Fighting the imperialism - the war against Tom Hunter

[Blackwatch_it]

Landing troops at Singkawang.
Palembang and Balikpapan captured. Now I control some oil and resources production. Palembang is partially damaged, but still producing, I think that it will be possible to repair it in a reasonable time.

[Blackwatch_it]

Dec 24
Captured Ichang. Not a decisive victory, but maybe it will give Tom some problem.
Singkawang capture, time to begin to think about Java.
Landing troops at Kuantan.

Dec 25
Landing troops at Pontianak.
San Marcelino captured, some more supplies for my forces in Luzon.
Kuantan captured. Tom is evacuating troops from Malaya, think that he as no more than 30000 troops left in the peninsula.
I'm sending baby KB to give some troubles to his ship at Kuala Lumpur.

[Blackwatch_it]

Dec 26
New CV attack against my ships near Baker Is. Several PGs and APs hit.
I'm beginning to attack airports in Java. I want Tom's planes out of the area, their are producing too much damage to my transports.

No planes left in PM apparently.

Kuala Lumpur captured, no enemy troops there.
Pontianak captured, one more base denied to Tom's planes.

Dec 27
More air atatcks against Java bases, no decisive result.
Tuguegarao captured.
Tom was able to repulse again my troops from Clark.

Dec 28
More air attacks against air bases in Java and Singapore.

Dec 29
Troops landing at Kragen.
Mersing captured.
Malacca captured.

Dec 30
BB Hyuga and Fuso hit by Vildebeest torpedoes while approaching Soerabaja. Hyuga has to retreat.
Kragen captured.

Dec 31

Repulse hit by a torpedo launched by I 158 NW of PM.
Attacks against airbases in Java and Bali.
Lae captured by Japanese paras.

[Blackwatch_it]

The Army of Malaya performed very well, even above my expectations for the period. As showed in the map below only Johore Baru and Singapore are in British control.
The retreat to Georgetown of 30000 troops that were eventually compelled to surrender was a big help for the advancing Japanese army.
The forces in the area are now:
four divisions
two brigades
four enginers regiments
two tank regiments
several artillery units
base forces, construction battalions and aviation support and command units are based in Alor Star and Kuantan.

I realistically hope to close this campaign early in January and to be able to send more combat units to join Burma Army.

[Blackwatch_it]

I have in control of the targets scheduled for December. Tarakan, Balikpapan, Brunei and Miri, the four bases producing oil and resources are working for the Japanese Empire. Only Miri is lightly damaged: three oil points out of one hundred need to be repaired.
Toboina is also at full level. Palembang is (394)x506 resources and (478)x222 oil. Kendari is (255)x345. Amboina has 5 oil damage.
I have one base in Java, Kragen, that is at the middle of the island and allows me to go first for Soerabaja or Batavia. My forces in this area are refitting in Palembang and Balikpapan. Anyway I need to wait for troops from Malaya or Luzon for the conquest of Java.

[Blackwatch_it]

I only landed in Luzon, because I don't think that the other islands are a priority target. At this time I control San Marcelino, Lingayen, Vigan and Tuguegarao.
I was repulsed twice from Clark with two divisions resulting disrupted and tired. My main army is now preparing for the attack in Lingayen. I have here four divisions, two tank regiments, two enginers regiments, the 14th Army HQ and artillery units.
One division and one brigade are moving north from Tuguegarao to capture Aparri and Laong.
The last division is in San Marcelino.
Now I control three bases producing supplies in the island, but I still have to take more by sea.
I expect to haveto fight for two more months to end this campaign.

[Blackwatch_it]

I have troops in Rabaul, Lae, Buna, Gili and Lunga.
Rabaul is growing fast both as port and airfield. I'm working to take enough supplies to the area, then I will go for PM.
PM is closed as airbase and I will keep it closed.

[Blackwatch_it]

China is the usual slaughter. The main actions now are around the Ichang area and at the crossroad NW of Kaifeng.
At the crossroad my bombardment attacks are resulting in 300 losses average for the Chinese.
I'm trying to destroy the Chinese army east of Ichang, but still it has several escape routes.

[Blackwatch_it]

I'm giving special care to planes production and operations, since it was a plane problem that forced to restart this game.

Production
I increased A6M2s, Oscars and Helens production. I'm producing 230 A6M2s, 170 Oscars and 120 Helens.
I increased the production for Betties, Vals, Tinas, Tabbies and Dinahs.
All the CV based groups are flying Zeroes now and I upgrade also a couple of land based groups from Claudes. Three groups upgraded from Nates to Oscars.
All the Lillies groups upgraded to Sallies and one Sallies group upgraded to Helens.

Operations

I inflicted more losses than I received. I lost more bombers then fighters, but I produced enough to replace the lost planes and to add more to the pool.
The total air losses ratio is 659 Allied vs 340 Japanese. I would be happy to keep this ratio level for some months.

[Blackwatch_it]

Here below is the intelligence summary for Dec 31. I'm quite satisfied of the situation. I gained most of the objectives set for this first month.
The air losses ratio is good, as the total score.
The only negative point is the one about ship losses. Tom aggressive tactics made me pay a cost in ships.
My LCUs are in good shape everywhere and ready to move for new conquests.
KB is preparing some action and maybe the ship losses balance will change a little.
My goals for January are:
end of Malaya campaign.
end of Luzon campaign
start the capture of Java
capture of Sumatra
start on the invasion of PM if possible

I have only one CVL, one BB and one CA needing repairs so far.
The CVL and the CA are in homeland ports and being repaired, while the BB is heading for a port.

[Blackwatch_it]

Jan 1

The new year begins with a lucky meeting:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bali at 24,68

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Takao
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CA Suzuya
DD Natsushio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio
DD Murasame
DD Akatsuki
DD Inazuma
DD Otori
DD Hayabusa

Allied Ships
AK Empire Carey, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Followed by a naval bombardment of Bali with some good results.
Tom is trying to take more units out of Malaya, but I was able to hit some ships near Johore.
Ki-30 Ann x 27
Ki-51 Sonia x 22

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
MSW Goulburn, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
AP Kanimba, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Burnie, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

The Kongo TF wipes out a P group and sinks on more transport near Bali.

Jan 2

Not much happening today. Some ships hit on both sides and my troops approaching Singapore. The planes based in Java look a little less effective now.

Jan 3

Good day for subs: two AK and one TK hit near Noumea and PM.

Jan 4
Aparri captured. Ground combats going on in Ichang area. Johore abandoned by British forces and captured. One of my division is repulsed from San Marcelino.

Jan 5

Air attacks against TF in Dei - South PI area, ships hit on both sides.

Jan 6

Batavia and Singapore airfields are closed.

Jan 7

KB is approaching Noumea. The first strike is from Enterprise planes:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
SBD Dauntless x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 9 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 14 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Natori, Bomb hits 1
CV Kaga
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hiryu

Soryu is damaged but can still operate the planes.

Counterstrike

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 69
D3A Val x 138
B5N Kate x 138

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A Val: 4 destroyed, 16 damaged
B5N Kate: 3 destroyed, 23 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 9 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dunlap
DD Balch
CA Chester, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Ellet
DD Craven

Second attack

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 67
D3A Val x 112
B5N Kate x 103

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Balch
CA Salt Lake City, on fire
DD Dunlap
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fanning
DD Benham, Torpedo hits 1

The balance for the day is Enterprise and Chester sunk and Soryu with system damage, but no floating damage.

Jan 8

Kongo TF sinks four AK in two different engagements.

Baby KB attacks an enemy TF NE of Soerbaja

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
B5N Kate x 26

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 13 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1
CL Perth
CA Louisville
DD Le Triomphant
CL Leander

Singapore captured


Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 117619 troops, 1182 guns, 264 vehicles

Defending force 14913 troops, 157 guns, 10 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Dakota: 3 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 4 destroyed
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
787 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
22990 casualties reported
Guns lost 116
Vehicles lost 4

The campaign for Malaya is closed with more than 50000 losses for the British.

Jan 9

Soryu TF retreating shows to be still dangerous

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 21
B5N Kate x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Rainbow, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Koolama, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mathew Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

While KB attacks Noumea

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
D3A Val x 66
B5N Kate x 45

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 9 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 3 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage, sunk
AK Magallanes, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gridley, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
242 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 47

Jan 10

KB attacks against a transport TF north of Noumea

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Lillian Luckenbach, Bomb hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
AK Hamakua, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
D3A Val x 40

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Lillian Luckenbach, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AK Hamakua, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Dec 11

Attack against Tjilittjap

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 24

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied Ships
AK Enggano, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Talang Akar, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Tjikarang, Bomb hits 1
AK Elout, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

and Soerabaja

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 2
CL Perth, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Sigli, Bomb hits 1
CL Leander, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Van Ghent, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 1

Morotai captured.

[Blackwatch_it]

The ship loss balance has changed from the end of the year. It changes from 77/79 on Dec 31 to 11/92 on Jan 15.
My next move will be the conquest of Sumatra, Java and Burma. I will send two divisions, two enginers regiments and three tank regiments to Burma.
Two brigades and SNFL units will deal with Sumatra bases with the support of the Mutsu TF and baby KB.
For Java I will use Two divisions, two brigades and some SNLF units with the support of the Kongo TF and LBA from Palembang and Kendari. I'm moving a base force to Kragen to start flying CAP.
KB is back in Rabaul for some refit. I will attack again Tom's back bases. The conquest of PM will start when I will gather enough supplies in Rabaul.
Clark is on hold till the complete refit of my units in Lingayen.

[Blackwatch_it]

My main targets are now Sumatra and Java. My ships heading Kragen are under heavy air attacks and several are hit.
Laong captured on Jan 13. Chinese troops capture Chenting.
Moulmein captured on Jan 15 with no opposition.
Troops landing at Menado on Jan 17.
The air sea battle of Java is going on. I can't reduce the danger of LBAs. My naval and air bombardments got sevral ships hit in port, but few scores on planes.
Teloekbetoeng captured on Jan19
Jambi captured on Jan 20.
I'm sending two ASW TFs to the area NW of Luzon to protect oil and supply convoys from DEI to Home Islands.
One Oscar group now bases at Kragen gives some protection, but more ships are hit.
I'm moving two divisions and two enginer regiments from Singapore to Java.

[Blackwatch_it]

Jan 23
Landing at Bankha
Jan 24
Attack attempt at Changsha with bad result

Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 67956 troops, 1035 guns, 6 vehicles

Defending force 81502 troops, 587 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
3597 casualties reported
Guns lost 106
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
710 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Bankha captured

Jan 25
British TF surprised at Sabang

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 9
B5N Kate x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CLAA Capetown, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Talthibius, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ariadne Moller, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Dauntless, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Empire Trooper, Bomb hits 1, on fire

One cavalry Div is alone in a hex north of Hsinyang and refuses to withdraw even if attacked at 121 to 1 ratio. WITP mistery......

Jan 26

The cavalry division still refuses to withdraw, today ratio is 371 to 1.

Jan 27

It seems that I can't coordinate my advance to Clark. My troops are repulsed again.
The cavalry division is still refusing to withdraw, new ratio is 1288 to 1.

Jan 28

Rangoon captured with no combat.
The cavalry heroes are resisting one more day: ratio 1052 to 1
Landing one division at Merak.

Jan 29

At last the cavalry heroes managed to self annihilate: ratio 1415 to 1. True Japanese style.
Merak captured.

The Kragen based Oscar squadron improved the situation, but I still have problems with Java allied LBAs. I'm bombing heavily the airbases, but it's taking long to reduce their effectiveness.

[Blackwatch_it]

Jan 30
Tavoy captured, no British forces there. It seems that Tom is not going to fight for Burma.

Jan 31
KB is visiting again Noumea. I made a big mistake: forgot to check the CAP level, it was set to 10

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 8
Hudson I x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 4 destroyed
Hudson I: 3 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1
CV Akagi

The bomb scratched Shokaku paint... OK, I'm a lucky bastard.....[&o]

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 69
B5N Kate x 93

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
PT PT-22
PT PT-26
PT PT-27, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-24
AK Mauna Loa, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-25, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-42, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-21, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-23, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-28
PT PT-30
PT PT-29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 107
D3A Val x 48
B5N Kate x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 destroyed
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Lawrence, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sands, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AO Kanawha, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Humphreys, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Three DDs, four PTs and a couple of AKs sunk.

Baby KB sunk a couple of transport at Tjilitjap.

[Blackwatch_it]

I'm moving two divisions four tank regiments and some support units to this area. I didn't meet any resistence so far. I'm planning to reach a line allowing me to control the Burma resource and stop there. I'm going to cut the Burma road also. I have one Zero, one Oscar and one Helen squadron in Moulmein and Rahaeng. I'm going to move more air units to this area from Malaya in the next days.

[Blackwatch_it]

I'm proceding according to the timetable here.Two brigades based in Kuala Lumpur are dealing with the northern bases with the support of the Mutsu TF. SNLF troops from Palembang will capture the western bases with baby KB support.
Sumatra campaign should be closed by mid February.

[Blackwatch_it]

Quiet area so far. I'm expanding Rabaul, Buna and Lunga bases. PM is out of business. I have no many LCUs inthe area, so I'll wait before attack PM. Two KB raids against Noumea with good results.

[Blackwatch_it]

Java is the most complex situation at the moment. I'm working to reduce Tom's airfields, but he has plane still flying from this island.
I'm supplying and renforcing with one more brigade Kragen. In Merak I have one division and two enginers regiments and I'm going to land the Imperial Guard division in the hex SE of Batavia. I want to capture a big base asap and Batavia could be an easy target.
I hope to complete Java conquest within February.

[Blackwatch_it]

KB is still hitting Noumea port and airfield. CSs float planes are set to port attack.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
E13A1 Jake x 12
E7K2 Alf x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 6 damaged
E7K2 Alf: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
DM Pruitt, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Dewey, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sipirok, Bomb hits 1
MSW Launceton, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Elcano, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP St. Mihel, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Magallanes, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Surigao, Bomb hits 1
AK Anakan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Kanawha, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 55
D3A Val x 110
B5N Kate x 110

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 destroyed, 15 damaged
B5N Kate: 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 6 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DM Pruitt, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Magallanes, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Yarra, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Madison, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Siaoe, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW Finch, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wollongong, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO Cuyama, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Elcano, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arkansan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dewey, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DM Sicard, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP U.S. Grant, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Surigao, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Pasir, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Anakan, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ethel Edwards, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO Kanawha, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DM Preble, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Admiral Chase, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Anastasia, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fanning, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
191 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 47
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 4

Allied counter attack

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 2
Hudson I x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 16
B-26B Marauder x 18
B-17E Fortress x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 12 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu

Arawe and Talasea bases captured by Japanese paras, no defenders.