Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Pillager) Allies only

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/10/42

South Pacific: Luganville bombarded for a second time by the same Japanese surface task force.

Coastwatchers at Rabaul report harbor is now empty, indicating one or more Jap TF(s) totaling 30 or more ships have departed Rabaul for an unknown destination or destinations. US submarine S-40 patrolling the southern exit from Rabaul (towards the Solomons and Coral Sea) has not reported any contact with Japanese ship(s).


DEI: Japanese ground assault on Soerabaja resumes. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34316 troops, 343 guns, 203 vehicles, Assault Value = 1151
Defending force 19774 troops, 186 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 590
Japanese adjusted assault: 294
Allied adjusted defense: 222
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1243 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
1597 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 63 destroyed, 98 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 30 (18 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Division
33rd Infantry Regiment
4th Division
65th Brigade
6th Tank Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Afdeling Ritman
Roodenburg Battalion
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Manado Garrison Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Makassar Garrison Battalion
MLD
Djojakarta Base Force
Malang Base Force
Commandement Marine
Madion Base Force
Soerabaja Base Force
Banjoewangi Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Kalidjati Base Force /1

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Boela captured by Japanese landing force. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Boela (80,110)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3613 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 126
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 58
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 58 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Boela !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Regiment (transferred from Singapore)

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Light Jap air activity continues over Palembang and Soerabaja.

Jap surface ASW attacks and damages Dutch submarine off the entrance to Palembang. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Muntok at 49,89

Japanese Ships
PB Hakozake Maru
PB Fuji Maru #3
PB Tatebu Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVI, hits 3 (system damage 20, float 18)

Captain of SS KXVI elects not to launch torpedoes at this target (!)

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Philippines: Japanese capture San Fernando and Manila. Both bases had been previously evacuated by US forces. Withdrawal of US ground forces on Luzon into Bataan is almost fully completed except for a small rear-guard action at Clark Field. AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at San Fernando (80,74)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13234 troops, 124 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 455
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 262
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 262 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE San Fernando !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
19th Division

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Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13143 troops, 122 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 453
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 126
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 126 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
24th Division

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Burma: Japanese capture Mandalay. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Mandalay (59,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4214 troops, 40 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 145
Defending force 309 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12
Japanese adjusted assault: 70
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 70 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Mandalay !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
33rd/C Division
(Note: 33 Division divided into sub-units since its last action at Meiktila on 3/02/42)

Defending units:
Mandalay BMP Battalion

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All Allied LCU’s withdrawing overland from southern Burma through Prome and along the coastal road to Akyab have now reached Akyab. Combat LCU’s from this group are deploying to garrison Akyab and Chittagong. A number of base force LCU’s (RAF, RN and AVG) that withdrew along this route have already or are now transferring to Calcutta or farther on to rear-area bases inside India. Many of the British base force units leaving Burma are considerably understrength, plans are to rebuild them to full TOE strength with replacement elements before using them again to support active operations.


China: Japanese capture Changteh. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11251 troops, 169 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1277
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 404
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 404 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Changteh !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
17th Division
39th Division
6th Division
59th Infantry Brigade (joined attack this game turn, new LCU in Japanese OOB)
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

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A large group of Chinese LCU’s transferring from Yenan to Sian engaged a small Japanese ground force NE of Sian that was attempting to cut off their movement along the Sian to Yenan road. Situation map of Sian-Yenan area and AAR follow.

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Ground combat at 85,40 (NE of Sian)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6091 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 212
Defending force 55033 troops, 342 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1811
Japanese adjusted assault: 5
Allied adjusted defense: 1325
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 265

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2571 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 126 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 95 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Construction Regiment
115th Red Chinese Division
129th Red Chinese Division
83rd Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Construction Regiment
6th Group Army
18th Group Army
2nd War Area
13th Group Army
12th Chinese Base Force

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Japanese capture Kwangchowan on the southern coast of China. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Kwangchowan (73,60)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3456 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 136
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 138
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 138 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kwangchowan !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade

[johnjohn]

Just an update June 16, 1942.

Basically, nothing much has changed since the last update. At India, the UK fleet continues to defend all onslaughts and has the enemy holed up on the coast with one division at Cox's Bazar. Over 20,000 casualties incurred by enemy attempting to reinforce this position. Intel now has the enemy withdrawing.

DEI--Batavia fell, Titjalap is about to fall, and Soerabaja is holding out. They will be next to go. Meanwhile the ant farm is picking off all the "dots" and undefended bases.

NG--Horn island is holding out against an invasion. Diego Garcia was also invaded, but the small detachment there held out until the Aussie pioneers arrived. They made quick work of the invaders and Garcia is building up defenses.

Aussie--Engineers and some combat units are moving north, to build an airbase at Coen, build up the defenses and airbase/harbor at Cooktown and at Conclurry. The 32nd USA Inf Div is at Townsville, as is the Aussie 1st Div. Most of the Armor in country is centered around Townsville with one unit defending at Coen. Supplies and men are being moved in as preparations for the invasion of Port Morseby and Milne Bay.

SOPAC--Intel showed the garrison at Luganville attempting to evacuate in light of the daily bombing campaign. The garrison was intercepted at sea and drowned (about 5.5K casualties with many engineers). Two days later the USMC invaded and retook Luganville. Engineers and Aircraft are being assembled to build up the base. Next step is preparations for the Solomons campaign. The 1st USMC Div, the 2nd USMC Div, the 23rd Americal Div, and the 40th Inf Div are available for the campaign as are the two raider battalions, three paramarine battalions, four defense battalions, several AAA units, two armor regiments, and several HQs. My plan here is to creep up the dots to Ndeni, building airbases along the way. Then the initial attack will be one of the dots within range of Ndeni. Finally, the Canal and Tulagi will be invaded. The NG campaign will not get underway until the southern Solomon campaign is completed. The Navy will support the campaign with five CVs, probably in TF of 2 and 3. CVE Long Island will be the truck hauling the air units into position after they arrive at Noumea. BB Hiei sunk in raid on Luganville. Six of the 15 CAs the enemy starts with are now confirmed sunk. So are many of the smaller CLs. Attu and Kiska fell last week, but as mentioned before, I am ignoring Alaska other than running in supplies to feed the garrisons. The units for Alaska are training at Tacoma (Ft. Lewis). Eventually they will be deployed, but this is strickly a side show for now.

CENPAC--nothing new here. Engr units are being replaced as island detachments are withdrawn. The CVs are refitting and trying to get the better planes assigned. As you suggested, I have turned off the auto replacement for most squadrons. I am also spending more time assigning pilots where I want them. Unfortunately, I have not engaged in enough combat for all but five pilots to "qualify" for training command.

India is being ignored. Most the troops in Burma have disappeared, I suspect moving to DEI and probably to a future Pt. Darwin campaign.

I am now learning how to best utilize the HQ units to improve combat for LCUs. I don't have enough PPs yet to take advantage of the lower level commands yet, but soon will be able to reassign units to HQs in the area.

Thus far I am satisfied with just learning the game and not having my rear end handed to me by the AI. Granted, I lucked out sinking three Jap CVs in January for the loss of one (Lexington). That has made this less demanding than what you are experiencing. But, as I feared from the beginning, there is so much more to learn. I was disappointed that the enemy bailed out from Luganville and allowed me to walk in. I am still attempting to determine just how to invade a defended position. I use the recon feature or recon a/c to get an accurate picture of what is in the hex, send bombers in to reduce the airfield and port (basically doing what they did to me at Port Moresby), and then attack with an invasion force (which I have yet to do beyond just sending in a battalion or two to defend a position.) I am struggling to determine how much lift is needed to send in a division or two, while holding a reserve. It seems it takes two to three days with an Amphib Unit to unload. With over 50 bettys at Rabaul I get the willies thinking how many of these ships will get sunk. Thus far all is well. But all is far from over. Johnjohn (first time player against AI)

[wneumann]

Most the troops in Burma have disappeared...

They're probably still there. Once things (the initial Japanese invasion) have quieted down, the Japanese LCU's in Burma will disappear from the map once they are no longer in any kind of detected status. Also pretty much true for Jap LCU's in any of their rear areas. That's where you'll need to watch your Sigint and AAR reports. This is also where keeping track of the Jap LCU(s) you "see" in your Sigint and other reports come in - who they are, when and in what location they are reported being. Not only do you get a "running" inventory of Japanese LCU's in the game, where they currently are or last reported to be, and when you last saw any information on them - you can take the reported location of a Jap LCU from a Sigint (or other) report and compare the unit's new location against its previous one to determine whether the unit is stationary or if it has been transferred from one area to another.

An Allied player can derive a substantial quantity of strategic-level information from tracking the identities and location of Japanese LCU's over a long period of time, and is useful against either an AI or human Japanese opponent. Information obtained by this method could include - (1) a medium to large-scale movement of Jap combat forces into a given area either in preparation for an offensive or to create strongpoints in a defensive strategy, (2) locations and concentrations of engineer and base force LCU's indicating where Japanese construction to increase base (port and/or airfield) capacities and/or fortifications is occurring, (3) where base force LCU's are located can reveal the locations of key Jap airfields and naval bases along with the approximate size (and importance) of each base. While the data derived in this manner reveals little if any tactical level information, it does provide a reasonably accurate "big picture" of what a Japanese opponent is up to when viewed over a period of time.

I am now learning how to best utilize the HQ units to improve combat for LCUs.

You're ahead of me on this one. For the moment, the emphasis is getting my troops "dumped out" into the field with the niceties of command structure to be dealt with later (when I have the PP's free to do so) or on an emergency (as required) basis.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/11/42

South Pacific: Small Japanese transport intercepted and attacked in a night action by a US submarine off the Marianas, NE of Saipan. AAR follows.

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Submarine attack near Pagan at 113,91

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hitora Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

xAKL Hitora Maru is sighted by SS Pompano
SS Pompano attacking xAKL Hitora Maru on the surface

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Australia: The first Eastern US to Australia off-map convoy (Convoy EX-1) arrived in Melbourne this game turn. Convoy EX-1 departed the Eastern US on 1/09 with 13 transport ships and one AO. Cargo arriving in Australia aboard ships in Convoy EX-1 include two US LCU’s (1 Marine Raider Bn, 205 FA Bn), 60000 supply and 14900 fuel. Five additional convoys from the Eastern US are currently enroute to Australia.


DEI: Light Jap air activity continues over Palembang and Soerabaja, otherwise quiet.


Singapore: Sigint report entry for 3/11 indicates a heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Singapore. A Japanese task force consisting of 10 ships including three CVE’s and one CS (Baby KB?) is detected in Singapore base hex.


Burma: Sigint report entry for 3/11 indicates Jap 2 Raiding Rgt is enroute to Rangoon via sea transport. 2 Raiding Rgt is a new LCU in the known Japanese OOB. Two Allied subs are now operating on patrol off Rangoon – perhaps we can “bag” part or all of this LCU at sea before its arrival in Rangoon.


China: Quiet this game turn. A current situation map of central China follows.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/12/42

Approximately 175 trained USAAF fighter and dive-bomber pilots in eight US squadrons due for withdrawal on 3/15/42 were transferred from active status to the general reserve pilot pool before executing the scheduled withdrawal of these squadrons. The eight disbanded squadrons were based mainly in Australia (A-24 Banshee DB squadrons plus USAAF fighter squadrons originally in the Philippines that had been disbanded there and later returned as reinforcements in Brisbane), along with several squadrons located in the mainland US. A significant number of PP was collected in the (3 days) early withdrawal of the squadrons.


South Pacific: Japanese amphibious landing underway at Luganville. US sub S-23 unsuccessfully attempts to engage Jap landing TF. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Luganville at 120,150

Japanese Ships
xAK Aratama Maru
DD Wakatake

Allied Ships
SS S-23

SS S-23 is sighted by escort

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ASW attack near Luganville at 120,150

Japanese Ships
xAK Aratama Maru
DD Wakatake

Allied Ships
SS S-23, hits 3 (system damage 13, float 2, 4” gun knocked out)

SS S-23 is sighted by escort

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Allied transport ship reports sighting of Jap carrier planes S of Noumea (entry in 3/12 Operations report). Detected Japanese TF(s) shown SE of Noumea moving on a SE heading – probable KB contact. Orders to evacuate all Allied ships now in port at Auckland have been issued. Allied ships bound for Auckland, Suva or Noumea have been re-routed. Weather conditions forecast for this area on 3/13 is clear. Situation map follows.




Australia: Convoy MX-2 arrives in Perth from Aden with leading elements of 7 Australian Division plus 7100 supply.


DEI: Light Jap air activity continues over Palembang and Soerabaja, otherwise quiet.


Philippines: Japanese auto-capture Lingayen.


Burma: Sigint entry for 3/12 again reports Japanese 2 Raiding Rgt is enroute to Rangoon via sea transport.


China: Quiet this game turn.

[johnjohn]

Whoa!! If that a/c number is verifyable, you have more than 6 CVs there. Might also be one CVL. 6 x 70 = 420 +30, although the average could be 75 in which case it is just 6 CVs. 448 fighters/bombers is alot of capacity. Me thinks it is time to RUN!.

I was not able to place F/DB on Noumea until late April. What I had available was already deployed at Canton Island, Johnston, Midway, and Pearl. In desperation I brought in some B-17s and an AV to support the Patrol Planes. That AV probably saved my carriers when the PM attack went to Noumea, sinking the AV and not following on with the York/Sara TF, which promptly escaped turning the battle over to Halsey on Enterprise and Lex, who sank two of the four CVs (Fletcher got Hiryu the day before) while losing Lex. The lack of land based a.c. proved annoying for months. Now Noumea is a major base soon to be a 7/7. Land based a/c no longer is a problem. Of course, if the AI went for the west coast, the cupboard is a bit bare there. Just the restricted groups.

My defense strategy following the carrier raid was to form two cruiser SAGs, with one patrolling off Koumac and the other near Luganville. The Luganville force did not detect the enemy invasion force that promptly arrived and took Luganville. It did cut off all attempts to resupply the invaders. I immediately stationed two DDs each at Efate, Tanna, Noumea, and Koumac, which kept the invaders that arrived later from invading. The two cruiser SAGs then finished them off. Intel estimates are 30,000 troops and 50 engineers perished in these operations when their TFs were intercepted and sunk as were the follow on attempts and the attempts to reinforce and supply Luganville. By April the AI moved to Port M, conducting a six week campaign that took the base. At the end of that campaign the AI attempted to pull out the garrison at Luganville. Another 5,500 casualties along with 15 more engineers. All these loses have got to hurt, but there is no indication that the enemy is finished.

I have kept one CV task force in the area after both replenished. Hornet replaced Lex and now Wasp is nearing PH. The CV force has sunk two battleships, badly mauled a third, sunk Akagi when she sortied on a raid of the Aussie East Coast, and intercepted and drowned another 4,000 troops and engineers near Ndeni a couple of days ago.

The one strategy I employ with the carriers is to operate them near land based support. That way I can dash behind the base and offer it up as an alternative target. So far so good. But with the confirmed loss of 4 CVs, the AI is finding power projection difficult.

I have been reading several other campaigns and it is clear that if the enemy concentrates the KB, everything falls in SoPac. In one campaign only Tahiti, Bora Bora, the line Islands (Palmyra--Christmas) Pearl, and New Zealand remain in Allied hands. It is clear that aggresive acts early can produce big returns for the enemy. I attribute my success thus far to beginners luck of being in the right place at the right time, not because I discerned (other than by logic) what the enemy would do next, but just because I happened to be in the way with the right stuff at the right time. Pure dumb luck, but sometimes it pays to be lucky!!

I dont know if you can pull off a sub trap on the KB. In another campaign the allied player did so, the KB stumbled onto it and battle ensued.

Captain of American Sub: Range 1200 yards, Speed 15. Fire one!
Weapons: One away, true and straight.
Captain: Fire two...Fire three...Fire four...
Weapons: All fish running hot and true.
Captain: How long?
Weapons: Number one...three...two...one...now
Captain: Nothing.
Weapons: Number two...three...two...one...clang.
Captain: We hit the carrier but the torpedo did not explode!
Weapons: Number three...three...two...one...clang
Captain: Another dud
Weapons: Number four...three...two...one..now
Captain: A miss. Reload all tubes. Take her down to 300 feet. Make course 270.

And so it went. Two hits, no explosions, the KB sails away just like that. Of course many complaints about US Torps vs IJN Torps ensue with most noting the Japs never miss and ours never explode.

I hope you are able to force Pillager to be deliberate. Eventually you will have the resources necessary to stop the advance so that in late 43 you can grind your way back. (Hey, what do I know?) Good Hunting,,,Johnjohn

[wneumann]

Whoa!! If that a/c number is verifyable, you have more than 6 CVs there. Might also be one CVL. 6 x 70 = 420 +30, although the average could be 75 in which case it is just 6 CVs. 448 fighters/bombers is alot of capacity. Me thinks it is time to RUN!.

At the very least, I'd say all six fleet CV's are in that KB stack, which is Pillager's normal modus operendi. And I'd expect nothing less as the Japanese dividing their carriers cost them at both Coral Sea (they could have attacked and sunk Yorktown there along with Lexington) and Midway (that being self-explanatory). Pillager does occasionally send CVL(s) out with the KB so your thought on that is not out of the question either. My thanks go out to the captain of the xAKL that spotted the Jap carrier planes in the course of his transport run to pick up resource points in Noumea for use in New Zealand. I'm surprised the AKL survived the encounter.

My best guess is that Pillager has the KB out on a "commerce raiding" mission to hit Allied transports moving between the US West Coast and Australia. I evacuated ships from Auckland as a precaution though he may or may not launch a port attack there (that possibility could go either way). Sending the KB on "commerce raiding" missions was something Pillager done a number of times in our last CHS match - I had been expecting that again and in fact this sortie of the KB was well overdue. This was my #1 reason for the Eastern US to Capetown route for transporting "goods and services" to Australia. I have 150+ large transports plying the Capetown route, Pillager will find next to nothing where he's sending the KB if he finds anything at all. With luck this KB sortie may lead Pillager to the conclusion I am reinforcing Australia as slowly as I did last time (I really didn't get much to Australia before early 1943 in that game) when almost exactly the reverse is true. The minor inconvience not withstanding, I'd just as soon see Pillager sending the KB down there to tilt windmills, burn up fuel and generally waste time. Look at the bright side... I know where the KB is.

Come to think of it... the KB could likely have been the 30+ Japanese ships hanging out in Rabaul.

The one strategy I employ with the carriers is to operate them near land based support.

My carriers are at home, getting 3/42 and 4/42 ship upgrades and training pilots. While I'd enjoy raining bombs on Pillager's CV parade, there will be more lucrative times and opportunities to do that later.

I have been reading several other campaigns and it is clear that if the enemy concentrates the KB, everything falls in SoPac. In one campaign only Tahiti, Bora Bora, the line Islands (Palmyra--Christmas) Pearl, and New Zealand remain in Allied hands. It is clear that aggresive acts early can produce big returns for the enemy

Exactly what Pillager did in our last CHS match... Check out the battle for Samoa in the WitP forum from our last match - I believe it's still there. The Japanese outer perimeter line Noumea - Suva - Pago Pago - Canton Is really does work, I found that out first hand. Stalingrad had nothing up on our little action at Pago Pago.

I dont know if you can pull off a sub trap on the KB. In another campaign the allied player did so, the KB stumbled onto it and battle ensued.

Captain of American Sub: Range 1200 yards, Speed 15. Fire one!
Weapons: One away, true and straight.
Captain: Fire two...Fire three...Fire four...
Weapons: All fish running hot and true.
Captain: How long?
Weapons: Number one...three...two...one...now
Captain: Nothing.
Weapons: Number two...three...two...one...clang.
Captain: We hit the carrier but the torpedo did not explode!
Weapons: Number three...three...two...one...clang
Captain: Another dud
Weapons: Number four...three...two...one..now
Captain: A miss. Reload all tubes. Take her down to 300 feet. Make course 270.

And so it went. Two hits, no explosions, the KB sails away just like that. Of course many complaints about US Torps vs IJN Torps ensue with most noting the Japs never miss and ours never explode.

On the bright side, you know where the KB is...

Once in awhile a torpedo does detonate. At this point in the war, I lean toward using the US S-class boats and the Dutch subs in places where I'd really like to hit something (as these do not have dud torpedoes). The only problem with these subs being that most of them don't have a lot of range. I do send out all the US fleet subs with the dud torpedoes, though for the most part they only serve as window dressing.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/13/42

Central Pacific: A small Jap transport was intercepted and sunk SE of Iwo Jima. AAR follows.

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Submarine attack near Agrihan at 113,83

Japanese Ships
xAKL Genmei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (confirmed sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Pike

xAKL Genmei Maru is sighted by SS Pike
SS Pike launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Genmei Maru (yes, dud torpedoes sometimes do work)

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Sigint report entry for 3/13 reporting intercepted Japanese radio transmissions from Tarawa. No detected Jap forces or activity is shown at Tarawa.


South Pacific: No reported contacts, spotting or detection of the KB this game turn (KB is no longer visible on the game map).

Japanese capture Luganville. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 648 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 32
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 31
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 31 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Luganville !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF (previously participated in landing at Canton Is)
5th Naval Construction Battalion (transferred from Formosa)

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Burma: Japanese occupy Taung Gui. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 913 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 19
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Taung Gyi !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Regiment

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China: Quiet this game turn. Current situation map of southern China follows.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/14/42

South Pacific: The Australian xAKL Lady Isobel reached Noumea safely and for a second time in 3 days reported (and survived) a contact with Japanese carrier planes.

The current location of the KB appears to have moved slightly northward from its previous reported detection on 3/12. Pillager is appearing to be stationing the KB nearby and to the south of Noumea, possibly to support a move on Noumea by other Japanese forces that are currently enroute.

A number of US S-class submarines are converging on both Noumea and the vicinity of the KB’s current location. Current situation map of the sea area S of Noumea follows.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/14/42 (continued)

DEI: Japanese ground assault to capture Soerabaja resumes. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34202 troops, 343 guns, 202 vehicles, Assault Value = 1165
Defending force 18327 troops, 186 guns, 127 vehicles, Assault Value = 537
Japanese adjusted assault: 301
Allied adjusted defense: 169
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1284 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3457 casualties reported
Squads: 53 destroyed, 107 disabled
Non Combat: 64 destroyed, 206 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
4th Division
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
65th Brigade
33rd Infantry Regiment
5th Division
6th Tank Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
Makassar Garrison Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
Afdeling Ritman
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Manado Garrison Battalion
Prajoda Garrison Bn /1
Soerabaja Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Banjoewangi Base Force
Madion Base Force
Commandement Marine
MLD
Bandoeng Base Force
Malang Base Force

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

Jap minesweeping operations reported at Bandjermasin.

Light Japanese ground attack air strikes against Dutch LCU’s in both Soerabaja and Palembang. No significant casualties or losses shown in these attacks for either side.


Singapore: Sigint report entry for 3/13 indicates HQ Japanese Southern Fleet has moved from Indochina to Singapore.


Philippines: Current situation map of Luzon follows.




China: Still quiet this game turn.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/15/42

South Pacific: Contact has been lost with the KB in the sea area S of Noumea. US sub S-35 has reached a position near (SE of) the KB’s spotted location on 3/14. Allied naval search patrols have set up full coverage of the sea area between Auckland and Suva – no reported contacts.

Convoy WP-1 (two AK, one TK) from the US West Coast originally bound for Auckland has been split up and now been diverted to deliver its cargo to NZ bases at Wellington and Christchurch. A lone AK with fuel cargo also bound for Auckland was diverted to Tahiti to deliver its cargo there. No other significant Allied transport ships are operating within a 12-15 hex radius of the KB’s last position.

A contact was reported between a US sub and Japanese transport TF northeast of Truk. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Satawal at 107,104

Japanese Ships
PB Hozugawa Maru
PB Nigitsu Maru
xAK Tempei Maru
xAKL Miyako Maru
xAKL Konsan Maru
xAKL Amakasu Maru
xAKL Shinsoku Maru
xAKL Kasui Maru
PB Teiko Maru
PB Taijin Maru
PB Urashio Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon

SS Sturgeon is sighted by escort

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

Sigint report entry for 3/14 indicates heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk. An undetermined number of ships are detected at anchor in Truk. An undetermined number of aircraft is also shown to be based on Truk.


Southwest Pacific: Coastwatchers at Rabaul report 10+ Japanese ships in harbor there.

US and Australian Catalinas completed air evacuation of remaining elements of Port Moresby Infantry Brigade to Townsville from an open coastal hex outside Port Moresby. Catalinas are continuing air evacuation from this coastal hex location and now picking up remaining elements of 15 RAAF Base Force. A significant portion of both LCU’s have been salvaged and plans are to rebuild them to full TOE strength at a suitable time in the future.


DEI: Japanese capture Soerabaja AAR follows.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33143 troops, 343 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 1101
Defending force 15587 troops, 186 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 389
Japanese adjusted assault: 371
Allied adjusted defense: 115
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Soerabaja !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1087 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
18020 casualties reported
Squads: 436 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1768 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 112 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 215 (215 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 163 (163 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 20

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
5th Division
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
33rd Infantry Regiment
4th Division
6th Tank Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Manado Garrison Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Afdeling Ritman
Barisan KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
Makassar Garrison Battalion
Prajoda Garrison Bn /1
Banjoewangi Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
MLD
Madion Base Force
Commandement Marine
Soerabaja Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force
Malang Base Force

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

Detected status of Soerabaja after its capture is – Oil production 91(0), refinery 171(0), resource production 81(0), heavy industry 21(0), light industry 41(0), manpower 10(0). Nearly 100 Dutch engineer squads were in Soerabaja at the time of its fall, though an unknown (but not very large) number of them were disrupted.


China: Combat near Shaoyang in central China. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 79,51 (W of Shaoyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10920 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 383
Defending force 5057 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 129
Japanese adjusted assault: 345
Allied adjusted defense: 478
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Division

Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/16/42

Eastern US: Supply convoy EX-7 (39 ships) departing this game turn for Australia. Cargo loaded aboard this convoy includes 142000 supply and 28000 fuel, no LCU’s or aircraft.


South Pacific: KB detected again, this time appears to be retiring to the NE. Current situation map follows.



A second contact reported NW of Truk between SS Sturgeon and the same Japanese transport TF engaged on 3/14. The Jap task force appears to be moving very slowly on a W or NW heading. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Satawal at 106,103

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kaisyo Maru
PB Hozugawa Maru
PB Nigitsu Maru
AMC Akagi Maru
xAK Tempei Maru
xAKL Miyako Maru
xAKL Konsan Maru
xAKL Amakasu Maru
xAKL Shinsoku Maru
xAKL Kasui Maru
PB Teiko Maru
PB Taijin Maru
PB Urashio Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon

SS Sturgeon launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Kaisyo Maru

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


SW Pacific: Coastwatchers at Rabaul report 23 Japanese ships in harbor at start of game turn, a second coastwatcher report from Rabaul later in the game turn indicating no ships there. Apparently one or more large Japanese TF(s) may have departed Rabaul during the night or AM naval movement phase on 3/16. Five 5 Japanese ships were spotted at Port Moresby in a separate coastwatcher report.

Sigint report entry for 3/15 indicates heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Rabaul.


Australia: Transport convoy MX-1 (7 TK) arrived from Abadan, cargo includes 63000 fuel.

Japanese minefield detected in Perth base hex. Mine sweeping operations are now underway.


DEI: Three unidentified Japanese LCU’s detected approaching Sabang.


Philippines: Japanese capture Batangas on Luzon (south of Manila). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Batangas (79,78)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13207 troops, 124 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 459
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 67
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 67 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Batangas !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
12th Division

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

One unidentified Japanese LCU now detected entering Clark Field base hex. A group of five other Jap LCU’s was also detected in Cabanatuan, these units apparently moving up to front line positions.


Burma: Parts of the British rear-guard force still holding northern Burma (including HQ Burma Corps) have begun their withdrawal overland from Myitkyina to Ledo. No detected advance by Japanese ground forces beyond (north of) Mandalay at this time.


China: Combat again near Shaoyang in central China. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 79,51

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10877 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 381
Defending force 4905 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 117
Japanese adjusted assault: 160
Allied adjusted defense: 325
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
292 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Division

Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/17/42

North Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/16 reporting intercepted radio transmissions from a detected Japanese TF near Toyohara off the SW tip of Sakhalin Is. No information on the detected TF’s composition, number of ships, or movement heading.


Central Pacific: Contact reported between US sub and Japanese transport TF near Marcus Is. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Marcus Island at 121,76 (E of Iwo Jima)

Japanese Ships
xAP Palau Maru
xAP Kowa Maru
xAK Natisan Maru
xAK Kasuga Maru #2
xAK Africa Maru
PB Toyotsu Maru
PB Toshi Maru #1

Allied Ships
SS Plunger

SS Plunger is sighted by escort

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


Southwest Pacific: Japanese planes bomb Horn Is, AAR follows. G3M Nell bombers participating in this raid appear to be based in Port Moresby.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 4

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5 (minor damage reported to airfield facilities)

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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


Japanese capture Wewak. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wewak (96,119)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 5
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wewak !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy (moved here from Aitape)

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


Australia: After surviving two spotting contacts with KB bombers at and near Noumea in the last several days, xAKL Lady Isobel is sunk in a Jap submarine night attack while heading to Brisbane. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Maryborough at 103,157 (NE of Brisbane)

Japanese Ships
SS I-173

Allied Ships
xAKL Lady Isobel, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sinks)

SS I-173 attacking on the surface
Aihara F. decides to submerge SS I-173 due to damage

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

Mine sweeping operations continue at Perth. Small British ML hits type 88 mine and sinks while sweeping mines. AAR of minesweeping ops follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 299 encounters mine field at Perth (49,147)

Allied Ships
AM Colac
ML No. 423, Mine hits 1, heavy damage (later sinks)
ML No. 432

11 mines cleared

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

Transport convoy MX-3 from Aden (seven AK’s) now approaching Perth has been re-routed to Albany to disembark troop cargo (three Australian artillery rgts).

Jap airfield strike launched against Darwin. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 7

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 8 (no reported damage to airfield facilities)

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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


DEI: Japanese advance in eastern Sumatra, capture Praboemoelih outside Palembang. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Praboemoelih (48,92)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3366 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 71
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 71 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Praboemoelih !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units:
113th Infantry Regiment (advancing overland from Oosthaven)

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


Philippines: Japanese capture Clark Field. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13331 troops, 124 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 457
Defending force 245 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 208
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 208 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)


Allied ground losses:
362 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
19th Division (plus two additional Jap LCU’s detected in this hex)

Defending units:
Subic Bay Defenses

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

Jap LCU’s detected last game turn in Cabanatuan appear to have continued their movement into Manila. A total of 11 detected Jap LCU’s are now in central Luzon (three at Clark field, one in Batangas, 7 in Manila) including three known divisions (12th, 19th & 24th - all assigned to the Philippines from the Kwantung Army).


China: Combat near Shaoyang in central China. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 79,51 (W of Shaoyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10920 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 383
Defending force 5057 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 129
Japanese adjusted assault: 345
Allied adjusted defense: 478
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Division

Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps

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

[cantona2]

Always a gratifying read wneumann

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/18/42

Thanks for your comment, cantona.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/17 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabiteuea (Gilbert Is). An undetermined number of Japanese ships are detected at anchor in Tabiteuea, also an undetermined number of Jap aircraft based there. Airfield facilities at Tabiteuea have been expanded to size 3, with the port now at size 2.


South Pacific: No report of further contact with the KB.

US transport ship torpedoed and sunk by Jap submarine SE of Suva. xAK Ensley City was carrying a partial load of fuel at the time of its sinking. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Kabara at 134,165 (SE of Suva)

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
xAK Ensley City, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sinks)

xAK Ensley City is sighted by SS I-168
SS I-168 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Ensley City

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

US sub reports contact with Japanese TF approaching Truk. The Jap task force is reported moving on a NE heading into Truk and appears to be going to Truk from Rabaul or from a base in eastern New Guinea. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 109,113 (SW of Truk)

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu
TB Sagi
AMC Bankok Maru
APD Nadakaze
APD Shimakaze
AK Sakito Maru
DMS W-20
DMS W-8
DMS W-7

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback is sighted by escort

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

Southwest Pacific: G3M Nells (5 planes) from Port Moresby continue bombing Horn Is, this time an airfield strike. No reported damage to airfield facilities.

Air evacuation of Australian LCU elements from coastal hex locations on eastern New Guinea continues. Evacuation operations are being carried out by US and Australian PBY’s and Catalinas operating from Townsville. This so far has been a rather worthwhile action as it promises to result in the salvage of several Australian LCU’s (including Port Moresby Brigade, 15 RAAF Base Force, plus two NG Rifle companies) now stranded in hexes along the southern coast of New Guinea since the fall of Port Moresby and other bases along the north coast. Evacuated LCU’s from New Guinea are reaching Townsville in good shape with a minimal loss of heavy equipment and are expected to be fully operational within a short time.


Australia: Mine sweeping operations at Perth now completed, no further sign of detected Japanese mines in Perth base hex.

Jap airfield strike (7 G4M Betty) launched against Darwin for a second day. One Hudson I LB reported destroyed on the ground, no damage reported to airfield facilities.


DEI: Three unidentified Japanese LCU’s detected in Sabang base hex in western Sumatra.

Japanese capture Kudat in northern Borneo, eliminate remnants of 108 RN Base Force. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kudat (69,86)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3961 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 144
Defending force 74 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 67
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 67 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kudat !!!

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


Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
124th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
108th RN Base Force (eliminated in a later phase of the game turn)

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


Philippines: Mauban (Luzon) auto-captured by Japanese.


Capetown: AP Queen Elizabeth arrives in Capetown transporting the rebuilt US Asiatic Fleet HQ and 5000 supply from the Eastern US to Australia. Current plans are for HQ Asiatic Fleet to operate from Australia (probably Sydney) as a subordinate naval headquarters under the South Pacific theatre.


China: Japanese ground forces reach Nanning in south China, launch attack. Also continuing combat near Shaoyang in central China. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 79,51 (W of Shaoyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10805 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 379
Defending force 4705 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 99
Japanese adjusted assault: 185
Allied adjusted defense: 166
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Division

Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps (this unit now completely encircled by Japanese LCU’s and ZOC)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3554 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 121
Defending force 8508 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 201
Japanese adjusted assault: 136
Allied adjusted defense: 87
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), preparation(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
317 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
173 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment (this LCU crossed into southern China from Indochina)

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/19/42

Central Pacific: US submarine intercepts Jap transport TF due E of Pagan. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pagan at 116,89

Japanese Ships
xAK Nanman Maru
SC CHa-27
xAK Wales Maru
xAK Taito Maru
PB Tonon Maru

Allied Ships
SS Perch

SS Perch launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Nanman Maru

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

Sigint entries for 3/18 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wake Is and Truk. No observable Japanese activity at Wake. Detected status of Truk showing ships in port, also aircraft based on the island – numbers and types undetermined.


Southwest Pacific: Jap airfield bombing strike again launched by G3M Nells (6 planes) operating from Port Moresby. No reported damage to airfield facilities.


Australia: Transport convoy MX-3 (6 AK’s) from Aden arrives this game turn at Albany after re-routing from Perth due to Japanese mines. The convoy carried three Australian LCU’s (2/9, 2/11 and 2/13 Field Artillery Rgts) entering the game in Aden as reinforcements.


DEI: Japanese minesweeping ops underway in Soerabaja. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 33 encounters mine field at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-17
DMS W-16
DMS W-15

39 mines cleared

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

Detected status of Soerabaja – oil production 191(0), refinery 171(0), resource production 81(0), heavy industry 13(10), light industry 41(0), repair shipyard 9(0), manpower 3(0), 8 Jap LCU’s, undetermined number of ships in port, one or more Jap TF(s) shown in Soerabaja base hex.


Philippines: Japanese capture Lucena (Luzon). AAR follows. Pillager appears to be sending the Japanese 12 Division towards Legaspi in a sweep through bases in southern Luzon. No US or Philippine forces are located at Legaspi or in southern Luzon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lucena (79,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13236 troops, 124 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 460
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 262
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 262 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lucena !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units:
12th Division

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

Except for Jolo (captured in Dec 41), Japanese forces have not moved against Mindanao or any other islands in the central and southern Philippines. All these locations remain in Allied control.


Singapore: Detected status of Singapore base – resource production 6(15), heavy industry 6(30), light industry 6(45), manpower 4(0), repair shipyard 6(45), 124 Japanese ships remain in port, 199 aircraft (48 fighters, 62 bombers), 13 Jap LCU’s.


Burma: Sigint entry for 3/18 indicating Jap radio transmissions detected at hex hex 60,46 along the Mandalay-Lashio road. One or more Jap LCU(s) is shown as detected in this hex. There is little question this contact is a Japanese ground force being dispatched northward from Mandalay to capture Lashio. No Japanese ground movement has been detected going northward from Mandalay towards Myitkyina.


China: Japanese ground forces attack along Liuchow-Tuyun rail line W of Liuchow, also near Shaoyang in central China. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 73,53 (W of Liuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14346 troops, 143 guns, 128 vehicles, Assault Value = 479
Defending force 9523 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 241
Japanese adjusted assault: 377
Allied adjusted defense: 319
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
309 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
301 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
38th Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
4th War Area
9th Chinese Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 79,51 (near Shaoyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10693 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 369
Defending force 4618 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 90
Japanese adjusted assault: 172
Allied adjusted defense: 55
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
277 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
191 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Division

Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/20/42

Pearl Harbor: Two AK’s with moderate damage arrived in Pearl Harbor this game turn after being detached from transport convoy WP-2 currently enroute from the US West Coast to New Zealand. Damage to the two ships were from unknown causes – convoy WP-2 had no reported combat AAR’s or contact with Japanese forces (of any kind). The level of damage to the two AK’s is greater than what would be expected from the usual wear and tear during sea movement at a normal movement rate. I had detached the two AK from the convoy due to reduced movement speed resulting from their damage.

The two ships will undergo shipyard repair at Pearl once their supply point cargoes are unloaded. Damage levels of the two AK are as follows

AK Wind Rush - system damage 1, float 14, engine 17
AK Alcoa Polaris - system damage 2, float 5, engine 10

My only theory behind this damage is the two ships received an “unlucky die roll” in a determination for operational damage at sea during a naval movement phase. While something like this is very unusual, it no doubt can happen. The 16 transport ships remaining in convoy WP-2 are continuing their transit with very minor or no system damage.

North Pacific: A small transport convoy (3 ships) arrived at Dutch Harbor, now unloading 210 Coast AA Rgt and 6800 supply. This is the initial phase of a planned build-up of Dutch Harbor over the long term.


South Pacific: Coastwatcher report for 3/19 indicates a Jap AKE is now located in Rabaul. Pillager appears to be at some stage of preparing and/or using Rabaul as a naval replenishment base.


DEI: Japanese capture Sabang (western Sumatra). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sabang (44,70)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9601 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 356
Defending force 1579 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 51
Japanese adjusted assault: 210
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 210 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sabang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1103 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
143rd Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Medan Garrison Battalion
Sabang Garrison Battalion
Korps Marechausee Battalion
2nd Garrison Battalion
Sabang Base Force

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Jap amphibious landing now underway at Makassar.

Last surviving Dutch PT under attack by Japanese surface TF at Madjene (on Celebes near Makassar). This lone PT still has fuel, but no longer has torpedoes to fire and it no longer has an available port to replenish fuel – orders have been issued for the PT to proceed to Makassar (two hexes south of Pare Pare) and engage the Jap amphibious TF(s) with its remaining MG armament, then drift with the tides to Darwin if it survives that encounter. AAR of action with Jap surface TF follows.

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Night Time Surface Combat, at Madjene at 65,103, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Ashigara
CL Sendai
CL Kuma
DD Hayashio
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
PT TM-11

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 7% moonlight: 1,000 yards
PT TM-11 engages CA Chokai at 1,000 yards (and launches torpedoes)
Task forces break off (TM11 withdraws to Pare Pare) ...

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Philippines: Elements of Jap 19 Division capture Iba. Allied forces on Luzon are now completely enclosed in Bataan. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Iba (78,75)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4432 troops, 41 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 152
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 71
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 71 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Iba !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
19th/C Division

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/21/42

South Pacific: Sigint report entries for 3/20 indicate Japanese radio transmissions intercepted from Guam, Rabaul and Truk. None of the three locations show any detected on-map Jap forces or activity, though (not surprisingly), undetermined Japanese ships and aircraft are shown to be based in all three locations.


SW Pacific: A small force of G3M Nell bombers (5 planes) launch an airfield strike against Horn Is. Very minor damage to airfield facilities on Horn Is reported. It appears the Jap bombers in this raid are operating from Port Moresby.

Current supply situation on Horn Is is critical, no supply points remain on hand. A small squadron of USAAF transport planes (6 C-47’s) has been located in Brisbane. The squadron is currently on training and the C-47’s may be able to airlift supply into Horn Is from Cairns at their maximum range (12 hexes). With three Australian LCU’s now based on Horn Is (all starting the game there), the possibility of simultaneously removing one or more LCU(s) from Horn Is via airlift is under consideration – both to simplify the supply situation and possibly salvage at least one of these LCU in the event Pillager launches a successful invasion of Horn Is. At this time a Japanese move against Horn Is should be considered a possibility, though I’m sure it’s not the first item on Pillager’s list of priorities.


DEI: Japanese capture Makassar. AAR’s follow.

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Invasion Support action off Makassar

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

APD Fuji fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,106, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
xAP Hakone Maru
xAP Rakuyo Maru
xAP Horai Maru

Allied Ships
PT TM-11

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway

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(… several more exchanges between Jap APD Fuji and Dutch coastal guns, no hits or casualties on either side… )

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Ground combat at Makassar (65,106)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3147 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 98
Defending force 576 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20
Japanese adjusted assault: 86
Allied adjusted defense: 4
Japanese assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Makassar !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
225 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade

Defending units:
Makassar Garrison Battalion
Makassar Base Force

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Dutch PT boat TM-11 is now at Mataram (out of fuel & ammunition) and heading for Denpassar. Denpassar and Pamekasan are the only remaining Allied-controlled bases in the area with fuel points on hand. TM-11 has movement orders to "drift with the tides" into Denpassar, refuel, and continue its voyage to oblivion. Odds of TM-11 reaching Australia are nil, due at the very least to no remaining bases under Allied control with fuel stocks between its current location and Darwin.

Palembang remains in Dutch control. A light volume of Japanese air strikes continue to be reported against Dutch LCU’s holding Palembang. One Japanese LCU is detected in Praboemoelih base hex (adjacent to and SE of Palembang) - this LCU believed to be 113 Infantry Rgt which captured Praboemoelih on 3/17. Dutch LCU assault strength in Palembang is 223 plus 90 engineer squads. While far from enough to hold Palembang against a determined Japanese ground assault, it may be enough where Pillager will need to take or consider taking my defense of Palembang seriously. If I can make him (Pillager) waste time and supply on objectives the Japanese will take anyway, inflict some casualties on Jap forces (however modest), and perform “scorched earth” on oil and/or resource facilities he needs, all the better.


Philippines: A total of eight Japanese LCU’s detected on Luzon (three at Clark Field , five in Manila), plus one (now undetected) Jap LCU advancing southward towards Legaspi. At least three of the Jap LCU’s on Luzon are known to be combat divisions.


Singapore: A Japanese TF including two carriers (Baby KB?) is detected in Singapore, along with 98 ships at anchor. 17 Japanese LCU’s are indicated in the detected status of Singapore base. It also appears that repair activity by Jap engineer LCU’s on damaged facilities in Singapore may now be underway.


Burma: Remains quiet. Sigint report entry for 3/21 plus entries in previous Sigint reports indicate Pillager is attempting to transport several Jap LCU’s by sea into Rangoon. Two Allied subs remain on patrol off Rangoon.

Known combat strength of the Japanese army currently on the ground in Burma includes 33 Division and 1 Raiding Rgt - plus other possible Jap LCU(s) not detected or identified at this time. Identities of Jap LCU’s currently known to be in transit by sea and headed to Burma (via Rangoon) include 2 Raiding and 56 Recon Rgts.


China: A substantial amount of Japanese ground activity in southern China. Pakhoi captured this game turn (abandoned by Chinese forces in late February after the fall of Liuchow). Also Japanese ground attacks at Nanning and along the Liuchow-Tuyun rail line. AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at Pakhoi (72,58)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3596 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 141
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 86
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 86 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pakhoi !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade

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Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3844 troops, 32 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 152
Defending force 8377 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 190
Japanese adjusted assault: 84
Allied adjusted defense: 113
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
584 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps

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Ground combat at 73,53 (along Liuchow-Tuyun rail line, W of Liuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13877 troops, 143 guns, 128 vehicles, Assault Value = 453
Defending force 14230 troops, 178 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 432
Japanese adjusted assault: 294
Allied adjusted defense: 361
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
541 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (7 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
38th Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
4th War Area
35th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force

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The next flashpoint on the Chinese central front is the Japanese bridgehead across the river line near Chihkiang.

Chinese LCU’s withdrawing from Changteh towards this river crossing were deflected into Chihkiang base in a retreat that resulted from ground combat outside Chihkiang. This retreat after combat left the path open for Pillager to send a Jap LCU (only one Jap unit is detected in the bridgehead as of now) across the river line to seize this bridgehead before other Chinese LCU’s could move from Chihkiang to cover the river crossing.

In the long-term, this bridgehead is expected to have serious consequences for Chinese defence on the central front. Current situation map of central China follows.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/22/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/21 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit. No detected Jap activity or forces at Jaluit shown on-map.


South Pacific: US sub Grayback intercepts small Jap transport TF (3 ships, including one xAK) moving on a SW heading near Truk. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Truk at 107,111 (SW of Truk)

Japanese Ships
PB Kaiun Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kaiun Maru

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SW Pacific: G3M Nell bombers from Port Moresby (2 planes) continue airfield strikes against Horn Is. No damage or casualties reported.


DEI: Light Jap bombing raid activity over Palembang. Otherwise quiet.


Philippines: On-hand supply point stocks at Bataan down to 27K, it's dropped off somewhat. It's likely the cause is lots of Allied LCU's sitting there eating up rations. I'd rather have Pillager attack Bataan and give him a few casualties instead of the Japanese just sitting back and waiting until the place is starved out. At this time, still only three Jap LCU's at Clark Field. Though I also sucked every possible supply point on Luzon into Bataan, so Pillager does have to ship his own supply in before launching a serious attack.


Australia, Burma, India, China: All reporting quiet this game turn.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/23/42

For the most part it's been pretty quiet the last few game turns. Several questions can be raised on the present state of Japanese progress, though it is still early and Pillager has considerable time remaining to prepare and execute Japanese offensive moves. At face value, the rate of Pillager's Japanese advance in our current AE match is slower compared to our previous PBEM match in CHS. It's tempting to analyze and reach conclusions. At the same time it would be a considerable risk for an Allied player to make assumptions (let alone act upon them) based on any conclusion reached from an analysis of Japanese progress at this stage of the game. Especially true for Allied players without extensive knowledge and experience of playing the Japanese side.

Pillager did start out rather agressively in 12/41. This was true with regards to - (1) naval actions against Allied ships in the Philippines and northern DEI attempting to escape the Japanese advance, (2) a relatively quick conquest of Malaya and Singapore, (3) early moves into the Gilberts and the capture of Baker & Canton Islands, (4) advances into northern areas of the DEI including Tarakan and Balikpapan.

Then it all began to slow down...

(a) Wake Is held out for awhile before it fell on the second try.

(b) A later invasion of the Philippines. Was this a planned delay on Pillager's part, or there other factors?

(c) The DEI is not yet a done deal. Palembang still in Dutch control (at least for a short time longer). Also a lot of mop-up operations remain against smaller bases.

(d) While Port Moresby, Rabaul and much of the Solomons is Japanese-controlled or can be easily brought under Japanese control, the Japanese advance has not been a rapid one.

Could there be some factors behind this? Some possibilities...

(1) Shortage of available Japanese LCU's for offensive operations? Doubt it.

(2) Shortage of available transport ship capacity for a continuous sequence of amphibious operations? Maybe, but unlikely.

(3) Logistical bottlenecks (i.e. supply and fuel)? This is possible. While I'm experiencing few if any supply or fuel shortages, Allied supply and fuel logistics in AE is on a much less abundant scale compared to past experience in WitP. This being true, it's likely that Pillager may be experiencing logistical bottlenecks of his own on the Japanese side. Are these bottlenecks severe enough to slow down and/or restrict the scale of Japanese offensive operations? I would view this as the factor most likely to be true. In any event, Pillager's bottleneck(s) have not been imposed by any Allied action on my part.

(4) Allied opposition? Pretty unlikely. I do not have the Allied forces, nor have Allied forces so far imposed any significant delay or casualties to a determined Japanese advance.

(5) Allied strategy? The only action I've done differently on a large scale is drawing all available supply from bases in the direct path of a Japanese advance into a central location where an Allied defense is being concentrated. I've been able to effectively employ this tactic so far in Malaya, both Java and Sumatra in the DEI, and most recently in the Philippines (Luzon). The most noticeable effect of this tactic is it acts as a "scorched earth" action to remove all available supply points from bases prior to their capture by the Japanese - nearly all bases Pillager captured are left with zero supply points on hand at the time he reaches them. Where I could be holding up Pillager here is that Japanese forces he sends into an area cannot "live off the land" - requiring Pillager to bring in most if not all the supply points needed to feed Japanese forces participating in an offensive action. The "scorched earth" strategy in combination with #3 above could be creating some problems for the Japanese.

On the other hand, the present slow time could be the calm before the storm.

Enough wild theories... moving on to today's events.



Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-8 (12 ships) departing this game turn for Australia. Cargo loaded aboard ships in Convoy EX-8 includes two LCU (7 Marine Rgt, 102 Combat Engineer Bn) plus 36500 supply.


South Pacific: Coastwatcher reports for 3/22 indicate as many as 39 Japanese ships now in port at Rabaul.


DEI: Sigint entry for 3/22 indicates heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tarakan. No detected Jap activity or forces shown on-map, though an undetermined number of Japanese ships are in port at Tarakan along with aircraft.

Light Japanese air activity continues over Palembang – ground attack strikes.


Singapore: Elements of Baby KB detected in Singapore – a Jap task force (9 ships) including two CVE. 68 Japanese ships (mostly transports) detected at anchor in Singapore port. Japanese air strength detected in Singapore include 238 aircraft (47 fighters, 73 bombers).


Philippines: Japanese capture Atimonan (southern Luzon). AAR follows. Pillager has apparently dispatched Jap 12 Division to secure Legaspi and bases in south Luzon.

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Ground combat at Atimonan (80,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13248 troops, 124 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 457
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 33
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 33 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Atimonan !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-), fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
12th Division

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China: Two detected Jap LCU’s moving from Liuchow to reinforce the Japanese ground force that has been attacking Nanning. Otherwise quiet.