Bottlenecks in the Pacific PBEM AAR vs Jansako (J)

[Axe1999]

Dec 18th 1941 SITREP

• Rabaul invasion force (presumably) sighted by Hudsons, 200 nm NE of Kavieng.
• Large xAKL convoy fleeing Luzon encountered CL SAG, resulting in 5k casualties worth of evacuating civilians.
• Some ship repair juggling at Pearl Harbor. Really want to send those heavily damaged battlewagons to the East Coast as soon as possible so they dont crowd forward shipyards used for battle damage repairs.
• Finally got an ASW hit at that annoying I-175 W of Oahu. Bunch of Catalina attacks but I highly doubt Im getting any hits with ASW skill as it is.
• SigInt suggests 21st Division planning to attack Port Moresby. Not sure if I will have time but while Kido Butai is back north I want to run my carriers to the Coral Sea to have a strike at the incoming invasion. Heavy radio traffic at Truk as well, which may be just that force assembling.
• Bombardment of Johnston Island by 2xCL & 4xDD. No sign of invasion coming. Probably going to sortie my CVs to deal with them while enroute south. CLs inbound to intercept those AMCs are also a day of flank speed sailing away, and IJN force is probably low on ammo.
• IJN submarine in Port Moresby harbor, possibly to scout ahead. Currently I have 30th Brigade there, with 27th still a couple of days away. Nothing but transport and scout planes.

[BBfanboy]

There is no point in hitting the refinery. Japan has excess refinery capacity and will just ship oil back to Japan instead of fuel.

[Axe1999]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

There is no point in hitting the refinery. Japan has excess refinery capacity and will just ship oil back to Japan instead of fuel.

Aah makes sense, thanks for the tip. Never did strat bombing against the AI so Im still figuring out what works and what doesnt.

[Axe1999]

Dec 19th 1941 SITREP

Got the replay, turn will probably be later tonight. This was an exciting one.

• Rabaul invasion force reached the base accompanied by CA bombardment force. 1300 troops unloaded first day.0
  

  Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)
  
  Allied Bombardment attack
  
  Attacking force 1090 troops, 12 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
  
  Defending force 1359 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
  
  Assaulting units:
  A Coy/NGVR
  23IB Lark Force Battalion
  Rabaul Base Det.
  Oz Civilians
  
  Defending units:
  Maizuru 1st SNLF

  Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125
  
  Allied aircraft
  no flights
  
  Allied aircraft losses
  Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
  
  Japanese Ships
  CA Kako
  CA Furutaka
  CA Kinugasa
  CA Aoba
  DD Yuzuki
  DD Kikuzuki
  DD Uzuki
  DD Oboro
  
  Allied ground losses:
  52 casualties reported
  Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  
  Airbase hits 4
  Airbase supply hits 2
  Runway hits 12
  Port hits 3
  Port fuel hits 2
  Port supply hits 4

• Tanker arriving at Abadan, when there are enough escorts there two more fuel convoys bound for Karachi will form. Maybe one will go to Bombay to not clog Karachi port till it builds up a bit more.
• Singapore forts at 3, hopefully they get to 4 before it gets attacked. Johore Bahru is at lvl 3 forts an will have about 500AV rear guard while Singapore builds up.
• Diverting 2 US Army regiments from reinforcing Midway and Suva to Port Moresby, which now has max supply regarding spoilage. Doubtful they will arrive in time if he is determined to go for it, but they may just make it in fast British converted ocean liners.
• CVs on the move. Lexington and her sister Saratoga, Enterprise and escorting cruisers and destroyers accompanied by oiler TF will be based at Tongatapu standing by to intervene in Coral Sea. Yorktown arrives in a day or two and will head to Pearl Harbor to hold the fort there.
• Bought out and disbanded 'Emergency Reserve' Catalinas, got 28 of them into the pool to fill out Hawaii squadrons. Once full one will go to Pago Pago, one to Suva and one to Canton or New Guinea.
• Large-ish ARD Dewey took the leap of faith towards Midway and appears to be unnoticed still, it may just make it. Currently about 12 hexes E of Samar.
• SigInt suggests 21st Infantry Division moving to Truk, presumably for operations down south.
• Daylight knife fight in Makassar Strait. Fully satisfied with the result, but will know more regarding damage once I get the turn back. Boise is probably in trouble, but the Dutch cruisers I consider expendable and a delaying force to conquest of Java. At least till Kido Butai arrives on station, it will be based at Soerebaja.
  

  Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 68,97, Range 21,000 Yards
  
  Japanese Ships
  CA Myoko, Shell hits 5, on fire
  CA Haguro, Shell hits 2
  CA Nachi, Shell hits 14, heavy fires
  CL Jintsu
  DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 2
  DD Oyashio, Shell hits 1
  DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
  DD Natsushio, Shell hits 3, on fire
  DD Hayashio, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
  DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
  
  Allied Ships
  CL Java, Shell hits 2
  CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 1
  CL Tromp, Shell hits 1
  CL Dragon~, Shell hits 3, on fire
  CL Boise~, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
  DD Vampire, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
  DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 1, on fire
  DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 1, on fire
  DD Evertsen, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
  DD Witte de With
  DD Van Nes, Shell hits 1
  DD Banckert, Shell hits 1, on fire
  DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 1
  DD Tenedos, Shell hits 1
  DD Electra, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
  DD Express, Shell hits 3, heavy fires

• Caught two raids unescorted, with LRCAP from Manila.
  

  Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
  
  Weather in hex: Clear sky
  
  Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  Ki-21-IIa Sally x 5
  Ki-48-Ib Lily-Sokei x 23
  
  Allied aircraft
  P-40B Warhawk x 8
  P-40E Warhawk x 5
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 destroyed
  Ki-48-Ib Lily-Sokei: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
  
  No Allied losses
  
  Runway hits 2
  
  ---------------------------------------------
  
  Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
  
  Weather in hex: Clear sky
  
  Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23
  
  Allied aircraft
  P-40B Warhawk x 5
  P-40E Warhawk x 1
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
  
  No Allied losses
  
  Allied ground losses:
  6 casualties reported
  Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  
  Airbase supply hits 1
  Runway hits 4

• 4 more hits on Tarakan oil.
• Taking any hits I can get:
  

  Sub attack near San Francisco at 216,70
  
  Japanese Ships
  SS I-5, hits 1
  
  Allied Ships
  KV Wetaskiwin
  KV Chilliwack

[Axe1999]

Makassar battle aftermath. Not a lot of floatation damage, but significant fire damage.

[Nomad]

A good chance Boise will not make it. 50 fires and 73 sys damage does not bode well.

[Axe1999]

Probably wont, especially considering I think 3 IJN subs lurking around Makassar Strait. Tracker shows DD Akigumo (probably Hayashio, FOW) sunk. CA Nachi was also peppered by medium caliber gunfire and should be in relatively bad shape.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Nomad

A good chance Boise will not make it. 50 fires and 73 sys damage does not bode well.

You have nothing to lose - get Boise in the nearest big port and disband immediately. The port can provide far more support for firefighting than any ship in an Escort TF. Once the fires are out, take Boise out of disbandment and send her off to Sydney by circuitous routing to avoid subs. If you get caught in port - C'est la guerre! [:(]

[Axe1999]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
You have nothing to lose - get Boise in the nearest big port and disband immediately. The port can provide far more support for firefighting than any ship in an Escort TF. Once the fires are out, take Boise out of disbandment and send her off to Sydney by circuitous routing to avoid subs. If you get caught in port - C'est la guerre! [:(]

It sank this turn while making for Balikpapan, looks like fires were too much. Rest of the SAG is on the way to Darwin and from there to someplace safer, except for DD Squadron which will repair sys damage at Soerebaja and continue to harass IJN shipping.

[Axe1999]

Dec 20 1941 SITREP

Trying a bit different organization and a bit more details of AAR, now that I have some extra time on my hands.

[b]CBI Theater[/b]
• Still no attack at Honk Kong, presumably waiting for reinforcements.
• SigInt picks up 12th Tank Regiment planning for Chittagong. As holding on India-Burma border figures into my grand strategy losing it would be a big deal. Currently it only has one base force, so 18th Infantry Division going to Colombo will probably be diverted there.
• Some limited manouvering in China, mostly getting troops in better terrain.
• Rest of the 17th Indian Division loaded up at Calcutta bound for Rangoon.
• About 150k fuel on the move to Karachi.
• Riverboat bombardment of Changsha, with minor damage.

  Night Naval bombardment of Changsha at 82,52
  
  Allied aircraft
  no flights
  
  Allied aircraft losses
  SB-III: 1 damaged
  
  Japanese Ships
  PG Hira
  PG Hozu
  PG Katata
  PG Seta
  PG Futami
  PG Sumida
  PG Fushimi
  PG Hai Hsing'
  
  Allied ground losses:
  5 casualties reported
  Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  
  Light Industry hits 1
  Airbase hits 2
  Airbase supply hits 1
  Runway hits 4
  Port supply hits 1

  
  Philippines
• Bombardment of nearly empty Iba, not sure why.
• Regular bombings of Clark Field.

  Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
  
  Weather in hex: Moderate rain
  
  Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  Ki-21-IIa Sally x 3
  Ki-27b Nate-Setsu x 25
  
  Allied aircraft
  P-40B Warhawk x 8
  P-40E Warhawk x 7
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed
  
  No Allied losses
  
  ---------------------------------------------
  
  Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
  
  Weather in hex: Moderate rain
  
  Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  Ki-21-IIa Sally x 17
  Ki-27b Nate-Setsu x 25
  
  Allied aircraft
  P-40B Warhawk x 8
  P-40E Warhawk x 7
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged
  Ki-27b Nate-Setsu: 1 destroyed
  
  No Allied losses
  
  Aircraft Attacking:
  17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 18000 feet *
  Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
  
  ---------------------------------------------
  
  Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
  
  Weather in hex: Moderate rain
  
  Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  Ki-21-IIa Sally x 4
  Ki-27b Nate-Setsu x 14
  
  Allied aircraft
  P-40B Warhawk x 3
  P-40E Warhawk x 1
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed
  
  No Allied losses
  
  Aircraft Attacking:
  3 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 18000 feet *
  Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

• ARD Dewey runs into Japanese merchant convoy and gets detected, not sure of its fate anymore.
  
  
  Malaya/DEI
• Undefended Jitra falls. 11th and 9th Indian Divisions recombined at Singapore.
• Two Gurkha Brigades that were supposed to take place of 8th Australian Division got caught by IJN raiders with bad results. This one is on me as I forgot to give it better surface cover when it reached Ceylon.

  Night Time Surface Combat, near Tandjoengpinang at 50,85, Range 9,000 Yards
  
  Japanese Ships
  CL Nagara, Shell hits 1, on fire
  DD Yukikaze
  DD Tokitsukaze
  DD Yamakaze
  DD Kawakaze
  DD Umikaze
  DD Suzukaze
  
  Allied Ships
  CL Ceres~, Shell hits 4
  xAP Devonshire~, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
  xAP Lancashire~, Shell hits 4
  xAP Talma, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
  xAP Tilawa, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
  xAP Takliwa~, Shell hits 5, on fire
  xAK Jaladuta, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
  xAK Jalajaran, Shell hits 4, on fire
  
  Allied ground losses:
  1876 casualties reported
  Squads: 49 destroyed, 84 disabled
  Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 77 disabled
  Engineers: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
  Guns lost 16 (10 destroyed, 6 disabled)
  Vehicles lost 120 (82 destroyed, 38 disabled)

• DEI defenses are mostly in place. Air HQ has been bought out and it is being air evacuated from Singapore to Java. Torpedo bombers will follow soon.
• Like already mentioned, some DDs stay behind to fight but most of the surface combatants will be evacuated to Australia/India. Only civilian shipping left behind is some transports to pull out big civilian LCUs arriving in 10ish days.
• Luckily no major floatation damage.

  ASW attack near Kota Bharu at 51,75
  
  Japanese Ships
  BB Haruna
  BB Kongo
  CA Chokai
  CA Atago
  CL Kinu
  DD Hibiki
  DD Akatsuki
  DD Nowaki
  
  Allied Ships
  SS KXII, hits 5

  
  CentPac/CONUS
• Raiders that bombarded Johnston caught by CL Detroit SAG. Bad result for the Allies. I expected them to be low on ammo after bombardment but havent accounted for Long Lances. Detroit sits at 57(18) flt and will take some time in drydock. Off to Pearl for temporary repairs then stateside.

  Night Time Surface Combat, near Maloelap at 148,116, Range 5,000 Yards
  
  Japanese Ships
  CL Tenryu, Shell hits 2, on fire
  CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
  DD Mutsuki
  DD Kisaragi
  DD Yayoi
  DD Mochizuki
  
  Allied Ships
  CL Detroit, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
  DD Bagley, Shell hits 1
  DD Blue
  DD Craven, Shell hits 1
  DD Gridley

• Some ASW attacks around Hawaii, no hits but hopefully that comes with exp increase. Same for Catalinas flying ASW.
• A lot of merchants and tankers are unarmed at the start and need a 12/41 upgrade to AA, so shipping is in short supply. All of the available Clemsons and Wickes converting to APD. Some YPs converting to ACMs.
  
  SoPac/Australia
• 22nd Brigade 5 days out of Port Moresby. 27th can be bought out in two days.
• USN carriers at least a week out of being on station at Coral Sea, but combined Australian, US, New Zealand CA/CL TF will be lurking in Lower Solomons in two days.
• 110k fuel on the way to Sydney from Los Angeles.
• PT Boat Sqn arrives at Port Moresby, AGP and some fuel are few days out.

[Axe1999]

Mini Kido Butai managed to sneak through 30ish Hudsons patrolling approaches to New Guinea, wreaking havoc on shipping to Port Moresby. Luckily no troops were on board just supply...More to follow once I get the turn as well.

[BBfanboy]

Axe1999: ARD Dewey runs into Japanese merchant convoy and gets detected, not sure of its faith anymore.

So this is the Auxiliary, Religion Dock then? What faith was it before it saw the (Japanese search) light?[;)]

[Axe1999]

Funny typo [:D] fixed now

[Axe1999]

Dec 21 1941 SITREP

Kudo Butai strikes again!

[b]CBI Theater[/b]
• Attack at Hong Kong. Still holding but this looks like beginning of the end.

  Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)
  
  Japanese Shock attack
  
  Attacking force 19713 troops, 357 guns, 156 vehicles, Assault Value = 655
  
  Defending force 10757 troops, 143 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 218
  
  Japanese adjusted assault: 1153
  
  Allied adjusted defense: 961
  
  Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
  
  Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
  
  Combat modifiers
  Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
  Attacker: shock(+)
  
  Japanese ground losses:
  1113 casualties reported
  Squads: 52 destroyed, 35 disabled
  Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
  Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
  Guns lost 8 (3 destroyed, 5 disabled)
  
  Allied ground losses:
  445 casualties reported
  Squads: 4 destroyed, 56 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
  Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
  Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
  
  Assaulting units:
  67th Ind.Infantry Battalion
  19th Ind Engineer Regiment
  1st Ind.Inf.Group
  104th Division
  51ID 66th Infantry Regiment
  68th Ind.Infantry Battalion
  20th Ind Engineer Regiment
  5th RF Gun Battalion
  2nd RF Gun Battalion
  21st Mortar Battalion
  10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
  2nd Mortar Battalion
  23rd Army
  1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
  3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
  2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
  20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
  
  Defending units:
  Kowloon Brigade
  Hong Kong Brigade
  102nd RN Base Force
  Hong Kong Fortress

• ROC Army crosses into Canton and it is up to one IJA Division to dislodge it from good defensive terrain. Also LI doesnt produce for the time being.
• Japanese moves towards Wenchow.
• Flying Tigers en route to Changsha to deal with repeated bombings. Bombings remain regular at Hong Kong as well, AA is doing some nice damage there.
  
  Philippines
• IJA slowly captures empty bases around Luzon. Still no major clashes. Manila sits at 750AV, Clark with 1100AV.
• Regular bombings of Clark Field, this one ineffective.
  
  
  Malaya/DEI
• Singapore progresses towards lvl 4 forts. Will probably stop there due to supply.
• Night bombings of Singapore followed by devastating daylight Zero sweep. It accounts for 31 Buffalo shot down... I need just one more day of fighter cover to buy out 27th Australian Brigade, and air that can will be evacuated.
• BB SAG bombarding Mersing.

  Naval bombardment of Mersing at 51,82
  
  Japanese Ships
  BB Haruna
  BB Kongo
  CA Chokai
  CA Atago
  CA Takao
  CL Kinu
  DD Hibiki
  DD Akatsuki
  DD Nowaki
  DD Maikaze
  
  Resources hits 2
  Port hits 12
  Port fuel hits 3
  Port supply hits 1

• DM Thraican on the way to its patrol station in Sout China Sea, hoping to catch some unescorted shipping.
• About 30 torpedo runs on Haruna and Kongo by Swordfish and Vildebees, no hits unfortunately. AA claims one aircraft.
  
  CentPac/CONUS
• CV Yorktown arrives at Panama. Quick stop at San Diego to pick up some extra USMC Wildcats and off to Hawaii. TF8 under Halsey progresses south towards Tonga Islands, despite Kido Butai threat in Coral Sea.
• Regular ASW near Hawaii, still no hits.
• ACM bound for Midway torpedoed and sunk en route. Plans for Midway as a submarine base, but I dont feel it's safe enough till I can get some air defenses up there and reinforce garrison.
  
  SoPac/Australia
• Japanese carriers around Goodenough Island. Looks like bigger part of Kido Butai. I was expecting them in DEI but they snuck through air searches down south. Luckily most of the ships were unloaded but at this time loss of every bigger xAK still hurts. Survivors are ordered to scatter and flee for their lives in every possible direction, in hope Kates and Vals go for xAKLs and not more valuable ships.

  Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hood Point at 98,136
  
  Weather in hex: Moderate rain
  
  Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 11
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 27
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 1 damaged
  
  Allied Ships
  xAK Colac, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
  xAK Allara, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
  xAK Corio
  xAK Andrea Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
  xAK Dilga
  xAK Mary Livanos
  xAK Echunga, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
  xAK Peshawur, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
  xAK Dundula, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
  
  Aircraft Attacking:
  27 x B5N2 Kate-Kankoh launching torpedoes at 200 feet
  Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  orning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
  
  Weather in hex: Partial cloud
  
  Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 33
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 13
  D3A1 Val-Kanbaku x 9
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 1 damaged
  
  Allied Ships
  xAK Mangola, Bomb hits 1
  xAK Dardanus
  xAK Koomilya, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
  xAK Nisqually, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
  xAK Mobile City, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
  
  Aircraft Attacking:
  9 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku bombing from 17000 feet *
  Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
  13 x B5N2 Kate-Kankoh launching torpedoes at 200 feet
  Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------
  
  Morning Air attack on TF, near Bona-Bona at 99,135
  
  Weather in hex: Severe storms
  
  Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 9
  
  No Japanese losses
  
  Allied Ships
  xAKL Melinga
  xAK Orne, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
  
  Allied ground losses:
  Guns lost 32 (23 destroyed, 9 disabled)
  Vehicles lost 45 (17 destroyed, 28 disabled)
  
  Aircraft Attacking:
  9 x B5N2 Kate-Kankoh launching torpedoes at 200 feet
  Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
  

• I dont know what laodouts IJN CVLs carry, do they have only Fs + TBs? If so, by the looks of it, with many Kates and not a lot of Vals TF could be composed of CVLs? Or is he holding them back for ASW/search duties? Anyways, half a dozen subs are coming on station south of Truk to hopefully catch them on the way back.
• IJN 21st Division still in transit to Truk, Aussies may arrive to reinforce in time, if carriers dont stick around. Larger combatants and tankers at Darwin are ordered to scatter as well.
• Switching main build effort from Townsville to Charter Towers. Better (inland) location for airfield.
• Australia has nothing that resembles fighter defense yet, so if carriers decide to swing south to Sydney, we're in trouble. Moving some extra patrols to cover approaches from north a bit better.

[Axe1999]

Dec 22 1941 SITREP

Kudo Butai runs into merchants off of New Guinea. Where could Kaga be? Just unspotted or off doing something else? Enterprise and Lexington sisters are 4 days out of Tonga and ready to react.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Deboyne Islands at 102,135, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
xAKL Iboki

CBI Theater

• Hong Kong still holds. Supply still good.

  Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)
  
  Japanese Shock attack
  
  Attacking force 18335 troops, 349 guns, 156 vehicles, Assault Value = 596
  
  Defending force 10324 troops, 142 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 163
  
  Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
  
  Japanese adjusted assault: 525
  
  Allied adjusted defense: 425
  
  Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
  
  Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
  
  Combat modifiers
  Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
  Attacker: shock(+)
  
  Japanese ground losses:
  555 casualties reported
  Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
  Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 23 disabled
  Engineers: 19 destroyed, 5 disabled
  Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
  
  Allied ground losses:
  238 casualties reported
  Squads: 13 destroyed, 25 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
  Guns lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)
  
  Assaulting units:
  19th Ind Engineer Regiment
  1st Ind.Inf.Group
  51ID 66th Infantry Regiment
  104th Division
  68th Ind.Infantry Battalion
  20th Ind Engineer Regiment
  23rd Army
  5th RF Gun Battalion
  21st Mortar Battalion
  2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
  1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
  10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
  2nd Mortar Battalion
  3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
  67th Ind.Infantry Battalion
  2nd RF Gun Battalion
  20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
  
  Defending units:
  Kowloon Brigade
  Hong Kong Brigade
  102nd RN Base Force
  Hong Kong Fortress

• Regular bombings of Changsha.
• About 50-60k supply on the move towards Rangoon from Cape Town.

Philippines

• Pincer movement on Luzon, from north and south. SigInt picks up several heavy artillery regiments prepping for Clark Field.
• President Quezon evacuated by submarine to Australia. USAFE HQa is being air transfered to Java.
• Bataan forts are lvl 3 + 7%.

Malaya/DEI

• All defenses in place, 27th Brigade evacuated and currently at Palembang. All major shipping evacuated. Now we can just wait.
• Pretty heavy bombing of airfield, with many disabled planes.

  Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84
  
  Weather in hex: Partial cloud
  
  Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 9
  Ki-21-IIa Sally x 60
  Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 19
  
  Allied aircraft
  no flights
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  Ki-21-IIa Sally: 12 damaged
  
  Allied aircraft losses
  Hudson I: 2 damaged
  Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
  B-17D Fortress: 3 damaged
  Blenheim I: 3 damaged
  Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground
  Vildebeest III: 1 damaged
  Vildebeest III: 3 destroyed on ground
  Buffalo I: 1 damaged
  Buffalo I: 1 destroyed on ground
  Catalina I: 1 damaged
  Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground
  Blenheim IV: 10 damaged
  Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground
  
  Airbase hits 3
  Runway hits 16

• PG pickets in South China Sea sunk by IJN DD squadron.
• Thracian engages 4 DMSs, sinks one and damages another. Engaging tanker TF after, hitting one and sinking escorting PB.

CentPac/CONUS

• Regular ASW near Hawaii, still no hits.
• An odd AV spotted about 15 hexes SW of Midway moving towards it. CA SAG dispatched to investigate. Could CVL possibly be mistaken for AV? Guess we'll find out.
• xAKs finally finishing installing AA systems. Current priority is aircraft ferry to SWPAC.

SoPac/Australia

• Kido Butai in Coral Sea hitting stray shipping. Fortunately mostly 1VP xAKLs and only 2 bigger xAKs. On its way towards Darwin so shipping from there is evacuated to Port Heland, especially valuable Dutch tankers and troop transports carrying 22nd Brigade.
• B-17s from Philippines reached Townsville. Rabaul is out of range but they will be useful if Port Moresby falls.
• Sub pickets south of Truk sent, to intercept returning Kido Butai or southbound troop transports. Currently four subs on station with one more on the way from Hawaii.
• Fiji, Samoa and Noumea reinforcements are gonna be a while, 12kn over almost entire Pacific is not fun... Fighters for Australia should be a bit sooner.

[Axe1999]

Dec 23 1941 SITREP

CBI Theater

• Another attack fought back. Forts rebuild to lvl 1 at the end of the turn.

  Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)
  
  Japanese Shock attack
  
  Attacking force 17674 troops, 349 guns, 155 vehicles, Assault Value = 575
  
  Defending force 9919 troops, 141 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 127
  
  Japanese adjusted assault: 455
  
  Allied adjusted defense: 405
  
  Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
  
  Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
  
  Combat modifiers
  Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
  Attacker: shock(+)
  
  Japanese ground losses:
  421 casualties reported
  Squads: 2 destroyed, 73 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
  Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
  
  Allied ground losses:
  360 casualties reported
  Squads: 26 destroyed, 6 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
  Engineers: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
  Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)
  
  Assaulting units:
  1st Ind.Inf.Group
  104th Division
  68th Ind.Infantry Battalion
  51ID 66th Infantry Regiment
  20th Ind Engineer Regiment
  5th RF Gun Battalion
  21st Mortar Battalion
  2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
  2nd Mortar Battalion
  19th Ind Engineer Regiment
  23rd Army
  2nd RF Gun Battalion
  1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
  10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
  67th Ind.Infantry Battalion
  3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
  20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
  
  Defending units:
  Kowloon Brigade
  Hong Kong Brigade
  102nd RN Base Force
  Hong Kong Fortress

• Chinese army ejected from Canton. If it wasnt evident already, land warfare is not my thing...

  Ground combat at Canton (77,59)
  
  Japanese Shock attack
  
  Attacking force 9071 troops, 107 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 377
  
  Defending force 5048 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127
  
  Japanese adjusted assault: 515
  
  Allied adjusted defense: 37
  
  Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1
  
  Combat modifiers
  Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)
  preparation(-), experience(-)
  Attacker: shock(+)
  
  Japanese ground losses:
  186 casualties reported
  Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
  
  Allied ground losses:
  1739 casualties reported
  Squads: 61 destroyed, 0 disabled
  Non Combat: 67 destroyed, 0 disabled
  Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
  Guns lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)
  Units retreated 1
  
  Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
  
  Assaulting units:
  7/2 Field Kempeitai
  38th Division
  20th RGC/A Division
  20th RGC/B Division
  1st JAAF AF Coy
  47th JAAF AF Bn
  Canton Special Base Force
  2nd JAAF AF Coy
  
  Defending units:
  54th Chinese Army

• Calcutta has some 400AV, next reinforcements available head to Ceylon and Chittagong, and from there on Imphal - Kohima - Dimapur - Ledo line. Also will leave at least some mobile troops down south acting as QRF.

Philippines

• Bombing and sweeps over Manila and Clark Field.
• Mindanao slowly falling. Last pocket of resistance remains at Cagayan.

Malaya/DEI

• Betty raids on YMS around Singapore, no damage. No bombing or sweeps today.
• Bombardment of Soerebaja by heavy IJN SAG:

  Naval bombardment of Soerabaja at 56,104
  
  Allied aircraft
  no flights
  
  Allied aircraft losses
  Do-24K-1: 3 damaged
  Do-24K-1: 1 destroyed on ground
  CW-21B Demon: 2 damaged
  CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed on ground
  L-212: 4 damaged
  L-212: 1 destroyed on ground
  139WH-3: 4 damaged
  139WH-3: 1 destroyed on ground
  T.IVa: 2 damaged
  
  Japanese Ships
  BB Ise
  BB Yamashiro
  
  Allied Ships
  CL Mauritius~, Shell hits 1, on fire
  CMc Bangkalen, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
  PC Formalhaut, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
  CL Danae~, Shell hits 1, on fire
  
  Allied ground losses:
  141 casualties reported
  Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  
  Repair Shipyard hits 1
  Airbase supply hits 1
  Runway hits 10
  Port hits 6

• The Empire paid for not having embedded minesweeping ships. SAG present at port will charge to try to finish off damaged IJN ships.

  TF 120 encounters mine field at Soerabaja (56,104)
  
  Japanese Ships
  DD Wakaba
  BB Yamashiro, Mine hits 1
  CL Sendai, Mine hits 1
  DD Sanae, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
  DD Kuretake, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
  
  2 mines cleared

• Before bombardment Yamashiro and DDs got four groups of four MTBs and PT Boats.

CentPac/CONUS

• Regular ASW near Hawaii, still no hits.
• CA group one day out of point of intercept SW of Midway.
• Canton Island reinforcements unloading, but it will be a while, and its still missing 298th Regiment.

SoPac/Australia

• Kido Butai swings west toward Darwin and keeps hitting stray shipping. Fortunately nothing important is on its path of destruction.
• Still need about a week worth of PPs to buy out 8th Marine Regiment, and then ship it to Pago Pago.
• SAG spotted in Solomon Sea. Possibly BBs.
• Single submarine one hex south of Suva. Two Kiwi minesweepers on the move towards Fiji to deal with it, along with an AG to rearm depth charges.

[Axe1999]

Dec 24 1941 SITREP

CBI Theater

• No attack on Hong Kong today. Not even bombardment.
• Changsha bombed with medium effect.

Philippines

• Bombing and sweeps over Manila and Clark Field.
• Two subs at Manila rearmed, repaired and sent back to its assigned patrol lines.

Malaya/DEI

• No raids on Singapore. All that heavy flak there must have done some damage.
• My SAG suicide-runs into Yamashiro TF, hoping that mine hit last turn did some damage.

  Night Time Surface Combat, near Soerabaja at 56,103, Range 10,000 Yards
  
  Japanese Ships
  BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 6
  BB Ise, Shell hits 10, on fire
  CL Sendai, Shell hits 6, on fire
  DD Hatsuharu
  DD Nenohi
  DD Hatsushimo, Shell hits 1
  DD Wakaba, Shell hits 2, on fire
  DD Isonami
  DD Uranami
  DD Shikinami
  DD Akebono
  DD Kuretake
  
  Allied Ships
  CL Mauritius~, Shell hits 2
  DD Witte de With
  DD Van Nes
  DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 1
  DD Tenedos, Shell hits 2

• The Empire paid for not having embedded minesweeping ships. SAG present at port will charge to try to finish off damaged IJN ships.

  TF 120 encounters mine field at Soerabaja (56,104)
  
  Japanese Ships
  DD Wakaba
  BB Yamashiro, Mine hits 1
  CL Sendai, Mine hits 1
  DD Sanae, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
  DD Kuretake, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
  
  2 mines cleared

• After that ran into his second TF. Damn you Long Lance.

  Night Time Surface Combat, near Soerabaja at 57,103, Range 9,000 Yards
  
  Allied aircraft
  no flights
  
  Allied aircraft losses
  Walrus II: 1 destroyed
  
  Japanese Ships
  CA Mogami
  CA Mikuma
  CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
  CA Kumano
  DD Arashi, Shell hits 1
  DD Hagikaze
  DD Fubuki
  DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 1
  DD Hatsuyuki
  
  Allied Ships
  CL Mauritius~, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
  DD Witte de With
  DD Van Nes
  DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
  DD Tenedos, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

CentPac/CONUS

• Supply convoys unloading at Pearl Harbor and Johnston Island.
• CAs caught up to the intruders south of Midway, and as it turns out those were a pair of AMCs that were raiding north of Baker about a week ago.

  Day Time Surface Combat, near Midway at 155,97, Range 24,000 Yards
  
  Japanese aircraft
  no flights
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed
  
  Japanese Ships
  AMC Aikoku Maru^, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
  AMC Hokoku Maru^, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
  
  Allied Ships
  CA Louisville
  CA Chicago
  CL Honolulu
  CL Phoenix~
  DMS Zane
  DMS Boggs
  DMS Lamberton
  DMS Dorsey
  DMS Long
  DMS Trever
  DMS Hopkins

• Hawaii based SS Pompano torpedoes large Japanese xAK just south of Tokyo. Didnt have a submarine hit in a while, let alone explode.

SoPac/Australia

• Kido Butai swung back SE, no targets out on the open sea this turn so it hits Port Moresby. Presumably on its way to Truk, its sorties must be low.

  Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
  
  Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
  
  Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 10
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 85
  D3A1 Val-Kanbaku x 84
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 3 damaged
  
  Allied Ships
  xAK Dardanus, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
  ACM #Kangaroo, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
  xAK Iron Knob, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
  ACM #Kookaburra, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
  
  Allied ground losses:
  23 casualties reported
  Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  
  Port hits 12
  Port supply hits 2

• Mini Kido Butai spotted rounding western end of New Guinea, probably from Palaus. Not sure if he intended this, but it was pretty smart 'hammer and anvil' attack, pushing my shipping further west then ambushing it with another TF. Nav Search suggests TF consists of CVLs and CVEs. Kaga still unaccounted for.
• Multiple merchant TFs spotted in Rabaul harbor.
• Larger xAKs and xAPs move from Sydney to West Coast to deal with the lack of shipping there. Shorter range ones are enough for the area supplied by Sydney.

[Axe1999]

Dec 25 1941 SITREP

Its Christmas for brave defenders of Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong and many other war stricken areas all around the Pacific.

CBI Theater

• CA Houston back from repairs at Colombo. Will probably join USN SAG based in New Caledonia.
• British AT Regiment on the move to Rangoon.
• Combat in Chinese countryside, no units nearby ready to reinforce.

  Ground combat at Kweisui (92,35)
  
  Japanese Shock attack
  
  Attacking force 9308 troops, 82 guns, 100 vehicles, Assault Value = 295
  
  Defending force 5145 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 187
  
  Japanese adjusted assault: 386
  
  Allied adjusted defense: 502
  
  Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
  
  Combat modifiers
  Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-)
  Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)
  
  Japanese ground losses:
  486 casualties reported
  Squads: 2 destroyed, 45 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  
  Allied ground losses:
  511 casualties reported
  Squads: 2 destroyed, 51 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
  
  Assaulting units:
  4th Cavalry Brigade
  2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
  1st Cavalry Brigade
  1st Ching An Tui Battalion
  
  Defending units:
  5th Chinese Cavalry

• Strategic bombing of Wuchow by Sonias and Idas. Moderate damage to manpower.
• No attack at Hong Kong today either, but an attempt of minesweeping. At least one DMS tried the old fashioned way...

  TF 86 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)
  
  Japanese Ships
  DMS W-14, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
  DMS W-13
  
  45 mines cleared
  
  
  ---------------------------------------------
  
  TF 86 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)
  
  Japanese Ships
  DMS W-14, on fire, heavy damage
  DMS W-13
  
  3 mines cleared
  
  
  ---------------------------------------------
  
  TF 86 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)
  
  Japanese Ships
  DMS W-13
  
  28 mines cleared
  
  
  ---------------------------------------------
  
  TF 86 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)
  
  Japanese Ships
  DMS W-13
  
  1 mine cleared

Philippines

• Air raids over Luzon intensify, fortunately there is not much left to hit.
• Clark Field fortifications built to level 3.

Malaya/DEI

• CM torpedoed in Makassar Strait.

  Sub attack near Donggala at 69,96
  
  Japanese Ships
  SS RO-33
  
  Allied Ships
  CM Prins van Oranje, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

• Balikpapan invaded.

  Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97)
  
  Allied Bombardment attack
  
  Attacking force 1364 troops, 32 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 56
  
  Defending force 2670 troops, 28 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 112
  
  Japanese ground losses:
  15 casualties reported
  Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  
  Assaulting units:
  VI KNIL Battalion
  Samarinda Cdo
  Balikpapan Defenses
  Samarinda Base Force
  Balikpapan Base Force
  Dutch Civilians
  
  Defending units:
  Sasebo 3rd SNLF
  81st Naval Guard Unit

• Minesweeping while being sniped from the coast is no fun...

  TF 146 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (64,97) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
  
  26 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
  
  Japanese Ships
  DMS W-19, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
  DMS W-16, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
  DMS W-15, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
  
  Allied ground losses:
  6 casualties reported
  Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
  Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
  Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CentPac/CONUS

• Repairs adjusted at Pearl Harbor. Most of the sips heavily damaged on Dec 7 are on pierside mode to repair sys damage before we tackle major damage.
• Good day for mine warfare.

  TF 31 encounters mine field at Victoria (209,51)
  
  Japanese Ships
  SS I-16_, Mine hits 1
  SSX Ha-5, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

• 153rd Infantry Regiments components on its way toward Dutch Harbor.

SoPac/Australia

• Kido Butai now north of Milne Bay, on its way to Rabaul/Truk. One last strike at Port Moresby. Flak losses/damaged planes are always nice to see.

  Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
  
  Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
  
  Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
  Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
  
  Japanese aircraft
  A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 54
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 111
  
  Japanese aircraft losses
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 6 damaged
  B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 1 destroyed by flak
  
  Airbase hits 5
  Airbase supply hits 2
  Runway hits 24

• Mini Kido Butai still on the move, no attacks yet.
• CA based TF that hung near New Hebrides during carrier rampage now moves a bit north in a better position to intercept any possible troop transports. Should get carrier support in a couple days, once AO TF RVs with carriers and tops off their tanks. Having only few 18kn AOs really hurts early war.
• Two short range S-boats near Brisbane, will patrol southern approaches to Rabaul once settled in and once AS arrives.

[Axe1999]

Current situation down south. From the 24th since I only got replay from 25th.

Sub patrols shown as well.

[Axe1999]

SRA.