Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

1944 May 08

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got an xAK.

The same but weird in China.

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Ground combat at 65,48 (near Paoshan)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7676 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 146

Defending force 1410 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Allied adjusted assault: 68

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 68 to 1

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

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

Assaulting units:
37th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment


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We also lost about 8x B-25C and 4x SB-III to an LRCAP of a unit that had tested the edge of our lines between China and Burma. We bombed them freely for several days before the intervention.

The Empire sent a large sweep against Bassein, but it fared very badly against a strong CAP led by two P-47D25 groups. See the day's air losses below.

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Afternoon Air attack on Bassein , at 54,52

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 49

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
Spitfire VIII x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 8
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 10
P-51B Mustang x 5
F4U-1A Corsair x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 19000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-422 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
No.152 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
No.615 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
81st FG/92nd FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
311th FBG/529th FBS with P-51B Mustang (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



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The 4EB are ready enough, with between 20 and 30 still undergoing long term maintenance. Tomorrow a total of more than 120x P-47D2 and P-47D25 will sweep Moulmein, and about 186x 4EB, all flying from the Akyab air complex, will hit the airfield. From Moulmein the only rail line leads north to Pegu and Rangoon, so any damaged aircraft will find escape difficult. Moulmein currently recons 61 fighters.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

Rabaul is now secure.

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Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4333 troops, 77 guns, 25 vehicles, Assault Value = 107

Defending force 1138 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 23

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 23 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
23rd Australian Brigade

Defending units:
Kure 5th SNLF


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Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Rabaul

The heavy cruisers are in position so the attack is tomorrow at Manado. Recon of Miri is still paltry, and again only a handful of additional B-29s became ready, but tomorrow will be the first strike on the oil there. Some 66 of them plus any last minute additions will bomb from 12,000 ft. Watampone is under continuous recon by Imperial eye-bots, but in addition to a large compliment of day fighters we have 16 (soon to be 24) night fighters active, and flak at the base is epic (screen flak value = 48).

The 33rd USA Div is being pulled off of Iwo Jima. Engineers will augment the armor and artillery that is still in place. When proper bases forces are on shore (and the bulk of construction units moved out) then permanent defenses will be in place. A batch of 8x new CVE have made it to Truk, but (like the CVL there) they are still training pilots.

Here are today's air losses.

[witpqs]

1944 May 09

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got a TK. We lost a sub.

Same in China - reducing the straggler.

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Ground combat at 65,48 (near Paoshan)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7675 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 146

Defending force 1419 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Allied adjusted assault: 135

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 135 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
225 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
37th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment

Bad weather grounded most of our air offensive against Moulmein. Luckily the Empire continued their own air offensive against Bassein and got mauled in doing so. Perhaps 34 of their fighters at a cost of 6 or 8 between their sweeps and ours.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Manado
Allied Ships Bombarding Woleai
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

The attack at Manado went well enough that I believe the next attack will capture the base. In spite of some disruption in our units, that attack will take place tomorrow.

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Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13618 troops, 190 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 320

Defending force 9473 troops, 91 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 114

Allied adjusted assault: 150

Japanese adjusted defense: 107

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
626 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
314 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Australian Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Regiment

Defending units:
42nd Infantry Regiment
23rd Nav Gd Unit
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
11th Air Flotilla
9th JNAF Coy
53rd JNAF AF Unit


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A total of 45 Oil hits were claimed over Miri for one B-29 lost. All ready B-29s will attack tomorrow, reducing altitude from 12,000 ft to 10,000 ft. We now have good recon of Miri, showing only 2 guns present, and flak was light enough during the attack to make that figure believable.

There are now 102 fighters based at Cagayan, reinforcing the idea that the southern Philippines will be a major point of resistance for the Empire.

Here is the Intel screen. We are still clawing our way back after the fall of Chungking.

[witpqs]

1944 May 10

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got three xAK and an xAP. One of our subs was mauled.

The glorious Chinese Army has eliminated that nasty intruder.

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Ground combat at 65,48 (near Paoshan)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7690 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 146

Defending force 1246 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 65

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 65 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1295 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 83 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
37th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment

The sweeps over Moulmein found no opposition, and the weather allowed the bombers to find their targets. many hits on the base and supplies. Recon says 39% damage to the airbase complex, which is always a low estimate the first day. The 4EB will continue pounding Moulmein with the main objective to destroy supply. The P-47 groups will sweep Chiang Mai tomorrow, where once again Imperial fighters have taken up residence.

The last 1/3 (~Rgt) of 17th Indian Division to upgrade to '44 Indian Infantry Squads also upgraded its mortars, and there are not enough to upgrade the other two Rgts. The division cannot recombine. Based on the production rate, it will be at least two weeks before they can both upgrade, provided no one else sneaks in ahead of them. The 17th is prepared for Pegu, and is intended to march to Ramree Island to be available for the amphibious landing. So the three Rgts will set off and have to upgrade and recombine at Ramree.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Manado

At Manado staff officer Maxwell Smart reports they "missed it by that much!" They will attack again tomorrow.

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Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13386 troops, 190 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 285

Defending force 8949 troops, 90 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Allied adjusted assault: 176

Japanese adjusted defense: 75

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
538 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 9 (7 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Australian Division
2nd Regiment

Defending units:
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
42nd Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
11th Air Flotilla
9th JNAF Coy
23rd Nav Gd Unit
53rd JNAF AF Unit


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The Superforts hit Miri in one cloud, 64 strong, making 59 Oil hits. A total of 2 planes was lost on the day. 62 are still ready and will go tomorrow with any that come ready by then.

The Empire is building an airbase on Tanegashima (106,62). No sign of the Imperial carriers. But what the heck is a "Toko Rocket"???

[BBfanboy]

Toko Rocket is the engine for an aircraft similar to the German Komet rocket powered fighter. The rocket moves them faster than a jet engine but is very short lived and the plane has to make a glider landing. Reportedly the Komet killed more German pilots than it claimed from the Allies. The NE Turbojet would have been a better choice for that engine plant.

[witpqs]

1944 May 11

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Manado

There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs came up empty.

Quiet in China.

Our sweeps over Chiang Mai found empty air. The Imperial airbase complex at Moulmein was hammered again, including at least 7 supply hits.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Woleai
Allied Ships Bombarding Manado
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

Manado is ours.

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Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13356 troops, 190 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 275

Defending force 8332 troops, 83 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Allied adjusted assault: 214

Japanese adjusted defense: 61

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Manado !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1006 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 36 (35 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
31st Infantry Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2nd Australian Division
2nd Regiment

Defending units:
23rd Nav Gd Unit
42nd Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
11th Air Flotilla
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
9th JNAF Coy
53rd JNAF AF Unit


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82 Oil hits at Miri, but a total of 4x B-29 were lost. The crews are getting a little tired and even with many ready aircraft the horde will stand down.

CV Franklin arrived today and is on the way to Pearl Harbor. Basilan (near Jolo) has built a size 1 airfield. Tawi Tawi is not far behind, and soon we will have search into the South China Sea to make our submarines there more effective. It will be a few days before the first air support elements are air lifted into those two bases. Radars and such will follow by sea.

Here is Manado.

[witpqs]

1944 May 12

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs came up empty and one of them got beat up very badly.

Quiet in China.

Lots of hits on Moulmein, 5 of them supply hits.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

4 units were wiped out at Manado, and recon says that 3 remain. I would like to keep attacking there but the troops should have a day of rest instead. A naval bombardment tonight coupled with the aerial bombardments will keep the heat on.

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Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13395 troops, 190 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 279

Defending force 7785 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Allied adjusted assault: 94

Japanese adjusted defense: 21

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
877 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (11 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Australian Division
31st Infantry Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2nd Regiment

Defending units:
42nd Infantry Regiment
23rd Nav Gd Unit
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
11th Air Flotilla
9th JNAF Coy
53rd JNAF AF Unit


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9th JNAF Coy Wiped Out at Manado by attrition!!!
23rd Nav Gd Unit Wiped Out at Manado by attrition!!!
32nd Nav Gsn Unit Wiped Out at Manado by attrition!!!
Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Manado

The Biggest Balls of the Day prize goes to:

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
FM-2 Wildcat x 16
F4U-1A Corsair x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 67

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-17 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VF-34 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VF-40 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VRF-6F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VRF-9F with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
15th FG/45th FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
15th FG/47th FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VC(F)-65 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
VC(F)-68 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes



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

Tokyo has a few AA guns...

[witpqs]

1944 May 13

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got a DD and one of ours subs was battered. Hardhead is in great danger of sinking with 97% flotation damage.

Still quiet in China.

Many hits on Moulmein again.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Woleai
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Manado
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

The escort carriers are leaving Iwo Jima for Guam. The fleet carriers will stand by a little longer, but with the Essex class due for upgrades in June, I'm anxious to see if it's true that they really don't need a shipyard for this one.

Tawi Tawi has built airfield size 1. Air support is finally in range to be flown in starting tomorrow, and Corsairs and Catalinas will be there to greet them. Naval search will almost reach the coast of Indochina and should help our submarines both offensively and defensively. One more day off for the troops at Manado.

There are a lot of tankers observed at Yokohama and at Tokyo.

Running from Soerabaja, I think.

[witpqs]

1944 May 14

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got an xAK, but one was hit for 97% flotation damage and might not make it back.

Quiet in China. There are some indications that more units from the Chungking area are heading toward the front lines in the mountains.

Raids ordered on Pegu in place of Moulmein scrubbed due to weather.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Manado
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

The Empire got feisty in the Java Sea. We probably fended off a bombardment, but it's hard to say if the battlewagons merely came to play with seaborne defenders instead. We lost 2x PT boats and two more are damaged. Two of our destroyers are damaged enough to be swapped out when the flotilla rearms at Kendari. Our torpedo bombers all making it home might give the IJN second thoughts about next time.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kalao at 66,110, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Haruna
DD Niizuki
DD Akebono, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Bagley, Shell hits 2
DD Mugford
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Maury, Shell hits 4, on fire


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 53% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Ralph Talbot at 8,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Ralph Talbot at 8,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Ralph Talbot at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Maury at 4,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Maury at 4,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Ralph Talbot at 4,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Niizuki at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Niizuki at 2,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Maury at 2,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Bagley at 2,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Niizuki at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages DD Maury at 5,000 yards
DD Maury engages BB Kongo at 5,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Akebono at 5,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Akebono at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Ralph Talbot at 14,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Maury at 14,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages DD Mugford at 14,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Niizuki at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kalao at 66,110, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
DD Niizuki
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
PT-120, Shell hits 1
PT-121
PT-122, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PT-123
PT-124
PT-125
PT-126
PT-127
PT-128
PT-129, Shell hits 3, on fire
PT-130, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-131, Shell hits 1, and is sunk


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 42% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Goolsby, L.A. gains tactical advantage
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-131 at 7,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-131 at 7,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages PT-128 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-131 at 8,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages PT-131 at 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-124 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-131 at 7,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages PT-130 at 7,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-131 at 7,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-128 at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-127 at 7,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-124 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-131 at 10,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-130 at 10,000 yards
DD Akebono engages PT-131 at 10,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-128 at 10,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-125 at 10,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages PT-121 at 10,000 yards
Goolsby, L.A. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 12,000 yards
PT-131 sunk by BB Haruna at 12,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-128 at 12,000 yards
DD Akebono engages PT-124 at 12,000 yards
DD Akebono engages PT-128 at 12,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages PT-122 at 12,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages PT-125 at 12,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-122 at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-129 at 14,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-124 at 14,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-120 at 14,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages PT-130 at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-130 at 12,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-128 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-130 at 10,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-129 at 10,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-128 at 10,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages PT-130 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-130 at 8,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-128 at 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-127 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
PT-130 sunk by BB Haruna at 6,000 yards
PT-129 engages BB Haruna at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-129 at 2,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-129 at 2,000 yards
DD Akebono engages PT-129 at 2,000 yards
Massive explosion on PT-129
DD Niizuki engages PT-129 at 2,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-122 at 2,000 yards
PT-120 engages DD Akebono at 2,000 yards
Goolsby, L.A. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-129 at 4,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-128 at 4,000 yards
DD Akebono engages PT-129 at 4,000 yards
PT-126 engages BB Kongo at 4,000 yards
PT-124 engages DD Niizuki at 4,000 yards
BB Kongo engages PT-121 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Akebono engages PT-126 at 11,000 yards
DD Akebono engages PT-124 at 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages PT-123 at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kangean at 59,106

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

CAP engaged:
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes



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

Next attack at Manado tomorrow. A large base force is (slowly) unloading at the damaged port. It looks like Jesselton is being reinforced (USA 32nd ID is fully prepared). Corsairs and Mariners have flown into Basilan and air support will be flown in beginning tomorrow. Air search of the South China Sea will extend as far north as Vigan and as far south as Sambas, and to three hexes off Cam Ranh Bay. We have an AK (with escort) heading to Tawi Tawi but it has been spotted. Tomorrow will be interesting: there are now 23 bombers at Miri, and the B-29s (59 of them ready) will hit the airfield there. Lots of convoy traffic in the South China Sea near to the southern Philippines.

We have SigInt of a JAAF AF Bn and a Port Unit at Tarakan, and continuous recon shows only two units there. The USA 147th Inf Rgt is 53% prepared and will begin loading now at Talaud-eilanden. The first wave will be in 22x APD and 3x fast xAKL. A large landing craft flotilla will follow with the remaining heavy equipment and more supply at a slower pace. A 4x DD TF is already being dispatched to Tawi Tawi and will provide cover to the north. Our air units on Celebes have already made the Makassar Strait unfriendly to the IJN. Air cover will be minimal but adequate to contest long range LBA. The only real threat would be the appearance of IJN carriers in the South China Sea, and we have a substantial submarine contingent there to endanger them (plus 5 more on the way from Babeldaob). BTW there are 23 fighters at Tarakan, and they probably contributed CAP to Miri during the B-29 strikes on oil production there.

SigInt showing a JNAF AF Bn at Jolo couples with recon of a single unit there. The Aus Torres Strait Bn, at Sidate and 47% prepared, will move out as soon as suitable transport is available. Jolo is not critical at this point but already has a larger airfield (size 3) than Tawi Tawi and Basilan, and as an airfield with support in enemy hands right in the middle of our route of advance and future supply line, it must be either actively suppressed or captured.

"5th Tank Regiment is located at 63,61." Redeploying armor to the front in Burma??

[witpqs]

1944 May 15

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got an xAK.

Quiet in China.

Pegu was hit today including a number of supply hits.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Manado
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Woleai
Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate

Miri was spared destruction from the sky today for unknown reasons. Our AK has arrived at Tawi Tawi and is not currently tracked by Imperial naval search. The reduction of hold-outs at Manado continues.

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

Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13486 troops, 190 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 283

Defending force 3136 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Allied adjusted assault: 141

Japanese adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 15 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
295 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2nd Australian Division
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Regiment
46th Construction Regiment
45th Construction Regiment
Clark Field AAF

Defending units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
11th Air Flotilla
53rd JNAF AF Unit


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

The fleet carriers will now retire to Guam from the vicinity of Iwo Jima. The CVL are splitting off there and head to Pearl Harbor for their June upgrades along with four DD that are overdue. The Essex class ships will try to upgrade at Truk and Manus, size 7 ports, as the claim is they need no shipyard for their June upgrades. Likewise for a large number of APA; only three claim to need a shipyard for their April upgrades. BB Massachusetts is heading directly for Pearl Harbor to catch up on her upgrades. Three CVE are setting out for Pearl Harbor to upgrade. Various DD that can upgrade without a shipyard will do so at Guam. Many other DD requiring upgrades are currently escorting amphibs and such but will tend to their upgrades as soon as possible. All these various AA upgrades will be critical for both of the next major ops, aiming toward Okinawa in the north and Cam Ranh Bay in the south. Unfortunately, many CVE do not get their big AA upgrades until the fall. Two of the RN BB are coming up for upgrades in June, but with a 28-day minimum it will be tight to squeeze then into current schedules. I probably will go ahead with them.

Here is the overview map.

[witpqs]

1944 May 16

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got an AO.

Quiet in China, the only bombing being a daily raid by some dive bombers.

Many hits on Pegu.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Manado
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

We now have 458 defensive mines in place at Iwo Jima but there are no ACM in the area so I will have to bring some forward. The last of the combat units (and combat HQ) are now leaving Iwo Jima.

The Fiji Bde is loading at Manus to invade Woleai.

Only the 11th Air Flotilla remains at Manado. They must have been well protected by the others!

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

Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13497 troops, 189 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 284

Defending force 2760 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Allied adjusted assault: 142

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 28 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), morale(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
604 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (10 destroyed, 7 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Australian Division
31st Infantry Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2nd Regiment
46th Construction Regiment
45th Construction Regiment
Clark Field AAF

Defending units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
11th Air Flotilla
53rd JNAF AF Unit


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF Wiped Out at Manado by attrition!!!
53rd JNAF AF Unit Wiped Out at Manado by attrition!!!

No B-29 attack on Miri's airfield again today, extreme overcast reported over the target. Forecast for the region tomorrow is clear weather.

Much of the Empire's traffic in the South China Sea under our search umbrella yesterday has scampered away.

[BBfanboy]

Looks like you need Groot Natoena to extend that search. Nothing like torpedo armed Cats to give the IJN pause. Against soft skinned stuff they can do pretty good with bombs too!

[witpqs]

Some of my search pilots/crews are trained in search and ASW. Mostly I use the same 'pool' as for DB, so I train to 50 in Search, 50 in ASW, >60 in NavB, and ~50 in Ground. Obviously some get a lot better. I used some Cat groups early on to train TB crews, but those guys (electrons? [:D]) are long gone on to TB duty. The USN just doesn't get enough training resources in the early game (not complaining!) and has to deal with a flood of groups in the mid and late game (sure as hell not complaining!!!). Besides, torpedoes are not available at many of the smaller bases where Cats and the later flying boats get stationed.

Tarakan will help move that search a bit farther south when it's up and running. I mean after it's captured. [:D]

[witpqs]

1944 May 17

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got a PB. We lost a sub.

Quiet in China. Tsuyung has made it to fortification level 4 and will stop building and expending supply. Kunming is 3 + 98% and so will stop building shortly.

A bunch of hits on Pegu.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

As fate would have it, or maybe good planning on the part of DAW HQ Convoy Routing Command, many tankers are heading westward away from Tokyo, and most of our subs in the East China Sea are off station for replenishment. Alas, we have lots in the South China Sea where they must also pass.

Our B-29 groups finally went against Miri, but they should have stayed home! We show 14 lost, 8 air to air and 6 to operations. Clearly the first team was at Miri for just that purpose. Pooh! Miri airfield shows as 28% damaged already so presumably is much worse off.

Manado is secured. The first wave (APD + fast xAKL) is on the way to Tarakan, now just past Manado. The second wave is heading to Manado to meet up with LST that will milch cow the smaller landing craft and provide a big gulp of supply. There are now Imperial fighters at Jolo! Naval bombardments will be dispatched. The Torres Strait Bn is beginning to load at Sidate. A B-24 raid hit Tarakan, including roughing up the George fighters there but the P-38 sweep did not appear.

Here are today's air losses. The Tojo and Helen losses were all at Miri from the B-29 raids.

[witpqs]

1944 May 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Our subs got a TK. One of our subs got hit hard.

Quiet in China. Fortifications at Kunming are now at level 4 and building will stop.

Same in Burma.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Woleai
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

The first Kamikaze attack of the war! It seems that the Emperor couldn't wait for flight decks to smash, and went for a destroyer instead!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tawi Tawi at 72,90

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Yarnall, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar flying as kamikaze

CAP engaged:
VMF-115 with F4U-1A Corsair (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead



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

In addition to downing most of the attacking squadron (probably 10), our B-24 jocks destroyed at least 2 on the ground. BTW, Tawi Tawi does have a working radar, but the enemy airfield being two hexes away makes interception tough. The naval bombardments of Jolo will go in tonight because there is nothing like closing the barn door after the horse has left. Well, there is 1 fighter/kamikaze left there.

Our P-38 sweep finally hit Tarakan, and with the B-24s got a majority of the George fighters there. See the air losses below. The Tarakan invasion force will arrive of the beaches tonight - 4 hexes out and switching to full speed of 7 hexes per phase - and is undetected. The B-29 groups are ordered to hit Miri airfield again tomorrow to support the invasion of Tarakan. The fighter count at Miri is only 5 but the 9 bombers there could cause trouble on the beach. The airfield at Miri might be closed for offensive missions but I don't want to take a chance on recon accuracy (recon = 48% for a size 3 airfield).

Here are today's air losses.

[witpqs]

Here is today's ship loss.

[witpqs]

1944 May 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Siaoe

There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:
Sansapor
Tarakan

Our subs came up empty.

China is still quiet. The 6th New Chinese Corp arrived at Lashio, a well-supplied place to get fat and happy.

We have been moving many units back and forth between the front lines in Burma and bases just to the rear where they can upgrade squads. Today the last Indian unit outside of Ceylon upgraded to '44 Indian infantry squads, and the units on Ceylon will do so over the next three days. Coincidentally, the Empire felt the need to take a snapshot of our forces at Rangoon, possibly due to all the confusing movement.

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

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4062 troops, 47 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 1379

Defending force 57177 troops, 869 guns, 782 vehicles, Assault Value = 1792

Japanese ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
16th Garrison Unit
21st/B Division
47th Infantry Regiment
3rd/B Division
1st RTA/A Division
63rd Inf Group Brigade
3rd/C Division
114th Infantry Regiment
1st RTA/B Division
28th Army
20th AA Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
62nd JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
3rd Cavalry Regiment
23rd LRP Brigade
16th LRP Brigade
Americal Infantry Division
14th LRP Brigade
25th Indian Division
45th Indian Brigade
72nd British Brigade
5th Indian Division
XV Indian Corps


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

That 1,792 AV is misleading. Another 120 AV is heading back to Rangoon from Bassein now, but at Prome there are another 1,410 AV prepared for Rangoon. Those forces include a large mass of tanks. They will leave Prome in time to arrive at Rangoon just before (to allow for delay) the invasion arrives at Pegu. D-Day is not yet set but is drawing much nearer.

Allied bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Jolo
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Jolo
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

The Woleai invasion will land tomorrow with bombardments by the 3x CL group that has been doing so every other day for a while and by North Carolina and Washington. The battleships will then rearm at Guam and join the fleet carriers in the Celebes Sea. Woleai itself was reconnoitering with over 6,000 troops and looked substantially defended overall, but has declined amazingly. There was no noticeable change in troop strength until a few weeks ago and then only a slight change. Over the past two weeks the situation has changed drastically, with troop strength now seen a little over 1,300! I feel sure they are out of range for any air lift and no submarine sightings have been made in the area. In any event the well prepared NZ Bde will likely crush the remaining resistance in a major anticlimax.

The skies over Tawi Tawi were teeming with kamikazes today but all missed their marks. Naval bombardments of Jolo helped as it looks like the Empire sent in more one-shot warriors. Our Corsairs did a remarkable job despite being seriously attrited by a sweep of Georges.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Jolo at 74,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 8 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Boston
DD Stembel
DD Lewis Hancock

Japanese ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 4

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Boston
CA Boston firing at Jolo
DD Stembel firing at Jolo
DD Lewis Hancock firing at Jolo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Jolo at 74,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Stugots

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 2

CL Stugots firing at Jolo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tawi Tawi at 72,90

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 90 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VMF-115 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 14 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tawi Tawi , at 72,90

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 36

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 19000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-115 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 14 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tawi Tawi at 72,90

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 8
N1K1-J George x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Sjobris
AM Strahan

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VMF-115 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes



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

There are 104 fighters at Cagayan and they've been there for a while. It's not entirely clear from the combat animations that Cagayan's fighters swept Tawi Tawi but they could certainly be a factor in the coming battles. Talaud-eilanden airfield has maxed out at size 8, and 4x mixed B-24 groups will hit Davao airfield (size 2 and empty) both to suppress it and to draw CAP from Cagayan. A P-38 group will sweep Davao. Cotabato, similarly size 2 and empty of planes, will be hit soon.

Miri airfield was put out of business today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 8 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

The B-29 crews have little fatigue and will hit Banjermasin airfield tomorrow. It's size 3, empty of planes and with few guns should be an easy mission. The objective is to take away the opportunity to pop in some kamikazes for use against Allied navies operating to the north.

Kendari airfield has maxed out at size 8, allowing the arrival of more B-24J groups that will join in the suppression of Tarakan airfield. We took a lot of disabled squads/devices at Tarakan owing to being only 53% prepared. Still plenty to do the job, although with 20% disruption and only a modest supply base we will wait for disruption to drop. C-47 and PB2Y groups will fly in supply while the slow landing craft convoy makes its way forward. There might be a fly in the ointment...

Here you see a group of IJN carriers heading directly into our submarine trap. Our fleet carriers are heading west from Guam to potentially meet them in the Celebes Sea. The escort carriers will lag behind and aim to arrive just east of Manado. All carriers at Guam took replacements for air groups and pilots as needed to fill up after operational attrition. The second wave for Tarakan will move along the northern coast of Celebes and pause. The invasion convoy for Jolo will move part way (also from Manado) and halt pending developments.

[witpqs]

Another force heading in, this one of unknown composition.

[witpqs]

Our first look at Nagoya.

[BBfanboy]

That three ship convoy is likely DDs - anything bigger is too vulnerable to air attack while DDs have a chance to dodge. I bet he is hoping to catch an amphib TF with weak escort.

[witpqs]

I figured surface ships too, but I didn't think of DDs only. At Basilan he might catch a ~2,000 ton AK with either an SC or AM escort. I have a 2x DD TF headed there but they might not make it tomorrow. The sighting is 10 hexes away so I am not sure if they will try to make it in tonight, go for a daylight raid tomorrow, or pause and aim for tomorrow night (in which case my DDs will arrive).

At Tawi Tawi, which he has shown more interest in, the xAKL convoy should be able to finish unloading and be away after one phase. Maybe not... I did not check the distance from Tawi Tawi to the sighting. At any rate I have the single DD TF from Tarakan heading back to Tawi Tawi (the other DD was lost to the first Kamikaze attack).

At Tarakan itself, the fast xAKL with the APD have only a tiny bit more supply to unload and then will make full speed toward the northern arm of Celebes and then Manado. The IJN carriers can reach 8 hexes of them at Tarakan only by getting within a hex of the opposite coast of Borneo, and that is where the additional submarine patrols have arrived on patrol. Even if they just pass through toward the Sulu Sea the subs are in position to intercept. We'll see! In any event our APD/fast xAKL should be cleanly away. One APD that grounded is heading away on its own but should make plenty of speed.