Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:48 pm**

Sorry for the lack of updates.
The reason is that I had an eye surgery

10 days ago. Nothing serious, I just wanted to get rid of my glasses. My eyesight is slowly improving though and I should be back to it in a week or so. [:)]

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:25 am**

Real life interfered with the game once for a while, but we 've picked up the pace again. Nothing major has happened in the last 20 days, but the last turn had lots of ground combats.

Nov 12, 42

SE Fleet
I lost Kirakira, but I landed Guards Bde and retook it in the very next day. I lost a couple of small APs though.

Ground combat at Kirakira (116,140)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 7426 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 234
Defending force 976 troops, 31 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Japanese adjusted assault: 193
Allied adjusted defense: 10
Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kirakira !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
402 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
1114 casualties reported
Squads: 91 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 44 (44 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 14

Assaulting units:
83rd Naval Guard Unit
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
Guards Mixed Brigade
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1

Defending units:
1st Marine Raider Bn /1
2nd USMC Parachute Battalion
1st USMC Parachute Battalion
3rd USMC Parachute Bn /2
209th FA Bn /1
34th Aviation Base Force /1
Wake (Det.) Def Bn /1
15th USN SeaBees /1
76th Coast AA Regiment
803rd EAB /1
214th Cst AA Rgt /2
93rd Cst AA Rgt /1
226th FA Bn /1
18th USN SeaBees /1

China
Two things:
Firstly, I pushed a div into Kumming and found only 110AV there. I attacked once, dropped the forts to 0. A shock attack tomorrow will probably give me Kumming.

Ground combat at Kunming (69,48)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 14258 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 502
Defending force 3568 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 116

Japanese adjusted assault: 404
Allied adjusted defense: 394
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
506 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
11th Division
13th RGC Temp./B Division

Defending units:
54th Chinese/B Corps
11th Group Army

Secondly, the Chinese pocket near Changsha is still offering considerable resistance. I attacked Siangtan at the cost of 9000 Japanese soldiers. I will rest for a while and bring my AV back to levels where I can attack again.

Ground combat at Siangtan (81,52)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 37360 troops, 323 guns, 365 vehicles, Assault Value = 2044
Defending force 90019 troops, 575 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3025

Japanese adjusted assault: 564
Allied adjusted defense: 677
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
8816 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 680 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Guns lost 83 (5 destroyed, 78 disabled)
Vehicles lost 72 (8 destroyed, 64 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3683 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 342 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 135 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 24 (4 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Assaulting units:
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th Division
57th Division
23rd Division
9th Tank Regiment
60th Division
8th Armored Car Co
11th Tank Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
13th Army
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
21st Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
27th Group Army
19th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force
30th Group Army
29th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
25th Group Army
9th War Area
14th Construction Regiment

India
Same situation in India, I tried attacking the Cox'Bazaar pocket. It's clear that beating this stack will take a while:

Ground combat at 55,43 (near Cox's Bazar)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 33154 troops, 334 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 1120
Defending force 32540 troops, 402 guns, 793 vehicles, Assault Value = 941

Japanese adjusted assault: 624
Allied adjusted defense: 895
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2634 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 242 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Vehicles lost 24 (4 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1317 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Tank Regiment
4th Division
33rd Division
138th Infantry Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
1st Raiding Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
15th Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
84th Indian Brigade
19th Indian Division
255th Armoured Brigade
23rd Indian Division
254th Armoured Brigade
7th Indian Division
26th Indian Division
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
Madras Police Battalion
3rd Assam Rifles Battalion
75th Indian Brigade
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
70th British Division

The other pocket near Silchar is weaker, maybe I should try to clear them first.

Ground combat at 60,38 (near Silchar)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1485 troops, 148 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 1478
Defending force 26284 troops, 251 guns, 220 vehicles, Assault Value = 328

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Division
148th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
143rd Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
2nd Recon Battalion
5th Tank Regiment
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
1st Recon Battalion
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
2nd Mobile Engineer Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Mobile AA Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mobile AA Battalion
1st Mobile Field Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
20th Indian Division
26th Indian Brigade
100th RAF Base Force
1/2 Central Detach.
2/2nd Det. Peshawar
4/1st Det. NW Front
2nd West Coast Base Force
103rd RAF Base Force
4/3rd Det. NW Front
Rangoon BAF Battalion
101st RAF Base Force
106th RAF Base Force
2nd Bengal Base Force
4/4th Det NW Front
108th RAF Base Force
221 Group RAF
3rd Central India Base Force
1/1 Central Detach.
3rd NW Frontier Base Force
1st Burma Battalion
4/2nd Det. NW Front
1st Bengal Base Force
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
Burma Corps
2/1st Det. Peshawar
1/3 Central Detach.
2nd Central India Base Force
2/3rd Det. Peshawar
104th RAF Base Force
4th Assam Rifles Battalion

Australia
The enemy reinforced Exmouth by sea, while BatDiv3 was refueling at Kendari. They now have around 1000AV, against 460 of mine. They launched a deliberate attack, but luckily my troops defended well. Forts remained at level 3 and pretty soon they will hit level 4, so I think I am ok.

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25552 troops, 553 guns, 263 vehicles, Assault Value = 1018
Defending force 16272 troops, 136 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 462

Allied adjusted assault: 407
Japanese adjusted defense: 564

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
930 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 11 (7 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (2 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2133 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 270 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 32 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Australian Division
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
13th Australian Brigade
2nd Marine Division
44th Australian Battalion
25th MG Battalion
1st Marine Division
14th NZ Brigade
98th Coast AA Regiment
I US Amphib Corps
33rd Medium Regiment
F Det USN Port Svc
131st Field Artillery Battalion
78th Coast AA Regiment
101st USN Base Force
N Force Detachment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
5th Marine Defense Battalion
109th Tank Attack Regiment
140th USA Base Force
148th Field Artillery Battalion
65th Cst AA Rgt /1

Defending units:
16th Recon Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
16th Engineer Regiment
65th Brigade
Kure 2nd SNLF
8th JNAF Coy
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
22nd JAAF AF Bn

The good thing about this battle is that it tied down two US Marine divisions.

Posted: **Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:27 am**

Nov 20, 42 - Nov 25, 42

India
A fragment of the Chindit Brigade was air dropped in empty Cox'Bazar, right next to the allied pocket. I guess Steven wants to bring them supplies, because they otherwise have no chance to escape.

I landed a naval guard unit that I was holding in reserve at Rangoon (my only reserve left in this theater). It should retake Bazar back tomorrow.

I twice attacked the other pocket near Slichar and destroyed some 10.000 allied troops. It seems that they will be history pretty soon. For now, I am giving my troops some rest.

China
Reduction of the Changsha pocket has begun. Lots of Chinese dead. The only base they have left in the pocket is Changteh. A month or so more is needed before I free up nearly 3500 SV.

In the north, the 1st Army entered Ankang, which is defended by 25000 Chinese. a bombardment will commence tomorrow in order to evaluate enemy strength. Meanwhile, a single brigade is chasing the remnants of a Chinese corps into Kenko, the two northeast of Chunking. It seems to be lighly held. It would be great if I manage to create a bridgehead there.

Australia
The enemy wants Exmouth really badly. In addition to the two Marine Divs that landed by sea recently, another stack of 20.000 allied troops (possibly a division) is marching north from Carnavon.

The biggest problem I have is lack of aviation support in Port Hedland. I am in the process of moving 5 aviation support units there. The 5th Air Div will finally be able to make a difference in the Battle of Exmouth.

Also bringing a heavy artillery unit to Exmouth, along with more support troops, to counter their devastating bombardments.

SE Fleet
90.000 allied troops reported in Noumea. Last allied CV sighting was 10 days ago near Sydney. Heavy radio signals reported in Suva for several days.

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:56 pm**

Nov 26 - Dec 3 1942

The air war is very intense lately. Burma and Australia see lots of air action. Sometimes I get the upper hand, sometimes not. Overall, my airforce needs a week of RR to recover.

China
Progress in the north.
The 1st Army took Ankang against an ill supplied Chinese force:

Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 27631 troops, 218 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 1016
Defending force 15795 troops, 166 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 528

Japanese adjusted assault: 970
Allied adjusted defense: 208
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ankang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1144 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 116 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3855 casualties reported
Squads: 119 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 187 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 92 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 32 (24 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units retreated 10

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
37th/A Division
1st Army

Defending units:
55th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
22nd Group Army
2nd Group Army
5th War Area
31st Group Army

The independent brigade, which was dispatched to Kienko, captured that base, before the enemy sent reinforcements! I now have a useful bridgehead, from which I can constantly threaten both Chungking and Chengtu:

Ground combat at Kienko (78,41)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 5851 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 211
Defending force 8130 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 102

Japanese adjusted assault: 272
Allied adjusted defense: 75
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kienko !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

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

Allied ground losses:
3536 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 201 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 8

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
33rd Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
34th Group Army
8th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force
Red Chinese Army
6th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force

Meanwhile the Changsha Pocket is slowly reduced:

Ground combat at 81,53 (near Changsha)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 79389 troops, 680 guns, 587 vehicles, Assault Value = 2675
Defending force 56966 troops, 335 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1974

Japanese adjusted assault: 2067
Allied adjusted defense: 162
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
4605 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 565 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled
Vehicles lost 85 (43 destroyed, 42 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
10594 casualties reported
Squads: 415 destroyed, 374 disabled
Non Combat: 65 destroyed, 108 disabled
Engineers: 29 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 108 (60 destroyed, 48 disabled)

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
9th Tank Regiment
17th Division
22nd Division
13th Tank Regiment
57th Division
24th Division
23rd Division
60th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Tank Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
9th Prov Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
21st Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division

Interestingly, despite the open terrain, my armor was smashed and losses were unexpectedly high.

India
Good news and bad news.
The good news are that the Slichar pocket is no more! 1500 AV are released. Most of it will head to Cox'Bazar to deal with the remaining allied pocket.
Nearly 35 allied units were destroyed. I think there were 50.000 soldiers in the pocket initially and around 1000AV.
Large destroyed units: 20th Indian Division, 26th Indian Brigade

The bad news: the Chindit Brigade managed to convert one hexside to Allied control, which allowed the allied stack to move into Cox'Bazar and expel my naval guard. Small allied ships are spotted, trying to supply their isolated comrades. Supplied or not, it's just a matter of time now until this pocket is also evaporated and Operation "Gandhi" concluded.

DEI/Australia
The enemy moved a CV (or two?) between Australia and the DEI, sinking CVE Hosho in the process. I definitely won't operate single CVE's from now on. Failed tactic. I moved KB2 (Kaga+Hiyo) close to Koepang hoping for a strike combining LBA and CAG, but it never happened. I then withdrew KB2 to Kendari and the 21st Air Flotilla decided to launch a strike on their own, which was cut to pieces:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 59,119
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 102 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
G3M3 Nell x 12

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

The next day, I- found the allied carrier TF and put a torp into CV Hornet, which is reported sunk, but I somehow doubt it:

Sub attack near Exmouth at 52,123

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu
CL Boise
CL Nashville
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA San Juan

SS I-28 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hornet
I-28 diving deep ....
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Three successive sweeps of Derby's airspace yield a 1:3 ratio in my favour. There is a big transport TF there, which came from the west, no doubt trying to supply Derby by sea. I guess Hornet was there to escort this TF, but it was distracted by KB2.
44 Vals attack the transport TF and its escorting SAG for two days, sinking CL Concord and a couple of DDs, along with some worthless xAKs:

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:27 pm**

Dec 04, 42

Well, I think CV Hornet went down this time...my subs found her again limping to the south and put two more torpedoes into her. The first was a dud but the second one finished her. 100 aircraft are reported destroyed on the ground.

Submarine attack near Exmouth at 53,123

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, heavy damage

CV Hornet is sighted by SS I-28
SS I-28 launches 6 torpedoes

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

Submarine attack near Exmouth at 53,123

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

CV Hornet is sighted by SS I-28
Ammo storage explosion on CV Hornet
SS I-28 launches 6 torpedoes

BANZAI!!!

Meanwhile at Exmouth, the 1st US Amph. Corps launched a deliberate attack after many days of bombardment. It was a close affair, but my boys held their ground well.
The problem is that there are 7 allied units spotted heading north from Carnavon:

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37267 troops, 853 guns, 331 vehicles, Assault Value = 1301
Defending force 17061 troops, 136 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 530

Allied adjusted assault: 869
Japanese adjusted defense: 939
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1815 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 58 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1483 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 188 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 49 disabled
Guns lost 44 (2 destroyed, 42 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Australian Brigade
25th MG Battalion
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
1st Marine Division
2nd Marine Division
3rd Australian Division
44th Australian Battalion
14th NZ Brigade
F Det USN Port Svc
N Force Detachment
98th Coast AA Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
78th Coast AA Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment
5th Marine Defense Battalion
I US Amphib Corps
148th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
101st USN Base Force
140th USA Base Force
65th Cst AA Rgt /1

Defending units:
16th Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
65th Brigade
Kure 2nd SNLF
8th JNAF Coy
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
22nd JAAF AF Bn

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:33 am**

[:'(]

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 6:19 pm**

Dec 05, 42

DEI/Australia
My brave subs find another allied carrier but they miss:

Sub attack near Exmouth at 51,125

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious
CL Honolulu
CL Boise
CL Nashville
CL Helena
CLAA San Juan

SS I-30 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Illustrious
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA San Juan fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

They sweep Exmouth and get the upper hand, despite me having the altitude advantage:

Morning Air attack on Exmouth , at 50,129
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 39

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 17 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

And then they sent their heavy bombers. Bad day for 70th Sentai:

Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 22

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 5
B-17E Fortress x 5
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-17F Fortress x 7
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

At Derby, their supply convoy is trashed by land based IJNAF bombers:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Derby at 64,127
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 12
D3A1 Val x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Eldorado, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
DD Mustin, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Clan Mactavish, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Admiral Halstead, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK West Ivis, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
DD Downes, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Anderson

Burma
A relatively good day for the 3rd Air Div, killing a few enemy bombers, a couple of P-40s, but losing 2 Tojos over cox'Bazar.

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 6:26 pm**

Dec 06, 42

Australia
An Allied SAG bombards Exmouth, preparing for the ground attack that will surely come later on. KB2 is refueling at Kendari:

Night Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 10 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
CA Astoria
CA Indianapolis

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

BB Prince of Wales firing at 20th Infantry Regiment
CA Astoria firing at Exmouth
CA Indianapolis firing at 65th Brigade

Afternoon Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 5
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-17F Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged

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

Consolation: a very successful sweep over Derby:

Morning Air attack on Derby , at 64,127
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 37

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 24

No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 8 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (4 airborne, 16 on standby, 2 scrambling)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

China
I forgot to merge my units before this attack and I paid for it. I will need a few weeks rest before the next attack:

Ground combat at 81,53 (near Changsha)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 81236 troops, 733 guns, 513 vehicles, Assault Value = 2835
Defending force 48383 troops, 276 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1373

Japanese adjusted assault: 1700
Allied adjusted defense: 124
Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5677 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 540 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 32 (1 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4112 casualties reported
Squads: 189 destroyed, 339 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 111 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 64 (23 destroyed, 41 disabled)

Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
57th/C Division
57th/A Division
13th Tank Regiment
60th/A Division
57th/B Division
17th/A Division
60th/B Division
3rd Division
17th/C Division
22nd/A Division
11th Tank Regiment
17th/B Division
24th/A Division
22nd/B Division
60th/C Division
24th/B Division
22nd/C Division
24th/C Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
46th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
9th Prov Chinese Corps

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 6:36 pm**

Dec 07, 42

Australia
The enemy sweeps Exmouth but this time I kill 4 P-40Ks and lose 2 Tojos. Then they launch a deliberate attack, which reduced the forts:

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 36632 troops, 851 guns, 331 vehicles, Assault Value = 1214
Defending force 15948 troops, 136 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 455

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 438
Japanese adjusted defense: 1087

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1422 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 32 destroyed, 39 disabled
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1354 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 102 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 60 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (2 destroyed, 38 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th MG Battalion
2nd Marine Division
1st Marine Division
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
44th Australian Battalion
3rd Australian Division
13th Australian Brigade
14th NZ Brigade
140th USA Base Force
131st Field Artillery Battalion
I US Amphib Corps
5th Marine Defense Battalion
N Force Detachment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
F Det USN Port Svc
109th Tank Attack Regiment
101st USN Base Force
98th Coast AA Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment
78th Coast AA Regiment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
65th Cst AA Rgt /1

Defending units:
16th Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
16th Recon Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
22nd JAAF AF Bn

SE Fleet
Lunga is visited by his heavy bombers. My CAP is mostly leaked from Tulagi, it is too high and does not manage to reach the bombers in time. They get through the CAP and cause significant damage to the airfield. This is fortunate, since most of my aircraft are based at Tulagi:

Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-57-I Topsy: 2 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 43

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead
202 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
202 Ku S-1 Det B with A6M3 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M3 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead
202 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M3 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
202 Ku S-1 Det B with A6M3 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

Ceylon
They tried to bomb Destroyer Division 2, sitting in Trincomalee port, but failed miserably. More ace pilots for me:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 31,47
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 12
Beaufort VIII x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze
DD Usugumo
DD Amatsukaze

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 6:41 pm**

Dec 08, 42

Ceylon
After a long period of inactivity, the allied bombers show their face over Ceylon. My CAP is again too high, but still manages to kill a few bombers. However they get through and cause damage to the airfield. At the same time a CV is spotted near Addu:

Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 81

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 5
Liberator II x 8
B-24D Liberator x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Liberator II: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 36
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 49

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 16
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 15

SE Fleet
Same story over Guadalcanal:

Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 44

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 22

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 6:45 pm**

Dec 09, 42

This day was identical to yesterday, with allied airfield strikes on Ceylon and Guadalcanal. The damaged to both airfields is now over 60 and I lost 17 aircraft on the ground, while killing 6 bombers.

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:00 pm**

Dec 11, 42

Australia
News: a strong enemy SAG bombards Exmouth again:
N

ight Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 18 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Valiant
BB Prince of Wales
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
CA Astoria
CA Indianapolis
CL Boise
CL Nashville
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
CL Adelaide

Japanese ground losses:
337 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 5

Yesterday I took the decision to use my only reserve in the DEI (9th Div) to reinforce Exmouth. That is why KB2 was not near Exmouth. It is also waiting for CVL Ryujo, which is just reaching Soerebaja. Simultaneously with the Exmouth reinforcement, supply convoys to N.Australia are organized, as well as a bombardment of Exmouth by BatDiv3.

Further, two aviation support units have just landed on Port Hedland and I am now able to use more Helens to support Exmouth.

China
In the far north, the Mongol Army is capturing bases and chasing Chinese remnants. Hami is taken, the next base, Umrichi, is an oil center:

Ground combat at Hami (81,17)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 13880 troops, 136 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 599
Defending force 3382 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Japanese adjusted assault: 1082
Allied adjusted defense: 27
Japanese assault odds: 40 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hami !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SB-III: 6 destroyed
I-16-III: 11 destroyed
I-15-III: 6 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1209 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 109 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units pursuing 2

Allied ground losses:
2306 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units retreated 2

Assaulting units:
3rd Ching An Tui Brigade
3rd Tank Regiment
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
6th Mongol Cavalry Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Recon Regiment
Mongol Garrison Army
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
9th Separate Brigade
21st Chinese Base Force

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:52 pm**

[:'(]

Posted: **Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:53 pm**

So...one year has past since that glorious surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and I think the Empire is in good shape, certainly better than I expected when I took the reins, given my initial inexperience. If I was to begin a new game as Japan now, I would change many things in the way I prosecuted the war. I made many mistakes, especially in the handling of my air-naval assets. I also botched R&D and engine production. Which is why I find myself with at least 500k less supply than I should have and I am faced with an almost critical shortage of sea lift capacity. But things cannot be undone now...

I believe I have a viable strategy for 1943. Speaking of strategy, my opponent Steven remarked that the sinking of CV Hornet disrupted an offensive operation he was about to launch and put his plans back by 6 months. I don't know if I should believe him. In any case, this is the 4th big American carrier he lost and he must also withdraw CV Illustrius in a month from now. I just received CVL Ryuho and will receive CV Taiho in 45 days. Also, 3 Unryu class carriers will finish in late May. So, for the next 9 months Japan will be superior in carrier deck space. It's up to me to maximize this advantage.

Regarding enemy intentions:

It's clear that he wants Exmouth badly. He has committed significant ground assets to that goal (1400 AV). More are coming. He pushed a carrier taskforce right on my LOC to northern Australia, disrupting my supply convoys. Sinking Hornet will allow me to regain control of the southwestern Timor Sea.

He also begun using his heavy bombers recently, in Ceylon and Guadalcanal. There are lots of APs spotted in New Caledonia, so it looks like he is up to something there. A CV is spotted off Ceylon along with two other small unidentified TFs.

Japan's short-term goals:

1. Finish off China => Transfer the Chinese Exp. Army to Burma and set up a new line there => Move the 2nd Area Army from Burma to the DEI => Build up defenses in the DEI and make the 16th Tank Army Japan's principal strategic reserve formation.

2. Transfer the 9th Div from Soerebaja to Exmouth => Move aviation support and the 5th Air Div HQ to Port Hedland => Maintain status quo in N.Australia (hold Exmouth, control the Timor Sea), until goal 1 is achieved.

3. Build up Trincomalee's fort to lvl 9 (currently 8.10) => Leave a reinforced division to hold Trincomalee, the 22nd Air Flotilla will remain there to control the Bay of Bengal and Ceylon => Transfer the rest of the 25th Army to Sumatra.

4. Transfer the 29th Div from Manchukuo to Port Moresby => PM's garrison (144th Rgt) move to the DEI, to act temporarily as a reserve. After goal 1 is achieved, it will be reunited with the rest of the 15th Army to defend the Andaman Islands. I have enough PPs to do this immediately.

5. In about 45 days from now, the 25th Div will be bought from the Kwantung Army and will be redeployed to the DEI.

6. The next unit to be bought will be the 28th Div will.It will reinforce the Kurille Islands. It's already split in three regiments so only three islands can be garrisoned. I think this is adequate for early 1943, considering that I also hold the west part of the Aleutian Islands.

I give myself three months to complete the above goals. I have ideas on what I should do after March '43, but I will not disclose them now.

Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:40 am**

Dec 12, 42

Australia
IJN's 3rd Fleet sets sail to North Australia.
KB2 (Kaga, Hiyo, Ryuho, Haruna) leads the armada.
BatDiv3 is escorting InvSqd3 (arrying 9Div).
DesDiv3 will attack an enemy transport TF unloading supplies in Exmouth.
BatDiv1 (Yamato, Nagato, Mutsu) follows a few hexes behind.
A few small cargo TFs will resupply Broome, Port Hedland and Exmouth. There is no immediate need for supplies, but I am taking this opportunity to do so.
8 IJN subs are operating in the general area.

The enemy has carrier(s) 7 hexes west of Exmouth. They attacked my ground troops there.

Meanwhile, the air battle over Exmouth continues:

Morning Air attack on Exmouth , at 50,129
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 19 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on Exmouth , at 50,129
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 31

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on 44th Australian Battalion, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 37

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 8 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 3rd Australian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 13th Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 44th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 5th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 13th Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 44th Australian Battalion ...

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

Morning Air attack on 1st Marine Division, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
SBD-3 Dauntless x 54
TBF-1 Avenger x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
251 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Morning Air attack on 16th Recon Regiment, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 3
B-17E Fortress x 8
B-17F Fortress x 2

No Japanese losses

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

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

And then the allies launch their attack, which drops the forts to lvl2... Yesterday's bombardment combined with the continuous air attacks finally made a dent to my defense. It won't be long now. My invasion fleet is 3-4 days away, I am not sure I can hold Exmouth for that long.

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37032 troops, 846 guns, 316 vehicles, Assault Value = 1181
Defending force 14650 troops, 132 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 401

Allied adjusted assault: 513
Japanese adjusted defense: 187
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
966 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 21 (5 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 55 (55 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
773 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Division
3rd Australian Division
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
1st Marine Division
44th Australian Battalion
13th Australian Brigade
14th NZ Brigade
148th Field Artillery Battalion
5th Marine Defense Battalion
109th Tank Attack Regiment
78th Coast AA Regiment
131st Field Artillery Battalion
25th MG Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
I US Amphib Corps
98th Coast AA Regiment
140th USA Base Force
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
N Force Detachment
65th Coast AA Regiment
101st USN Base Force
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
16th Recon Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
8th JNAF Coy
16th Engineer Regiment
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
22nd JAAF AF Bn

Burma
BatDiv2 (Kongo + 3 CAs) bombarded Cox.Bazar, but I forgot to set its float planes to recon and the damage was minimal.

Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:42 am**

Dec 12, 42

Australia
IJN's 3rd Fleet sets sail to North Australia.
KB2 (Kaga, Hiyo, Ryuho, Haruna) leads the armada.
BatDiv3 is escorting InvSqd3 (arrying 9Div).
DesDiv3 will attack an enemy transport TF unloading supplies in Exmouth.
BatDiv1 (Yamato, Nagato, Mutsu) follows a few hexes behind.
A few small cargo TFs will resupply Broome, Port Hedland and Exmouth. There is no immediate need for supplies, but I am taking this opportunity to do so.
8 IJN subs are operating in the general area.

The enemy has carrier(s) 7 hexes west of Exmouth. They attacked my ground troops there.

Meanwhile, the air battle over Exmouth continues:

Morning Air attack on Exmouth , at 50,129
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 19 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on Exmouth , at 50,129
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 31

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on 44th Australian Battalion, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 37

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 8 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 3rd Australian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 13th Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 44th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 5th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 13th Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 44th Australian Battalion ...

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

Morning Air attack on 1st Marine Division, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
SBD-3 Dauntless x 54
TBF-1 Avenger x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
251 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Morning Air attack on 16th Recon Regiment, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 3
B-17E Fortress x 8
B-17F Fortress x 2

No Japanese losses

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

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

And then the allies launch their attack, which drops the forts to lvl2... Yesterday's bombardment combined with the continuous air attacks finally made a dent to my defense. It won't be long now. My invasion fleet is 3-4 days away, I am not sure I can hold Exmouth for that long.

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37032 troops, 846 guns, 316 vehicles, Assault Value = 1181
Defending force 14650 troops, 132 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 401

Allied adjusted assault: 513
Japanese adjusted defense: 187
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
966 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 21 (5 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 55 (55 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
773 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Division
3rd Australian Division
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
1st Marine Division
44th Australian Battalion
13th Australian Brigade
14th NZ Brigade
148th Field Artillery Battalion
5th Marine Defense Battalion
109th Tank Attack Regiment
78th Coast AA Regiment
131st Field Artillery Battalion
25th MG Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
I US Amphib Corps
98th Coast AA Regiment
140th USA Base Force
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
N Force Detachment
65th Coast AA Regiment
101st USN Base Force
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
16th Recon Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
8th JNAF Coy
16th Engineer Regiment
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
22nd JAAF AF Bn

Burma
BatDiv2 (Kongo + 3 CAs) bombarded Cox.Bazar, but I forgot to set its float planes to recon and the damage was minimal.

Ceylon
Again, his heavy bombers attack Trincomalle. They are slowly becoming less effective and my CAP downed another 4 bombers today for the loss of two Zekes and 1 Nell.

Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:59 am**

[:'(]

Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:09 pm**

Dec 13, 42

Australia
The I US Amph. Corps did not attack again today, choosing to rest its troops instead. I hope they rest for a few more days. The air battle however continues:

Morning Air attack on 13th Australian Brigade, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 74

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 31 damaged (I think armor saved my planes here)
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37
SBD-3 Dauntless x 54
TBF-1 Avenger x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged

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

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

Morning Air attack on Port Hedland , at 57,129
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 2
B-17E Fortress x 8
B-17F Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak
B-17F Fortress: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

I think bombing my troops at exmouth would be better for him, but hey.

So, as you can see above, another ground attack from his carriers, which did not change position.
Kido Buttai 2 is only one day away from strike range and it remains completely undetected.

Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:37 pm**

Dec 14, 42

Australia

We have achieved surprise. We sunk Yorktown and severely damaged Wasp, at the cost of 19 veteran pilots and a damaged submarine. The enemy was not able to launch a retaliatory strike. The day is ours!

But first things first. The day opened with DesDiv3 entering Exmouth and driving off the allied supply convoy:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 50,129, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
DD Nenohi
DD Uranami
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 1
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
DD Van Nes, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hatfield, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Tuscaloosa City, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Mahukona, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Makiki, Shell hits 42, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Manoa, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Mokihana, Shell hits 26, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK San Lucas, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Jalaratna, Shell hits 14, on fire

Then, two dispatched destroyers engaged the enemy carrier taskforce. Unfortunately no torpedoes hits were scored. This was supposed to be a night engagement, but I forgot to set my TF on full speed:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 45,130, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akizuki
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage (80+ flotation dmg)

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CV Wasp, Shell hits 1
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 1
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA San Juan
CL Detroit, Shell hits 1
CL Trenton
CL Honolulu
CL Caradoc
CLAA Van Heemskerck
DD Lamson

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards

Then, the enemy carriers launched another ground strike in Exmouth! KB2 still remained undetected at this point I think!
Despite my good fortune, KB 2 did not launch a morning strike.

Bombers of the 5th Air Div continue to bomb enemy ground troops in Exmouth:

Morning Air attack on 25th MG Battalion, at 50,129 (Exmouth)
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 20 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

KB2 finally attacked in the afternoon. I believe Yorktwon was sunk outright. Wasp survived this attack, recieving only one bomb hit:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 45,130
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
B5N2 Kate x 45
D3A1 Val x 35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
CL Detroit
CLAA San Juan
CL Honolulu
DD Lamson
CL Sumatra
CL Trenton, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CLAA Atlanta
CL Caradoc

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 11 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

Ammo storage explosion on CV Wasp
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Wasp

As you can see, enemy CAP broke through my escorts and got a few hits on the bombers. I lost 2 Zero pilots and 18 bomber pilots.

Immediately after the above confrontation, I-28 (the same submarine that sunk the Hornet a few days ago) found Wasp and put a torpedo into her guts. She is not sunk yet though. I-28 has 40 flotation damage, I hope it can reach Soerebaja, so I can give a metal to its skipper:

Sub attack near Carnarvon at 45,130

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 6, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Trenton
CL Sumatra
CLAA Van Heemskerck
CLAA Atlanta
DD Lamson

SS I-28 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Wasp
I-28 diving deep ....
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lamson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lamson attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

In the end, I had more good news, as the enemy chose to rest his troops at Exmouth for another day, only conducting a bombardemnt. InvSqd3 will begin unloading 9Div tomorrow night. BatDiv3 will bombard the enemy. I hope by the end of the day, Exmouth will still be mine:

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 31514 troops, 826 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 1139
Defending force 13176 troops, 128 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 329

Japanese ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
2nd Marine Division
44th Australian Battalion
3rd Australian Division
13th Australian Brigade
1st Marine Division
14th NZ Brigade
98th Coast AA Regiment
65th Coast AA Regiment
101st USN Base Force
131st Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
140th USA Base Force
109th Tank Attack Regiment
5th Marine Defense Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
25th MG Battalion
I US Amphib Corps
78th Coast AA Regiment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
N Force Detachment
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
65th Brigade
20th Infantry Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
16th Engineer Regiment
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
22nd JAAF AF Bn

KB2 will remain in the area and mop up the survivors. There is another carrier TF spotted coming from Perth, but that's probably a British CVL. Lots of Aps and AKs near Carnavon as well. I will take a risk by also commiting BatDiv1, hoping to sink as many ships as possible.

Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:52 pm**

Dec 15, 42

Today was another great victory for IJN! [:D]

Where to start...

First of all, Wasp was still floating and KB2 emptied almost all its remaining torpedoes on her and her escorts. I suspect it is still floating, but tomorrow will surely be the end of her.

Secondly, Kido Buttai launched a surprise attack on Koumac!
KB was covering the transfer of Guards Brigade from Kirakira to Rabaul and it was positioned a few hexes NE of it. Yesterday, my naval search indicated that a large allied TF, containing BBs and CVLs was stationed at Koumac without a single fighter to cover it, other than its meager organic air component.
I ordered KB to cover 15 hexes in one day and launch a surprise strike on Koumac. Carnage ensued!

To add insult to injury, a Japanese sub put a torpedo into BB Resolution, between Diego Garcia and Addu.

The cost in pilots was negligible.
KB had 7 KIA
KB2 had 12 KIA and 9 MIA.

So here follow the combat reports...

Australia
The turn begun with an effective bombardment of Exmouth by BatDiv3:

Night Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
DD Ushio
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shigure

Allied ground losses:
301 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at 5th Marine Defense Battalion
5th Marine Defense Battalion firing at BB Yamashiro
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at 2nd Marine Division
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Kumano
CA Kumano firing at 14th NZ Brigade
CA Suzuya firing at 5th Marine Defense Battalion
5th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Suzuya
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CL Sendai
CL Sendai firing at 1st Marine Division
DD Ushio firing at 2nd Marine Division
DD Hatsuyuki firing at 5th Marine Defense Battalion
DD Shigure firing at 1st Marine Division

In the morning, 18 Nells took off from Broome without escorts to attack Wasp. Her CAP was effectively out of action by this stage:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 46,137
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 8 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Detroit
CLAA San Juan
CL Honolulu
CLAA Van Heemskerck

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
49th FG/9th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
347th FG/68th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes

Fuel storage explosion on CV Wasp

KB2 followed with its own naval strike:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 46,137
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
B5N2 Kate x 49
D3A1 Val x 30

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CLAA San Juan
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1
CL Trenton, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta
CL Caradoc, Bomb hits 1
CL Sumatra

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
49th FG/7th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
49th FG/9th FS with P-40K Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
35th FG/39th FS with P-40K Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
347th FG/68th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

Fuel storage explosion on CV Wasp
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CLAA Van Heemskerck
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Wasp

In the afternoon, KB2 kept pounding on enemy TFs. It also launched a strike against a TF sitting in Carnavon, which cost me a few pilots I shouldn't have lost:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 46,137
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 18
D3A1 Val x 11

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Sumatra
CL Caradoc, Bomb hits 1
DD Lamson

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 49,133
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
B5N2 Kate x 18
D3A1 Val x 15

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Frazier, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Aaron Ward, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAP Sarpedonia, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Momba
xAK Time, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Mangola, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
633 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 41 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (14 destroyed, 22 disabled)

In the evening, I US Amphib. Corps launched another deliberate attack, which reduced the forts to 1. A little less than half the troops of 9 Div (about 190 AV) had been unloaded in good order at the time and they are probably responsible for keeping Exmouth.
This battle is still on the balance though. Tomorrow Batdiv1 will bombard the enemy.

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 36528 troops, 844 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 1138
Defending force 17054 troops, 238 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 533

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied adjusted assault: 423
Japanese adjusted defense: 464
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1852 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 151 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1215 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 98 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 32 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Australian Brigade
1st Marine Division
3rd Australian Division
44th Australian Battalion
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
2nd Marine Division
14th NZ Brigade
140th USA Base Force
148th Field Artillery Battalion
N Force Detachment
98th Coast AA Regiment
25th MG Battalion
109th Tank Attack Regiment
I US Amphib Corps
78th Coast AA Regiment
65th Coast AA Regiment
5th Marine Defense Battalion
101st USN Base Force
33rd Medium Regiment
131st Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
65th Brigade
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
9th Div /3
24th Nav Gsn Unit /1
16th Engineer Regiment
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
22nd JAAF AF Bn

SE Fleet
Kido Buttai's strikes on Koumac:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 113,156
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
B5N2 Kate x 83
D3A1 Val x 60

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 13 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 12 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVE Prince William, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CVE Altamaha, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Mississippi, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Vincennes, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Preston, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Altamaha
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Mississippi
Massive explosion on DD Preston

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 113,156
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
B5N2 Kate x 83
D3A1 Val x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Altamaha, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Warspite, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
CA New Orleans, on fire
BB Mississippi, Bomb hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Louisville, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Vincennes, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Preston
DD Bagley, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
19 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
19 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Altamaha
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Altamaha
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Vincennes

India

Sub attack near Addu at 12,52

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 1
CA Dorsetshire
CA Minneapolis
CL Birmingham
CL Durban
CL Danae
DD Isaac Sweers

SS I-155 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Resolution
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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