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Posted: **Thu Jan 22, 2015 2:10 am**

1944 May 24

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:

There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:
Jolo

Our subs came up empty.

Quiet in China.

Pegu hit from the air again.

Allied naval bombardments.

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

About 1/3 of the troops and equipment are ashore at Jolo (the convoy arrived late in the day) but have 35% disruption from being cooped up in those landing craft for so long and only 51% prepared for the target. They would normally wait to recover before attacking, but recon has been showing <1,000 enemy troops with no guns and no vehicles. There was certainly no resistance to the landing.

The city strike on Batavia was grounded due to weather. We'll see if they go tomorrow.

Today's kamikaze strike was handled much better, even though about 3/4 dozen or so of the escort carriers had their fighters on training. Doh! That did still leave about 17 or 18 CVE with fighters on duty.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 73,91

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
FM-2 Wildcat x 20
F4U-1A Corsair x 25
F6F-3 Hellcat x 304

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 15 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-17 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-34 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 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 34 minutes
VF-40 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 27 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 23 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VF-10 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VC(F)-21 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 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
VC(F)-33 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 28 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 13 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes

Training flight from VC(F)-21 has been caught up in attack

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This defense was possibly aided by the sweeps and strikes on Cagayan, which might have kept the Imperial fighters too busy to provide escort. Later, a conventional strike from Ilolio came in against a surface action group just to the north.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Tapul at 73,90

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

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

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K1-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola

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

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, 2 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 8 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, 2 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 1 minutes
VF-40 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 8 minutes
VF-1 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-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 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 10 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers

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The attacks on Cagayan went well. Three out of four of the P-38 squadrons made their attacks before the bombers, the last at the end of the day. The first three groups took losses but did their job of paving the way for the bombers. The airfield was hit hard and already shows 34% damage and only 20 fighters remaining. The bombers will go again tomorrow but the fighters will rest.

Here are today's air losses. The Georges over Cagayan outdid the P-38s by a wide margin but they still did their job.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:04 am**

1944 May 25

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:

There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:
Jolo

Our subs came up empty. But their subs got a CVE.

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Sub attack near Jolo at 73,91

Japanese Ships
SS RO-101, hits 4

Allied Ships
CVE St. Lo, Torpedo hits 1
DE England
DD Helm
DD Sims

SS RO-101 launches 2 torpedoes at CVE St. Lo
RO-101 diving deep ....
DD Helm fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Sims attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sims fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sims fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sims attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sims fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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See St Lo's status pic below. Stunningly, she broke out into an escort TF with no escort and set course for Tarakan! One of the the three-DD ASW TFs (with full racks) is on the way to ward her, and her course has been changed for Manado by a slightly circuitous route.

Quiet in China.

Air strikes on Pegu continue (for targeting supply).

Allied naval bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Cotabato
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Zamboanga
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

The attack at Jolo was a bust in spite of all the troops getting ashore with ample supply. No real casualties, but disruption is up to 45% so they will recover before attacking again.

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Ground combat at Jolo (74,90)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1207 troops, 18 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Defending force 584 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 14

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

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

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

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

Assaulting units:
Torres Strait Battalion

Defending units:
8th JNAF Coy

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Lots of effective air strikes on Cagayan with many of the remaining Imperial death gliders destroyed on the ground, where they belong. See the day's air losses below.

The B-29 strikes on industry at Batavia flew today.

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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 42

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 203
Fires 36720

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

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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 19

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 90
Fires 53040

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 29
Fires 58395

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Aerial recon of Batavia shows no industry destroyed. Is this normal? I have no experience with Manpower attacks. See the recon of Batavia below. DL is currently low.

Here are today's air losses.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:05 am**

Here is St Lo. Not sure what happened with the game engine that she sped (or limped) off alone.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:05 am**

Here is Batavia.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 2:21 am**

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Here is Batavia.

How do you know there was no damage to industry? Did you see the same figures before the attack? HI 22 seems like an odd figure - makes me think it is a remnant after the fires.
If there was indeed no industry destroyed I would put it down to the fires not being big enough to burn for days. This is when the industry damage seems to mostly take place.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 2:55 am**

I did look before, but I neglected to record/screenshot it. I'm pretty sure these are the original figures, but if they're not then I think it odd that there is no industry damage (no figures in parentheses). I'm hoping that the problem is that recon didn't go well.

The fires shown for the attacks - probably heavy FOW - were 36720, 53040, and 58395. I don't know how those are reported, so I am assuming that each one is "current", meaning fires observed burning at that time (as opposed to adding up 36,720, 53,040, and 58,395 to get 148,155). So 58,395 were burning after the last attack, and 22,900 from the mouse-over (combination of all sources: recon, Intel, etc.) at the end of the day. Will that destroy any industry? Are my assumptions correct about the way that fires are reported? Using Manpower attacks is totally new to me.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 11:08 am**

I believe you are correct with your observations concerning the fires, it shows cumulative fires. I do not think sans FOG that you damaged any industry yet. The fires are still burning though. The damage to man power says they can produce nothing until replaced. I wish I knew how long that takes. I have only staged five raids by B29 in three games so I am a novice as well particularly as I had to go after "B" targets also. I do know I reduced Rangoon to ashes in one raid and could not touch a Chinese cities industry in two raids.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:43 pm**

Thanks. I'm a little unsure about the Manpower being needed to produce anything because some bases have other industry but no Manpower at all. I thought that hitting Manpower was the way to start fires to destroy any/all industry.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 5:43 pm**

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Thanks. I'm a little unsure about the Manpower being needed to produce anything because some bases have other industry but no Manpower at all. I thought that hitting Manpower was the way to start fires to destroy any/all industry.

Yes. This is it.

In my experience from the other side hit only Tokyo and Kyoto if at all possible. The big manpower in those bases starts bigger fires and there is a lot of stuff to burn down in each.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 5:58 pm**

Ah. OK. I was hitting Batavia Manpower just to try it out since I have no direct experience with how well it works, but it's a poor testing location because of the small Manpower industry size.

This first model of B-29 can only hit the Home Islands at extended range, so I figure they will have higher ops losses, plus the same combat losses, all for 1/2 the damage potentially done. So I would like to use them to get some things done rather than fritter them away early. Of the HI bases I have under recon (not many so far) I think Nagoya was the one with little or no fighter presence. Might be worth hitting there just to make certain that fighter presence in the HI is kept high (and correspondingly lower elsewhere).

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2015 7:32 pm**

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Ah. OK. I was hitting Batavia Manpower just to try it out since I have no direct experience with how well it works, but it's a poor testing location because of the small Manpower industry size.

This first model of B-29 can only hit the Home Islands at extended range, so I figure they will have higher ops losses, plus the same combat losses, all for 1/2 the damage potentially done. So I would like to use them to get some things done rather than fritter them away early. Of the HI bases I have under recon (not many so far) I think Nagoya was the one with little or no fighter presence. Might be worth hitting there just to make certain that fighter presence in the HI is kept high (and correspondingly lower elsewhere).

Someone (likely Spruance or Wargamr) used their B-29s at night to take out airfields that had lots of aircraft on them. Destroyed a lot of aircraft and subsequently could even try daylight raids.
In a Downfall game I sent B-29s at night in a port raid on Nagaoka on the north coast and sank five or six carriers, a couple of BBs, and dozens of lesser vessels.

Point is - if reaching industry is too great a stretch/ops loss risk, you should consider what other things are closer/less risky.

Posted: **Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:27 am**

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Ah. OK. I was hitting Batavia Manpower just to try it out since I have no direct experience with how well it works, but it's a poor testing location because of the small Manpower industry size.

This first model of B-29 can only hit the Home Islands at extended range, so I figure they will have higher ops losses, plus the same combat losses, all for 1/2 the damage potentially done. So I would like to use them to get some things done rather than fritter them away early. Of the HI bases I have under recon (not many so far) I think Nagoya was the one with little or no fighter presence. Might be worth hitting there just to make certain that fighter presence in the HI is kept high (and correspondingly lower elsewhere).

If you hit other areas and your HRs allow, hit factories directly in places like Nagoya. It'll damage more factory points in one shot, whereas fires will spread damage over many industries, resources and things you don't care quite as much about. Jocke was extremely good against me in hitting all of the modern fighter factories and some of the better NF factories. He also picked his spots for fighters to the point I had to use supporting CAP at 3-4 hex range in multiple bases, which of course increases pilot and airframe fatigue.

Hit direct where he's not, but for the big bang, burn down Tokyo and Kyoto.

Posted: **Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:29 am**

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Ah. OK. I was hitting Batavia Manpower just to try it out since I have no direct experience with how well it works, but it's a poor testing location because of the small Manpower industry size.

This first model of B-29 can only hit the Home Islands at extended range, so I figure they will have higher ops losses, plus the same combat losses, all for 1/2 the damage potentially done. So I would like to use them to get some things done rather than fritter them away early. Of the HI bases I have under recon (not many so far) I think Nagoya was the one with little or no fighter presence. Might be worth hitting there just to make certain that fighter presence in the HI is kept high (and correspondingly lower elsewhere).
Someone (likely Spruance or Wargamr) used their B-29s at night to take out airfields that had lots of aircraft on them. Destroyed a lot of aircraft and subsequently could even try daylight raids.
In a Downfall game I sent B-29s at night in a port raid on Nagaoka on the north coast and sank five or six carriers, a couple of BBs, and dozens of lesser vessels.

Point is - if reaching industry is too great a stretch/ops loss risk, you should consider what other things are closer/less risky.

Yeah, and even merchies are quite useful in late war Japan as that's where most of the remaining fuel for ships to use is stored. I had hundreds and fuel cows in well protected portsand when the BBs were doing daily bombardments they filled up from those ships, not from port, so that the mainland fuel could be used for industry.

Posted: **Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:36 am**

1944 May 26

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.

Quiet in China.

Pegu bombed for supply hits again.

Allied naval bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Haha-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

There was this little bonus to covering the convoys at Tarakan.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Miri at 64,87

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 22
SBD-3 Dauntless x 6

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
TK Yuho Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Hishi Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring TK Hishi Maru #2

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There are still a few ships there so perhaps another attack tomorrow. The troops at Jolo are down to 16% disruption in only one day! They'll wait another, then attack the following day.

SigInt indicates that the Empire is reinforcing Luzon.

Batavia recon is still on the lamb but we know they are putting out the fires.

Posted: **Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:58 am**

1944 May 27

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 and an AO. The xAK was a little south of Toyohara, and there is currently major convoy traffic moving both east and west through there. A sub sighted a CV just west of Formosa and moving southeast.

Quiet in China.

Pegu struck again for supply hits, but they were in short supply today. Nyuk, nyuk.

Allied naval bombardments.

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

The airbase at Iloilo was hit hard but it was very costly.

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Morning Air attack on Iloilo , at 79,84

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 16

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 11
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Genzan Ku S-1/B with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Hosho-1 with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Iloilo , at 79,84

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 53 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 7

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Genzan Ku S-1/B with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
Hosho-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Iloilo , at 79,84

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Genzan Ku S-1/B with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Hosho-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Iloilo , at 79,84

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
56th Sentai/A with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

Training flight from 56th Sentai/A has been caught up in attack

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Iloilo , at 79,84

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

A total of 17x 4EB went down, most of them there or on the way home. It is also observed that Cagayan airbase is repairing at a fairly fast pace, now 74% damaged. The 22nd Base Group is fully unloaded at Tarakan along with a batch of supplies. The rest of the 147th IR has arrived on landing craft and will unload tonight. Naval search begins flying from Tarakan tomorrow with the transfer of the PBY squadron from nearby Tawi Tawi. The carriers are heading southeast and across the Celebes Sea to thwart the submarines chasing them. CVE St Lo - with a suitable escort! - is almost to Manado. She will wait there to pump out temporary flooding then head for points east. The Torres Strait Bn is down to 7% disruption and will attack the base at Jolo tomorrow. A 4x CA TF will bombard and an attack bomber group will make strikes in support.

I have a feeling that troops are being flown out of cut-off Ulithi, and fast. Until recently there were always more than 6,000 troops seen there. Yesterday maybe 1,400. Today 940.Naval search over the entire region is quite good, so even submarines would likely have been spotted and there haven't been any. A group of DB has been hitting the place every day, but damage has been very light. Some Corsairs will LRCAP from Yap 2 hexes away and see what happens.

Two pieces of bad news.

Previous report of sinking of CL Agano incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of DD Wakazuki incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service

Here are today's air losses. Steep!

Posted: **Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:59 am**

Here is the current status of Batavia. We need additional successful recon flights to get a better picture but this is something.

Posted: **Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:46 pm**

1944 May 28

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:
Jolo

There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:

There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:

Our subs got two xAK and an E. Both of the xAK were up near Toyohara.

Quiet in China.

More air strikes on Pegu.

Allied naval bombardments.

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

Jolo is both captured and secured.

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

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA Pensacola
CA Chester
CA Northampton

Japanese ground losses:
347 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17
Port hits 13

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Salt Lake City
CA Salt Lake City firing at Jolo
CA Pensacola firing at Jolo
CA Chester firing at Jolo
CA Northampton firing at Jolo

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

Ground combat at Jolo (74,90)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1252 troops, 18 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Defending force 339 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 21

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Jolo !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Torres Strait Battalion

Defending units:
8th JNAF Coy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8th JNAF Coy Wiped Out at Jolo by attrition!!!

I showed the bombardment because sometime during the night the IJN showed up trying to get at the convoy which left at sunset!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 74,90

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 6

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranui
DD Onami

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 74,90

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 22
F6F-3 Hellcat x 24
SBD-5 Dauntless x 26

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Onami, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Shiranui, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Hayanami

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Onami

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 74,90

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranui, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Shiranui

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

Our 4EB had another tough day in the air over little Iloilo, and the Imperial death gliders even contested the skies over Cotabato. I'm not sure where the fighters over Cotabato came from. See the air losses below. The B-24 groups will hit the same targets tomorrow, while P-38s sweep both. The B-29s have been ordered to hit Cagayan, which is showing 52% damage and can support CAP again (although recon shows no aircraft).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Iloilo , at 79,84

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4
B-24J Liberator x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-1/C with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
13th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Iloilo , at 79,84

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
13th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cotabato , at 78,90

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-316 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (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 19000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cotabato , at 78,90

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-316 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cotabato , at 78,90

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 16
F4U-1 Corsair x 17

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-316 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes

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

First day of recon shows Balabac empty. We might get a look at Puerto Princesa tomorrow. The 49th Australian Bn, 69% prepared will load for Balabac after transport arrives tomorrow, APD and fast xAKL. The 15th NZ Bde is 91% prepared for Puerto Princesa and we are sending transport to get them. The USA 158th IR is almost ready for Balikpapan and will be transported to Samarinda along with supply and engineers to get that base operational. Madjene has a size 1 airfield and 32 air support in place.

The 8th NZ Bde has begun their march from Sansapor to Sorong to clean out that nest. A number of 2EB groups in the area that have been focusing elsewhere will now concentrate on the airfield at Ternate, which has repaired to 22% damage. Recon shows 11 auxiliary type aircraft there. The USA 147th Rgt has begun marching from Tarakan to Tandjoengselor to crush the remnants of the Tarakan defenders.

The need to upgrade the Essex CV AA suite in June is really a check on our momentum, but with kamikazes active it's just a necessity.

Here is a look at Jolo. Two of our DD ASW TF have received surface combat orders and will try and run down the interlopers. Meanwhile a convoy with engineers and support troops is two days out from Jolo.

Posted: **Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:46 pm**

Today's air losses.

Posted: **Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:47 pm**

Another look at Batavia, for comparison.

Posted: **Wed Feb 04, 2015 5:49 pm**

1944 May 29

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.

Quiet in China.

Pegu struck again with good supply hits today. There are IJN carriers at Tavoy, see below for further discussion.

Allied naval bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Haha-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan

One of those Imperial DD was caught in the Sulu Sea.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 74,90, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Onami, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Charrette
DD Cony, Shell hits 1
DD Dashiell

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 50% moonlight: 8,000 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
Early, A.R. crosses the 'T'
DD Dashiell engages DD Onami at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Dashiell engages DD Onami at 4,000 yards
DD Charrette engages DD Onami at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Dashiell engages DD Onami at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Dashiell at 5,000 yards
DD Cony engages DD Onami at 5,000 yards
Kenjo, H. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Dashiell at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Dashiell engages DD Onami at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Cony at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Dashiell at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Charrette engages DD Onami at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Charrette at 11,000 yards
DD Charrette engages DD Onami at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Dashiell at 8,000 yards
DD Charrette engages DD Onami at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Cony at 9,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Charrette at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Dashiell engages DD Onami at 10,000 yards
DD Cony engages DD Onami at 10,000 yards
DD Charrette engages DD Onami at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Cony engages DD Onami at 8,000 yards
DD Charrette engages DD Onami at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Dashiell engages DD Onami at 13,000 yards
DD Charrette engages DD Onami at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Busuanga at 77,81

Japanese Ships
DD Onami, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Shad

SS Shad launches 2 torpedoes

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

Sweeps over Iloilo were very effective, and the bombing raids had an easy time but made few hits. Between the sweeps and destruction on the ground it was a bad day for the Imperial fighters there. First recon of Puerto Princesa, albeit with weak DL, shows it to be ungarrisoned. Our carriers are next to Sangi and seem to be undetected. They will move next to Jolo tomorrow as a convoy with support troops arrives there to make the base operational. The 49th Aus Bn is loading at Talaud-eilanden for Balabac. Transport of forces for Puerto Princesa and Balikpapan will be in place in two days.

Ternate airfield was hit, and AA guns are still active there. It will take a few days to rightly put the airbase out of business again. Still 14 Fires burning at Batavia, but no further damage to industry. There are a few APA upgraded already, and a larger batch will finish upgrades at Truk in 2 days. They will all head west to support current operations. Before the Essex carriers retire for their AA upgrades we will carry out the invasions of Balabac, Puerto Princesa, transport of forces to Samarinda for Balikpapan, the invasions of Kudat and Jesselton, and transport of support troops to those bases.

Better recon shows Ulithi with more than 6,000 troops, so no dastardly covert evacuation had taken place.

See the pic below of Imperial carriers at Tavoy. So why are they there?
- Escort a withdrawal of key ground assets.
- Conduct a raid against supply shipping in the Bay of Bengal.
- Conduct a preemptive raid against allied naval/shipping assets in/around Ceylon.
- Conduct a raid against Allied naval assets at Ramree Island.
- Defend against an anticipated Allied amphibious operation.

I consider the first and last possibilities on the list most likely. I've been looking at roughly two weeks from now to start loading up units for Pegu, but I would like to get the invasion in before a withdrawal begins. I want to trap in place as many troops as possible, or at the least make them move overland with all that implies. All the subs in theater (oops - make that "theatre") that are not already on station in the Andaman Sea are being surged there, save one in dry dock at Bombay. O19 and O20 will speed to Tavoy to lay mines.

Regarding the Pegu operation itself, the infantry divisions at Prome need about 10 days to get to Rangoon, the armour there obviously less. They will start moving soon. The two divisions at Ramree Island (for Pegu) have rebuilt, which will slow down accepting replacements but those can be used elsewhere. Some of the various Bns and Rgts at Madras and Calcutta will still be below strength when they embark. Units currently at Calcutta are loading for staging at Ramree Island.

Two RN carriers arrive at Karachi and Colombo in 13 days, but it's best not to wait for them. Even though it seems our ships will be steaming into kamikaze and carrier attacks. Of course, there is the possibility that Allied actions in the Sulu Sea will pull those enemy carriers back to the Pacific.

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