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They’d have to get past the coastal Subchasers first!! [:D]

USN BBs trash Eniwetok then the 2nd USMC Div storm the beaches, securing the vacant atoll.

The Allies are about 7 weeks ahead of the historical par in this area of the map.

The Battle of Eniwetok was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought between 17 February 1944 and 23 February 1944, on Enewetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The invasion of Eniwetok followed the American success in the Battle of Kwajalein to the southeast. Capture of Eniwetok would provide an airfield and harbor to support attacks on the Mariana Islands to the northwest. The operation was officially known as "Operation Catchpole".

The Allies will have to start the airfield from scratch, but they should have supply and CBs to burn on that by now.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 27, 43
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ASW attack near Eniwetok at 128,109
SS I-9, hits 4
Allied Ships
DD McCook
DD Sterett
DD Lang
SS I-9 is located by DD McCook
DD Sterett attacking submerged sub ....
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ASW attack near Chittagong at 55,42
PB Seki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Rokko Maru
Allied Ships
SS Trident
SS Trident launches 2 torpedoes at PB Seki Maru
Trident bottoming out ....
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ASW attack near Zamboanga at 74,89
E Kunashiri
Allied Ships
SS Hackleback, hits 6
SS Hackleback is located by E Kunashiri
Hackleback bottoming out ....
E Kunashiri attacking submerged sub ....
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Night Naval bombardment of Eniwetok at 127,108
Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
BB Oklahoma
BB Nevada
CA Vincennes
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 37
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 4
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Mississippi
BB Mississippi firing at Eniwetok
BB New Mexico firing at Eniwetok
BB Idaho firing at Eniwetok
BB Oklahoma firing at Eniwetok
BB Nevada firing at Eniwetok
CA Vincennes firing at Eniwetok
CA Minneapolis firing at Eniwetok
CA New Orleans firing at Eniwetok
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Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41
CA Suffolk
DD Quality
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Van Galen
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Vendetta
DE Arrow
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
CA Suffolk firing at 27th Division – the Allies get some good intelligence from this bombardment. They may think that all IJA forces are withdrawing.
DD Quality firing at 6th Division
DD Tjerk Hiddes firing at 1st Division
DD Van Galen firing at 11th Division
DD Isaac Sweers firing at 36th Division
DD Vendetta firing at 6th Division
DE Arrow firing at 11th Division
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Amphibious Assault at Eniwetok (127,108)
TF 346 troops unloading over beach at Eniwetok, 127,108
Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
105mm M2 Howitzer lost overboard during unload of 2nd Marine Div
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Sub attack near Batavia at 49,97
SC CHa-38
SC CHa-39
SS Paddle launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-38
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9
Ki-84r Frank x 22
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
A-36 Mustang x 7
P-38H Lightning x 14
P-40N5 Warhawk x 16
P-51A Mustang x 6
Allied aircraft losses
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-51A Mustang: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged: lots of different units here, with Allied fighters spotted at both Comilla and Dacca.
No.67 Sqn RAF with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
5318th PAU/FS with P-51A Mustang (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
51st FG/16th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
51st FG/25th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
23rd FG/76th FS with P-38H Lightning (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
80th FG/88th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
311th FBG/529th FBS with A-36 Mustang (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
312th BG/389th BS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 29
Ki-84r Frank x 33
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
A-36 Mustang x 3
P-38H Lightning x 7
P-40N5 Warhawk x 14
P-51A Mustang x 1
Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
312th BG/389th BS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
No.67 Sqn RAF with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
51st FG/16th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
80th FG/88th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
51st FG/25th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
23rd FG/76th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
311th FBG/529th FBS with A-36 Mustang (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5318th PAU/FS with P-51A Mustang (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 45
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 32
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft
A-36 Mustang x 3
P-40N5 Warhawk x 7
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
CAP engaged:
311th FBG/529th FBS with A-36 Mustang (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
312th BG/389th BS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
80th FG/88th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 24
Ki-84r Frank x 27
Allied aircraft
A-36 Mustang x 1
P-38H Lightning x 2
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
23rd FG/76th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
80th FG/88th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
311th FBG/529th FBS with A-36 Mustang (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 17
Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 damaged
Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Ki-84r Frank x 41
41 x Ki-84r Frank sweeping at 20000 feet
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ASW attack near Eniwetok at 127,109
SS I-9
Allied Ships
DE Crouter
DE Dempsey
DE Edward C. Daly
SS I-9 launches 4 torpedoes at DE Crouter
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TF 346 encounters mine field at Eniwetok (127,108)
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Ground combat at Eniwetok (127,108)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 11930 troops, 227 guns, 140 vehicles, Assault Value = 453
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Allied adjusted assault: 393
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 393 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Eniwetok !!!
Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)
Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Division

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Dec 27, 43
G3M2 Nell from Yokosuka Ku K-1 attacking a Porpoise class SS at 107,61 a Grampus class SS is reported HIT
B6N2 Jill from Sasebo Ku T-2 attacking a O16 Class class SS at 104,62 an Allied SS is reported HIT
Ki-21-IIa Sally from 14th Sentai attacking SS Burrfish at 72,113 SS Burrfish is reported HIT
Ki-21-IIa Sally from 14th Sentai attacking SS Burrfish at 72,113 SS Burrfish is reported HIT
WO Agawa J. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 4
2LT Okajima A. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 6
WO Chuzaburo B. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 3
2LT Okajima A. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 7
2LT Fukudome E. of 26th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
2LT Okajima A. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 8
2LT Ginowa R. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 4
WO Tsukamoto S. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 2
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Truk
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Ponape
2LT Kaguyama S. of 66th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
2LT Okajima R. of 66th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
2LT Takenaka O. of 9th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
WO Mori T. of 66th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
WO Aino K. of 66th Sentai is credited with kill number 4
2LT Takenaka L. of 9th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
2LT Hoshikura P. of 9th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
WO Koda A. of 85th Sentai is credited with kill number 5
WO Koda A. of 85th Sentai attains ace status!!
WO Miyajima N. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 2
WO Daigo U. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 6
2LT Hidaka D. of 26th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
2LT Bunkichi F. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 3
WO Koda A. of 85th Sentai is credited with kill number 6
E13A1 Jake from 952 Ku T-2 attacking a 'S' 1942 and 1943 class SS at 113,109 a O21 Class class SS is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake from 952 Ku T-2 attacking SS Scorpion at 115,109 SS Scorpion is reported HIT
D4Y4 Judy from 502 Ku K-1 attacking an Allied SS at 66,97 a 'T' 1940 Programme class SS is reported HIT
D4Y4 Judy from 503 Ku K-1 attacking SS Albacore at 112,109 SS Albacore is reported HIT
G4M1 Betty from 521 Ku K-1 attacking SS Albacore at 112,109 SS Albacore is reported HIT
OS2U-3 Kingfisher sighted over Eniwetok
4 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 2nd JNAF Coy from Deboyne Islands
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting Kure 3rd SNLF from Munda
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 88th Naval Guard Unit from Munda
4 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 1st JNAF Coy from Woodlark Island
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 87th Naval Guard Unit from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 54th Const Co from Chittagong
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 55th Const Co from Chittagong
Allied forces CAPTURE Eniwetok !!!
Tokyo expands fortifications to size 7
Tsu expands airfield to size 8
Hangchow expands airfield to size 5
Ace pilot Shirahama G. of 77th Sentai Det B is promoted to 1LT
Pilot Inoue S. is reported as to have escaped capture
Loss of PB Seki Maru on Dec 27, 1943 is admitted

The Allies move into Chittagong today.
If they attack tomorrow thinking that the IJA are withdrawing they could get a bloody nose.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 28, 43
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ASW attack near Eniwetok at 128,109
SS RO-61
Allied Ships
DE Osterhaus
DE McConnell
SS RO-61 is located by DE Osterhaus
RO-61 diving deep ....
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ASW attack near Eniwetok at 128,109
SS RO-61
Allied Ships
DE Osterhaus
DE McConnell
SS RO-61 is sighted by escort
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Sub attack near Vizagapatnam at 44,38
SS I-179, hits 3
Allied Ships
DE Arrow
CA Suffolk
DD Quality
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Van Galen
SS I-179 launches 2 torpedoes at DE Arrow
DD Tjerk Hiddes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Van Galen attacking submerged sub ....
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Night Air attack on Comilla , at 56,39
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 12
Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Spitfire VIII: 5 damaged
Runway hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Sub attack near Aogashima at 112,66
E Saishu
xAK Tateisi Maru
xAK Tasmania Maru
xAK Shanghai Maru
xAK Sinsyu Maru
xAK Toko Maru
E Maeshima
Allied Ships
SS Bowfin
SS Bowfin launches 2 torpedoes at E Saishu
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Ki-84r Frank x 41
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
A-36 Mustang x 4
P-38H Lightning x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 8
P-51A Mustang x 6
Allied aircraft losses
A-36 Mustang: 3 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-51A Mustang: 3 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-84r Frank sweeping at 20000 feet
CAP engaged:
No.67 Sqn RAF with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5318th PAU/FS with P-51A Mustang (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
23rd FG/76th FS with P-38H Lightning (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
80th FG/88th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
312th BG/389th BS with P-40N5 Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
51st FG/16th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
51st FG/25th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
311th FBG/529th FBS with A-36 Mustang (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
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Morning Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Ki-84r Frank x 27
Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
P-38H Lightning x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 3 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on 754th Tank Battalion, at 58,34 (Rangpur)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 18
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 3
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 11 damaged
Also attacking 369th Coast AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
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Morning Air attack on 754th Tank Battalion, at 58,34 (Rangpur)
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 12
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 4 damaged
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Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 58,34 (Rangpur)
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 40
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 9 damaged
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Afternoon Air attack on 19th Indian Division, at 58,39 , near Silchar
Ki-84r Frank x 18
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8
A-36 Mustang x 1
P-38H Lightning x 6
P-40N5 Warhawk x 7
Allied aircraft losses
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed
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Ground combat at Rangpur (58,34)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 6367 troops, 95 guns, 537 vehicles, Assault Value = 375
Defending force 100 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Allied adjusted assault: 468
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 468 to 1 (fort level 6)
Allied forces CAPTURE Rangpur !!!
Japanese ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (16 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
III Indian Corps
255th Armoured Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
754th Tank Battalion
767th Tank Battalion
369th Coast AA Regiment
Defending units:
27th Fld AA Machinecannon Company

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Dec 28, 43

SS I-173 terminates patrol and enters Rangoon for repairs
G3M2 Nell from Yokosuka Ku K-1 attacking SS Skate at 113,67 SS Skate is reported HIT
Ki-21-IIa Sally from 14th Sentai attacking SS Puffer at 75,117 SS Puffer is reported HIT
Ki-21-IIa Sally from 14th Sentai attacking SS Puffer at 75,117 SS Puffer is reported HIT
WO Daigo H. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 3
2LT Higashiyama U. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 4
CPT Ayanori U. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 21
CPT Ayanori U. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 22
1LT Kawamoto, K. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
2LT Hashiguchi F. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 11
WO Kaguyama O. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 4
CPT Hiramoto K. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 22
WO Kizuka N. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 7
2LT Hashiguchi F. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 12
WO Kado K. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 8
WO Kabase R. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 2
2LT Hashimoto B. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 5
2LT Hashimoto B. of 31st Sentai attains ace status!!
2LT Ishida S. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 4
2LT Ishida S. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 5
2LT Ishida S. of 31st Sentai attains ace status!!
F-5A Lightning sighted over Imphal
F-5A Lightning sighted over Imphal
2LT Miyazaki S. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 5
2LT Miyazaki S. of 11th Sentai attains ace status!!
G4M1 Betty from 751 Ku K-1 has spotted xAKL Honomu at 135,115 xAKL Honomu is reported HIT
G3M2 Nell from Yokosuka Ku K-1 attacking SS Skate at 113,67 SS Skate is reported HIT
D4Y4 Judy from 503 Ku K-1 attacking SS Scorpion at 114,106 SS Scorpion is reported HIT
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (123,104)
Ki-49-IIb Helen from 74th Sentai attacking an Allied SS at 103,61 an Allied SS is reported HIT
CPT Miyazaki D. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 14
WO Fukudome K. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 6
WO Hoshikura L. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 4
2LT Genwa K. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 9
WO Fukudome K. of 1st Sentai is credited with kill number 7
F-5A Lightning sighted over Chittagong
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting Kure 3rd SNLF from Munda
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 88th Naval Guard Unit from Munda
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 1st JNAF Coy from Woodlark Island
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 87th Naval Guard Unit from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 54th Const Co from Chittagong
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 55th Const Co from Chittagong
Repairs completed on SS I-41 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Allied forces CAPTURE Rangpur !!!
Tassafaronga expands airfield to size 4
Pucheng expands airfield to size 5
Aircraft N1K5-J George advances R&D – to 6/44 +8/day no engine bonus. There are 104x Mitsubishi Ha-43 in the pool with 3x 54(96) and 1x 24(126) engine factories all repairing. The George-5 will be the first aircraft to use this engine.
Ace pilot Kamei J. of 11th Sentai is promoted to 1LT
Ace pilot Maeda S. of 59th Sentai is promoted to 2LT
SS I-16 available for service in damaged state at Truk
SS I-19 available for service in damaged state at Truk – will move to Yokosuka for major float damage repairs. With the USN getting closer to Truk it might be time to try and withdraw the ARD.
SS I-153 available for service in damaged state at Truk – same as above.
AMc Taikei Maru available for service in damaged state at Truk
CL Yahagi arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo – only one more Cruiser left in the construction queue. CL Yahagi will move to Kure to wait for BBs Yamato and Musashi to finish their 1/44 upgrades before moving south with them and a large DD Yugumo class escort.

It’s time to start packing up the bases forces at Tezpur to prepare to withdraw, mostly to Silchar to support the 1st Army advance.
Aircraft will be withdrawn from Chittagong but LRCAP range 0 will be boosted overhead.

The bases on the front line will be defended, then each Jungle and Rough hex further back towards Burma to make the Allies earn every hex if they want to fight their way overland into Burma.

The Allies are about 7 weeks ahead of the historical par in this area of the map.

True, but in PNG, and the Solomon's they are way behind.

The Allies move into Chittagong today.
If they attack tomorrow thinking that the IJA are withdrawing they could get a bloody nose.

There maybe a real opportunity developing here...

It’s time to start packing up the bases forces at Tezpur to prepare to withdraw, mostly to Silchar to support the 1st Army advance.

With the 1st Army moving west you could potentially cut the Allies off in Chittagong. Moving your bombing attacks to that local will keep them out of 'move mode' and some good amount of disruption and morale hits should be inflicted since they will be in clear terrain without forts. Don't counter-attack until it looks like Comilla(?) will fall.

Lots of action today.
In the Pacific the USN CVs surge West.
In India the Allies open the Battle for Chittagong with a bombardment.


54 Georges scramble and take a small slice out of the CV Air Groups.
They had a mix of naval, port and airfield attack orders, getting hits on all.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 29, 43
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ASW attack near Iwo-jima at 109,78 – this task force has the 9x Fubuki I destroyers and they are moving to provide additional escorts to the Combined Fleet. They don’t have surface search radars yet so their best chance of spotting an Allied sub is to look for a periscope near where the torpedo came from…
DD Murakumo
DD Usugumo
DD Uranami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shirayuki
Allied Ships
SS Seadragon, hits 3
SS Seadragon launches 2 torpedoes at DD Murakumo
DD Murakumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hatsuyuki attacking submerged sub ....
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ASW attack near Bassein at 52,51
SC Ch 21
SC Ch 20
SC Ch 22
SS Grunion is located by SC Ch 21 – these Subchasers have surface search radars now
Grunion diving deep ....
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kusaie Island at 125,118, Range 3,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-10, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
SC CHa-14, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
SC CHa-15, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Converse
DD Cotten
DD Daly
DD DeHaven
DD Harrison
DD Hazelwood
DD Heermann
DD Hoel
DMS Trevor, Shell hits 2
DMS Chandler
Low visibility due to Rain with 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 7% moonlight: 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
SC CHa-15 engages DMS Trevor at 3,000 yards
SC CHa-14 engages DMS Trevor at 3,000 yards
SC CHa-10 engages DMS Trevor at 3,000 yards
SC CHa-14 sunk by DD DeHaven at 3,000 yards
Massive explosion on SC CHa-15
SC CHa-15 sunk by DD Hazelwood at 5,000 yards
Massive explosion on SC CHa-10
SC CHa-10 sunk by DD Daly at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...
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TF 420 encounters mine field at Kusaie Island (125,118) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DMS Trevor

Det. 3rd Special Base Force firing at DMS Chandler
DMS Chandler firing at Det. 3rd Special Base Force
Det. 3rd Special Base Force firing at DMS Trevor
DMS Trevor firing at Det. 3rd Special Base Force
4 mines cleared
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Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 5
Liberator B.III: 2 damaged
Liberator B.III: 1 destroyed by flak
4 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged: flying NF LRCAP range 0 from Magwe
6th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 3
Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 6
PV-1 Ventura: 4 damaged
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
Wellington GR.XIII x 6
Wellington GR.XIII: 5 damaged
Runway hits 1
6 x Wellington GR.XIII bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 6
Liberator GR.III: 4 damaged
6 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Liberator B.III x 4
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Liberator B.III: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
4 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Eniwetok at 127,108
SS I-124, hits 6
Allied Ships
DMS Hamilton, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DMS Long
SS I-124 launches 2 torpedoes at DMS Hamilton
DMS Long attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 22 damaged
N1K2-J George: 14 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 18 damaged
8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Hoel
DD Heermann
DD Hazelwood
DD Harrison
DD DeHaven
DD Daly
DD Cotten
DD Converse
DMS Chandler
DMS Trevor
Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 31
Port hits 14
Port fuel hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 413 encounters mine field at Eniwetok (127,108)
DMS Long
AM Competent
AM Requisite
11 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ramree Island at 53,50
SC Ch 22
SC Ch 20
Allied Ships
SS Grunion
Captain of SS Grunion elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Grunion diving deep ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Australian Division, at 55,41 (Chittagong)
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 35
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 3
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 15
Ki-84r Frank x 69
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 7
Spitfire VIII x 13
Spitfire Vc Trop: 4 destroyed
Spitfire VIII: 2 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
CAP engaged:
No.34 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
No.134 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
No.152 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Also attacking 1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division ...
Also attacking 33rd Infantry Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 37th Infantry Division, at 55,41 (Chittagong)
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 54
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 10
Ki-84r Frank x 41
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 damaged
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kusaie Island , at 125,118
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes
N1K2-J George x 40
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft – good result against unescorted B24s.
B-24D1 Liberator x 17
B-24J Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed
CAP engaged:
265 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
265 Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 11 scrambling)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kusaie Island , at 125,118
N1K2-J George x 13
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 20000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ponape , at 119,113 – then this raid was a bit of a surprise, with some of the Allied CVs moving further West than Eniwetok. The Georges were ready and did quite well.
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
N1K2-J George x 54
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 81
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 29
SBD-5 Dauntless x 21
TBF-1 Avenger x 18
TBM-1C Avenger x 17
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-65, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-66, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-64, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AV Ginyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire – in port
AGP Hotsukawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire – in port
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 13
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1
CAP engaged:
263 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 13 scrambling)
263 Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 24 scrambling)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Bassein at 52,51
SC Ch 21
SC Ch 22
Allied Ships
SS O21
SS O21 is located by SC Ch 21
O21 diving deep ....
SC Ch 22 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 22 is out of ASW ammo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chittagong (55,41) – then the recon by artillery shows both sides what is in the hex. The Allies have about 30k more troops with similar ratio of guns and vehicles moving in, so more tank units and another Div or two are coming. Chittagong defenders are behind level 5 forts (87% to level 6) so should survive attack until 1 Jan 44.
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 43047 troops, 701 guns, 781 vehicles, Assault Value = 1888
Defending force 96285 troops, 1212 guns, 1315 vehicles, Assault Value = 3290
Japanese ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
897 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 25 (6 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Assaulting units:
33rd Infantry Division
37th Infantry Division
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
9th Australian Division
1st Army Tank Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
Defending units:
15th Army
1st Tank Division
11th Tank Regiment
1st Division
6th Division
8th Division
11th Division
27th Division
36th Division
5th RF Gun Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
3rd Air Defense AA Regiment
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
34th Field AA Battalion
49th Field AA Battalion
51st Field AA Battalion
52nd Field AA Battalion
56th Field AA Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
26th Fld AA Gun Co
44th Ind.AA Gun Co
3rd Air Division
7th JAAF Base Force
17th JAAF AF Bn
54th Const Co
55th Const Co

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Dec 29, 43
SS I-124 lays minefield at Eniwetok ( 127 , 108) and sets course for Truk
B6N2 Jill from Sasebo Ku T-2 attacking an Allied SS at 98,63 a KXIV Class class SS is reported HIT
Ki-49-IIb Helen from 74th Sentai attacking an Allied SS at 104,62 a Seadragon class SS is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over 11th Army
2LT Renzo T. of 64th Sentai is credited with kill number 7
1LT Azusa G. of 77th Sentai Det B is credited with kill number 9
2LT Renzo T. of 64th Sentai is credited with kill number 8
WO Degawa R. of 9th Sentai is credited with kill number 3
WO Mitsumoto O. of 77th Sentai Det B is credited with kill number 7
2LT Fujimoto M. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 4
2LT Taniguchi K. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 2
PO1 Nishiura R. of 265 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO1 Nakajima W. of 265 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 3
PO1 Nakajima W. of 265 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 4
PO1 Oda N. of 265 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Oda D. of Yokosuka Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO1 Hori A. of 265 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 3
PO1 Ibusuki J. of 265 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 2
PO1 Oda N. of 265 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 3
PO2 Kasai A. of 265 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 2
PO1 Oda N. of 265 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 4
PO1 Matsuki A. of 265 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 3
2LT Oba J. of 66th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
G4M1 Betty from 751 Ku K-1 has spotted DE Dionne at 135,115 DE Dionne is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake from 952 Ku T-2 attacking an Allied SS at 116,105 an Allied SS is reported HIT
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
G4M1 Betty from 521 Ku K-1 attacking an Allied SS at 114,108 an Allied SS is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake from Kushimoto Ku T-1 attacking a KXIV Class class SS at 104,62 an Allied SS is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Tezpur
PO2 Uto, K. of 263 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 4
PO2 Katagi A. of 263 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Minobe F. of 263 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Kumagaya P. of 263 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Ikeda W. of 263 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Ikeda W. of 263 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 3
PO1 Hagiri D. of 263 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 2
PO1 Hagiri D. of 263 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 3
PO1 Nomura E. of 263 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 2
PO1 Nomura E. of 263 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 3
PO2 Kawasaki O. of 265 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Kubota B. of 263 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO1 Matsuba T. of 263 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Kasai B. of 263 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Hori C. of 263 Ku S-2 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Kawasaki O. of 265 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 3
PO2 Kawasaki O. of 265 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 4
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting Kure 3rd SNLF from Munda
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 88th Naval Guard Unit from Munda
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 1st JNAF Coy from Woodlark Island
12 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 1st JNAF Coy from Woodlark Island
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Air Division from Chittagong
17 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Air Division from Chittagong
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 87th Naval Guard Unit from Vella Lavella
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 54th Const Co from Chittagong
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 55th Const Co from Chittagong
Takamatsu expands fortifications to size 2
Tsu expands fortifications to size 1
Kohima expands fortifications to size 5
Merak expands airfield to size 2
Ace pilot Futagami J. of 85th Sentai is promoted to 1LT
Loss of xAK Ishikari Maru on Jul 12, 1943 is admitted
DMS Hamilton is reported to have been sunk near Eniwetok on Dec 29, 1943
Loss of SC CHa-10 on Dec 29, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SC CHa-14 on Dec 29, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SC CHa-15 on Dec 29, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SC CHa-64 on Dec 29, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SC CHa-65 on Dec 29, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SC CHa-66 on Dec 29, 1943 is admitted

Here are the details of the opposing sides at Chittagong.

Surely the Allies have recon & intel to know what you have at Chittagong?

A well played Japanese game.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Surely the Allies have recon & intel to know what you have at Chittagong?

A well played Japanese game.

He’s been taking recon photos and must have some sigint too, but the artillery bombardment shows all.

1944 is going to be a completely different game!
Now that the Allies have stabilised the India Front they can choose their own adventure and Japan will just have to react to try and slow them down.

No Allied attacks in India or the Pacific.
USN CVs move SE with what looks like a BB task force lining up for a bombardment of Ponape.
The USN CVEs are spotted moving East from Eniwetok.
KB is ordered to move directly South from Guam to get closer to a position that would support the defence of Ponape if the Allies go for an invasion there.

IJN CLs then Helens hit the Allied Army in the field at Chittagong.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 30, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 413 encounters mine field at Eniwetok (127,108)
Allied Ships
DMS Long
AM Competent
AM Requisite
13 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Eniwetok at 127,109
SS I-38, hits 12, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DE Edward C. Daly
DE Dempsey
SS I-38 launches 4 torpedoes at DE Edward C. Daly
DE Edward C. Daly attacking submerged sub ....
Underwater explosion, debris and oil appear on surface!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Eniwetok at 127,107
SS RO-60, hits 1
Allied Ships
DE Doneff, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Emery
DE Engstrom
SS RO-60 launches 2 torpedoes at DE Doneff
DE Engstrom attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41
CL Kiso
CL Tama
DD Numakaze
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Tachikaze
DD Hokaze
DD Okikaze
DD Minekaze
CL Kiso firing at 37th Infantry Division
CL Tama firing at 9th Australian Division
DD Numakaze firing at 9th Australian Division
DD Namikaze firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Nokaze firing at 9th Australian Division
DD Tachikaze firing at 37th Infantry Division
DD Hokaze firing at 37th Infantry Division
DD Okikaze firing at 1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
DD Minekaze firing at 9th Australian Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 2
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 5
Liberator B.III: 5 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 2
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 6
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Liberator B.III: 1 destroyed by flak
Runway hits 1
6 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 8
PV-1 Ventura: 5 damaged
8 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Wellington GR.XIII x 8
Wellington GR.XIII: 3 damaged
Wellington GR.XIII: 1 destroyed by flak
8 x Wellington GR.XIII bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Liberator B.III x 4
Liberator B.III: 2 damaged
4 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Liberator GR.III x 6
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
6 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Liberator GR.III x 5
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Australian Division, at 55,41 (Chittagong)
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 25
Ki-84r Frank x 34
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 10 damaged
Ki-84r Frank: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
Spitfire VIII x 12
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
CAP engaged:
No.34 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
No.134 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
No.152 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Also attacking 33rd Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 9th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 37th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Australian Division, at 55,41 (Chittagong)
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 29
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 30
Ki-84r Frank x 35
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
Spitfire VIII x 3
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Also attacking 209th Combat Engineer Battalion ...
Also attacking 1st Army Tank Regiment ...

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Dec 30, 43
SS I-177 terminates patrol and enters Rangoon for repairs
G4M1 Betty from 521 Ku K-1 attacking SS Albacore at 112,109 SS Albacore is reported HIT
Search G3M3 Nell destroyed by CAP
E13A1 Jake from Myoko-2 attacking an Allied SS at 103,61 a Salmon class SS is reported HIT
1LT Nishihata R. of 77th Sentai Det A is credited with kill number 12
G4M1 Betty from 751 Ku K-1 has spotted SC PC-598 at 136,115 SC PC-598 is reported HIT
B6N2 Jill from Saeki Ku T-1 attacking a 'T' 1941 and 1942 class SS at 66,97 an Allied SS is reported HIT
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
D4Y4 Judy from 503 Ku K-1 attacking a 'U' 1941 Long Hull class SS at 113,109 a O21 Class class SS is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake from 938 Ku T-4 attacking SS O21 at 53,50 SS O21 is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake from Suzuya-2 attacking SS Puffer at 67,108 SS Puffer is reported HIT
Ki-49-IIb Helen from 74th Sentai attacking a Grampus class SS at 103,61 an Allied SS is reported HIT
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Truk
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Rabaul
F-5A Lightning sighted over Milne Bay
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting Kure 3rd SNLF from Munda
4 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 88th Naval Guard Unit from Munda
4 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd Indpt SNLF Coy from Rossel Island
11 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 2nd Indpt SNLF Coy from Deboyne Islands
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 87th Naval Guard Unit from Vella Lavella
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
5 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 54th Const Co from Chittagong
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 55th Const Co from Chittagong
Oak Harbor expands port to size 4
Charleville expands airfield to size 3
I.33-1 on BB Fuso converting to size 24 from 1 – will move to Ominato to join the other returned sub units that are now conducting fighter pilot basic training courses (Training Escort 100% range 0)
Previous report of sinking of SS Tambor incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Group Withdrawals:
3 due today (66 Daily PP)
Groups for today: 3 of the last 4 light bomber units are withdrawn. They were conducting bomber pilot basic courses, so a 2E bomber unit will replace them to run that training.
6th Close Supp.Unit
7th Close Supp.Unit
8th Close Supp.Unit
Loss of SS I-38 on Dec 30, 1943 is admitted
DE Doneff is reported to have been sunk near Eniwetok on Dec 30, 1943
MTB G-538 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
31st Army arrives at Truk – LGEN Tanaka is replaced by LGEN Saito
19th JAAF AF Bn arrives at Nagoya – both of these AF Bns will move to join the 15th JAAF (Air Bde) Base Force, currently at Chiang Mai.
31st JAAF AF Bn arrives at Tokyo

USN BBs trash the airfields at both Kusaie and Ponape.
Allied CV strike then doubled down on Kusaie.
54 aircraft destroyed on the ground.
No amphibious assaults.

No Allied air or ground attacks in India, but lots of movement ticks.

IJ decisive victory was announced as 1 Jan 1944 dawned, but I clicked the “continue game” option so the war will go on.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 31, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 334 encounters mine field at Kusaie Island (125,118) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
28 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DMS Trevor, Shell hits 1
DD Bell, Mine hits 1
Det. 3rd Special Base Force firing at DMS Chandler
Det. 3rd Special Base Force firing at DMS Trevor
DMS Trevor firing at Det. 3rd Special Base Force
Det. 3rd Special Base Force firing at DMS Chandler
Det. 3rd Special Base Force firing at DMS Trevor
13 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 36 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 5 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 32 damaged
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed on ground
H8K2 Emily: 34 damaged
H8K2 Emily: 3 destroyed on ground
Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
BB Oklahoma
BB Nevada
CA Vincennes
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans
DD Hale
DD Franks
DD Erben
DD Dyson
DD Cony
DD Bush
DD Bell
DMS Chandler
DMS Trevor
Japanese ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 24
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 7
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Mississippi
BB Mississippi firing at Kusaie Island
BB New Mexico firing at Kusaie Island
BB Idaho firing at Kusaie Island
BB Oklahoma firing at Kusaie Island
BB Nevada firing at Kusaie Island
CA Vincennes firing at 1st Amphibious Brigade
CA Minneapolis firing at 1st Amphibious Brigade
CA New Orleans firing at Kusaie Island
DD Hale firing at Kusaie Island
DD Franks firing at Kusaie Island
DD Erben firing at Kusaie Island
DD Dyson firing at Kusaie Island
DD Cony firing at 1st Amphibious Brigade
DD Bush firing at Kusaie Island
DD Bell firing at Kusaie Island
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ponape at 119,113 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 28 damaged
H8K2 Emily: 3 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 13 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 6 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 91 damaged
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed on ground
110 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Alabama, Shell hits 2 – bounced a few off the armour. That will give the crew some stories to tell back in the bars at Pearl Harbour.
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
CL Birmingham
CL Denver
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 2
CL Columbia
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
268 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 42
Port hits 1
BB Alabama firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at BB Alabama – Ponape Naval Fortress doesn’t have big enough guns to go toe to toe with USN BBs. 14cm, 12.7cm and 8cm guns vs 14” and 16” guns…
BB Massachusetts firing at Ponape
BB Indiana firing at Ponape
CL Birmingham firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at CL Birmingham
CL Denver firing at Ponape
CL Montpelier firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at CL Montpelier
CL Columbia firing at Ponape
CL Cleveland firing at 3rd Special Base Force
3rd Special Base Force firing at CL Cleveland – 20cm guns here plus the 14cm, 12.7cm and 8cm similar ot the Ponape Naval Fortress. The 20cm and 14cm shells should do some damage to a Cleveland Class if they hit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 6th Medium Regiment, at 55,41 (Chittagong)
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 19
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 29
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27
Ki-84r Frank x 31
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 11 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
Spitfire VIII x 11
No Allied losses
Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
CAP engaged:
No.34 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
No.134 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
No.152 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Also attacking 9th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 33rd Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 2/6th Armoured Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 6th Medium Regiment, at 55,41 (Chittagong)
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 17
Ki-84r Frank x 25
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 damaged
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 7
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Also attacking 37th Infantry Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kusaie Island , at 125,118
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 73
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 45
SBD-5 Dauntless x 17
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 7 damaged
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed on ground
H8K2 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed on ground
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Bassein at 52,51
SC Ch 21
Allied Ships
SS Grunion
SS Grunion is located by SC Ch 21
SC Ch 21 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 21 is out of ASW ammo

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Dec 31, 43
Repairs completed on DD Asashimo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service – Yugumo class surface search radars are ready.
Repairs completed on DD Kiyonami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Hayanami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Fujinami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Onami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Suzunami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Tamanami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Naganami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Takanami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Makinami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Makigumo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Kazegumo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Akigumo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Yugumo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Hamanami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on CA Chokai at Tokyo, ship returned to service
G3M2 Nell from Yokosuka Ku K-1 attacking SS Bowfin at 112,66 SS Bowfin is reported HIT
D4Y4 Judy from 502 Ku K-1 attacking an Allied SS at 67,97 a 'T' War Emergency class SS is reported HIT
Ki-49-IIb Helen from 74th Sentai attacking an Allied SS at 99,62 a 'T' 1940 Programme class SS is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Milne Bay
F-4 Lightning sighted over Silchar
F-5A Lightning sighted over Milne Bay
F-5A Lightning sighted over Tezpur
F-4 Lightning sighted over Silchar
5 x H8K2-L Emily transporting Kure 3rd SNLF from Munda
4 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd Indpt SNLF Coy from Rossel Island
4 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd Indpt SNLF Coy from Rossel Island
10 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 2nd Indpt SNLF Coy from Deboyne Islands
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 87th Naval Guard Unit from Vella Lavella
5 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment from Terapo
5 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 54th Const Co from Chittagong
Repairs completed on CA Atago at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on CA Takao at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Dimapur expands fortifications to size 4
Ace pilot Eto O. of 77th Sentai Det A is promoted to CPT
Pilot Sonokawa U. is reported as to have escaped capture
121 Ku T-1 converting to size 18 from 9 – more IJN recon, it increases again to size 36 on 1 Feb 44. This unit is at Guam training new recon pilots in the Judy-C. This prompted me to check when the C6N1 Myrt arrives as it has longer range. Myrt isn’t being researched so it will arrive 8/44. The Judy-C factories will swap to C6N1 at that date.
47th Sentai converting to size 42 from 30 – more Franks
ML G-202 arrives at Shimonoseki
SC CHa-73 arrives at Niigata
153 Ku T-1 arrives at Kendari – another Judy-C recon training unit.
343 Ku S-1 arrives at Matsuyama – to CVE Shinyo until it withdraws 10 Jul 44. If it gets itself sunk it will be bought back. The air unit that was sunk on CVE Unyo was bought back and can now stay permanently.
343 Ku S-2 arrives at Matsuyama – to CVE Kaiyo, wdr 10 Jul 44.
345 Ku S-1 arrives at Takamatsu – moved to 62nd Air Flotilla with the HQ unit to arrive soon.
345 Ku S-2 arrives at Takamatsu – 62nd Air Flot
453 Ku S-1 arrives at Matsuyama – renames to 951 Ku T-5 at the end of 1944 so will stay near Sasebo with the rest of the units from 951st Kokutai. It will resize to 24 on a Half BB at Kure, convert to Jakes and run training courses.
1021 Ku U-1 arrives at Chiba – 18x H6K4-L Mavis as there aren’t quite enough Emily-L. The Mavis-L has longer range which will be handy for troop withdrawals in 4th Fleet area. There are no trained IJN transport pilots in the reserve pool so both these units will train up new pilots before moving forward. 22/27 range for Mavis-L is a lot longer than 16/20 range for Emily-L.
1021 Ku U-2 arrives at Chiba – same as above, issued 18x H6K4-L Mavis.

The victory screen and Int screen with a few more details to show where the points were scored, mostly on the ground.

Prime Minister GEN Tojo has delivered a set of “non-negotiable” demands to the Emperor’s Chief of Staff to review and approve, to be presented to the Allies now that they have sued for peace.

This is just to provide a bit of back story to the war continuing.

Assuming that the popularly elected Allied Governments have tired of war and all agreed to surrender, it seems a strange time for them to surrender with their current advances in India and the Pacific just starting and showing some promise.
The following list of "non-negotiable" demands are unlikely to be agreed by the Allied Combined Chiefs of Staff Committee, perhaps leading to a swing in popular favour to continuing the war.

The following list is a revision of PM Tojo's historical list of demands dated May 1942, with Japan to keep everything it has already conquered while assuming possession of considerably more.

Japan demands to assume control of the following territories:
• the British Crown colonies of India and Honduras as well as the British dominions of Australia, Australian New Guinea, Ceylon, New Zealand, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory
• the American state of Washington and the American territories of Alaska and Hawaii
• most of Latin America including Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and the rest of the West Indies.
Additionally:
• China will remain under the puppet rule of Wang Jingwei;
• Japan will purchase Macau and East Timor from Portugal;
• New puppet kingdoms will be created in Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Malaya; and
• As the Burmese have proven to be enthusiastic collaborators in the "New Order in Asia", the new Burmese kingdom will also annex much of north-east India as a reward.

The Navy for its part demand that Japan take possession of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa.

Here is a sketch of what the demands look like on the WITPAE strategic map. Seems reasonable?! [:D]

No Tahiti?

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

No Tahiti?

Tahiti wasn't on Tojo's list that I got off the interweb. Maybe due to the lack of Resources they weren't interested in the SE Pacific?
I think the demands as written are enough to make the Allies tear up the ceasefire paperwork and go back to fighting!

I got this from the Allied CIC with the turn file:

<begin transcript>

1552hrs: 1/1/1944

President Roosevelt (hence FDR): “Have you read this garbage? How did we come to this in the Pacific?”
Adm Leahy (hence WDL): “Well, sir, as you know <clears throat>, our Naval leadership has been sub-par, and the men lack motivation against the Japanese. I mean, it’s not like they launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor or . . .”
FDR: “Bahh, never mind! It was a rhetorical question you nincompoop!”
WDL: “Well sir, what will our response be?”
FDR: “Well, I’m inclined to give them Alaska and Washington. See if they can manage those crazy trappers and lumberjacks. <laughs> Anyway, of course our response will be to the negative. <lights cigarette, thoughtfully stares into the distance> My official response shall be . . . ‘BALLS!’”
WDL: “Yes sir. Very good sir.”
FDR: “What is next on the agenda?”
WDL: “We have a meeting with General Groves and Dr. Oppenheimer from ‘Manhattan’ in 5 min.”

<end transcript>

Congratulations![&o]

Yes, Congratulations!

Thanks fellas, the VP ratio was down to 3.17:1.
It's felt like the Allies have had the initiative for the last few months so 1944 is going to be a completely different game.



The IJAAF will finally start to build their first purpose designed and built Night Fighter, the Nick-D.
There are limited numbers of Sentai that can upgrade to the Nick-D, so Nick-C units will continue to be used for a mix of auxiliary night fighter duties and advanced training of fighter pilots.
This size 30 Nick-D factory will be allowed to produce to get them into the Night Fighter capable units as soon as possible.
Guessing ahead to the potential IJA Night Fighter losses, I thought about increasing the Nick-D factory to size 60 but the Nick-C is doing ok on Night Fighter duty. I will just use the Nick-D in the Sentai kept in Japan as part of 1st Air Army.

The Ki-102c Randy NF research factory is currently 18(12) with a 10/45 start date, so the Nick-D will be the main IJA NF for a long while yet, and might stay in production for the rest of the war.

The G4M1 was also just upgraded to G4M2 Betty and was increased from 25 to 30, just because I prefer the look of round numbers and multiples of 30.

Lots of other information on this screen shows the current state of the war economy.

Supply at Tokyo is hovering around 2M after briefly getting up to near 2.5M. Some exports were recently approved to Burma and 4th Fleet areas.

Fuel at Tokyo has been steady at just under 1M since the war started.

Manpower isn’t an issue.

HI points are very slightly increasing, but there are no bonus points for still having HI points when the war ends so the plan is to keep spending them and keep a bit of a buffer for when the Allies start bombing HI factories.

Oil is steadily dropping which is as expected due to the excess of Oil Refineries.

Resources are ok, but the consumption rate is high so they will keep being shipped regularly from near to Japan and whenever possible from Singapore on empty returning ships.

Armaments and Vehicle pools are higher than expected so I think are healthy, so they will stay in production at current rates.

Engines and Air production are running to the pre-war plans with some modifications on the run. There aren’t many aircraft that have excessive spare pools. The out-dated aircraft did well but are now sitting in stockpiles and many aren’t even required for training units anymore.

Naval and Merchant Shipyard pools are very low but that is running to the plan.
Some submarines are being toggled on and off to keep the Naval Shipyards focussed on the remaining CVs and all other ships.
Merchant Shipyards are close to being able to toggle back and focus on select classes of merchants, mainly just the large Tankers and the Std-C tankers from here.