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Is the Japanese amphibious bonus about to run out at the end of the month?

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Is the Japanese amphibious bonus about to run out at the end of the month?

Yes.

Mar 3 and 4

The cross river attack into Chihkiang went in at 1:2, failed to reduce forts, and resulted in heavy casualties -

Ground combat at Chihkiang (78,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 37874 troops, 356 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 1269

Defending force 47986 troops, 347 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1052

Japanese adjusted assault: 1204

Allied adjusted defense: 1696

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
7386 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 589 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 75 disabled

Allied ground losses:
813 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
6th Division
51st Recon Regiment
36th Division
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
8th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
74th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
39th New Chinese Division
4th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
33rd Group Army
19th Group Army
10th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
3rd War Area
23rd Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
14th Chinese Base Force
41st AA Regiment

The inbound reinforcements should be able to cross the river without triggering a shock attack.

In the north of China Ningsia was recaptured. We had voluntarily withdrawn to allow the defending 11 Chinese Corps to withdraw (rather than destroy it). The attack forced its retreat.

On the 4th, a tanks only attack at Kweilin failed, and resulted in disablement of 25% of the attacking tanks. Again, reinforcements are enroute -

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25330 troops, 235 guns, 397 vehicles, Assault Value = 765

Defending force 23760 troops, 124 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 613

Japanese adjusted assault: 75

Allied adjusted defense: 999

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 13 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 96 (5 destroyed, 91 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
410 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
8th Armored Car Co
13th Division
116th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
60th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
2nd Chinese Base Force
27th Group Army
7th War Area
18th Chinese Base Force

In Burma the drive north from Rangoon and Pegu continues; IG Div plus a brigade of 33 Div on the road from Rangoon through Prome to Magwe and 5 Div plus a brigade of 33 Div on the road from Pegu through Toungoo to Meiktila. The 3rd brigade of 33 Div split off east on the road to Taung Gyi. The middle force should reach Meiktila before the rest. With the two tank regiments in that force and the parachute regiment at Bassein an envelopment of the western defenders may be possible.

Mar 5 and 6

A Japanese sub put 2 torpedoes in CL Boise near Milne Bay, and the cruiser was reported sunk. I didn't really believe it until my opponent confirmed it sank in an email. I guess OPSEC is just an acronym to him. But then the sub hit a mine at Milne Bay (could have been a friendly), and may sink before it gets back to Rabaul.

Chihkiang was reinforced without triggering a shock attack, but we're still outnumbered there.

On Mar 5, another Rufe factory reached 30(0) and was changed to A6M5 research.

On Mar 6, 2 more Rufe factories reached 30(0) and 20(0) and were changed to A6M5. The last Rufe factory (at Maebashi) will go into production of Rufes on April 1.

After several days of sweeping, the minefield at Bataan has been cleared.

Because of the contact with Boise at Milne Bay, a few carriers (mostly CVLs) sortied from Rabaul to within 7 hexes of Milne. Four engagements followed -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 113 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
B5N1 Kate x 15
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 13

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3
Kittyhawk IA x 3
P-40B Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Bomb hits 1
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1
DD Whipple
DD Parrott

Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 102 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
Kittyhawk IA x 1
P-40B Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA New Orleans

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 92 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N1 Kate x 12
B5N2 Kate x 22

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3
Kittyhawk IA x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Mariposa
DD Edsall
DD Russell
CA New Orleans
DD Parrott

Submarine attack near Milne Bay at 101,133

Japanese Ships
SS RO-63

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

CA Canberra is sighted by SS RO-63
SS RO-63 launches 6 torpedoes

Two of these cruisers are reported sunk.

To see if they really were sunk, check to see if there were any FP losses and what type. Unless, of course, they were all in the air and diverted to another ship or base.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

To see if they really were sunk, check to see if there were any FP losses and what type. Unless, of course, they were all in the air and diverted to another ship or base.

Since the Allies still control Milne Bay (and Port Moresby), any FP would have diverted there. Like he did with Boise, my opponent will likely lament their loss in an email. Makes it easy.

Not all of the FPs may have been flying. Especially if the ship was already damaged.

Mar 7

Imperial Guard Div (+) captured Prome, destroying one Allied battalion, and forcing the other 2 defenders (brigade and battalion) to retreat.

Not much else happened; a bunch of bombardments in China as units continue to reposition, and various submarine attacks by both sides. We lost an xAK near Georgetown; I think it was empty. 18 Div will finish unloading at Rangoon on the 7th. 5 Div will arrive at Meiktila in a few days. Four tank regiments at Iba depart for SOPAC and Burma (2 each). 5 Air HQ, now at Manila, will load out for Rabaul when transports arrive in a day or 2. 38 Div assaults Ambon tomorrow.

No Allied float planes are reported destroyed as a result of the attack on Allied cruisers at Milne Bay; so either the cruisers did not sink, as reported, or the FP diverted to Milne Bay.

Mar 8 and 9

38 Div landed at Ambon on the 8th and captured it without difficulty on the 9th -

Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13607 troops, 164 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 450

Defending force 2731 troops, 36 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 401

Allied adjusted defense: 37

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ambon !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
3359 casualties reported
Squads: 65 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 215 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 35 (35 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:
38th Division
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

Likewise, an SNLF landed at Christmas Is (IO) on the 8th and captured the undefended island on the 9th.

A few days ago on Java, a ragtag assortment of Dutch units marched out of the jungle and onto the road between Tjilatjap and Bandoeng. They were immediately pounced upon by regiments of 56 Div and artillery. With no base on Java for retreat, and out of supply, a few more days of attack should see their surrender -

Ground combat at 50,101 (near Tjilatjap)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7924 troops, 87 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 312

Defending force 3782 troops, 42 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Japanese adjusted assault: 163

Allied adjusted defense: 28

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
445 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (6 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
113th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
5th Coastal Gun Battalion
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Djojakarta Base Force
Semarang Base Force
Tjilitap Base Force

On the 9th, various attacks in China achieved nothing; well, the forts at Kweilin were reduced to 0, so there's that. A trickle of reinforcements from Manchukuo will become available as PPs become available to release them.

The research of Nick FBs at Gifu reached 30(0) and start production on May 1.

Mar 10 - 17

Our game hasn't died - we played these 8 days over the past month while I was traveling and having intermittent internet. Since Oct 18 (real time) my opponent has been on a Med cruise. He should be back in action Nov 3 (he has the turn). Then I leave for a Caribbean cruise Nov 22 for 9 days. So, we should get to April '42 before Christmas (2019).

On Mar 10, Taung Gyi was captured by paradrop and Ambon was cleared of mines.

On Mar 11, artillery and tanks began unloading at Pegu while Army and Air HQs unloaded at Rangoon.

On Mar 12, CVL Ryujo took a torpedo from a sub (nationality not recorded).

On Mar 13, Meiktila was captured.

On Mar 14, Dili was captured.

On Mar 16, Magwe was captured by 3 tank regiments; 20% damage to oil and refinery.

On Mar 17, Liuchow was captured with all resource and light industry destroyed! Mandalay was captured (resource OK). Aichi Ha-60 engines advanced to Aug 42 and A6M5 Zeroes advanced to Jul 43.

More will be added here when we resume in about a week.

Mar 18 - 19

The battles resume (and will continue for 2 weeks until I depart on a 9 day cruise to Aruba and nearby dot bases).

Nothing of significance happened on Mar 18, as we're both trying to get our sea legs back.

I'm working on the dot bases in the southern DEI; Kangean was captured on the 19th. I'm fairly certain I sank a Dutch sub at Dili, also. 38 Div(-) has captured Dili, and another brigade will land at Lonbrum (sp?) adjacent.

I'll post maps of the situations in China and Burma later today.

Mar 20 - 21

Saidor (a couple hexes north of Lae) was recaptured. When the original IJA occupant moved inland, Saidor flipped back to the Allies; it's now back on the dark side. Toboali (off Sumatra) was captured unopposed. 38 Div(-) landed at Lautem, as another brigade moved to Lautem from Dili. The defending Dutch base force surrendered on the 21st.

On the 21st, CV Kaga took 2 torpedoes from an S-class sub; 23 system damage and 43 flotation damage (22 major). Back to Kwajalein to see if some of the damage can be easily repaired (although that's doubtful); back to Yokohama if nothing significant can be fixed at Kwaj. Flight ops are no-go right now; so I'd like to at least get the aircraft off.

As payback a torpedo was put in CA Louisville heading to PM from Milne Bay.

At Changteh, as Japanese reinforcements crossed the river from the NE, the Chinese evacuated to the west. The base was captured with no damage to resource and light industry. The situation in China is as shown below:



The avenue of advance from Liuchow to Tuyun (westernmost arrow) shows the most promise at this point. Everywhere else is at a stalemate. North of this map, 26 Div and a brigade are one hex east of Lanchow and may be able to capture it without further reinforcement.

Mar 22 - 23

An engagement at Milne Bay occurred each day, with 4 IJN DDs vs. 4 US PTs. One PT was sunk.

Capture of dot bases continues - Sepandjang and Billiton were captured on the 23rd.

An IJN sub put a torpedo in an Allied AR at Milne Bay. Fog of war? Was it something other than an AR? Why would he move an AR that far forward? Unless there's something at Milne Bay that he can't fix and doesn't want to risk moving. A carrier division will move in that direction to investigate further.

15 Div on the road to Tuyun is one step closer.

Here's the situation in Burma as of Mar 21 -

Mar 24 - 25

Roti (island west of Koepang) was captured by paradrop on the 24th; the fragment will be extracted by ship. Lomblen (island somewhat north of Koepang) was captured by paradrop (different unit) on the 25th; will also be extracted by ship.

In Burma, Shwebo was captured as the Allies evacuated. West of there a defending battalion was destroyed by the advance of the Imperial Guard Div. The 2 division advance through Katha to Myitkyina is being led by several tank regiments. To the east, Lashio is about to be entered by 2 more tank regiments, as the Allies flee.

In the southern DEI, 38 Div(-) lands at Koepang and finds it defended by a battalion and base force. Aviation support (to include an air HQ) and engineers are enroute. A Dutch sub trying to interfere with the landing was sunk.

Back in China, 2 of the units surrounded between Kweilin and Kukong marched across the river to their north. The 65 Chinese Corps was attacked and destroyed on the 25th. The stronger 100 Chinese Corps near Hengyang will be next.

IJA troops will land at Tulagi and Salamaua tomorrow. Recon has shown Tulagi to be vacant.

CV Kaga successfully returned to Kwajalein and offloaded her aircraft. Float damage dropped from 43 to 39 during the 2 day transit, however, it will take 6 weeks to repair the system damage and non-major flotation damage in pierside mode. Once system damage is reduced to about 10 (from 23 now) I may start moving her, but that will depend on how much flotation damage is also reduced during that time.

Mar 26 - 27

IJA troops landed at Tulagi and Salamaua on the 26th and captured those bases on the 27th. Tulagi was empty and Salamaua was defended by an Aussie company.

Koepang was captured on the 26th, and included the destruction of several Allied aircraft -

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4558 troops, 41 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 156

Defending force 1152 troops, 9 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 35

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 127

Allied adjusted defense: 15

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Koepang !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed
B-339D: 4 destroyed
CW-22 Falcon: 3 destroyed
Do-24K-1: 9 destroyed
T.IVa: 1 destroyed
PBY-5 Catalina: 6 destroyed

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1393 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
38th/B Division

Defending units:
Timor Garrison Battalion
Koepang Base Force

Koepang harbor was swept of mines on the 27th.

Recon has shown Cox's Bazar to be vacant and Akyab defended by an Indian brigade. I plan to take Cox's Bazar, then leave, just to see the reaction (if any) from my adversary. After that I plan a recon by CV air of Ceylon and Calcutta.

Mar 28 - 30

CVL Zuiho took a torpedo and 47 flotation damage north of Tulagi on the 28th; now limping back to Truk, then Yokohama.

Ruteng and Enggano were captured and a battalion lands at Cox's Bazar on the 28th; vacant Cox's Bazar was captured on the 29th.

IJA troops land at Lingga and Lunga on the 29th and capture both unopposed on the 30th. Paratroops drop on Babar on the 30th, and will capture the vacant base on the 31st.

4 Div(+) will attempt a landing at Milne Bay on the 31st, escorted by 4 battleships in 2 task forces and 2 carriers in a third. Nothing larger than cruisers are expected to contest the base.

In China, a Chinese counterattack has developed east of Chihkiang and the partially surrounded Chinese troops in the Kweilin pocket straggle across the river.

Mar 31 - Apr 1

Naval battles occurred in 2 theaters - On Mar 31 the Japanese attempted to land 4 Div at Milne Bay. DD Porter intercepted the amphib TF, sinking 3 xAK, and causing it to withdraw toward Rabaul. The whereabouts of the battleship TF (Mutsu/Yamashiro) accompanying the amphibs is unknown. Well, it's whereabouts are known, but why it didn't fight Porter is not. A second battleship TF (Kirishima/Hiei) did arrive at Milne Bay after the amphib abort and sank Porter. On Apr 1 Mutsu and Yamashiro merged with the amphib TF 3 hexes ENE of Milne and will attempt an assault on Apr 2. Meanwhile, on Apr 1, a surface engagement between Kirishima/Hiei and the US BB's Nevada and West Virginia occurred SW of Milne Bay.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,134, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
DD Akigumo
DD Makigumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Russell, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Alden, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,134, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Makigumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Sawakaze

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 2
BB Nevada, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA New Orleans
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 2
DD McCall
DD Maury
DD Mahan
DD Drayton
DD Parrott
DD Whipple, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 100% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Yamaguchi, Jihei crosses the 'T'

BB Nevada retires with heavy damage and the TFs reengage -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,134, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Makigumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Sawakaze

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 13, on fire
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 2
CL St. Louis
DD McCall
DD Maury
DD Mahan
DD Drayton, Shell hits 2

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,134, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, heavy fires
DD Makigumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Asagiri
DD Sawakaze

Allied Ships
PG Swan, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 100% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Yamaguchi, Jihei crosses the 'T'

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,134, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, heavy fires
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL St. Louis
DD McCall
DD Maury
DD Mahan
DD Drayton

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 100% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Fujita, Isamu crosses the 'T'

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,134, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, heavy fires
DD Asagiri
DD Sawakaze

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD McCall
DD Maury

After only 3 shell hits, BB Kirishima sank!?! Nevada may have sunk, but it's unlikely that New Orleans and St Louis did. IMO.

Apr 1

The other engagement, in the Bay of Bengal, was a carrier battle between CVs Shokaku/Zuikaku and the Brit CV Indomitable.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 42,53

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 44
D3A1 Val x 38

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 1
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
DD Thanet
DD Tenedos
DD Stronghold

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Prince of Wales

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 42,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 34
D3A1 Val x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 8 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 1
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 8, on fire

The sunk ships report at the previous post shows (FoW) that all three of these vessels sank. The air losses report supports sinking of the CV, but not the battleships. It's unclear to me why there was no Brit counter strike.

Apr 2 - 4

I'll admit I charged into Milne Bay with too little intel, as you'll see below. Another mistake was setting my BB TF to a 1 hex reaction, which it did (to the SW) to start the fracas with Nevada and West Virginia on Apr 1. That 1 hex moved the engagement hex 10 hexes from Rabaul (and Betties set at range 9), and 8 hexes from my carriers (near Shortland and set at range 7). Too bad!

Anyway, my pell mell dash into Milne Bay on Apr 2 encountered 2 Allied TFs (not counting a sub) -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamashiro
CA Maya
DD Shikinami
DD Amagiri
DD Mutsuki
DD Kisaragi
DD Oite
DD Hayate
PC Ashi
PB Myoken Maru
PB Shoei Maru
SC Ch 27
xAK Melbourne Maru
xAK Yamakaze Maru
xAK Sanko Maru
xAK Kaiko Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Hino Maru #3
xAK Osaka Maru
xAK Seian Maru
xAK Hankow Maru
xAK Eihuku Maru
xAK Kasagi Maru
xAK Ikoma Maru
xAK Aso Maru
xAK Rokko Maru
xAK Nanman Maru
xAK Senyo Maru
xAK Shinkyo Maru
xAK Sensan Maru
xAK Tomitu Maru
xAK Seisyo Maru
xAK Kuritake Maru
xAK Zyunyo Maru
xAK Hokutai Maru
xAK Syoto Maru
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Daigen Maru
xAP Hikawa Maru
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
xAP Mizuho Maru

Allied Ships
PT-36
PT-37
PT-38
PT-39
PT-40
PT-43
PT-46

Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 96% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Wagner I. gains tactical advantage
xAP Mizuho Maru , xAP Buenos Aires Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAK Daigen Maru , xAK Koyu Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Mutsuki
xAP Mizuho Maru , xAP Buenos Aires Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAK Daigen Maru , xAK Koyu Maru , xAK Syoto Maru ,
xAK Hokutai Maru , xAK Zyunyo Maru , xAK Kuritake Maru ,
xAK Seisyo Maru , xAK Tomitu Maru , xAK Sensan Maru ,
xAK Shinkyo Maru , xAK Senyo Maru , xAK Nanman Maru ,
xAK Rokko Maru , xAK Aso Maru , xAK Ikoma Maru ,
xAK Kasagi Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Hayate , DD Kisaragi , DD Mutsuki ,
DD Amagiri , PC Ashi
DD Shikinami engages PT-40 at 11,000 yards
PT-38 engages xAK Osaka Maru at 11,000 yards
PT-46 engages xAK Hino Maru #3 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Hayate engages PT-46 at 8,000 yards
DD Oite engages PT-43 at 8,000 yards
PT-46 engages xAK Kasagi Maru at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
xAP Mizuho Maru , xAP Buenos Aires Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Myoken Maru
DD Hayate engages PT-38 at 4,000 yards...

The IJN destroyers did a good job shielding the transports from the PT boats. But then -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 10, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Maya
DD Shikinami
DD Amagiri
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Kisaragi
DD Oite
DD Hayate
PC Ashi, Shell hits 1
PB Myoken Maru
PB Shoei Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
SC Ch 27
xAK Melbourne Maru
xAK Yamakaze Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Sanko Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Kaiko Maru
xAK Hino Maru #3
xAK Osaka Maru
xAK Seian Maru
xAK Hankow Maru
xAK Eihuku Maru
xAK Kasagi Maru
xAK Ikoma Maru
xAK Aso Maru
xAK Rokko Maru
xAK Nanman Maru
xAK Senyo Maru
xAK Shinkyo Maru
xAK Sensan Maru
xAK Tomitu Maru
xAK Seisyo Maru
xAK Kuritake Maru
xAK Zyunyo Maru
xAK Hokutai Maru
xAK Syoto Maru
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Daigen Maru
xAP Hikawa Maru
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
xAP Mizuho Maru

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 1
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Arizona, Shell hits 2
BB Pennsylvania
BB Idaho, Shell hits 6, on fire
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ellet, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Edsall
DD Stuart
DD Vendetta
DD Napier
DD Nizam

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

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 96% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Spruance, Raymond A crosses the 'T'

As would be expected, the combat ships engaged each other, allowing the transports to escape in fairly good order. I count shell hits on BBs as 26 IJN on Allied and 11 Allied on IJN, so my assessment is - I got lucky. This time my carriers were closer -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,135

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 9

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 5, on fire
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,135

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A1 Val x 17

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 5, on fire
DD Napier

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Oklahoma

On Apr 4, a sub in the western part of the Bay of Bengal sighted CV Indomitable, BB Prince of Wales, and BC Repulse. So, none of them were sunk on Apr 1, but the sub did put another torpedo in the CV, before being forced to surface and then sunk.

Several dot bases in the DEI were captured during the past week. In Burma, Katha was captured by 2 tank regiments and the defending battalion surrendered.

End of Amphib Bonus Update

Current Location and Disposition of CV/CVLs -

Akagi - Truk
Kaga - Kwajalein 22 major float damage - to Yokohama when sys damage repaired
Hiryu - Truk
Soryu - Truk
Shokaku - enroute Singapore/DEI/Truk
Zuikaku - enroute Singapore/DEI/Truk
Ryujo - Yokohama shipyard 8 days
Shoho - Truk
Zuiho - enroute Yokohama shipyard 39 float damage

I need a plan for summer upgrades taking only 2 CVs out of service at a time.

Current Location and Disposition of BBs -

Fuso - enroute Truk w/ CarDiv 3
Haruna - enroute Truk
Hiei - enroute Yokohama shipyard 4 float damage (?? sys, ?? eng)
Hyuga - enroute Truk w/ CarDiv 3
Ise - enroute Truk w/ CarDiv 3
Kirishima - sunk
Kongo - enroute Truk w/Haruna
Mutsu - enroute Truk, then Yokohama shipyard 32 float damage
Nagato - Hong Kong shipyard 7 days, then Truk
Yamashiro - enroute Yokohama shipyard 8 float damage

Ships enroute to Yokohama may divert to Tokyo/Osaka/Kobe

All xAK transports capable of upgrade to AK in June will be upgraded. Most -t transports have been converted back to standard.

LCU Area of Operations/Objectives x-China

15 Army
33 Div - defend Magwe/Mandalay/Meiktila
56 Div - Paoshan, then Kunming
55 Div - 112 Rgt (Rangoon garrison), 143 Rgt (in battalions, Sumatra), 144 Rgt (Buna)

25 Army
5 Div - Myitkyina, then Kunming
IG Div - northern Burma
18 Div - Kunming
1 Tank Div - Kunming
2 Tank Div - Kunming

16 Army
2 Div - Java
38 Div - Timor

14 Army
16 Div - Port Moresby (enroute Buna)
48 Div - Port Moresby (enroute Buna)
65 Bde - TBD

Southern Army
1 Div - Milne Bay (at Rabaul)
4 Div - Milne Bay (at Rabaul)
21 Div - Lunga, Tassafaronga, Tulagi
28 Div - next to be bought out from Manchukuo - TBD