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Hi Jim, generally speaking, how are your subs performing so far?

Good AAR Jim.

One thing so far...why move the damaged PH BBs so early? Most folks do this and lose them to subs or a lurking KB.

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Dec. 25th heavily damaged US battleship California torpedoed and sunk on route to west coast from Pearl.

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Sub attack at 120,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-17

Allied Ships
BB California, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hull

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The damaged battleship Arizona was also torpedoed but is so far still afloat.

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Sub attack at 121,63

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Farragut
DD MacDonough

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Ignore my previous post...I just read through the entire AAR and got my answer plus some excellent entertainment. Pretty decent defending overall. [8D] Only bad spot is the convoy debacles and once again, the inclusion of strict a/c ranges in an operational level game with no air phase naval movement lead to a bogus range 5 IJN CV attack with no Allied strike, thus losing Yorktown. Personally, unless they address this in AE I'd advocate a house rule where IJN a/c be set to range 4 max. Another HR would be requiring same nationality and same service (naval or air) base forces to service a/c.

Why not use your CAF IL-4s 50% on naval search and 50% on naval attack at 5000ft? Causes the Japs cluster migraines![:)]

8 May 42

Japanese bombers make another port attack on Rangoon today, guess he was trying to get lucky. I had 3 short legged Dutch subs in harbor for refueling and his recon spotted 2 of them last turn. He must have thought I was going to disband them into port and tried to catch them.

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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 34
Ki-21-II Sally x 18
Ki-49 Helen x 45
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 11 damaged

Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 14000 feet
<snip>
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Allied bombers hit Cooktown twice today. No other air raids were conducted by either side today.

Several Chinese corps have arrived in Nanchang and Japan conducts a bombardment attack. With three divisions plus at the base, it doesn’t look like I’ll be attacking. The rest of my troops should arrive within 2 days.

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Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7807 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1740

Defending force 57357 troops, 268 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1500



Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
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Sabang falls and with it all resistance left in northern Sumatra surrenders. I was able to pull out 1 battalion and a piece of the three Dutch base forces. One of the base forces was at about 2/3rds strength still, the other two have less than 10 elements each and will require extensive rebuilding.

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Ground combat at Sabang

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9977 troops, 85 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 332

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

Japanese max assault: 117 - adjusted assault: 75

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 75 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sabang base !!!



Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
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As requested here’s a screenshot of my sunken subs and all the Japanese ships sunk to date sorted by what weapon was credited with sinking them.



It looks like only 9 (possibly 11) ships are confirmed sunk by my subs, the 18in Mk VII’s are British air torpedoes and I believe the 21in Mk VIII’s are Dutch air torpedoes, but I wasn’t sure so I circled them too.

My subs have probably damaged 15-20 ships or so in addition to those they’ve sunk.

Currently the vast majority of my subs are in port repairing sys damage from attacks or recent upgrades. I should begin another sub surge in about a month or two. Right now I probably have less than 15 subs total out patrolling.

Jim

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

Ignore my previous post...I just read through the entire AAR and got my answer plus some excellent entertainment. Pretty decent defending overall. [8D] Only bad spot is the convoy debacles and once again, the inclusion of strict a/c ranges in an operational level game with no air phase naval movement lead to a bogus range 5 IJN CV attack with no Allied strike, thus losing Yorktown. Personally, unless they address this in AE I'd advocate a house rule where IJN a/c be set to range 4 max. Another HR would be requiring same nationality and same service (naval or air) base forces to service a/c.

Why not use your CAF IL-4s 50% on naval search and 50% on naval attack at 5000ft? Causes the Japs cluster migraines![:)]

Hi Ron,

Welcome glad you enjoyed the read. I like the HR about same nationality air bases servicing same aircraft, but I think perhaps it is a little too strict.

A better solution would be same command base forces servicing same commands aircraft, otherwise historical deployments like US planes in India and Australian planes in Malaya wouldn’t be allowed. But even this gets sticky with cross-map redeployments needing same command base forces to keep damaged planes repaired so they can finish their cross-map moves.

Perhaps just a penalty to repair rolls for non-national or non-commands air frames would be better?

Once/if I ever get the IL4’s above 40-45 experience I’ll do naval attacks and more. Right now they couldn’t hit the broad side of a factory (Hanoi raids missed everything) if it was painted red. Once they have some decent pilots I’ll start using them offensively again.

Putting them on 50% recon and 50% naval search is a good idea, but I’m a tad worried about operational losses with such low pilot experience. Replacement air frames are almost non-existent for the Chinese airforce, I’ll have to mull it over.

It should be noted Japan now keeps about 10 fighters flying CAP over Hanoi, so they are causing him to react even though they haven’t flown in a while.

Jim

In my CHS non respawn variant I drastically reduced pilot experience. (I actually have pilots in single digit exp levels...like 2![:D]) But my IL-4 pilots are in the 30s and wreak havoc on Japanese merchants...the 50% on naval search really help my sub deployments as well.

You are right about the draconian strictness of the HR on base forces. There are a few exceptions to every rule. I like yours.

9 May 42

Allied bombers hit Daily Waters, Cairns and Cooktown today. Cooktown was far from routine and turned into a disaster for the allies.

Two raids were flown against the base and 82 Japanese zeroes were flying LRCAP over the base. The range of the zeroes must have been pretty far as none of my bombers were shot down in air to air. Allied fighters however were cleared from the skies and I lost over half a month’s production of Kittyhawks.

The only good news was one of the raids was a naval strike and a Japanese DD was hit. Only moderate damage was caused to the DD however.

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Day Air attack on Cooktown , at 48,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 82

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 12
B-17E Fortress x 22
LB-30 Liberator x 2
F-4 Lightning x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 24 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 12 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 22 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged
F-4 Lightning: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 48,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 13
B-26B Marauder x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 10 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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It looks like the reason Japan was bringing his CV’s back to Australian waters is to escort in more transport convoys. Recon reports about 11,000 more troops and over 100 more guns at Cooktown this turn (both Cooktown and Cairns had similar troop numbers before today). 6 units are reported, so he’s landing an additional 4 units. Allied naval search aircraft failed to detect any of these transport fleets during their moves into Cooktown. Looks like I'll need to rebase more search aiircraft to Townsville.



Allied air was too chewed up to try another air strike this turn, so I reduced bombing ranges to 4 hexes. Hopefully enough fighters will repair this turn to allow another naval strike mission before his ships leave the area.

No Japanese air raids occurred today.

In China all my forces are in position except one corps that will arrive in hex 47, 36 tomorrow. Here are Japan’s bombardments this turn:

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Ground combat at 47,36

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 82196 troops, 346 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 3659

Defending force 131674 troops, 618 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 3741



Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7807 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1740

Defending force 66893 troops, 320 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1793



Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
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Given our comparative AV’s and the fact I have far more guns in both hexes, I’ve turned on bombardment attacks for both hexes.

Jim

10 – 11 May 42

10 May saw my reduced bombing ranges pay off a little as two raids were flown at task forces 4 hexes north of my airbases.

As small raids against a Japanese surface fleet failed to het the DD targeted. But a larger raid flown against a transport task force at Cairns managed to hit a couple of AP’s, even though 21 zeroes flying CAP over the fleet broke up my strike.

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Day Air attack on TF at 49,102


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 48,102

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 10
T.IVa x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 4
B-26B Marauder x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
T.IVa: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Teiryu Maru
AP Kensho Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Tafuku Maru
AP Argentina Maru
PG Iwate
AP Tatsuta Maru
AP Baikal Maru
AP Kongo Maru
AP Chinko Maru
AP Daigen Maru
PG Ikunta Maru
AP Takayo Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Nothing else occurred on 10 May except the land bombardment exchanges in China.

On 11 May Japan hits Moulmein and pounds the base hard. Damage is heavy and I now doubt I’ll be able to finish my level 5 forts before land combat commences at the base. I’ve detected at least 1 more brigade and a division on the trails leading to Moulmein, so the Burma campaign should begin soon.

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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 50
Ki-21-II Sally x 23
Ki-49 Helen x 47
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 9000 feet
<snip>
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My opponent must have been upset by last turns strike on his transport fleets,, because KB appeared 5 hexes north of Townsville (just outside my bombers 4 hex range limit) and hit the base hard putting it out of commission.

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Day Air attack on Townsville , at 46,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N2 Kate x 134

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 111

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 22000 feet
<snip>
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I guess the reason more of my planes weren’t destroyed on the ground is because this raid against Cairns was apparently flown simultaneously and most of my planes were in the air.

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Day Air attack on Cairns , at 48,102

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6
T.IVa x 6
Beaufort V-IX x 6
A-24 Dauntless x 30
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-26B Marauder x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
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My engineers managed to repair enough damage to make the field operational this turn, but with KB so close I decided to withdraw all my air groups south for refits. Some of my level bomber squadrons had only 5 planes left in them since I haven’t been able to pull replacements for weeks due to the Southwest Pacific HQ not pulling enough supplies to Townsville.

So I’ll ride out the KB storm with no air power at either Charter Towers or Townsville and let my engineers bring the airfield back to serviceable condition. Here’s a screenshot of the base:



In China we’re still trading land bombardments.

Nothing else to report this turn.

Jim

12 – 13 May 42

12 May starts out with Japan conducting a naval bombardment of Townsville. It looks like it was a good idea to pull all my air units out to the south last turn.

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Naval bombardment of Townsville, at 46,105

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
CL Kuma
CA Kumano
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi
CA Haguro


Allied ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
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KB then conducts two air raids, one against Townsville the other Charter Towers. I believe the only reason a few planes flew escort is because I had no CAP over the bases. Escorts usually only fly in large numbers when CAP is present over the target.

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Day Air attack on Townsville , at 46,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 74

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 46

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 22000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on Charters Towers , at 45,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N2 Kate x 25
E13A1 Jake x 4

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 22000 feet
<snip>
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In China the usual land bombardments are traded, though it appears Japan has brought at least another division into Nanchang. Here are our Nanchang bombardments.

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Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10688 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2243

Defending force 66561 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1789



Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Ground combat at Nanchang

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 55939 troops, 312 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1783

Defending force 111568 troops, 542 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 2243


Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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At hex 47, 36 Japan appears to have pulled out some of his strength. Recon only reports 18 units there now and his AV has dropped to about 2800. Guess my Nanchang move has caused him a little consternation.

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Ground combat at 47,36

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 82806 troops, 357 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 2849

Defending force 143263 troops, 688 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 4125



Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
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Ground combat at 47,36

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 129903 troops, 688 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 4125

Defending force 144322 troops, 572 guns, 88 vehicles, Assault Value = 2849


Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
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I’ll keep things as they are for now in China, but if he moves any more forces into Nanchang, I’ll send in the 3 flank guard corps 1 hex east of there. I’ll then send 3 corps from hex 47, 36 to take the place on flank guard duties, since it is apparent I’ve stopped his attack at this point.

13 May has two allied air raids launch against hex 30, 35 southeast of Moulmein. Both raids strike the 23rd Mixed Brigade. I had hoped that multiple targets would be hit so I could confirm recons report of a division in the hex a few turns back.

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Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 30,35


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Wellington III x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 30,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 6
B-17E Fortress x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
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Recon is still limited after these strikes, so I don’t even have a troop numbers count yet. Hopefully next turn will see some confirmation of the division.

Land bombardments traded in China, nothing else occurred today. Although I did get some useful info from SIGINT this turn. It appears Japan is bringing another division to Cooktown. The 48th Division was used in the Philippines, so if he’s embarked the majority of those forces to bring to Australia, the country is in dire trouble.



I’m starting to regret sending the 7th AIF division to Noumea. As soon as significant reinforcements arrive at Noumea from Panama and the states, I’ll send it back to Australia ASAP. The 6th AIF is about half way to Australia and will sail all the way to Sydney before debarking.

Jim

14 – 16 May 42

14 May begins with an allied raid of Hudson’s on Daily Waters today and caused pretty good damage to the base for a change. The bombers struck the runway 36 times and the airbase 6 times.

In Burma my bombers finally flew against multiple targets in the hex one hex southeast of Moulmein and identified several units. Two divisions and a brigade are hit, so it looks like things are about to get real hot for the British in Burma.

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Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 30,35


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 30,35


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 21
Wellington III x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Wellington III: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 5th Division, at 30,35


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 8
Wellington III x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 damaged
Wellington III: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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8 Japanese Jake’s escorted by 7 zeroes hit Charter Towers today and cause no damage.

15 May is probably the shortest combat report I’ve ever seen. I’ve cut and pasted the entire report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/15/42

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Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
AP Kashima Maru
PC Takunan Maru #7
PC Takunan Maru #6
PC Shonon Maru #11
PC Shonon Maru #10
PC Shonon Maru #3
PC Kyo Maru #7
PC Kyo Maru #6
PC Fumi Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Narwhal, hits 5, on fire
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ASW attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
ML Shirataka

Allied Ships
SS Narwhal, heavy damage
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Day Air attack on 10th Group Army, at 48,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

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Day Air attack on 10th Group Army, at 48,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses
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Ground combat at 47,36

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 83224 troops, 356 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 2888

Defending force 143872 troops, 698 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 4132



Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
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Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10684 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2247

Defending force 65378 troops, 307 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1782



Allied ground losses:
128 casualties reported
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With such an uneventful turn, I’m at a complete loss for what to say. If not for the pounding the Narwhal took, I’d say it was as if both sides took the day off from the war.

If you thought that was bad, 16 May was even shorter:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/16/42

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Day Air attack on 10th Group Army, at 48,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses
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Day Air attack on Charters Towers , at 45,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
E13A1 Jake x 8

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
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Sub attack near Noumea at 66,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
AP Van Neck, Torpedo hits 1 Landing an engineer battalion
PG Charleston


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
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Ground combat at 47,36

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 83288 troops, 357 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 2903

Defending force 144168 troops, 696 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 4141



Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
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Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10704 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2248

Defending force 65269 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1783



Allied ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Having drawn replacement air frames and taken a few days rest, I rebased the allied bombers back to Charter Towers and Townsville. Things should be a little livelier tomorrow given several Japanese fleets are still lurking around Cooktown.

Jim

17 May 42

Boy did things pick up today, a nice change after so many uneventful days. Overall it was a good day for the allies.

At Kwajalein the US Nautilus makes an uneventful attack and escapes two ASW attacks. I post this because it appears there is a lot of shipping activity going on at Kwajalein right now. The Nautilus spots 4 fleets docked at Kwajalein.

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Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
AK Hirokawa Maru
PG Toyotsu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus
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Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
MSW Shonan Maru #8
MSW Shonan Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Although recon reports are too sketchy to make a guess as to what is going on, I’m pretty sure Japan is preparing to invade somewhere in the Pacific. There are simply too many fleets present for simply supply runs or ASW patrols.

At Madras allied ASW assets score a single hit on the Japanese sub I-159.

Japan conducts a large air raid on Moulmein and causes heavy damage. With my engineers 90% of the way to level 5 forts, it’s becoming a real nail biter as to whether I’ll finish the forts before the Japanese troops arrive. With only 600 AV in the hex, I’ll need ever fort I can get.

Allied heavies from Charter Towers hit Cooktown and cause light damage to the base. Japan appears to have fighters stationed at Cooktown now, so the attrition war shall commence in earnest in Australia now. Only 1 of the 8 Kittyhawk escorts was lost to the 25 zeroes flying CAP today, so his pilots must be fatigued from the transfer in.

THE HIRYU IS BURNING!

Allied medium bombers from Townsville conduct two air strikes against a Japanese CV task force containing the Hiryu and Soryu. Unfortunately only about 2/3rds of the planes from my bomber squadrons were ready, and even fewer flew, so the attacks were not strong ones.

The escorting fighters were in even worse shape as far as ready aircraft, but they managed to allow the bombers to get through somehow, even though Japan had over 70 zeroes flying CAP over the fleet.

I’ve put together a pretty detailed screenshot of the two strikes below. As you can see a large percentage of my bombers got through and managed to score several hits on the Hiryu. Also between the two attacks, we managed to put a torpedo into the side of both escorting battleships. Although I would have preferred to hit the CV’s with the torpedoes, I’m glad to see this many hits in one day.



Of the three hits on the Hiryu, one bounced! The other two have started moderate fires, but given that CAP over the fleet on the second wave was stronger than CAP vs. the first wave, I doubt I’ve hurt her that much.

In between my two raids, Japan flew a strike against Townsville. He has definitely split up KB now. My only guess is he misinterpreted my recent withdraw of air frames as me conceding the air game in northeastern Australia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Townsville , at 46,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
B5N2 Kate x 111
F1M2 Pete x 26
E13A1 Jake x 8

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F1M2 Pete: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 5 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
T.IVa: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
238 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 67

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I pulled back mainly because my squadrons were running out of air frames, but I think this emboldened my opponent and he lingered too long within range of allied air bases he hadn’t been able to permanently shut down.

Had he managed to close the airfields, then splitting KB and leaving these two CV’s and parts of mini KB behind all alone would have been fine. But because he couldn’t close the airfields, it has almost cost him a CV.

Like the Zuikaku earlier though, I don’t think he’ll lose the ship, so at best it’s out of action for several months. But who knows, perhaps I’ll get lucky and the fires will rage out of control. I also have 2 subs right next to these fleets, so maybe I can pick off a straggler.

After today’s fighting, most of my bomber squadrons have only 1 or 2 planes ready, so I’ve staged them back for refits and left only some search planes at Townsville.

Jim

18 May 42

At Kwajalein US sub SS Nautilus gets some revenge for the allied ML’s Japan sunk earlier in game and slams a torpedo into the side of a Japanese ML.

US sub SS S-18 gets a shot at a Japanese CVE fleeing north from the Cooktown area, but the torpedoes miss. I think this is at least 3 torpedo attacks made on a Japanese CV or CVE in our game now, with still no luck for the allies.



Allied Hudson bombers hit Daily Waters today and cause light damage.

Japanese bombers hit Moulmein today and cause moderate damage to the base.

Unescorted Allied heavy bombers then hit Rahaeng airfield and manage to push through the light CAP defending the base, damage to the base however was light and only a few Japanese planes were destroyed on the ground.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rahaeng , at 31,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 18
B-17E Fortress x 30
LB-30 Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese Nell bombers then fly an unescorted mission over Charter Towers. Unfortunately my lone fighter group was still pretty chewed up from the recent CV strike and only 2 planes rose to oppose the raid. No bombers were shot down in air to air combat, though 2 were destroyed by flak. Damage to the base was very light and 1 Kittyhawk was destroyed on the ground.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Charters Towers , at 45,105

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 28

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G3M Nell bombing at 7000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In China Japan continues his two land bombardment attacks. I now count 5 divisions at Nanchang, but I still have no other units I can send in yet. Japan’s bombardment at hex 47, 36 keeps resetting my units move plots. I’ve given them Changsha as a destination hex, let’s see if they hold the move plot to a friendly base.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,36

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 83661 troops, 361 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 2927

Defending force 144762 troops, 709 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 4150



Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10636 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2689

Defending force 64750 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1770



Allied ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At Noumea we’ve run into a possible new bug. Ever since the battles at the island ended and my base was repaired, I’ve been trying to get my bomber to strike Luganville which is just 8 hexes away from the base.

I recently rebased in my P-38F group and had that on airbase attack to see if the 9 hex range they are capable made a difference, but even they wouldn’t fly an airstrike.

I’ve now switched them to escort 50% CAP, to see if perhaps no escorts are what is causing the problem. I know bombers sometimes don’t fly missions reliably, but fighters usually always fly airbase attacks if they have high morale and are in good repair as all my air groups are.

I have well over 300 air support at the base, so that isn’t the problem. Has anyone else run into this problem in CHS with allied planes failing to fly missions from Noumea to Luganville?

Jim

19 – 21 May 42

19 May has the allies bombing Cooktown and Daily waters. Damage to the bases is light.

Japan bombs Moulmein and causes moderate damage to the base.

Japan then launches a deliberate attack at Nanchang and gets a 1-1 odds attack. Japan takes almost 4-1 more casualties than China, so I consider the battle a Chinese victory. I do note however that Japan now has over 150,000 troops (6 of them divisions) at Nanchang.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 132893 troops, 654 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 3169

Defending force 64543 troops, 294 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1773

Japanese max assault: 2834 - adjusted assault: 944

Allied max defense: 1825 - adjusted defense: 722

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
4578 casualties reported
Guns lost 34
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1480 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



With so much power at Nanchang, I’ve gone ahead and committed my three reserve corps one hex west to move into the city. The three corps pulling out from the battle in the wooded hex north will replace the reserve corps on flank guard duty once they arrive in the area.

20 May has 2 Japanese air strikes. One hits Moulmein and the other was a small strike of 23 Ann’s that hit the WS Garrison Battalion remnant on the western shores of Sumatra.

The allied heavies hit Cooktown today, damage to the base is slowly building with these daily raids. Hopefully we can get the airfield shut down soon to drive the zeroes based there out of Australian skies.

Nothing else of note occurred today.

21 May starts with a Japanese sub attack at Palmyra. A small allied AK is hit but the sub gets hammered for its trouble. This small fleet was sent there to shuttle the 2 short legged squadrons of A-24’s from Palmyra to Canton Island. Hopefully the damage to the sub is sufficient to cause it to return to port so the remaining AK can begin the shuttle moves.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Palmyra at 110,90

Japanese Ships
SS I-21, hits 5

Allied Ships
AK Kaula, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pope
DD Pillsbury
DD Peary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allied heavies hit Cooktown again today and cause light damage. However three zeroes were destroyed on the ground.

Recon reports my opponent has moved his zeroes to Cairns. With the allied medium bombers back at Townsville this turn, I’ve set them to begin hammering that base again. If things go well I should regain air superiority in about 2-4 days. My fighters are still in bad shape from the KB raid last week, so I fear losses will be high as I won’t have many escorts.

In China Japan has reverted to a land bombardment at Nanchang. He has discontinued his land bombardment in the northern forest hex, perhaps he has supply issues there, or he may even be withdrawing.

I’ll keep an eye on things, if the number of units in hex drops suddenly, I’ll launch a shock attack to try and hit his rear guard before it escapes.

At Noumea the 1st Marine Air Wing (SPAC command) has arrived at the base. This allows me to embark the 51st Aviation Regiment (originally diverted from SWPAC command) to send on to Sydney and ultimately Townsville.

It will be nice to finally have decent air support available in Australia for a change. Currently most of my active air squadrons have 50% - 70% of their air frames disabled most of the time.

While this does allow daily raids to be conducted because just a small percentage of the pilots gain any fatigue, it takes forever to accumulate enough damage at a base to put it out of commission. With near 100% of the air frames operational, I’m hoping it will be a lot easier to maintain air superiority in Northeastern Australia.

Jim

22 – 24 May 42

22 May has the allies conduct two air raids. One on Daily Waters and one on Cooktown.

Japan conducts one air raid on Wyndham. This is Japan’s first attack on the base and damage to the base is light. With supplies in the red however, I rebased the float plane group out.

I also ordered the baseforce unit to march to Tennant Creek since this probably means Japan is preparing to take the base. My equipment pools are pretty dry right now, so no sense adding one more unit that needs rebuilding to the mix by leaving the baseforce unit at Wyndham to be destroyed.

I would have air lifted the unit out, but all the baseforce units in northern Australia are fixed units, so they’ll all have to march out eventually. As I fled the SRA, I managed to dump about 8,000 supplies at Broome, so I’ll wait to pull out from the last two bases until my squadron of Hudson’s at Broome has a chance to sink a little Japanese shipping.

23 May starts off with a little sub activity. First the SS Bonita gets hammered by Japanese escorts after its torpedo attacks miss their targets.

Next the US sub SS S-27 slams a torpedo into a Japanese AK and manages to elude the escort’s counter-attacks.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 57,97

Japanese Ships
AK Biyo Maru
PC Ch 24
PC Ch 23
PC Ch 19
PC Sonan Maru #6
PC Kyo Maru #11
PC Kyo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Bonita, hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 57,97

Japanese Ships
AK Ryuun Maru
AK Biyo Maru
PC Ch 24
PC Ch 23
PC Ch 19
PC Sonan Maru #6
PC Kyo Maru #11
PC Kyo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Bonita, hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,99

Japanese Ships
AK Ryuko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Isuzu Maru
PC Ch 22
PC Ch 20
PG Daido Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The allies bomb Daily Waters and Cooktown again today. Allied heavies also hit the Japanese 5th Division on the trail one hex southeast of Moulmein.

Japan bombs Chinese units at Nanchang today in 4 separate raids.

24 May has the allies again hitting Daily Waters and Cooktown today. In addition some of my planes from Noumea finally fly against Luganville after weeks of inactivity.

I had been trying to get my planes to fly for several weeks now against the airbase. This turn I had switched these two long range units to port attack and ground attack to see if that made a difference.

Sure enough they flew, so perhaps the fact that Luganville is a 0 (0) airfield right now is the reason none of my other planes are flying. I even have my single squadron of P-38F’s at Luganville, so I was getting worried that the base was bugged.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
A-29 Hudson x 11


No Allied losses

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-29 Hudson bombing at 6000 feet
5 x A-29 Hudson bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 71,111


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
F-5A Lightning x 1
A-29 Hudson x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A-29 Hudson bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My range 8 bombers still have not flown a mission yet and neither have the P-38’s, so this turn I set all bombers to naval strike/Port attack commanders decision to see if they will all launch on the next strike. The P-38’s are set to escort.

Allied mediums and heavies hit the 23rd mixed brigade on the trail hex one hex southeast of Moulmein. I *think* ground attack bombers usually hit the most effective land unit in a hex, so perhaps this means my previous ground attack missions against his divisions have caused them so much disruption that they are weaker than the brigade now. Of course I could be totally wrong, but I’ll take it as a good sign for now.

Other than a land bombardment at Nanchang, Japan conducted no activity of note today.

Jim

25 – 27 May 42

25 May begins with Dutch sub KXVI slamming a torpedo into the side of a Japanese AK at Batavia. I was surprised to see no escorts assigned to the ship, perhaps my recent sub inactivity with all my radar refits has caused my opponent to get complacent.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Batavia at 20,60

Japanese Ships
AK Nojima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXVI
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Allied heavy bombers hit Cooktown today. I also finally got the B-25C’s to fly against Luganville from Noumea. It looks like the lack of an airbase level is why they hadn’t been flying before. This raid will become another one of my routine raids.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-25C Mitchell x 30
A-29 Hudson x 30
P-38F Lightning x 15


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other than a land bombardment at Nanchang, Japan conducted no operation of note today.

26 May begins with a Japanese naval bombardment of Benkolen on western Sumatra. I was surprised to see this operation. Perhaps my opponent thinks I’ve reinforced the base, but all I have there are the starting Dutch forces that begin the game there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Benkolen, at 17,55

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
CL Natori
CA Myoko
CA Chokai
CA Tone


Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 19
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese bombers hit Moulmein today and stop base fort construction at 99%. With Japanese land units arriving in the hex now, it’s doubtful I’ll have a chance to finish the level 5 forts.

Allied bombers hit Luganville today.

Then just as the turn was about to end, US sub SS Halibut slams a torpedo into the side of a Japanese AP south of the Home Islands. No casualties were reported, so I assume the ship was empty.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,48

Japanese Ships
AP Taiho Maru, Torpedo hits 1
PG Aikoku Maru
PG Shoei Maru

Allied Ships
SS Halibut
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



27 May begins with two failed US sub attacks. Both ships launched torpedoes, one missed and the others were duds.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 62,92

Allied Ships
SS Barracuda
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tori Shima at 64,48

Japanese Ships
AK Asahisan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Halibut
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allied bombers hit Daily Waters and Luganville today. Allied medium bombers from Townsville also launched three attacks on several Japanese task forces that appeared in waters east of Cooktown this turn. Over 100 zeroes (presumably flying from KB’s decks) were flying CAP over the fleets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 107

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2
B-26B Marauder x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 11 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Higashiyama Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 107

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 22
B-25C Mitchell x 14
B-26B Marauder x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed, 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 15 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 10 destroyed, 24 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranuhi
DD Kagero
DD Hatsukaze
DD Hamakaze

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 62

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 5
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-26B Marauder x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Genoa Maru
AP Tanba Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The net effect of the raids is no Japanese ships were hit and allied air power in Australia is decimated. There are now no Kittyhawks in the reinforcement pools and less than 25 left on map between the three squadrons that use them. The only other allied fighters available in Australia are the Wirraways and about 50 Dutch fighters.

The Dutch fighters just recently appeared and have morale and experience in the 20’s-30’s, so can’t even be considered. The Wirraways would get decimated by the zeroes, so no sense sending them forward to train up Japanese pilots.

So At this point I’ll have to concede the air war in Australia until more fighters become available.

Two more sub attacks are launched near the end of the turn and one catches another unescorted Japanese AK at Tarakan. The skipper surfaces and adds his deck gun to the mayhem caused to the ship.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 62,48

Japanese Ships
AK Tokiwasan Maru
MSW Yoshino Maru

Allied Ships
SS Halibut
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tarakan at 34,60

Japanese Ships
AK Nissen Maru #3, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In China Japan conducts two land bombardments this turn. With my recent redeployments finished, I decided to post the attacks to give readers an idea of how the AV’s in the two hexes stack up now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 94691 troops, 519 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 2485

Defending force 93457 troops, 434 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2824



Allied ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,36

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2104 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2995

Defending force 117049 troops, 558 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 3254



Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I doubt Japan is going to be able to break these two stalemates unless he brings a lot more power to the fight.

Jim

28 – 30 May 42

28 May starts off with more Japanese troops landing at Benkolen. Looks like the recent naval bombardment was in preparation for an invasion. I had assumed my opponent would march overland as he did at the base further north, but I guess he decided the direct approach was better.

Later in the turn the base falls to a 78-1 attack and the last large Dutch unit in the SRA marches off into POW camps.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Benkolen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2782 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Defending force 651 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Japanese max assault: 79 - adjusted assault: 78

Allied max defense: 13 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 78 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Benkolen base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1847 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allied bombers hit Daily Waters and Luganville today.

Japan conducts a sweep of Moulmein but finds no allied LRCAP over the base. I had brought my Hurricanes down to Rangoon and conducted some LRCAP for an ambush recently, but they are now back at Mandalay. My stockpile of hurricanes in the replacement pool is still less than a month’s supply, so OI don’t want to try and fight him in the air again in a sustained campaign for at least a month or two.

In fact I’ll probably only conduct ambush type raids with my hurricanes until the Mandalay battles commence. By then I should have about 80 or so hurricanes stockpiled in the replacement pools and it should allow me to contest the air over the base for at least one or two big air battles.

Japan conducts a land bombardment at Moulmein and we get a look at the comparative AV’s.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22142 troops, 101 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1056

Defending force 25890 troops, 240 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 687
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are still quite a few units along the trails leading to Moulmein, but allied recon isn’t good enough to paint an accurate picture. If I had to guess I’d say at least one or more divisions are still on the trail.


29 May barley rates as a turn. Here is the combatreports.txt file in its entirely:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/29/42


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 42591 troops, 184 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1059

Defending force 25835 troops, 239 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 683



Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

30 May starts off with a lot of allied sub activity. The net result is one allied sub heavily damaged and one Japanese AK with troops aboard eats two fish.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Benkolen at 17,55

Japanese Ships
AK Delagoa Maru
AP Takunan Maru
MSW Atsu Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Benkolen at 17,55

Japanese Ships
AK Bordeaux Maru
MSW Atsu Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 59,49

Japanese Ships
MSW Togo Maru
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
SS Halibut, hits 3, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 57,97

Japanese Ships
AK Arabia Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hayashio
DD Yukikaze

Allied Ships
SS S-18

Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At Moulmein allied medium bomber fly two separate raids and pound the Japanese 33rd and 55th Division’s.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 19
Wellington III x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 71
Wellington III x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed, 16 damaged
Wellington III: 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan launches a small raid on Moulmein with 19 Ann’s and does minor damage to the base.

Japan then launches a deliberate attack at Moulmein and his engineers reduce the level 5 forts one level before the battle. Even though the forts came down a level, Japan only achieves a 0-1 and takes much heavier losses than the allies do.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 50538 troops, 177 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 1055

Defending force 25774 troops, 237 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 681

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese max assault: 598 - adjusted assault: 399

Allied max defense: 669 - adjusted defense: 1589

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
2100 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
597 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



This is a big win for the allies in Burma. Japan is a very long march from his rear area bases and recovering the disablements from a battle like this will take him months in a malarial hex.

If Japan can force me out of Moulmein, then Rangoon will be his in short order and suddenly he’ll have a non-malaria hex to rest and recuperate his units in during the campaign to retake the rest of Burma.

With having such a late start in Burma, I’m starting to think I should fight for every inch of the small country. I’ve got the two British infantry divisions at Bangalore and the first Chindit brigade that I can send to Burma, but I still don’t know where the rest of his Singapore and Java forces are.

I think if Moulmein can hold for about a month, I may shift a large number of troops to Burma in July. The Chindit’s will go there as soon as they arrive since they are so easy to airlift in, but I’ll hold the British out for another month I think, then I’ll commit them somewhere.

Jim

31 May – 2 Jun. 42

31 May starts out with the US sub SS Nautilus getting another shot at a Japanese minelayer at Kwajalein and again missing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
ML Shirataka

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later in the turn the Chinese airforce makes its presence felt and actually scores a couple hits on a city attack of Hanoi’s resource. Conducting naval searches and recon flights has gotten the pilots experience levels all up to 49-70 or so (most are in the lower 50’s), so now at least they can hit something.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 9


No Allied losses

Resources hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
3 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allied bombers then conducted several air raids on two Japanese divisions at Moulmein and pound them. Hopefully this will keep their disruption high and prevent them from recovering from last turn’s battle casualties for quite some time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 47
Wellington III x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 16

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

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 damaged
Wellington III: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 7
B-17E Fortress x 12
LB-30 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16
Wellington III x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Wellington III: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 10
B-17E Fortress x 25
LB-30 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nothing else of note occurred today.

1 June begins with two more failed allied sub attacks at truck. The AO would have been a sweet target to hit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
AK Yanagigawa
PG Seikai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
AO Shiretoko
PG Kure Maru #5
PG Akitsu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allied bombers hit Daily Waters today.

Japan then launches an ASW attack on the SS Tambor at Truck, but fails to score any hits.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
PG Seikai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The big news for today is Japan is on the move in Australia. As you can see from the below screenshot, allied recon spots units marching south from Daily Waters and Cairns.



I have no idea what he has in the two hexes as allied recon is pretty bad right now. I know he’s landed 2 divisions at Darwin and 2 at Cooktown. I have no idea how many more troops have come ashore after he won those two battles.

What little recon I had in Townsville did spot a lot of shipping activity around Cooktown, so I’m sure he’s brought plenty of stuff to the party. I have no eyes on the area around Darwin anymore, so as far as I know he’s landed hundreds of thousands of troops up there. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

2 June also has some allied sub activity, but this time the allies manage to score some hits. The Tambor finally scores at Truk and the S-39 hits a loaded ship north of Cooktown and causes some casualties.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
AK Yanagigawa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Seikai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Singapore at 22,51

Japanese Ships
MSW Wa 20

Allied Ships
SS Salmon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
PG Seikai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 48,96

Japanese Ships
AP Nichiai Maru, Torpedo hits 1
DD Sazanami

Allied Ships
SS S-39

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese bombers launch 3 raids against Moulmein today, causing heavy damage to the base.

Allied bombers hit Luganville today.

Other than the Japanese land bombardment at Moulmein, nothing else of note occurred today.

Jim

3 Jun. 42

With the Japanese on the move in Australia, I’ve decided to go back to doing daily reports.

Today has a lot more allied sub activity, but no hits score. The AO was hit, but the torpedoes were duds!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 62,47

Japanese Ships
AK Noshiro Maru
PC Shonon Maru #11
PC Shonon Maru #10

Allied Ships
SS Grouper
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Portland Roads at 49,94

Japanese Ships
AP Heiyo Maru
AP Hakusan Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
AO Notoro
PG Kure Maru #5
PG Akitsu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan’s subs make themselves felt today however, sub I-29 slams a torpedo into the side of one of my large AO’s (20500 capacity!) east of New Zealand. Damage to the ship is heavy and it has been split off from the task force.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 70,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-29, hits 1

Allied Ships
AO Cimarron, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Clark
DD Patterson
DD Monssen
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I created 3 ASW task forces at Auckland with orders to head out and escort the damaged ship and the undamaged task force into port. The escorting DD’s did manage to score a hit and flooding was reported, so I’m hopeful the sub loses track of the crippled AO.

Japan launches a small raid on Moulmein today.

Allied bombers hit Luganville and Moulmein. The Moulmein raid is flown as one large strike and pounds the Japanese 5th Division hard. I’m glad to see this result, as the broken up raids my bombers have been flying before this were only causing a small fraction of the heavy casualties caused today.

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Day Air attack on 5th Division, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 73
Wellington III x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 17


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 6 damaged
Wellington III: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Japan arrived at Townsville and conducts a land bombardment. 4 divisions are detected and our core AV’s show he already has a 2-1 on me. Luckily I have another brigade one hex south that will enter Townsville this turn, so I should have about 950 AV once it arrives.



With level 6 forts in Townsville, I think I can hold on long enough for the 6th AIF and 7th AIF Divisions to make their way to the battle. The 6th is near Sydney with orders to debark at Brisbane and the 7th is just leaving Noumea. I’ll probably send it to Sydney as KB was recently near Cooktown and could easily be heading south right now.

At Moulmein Japan now has 3 divisions, 1 Tank regiment, 1 mixed brigade and 1 mixed regiment in the hex. Here’s today’s bombardment and our comparative AV’s. I doubt I’ll be able to get the level 4 forts to increase again, so I’ll probably have to pull back to Mandalay when the forts drop to level 2.

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Ground combat at Moulmein

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 62114 troops, 262 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1643

Defending force 24781 troops, 208 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 634



Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
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If my units are still in decent shape when the forts drop to level 2, I may just pull back one hex across the river and defend there while cycling units into Rangoon for brief refits. I have another SEAC brigade and a Chinese division in Rangoon, so I could cycle two units at a time into Rangoon to allow them to recover disablements.

My first Chindit Brigade is about half way between Karachi and Delhi. I’d like to get it flown into Mandalay before I have to fallback if possible, but with so much Japanese force at Moulmein and more units still one hex southeast on the trail, I may be forced to fallback sooner than I’d like.

Jim

Hi Jim.
Can you give us some details about the situation of Alice Spring?...i really think that Japan cannot march that south with a considerable force...too far away...too stretched the supply paths...would be a mistake imho!

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Hi Jim.
Can you give us some details about the situation of Alice Spring?...i really think that Japan cannot march that south with a considerable force...too far away...too stretched the supply paths...would be a mistake imho!

Hi G.H.,

I’m typing this from memory, so I may forget something or screw up some facts, I’ll confirm everything and do a detailed breakdown of all of my Australian defensive dispositions in my next update.

I have a division at Alice Springs along with a couple of baseforces and they are dug in to about level 4 forts I think. ANZAC HQ is marching back to Alice Springs (it’s around Rockhampton right now) after having marched all the way to Townsville to pull supplies there and to Charter Towers (120,000+ combined at the two bases now) because SWPAC HQ wouldn't pull any supplies to itself.

At Tennant Creek I have the under strength Cavalry division from Darwin and 4 independent companies along with a baseforce unit. I think it only totals about 180 AV there, so I may have to leave that base in a hurry. I only planned to slow down the two divisions he landed at Darwin with the forces I left at Tennant Creek.

But with 4 divisions at Townsville, I’m worried he may have a similar amount of troops heading to Tennant Creek. If he does I’ll simply flee to Alice Springs. I’ll also bring up my Philippine Corps from Adelaide that is currently busy rebuilding there.

It is made up of the two reserve divisions, 1 PS RCT and 1 PS Cav. Rgt. All are seriously under strength since almost 100% of the units were wiped out fighting in the SRA, but one of the divisions has about 108 squads now (I airlifted a large chunk of this unit off of Timor, so it wasn’t completely shattered like the other three units were). Together the corps can probably add another 150AV to Alice Springs if needed.

So with the 400 or so AV at Alice Springs, I can get it up to about 740 or so pretty quickly. Japan has to approach across 6 or so hexes of grey roadway as well, so my Hudson’s can really work over his units as they close on the base.

I deliberately didn’t build up the airfield at Tennant Creek, and I’ve kept him from building one at Daily Waters, so he’ll be without air cover for quite some time if he tries for Alice Springs.

I also have 2 more Australian brigades I can send from the two bases that bracket Sydney. These bases aren’t critical and they both have their own CD units that each have a small AV, so I view these 2 brigades as my last ditch reserves. I won’t commit them unless one of the two fronts begins to collapse.

Jim