Defeat into Victory - Godefroy(A) vs Deaniks(J) - finish

[godefroycz]

Dec 15, 1941

The Japanese captured Johore today and drove the rest of the British forces to Singapore. It turned out much better than I expected. I will hope that the fighting is not over. Kuantan is still holding on.

Otherwise, today there are only insignificant fights. Miri capitulated. The enemy lands on Nauru. Of course, every day I lose a cargo ship trying to escape from the combat zone, but these are irrelevant things.

The surprising meeting ended in a draw.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sydney Island at 150,151, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, Shell hits 2
AMC Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
DM Ramsay, Shell hits 3, on fire

Intelligence reports that the enemy is sailing to Singkawang. I wonder if to intervene, but in the end I refuse. There is a strong concentration of Japanese ships near Mersing and Miri. It will definitely move something to cover.

[godefroycz]

Dec 16, 1941

Japanese aircraft carriers approached Singkwang. An invasion can therefore be expected every day. An allied TF is moored in the bay near Ketapang, which will try to find and attack Japanese aircraft carriers at night. Happiness will be needed. Dutch submarines are also lucky enough to move closer and move closer to Japanese ships. The situation in the area is calm. Unpleasant calm before the storm. Today B-17s attacked the Miri refineries and damaged some. Japanese have no fighters here.



The enemy today used bombers from Formosa over China and massively bombed Changsha. This is good news for me, as Manila and CF have time to make repairs and we will start building fortifications. The enemy is slowly advancing through China. Today he conquered an important transport hub near Kaifeng. I will have to withdraw this part of the queue to the mountains. On the contrary, the Chinese army conquered the city of Sinyang and advanced on Hankow.

[BBfanboy]

Don't attack Miri refineries. Japan has excess refinery capacity on the home islands so they will just haul the oil there. Attack the oil!

[godefroycz]

Dec 17, 1941

Unfortunately, despite great efforts, I did not find the enemy at night. So I'm sending TF to Ketapang again. I can't see the aircraft carriers even after dawn, and they've probably retreated to the north. Today, the Japanese have conquered Georgetown and Mallaca, but Kuantan is holding on. The Japanese air forces are also inactive. Fighters regularly check the area over Singapore, Rangoon and Clark Field, but the bombers are resting. I managed to bring 8k of supplies to Rangoon.
The Japanese are very passive. I don't see any movement anywhere.

In China, Chinese troops run around Kaifeng, trying to block the railroad. I tried to conquer Ichang, but the Japanese moved reinforcements, so I won't try again.

I still don't know what Lahaina occupation means. No other ships are in range, the air force has not moved and the airfield is damaged at 44 after my raids. Why would he leave troops here useless

[godefroycz]

Dec 18, 1941

Unfortunately, today I made two big mistakes that hurt me a lot. The first of them at Borneo. Enemy aircraft carriers are not north of Borneo, but instead sail along the south coast. Of course, they surprised my cruiser TF and caused it unpleasant damage. I leave the burning Exeter in the port of Ketapang and the rest retreat at full speed to Batavia. The Japanese are also landing in Singkawang. But there are at least two battleships, so I will not send surface forces.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ketapang at 55,93

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 12
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 21
D3A1 Val x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Exeter, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CL Marblehead
CA Houston, Bomb hits 1
CA Cornwall, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ketapang at 55,93

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 12
D3A1 Val x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 1
CA Houston
CA Exeter, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Cornwall
DD Jupiter, Bomb hits 1, on fire

I made the second mistake in China. All because to the confusion with the movement of units. Troops at Ichang marched badly for several days and were now captured at Ichang by Japanese superiority and driven away by heavy losses. I don't understand why such huge losses when there is no river anywhere. Probably tired. A small Chinese disaster.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27310 troops, 238 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 921

Defending force 40692 troops, 230 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1114

Japanese adjusted assault: 607

Allied adjusted defense: 211

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
535 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
17669 casualties reported
Squads: 589 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 607 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 43 (27 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

In addition, the Japanese conquered Chengchow. But I don't want to defend myself here, and the main forces are retreating to the mountains around Sian. Chinese troops forced the 34th Division to retreat to Ichang. At least some success.

Ground combat at 82,49 (near Ichang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43698 troops, 228 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1103

Defending force 9143 troops, 103 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Allied adjusted assault: 442

Japanese adjusted defense: 14

Allied assault odds: 31 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
4002 casualties reported
Squads: 169 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 128 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 25 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (8 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (7 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Only the shelling of Lahain by American cruisers is worth mentioning. I'll have the union operate from Pearl Harbor. Catalinas are fixed and remote sensing does not report any Japanese.

Naval bombardment of Lahaina at 182,108

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Phoenix
DD Ward
DD Schley
DD Litchfield
DD Allen
DD Aylwin
DD Monaghan
DD Dale
DD Patterson
DD Henley

Japanese ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 13
Port hits 23
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3

CA Indianapolis firing at Lahaina
CL Phoenix firing at Lahaina
DD Ward firing at Lahaina
DD Schley firing at 144th Infantry Regiment
DD Litchfield firing at 113th Infantry Regiment
DD Allen firing at 148th Infantry Regiment
DD Aylwin firing at 56th Field Artillery Regiment
DD Monaghan firing at 56th Field Artillery Regiment
DD Dale firing at 144th Infantry Regiment
DD Patterson firing at 144th Infantry Regiment
DD Henley firing at 56th Field Artillery Regiment

[JanSako]

Your losses in the China battle were so high because every disabled item becomes destroyed on retreat. I bet your units had a lot of disabled devices before the battle, as all Chinese do at the start of the game.

[godefroycz]

Dec 19, 1941

The aircraft carriers at Borneo disappeared again. The Japanese probably have some stealth technology. Today they began landing in Tacloban. Again, I don't understand what's interesting there. Either the opponent does not currently have the strength for a larger operation or I am missing something. Today I deployed AVG for the first time in Burma and shot down 3 Zeros and lost one of my own planes. The Japanese continue to raid Changsha, so I can build fortifications in the Philippines. Otherwise, nothing happens at all.
The Japanese conquered Singkawang, Hong Kong still resists attacks.

The less Japanese activity, the better for me. I move, I move and I move.

[godefroycz]

Dec 20, 1941

The situation on the battlefield does not change much. I discovered bKB again near Batavia. But all air attacks are repulsed. The opponent massively uses the support of floatplanes in air battles. Unfortunately, it is effective against the Dutch. In addition to aircraft carriers, there are two TFs as support. Fortunately, the damaged cruisers were enough to sail out of range.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 52,96

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 17
A6M2 Zero x 8
E13A1 Jake x 4
E8N2 Dave x 3
F1M2 Pete x 13

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 11
B-339D x 3
CW-21B Demon x 6
75A-7 Hawk x 6
Hudson I x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed by flak
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho
CVL Ryujo
CA Mogami

Today I shelled Lahaina again, probably quite successfully. I don't want to be a soldier at this base. Abandoned, thousands of miles from home.

Night Naval bombardment of Lahaina at 182,108

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Phoenix
DD Ward
DD Schley
DD Litchfield
DD Allen
DD Aylwin
DD Monaghan
DD Dale
DD Patterson
DD Henley

Japanese ground losses:
381 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14
Port hits 14
Port supply hits 4

From other areas only by telegraph. Hong Kong and Victoria Point have fallen. The Japanese are landing at Makin. The Chinese conquered Paotow in northeastern China. I will use these mountain areas to block the enemy. The biggest onslaught, including tanks, seems to be heading for Nanyang. I'm creating chaos around Suchow and blocking the railroad.

The overall situation in China.

[godefroycz]

Dec 21, 1941

After 14 days, it's still just a tapping. No surface attacks. Today, the Japanese land them in Puerto Princena, Ocean Island, but also on Midway and Rabaul. The Japanese have suffered heavy losses on the Midway beaches, but the defenders are still resisting. I have no way to intervene yet.

Ground combat at Midway Island (158,91)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4689 troops, 21 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Defending force 2548 troops, 42 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Japanese adjusted assault: 65

Allied adjusted defense: 33

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1727 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 14 (5 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
482 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 13 (8 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 33 (1 destroyed, 32 disabled)

Assaulting units:
I./4th Infantry Battalion
II./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Engineer Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment

Defending units:
116th USAAF Base Force
6th Marine Defense Battalion

There are also small skirmishes in China. The Japanese have tried to get from Ichang across the river to the southwest for the second time and have suffered heavy losses for the second time. This time it is the 3rd Division. I'll try to drive her back. There is also a fight around Hankow, but neither side is successful.

Ground combat at 82,49 (near Ichang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12146 troops, 122 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 347

Defending force 43637 troops, 227 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1098

Japanese adjusted assault: 14

Allied adjusted defense: 360

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 25

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

Japanese ground losses:
4320 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 388 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
3rd Division

Defending units:
8th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps

Ground combat at 85,49 (near Hankow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10490 troops, 89 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 363

Defending force 23343 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 705

Japanese adjusted assault: 134

Allied adjusted defense: 222

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
912 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 117 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
756 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 140 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Assaulting units:
14th RGC Temp. Division
58th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
18th RGC Temp. Division

Defending units:
84th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
21st Group Army

Ground combat at 85,49 (near Hankow)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20358 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 580

Defending force 9723 troops, 89 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 270

Allied adjusted assault: 191

Japanese adjusted defense: 309

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1186 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
84th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
21st Group Army

Defending units:
58th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
14th RGC Temp. Division
18th RGC Temp. Division

[godefroycz]

Dec 22, 1941

Today there are only inconveniences. I've been watching the convoy approaching Amboin for several days. I sent Force Z to attack him. Unfortunately, it failed. On the contrary, the Japanese sent their Mavis planes and the result is shocking. I will have to provide air cover in remote areas as well. The whole use of float planes is a big surprise for me. All the floats on the cruisers are in the air to air cover, and the Mavis sink one ship after another. I understand that with slow transport ships, but a fast battleship? However, I will not slow down in the activity.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Namlea at 76,107

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 1
BB Prince of Wales, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x H6K4 Mavis launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

The enemy lands in Billiton, an island between Sumatra and Borneo. This landing and the convoy at Amboina are being attacked by Allied planes all day. A total of about 40 bombers. Number of hits 0. Frustrating. Today, Kuantan, Rabaul and Puerto Princena also capitulated. At least I succeeded at Rabaul. Although the enemy landed, I managed to sink a loaded unprotected convoy.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 107,126, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryunan Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kazan Maru, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Tensyo Maru, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
xAK Eizan Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Yae Maru, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Daihachikyo Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Daijukyo Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Achilles
CL Perth
DD Voyager
DD Le Triomphant

Japanese ground losses:
3965 casualties reported
Squads: 121 destroyed, 96 disabled
Non Combat: 106 destroyed, 83 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 56 (54 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

[godefroycz]

I forgot to mention that the Japanese 3rd Division bathed in the river for the second time and is eliminated as a combat-ready

Ground combat at 82,49 (near Ichang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43680 troops, 227 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1103

Defending force 8717 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Allied adjusted assault: 730

Japanese adjusted defense: 10

Allied assault odds: 73 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3525 casualties reported
Squads: 219 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 81 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 29 (20 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
18th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
3rd Division

[godefroycz]

To supplement, here is a list of Mavis aircraft successes since the beginning of the war. These are mostly individual ships escaping from the Philippines, which cannot be given air support.

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 7
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
xAKL Sarangami, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Taurus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 6
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AO Pecos, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AS Canopus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAP Rochambeau, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
xAK Governor Wright, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAKL Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAKL Corregidor, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AM Finch, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AM Tanager
AM Quail, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAKL Palawan, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Sagoland, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
TK Manatawny, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Hai Lee, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAKL Bisayas, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 6 damaged
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 1
BB Prince of Wales, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Unbelievable

[BBfanboy]

It looks like he may have moved well-trained NavT skilled pilots into his Mavis squadrons. At game start there are some land-based torpedo bomber units in Japan that could have had their pilots swapped out to provide the needed skills.

US PBYs can also carry torpedoes but pilots are not skilled in this at game start.

[godefroycz]

Dec 23, 1941

The situation is complicated. bKB again moved unnoticed and sank 1AP. There are several endangered TFs in the area. Balikpapan's TF is not detected and slips along Borneo to Batavia. Force Z is also not detected and is sailing south at full speed. There are 4 AOs waiting at Broome and they will refuel there. TFs at Kendari and the badly damaged Prince of Wales (speed 7 knots) are detected and I assume that the enemy will want to attack them. Two TFs from Kendari will retreat to Darwin in the meantime. With PoW, I have to anchor at Kendari. I'm adding 30 P-40E, and if the PoW is sunk, it has to be expensive. The convoy sailing to Amboin has retreated so far. I'm moving 10 submarines to the Kendari area.



Today I have reduced the annoying Mavis a bit. But that's probably the only positive news of the day.



Telegraphic:
In the middle of the ocean, I-21 sank my already damaged CL Raleigh.
The Japanese occupied Billiton.
Heavy raids on Singapore, but flak shoots down 10 bombers.
On the third day bombed by Battangas, the airfield disappeared among the craters.
The Japanese want to break through at Nanyang with the help of tanks.

Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3300 troops, 0 guns, 494 vehicles, Assault Value = 754

Defending force 48372 troops, 227 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1360

Japanese adjusted assault: 183

Allied adjusted defense: 356

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 49 (4 destroyed, 45 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1333 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
35th Division
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
13th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
22nd Group Army
31st Group Army

[godefroycz]

Dec 24, 1941

Today is a quiet day, so only by telegraph:

- CA Exeter sank in the Java Sea. He had been on fire for several days, unable to reach Surabaya.
- Japanese shelled Midway. The damage is minimal.
- bKB is now southwest of Kendari. There is bad weather, no attack.
- Japanese occupied Moulmein.
- Imperial Guard Division is reported in Rahaeng.
- 33rd Division is preparing to attack Rangoon. The opponent seems to be planning a classic campaign in Burma. What will attack against Singapore?
- O-19 submarine sank the PB Sozan Maru near Singkawang.

It's Christmas day.

[godefroycz]

Dec 25, 1941

The situation is still unchanged. I hope I thwarted my opponent's plans for PH and now he has to improvise. Today he lands at Amboina with the support of bKB. But the only attack is on a tanker that did not manage to escape from the area. My submarines are tightening around the bKB loop and I hope to damage some aircraft carrier.

Telegraphic:
The Japanese infantry marched on the Midway to attack and were repulsed.
Japanese planes attack targets in China and the Philippines. Losses are minimal.

[godefroycz]

Dec 26, 1941

Today, Allied submarines have tried to attack Japanese ships five times. One attack may have been successful, but no smoke was seen. I think the commander is making it up.

Sub attack near Obi at 77,107

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 1
CA Mogami
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin

bKB has moved further northeast to Ceram Sea and may be heading to Babeldaob for fuel. bKB sailed from Mersing and doesn't have much fuel. The situation in the area is calm, see map. The Japanese failed to occupy Amboin.



Twice the Japanese tried to attack PT boats at Kendari, apparently in anticipation of the Prince of Wales. It probably hurt a little.

[godefroycz]

Dec 27, 1941

The enemy decided to take revenge for the loss of aircraft over Kendari and sent a surface TF to the shelling. No reconnaissance, but no aircraft was damaged. Unfortunately, almost all PTs are destroyed.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Kendari at 70,107, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
PT TM-4
PT TM-5, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-6, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-7, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-8, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Today I moved one AVG squadron to Sian to protect my troops from Japanese bombers. The result is not bad. I immediately move elsewhere before the Japanese revenge.



It looks like Japanese aircraft carriers are returning to Hawaii for a second round.

[godefroycz]

Dec 28, 1941

We have another day here. The Japanese make daily raids on Singapore, but they lose several planes every day. Today there are 8 bombers shot down by flak. I don't mind. For the first time, the airstike also took place in Port Moresby. And this is more or less the only activity of the enemy.

The recent torpedoing of the CA Kumano by the submarine appears to have been real, as the S-39 today torpedoed the cruiser alone.

Submarine attack near Peleliu at 89,99

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39

CA Kumano is sighted by SS S-39
SS S-39 launches 4 torpedoes

Next only by telegraph:

Amboina resists and the enemy attack is repulsed.
Another 130 Japanese soldiers have been killed on Midway and the American flag is still flying over the atoll.
The Prince of Wales departs from Kendari and tries to save himself. The chances are not great. Speed 2/1.
Clark Field repaired and I'm finally starting to build fortifications.
The transfer of supplies to Rangoon using small AKLs continues. Another 7k suplies unloaded today.

[godefroycz]

Dec 29, 1941

The situation is starting to change for the worse. The Japanese surprisingly crossed the strait to Singapore. I did not expect that, as they do not have concentrated forces and some units are still fighting in central Malaysia. I inflicted some losses on him, but a maximum of three divisions are deployed. This is not a very encouraging prospect. I am withdrawing aircraft from Singapore, they have no meaning here now.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 37000 troops, 427 guns, 275 vehicles, Assault Value = 1223

Defending force 40750 troops, 498 guns, 384 vehicles, Assault Value = 735

Japanese adjusted assault: 662

Allied adjusted defense: 1053

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
4613 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 197 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 32 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 40 (4 destroyed, 36 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1009 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 116 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 102 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 37 (7 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (2 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Kido Butai is back near Hawaii and attacks Pearl Harbor again. I moved the bombers to other islands, but the fighters are fighting. I have nowhere to move them and it is necessary to inflict some losses on the enemy. Due to the quality of aircraft and pilots, this is only a wish. Today's balance is not encouraging. I tried to attack the aircraft carriers, but the SBDs did not pass the defense.



Apparently more invading forces are approaching north of Hawaii. I can only hope for the attack of the submarine. I will definitely not strengthen the area, it's just a waste of power. I'd rather prepare a defense where the Japanese are advancing more slowly with lesser forces.



Telegraphic:
The invasion of Tarawa
Intelligence reports troops movements to Rabaul - maybe units for Port Moresby?
Prince of Wales survived the first day and the Japanese have not yet found him - Flt 72 (-1)