Matrix Games Forums

5 Dec 1942

Burma quiet.

I managed my first successful night raid of the war, on Kavieng.

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Night Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 8 damaged
PBY-5A Catalina: 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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Before anybody squeals, I have made lots of night attacks during the course of the game all of which have achieved precisely diddly squat. This time random() just came good for once.

Dec 6 1942

Very quiet apart from the "Daily Changsha", as illustrated below.

In other news, I have been steadily implementing the LB->FB conversions as discussed earlier and now have 4 x 27 strength airgroups which sport the Ki-45 Nick instead of Sonias and Anns. How much of an increase in utility is that?

64th Sentai

Today I also decided to try an experiment. I discovered that I had 64 pilots in the IJAAF TRACOM so on a whim I have pulled some of these out to the 64th Sentai, with the former very good but not quite golden pilots of that unit being despatched to Reserve.

The unit is based at Takao, well out of the action, and I will initially train it up in NavB, with LowN to follow. The Exp/Air/Staf/Def values are already very high. There is an upgrade path to the Ki-102 Randy available, the B variant of which has some useful if inaccurate strafing equipment installed as well as 2 x 250kg bombs.

My idea is to create a shock IJAAF anti-shipping unit.

Observant readers may note that this contradicts some things I said earlier.

Dec 7 1942

The war has now been going for exactly a year, and the IJN has lost only a single DD.

One day the Allies will start fighting.

Dec 8 1942

There is a small British/Indian/Burmese unit sitting all on its own in a clear hex just to the SW of Meiktila. I am going to throw my entire airpower at it and see what happens. 100+ Tojos on Sweep plus 300 or so Oscars bombing.

Dec 9 1942

Not a bad result. No Oscars lost and siginificant damage caused to the 44th Cavalry Regiment. There was no CAP.

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Morning Air attack on 44th Cavalry Regiment, at 58,48 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 131

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 8 damaged

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 51 (5 destroyed, 46 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
29 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
29 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
19 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 44th Cavalry Regiment, at 58,48 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (9 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 44th Cavalry Regiment, at 58,48 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 damaged

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 28 (21 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
29 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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As you can see from the picture the cavalry unit has now reached the sanctum of the jungle to the NE of Toungoo. However, another larger armoured unit has presented itself for the taking in the clear hex.

Nakajima Ha-35

I am starting to get aircraft production failures on all types that use the Nakajima Ha-35 engine. The Engine screen informs me that I am some 300 engines a month deficient. Oopsy.

The cranking up has been done, but it will take 3 months or so for it to fully take effect. In the meantime the Oscar, Tojo and Zero pools ought to be quite sufficient at the current game pace.

Allied DDs

One thing is quite clear from playing Downfall - it is the Allied DDs that are the most difficult weapons system to counter. They are almost impervious to air and sub attack, the only way to get rid of the blessed things is with surface attack using CAs, CLs and DDs. The only problem being that at some point, whatever happens, Japan will become seriously deficient in these on a relative basis. I don't know how many DDs the USN and RN get in the GC but it's likely to be in the 100s. There is no way we can win that game.

So ... Enter the Ki-45 Nick in a new role as a "Destroyer Destroyer".

All variants of this plane sport useful centre-mounted cannons plus there are 2 x 250kg bombs. The plane has good speed, armour and reasonable durability. This ought to mean that in the right circumstances and attacking at low level it will eat DDs for breakfast.

As an initial plan I have allocated the newly converted 4 x 27 Nick airgroups to this task. They will train in Staf and LowN, and are currently based at Clark Field, which is a good place since I estimate that it will be in the southern Philippines where important things really start to happen in a few months time.

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

So ... Enter the Ki-45 Nick in a new role as a "Destroyer Destroyer".

Agree with your assessment on the DD's, and yes they get several hundred of them. Never had any success with the Nick in any role. Watching to see if this works.

Nicks are good at LowG and I have had success Sweeping with them against fighters that aren't P-38s. On CAP they do seem mediocre.

It will be a while before I get to test this anti-DD theory out.

Dec 10 1942

Moderate success against the 50th Tank Brigade, which has now reached the jungle. While the 44th Cav is now at Toungoo.

I will stand down for a day then demolish Toungoo airfield when he has taken it.

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Morning Air attack on 50th Tank Brigade, at 58,48 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 214

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 17 damaged

Allied ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 69 (8 destroyed, 61 disabled)

I wouldn't count on the nicks v DD's thing. The only air attack that has any success against light and mobile ships is dive bombing. Throwing away a bunch of Vals et al is a cheap exchange for a Fletcher or equivalent.
By the way have you encountered any Fletcher DD's yet? They are horrible machines that will tear up the IJN, the only real success I have had is with IJN CA's fighting it out in the daytime.

We have had only one surface battle in this game, where 4 IJN DDs sank a US DD and damaged CL Honolulu.

In Downfall however, the USN DDs (of whatever class) have sunk about 5 gazillion ships with nary a scratch in return. This is the basis of my efforts.

I reckon enough Oscars and Nicks bombing at 100ft might do the trick, then let the IJN sort out the bigger fish with torps. That is assuming my opponent very kindly splits his destroyers from the rest of his ships [8|]

Extreme Swarming

I was thinking about this yesterday.

Basically, you would only produce aircraft with a service rating of 1, then every single airgroup would train up on LowG and LowN as well as their primary function, with all the service rating 2+ planes which you get at game start dedicated to training (after the initial essential conquests).

You would lose any long-range naval search but ought be able to create something of a kill zone within a 8-12 hex radius at sea and 6-8 hexes on land.

The main idea behind the aerial Swarm is to be able to replace plane and pilots losses immediately and to continue doing so for an extended period. So, however strong the opposing force is you can simply overwhelm it with numbers, eventually.

I won't be experimenting in this game though. Just musing ...

Dec 12 1942

Toungoo airfield duly demolished, 1 Oscar and 0 pilots lost ...

Some ships have been discovered unloading at Ramree Island, so let's see how the Swarm does on Naval Attack. Tojos will Sweep first since I think it's likely he will be doing LRCAP from Akyab. The ships are alleged to be DDs and APs.

Dec 13 1942

Ouchie. Complacency bites me in the bum ...

The RN sneaked into Rangoon and demolished an oil convoy. Only a single damaged E escaped, all the TKs went down. Thankfully they were only the 1,250t capacity ones but definitely a resounding defeat for the Hive.

On the plus side, the Oscars did well against the transports at Ramree, evading the small CAP with some ease.


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Chidori
E Manazuru
E Hatsukari, Shell hits 3, on fire
E Tomozuru
TK Arima Maru #4
TK Azuma Maru #2
TK Fujisan Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Kanze Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
TK Kyoko Maru
TK Matsumoto Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
TK Mirii Maru
TK Mitu Maru
TK Nichiei Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
TK Nikkoku Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
TK Shoyo Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
TK Terukawa Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 1
CL Ceres, Shell hits 1
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Fortune
DD Foxhound

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends loading operations and begins to get underway
Low visibility due to Rain with 32% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 32% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages TK Shoyo Maru at 4,000 yards
E Chidori engages CL Dauntless at 4,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Terukawa Maru at 4,000 yards
TK Shoyo Maru sunk by DD Foxhound at 4,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Nikkoku Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Kanze Maru at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
E Tomozuru engages CL Dauntless at 6,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Hatsukari at 6,000 yards
E Manazuru engages CL Dauntless at 6,000 yards
E Chidori engages DD Foxhound at 6,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Kanze Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Electra engages TK Terukawa Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Mitu Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Tomozuru at 3,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Hatsukari at 3,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Terukawa Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Terukawa Maru at 3,000 yards
TK Nikkoku Maru sunk by DD Electra at 3,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Matsumoto Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Kanze Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Fujisan Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages TK Azuma Maru #2 at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Terukawa Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Hatsukari at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Terukawa Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Chidori at 2,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Terukawa Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Nichiei Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Mirii Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Matsumoto Maru at 2,000 yards
TK Fujisan Maru sunk by CL Dauntless at 2,000 yards
TK Terukawa Maru sunk by CL Ceres at 2,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Hatsukari at 2,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Nichiei Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Kanze Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Nichiei Maru at 3,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,54, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Chidori, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
E Manazuru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
E Hatsukari, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
E Tomozuru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
TK Arima Maru #4, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
TK Azuma Maru #2, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
TK Kyoko Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Mirii Maru, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
TK Mitu Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 4
CL Ceres, Shell hits 3
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Fortune, Shell hits 1
DD Foxhound

Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Hatsukari at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Hatsukari at 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Manazuru at 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Chidori at 15,000 yards
DD Electra engages TK Azuma Maru #2 at 15,000 yards
DD Electra engages TK Kyoko Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Electra engages TK Azuma Maru #2 at 15,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Azuma Maru #2 at 15,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages E Hatsukari at 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Manazuru at 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Chidori at 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Mirii Maru at 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Kyoko Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Azuma Maru #2 at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 13,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages TK Kyoko Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages E Manazuru at 13,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 13,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 13,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Mirii Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Kyoko Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Azuma Maru #2 at 13,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Tomozuru at 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Hatsukari at 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Manazuru at 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Chidori at 10,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Mitu Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Electra engages TK Mitu Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Kyoko Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Azuma Maru #2 at 10,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
TK Azuma Maru #2 sunk by CL Ceres at 8,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages TK Mirii Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Kyoko Maru at 8,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Chidori at 8,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Mitu Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Mirii Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Kyoko Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Electra engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 8,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Mitu Maru at 8,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 8,000 yards
E Manazuru engages CL Dauntless at 8,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Kyoko Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Mitu Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Mirii Maru at 8,000 yards
TK Kyoko Maru sunk by CL Dauntless at 8,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Arima Maru #4 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Mirii Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Hatsukari at 7,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Mirii Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Chidori at 7,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TK Mirii Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Mirii Maru at 7,000 yards
E Tomozuru engages CL Dauntless at 7,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Hatsukari at 7,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages TK Mirii Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Mirii Maru at 7,000 yards
Massive explosion on TK Mitu Maru
DD Foxhound engages TK Mitu Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Fortune engages TK Mirii Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Ceres engages TK Mirii Maru at 8,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Chidori at 8,000 yards
TK Mitu Maru sunk by DD Foxhound at 8,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Chidori at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Tomozuru at 10,000 yards
TK Mirii Maru sunk by CL Dauntless at 10,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages E Chidori at 10,000 yards
DD Fortune engages E Hatsukari at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Tomozuru at 7,000 yards
E Manazuru engages CL Dauntless at 7,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Manazuru at 7,000 yards
DD Fortune engages E Tomozuru at 7,000 yards
DD Encounter engages E Tomozuru at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages E Manazuru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Tomozuru at 5,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Manazuru at 5,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Manazuru at 5,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Chidori at 5,000 yards
DD Encounter engages E Manazuru at 5,000 yards
DD Electra engages E Chidori at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Tomozuru at 4,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Hatsukari at 4,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages E Chidori at 4,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Chidori at 4,000 yards
DD Encounter engages E Hatsukari at 4,000 yards
E Hatsukari sunk by DD Electra at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Tomozuru at 5,000 yards
DD Fortune engages E Manazuru at 5,000 yards
DD Encounter engages E Manazuru at 5,000 yards
DD Electra engages E Manazuru at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
E Tomozuru sunk by CL Ceres at 7,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Chidori at 7,000 yards
DD Fortune engages E Manazuru at 7,000 yards
DD Encounter engages E Chidori at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages E Manazuru at 7,000 yards
Hewitt, J.G. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Manazuru at 6,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Manazuru at 6,000 yards
DD Electra engages E Manazuru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E Chidori at 13,000 yards
DD Fortune engages E Chidori at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages E Chidori at 20,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ramree Island at 54,48

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Kittyhawk III x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Largs Bay, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Moreton Bay, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Arawa, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 22000
Raid is overhead
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead

Dec 14 1942

A great day, the first Ki-43 IIb Oscar has rolled off the production lines at Gifu.

Otherwise not much happening.

Dec 16 1942

Busy busy ... I've finally worked out that the way to drain Resources out of a place is to use lots of small TFs not a few big ones [8|]

I almost ran out of resources at Shikuka and in all of Hokkaido in June and had to take one TF for each offline using lots of small ones like this.

ORIGINAL: Saros
By the way have you encountered any Fletcher DD's yet? They are horrible machines that will tear up the IJN, the only real success I have had is with IJN CA's fighting it out in the daytime.

Fletchers are flippin' awesome, probably my favourite Allied unit of all. [:D]

38 knot speed and tooled to bear.