VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

BlackSunshine.....we are also at 1/6/42 in our game. Sounds like Steve did a similar DEI overrun strategy in both our games....we will have to compare notes as our games go on. What is going on in your game in regards to the Malayan campaign.....Steve didnt start his offensive here until 1/42 and even now it seems like more of a backwater. In regards to KB, Steve started with 2 CVs in the South China Sea on 12/7/41....and one of those....CV Shokaku .....will be in drydock repairing damage until May 1942 at least. The other 4 CVs along with the CVL and 2 CVEs went to Pearl Harbor on 12/7/41. Im not exactly sure where KB is, but I had a sub spotted off Truk by a Val a few days ago...so I think that at least a portion of KB is in the Caroline Islands(and is probably racing towards Port Moresby now at flank speed).


wneumann....I think you said you were playing CHS NikMod....USN CVs work just fine in this scenario.....naval bombers will get through even against IJN "Black Hole" tactics. Its smart that you didnt commit your CVs if you were at a disadvantage...but dont fear using them if you can create a situation where you are relatively equal or even have favorable odds. Just remember to construct your Air Combat Tfs with 1 CV apiece....preferably have Lexington and Saratoga in your lowest numbered TFs, put a BB in each TF, maybe create a TF with one or 2 BBs, one CV and CVE Long Island and put as much AA in that TF as possible. The naval AA will heavily attrition Japanese 1st generation bombers. If you can get 2-3 high priority targets in one TF the Japanese strikes will concentrate on that one TF.....meanwhile maybe you can shut down his flight operations on 4-5 of his CVs and then annihilate him in the next days combat.




JANUARY 6TH-7TH, 1942


SOUTH PACIFIC:

IJA troops stormed ashore at Port Moresby in the AM:

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 54,93, firing at TF 68
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 54,93


164 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Shotoku Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
1522 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 54,93, firing at TF 68
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 54,93


105 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Heijo Maru
AK Penang Maru, Shell hits 6
PG Saiko Maru

Japanese ground losses:
660 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Then the land based A-24s and A-29s went to work on the invasion forces but sored few hits:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2
A-24 Dauntless x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 8


Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Oboro
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-29 Hudson bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-29 Hudson bombing at 6000 feet
4 x A-29 Hudson bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 6
A-24 Dauntless x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Hitachi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Kanayama Maru


An IJN cruiser force bombarded Port Moresby:

Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 54,93


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Dauntless: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Kako
CA Furutaka


Allied ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27


The A-24s finally score some hits....on another invasion TF at Finschafen:

Day Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 57,90


Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Taiho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Shinwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


On the second day of the battle the 3 USN CVs arrive at Port Moresby and Admiral Halsey manages to launch a full strike with all the naval bombers:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
F2A-2 Buffalo x 22
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SB2U Vindicator x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 108
TBD Devastator x 44


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBD Devastator: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Horai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Yamaura Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kanayama Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire
AP Gyoko Maru
AK Penang Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Taga Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Taihei Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Oregon Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yamagiri Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tokiwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Haruna Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kenzan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Kazuura Maru
PG Shotoku Maru, on fire
AK Tatsutake Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sangetsu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hie Maru
AK Shoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AK Higari Maru
AP Shanghai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Somedono Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Shoto Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK London Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Hidaka Maru
AK Hitachi Maru, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
F2A-2 Buffalo x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 67
TBD Devastator x 36


Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Taga Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AK Penang Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kenzan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tango Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Yamamiya Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kiyosumi Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tarushima Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shanghai Maru, on fire
AP Gyoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ryujin Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kimishima Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Eiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AK Tatsuho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Taihei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


Even the A-24s score some hits today:

Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 2


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
A-24 Dauntless x 21


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Shoko Maru
AP Kiyosumi Maru
AP Hie Maru, Bomb hits 1
PG Saiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Taihei Maru
PG Shotoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93


Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 11


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Yoneyama Maru
AK Yamagiri Maru, on fire, heavy damage
PG Shotoku Maru, on fire
AK Tatsutake Maru, on fire, heavy damage


Japan lands 30,000 troops at port Moresby:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2774 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Defending force 30180 troops, 93 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 609


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported


With 30,000 Japanese troops already ashore the situation is already hopeless for the Allies at Port Moresby. The whereabouts of KB is not 100% certain(one of our subs was spotted by a Val off Truk a few days ago) and with the location of the USN CVs now known it would be dangerous to linger for 2 more days. Steve has broken down his entire invasion and support Tfs down into single ship Tfs at Port Moresby and while resistant to air attacks they would be helpless against surface attacks.

Admiral Halsey gives the orders for the USN CVs to withdraw south at full speed towards Brisbane....the CVs still need to fill out their fighter complements and upgrade the Buffaloes to F4F-4s. Meanwhile, some cruisers are detached from the USN carrier TF and ordered to bombard Port Moresby at full speed during the night and then withdraw towards Brisbane at full speed tomorrow day.....there should be a target rich environment for them.

Kavieng is overrun today by IJN forces.


DEI:

Just a bombardment at Soerabaja today as Japan rests its troops for the final battle to take the city.

Japan captures Hansa and Nabire.


CHINA:

2 IJA divisions counterattack at Kiukiang and drive the Chinese back across the Yangtze....Japan's supply line to their 45,000 troops in Nanchang has been re-opened.







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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

JANUARY 8TH-9TH, 1942


The darkest days of the war for the Allies as they suffer a series of stunning defeats across the Pacific.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Good thing Admiral Halsey withdrew at high speed with the USN CVs from Port Moresby....the IJN CVs were close by and the Allied bombardment TF was annihilated:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 54,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A2 Val x 23
B5N2 Kate x 68

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 18 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CA Australia
CL Achilles, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF at 54,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A2 Val x 74
B5N2 Kate x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Achilles, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF at 54,94

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 33

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, on fire, heavy damage
CA Australia, on fire, heavy damage
CL Achilles, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF at 54,94

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 28
B5N2 Kate x 28

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Lamson, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


The Allies lose 3 CAs, 2 CLs and 2DDs at Port Moresby.



Then Port Moresby itself is lost in the first assault:

Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 32628 troops, 168 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 614

Defending force 4714 troops, 28 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 70

Japanese max assault: 920 - adjusted assault: 404

Allied max defense: 64 - adjusted defense: 45

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Dauntless: 9 destroyed
Wirraway: 4 destroyed
Catalina I: 3 destroyed
Empire: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
644 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
317 casualties reported
Guns lost 9


Finschafen is also overrun.




DEI:

Over in Java things arent any better....Soerabaja capitulates and 55,000 Dutch troops are captured:

Ground combat at Soerabaja

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 71609 troops, 311 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value =
1244

Defending force 30094 troops, 136 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value =
419

Japanese max assault: 2292 - adjusted assault: 981

Allied max defense: 419 - adjusted defense: 147

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Soerabaja base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
1283 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
55616 casualties reported
Guns lost 118
Vehicles lost 23

The one bright note here was that many Dutch engineers had been massed here as several aviation units had been brought in...their demolition work on the resources and oilfields at Soerabaja was very effective.


It will take just a few days for Japan to mop up the rest of Java now.



CHINA:

The one positive event for the day occurred in China.....15 Chinese corps forced 45,000 IJA troops to retreat from Nanchang:

Ground combat at Nanchang

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 120788 troops, 575 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value =
3075

Defending force 38445 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 729

Allied max assault: 6142 - adjusted assault: 2885

Japanese max defense: 717 - adjusted defense: 199

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
669 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
4797 casualties reported
Guns lost 119
Vehicles lost 1


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!



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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by BlackSunshine »

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

BlackSunshine.....we are also at 1/6/42 in our game. Sounds like Steve did a similar DEI overrun strategy in both our games....we will have to compare notes as our games go on. What is going on in your game in regards to the Malayan campaign.....Steve didnt start his offensive here until 1/42 and even now it seems like more of a backwater. In regards to KB, Steve started with 2 CVs in the South China Sea on 12/7/41....and one of those....CV Shokaku .....will be in drydock repairing damage until May 1942 at least. The other 4 CVs along with the CVL and 2 CVEs went to Pearl Harbor on 12/7/41. Im not exactly sure where KB is, but I had a sub spotted off Truk by a Val a few days ago...so I think that at least a portion of KB is in the Caroline Islands(and is probably racing towards Port Moresby now at flank speed).

In the Malayan campaign Singora was reinforced with several divisions and they began to trickle south from there. I pulled all HQ and base force units to Singapore and Johore and began to resupply and expand forts and airfields there. All combat units pooled at Georgetown. Georgetown held out for a few days (we are playing 2 day turns) before falling. Khota and Singora both immediately began to stockpile aircraft and started bombing singapore AF. After numerous losses (I only have buffalos there) I have pulled all aircraft from Malaya. The are closing in now on Johore and Singapore.

Interestingly enough, he also split KB in the beginning. Surprisingly, I attempted to hurt the wake invasion force with my CV, and theyappeared out of nowhere. This was probably 12/9-12/11, somewhere around there. The Lex was sunk, but I also sunk one of his (not sure which game isnt in front of me).
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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by wneumann »

wneumann....I think you said you were playing CHS NikMod....USN CVs work just fine in this scenario.....naval bombers will get through even against IJN "Black Hole" tactics. Its smart that you didnt commit your CVs if you were at a disadvantage...but dont fear using them if you can create a situation where you are relatively equal or even have favorable odds. Just remember to construct your Air Combat Tfs with 1 CV apiece....preferably have Lexington and Saratoga in your lowest numbered TFs, put a BB in each TF, maybe create a TF with one or 2 BBs, one CV and CVE Long Island and put as much AA in that TF as possible. The naval AA will heavily attrition Japanese 1st generation bombers. If you can get 2-3 high priority targets in one TF the Japanese strikes will concentrate on that one TF.....meanwhile maybe you can shut down his flight operations on 4-5 of his CVs and then annihilate him in the next days combat.



I'm playing CHS 158, same as you (also NikMod). I appreciate your thoughts. I'm implementing those of your suggestions that I have not done already. While I can't discuss here for "security" reasons, you're welcome to look at a write-up on the subject I put in my thread.

See you're moving Dutch engineer LCU's to blow up oil facilities - except for a big "boom" in Soerabaja, this was an omission on my part until it was too late to reverse my actions. The consequences of this may come later.

In my game I evacuated nearly all of the Dutch air and naval support units (and probably still would, though I would position some to blow up the oil wells). I found the Dutch air support LCU's particularly valuable, especially in Australia.

The Dutch naval support units slightly less so. While the Dutch naval support LCU's have aviation support elements, they do have one unfortunate tendency. Once a Dutch naval support LCU is unloaded from the ship(s) it was evacuated on, if the base where the unit is unloaded at has sufficient supply and it is left there long enough, a Dutch naval support LCU "sprouts" CD guns at its new home and becomes static for purposes of movement. In the Dutch Indies, Dutch naval support LCU's are mobile, evacuate them and they're not. How important this is depends on whether you evacuate any of these and where and how you want to use them after they get out.
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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

BlackSunshine....Steve's Malayan campaigns sound very similar in both your game and mine.


wneuman....it took some time and cost me a few AKs but Ive moved several Dutch and SEAC engineer units into Palembang and Im hoping for another "big boom" when he captures it.



JANUARY 10TH-13TH, 1942



MALAYA:

Japan captures Kuantan and closes in on Singapore.

We have managed to bring 40,000 supplies into Singapore over the last 3 weeks so Singapore now sits at nearly 60,000 supply and the SEAC units there are taking on replacements....the fortification level is over 7.

A large air battle broke out over Singapore today as Japanese bombers attempted to hit the Allied transports unloading there:

Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G3M Nell x 18
Ki-27 Nate x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 15
P-40B Tomahawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 5 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Orestes, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
G3M Nell x 14
Ki-27 Nate x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 9
Hurricane IIb x 18
P-40B Tomahawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Orestes, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage





PHILIPPINES;

I was using B-17s based at Brunei and medium bombers based at Cayagan to fly supply into Manila but Japan just started a massive bombing campaign against Cayagan and is now invading there so all the bombers were withdrawn today. Supply at Manila had rapidly dropped from 20,000 to 10,000 with the replacements on and the daily aerial bombardments so replacements were turned off and the aerial re-supply seems to have stabilized the supply at 10,000. All of Japans bombers in the Philippines seem to be preoccupied with bombing Allied ground forces and airfields at Manila and Cayagan so 2 AKs just arrived in Manila unscathed from the west coast and are now unloading 6000 supply.

Japan has made no effort to enter the city of Manila yet and the fortification level there is now 3.


In the bombing of Manila Japan has unleashed a strange new 4E bomber ...the Liz. I have never seen this AC in action before in WitP. All I know about it is that it uses up a lot of Nakajima engines.


LOGISTICS:

In CHS the Allies have enormous naval lift capacity in the Far East but really dont need all of it....at least not in early 1942.

On the other hand, in the eastern Pacific the Allies start with very limited naval lift capacity but have tremendous needs in the early war period. I have transfered about 100,000 transport points from the SRA to the US and over 400,000 transport points from the Far East are now on their way to eastern Pacific. Ive moved enough cruise ships(APs with speeds of 20 plus knots) to Panama to ship in the Americal Division and the RCTs when they arrive.

Over 30,000 supply and North Pacific HQ have been dropped off at Noumea and it now functions as a replacement hub for the South Pacific.

Multiple aviation regiments and base units are now on their way from the US to New Caledonia and Australia.

Oil and supply are coming to Australia from the US while fuel is being shipped to Australia from Aden on every TK available in theatre.



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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

JANUARY 14-19TH, 1942


PHILIPPINES:

Japan captures Cotabato on the 2nd attempt but is repulsed at Cayagan with heavy losses:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cagayan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18851 troops, 84 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 423

Defending force 7472 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 203

Japanese max assault: 404 - adjusted assault: 6

Allied max defense: 117 - adjusted defense: 112

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
1772 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1



DEI:

Japan captures Bali. Namlea and Babo.

Talsea, Buru and Lautem are invaded.

At Soerabaja, the engineers managed to destroy 94 out of 101 oil points and 494 out of 501 resources(the large shock attack didnt help either ....lol) when the city surrendered. Ive moved 8 base units to Palembang with hopefully a couple more on the way.....Im almost up to level 7 fortifications there and Im hoping for another massive demolition by the Dutch/British engineers.



MALAYA:

After opening the level 4 aifield at Kuantan and the level 6 airfield at Kota Bharu , the RAF's position in Malaya has become untenable and most of the fighters and bombers have been withdrawn to India.

Japan advances on Kuala Lampur and Johore Bharu as the Allies are forced back into fortress Singapore:



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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

JANUARY 20-21ST, 1942


In Malaya, Georgetown is overrun.

In the DEI, the IJA 48th Division captures Pakamasan. Buru and Talsea are also captured.

In the PI, Japan finally gets wise to our solitary AK resupply of Manila and sinks 3 AKs. Japan also hits our airfield at Brunei so the A-29s there that were doing aerial supply of Manila will need to be withdrawn.



STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS:

The biggest problem restricting USN naval movements in the Pacific has been a lack of fuel both in the island bases and also at Australia. We received a huge TK reinforcement a few days ago and now have over 60 TKs/AOs transporting over 730,000 fuel points across the Pacific. About 200,000 fuel will go to Australia, another 100,000 to New Zealand, and the rest will go to the island bases or held on reserve in AOs.

24,000 oil points have reached Australia from the US and another 36,000 are on the way.


The main battles for the DEI are basically over.....it will probably take a couple more weeks for Steve to mop up Batavia and the rest of the Dutch bases in the southern DEI. It will probably take a couple more weeks to subdue all of Sumatra.


What then?


As seen in the attached file, Steve has 163 transports in harbor at Soerabaja and 18 LCUs there resting and obviously building prep points.

Based on Japan's actions so far, I really think that Steve intends to isolate, not capture Singapore as well as Manila. An IJA division was pulled out of Luzon to invade Cayagan. I have about 220 AV at Cayagan....level 2 forts on mountain terrain.....if I can get an AK with supply there I could tie that division down for some time. Meanwhile, Im not sure that Japan has enough strength to attempt an entry into Manila....I have over 1600 prepped AV there in good supply and could rout the Japanese if a piecemeal advance is made there.

Back to Soerabaja......with about 5-6 divisions there, where will Japan go next? Thats not enough strength to invade India or SE OZ.....maybe an invasion of northern Oz????

With CV Shokaku making major repairs in port for the next 5-6 months KB is limited in options.

I have 2 RN CVs in Columbo that will leave tomorrow for Perth. If Steve places enough carrier strength in the Indian Ocean to confront these 2 CVs then he will be almost at a disadvantage in the Pacific with the arrival of the 4th USN CV.....Yorktown.

KB was last seen operating off Port Moresby 6 days ago so there is no threat to India in the immediate future....also I cant conceive of a scenario where Japan invades India before taking Singapore. Therefore, the RN will be tasked with defending the west coast of Australia.....and the USN is currently positioned to counter a Japanese thrust on the east coast of Australia or New Caledonia and New Hebrides. If KB is massed and supports an all-out invasion of SE Australia then the RN can be easily sent from Perth to Sydney and help even things out.

The key is when the 163 transports in Soerabaja begin loading and which direction they head.....fortunately I still have search planes based at Pontianak and Singkawang to spot movements to the north.....and search planes are spread across the northern coast of Australia to spot movements to the south.

My most likely guess is a limited invasion on the north coast of Australia under the cover of land based air and thats fine with me.....the Aussie 4th Division will arrive in Darwin in the next couple of weeks fully prepped so will take a considerable effort to dislodge. If northern OZ is invaded I will trade space for time and slowly withdraw....my defensive strategy for Australia is based on garrisons in coastal cities with a final redoubt at Sydney. Currently the US 10th Corps HQ is on the way to Sydney to help double the AV there. Several 20 knot plus ocean liners have been massed at Panama to bring in the Americal Division and a RCT when they arrive in 8 days....these cruise ships can cross the Pacific in less than 3 weeks.....and these ground troops are are destined to help hold SE Australia. In addition, 3 aviation regiments and several base units are on the way to OZ to help service the hundreds of USAAF, USN, RAAF and Dutch AC that have already staged there.



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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

JANUARY 22ND-25TH, 1942


MALAYA:

Japan captures Malacca and Johore Bharu.....the noose is drawn around Singapore.



PHILIPPINES:

Remarkably, Steve withdraws his division from Cayagan.....the 2 Philippine divisions there hold....he must be on a strict timetable for something else.....hmmmm



DEI:

Japan captures Lautem and Talibu as they mop up the DEI. Still no action at Batavia or on Sumatra.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Japan captures Buin, Lunga and Sag Sag. A level one airfield is rapidly built at Lunga(must be a lot of engineers there) while Rabaul enlarges to level 5.

The Allied build up continues on New Caledonia.


CHINA:

China makes a 1:1 and then a 3:1 attack at Ichang:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 55973 troops, 218 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value =
1829

Defending force 22081 troops, 127 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 503

Allied max assault: 3508 - adjusted assault: 871

Japanese max defense: 437 - adjusted defense: 645

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
647 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

Allied ground losses:
990 casualties reported
Guns lost 28


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 54506 troops, 170 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value =
1744

Defending force 21111 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 473

Allied max assault: 3218 - adjusted assault: 626

Japanese max defense: 360 - adjusted defense: 163

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
856 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Allied ground losses:
1547 casualties reported
Guns lost 26


The forts are reduced to zero....another all out attack will be ordered fore tomorrow.



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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

JANUARY 26TH-27TH, 1942


MALAYA:

Japan captures Mersing.

Singapore currently has 56,000 supply and an AV of 1200 behind level 8 fortifications....should last until at least March even against a determined assault.


DEI:

Japan captures Lombok and Makassar.

Recon shows that the 18 LCUs that were in Soerabaja are now only 10....and the 163 ships in port there are gone......either my recon is screwy this turn or the Japs are on the move.


CHINA:

Chinese troops capture Ichang:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 46172 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value =
1573

Defending force 19931 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 438

Allied max assault: 2628 - adjusted assault: 700

Japanese max defense: 265 - adjusted defense: 79

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ichang base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
973 casualties reported
Guns lost 17

Allied ground losses:
675 casualties reported
Guns lost 13


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!


Bombers and Dakotas at Chungking are flying supply into Ichang on a daily basis. 13 Corps are now available around Ichang to try to fight their way into Hankow.

My intell reported some IJA formations prepping for Nanchang but Im not too worried here...there are 13 corps and 10 artillery regiments resting in Nanchang behind level 4 forts.....the LCUs at Nanchang are taking on massive numbers of replacements now.....when fully rested an offensive towards Shanghai can be launched.

Japan withdrew from Ningpo in an attempt to shore up their defense of Shanghai....Ningpo will be attacked tomorrow.

Allied bombers at Wuchow are keeping Hong Kong supplied....I massed a few Chinese corps in front of Canton at the start of the war and Japan withdrew most of their infantry from Hong Kong to reinforce Canton....that whole area appears stalemated now.



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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

JANUARY 28TH- FEBRUARY 2ND, 1942


CHINA:

Nationalist Chinese troops capture Ningpo. Several squadrons of Dakotas and medium bombers are flying supply from Chungking into Ichang to supply an eventual move on Hankow.

Recon show 10 LCUs in Hanoi and the airfield there was just enlarged to level 4 so perhaps Steve is trying to enter the back door to China....several corps are withdrawn from the Wuchow/Changsha/Nanchang fronts and sent to Nanning to deal with this potential threat.


PHILIPPINES:

Japan occupies Puerto Princessa. I have nearly 3000 supply at Cayagan now that Japan has withdrawn from the battle there but the numerous air and naval bombardments have left the airfield a wreck....will need to repair before we can fly supply from there into Manila.

Meanwhile, long range bombers continue to fly supply into Manila from Brunei and Wuchow. Still, the Manila supply level is dropping every day and is now below 8000. I may try to send in solitary AKs again in about 3-4 weeks. Steve is running lots of convoys around Luzon....looks like he may be withdrawing troops for his other offensives. Im doing some recon now at Clark and Lucena....I may have to begin a limited offensive here with my 1800 AV in Manila if Japan is undermanned.


DEI:

Japan captures Dili and Maumere. Perhaps more ominous, Japan has begun bombing Darwin on a daily basis.



STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS:

For the first time this game I finally get some decent signals intelligence....apparantly 5th Division is planning for Perth.

The harbor at Soerabaja is completely cleared of IJN shipping and the former 18 LCUs there are down to 3.....Japan is definitely on the move with 6 divisions....7 divisions if the one withdrawn from Cayagan is added to the mix.

Looks like the target will be Northern and Western Australia. All non search AC have been withdrawn from Darwin in case Japan has a naval bombardment planned there....that seems to be Steve's preferred method of attack. TKs carrying 80,000 fuel points had started crossing the Indian Ocean to bring fuel to perth....they are now turned around back to India as they will not arrive in Perth in time. The USN CVs in the South Pacific cannot be committed to the defense of western Australia due to a lack of fuel on the south and east coasts of OZ....TKs from the US should help to correct this problem when they arrive in the next 2 weeks. For now the defense of western Australia will be left to the Royal Navy....Admiral Paliser stands by near Perth with 3 BBs and the 2 RN CVs are ready to be committed. A-24s and Beauforts are staged to Perth.
If Perth is captured, reinforcement of Oz from India will be impossible....maybe I can use the unrestricted units that have or will arrive in India.....18th UK, the Gurhkas, 7th AIF and 7th Armored to reinforce Palembang or open up a 2nd front in Malaya.

Just as the defense of India is Britain's responsibility, the defense of Australia will be the United States' responsibility.... every available LCU on the west coast US or Panama is now earmarked for OZ. The ocean liner Aquitania is now loading the Americal Division at Panama with her 10,600 AP capacity and her 23 knot speed should allow her to reach Sydney in less than 3 weeks. Other fast APs have loaded the 102nd RCT and the 754th Tank Regiment at Panama and they are currently racing across the Pacific to Australia. The 149th RCT and the 193rd Tank Regiments were purchased with PPs at SF and they are also being sent to Australia. The first aviation regiments should arrive in Oz within the next 2 weeks and then a veritable flood of B-25s and B-26s will staged in. More APs were just sent from SF to Panama and another RCT will be activated as soon as they arrive in a couple of weeks.

Japan's transports left Soerabaja 6 days ago....no sign of them yet as Steve has stayed out of range of my search planes. Eventually the invasion force heading to Perth will have to "round the corner " at Exmouth due to the map edge....I should have one turn's warning before an invasion starts. A solitary PG is sent beyond search plane range to look for the IJN invasion forces.


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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

FEBRUARY 3RD-4TH, 1942


PHILIPPINES:

Japan occupies Taytay.

Allied recon shows only 28,000 Japanese troops at clark...probably the equivalent of a division plus some support troops. Catalinas will recon Lucena tomorrow. MacArthur has over 1700 AV at Manila...the equivalent of 4 divisions....may be an opportunity to attack SE from Manila at Lucena and then Naga....possibly an opportunity to capture some supply. We are also putting a plan together to stage a massive resupply of Luzon....more on that later.


DEI:

Japan captures Raba, Singkawang,Memboro and Ruteng.

I had kept 2 AVG squadrons and some Dutch fighters at Palembang to escort previous resupply ops and also to provide escort in case all the 4Es fly back into the area to waste some Jap airfields. Unbelieveably, the same day I upgrade an AVG squadron to P-40Es and take on heavy replacements in the other AVG squadron, Steve decides to hit Palembang hard with airfield bombing and fighter sweeps. Allied fighter losses are heavy and they are forced to withdraw to Burma.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Japan captures Abemama.

All quiet in the Coral Sea for the last week.


AUSTRALIA:

PG Soemba successfully carries out her scouting mission in the Indian Ocean...she creates a contact with some IJN CVs approximately 780 miles due north of Broome:

Day Air attack on TF at 15,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A2 Val x 28
B5N2 Kate x 28

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PG Soemba, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


PG Soemba is sunk as she carries out her mission. The Japanese transports are only 660 miles north of Broome. The initial landings in northern Australia will probably begin in 3 days.

There is no way that the Allies can defend Perth or northern OZ this early in the war....we will try to hold on as long as possible and delay as the ground forces retreat towards SE Australia.



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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

FEBRUARY 5TH-8TH, 1942


AUSTRALIA:

The Japanese invasion force approaches Broome, as was anticipated, and the 130 bombers based there manage to post a few insignificant hits on the transports:

Day Air attack on TF at 19,79


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 9
Hudson I x 20
B-25C Mitchell x 7
A-29 Hudson x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Busho Maru
AP Josho Maru
AK Meigen Maru
AK Totai Maru
AP Taiyo Maru
PC Ch 6
AK Asama Maru
PG Tatsumiya Maru
PC Ch 23
AP Konron Maru


Day Air attack on TF at 19,79


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Hudson I x 10
B-25C Mitchell x 9
A-29 Hudson x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Kiso Maru, Bomb hits 1
DD Satsuki
PC Ch 23
AE Mamiya
AK Totai Maru
AK Yasukawa Maru
AP Yamura Maru
AK Meigen Maru, Bomb hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Day Air attack on TF at 19,79


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 5
Hudson I x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 9
A-29 Hudson x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Oi Maru
AK Muroran Maru
AP Hasuna Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Nenohi
AK Yasukawa Maru, Bomb hits 1
PC Ch 23


Day Air attack on TF at 19,79


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 2
Hudson I x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 6
A-29 Hudson x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kanko Maru
AK Sensan Maru
AP Jinshu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Fumizuki
PG Takunan Maru #8
AP Konron Maru
AP Takayo Maru

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported


Steve generally leads with his transports at invasions with his bombardment TFs close behind. With thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow on Australia's north coast its time for the Allied bombers to be withdrawn so they can fight another day instead of death by naval bombardment.

Curiously, Steve has split up his carriers in the Indian Ocean....at least one CV has moved north towards Sumatra to support his invasion at Benkolen.

Too bad I didnt leave the RN CVs in the western Indian Ocean close to Ceylon....they could have done some damage to Japans invasions at Christmas Island IO and Sumatra. Unfortunately, I cant commit the RN CVs where they are located near Perth as I dont know how much IJN carrier strength has been committed to the Indian Ocean.

The first of 3 US aviation regiments reaches Brisbane to day and now I can finally start to manage all the USAAF medium bombers that have staged here in the last week.


DEI:

Japan captures Christmas Island, Sawu, Waingupu and Teloebetoeng.

Another invasion force lands at Benkolen in Sumatra.


PHILIPPINES:

Recon shows only 22,000 Japanese troops in Lucena....less than a division along with support troops. There could be a possibility of an Allied counteroffensive here.....Ive turned on the replacements for the 2 US Army tank regiments at Manila to give me a little more armored punch if I decide to attack here. The supply level has been holding steady at 7600 at Manila for the least several days.


MALAYA:

All quiet over here. Singapore has reached fortress level 9.....will be a tough nut to crack when Japan finally decides to attack......supply level here is 46,000 and consumption has gone way down since the engineers stopped building.


SOUTH PACIFC:

In a battle of dueling engineers and airfield expansion, Japan expands Lunga to a level 2 airfield while the Allies expand Noumea to level 3.
Noumea will reach level 4 tomorrow and then some engineers will be sent to Koumac to help build forts and airfields up. I hope to turn the island into Festung New Caledonia. An aviaton regiment arrives to bolster servicing of all the AC in Noumea.


THE AIR WAR:

The Allies have gone on the defensive since hammering the Japanese airfields at Kuching and Singora during the Singapore resupply ops in January. Ive beeen using the transports to move troops into Palembang and the bombers to fly supply into Manila and Ichang.

Steve has been picking off my airfields one by one with massed fighter sweeps and bomber attacks....first Cayagan, then Palembang and now Nanchang in China. Last turn I lost 29 AC on the ground at Nanchang....mostly P-39s and I-153cs. With Japan apparently committed to an Australia strategy instead of India, my RAF SEAC bombers and USAAF heavies in India can be committed offensively instead of being held in reserve for defensive purposes.

Now I need to stop the resupply ops, withdraw to bases in the rear, reorganize, and then start another bomber offensive. I will try to first turn the tide of the air war over China. Following that, the bombers will stage to the Philippines to cover a massive resupply operation for Manila.

Should get interesting in a few days.


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CARRIER BATTLE OF PERTH

Post by racndoc »

FEBRUARY 9TH-12TH, 1942......THE CARRIER BATTLE OF PERTH


Japan had not done any prior recon of Perth or naval search of the waters around Perth but sent KB(4-5 CVs) on a 2 day fast run in to a position 5 hexes from Perth to catch the RN CVs asleep at the wheel. The 58 Fulmars and Sea Hurricanes of the RN absorb the full fury of massed IJN carrier air:

Day Air attack on TF at 5,102

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
D3A2 Val x 61
B5N2 Kate x 46

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane x 11
Fulmar x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane: 1 damaged
Fulmar: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 11, on fire
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 4
BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 10, on fire
CA Dorsetshire, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Tjerk Hiddes


Day Air attack on TF at 5,102

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A2 Val x 23

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane x 11
Fulmar x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
D3A2 Val: 3 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 3, on fire


Day Air attack on TF at 5,102

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 28

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane x 11
Fulmar x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 9 destroyed, 10 damaged


Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire, on fire
CV Indomitable, on fire
BB Royal Sovereign, on fire
CV Formidable, on fire




In the afternoon, the IJN CVs launch feeble attacks after being heavily attrited:

Day Air attack on TF at 5,102

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A2 Val x 13
B5N2 Kate x 46

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane x 6
Fulmar x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A2 Val: 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Fulmar: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 7, on fire
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Caledon
BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 5,102

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A2 Val x 8

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane x 5
Fulmar x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane: 2 damaged
Fulmar: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 2, on fire


The British torpedo bombers had been placed on 10% search at 5 hex range and not only didnt they launch a strike they didnt even spot the IJN CVs. Several Walrus search planes from the CV escorts had spotted the IJN CVs but still no strike was launched.......that was probably a good thing....the British torpedo bombers would have been massacred by the overwhelming IJN CAP. As it is , the British torpedo bombers groups are still fully intact.

The Allies were lucky that the Japanese strike was launched at 5 hex range and that the British CVs had armored flight decks......CV Formidable and CV Illustrious have only 4 sys and 5 sys damage respectively(and that was mostly incurred on the voyage from Aden to Perth) and small fires that will soon be put out. More importantly, both CVs can continue to carry out flight ops and can make full speed of 28 knots....which they will as they withdraw towards Melbourne.

As far as carrier AC are concerned, the British Fulmars and Sea Hurricanes fared remarkably well against the A6M2s and their "Zero bonus" .......3 British Fulmars are lost vs 8 A6M2s in A2A combat. Overall, Japan loses 9 A6M2s, 26 Kates and 11 Vals vs 3 Fulmars......
46 irreplacable IJN air crews are lost.

I had staged approximately 40 fighters and 150 bombers into Perth to repel an invasion but all had been placed on rest as many of the short ranged AC had been crated in and needed repair. Now Japan sits off Perth with a bombardment TF and 4-5 CVs. Farther north, another bombardment TF and an assault transport TF sit offshore Geraldton...Im sure that Steve will make his major SW Australia assault here as he doesnt want to face the CD guns at Perth.

Steve and I both have major decisions to make. Steve faces the same choice Admiral Halsey had off Leyte....does he use his CVs to support the landings at Geraldton and supply CAP to his bombardment TFs or does he just try to neutralize Perth with a massive naval bombardment and send his CVs after my British CVs.

I have a similar choice....do I send a surface TF under the command of Admiral Paliser with my slow BBs and Dutch CLs and DDs into Perth to intercept his bombardment TF and save my land bombers there so they can hammer his naval forces the next day or do I withdraw all my combatant ships AND AC at Perth to let them fight another day. Any ship left behind in Perth would be eventually lost....and Ive had very poor bombing results with my A-24s at Port Moresby and my level bombers at Broome. With my poor quality pilots and AC at this early stage of the war I dont think its prudent to stay and fight......I make the decision to withdraw all my AC from Perth and all comabtant ships. My slow British
BBs can't outrun his CVs so I will put a few blocking forces out to slow the IJN CVs down in case they pursue me....Im going to lose a Dutch CL and a couple DDs from this but they are very low on fuel and if they refueled before withdrawing they couldnt get away anyways.

Bt withdrawing the 2 RN CVs towards SE Australia the Indian Ocean will become a Japanese "lake"....but those 2 CVs couldnt stand up to Japan's 4-5 CVs anyway......and once they join up with the USN CVs in the South Pacific we will have carrier "parity".


Farther north, the Japanese invade and capture Broome.


In SE OZ, a new Aussie formation arrives at Newcastle...the 3rd Brigade.



SEAC:

The 7th Armored and 7th AIF arrive in Aden and are immediately loaded for Karachi. When they arrive , the Allies will have some 1200 AV at Karachi and the 3 engineer units there have almost reached level 7 forts. Ive garrisoned all the coastal cities of India....brigade or better on the east coast.....and plan to focus the Allies defensive efforts around Karachi in the west and Calcutta in the north. 2 more RN BBs arrived in Aden today....with 4 cruisers and a half dozen DDs the Allies now have a "fleet in being" in India.



CHINA:

In an effort to regain the initiative in the air war over China, Allied heavy and medium bombers hammer the main Japanese airbase at hankow and leave it in ruins:

Day Air attack on Hankow , at 48,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 16

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 11
Blenheim I x 19
P-39D Airacobra x 9
A-20B Boston x 13
SB-2c x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged
SB-2c: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36


Day Air attack on Hankow , at 48,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15
CW-22 Falcon x 3
Hudson I x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 9 damaged
Hudson I: 1 damaged


Day Air attack on Hankow , at 48,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 15

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
Blenheim IV x 56
Hudson I x 8
A-29 Hudson x 24
B-17E Fortress x 38
LB-30 Liberator x 31
IL-4c x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 damaged
Ki-36 Ida: 1 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hudson I: 1 damaged
A-29 Hudson: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 126


Day Air attack on Hankow , at 48,35

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 9
A-20B Boston x 9
SB-2c x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 4 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11


Day Air attack on Hankow , at 48,35

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 7
Blenheim IV x 60
Hudson I x 6
A-29 Hudson x 21
B-17E Fortress x 29
LB-30 Liberator x 26
IL-4c x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-36 Ida: 6 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed
Ki-27 Nate: 5 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 110


Japan loses 66 AC on the ground at Hankow and the base is closed....Steve railroads the air group remnants out of Hankow to rebuild in more distant airfields. Im resting my bombers this next turn but Ive placed a CAP trap at Hankow....mostly Hurricanes and Mohawks.

Altogether today, Japan loses 121 AC vs 36 Allied.





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RE: CARRIER BATTLE OF PERTH

Post by racndoc »

FEBRUARY 13TH-16TH, 1942 THE GREAT CHASE



Following the Carrier Battle of Perth, Japan tried to run down the 2 British CVs with all of KB.....5 CVs, 2 CVLs and a CVE.

IJN carriers chased the RN for almost 2000 miles across the Southern Sea from south of Perth to south of Melbourne. Along the way, the damaged CA Dorsetshire, slow BB Royal Sovereign, CL Tromp and 2 DDs are lost are lost to the onrushing IJN CVs.

The RN CVs refuel south of Tasman Island and will now join the 4 USN CVs in the South Pacific.


Meanwhile, the Japan captures Broome in the north and Geraldton on the west coast. Massive IJA force have been committed....5th and 48th Division at Geraldton with 3 tank regiments and 4 engineer regiments; 18th Division and 2 engineer regiments at Perth. Geraldton was overrun immediately....the Aussie Brigade that was defending there was ordered to withdraw on Perth. Hopefully we can fight the Japanese hex by hex as we withdraw along the railroad from Perth to Adelaide. Every spare RCT on the US west coast and throughout the central Pacific will be rushed to SE Australia to help the defense of Sydney and Melbourne.

A Japanese invasion convoy on the northern coast heads for Derby.


COMMENTS:

At least having all the IJN CVs south of Australia means that there are none around to cause mischief in the Central or South Pacific. Supplies and reinforcements can now reach all our frontline bases without fear of interception.

I find it interesting that Japan has committed 6 of its 7 engineer regiments to Australia...looks like Steve will make a concerted effort to take out my fortifications at Sydney and Melbourne.

But what engineers will be available to take out the level 9 forts at Singapore? Or the level 5 forts at Manila? Or the level 6 forts at Karachi or Calcutta?

Interesting times......


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RE: CARRIER BATTLE OF PERTH

Post by wneumann »

Looks as if Johnson is pressing an attack on both W and NW Australia.

Perth is your only contact with India, gotta hold it. With Geraldton in Jap hands this will be a tough chore. Where's your 6th and 7th Australian Divs?

I don't see the Japs concentrating equally between NW and W Australia. Perth is a tempting target for Johnson, if he can take it that effectively ends all Allied contact between India and Australia.

Darwin is pretty useless to you already. If he hasn't done so by now, it would be a pretty simple task for Jap land-based air on Soemba and Timor to interdict anything you try to move in or out of there.

Japanese control of Perth would in effect outflank your positions in NW Australia. You may want to consider pulling out of Derby and Wyndham now - a Jap landing at Darwin would completely cut off most anything (including aircraft) that you have in these two bases. As for Darwin itself... hold as long as possible with the minimum possible force. Unless you keep Perth, Darwin is not going to be of much use to you. Any non-essential ground and air units you have in NW Australia will need to move southward quickly if Johnson starts a move on Perth.

Worst case scenario is a Japanese capture of Perth, followed by a march (both overland and sea) across southern Australia from west to east towards Adelaide and Melbourne. This move would also threaten or cut off your main overland communication route between NW Australia and the rest of the country.

Hopefully you're getting a lot of help in Australia from the U.S.

On the bright side, whatever Jap forces are going into Australia aren't going anywhere else soon.
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RE: CARRIER BATTLE OF PERTH

Post by 1275psi »

yet another japanese player who has failed to capture the entire point of the game -palembang and its oil and resources (especially recources in CHS) -and gone to have fun every where else.

If palembang is stuffed with engineers by now, when he finally captures it, it will be torched -game over by 1 jan 44 -at best
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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

wneumann...

no chance of holding Perth.....with 3 divisions and 3 tank regiments it was just a speed bump and not only that.....but one of his tank regiments was able to cut the road from Perth to Adelaide and my brigade in Perth was forced to retreat towards Albany and is almost certainly cut off.

Id like to evacuate the Aussie units in NW Australia but there is no way for me to do it....and besides Japan is about to capture Derby and Wyndham is next.

As far as Darwin is concerned...I agree that it is of little value to the Allied effort now.....but if I can hold it it would be an excellent springboard for an offensive thrust into the southern DEI in 1943.


1275psi....you are very correct regarding Palembang....I have 8 engineer units there behind level 7 forts....it will be level 9 forts before Japan attacks and will most likely be a nasty, prolonged assault(without IJA combat engineers) probably resulting in substantial oil/resource damage.




FEBRUARY 17TH-24TH , 1942


AUSTRALIA:

I rushed almost a dozen subs to western Australia when Japan began invading there and scored a major success on the 21st. SS KXIV put 2 torpedoes in CV Hiryu and SS KXVI put another 2 torpedoes into a transport:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/21/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 7,89

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Mochizuki
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki
DD Yuzuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Suzukaze
DD Oboro
DD Kiji
DD Hasu
DD Kikuzuki
DD Shiranuhi

Allied Ships
SS KXIV, hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 7,98

Japanese Ships
AK Nichian Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tamahoko Maru
AP Awajisan Maru
AR Yusho Maru
PC Takunan Maru #5
PC Shonan Maru #17
PG Chosa Maru
PG Chiyo Maru
PG Aso Maru
PG Akitsu Maru
PG Saga
MSW W.11

Allied Ships
SS KXVI, hits 3


Steve informed me that CV Hiryu probably wouldnt make it back to port......KB is a _LONG_ ways away from a major port(Soerabaja).

The longer Japan's supply lines become the easier it will be for Allied subs to interdict it.


The IJA 5th and 48th Divisions came charging down the railroad from Geraldton to Perth. Steve moved a tank regiment cross country to cut the railroad from Perth to Adelaide and only my Geraldton brigade and a tank unit were able to withdraw.....when Japan captured Perth on the 23rd the Perth brigade was forced to retreat towards Albany:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Perth

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 72259 troops, 365 guns, 97 vehicles, Assault Value =
1464

Defending force 12905 troops, 53 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese max assault: 1387 - adjusted assault: 1436

Allied max defense: 135 - adjusted defense: 17

Japanese assault odds: 84 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Perth base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
326 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
5460 casualties reported
Guns lost 29


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!




I dont think that Steve is kidding around here.....with 14th Army HQ leading the attack on Perth, and 16th Army HQ ID'ed by SigInt to be loaded on an AP headed for Perth, and 6 out of 7 combat engineer regiments at Perth I have to think that this will be Japan's major effort. I bought the US Army 33rd RCT in Panama today and loaded it in fast transports for SE Australia. The amazing liner Aquitane should arrive in Sydney tomrrow with the bulk of the Americal Division.

Japan also invaded Derby on the 23rd.

KB appears to have withdrawn to the north from Perth towards the DEI......my RN CVs ran up a fair amount of system damage during the high speed chase by KB so I would assume that the IJN CVs, CVLs, DDs, CAs, CLs involved in the pursuit must have racked up a substantial amount of system damage. The IJN BBs, after making constant bombardment attacks throughout the DEI and after making the high speed cruise to Perth must be accumulating substantial syatem damage. With CV Shokaku in drydock for a few more months and Cv Hiryu sunk or in drydock for several months I think that the Allies now have carrier parity in the Pacific.


Japan has 3 options for taking Australia:

1)Advance overland along the railroad from Perth to Adelaide
2)Amphibious assault on the southern coast of Australia
3)Amphibious assault on the NE coast of Australia.

If Japan does the overland route it will give the Allies a lot of time to bring in reinforcements and entrench. If Japan does the amphibious assault route then the stage will be set for the decideing naval battle of the Pacific war. The Allies now have 6 CVs in the South Pacific....7 when CV Hornet arrives. The Allies should have 7 BBs in the area by mid March.....and of course there are over 300 medium bombers in the area with some 80 B-17s on the way. And New Caledonia now has a level 5 airfield at Noumea and a level 2 airfield at Koumac.


DEI:

Japan captures Batavia...the remants of the Dutch forces retreat to Merak.

Still no move on Palembang...now has level 7 forts with supplies increasing evey day.


MALAYA:

Occasional bomber attacks at Singapore. We now have 1300 AV behind level 9 forts with lots of supply.


BURMA:

Not much going on ....occasional bomber attacks on Moulmein. One Japanese LCU has invested Moulmein but no assault yet.


PHILIPPINES:

Allies still holding out at Manila, Cayagan, Cebu and Iloilo. Supply situation has been dropping at Manila but AV is now 1800 behing level 5 forts.....Japan has placed a lot of aircraft in the PI to bomb all my bases and drain my supply....dont think he wants any more of my AKs to sneak through with supplies.


CHINA:

Not much happening on the ground....only a couple of failed assaults at Hong Kong as the Allies continue to hold on there.

The air war here has been the bitterest of any theatre in the war. The RAF had been quietly training in India after the DEI and Malaya were overrun. The USAAF heavy bombers and the Dakota were passively supplying isolated garrisons at Manila and Ichang.

Then Japan started intercepting Allied fighter training missions and also started hammering Chinese airfields.

The RAF and the USAAF SEAC air units relocated to China. We stopped building forts at Wuchow, Kweiyang, Changsha , Hengchow, Nanchang and Chunking and started enlarging the airfields . Nanchang and Changsha are now both level 4 airfields. The Allied air campaign started out by leveling Hankow....I think Hankow is the key for Japanese air supremacy in central China due to its size(6) and location. Once we closed Hankow we were able to close the level 4 airfield at Amoy.

Then a Japanese convoy was spotted at Canton and a naval strike sunk 2 AKs and damaged a few more. Steve disbanded the convoy at canton so then the Allied bombers hit the ships in port:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
Blenheim IF x 12
Blenheim I x 10
Blenheim IV x 31
Martin 139 x 11
Hudson I x 22
A-20B Boston x 15
SB-2c x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 4 damaged
Martin 139: 2 damaged
Hudson I: 5 damaged
SB-2c: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Manila Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Nachi Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Shinko Maru #3, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Clyde Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Hawaii Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Suwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ussuri Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Takao Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Seiwa Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 30

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15
Hurricane IIb x 41
Blenheim IF x 9
CW-22 Falcon x 1
Blenheim I x 9
Blenheim IV x 26
Martin 139 x 8
Hudson I x 17
P-39D Airacobra x 17
P-40E Warhawk x 22
A-20B Boston x 15
SB-2c x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Martin 139: 3 damaged
Hudson I: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged
SB-2c: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Hawaii Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Manila Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Seiwa Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nachi Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Takao Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ussuri Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
AK Clyde Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Harada Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
Port hits 6


Japan staged in some fighters to CAP the ships in port so we decided to take out the airfield at Canton:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 38
Blenheim IF x 12
CW-22 Falcon x 1
Blenheim I x 21
Martin 139 x 6
Hudson I x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 18
P-40E Warhawk x 20
A-20B Boston x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Blenheim IF: 4 damaged
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hudson I: 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
A-20B Boston: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 33


Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15
Blenheim IV x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 22


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 28

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 18
CW-22 Falcon x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed
CW-22 Falcon: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13
Blenheim IV x 44
P-39D Airacobra x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27


Japan responded by trying to take out our 4E base at Chungking with his Liz bombers base at Hanoi:

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
G5N Liz x 13

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G5N Liz: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1


Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
G5N Liz x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
G5N Liz: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged


Today Japan lost 41 AC including 19 A6M2s and 8 Oscars vs 30 Allied AC.


We staged our 4E bombers into the forward airfield at Nanchang and will launch a heavy attack on Shanghai tomorrow, weather permitting.
RAF medium bombers have been ordered to finish off the shipping in Canton tomorrow while a CAP trap has been set at Chunking in case the Liz bombers come back.




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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

FEBRUARY 25TH-28TH, 1942


CHINA:

Allied bombers stage into Nanchang and level the Japanese airbase at shanghai:

Day Air attack on Shanghai , at 52,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
A-29 Hudson x 18
B-17E Fortress x 27
LB-30 Liberator x 35
IL-4c x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 3 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
A-29 Hudson: 6 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 25 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 14 damaged
IL-4c: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 50


Day Air attack on Shanghai , at 52,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
A-29 Hudson x 12
B-17E Fortress x 8
LB-30 Liberator x 18
IL-4c x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-36 Ida: 5 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 7 damaged
A-29 Hudson: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 13 damaged
IL-4c: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 32


Japan loses 70 AC at Shanghai.


Meanwhile, RAF medium bombers work over the shipping at Canton port:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 14
Blenheim IF x 11
CW-22 Falcon x 1
Blenheim I x 22
Blenheim IV x 50
Martin 139 x 6
Hudson I x 16
P-39D Airacobra x 9
A-20B Boston x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 4 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Martin 139: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Nachi Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Harada Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Manila Maru, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AK Clyde Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Hawaii Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AK Suwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Shinko Maru #3, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ussuri Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 1


Hong Kong is still holding out as Japan launches a couple of ineffectual 0:1 attacks there.


Over the 4 day period, Japan loses 102 AC including 20 A6M2s vs Allied losses of 24 AC.

The USAAF bombers have been working around the clock and now need to be withdrawn to India for some R&R. I will order one more port strike at Canton with the RAF and then everything will be pulled back to India for rest and replacements.



DEI:

Japan captures Merak with the 38th Division and now controls all of Java. Palembang is still building up her fortifications but now Japan is bombing it from Batavia.



Burma:

We finally see some action here as Japan captures Moulmein with the 21st Division and the 4th Mixed Regiment. SEAC declares Rangoon an open city and falls back on Akyab and Mandalay.


AUSTRALIA:

Japan captures Derby with the 16th Division. The 5th, 18th and 48th Divisions continue their advance along the Perth-Adelaide railroad.... Albany is now cut off.



COMMENTS:

Japan seems to be all spread out......21st Division and 4th Mixed Regiment in Burma, 38th Division in Java, 16th Division in Northern Australia,
3 Divisions at Perth plus sizeable forces left at in Malaya and Luzon to cover out strongholds at Singapore and Manila respectively.

I dont see Japan being able to mass 10 divisions to take out Australia or India any time soon. In fact, the 3 divisions in Perth will run into a roadblock of 3 Aussie divisions west of Adelaide if they continue their advance. I honestly dont see Japan inserting more than 5-6 divisions into OZ and the Allies should have easily that many troops when the US Army divisions arrive.

As far as the air is concerned, I have nearly 900 fighters and bombers massed in SE OZ so I would welcome a battle of attrition with the Japanese airforce here. Ive shipped 2 aviation regiments and 2 large base forces to OZ so servicing all the AC will be no problem. And starting tomorrow we receive 50 top line Kittyhawks per month with 2 new squadrons arriving in the next 2 weeks....there will be 100 modern Kittyhawks in OZ by the end of March.



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RE: VICTORY AT SEA: CHS 158;sjohnson(J)vs Spruance(A)

Post by racndoc »

MARCH 1ST-8TH, 1942


AUSTRALIA:

In western Australia, Japan appears to be driving south towards Albany before moving east along the Perth/Adelaide railroad. The Aussie brigade and base unit that were defending Perth are cut off and Japan is trying to finish them off.


In northern Australia, there is a lot of transport action off Broome and Wyndham...I think that Japan is pulling out the assault troops and landing base forces and engineers....probably wants to build level 4 Betty airfields that the Allies will need to deal with later rather than fortifying for the long term. I will worry about that later.


CHINA:

All quiet after the Allied air forces withdrew to India to rebuild. The Allies just received 2 more RAF Hurricane squadrons and 2 CAF P-43 squadrons so they should have more and better equipment when they return to their newly constructed level 4 and 5 airfields in China.

The land war seems to be stalemated here....the Chinese have the numbers to strike at Hankow and Shanghai but dont have the supply.....the Japanese have the supply for some offensive action but they dont have the numbers. Japan's southern China army is stalled in front of Canton and they cant even get 1:1 odds on Hong Kong which is now entering its 4th month of seige.


BURMA:

This theatre finally perks up. After Japan broke through at Moulmein they quickly overran Rangoon and Magwe. SEAC troops are falling back on Akyab and Mandalay. I dont see Japan advancing any farther here without some serious reinforcements.....SEAC has 600 AV behind level 7 forts at Mandalay and Im about ready to let the aviation engineers start enlarging the airfields instead of entrenching.....time to unleash the RAF and USAAF bombers in India to hit oil and resources in Burma as soon as they are captured...will provide good experience for them before they return to China.


MALAYA:

Singapore has 1400 AV now with 30,000 plus supply and level 9 forts....even if Japan committs 5-6 divisions here these guys could hold out until May.


PHILIPPINES:

Allies still holding out at Cayagan and Manila....the supply situation is becoming critical at Manila but still it would take a lot of IJA troops to disrupt 1800 AV in an urban hex....I think they can make it until May even against a determined assault.


DEI:

Still no move on Palembang or Brunei....or even Tobali. Im not seeing any IJN convoys picking up resources or supplies...and Japan is critically short of resouces in this scenario....especially after my engineers blew up everything in Soerabaja. I dont have many targets for my subs at this time except IJN warships so Ive been doing a lot of minelaying and sub transport.....as soon as Japan starts shipping all the oil and resources home I can unleash all my subs again. Japan just invaded at Miri today but Im wondering if their economy might crash in the next 6 months if no additional resources are acquired.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Japan captured Makin.

With all of Japan's CVs south of Australia for a couple of weeks, I was able to reinforce my forward bases at Baker and Funafuti with supplies, LCUs and aviation engineers.

Japan had been fairly successful in attacking my small convoys so Ive consolidated them into fewer, larger convoys with both internal ASW and an attached ASW escort. Most of the Clemson/Wilkes 4 stacker DDs have been upgraded and make excellent early war ASW platforms....I sank a couple IJN subs with these and damaged several more and now submarine contacts are fairly rare....I wonder if they have been withdrawn to support other operations.

Rabaul has a dark airfield and port symbol now so Im sure that Japan has brought a lot in there recently....I dont have any scount planes that can reach rabaul so I am sending in some subs to recon.


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