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

[witpqs]

1944 June 07

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:
Puerto Princesa
Pegu
Moulmein

Our subs did not score, and one got beat up pretty badly in the Andaman Sea. HMS Stoic is heading for Ramree Island.

Quiet in China.

Noisy as all get out in Burma. The troops began landing in the afternoon and already have superiority at Pegu. With plenty more to unload tomorrow the first attack - ordered for tomorrow - should go well and Valiant and Queen Elizabeth will bombard tonight to keep the buggers up worrying. Only the LSI(L) unloaded completely. They have been merged into the convoy from Madras that carried the USMC division, a Bde and others. The LST will probably finish unloading at night and so have been merged into another convoy from Madras, which carries the African Division and Bde, and the armour. At Moulmein we also have more troops to unload but already have plenty to hold the beachhead against the enemy forces present.

SW of Toungoo the massive Imperial formation is now seen moving SE, clearly anticipating the worst. It's doubtful that we can cut off that formation so we will try to make their retreat as painful as possible with attacks that take advantage of their lack of fortifications while moving. The stack has mostly scouted as ~90,000 troops in recent weeks. The hex it is in has a stacking limit of 80,000, and the hex it is heading toward has a limit of 30,000 with ~9,000 troops already there. The Imperials just might get a dose of what the Chinese Army was faced with during its retreat.

There are several Imperial TF or convoys near Tavoy but no carriers sighted. In spite of everything it seems that we have achieved tactical surprise. Our convoy at Moulmein, the most vulnerable, was not attacked. The mass of ships at Pegu was attacked by dive bombers with strong escort. All attackers were destroyed or turned back.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Pegu at 55,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 28
N1K1-J George x 10

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 13
Hellcat I x 2
Seafire IIC x 2
Martlet II x 4
Wildcat V x 8
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
Spitfire VIII x 10
P-38J Lightning x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 4
P-40N5 Warhawk x 12
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12
P-51A Mustang x 3
P-51B Mustang x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 12 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wildcat V: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-51A Mustang: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-1 FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.834 Sqn-FF-2 FAA with Wildcat V (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 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
No.898 Sqn FAA with Wildcat V (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
No.1830 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1833 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1836 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (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
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1839 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (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
No.1844 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (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 15 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.11 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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
No.60 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (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 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.134 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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
1 planes vectored on to bombers
33rd FG/58th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
33rd FG/59th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
33rd FG/60th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
80th FG/90th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
81st FG/92nd FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
51st FG/26th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (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 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-422 with F4U-1A Corsair (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.79 Sqn RAF with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



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The bombardments of Tavoy were stunning for the limited resources available. The Imperials seemed to have their aircraft lined up along the beach to be washed! Tavoy scouts as 33% damaged with only 15 fighters, compared to about 66 yesterday.

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Night Naval bombardment of Tavoy at 54,60

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 10 damaged
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Kenya

Japanese ground losses:
234 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16

CL Kenya firing at Tavoy


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Night Naval bombardment of Tavoy at 54,60

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Caradoc

Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7

CL Caradoc firing at Tavoy


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Night Naval bombardment of Tavoy at 54,60

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 23 damaged
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 4 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 14 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Newcastle
CL Newfoundland
CL Gambia

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24
Port fuel hits 1

CL Newcastle firing at Tavoy
CL Newfoundland firing at Tavoy
CL Gambia firing at Tavoy


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Here is what our troops are facing at Pegu and Moulmein.

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Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7729 troops, 54 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 271

Defending force 20034 troops, 270 guns, 195 vehicles, Assault Value = 724

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
78th Infantry Regiment
38th/A Division
1st RTA/C Division
21st Fld AA Gun Co
35th Fld AA Gun Co

Defending units:
5307th Composite Rgt /2
1st Burma Bn /1
28th (East African) Bde /1
17th Indian Div /1
4th Marine Div /1
18th Cavalry Rgt /1
4th Burma Bn /1
5th Burma Bn /1
2nd British Division
82nd (West African) Div /1
2/15 Punjab Bn /1
Lushai Bde /1
I Aus Corps Engr Bn /1
11th PAVO Rgt /1
122nd British AT Rgt /1
88th Medium Rgt /1


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Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5822 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 250

Defending force 3789 troops, 20 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 179

Assaulting units:
4th RTA Division
21st Air Flotilla
26th Fld AA Gun Co
13th Field Construction Battalion

Defending units:
13th Burma Rifles Bn /2
1st Hyderabad Bn /2
1st Mysore Battalion
BFF Bde /1


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

It looks as though in 3 days the remaining Allied units will be at Rangoon to begin attacking there. A newly seen Imperial unit is between Moulmein and Pegu, but no detailed information. On the theory that it could be an armoured unit repositioning from China, the B-24J groups will target it tomorrow to stop it from reaching Pegu before our attack or reduce its effectiveness if it does. The B-24J groups hit troops at Rangoon today but those do not appear to be moving to reinforce Pegu. My guess is that the units at Rangoon and on the two road hexes NE of there will be left to hold until destroyed so as to slow Allied progress.

A montage of the damage inflicted on Imperial ground units at Pegu by air strikes today.

Japanese ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Japanese ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied naval bombardments.

Allied Ships Bombarding Puerto Princesa
Allied Ships Bombarding Babar
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tavoy
Allied Ships Bombarding Tavoy
Allied Ships Bombarding Chichi-jima
Allied Ships Bombarding Tavoy

The attack at Puerto Princesa went well and will continue tomorrow.

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Ground combat at Puerto Princesa (73,83)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4499 troops, 43 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Defending force 1255 troops, 0 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 33

Japanese adjusted defense: 10

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
15th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
54th Const Co
56th Construction Battalion


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

The entire 158th Rgt is now at Samarinda and will begin marching on Balikpapan. The 8th NZ Bde has reached Sorong and will attack tomorrow. The troops for Jesselton and Kudat are loading at Kendari, meanwhile the carriers are heading for Manado.

Here is the situation in the Andaman Sea.

[witpqs]

Here are today's air losses.

[witpqs]

It will be probably tomorrow before we get the next turn with the results. So here are some questions for prognostication.

1) What will be found to be the fortification level at Pegu?

2) How will the attack at Pegu fare?

3) Will IJN carriers show up to menace the invasion?

[zuluhour]

2 cents:
1.) forts at 3 max, engineers have been busy elsewhere.
2.) M4s in the mix?
3.) he arrives late on day 3 if at all.

[witpqs]

Day three would be nice. Day two could be a pain if Admiral Murphy seizes command! Admiral Wa told me in an email that the carriers were recently up there to provide escort for an important delivery. 4K HD TVs are still in R&D, so I'm thinking maybe things that roll on tracks.

M4's in the mix - if you mean Sherman tanks, yes some. They are on xAP so I really don't know if all will make it ashore, and there is only one unit anyway. Some were already ashore. I put the LSTs in that convoy so they can help after they (hopefully) finish their own unloading early. There's also a unit with scout vehicles, Humbers I think.

Unfortunately, some units did not begin unloading last turn and so there was no fragment on land to receive attack orders. Our three biggest artillery units for sure. Still though, they've got basically 3x Bde and 2x AA units versus our guys with 4x divisions, 3x Bde/Rgt, 5x Bn (one of combat engineers), plus the arty and armour. I'm hoping enough gets ashore that together with the naval bombardment and air strikes we can just capture the place on the first attack. Our LRCAP is all of our best planes so the chance of Imperial air interfering with the ground troops and unloading is pretty minimal. If carriers do show up I think it more likely that our carriers will take a beating, but not the transports.

[witpqs]

Processing now...

[obvert]

Uh oh! Look serious!

[witpqs]

1944 June 08

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Pegu
Puerto Princesa
Sorong

There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:
Pegu
Moulmein

Our subs got an xAK.

Quiet in China.

Burma explodes! Our primary target, Pegu, was taken in a crushing rout. Only about half the troops still afloat yesterday made it onto the beaches today. With the base - which has no port - in our hands there is no telling how long it will take to unload the rest.

Imperial carriers make a grand entrance, hopefully with dry fuel tanks. But in front of them came destroyers, bent on destroying!

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Moulmein at 55,55, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 1
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA London, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CA Suffolk
CA Cumberland
DD Quiberon
DD Queensborough
DD Quilliam

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 92% moonlight: 2,000 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...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Ikura R. crosses the 'T'
CA Cumberland engages DD Shirakumo at 2,000 yards
CA London engages DD Shirakumo at 2,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages CA Cumberland at 2,000 yards
CA London engages DD Fubuki at 2,000 yards
DD Quiberon engages DD Fubuki at 2,000 yards
DD Shirakumo sunk by CA Cumberland at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages CA Cumberland at 4,000 yards
DD Quilliam engages DD Fubuki at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Quiberon engages DD Fubuki at 3,000 yards
CA London engages DD Fubuki at 3,000 yards
DD Quilliam engages DD Fubuki at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Cumberland engages DD Fubuki at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Cumberland engages DD Fubuki at 8,000 yards
CA London engages DD Fubuki at 8,000 yards
DD Queensborough engages DD Fubuki at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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London is limping back to Ramree Island and will make it if she is not targeted in the meantime.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 55,54, Range 4,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo
DD Arare, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 7, and is sunk
BC Renown, Shell hits 1
DD Quickmatch, Shell hits 5
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Relentless, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Roebuck, Shell hits 1

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 92% moonlight: 2,000 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 radar detects Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 4,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 4,000 yards
DD Nenohi launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Quickmatch at 4,000 yards
DD Arare launches Long Lance Torpedoes at BC Repulse at 4,000 yards
DD Nenohi launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Roebuck at 4,000 yards
DD Arare fires at DD Relentless at 4,000 yards
DD Nenohi fires at DD Isaac Sweers at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Nenohi at 2,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Relentless at 2,000 yards
DD Roebuck engages DD Arare at 2,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Relentless at 2,000 yards
DD Arare sunk by DD Quickmatch at 2,000 yards
DD Quickmatch engages DD Nenohi at 2,000 yards
BC Repulse engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Roebuck at 2,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Nenohi at 2,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Quickmatch at 2,000 yards
DD Relentless engages DD Nenohi at 2,000 yards
Magazine explodes on BC Repulse
BC Repulse sunk by DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Roebuck engages DD Nenohi at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
BC Renown engages DD Natsushio at 3,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Roebuck at 3,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Relentless at 3,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Quickmatch at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Relentless at 7,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Isaac Sweers at 7,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Relentless at 7,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Asagumo at 7,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Quickmatch at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Of all the air attacks by both sides, this is the only one that achieved hits.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 55,54

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 25
B6N2 Jill x 33
D4Y1 Judy x 24
D4Y2 Judy x 22

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 56
Hellcat I x 8
Martlet II x 16
Wildcat V x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 9 destroyed, 7 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 12 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y2 Judy: 8 destroyed, 6 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
Wildcat V: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious
CVE Shah, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Begum, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Unicorn
CVE Battler

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.1839 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (1 airborne, 3 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 12 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1844 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
No.898 Sqn FAA with Wildcat V (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1830 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 15 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
19 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1833 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 13 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1836 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 13 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers

Ammo storage explosion on CVE Shah
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Begum


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Shah and Begum are both afloat and in hex with the fleet between Pegu and Moulmein. They are in great danger of followup attacks. The day saw a number of mishaps off the beaches at Pegu, with several ships running aground or striking rocks. One xAP and one LST went down.

Rain is forecast across the region again tomorrow. The light cruisers can make full speed back from Ramree Island but they will not be available before dawn. Renown has almost full ammo but her escorts are in bad shape. Only one even has a working torpedo on board. Richelieu with her two escorts will have to be Johnny on the spot. A short distance away at Moulmein, Cumberland is out of forward main gun ammo and the two escorts have a single torpedo between them. They will tear themselves loose from warding the transports, make a pass through the IJN carriers' position and then head to Ramree Island for rearm. The light cruisers should be on station by then. Richelieu will patrol close to our carriers. While it is possible that the Imperial carriers will retire due to plane losses, they just might send their escorts hunting when they do. Our carriers have only fighters and Albacores, and the carrier with the Albacores has only 4x torpedoes for them. There are still plenty of torpedo armed aircraft on shore, and a squadron of reinforcements was rushed in from training today.

The battle at Pegu was barely even contested, the beachhead at Moulmein is safe, and the Imperial unit SE of Toungoo was sent packing.

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Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7347 troops, 54 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 232

Defending force 44147 troops, 586 guns, 538 vehicles, Assault Value = 1833

Japanese ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
38th/A Division
78th Infantry Regiment
1st RTA/C Division
21st Fld AA Gun Co
35th Fld AA Gun Co

Defending units:
I Aus Corps Engr Bn /1
1st Burma Bn /1
Lushai Bde /1
18th Cavalry Rgt /1
28th (East African) Bde /1
4th Burma Bn /1
4th Marine Division
2nd British Division
5th Burma Bn /1
2/15 Punjab Bn /1
5307th Composite Rgt /2
82nd (West African) Division
17th Indian Division
11th PAVO Rgt /1
2/9th Field Regiment
122nd British AT Rgt /1
8th Mahratta AT Gun Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
88th Medium Rgt /1


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Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44147 troops, 586 guns, 538 vehicles, Assault Value = 1833

Defending force 8547 troops, 79 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 210

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 1141

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 380 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Pegu !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5604 casualties reported
Squads: 226 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 67 (64 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (40 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
280 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th Indian Division
4th Burma Bn /1
4th Marine Division
5th Burma Bn /1
2nd British Division
I Aus Corps Engr Bn /1
1st Burma Bn /1
5307th Composite Rgt /2
2/15 Punjab Bn /1
82nd (West African) Division
18th Cavalry Rgt /1
28th (East African) Bde /1
Lushai Bde /1
11th PAVO Rgt /1
8th Mahratta AT Gun Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
122nd British AT Rgt /1
2/9th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
88th Medium Rgt /1

Defending units:
78th Infantry Regiment
38th/A Division
1st RTA/C Division
21st Fld AA Gun Co
35th Fld AA Gun Co


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Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5825 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 251

Defending force 4945 troops, 33 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 211

Assaulting units:
4th RTA Division
21st Air Flotilla
26th Fld AA Gun Co
13th Field Construction Battalion

Defending units:
1st Hyderabad Battalion
13th Burma Rifles Battalion
BFF Brigade
1st Mysore Battalion


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Ground combat at 57,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3997 troops, 20 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 234

Defending force 288 troops, 29 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 201

Japanese adjusted defense: 10

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Provisionl Tank Brigade
2/17 Dogra Battalion
2nd Burma Brigade

Defending units:
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment


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The question is just when to attack the moving Imperial formations. The two near Toungoo are both powerful, more powerful than the Allied forces facing them. The 2nd British Division is heading from Pegu to the hex between there and Moulmein to make certain that no escape hex side is opened at Pegu (for Imperial units moving from Rangoon). They have switched to preparing for Moulmein. At Moulmein we have only 2 support squads remaining to unload, plus of course as much supply as could be stuffed into all available spaces. Meanwhile the rest of the Rangoon assault force should be on site tomorrow and then attack the day after. Many bomber strikes are going to slow the travel of the ~80,000 or more troops retreating toward that city. We should get our first attack in before many of them arrive.

Allied naval bombardments.

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

Sorong was both taken and secured.

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Ground combat at Sorong (82,107)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4738 troops, 41 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 152

Defending force 800 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 67

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 67 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Sorong !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
45th Field AA Battalion
Sasebo 6th SNLF
21st Infantry Regiment
5th Naval Construction Battalion


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5th Naval Construction Battalion Wiped Out at Sorong by attrition!!!


Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Sorong

Puerto Princesa fell to us as well.

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Ground combat at Puerto Princesa (73,83)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4491 troops, 43 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Defending force 1113 troops, 0 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 67

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Puerto Princesa !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
717 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
54th Const Co
56th Construction Battalion


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Convoys at Samarinda continue to unload without being spotted. Balabac now has a fighter strip and Corsairs have moved in. Two hundred or three hundred fighters on CVE have been upgraded to Hellcats (and one USMC squadron to Corsairs). Fuel (via an AO fleet) is plentiful at Manado but replenishing sorties is not. Luckily most carriers have plenty. The troop convoys for Jesselton and Kudat are leaving Kendari to meet up with the fleet around Manado.

Here is the position of the enemy carriers and ours (near Pegu).

[witpqs]

Here is the condition of the Renown - formerly Renown and Repulse - task force.

[witpqs]

Here are the heavy cruisers off of Moulmein.

[witpqs]

The status of the damaged CVE.

[witpqs]

Today's air losses.

[witpqs]

Today's ship losses.

[witpqs]

Here is the entire combat report for anyone who wants to see it.

[traskott]

The BC hurts...

I would left Begum alone to give the other CVE the chance of escape...

[Lowpe]

Thunderstorms really closed the range at night offsetting the good moonlight. Tough luck.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: traskott

The BC hurts...

I would left Begum alone to give the other CVE the chance of escape...

I thought about that, but didn't pull the trigger on it. Something I didn't think of until now - and should have done - is transfer the two DD to Renown and put the battered DD with the CVE. Pretty sure they all have ASW ammo.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Thunderstorms really closed the range at night offsetting the good moonlight. Tough luck.

Yup, frustratingly like reality... Good O on the developers!

[witpqs]

Communication via open wireless from DAW HQ has revealed the existence of new formerly secret weapon - the Fretcher-sans class destroyer! [:D]

[witpqs]

Only the replay received so far (highly unusual in our game!).