Sand in the Vaseline - Wobbly vs PzB

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:19 am

Sorry for a somewhat belated report, as PzB may have added he has been moving from one location to another and in Wellington we have suffered the worst storm I have ever seen in this city. While those in Florida may sniff in derision i still have four weather facing windows blown out and a roof that is a piece of iron short of full coverage. Others are in a far worse condition so I shouldn't grumble but it will be a cold night tonight despite 3 windows now replaced and boards over the other which is too inaccessible in this weather. Poor me! [:(]

But that 's not what you're reading for is it!

OK - The kido butai has already run out of targets - she found one forlorn (and previously damaged) AK and sent her to the bottom without too much additional drama. My other transport Tfs, at full speed, are now a goodly distance from the threat. I should (hmmm) be Ok here now, it is actually a relief to find out where they are.
In Pearl two very large transport TFs come in with fuel and about 150K supplies.
The Kiwi Brigade I 'bought' in Auckland has loaded and left for Noumea, it has just cleared Cape Reinga.
One full day of unloading in Port Moresby without aircraft interdiction has seen most of the troops and about 5K supplies unloaded, 2000 troops and about 3K supplies to go.
Lex combines with her escorts and puts on full steam to Townsville - I should have enough fuel to get there, it is obviously up to the japanese in Rabaul as to whether she does so. I notice I don't have much in the way of Northerly fuel in which to replenish them so I am probably going to have to head to Brisbane or Sydney.
Many single transport ship TFs created in the SRA this turn - I am trying to load up supplies and fuel while the Jap aircraft carriers are away (they are rounding the northern tip of New Guinea).
Another large Tf of surface vessels is formed at Soerboja and heads south while the previous southern group should return tonight.
A group of transports also makes port in Balikpapan this turn - very dangerous - I have 25 fighters defending them...
Johore bahru still holds but I cut my losses and retire the aussies to Singapore - I should loose this base this turn. Further north the british surface fleet is ready to run in to George base (name?) and load an airbase unit then sprint out again. i have remembered to do this at full speed so we shall see.
Rangoon is about to be reinforced with the first lot of malayans and Aussies from Singapore - I can see a jap unit at the base to the East of Moulmein so it is possible he may try and go around behind me.
Two very large supply TFs pull into Columbo and Tricommalee.
In China I try to attack a Jap held base which unhappily has a split unit from some jap mixed brigade - I am heavily repulsed but will try again this turn.
In the Phillipines another unit that got ahead of the rest is deliberately attacked by the units at Clarke and sent back the way it came. The opposition is closing in now though.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:28 am

An eventful turn - Lex is found by Nells and Zeros; Johore Bahru is taken by force with the defenders retreating to Singapore and a very nasty port attack by Nells out of Kuching on Soerboja.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/23/41

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Sub attack at 24,65

Japanese Ships
SS I-156, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage - Sunk

Allied Ships
DD Van Nes
DD Paul Jones
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
DD Banckert
DD Stewart
CL De Ruyter

The retreating Dutch warships stumble upon a sub and sink it on their way to a burning Soerboja. They refuel and then head out again - too hot here!
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Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 60

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
MSW Abraham Crijnssen, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Van Landsberge, Bomb hits 1
ML Prins van Oranje, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Asheville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AS Colombia, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Rochussen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AO Trinity, Torpedo hits 1
AVD Heron, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sagoland, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AK Liran, Bomb hits 1, on fire

And bang - change in tactics by my erstwhile opponent - he has made quite a mess too. It is my fault to an extent, I had moved the Demons that were defending to Palembang to defend a resource pick up there. I have attached the damage he caused. One hell of alot of torp hits for planes coming in at 15000 feet!
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Day Air attack on TF at 56,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G3M Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 destroyed, 19 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
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Day Air attack on TF at 56,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G3M Nell x 3

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Lexington

9 Buffalos splash into the water - i can't tell how many pilots I lost. They do manage to hold the nells off and even shoot down 2 zeros however the sqd is now down to 8. The most important point is that Lex was untouched - she is leading a charmed life!
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Ground combat at Alor Star

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52681 troops, 587 guns, 105 vehicles

Defending force 12070 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
618 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
393 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Ouchhhhh The imperial guards make it to Alor star and the extra weight tells immediately. The last bastion of strength in the North's days are numbered.
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Ground combat at Johore Bahru

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40205 troops, 404 guns, 5 vehicles

Defending force 5378 troops, 29 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Back to Singapore - since I have removed most of the defenders the jewel in the East Empire's crown is about to be deflowered.
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Ok
Lex is in the hex to the east of Dobadura, the whole tf shows red in the fuel stakes - they will continue at mission speed and I hope I can make a northern oz base. The Enterprise is due to rendevous with the Lex this turn - her wildcats will be joyously received! I don't know if carriers can fuel other carriers...
My fast transport mission didn't work - not sure why. I changed a couple of settings and now the fuel state is green rather than red which may have been the cause. They try again tonight.
The Kido Butai disappears back into the mist - back to playing russian roulette with my transports. The marines are going to take the long way around - can't risk them being found - the Kiwi Cav Brigade are about a turn out of Noumea anyway. While the Lex and Enterprise have done sod all damage they may have thrown PzB's plans to come further south into disarray; until he gets more firepower he wont contemplate a southward move.

sadja · Post by **sadja** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:42 am

I'm a newbee with this version of WIP played the old one long time ago , love reading the AARs really like yours and Thynes. keep it up. Thanks again for the entertainment.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:37 am

Thanks for the encouragement sadja. It's nice to know we are entertaining others while we have a blast ourselves. I can highly recommend the game, you will have to overcome the initially overwhelming size, but if you are a pacific war veteren then you'll be fine. I tried the game but hated the interface. WitP is much better - although I can't play the game with sound [:(]

PzB has done the turn, apparently subs get in on the action agains the Lex - once again her luck holds and the torps miss. Unfortunatley for the sub the depth chargfes (or one depthcharge in this case) don't and the single hit is enough to sink the sub.

I am still at work so I can't elaborate further - will do so when I get home.

dtravel · Post by **dtravel** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 5:45 am

Wobbly, I just have to say that there is just something about the title of your AAR that makes me wince every time I see it. Not sure why, it just does. [:o][:D]

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 10:14 am

Major defensive effort by the indians at Alor star and a base force in Cagayan.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/41

ASW attack at 56,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-159, hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Balch
CA Louisville
DD Benham
CA Northampton
DD Ellet
DD Dunlap
DD Fanning
DD Maury
DD McCall
DD Gridley
DD Craven
CV Enterprise

One last (I hope) crack at the luckiest ship in the fleet and she is through to the safer waters of the coral sea and the defensive firepower of Enterprise: Lex we salute you!
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Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M Nell x 15

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 10
Brewster 339D x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Empire Hope
AK Empire Raven, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CLAA Capetown

Aircraft Attacking:
My demons sacrfice themselves trying to defend the crazy notion I have that the resources in Palambang should not go to the Japanese. PzB has two major surface fleets in the waters around Palambang and two subs under the water in this hex - time to move!
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Day Air attack on TF at 34,64

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 11

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tama
BB Nagato
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:

My Martins throw themselves at some Battleships trying to pass below Balikpapan - they manage to hit Yamashiro but I doubt the paint was even chipped.
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Ground combat at Cagayan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2378 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 792 troops, 7 guns, 2 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Nanning

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26762 troops, 310 guns, 5 vehicles

Defending force 21539 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
822 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
169 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

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Ground combat at Alor Star

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 51920 troops, 563 guns, 104 vehicles

Defending force 11502 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
1332 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
477 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

Some exceptionally courageous defence from the Indians at Alor star plus these other locations - the jap casualties above are from the Imperial guards et al! No fortifications left though so only a rest day can save them from loosing the location tomorrow. There is a kin ransome in supplies at Alor Star too.
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Lex is on her way to Townsville and Enterprise is heading to Cairns. They will take on fuel and then try to ge to a location with enough supplies to replenish their airwings - Brisbane is closest.
The unloading of troops and supplies at Port Moresby wsa completed without a hitch - the sub in the area was conveniently sunk by Lex's escorts.
The troops destined for Rangoon have all arrived. PzB has been sending in recon every day so he should notice the sudden rise in defenders. The bad news is my supplies plummet upon their arrival - is this normal?
His baby carriers are on their way back to the happy hunting grounds of the south resource area. Time for my transports to take the long way around!
There are 19 days until the Yorktown and a whole swag of other reinforcements are released - we are counting those days.

Dtravel - you are so right - hope it is doing the same for PzB. All his best laid plans delayed or scrapped through grit in the lubricant!!

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 1:58 am

Looking over the side Jason could see the azure water change to a darker shade as the borderline of the sand and the ship met. The heat of the tropical sun was making him sweat and the need to wear a coral suit in case of currents moving you onto the sharp homes of the underwater creatures was not helping.
The divemaster, a local originally from Singapore, pointed out across the water to the East: "The Japanese planes come in from over there catching the task force here" he continued waving his arms about the boat.
"Capetown moved towards the threat unleashing her anti-aircraft guns. The enemy planes concentrated on her putting 3 torpedoes into her. She sank in 43 seconds taking all but 15 hands with her."
"Her sacrifice enabled the Task force to continue although one other ship was damaged badly enough to require heading to Batavia and another patrol boat sank".
"Capetown now sits upright in 34 to 26 metres of water."
The group nodded their heads and continued testing their breathing apparatus. This was where Jason's Grandfather had perished, a young father caught in a war on the other side of the world from his wife: Jason's Grandmother. It seemed incredible to him now that Joseph had died in such a beautiful location - the water seemed so inviting, the sky a deep blue. However, 60 years earlier the HMS Capetown and her flock had emerged from morning squalls to be greeted by the Japanese Naval Nell aircraft and had been hammered to the bottom.

Obviously, Capetown is sunk and others in her Tf damaged. Alor Star falls to the all conquering Jap. Mines rear their ugly head but both sides fall foul of them.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/25/41

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TF 121 encounters mine field at Palembang (20,55)

Japanese Ships
DD Kuretake, Mine hits 1, on fire

PzB obviously did try and hit the TF I had at Palembang, they instead find the underwater obstacles.
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TF 1001 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)

Allied Ships
MSW Cairns
MSW Deloraine
MSW Ipswitch
AVD William B. Preston, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

In Darwin a returning anti-sub TF finds sub-laid mines and unfortunately William B. Preston hits one; she is in serious trouble.
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Day Air attack on TF at 29,66

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 15
T.IVa x 3

Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:

A torpedo hit on one of the big boys - this is what I am after - I get a severe flooding damage report. Considering I can't follow this up it is likely the ship will find a safe port and pump dry having suffered very little system damage.
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Day Air attack on TF at 21,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G3M Nell x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CLAA Capetown, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Hope, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Aster
PG Nigella, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

What the surface combat TF miss the Nells find.
Both the Capetown and the Nigella sink. I think the TF should make it out through the breach between Sumatra and Java though. For the loss of a CLAA - put in there to offer some form of protection - 2 planes damage does not really fill me with delight that my tactics are the right ones. The early ships are just too crap at anti-air.
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Coastal Guns at Brunei, 32,57, firing at TF 75
TF 75 troops unloading over beach at Brunei, 32,57

36 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Hakka Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Brunei semms slated to fall - he has another airbase unit with them so no oil attacks by the dutch airforce.
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Ground combat at Cagayan

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2382 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 782 troops, 7 guns, 2 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Still the US base force holds.
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Ground combat at Alor Star

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 50145 troops, 521 guns, 103 vehicles

Defending force 10859 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Alor Star base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
792 casualties reported
Guns lost 19

Allied ground losses:
293 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Alor Star seccumbs to a far superior force. PzB seems in a rush to get the Malayan Peninsula subdued.
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It is the speed that PzB is attacking Malaya that seems the key here. He is very slow to move against Burma and as such my reinforcement has been allowed to continue unabated now for a while. However, his plans seems to be to use the forces in Malaya (once taken) to take Burma. If that is the case then he will come north like a steamtrain in month or so. I cannot imagine Rangoon can hold against that unless I try some radical changes to the defense. I have hinted at the seed of the plan previously. Get the Enterprise and the Lexington across to India. If I can do it secretly he may not use his full carrier capability against India and the American flat-tops could come as a very rude surprise. Alot of water has to flow under the bridge before we get there but never the less this is the idea.
My Fast transport worked this time! A sizable chunk of the air base at Georgetown is on its way to Rangoon. the surface ships here may try this run a few times to see what they can get out of Malaya.
Still don't know where the Kitu Butai is hiding. I start moving the now fully fleshed Catalina sqds to the small island locations about the South Pacific - where oh where could he be???

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:08 am

Quiet couple of turns. The Chinese manage to repulse an over eager Jap regiment trying to move up the rail line north of Canton. I loose yet another AK. Japs invade Amboina.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/27/41

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Naval Gun Fire at Amboina (39,73) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Koshin Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kembu Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Beginning of the invasion
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Day Air attack on TF at 22,52

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Hope, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

One of the injured ships being escorted by the hapless Capetown joins her fate.
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Ground combat at Amboina

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2426 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2004 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

The Japs are a little under powered here. Amboina may survive for a wee while until he brings up reinforcements.
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Ground combat at Taiping

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2125 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5769 troops, 29 guns, 3 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Much the same thing in Taiping. The troops that retreated from ALor Start o George town were given move orders to Taiping straight away. PzB tried to get some small fast units there to cut off retreat but it is to no avail.
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Ground combat at 43,39

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30190 troops, 245 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6715 troops, 84 guns, 5 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Go back to Canton little regiment - your type is not received well here!
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Most of the action is in fact maneouvering. The Kiwi cavalry unload in Noumea and the ships return the way they came.
Both the Lex and Enterprise groups have fuel enough to get to Brisbane and they begin the journey down there. Brisbane now has enough supplies to affect un apgrade and reinforcement of the airgroups.
Rangoon is getting more and more well defended - I am contemplating moving one of the Indian tank brigades there as well. This could be my undoing if he does an end run and goes for diamond head or the other more Northerly Indian cities.
PzB's jaunt with his carriers down the american coastline has curtailed the industry of Australia. I don't have enough oil there to create fuel and this is stopping me from reinforcing vital locations like PM and maybe Lunga. He has very effectively shut off access to the SRA as well.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:38 am

Quiet day again - many sightings of my ships in the SRA but no naval atacks from PzB.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/28/41

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Day Air attack on Brunei , at 32,57

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 20

No Allied losses

Oil hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet

First successful anti strategic raid I have done - they are going again this turn.
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Day Air attack on Penang Fortress, at 23,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 33
Ki-48 Lily x 31

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported

That is alot of planes in the air. He now occupies two of the last bases I have in Malaya and my troops have nowhere but georgetown to retreat to. Those in Kuala Lumpur are trapped - the end is in sight.
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Day Air attack on 11th PA Division, at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 54
Ki-30 Ann x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 62
Ki-48 Lily x 21
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 4
P-35A x 5
P-40B Tomahawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 8 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-35A: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

I try to put up a better defense of my troops at Clark but the weight of aircraft aluminium is starting to make the attempt pointless. The War/tomahawks are doing their bit but the ancient P-26s and P-35s are still just targets.
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Sub attack near Miri at 31,57

Japanese Ships
AP Meiten Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O20

Dutch sub has surely put paid to this AP.
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Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 41500 troops, 444 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5749 troops, 29 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Allied ground losses:
217 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Taiping just cannot last - 4-1 already and no more troops for defense. The last stand of Malaya is on the cards. Then only Singapore to take!

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At last Palembang has moved over 20K supplies which allows me to replensih my severely depleted Dutch airforce with new planes. Most of PzBs surface forces are South by Amboina and I have a very large transport TF about to come in through the gap between Sumatra and Java. I want a few of these replacement fighter planes to get repaired first but once that is true they will run the gauntlet - like the previous mission this also has a CLAA with them - I am sorely tempted to leave her at home.
A large surface unit sorties from Soerboja and heads to Northern Malaya to attempt a rescue of the cut off troops. I don't know how many I can save but better to have tried. As someone wrote - many orphaned digital wives and kids otherwise.
My other surface unit gets closer to Kendari too - alot of heavy metal around here though - not to mention the baby carriers and the obligatory Nells. I am trying to make a fist of attacking but invariably Mrs Nell reaches out to 'touch me'.
Another lone Jap Regiment makes it to Clark and I set up to deliberate attack. Surely he has timed it properly this time and I will get a spanking!

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 9:12 am

Another CL - Java takes an aerial torpedo. I can't get close to any targets with this mighty aerial shield he has.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/29/41

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Sub attack at 25,65

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
AK Sipirok, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

I was looking to get some supplies to Soerboja to enable me to have two locations where I could replenish airwings - he hits the supply carrier hard. Touch and go if it will make it to port let alone unload. And now Soerboja has over 20K supplies under its own steam...
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Naval bombardment of Amboina, at 39,73

Japanese Ships
DD Numakaze
CL Kiso
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Okikaze
DD Kamikaze
CL Tama
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Nagato

Allied ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 7

Amboina is receiving a pounding! Supplies are down to 47! it has a resource point there of 10 so a few meagre supplies are getting to the troops but time is not on my side.
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Day Air attack on Brunei , at 32,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 8

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Oil hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet

More anti-oil attacks this turn, which he defends against. This turn I return at 15,000 feet.
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Day Air attack on TF, near Roti Island at 28,76

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Barker
CL Tromp
CL Java, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
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Day Air attack on TF at 22,43

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 26

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Durban
MSW Goulburn, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Maryborough, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

I am taking one hell of a risk with my valuable APs here. They are going to Georgetown on an evac mission. I have 25 buffalos on defense but they will struggle to hold off the swarm of enemy aircraft that now inhabit Malaya; no I am more hopeful that the forecast of heavy precipitation will deny him.
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Ground combat at Taiping

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 64458 troops, 670 guns, 104 vehicles

Defending force 5423 troops, 21 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Taiping base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
220 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
363 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Defeated Allied Units Retreating! (to georgetown)

Georgetown is now overrun with allied troops - I have about 20 surface ships and 5 APs trying to get there in time to retrieve some of them.
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Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19546 troops, 252 guns, 17 vehicles

Defending force 6716 troops, 35 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Japanese ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported

The boys at KL are cut off they will soon go in the bag - good luck lads!
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Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21988 troops, 186 guns, 63 vehicles

Defending force 23528 troops, 252 guns, 64 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 6

Allied ground losses:
687 casualties reported
Guns lost 37

At last he sorts out his movement - just needed one of the bigger divisions to get there. My troops cannot nudge him back out of Clark - the seige now starts. With 30 units recorded at ... - oh hell the base to the North of Clark - I am just biding my time until he squashes me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A turn very reliant on the weather. I have the large transport TF moving into Palembang and the AP TF moving into Georgetown this turn.
Many sqds got replacement planes this turn with more fighters on hand than at any time in the war, unfortunately the fighters are still mainly Buffalos and 339s.
His baby carriers are on the move again heading South East from Amboina. There is no immediate threat as most of the shipping is out of the way. I am starting now to think about where his next targets are likely to be. Darwin is an obviously attractive target as is Port Moresby and Lunga. Darwin is getting an australian tank regiment (although it is currently 1260 miles away!). Port Moresby is no longer defenseless but Lunga is bare, although there is now a very large surface unit in range of both Lunga and shortlands, on react, that could ruin a landing attempt.
In the East, Indian tanks make it to Chanpur - two regimemts of them. A concerted effort by the Japs will probably still cause me problems, but unless he moves his units by ship he will have trouble now breaking through.
China is static, I am unsure what he is doing at the moment. I do have masses of Chinese at Yenan which I don't know what to do with - maybe they should come across to Burma...?
Enterprise has made it to Brisbane, she refuels and replaces the 3 lost F4F-3s (operational). Lucky Lady Lex should make it this next turn.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:19 am

Not a very good turn to be an allied Merchant Marine sailor. The weather gods do shine on my APs going to Georgetown – unfortunately I wanted them to rain on me, the only thing raining in Georgetown harbour were bombs! More punishment of Amboina, a wonderful day for my diminutive airforce in the Philippines and other chicanery in this Pacific War.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/30/41

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Sub attack near Teloekbetoeng at 19,58

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
AK Benkalis, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Warrego
MSW Warrnambool
MSW Eland Dubois
AK Tjisaroea

My new transport TF going to Palembang gets caught, first by this sub…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval Gun Fire at Singapore (23,50) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Otori, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AK Benkalis, and is sunk

Then by a bombardment force (I don’t know how this combat result came about)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 71,46

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
DD Oboro, Shell hits 1
DD Uzuki
DD Kikuzuki

Allied Ships
AK Corregidor, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

The Corregidor was making it’s own way back to San Francisco and happened to stray too close to Japan. It was scouted by planes and then met by this surface unit – glug glug. (just forgot to look after it during my turns – woops)

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

Day Air attack on 11th PA Division, at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 48
Ki-30 Ann x 31
Ki-21 Sally x 67
Ki-48 Lily x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-35A x 4
P-40B Tomahawk x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 21 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 damaged
P-35A: 5 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

More damage to my ground forces at Clark but look at the cost in those awful Nates – nice to see my pilots can use an advantage if it comes their way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Georgetown at 23,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 27
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 39
Ki-48 Lily x 44

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 22 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Van Cloon, Shell hits 8
AP Pijnacker Hordijk, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Van Rees, Shell hits 4
AP Buyskens, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Van Riebeek, Shell hits 4
CL Durban

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48 Lily attacking at 100 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily attacking at 100 feet
1 x Ki-21 Sally attacking at 100 feet

Yep, the clouds stay away and it is the beginning of a pounding at Georgetown – he set all his planes to fly in at sea top level so no surprise here. He did scout last turn but I was taking advantage (?) of the weather forecast.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Georgetown at 23,44

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 22
Ki-30 Ann x 14

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 13 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Van Riebeek, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CL Durban, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

This one really hurts – the Durbin sinks – I have to scuttle 3 of the APs – 3 further ones manage to get away with minor damage and should escape.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanning

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44746 troops, 511 guns, 5 vehicles

Defending force 21441 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
502 casualties reported
Guns lost 26
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

He is trying to force me out of Nanning – the pitiful foray I tried earlier with troops in the base to the south of Nanning are about to join those here. This should mean I am here to stay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21102 troops, 239 guns, 53 vehicles

Defending force 6698 troops, 34 guns, 4 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

The men hang on another day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is obvious KL’s days are numbered – nothing I can do about that. There are now troops at Georgetown with the nearest surface units 2 days away – can they hold.
As I said the APs are running for home – too hot in the combat zone.
PzBs baby carriers are going to find some prey this turn – no doubt. I have too many slow merchantmen within reach of these marauders. I am trying to divert them but I have his next turn in my inbox and he claims more merchant fatalities – they could be here or the group at Soerboja or Palembang.
Lady Lex and Enterprise have replenished there F4Fs – unfortunately I had to upgrade a marine sqd at pearl to have enough F4F-3s to upgrade the Buffalos on Lex and that meant I did not have enough F4F-4s to upgrade either sqd on the carriers. The time on this is just ticking away! I still don’t know where the KB is hiding.
I have very little on the go at the moment – running from carriers down by Darwin; absorbing a pounding in Malaya – although trying to get the men out there; about to absorb a pounding in the Philippines. I would like to start moving troops from the West Coast of the US – I have 3 Divisions available - but I am worried about those d@mn enemy carriers!
It is the new year – I hope it bodes better…

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 5:47 am

Bad day in the SRA - you could write a song about it. My transport fleet into Palembang gets another licking and they are starting to wonder what the hell they are doing in Torpedo alley. Kuala Lumpur falls and with it a kazillion troops. Not good at all.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/31/41
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Day Air attack on TF at 22,48

Allied aircraft
T.IVa x 3

Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano

Well my T.IVs attack a cruiser force moving up the straits next to Singapore, they are heading to Georgetown where I am planning on a fast transport mission - could be ugly!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Pijnacker Hordijk, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

This poor fella is a singleton, loaded with resources, trying to escape balikpapan - she wears all kinds of hurt but is not actually that badly damaged. Unfortunately she is in a terrible location and likely to be preyed upon next turn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 21,57

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 35
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Moonrise, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
TK Empire Flint, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Tarpon, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
PG Jasmine
AK Birminghan City, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
TK Spirilla, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Cochin, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Kapow - more woe for the tranport fleet heading to Palembang - with the amount of time he has to watch these guys come in I am arriving with no undamaged ships and the IJN lining up for surface action anyway. I am coming to the conclusion that the richest oil producing base is untenable for depletion of resources it is so capable at producing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 19,41

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 13 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Exeter
CL Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Glasgow

To make matters worse my fast transport mission is air attacked. The CL Enterprise is massively damaged by this single torpedo - it is likely to fail in its attempt to make it back to Tricommalee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Amboina

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4320 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1057 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Amboina holds but it is only with supplies held by the troops themselves. They must surely capitulate in the next day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanning

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 43899 troops, 482 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 21231 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
1132 casualties reported
Guns lost 13

Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The Chinese though are reinforced in the nick of time - they heap out a spanking on the shock attacking Japs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20844 troops, 230 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 6563 troops, 27 guns, 3 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuala Lumpur base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
11891 casualties reported
Guns lost 29

The very worst day of the campaign is roundly topped off by the loss of all these troops. It was inevitable but is still not easy to stomach.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I've said my fast transport mission is flying into georgetown tonight. It is likely to meet the surface force previously seen in the straits and the damage it receives could be enough to slow them down enough to get spanked from the air.
The next fast transport mission is lining itself up to get more men - they only have to hang on.
PzB's baby carriers are finding nothing but empty ocean as I manage to hypothesize his likely movements and have my transport ships elsewhere - how long can it continue?
The Lex and Enterprise depart brisbane under Spruance. The are off to the Indian ocean - depending on how I am feeling they may not make it as I may unleash them on the baby carriers, I'll see how brave I am feeling. With the loss of pilots in the old Lex Buffalo fighter sqd there is alot of new blood to train!
My transport missions from the US are making their way across the Pacific, so far unhindered. the first major shipment of fuel for Brisbane is in site of Efate Port Villa - a few turns to go but the sailors can taste the Oz beer (rubbishy watery crap that it is).

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 9:34 am

A filthy day for the forces of good - georgetown falls but not before my surface group manages to race in and pick up a base unit. Those same courageous navy boys then suffer at the hands of the Jap airforce as they fall out of the sky on the retreating ships.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/01/42

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Sub attack at 21,47

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yura
DD Usugumo
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shikinami
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
SS Trusty, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Trusty is attacked 3 more times in the day and has floatation damage of 88! The system damage sits at 3 so I am going to try and save her - we shall see.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 140,54

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PG Dawson
MSW Nipigon
MSW Outarde
MSW Ungava
MSW Wasaga
DD Litchfield
DD Chew
DD Schley
DD Ward

Right over on the West coast of the US a B-17 sites a Jap sub that I then go and meet with my ASW ships - down she goes. THere is another here too - ASW ships make a beeline
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naval Gun Fire at Georgetown (23,44) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

24 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Yura
CL Kinu
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki

Allied ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Since I loose Georgetown it is very hard to say for sure but it seems the Gun Battery was savaged - they hardly hurt the bombardment force at all.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wyndham at 30,86

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Manvantara, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Wollongong, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

These bastard Nells fly all the way from Kendari, with torpedoes!!! The Wollongong goes straight to the bottom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 21,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 19
Ki-21 Sally x 42
Ki-48 Lily x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 5 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CLAA Columbo, Bomb hits 2
CL Glasgow, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The beginning of a pasting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF at 21,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 25
Ki-48 Lily x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Exeter, Bomb hits 2
CA Cornwall, Bomb hits 2
CLAA Columbo
CL Glasgow, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

He's started so he'll finish. All the ships are in the 30s sys damage and the Cornwall lost an 8" Turret. I don't know how that is going to be repaired.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Samarinda at 31,63

Japanese Ships
ML Natsushima

Allied Ships
PT TM-9, Shell hits 1
PT TM-11, Shell hits 1

I was so hoping the PTs could rest some retribution - I should know better. What I have cut out is about 50 sorties from the Dutch AF that miss this ship from 5000 feet. I have made a MSW TF to go to Samarinda to remove any mines he may have laid.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 129479 troops, 1052 guns, 299 vehicles

Defending force 24814 troops, 197 guns, 74 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Japanese ground losses:
677 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
2008 casualties reported
Guns lost 82
Vehicles lost 3

Oh crap - first try and it looks like he is going to take Clark - look at all those troops!!!

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Ground combat at Georgetown

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 65103 troops, 668 guns, 104 vehicles

Defending force 8138 troops, 26 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Georgetown base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
233 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
15182 casualties reported
Guns lost 44

The final Ignomy - allied troops go into captivity - they are off to do some trail and bridge building - under some duress too.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PzB's Malayan and Phillipine actions seem to be coming to a very quick end. He is going to take me out way ahead of schedule. I hope I have put a dent in his troops but I don't think so.
The small ship FT mission to Georgetown has no point any more. He will move down to Singapore now with the whole force and squash me. I may use these ships to attack a force that seems to have arrived in Georgetown. If I am lucky he is trying to load the ships up with troops. He still has a few surface ships there as well but maybe I will get at the troops... I must admit I do feel just like running away - everything I have tried (other than the sneaky carriers) has ended in tears.
Speaking of the Carriers they move North - Lex's fighters are being repaired and may be ready to defend the fleet in time.
Port Moresby now has a force of 20 P-40 Warhawks and more on the way. I need to reinforce if I wish to hold them from a Japanese deluge sure to arrive once he has finished cleaning up the Phillipines.
The Battleships California and Oklahoma make it to San Francisco - they go straight to drydock and some repairing. THe two initial visitors are now both down to 27 damage.

Now a few stats.
I've lost 72 ships including:

3 BBs
2 CLs
7 DDs
1 AS
3 AVs
and kazillions of frighters
I have only killed 8 subs and 5 DDs worth noting.
I've lost 425 ACs - 220 on field and 145 in the air
Japs have lost 201
He has 2329 points form army losses I've gained 65 from his losses. Pretty ugly reading!

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:45 am

Clark falls on the second attack, Houston and Perth get found at Tjilitjap by the mini carriers. All round another turn to PzB I'm afraid.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/02/42

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Sub attack at 22,48

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Truant

Truant find and dispatches this DD damaged by Trusty yesterday - Trusty has managed to remove some of her flooding damage - she is now at 80, fingers are crossed.
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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 29

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged

Singapore's trial begins - I have updated the Oz buffalos there to fly Hurricanes - they go into the fight tomorrow - we shall see if they are any better at handling Nates.
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Day Air attack on TF at 31,66

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 17
Martin 139 x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
ML Natsushima, Bomb hits 1

At last the second days raiding of about 30 bombers manages to hit the ML - they get her with 4 more bombs in a later attempt too - hope she is done for.

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Day Air attack on TF, near Tjilitjap at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 7
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 3
B5N Kate x 19

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 8
Brewster 339D x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 destroyed
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 5 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 1
DD Thracian
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Alden
CL Tromp

Bugger - he moves at full speed during the night and makes it before my fleet can disband at Tjilitjap. Both ships are damaged but not extensively and other than a port bombing should get away to either Australia or India. I move in two more squadrons of fighters and some bombers to make him think twice about hanging around here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed

At last the AVG goes into action - they have their first kill but loose a Tomahawk in the process. The Betties have poor morale they turn around.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Amboina

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4142 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 769 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Amboina base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
412 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

After putting up a spirited defense the forces at Amboina at last retreat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 128759 troops, 1042 guns, 295 vehicles

Defending force 21249 troops, 80 guns, 71 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
370 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1190 casualties reported
Guns lost 31
Vehicles lost 9

Not good at all - I really have not defended the Phillipines well and unfortunately the troops retreat to Manila - my forces are now neatly split - how will he deal with them?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More running away required - I just don't know what else to do.

The light dutch surface forces head to Trimmalee - PzB is moving units into the Bay of Bengal - who knows where they are aimed. I really needed to have moved the Prince of Wales out of Tjilitjap, where it has been based for some time now, in case of this eventuality. He does not appear to have bought the heavy Carriers - I would say they are still retreating from their foray on the other side of the Pacific, so it is up to the CVEs and such - they are powering North so this may be his plan.
My Carriers are about level with Cairns and still heading North - half of the Lex's Wildcats are now operational.
I load the British 18th Division at karachi and head them to the almost undefended Tricommalee - I cannot afford to loose this place! The 18th should make it decidedly harder for him to take - I have Blenheims, Hudsons and Swordfish waiting on a move that far east. I don't think I can wheel out the Hermes - the enemy light carriers will eat it for breakfast.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 8:41 pm

Prince of Wales takes a pounding in Tjilitjap harbour, despite demanding torpedo nets be put up around her she wears torpedos all over the place.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/03/42

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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 31
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1
Hurricane II x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hurricane II: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Hurricanes aren't the answer they get spanked out of the sky like the Buffalos - very disappointing but not all together unexpected.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tjilitjap , at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 81
G4M1 Betty x 7

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 4
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 25 destroyed, 39 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 2 damaged
Brewster 339D: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

I just had to sit and watch this one come in - No escape for the big battlewagon as if she was caught at sea she would have gone down for certain. She has about 55 sys and 65 float damage. The one consolation is the Nells pay for it - my pilots are about doubling their claims - 10 Nells actually fall but the others should have taken a morale hit and might not be able to repeat the dose. If I get her out it looks like PoW is the first BB to be returned to the UK.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 31st USA Regimental Combat Team, at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
C5M Babs x 2
Ki-27 Nate x 48
Ki-21 Sally x 82
Ki-48 Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 13 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Now it is Manila's turn. One of his tank units has gotten ahead of the rest of the troops and i will try attacking it this turn to send it back to Clarke.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Ki-48 Lily x 5

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 8
Brewster 339D x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Santa Teresa, Bomb hits 3, on fire

More attacks on the ships I am loading at Palembang - there is a large surface fleet just outside the gates so I will disband the fleet this turn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nanning continues to hold despite a 2 to 1 attack by the Japs there this turn. Enemy troops in Canton have move towards the battle so I'm going to move the troops I have up to try and cut off the advance.
Landings in Wewak - he is on the move South.
The really big news though is I think I have spotted the Kidu Butai! Catalinas out of Canton Island find the ships still swanning around down south - I divert the transports there further south -they're going to have to go to Antarctica at this rate just to get around.
I would say, with him continuing to stay down here, that he is aiming at coming very far south with his troops. I am leaning on an invasion of Noumea. I will get the NZ 3rd soon and that is where they are heading.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:56 am

Major aerial attack on Tjilitjap trying to put the PoW under the waves but this time the allied fighters take more than their pound of flesh. An incredibly audacious surface attack into Tricommalee - PzB has cajones the size of watermelons!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/04/42

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ASW attack at 141,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-21, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Fox
DD Hatfield

PzB has laced the West Coast of the US with subs - so far I have found and sunk 2.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 141,53

Japanese Ships
SS I-9

Allied Ships
AK Liberty, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

However sometimes the subs get in and score. The DDs that sunk the I-21 are to join with these AKs - a day too late.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Menado, at 39,67

Japanese Ships
DD Numakaze
CL Kiso
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Okikaze
DD Kamikaze
CL Tama
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Nagato

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

The invasion of Menado has begun - PzB is using the heavy hitters to ease the pain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 30

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

The Hurricanes cannot foot it, even with Nates - I am resting all the fighters to stop sweep losses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on Tjilitjap , at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 48
G4M1 Betty x 7

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 13 destroyed, 25 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 damaged
Brewster 339D: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port supply hits 1

The first attack comes from Kuching - surely this will mean their morale is taking a dive!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tjilitjap , at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 42
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 21 destroyed, 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
AK Benkoelen, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 1
CL Boise, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 2

Then an attack from Kendari - he obviously has some serious numbers at the airbase there. The bombs being dropped are 250Kg versions and mainly bounce off the PoWs armour - they are cleaning AAA guns off though. The hits to Tromp and Benkolen are problems and the Boise is in serious trouble - SYS 84!!
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Day Air attack on TF, near Trimcomalee at 15,25

Allied aircraft
Sea Gladiator x 2
Swordfish x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Murakumo

This is the only notable hit on the enemy fleet at Trimcomalee (another bomb does bounce off the Chokai) - all for about 70 sorties. The pilots need experience badly!
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Trimcomalee at 15,25

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Yura, on fire
CL Kinu
DD Usugumo
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Murakumo
DD Akikaze

Allied Ships
CLAA Ceres
DD Stronghold, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Jupiter

At last PzB gets what he is after: a surface attack on the ships in the port. However he chooses the as yet undamaged reinforcements from Columbo. This one hit has done 25sys damage though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22704 troops, 156 guns, 20 vehicles

Defending force 70835 troops, 588 guns, 219 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
3412 casualties reported
Guns lost 44
Vehicles lost 3

Look at all those losses!!! I deliberate attack to try and drive the tank unit PzB has moved up, off. However the rest of the cavalry arrive in time to meet my attack and seriously repulse it. I have never seen such heavy losses in a 'non-surrender' attack. Manila is doomed and with it one hell of alot of troops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first rounds of fighting are coming to a close with the loss of Manila just around the corner and Singapore bides her time waiting for the Japanese host to arrive.

I make a surface TF around the Revenge in Trimcomalee harbour - it is small and with few DDs but if the big boy can land some of her heavy rounds it may be OK - I direly need a bit of luck!

The fighters stay above Tjilitjap but I imagine PzB will send the zeros in on a sweep mission this turn. I don't mind if he uses the zeros from the light carriers - with my two fleet carriers about to go through the gap between Northern Oz and PNG I want those little ships to have lost some of their punch. I shot down 5 kates in his attacks today. That goes nicely with the 16 Nells and 5 Betties - very gratifying but this turn I should pay!

The KB are moving West very fast - they should intercept a singular AK damaged earlier, loaded with supplies for Oz - not much I can do about this. There is a transport fleet that may be in trouble - I have steered them due south at full speed to see if I can't slip by.
I also line up the surface fleet, I have had floating around the southern solomons, for the fast transport pick up of the airbase unit that used to be in Rabaul. If they manage it I could try and get the ground unit as well - unsure whether they retire to PM or back to Oz to properly recuperate - probably need to refuel the surface ships anyway.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 1:15 am

Strange turn with a mid-ocean intercept of a CL and PT boats that stray into range of the coastal batteries at Singapore.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/05/42

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Naval Gun Fire at Singapore (23,50) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

51 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PT Gyoraitei #2
PT Gyoraitei #6, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT Gyoraitei #5
PT Gyoraitei #4, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT Gyoraitei #3, Shell hits 18, heavy damage

All three sink but were only in the hex. This seems strange as other locations with CD units don't always attack ships passing through - I doubt he had PT boats loaded up to bombard so why, in a 60 mile hex, does he get smoked??
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 17,26

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
DD Hatsuyuki

Allied Ships
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage

The hapless Enterprise, down at the bow and struggling to make headway is accurately located by PzB and dispatched.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 32,56

Japanese Ships
TK Ichiyu Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O20
A nice attack on a tanker trying to exit (or enter) Brunei and is savaged by 88mm shells
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Palembang, at 20,55

Japanese Ships
DD Kagero
DD Wakatake
DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi
DD Arashio
DD Hamakaze
DD Isokaze

Allied Ships
TK British Motorist, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Empire Clive, Shell hits 2, on fire
PG Jasmine, Shell hits 1, on fire
TK Empire Druid, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

OK so PzB notices that I had put the ships in the TF, loading up at Palembang, into the base. he bombards and has seriously hurt the ships he hit - despite the bombadiers only being destroyers. I make a fleet of the ships here and try and run for it. PzB has sent the next turn that i again can't see - he says he has sunk some transports and I remember that I didn't put any CAP above these ships - they are likely to be the target - oil and resources will sink with them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bali at 24,68

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 12
Martin 139 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Ariake
DD Amatsukaze
DD Kuri
DD Yamakaze

My useless level bombers can't hit the side of a barn again - these DDs are down by Bali - are they a part of the Mini CV TF that has now done a vanishing act?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 46,36

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 190683 troops, 2353 guns, 160 vehicles

Defending force 51142 troops, 259 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 38 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
312 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
4958 casualties reported
Guns lost 51

Woah - he spanks me out of a free hex I was waiting in - ouch. I can't remember the details of the city they have retreated to but with 200k troops attacking me, it might be time to really start retreating.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at San Marcelino

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3642 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 431 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE San Marcelino base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Manila and Bataan are the only places that remain allied on the main Phillipine Islands. He only has to finish them off - and that wont be hard - and it will then be a quesiton of 'where next'? Manila is down to 676 supplies!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think the question of where next is being answered by his main fleet carriers which are now steaming West as fast as he can go. I can imagine that he really wants to find my carriers and will trya to use and attack on Noumea or PM to lure them out.
Well they are straight through the gap between Oz and Pm and steaming at full speed to Derby, which has been a major drop off point of alot of the resources taken from previously allied bases.
Also - where has his little CV TF gone? I want him to continue to attack and hopefully dimish the effectiveness of the planes he still has on board.
This continued pressure on Ceylon is starting to get on my goat. I don't want him thinking he can go anywhere he pleases - surely my pilots are better than that?

Williamb · Post by **Williamb** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 1:22 am

Naval Gun Fire at Singapore (23,50) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

51 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PT Gyoraitei #2
PT Gyoraitei #6, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT Gyoraitei #5
PT Gyoraitei #4, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT Gyoraitei #3, Shell hits 18, heavy damage

All three sink but were only in the hex. This seems strange as other locations with CD units don't always attack ships passing through - I doubt he had PT boats loaded up to bombard so why, in a 60 mile hex, does he get smoked??

I wonder I know Singapore had some of the largest shore gun emplacements in the world at that time. May have ben 14' inch guns or something like that. Why it made landing there very dangerous. Except of course they didnt fortify the land approaches.

denisonh · Post by **denisonh** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:22 am

He sure does.

I have learned to be careful against him, as he is quick to react and is not one to be fooled twice.

With LBA at Kuching and Kendari, operating naval forces in the SRA is a b1tch. Not sure that the attempts to evacuate resources are worth the shipping lost. What is your take on that?

ORIGINAL: wobbly

Major aerial attack on Tjilitjap trying to put the PoW under the waves but this time the allied fighters take more than their pound of flesh. An incredibly audacious surface attack into Tricommalee - PzB has cajones the size of watermelons!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/04/42

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ASW attack at 141,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-21, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Fox
DD Hatfield

PzB has laced the West Coast of the US with subs - so far I have found and sunk 2.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 141,53

Japanese Ships
SS I-9

Allied Ships
AK Liberty, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

However sometimes the subs get in and score. The DDs that sunk the I-21 are to join with these AKs - a day too late.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Menado, at 39,67

Japanese Ships
DD Numakaze
CL Kiso
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Okikaze
DD Kamikaze
CL Tama
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Nagato

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

The invasion of Menado has begun - PzB is using the heavy hitters to ease the pain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 30

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

The Hurricanes cannot foot it, even with Nates - I am resting all the fighters to stop sweep losses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on Tjilitjap , at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 48
G4M1 Betty x 7

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 13 destroyed, 25 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 damaged
Brewster 339D: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port supply hits 1

The first attack comes from Kuching - surely this will mean their morale is taking a dive!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tjilitjap , at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 42
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 21 destroyed, 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
AK Benkoelen, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 1
CL Boise, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 2

Then an attack from Kendari - he obviously has some serious numbers at the airbase there. The bombs being dropped are 250Kg versions and mainly bounce off the PoWs armour - they are cleaning AAA guns off though. The hits to Tromp and Benkolen are problems and the Boise is in serious trouble - SYS 84!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF, near Trimcomalee at 15,25

Allied aircraft
Sea Gladiator x 2
Swordfish x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Murakumo

This is the only notable hit on the enemy fleet at Trimcomalee (another bomb does bounce off the Chokai) - all for about 70 sorties. The pilots need experience badly!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Trimcomalee at 15,25

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Yura, on fire
CL Kinu
DD Usugumo
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Murakumo
DD Akikaze

Allied Ships
CLAA Ceres
DD Stronghold, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Jupiter

At last PzB gets what he is after: a surface attack on the ships in the port. However he chooses the as yet undamaged reinforcements from Columbo. This one hit has done 25sys damage though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22704 troops, 156 guns, 20 vehicles

Defending force 70835 troops, 588 guns, 219 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
3412 casualties reported
Guns lost 44
Vehicles lost 3

Look at all those losses!!! I deliberate attack to try and drive the tank unit PzB has moved up, off. However the rest of the cavalry arrive in time to meet my attack and seriously repulse it. I have never seen such heavy losses in a 'non-surrender' attack. Manila is doomed and with it one hell of alot of troops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first rounds of fighting are coming to a close with the loss of Manila just around the corner and Singapore bides her time waiting for the Japanese host to arrive.

I make a surface TF around the Revenge in Trimcomalee harbour - it is small and with few DDs but if the big boy can land some of her heavy rounds it may be OK - I direly need a bit of luck!

The fighters stay above Tjilitjap but I imagine PzB will send the zeros in on a sweep mission this turn. I don't mind if he uses the zeros from the light carriers - with my two fleet carriers about to go through the gap between Northern Oz and PNG I want those little ships to have lost some of their punch. I shot down 5 kates in his attacks today. That goes nicely with the 16 Nells and 5 Betties - very gratifying but this turn I should pay!

The KB are moving West very fast - they should intercept a singular AK damaged earlier, loaded with supplies for Oz - not much I can do about this. There is a transport fleet that may be in trouble - I have steered them due south at full speed to see if I can't slip by.
I also line up the surface fleet, I have had floating around the southern solomons, for the fast transport pick up of the airbase unit that used to be in Rabaul. If they manage it I could try and get the ground unit as well - unsure whether they retire to PM or back to Oz to properly recuperate - probably need to refuel the surface ships anyway.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:28 am

Disaster in the Philippines as Manila and 40K troops fall. The battered Boise seccumbs to the wounds received from the air and a hapless Blenheim squadron looses 75% of its planes to zeros over the mini CV fleet.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/06/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 33,61

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Shell hits 7
CL Naka, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 2
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi

Allied Ships
PT PT-35
PT PT-41, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

The only brightside to a bitter day a nice torpedo hit on the Naka.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tjilitjap at 19,62

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
DD Satsuki
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
AK Empire Lightning, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Bintoehan, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Unfortunately the plane bait I had at Tjilitjap were visited by a small surface unit - bang down I go again.
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Day Air attack on Corregidor M Fortress, at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 21
Ki-21 Sally x 46
Ki-48 Lily x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
12 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 15000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet

Everyday for the last 2 weeks it seems PzB has managed to get weather in the Philippines that has allowed these guys to visit - they are doing fantastically well at smashing everything on the ground.
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Day Air attack on TF at 20,67

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 20 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yamakaze

10 aircraft and their pilots are lost - a bitch slapping if ever there was one.
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Day Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
D3A Val x 1
B5N Kate x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Mindanao, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ML Gouden Leeuw, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

I also have some transports just outside Soerabaja and they are found by a small jap air attack - look at the accuracy: 4 bombers 3 hits. I have to wittle these pilots away!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 22,54

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5
Ki-30 Ann x 18
Ki-21 Sally x 36
Ki-48 Lily x 20

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
TK British Motorist, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
TK Empire Druid, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Empire Clive, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Faith
AK Empire Tower, Bomb hits 1

Why on earth would you join my Navy? Poor buggers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 22,54

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Clive, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Empire Druid, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Tower, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Just what they needed some Nells to help out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 109487 troops, 897 guns, 303 vehicles

Defending force 30428 troops, 88 guns, 17 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
562 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
40736 casualties reported
Guns lost 127
Vehicles lost 9

Nothing though can compare to the black moment of a black day. 40K troops go into the bag on the first deliberate attack because the troops at Clarke retreat to Manila rather than bataan where the supplies are.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phew - I just want to scarper. The Phillipines is a total loss - the troops remaining in Bataan just do not have enough numbers to resist for very long - even with the 16K supplies there. The retreat to Manila has killed me.

I think I am just trying to reinforce too close to the front, I am loosing my way with the defense of Burma too - I feel that with the way he sped through Malaya and the Philippines - like I should just pull back to India. Even then I have shown, with my naval assets, how to be targets rather than terrorisers. So I don't even feel safe in India: look at how he came and went how he pleased by Trimcomalee...

A Black day - a black day indeed.

Densionh, I think my attempts to get resources out were ill founded - especially ones to Palembang - it is just too vulnerable. You can possibly get some out of Java as long as you are careful about using your fighter assets. On the whole though you just cannot do much about his attacks.

William Amos: He didn't try to land - this was a PT boat squad passing through as far as I can tell. By the way the shore battery does have 14" guns as you surmised - please oh please let him try an invasion that way. I'm not holding my breath though - he hasn't put too many steps wrong so far.

Sand in the Vaseline - Wobbly vs PzB

Windows Wrecked in Windy Wellington

Soerboja quakes under port attack

RE: Soerboja quakes under port attack

RE: Soerboja quakes under port attack

RE: Soerboja quakes under port attack

Tenacious Indians show pluck!

Adios Capetown and Alor Star

attack against ambiona

Malayas last gasps

Georgetown or bust

It appears it was bust

Yug - I am being spanked

Georgetown falls and Clark is not far behind

Clarke a gonner

PoW is wrecked

PoW hurt further but I get some bombers

manila on a shoestring

RE: manila on a shoestring

RE: PoW hurt further but I get some bombers

A Black black day