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Morning of December 16th
The melancholy about the war was manifesting itself in weather today. Rain assaulted the defenders of Batavia more furiously than the Japanese ever could. Imposing steel-gray clouds filled the skies. Lieutenant General Van Den Heuvel stood unmolested by the weather in Batavia Harbor. It was his desire to meet with their latest guests. They were wise to send a telegram of their intentions the prior day. The harsh weather was only making the troops more jumpy. Had he not warned the commanding officers of the Coastal garrisons to stand down, the men might've fired on the first distant silhouettes they saw moving in. But he too feared that they would spot Japanese ships moving towards Batavia before they saw friends arrive. For once, he was glad to be wrong.
A fleet of 8 ships moved into the harbor, flying the banner of the Royal Navy. People in sight of the harbor cheered as the ships moved by. One of the British cruisers came to a stop close to where Van Den Heuvel waited. In a few seconds a boarding ramp was extended and a man who looked to be a high-ranking naval officer strolled towards him.
"Good morning, General! Rear Admiral Reed, Royal Navy. I'm most pleased by this towns hospitality!"
"We're pleased to see the British are making such a substantial contribution to the defense of the islands, Admiral Reed. I'm aware that many of your ships are in port at Soerbaja, but additional security on the eastern side of the island was not something I'd expected." The only Warship in Batavia up until was the British cruiser Danae, of the same class as the ones present in this new fleet.
Admiral Reed beamed. "Ah, General, you are most mistaken! My ships will only stay here until such time as they have refueled. Then, we shall be sailing straight into the jaws of our foe."
Van Den Heuvel was rather shocked. The General allied consensus about engaging the Japanese seemed to be exclusively rooted in a decisive destruction of whatever large invasion fleet would be heading to Java. Then again, he was not an Admiral.
"Where will your fleet be striking the Japanese?" He asked, though the answer was obvious. Reed looked more pleased than annoyed at the prospect of describing his mission.
"Our target is Sumatra. We will meet the Imperial invasion fleet at Palembang, drive off the escorts, and catch their transports as they are withdrawing or unloading troops. The amphibious invasion has all but confirmed our intelligence estimates of how many warships are escorting the fleet, and our own force will be able to thoroughly overmatch them. I fear we will not arrive in time to eliminate many troops still embarked, but the ships we will destroy are not easily replaceable. It's long past time for the British Empire to show the upstart Japanese that they cannot invade anywhere with impunity!"
"If I may ask, what is the strength of the invasion fleet?"
"We have confirmed the presence of a single light cruiser and half a dozen destroyers escorting a similar amount of transports. Against that, I will be leading three light cruisers and six destroyers into battle."
"You think this is enough?"
"Most certainly. To bring an excess of ships to a night engagement would bring undue confusion to our fleet. Besides, the men on these ships are some of the worlds finest. And not unversed in fighting either. I've got a survivor of the first surface engagement of this theatre under my command-" He pointed to a destroyer with an Australian flag. "-Vampire. She's hungry for blood, don't you worry! We could've brought the other survivor of the battle out too, but she needs another day in the yards to be in proper fighting shape. We can't afford to delay!"
They certainly couldn't. The men defending Palembang needed a miracle, and this looked to be it. The invasion commenced in the night of the 14th with a transport hitting a mine. The same transport not only weathered the mine, but multiple artillery hits. It was rather unfortunate that the Defenders were concentrating their limited firepower on an already wounded ship. They were now outnumbered at least 3 to 1 by Japanese Naval infantry, and that was excluding the tanks they'd brought in.
This trial by fire was also occurring in Sambas. Ternate and Sidate also fell on the 15th as the Japanese invasion of the East Indies began in earnest. Strafing attacks against the former resulted in two transports being hit, but two if the six bombers were shot down. It was not a casualty rate they could afford.
Meanwhile, the Japanese were tightening their noose around the defenders of Honk Kong. They'd also continued to try and knock out Singapore, but the British still had a stampede of Buffalo to impede them. Today's propaganda report claimed the only planes the Japanese destroyed in Singapore were those on the ground!
The oddest part of the Japanese campaign was the dearth of news coming from the Philippines. With at least 4 carriers sent to destroy the Harbor and more planes attacking the airfields, one thing no one was expecting was news of only one major invasion in the South of Luzon. In fact, the only report he'd gotten from the Philippines concerned an air battle that the Americans had decisively won.
It made for quite the strategic ruse: concentrating air power to neutralize the Philippines while they troops that people expected to head there attacked the East Indies. Yet all signs pointed to land-based planes being able to cause extensive damage without the need of carrier support.
Recalling he was still in a conversation, Van Den Heuvel found himself blurting out, "Where are Japan's carriers?"
Reed, looking unfazed by the pause, still smiled. "We've gotten sightings from your planes of at least 4 carriers in a fleet moving east, North of the Celebes. We think they're trying to pursue the American carriers in the Marshalls. General, I believe our conversation is about over, so if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to my ship and getting all the bloody organizing and planning out of the way."
Van Den Heuvel nodded slowly and tried to maintain a straight face. That last remark about planning made him rather uneasy. It resembled the kind of thing his predecessor Van Oyen might say. The man's natural predisposition towards flair and enthusiasm didn't help.
"If he can lead men in battle with skill, it makes more of a difference than how good he is at getting them ready beforehand," Van Den Heuvel mentally reassured himself as he jogged back to headquarters.

This was an uninteresting turn. The much hyped task force heading to Palembang is one hex away!
One notable line of intel is this:
7th 4cm RpdFire Gun Battalion is planning for an attack on Alexandrovski Zaved.
Which matches up with this bit from the 14th:
27th Mobile "15cm" Field Artillery Regiment is planning for an attack on Voroshilov [Amur P].
I highly doubt this is anything but a distraction. The attacking the USSR in 1941 would be highly unwise. Among other things, I would have several dozen submarines at my disposal following Soviet activation to inundate Japanese shipping. The difference is Aerial strength is high as well. Also, to divert some assets from historical invasion for this "Strike north" while still trying to attack key Dutch bases early and launch a half-hearted invasion of Legaspi is not smart either.

Kaiko Maru is finally sunk.

Submarine attack near Palembang [S Smtra] at 48,91

Japanese Ships
xAK Kaiko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS RNN KXVIII

xAK Kaiko Maru is sighted by SS RNN KXVIII
SS RNN KXVIII launches 2 torpedoes

On the ground:


Ground combat at Chumphon [S Thai] (52,66)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1652 troops, 35 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Defending force 1561 troops, 7 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Japanese adjusted assault: 28

Allied adjusted defense: 65

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

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

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

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

Assaulting units:
JAAF 7th Field AF Construction Battalion
I./143rd Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
RAF 108th/2 Base Force
RTA 6th Div/38th Battalion
Sisophon Admy 52 TU
Chomphon ProvPolice


Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 22603 troops, 445 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 693

Defending force 7768 troops, 143 guns, 145 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Japanese adjusted assault: 248

Allied adjusted defense: 385

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
653 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
465 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
66th Draft B Inf Regimental Combat Team
20th Assault Engineer Regiment
19th Assault Engineer Regiment
2nd 4cm RpdFire Gun Battalion
38th Pack B Division
5th 4cm RpdFire Gun Battalion
2nd Mobile "15cm" Field Artillery Battalion
3rd Mobile "28cm" Field Artillery Battalion
10th Draft Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd 8cm Pack Mtr Battalion
1st Mobile "24cm" Field Artillery Regiment
20th Draft Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Cda Winnipeg Grndrs Battalion
BA 2nd Royal Scots Battalion
Cda Rifles ofCanada Battalion
RN 102nd Base Force
Hong Kong & HKVDC Fortress
CNAC Hong Kong Base Force
IA Kumaon Rifles Battalion
Cda 1 Middlesex MG Battalion


Ground combat at Palembang [S Smtra] (48,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3826 troops, 116 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Defending force 2851 troops, 42 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Japanese adjusted assault: 125

Allied adjusted defense: 53

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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

Allied ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
91st Naval Guard Unit
6th Tank "Rgt" (-) Battalion
2nd Sasebo SNLF Co

Defending units:
KNIL S Sumatra Gsn Battalion
LVA Teloekbetoeng Base Force
LVA Djambi Base Force
LVA Bintan Det Base Force
LVA Palembang Base Force


Ground combat at Wusih & Changchow (91,53)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 717 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Defending force 1426 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Allied adjusted assault: 10

Japanese adjusted defense: 9

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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

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

Assaulting units:
NRA 49th Grlla"Rgt" Battalion

Defending units:
RGC 3rd Route "Rgt" Battalion


Ground combat at 92,37 (near Tatung [Coal/I Mon])

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 650 troops, 40 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 150

Defending force 11777 troops, 38 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 406

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

Assaulting units:
13th Draft B Inf Regiment
26th Division Recon Regiment
11th (26 Div) Mobil Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
NRA 77th Corps

Since Northern New Guinea is untouched, I sent AP Harrison to take the Hollandia base force to port Moresby.
The 19thBG/14BS is finally fully repaired and moved to Darwin.
IA 17th Division will be reassembled in Rangoon.
The big carrier task force is south of Mindanao and now moving west

ORIGINAL: CharlieVane

Welcome to the AAR of my very first PBEM. I've had this game for a little more than half a year now.
I was content to duel with the computer at first, but reading through the many fascinating AARs on this forum slowly moved me in the direction of true social contact.
One of the reasons for this: I like mods, irrespective of the game. Most of the mods here require a human opponent to be truly engaging. Rather than start with an Alternate history mod, I wanted to start out in RHS, because I liked the emphasis on realism and adding in a lot of obscure minutiae.
So far, I started out one AAR in scen 2 as allies, messed around as Japan in one or two games that didn't make it past December, and most recently, tried RHS scenario 122. It's been quite the comedy of errors.
My opponent, Bristolduke, has played a few PBEMs as Japan with mods such as RA. He was willing to try RHS.
Our settings are:
Fog of war on,

Advanced weather on,

Allied DC on,

PDU on,

Historical first turn off,

December 7th surprise on,

Reliable torpedoes off,

No units withdrawals on.

Fixed Reinforcements
The house rules we agreed upon:* Player must pay PP to move restricted units across borders. exceptions:


- US-Canada and Manchuria-Korea borders can be ignored
- Thai troops can move to Burma and Malaya
- Restricted Chinese troops that historically operated in Burma/ India can cross borders without paying PP

In addition, for turn one, I am restricted to only issuing new orders in China.
Hunting the allied carriers on the first two turns is not allowed.
No attacking Manila and PH on turn one.
Japanese 1st turn invasions will not feature any out of left field landings on areas besides Malaya and Luzon. All bases there are fair game.
I'm currently working out the details for China and will send email my turn soon.
After the first turn, I'll try to include some narrative bits to spice things up. I make no promises on limiting out of place references.
Enjoy!

Good luck. And I have to ask...is your title by any chance based upon "The Valor of Ignorance" by Homer Lea? [&:]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

ORIGINAL: CharlieVane

Welcome to the AAR of my very first PBEM. I've had this game for a little more than half a year now.
I was content to duel with the computer at first, but reading through the many fascinating AARs on this forum slowly moved me in the direction of true social contact.
One of the reasons for this: I like mods, irrespective of the game. Most of the mods here require a human opponent to be truly engaging. Rather than start with an Alternate history mod, I wanted to start out in RHS, because I liked the emphasis on realism and adding in a lot of obscure minutiae.
So far, I started out one AAR in scen 2 as allies, messed around as Japan in one or two games that didn't make it past December, and most recently, tried RHS scenario 122. It's been quite the comedy of errors.
My opponent, Bristolduke, has played a few PBEMs as Japan with mods such as RA. He was willing to try RHS.
Our settings are:
Fog of war on,

Advanced weather on,

Allied DC on,

PDU on,

Historical first turn off,

December 7th surprise on,

Reliable torpedoes off,

No units withdrawals on.

Fixed Reinforcements
The house rules we agreed upon:* Player must pay PP to move restricted units across borders. exceptions:


- US-Canada and Manchuria-Korea borders can be ignored
- Thai troops can move to Burma and Malaya
- Restricted Chinese troops that historically operated in Burma/ India can cross borders without paying PP

In addition, for turn one, I am restricted to only issuing new orders in China.
Hunting the allied carriers on the first two turns is not allowed.
No attacking Manila and PH on turn one.
Japanese 1st turn invasions will not feature any out of left field landings on areas besides Malaya and Luzon. All bases there are fair game.
I'm currently working out the details for China and will send email my turn soon.
After the first turn, I'll try to include some narrative bits to spice things up. I make no promises on limiting out of place references.
Enjoy!

Good luck. And I have to ask...is your title by any chance based upon "The Valor of Ignorance" by Homer Lea? [&:]

Yes, it was the first thing that came to mind for a title. Not that I expect an invasion of the West coast.

From his flagship HMS Dragon, Rear Admiral Reed could just make out the sounds of gunfire off the coast of Palembang. That was a relief. Had the Japanese recognized the threat that was approaching their rear, they wouldn't have wasted ammo dueling with the Dutch artillery fighting in the city.
The night of their battle was clear of harsh weather, but the clouds obscured the moon. It was impossible to make out anything, even the landmass of Sumatra. Not that the British would be blind.
"Contact at 25 Kilomters! 13 ships, 8 small, 6 large," shouted their radar officer on the bridge. Concurring reports came from the cruisers Danae and Durban, and the destroyers Jupiter. Though the other 5 destroyers lacked any surface radar, their crews had above-average training in night operations, and they would be receiving target data from the other ships via radio.
However, the report of 8 small ships disturbed Reed. He'd been sure that their were only a half-dozen destroyers escorting this fleet. Now it was revealed that both sides were equal in numbers. But with three light cruisers to the sole Japanese one, the British and Australians held the firepower advantage.
The radar controllers continued to call out the range of the Japanese ships as they got closer. The large contacts were distinguished at about 15 Kilometers.
As expected, there were 5 transports unloading cargo at the mouths of the Musi river, while the light cruiser and 8 destroyers patrolled a short distance away.
Too short, thought Reed. They should've detached the warships and tried to engage us farther off. Now, we can hit any target we want to our leisure.
The Japanese ships started to speed up and maneuver towards his own. Both sides were now closing on each other in loose formation.
Surprisingly, it was the Japanese who fired first, with their light cruiser firing a salvo at the Danae.
Not waiting to hear any reports, Reed shouted "All ships, open fire!" over the fleet's radio channel. Danae was already dueling with the enemy cruiser, the crewmen firing off frantic shots that fell short of the target. The destroyer Isis reported being fired upon by another destroyer at about the same time. Destroyers on both sides being engaging each other with little effect, while the Jupiter's gunners remained silent while they waited for a proper firing solution from the radar.
From the bridge, Reed could make out little more than a well-choreographed light show. His own ships had yet to open fire. Off in the distance, he could spotted a blossom of fire erupt from the outline of one of the Japanese transports. The Isis signaled the fleet as having scored the first hit of the battle. Closing to 11 kilometers, Reed saw a single shot from the Durban to his left slam into the Japanese cruiser amidships, exploding around its smokestacks. Undaunted, the ship fired a salvo of its own, but only scored a single hit that was reported as bouncing off Durban's foredeck armor. A minute or so later, Dragon's crew fired their first salvo on the upstart flagship. Reed could make out a small explosion to the fore of the ship, about where its front turret was located. Jupiter also fired its first salvo at the same time. Reed could make out a destroyer on the right hand side of the enemy formation take a single hit that lit it up. Destroyers on both sides exchanged fire and torpedoes, and even one transport looked to be shooting at them, but the British managed to maneuver unmolested into within 8000 meters range. Danae opened fire on a destroyer to the right of their fleet. The unfortunate ships was no illuminated by fires. The previously hit transport was then set upon by Isis, gouts of water arising from two torpedo hits while a salvo from her fore turrets set it aflame. Another salvo hit near the water line, and Isis reported the ships was sinking as the fleets closed to 6 kilometers range. Reed's 3 cruisers all loosed full or near full broadsides on their Japanese counterpart to dismal effect. The reeling flagship responded with a single hit on Danae. Reed watched with dismay as a penetrating hit rocked the ship. While both fleets closed to 3000 meters range with more inept gunnery from the destroyers, Encounter fired on another Japanese transport and scored a hit.
Reed ordered Dragon to concentrate on the Japanese flagship, which sustained another 3 hits but continued firing. Danae proceeded to join, and though she landed only one hit, Reed was sure that the cruiser was now moving at a slower pace.
The destroyers were now within 'knife-fighting range' but both sides maneuvered wildly to throw of the other. Another Japanese destroyer took a hit, but Reed wasn't sure which.
Reed was distracted from his observation by a loud explosion to his left. The signalman on the bridge coolly declared, "Vampire has taken severe damage to her engines, but she can stay in formation." One salvo later, he added "They've just hit the destroyer that struck them. Captain says not to worry."
"Tell Vampire to focus on the transports if her maneuverability is compromised." Reed ordered.
"Roger that."
Soon, Vampire was pouring shells on the troop transport that had been hit by Encounter. She was still trying to move in among the Japanese destroyers when 3 torpedoes from Vampire hobbled it permanently, while the gunners on Jupiter lit up another transport with 3 accurate hits. Not wanting to be outdone, damaged or otherwise, Vampire fired at one of the last undamaged transport ships and lit it up while the crippled transport capsized and the burning destroyer moved in to try and rescue survivors.
The Japanese warships managed to pull away to 4000 meters range, but that didn't stop Danae and Dragon from landing yet more hits on the now-flaming hulk of the flagship.
It was around that point when the Japanese seemed to get their act together.
Danae attempted to engage the burning destroyer while it was seemingly vulnerable, but missed with a partial salvo. Reed saw the destroyer return fire, and a single shell tore through Danae, wrecking havoc in her engines. Not more than seconds later, Reed heard an even larger explosion on their left.
"Jupiter reports a torpedo impact, right below the bridge!" The signalman officer could not hide his distress. "Heavy damage, but the captain says they can still sail!"
Reed himself was unnerved. Achieving a torpedo hit at night couldn't be more than dumb luck! He watched as another Japanese destroyer was set on fire by a lucky shot.
"Captain Thew wants everyone to know his ship did that." The signalman officer was referring to the captain of the Jupiter. Reed found little satisfaction in this news. In the last engagement between the British and the Japanese, HMS Tenedos has been sent to the sea floor by a single torpedo.
Sure enough, at about the same time as the remaining Japanese transports were reported to be moving away, Jupiter reported that the flooding was too much and her crew would be forced to abandon ship. Reed was distracted by this news when the Radar operator reported that the Japanese flagship had seemingly collided with a destroyer. He wasted no time in ordering his cruisers to put the ship out of her misery. Dragon sent 6-inch shells careening into the cruiser while the destroyers continued dueling fruitlessly, but she weathered the barrage admirably (frustratingly, as well). Vendetta, which had been silent for much of the fight, reported two hits to another destroyer. Stronghold was also able to hit the second transport savaged by Vampire, but by then the Japanese were pulling away with remarkable speed. Reed ordered the fleet to pursue. As they reached 8,000 meters, Durban made a torpedo run on the hellishly burning Japanese cruiser. Amazingly, one torpedo hit, slowing the ship down even more, yet even more amazingly, she kept floating. As she somehow managed to set the cruiser even more aflame, the Dragon shuddered from a hit by a destroyer she'd been dueling with.
"The blazes was that?" The Captain yelped.
A few seconds later, a crewmen ran onto the bridge.
"Sirs, we lost our aftmost turret! It's...just gone." He sputtered forth as the remaining turrets kept firing at the uppity destroyer.
Reed sighed. throughout the battle, he was under the illusion that his flagship would get through the struggle unscathed. Though this wasn'tas bad as the penetrating hits the destroyers had scored on Durban and Danae, Reed recognized that he had underestimated the Japanese based on their decision to stick with the transports, but they still had comparable training for night warfare to the Commonwealth ships. That they were scoring accurate hits while his own radar-equipped cruisers often scored one hit out of a salvo of six shots proved that. Even the sight of more hits on a transport and the ragged light cruiser sinking didn't improve his mood. The Japanese were still getting away, after all. Vendetta scored one last hit on a burning destroyer, but by then the Japanese had ceased firing and were able to slip away.
Reed ordered his ships to resupply at the non-embattled sections of the Palembang port and make haste to Batavia. He found the end results of the battle unsatisfactory. They had sunk 2 transports and a light cruiser, but they'd also lost the only radar-equipped destroyer in the ABDA fleet. His cruisers would also be out of the war for several weeks.
Reed thought back to his short meeting with General Van Heuvel in Batavia. His hope had been to meet the man again beaming proudly to match his victorious fleet. But under these circumstances, perhaps it was better to return with a touch of humility.

The Battle of Palembang.
First, the report:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang [S Smtra] at 48,91, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E11A1 Laura FR: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 3
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 1
DD Murasame
DD Harusame, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1
xAK Eihuku Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
xAK Mikasa Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Aso Maru
xAK Hakonesan Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAP Kobe Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL RN Danae, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL RN Dragon, Shell hits 1
CL RN Durban, Shell hits 1
DD RAN Vampire, Shell hits 1
DD RAN Vendetta
DD RN Stronghold
DD RN Encounter
DD RN Isis
DD RN Jupiter, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

This was a satisfactory engagement. I wanted Savo island, I got Cape Esperance. Bristolduke said he was expecting to take Palembang on day one and disband the task force. As I told him in my response, I for one would've split the warships off so they could at least fight unimpeded and sent in a few regiment-sized units too.
Losing Jupiter was quite unfortunate, as I wrote in the last post. The sunk ships list reports Yuudachi and Harusame (The first and second burning destroyers) as sunk, but if Electra could survive 14-inch hits, a single 6-inch shell couldn't do the Japanese ships in. Watching Naka perish in a hail of shells and a parting torpedo was quite satisfying, as was Vampire's performance.
Currently, Dragon has 1 sys damage, but lost a 6-inch mount (Thanks to a hit by Samidare. Jupiter was torpedoed by Harusame, for the record.)
Durban is undamaged, Danae and Vampire have at least 12 sys and 15 flt damage with minimal engine damage. They're off to Soerbaja.
As for the rest of the East Indies, Palembang saw two battles where the allies lost around 100 men each compared to 40 Japanese.
On the 18th, A naval guard fragment (15th NG/6) marched into Manado and took 46 casualties to 23 Dutch in an attack.
The evacuation of Sumatra goes well,
Malaya.
Bhatu Pahat was captured on the 17th. Up in Singapore there was a battle of 15 zeroes and 20 Buffaloes on the 18th. 1 zero was destroyed next to 4 Buffaloes, with a total of 7 Buffaloes lost next to another 4 zeroes reportedly from ops. 2 pilots perished.
China has seen many bombing attacks against the French bases and our army moving to Swatow.
Japanese troops crossed the river and took Hwaiyin.
2400 AV of Chinese troops is in Sinyang and set to shock attack on the 18th. The results will soon be known.
At Hong Kong, the Japanese invasion force is trying to bombard the defenders and doing minimal damage.
Philippines
The presence of Japanese carriers in the Celebes sea was finally confirmed on the 18th with this report:

Afternoon Air attack on Davao [Mindinao] , at 79,91

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 26
A6M2m21 Zero x 15
D3A1 Val DB x 12
F1M2 Pete FF x 2

No Japanese losses

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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val DB releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 242 kg GP Bomb, 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val DB releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 242 kg GP Bomb, 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

The attack coincided with and amphibious attack on the prior day:


Ground combat at Davao [Mindinao] (79,91)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1078 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Defending force 2363 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Assaulting units:
PA 4th Base Force
PA 101st Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
JNAF 9th Co
Kure 2nd SNLF

This is an odd place to use carrier in an even odder role. Attacking the airfield when the troops would clearly need air support is unnecessary, because:
-He's damaging the airfield that will fall into Japanese hands soon.
-The only airplanes still on Mindanao until the 18th were a unit of PBYs which have now been transferred away. In addition, the two partner regiments of the 101st are already moving towards Davao. The timetable here will at least be disrupted.

Intel reported yet another Soviet attack plan on the 17th:
17th Mobile "10cm" Field Artillery Regiment is planning for an attack on Voroshilov [Amur P].

But on the 18th, intel reported a JAAF unit planning for San Fernando, meaning Luzon is still at risk of another invasion. The Legaspi invasion force also just crossed into Naga. At this rate, most of the ships in the Manila repair yard will ready to make a break for it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, does planning matter little for Artillery units if they're not in amphibious invasions? Those artillery units planning for Voroshilov will bombard just as well in New Guinea?

Just for the record, I haven't abandoned this game.
We're having some technical difficulties with att.net. I sent over my response on schedule, I saw it as sent to Bristolduke's address, but he seemingly didn't get it.
He emailed me today asking what was wrong. I sent the turn over again, but who knows if it arrived. This is most frustrating.
(UPDATE: I sent a PM on the forums and got a response. Bristolduke will have the next turn ready soon. This day has been rather hectic. I'm glad something turned out satisfactorily.)

Malaya.
Because no Zeroes flew sweeps, we had one last hurrah of successful air interceptions against Japanese bombers:

But fortunes reversed on the 20th. The first sweep of zeroes shot down 8 Buffaloes. :

I will be shifting the fragmented squadrons to Java. The New Zealand Squadron has 8 intact aircraft, so its already there.
On the 19th, Japanese reinforcements arrived at Chumphon while Alor star was captured:
Ground combat at Chumphon [S Thai] (52,66)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1139 troops, 3 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Defending force 3899 troops, 63 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 144

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

Defending units:
III./124th Infantry Battalion
JAAF 7th Field AF Construction Battalion
II./124th Infantry Battalion
I./143rd Infantry Battalion

Chumphon was then captured.

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3916 troops, 65 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Defending force 1497 troops, 6 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Japanese adjusted assault: 72

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Chumphon [S Thai] !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
528 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4

On the 20th, the Mersing invasion force made an early attack on Singapore:

Attacking force 15374 troops, 198 guns, 320 vehicles, Assault Value = 574

Defending force 43470 troops, 543 guns, 665 vehicles, Assault Value = 962

Japanese adjusted assault: 604

Allied adjusted defense: 2105

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1325 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 133 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled

Allied ground losses:
318 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
A risky move, but it paid off, with another 400 AV that would've been there under normal circumstances cut off.

China:
There were another two deliberate attacks and air strikes on Hong Kong, reducing the AV to 76:

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
193 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

The big attack at Hsin Yang was unsuccessful, but I'm pleased to know that my guess about the strength of the Japanese forces was correct.

Ground combat at Hsin Yang [MothrRd] (86,48)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 74650 troops, 372 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 2430

Defending force 18034 troops, 185 guns, 216 vehicles, Assault Value = 526

Allied adjusted assault: 1759

Japanese adjusted defense: 867

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1050 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3092 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 162 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled

Assaulting units:
NRA 30th Corps
Hopei 59th Heavy Corps
NRA 12th Corps
Hunan 41st Fld Amy Corps
Hunan 41st Fld Amy Corps
NRA 84th Corps
11th Army Group
22nd Army Group

Defending units:
RGC 18th Temp Division
52nd Road Const Co
RGC 12th Temp Division
1st Ind Mixed Dr B Brigade
JAAF 67th AF Co

In addition to this attack, I'm massing troops to take Nanchang, Kyuko, Swatow, and Foochow. Nothing planned for Ichang, I need another two units to arrive first.

The AVG finally made itself known on the 20th.

Morning Air attack on NRA 3rd Provisional Corps, at 88,43 (Hsin Hsiang [CChna])

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 7

Allied aircraft
CAF H81-A3 Tomahawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32 Mary : 4 destroyed

All 7 Maries were shot down.

And on the 19th, 13 Sonias attacked Heng chow. Unfortunately for them, that's were most of the Chinese nationalist fighters are training. The battle was rather odd. I had all the planes training at 10000 feet, but the bombers were flying at 2000 feet, so the only ones that attacked them were the Chinese Potez 63.11s. They shot down 5 planes, but the rest got through and bombed 51 Chinese troops.

DEI:
The Japanese attacked the British remnants at Benkayang (Dot hex between Kuching and Sinkawang), making the infantry unit surrender.
KNIL NS regiment is all but completely loaded for evacuation to Calcutta. Two units at Sabang are also being evacuated. Another Dutch battalion from Sumatra is being unloaded at Batavia. The Japanese finally arrived at Hollandia.
The British fleet is back at Soerbaja. Only Vampire will need more than two weeks in the repair yards.
Signal reports gave me this:

44th Road Const Co is planning for an attack on Manado [Celebes].

Philippines:
A task force in Manila harbor were the target of an air raid:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Manila [Luzon] at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2/G3M2-K Nell TB x 18

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2/G3M2-K Nell TB: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses

There are currently 3 task forces in the hex left of Itbayat island. One consists of DDs and a CL one of AKs, and one of SCs and AMs. Meanwhile, intelligence on the 20th reported this:
Kure 1st SNLF is loaded on a Japanese AP moving to Infanta & Real.
So there are at least two invasion task forces on their way.
Off Luzon, this happened:
Sub attack near Olongapo [Subic NS] at 77,76

Japanese Ships
SS I-54 [Later I-154]

Allied Ships
xAK UK Nanning, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAK UK Nanning is sighted by SS I-54 [Later I-154]
SS I-54 [Later I-154] launches 4 torpedoes


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

Sub attack near Olongapo [Subic NS] at 77,76

Japanese Ships
SS I-54 [Later I-154], hits 1

Allied Ships
xAPc ROC Macao Ferry, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Both ships were sunk.

Nothing new in Mindanao. The Japanese Carrier task force has not been spotted as of the 20th.

USSR
Intel from the 19th:
7th 4cm RpdFire Gun Battalion is planning for an attack on Alexandrovski Zaved.
Intel from the 20th:
2nd Mobile "15 cm" Field Artillery Regiment is planning for an attack on Voroshilov [Amur P].
The usual.

Burma:
Nothing at all. The last 17th Indian division component is a week away from Rangoon.
Rabaul/Truk
I'm including Truk because my search planes from Rabaul found this gem on the 20th:

Either the Carrier TF that was attacking Davao moved at full speed to Truk, or another task force was already heading there. This is a problem because I've got a task force of transports escorted by Achilles, Perth, Voyager, and AMC westralia that just arrived at Rabaul to evacuate the ground units. They haven't been detected. I've chosen to try and save just Lark force so I can reform the 23rd Australian Brigade. Subs were already on their way to patrol around Truk.

Hawaii:
The American carriers are one hex from Pearl Harbor. Most are in need of repairs.
No Submarines have been spotted for the past few days. One of my ASW task forces tried to attack I-1 on two occasions, but that's about it.
I've got a task force carrying one of the AA units with a stacking value of over 800 to Wake island, just in case a belated invasion arrives.

West Coast:
The 40th division components are going to Burma.

The news reported there was hacking that affected several networks especially their emails.

I asked Bristolduke if he could flip this turn after I finished it early. He agreed.

Singapore:
There was one last day of air battles on the 2st, but flak was the only thing that got kills.
On the plus side, the 243 British squadron was able to be transferred to Soerbaja on the 22nd, because there were only 3 intact aircraft. All the experience pilots have already been sent to the reserve. Malacca was captured in Malaya, and the Kuantan units are heading to Kuala Lumpur, but that's it.

NEI:
Northern Sumatra is almost completely evacuated, except for 3 base forces and 1 infantry unit.

The Japanese attacked Manada on the 22nd:


Ground combat at Manado [Celebes] (75,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3764 troops, 180 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 116

Defending force 3401 troops, 20 guns, 112 vehicles, Assault Value = 91

Japanese adjusted assault: 51

Allied adjusted defense: 39

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
15th Nav Gd /6

Defending units:
KNIL Manado Gsn Battalion
LVA Manado Base Force
LVA Ternate Det Base Force

China:
The Japanese launched one last attack on Hong Kong, then settled into bombardment again.
Artillery units are being moved to support the battle for Nanchang.
An RGC unit crossed a strait to take Macao:


Ground combat at Macao [Portugese] (76,60)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5563 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 150

Defending force 1141 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Japanese adjusted assault: 104

Allied adjusted defense: 14

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Macao [Portugese] !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1494 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 48 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
RGC 20th Temp Division

Defending units:
PORT Macao Gar

I can get 300 AV in Chinese units to retake it soon.

New Guinea:
Japanese units landed at Aitape and Wewak.
Intel reports the Japanese carriers ate Truk are moving Northwest.
The Hollandia Base force is in Port Moresby.
30th AUS brigade has been merged.
Intel:
42nd Road Const Co is planning for an attack on Rabaul [Nw Brit].

Philippines:
The San Fernando invasion has arrived, and the Legaspi invasion is slowly moving North. I had the RN PT boats at San Fernando, but they were useless as usual. In Mindanao, the Japanese caught up with my retreating units.

USSR:
10th Tank "Rgt" (-) Battalion is planning for an attack on Khorol [Amur Prov].

Wake island:
I had a resupply task force with Cassin, Downes,and Conygnham escorting a transport. The got to Wake and were attacked by waves of bombers that were too high up to hit anything.

Thailand:
There's a free Thai unit in central Thailand that I sent to capture Ayuthia province, one hex above Bangkok. It was intended as a nuisance, and the mission was accomplished with flying colors when the province was recaptured on the 21st by:

Assaulting units:
14th Tank "Rgt" (-) Battalion
55th Div Cavalry Regiment
112th Draft B Inf Regiment
55th Division Draft Engineer Regiment
55th Div Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Army
21st Mixed Gun Field Artillery Battalion

So I know that the 15th army hasn't entered Burma yet.

Here's a list of US units that will be heading to Burma:
216th AA RGT.
40 FA RGT.
159 Motorized RGT.
40th Division components.
11th Cavalry RGT.
Got some Chinese units from the 12th war area moving in too.
138 Independent regiment.
27th Division.
127th and 131st Airbase forces.

2 quiet turns. The 22nd saw only Japanese planes lost, and the only allied plane lost on the 24th was from ops.
The main noteworthy sighting was on the 22nd. The carriers at Truk have vanished, but I did spot this:

Which coincides with the second wave of invasions of Luzon that occurred on the 24th.

Amphibious Assault at Infanta & Real (80,77)

TF 83 troops unloading over beach at Infanta & Real, 80,77

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

10 troops of a IJA B 3xGD Sect lost from landing craft during unload of Miura Det Bn
13 troops of a IJA B T96 LMG Sqd accidentally lost during unload of 146th+Tkt Co Draft RCT
Type 97 Medium Tank lost in surf during unload of 8th Tank "Rgt" Bn

Borneo
Brunei and Kudat were captured.

China: The big battle of Sinyang resumed with a deliberate attack today. Chinese losses were 3 to 1, but none of our squads were destroyed. Forts were also lowered to zero. Another attack will come tomorrow. At Hong Kong, bombardments are continuing.
1700 AV of Chinese infantry is in Foochow. I will wait for the HQ before attacking.

DEI: There was another attack on Manado on the 23rd. The Japanese lose less men than the Dutch, but the forts remain untouched.
At Batavia, the west Sumatra KNIL unit is going to be reformed soon.

Burma:The Medan CD unit is at Aykab, and the 63rd Indian brigade TF is one hex from Rangoon.
Not much else to say. I've been shifting units around in Australia, moving NZ brigades to Auckland where they'll rebuild faster, transferring air units to the UK southeast Asia theater for Burma, nothing special.

We flipped another turn yesterday, and wished each other a merry in-game Christmas.
Malaya/Thailand:
Singapore is bombed continuously. Flak gets a few planes. Victoria point was captured on the 26th, But Nakhwan still holds.
There were two Dutch Do-24 units languishing in Riuow, but I snuck an AV to make sure they got fully repaired.
China:
Hong Kong was deliberately attacked and then bombarded, but still holds.
My big attack on Hsin Yang didn't go as planned when 2 divisions of reinforcements arrived, but I've got reinforcements of my own on the way.


Ground combat at Hsin Yang [MothrRd] (86,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 72500 troops, 374 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 2147

Defending force 35019 troops, 395 guns, 213 vehicles, Assault Value = 1080

Allied adjusted assault: 905

Japanese adjusted defense: 1023

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1274 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 110 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2255 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 113 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled

Assaulting units:
NRA 30th Corps
NRA 12th Corps
Hunan 41st Fld Amy Corps
Hunan 41st Fld Amy Corps
Hopei 59th Heavy Corps
NRA 84th Corps
11th Army Group
22nd Army Group

Defending units:
1st Ind Mixed Dr B Brigade
13th Draft B Mirror Division
RGC 12th Temp Division
58th Pack B Inf Regiment
RGC 18th Temp Division
JAAF 67th AF Co
52nd Road Const Co

At Fuchow, we have at least a 5-to-1 advantage in AV, but just over 1/3rd advantage in Swatow.
One of my guerilla units cut the rail between Shanghai and Hangchow.

Philippines:
With the invasion in full swing, Japanese fighters have been sweeping Manila to gain air superiority. However, they are only able to send in groups of 5 fighters thanks to weather and distance. This means the 30 fighters that usually come up to greet them have no trouble shooting them down. To ensure success, I've assigned all fighter groups in Luzon leaders with skills in the 60's. Meanwhile, I've been able to send the fully repaired bomber and patrol groups to safety. SS Snapper was the first submarine damaged in the December 7th attack to be repaired. She will patrol near San Fernando. The British Destroyers are heading to Soerbaja.
On land, 3 units just entered Clark field. There's also another unit that's been in Taytay for at least a few days but hasn't captured the base.

Solomon islands:
The Japanese captured Kieta on Bougainville. Multiple construction units and the Maizuru 1st/3rd SNLF (Which is twice the size of normal Naval guard units) are planning for Rabaul.

Obligatory Soviet attack intel:
December 25: 22nd Ind Engineer Regiment is planning for an attack on Turij Rog [Amur Pr].

United States:
Air groups, ground units, and ships are all transiting off-map hexes.
The Wake Island AA gun task force is one hex from Pearl Harbor.
The Wake resupply task force has not been attacked.
Australia:
Subamrines 1-10 and I-159 sank Dominion Monarch in the Torres strait. I've got extra PBYs at Horn island to search for them.

Nighttime on the west coast was once a mesmerizing sight. At the right distance, it was possible to look out and see the lights of Los Angeles reflecting of the dark water. Sadly, such a sight was now a disconnected memory. Not only because the war had necessitated bizarre blackout rules, but because this was not the waterfront of Los Angeles, but San Luis Obispo.
"How much longer until we reach San Francisco?" Yawned Captain Ramsay on the bridge of the Saratoga.
"We'll be their before sunrise on the thirtieth." Mumbled the navigator.
Ramsay would've preferred to sleep the whole night, but he felt the need to stay aloof during what was no longer an unremarkable voyage. The entry of America into the war had already seen a new wave of convoy attacks be German U-boats on the East coast, disregarding the far more distressing news from the east. The carrier had set out the previous day just the ominous news that Hong Kong was now fully under Japanese control reached the west coast, and the Japanese were entering Clark Field. News passed through Saratoga with thick agitation as she spent the first 2 weeks of the war in San Diego.
Thankfully, Admiral Kimmel seemed to be recovering from the terror of watching two battleships get disabled by tiny submarines in the supposed sanctuary of Pearl Harbor. Ships were heading in from the East while men headed there from the West. One of those ships was the newer carrier Yorktown, though only a few officers were privy to the knowledge that she had just passed through Panama. Sara's time had finally come with that news, and so the ships weighed anchor for San Francisco, which was the main staging point for the Pacific fleet. Ramsay found the orders rather unnerving. Potential escorts were present at San Diego, but they were currently heading there alone. It was both brazenly stupid and subtly unwise. After all, there was no way the Germans could or would have submarines off the West Coast! It might've been made in a vain attempt to be sneaky? Any phantom subs would be less likely to spot a single ships than a convoy. But Ramsay had heard disturbing reports about Japanese single engine planes snooping around in places they could not have logically reached-
The sound of waves gave way to something much faster moving through the water, and Ramsay was all but pleased that their punishment for arrogance had arrived then and not right as Saratoga was entering San Francisco.
From ahead and to the left came the inevitable impact, followed by the flood of shooting and jerking as their ship practically yelped in surprise. Ramsay thanked the lord that the torpedo had struck to their left. A hit where it seemed to land on the right would've set off the ammo on those moronic 8-inch turrets.
----
Morning of the 28th.
"..We're down almost a third of our speed, but that's more from flooding than the engines, which-"
"Were damaged from the detonation, I know." Ramsay replied with detachment. With reports circulating of deadly Japanese torpedoes, the end result of this attack wasn't quite the catastrophe he'd predicted. Perhaps the Navy would let this accident slide rather than launch a formal inquiry. Aside from their new slant to the left, the only other noteworthy loss had been an F2A fighter located just under the point of impact that had slammed into the wall of the hangar and was too damaged to be repaired.
Another radio officer spoke up. "Sir, we've got a message from Major General Bonesteel in San Fran. He's sending two destroyer divisions to escort us there."
"He should've had them ready for a rendezvous when we left. But then, the Navy wouldn't bother to tell him about a routine transfer of ships, would they?"
Bonesteel was the Supreme Commander of the Western defense theater, a post that wasn't as important as the title made it out given the likelihood of an invasion of the West Coast.
"What about search planes? If there are subs off the coast, we can't have them patrolling with impunity. It'll be a scandal if our convoys get attacked right out of the gate. And if-no-when word gets out about our predicament, the whole state will throw a tantrum!"
"Bonesteel says he'll be getting some planes to patrol the Coast if it makes you feel better-it's what the message says. The rest need to train."
"Train?"
"The pilots need to know how to find a sub before they can sink 'em. The whole air search branch of the navy is filled with people rated to fly the planes but they can't tell a sub from a whale."
"And the army pilots shouldn't be expected to know better either because 'searching for boats isn't their job', I know this story." Ramsay remained passive. Their own planes would be searching too. There was no need to be stressed. Surely everything would be resolved in less than 24 hours.

Sara's odyssey:
Saratoga was hit by I-4 off San Luis Obispo, and suffered 18 SYS, 25 FLT, and 9 ENG damage. She'll "only" need 93 days on high repair level. Considering the two vital upgrades she'll be getting, that's a good thing. The best part about this gaffe was our email exchange:
For the 28th turn file.

Bristolduke:
Surprise

Me:

Yes, seeing those RGC units get routed from Ho fei was quite surprising.

Then, with the 29th turn:

Yea, I guess that was too
But we both know there is a carrier MIA and where the salvage activities can begin.

So, either he thinks Saratoga was sunk from one torpedo, or he's just messing around.

Malaya:
Not much. He bombs Singapore, sometimes flak gets more than one plane. He bombards too, and I can see more units moving in today.

Kuala Lumpur was finally attacked on the 31st. My decision to put a British Buffalo squad paid off in the first raid, but only because the Nells went in ahead of an Oscar sweep that led to 4 Buffaloes perishing. Then 2 more bomber sweeps came in relatively unopposed and scored over 100 runway hits between the two.
DEI:
I saved all the wrecked units from the battle of Palembang. They'll be used to build up some bases in the South Pacific.
There were two more attacks at Manado, followed by a big amphibious invasion on the 31st:

Pre-Invasion action off Manado [Celebes] (75,99) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

49 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 2
DD Hayashio

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

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

Invasion Support action off Manado [Celebes] (75,99) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsukaze
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 2

I am quite pleased with how the CD performed.

New Guinea:
Rabaul was invaded and captured by the Maizuru Combined SNLF and a base force. The past two turns saw my CD guns do a number on the transports despite the Guam invasion force being embedded in the attack. Meanwhile, I had the Hudson squadron at Rabaul set at just the right search arc to spot a Carrier task force moving south east of Bougainville. It sank the small ships I was sending to evacuate the 2/1st company in Namatanai, but I was able to rescue the Tulagi base force safely on the same day.
As For the carriers, I've sighted 2 CV task forces seemingly moving back to Truk, where the subs are waiting.
Philippines:
Another easy victory on the 28th, 4 Zeroes swept Manila at 19000 feet, diving on 31 P-40s. They were all destroyed. On the ground, The Japanese twice attacked Clark field when they only had 4 tank units and took around 300 losses to 1/3rd of that for the Americans. Now they've got more troops bombarding the base, which just got to fort level 3 in time. They're also bombarding Manila.

China:
The aforementioned battle for Ho Fei. Recon showed 1080 troops and 3 guns, so I took the risk.


Ground combat at Ho Fei [E China] (88,50)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32390 troops, 122 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 1073

Defending force 11183 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 304

Allied adjusted assault: 909

Japanese adjusted defense: 131

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
5008 casualties reported
Squads: 100 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 175 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 13 (6 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
448 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
ROC 48th Corps
NRA 85th Corps
NRA 7th Corps
NRA 7th New Lt Cps Division

Defending units:
RGC 11th Ind "Bde" Regiment
RGC 12th Ind "Bde" Regiment
RGC 7th Temp Division

I had all my units attack Fuchow as planned, but he managed to get a fragment of a unit in there to stave the Chinese off. While I waited for my troops to recover, he moved 5 of the units to the wooded road hex southwest of Fuchow and left one sacrificial unit behind.

I had to partisan battalions, a division, and a war area HQ attack a unit in the hex above Amoy, but the were repulsed.

2 days of deliberate attacks pushed out the defenders of Lang son (On the Indochina-ROC border) out on the 30th. The single Mixed brigade had forts and terrain, but the Chinese units had a 10-to-1 AV advantage.

Misc:
Submarine Gar fired a dud at RO-68 near Truk.

Some French bases in the Indochinese interior were captured.

The defenders of Davao are heading to Cagayan unmolested.

Chinese units are starting to reach the Burma rails.

A whole lot of AKs arrived in off-map hexes.

Intel shows:

31st Draft A Inf Regiment is planning for an attack on Voroshilov [Amur P].

21st Draft B Division is planning for an attack on Port Moresby.

21st FG InMxd Dr B Brigade is planning for an attack on Tarakan [Oil/Bor].

Good victory in China. It seems your opponent likes to needle you ans since he gets the combat replay first he might be the bearer of bad news. You might be able to use some deception, Sara might be on his sunk list so you can play along and maybe he will think it really did sink and scratch if off and he might split the KB assuming it is gone and leaving you only 1-2 carriers. He might get cocky thinking it is gone and under support phase one Japanese operations, giving you a chance to ambush them.

Many an extenuating circumstance has prevented me from writing this update.
Singapore:
It's been bombed by single-engine planes at 5000 feet. Flak damages them frequently, but not enough to halt the attacks. The Japanese troops in Singapore launched a deliberate attack that cost 2000 men on the 2nd, but they've bombarded on the other days.
2 Thai resistance units recaptured Alor star while Japanese troops entered Georgetown.
NEI:
They captured Praboemoelih and Manado on the 1st.

Indochina:
Ki-43's and Ki-27's have been bombing my army in Lang son at 5000 feet to no effect.
China:
With the fall of Hong Kong, Japanese units are on the move in the Guangdong area. Two battalions successively shock attacked into Foshan and took heavy losses. I already had units moving there.
The Swatow invasion force is retreating as a large IJA force enters Shan wei.
The Flying tigers swept Canton and Macao, shooting down at least 12 Nates over the course of 4 days.
Artillery has arrived in Hsin Hsiang and Nanyang. While there are still just 4 Enemy units in Hsin Hsiang, the map and unit counts confirmed that one of the units in the base of Kyuko moved south into Nanyang, which will make the task of the four units I sent there easier.
On the 4th, an army regiment shock attacked over the river to Sinn Seinn, lost 2000 men out of 3000, and retreated.
3 units are 1 hex out from Chu Hsien.
Philippines:
Lots of bombardments from outnumbered Japanese armies in Clark and Manila.
Off in Mindanao, there are some units from the smaller islands that I've been able to move island to island over to Cagayan.
USSR:
3rd of Arty Group Field Artillery Regiment is planning for an attack on Voroshilov [Amur P].

8th Div Mixed Mountain Gun Regiment is planning for an attack on Voroshilov [Amur P].

A new theater has opened:
So on the 4th I got this message:
28th Shipping Engineer Regiment is loaded on CS Kimikawa Maru moving to Kiska Island [AK].
And a day later came this:
Amphibious Assault at Kiska Island [AK] (157,51)

TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Kiska Island [AK], 157,51

8 Naval Support Sect troops accidentally lost during unload of 28th Shipping Engr Rgt /2
10 Support Section troops lost overboard during unload of JNAF 5th AF Unit /2

Looks like the Aleutians are going to be a semi-important theater. Good thing I already evacuated the Kiska weather station!
(1 Support section and one A/C observer unit)
Silent service:
From the last turn:
Sub attack near Cam Ranh Bay at 66,72

Japanese Ships
PB Seikai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AKL Yamura Maru
AKL Chojun Maru
xAKL Gyokurei Maru
xAKL Suez Maru
xAKL Koyu Maru
E Shirataka

Allied Ships
SS S-39

I heard the sinking sound and the PB is on the sunk list, so that's somewhat pleasing.

"Major, I'm going to defer my judgment to yours, because we are unequivocally doomed right about now."
Colonel Wisneski knew a thing or two about subtlety. It had to be the day that his Anti-air battalion was fully properly dug in that the Japanese chose to launch the feared attack. A few days of silence in the air had been the closest thing to a warning they'd gotten, then a deceptively small fleet had snuck through the storms and was now turning their meticulous defense plans upside down.
All because of those destroyers, Major Devereux brooded as another shell cratered the airfield. Less than a half dozen were screening the invasion, but they seemed to be the best the Japanese had. It was a good thing the escorts for their own transport fleet hadn't chosen to turn around and rush to their aid. Compared to the Japanese ships with their 3 large turrets plainly visible from thousands of yards away, the 4-stackers looked almost like fast transport ships.
The 6-inch guns he had positioned around the island attempted to hit the destroyers, but they dodged with ease, not even trying to exchange fire with the guns. Instead, they pummeled the airfield, with had the side effect of hitting the poorly sheltered airfield maintenance personnel and civilian contractors that had been caught doing their daily routines. Devereux hoped it was just bad timing.
Still, an invasion fleet has to reach an island to take it, and the defensive gunners started to unknowingly place shots closer to their targets. Devereux counted one good hit each on two destroyers, but neither looked to be visibly damaged by the strikes. This paucity of success distracted the gunners from the smaller landing boats, and soon reports from the outer islets indicated the Japanese were swarming over the marine defense positions.
For the rest of the day, he directed the marines and armed workers in a desperate delaying action as the main Japanese invasion fleet began unloading troops in earnest. By nightfall the situation had grown simultaneously desperate but secure. At least 300 casualties were reported when the front line finally stabilized. Japanese forced had been about the same, but they were no secure on the island, and the Americans had little in the way of defense positions to hide behind. The battle of Wake Island had begun with a shock, but it would end on the marine's terms.

Malaya:
Singapore is bombarded ineffectually each day, excluding another 1 to 6 attack on the 7th.
2 Japanese engineer units attacked Alor Star on the 12th. The Thai units retreated into a hex near Patani. I'll try to move them towards a seemingly unoccupied dot hex nearby. There's a Japanese force in Kuantan that hasn't attacked yet.
China:
My armies keep getting harassed by bombers. One thing I've noted: Bristolduke is using G4m and G3m bombers from Tawain to attack my army in Foochow, when he really should be trying to bomb the Philippines, as you shall soon see.
I mentioned before that a Chinese partisan unit was in the Hex between Shanghai and Hangchow. They were eliminated on the 7th, but the entire 21st Division was diverted to take them out.
On the same day a Japanese army shock attacked over the river to one of the rough hexes leading to a roadway that eventually curves south into Sian. I'd seen the AI do this and moved several PLA and ROC units into the hex:


Ground combat at 89,39 (near Feng Yang [Yel Rvr])

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 17774 troops, 185 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 664

Defending force 28143 troops, 101 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 920

Japanese adjusted assault: 162

Allied adjusted defense: 1023

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6

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

Japanese ground losses:
4072 casualties reported
Squads: 123 destroyed, 242 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 87 (13 destroyed, 74 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1447 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th China Pack C Brigade
7th China Pack C Brigade
8th Ind Mixed Pk B Brigade
JAAF 9th AF Co

Defending units:
NRA 23rd Lt Cps Division
PLA 129th Division
NRA 19th Corps
PLA 115th Division
Warlord 4th Cav Cps Division

Shan wei (East of Hong Kong on the map and held by a static warlord unit) was captured on the 6th.

3 Chinese units drove the 2 Japanese battalions and RGC unit that snuck into Fochan out and inflicted 3500 losses.

Down in Swatow, I ordered the units that were trying to take the base away. They were attacked multiple times, but I had them in combat mode so they were not forced to retreat.

Reinforcements are heading into Paotow.

Chu Hsien is under siege, but there are level two forts in place and 3 of the 4 enemy units are RGC. Their first attacked cost them 10 to 1 losses.

Up in Hsin Hsiang, 4 Japanese units had moved into the hex, but I was able to rail in reinforcements and artillery. When I had about 3300 AV and could inflict losses on the Japanese with bombardments, I attacked:


Ground combat at Hsin Hsiang [CChna] (88,43)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 115641 troops, 660 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 3645

Defending force 26704 troops, 294 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 916

Allied adjusted assault: 1539

Japanese adjusted defense: 563

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
4582 casualties reported
Squads: 223 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 321 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 65 (29 destroyed, 36 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (6 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Allied ground losses:
2976 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 280 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
NRA 93rd Corps
NRA 14th US OB Corps
NRA 68th Corps
ROC 36th Corps
NRA 201st Division
NRA 57th Corps
NRA 96th Corps
NRA 98th Corps
NRA 61st Corps
NRA 80th Corps
NRA 3rd Provisional Corps
NRA Second Ind Field Artillery Regiment
NRA 1st Artillery Brigade
NRA 57th Ind AT Gun Regiment
7th Army Group
NRA 10th Ind Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
35th Draft B Division
NCPC 101st Route Brigade
3rd China InMxd B Brigade
RGC 15th Temp Division

Down in Ichang, the enemy units are completely surrounded but behind level 4 forts. This will take a while.

At Kyuko, my suspicions were correct: the division there moved down into Chu hsien, leaving the Naval guard unit to face 1350 AV of Chinese. I sent three of the four units involved in the attack to Chu Hsien, but they shock attacked over the river and suffered 195 disabled squads. I thought I had enough AV to avoid that!

After capturing Lang son, the Chinese units threw the damaged Mixed brigade that had retreated into Hanoi. Reinforcements will be on the way soon. I might even move the French unit that's one hex north into position to support. They've got around 70 EXP with a leader in the 70s range.
Another odd addition courtesy of the RHS mod popped up in Fochan on the day of the attack. A battalion sized unit called the "ROC Kowloon brigade" arrived. It has around 27 Chinese infantry squads and 2 dozen "UK boys AT rifle" teams or something like that. Not sure how to use this unit.
There are Japanese units moving into Sinn seinn form the south.
Philippines:
Nothing happening in the air.
One thing of interest in Manila. The Japanese were at a 10-1 disadvantage in AV, so I tried a deliberate attack on the 10th:

Ground combat at Manila [Luzon] (79,77)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28551 troops, 317 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 1151

Defending force 6560 troops, 97 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 203

Allied adjusted assault: 498

Japanese adjusted defense: 95

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1654 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 29 (6 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (5 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Allied ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
PA 11th Infantry Division
PA 51st Infantry Division
USAAF Manila Base Force
PS 26th Cavalry Regiment
PA 1st Infantry Division
USN Cavite Base Force
PA 41st Infantry Division
PA 91st Infantry Division
PAF Aviation
PA Provisional Grp Regiment
PA 2nd Constabulary Division
II Philippine Corps Corps
USMC 1st AA Battalion
PA 301st Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
146th+Tkt Co Draft Regimental Combat Team
Miura Det Battalion
16th Recon Regiment
Kure 1st SNLF
Wake Island:
I had no warning this would happen. One day my AA unit is unloaded, and the next destroyers are bombing the base. One thing of note was that the 3-inch AA guns took part in firing on the transports. They missed, but it's nice to know they can serve more than one purpose.

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3374 troops, 131 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 86

Defending force 2112 troops, 85 guns, 33 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Japanese adjusted assault: 42

Allied adjusted defense: 20

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
268 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
301 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
84th/II Naval Guard Unit
84th/III Naval Guard Unit
84th/I Naval Guard Unit
JNAF 33rd AF Unit

Defending units:
USN Wake CPNAB (+)
USMC 1st Defense Battalion
78th Coast AA Regiment


Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3124 troops, 130 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Defending force 1910 troops, 86 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Japanese adjusted assault: 14

Allied adjusted defense: 24

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
84th/III Naval Guard Unit
84th/I Naval Guard Unit
JNAF 33rd AF Unit
84th/II Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
USN Wake CPNAB (+)
USMC 1st Defense Battalion
78th Coast AA Regiment

AA guns provide some bonus to enemy squads destroyed despite having no AV, right? Does not being attacked by air help?

The marine CD guns hit 2 destroyers once and 3 transports a few times.

Rabaul:
The base force is being pursued as usual.
Subs:
I lost a transport carrying an NZ recon plane in the Torres strait and those two ARDs from Singapore to subs.

USSR:
A few units were planning to attack, but I haven't seen any divisions on the intel reports. Could indicate it's a diversion. Or it could be luck.

Singapore:
More bombardments, and the twin-engine bombers are back.
China:
Another big attack in the hex near Feng Yang:

Ground combat at 89,39 (near Feng Yang [Yel Rvr])

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14951 troops, 162 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 401

Defending force 39264 troops, 138 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 1285

Japanese adjusted assault: 236

Allied adjusted defense: 979

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
1692 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
438 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th China Pack C Brigade
7th China Pack C Brigade
8th Ind Mixed Pk B Brigade
JAAF 9th AF Co

Defending units:
PLA 115th Division
PLA 129th Division
NRA 16th Corps
NRA 23rd Lt Cps Division
NRA 19th Corps
Warlord 4th Cav Cps Division


Luzon:
One final exodus of ships from Manila started on the 13th.

Wake island:
The 13th:


Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3268 troops, 133 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 79

Defending force 1721 troops, 81 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Japanese adjusted assault: 12

Allied adjusted defense: 28

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
84th/III Naval Guard Unit
84th/II Naval Guard Unit
84th/I Naval Guard Unit
JNAF 33rd AF Unit

Defending units:
USN Wake CPNAB (+)
USMC 1st Defense Battalion
78th Coast AA Regiment

USSR:
27th "Electric" Engineer Regiment is planning for an attack on Voroshilov [Amur P].

A whole lot of units arrived the past two days. There were Submarines (Hooray), About 6 Australian transport squadrons, transports, PA units, a Dutch DD, and a British Cruisers. Meanwhile, Yorktown is 4 hexes from San Francisco and a big DD task force and San Diego are heading there too.

Misc:
An example of why monitoring upgrades is important: I had a B-18 unit from Luzon in Chittagong, then today I checked the base and saw a DB wing. They upgraded to A-24's while I wasn't paying attention. If there's an invasion of Aykab, they'll be helpful.

So, BristolDuke sent me the turn today as usual, but he's explained to me a lot of the annoying aspects facing the Japanese player in this mod.
The biggest problem: he had a reinforcement TF sent to Mersing, but it somehow re-routed to Singapore and most of the transports were hit by CD guns at night. Most of them only have 1 hit, but I heard the sinking sound effect in the replay, and 243 casualities were reported, so this is a serious goof-up on the part of the AI. The TF isn't in the hex, so I'm guessing it retreated in the daytime move phase. He said he is willing to continue the game, but it's not going to be competitive while certain things get worked out. Not that this is a problem, because I've been content to "Sir Robin" out of many areas.
I'm trying to build up a Fortress Burma in the meantime.
Another thing: we both seem to have overestimated each other in China. He mentioned he's going to have to reorganize the garrisons in China to face my "doom stacks", but those represent a pretty major commitment of my forces and they get tripped up by forts and terrain pretty easily. My big rush to the coastal hexes will only 2 of the 4 bases I was trying to capture if I'm lucky. He still has the majority of the Kwangtung army to bear, but it seems he may have accidentally let slip that all the preparation to attack the USSR isn't just fake. He also mentioned that RHS doesn't have a full manual for these things. Now, the mod comes with a "documentation" folder, but I still had to figure most of the stuff out myself. We'll see what's next.
I suppose hitting Saratoga with a torpedo was a bigger morale booster than I thought.