AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

[racndoc]

Wirraway_Ace....I thought that I had an opportunity to not only sink 2 IJN CAs but also get shipping out of Manila that had been bottled up. If you would have told me before the operation started that I would lose a BC from Betties based at a level 3 AF at 15 hex range then I probably wouldnt have attempted it. Erstad thought that down the road the trade of a BC for an IJN CA was almost worth it. Personally, I think that its importanat for the Allies to have a "fleet in being" in the early war on the western side of the map.

At least most of the high value shipping made it out of the area. Two of the 3 AS ships are still afloat heading to safety as are 5 of the 8 AKLs/AKs that were loaded with the Cavite and Cebu base forces. And I actually didnt lose DD Tenedos....she evidently sailed the long way around northern New Guinea and escaped mini KB, the Betties at Rabaul.....and then last turn escaped from KB in the Coral Sea.



12//21-12/24/41


MALAYA


Japan invades at Mersing but is beaten back by the Aussies:


Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2151 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 93

Defending force 2544 troops, 35 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 103

Japanese adjusted assault: 19

Allied adjusted defense: 119

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade
30 Battery/3 HAA



Erstad must have thought that I pulled back the Auusie brigade here. He is going to have to land a lot more troops here if he wants to establish a beachhead.



CBI


I LRCAPed Lashio with 3 fighter squadrons last turn but Japan was still able to fly reinforcements with transport AC.....the size of Japan's garrison there was doubled from 500 troops to over 1000. He will have too large a force for me to dislodge once the bigger Burma Corps units arrive so regretfully I have to now write off Lashio and the Burma Road.


Erstad also tried to hit my AKs unloading at Rangoon:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 9
Buffalo I x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Raid is overhead
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes




Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44 Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 9
Buffalo I x 5


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-44 Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes


Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 12



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 2
Buffalo I x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
HDML 1104
HDML 1100, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
HDML 1101
HDML 1103



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes


Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 21



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Santa Elisa



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Moulmein at 55,55

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7
Ki-51 Sonia x 3



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Illinoian, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb




Erstad is on to my resupply effort at Rangoon. With the Burma Road cut permanently, I think I will unload supplies for another turn or 2 and then cancel the operation.



In China, Japan is on the move near Kaifeng......Erstad has 3 divisions moving SW of Chengchow with more on the way. I think he will now make his major offensive thrust in the plains of central China. The 38th Division is heading back towards Canton to help break the Chinese siege there.



PHILIPPINES


The IJA 48th Division captures San Fernando. Its time to pull all the Allied troops back to Clark and Manila. With recent Japanese activity in the DEI Luzon is almost completely cut off. Im still going to try to withdraw a fragment of the Bataan Base force but it will be difficult.



DEI


Japan captures Kuching, Sidate and Namlea. IJA troops land at Balikpappan, Samarinda and Tarakan. Manado was the key to the central DEI....once it fell the rest of the central DEI is collapsing like a house of cards. At least the minefields at Balikpappharboran claimed a couple of victims:


TF 6 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (64,97)

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Mine hits 1
DD Wakatake, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


TF 106 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (64,97)

Japanese Ships
xAKL Totai Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled





Erstad LRCAPed Tarakan and Balikpappan and I lost 6 extremely valuble transport AC last turn.....no more unit withdrawals by transport AC in the central DEI now. Japan will capture Balikpappan next turn and the turn after that Erstad will have Betties and A6M2s in range of Soerabaja.....I will have to empty the harbor at Soerabaja over the next couple of turns now.



CENTRAL/SOUTH PACIFIC


Japan captures Tarawa.

KB suddenly appears in the Coral Sea as it coveres an invasion force heading to Port Moresby:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 22



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Anshun, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Anshun


Morning Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 92,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 9



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CM Gouden Leeuw, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AS Platypus, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CM Gouden Leeuw


Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 93,137

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AVD William B. Preston, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Bulmer
DD Stewart, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



DD Bulmer uses up another one of her 9 lives as she escapes destruction yet again.



I tried to reinforce Port Moreby the best I could but it wasnt nearly enough to withstand a determined Japanese attack. It also appears that there is another Japanese invasion force just east of the Solomons heading south.....Erstad might be headed for Luganville.



INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERINTELLIGENCE


I always count the SAA divisions at the start of a campaign to try to figure out the intentions of my opponent.

Here is a list of IJA formations identified so far:


Malaya: 2nd Division, 18th Division, 5th Division, 56th Division

Luzon: 48th Division, 16th Division, 65th Brigade

Manado: 33rd Regiment


According to Sigint, elements of the 55th Division are on an AK heading to Rabaul and elements of 4th Division are on an AK heading to Truk.

Still unaccounted for are the Imperial Guards, 33rd and 21st Divisons. If the Imperial Guards and the 33rd Division make an early move into Burma the defenses there will quickly collapse.....but if only 4 divisions are sent to Singapore then it will probably require a sustained siege to take it as I should have over 800 AV there when the IJA troops arrive.

The sigint reports of 55th Division and 4th Division heading to the south Pacific is ominous and makes me think Erstad will be making an early invasion of New Caledonia. Sigint also reports that the Tonei Heavy Gun Regiment is planning for Auckland and both the 11th Independent Regiment and the 12th Independent Regiments are planning for Chittagong. Im not sure whether this is real intell or if its counter intelligence.

There has also been a conspicuous lack of IJN sub activity off the US west coast and in the sea lanes bewteen the west coast and Hawaii.....it looks as if Erstad is using his subs more for scouting...there are IJN subs off Canton, Palmyra, Pago Pago, Auckland, Noumea and numerous chokepoints around the map.... it looka as if Erstad is trying to use his subs to scout Allied TF movement....and I think he is especially trying to locate the USN CVs if they attempt to put into any ports. I have cruisers embedded in the large transport TFs and all my naval search and ASW is being done with float planes...no carrier AC are involved. So if Erstad gets a message "sub spotted by Allied float plane" he wont know if its a carrier TF, surface TF or a transport TF. To further confuse him, Ive taken a couple of TBD squadrons off my carriers and am flying naval search with them from remote islands in the south Pacific....so of Erstad gets a "sub spotted by Allied torpedo bomber" he will think he has located one or more carriers.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

Wirraway_Ace....I thought that I had an opportunity to not only sink 2 IJN CAs but also get shipping out of Manila that had been bottled up. If you would have told me before the operation started that I would lose a BC from Betties based at a level 3 AF at 15 hex range then I probably wouldnt have attempted it. Erstad thought that down the road the trade of a BC for an IJN CA was almost worth it. Personally, I think that its importanat for the Allies to have a "fleet in being" in the early war on the western side of the map.

Understood that the Betties were a lucky, but the risk to the capital ships seemed inherent. A single long-lance from the engagement and a ship would be too slow to escape.

Though I am with Erstad that the IJN CAs are like gold and loss of Repulse for an IJN CA and the escape of the other shipping makes the operation at least a draw.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance


CBI


I LRCAPed Lashio with 3 fighter squadrons last turn but Japan was still able to fly reinforcements with transport AC.....the size of Japan's garrison there was doubled from 500 troops to over 1000.

Erstad LRCAPed Tarakan and Balikpappan and I lost 6 extremely valuble transport AC last turn.....no more unit withdrawals by transport AC in the central DEI now. Japan will capture Balikpappan next turn and the turn after that Erstad will have Betties and A6M2s in range of Soerabaja.....I will have to empty the harbor at Soerabaja over the next couple of turns now.

I have trouble duplicating Erstad's success with intercepting transports. How many transports of his did you down over Lashio?

[racndoc]

Wirraway_Ace.....here are the combat events from this turn:


AIR TRANSPORT PHASE
L3Y2 Tinas flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted


AIR TRANSPORT PHASE
L3Y2 Tinas flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted


I shot down exactly zero transport AC this turn....the Buffalo I fighters are worthless. Meanwhile.....Erstad shot down 6 out of 6 C-33s from the ATAC squadron the turn before.




12/25-12/26/41




SOUTH PACIFIC


Japan invades at Port Moresby:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 25, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 89 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri
PB Shoei Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8



6 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 103 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze, Mine hits 1



Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CA Myoko
CL Kiso
CL Nagara
CL Kashima
DD Kamikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze


Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 57
Port hits 14
Port supply hits 2

BB Mutsu firing at Port Moresby
CA Myoko firing at Port Moresby
CL Kiso firing at Port Moresby
CL Nagara firing at Port Moresby
CL Kashima firing at Port Moresby
DD Kamikaze firing at 15th RAAF Base Force
DD Suzukaze firing at 15th RAAF Base Force
15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze firing at 15th RAAF Base Force
15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze firing at 15th RAAF Base Force
15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze firing at Port Moresby



Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

73 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
DD Amagiri
xAK Yokohama Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Shoei Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8
xAK Nishimi Maru

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


BB Yamashiro firing at 15th RAAF Base Force
15th RAAF Base Force firing at BB Yamashiro
DD Amagiri firing at 15th RAAF Base Force
15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Amagiri
6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Yokohama Maru at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
PB Shoei Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Nikkai Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #10 fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #8 fired at enemy troops
DD Amagiri fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby

TF 89 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /3
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /4
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
DD Amagiri
PB Shoei Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8
xAK Venice Maru
xAK Nishimi Maru



BB Yamashiro firing at 15th RAAF Base Force
15th RAAF Base Force firing at BB Yamashiro
PB Shoei Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Nikkai Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #10 fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #8 fired at enemy troops
DD Amagiri fired at enemy troops


Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A1 Val x 44



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1248 troops, 24 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 146

Defending force 3946 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132



Assaulting units:
A Coy/NG Rifles
49th Australian Battalion
C Coy/NG Rifles /1
2/1st Ind Coy
D Coy/NG Rifles
B Coy/NG Rifles
Port Moresby Brigade
Lark Bn /1
15th RAAF Base Force
Rabaul Det. Base Force /1

Defending units:
144th Infantry Rgt /1



Invasion Support action off Port Moresby
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Matsue Maru
BB Yamashiro
xAK Yokohama Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Shoei Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8
xAK Nishimi Maru



BB Yamashiro firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Yokohama Maru at 5,000 yards
BB Yamashiro firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Yokohama Maru at 5,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Yokohama Maru
BB Yamashiro
PB Shoei Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8
xAK Nishimi Maru



6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Yokohama Maru at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
PB Shoei Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Nikkai Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #10 fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #8 fired at enemy troops


Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
D3A1 Val x 40



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 6 damaged



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb




Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1153 troops, 24 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 144

Defending force 3964 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134



Assaulting units:
D Coy/NG Rifles
49th Australian Battalion
A Coy/NG Rifles
2/1st Ind Coy
Port Moresby Brigade
C Coy/NG Rifles
B Coy/NG Rifles
Lark Bn /1
15th RAAF Base Force
Rabaul Det. Base Force /1

Defending units:
144th Infantry Regiment



Well at least my sigint was right about elements of 55th Division being loaded on an AK headed towards Rabaul.


Japan also captures Milne Bay and Shortlands and storms ashore at Salamaua. Erstad is gonna overrun this part of the map pretty quickly.



DEI


Japan captures Samarinda, Balikpappan, Sambas and Kudat.

The Allies begin evacuation of merchant shipping from Soerabaja harbor.



MALAYA


IJA troops are repulsed by the Aussies again at Mersing:


Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2151 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 92

Defending force 2439 troops, 35 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 99

Japanese adjusted assault: 39

Allied adjusted defense: 97

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade
30 Battery/3 HAA


Im pulling back the Australian 22nd Brigade to Johore Bharu as it has been hit repeatedly by Japanese aerial attacks and naval gunnery the last couple of turns and is starting to become disrupted and fatigued. Im holding the railroads open in southern Malaya for a couple more brigades to rail back to Johore Bharu and then everyone will fall back into frotress Singapore and dig in.




CBI


In Burma, the IJA 14th Tank Regiment easily brushes aside a larger formation of Allied troops in 3x terrain......at 14:1 odds no less:


Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 525 troops, 0 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 750 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 34

Japanese adjusted assault: 43

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Moulmein !!!

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


Allied ground losses:
427 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
Tenasserim BAF Battalion
6th Burma Rifles Battalion


This shows how truly aweful Allied troops are in this part of the world and why a Sir Robin defense makes the most sense in Burma at the start of the war.


Meanwhile, a series of desperate air battles continues over Rangoon harbor as the Allies attempt to unload vital supplies:


Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10
Ki-44 Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 14
Buffalo I x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-44 Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes



Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 7
Buffalo I x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Hupeh, Bomb hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44 Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 11
Buffalo I x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44 Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes



Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 15



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 8
Buffalo I x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
HDML 1102
HDML 1101



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 1
Buffalo I x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Baroda



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 85 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes




Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 6
Buffalo I x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Baroda



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



The AVG squadron and the Buffalo squadrons are at 50% strength at Rangoon now....the AVG will withdraw to Mandalay to take on replacements while all the Buffalo squadrons in Burma will be withdrawn to India and will train pilots until the new Hurricanes start arriving in 1/42. We will end the resupply effort at Rangoon next turn after Japan finishes off the remaining low value transports left in the harbor.


SEAC bombers continue to hit the IJA paratroopers at Lashio with little apparent effect. The bombers are staged this turn to China where they will be used in an attempt to break up a major Japanese assault at Canton.



In China, the IJA 38th Division reinforces the Japanese army at Canton. Erstad will launch a major attack at Canton this turn and try to dislodge the Chinese besiegers before the Chinese will be reinforced by a 4 more corps in the adjacent hex. My troops in the adjacent hex have moved 38 of the 46 miles need to enter Canton and are in combat mode on a major highway hex.....just in case Erstad launches his attack before the calvary arrives Ive got the AVG LRCAPing over the city and some 80 SEAC/Chinese bombers tasked with ground attack.

In the plains of central China, Erstad has begun his offensive from Kaifeng as some 5-6 IJA divisions move to either cut off Chengchow or assault Nanyang.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

Wirraway_Ace.....here are the combat events from this turn:


AIR TRANSPORT PHASE
L3Y2 Tinas flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted


AIR TRANSPORT PHASE
L3Y2 Tinas flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted
Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted


I shot down exactly zero transport AC this turn....the Buffalo I fighters are worthless. Meanwhile.....Erstad shot down 6 out of 6 C-33s from the ATAC squadron the turn before.

Hmm, this was my experiene too, with the sides reversed. Erstad understands something about the mechanics of the intercept that I don't. My working assumption, as Erstad prefers to use units on 100% CAP and LRCAP for a day at a time, is that successful engagement during intercept increases more than proportionately at the higher levels of %CAP. Experience and gun value are certainly factors, but I was using A6M2s (gun value 12) with experience in the high 60s and could not get more than a kill every few days. He was using H81-A3 with a gun value of 14 in a unit of similiar experience to mine I presume (AVG).

[racndoc]

Wirrayway_Ace....you may be right about the %CAP %LRCAP tactics. I will need to experiment with this.



12/27-12/28/41



CBI


The Chinese calvary arrives just in time as IJA troops are repulsed with heavy losses at Canton:


Ground combat at Canton (77,59)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38609 troops, 509 guns, 260 vehicles, Assault Value = 1161

Defending force 29628 troops, 336 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1075

Japanese adjusted assault: 1260

Allied adjusted defense: 997

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2487 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 155 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 174 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled


Allied ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 50 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
38th Division
67th Ind.Infantry Battalion
104th Division
68th Ind.Infantry Battalion
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th RGC Division
Canton Special Base Force
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
47th JAAF AF Bn
1st JAAF AF Coy
23rd Army
21st Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
65th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
25th Chinese/B Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
25th Chinese/A Corps
25th Chinese/C Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
12th Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment


Ground combat at Canton (77,59)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36537 troops, 509 guns, 260 vehicles, Assault Value = 1031

Defending force 29160 troops, 336 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1033

Japanese adjusted assault: 714

Allied adjusted defense: 961

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2133 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 146 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 130 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled


Allied ground losses:
555 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
104th Division
38th Division
68th Ind.Infantry Battalion
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
67th Ind.Infantry Battalion
20th RGC Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st JAAF AF Coy
47th JAAF AF Bn
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Canton Special Base Force
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
25th Chinese/A Corps
25th Chinese/B Corps
25th Chinese/C Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
12th Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
7th Artillery Regiment
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment


Japan suffers some 4600 casualties in the 2 attacks vs 900 Chinese. Our defensive position at Canton seems to be secure for the time being as more reinforcements are on the way.


In Burma, the Blenheim IF bombers seem to be as ineffectual as ever but at least they provide an unexpected piece of intell:


Morning Air attack on 112th Infantry Regiment, at 55,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 damaged



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IF bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 40 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IF bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 40 lb GP Bomb



So the 112th Regiment is in Burma. That means that Erstad has split up th 55th Division with the 144th Regiment landed at Port Moresby. With the 4th Division heading to Truk and the 21st, 33rd and Imperial Guards divisions still unaccounted for....it makes me think that Erstad is planning for an additional operation with an as yet unknown objective.



SOPAC


The IJA 144th Regiment is ashore at Port Moresby. So far there have been no followup invasions here and 1 IJA regiment is not enough to take the base. Evidently Erstad thought he could rush Port Moresby with a single regiment but with the Allied reinforcements he will need to bring more to the party. No additional IJN troop convoys are spotted in the area. KB hovers just offshore at Port Moresby.


Japan invades at Guam and captures Salamaua.



MALAYA


Japan captures Mersing as the Aussie 22nd Brigade withdraws towards Johore Bharu. So far, I havent spotted any IJA units outside of 2nd, 18th, 5th and 56th Divisions in Burma. Without additional reinforcements I think that Japan will be tied down in a siege at Singapore for some time.



DEI


Japan capturws Muntok.

The IJA 9th Regiment is ID'ed at Balikpappan and the 20th Regiment was ID'ed at Samarinda...this means that Erstad has split up the 16th Division and only has the 48th Division and the 65th Brigade ashore on Luzon at full strength.....that only is not enough to take Luzon but its not even enough to bottle up the Allies at Clark/Manila.

Manado has been enlarged into a level 4 airfield and the Betties/A6m2S there dominate the area.

Mini KB ventures within 9 hexes of Soerabaja(just out of Vildebeest range) to hit Allied minesweepers at Pakemasan:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Pamekasan at 57,105

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N1 Kate x 12



Allied aircraft
B-339D x 4
CW-21B Demon x 4
75A-7 Hawk x 7
P-40B Warhawk x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AMc Ardjoeno
AMc Kawi



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 4000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
3-Vl.G.IV with B-339D (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers

Ardjoeno dead in the water ...
Kawi dead in the water ...


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pamekasan at 57,105

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N1 Kate x 15



Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1
CW-21B Demon x 4
75A-7 Hawk x 1
P-40B Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed


Allied Ships
AMc Tjerimai, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Kawi, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Gedeh, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Ardjoeno, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 2000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 14000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
3-Vl.G.IV with B-339D (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

Tjerimai dead in the water ...
Kawi dead in the water ...
Gedeh dead in the water ...
Ardjoeno dead in the water ...




SS Sealion puts a torpedo in TK Syoyo Maru off Tawi Tawi...she must have been full of fuel as she in burning fiercely from stem to stern.

[Bradley7735]

Are you thinking of going on the offensive at Luzon? If he didn't bring enough to bottle you up, do you think you can force a couple of retreats?

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance




So the 112th Regiment is in Burma. That means that Erstad has split up th 55th Division with the 144th Regiment landed at Port Moresby. With the 4th Division heading to Truk and the 21st, 33rd and Imperial Guards divisions still unaccounted for....it makes me think that Erstad is planning for an additional operation with an as yet unknown objective.

Your intel officer would probably say with an insufferable smile , "we already knew that sir. The 144th is detached from the division and assigned to a different HQs as part of the standard task organization and is the only infantry regiment available to Japan in the Coral Sea Area of Operations at the beginning of the war. The remaining rgts of the division cannot be recombined, so we anticipate their use in Burma, with as much armor as can be found, to rout the weak commonwealth resistance or against other weakly held targets in the DEI where the resiliance of an entire formed division is not needed. Note sir, that the 56th Division also has a detached regiment (146th) somewhere in the Celebes unless he has made the effort to change its HQ and ship it to link up with the rest of the division. The remaining divisions we have not seen yet committed may be preparing for an early invasion of Sumatra (at Palembang) or Java. The key oil fields and the highly defensible nature of the terrain at Palembang make it a likely target. The enemy will not want to see us successfully reinforce. "

SOPAC


The IJA 144th Regiment is ashore at Port Moresby. So far there have been no followup invasions here and 1 IJA regiment is not enough to take the base. Evidently Erstad thought he could rush Port Moresby with a single regiment but with the Allied reinforcements he will need to bring more to the party. No additional IJN troop convoys are spotted in the area. KB hovers just offshore at Port Moresby.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

Japan capturws Muntok.

The IJA 9th Regiment is ID'ed at Balikpappan and the 20th Regiment was ID'ed at Samarinda...this means that Erstad has split up the 16th Division and only has the 48th Division and the 65th Brigade ashore on Luzon at full strength.....that only is not enough to take Luzon but its not even enough to bottle up the Allies at Clark/Manila.

He was probalby planning on using the 38th from Hong Kong, but your investure of Canton required the commitment of that division.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

12/13-12/14/41



SUBS


SS I-122 sinks AK Fatshan off Hong Kong.

SS KXI puts a torpedo in AK Tihuku Maru near Patani.

SS I-122 sinks AKL Soochow off Hong Kong.

SS I-121 pumps 9 shells into AK Palawan near Donggala.

SS I-122 scores a hat trick by sinking its 3rd vessel this turn.....AKL Yat Shing.....off Hong Kong.

SS KXI lands a fish on AK Hukuyo Maru near patani.



NAVAL BATTLE OF BATAAN


The Allies have a lot of shipping trapped in port at Manila.....and some of the AKs in port have loaded elements of the Cavite Base Force. One of the most important ops for me in the Philippines at the start of the war is to extricate the Cavite and the Cebu base forces.....I use these units to help build up Noumea and usually Port Moresby and then as the Allies advance across the Pacific I move these 2 base forces forward into the Marianas and the Paulaus. Cadres of both units have already been flown out of harms way but I like to get as much of the parent unit out as possible. Meanwhile.....IJN bombers at Vigan are hammering the Allied shipping in port at Manila:

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 15
Ki-36 Ida x 9



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 3 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 1 destroyed


Allied Ships
xAKL Paz, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yu Sang, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PG Asheville, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
PG Tulsa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Corregidor, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



Somehow I have to get rid of the IJN blockade off Manila with 2 CAs and 2 CLs. The subs and PTs I have sent to hit the IJN blocking force have been ineffectual so far.


Force Z had just arrived at Balikpappan. I stripped away some of the lower endurance RN DDs and augmented the force with CA Houston, CL Boise, CL Marblehead and 4 longer ranged USN DDs. They are ordered to sail at full speed to Manila and hit the IJN cruiser blocking force off Bataan. P-40Es are flown in to Bataan and Batangas to LRCAP Force Z when it arrives at Manila. Force Z will refuel at Manila and then race back to Balikpappan. A fresh P-40B squadron at Tarakan will LRCAP Force Z on the return trip to Balikpappan. The only problem with this plan is I will have no LRCAP for Force Z on the end of the 1st day of the high speed run to Manila. Force Z should be in the southern Sulu Sea approximately 3 hexes NW of Zamboanga. Mini KB is currently in the Clebes Sea and should be out of range of Force Z at the end of the 1st day. The only other Japanese airfield that is within range of Force Z is the level 3 airfield at Vigan.

Well at the end of the 1st day of the run to Manila, Force Z is hit by Betties flying from the level 3 airifeld at Vigan....at the extreme range of 15 hexes no less.....and they are carrying torpedoes:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 74,86

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 8



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Prince of Wales



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



Unfortunately....after BC Repulse is hit by torpedoes it is detached from Force Z with DD Electra as an escort and is sent back towards Balikpappan.....right into the sights of the Kates from mini KB:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tawi Tawi at 71,89

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
B5N1 Kate x 4



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



BC Repulse is lost with all hands. Bloodied but still undeterred, Force Z races up to Luzon and pummels the IJN blocking force off Bataan:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
CL Kuma, Shell hits 3
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 3
CA Houston
CL Marblehead
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Stewart
DD Tenedos



Reduced visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Ashigara at 2,000 yards
CA Maya engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Boise at 2,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Stewart at 2,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Ashigara at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CL Kuma at 2,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Tenedos at 2,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Tenedos at 2,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Stewart at 2,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Ashigara at 6,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Maya at 6,000 yards
CA Ashigara sunk by CL Boise at 6,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Tenedos at 6,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Bulmer at 6,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Barker at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Maya at 7,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards
CL Boise engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Asakaze at 7,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Tenedos at 7,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...



CA Ashigara is sunk and CL Kuma is damaged. Force Z arrives at Manila and is covered by USAAF P-40E LRCAP from the IJN bombers at Vigan.


Now its time for Force Z to go home....and for all the Allied shipping in port at Manila to get the hell out of Dodge. Not only is mini KB waiting back in the Celebes Sea......but Erstad has placed a surface TF with 4 BBs in the Celebes Sea to block any ship from exiting to the south.

So Force Z has 2 options:

1) Withdraw along the northern coast of Borneo under Allied fighter cover at Singkawang and then proceed to Batavia or...
2)Withdraw through the center of the Philippine archipelago.....through the San Bernadino Straights and into Leyte Gulf and then to a point 2 hexes NW of Sorong and thence into the Banda Sea.

I decided on the 2nd alternative......USAAF P-40Bs and P-40Es are staged into Mindanao to cover the withdrawal. BB PoW doesnt have quite enough fuel to reach Darwin so Force Z will sail from a point just NW of Sorong to Tamerfane Island......just north of Darwin...where there are some pre-positioned tankers waiting at anchor to refuel the thirsty capital ships.


As far as shipping in port at Manila.....I have some very high value targets including 3 AS ships and several AKs carrying the Cavite Baes Force. These will be sent through both the San Bernadino Straight and the Sulu/Celebes Seas back to safe harbor. As luck would have it....several AKLs are also just leaving Cebu with the Cebu Base Force. Mini KB will have a field day tomorrow. I staged 2 squadrons of Dutch medium bombers into Tarakan with B-339s and P-40Bs as escorts just to put a little caution into the Japanese. I will also flood the Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea with a horde of low value AKLs and AKs just to keep mini KB busy.



MALAYA

IJA troops capture Alor Star and retreat the 15th Indian Brigade in the wrong direction.

Additional IJA troops advance along the Kota Bharo/Temuloh highway and hammer the former defenders of Kota Bharu yet again.



CBI

Erstad drops paratroopers at Lashio but is defeated by the defending base force. I bought a Chinese 11th Army Division that is a couple days out from Lashio so hopefully they arrive in time.

The Chinese capture Ichang as Japan withdraws from the town.

Japan merely bombards at Hong Kong.

The entire south of China is strangely quiet.



DEI


Japan captures Vanimo but is repulsed at Jesselton.

Additional IJA troops land at Manado.



SOPAC


IJN troops invade at Lunga. Now Im really starting to become concerned about the rapidity of the Japanese advance in the south Pacific but at this point there isnt very much I can do about it.

It sounds like you are playing the last patch and not any of the recent betas. With the betas (they are excellent) you no longer need to evacuate cadres as you can purchase back any destroyed unit very cheaply and rebuild them. Base forces are very easy to rebuild as the pools of devices for them fill up fast.

However, my point is that the official patch is going to come out fairly soon. Probably before you get more than a few months into your game. If you and your opponent plan on patching up when it is official, the you really should not worry about evacuating cadres now. Soon enough you will just be able to buy them back and don't have to risk assets trying to pull evacuations off.

It is also questionable to evac cadres of Indian and Australian units at this point as it takes fully a year or more to bring the Indian units you already have up to strength, and you will never have enough squads for your Australian units.

In my game, I bought all the destroyed Aussie and Indian units back that I could. I then realized that it would be only after 1944 that I could think of rebuilding the Indian units and that rebuilding the Australian units are a fantasy. In fact, now that I feel Oz is secure, I am disbanding some Australian units so I can flesh out those that are in engaged in combat.

[racndoc]

Bradley7735.....Im considering launching a counteroffensive against Japanese forces on Luzon...it would probably be fairly easy to drive Erstad into the sea at Legaspi. The majority of Allied troops in Luzon have been resting at Clark and Manila since the start of the war and are steadily gaining strength by undisrupting their squads. However, Luzon is completely isolated now and if Erstad is adopting a siege and starve strategy here I want to conserve on the finite amount of supplies.


crsutton.....thanx for the update on the new betas! I wasnt aware that withdrawing cadres would be a thing of the past in the new betas. You are correct.....Ive risked a lot of my assets in getting cadres out in this game and every other game Ive started of WitP/CHS/AE. BTW.....Im not trying to get any Aussie formations out of Malaya....you are quite correct about the lack of replacements plus I dont like to spend the PPs on them. I normally fight for Singapore until the last Malaya Army unit dies and use them to cover the withdrawal of the free III Indian Corps LCUs. Normally I withdraw most of III Indian Corps to India intact and this allows you to mount a substantial threat in Burma by last 1942. In this game however, I will leave the bulk of III India Corps in Malaya to slow down Erstad...he is moving very rapidly. I dont think that he will have enough forces to take Java until he has completed the conquest of Singapore and every day he is delayed FESTUNG Java grows stronger. You are correct...the III India Corps units wont be rebuilt until 1944 but Im not trying for autovictory in 1944 like I did in my 1st game of AE so I can afford to wait.


Wirraway_Ace....thanx for the update on the Japanese OOB. I apologize...I really havent studied the Japanese OOB....nor do I intend to....and Im going mostly off some old notes I wrote up from my 1st game of AE nearly 2 years ago. Is the IJA 144th Regiment actually the old South Seas detachment from CHS? Im not concerned about Japanese invasions of Sumatra and Java...in fact I welcome them as I would then be able to ID more of Erstads forces. And I fully expect Japan to invade here and Ive already written them off.....although I will be putting up quite a fight in Festung Java. My objective is to be strong enough in Java that Erstad needs to finish off Singapore 1st so that he has 25th Army available to help finish off the rest of the DEI.

My main concern now is an early powerful move by Japan into the central or south Pacific. With an early Japanese capture Of Shortlands/Lunga/Ndeni....and then last turn a small IJN invasion force retreated from Luganville due to the presence of an USN CA.....plus sigint of 4th Division heading to Truk......I have to be concerned about the south Pacific especially with my 1st troop convoys from the US currently in transit across the Pacific. Do I send any troops to New Caledonia or write if off and try to reinforce New Zealand and Pago Pago?



12/28/41


Here is a screenshot of the DEI. Erstad has staged over 200 AC into Balikpapan and moved in mini KB just out of range of Allied torpedo bombers at Soerabaja. There could be a major air battle over Soerbaja next turn as the Allies evacuate the port there. Ive staged in a squadron of P-40Es and USMC DBs to Makassar and hoepfully they provide a bit of a surprise next turn to mini KB.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance


Wirraway_Ace....thanx for the update on the Japanese OOB. I apologize...I really havent studied the Japanese OOB....nor do I intend to....and Im going mostly off some old notes I wrote up from my 1st game of AE nearly 2 years ago. Is the IJA 144th Regiment actually the old South Seas detachment from CHS? Im not concerned about Japanese invasions of Sumatra and Java...in fact I welcome them as I would then be able to ID more of Erstads forces. And I fully expect Japan to invade here and Ive already written them off.....although I will be putting up quite a fight in Festung Java. My objective is to be strong enough in Java that Erstad needs to finish off Singapore 1st so that he has 25th Army available to help finish off the rest of the DEI.

My main concern now is an early powerful move by Japan into the central or south Pacific. With an early Japanese capture Of Shortlands/Lunga/Ndeni....and then last turn a small IJN invasion force retreated from Luganville due to the presence of an USN CA.....plus sigint of 4th Division heading to Truk......I have to be concerned about the south Pacific especially with my 1st troop convoys from the US currently in transit across the Pacific. Do I send any troops to New Caledonia or write if off and try to reinforce New Zealand and Pago Pago?

OK, I will not spoil your fun then by giving too much insight into the Japanese OOB--insight the Allies would certainly not have at this point in the war. That being said, yes, the 144th was the main element of the South Seas Detachment. To it were historically attached a BN of arty, a cav sqrdn, some AA, Eng, and service support.

[Wirraway_Ace]

With your move to invest Canton tying up a division he was probably counting on using either in the PI or DEI, if you can force him to commit futher force to Luzon, he will be very short on options. One division is not enough in SOPAC if you can get a US Inf Rgt or Marine Rgt in good terrain with supply. He will need two divs + air and naval forces just to wear down one decent rgt in the difficult terrain throughout the SOPAC AOR. He will have to ship a lot of fuel to Truk to support the fleet operating all the way down to New Caledonia. Loaded tankers go up like candlesticks. If you can interdict his fuel shipments to Truk with subs and/or some of you less valuable CLs and DDs, he may not be able to sustain a rapid drive south or southwest.

My two cents...

[racndoc]

Wirraway_Ace....thanx for the input. I normally incorporate New Caledonia into my MLR and I have 3 regiments, 2 tank battalions and some cbt engineers in transit across the Pacific. I will have a much better idea on where to deploy them when I discover the whereabouts of the 21st, 33rd and Imperial Guards Divisions.



12/29-12/30/41



SOPAC/CENTPAC



CA Indianapolis destroys a Japanese sneak attack invasion at Luganville:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Torres Islands at 120,147, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
DMS Southard

Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAKL Katsuragisan Maru at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru sunk by CA Indianapolis at 18,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...



Japan is repulsed in an attack at Guam.



The 144th Regiment conducts a 1:2 assault at Port Moresby:


Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3991 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Defending force 4179 troops, 50 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Japanese adjusted assault: 57

Allied adjusted defense: 59

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Port Moresby Brigade
49th Australian Battalion
2/1st Ind Coy
Lark Bn /1
15th RAAF Base Force
Rabaul Det. Base Force /1



KB heads off for Darwin ......so when the cats away the mice will play. Im airlifting restricted Aussie infantry squads into Port Moresby to reinforce and a couple of AKLs will try to sneak in under the nose of the Betties at Rabaul to deliver supplies.



PHILIPPINES


Japan captures Lingayen.



DEI:



Japan captures Muntok.


Tarakan holds out despite 2 IJA deiberate attacks.




KB sorties into the Banda Sea and hits shipping at Darwin....fortunately the harbor was cleared a few days ago:


Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A1 Val x 42



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 18 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Patris, Bomb hits 1, on fire


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


Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'


Mini KB withdrew to Balikpapan...probably to take on AC replacements....and escaped the USMC aviators at Makassar. The USMC DBs did get target practice on an IJN invasion force assaulting Makassar:


Pre-Invasion action off Makassar

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze
xAK Tosei Maru



DD Hatsukaze firing at Makassar Base Force
DD Hatsukaze fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Makassar

TF 107 troops unloading over beach at Makassar, 65,106



Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 65,106

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Konan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Nichiryo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Turusima Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Bichu Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Konan Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Nichiryo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Turusima Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Bichu Maru



The IJN invasion force was wiped out but unfortunately the Japanese troops got ashore before dawn so the USMC DBs will need to be withdrawn.

Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb




Looks like KB sortied west to help out the advance in the DEI and try to cut off the escape of Allied shipping leaving Soerabaja. Im a bit surprised that Erstad left the 144th Regiment isolated at Port Moresby with no hope of reinforcement until KB returns.


Virtually all of the shipping at Soerabaja clears the harbor. I moved in a TK last turn though to try to get one last load of fuel out before the curtain of Japanese airpower descends over the region.


Every B-17D in the theatre hits Balikpappan AF but only 2 airfield hits are scored ast a cost of 2 B-17Ds....we will not be able to shut down the airfield.


SS O20 puts 3 torps in AKL Akita Maru near Kuching and she lights up like a torch....Erstad was evidently shipping in fuel here by AKL.



TEXAS HOLD 'EM IN CENTRAL CHINA


The Chinese are doing very well in southern and northern China. In the north they have captured Paotow, invested Kweisui and invested and isolated Tatung.

In the south, the defenders at Canton were heavily reinforced last turn and there are now 2000 Chinese AV at Canton. Erstad will need to bring in troops from the north if he wants to clear Canton. The Chinese forward defense at Canton and Kukong protects the southern inductrial cities of Wuchow, Liuchow and Kweilin.

In the center, Japan is on the move. Allied recon ID'ed 2 Aces in the IJA stack SW of Chengchow....2 IJA divisions were the up cards. I couldnt tell what Erstads down cards were so a Chinese corps was sent in to conduct a recon in force:


Ground combat at 87,45

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12005 troops, 102 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 2367

Defending force 580 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Japanese adjusted assault: 449

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 449 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+)


Allied ground losses:
661 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
37th Division
41st Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
16th RGC Temp. Division
17th RGC Temp. Division
32nd Division

Defending units:
7th New Chinese/C Corps



So Erstad is holding a full house here .......some 5 1/2 divisions with 2367 AV plus another up card next door....another division....that makes a total of over 2800 AV. I have 2000 AV at Chengchow and another 500 AV at Loyang. Ive been entrenching at Chengchow since the start of the war and now have a level 3 fort with a level 2 AF in case I needed to fly sweeps to defeat Japanese LRCAP over the base. With 2 day turns, Erstad could destroy the 3 forts and defeat my army with a pair of shock attacks. If he failed in the 1st shock attack I could shock him back the next turn and defeat the massive Japanese army. Its high stakes poker...and if I stay its the equivalent of going "all in".

If I lose Chengchow then that will unhinge the Chinese line on the central plains and I will lose the 120 supplies/turn that Chengchow/Loyang/Tsiatso produce. That along with Erstad cutting the Burma Road already means that China will be starving for most of the war. If I stay in Chengchow and win I will preserve that supply for awhile. If I stay in Chengchow and lose....it will open up the eastern road into Sian for Japan and then there goes the north.

I have 2200 AV at Nanyang with another 400 AV to arrive next turn. I could move that combined 2600 AV army to relieve Chengchow but then Erstad would be like Napolean and have the central position against 2 slow Chinese armies...and if he defeated the Nanyang army then the road into Sian from the south is open.

Its too much to risk and and Im going to let discretion take the better side of valor...my army in Chengchow has been in combat mode movement towards Loyang for the last 2 turns "just in case" and I will let the Chengchow army complete its withdrawal to Loyang next turn.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

Wirraway_Ace....thanx for the input. I normally incorporate New Caledonia into my MLR and I have 3 regiments, 2 tank battalions and some cbt engineers in transit across the Pacific. I will have a much better idea on where to deploy them when I discover the whereabouts of the 21st, 33rd and Imperial Guards Divisions.

Hmm, a bit of a puzzle. It is almost January and he only has 2500 AV in Central China with no other obvious troop concentrations. 3 Divisions available to the Southern Army are not accounted for. The KB is heading into the DEI. He has opened the Makassar straits and massed aircraft at Balikpappan. An early drive on Java seems to be where this is pointing. But why? Without Singers, it gains him little operational flexibility. Maybe he wants Java fast to open access to the IO for an invasion of Ceylon or Bengal.

[aztez]

I think your Texas Hold'em analysis is spot on in this case! [:)]

[racndoc]

Wirraway_Ace.....lots of sigint over the last 2 turns. The IJA 4th Division is prepping for Koumac.....so indeed it looks like Erstad is going for an early push into the south Pacific. Also....elements of 21st Division are on an xAK heading towards Cam Ranh Bay. Three of the Manchukuo heavy artillery regiments are loaded on AKs heading for Singora....so the battered British/Commonwealth troops defending in Malaya know whats in store for them.

The 21st Division was really the only IJA formation that I was worried about. Its hard for me to imagine the Imperial Guards or the 33rd Division leaving their initial theatre of deployment.

Aztez...dont know if my Texas hold 'em analogy is completely appropriate but Erstad and I are in a game of very high stakes poker in central China....and I just upped the ante this turn.




12/31-1/3/42



DEI:

Japan captures Makassar, Sandakan and Manus and invades at Wewak.

The Dutch troops at Tarakan continue to hold out against long odds.


Mini KB and KB are tag teaming the Allies fighters CAPing Soerabaja. Im losing fighters at a rate of 3:1 against the A6M2 sweeps. All Allied shipping has left Soerabaja so Im going to stand down the fighters for a couple turns to let them rest and take on replacements.

Mini KB is heading north up the Java Sea and is almost due east of Batavia. Im setting an ambush for mini KB next turn with some 30 torpedo bombers and the USMC DBs so lets see if the Japanese light carriers stay in range next turn.

Meanwhile, Erstad somehow found a hole in my search patterns and KB is sitting unspotted in the Indian Ocean 2-3 hexes SE of Denpasser.....Im flooding that entire portion of the Indian Ocean with B-17D naval search next turn so hopefully I can regain contact with the Japanese menace. KB is toying with me now.....Vals are spotting all of my shipping NW of Australia trying to flee from the DEI but few aerial attacks are launched.....I think that Erstad is looking for bigger game like Dutch and RN capital ships.



PHILIPPINES


Japan captures Jolo and invades at Calayan.

Im sending some Philippino infantry and the 2 US armor battalions from Clark/Manila to attack the IJA forces at Legaspi...I think that I should be able to clear out the Japanese from SE Luzon and then we will focus on the troops in the north.



CENTPAC/SOPAC


Guam continues to hold out so Japan invades with another naval guard unit.

IJA troops land at Kavieng.

All quiet at Port Moresby. Im airlifting troops into Port Moresby from the mainland but my lowly AKL trying to sneak in supplies was promptly sunk by the ever present Bettys.

With KB over in the Indian Ocean I have the south Pacific to myself. I can reinforce virtually anywhere I choose. It almost seems as if Erstad wants me to reinforce New Caledonia before he hits it.

Allied troop transports continue their transit across the Pacific. Soon it will be time to make a final decision of where Im going to draw my line in the sand.



CHINA: THE NANYANG GAMBIT


Ive attached a screenshot of central China as both Erstad and I continue to up the ante in our high stakes game of poker. I withdrew my Chengchow garrison to Loyang and I now have 2400 AV there with another 1000 AV approaching on the Sian/Loyang road. Esrtad split up his army....3 1/2 divisions take Chengchow while 2 divisions are detached just to the west of Chengchow. Ive sent my 2600 AV Nanyang garrison east to try to kill the 2 IJA divisions west of Chengchow. In so doing, Ive left Nanyang virtually undefended and the Nanyang/Sian highway is open. Im hoping to divert Erstads focus from Chengchow/Loyang/Tsiatso towards Nanyang. Ive got a roadblock on the main highway from Sinyang to Chengchow in case he tries to manuever behind me.

In the south, Erstad is naval bombarding my troops besieging Canton with CA Mikuma, CA Mogami and a horde of DDs every turn. I really appreciate the training my Chinese siege troops are getting now.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

Wirraway_Ace.....lots of sigint over the last 2 turns. The IJA 4th Division is prepping for Koumac.....so indeed it looks like Erstad is going for an early push into the south Pacific. Also....elements of 21st Division are on an xAK heading towards Cam Ranh Bay. Three of the Manchukuo heavy artillery regiments are loaded on AKs heading for Singora....so the battered British/Commonwealth troops defending in Malaya know whats in store for them.

The 21st Division was really the only IJA formation that I was worried about. Its hard for me to imagine the Imperial Guards or the 33rd Division leaving their initial theatre of deployment.

I won't disagree that he is likely to use the Imperial Guards and 33rd in Malaya, but with the Japanese early war amphib bonus and the available transport, he is capable of picking them up off any beach and moving them to just about any beach....

I always struggle with analyzing capabilities versus intentions.

[aztez]

I like the idea of routing those 2 divisions and high stakes poker is not an bad game at all [:)]

If you succeed with that maneuver that opens whole a lot of possibilities regarding China.

Dave really made me pay for my mistakes in our game. China especially...

I'am still paying for those blunders! [:D]

[racndoc]

Wirraway_Ace....you never really know your opponents intentions....all you can do is make your best educated guess...and Im going to make a couple of educated guesses of Erstads intentions at the end of this post. I know a bit about Erstad form the AE Tournament....he doesnt like to conduct opposed invasions unless his troops are properly prepped. He made a couple of comments to me when I invaded Pagan with unprepped troops during the Marianas scenario about all the disablements I was suffering. The IJA 4th Division prepping for Koumac wont be used until it is nearly prepped so I am thinking the 1st week of March 1942 for the invasion of New Caledonia.

Aztez....Im ordering a shock attack this turn on the 2 IJA divisions so hopefully they are still in my hex when the combat phase rolls around.



1/4-1/5/42



SOPAC


Japan captures Kavieng.

The Allies continue to ship reinforcements into Port Moresby by transport AC as the IJA 144th Regiment seems content to quietly siege the base.



PHILIPPINES


IJA troops capture Calayan and invade at Tawi Tawi.

Allied troops continue to redeploy into SE Luzon to attack the Japanese base at Legaspi.



CHINA


I bombed the 2 IJA divisions W of Chengchow to keep them in place but Erstad bombed my Nanyang army so only 1850 Chinese AV made it into the hex. Im ordering a shock attack on the 2 IJA divisions next turn so hopefully they are still in the hex during the combnat phase.




DEI


Japan captures Pontianak and Wewak.

IJA troops storm ashore at Billiton, Hollandia, Tandjoengsler, Denpasar and Kolaka.

Mini KB stays in range of my massed torpedo bombers and divebombers at batavia. As is usual for WitP.....all 31 of my fighters escorted a 3 plane Swordfish attack:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Billiton at 54,96

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 24
A6M2 Zero x 12
F1M2 Pete x 16



Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 3
B-339D x 31


Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 2 destroyed
B-339D: 9 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho



CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 24000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A5M4 Claude (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 5 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters to 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Mizuho-1 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Chitose-2 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Chiyoda-2 with F1M2 Pete (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Raid is overhead



With no more escorts available, the other 12 Swordfish and the 2 dozen Vildebeests failed their morale checks and didnt fly.


The brave USMC Vindicator pilots went in though without escorts:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Billiton at 54,96

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
A6M2 Zero x 4
F1M2 Pete x 6



Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 24000
Raid is overhead
Ryujo-1 with A5M4 Claude (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 111 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Chitose-2 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Chiyoda-2 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes



The divebomers landed a 1000 lb bomb on CVE Taiyo but the damage inflicted didnt seem to be too horrific.


KB got payback however as Erstad figured out I was trying to ship cadres out via Tilatjap harbor and he sank 6 of the small 10 knot Dutch xAPs I was hiding there:

Afternoon Air attack on Tjilatjap , at 51,102

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
B5N1 Kate x 35
B5N2 Kate x 8



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Neptuna, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Speelman, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Van Neck, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Van Landsberge, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Van Rees, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Van Riebeek, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage


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


Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
1 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb




I hope crsutton was correct about being able to buy back destroyed LCUs in the new beta and I cant wait until the new official patch becomes available.


KB heads back to Balikpapan to refuel, rearm and take on AC replacements.



STRATEGIC ASSESSMENTS


New sigint show elements of the IJA 21st Division loaded up on xAKs to Singora. Interestingly.....only a few armor and infantry regiments are pursuing Malaya Army back to Singapore...the majority of 25th Army seems to be resting at the ports of Kota Bharu and Singora. I think that Erstad will adopt a siege and starve strategy at Singapore with maybe 2 divisions. I think that once 21st Division reaches Singora it will be combined with transports carrying 2 divisions of the 25th Army for an early assault on Java. These force could be joined by 16th Divison....currently mopping up at Balikpapan, Samarinda and Makassar.....and possibly one or both of the 33rd Division and the Imperial Guards.

KB will stay in the DEI until the invasion of Java is well established. So I think that Japan will invade with 4-5 divisons on Java in the next 7-14 days. After taking Java, these IJA divisions will then rest and repair and prep for the 2nd wave of the Japanese advance....whether its India, Australia or the south Pacific....almost certainly some of these divisions will then prep for Port Moresby and Noumea.

In the Philippines....Erstad is also pursuing a siege and starve strategy.....only 48th Division is still there along with some tank regiments. There has been no IJA activity in the central PI or at Mindanao.I thought Erstad was going all in on Luzon initially as he landed over 30 units at Vigan on 12/9/41. Erstad will probably buy Manchukuo LCUs to finsh off the Philippines.If I can take the Japanese base at Legaspi maybe there is some supply there that can be captured.

Siege and starve Malaya plus early Java invasion means I should probably consider a fortress Palembang strategy. Ive got about 350 AV at Palembang now with some 8-10 base units fortifying.