wneumann vs Jolly Pillager- the Allied perspective

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/4/42

Central Pacific: U.S. submarine S-45 torpedoes and sinks Jap ML Tateishi at Kwajalein, S-45 in turn is hit and sunk by Val DB air patrols over Kwajalein.

A second USN Seabee Bn has arrived at Fanning Is along with 14K additional supply. Garrison at Fanning is now two USN Seabee Bns (1 & 2) - a USN Base Force unit is projected to go there along with additional forces.


Australia: Jap air bombing raids at Coen and Katherine. Air attacks at Katherine is targeting airfield facilities. In the process of transferring several fighter squadrons (P-40's) from bases on the Australian east coast to NW Australia to contest the air space over Katherine. Getting bombers into position to hit supply point stocks and interdict Jap activity in Darwin will be more difficult due to supply point stocks and the small size of airfields at Allied controlled bases in the NW Australia interior.


DEI: Japanese ground bombardment attack at Pontianek - no Allied casualties.


Burma/India: Jap air bombing raid on airfield at Port Blair.


China: Ground combat continues at hex 47,32 and Sian. AAR's and current situation map follow. Movement of Chinese 80th & 90th Corps out of Sian successful - these two LCU's now in position to cover the route between Sian and Kungchang and intercept the advance of Japanese 9 Independent Brigade attempting to outflank Sian from the north. Six additional Jap LCU's are moving towards Sian - plans underway to withdraw mobile Chinese forces from Sian (leaving two static Corps as rear guard). Intent is for Chinese forces to establish blocking positions in mountain terrain at Kungchang and along the Chungking road one hex to the SW of Sian.

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Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22010 troops, 103 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 901
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20401 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 662
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps


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Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 180226 troops, 778 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 4264
6th, 26th, 32nd, 34th, 35th, 37th, 39th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions,
5 & 13 Independent Brigades, 15 Mixed Brigade, 6 & 15 FA Rgts, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts
Defending force 62890 troops, 286 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1874
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd & 61st Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
724 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/5/42:

Happy 4th of July to all... Not much here in the way of fireworks.

Central Pacific: Air patrol contacts with Japanese submarine (minelayer?) 120 mi W of Pearl Harbor heading east - two 10+ ship ASW TF's formed to await it in Pearl Harbor, a third ASW TF following it from the west. If Tojo wants to send it, we'll bag it.

No reports of Val DB air patrols from S-35 at Kwajalein. Maybe taking the day off?


North Pacific: Disembarking of U.S. 138 RCT and supply continues on Adak Is.

Australia: Japanese air bombing raids continue at Katherine - heavy damage to airfield facilities. Australian ground units pushed out of Darwin have disengaged from Japanese forces and are pulling back through Katherine. Australian units on the road west of Katherine (Gull Force Bn, 23 Australian Brigade, and a base force unit retreating from Wyndham) have begun pulling back to positions closer to Katherine.

DEI: Ground battle at Pontianek continues - Japanese bombardment attack, no Allied casualties reported.

Transport ships leaving Australia continue arriving in Aden and Indian ports - most of the first group already arrived. A smaller second group of ships from Australia are in mid-transit with the lead ships of this group now approaching Colombo. A smaller number of ships (mainly U.S.) have sailed eastward across the Pacific via the "Antarctic Circle Route" and Panama City to the U.S. West Coast, these ships departing from Wellington NZ to avoid Japanese detection. Also on board of several of these ships were Dutch air recon squadrons not currently useful in Australia for conversion to F-4 or F-5 recon planes in the U.S. or India.

Prior to this movement, transport ship capacity in Australian ports was considerably in excess of the capacity required (or usable) in and around Australia/NZ - removal of these ships to India and the U.S. enables them to be better utilized and also gets them out of an area where they were idle and doing little more than awaiting a Japanese attack. Ships leaving Australia were mainly AK, TK, AP with large cargo capacity and/or long range, also extra auxiliaries (AS, AE, AR). Australia still retains a substantial shipping capacity - most of the remaining ships in Australia are smaller, short range transports suited for coastal traffic and communication between eastern Australian ports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) and New Zealand. Some naval forces and ships to support them also remain in Australia.


China: Ground combat continues at hex 47,32 and Sian - AAR's follow. Jap 1st Mortar Bn arrived at Sian to reinforce attack.

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Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22017 troops, 103 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 902
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20352 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 655
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps


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Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 181974 troops, 821 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 4311
6th, 26th, 32nd, 34th, 35th, 37th, 39th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions,
5 & 13 Independent Brigades, 15 Mixed Brigade, 6 & 15 FA Rgts, 1 Mortar Bn,
2 & 8 Engineer Rgts
Defending force 62075 troops, 270 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1861
3rd, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 33rd & 61st Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
287 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/6 - 6/7/42

Central Pacific: Japanese sub I-10 attacked by ASW TF outside Pearl Harbor - 10 hits reported, no evidence of major damage to the I-10 though it appeared to have aborted its mission. Japanese sub RO-60 also sighted heading towards Pearl - it reversed course back to the west.

CV Wasp arrived in Panama City as reinforcement on 6/5. Odds (at least numerically) a little more even, though Japs still have a 7-6 advantage (counting the Junyo).

Convoy arrived at Palmyra on 6/7 with 30 USN Base Force - AP President Fillmore struck a mine, heavy damage though not in immediate danger of sinking. Convoy is docked and unloading but will be ordered to depart Palmyra on 6/8 as it would be no surprise to see Pillager send a small Jap surface combat TF to Palmyra to investigate the "sighting" of the President Fillmore.


North Pacific: Convoy arrived in Dutch Harbor carrying U.S. 58 RCT.


Australia: Jap air bombing attacks on Coen (6/6) and Katherine (6/6 & 6/7). No damage or casualties reported at Coen. Air raids on Katherine concentrating on airfield facilities - heavy runway damage in 6/7 raids. Jap aircraft in these raids flying mostly from Wyndham.

Japanese airfield at Thursday Is base reported now be upgraded to size 3 as of 6/7.


DEI: Ground combat (Jap bombardment attacks) continue at Pontianek. No casualties reported for either side. Situation basically unchanged.


India/Burma: Japanese air strikes on Calcutta on 6/6. AAR follows. Currently four AA regiments (2 heavy, 2 light) are stationed in Calcutta - these turned out quite effective, destroying or damaging most of the Jap bombers in the raid. Jap aircraft did not return to Calcutta on 6/7. An additional AA regiment is also enroute to Calcutta via overland movement.

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Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 20
Ki-21-II Sally x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 3 destroyed, 19 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 15000 feet
7 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 15000 feet
7 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 15000 feet
2 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 15000 feet

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China: Japanese bombers attacking Kweiyang in night raids (city attacks, manpower being targetted). I moved the British night fighter squadron (Blenheim IF's) to Kweiyang - these turned out to be ineffective. The British squadron is being rested to repair its damaged aircraft before flying back to India.

Sian captured by Japanese forces on 6/6 from Chinese rearguard. The bulk of Chinese ground forces that were in Sian disengaged from contact with Jap forces and successfully withdrew to the west, evading the Jap outflanking move against Sian from the north. If I had known to do earlier what Ctangus pointed out re: ground movement orders, the pocket battle at hex 48,31 might have never happened and I wouldn't be rebuilding the 8-9 Chinese corps lost there. AAR at Sian follows.

While the two static Chinese corps (16th & 33rd) forming the rearguard took substantial losses, these two corps became fully mobile units in the process of being kicked out of Sian in this battle.

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Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 209742 troops, 931 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 4344
6th, 26th, 32nd, 34th, 35th, 37th, 39th, 41st, 59th & 110th Infantry Divisions,
5 & 13 Independent Brigades, 15 Mixed Brigade, 6 & 15 FA Rgts, 1 Mortar Bn,
2 & 8 Engineer Rgts
Defending force 25648 troops, 92 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 708
16th & 33rd Chinese Corps (static formations)

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 8
Japanese max assault: 4288 - adjusted assault: 5811
Allied max defense: 753 - adjusted defense: 463
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 8)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sian base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 3 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
1297 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Allied ground losses:
3597 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Vehicles lost 1

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Ground combat (Jap bombardment attacks) continues at hex 47,32. No Chinese or Japanese casualties reported.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/8 - 6/9/42

U.S. West Coast: Convoy with HQ South Pacific LCU arrived in Los Angeles and disembarking. My immediate plans for South Pacific HQ is utilizing it to maximize ship upgrade/repair capacity in one of the West Coast ports (exactly which port is yet to be determined) probably through the remainder of 1942. HQ South Pacific will then leave the West Coast and take up position to support offensive operations when this phase begins.


Central Pacific: U.S. Submarine Cuttlefish torpedoes Japanese ML Saigon Maru at Canton Is. Saigon Maru is on fire, no report of it sinking.

Base construction progress at Fanning Is - airfield upgrade to size 1 on 6/9. Convoy with 116 USN Base Force and more supply points now enroute.

Support LCU reinforcements arriving in Line Islands. Most of 30 Naval Base Force LCU has disembarked at Palmyra - three AP's with some elements of 30 Base Force still on board temporarily pulled a short distance from Palmyra in case of a Japanese naval response to the mine hit by AP President Fillmore on 6/7. These AP's will return to Palmyra and finish unloading when determined safe to do so. 117 USN Base Force is being transferred from Palmyra to Christmas Is to increase construction activity and operational support capacity there. Combat ground unit garrisons in Line Islands are adequate for now (two RCT's and at least one Marine CD in each base), though garrisons will increase as more U.S. combat units leave the West Coast.


Australia: Japanese air bombing continues at Coen (6/9) and Katherine (6/8 and 6/9). Light to moderate casualties reported at Coen. Heavy damage to airbase facilities in Katherine on both 6/8 and 6/9 air raids, light or no casualties reported to Allied ground units in Katherine.

Decision was made to pull back Allied ground forces from Katherine ahead of the Japanese advance - factors for this decision include

1) Substantial Japanese air superiority over Katherine. Airfield damage in Katherine and current supply level there does not allow an adequate Allied air response.

2) As many as four Japanese divisions are moving (or available to move) on Katherine - only one Allied division (4 Australian) is immediately available to oppose this move. In addition, the Japanese have four tank regiments plus artillery already in NW Australia available to reinforce an attack on Katherine. At this time, keeping 4 Australian Division intact is seen as a greater priority than holding Katherine and expending 4 Division in the process. An additional Australian division (2 Cavalry) is enroute to the front lines, also buying time to patch up 3 Australian Division and return that formation to the front.

3) Current operational plans in NW Australia are to establish a defense further in the interior where Japanese supply lines are stretched thin (instead of Allied ones) and also beyond the range where much of the Japanese aircraft can be brought to bear. An inland defense position could also allow Allied air forces (including B-17's) already at established air bases to begin attacking Japanese forces that advance into the interior from their current locations.

Command changes were executed on 6/9 in many of the larger Allied ground formation in NW Australia (3 and 4 Australian Divs, U.S. 31 RCT, 4 USMC Regiment).

HQ Australian I Corps (arrived in Brisbane as reinforcement) is under orders to move from Brisbane to the front lines in NW Australia.

Sigint reports on 6/9 indicate Japanese 5 Engineer Bn is now in Darwin. A list of known Japanese LCU's now in NW Australia will be compiled and posted in a future report.


DEI: Ground combat (Jap bombardment attacks) continue at Pontianek. No casualties reported for either side. Situation basically unchanged from last reports.


India/Burma: Ground situation in Burma continues to be static. Japanese night bombing raid on Calcutta - this time with Nell bombers. Flak units in Calcutta (currently four AA rgts) continue taking a toll on Jap aircraft, another AA regiment still enroute to Calcutta. AAR follows.

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Night Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M Nell bombing at 21000 feet

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China: Ground combat (Jap bombardment attacks) continues at hex 47,32. No Chinese or Japanese casualties reported.

[wneumann]

Current Japanese Order of Battle (Ground Units) in NW Australia as of 6/10/42. Units listed with last known location and date of report or contact.

2nd Infantry Division Derby 420430
4th Infantry Division hex 23,85 420419
5th Infantry Division Darwin 420602
18th Infantry Division Darwin 420602
21st Mixed Brigade hex 32,87 420528
3 NLF Wyndham 420523
22 NLF Wyndham 420416
3 Heavy Field Artillery Rgt Wyndham 420512
3 Mortar Battalion Wyndham 420510
3 Mortar Regiment Wyndham 420416
3 Mountain Gun Regiment Wyndham 420428
5 Mortar Regiment Wyndham 420416
17 Heavy Field Artillery Rgt Darwin 420602
1 Tank Regiment Darwin 420602
2 Tank Regiment Darwin 420602
6 Tank Regiment Darwin 420602
14 Tank Regiment Darwin 420602
1 Engineer Regiment Darwin 420602
3 Engineer Regiment Darwin 420602
5 Engineer Battalion Darwin 420609
21 Engineer Regiment Darwin 420602
4 AF Construction Battalion Exmouth 420428
56 Construction Battalion Exmouth 420607
56 AF Construction Battalion Exmouth 420428
23 Aviation Unit hex 23,85 420419
HQ 14th Army Wyndham 420520
HQ 3rd Air Army Broome 420508
HQ 21st Air Flotilla Broome 420430

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/10/42

Central Pacific: U.S. submarine Argonaut arrived at Kwajalein - dumped another load of mines in Kwajalein lagoon, also shelled and damaged Jap AK Sakae Maru. Val DB air patrols attacked the Argonaut, scoring one hit. Argonaut reports moderate flooding resulting from damage to forward torpedo tubes. Argonaut is now returning to Pearl Harbor.


Australia: Air raids reported at Coen - light casualties reported to 1 Australian Motor Brigade. Japanese ground forces have reached Katherine as Allied rear guard is pulling out. Katherine expected to fall to Japanese on 6/11.

Status of 3 Australian Division is good - disabled squads are beginning to recover even as division continues moving to the rear area. 2 Australian Cavalry Division is now moving northward toward Alice Springs. HQ Australian I Corps also moving towards the front lines in NW Australia.


DEI: Japanese air raids on Pontianak - light casualties to Allied ground units. Also Japanese ground bombardment attack - no Allied casualties from that. No major changes in the situation at Pontianek.


Indian Ocean: Japanese carrier TF's reported south of Sabang (western Sumatra) - see map below. Multiple strikes by carrier aircraft (Vals & Kates) attacked and sunk AP Taroona. Reported heading of Jap TF's is to the NW - possible destinations include Colombo and the Bay of Bengal. My initial estimate is this is the Baby KB, though I have no "hard" evidence at the moment to prove this.

No Allied naval forces or shipping currently in the Bay of Bengal other than several small AK and TK transporting fuel and resource points out of Chittagong to Allied bases further in the rear. The Bay of Bengal is basically a cul-de-sac and potential death trap for any Allied transports or naval forces caught there if the IJN shows up or sufficient Jap LBA is brought to bear, therefore nearly all Allied ships have vacated the area since the Japanese move into Burma.

As for Colombo, Pillager is welcome to send in the carriers and "have at it". My use of Colombo is mainly as a sub base, most Royal Navy warships based in Aden (unless and until I have need for them elsewhere). A number of light naval vessels (DD and smaller) are based in Colombo mainly for ASW and minesweeping ops. All subs are now at sea and other naval units in Colombo have moved out.

What remains behind in Colombo... three flak regiments, 50 fighters (all Hurricanes), 30 torpedo bombers (Beaufort I's). This strength does not include additional aircraft and flak at Trincomalee. Also, additional aircraft can be transferred into Colombo from nearby bases (sufficient aviation support is in Colombo to operate them). This might inflict a few casualties to any Jap carrier strike hitting Colombo.

In other news from the Indian Ocean area, Dutch submarine K-XVI torpedoed a Jap AK in the Malacca Straits.

[wneumann]

More Operations from 6/10/42

China: Ground combat (Jap bombardment attack) at hex 47,32. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37201 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 897
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20198 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 657
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

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New Japanese ground offensive - Jap forces advancing from Canton area towards Wuchow. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2124 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28
20 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn, 2 & 5 RF Gun Bns
Defending force 23434 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 644
23rd & 64th Chinese Corps, HQ 16 Group Army

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[ny59giants]

That is a very large force to be just taking and holding Northern Australia. [X(]
If you can stop him by Alice Spring, you should be in good shape. [:)]
What is you situation from Pearl down south and over to Brisbane??  If he hasn't made advances here, then the amount of troops is a good thing.

Any chance you could post a couple of screen shots to cover these areas??

[wneumann]

I agree with that conclusion, NY59giants. The only chance I have is to make Pillager reach far enough into the interior where his supply lines are stretched out and I can concentrate some airpower on his forward positions.

I will gladly post some screen shots as soon as I can get them - but this is the short version of the situation between Pearl and Australia/NZ for now.

1) Pearl to the Line Islands: Situation in the Line Islands is good overall - Palmyra and Christmas Island are both well garrisoned with decent LBA coverage. I'm now building up Fanning Island as a third base in this area. I anticipate the Line Islands to be the jumping off point for future offensive operations back into the South Pacific.

2) Baker & Canton Islands, Pago Pago, Suva, Luganville, Koumac (northern end of New Caledonia), Efate, entire Solomon Island chain all Japanese controlled. Japanese probably have active bases capable of supporting naval operations at Canton, Pago Pago, and Suva. My estimate is that any of these bases could support a sortie by part or all of the KB into what I have left in the way of shipping lanes. Other than keeping submarine patrols in these base hexes, I have no means of detecting any Japanese naval movements in this area, especially any moves south or southeastward into my remaining shipping lanes.

3) Society Islands, Noumea, Auckland, Norfolk Is are in no-mans land. While these remain in Allied control, any Allied movement or buildup in or around these bases is within easy range of Japanese detection and/or an attack.

4) As far as working Allied bases are concerned, the last safe stops for Allied ships moving from the U.S. to Australia or NZ are Panama City and Christmas Is. Allied ships moving between those two bases and Sydney are "ducks waddling across Tojo's shooting gallery".

5) My only usable shipping route between the U.S. and Australia/NZ is south from either Christmas Is or Panama City (via the sea channels) towards the SE map corner - from there due west passing well south of the Society Is. Destination port for this route is Wellington (NZ). As stated in (2) above, the KB or Jap surface TF's can sortie from Canton, Pago Pago, or Suva and easily interdict this route for most of its length - in nearly all cases, Jap operations against this route would be well beyond the range of any Allied detection or countermeasures.


Situation in Australia: Except for 6 Australian Division which was transported in from India, no other Allied reinforcements have arrived from outside Australia. Several other Allied units - notably 22 & 27 Australian Brigades (from Singapore), 31 U.S. RCT and 4 Marine Rgt (from Philippines) - have reached Australia as cadres. The four units I mentioned have all made decent progress towards rebuilding though none of them are anywhere near full operating strength. 6 Australian Division is defending Perth (the last remaining port in west Australia for communication with India), the two U.S. units are on the front lines in NW Australia, the two Australian brigades are garrisoning Melbourne (freeing up 2 Australian Cavalry Div to move north). I'm defending Australia on a shoe string reinforced with some duct tape.

The silver lining to the cloud in Australia.... most of his "free" divisions (outside of China & Burma) are now in NW Australia. Of the others, one (16th) is at Clark Field, another (21st) is in Malaya, a third (Guards) is in Sumatra. Two others (38th & 48th) remain at large and could be anywhere. The more forces he sends here, the less he's sending somewhere else. Most of his forces in the South and Central Pacific islands are naval (NLF & Naval Gd) or other small infantry LCU's.

Stopping the Japs at Alice Springs would be nice, a little north of there even nicer. I'm not looking for "victory at Stalingrad", a simple quagmire will do. If I've had trouble pushing supply north through the interior of Australia, Pillager should have the same problem pushing his supply lines southward. In order for that strategy to work, I need to keep my front line LCU's in NW Australia as intact as possible until the place and time I know I can stop him - that's why I pulled out of Katherine ahead of the Japs.

[wneumann]

Situation Map of Line Islands and Canton as of 6/11/42

[wneumann]

Samoa - Penhryn Island Situation Map as of 6/11/42. Penhryn Island still Allied controlled but unoccupied - nearest major Allied base to Penhryn is Christmas Island, two operational Jap bases (Canton and Pago Pago) are both closer to Penhryn than Christmas Is. Canton lies directly along the route between Christmas Is and Penhryn. Allied movement to Penhryn is considered basically suicidal.

[wneumann]

Noumea - Suva Situation Map as of 6/11/42. Jap landing at Noumea in progress began 6/11, will cover detail in daily situation report. Norfolk Is (off map to the SW) still in Allied hands.

[ny59giants]

My list of free Japanese LCU's consist of (this is from playing stock):
Guards Div
2 Div
4 Div
5 Div
16 Div
18 Div
21 Div
33 Div
48 Div
55 Div
56 Div
35 Bde
21 Mixed Bde
56 Bde
23 Mixed Rgt

In my PBEM, I have most of them ID. Is your list different than mine??

[wneumann]

Ny59Giants, I also had 55,56 Divisions on my list, just left them out. 56 Division was last seen in mop-up operations in the central Philippines (on 4/11/42) so I would also consider this unit "at large". I believe 55 Division is still in SE Asia (probably Burma) though my information on this unit is somewhat dated (as of 3/12/42) - 55 Division had been involved in battles around Rangoon.
 
I could possibly add 31 Division to the list, this division is reported to be now in Meiktila (Burma) - as of 6/11/42.
 
As for brigade/regiment size Infantry LCU's (other than IJN units) - this be my list
 
21 Mixed Brigade - this is on my list of units in NW Australia.
23 Mixed Brigade - at Saigon as of 4/30/42. 
4 Mixed Regiment - at Tjilitjap as of 5/29/42. 
1 Parachute Rgt - currently engaged at Pontianek.
2 Parachute Rgt - at Padang as of 5/29/42. 
51 Independent Mixed Brigade - at Suva as of 4/10/42.
35 Infantry Brigade - at Balikpapan as of 5/19/42.
56 Infantry Brigade - at Cagayan as of 4/3/42.
65 Infantry Brigade - this was engaged in mop-up operations in the central Philippines (Dumaguete on 5/17/42). I'd consider this unit "at large" too.
 
 

[wneumann]

Also add 33 Division - in Burma, divided into (three) sub-units.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/11/42

Central Pacific: CA Houston arrived Los Angeles from Australia - going in for refit and 4/42 upgrade.

Several contracts between B5N Kate air patrols and U.S. submarines Cuttlefish (at Canton Island) and Gar (Pago Pago). Looks as if the KB has moved south and it's "shuffling its deck" - watch shipping routes to Australia, also the Christmas Island area.


South Pacific: Japanese landing at Noumea, some casualties to Jap landing force from Allied shore gunfire. AAR follows. One Jap AP (Uchide Maru) reported having struck a mine, on fire with heavy damage.

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Ground combat at Noumea

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1760 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37
BICNM Infantry Bn
Defending force 1751 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 65
86 Naval Guard

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Australia: Jap air raids on Coen and Daly Waters. No Allied casualties reported in either location, light airfield damage reported at Daly Waters.

Katherine captured by Japanese ground forces advancing south from Darwin. A new Jap ground unit (14 Mortar Bn) reported in NW Australia. AAR and current situation map follow.

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Ground combat at Katherine

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4476 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 52
1, 3, & 21 Engineer Rgts; 14 Mortar Bn
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese max assault: 30 - adjusted assault: 62
Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 62 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Katherine base !!!

[wneumann]

More Operations from 6/11/42

DEI: Light Jap air raid on Pontianek - no damage or Allied casualties, two Ki-48 Lily bombers damaged. Also Japanese ground (bombardment) attack. Little change in current situation.

Indian Ocean: Japanese carrier TF's remain almost stationary. Naval air strikes reported on AK Tasman (sunk).

Burma/India: Current situation map below. Air battles between Japanese and Allied fighters continue over Imphal. AAR follows. If the outcome of these air battles continue along their current pattern, actions over Imphal could prove to be a good source of experience for Allied fighter pilots. Allied pilot losses at Imphal have been light.

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 27
P-40B Tomahawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged


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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 20
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3
Ki-21-II Sally x 24

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 25
P-40B Tomahawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 20000 feet
9 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 20000 feet
2 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 20000 feet
2 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 20000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 20000 feet

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Japanese air units now based at Lashio. Aircraft include Ki-43 Oscar and Ki-51 Sonia. 141 IJNAF Base Unit reported to be in Lashio providing ground support for these aircraft.

[wneumann]

Still more Operations from 6/11/42

China: Ground combat at hex 47,32 continues (Jap bombardment attack) - light Chinese casualties, no change in current situation.

Japanese attack on Wuchow - attackers reinforced by 104th Division & 19 Mixed Brigade. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2052 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 736
104th Infantry Division, 19 Mixed Brigade, 20 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn,
2 & 5 RF Gun Bns
Defending force 23382 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 644
23rd & 64th Chinese Corps, HQ 16 Group Army

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/12/42

Central Pacific: Jap CA Mogami reported striking a mine at Kwajalein - damage undetermined in the AAR Report. A brief remark on this from Pillager (when sending me the files for this turn) is quoted here "You know ...I just repaired and upgraded the Mogami to a heavy scout cruiser...not a heavy minesweeper.........". A spokesman from CINCPAC HQ stated in response to this remark, "Look at the bright side… The Mogami successfully completed its first scouting mission. It found the minefield."

Chalk up this mishap to the latest voyage of the Argonaut, now enroute back to Pearl to pick up its next "basket of eggs" (load of mines) to dump in the next soon-to-be-determined Jap naval base. If only I had ten Argonauts.

Back to serious news... Reports continue of Kate TB air patrols from the U.S. submarine Cuttlefish at Canton Is.


South Pacific: Jap surface naval bombardment of Noumea. AAR follows.

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Naval bombardment of Noumea, at 66,117 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Fuyo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asagao
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Harukaze
DD Nagatsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Fumizuki
DD Minazuki
DD Satsuki
DD Akebono
CL Kinu
CL Natori

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

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Australia: Japanese air bombing raid on Daly Waters - light damage to supply point stocks. Two Jap bombers shot down, eight others damaged by Allied flak.

More Jap ground units appear to be moving southward into Katherine in pursuit of the Allied withdrawal to Daly Waters.


DEI: Japanese air and ground bombardments continue at Pontianek - light Allied casualties.


Burma & India: Japanese air bombing raid on Imphal repulsed. AAR follows. Two Dutch air squadrons (one transport, one fighter) unloaded in Bombay from ships leaving Australia.

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 22
P-40B Tomahawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 5 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 20000 feet

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/13/42

Central Pacific: 30 USN Base Force completed disembarking at Palmyra, transfer of 117 USN Base Force from Palmyra to Christmas Island also done - all transports now returning to U.S. West Coast. Minesweeping operations at Palmyra to clear Jap mines also completed, the 6 MSW's in the Mine Ops TF proceeding to their new base at Christmas Is.

Minefield laid at Kwajalein by the Argonaut reported to claim two more Jap ships - AR Fujikaya Maru & AP Heiwa Maru. Reports state both ships on fire.

Not to be copycat... but the travels of the Argonaut could have a string of its own. It has already visited most Japanese bases in the Central and South Pacific, operating out of both Pearl and Sydney. One option currently being explored is transferring the Argonaut from the U.S. to India (via Australia) to execute minelaying ops against oil ports in the DEI.

With the dud rate in WitP for most U.S. sub torpedoes, the decision was made early on to increase the use of naval mines as the "weapon of choice" on all U.S. submarines except the "S-class" boats (which use more reliable torpedoes). Granted, the number of mines most U.S. subs (except the Argonaut) can carry is quite small, a flotilla of 5-6 subs in a TF can combine to drop a small minefield at one location. Once the subs release their mines, the TF's (flotilla's) mission is re-assigned to patrol and the TF dispersed into individual subs to carry out their patrols separately. The loss in number of torpedoes carried aboard U.S. subs going on patrol in this manner is insignificant as the lost torpedoes are duds anyway.

Once this PBEM gets into 1943 and the torpedo dud rate improves, U.S. submarine tactics will be re-evaluated.

"S-class" boats (along with Dutch & RN subs) operate on normal sub patrol missions.

U.S. subs at Canton Is and Pago Pago both reporting no Kate TB air missions at either location. Has the KB picked up and moved out?


South Pacific: No change in situation at Noumea.

Australia: All sectors reporting quiet. No Japanese air raids. The calm before the next storm.

DEI: No Japanese air or ground attacks reported at Pontianek. However, Jap ground unit(s) are landing at Pontianek to reinforce their effort there - identity of these unit(s) not known at this time.

An update to the list of "free" Japanese LCU's I posted for NY59giants a short time ago - Sigint on 6/13 reports 56th Infantry Division is at Tarakan.


Indian Ocean: Several reports of Jap E13Y1 patrol aircraft sightings indicate movement of at least one (or both) of the Japanese carrier TF's (last reported on 6/10 east of Colombo) into or towards the area south of Colombo. Possible movement of Jap carrier TF(s) around the "tip" of the Indian mainland to raid shipping and ports beyond (west of) Colombo. Preparations are underway in the Bombay and Karachi areas with this possibility in mind.


China: Blenheim IF night fighters operating again over Kweiyang - even if not shooting down any Jap bombers, they are disrupting night bombing raids (judging from the lack of damage the raids are inflicting).

Jap ground offensive at Wuchow. Ground combat (Jap bombardment attack) on hex 47,32. AAR's for both follow. Also a situation map of new Chinese positions in western China since the Japanese capture of Sian.

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Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37304 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 902
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 20010 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 649
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34653 troops, 201 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 733
104th Infantry Division, 19 Mixed Brigade, 20 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn,
2 & 5 RF Gun Bns
Defending force 11979 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 382
64th Chinese Corps

Japanese max assault: 693 - adjusted assault: 218
Allied max defense: 348 - adjusted defense: 127
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
782 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
491 casualties reported
Guns lost 23