The Turning Point: floydg (A) & Coach Z (J) -- Luganville liberated

[floydg]

September 16, 1942

Highlights: Luganville bombed; Chinese mistake near Canton

• An Allied bombardment TF makes its way from Dutch Harbor to Adak Island. On the way, it encountered the SS I-2 and scored two direct depth charge hits and a few close calls. The TF continues to Adak Island and causes over 550 casualties and moderate damage to the facilities.
• 87 x 4E bombers hit Luganville, destroying over 11 planes on the ground and causing light damage to the facilities. One bomber is downed by flak and a few others crash on the way back to Noumea.
• Again, northeast of Mandalay, almost 60 Japanese bombers come in unescorted, but this time the CAP only downed 3 bombers. The Japanese troops then attack and, despite being outnumbered, the Allies use the dense jungle well and the attacking Japanese take almost 1000 casualties to under 200 Allied.
• NW of Canton, some Chinese arrive to boost the attacking numbers, but the 12th Group Army commander, General Han-mou Yu gave bad directions and the reinforcing Chinese crossed the river behind the Japanese. The Chinese tried to make a break in the line to support those units, but over 4200 casualties were taken in the process. The 22nd Group Army is now in command of this action.
• Southwest of Hengchow, the Chinese corps again attacks the Japanese armor and again only takes out one tank, while suffering over 300 casualties of their own.
• The port at Seoul expands to level 3.

Analysis: I shouldn't have moved the Chinese troops across the river near Canton, but instead moved them to Wuchow and then south to avoid the shock attack. I thought I could lessen the blow by making the other troops deliberate attack, but it turned into a disaster. Lesson learned (hopefully).
The first hit on Luganville was decent, but now the pilots are all in foul mood, so it'll be a few days before they can be cajoled into attacking again.
No air attack on Adak Island, so hopefully tomorrow. But the naval bombardment was good. I hope with this one-two punching, the defenders there will be so tired that they'll be easy to defeat. Maybe an attack in a few days will test things out.

[floydg]

September 17, 1942

Highlights: Ichang falls

• An Allied TF composed of the BB Valiant, 3xCL and 4xDD bombard Andaman Islands and cause minor damage.
• The Japanese bomb Cairns at high altitude. An Allied CAP of 19 planes intercepts the best they can, losing almost all of their planes, but taking down 5 of 26 A6M2's. They can't reach the Betty's, but the bombers do no damage.
• 44xB-24D's bomb Wake Island and the CAP of 23 Tojo's shoot down 10 bombers. Very little damage is done to the airbase.
• Over 85 Allied bombers hit the Japanese 7th Division at Adak Island and cause almost 200 casualties.
• The Japanese make another attack at Ichang, but this time the Chinese are routed and retreat, giving the Japanese control. NW of there, the Chinese attack and again, the Japanese hold.
• Along the railway north of Perth, just north of a branch point to eastern Australia, a Japanese SLNF, two armored regiments and a mortar battalion attack an Australian infantry brigade. The Australians hold.

Analysis: Ichang fell after 4 months of Japanese pressure. I think the thing that did was that I allowed him to cut off the supply line. Another great lesson learned. The big question is where these Japanese troops will now focus - four strong divisions could turn the tide almost anywhere for him. But I bet he just uses them to push deep into China now and maybe head for Chungking.
I made a decent air-to-ground attack of Adak Island, and the crews are ready to do it again tomorrow.
My bombers got chewed up over Wake, but at least it ties down a decent enemy fighter group.
Looks like he's about to do something around south China, because the air superiority numbers spiked around Canton. But I have more troops flowing in now.
The area around Perth is becoming messy (screen shot in next post). I'm shifting troops west now to support this. And I have an Indian division just 2 days out in their cozy transports.

[floydg]

Here is the area around Perth:



A = 1/3 of the 6th Australian Division vs. some parts of the 2nd Mixed Regiment (the other 2/3 of the Aus Div are in Perth)
B = 3rd Australian Brigade vs. SNLF, 2xArmor, Mortar. East of that is one more unit on its way in (not sure what it is, but I expect more infantry).

[floydg]

September 18, 1942

Highlights: Dutch subs do well

• At night, the Allies again conduct a naval bombardment of Adak Island, causing almost 400 casualties and doing more damage to the facilities. As the taskforce returns to Dutch Harbor, they notice the remains of the Japanese SS I-2. In the morning, 60 Allied bombers hit the troops and caused a little over 100 casualties.
• Northeast of Mandalay, 7xP40-E from the AVG are patrolling over the Allied troops when 28 x Tony sweep in. The Tony's shot down all of the Warhawks and took no damage at all.
• Northwest of Koumac, the SS O23 locates the AO Sata and puts two torpedoes into the oiler and submerges before the escorts can get a bead on her.
• In the Malacca Strait the SS KXIV finds the ML Shirataka and puts a torpedo into her.
• Again, along the railway north of Perth, the Japanese attack again, this time reinforced with another SNLF. The Australians hold.
• The port at Madras expands to level 7 and the airfield at Umnak expands to level 4.

Analysis: Intel reports Adak Island in bad shape, facility-wise (AF 33, port 57), so this should be a perfect supply-suck while I pound down his troops. In 3 days, he's taken about 1400 casualties out of about 8500 troops stationed there. A few more days of this and then I'll make another ground attack.
In New Caledonia, things are a little quiet, as I let my bombers regain morale (well, "let" is the wrong word, since I really have no choice but to rest them). Since he hasn't bombarded in a while at either Koumac or La Foa, I assume he's out of supply. Plus, I've been intercepting transports over Koumac. Now to capitalize on the supply situation... I will shift my LBA on La Foa and Koumac. I also spotted several TF loitering NW of Koumac. I slammed an AO among them, so it must be supporting some sort of operation.
And in Australia, the battle around Perth are going to be messy. I need to bring in quite a bit more troops if this is going to be a push on his part. At least Perth is out of his LBA range.

[floydg]

September 19, 1942

Highlights: Combats north of Perth

• East of Aomori, the SS Pompano locates the Tokiwasan Maru while surfacing for fresh air. LCDR Parks orders the crew to shoot the deck gun and the AA guns at the transport while a torpedo can be readied. The transport takes 6 shell hits and a torpedo hit before it disappears into the fog.
• The SS Thresher surfaces to asses the damage done to the AO Sato the previous day. It notices the oiler burning badly and starting to sink. As the ship finally sinks, the sub is located by two PC and a DD and before she can escape, takes a direct depth charge hit.
• 45 Allied bombers hit Adak Island and report over 100 Japanese casualties.
• Northeast of Mandalay, over 60 allied bombers hit the 23rd Mixed Brigade and report almost 150 casualties.
• Bombers from Noumea make a short hop to hit the Japanese at La Foa and score just over 100 casualties.
• SW of Hengchow, the Japanese attack the Chinese corps blocking two Japanese armored regiments. The Chinese attempt to intercept the 31 Tojo, but 5 of the 6 Chinese fighters are downed. The Japanese tanks attack, but now the Chinese have found good defensive positions and the Japanese are held back.
• Over Myitkyina, 21 Tony encounter some LRCAP Buffalo I and shoot down 4 of them.
• Along the railway north of Perth, just north of a branch point to eastern Australia, two Japanese SLNF, two armored regiments and a mortar battalion attack an Australian infantry brigade. The Australians break and retreat.
• Toboali on Bangka expands port to level 3.

Analysis: Looks like I'll be falling back to Perth soon to defend the base, as he's using a bit too much for me to handle in the open.
Most of my bombers in Noumea still need a rest before they strike again, so it could be a few days before I make an attack at La Foa. But I assume his supply situation is grim, so I need to capitalize before he can resupply.
My troops have finally moved in to Myitkyina and now I start bombarding to soften up the division stationed there. I am also moving troops towards Mandalay, since I see him reinforcing up north.

[floydg]

September 20, 1942

Highlights: Small progress for both sides

• Another nighttime bombardment of Adak Island is staged and more damage is reported. At daylight, just under 20 bombers muster to hit the Japanese 7th Division and appear to not be well-coordinated and mostly miss their mark. The American troops then attack and start making progress on capturing the base.
• Again, along the railway north of Perth, the Japanese armor attack the Australians and they retreat east, instead of south, giving the Japanese a path to Perth.

Analysis: The Japanese open up a hole for their march to Perth. I need to find some way to slow them down so I can get in some reinforcements. I get the idea that this is a diversion to get to me to move troops from the east coast over and then he'll hit me in the east. I need to be careful what I send.
Up in the Aleutians, I'm making some progress at Adak Island, but supply is starting to get low, so things may slow down again... I'm sure he's almost out of supply there, so I should be okay, since the port and airfield are quite damaged, which should eat up whatever supplies he gets in there.
Otherwise, things were kind of quiet, as there were very few air strikes.

[floydg]

September 21, 1942

Highlights: Failure at La Foa

• South of Tokyo, the SS Gato locates a surface TF (CA and three DD). She puts a torpedo into the DD Hatsukari and reportedly saw explosions.
• Northwest of Canton, 30 Tojos attack the Chinese troops. 8 x Spitfire intercept and each side loses three fighters.
• The PT boats at Koumac are attacked by Anns and the PT-25 and PT-26 are hit and sunk.
• 19 Betty attack at Umnak Island and are intercepted by 3 Kittyhawk and 17 P-39D. Eight of the Betty's are downed to one P-39D.
• In the Malacca Strait, the SS KXIV put two torpedoes into the AP Yasukuni Maru.
• The Allies attack at La Foa. The Japanese are well-entrenched and an Allied thrust results in only 350 Japanese casualties, while causing over 1500 Allied.
• Spies report the port at Sendai expanding to level 7.

Analysis: I was really hoping for a 1-on-1 at La Foa, but it really wasn't close. But at least I made him eat up supplies defending himself, so maybe now I'll be able to make some progress. I keep intercepting supply transports at Koumac, so hopefully he's in trouble. But he still has ships parked NW of Koumac and I'm getting tired of them.
I spotted some big ships (BB, CA) at Andaman Islands, so I won't be making a bombardment run, but rather I'll get my carrier in range to strike those ships.

[floydg]

Here is an update on the situation around Perth:



A = Japanese 2nd Mixed Regiment and now 2/3 of the 6th Australian Division (just moved in)
B = 2 SNLF and Mortar
C = 2 Japanese Tank Regiments and the exhausted 3rd Australian Brigade
D = one more Japanese unit enroute (not sure what)

Southwest of Perth, we have some surface ships moving in (4 MSW, BB Tennessee and a DD).

[floydg]

September 22, 1942

Highlights: BB Fuso hit

• Southwest of Hamamatsu, a Japanese ASW TF locates the SS Guardfish and hits her directly with one depth charge and scores numerous near misses. The Guardfish takes serious damage and it's not clear if they will make it back to port.
• The SS I-176 puts a torpedo into the AO Ramapo outside Kodiak.
• 78xB24-D bomb Port Moresby. 30 fighters intercept and down over a dozen bombers. 6 Japanese planes are destroyed in the air and on the ground and minor damage is done to the airbase.
• Japanese bomb Thursday Island and do minor damage.
• 9xAnn from Koumac attack PT boats docked at La Foa. The PT PT-27 takes three bombs and is sunk.
• Japanese capital ships are spotted at Andaman Islands and planes from the CV Illustrious are sent to intercept. Five of 12 Swordfish are shot down by flak, but one manages to score a torpedo hit on the BB Fuso (the CA Chokai and BB Kirishima are missed). Three Betty's attack the carrier and after a brief engagement with 14 Fulmar, all turn back without making an attack run.
• East of Kweilin, two Japanese armored units attack a Chinese corp and cause almost 300 casualties to just under 100 Japanese (and 5 tanks).
• Northeast of Canton, a single Chinese corps is blocking supply lines for the above two Japanese armored units, so the Japanese attack and cause the Chinese to retreat.
• North of Perth, Japanese armor again attack the Australians, and the Australians again retreat away from the action.
• West of Ichang, the Chinese attack in anticipation of more Japanese troops arriving. The Japanese take over 250 casualties to just under 1000 for the Chinese.
• Northwest of Canton, the Chinese attack again and do not do well, taking over 2400 casualties and losing 1/3 of their tanks to just over 450 Japanese casualties.
• The airfield at Seoul increases to level 5 and the port at Noumea expands to level 8.

Analysis: Fortunately, the action around the Andaman Islands went my way, but I'm not going to stick around and press my luck, since my Swordfish need to be replenished and who knows when his Bettys will strike properly. I'll wait a little while and sneak back.
Elsewhere, things are moving slowly... but on the bright side, just 10 days away from starting to get P-38G's... [:D]

[ny59giants]

Elsewhere, things are moving slowly... but on the bright side, just 10 days away from starting to get P-38G's... [:D]

Most Allied players seem to celebrate October 42 as the "end of the beginning and the beginning of the end."

[floydg]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Elsewhere, things are moving slowly... but on the bright side, just 10 days away from starting to get P-38G's... [:D]

Most Allied players seem to celebrate October 42 as the "end of the beginning and the beginning of the end."

The hardest part will be to decide which squadrons to fill out first with these beasts. I suppose I'd be best served filling up some 24-plane groups before the 72-plane monsters. I may opt to fill out the AVG first (I have them already split into three when I ran out of P-40B).

[floydg]

September 23, 1942

Highlights: SS I-28 sunk; Air raid on Koumac

• Northwest of the Hawaiian Island chain, the SS I-28 was located by an ASW TF and the four DD's put a total of 4 direct depth charge hits on the sub and sinks her.
• Japanese again bomb Thursday Island and cause more minor damage.
• 15 Betty bomb Cooktown. The CAP (P-39D) cannot reach their altitude, but the bombers don't hit anything.
• 155 Allied bombers hit Koumac, escorted by 22 fighters. The Japanese have 19 planes as CAP. 5 bombers are downed by CAP and flak, as are 6 escorting fighters. The CAP losese 5 planes and moderate damage is done to the airbase.
• Assorted Japanese ships around the Efate/Koumac area are attacked by B-25C's, but all miss.

Analysis: Sinking the I-28 put the sub count at 23, which is 40% of his total sub fleet. I've lost 7 and have a total of 97 still active. My plan now is to send quite a few up to the Home Islands to interdict whatever I can.
Big raid on Koumac. Hopefully, I shut down the airfield.
I spotted a bunch of transports headed to Adak Island, so I'll send in ships and get my planes on ready to intercept them. I don't know if he's reinforcing, supplying or evacuating.
Lots of Japanese ships floating around New Caledonia, but I can't hit any and I don't know what he's up to. I'm sure it's something sneaky...

[floydg]

September 24, 1942

Highlights: Air rules at Adak Island

• Near Kiska Island, the SS Herring is located by a Japanese ASW TF and reports a direct depth charge hit.
• 15 Betty again bomb Cooktown. The CAP (P-39D) cannot reach their altitude, and this time the bombers hit some parked B-24D's.
• An Allied SCTF enters Adak Island to scare off Japanese transports. The task force is spotted and 9 Betty attack, three scoring torpedo hits on the CA Salt Lake City and one on the PG Vancouver.
• The Allies strike back with 62 planes and score bomb hits on 4 of 6 AP's at Adak Island. The AP Azuchi Maru and AP Mitsu Maru #3 take two bombs and the AP Daitei Maru and AP Shinwa Maru take one.
• Ann's from Koumac hit the PT boats at La Foa and riddle the PT PT-29 with bullets. AA and CAP down two of the 9 Ann's.
• Just outside Rangoon, the SS KVIII gets a shot at the BB Fuso, but she misses and must submerge to avoid the escorts.
• Northeast of Ichang, the Japanese attack two Chinese corps and force them to retreat towards Sian.
• Five Chinese units cross the river from the south into Myitkyina and attack the Japanese to secure a beachhead on the opposite side of the river. The Japanese cause almost 1150 casualties, but the Chinese make it across the river and establish positions as directed by Lt. General Heath, in charge of the operation.
• East of Kweilin, the Chinese attack the two Japanese armored units and the Japanese retreat southeast.
• North of Perth, the Australians attack the 2nd Mixed Regiment and finally force them to retreat inland.
• Amchitka Island establishes a level 1 airfield.

Analysis: I was right that he was moving transports to Adak Island. I moved in some capital ships, but they never found the transports and instead the CA Salt Lake City ate three torpedoes and may not make it. Later, 62 bombers stuck the transports and got 6 measly hits. I'll move in some DD's and see if that scares off the transports (and survives the Bettys). And he has a forward base at Amchitka Island now, so more fighters will be in range... [:(]
In Burma, the Chinese crossed the river into Myitkyina and now I need to get them to rest before I make the first real attack. Of course, this will be a long and bloody mess, since he has level 7 forts there now. [X(] His AV is about 500 to my 1800, and it's in a woods hex... [:(][:(]

[floydg]

September 25, 1942

Highlights: Japanese transports around Adak hit; Koumac bombed again

• The BB Haruna and BB Kongo bombard the Chinese at Canton and cause a small number of casualties. The Japanese then attack, but the Chinese were dug in and ready, with the Japanese taking over 2700 casualties to 228 Chinese, and the Japanese lost over 15% of their 700+ artillery.
• At La Foa, four American subchasers go after the SS RO-34 and make three direct hits, sinking the sub. Later in the day, 8 Ann attack these ships and sink the SC SC-640 with six bombs.
• The Allies bomb Koumac again, this time with 116 bombers and 60 escorts. The Japanese put up a CAP of only 8 fighters. The air combat results in a few fighters from each side downed, but all bombers make their bombing runs, destroying a few planes on the ground as well as causing moderate damage to the airbase, including hitting a large supply depot.
• A small number of B-24D's hit Amchitka Island, and found double their number in CAP. Two bombers are downed and slight damage is done to the airbase.
• In the area of Adak Island, Allied bombers again ravaged the Japanese transports, putting three bombs into the AP Azuchi Maru, seven in the AP Yamagata Maru (with troops loaded), six in the AP Saiho Maru (with troops loaded), one in the AP Hokusho Maru, and two in the MSW W.7, sinking her. Spotters report almost 350 casualties inflicted on the embarked troops.
  Betty's attempt to hit Allied DD's at Adak Island, but all miss.
• And in the area of Efate, bombers hit Japanese patrol craft, putting six bombs into the PG Aso Maru, sinking her; and two bombs in the PG Kamitsu Maru.
• Spies report Swatow expanding the airfield to level 4 and Ichang expanding to level 2. On the allied side, Wuchow airfield expands to level 3 and La Foa to level 2.

Analysis: I'm sure Coach Z's AAR rants about his disasters this turn, as I have already gotten an earful...
His attack at Canton was a flop, which is good, since it slows him down there and eats up some supply while I rest for the big attack just NW of there.
Around Adak Island, my DD's don't stop his transports from loading (or unloading?? I assume loading), but my planes strike and do decent damage. But seriously, how many bombs does it take to sink a transport? I got over six hits each on two ships and they're still afloat. But this makes things better for me either way, so I'll make a deliberate attack at Adak Island.
Koumac went well - very little resistance and I hope I finally shut down the airfield. Either way, the bombers will soon direct their attention to La Foa as I move to clean up New Caledonia and a large number of Japanese troops.
But in all of this good news, I get a feeling that he's planning something... maybe a hit on Suva or Baker Island. I'm working to get ready for that now. Or maybe India? It may be too late for him to do me in there, since he's stretched quite thin everywhere.

[floydg]

September 26, 1942

Highlights: Koumac airbase closed (?); Japanese transports around Adak hit again

• Near Wake, the SS S-45 puts a torpedo into the PC Showa Maru #3, which later sinks.
• Around Adak Island, the SS Gunnel locates a small number of Japanese barges. The captain radios back to Dutch Harbor and decides not to waste a torpedo and instead fires the deck guns and sinks the AG AG-5048. While the barges attempt to avoid the sub, the AG AG-5188 hits a mine and sinks.
• The Japanese make two bombing runs on Yenen. The second sees dogfights between 8xI-16c and 14xA6M2. The Chinese manage to down two Zeros to only one of theirs.
• The Japanese also bomb Wuchow with slight damage caused.
• 22xLB-30 bomb Rangoon and lose only one bomber to the 14-plane CAP. Several Japanese planes are destroyed on the ground.
• 122 Allied bombers hit Koumac and do significant damage to the airbase, most probably shutting down its operations. No CAP is encountered over the base.
• Allied bombers again hit the fleeing Japanese transports around Adak Island. The AP Yamagata Maru takes three more bomb hits and sinks, AP Hokusho Maru takes 9 bombs and sinks (with troops aboard).
• Japanese troops begin to encircle Changsha and bombard the troops defending the city.
• At Adak Island, the Americans attack, but the Japanese still have good defenses and the Americans are thwarted before they can mount a proper assault.

Analysis: It looks like I finally closed the airbase at Koumac. Well, I hope so. In any event, I'll now turn my attention to softening up the troops at La Foa for a while and then try to wipe them out, move up to Koumac and do the same. Since he hasn't attacked me in a long time, I can only assume he's deep red in supplies, so I can't let this opportunity slip away.
In China, he's now moving against Changsha. That's fine, since it will slow him down for a while and hopefully eat up his freed troops from the Ichang seige.
Up in the Aleutians, I knocked off a few more transports and killed some more of the 7th Infantry Division. I assume he's moved them to Amchitka Island. I thought he got more off, so my attack at Adak Island was no good (0-on-1). I'll have to wait a little more and maybe make a few more bombardment runs...

[floydg]

September 27, 1942

Highlights: Attack at Yenen repulsed

• The Japanese hit the airfield at Yenen and do minor damage, including downing two planes of the 29th CFS, which has logged over 40 kills. Then the Japanese troops attack, destroying some of the Chinese fortifications, but the Chinese easily hold.
• The Japanese bomb Thursday Island, also doing minor damage to the airfield. Air combat trades four Kittyhawk for 2 Zero and 2 Helen.
• Allied bombers turn their attentions to La Foa and hit the Japanese troops there with 66 bombers and cause about 100 casualties. Shelling from the Allied troops cause another 100 or so.
• Calcutta expands the airfield to level 8.

Analysis: Things are a bit quiet due to crappy weather across virtually all fronts with a total of 8 air strikes for both sides. All of my advances have ground to a halt and it seems that Coach Z's are making small advances in China and Australia.

[floydg]

September 28, 1942

Highlights: Combats around Canton

• The SS Pike was passing through the area of Adak Island and spotted another task force of Japanese barges. She surfaced and hit the AG AG-2055 twice with her deck gun before she dove and continued to her assigned station.
• 10xIL-4c attack Hanoi and score a few hits on the Heavy Industry.
• Northeast of Canton, a Chinese corps is attacked by an Independent Brigade and a Mixed Brigade. The Japanese rout the Chinese and they retreat north.
• Northwest of Canton, the Chinese attack with over 120,000 men, but the Japanese still rule the battlefield and the Chinese take over 1500 casualties to under 300 Japanese, further setting back the advance to Canton.
• Taipei reportedly expands the port to level 2 and spotters note that Port Moresby has expanded the airfield to level 6.
• The Canadians report that port at Prince Rupert has expanded to level 5.

Analysis: My attack NW of Canton was a failure again. I have 14 Corps, an Armored Regiment several HQ, but still, my 2800+ AV was no match for his 1200 AV. It is a woods hex, so I shouldn't complain. But I will, since I don't have too many more troops to send here and if I can't advance, I'm not going to be in good shape as he advances elsewhere and reinforces at Canton.
My HI attack at Hanoi got his hackles up, so I'll have to protect all bases with resource/industry now... Two lousy hits and he's all pouty.
The weather again was poor with a total of 4 strikes flying.

[floydg]

September 29, 1942

Highlights: Japanese city attacks in China

• A Japanese barge hits a sub-laid mine at Kiska.
• Japanese begin a bombing campaign in China to knock out the resource centers. 46 bombers get 9 hits at Changsha, 38 bombers score 6 hits at Kunming, 19 bombers get 2 hits at Wuchow.
• Allies hit the newly expanded base at Amchikita Island with 79 bombers. The CAP downs 4, but the bombers get only trifling hits on the airbase.
• 480 miles south of Darwin, the Allies and Japanese tangle. The Japanese attack, but despite gaining at tactical advantage, cause under 375 casualties to their almost 600.
• Coastwatchers report the airfield at Lunga expands to level 4.
• New Zealanders report Auckland expands port to level 8.

Analysis: Coach Z decided that he needs to wage a strategic war in China and aims to deprive me of supply in that region. The resource centers took some decent hits (I think about 50 actual hits total). I guess that means 50 less supply a day, since I can't afford to repair these. Now I need to move in a load of fighters to defend these bases, but I suppose I'm due, since I was getting a free ride before. I'm not sure if there is a good way to counter this.
Weather was still a little crappy, so not as many strikes as I had hoped, especially in the Aleutians and New Caledonia.

[floydg]

September 30, 1942

Highlights: Clashes in China

• Japanese bombers hit the airbases at Yenen and Kunming to eat up supplies. The resource centers at Wuchow take 8 more hits at a cost of 5 Spitfires and and 3 Tojos.
• 58xB-25C hit the airbase at Koumac, further destroying the facilities.
• North of Perth, the Japanese attack and force 1/3 of the Australian 6th Division to retreat back towards Perth.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese attack again, but the Allies are now reinforced with an Australian infantry division, so the Japanese make no headway and suffer almost 600 casualties to a little over 200 Allied.
• Japanese attack at Changsha, but get easily repulsed, taking almost 1400 casualties to just under 400 Chinese.
• Northeast of Canton, a Chinese unit moves back in to block the Japanese, but the Japanese attack and force them to retreat back north.
• At Yenen, another Japanese attack reduces the fortifications (down to 2). The Japanese take almost 1100 casualties to under 600 Chinese.

Analysis: China really seems to be heating up. The forts at Changsha are 5 now, but should be 6 in a few days. The forts at Yenen got knocked down to 2, but should be back at 3 in about a week, if he holds off attacks for that long.
In Australia, it seems like I'll be fighting a close battle for Perth. I'm moving west whatever I can spare, so hopefully that will be enough. I'll also have to break them through a Japanese "blockade" of the road, so it could be slow going. But I have two divisions around Perth and the forts are high. I'll try to make a stand at a coastal hex so I can bring in some ships to shoot at his troops.
I spotted transports headed towards Baker Island. I hope he's not laying a trap for me there, but I do have an RCT and level 6 forts on an atoll, so he better bring at least a divsion if he wants to take it. I also have over 800 mines, some DD's enroute, and a special surprise with the initials "CV" in the area. The part where I'm concerned is that I have no idea where any of his carriers are, so it could be a trap to draw me in...

[floydg]

October 1, 1942

Highlights: Port Moresby airfield hammered; first attack at Myitkyina

• Japanese bomb the airbases at Yenen and Hengchow, causing slight damage.
• 108xB-24D hit Port Moresby. Only 15xTony intercept and do very little to hold back the bombers. The bombing is quite accurate and the base suffers major damage and over 40 aircraft are destroyed on the ground, including 20 fighters that never scrambled to intercept.
• Allies bomb Koumac again to ensure the airbase can't be used.
• Over 60 Allied bombers hit the 7th Division at Adak Island.
• East of Andaman Islands, the SS Truant puts a torpedo into the AP Ayato Maru.
• South of Hengchow, two Japanese armored regiments attack the Chinese, but their efforts are ineffective.
• A Chinese Corps attempts to sneak around Ichang and pick off some unsuspecting Japanese, but they are spotted, attacked, and forced to retreat northwest. But they do notice that the airfield is now at level 3.
• The Allies attack at Myitkyina. Engineers knock aside some of the fortifications, but the Japanese hold their positions. Light casualties are taken on each side.
• Spies report the airfield at Darwin expanded to level 5.
• Engineers report expanding Noumea to port level 9, La Foa airfield to level 3 and Umnak Island airfield to level 5.

Analysis: I got lucky at Port Moresby since I had a decent number of bombers fly, he had light CAP, and they really hit their targets. Hopefully, this will be the start of something good for me - I'll try to keep this pressure up so he has to fall back to Lae (and out of my bomber's normal range). But anywhere he has to fall back is good.
My first attack at Myitkyina reduced the forts from 6 to 5, which is good. And I didn't take too many casualties, which is also good. I'll keep up the pressure.
In China, he's now bombing the airfields so that my engineers waste supply repairing them. I gotta get in more CAP fighters. I suppose I'll need to upgrade the AVG to P-38G's first now...