The Italian Job 2- Gen.Hoepner(J)-vs.-Mc3744

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/14/42

A very important turn. Decisive i'd say.

Let's start from the beginning.
As predicted he had placed part of the AVG at Sinin. Unfortunately he did not LRCAP Lanchow but waited for me there. No big deal however: my nates were enough to keep at ease those bastards and my bombers could pound the base heavily.
Same fate for Lanchow, pounded again like an envil.

What i give in china he gives me back at Akyab.
Another HUGE raid. my poor zeros fought again like they were crazy! The managed to shoot down a total of 11 enemy planes...losing 6 but on the ground. I have to leave the base. 41 runaway is too risky to leave there my precious zero pilots...anyway they deserve a medal!

In Cent-Pac my TFs have been spotted. Unluckly his Catalinas recognized the shokaku...so no surprises....ok, no problem. We go on as planned.
A strange TF spotted at Canton...it says CS are present...but i guess they are DDs...and i guess they're now running away[:D]
Everything now is up to him...will he call his 4 CVs into battle? I hope so...

In the Indian Ocean we found another big convoy going from India to oz....they are brave!
Moved 60 nells to Sosarbaja and will try to intercept with my 2 CVEs..... It's gonna be fun!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sining , at 45,23

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-48 Lily x 73
Ki-49 Helen x 27
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 13 damaged


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 131

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lanchow , at 46,25

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 27
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 30
Ki-21 Sally x 144
Ki-48 Lily x 21
Ki-49 Helen x 27
Ki-36 Ida x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 142

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 3
CW-22 Falcon x 1
Blenheim IV x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 9
B-17E Fortress x 70
LB-30 Liberator x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/15/42


In Mid March 42 the war can already be decided.
Seems that he already moved his CVs towards Canton. What appears to be a big CV TF, followed by a BB TF( probably a surface combat TF) is already moving from Palmyra to Canton. GOD bless the glens![8D]
I expect to see his CVs next turn....so the final hour has come. It will be all or nothing.

My 3 carrier divisions have been ordered to move at full speed and place themself north-west of Canton Is, ready to intercept the upcoming enemies. The real problem would be Canton Is. itself with its operational AF. If i was him i'd send my whole air force there and act like an unsinkable carrier...hope he doesn't. But for this reason i will stay 4 hexes far from Canton for the moment.
Everything is ready...may the gods of our dead fathers be with us.

1 CVL and one CVE will stay with the BB divisions that will move at top speed towards Gardner Isl, along with 15 fast MSWs and some fast PG-PCs. To this brave sailors the dirty job of cleaning the way and open a path through the minefields.

The invasion force will come later, at a cruise speed of 8. There should not be any problem of air support for them, 'cause canton has only a level 3 AF and so impossible to use the long range 4E bombers.

My subs have all been ordered to close the gap and obstacle the upcomming path of his CVs...


But, believe it or not....there's much more to tell u!

In china Canton has been sieged. He should not have the strenght to conquer it, but it's a bad news anyhow
At Sinin i managed to destroy on the ground 12 p-40Bs...[8D]
There will be another jap attack tomorrow on the road between Changsha and Henkow

In Oz....well...Exmouth now has 23,000 and 16 units...incredible[X(][:(][:(]...i really do not know if i can do it[:o]...my ships are getting closer anyway...we'll see.. Two DD spotted there...if h brings his fleet assets i'm toasted[:@]

ok......let's cross the fingers guys...

hope i'll be in your prayers[:'(]

[Alikchi2]

You have the change to eliminate Allied carrier power in the pacific. Good luck! [:D]

[Gen.Hoepner]

Thanks Alikchi! I also have the chance of losing 4 divisions,2 brigades,350 various vassels, 11 between CV,CVL and CVEs and some 9 BBs..... so to say the chance to lose the war after 4 months[:D]

[Alikchi2]

Thanks Alikchi! I also have the chance of losing 4 divisions,2 brigades,350 various vassels, 11 between CV,CVL and CVEs and some 9 BBs..... so to say the chance to lose the war after 4 months

Let's hope for option 1 [;)]

[PzB74]

Nice reading General [:)]

I think you'll do fine...the Allies need more than just a little luck to win such a major engagement in early 42.
If I was the Allied player I'd lurk about and try to catch you off guard or hit your supply train. NoWay I'd go mano el mano
this early after being spotted.

Anyway, don't get to gutsy..I remember another Jap player that lost 2 carriers in a battle near the Phoenix Islands [:'(]
You're kinda tied up to your invasion fleets and that removes your flexibility and that makes you vulnerable. So keep everything tightly
together and maximise your strenght.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Thanks for comments PzB
Actually i'm really scared and not overconfident. He can smoothly exchange 5 allied CVs with 3 or 4 Japanese ones...and if i have to run away with my wrecked CVs my entire invasion Corps will be doomed....so i'll be patient and defensive[:)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/16/42

What appeared to be a CV TF has prooved to be a suiced transport convoy.[&:] He has surely spotted my CVs and no matters what it takes he's going southwards. Really strange! This TF will be intercepted tomorrow morning if the weather is on my side.
The other TFs that were moving around Canton decided, wisely, to open the throttle and run away. I won't go and hunt them: too risky! Can be a trap!
I'm still waiting for his CVs...i do not believe he's going to lose Canton so easily.
Even no PTs spotted...strange, very strange


In Northern Oz...my little ambush should take place tomorrow morning. 3 APs spotted heading towards Exmouth!
I should have gained control over this sea a lot earlier[:@]

In China the attack went well and 3 chinese units were pushed back towards Changsha. Unfortunately i cannot advance any further cause he moved his HUGE Ichan Army today: now the hex west of Hankov is contested[:o]

He's ready to bomb one of my AF in Burma. 140 bombers ready at Diamond...i guess he's going for Mytikyna. Simply no way to stop him

[Tom Hunter]

Possibley a suicide TF but much more likely a TF he forgot to turn around.

Happens to me from time to time, why should I be the only one? [8|]

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/17/42

The supposed suicide TF was indeed a reinforcement cargo. It was trying to bring a base force to Canton island. Has been sunk with no mercy at 120 miles from its supposed objective.
another reinforcement TF has been spotted and attacked at Nanoumea atoll. My torpedo bombers based at Tarawa manaed to sinks 2 ships of that convoy....it loading or unloading ( who knows ) an American Division!...
These signs can mean he wants to fight for central Pac...so i must wait for his carriers sooner or later.
My second carrier division will try to intercept another TF south of Canton which is moving eastwards, while the other two carrier divisions, will close the gap and support the BBs in their route towards Canton Isl. I know he's getting ready to strike with bombers from Canton isl....must be prepared!

Many many DDs are fleeing from Canton moving towards PH...2 of my subs got sunk with no counter hit[:(]


In the other theatres, things are moving as fast as here.

In the indian ocean my CVE hosho launched 5 kates against a TK cargo TF moving southwards. Only one hit, but this should theaten him and possibly force him to go back. These attacks should set him on allarm and i hope he makes some mistakes at Exmouth....i'm starting to feel really unconfortable here. 16 units are really a lot! and my lack of supplies for the invading 25th army is a real problem....

In Burma i'm waiting for his huge bombing attack...

in China finally i found a key for Lanchow ( oh, well, i hope so[:)]). only 2 units are defending his eastern flank and now 6 japanese units are getting closer to his positions. If he's not crazy he's going to leave Lanchow in a week or 2......and then...oh, well...you know[;)]
Very very strangly he moved back his army from Canton. only 4 units left there. probably he wants to have more free hands on my right flank...good! i'm going to reinforce it!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 108,83

Japanese Ships
SS I-155, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage*sinks*

Allied Ships
DD Kennison
DD Crosby
DD Waters
DD Fox
DD MacDonough
DD Hull
DD Conyngham
DD Lamson
DD Drayton
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DD Mugford
DD Mustin
DD Anderson
DD Hughes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sining , at 45,23

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 33
Ki-21 Sally x 47
Ki-48 Lily x 77
Ki-49 Helen x 27
Ki-15 Babs x 6

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 154

The last p-40s have been destroyed on the ground. No way to keep on using Sinin AF to bother me[:D]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lanchow , at 46,25

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 26
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 33
Ki-21 Sally x 137
Ki-48 Lily x 21
Ki-49 Helen x 27
Ki-36 Ida x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported

Airbase hits 40
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 145

His supplies should have gone down a lot in the last 2 weeks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 101,98

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 67
D3A Val x 70
B5N Kate x 129

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MSW Bobolink, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AVD Williamson, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AP Katoomba, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AP Van Diemen, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AP Van Neck, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*


Allied ground losses:
362 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 13,75 ( Indian Ocean )

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Empire Flint, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nanumea at 84,103

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Henderson, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AP Mount McKinley
MSW Turkey, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ruth Alexander


Allied ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 103,94

Japanese Ships
SS I-9, hits 1, on fire *sinks*

Allied Ships
DD Dent, heavy damage
DD Shaw
DD Ellet, heavy damage
DD Benham
DD Henley

[Gen.Hoepner]

The Chinese Northern Front

[Gen.Hoepner]

Ok, i have some spare time to say something more.

It is very strange that he only has 5300 men at Canton Island. That's probably why he wanted to reinforce it with that base force ( even though a base force isn't exactly the best reinforcement in these situations). Considering that at Baker there are 2 units, i'd save part of my invasion army for further operations.
I'm planning to attack with the 18th Div, the Imperial Guard, 2 eng regiments , some arty and the 35th Bde.

What i will do next Canton it depends on if he will engage his CVs or not. If he doesn't i will go for Baker and nanoumea. If he does and i win the CV battle i'll go for Palmyra. If i lose...well...defeat is not contemplated ( sp?)[:D]

Let's say he doesn't engage.
I will get Canton. My 2 divisions will be reorganized there, while the engeneers will be loaded up again with the artillery.
At Canton i'll place a base force, 9 Hemilies, 9 Mavis and 2 SNLF units. My recon planes should be able to give me news in time if he eventually brings his CVs in.
The South Sea Det and the other 2 divisions will go for Baker, Supported by 1 BB division and the KB.
after few days the two divisions that conquered Canton will be going for Nanoumea.

I do not want to leave important forces in these bases. Tarawa will be my fortress in this area. Will only place naval infatry units and a lot of search planes both at Canton and Baker.

Then...i do not know. My men will need some rest and so my ships.....i'd like to go for New Caledonia, but if his CVs are still around there's no way i will risk so much in May 42 ( when the avengers will be at his disposal and he'll have 1 more CV)...



But china remains a very important theatre!
Here i can make the difference with VPs. If i can hold the ground in the south for a month or two i'm quite sure i can put him in troubles!
I have a total of 5000 Assault points in the North. As we've seen Lanchow is going to be flanked in 2 weeks. He will probably abbandon the city. If he does, i'll leave the mongolian divisions there, with 3 Ind. Bdes and 1 division. The river will be my main defence! The other 2 armies, with 4200 APs will move on the trail towards Chungking. It will take time but he cannto risk: he will be forced to pull back his armies from the ichan and Canton fronts and defend Chungking.

Let's hope for the best[8|]

[hawker]

When I turn on my computer I first look in your reports.Its just great.Keep up good work and smash that imperialist.BANZAI.

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: hawker

When I turn on my computer I first look in your reports.Its just great.Keep up good work and smash that imperialist.BANZAI.

Many Thanks hauker. These are the words that keep me writing this[;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/18/42

Lot of action today to report.

At Canton Island, the RAG-2 operation proceeds without problems.
My 2nd carrier division ( with 165 a/cs ) managed to intercept a big convoy of....empty ships[:(]. Many sunk, many badly damaged.
My BBs got into the right position( 2 hexes west of Canton). The CVs will positionate themself one hex northwest of Canton.
Tomorrow night 15 MSWs,PCs and PGs will enter in the enemy waters, opening a path for their big brothers.
Will follow the 1st and 2nd DD divisions , in order to clean the place if some dreaded PTs appear.
Then, it will be the time for the Big Guns.
Battleships Kongo,Yamashiro,Hei,Kirishima,Ise and Hyuga, supported by 8 CAs and escorted by several more DDs will smash the Atoll during nightime.
I-161 will provide some close observation support.
The invasion forces are 2 days far away.
There gonna be 2 days of steel and smoke over Canton island.

Spotted what appears to be a DD division at Palmyra. I'm still very cautious about his CVs....

Tomorrow we'll begin to recon Baker.

At Nanoumea the convoy that were unloading an american division tried to escape from a certain death but got hammered again by Nells and Betties from Tarawa.



Near Exmouth his vanal operations keep on going on. He did spot only my CVE Hosho, that sunk another TK today. The plan remains as scheldued.


In Burma the blow finally arrived.
A lot of Blenheims and 150 4E bombers striked one of my biggest resources center. No way to defend it. Only some 6 brave oscars took of from Mandalay but 4 of them did not come back home.
Akyab and Mytykina are undefendable. I will place my fighters at mandalay,Rangoon and Mouleim.
Hanoi will probably be his next target ( he keeps on reconning it).

In China he moved back his army from Canton and moved 4 units on my right flank. A Regiment has been ordered to reinforce it, but tomorrow my 2 small units will attack anyway. All my dive bombers placed in the southern China hav been ordered to support the attack hitting the chinese...hope the weather will be on my side.

Operations at Lanchow proceed without problems ( for the moment).



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Meiktila , at 32,31

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 66

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 8 damaged

Resources hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Meiktila , at 32,31

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 5
B-17E Fortress x 81
LB-30 Liberator x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 3 damaged

Resources hits 37

Aircraft Attacking:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 13,77

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Empire Flint, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 86,102

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 13
G4M1 Betty x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Mount McKinley, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ruth Alexander, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Reliance, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 104,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
D3A Val x 18
B5N Kate x 26

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Duymaer van Twist, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Warrnambool, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 104,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Benkalis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Duymaer van Twist, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Belawan, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 104,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A Val x 36
B5N Kate x 45

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Latouche, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ban Ho Guan
AK Lepus, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Belawan, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Duymaer van Twist, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/19/42

A very disappointing bombardment report[:@]
How in the world my BBs, with Tanaka as leader ( so very very aggressive ) do not hit anything?!?!?! And fire only 3 of the 9 big pieces they have?!?!!? i've reconed the base for ages now.....uffff[:o] These things make me mad.
The good news is that many mines have been destroyed, losing only one MSW.
Tomorrow another bombardment attack...then in 24h we'll start landing.
Nothing more about this theatre except for the fact that recon says 4 units are at baker.....this can be interesting[8D]

In Burma he keeps on pounding my res.
Today was Taung Gyi turn. 40 res. points remaining...tomorrow i'll try to LRCAP here with 25 zeros and 30 oscars...but forecast says rain...so...we'll see.

In China my brave men managed to push back again his attempt to flank Canton. The 23th Army , with only 400 APs is showing to the world what can few brave men do! BANZAI!
In the north...no signs of moving back from his troops....well...i hope for him he will go back to Sining..otherwise he's gonna lose 150,000 men!
4 Brand new divisions are scheldued to come in in China in the next 30 days...very good news

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 11 encounters mine field at Canton Island (100,100) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW W.19
MSW W.18
MSW W.17
MSW W.16
MSW W.15
MSW W.14
MSW W.13
MSW W.9
MSW W.7
MSW W.3, Shell hits 6, on fire


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Chokai
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 9
BB Ise
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported[:o]
Guns lost 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

37 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Atago, Shell hits 6
CA Takao
BB Yamashiro
BB Haruna, Shell hits 6
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
261 casualties reported[:@]
Guns lost 9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 33,31


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 60
LB-30 Liberator x 24


No Allied losses

Resources hits 27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 12,79

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N Kate x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Empire Druid, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,40

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22794 troops, 291 guns, 7 vehicles

Defending force 20241 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Guns lost 7


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

These men are my pride!

[PzB74]

It's possible that your bombardment results depend on how well you have reconed your targets...
No recon = poor results

[TAIL GUNNER]

ORIGINAL: hawker

When I turn on my computer I first look in your reports.Its just great.Keep up good work and smash that imperialist.BANZAI.

GH, you have another Japanese fanboy rooting for you over here too.....and I don't even own this game yet!

Keep fighting the good fight...

Chad

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/20/42

Another disappointing bombardment day.
PzB: i've been reconiing the island for 3 weeks, every single day!!![:(]
BTW, tonight the first landings
2 Divisions ( Imperial and 18th )
1 eng Rgt
4 Arty units
1 Army HQ

In reserve will stay

2 divisions, 1 Eng reg, 1 arty unit and several more Naval units


But the big news of today is Exmouth.
He finally spotted my TFs...and my 2 BBs are lacking of fuel[:(] the supply convoys are late...and this turn Exmouth reached level 4 AF[:(][:(][:(][:(] I'm going to try however.
Tomorrow night a Bombardment TF ( 2 BB,1 CA, 1 CL and 8 DD ) will move at full speed and bombard the base ( hope it will reach it in nightitme, but i hav doubts), followed by 1 CL and 5 DDs as SC TF.
The CVEs and the APs will stay behind, at 3 days of navigation.

If i was him i'd place some b-17 there and wait to see the massacre[:@]
I have to understand that the chances of this operations are 30%, not more at this stage.
I've been an idiot.

Ok, war goes on btw.

At Clark field i have now 2500 APs...enough to move towards Manila.

No air action in Burma due to bad weather.

In China my central defences are in good shape. i hope they'll hold the ground for some more time.
A 50k supply Tf is unloading at Shangai.

Let's cross our fingers and hope our Gods will stay with us in this crucial hour.

BANZAI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Chokai, Shell hits 8
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Yamashiro
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


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

Runway hits 1
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/21/42

Wow...a good day for heart attacks!

Let's start from Canton Isl.
He has a WHOLE division there...and my recon kept saying 5300 men[:@] he has 24,000 men!!!!!
BTW...the first day of landings went prett good. Only 4 ships hit mines and none of them is precious ( 1 Ak, 1 old DD, 1 PC and one PG).
His Marine CD unit was suppressed enough not to bother me much.
I managed to put ashore 54,000 men...but a lot are yet to come!
I managed to obtain only a 1-1 odds....well...tomorrow i'm going to have more men and i'll let my whole BB,CA,CL,DD fleet bombard in liberty[:D]. Plus some 30 kates and 10 vals will ground attack, in order to disable some squads. ( forecast is good, let's hope).
I really do not want to engage my 2 reserve divisions...i need them fresh for the rest of the operation!

At Exmouth....WOW....this is a f**** good bombardment! I really do not understand what has not worked at Canton
Btw: 23 planes destroyed on the ground and the runaway almost disabled![8D]
Tomorrow night we'll start to land...i'm a bit more confident now...let's see what cards does he have there!

No news in China and Burma.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Exmouth, at 11,86


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 6 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed
Martin 139: 2 destroyed
Swordfish: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Hato
DD Hokaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Asakaze
DD Sagiri
DD Ayanami
DD Uranami
DD Yamagumo
CL Kuma
CA Nachi
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
1903 casualties reported[:D][8D]
Guns lost 44
Vehicles lost 11

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 55

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 3
CA Chokai, Shell hits 5
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
361 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3
Port hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Yamashiro
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
254 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
Port hits 2

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Day Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 11,86


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 1
Beaufort V-IX x 1


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Asakaze
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
1 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet

[:D][:D][:D][:D] poor bastards[8D]
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Day Air attack on TF at 12,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
B5N Kate x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Kanlaon II, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Time Surface Combat at 11,85

Japanese Ships
MSW Chitose Maru, Shell hits 1
MSW Eguchi Maru, Shell hits 1
MSW Fuji Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW Senyu Maru #2, Shell hits 1, on fire
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Nishho Maru
PG Shinko Maru #2, Shell hits 1, on fire
PG Taiko Maru
PG Yoshida Maru, Shell hits 1
PG Zuiko Maru

Allied Ships
MSW Cairns, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AK Corregidor, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage

a very funny engagement at Exmouth between my ASW TF and his fleeing ships
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Ground combat at Canton Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 54067 troops, 507 guns, 12 vehicles

Defending force 18584 troops, 220 guns, 3 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
2005 casualties reported
Guns lost 41
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1913 casualties reported
Guns lost 81
Vehicles lost 2

ouch...this small atoll became fast a slaughterhouse
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Ground combat at Canton Island

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14969 troops, 111 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 57330 troops, 438 guns, 8 vehicles

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/22/42

Well, Gentlemen, I'm proud to announce that Canton Island is in our hands. The 24th US division is now marching in captivity along with a Marine CD Bn and a base force. More than 20,000 american POWs[:D]
Losses so far are quite low. 6 planes( 5 op. losses and 1 flak), 3 minor ships ( 1 Ak,2 PCs).
The Divisions that led the assault ( Imperial and 18th ) are in quite a good shape. In 2 weeks they should be ready for Nanoumea atoll.
In the meanwhile the heavy mortars units have been already re-loaded. The new invasion corp is now moving towards Baker Island.
Start lacking in fuel. gotta pay attention.

At Exmouth....oh God! The whole ABDA Army group is there! ( see picture)
Well...the landings went pretty good. My 25th army should be ready to fight...i hope.
Another day or two of landings and then we'll attack! BANZAI!

Storms in China and Burma. No action.





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Naval bombardment of Exmouth, at 11,86


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Hato
DD Hokaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Asakaze
DD Sagiri
DD Ayanami
DD Uranami
DD Yamagumo
CL Kuma
CA Nachi
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
243 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

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Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Hayabusa
DD Hakaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Nagatsuki, Shell hits 2
DD Fumizuki
DD Minazuki
DD Satsuki
DD Asagiri
DD Murakumo
DD Arare
CA Aoba
CA Chokai
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 5

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Naval bombardment of Exmouth, at 11,86


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
CL Nagara


Allied ground losses:
82 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 4

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Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsuharu
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Asashio
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 2
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 3

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Day Air attack on 24th US Division, at 100,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 41
E7K2 Alf x 1

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


Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 10000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
17 x B5N Kate bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B5N Kate bombing at 10000 feet
10 x B5N Kate bombing at 10000 feet
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Ground combat at Canton Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 64439 troops, 573 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 15819 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 46 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Canton Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
1646 casualties reported
Guns lost 33
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
21168 casualties reported[:D][8D][:D][8D][&o]
Guns lost 212

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/23/42

So the day finally came.
The bombing campaign in Northern oz has begun, and it has not been a good awaking[:(]
110 b-17 suddenly appeared over Daily waters. I had 100 fighters there, on 90 CAP, but for some reasons only fragments of my 3 air groups took off. It was a disaster. 11 american bombers shot down, in exchange of 7 jap fighters and above all 30 a/c destroyed on the ground.[:(][:@] The runaway is damaged but still operable. I managed to put there 63 more fighters, but with this new rule there isn't much i can do to stop these huge formations of bombers.......
As usual my Flak was miserable. 2 AA units at Daily and the result was 1 b-17 shot down[:o]
The 11st HQ Air flottilla is comming from Darwin along with some more engeneers.
New supplies have been redirected to Northern Oz.


....and in India there are 400 bombers on the border of Burma...ready to do the same treatement to my AFs[:(]....depressing, as usual

But i have to live with this and carry on.

At exmouth landings keep on going on. In 2 days we'll attack ( as soon as the Supply convoy will arrive ).

We're moving towards Baker, while at Canton my divisions are refitting ans resting.

Placed at Canton 1 CD unit, one AA unit , one small base force, one Constr. unit and 4 SNLF units.Enough.

In China the situation is stable at the moment in the south, while in the north it will still take me 2 weeks before lanunching my Rescue Kampfgruppe to his left flank.




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Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 42

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 106

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 12 destroyed, 19 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 8 destroyed, 77 damaged

Hope all these damaged bombers are really damaged...so i'll have few days for breath again....

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 35

Aircraft Attacking:
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Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,28


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 8
Blenheim I x 16
Blenheim IV x 68
SB-2c x 63


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 53

Aircraft Attacking:

Cannot defend Akyab that became again his training camp.
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