wneumann vs Jolly Pillager- the Allied perspective

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/28/42

Central Pacific: Two Japanese subs spotted moving eastward by air patrols, then intercepted by U.S surface ASW forces near Molokai. I-174 was hit and confirmed sunk. I-169 attacked but escaped with no hits or damage - though now under pursuit from three U.S. ASW TF's (total of 30+ ships).

Following display is Japanese submarines confirmed sunk to date by Allied forces. At least an additional 12-15 Japanese subs have been moderately or severely damaged in action against Allied air or surface ASW forces.

[wneumann]

More Operations from 5/28/42

Australia: Japanese air raids continue on Darwin - no significant damage or casualties reported.

Ground combat west of Katherine between Jap and Australian forces. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 32,87

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7930 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 204
21 Mixed Brigade
Defending force 835 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7
Sparrow Force Bn, 109 RAN Base Force

Japanese max assault: 162 - adjusted assault: 81
Allied max defense: 4 - adjusted defense: 2
Japanese assault odds: 40 to 1

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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


India/Burma: Allied minesweeping operations at Bombay - Indian PC Parvati hit and damaged by a mine during sweeping ops. Port of Bombay should be opened to Allied shipping within the next several days.


China: Latest reports of ground combat between Jap and Chinese forces at Sian and near Honan - AAR's below.

An attempt by Japanese forces to outflank Sian (and create another "Hex 48,31 Pocket") from the north has been detected, orders to two Chinese corps (80th & 90th) have been issued to close this gap ahead of the Jap advance in this direction.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22045 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 904
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20757 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 670
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 131416 troops, 511 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 3222
26th, 32nd, 35th, 37th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 5 & 13 Independent Brigades,
15 Mixed Brigade, 6 FA Rgt
Defending force 81079 troops, 402 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 2358
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd, 61st, 80th & 90th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

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


All other sectors relatively quiet - no significant Japanese activity detected or encountered.

[ny59giants]

I would slowly build up the Society Islands and other areas down there to ensure that you are not left without a southern flank to attack from. However, that would be only defensive for the time being. I would launch your eventual counteroffensive through the Marshalls and/or the North Pacific. Eventually, you will need to take some of those southern islands to reestablish your supply and reinforcement lines to Australia.

Can you get sufficient supplies from Aden down to Australia?? It will need an occasional TK of Oil for production.

[wneumann]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I would slowly build up the Society Islands and other areas down there to ensure that you are not left without a southern flank to attack from. However, that would be only defensive for the time being. I would launch your eventual counteroffensive through the Marshalls and/or the North Pacific. Eventually, you will need to take some of those southern islands to reestablish your supply and reinforcement lines to Australia.

Can you get sufficient supplies from Aden down to Australia?? It will need an occasional TK of Oil for production.

I've been leaving the Society Islands alone for now, though not completely ignoring it. Right now the area is basically a "no man's land". Pillager has no apparent (or at least obvious) interest in taking control of this area, the overall situation also being unfavorable for me to establish and maintain a signficant presence there. Several problems exist with the Allies building up or operating bases in the Society Is.

Geography: Society Islands are much closer to functioning Japanese bases (Pago Pago, Suva) than to the nearest Allied bases capable of supporting any operations or buildup in the Society Islands (Panama City).

As long as the KB exists or is capable of operating (to its current degree of impunity), all Allied ship movements through the Society Islands and ocean areas to the southwest, south and east of the Society Is are at very high risk of detection and interception from Japanese naval forces. Current Allied shipping routes between Australia/NZ and Panama City pass well to the south of the Society Is.

The present state of Allied shipping between the U.S. and Australia/NZ can be loosely considered "blockade running". Ships moving along this route in either direction are in the form of single-ship TF's (the majority) or in TF's of no more than 2-3 ships, and are moving through this area as quickly as possible. I can get stuff through, though it's painfully slow and with considerable risk of interception. Should be noted that HQ South Pacific ran the "blockade" via this route.

An Allied buildup in the Society Islands is desirable, though not feasible at this point of time. The most favorable situation (from the Allied point of view) is that the Society Is remain a "no man's land". I see it unlikely that Pillager is looking at advancing further southward from Pago Pago or Suva to occupy the Societys unless provoked or tempted to do so - this is not an area of interest to him beyond "dropping in" from time to time to intercept Allied shipping running between the U.S. and Australia/NZ in the Societys or the sea areas south and east of there. And if Pillager does occupy the Society Is, he is overextending himself even further.

The status quo here is not a bad thing for the short term.

In the long term, however, a future Allied buildup in the Society Islands is desirable. The main (strategic) prerequisite for starting a buildup in the Society Is is the destruction of the KB, or its disabling to the point it cannot intervene against an Allied buildup in the Societys. With the KB "out of there", I can send more shipping into the Societys and keep them there longer with much less risk of Japanese attack.

Also looking at the long term, I have not completely set what the exact "axis of advance" will be for U.S. forces when they begin advancing westward from the eastern Pacific. A possible "axis of advance" for the South Pacific theater could pass to the north of Pago Pago or Suva (or both) to cut these bases off rather than attack them frontally. Pillager moving into the Societys would be sticking his neck even farther into the guillotine (a fact he is probably well aware of). Any Allied buildup in the Society Is would be useful to the extent of getting into Tojo's face while in the act of chopping off his head.


Oil to Australia... Been looking into that and planning to send one or several TK's (all sailing separately) with oil from both the U.S. (via Panama City) and Aden. Not to mention seeing what else I can "smuggle" into Australia and NZ. Getting stuff into and out of Down Under is a long and tricky process, but doable.

[wneumann]

The Command Shuffle - Part Deux....

The removal of HQ South Pacific from Auckland back to the eastern Pacific reunites this HQ with the (vast) bulk of forces assigned to it - both currently in the game and those coming as reinforcements. So what do we have left Down Under? Lots.

Looking at Australia:

HQ Southwest Pacific is located in Townsville to control Allied defensive efforts in NE Australia and the upper part of the Australian East Coast. HQ (U.S.) 5th Air Force historically was under SW Pacific - 5th Air Force has been diverted to Hawaii to operate as part of the South Pacific theater. Southwest Pacific command is envisioned to be largely a "defensive front" facing Japanese forces between Port Moresby and the Solomons, to Noumea. I am looking at plans to "smuggle" into Australia/NZ one or more of SW Pacific's U.S. divisions to augment its forces. Overall, SW Pacific is likely to be a defensive front for the most part.

Allied forces in western and NW Australia will fall in the area of HQ ANZAC Command. This HQ had been dispatched into NW Australia for the purpose of drawing supply into that area.

HQ Australia Command remains in Sydney with its area including S and SE Australia.

HQ New Zealand Command is in Auckland to control all NZ forces.


Two additional theater level HQ's are also present in Australia, though with no current role or activity. These are:

HQ Asiatic Fleet - Now located in Adelaide and attached to HQ South Pacific. Current strength of this HQ is 64 support squads. Asiatic Fleet HQ is likely to move to Melbourne to augment ship repair facilities there to the extent it can.

HQ USAFFE - Now located in Alice Springs and attached to HQ Southwest Pacific. Current strength also 64 support squads.
Options for future employment of this HQ include moving it out of Australia to mainland India - also re-assigning it from SW Pacific to Southeast Asia. This use of USAFFE would be particularly attractive if decided and is possible to spend PP's to send U.S. division(s) from the West Coast to India. Combine these divisions in India, plus U.S. 10th Air Force and HQ USAFFE, top it off with Mac Arthur, and it's "instant army". With all the AP's I sent off from Australia to Aden, and a little help from the Brits, the prospect of perhaps some island hopping from India through SE Asia into the DEI later on.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/29/42

Central Pacific: HQ U.S. 5th Air Force arrived at Hilo - reassigned from SW Pacific to South Pacific.

CL Trenton (Omaha class) has been embarked on a scouting mission to probe coverage of Japanese air patrols and detection in the North Pacific. The Trenton's objective on this mission was to sail as far westward as possible into Japanese controlled waters of the North Pacific and remain undetected as long as possible- it reached hex 77,50 (see map) and remained stationary there for a 5-day period without any known detection by Japanese air or naval patrols. CL Trenton is leaving this area and now enroute home.

This opening in the northern flank of Japanese defenses will not immediately be exploited, though additional cruiser patrols will go into this area of the North Pacific to monitor the state of Japanese activity there. A possible option for exploiting this gap is a hit-and-run carrier raid into Japanese shipping routes between the home islands and bases in the Marshalls (Kwajalein) while the KB sorties against a target somewhere else.

This patrol has also somewhat "highlighted" the need for increased U.S. surveillance in some areas of the North Pacific.

[wneumann]

More Operations from 5/29/42:

South Pacific: U.S. submarine Bass reports two Japanese MSW engaged in minesweeping operations at Efate. Also, Jap ground forces are landing at Efate, though the Jap TF that is landing troops on Efate has not been detected.

Australia: Japanese air raids on Darwin and Coen. No significant casulties or damage reported.

DEI: Allied units repulsed initial assault by Japanese ground forces attempting to capture Pontianek. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pontianak

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1462 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35
Kure 2 SNLF
Defending force 2386 troops, 15 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 36
W Borneo Garrison Bn, 108 RN Base Force

Japanese max assault: 31 - adjusted assault: 23
Allied max defense: 31 - adjusted defense: 55
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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

China: Ground combat continues at hex 47,32 and at Sian. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22095 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 906
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20659 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 668
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 133108 troops, 547 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 3759
26th, 32nd, 35th, 37th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 5 & 13 Independent Brigades,
15 Mixed Brigade, 6 FA Rgt
Defending force 81252 troops, 400 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2378
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd, 61st, 80th & 90th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
564 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

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

Other sectors mostly quiet - no significant Japanese activity detected.

However, it is possible that the KB is out there (at sea) somewhere. No Val air patrols observed by U.S. submarines around Kwajalein in the past several days. Situation is being monitored.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/30/42:

Central Pacific: Construction to enlarge base facilities on Fanning Is (Line Islands) is underway. 1 Naval Const Bn (Seabees) is on Fanning Is with another Seabee Bn on the way. Plans are to use the Line Islands as the jumping off point for future offensive operations in the South Pacific theater area. Base construction at Palmyra and Christmas Island has moved well along.

South Pacific: Efate captured by Japanese forces (Yokosuka 8 SNLF which previously took Lunga).

Australia: Japanese landing at Darwin - two divisions plus an engineer regiment. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 78
TF 78 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84

461 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PC Showa Maru #5, Shell hits 6

Japanese ground losses:
2561 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16649 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 422
5th & 18th Infantry Divisions, 1 Engineer Rgt
Defending force 12921 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 619
3rd Australian Division, Gull Force Bn, 107 RAN Base Force

Japanese ground losses:
402 casualties reported

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

Jap air bombing continues at Coen.


DEI: Japanese airborne assault at Pontianek by 1 Parachute Rgt. Paratroops succeeded in landing, eleven L3Y Tina transport aircraft hit by flak during the assault. Shock attack followed airborne drop. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pontianak

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 392 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48
Kure 2 SNLF, 1 Parachute Rgt
Defending force 2406 troops, 15 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 36
W Borneo Garrison Bn, 108 RN Base Force

Japanese max assault: 22 - adjusted assault: 10
Allied max defense: 31 - adjusted defense: 43
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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

India/Burma: Jap air bombing reported at Port Blair. Fighter air-to-air combat between Japanese and Allied (RAF Hurricanes & AVG P-40's) over Imphal, light aircraft losses on both sides. I may soon begin rotating more fighter squadrons into and out of Imphal - at the cost of a relatively small number of pilots and aircraft, this could be a good opportunity for upgrading experience level of my fighter squadrons.

China: Ground combat continues at hex 47,32 and at Sian. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22112 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 906
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20619 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 668
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 189438 troops, 787 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 3809
6th, 26th, 32nd, 35th, 37th, 39th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 5 & 13 Independent Brigades, 15 Mixed Brigade, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 80669 troops, 395 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2381
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd, 61st, 80th & 90th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
521 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

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

Two Jap divisions (6th & 39th) plus 6 Field Artillery Rgt have reinforced the attackers at Sian.


Other sectors mostly quiet.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/31/42

Central Pacific: U.S. submarine S-35 reporting Val DB air patrols at Kwajalein. Apparently at least some of the KB is still at home for the moment. S-35 also reports torpedoing a Japanese PC (Ch 26) - no confirmation of damage or sinking.


Australia: Japanese air bombing continues at Coen - light casulties. Airfield at the Jap Base in Exmouth (NW coast) reported expansion to size 3. No Japanese aircraft have been observed flying from Exmouth.

Japanese landing continue at Darwin - reinforcements to Jap ground forces include four Tank regiments (1, 2, 6, 14), two Engineer regiments (3, 21), plus 17 FA Regiment. Australian defenses continue to inflict substantial casualties on Jap ground forces coming ashore. AAR's follow. Jap air bombing also continues against Australian units at Darwin.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 78
TF 78 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84

515 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PC Showa Maru #5, Shell hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
1329 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

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

Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 78
TF 78 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84

Japanese ground losses:
309 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 116
TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84

693 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Seisho Maru, Shell hits 5
PC Takunan Maru #2, Shell hits 5
PG Hashidate, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
1901 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16702 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 425
3rd Australian Division, Gull Force Bn, 107 RAN Base Force
Defending force 34733 troops, 49 guns, 203 vehicles, Assault Value = 985
5th & 18th Infantry Divisions; 1, 3, 21 Engineer Rgts, 17 Hvy FA Rgt; 1, 2, 6, 14 Tank Rgts

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported

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


DEI: Battle at Pontianek continues - AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pontianak

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1392 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42
Kure 2 SNLF, 1 Parachute Rgt
Defending force 2357 troops, 15 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 37
W Borneo Garrison Bn, 108 RN Base Force

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


Burma/India: Light Japanese & Allies air raids (mostly night ops) continue across Burma and adjacent border areas of China. Light or no damaged reported.

Japanese fighter sweeps at Imphal continue to be opposed by British and AVG fighters. Allied fighter squadrons are taking light losses in aircraft & pilots, however the losses continue to be outweighed by the gain in these fighter squadrons' pilot experience levels. I have been viewing the air-to-air fighter combat over Imphal as a "training ground", considering rotating an occasional new fighter squadron through Imphal to fight alongside more experienced pilots and upgrade overall pilot experience levels of fighter pilots.


China: Ground combat continues at Sian and hex 47,32. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22132 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 905
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20556 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 667
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 190189 troops, 792 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 4343
6th, 26th, 32nd, 34th, 35th, 37th, 39th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions,
5 & 13 Independent Brigades, 15 Mixed Brigade, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 80108 troops, 394 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2382
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd, 61st, 80th & 90th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
144 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[wneumann]

Observation and Game question for any readers....

I noticed during the recent ground combat in Sian that once a ground unit is engaged in combat against enemy ground units (even if your unit is only passively defending the hex), the ground unit becomes basically "locked in the hex". Each time ground combat occurs, any movement orders issued to a ground unit in the hex is cancelled along with any accumulated movement on that order. Appears to be a characteristic of the Zone of Control for ground units, and a result of combination of the three factors below.

a) By default, ground units not ordered to attack in a hex automatically have "defend" orders.

b) Issuing or executing any ground combat order including "defend" to a unit automatically cancels the unit's movement orders.

c) When enemy ground units attack your units in a hex, all friendly (your) units automatically assume and execute "defend" orders even if they have been ordered to move. This then causes (b) to happen for all your ground units in the hex and (if trying to move them somewhere) you are going absolutely nowhere.

What this means is that there is no such thing as "voluntary retreat" from a hex once enemy ground forces begin combat against your units. This includes bombardment attacks.

If my observation is correct, is there any work around? What I am attempting to do in Sian is move two of the Chinese Corps LCU now in Sian out of the hex, leaving other Chinese units in Sian to continue defending it.

It looks like when you engage enemy LCU's in ground combat, you basically have them locked in place. The opposing player cannot move them out of the hex "under their own power" as long as you continue attacking them. The only way enemy ground units leave a hex under these circumstances is if they are forced to retreat as a result of you (shock or deliberate) attacking them.

For WitP players not previously aware of this - Caveat Emptor, Kiddies.

Otherwise, comments or advice on how to get around this (assuming there is a way to) gratefully welcome.

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: wneumann

is there any work around?

Set the destination for the two units you want to withdraw to a friendly base in the direction of where you want to go. Their movement orders won't be cancelled despite any combat. Once they leave Sian you'll have to issue them new orders, but you will be able to get them to leave the hex.

[wneumann]

ORIGINAL: ctangus

ORIGINAL: wneumann

is there any work around?

Set the destination for the two units you want to withdraw to a friendly base in the direction of where you want to go. Their movement orders won't be cancelled despite any combat. Once they leave Sian you'll have to issue them new orders, but you will be able to get them to leave the hex.

ctangus.

thanks, I will have to try that on my next move.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/1/42

Most sectors fairly quiet - no significant Japanese activity reported.

Central Pacific: Val DB air patrols continue to be reported U.S. submarines S-35 and S-45 in the area around Kwajalein. Japanese ML Odate torpedoed and confirmed sunk at Kwajalein by sub S-35.


DEI: Japanese landing reported at Pinrang (Celebes Is), identity of LCU(s) landing there unknown. No Allied ground units remain in Pinrang - Makassar Garrison Bn withdrew to Pinrang after Jap capture Makassar base, remaining elements of this unit were then evacuated by submarine from Pinrang to Darwin. Makassar Garrison Bn is now in Katherine attached to 4 Australian Div.

Ground battle at Pontianek continues, AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pontianak

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1375 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46
Kure 2 SNLF, 1 Parachute Rgt
Defending force 2243 troops, 12 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 35
W Borneo Garrison Bn, 108 RN Base Force

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


Australia: Japanese air bombing attacks continue at Coen and Darwin. Artillery elements of 3 Australian Division continue taking a toll on Japanese forces landing at Darwin. AAR's and current situation map of NW Australia follow. Plans at Darwin are to continue holding the base until the last moment (just before the Japanese can execute a full shock attack) - at this time withdraw Allied units southward to Katherine. While this will surrender Darwin a turn or two earlier than otherwise (defending it to the bitter end), this move will also conserve the strength of 3 Australian Div (and other units) to more effectively continue fighting inland.

Also, being noted that no Japanese CAP is present over Darwin, a Dutch bomber squadron (12 Martin 139's) was quickly brought up from Alice Springs to Katherine to bomb Japanese transports landing in Darwin.

Doubly appreciate Ctangus' tip - his bit of advice is how this move becomes possible.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 78
TF 78 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84

Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 116
TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84

714 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Keiko Maru, Shell hits 4
PG Seisho Maru, Shell hits 3
PC Takunan Maru #5, Shell hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
1039 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 78
TF 78 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 116
TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84

77 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 788 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1035
5th & 18th Infantry Divisions; 1, 3, 21 Engineer Rgts, 17 Hvy FA Rgt; 1, 2, 6, 14 Tank Rgts
Defending force 18366 troops, 128 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 424
3rd Australian Division, Gull Force Bn, 107 RAN Base Force

Allied ground losses:
230 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16390 troops, 111 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 417
3rd Australian Division, Gull Force Bn, 107 RAN Base Force
Defending force 39847 troops, 50 guns, 246 vehicles, Assault Value = 1035
5th & 18th Infantry Divisions; 1, 3, 21 Engineer Rgts, 17 Hvy FA Rgt; 1, 2, 6, 14 Tank Rgts

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

[wneumann]

More Operations from 6/1/42

China: Ground battles continue at Sian and hex 47,32 - AAR's and current situation map follow. Withdrawal of two Chinese corps defending Sian (80th & 90th) will begin the 6/2 game turn. This withdrawal is to cover the route between Sian and Kungchang from the advance of Japanese 9 Independent Brigade (current location NW of Sian).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22064 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 905
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20444 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 663
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 178047 troops, 767 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 4150
6th, 26th, 32nd, 34th, 35th, 37th, 39th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions,
5 & 13 Independent Brigades, 15 Mixed Brigade, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 80188 troops, 399 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2382
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd, 61st, 80th & 90th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

[wneumann]

One more time... current situation map of China (6/1/42)

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/2/42: Going directly to the top headline....

Australia: Japanese forces capture Darwin after intense air, naval bombardment, ground attacks. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84

Japanese Ships
DD Michishio
DD Tokitsukaze
CL Kitakami
CA Nachi
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato

Allied ground losses:
629 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Australian Division, at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-48-I Lily x 14
Ki-49 Helen x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
12 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Australian Division, at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
G5N Liz x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G5N Liz: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G5N Liz bombing at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PC Nichi Maru #1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Ryoyo Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 40409 troops, 50 guns, 252 vehicles, Assault Value = 1060
5th & 18th Infantry Divisions; 1, 3, 21 Engineer Rgts, 17 Hvy FA Rgt;
1, 2, 6, 14 Tank Rgts
Defending force 16878 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 401
3rd Australian Division, Gull Force Bn, 107 RAN Base Force

Japanese max assault: 1870 - adjusted assault: 2123
Allied max defense: 235 - adjusted defense: 242
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 4)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Darwin base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1154 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
3789 casualties reported
Guns lost 64

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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

Allied units retreating from Darwin heading southward towards Katherine to join 4 Australian Div, U.S. 31 RCT, and several other units there. I left Pillager with a lot of work for his engineers to do in Darwin before the place is fit to use again.

2 Australian Cavalry Div is moving northward (now in the Adelaide area) to reinforce NW Australia, however, won't get there for some time. Which means I may have to keep 3 Australian Div in the line for now - many elements of this division are disrupted from the weeks of bombardment prior to the Japanese landing as well as ground combat in Darwin over the last several days. My intent is to get 3 Division out of the line whenever possible to get itself back into shape, question is when?

One small advantage gained in this retreat... being pushed back from the coast, the IJN can no longer bombard Allied forces in NW Australia. The only Japs that can attack now are aircraft and ground forces.

Elsewhere in Australia, Jap air raids continue at Coen. Light to moderate casualties in today's attacks.


DEI: Japanese forces (Kainan Guard SNLF) capture Pinrang (Celebes Is) unopposed - Dutch garrison having been evacuated via Darwin to NW Australia.

Ground combat continues at Pontianek. AAR follows. Also light Japanese air bombing of Pontianek, no significant damage or casualties to Allied forces.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pontianak

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1462 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 47
Kure 2 SNLF, 1 Parachute Rgt
Defending force 2140 troops, 10 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 34
W Borneo Garrison Bn, 108 RN Base Force

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


China: Ground combat continues at hex 47,32 and Sian. AAR's follow. Per ctangus's advice, I set movement orders for the two Chinese Corps LCU's to pull out of Sian (ordered these units to go to Kungchang - nearest base in the direction I want to move them in). Hopefully I didn't waste too much time trying to move them out of Sian and they can get to where I need them in time.

Japanese ground forces attacking Sian reinforced by 2 & 8 Engineer regiments.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22055 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 904
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20453 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 662
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 178650 troops, 767 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 4181
6th, 26th, 32nd, 34th, 35th, 37th, 39th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions,
5 & 13 Independent Brigades, 15 Mixed Brigade, 6 & 15 FA Rgts, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts
Defending force 79911 troops, 390 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2387
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd, 61st, 80th & 90th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
280 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

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


North Pacific: U.S. 138 RCT has arrived at Adak base and is disembarking along with 4700 supply points. A second transport TF with a Seabee Construction Bn and additional supply is also enroute to Adak. Deployment of a base force LCU to Adak is planned along with aircraft once Adak is capable of supporting air ops. Buildup of base facilities at Adak will proceed to the maximum extent possible.


Central Pacific: Multiple contacts with Val DB air patrols continue at Kwajalein. At least some of the KB is staying home.

Construction of fortifications and airfield facilities on Fanning Is proceeding well. Both Palmyra and Christmas Is have been built up and now adding Fanning Is to increase facilities in the Line Islands. The Line Islands is the primary area planned for concentration of forces for the South Pacific theater.


Elsewhere in the news: TK District of Columbia with 10K Oil has departed the U.S. West Coast to Australia via Panama City and the "Antarctic Circle route". A second TK with Oil for Australia is loading and will soon depart Aden. I figure one of these will get through - if both of them do, all the better. Other TK's with fuel points are preparing to depart the U.S. for Australia.

All other sectors relatively quiet. No major Japanese activity detected or reported.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/3/42

Central Pacific: Val DB air patrols continue over Kwajalein.

North Pacific: Disembarking of 138 RCT and supply points proceeding on Adak.


Australia: Japanese air bombing raids at Coen and Katherine. Significant damage to airfield facilities at Katherine. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Katherine , at 35,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-48-I Lily x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 62

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 6 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
Martin 139: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22

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


DEI: Battle for Pontianek continues. Japanese ground and air bombardment - light casualties to 108 RN Base Force. No damage to Pontianek base facilities.


India/Burma: Command shuffle of RAF squadron commanders - upgraded commanding officers of many front line air units, particularly bomber squadrons. A large number of the excess ships departing Australia have arrived or now approaching Aden and Indian ports.


China: Continued ground fighting at hex 47,32 and Sian. AAR's follow.

Ctangus - your tip on LCU movement is working, the two Chinese corps I started moving should leave the Sian hex next turn (exactly where I want them to go so they can hold off an attempted Japanese outflanking move). I had preferred not to remove the LCU's from Sian but better that then the whole lot being trapped in a pocket like the one I had in China a short time ago (in hex 48,31). Again, thanks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22031 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 901
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20429 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 662
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 179382 troops, 770 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 4222
6th, 26th, 32nd, 34th, 35th, 37th, 39th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions,
5 & 13 Independent Brigades, 15 Mixed Brigade, 6 & 15 FA Rgts,
2 & 8 Engineer Rgts
Defending force 79811 troops, 386 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2391
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd, 61st, 80th & 90th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
231 casualties reported

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

Other sectors quiet, no significant Japanese activity.

[wneumann]

Another game question for readers....

With the Japanese now in control of Darwin, what might be an effective means of slowing down a Jap ground advance into the interior of NW Australia is to interdict supply to Jap ground units. This tactic could also impose a small delay in Pillager repairing damage to base and airfield facilities in Darwin. One method I see in the short term is to bomb Darwin, specifically to destroy Japanese supply point stockpiles Pillager may attempt to create there.

Question is..... what type of bombing raid (port, airfield, city, etc) would you use to destroy supply points stored at an enemy base?

[Alfred]

In my experience, airfield attacks are more effective than port attacks to drain enemy supplies.  Also by damaging runways you impact upon air operations whereas he can always move ships to another port if the port facilities are damaged at Darwin.
 
Alfred

[wneumann]

Alfred,  That's what it looked like. Airfield attack would be more effective in this situation exactly as you said - it would be damaging the airfield as well as destroying supply. A port attack would not accomplish as much, I'm projecting Pillager will be using the port in Darwin as his primary location to offload supplies and reinforcements in NW Australia, maybe refuel some ships there. I don't see him having that much use for Darwin as a major naval base - if he did, it would probably have little effect on my overall situation in Australia.