[center]
1/12/42-1/13/42[/center]
An interesting turn.
DEI - There was a heck of a lot of action for the Dutch this turn! Tbe B-17s continue their ineffectual bombing of Kuching. I'm not sure if I should call it off or not, or simply scale down - the Dutch Buffaloes that attempt to escort get regularly slaughtered by the Zeroes on CAP, but the B-17s are untouched. Ah, well, it's keeping a high-quality Zero unit pinned down at minimal cost to me. What's a few shot-down Buffalo to the ruthless Allied commander? [;)] A Betty unit beings night bombing at Batavia, hoping to catch a few ships in port - they find no targets, and the Sea Gladiators on night CAP fail to engage them.
Amboina is the center of the action. It's just my luck that I started pulling the oil and resources out of there right as my esteemed opponent showed up with a well-supported invasion fleet. In any case, enemy troops begin landing, and a bombardment group led by the cruisers Nachi and Myoko demolish two seperate convoys at night on their way to Amboina, which is then bombarded. What I believe is a CVL group two hexes to the northeast of Amboina also participates in the slaughter of merchants. The Hudsons at Amboina continue to miss IJN vessels.
At the same time, Lexington and Enterprise have passed between New Guinea and Oz heading north. I'd been watching TFs, and when their target was obviously Amboina I sent them north to intercept. I had hoped to make it in time to hit the invasion convoy, but no luck. I caught Nachi and Myoko's task force - USN Buffaloes and Wildcats blew away the Claudes on CAP and held the Zeroes at bay, allowing the SBDs to rain 1000 lb bombs with impunity. CA Nachi's magazine explodes and is sunk, and CA Myoko eats 9 1000 pound bombs and isn't expected to last long. [8D]
At the end of the turn, my CVs reacted to the enemy carrier TF - which I'm still not sure is the CVL force. Everything points to it being the CVLs, but even if they are, is it safe engaging them? Do I even have a choice at this point? The last thing I want to do is lose my CVs. He'll drop all inhibitions if I do. The CVs are exposed and I just kicked the metaphorical tiger in the balls. I'll have plenty of opportunities to play with the Jap CVs later - right now, I just have to survive. The question is whether he'll let me escape. [:)]
Biak was also taken, in northern New Guinea. I assume that he'll use it to monitor and/or interdict traffic traveling between Australia and the DEI. I'm lucky he didn't have this base earlier, or my CVs would have been spotted on their way to the Banda Sea. Nothing I can do about it at this point - he'll probably have Emilies flying from there within the week.
PI - Manila was port attacked today - two previously damaged subs (hit at the beginning of the war) soak up a couple more 100 kg bombs. Nothing much to do here but wait. Oh - I am transferring out the last PBY group. As useful as the intel they provided was, I need to get them out before there are no more airfield within range to retreat to.
China - The fighting at Changsha and Yenen continues, with Chinese forces outnumbered 2 and 3 to 1, respectively. [X(] Where are my reinforcements? Arrrg!
Malaya - the RAF in Malaya is entirely inactive at this point, having been almost completely evacuated. The only ships remaining in Singapore harbor are too damaged to risk leaving. On the ground, I've retreated to Johore Bahru and the other hex just north of Singapore itself.
SOPAC - Green Island, north of Shortlands, is taken. This could be important or not - we'll see. Rabaul is bombarded, bombed, and then invaded by the South Seas Detachment - a great example of CD suppression. The Aussies won't last long there.
Little action in other theaters.
===
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/12/42
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Night Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 17
Allied aircraft
Sea Gladiator x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 14 damaged
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Port hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Amboina at 39,73
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Kagero
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
Allied Ships
AK Bintoehan, Shell hits 51, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Boelongan, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Le Maire, Shell hits 1
TK Merula, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AP Siberg
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Amboina at 39,73
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Kagero
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
Allied Ships
AK Belawan, Shell hits 27, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bengalen, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Liran, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
AP Van Imhoff, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
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Naval bombardment of Rabaul, at 61,88
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Oboro
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Uzuki
CL Yura
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu
CL Jintsu
CA Atago
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
DD Yuzuki
Allied ground losses:
208 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 6
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Naval bombardment of Amboina, at 39,73
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Catalina I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Kagero
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
Allied ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 11
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ASW attack at 99,96
Japanese Ships
SS I-174, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Jarvis
DD Henley
DD Phelps
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TF 12 troops unloading over beach at Amboina, 39,73
Japanese ground losses:
652 casualties reported
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TF 20 troops unloading over beach at Green Island, 63,89
Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
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TF 90 troops unloading over beach at Sinkep Island, 22,53
Japanese ground losses:
147 casualties reported
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Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 123
TF 123 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88
13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
Japanese ground losses:
346 casualties reported
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TF 12 troops unloading over beach at Amboina, 39,73
Japanese ground losses:
140 casualties reported
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Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 123
TF 123 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88
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Day Air attack on Amboina , at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 1
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
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Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 20
Ki-48 Lily x 59
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 5 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied Ships
SS Tarpon, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Sealion, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
12 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
1 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
1 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
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Day Air attack on 4th New Chinese Corps, at 46,37
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on 51st PA Division, at 44,55
Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 53
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
21 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
AP Tatsujin Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 10
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N Kate x 34
F1M2 Pete x 8
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AP Le Maire, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Siberg, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Amboina , at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 1
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N Kate x 83
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 3 damaged
Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B5N Kate bombing at 12000 feet
23 x B5N Kate bombing at 12000 feet
21 x B5N Kate bombing at 12000 feet
17 x B5N Kate bombing at 12000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Miri at 31,57
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Josho Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
A6M2 Zero x 7
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Natsugumo
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
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TF 82 troops unloading over beach at Miri, 31,57
Japanese ground losses:
203 casualties reported
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Ground combat at Green Island
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 765 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 98 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Green Island base !!!
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Ground combat at Changsha
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 103459 troops, 1323 guns, 21 vehicles
Defending force 51439 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
578 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
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Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 97769 troops, 1235 guns, 23 vehicles
Defending force 29090 troops, 158 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
296 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 24325 troops, 290 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 24506 troops, 226 guns, 8 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
179 casualties reported
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Ground combat at Biak
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 809 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Biak base !!!
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Ground combat at Nanning
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 15561 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 12840 troops, 163 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Allied ground losses:
300 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
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Ground combat at Rabaul
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2370 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 6099 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/13/42
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TF 12 troops unloading over beach at Amboina, 39,73
Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
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Night Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4
Allied aircraft
Sea Gladiator x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
B-17C Fortress x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 8 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 7 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
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Day Air attack on Amboina , at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 1
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
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Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 6
Ki-48 Lily x 21
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 6 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
SS Tarpon, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Sealion, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Port hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
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Day Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 47,35
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 25
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on 41st PA Division, at 44,55
Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 54
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
22 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
A6M2 Zero x 8
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Hudson I x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Toyo Maru #2
AP Shikano Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
1 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
A6M2 Zero x 8
Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 15
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 66
Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 14 destroyed, 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 10 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kitakami, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Oi, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Brunei at 32,57
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Miri at 31,57
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Shirayuki
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
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Ground combat at Changsha
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 103627 troops, 1330 guns, 21 vehicles
Defending force 50885 troops, 303 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
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Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 97964 troops, 1237 guns, 23 vehicles
Defending force 28678 troops, 157 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 24284 troops, 290 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 24269 troops, 223 guns, 8 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
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Ground combat at Rabaul
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1291 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 6117 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
In the Phillipines, almost all my shipping has escaped (what hasn't just got bombed by zeroes in the attempt) and ground forces are almost into perfect positions. My only worry is supply. Malaya is a standstill, but a Japanese breakthrough is inevitable. In Burma, Japanese forces are only a few miles away from Rangoon as I pull out.