Godzilla {J: Andav} vs. Rodan {A: witpqs}

[Drakanel]

So, how decisively are you going to try to defend Port Moresby? Your last screenshot of the base is of the 23rd december I think.

How much Av/ fortifications do you have there? How much are you willing to expend in terms of ships/aircrafts, if needed? Will it be an opportunistic "let's see if there's a chance to hurt the Japanese a bit" plan? Or are you seriously willing to commit resources here?

[witpqs]

1942 January 13

INVADED
Amphibious TF 114 unloading at Tawau
Amphibious TF 88 offshore of Madang
Amphibious TF 109 offshore of Cebu
Amphibious TF 298 offshore of Mussau Island
Clark Field, Cagayan, Pontianak are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Catbalogan is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tawau !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Waigeo !!!



Overall
• Even as the Empire stabs into the DEI we feel the gathering of Allied strength.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Enemy subs.


Pacific
• Shipping tycoon in the Pacific.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• B-17's are to be operated from Charter Towers to aid ground defense of Port Moresby should the Empire invade.


Philippines
• More invasions, our defenders at Cebu seem to have the upper hand.

Ground combat at Cebu (80,86)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5430 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 189

Defending force 1792 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Japanese ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
81st PA Infantry Division
Cebu Constabulary
1st Port Maint Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
Sasebo 2nd SNLF

DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• I suspect I-121 was heading for the Indian Ocean.

TF 45 encounters mine field at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Ships
SS I-121, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

• Ambon fared well enough.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x 139WH-3 bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 2
Hudson I x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 7

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x 139WH-3 bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson I bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson I bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Naval bombardment of Ambon at 76,109 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

63 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 5
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CA Chokai
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Maikaze

Allied ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4
Port hits 1

CA Kumano firing at Amboina Defenses
Amboina Defenses firing at CA Kumano
CA Mogami firing at Amboina Defenses
Amboina Defenses firing at CA Mogami
CA Ashigara firing at Amboina Defenses
Amboina Defenses firing at CA Ashigara
CA Chokai firing at Molukken KNIL Cdo
DD Yudachi firing at Amboina Defenses
Amboina Defenses firing at DD Yudachi
DD Arashi firing at Amboina Defenses
Amboina Defenses firing at DD Arashi
DD Nowaki firing at Ambon
DD Maikaze firing at Amboina Defenses

Let's see if some hits can be scored as the intruders exit the area.

• KB2 came in closer and sent in aircraft which violated harbor overflight regulations.

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N1 Kate x 20
B5N2 Kate x 25
D3A1 Val x 18

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1
75A-7 Hawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Van Ghent, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Banckert, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CL De Ruyter, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AMc Lawoe, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS D, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CL Java, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
HDML P 16, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

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

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
11 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
2-VI.G.V with B-339D (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

AMc Lawoe was hit by an 800 Kg AP bomb, more efficient use of ordnance by the Empire! Our boys sought to make connections of their own.

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
2-VI.G.V with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 51,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 4

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wirraway bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 100 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 51,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9
B-339D x 1
75A-7 Hawk x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
139WH-3: 1 destroyed by flak
B-339D: 1 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers

So Kongo and Haruna are confirmed in or near and protecting KB2. Money is that Hiei and Kirishima are with KB1.

• Palembang came under aerial attack. Singapore continues to weather the storm, of course. Our aircraft again were punsihed by Zero's attacking a convoy near Ternate.


China
• There were many other raids in China but here we at least caught some brigands in action.

Morning Air attack on 63rd Chinese Corps, at 80,54 , near Hengyang

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44 Tojo x 3
Ki-51 Sonia x 19

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44 Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/2nd Sqn with H81-A3 (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 49th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 63rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 49th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 63rd Chinese Corps ...

• Our defenders near Nanyang are feeling punished but at least one Imperial unit is pulling back to regroup. Two of our units are doing the same as other units are brought up.

Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52378 troops, 559 guns, 485 vehicles, Assault Value = 1523

Defending force 37355 troops, 189 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 747

Japanese adjusted assault: 1077

Allied adjusted defense: 892

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1975 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 171 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 24 (5 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1889 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 189 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 26 (3 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
10th Tank Regiment
41st Division
37th Division
36th Division
11th Tank Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
85th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army

• According to SigInt the Empire has an infantry division heading for Lanchow. The Empire wants to knock out China quickly.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• The line behind Moulmein is now occupied.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No contact.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 January 13

The Batavia survivors.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Drakanel

So, how decisively are you going to try to defend Port Moresby? Your last screenshot of the base is of the 23rd december I think.

How much Av/ fortifications do you have there? How much are you willing to expend in terms of ships/aircrafts, if needed? Will it be an opportunistic "let's see if there's a chance to hurt the Japanese a bit" plan? Or are you seriously willing to commit resources here?

I am committing to defending Port Moresby. If the Empire drops in a division before I am more ready than I am now that might be a short-lived commitment!

I have fewer than 30 AV there, but the air HQ will be fully on site in a few days and US support units will begin airlifting in, bringing more AV, engineers, and even some naval support. I really need to get a stout infantry unit in there too but I haven't identified one for the job.

Fortifications are 2 + about 30% but engineers are few right now. Supply will continue to be dear and quickly critical if the Empire invades. I plan to pull out the cats and have fighters staged on the mainland to fly in when needed, just to save supply at PM.

Much depends on the Empire's timetable, and they aren't talking. [:D]

[witpqs]

1942 January 14

INVADED
Amphibious TF 88 unloading at Madang
Amphibious TF 298 unloading at Mussau Island
Amphibious TF 85 unloading at Tablas
Amphibious TF 16 offshore of Gorontalo
Clark Field, Cagayan, Pontianak are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Tioman Island is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Madang !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Mussau Island !!!



Overall
• No scouting on 5 of the Empire's fleet carriers for several days.

• I am considering assigning the USA 34th Inf Rgt, a component of the 24th Inf Div, to the defense of Port Moresby. Pickings are very slim. This update of babes did more than just reorganize the Australian Army along Bdes (no combining into divisions), it also adjusted the starting experience of many combat units in Australia. Quite a number start at 30, a few at 35, and a few at 40. USA units are likewise in pitiable shape. The 34th Rgt is experience 51 and carries the added advantage of being unrestricted (US Pacific Fleet).


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Still battling Imperial subs up here. We get some likely small hits now but have not had any of our ships hits in quite a while.


Pacific
• USN CL Concord and two DD are at Nauru Island and will start back to Pago Pago tonight.

• IJN sub again just south of Fiji.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Airlift in of British 223 Group Air HQ continues and tomorrow airlift in of the USN 1st Port Maint Eng Bn begins.


Philippines
• Waiting.

DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
•

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N1 Kate x 20
B5N2 Kate x 24
D3A1 Val x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Java, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Banckert, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AMc Endeh, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Ciska, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Digoel, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CMc Pro Patria, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc MMS A, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
HDML P 15, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
C.XI-W: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

USS SS Skipjack attacked KB2 and took a beating for her troubles. She is headed for Soerabaja and will get out of theater as soon as possible.


China
• Minimum of 5 Imperial units assigned to break through the road to Ankang.

• The Empire tests yet another door to Sian.

Ground combat at 85,43 (near Loyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1998 troops, 15 guns, 346 vehicles, Assault Value = 371

Defending force 36382 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 955

Japanese adjusted assault: 75

Allied adjusted defense: 1894

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 25

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 70 (1 destroyed, 69 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
245 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
96th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
24th Group Army
1st War Area
39th Group Army

This appeared to be an armour only attack.

• We are beginning to pull back from the Changsha area. This is painful but I want to preserve the bulk of the Chinese Army's combat power and it is too easy to get mauled in the open areas behind Changsha. Last time getting caught that way cost me the rest of China except for Kunming and beyond. We are arranging an ambush of the armoured unit coming up the road from Kukong.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Waiting on the Empire at Moulmein.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No contact.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 January 14

KB2 is hording 75% of its fighters for CAP.

Invasions and incursions continue in the eastern DEI.

[witpqs]

1942 January 14

It will be at least tomorrow night before we get the next turn, so time for a little parlay.

This turn and last turn I debated sending the fighter and torpedo bomber air groups at Soerabaja to Batavia. All fighters have been taken off CAP and set to 3,000 ft, the same as most bombers including the TB. A few bombers are at 1,000 but mostly those are the single engine light bombers. I did not make the transfer this turn, nor last (obviously).

I can muster about 30 fighters for escort from Soerabaja but one of those groups has low morale; would it fly? About another 10 fighters at Batavia, but at either base we wind up being over AV support which AFAIK reduces the number of planes that fly.

We have subs tasked to intercept KB2 in its present position and any route it might take except transiting the Sunda Strait. Two open (shallow) ocean hexes have been mined, but I think KB2 already passed through one of those without incident.

The image below shows Batavia above and Soerabaja below. There are also single and two engine bombers at several other bases. The intent here is to show the potential for getting torpedoes on target. There are also 3 more TB at Denpasar.

[zuluhour]

anything left of the RAF Swordfish and the like?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

anything left of the RAF Swordfish and the like?

You're looking at them. There is also a 3-plane squadron at Denpasar. So all 27 planes are Vildebeest's.

There's a squadron at Sydney that was a squadron plus a detachment. Both parts had losses and I got them combined to the parent squadron which is about half strength now. Of course they are out of theater.

[zuluhour]

noted, drug store trip at lunch for new glasses.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

noted, drug store trip at lunch for new glasses.

[:D]
I thought you were in disbelief. That squadron now in Sydney got chewed up in the Philippines and Malaya. The smaller part was down to 0 aircraft on Malaya and I had to upgrade to a different TB just to get the squadron out. When the detachments got to Australia I did another upgrade to same plane so I could combine them. They've been training for Port Moresby defense since.

[witpqs]

1942 January 15

INVADED
Amphibious TF 16 unloading at Gorontalo
Amphibious TF 109 offshore of Tacloban
Amphibious TF 145 offshore of Morotai
Clark Field, Cagayan, Pontianak, Moulmein are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Tablas is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Batu Pahat !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Gorontalo !!!



Overall
• A search contact with heavy radio traffic nearing New Ireland. Yorktown is still over a week away from joining her sisters.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• The sub dance goes on.

• Loading land units on convoy at San Francisco. A few air units will load tomorrow. All will proceed together until Pago Pago, some ships will go on to Suva, some ships will go on to Port Moresby. Units as noted in geographical sections below.


Pacific
• CL Concord is 15 hexes away from Nauru Island on the way back to Pago Pago and was not harassed.

• Embarking at San Francisco for Pago Pago:
95 Cst AA Rgt
205th Cst AA Rgt
2nd USMC Tk Bn
198th FA Bn
47th Const Rgt
5th Port Maint Engr Bn
1st Marine Air Wing
11 MAG
164th Inf Rgt

• Embarking at San Francisco for Suva:
193rd Tk Bn


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• A very modest search contact corresponds with...

Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at 107,119

...which is 3 hexes NE of Kavieng. Is KB1 protecting a convoy? Is it a large convoy to invade Port Moresby?

• Embarking at San Francisco for Port Moresby:
34th Inf Rgt


Philippines
• Now 3 enemy units at Cagayan.

DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• The Empire continued to smash naval assets at Batavia.

Night Naval bombardment of Batavia at 49,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 3 damaged
B-339D: 1 damaged
139WH-3: 3 damaged

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Takao

Allied Ships
AMc MMS B, Shell hits 1
CL Java, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
HDML P 14, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
420 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22

Batavia Defenses firing at CA Atago
CA Atago firing at Batavia Defenses
CA Takao firing at Batavia

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N1 Kate x 20
B5N2 Kate x 24
D3A1 Val x 15

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
C.XI-W: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Van Ghent, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Banckert, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS B, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CL Java, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
HDML P 9, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
11 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

Morning Air attack on TF, near Toboali at 50,95

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 10
75A-7 Hawk x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
75A-7 Hawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CVL Zuiho
CA Nachi

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 3000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
5 x 139WH-3 bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

Our bombers came from a different field, not Batavia, although our fighters did take off from there. The airfield is damaged. The port is damaged and has DD Van Ghent, 3x HDML, and 3x AMc remaining. Of course Van Ghent is very heavily damaged.

KB2 is 3 hexes NE of Batavia. With targets basically expended at Batavia will KB2 move on Soerabaja or back off to replenish and clear the sub swarm?

• In 5 days we will get the last Dutch sub and the last Dutch CL at Soerabaja. It would be nice if the CL can get out without KB2 nabbing it.


China
• It looks like the Imperial unit coming up the road from Kukong is not walking into my trap near Hengyang, so I will withdraw the units into that city in orderly fashion.

• We did pull off a tiny ambush in the air over that spot.

Morning Air attack on 25th Chinese Corps, at 80,54 , near Hengyang

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/2nd Sqn with H81-A3 (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 63rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 25th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 63rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 25th Chinese Corps ...

Even though the bombers got through we took out a chunk of them.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• CV Indomitable has arrived at Aden and will make haste to Colombo.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• Quiet.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 January 15

That ominous contact mentioned previously.

[zuluhour]

You'll know soon enough if it moves into the 480nm sweet spot for CAT search and.......the weather cooperates.

[witpqs]

1942 January 16

INVADED
Amphibious TF 298 offshore of Emirau Island
Clark Field, Cagayan, Pontianak, Singapore, Moulmein are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Treasury Islands is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Morotai !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Emirau Island !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tacloban !!!



Overall
• KB1 whereabouts unknown.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• The dance with IJN subs continues.

• Troops & supplies fully loaded. Aircraft now loaded, topping up with supply will finish tomorrow. Our troop convoy is spotted at DL 3/3.

• BB New Mexico arrived at San Francisco.


Pacific
• CL Concord well inside friendly air search without incident.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Small supply convoy is 4 hexes from Port Moresby and spotted DL 5/5.


Philippines
• Clean up invasions continue while the main points of resistance - Clark Field, Cagayan - await events.

DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• KB2 withdraws during the night.

ASW attack near Billiton at 53,92

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CS Chiyoda
DD Kuroshio
DD Ushio
DD Sazanami
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
SS KX

SS KX is sighted by escort
KX bottoming out ....
DD Ushio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sazanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sazanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Persistence pays.

Sub attack near Billiton at 53,92

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CS Chiyoda
DD Ushio
DD Kuroshio
DD Sazanami
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
SS KX

SS KX launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Ryujo
DD Sazanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

The submarine crew claims Ryujo is sunk, but I think not.

• Invasion of Singapore!

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 62487 troops, 601 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 1950

Defending force 51721 troops, 542 guns, 351 vehicles, Assault Value = 1052

Japanese adjusted assault: 1107

Allied adjusted defense: 1159

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
7810 casualties reported
Squads: 200 destroyed, 508 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 161 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 48 disabled
Guns lost 87 (26 destroyed, 61 disabled)
Vehicles lost 42 (12 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3527 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 232 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 103 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Guns lost 98 (7 destroyed, 91 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (2 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
42nd Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
113th Infantry Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
5th Engineer Regiment
55th Engineer Regiment
2nd Division
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
34th Field AA Battalion

Defending units:
1st Malay Battalion
5/14th Punjab Battalion
3/16th Punjab Battalion
2nd Argylls Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
22nd Indian Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
SSVF Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
28th Gurkha Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
1st Manchester Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
2nd Gordons Battalion
5/2nd Punjab Battalion
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
III Indian Corps
AHQ Far East
1st ISF Base Force
Singapore Base Force
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
109th RN Base Force
30 Battery/3 HAA
112th RAF Adv Base Force
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
111th RAF Adv Base Force
137/155th Field Regiment
109th RAF Adv Base Force
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
2/215th Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
11 Battery/3 HAA
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Fortress
Malaya Army
29 Battery/3 HAA
Malayan Air Wing
110th RAF Adv Base Force
5th Field Regiment

China
• This is the (so far) main drive on Sian.

Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2526 troops, 144 guns, 272 vehicles, Assault Value = 800

Defending force 37828 troops, 147 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 734

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

Assaulting units:
10th Tank Regiment
41st Division
37th Division
11th Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
85th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army

• This is a newly invested route to Sian.

Ground combat at 85,43 (near Loyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 468 troops, 15 guns, 63 vehicles, Assault Value = 346

Defending force 36163 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 921

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

Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
9th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
1st War Area
24th Group Army
39th Group Army

• The withdrawal into Changsha went well. The second stage will be to deploy more troops to neighboring cities to force the IJA to deploy. The third stage will be to withdraw into the forests before any point of defense yields.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Imperial forces at Moulmein are much stronger than I anticipated at this point.

Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 480 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 389

Defending force 2057 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

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

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
11th Burma Rifles Battalion
2nd Burma Brigade

Even our second line cannot stand against a full division at this point.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• Peaceful.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 January 16

The Sian area.

[witpqs]

1942 January 16

The Changsha area.

[zuluhour]

Wonder what he's doing in the mountains east of Yenan, seems like a loooooong detour. I'm watching your play at Changsha, I have
not handled that area well before. I do have a different idea on it this game, but I had hoped to block more rails and roads longer.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Wonder what he's doing in the mountains east of Yenan, seems like a loooooong detour.

Starting to the north of there, the road into the hinterlands... There is an IJA division up there! At first I thought it was heading toward the China Outback, but it was following a retreating unit heading toward Lanchow (IIRC). That was when I observed it moving between roads at a point where there is no junction, but since it seems to be standing still without having crossed to the other road.

The units in the mountains you asked about are... drum roll please... tanks! Two tank units attacked pursued a Chinese unit multiple times into the mountains. It does look like they got a bit of anomalously fast movement out of the deal but my unit finally got away so now they have to move out of the mountains on their own, without a road.

Add these two to the multiple advances on Sian and Ankang (the road east of Sian, the road from Nanyang, the road between those two, the road to Ankang: 4 other approaches in all) and you have a very concerted effort to test all approaches at once.

I'm watching your play at Changsha, I have
not handled that area well before. I do have a different idea on it this game, but I had hoped to block more rails and roads longer.

This might not be a best way to do it, I am trying to improve on the long term results of last time. There is a bit of an effect (coming soon) from the early fall of Wenchow. I certainly want to block the rail net longer but it looks to me like retaining heavy weapons might be critical to holding in the forests. And that means not getting too many units retreated and certainly not destroyed (as they come back with none).

[RangerJoe]

I just subscribed. I will learn a lot more from this one as well.

A suggestion, for Singapore as well as elsewhere, evacuate a fragment - even just a single support squad - from any unit that you can so you won't have to buy back the unit. From Singapore, send the fragment to OZ or somewhere else that is safe and start letting it take reinforcements there. Doing so from the unit screen will allow the fragments to take replacements. Simply stockpile any device that you don't want to go into those units yet. Even just support squads and engineers from the fragments should help you build up somewhere else.

I just reinstalled the game onto my new hard drive (Win 10[:@]) so I also have to make all of the modifications that I want as well. I will try to get tracker working as well for my games now so I can try the evil side as well as possibly some PBEM.