reached Johore Bharu. Thankfully the 18th Division and the tanks and engineers that made it overland from Khota Bharu were enough to cut off the Allies in Kuala Lampur.

General Hoepner.....Im not sure why Bombur left so many troops in Kuala Lampur, but I think he stayed in his forts at Alor Star and Georgetown way too long after I had broken through at Khota Bharu.




DECEMBER 28TH, 1941

PHILIPPINES:

The noose tightens around the Allies on Luzon as Lucena is captured:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lucena

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25793 troops, 110 guns, 86 vehicles, Assault Value =
594

Defending force 7945 troops, 2 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 150

Japanese max assault: 563 - adjusted assault: 246

Allied max defense: 113 - adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lucena base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
444 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


The Allies are now pushed back to Clark/Manila/Bataan.



56th Brigade mops up the final pocket of resistance on Mindanao:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Dadjangas

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10532 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 140

Defending force 2127 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Japanese max assault: 110 - adjusted assault: 45

Allied max defense: 56 - adjusted defense: 13

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Dadjangas base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
3659 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

The Philippine 101st Reserve Division is forced to surrender.


Bombur sends his last PT boats out of Manila in a final escape attempt but they are hunted down by Japanese DDs:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Puerto Princesa at 39,55

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
PT PT-32, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PT PT-34, Shell hits 3, on fire
PT Q 111, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
PT MTB 7
PT MTB 11, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Puerto Princesa at 39,55

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
PT PT-34, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT MTB 7, Shell hits 2, and is sunk





DEI:

Tarakan is captured with 95 out of 100 oil facility points intact:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tarakan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8738 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 246

Defending force 476 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Japanese max assault: 232 - adjusted assault: 109

Allied max defense: 19 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tarakan base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Do 24K-2: 1 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


Fighter sweeps by A6M2s over Soerabaja have destroyed over 40 Allied fighters over the last 5 days. The Dutch have a very limited number of fighter replacements in CHS and once they are gone
its lights out for the Allies in Java.

The Nell/Betty strike over Soerabaja is now nearly unopposed:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
G3M Nell x 70
G4M1 Betty x 12
H6K4 Mavis x 2

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 1
Brewster 339D x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Durban, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Edsall, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS KX, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Pieter de Bitter, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL De Ruyter, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PT TM-10, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Exeter, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
ML Krakatau, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS KVII, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Evertsen, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS Zuiderkruis, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Java, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Dragon, Bomb hits 2, on fire


Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1


CA Houston, CA Exeter and CL Durban are sunk.

DECEMBER 29TH, 1941


Lots of action in the peripheral "forgotten" theaters today.


CENTRAL PACIFIC:

After a week of aerial bombardment by KB, IJN troops storm ashore and capture Wake Island:

Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5000 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Defending force 872 troops, 13 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese max assault: 180 - adjusted assault: 76

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 76 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
294 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
1731 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 1


This makes up for the embarrasing defeat here on Dec. 7th. The loss of the better part of the Maizuru SNLF has been avenged.


KB's operations are now complete in the central Pacific as Japan has established its eastern perimeter: Wake/Palmyra/Baker/Canton Islands.

Construction engineers, aviation personel, combat troops, CD units and supplies are on the way to all of these islands. I eventually want level 4 airfields with Bettys at Wake, Palmyra and Canton. KB will eventually need to be withdrawn for a future offensive against either India or Australia in March, 1942 so I'm looking at these islands as a picket line again a possible Allied counterthrust.

CV Akagi had the most heavily attritioned Kate squadron during the Pearl Harbor attacks....14 Kates were taken on as replacements at Kwajalein. After a week of bombing Wake Island, their experience has increased from 60 to 68. More Kate training lies ahead in the south Pacific.

With operations complete in the eastern Pacific. KB has been released to support a thrust into the south Pacific. KB will refuel at Truk in 2 days and cover landings at Rabaul within the week.



MALAYA:

4th and 33rd Divisions finally complete the march to Johore Bharu and throw the hapless AIF Brigades back into Singapore in a deliberate attack:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 65538 troops, 391 guns, 116 vehicles, Assault Value =
1198

Defending force 7480 troops, 9 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 109

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese max assault: 1071 - adjusted assault: 1049

Allied max defense: 90 - adjusted defense: 15

Japanese assault odds: 69 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
923 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


Of the 12 Allied brigades that started the war in Malaya, 7 are at Kuala Lampur and one is 60 miles north of Mersing so that leaves a total of 4 brigades available to defend Singapore.....and 2 of these are the demoralized AIF brigades that have been retreated twice. A decision is made to storm Singapore immediately with just the 4th and 33rd Divisions along with engineers, arty, and 2 tank regiments.



CHINA/BURMA/INDIA

Not much commentary on this important theater so far in the war. The campaign to eradicate the ChiCom guerilla units in eastern China has been largely successful...only 2 pockets of guerillas remain east and north of the Yellow River.

In Burma, the 21st Mixed Regiment completed its march through the jungle and captured a deserted Moulmein today. The Allies have 2 brigades dug in just across the river from Moulmein and another 28,000 troops in Rangoon. Further advances here will remain on hold until reinforcements are brought up. Im still debating an operation to surround and destroy the Allied forces in Rangoon vs an amphibiuos assault into India directly that bypasses Burma. If recon shows that Bombur has pulled units out of India(like the Ghurhkas) to defend Burma or Java I will definitely consider an immediate invasion of India following the capture of Malaya and Java.

The 1st Para Regiment captures Port Blair in the Andaman Islands today. Virtually all the Japanese transport AC will now airlift construction engineers, aviation personel and supplies to this important base. I want to develop Port Blair into a level 4 Betty base ASAP to close the Bay of Bengal to the Royal Navy.

Hi, try a combined assault on rangoon. Paradrop your SNLF regiments on the 2 bases south and west of Mandalay exactly the same day when you troops unload at Rangoon and your regiments cross the Mouleim river....that could be a good trap[;)]

General Hoepner....excellent idea on the Rangoon operation. I will try to get as many paratrooper formations in position as possible before assaulting Rangoon.


DECEMBER 31st, 1941........END OF YEAR ANALYSIS


For a Historical first turn start Japan is pretty much ahead of schedule in all theaters save the south Pacific. I havent spotted a single USN CV since the war began so I hesitated to send invasion forces towards Rabaul without cover by KB. With KB on the way, Rabaul will be assaulted within the week and then Port Moresby, Lunga and New Caledonia will soon follow.


LOSSES:

Japan has lost an inordinate number of AC vs the Allies.....409 vs 504. We are enjoying nearly a 7:1 advantage in A2A....22 vs 158. Our A6M2 losses have been fairly light.....33 total. Of these, only 6 are due to A2A and 6 are due to flak(lost over Oahu in the historical first turn). 21 A6M2s have been lost operationally....Ive been flying a lot of LRCAP over my invasion forces.

Destroyed on field losses are 304 Allied vs 2 Japan. Operational losses are 22 Allied vs 174 Japan. The flak has been what is really killing us....20 Allied vs 211 Japan.


In regards to ship losses, the Allies have lost 190 ships vs 33 Japanese. Breaking it down to combatant classes, the Allies have lost 1 BB, 2 CAs, 4 CLs, and 9 DDs vs Japanese losses of 1 CVE and 2 DDs.

The loss of CVE Taiyo to a sub launched torpedo has really hurt us. CVE Taiyo is normally a very important part of mini KB for me. I like to have the option of changing her force loadout to match her mission requirements. In the early days of the war hunting down Allied shipping in the PI or when Im facing off against the Royal Navy I like to load CVE Taiyo with 27 Kates. When supporting amphibious operations in the Bay of Bengal I like to load CVE Taiyo with a daitai of 27 A6M2s. In response to her loss, I've accelerated CVE Unyo but she still will not arrive until late Feb. at the earliest.


PRODUCTION:

CVL Shoho should arrive in a couple of weeks and I've accelerated CV Junyo....she should arrive by late Feb. and these 2 carriers should somewhat offset the arrival of CV Hornet.

Here is a comparison of my production between stock and CHS at the end of 1941:

STOCK..........................CHS SCENARIO 159

2.24 Supply...................2.23 Supply
3.93 Fuel.......................4.04 Fuel
13,532 HI......................12,864 HI...The stock HI includes the HI from Singapore but still there is less HI in CHS
40,803 HI Reserve.........20,284 HI Reserve
15,575 Resources..........13,684 Resources
1.67 Resource Reserve..1.52 Resource Reserve....Acquiring resources seems to be more of an issue in CHS
1763 Oil........................1140 Oil
1.64 Oil Reserve............2.92 Oil Reserve.....way more oil reserves in CHS

Ive been juggling my naval and merchant production quite a bit and now have BB Yamato back in production


Fighter production has been really ramped up.....248 A6M2s and 156 Oscars currently. I wasnt producing enough Nakajima engines to cover this so I shut off Lily production and half of the Kate production. Ive been running production pretty hot....with the reduced HI in CHS I was running negative HI for a few turns so I reduced Mitsu engine production by 150/mo and have ordered HI growth of approximately 100 points.

Im running a production spreadsheet similar to JWilkerson's and it really helps with dealing with supply/demand issues.

I think Chez was correct...the limiting production factor in CHS is resources vs oil in stock. Everything hinges on capturing Palembang oil/resource facilities intact....with 1202 oil points if I capture Palembang at 90% oil points intact Japan will have no oil issues....if Palembang suffers 70% oil point damage like Brunei did then my economy will crash.

If I have sufficient oil and not enough resources then I will probably invade Australia in the 2nd phase of operations. If I am deficient in oil as well as resources then I will be forced to invade India.


CHINA:

Here is a screenshot of the current situation in China. Most of the ChiCom guerillas have been mopped up in eastern China. My next order of business will be to re-open the road to Sinyang.....then I will launch a minor offensive to open the southern road into Nanchang:

If i was you, concerning China, i would, after the way to from Shangai to Nanchang is open, mass an army at Yangku (south of Yenen) and place it on the railroad that leads to the yellow river south of Sian. He then will be forced rather to move back everything at Sian, abbandoning Honan, or to see his communication lines broken up. If he doesn't fall back you can easily cross the river, thus creating a big pocket, moving one division to Sian, just to stop any chinese attempt of coming down and moving the bulk of your forces down to Honan. He will be forced to fall back with the units east of Honan that are guarding to rivercrossing, so you could also move in from Kaifeng...
While if he moves everything back to Sian...well...the north of China will be in your hands. [;)]

This is why you bombard Palembang from the air and sea for a week or two before invading and blockade it so that no additional engineer units can be brought in.

Oh and overwhelming force and no shock attacks.

In my game vs. herwin I only had approx 50 damaged oil in the whole SRA and about the same amount of resources.

ORIGINAL: String

This is why you bombard Palembang from the air and sea for a week or two before invading and blockade it so that no additional engineer units can be brought in.

Oh and overwhelming force and no shock attacks.

In my game vs. herwin I only had approx 50 damaged oil in the whole SRA and about the same amount of resources.

Interesting. In my game vs Cantona my experience was exactly the opposite. Battleship bombardment and shock attacks at Batavia and Palembang resulted in both bases falling with no damage to oil and resources. At Soerabaja I made a deliberate attack: oil and resources centres were substantially damaged.

In CHS resources are undoubtedly the bottleneck. My HI is going full tilt and oil reserves are still growing. Not so resources, which appear to be declining, though very slowly.

I really do not think there's a clear rule about it.
Sometimes shock attacks work fine. Sometimes not.
I even do not think it's completely unconnected to a simple dice and roll factor....
However if Palembang and Sosarbaja are badly damaged, there's no option left: the only way to go is India! In India you'll also get tons of supplies that can feed your pacific garrisons without using the precious japanese supply.
The other option is Russia...but probably India is far easier to grab than Russia

Thanks all for the comments.


String....I bombarded at Brunei and launched an overwhelming deliberate attack but still suffered 70% damage to the oil facilities there. In regards to Palembang, Ive gathered 6 BBs and 10 CAs at Kuching and plan to level it with naval and aerial bombardments before I even think of launching a ground assault.

General Hoepner.....good idea on threatening Sian and Honan in China....only thing is the Chinese army is on steroids in CHS and its not as easy as in stock to gain a numerical advantage as Japan. After opening the Shanghai-Nanchang road I may launch a diversion on Changsha... if Bombur overreacts to that I might be able to gain an advantage on Honan.


DECEMBER 31st, 1941


1941 ends with a bang as a couple of Allied convoys are brutalized at sea.



CENTRAL PACIFIC:

A group of Allied AKs/TKs attempting to escape from the PI had been sent east across the Pacific and after a series of ineffectual seaplane attacks were made out of Saipan CV Shokaku was detached from KB to deal with the problem:

Day Air attack on TF at 73,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A2 Val x 26
B5N2 Kate x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Sarangami, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Manatawny, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Si Kiang, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Taurus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Dos Hermanos, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage




DEI:

Bombur tries to hit Balikpappan airfield again with B-17s and medium bombers from Soerabaja but the A6M2s are waiting:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 59

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Hudson I x 2
B-17D Fortress x 10
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 10 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1


Another 3 B-17Es are destroyed.


CHINA:

The last pocket of ChiCom guerillas on the Sinyang/Hankow-Nanking road is overrun:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 51,36

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3332 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Defending force 389 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Japanese max assault: 166 - adjusted assault: 316

Allied max defense: 12 - adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 158 to 1



Allied ground losses:
634 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


Supply can now flow again to Ichang, Hankow and Sinyang.


MALAYA:

Bombur made a relief attempt on Singapore with supplies, oil and reinforcements. Some of the Allied transports make it through but a heavy price is paid by Allied shipping:

Day Air attack on TF, near Johore Bahru at 22,50

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6
Ki-30 Ann x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PG Scorpion, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AO Spirila, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Padang at 18,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Togian, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Poelau Bras, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
150 casualties reported


Day Air attack on TF, near Johore Bahru at 22,50

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 48
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2
Ki-30 Ann x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AO Spirila, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AO Pleiodon, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Grasshopper, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Dragonfly, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lipis, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AS Wuchang, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Johore Bahru at 22,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Ki-30 Ann x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PG Scorpion, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage



Japan suffers a serious reversal at Kuala Lampur as they miss a 1:1 attack by a single AV factor:

Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 70984 troops, 335 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value =
1627

Defending force 33085 troops, 189 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 511

Japanese max assault: 2942 - adjusted assault: 708

Allied max defense: 495 - adjusted defense: 709

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


Japanese ground losses:
3678 casualties reported
Guns lost 28
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
675 casualties reported
Guns lost 23


The conquest of Malaya evidently is not going to be as easy as I had expected. The failure at Kuala Lampur in conjunction with Bombur's apparent reinforcement of Singapore has changed the complexion of the campaign.

The assault on Singapore has been cancelled and the 4th, 18th and 33rd Divisions at Johore are now ordered north along with 2 tank regiments, arty and assault engineers to help reduce Kuala Lampur. 16th Division and 56th Divisions at Mersing are ordered to Johore Bharu and 38th Division will begin arriving at Mersing tomorrow.

JANUARY 1ST, 1942


The first day of 1942 is relatively quiet as Japanese troops across the empire sleep off their hangovers from New Year's Eve.


KB spends New Years in port at Truk and today heads south to support landings in Rabaul.


Puerto Princessa in the PI is captured eliminating one of Bombur's seaplane bases.


DEI:

Japanese troops storm ashore at Manado and Banjermasin. A deliberate attack is ordered for tomorrow at Banjermasin. Engineers are in transit to Banjermasin.....after its capture it will be enlarged into a Sally base for neutralizing Java.

Allied transports off Sumatra are Padang are hit hard:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Padang at 18,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Poelau Bras, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Makian, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Padang at 18,50

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 50
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Van Rees, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Poelau Bras, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Togian, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Looks like Bombur is attempting to withdraw some troops from Sumatra.




MALAYA:

An Allied pocket at Malacca is eliminated:

Ground combat at Malacca

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12333 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 223

Defending force 1524 troops, 13 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese max assault: 434 - adjusted assault: 253

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 36 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca base !!!



Allied ground losses:
2227 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 1

This frees up another regiment of the 18th Division to join in the battle at Kuala Lampur.

Bombur has 3 pockets remaining in Malaya.....54,000 at Kuala Lampur, 46,000 at Singapore and another 7000 60 miles north of Mersing.

16th Division reaches Johore Bharu and 38th Division continues to offload at Mersing.

JANUARY 2nd, 1942


SOUTH PACIFIC:


Bombur's air forces on Rabaul hit the IJN invasion fleet as they close in:


Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 61,86


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 61,86


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 10
Hudson I x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Daihachikyo Maru
AP Koshu Maru #2
CL Kashima
PG Heijo Maru


Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 61,86


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Hirotama Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 61,86


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Yoshino Maru
AP Awata Maru


KB will catch up with the transports tomorrow and the troops should go ashore at Rabaul in 2 days.



PI:

IJA troops invest Manila today, blocking any possible retreat here by the Allied troops at Clark. An all-out shock attack will be ordered tomorrow at Clark.



CHINA:

After repeated heavy aerial bombardments, an assault is lauched on the final ChiCom pocket north and east of the Yellow River:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 53,33

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9438 troops, 22 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Defending force 1189 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 49

Japanese max assault: 486 - adjusted assault: 298

Allied max defense: 29 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 298 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1309 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Curiously, only one of the 2 ChiCom guerilla Corps surrendered. Another attack against the remaining corps is ordered for tomorrow.




DEI:

Bandjermaisin in captured today and recon, patrol and tactical bombers are immediately staged in.

An all out shock attack will be ordered tomorrow at Manado.

Mini KB, a surface TF and multiple amphibious TFs make their way to assembly points at Makassar and Kendari for the invasions of Timor and Bali.

With most of Bombur's Asiatic fleet immobilized in port at Soerabaja with heavy damage accumulated from a few days ago, the weather finally clears a bit and another massive Betty/Nell strike is launched:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 94
G4M1 Betty x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 18 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Whipple, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL De Ruyter, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tasman, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tjisaroea, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Marpessa, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Witte de With, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Evertsen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Anastasia, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
351 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1


Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G3M Nell x 96
G4M1 Betty x 70
H6K4 Mavis x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 24 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL De Ruyter, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Op Ten Noort, Torpedo hits 1
DD Whipple, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stewart, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kortenaer, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS KVII, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT TM-12, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Mercel, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tasman, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tjisaroea, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Parrott, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Van der Bosch, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT TM-4, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Maetsuycker, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kanimbla, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Van Heutsz, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Evertsen, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Alden, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 2


The Dutch and the USN Asiatic fleets are now pretty much neutralized as CL Sumatra, CL DeRuyter, CL Tromp, and CL Marblehead are sunk. Only CL Boise remains as a floating hulk.

BB PoW and BC Repulse had escaped to the north up the Malacca Strait on Dec. 8th...these 2 capital ships plus a handfull of RN CLs and DDs are the only remaining Allied naval assets to oppose the IJN in the Far East at the moment.

30 Japanese AC are lost today vs 10 Allied. 13 Nells/Bettys are lost over Soerabaja and another 40-50 were damaged. Either I got some bad AA die rolls or Bombur has moved some flak into Soerabaja. If I find that Bombur has reinforced the DEI or Malaya with forces from India it will probably tip my hand towards attacking India vs Australia.

Ehhh... Do you mind if I remind him not dock ship that way? It's too miserable to see ships slaughted like that, no wonder there is a defeat of "recorded time" in your previous game...[:D]

Well, those ships in Soerabaja port are written off anyway....[8|]

trollelite...

You are definitely welcome to give my opponent as much advice as possible in his thread.

As far as the shipping at Soerabaja is concerned, CA Houston had been bombed and torpedoed repeatedly on her way from the PI through the South China Sea and Java Sea so had to make port. CL DeRuyter ate 2 fish in the Java Sea and had to make port ASAP. CA Exeter, CL Tromp and CL Marblehead all suffered major damage in the first port strike at Soerabaja after a large fighter sweep decimated the CAP so had to stay in port. As far as the smaller ships are concerned Im not sure why they were left in port after it was obvious that they had insufficient CAP....although the area was covered by Bettys on naval strike, subs were stationed at all the exits to the Indian Ocean and mini KB was standing by to run down anything that attempted to escape into the Indian Ocean.


JANUARY 3rd, 1942


SOUTH PACIFIC:

After a naval bombardment IJN troops storm ashore at Rabaul led by the South Seas Detachment. A major shock attack will be ordered here tomorrow.


MALAYA:

33rd Division, 2 tank regiments and lots of arty join the boys at Kuala Lampur. 4th Division will arrive tomorrow and then a major assault will be ordered.


CHINA:

The remnants of the 88th ChiCom Guerilla Corps is annihilated today and now ALL guerillas have been cleared from our rear areas.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 53,33

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9357 troops, 21 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 237

Defending force 307 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Japanese max assault: 476 - adjusted assault: 794

Allied max defense: 5 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 794 to 1



Allied ground losses:
866 casualties reported
Guns lost 3




Time to begin the offensive to capture Wenchow and open the Shanghai to Nanchang road.



DEI:

Manado is secured today:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manado

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12253 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 203

Defending force 2291 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35

Japanese max assault: 334 - adjusted assault: 183

Allied max defense: 29 - adjusted defense: 23

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Do 24K-2: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


Except for a couple of isolated pockets, organized resistance comes to an end in Borneo and the Celebes. Its time to move on to the southern DEI.


The effort to disrupt the Allied engineers at Palembang continues:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Palembang, at 20,55

Japanese Ships
CL Tama
CL Nagara
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Haruna
BB Kongo

Allied Ships
PC Genesee, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
704 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 7
Port supply hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Palembang, at 20,55

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Ise
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami

Allied Ships
PC Genesee, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 52
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 4





PHILIPPINES:

A major shock attack nearly captures Clark Field:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 77672 troops, 386 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value =
1686

Defending force 26986 troops, 219 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value =
554

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 3320 - adjusted assault: 1613

Allied max defense: 533 - adjusted defense: 405

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
2528 casualties reported
Guns lost 39
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
957 casualties reported
Guns lost 50
Vehicles lost 4


Another attack is ordered for tomorrow. The 36,000 Allied troops at Clark will be forced to retreat to Bataan where they will be mopped up piecemeal.

JANUARY 4th, 1942


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Another naval bombardment covers the IJA troops storming ashore at Rabaul:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Rabaul, at 62,90


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta
CL Yubari
CL Tenryu
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
516 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 46
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 10


Rabaul is captured in a shock attack:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 18249 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 371

Defending force 3571 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Japanese max assault: 764 - adjusted assault: 338

Allied max defense: 32 - adjusted defense: 47

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Rabaul base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Engineers will be offloaded tomorrow to build Rabaul up into a level 4 base.



PHILIPPINES:

Another shock attack at Clark forces the demoralized remnants of the original 36,000 Allied defenders back to Bataan:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 72411 troops, 335 guns, 153 vehicles, Assault Value =
1512

Defending force 24940 troops, 157 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value =
499

Japanese max assault: 2638 - adjusted assault: 2641

Allied max defense: 468 - adjusted defense: 242

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
1841 casualties reported
Guns lost 25
Vehicles lost 9

Allied ground losses:
1128 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Vehicles lost 6


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


2nd and 4th Divisions along with 2 tank regiments are detached to pursue and mop up the Allied troops in Bataan. The remainder of the Japanese troops at Clark are ordered to join the party at Manila.



MALAYA:

130,000 IJA troops are now massed at Kuala Lampur....a massive shock attack is ordered for tomorrow.



DEI:

Palembang is hit hard again with a naval bombardment:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Palembang, at 20,55


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Do 24K-2: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Natori
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso


Allied ground losses:
288 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 4


Pretty much any Allied ship that dares to enter the Java Sea is rendered hor's de combat:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 15
G4M1 Betty x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Jan van Amstel, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Albatros, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


In fact, any Allied ship near Sumatra, Java or the Celebes is toast:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Padang at 18,50

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 44
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Van Rees, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF at 39,69

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Gold Star, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



SS I-166 runs out of torpedoes sinking Allied shipping approaching Tjilitjap:

Sub attack at 19,63

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
AK Darvel, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported


Tjilitjap appears to be the port of entry for Allied transports reinforcing Java. As you can see on the screenshot, 3 transport TFs are either approaching or unloading at Tjilitjap.

One week ago there were 28,000 Allied troops at Soerabaja.....now there are 45,000. Looks like the battle for India may be fought in Java.