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Summary of Operations 4/06/42

Japanese Home Islands: US fleet sub intercepts and makes two unsuccessful daylight attacks on a small Japanese TF south of Honshu. The Jap TF contains 3 ships (including the AMC attacked) and is moving on a SE heading. AAR follows.

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Submarine attack near Aogashima at 114,69 (E of Torishima)

Japanese Ships
AMC Asaka Maru

Allied Ships
SS Plunger

AMC Asaka Maru is sighted by SS Plunger
SS Plunger launches 2 torpedoes at AMC Asaka Maru (torpedoes hit in both attacks but were duds)

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Central Pacific: US fleet sub intercepts and attacks Japanese TK near Truk. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Satawal at 107,105 (NW of Truk)

Japanese Ships
TK Nissyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon

SS Sturgeon launches 2 torpedoes (torpedoes hit but were duds)

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Sigint entries for 4/05 indicate radio transmissions intercepted from Kwajalein and Canton Is. Detected status of both locations showing no unusual Japanese activity nor the presence of additional Jap forces.


4/42 Ship Upgrades: A small number of US ships (AVD’s, DD and SS) entered upgrade mode this game turn at various locations. US S-class subs are gradually undergoing 4/42 upgrades Sydney and Auckland to receive radar as the subs return to base for replenishment.


South Pacific: Coastwatchers report 20 Japanese ships at Rabaul, also Jap transport ship movement into Rabaul from the south. Also coastwatcher reports of individual Japanese ships at Shortlands and Tulagi. Detected status of all three locations not showing any unusual Jap activity or the presence of additional Japanese forces.


New Guinea: Sigint report entries for 4/05 indicating Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Buna and Port Moresby. No detected Jap activity or build up of Jap forces at either location.


Philippines: Japanese continue air raids on Manila Bay defenses at Bataan. Six Jap LCU’s now detected in Bataan base hex, two more in the adjacent hex at Clark Field.


DEI: Japanese capture Singkep. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Singkep (49,87)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1130 troops, 3 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 13
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 14
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Singkep !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment (previously at Singapore)

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China: Initial attack launched on Anyang by Japanese ground forces. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11843 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 431
Defending force 8045 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 235
Japanese adjusted assault: 185
Allied adjusted defense: 118
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
193 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
556 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army

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Game Question:

I've been noticing this over a period of time on ship repair.

When attempting to perform repairs on submarines with system damage of (maybe) 5 or less, I would move individual subs into a repair mode to fix the system damage - the submarine would remain in repair mode for one day and on the following turn be kicked out of repair mode without the system damage being fully repaired.

This phenomena is not occurring when doing repairs for minor system damage of 5 or less on other ship types, only with submarines.

The situation with repairing minor system damage on submarines has been occurring across a wide range of locations - including US West Coast bases, Pearl Harbor, Sydney, Colombo plus other bases with shipyard facilities. The problem (if indeed there is one) does not seem to be related to any of the following factors.

• Port size.
• Size of shiypard facilities.
• Presence of AS and/or AR ships in the port where repairs are being attempted - this has occurred in ports having AS and AR ships present. AS ships have been fully loaded with supply point cargo.
• Repair mode - this has occurred when submarines were placed in pierside and shipyard modes. I hadn't attempted using repair ship mode with submarines having 5 or less system damage.
• Number of other ship(s) also in the shipyard or also in pierside repair mode.
• Ship Class or Nationality of subs where repair of minor system damage on subs is being attempted - this has happened mainly on US subs, but also observed when repairing British subs.

Any feedback is certainly welcome.

I've never had any problem repairing sub's system damage.

How do you put the subs into "repair mode"? I do so via ships in port screen, clicking on "manage ship repair" ( or whatever it is called[:)]) button at bottom of screen.

Perhaps some screenshots would help?

Alfred

ORIGINAL: wneumann

Game Question:

I've been noticing this over a period of time on ship repair.

When attempting to perform repairs on submarines with system damage of (maybe) 5 or less, I would move individual subs into a repair mode to fix the system damage - the submarine would remain in repair mode for one day and on the following turn be kicked out of repair mode without the system damage being fully repaired.

This phenomena is not occurring when doing repairs for minor system damage of 5 or less on other ship types, only with submarines.

The situation with repairing minor system damage on submarines has been occurring across a wide range of locations - including US West Coast bases, Pearl Harbor, Sydney, Colombo plus other bases with shipyard facilities. The problem (if indeed there is one) does not seem to be related to any of the following factors.

• Port size.
• Size of shiypard facilities.
• Presence of AS and/or AR ships in the port where repairs are being attempted - this has occurred in ports having AS and AR ships present. AS ships have been fully loaded with supply point cargo.
• Repair mode - this has occurred when submarines were placed in pierside and shipyard modes. I hadn't attempted using repair ship mode with submarines having 5 or less system damage.
• Number of other ship(s) also in the shipyard or also in pierside repair mode.
• Ship Class or Nationality of subs where repair of minor system damage on subs is being attempted - this has happened mainly on US subs, but also observed when repairing British subs.

Any feedback is certainly welcome.

I am getting the same thing. I put it down to the foibles that occured with the subs after the application of the latest, official patch, ie the muck up with the tubes and armaments. I normally takes putting the sub into shpiyard repair mode a few times before they are churned out at 0 Sys dmg.

Alfred,

My general practice for putting ships into repair mode has been bringing up the display of all ships at anchor from the Base Information Screen - once in there, picking out the individual ship(s) I want to repair or upgrade. From the list of ships at anchor I bring up the display of each individual ship I'm going to repair or upgrade, then set the ship to enter repair mode and/or upgrade from the individual ship's display.

I'm aware of the "manage ship button", the methodology I follow to put ships in repair mode is merely a result of the path (sequence of steps) I go through as I review the status of a base and what's located there during an orders phase.


Cantona,

Come to think of it... I've might have been getting the sub repair problem since applying the last patch for AE. I also end up putting the sub back into repair mode and repeat the process until the sub's damage reaches 0.

It's not like this problem completely destroys the game or anything - it just forces one to check up on the subs you have (or believe you have) in repair mode during each game turn and putting subs back into repair mode if they come out of it before they're fully repaired. Mildly annoying at worst.

Has this "bug" been reported, if it's indeed one? Perhaps this problem ends up a small inconvenience to live through until the next AE patch comes out (or the next one after that).


Appreciate both your responses. Thanx.

Summary of Operations 4/07/42

US West Coast: Sigint entry for 4/06 reporting intercepted radio transmissions from an unidentified Jap submarine detected W of Victoria and S of Vancouver Is. A Canadian ASW task force has been dispatched to engage and attack the sub contact.


Central Pacific: An unidentified Jap submarine detected well off (W of) Johnston Is. The position of this contact indicates Pillager is likely stationing Jap subs on patrol as picket ships in the open sea area E of the Marshalls.


South Pacific: Coastwatchers report a Jap AV is located in Rabaul.


Australia: Jap bombing raids resume against airfield facilities on Horn Is (Torres Strait). Latest status report on Horn Is base indicates 58 airfield runway damage, 49 service damage. AAR’s follow.

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Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 8
G4M1 Betty x 13

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 37

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

No Japanese losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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British transport convoy MX-4 (seven TK) arrived in Australia this game turn with 67K fuel points cargo. A substantial portion of the fuel points being shipped into Australia are probably destined (at least in the short term) for use to refuel ships attached to transport convoys arriving in Australia with cargo from the Eastern US (via Capetown) and off-map bases in the Middle East.

The final elements of Australian 7 Division (25 Australian Brigade) arrived in Australia this game turn aboard ships of transport convoy MX-5C from Abadan. Sub-units of Australian 7 Division will be combined to create the parent formation once 25 Brigade is completely disembarked.


DEI: Japanese capture dot hex base at Sawahloento (southern Sumatra near Padang). AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Sawahloento (45,85)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3623 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 126
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 72
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 72 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sawahloento !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units:
33rd Infantry Regiment

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Japanese air bombing raids continue over Palembang. Still no detected Jap LCU’s in or adjacent to Palembang base hex. Latest AAR’s follow.

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Morning Air attack on Palembang Base Force, at 48,91 (Palembang)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 6
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 1 ML-KNIL Aviation ...
Also attacking Palembang Base Force ...

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Morning Air attack on Palembang Base Force, at 48,91 (Palembang)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 12

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Philippines: Jap air bombing raids continue against Manila Bay defenses. Japanese launch ground assault on Bataan. AAR’s follow. 14K supply points remain on-hand in Bataan after today's action.

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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27631 troops, 318 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 929
Defending force 61743 troops, 931 guns, 817 vehicles, Assault Value = 2129
Japanese adjusted assault: 76
Allied adjusted defense: 3697
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 48 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
6596 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 461 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 440 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 48 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 109 (47 destroyed, 62 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
217 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Division
12th Division (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack)
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
91st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
3rd/45th PS Inf Battalion
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
1st/45th PS Inf Battalion
2nd/45th PS Inf Battalion
51st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
Manila Bay Defenses
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
11th PA Infantry Division
14th PS Engineer Regiment
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
301st Construction Battalion
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
PAF Aviation
Far East USAAF
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Provisional GMC Grp
I Philippine Corps
1st PI Base Force
Manila USAAF Base Force
II Philippine Corps
Cavite USN Base Force
Bataan USN Base Force
USAFFE
201st PA Construction Battalion
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
1st USMC AA Battalion
202nd PA Construction Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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Morning Air attack on Manila Bay Defenses , at 78,77 (Bataan)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Manila Bay Defenses , at 78,77 (Bataan)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 16000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Burma: Japanese air bombing raid against airfield facilities in Akyab. Latest status report on Akyab base indicates 54 airfield runway damage, 25 service damage. AAR follows.

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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China: Japanese ground offensive continues towards Tuyun along the Liuchow-Tuyun rail line. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 74,52 (S of Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27389 troops, 369 guns, 227 vehicles, Assault Value = 907
Defending force 9427 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 227
Japanese adjusted assault: 274
Allied adjusted defense: 655
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (9 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
468 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
104th Division
38th Division
2nd RF Gun Battalion (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack)
2nd Mortar Battalion (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack)
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack)
5th RF Gun Battalion (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack)
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack)

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
4th War Area
35th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force

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Japanese ground attack on Anyang continues. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11727 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 425
Defending force 7587 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 208
Japanese adjusted assault: 87
Allied adjusted defense: 172
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

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

Allied ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
48th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army

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Summary of Operations 4/08/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/07 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein. Detected status of Kwajalein shows one or more visible Jap submarine(s) in the base hex, also undetermined of aircraft based on Kwajalein and ship(s) in port. No other visible Jap activity or forces at Kwajalein.

A similar Sigint report entry indicating a heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabitueua showed the same results.


Hawaii: A new entry shown in the Ships Sunk report on the Intel Display indicates a Japanese midget sub (identified as Ha-4) sank in the Pearl Harbor base hex on 3/28. The Ha-4’s reported cause of sinking was “hit obstruction” – the obstruction not being a depth charge as I had no AAR recording any attack on a sub in Pearl Harbor by US ASW forces (I’ve had US surface ASW on continuous patrol in the Pearl Harbor base hex).


US West Coast: A Jap submarine identified as the I-4 was located and attacked by a Canadian surface ASW task force W of Victoria and S of Vancouver Is. It is likely this contact is the Jap sub that was detected at this location on 4/07. No hits or damage to either the Jap submarine or attacking ASW ships reported in the AAR.


South Pacific: Japanese amphibious landing operation reported underway at Gasmata.


Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is (Torres Strait). Latest status report on Horn Is base indicates 63 airfield runway damage, 51 service damage

The third convoy from the Eastern US to Australia via Capetown (convoy EX-3) arrived this game turn in Australia. Convoy EX-3 departed the Eastern US on 2/07/42. Cargo arriving aboard the 50 transport ships in convoy EX-3 includes 131K supply, 60K fuel plus eight small US LCU’s (1 USMC Air Wing & 135 USAAF Base Force LCU’s, 810 & 811 Engineer Aviation Bns, Bobcat USN Naval Construction Bn, 151 Combat Engineer Bn, 223 Field Artillery Bn, 276 Coastal Artillery Bn).

One of the actions I had planned in this game vs Pillager in AE different from our last match in CHS was to pursue a more aggressive schedule for transporting US troops and materiel from the Mainland US to Australia and the South/SW Pacific theatres. The existence of off-map shipping routes went a long way towards making this possible and allowing implementation of continuous large scale movements of transport shipping with virtually no possibility of interference from Japanese naval or air forces.

Five other convoys are still enroute from the Eastern US to Australia.

All sub-units of 7 Australian Division are now disembarked in Australia, these units were combined at Perth this game turn to create the parent formation.


DEI: Japanese amphibious landing operations reported underway at Ketapang (S Borneo). AAR follows. Ketapang has no supply or fuel stocks on-hand and is occupied by remnants of a Dutch base force LCU.

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Pre-Invasion action off Ketapang

Japanese Ships
DD Sawakaze
APD Aoi
DD Nokaze

DD Sawakaze firing at Pontianak Base Force
DD Sawakaze fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Ketapang

TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Ketapang, 55,93

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Japanese capture dot hex base at Djambi (northern coast of Sumatra). AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Djambi (48,88)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3366 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 71
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 71 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Djambi !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units:
113th Infantry Regiment

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Continued Japanese air bombing raids over Palembang. Light damage and Dutch LCU casualties reported.

Pillager is continuing and has almost completed the Japanese capture and occupation of all base hexes surrounding Palembang. The only reasoning I can see behind Pillager’s activity around Palembang is to ensure there are no remaining Allied-controlled bases within striking range of Palembang from which I could launch air bombing raids on oil production facilities in Palembang after its capture by Japanese forces. It has been nearly two months (in game time) since I had any Allied bomber force in the DEI capable of inflicting damage on Japanese-occupied oil facilities. Apparently my earlier bombing strikes at oil production at Tarakan and (to a smaller degree) Balikpapan after their capture and occupation by Japanese forces in 1/42 may have had some effect. I can neither argue nor complain with the fact this is prolonging the Japanese conquest of the DEI.

Palembang is pretty much Pillager’s any time he wants it. While it has level 3 fortifications and 220 assault strength defending it (nearly all Dutch plus remnants of the British 2/15 Punjab Bn), this is not going to stop much of anything. Otherwise I have 90 engineer squads in Palembang for demolitions.


Philippines: Jap air bombing raids continue against Bataan.

Japanese capture Naga in southern Luzon. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Naga (81,81)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4432 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 153
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 22
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Naga !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-), fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
24th/C Division

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At this time, known Japanese ground forces on Luzon consist of three divisions (the 12th and 19th Divisions at Bataan and 24th Division which is apparently operating on Luzon as sub-units from the AAR above) plus a number of smaller support LCU’s. Given that Pillager has to (1) ship in from the outside all the supply required for Japanese ground forces to operate on Luzon as I pulled all the supply that was initially available on Luzon into Bataan, (2) likely need to bring in additional army reinforcements to Luzon in order to reduce and take Bataan, and (3) he is apparently unable to safely transport any of this into Luzon via Manila as long as US forces hold Bataan, Pillager’s Japanese conquest of the Philippines could become a long, miserable operation provided US supplies on-hand in Bataan hold out (that being far from indefinitely).

It's possible that my "scorched earth" practice of removing all supply point stocks from bases as Allied forces retreat from them could be affecting Pillager's timetable of Japanese conquest. Not only on Luzon, but possibly other theatres as well.


India: Japanese air bombing raid against airfield facilities at Ledo. Current status report on Ledo base indicates 26 runway damage, 10 airfield service damage. AAR follows.

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Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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China: Japanese LCU’s appear to have withdrawn from their bridgehead across the river line N of Chihkiang. Something has to be up with that? Current situation map of central China follows.

Otherwise quiet this game turn.

Summary of Operations 4/09/42

US West Coast: No report of further contact with Jap submarine I-4 from the Canadian surface ASW task force off Victoria.


South Pacific: US submarine S-38 detects Jap aircraft (77 planes, including 35 fighters) based at Shortlands.

Coastwatcher reports from Rabaul indicate 13 Japanese ships in this base, including an AV. Also a report of ships leaving Rabaul heading NW.

Japanese landing force captures Gasmata. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Gasmata (103,127)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1538 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 31
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 31 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Gasmata !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 8th SNLF (moved here from Singapore)

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Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is. AAR’s follow.

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Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 8 (operating from Port Moresby)

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14 (operating from Rabaul)

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11 (operating from Rabaul)

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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DEI: Japanese amphibious landing operation reported underway at Babo in Dutch New Guinea. Babo is unoccupied by Allied forces and 20K oil is reported to be stockpiled there.

Ketapang captured by Japanese landing force. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Ketapang (55,93)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1130 troops, 3 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 13
Defending force 10 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 8
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ketapang !!!

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

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

Assaulting units:
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
Pontianak Base Force

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Sigint report entry for 4/08 indicate elements of Japanese 18th Division (my intel records showing this LCU in Soerabaja as of 3/31) is loading or already loaded aboard transport ship(s) bound for Oosthaven (Sumatra). It is likely that Pillager has designated 18 Division for use in a ground assault to capture Palembang.


Burma: Japanese air bombing raid on Akyab. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 15

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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India: Japanese air bombing raids continue against airfield facilities at Ledo. Current base status at Ledo base shows 37 runway damage, 14 airfield service damage. Latest AAR follows.

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Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

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

Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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China: Japanese ground forces attack at Anyang (near Sian). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11593 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 414
Defending force 7374 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 193
Japanese adjusted assault: 364
Allied adjusted defense: 184
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
522 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army

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

Summary of Operations 4/10/42

South Pacific: 95 Japanese aircraft (49 fighters) detected at Shortlands. Airfield size at Shortlands is now at 3 (max 4).

Coastwatcher reports indicate 10 Japanese ships in Rabaul.


Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is. Airfield runway and service facilities are now heavily damaged.


DEI: Japanese capture Babo (Dutch New Guinea) and Pare Pare (southeastern Celebes). AAR’s of both actions follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Babo (83,111)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 870 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 6
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Babo !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
46th JNAF AF Unit (this LCU not previously reported in the known Japanese OOB)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pare Pare (66,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6288 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 199
Defending force 544 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 18
Japanese adjusted assault: 164
Allied adjusted defense: 3
Japanese assault odds: 54 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Pare Pare !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(-), preparation(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade

Defending units:
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Makassar Base Force

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


Burma: Except for a small British rear guard (one infantry Bn) still occupying Myitkyina, all other Allied ground forces in northern Burma have successfully completed their withdrawal (overland through the jungle) into neighboring areas of India (Ledo).

Sigint report entry for 4/09 indicates Jap 8 JAAF AF Bn is now located at Meiktila. This LCU was transferred to Burma from Formosa.


China: Japanese capture Anyang (near Sian). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11538 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 410
Defending force 6927 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 158
Japanese adjusted assault: 301
Allied adjusted defense: 73
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ankang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2795 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 112 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army

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


Manchuria: Sigint report entry for 4/09 indicates the Jap 28th Infantry Division is now located at Port Arthur – this entry also implying the sub-units of 28 Division (these initially scattered across several locations across Manchuria) were gathered together and combined to create the parent formation. Another conclusion possibly derived from this Sigint entry (given the division’s reported location in Port Arthur) is that Pillager may be planning to re-assign command of 28 Division from the Kwantung Army (if he has not already done so) with the intent of re-deploying the division (possibly via sea transport from Port Arthur) to another theatre of operations.

He’s already re-deployed three other Jap divisions from the Kwantung Army (12th, 19th, 24th) to date, all three of these divisions now in action on Luzon.

Take a piece of intel (a Sigint entry) and connect the dots… The picture I’m drawing is all theory and prediction for the moment – we’ll have to see where 28 Division does turn up next (though I can see it likely to be the next Jap division Pillager re-deploys out of Manchuria). Though we still don’t know where 28 Division is going. The detective work continues.

The newest, hottest trend for the Spring of '42.....

Summary of Operations 4/11/42

Central Pacific: Two Sigint report entries for 4/10 indicating Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Roi-Namur. Detected status of this base does not show the presence of any Jap forces or visible activity. Airfield size at Roi-Namur is now at 4 (max 1). Two Jap LCU’s (6 Base Force & 7 JNAF Co) start the game at Roi-Namur and are likely to still be there given the quantity of airfield construction activity shown.


South Pacific: Several transport convoys are now in or approaching the South Pacific theatre area carrying US combat ground forces (including one division) along with ample quantities of supply and fuel. A second US division has been enroute to Australia via an off-map convoy from the Eastern US - its arrival in Australia is due shortly.

As of this time, Suva has been occupied by Allied (mainly NZ) LCU’s, including three NZ Infantry Brigades plus an assortment of smaller combat and base units. Fortification levels at Suva and Nadi are now built up to 4 and 3 respectively, with construction activity ongoing. Ample stocks of fuel and supply are already present on Fiji, with more being shipped in.

At least for the moment, it’s possible Pillager could be experiencing a short-term shortage of Japanese combat LCU’s available for deployment in the South Pacific area, especially given the ongoing activity at Luzon and in the DEI. The possibility of supply problems for front-line Japanese forces could also be true, given that for the most part Pillager has taken little if any captured supply point stocks in areas the Japanese have conquered so far – this may be requiring Pillager to bring forward much or all the supply required for operations by front-line Japanese forces from the home islands. If true, this situation does not stop the Japanese advance, though it likely imposes a serious delay.

The above situation also presents a window of opportunity on the Allied side. With the US LCU’s and resources soon to enter the South Pacific area and maybe the time to do it, I can add to the bridgehead now being established around Suva. The available US forces may be are sufficient to occupy either Samoa or Noumea, though not both. My current plan is to press ahead with this movement and occupy one of these bases in strength (Samoa if Pillager goes for Noumea, or vice-versa). Whichever one Pillager moves to take, I stand a chance of occupying and holding the other. My current preference is Samoa as it more closely supports my existing position on Fiji – however, this also appears to be Pillager’s preference for a Japanese advance as well. Either Samoa or Noumea remaining in Allied hands will advance the cause, my intent being to follow the path of least (Japanese) resistance.

What has not gone unnoticed is that Noumea produces and stockpiles a significant amount of resource points. Since 12/41, I’ve been running an almost continuous stream of small transports (xAKL’s) between Noumea and Auckland picking up many of these resource points and moving them to NZ. It’s not so much a matter of having these resource points for use in NZ (though there's no problem with doing that), the real matter is that these resource points stay in Allied possession and unavailable for use in Japanese production.


Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is.

Japanese sub engages transport convoy XM-4 in a night attack fourteen hexes W of Perth after the convoy’s ASW escort detached to return to base (Perth), one xAP was sunk. AAR follows. Ships in convoy XM-4 included empty transports returning to India/Middle East bases after carrying supply and elements of 7 Australian Division to Perth.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Perth at 41,146 (W of Perth)

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

Allied Ships
xAP Talma, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

xAP Talma is sighted by SS I-162
SS I-162 launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Talma

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


DEI: Multiple Japanese TF’s detected in Palembang base hex, also five unidentified Jap LCU’s spotted in Praboemoelih base hex adjacent to Palembang. Safe to say the long-awaited Japanese assault to capture Palembang is imminent.

A tiny force of Dutch patrol planes (five squadrons with a total of 9 Do-24 & PBY-5 aircraft) still based in Palembang flew a variety of naval strike and other missions this game turn. Plans are to withdraw these squadrons as soon as Japanese ground forces appear in Palembang base hex. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF at 48,91 (Palembang base hex)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Tatebu Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

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


China: Japanese ground forces attack near Tuyun, at Sian. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 74,52 (S of Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27652 troops, 369 guns, 227 vehicles, Assault Value = 909
Defending force 9164 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 203
Japanese adjusted assault: 547
Allied adjusted defense: 340
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
443 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (8 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
104th Division
9th Armored Car Co
38th Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
4th War Area
9th Chinese Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian (83,41)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 240 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1606
Defending force 98845 troops, 638 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3265

Japanese ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
36th Division
110th Division
35th Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division
12th Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment (arrived this game turn to reinforce attack)

Defending units:
43rd Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
61st Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
2nd Construction Regiment
14th Group Army
7th Group Army
1st War Area
34th Group Army
15th Group Army
4th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
39th Group Army
8th Group Army
12th Chinese Base Force
24th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
36th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force

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

Just a quick update. Since I am in my busy season at work, not much has happened since my last report. I am continuing the buildup prior to retaking the canal. Presently moving transports to Pago-Pago and PH to haul four divisions closer to the action. Bringing two tank BNs too. Air Force HQ, Navy and Army are in South Pacific and number of Navy Squadrons increasing. All carriers at PH refitting. Torres BN on Horn Island group destroyed enemy invasion force holed up there. AAF b-17s helped.

Enemy sortied what's left of KB, (three carriers of various types, 160+ a/c) in North Pacific doing little damage. Thought I might set up a carrier trap, but decided hanging out at PH made more sense. Have run into a PP problem with ship withdrawals. Have found out the hard way that ships cannot withdrawal from PH. Currently eating 40 penalty points per turn while they slowly make their way to the West Coast. Can't wait to find out what else I don't know.

Barely staying above water, Johnjohn.

john john,

I suspected that not withdrawing ships, planes, etc that become due for withdrawal would carry a substantial PP penalty. There were several ships and air squadrons that I was briefly tempted to keep, then quickly figured out the PP cost was not worth it relative to what I would gain by keeping the ship or air squadron.

What I have noticed on the air squadrons that become due for withdrawal, you actually get awarded PP (generally 20 or so) if you withdraw the air squadron a few days early.

I've generally been using air units that have a withdrawal date as training squadrons provided I don't need them for other missions - so far this practice has allowed me to load up these squadrons with pilots (to the maximum allowed) and perform intense training on the pilots for specific missions (based on the type of squadron) until the squadron becomes due for withdrawal. A few days before the squadron's withdrawal date, I remove all the trained pilots from the squadron (transfer them to general pilot reserve), replace the trained pilots I removed with the minimum necessary number of "green" replacements, then withdraw the squadron. Doing all this within a few days of the squadron's withdrawal date will yield a "harvest" of pilots at least partially trained in a given specialty and a "dividend" of 20 (or so) PP. The trained pilots you removed from the withdrawn air squadron can in turn be transferred into a front-line squadron or to another "training" squadron of the same type for additional training in their particular mission specialty.

The only thing with squadrons having a withdrawal date - do not add planes to them from the replacement pool unless absolutely necessary (and adding planes is not necessary for training purposes). Any planes added to these squadrons cannot be retrieved back into the pool when the squadron comes due for withdrawal.

All carriers at PH refitting.

One practice I've done as far as using the shipyard facilities at Pearl Harbor - usually kept as much vacant shipyard capacity as possible at Pearl, specifically keeping this shipyard reserved for emergency repair of critically or severely damaged ships. I do assign some ships (mainly subs, DD's, small transports & auxiliaries) into the Pearl Harbor shipyard for quick repairs or upgrades. Upgrades and minor repairs on larger ships or anything expected to take a significant amount of time - if I can get these ships to the mainland US with minimal or no risk of loss or further damage, then I send them there. The mainland US shipyards are larger and it keeps the Pearl Harbor shipyard open for situations where it's really needed. If you can afford the delay to send a ship to the mainland US for repair or upgrade and there's little or no risk in doing this, then do so. I'm of the view that managing shipyard capacity (over the "big picture") can be quite important, especially during periods where the Allies (and the US in particular) have ship upgrades where large numbers of ships are involved - i.e. the 4/42 upgrades I'm going through now, and there are others. Actively managing shipyard capacity can also become crucial when having to repair damaged ships following a naval combat action - this is when you might want to have some spare shipyard capacity open at Pearl, it can become the difference between keeping and losing a severely damaged major ship.

Summary of Operations 4/12/42

Central Pacific: Two Sigint report entries for 4/11 indicating heavy volume of Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Kwajalein. Detected status of this base shows 20 ships in port (though no major warships), what appears to be one submarine TF, 4 aircraft (2 fighters), no indication of Japanese LCU’s on the island. No evidence shown of Jap construction activity to expand airfield or port facilities on Kwajalein. I would not be surprised if some of this information later turns out to be FOW.

Another Sigint entry for 4/11 indicating Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Tarawa. Detected status of this base shows no Jap forces or visible activity. Port facilities at Tarawa have been expanded to size 2 (max 1) and the airfield now built to its maximum size of 2.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/11 indicates Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Tulagi. Detected status of this base shows no Jap forces, construction or visible activity,


Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is. Airfield facilities on Horn Is almost completely knocked out.


DEI: Japanese amphibious landing ops underway at Larentoeka on the eastern end of Flores Is.

Jap LCU’s remain in Praboemoelih base hex adjacent to Palembang, now reinforced with a sixth unit.

Multiple Jap TF’s are in Palembang base hex, though these TF’s are not engaged in any amphibious landing ops. Pillager is appearing to be content with attacking Palembang as strictly an overland ground assault. Dutch patrol planes based in Palembang flew several naval strike missions this game turn with some results. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF at Palembang – 48,91

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Hakozake Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF at Singkep – 49,87

Weather in hex: Light rain

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ikuta Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF at Palembang – 48,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3
PBY-5 Catalina x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Tatebu Maru
PB Fuji Maru #3, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

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


Philippines: Jap air strikes continue against Bataan, no detected activity on the ground. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 24
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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


China: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn.

Excellent advice on the squadrons. I actually have been doing as you suggested. Where I got tripped up is ship withdrawals, thinking that PH would be an acceptable base to effect withdrawal. Wrong. So I am paying the penalty while moving the two APs to SF. Total cost to do this, about 200 pps. I still have 2,000 or more. Meanwhile, lastest intelligence has 3rd Fleet at Rabaul. Presently hustling three carriers back to Noumea. Hornet staying until I can get those pesky biplanes replaced. Meanwhile, gathering ships, and preparing to move 1st Marine Div, 2nd Marine Div, 27th Infantry Div, and 31st Infantry Div to South Pacific, probably Suva (where 40th Inf is installed). Am moving Arty and Armor as well since I discovered in another set of notes that Arty and Armor are needed to reduce fortifications. Evidently infantry takes forever to do that. So combined arms are assembling to invade the canal. Hornet and Sara, both at PH with escorts (South Dakota and Juneau enroute) will escort the 1st Marines, et al. Meanwhile I am trying to reinforce the Seebees at Ndeni. Would like to add an airbase there.

The DEI is gone, but the enemy has not made any moves toward the East Coast of Aussie. Nor are the probes on India coast gaining them any ground. All ships and troops have been intercepted and most sent to Davy Jones Locker. The buildup in NorWest Aussie has gone much better than expected. Enemy planes do not raid after taking considerable losses to Aussie and AAF fighters.

Two CVEs are on west coast (Long Island completely repaired). They will team up with a third due to arrive in a few days and will head for PH to escort troop convoy to Suva/Noumea. So far, so good. The Brits are holding well in India, China is a stalemate with the enemy losing the equivelent of a division each month at Wenchow. Aussie is building up nicely with tons of supplies and fuel flowing in. I am considering sending an engineer force to Dutch Harbor to build up the airbase. That is about all that is going on in Alaska. The enemy is playing around up there, but I am not interested in fighting there. Just would like to dissuade the enemy from doing the same.

I see the Sept Oct window as the time to act. After Oct most of the B-17s go bye-bye.

I am in agreement with Fletcher and Noyes that tying down Carriers to one fixed distination (the canal) is bad strategy. But I am going to do it anyway. Fletcher, who has been my most successful carrier commander, is headed to the beach. Sherman is now commanding his carriers. Spruance has the other group, but I usually let Mitscher (Hornet) command.

It only gets better from here on in. The supply pipeline is in place, disruption is nil, and new construction is beginning to arrive. I like my chances. Johnjohn

Summary of Operations 4/13/42

Hawaii: Escorts from transport convoy BW-9 encounters Jap submarine in night action off Pearl Harbor shortly after departing for the mainland US. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 182,106 (NE of Oahu)

Japanese Ships
SS I-3

Allied Ships
DD Case
AP President Monroe
TK Manzanillo
xAP St. Mihel
xAK Talune
xAK Kauri
xAK Alcoa Polaris
xAK Wind Rush
xAK Mormacsul
xAK J.L. Luckenbach
xAK Santa Teresa
xAK Charles H Cramp
xAKL Hirondelle
xAKL Honomu
DD Tucker
DD Perkins

SS I-3 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Case

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


South Pacific: Coastwatchers report 12 ships in port at Rabaul.


DEI: Dutch patrol planes from Palembang continue naval air strikes against Jap TF’s in the western Java Sea. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF at Singkep – 49,87

Weather in hex: Overcast

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Hakozake Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage (ship was also hit in a previous bombing attack by Dutch planes on 4/12)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Hakozake Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF near Toboali at 50,95 (E of Toboali)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
TK Nihon Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

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


Philippines: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn.


China: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn.


Manchuria: Sigint report entry for 4/12 indicates Jap 28th Infantry Division is still at Port Arthur. I'm still expecting Pillager to ship this LCU out of Manchuria for deployment in another theatre of operations - this action pending (1) Pillager has and spends the PP to transfer command of 28 Division from the Kwantung Army to the new theatre command where he intends to deploy and operate the division, and (2) he collects sufficient transport shipping to load 28 Division and move it to its next destination.

Summary of Operations 4/14/42

4/42 Ship Upgrades: The first US ships (10 fleet subs, 2 S-class subs) completed refit for 4/42 upgrade this game turn.

S-class subs now in the South Pacific theatre are gradually receiving 4/42 upgrades in NZ/Australia shipyards as they return to base for replenishment or refit, upgrades of these subs done at a rate where a sufficient number of S-class subs remain available at any given time for active patrol operations.


Hawaii: US surface ASW TF dispatched to position NE of Oahu (hex 182,106) where Japanese sub I-3 was encountered on 4/13 failed to make any contact.


South Pacific: Coastwatchers report harbor at Rabaul is empty.


SW Pacific: Jap amphibious landing operations underway at Manus (Admiralty Is).


Australia: Jap air bombing attacks continue on Horn Is (Torres Strait).


DEI: Japanese launch initial ground assault to capture Palembang. Three additional Jap LCU’s detected in hexes adjacent to Palembang, these should be joining the attack momentarily. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 29136 troops, 292 guns, 245 vehicles, Assault Value = 1018
Defending force 10162 troops, 53 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 237
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 701
Allied adjusted defense: 235
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1642 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 101 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 71 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1019 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 86 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled

Assaulting units: (all Jap LCU's previously at Soerabaja)
48th Division
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Division
6th Tank Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion
Riouw KNIL Battalion
Zuid KNIL Battalion
Pakanbaroe Det.
Padang Garrison Battalion
So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion
2/15 Punjab Battalion
Semarang Base Force
Djojakarta Base Force
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
2 ML-KNIL Aviation
Palembang Base Force
Djambi Base Force
Teloekbetoeng Base Force
Kalidjati Base Force

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

Dutch patrol planes remain at Palembang and continue naval air strikes on Japanese shipping in the western Java Sea.

One consequence of the fall of Palembang to the Japanese is that Pillager will have at last captured an Allied-controlled base having considerable stockpiles of supply, fuel and other materiel. While it will take some time for Pillager to distribute this “stash” to front-line Japanese forces awaiting supply and/or fuel needed to continue their operations, the Japanese capture of Palembang inevitably allows Pillager to proceed with offensive operations with Japanese forces in those theatres where he may be stalled at this point in time due to lack of available fuel and/or supply points to operate front-line ships, planes, LCU’s.

It’s been at least two months (in game time) since Allied transport shipping has been available to move (or more precisely, remove) cargoes from Palembang to get this stuff out of the DEI. Stockpiles currently on-hand in Palembang include 143K supply points, 418K fuel, 141K oil, 303K resource. Perhaps some of this will get destroyed when Palembang falls. It not, oh well…

Game question: I haven’t seen any definitive references either in the game manual or the forums on what happens to stockpiled supply, fuel, oil, resource points in bases when they are captured.

Japanese capture Larantoeka (eastern end of Flores). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Larantoeka (67,113)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 881 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 6
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Larantoeka !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
22nd JNAF AF Unit (brought in from Formosa)

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


Philippines: Japanese air bombing strikes against Bataan targeting airfield facilities. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 24
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 6 damaged

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

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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India: 17 Indian Division at Calcutta now built to full TOE strength. Two other Indian divisions are also building up with replacements and expected to reach full TOE strength shortly.


China: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn.

Summary of Operations 4/15/42

4/42 Ship Upgrades: Seven more US fleet subs completed refit for 4/42 upgrade this game turn and returning to active operations in the Pacific theatres.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/14 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wake Is. Detected status of Wake Is shows no visible Jap forces or activity.


SW Pacific: Coastwatchers report 21 ships now at Rabaul.

Japanese capture Manus (Admiralty Is). AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Manus (101,119)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1508 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 16
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manus !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 8th SNLF (this LCU had landed at and captured Gasmata on 4/09. Pillager appears to have this unit moving from place to place doing mop-up operations to capture bases in the Japanese rear-area still in Allied control)

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Australia: Jap air bombing attacks continue on Horn Is.

Fast transport convoy EX-4 (11 ships, 16 kts or greater movement speed) arrived in Australia from the Eastern US this game turn. Convoy EX-4 departed the Eastern US on 2/13. Cargo aboard ships in the convoy includes 38K supply, 40K fuel and two US LCU’s (206 Coast AA Rgt, HQ II Fighter Command).


DEI: Japanese ground assault on Palembang continues. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27993 troops, 292 guns, 245 vehicles, Assault Value = 1348
Defending force 9108 troops, 53 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 181
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 209
Allied adjusted defense: 190
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
554 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 20 (4 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
723 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 72 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
5th Division
4th Division (reinforced attack this game turn, arrived from Soerabaja)
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
48th Division
6th Tank Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Zuid KNIL Battalion
So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion
Pakanbaroe Det.
Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion
Padang Garrison Battalion
Riouw KNIL Battalion
2/15 Punjab Battalion
Teloekbetoeng Base Force
Semarang Base Force
Palembang Base Force
Djambi Base Force
Djojakarta Base Force
2 ML-KNIL Aviation
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Kalidjati Base Force

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All Dutch patrol squadrons at Palembang were withdrawn this game turn as they have no operational planes left.

Japanese amphibious landing ops reported at Sibolga (southern coast of W Sumatra). AAR of this action follows.

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Amphibious Assault at Sibolga

TF 272 troops unloading over beach at Sibolga, 44,79

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

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Infantry Rgt /1
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Infantry Rgt /1
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Infantry Rgt /2

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Singapore: Detected status of this base showing multiple Jap TF’s, 100 ships in port, 15 Jap LCU’s, 212 aircraft (43 fighters, 68 bombers). Shipyard and industrial facilties in Singapore now appear to be partially repaired – displayed status showing heavy industry 19(17), light industry 19(22), repair shipyard 19(32).


Philippines: Japanese amphibious landing ops reported underway at Legaspi. AAR follows.

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Amphibious Assault at Legaspi

TF 170 troops unloading over beach at Legaspi, 82,82

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

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 11th Garrison Unit /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 11th Garrison Unit /3

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Jap air strikes against airfield facilities on Bataan continue.


Burma: Pillager is now advancing on Myitkyina. Japanese capture dot hex base at Katha located along the Mandalay-Myitkyina rail line. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Katha (61,43)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 913 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 12
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Katha !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Regiment

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Myitkyina remains occupied by a British rear-guard force (1 battalion). I’m not planning to hold Myitkyina though I intend requiring Pillager to expend some effort to capture it.

Pillager has moved unidentified Jap LCU(s) northward from Lashio across the border into southern China along the road between Lashio and Paoshan. The Jap LCU or LCU’s was spotted this game turn in the adjacent hex S of Paoshan.

Two Chinese divisions currently occupy Paoshan. A river line S of Paoshan and mountainous terrain at Paoshan is expected to aid a Chinese defense. It is not certain at this time whether Pillager is planning a Japanese ground assault on Paoshan.

Situation map of northern Burma and adjacent areas of south China follow.




China: Japanese ground forces attack near Tuyun. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 74,52 (S of Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28380 troops, 369 guns, 318 vehicles, Assault Value = 976
Defending force 9092 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 199
Japanese adjusted assault: 655
Allied adjusted defense: 529
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1055 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
13th Tank Regiment (reinforced attack this game turn, arrived from Nanning)
104th Division
38th Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
4th War Area
35th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force

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Summary of Operations 4/16/42

4/42 Ship Upgrades: Seven additional US fleet subs completed refit for 4/42 upgrade this game turn (yes, this happened two days in a row). The subs are returning to active operations in the Pacific theatres. One US S-class sub completed 4/42 upgrade at Auckland.

I’ve been considering the fate of SS Argonaut in regard to its future use as a minelayer and whether or not to put it through the 4/42 upgrade which would convert it to a SST (transport sub). SS Argonaut is configured to carry Mk 12 mines – the Industry/Troops/Resource Pool screen shows there are no Mk 12 mines currently in the pool, though production of Mk 12 mines is shown as scheduled to begin in Jan 1943 with a build rate of 40/month. SS Argonaut did start the game in 12/41 with one load of Mk 12 mines on-board, the Argonaut laying the mines at the beginning of this campaign in a mission to the Japanese Home Islands.

For at least the moment, my plans are to leave SS Argonaut in service as a minelaying sub – not performing any ship upgrades on it. This despite the fact that SS Argonaut is not useable as a minelayer until 1943 due to no Mk 12 mines being available until that time. SS Argonaut will be kept inactive and at a rear-area location until then (early 1943) as long as the sub is not required for use in other missions. The decision made here is not necessarily final, as future events and additional facts may weigh in to change this.


South Pacific: Sigint report entry for 4/15 indicates Japanese 10th Infantry Division has been transferred out of the Kwantung Army and is now located at Truk. I’d predict that Pillager likely has plans to employ 10 Division for an assault on a major objective in the South Pacific (i.e. Noumea, Suva or Pago Pago), merely a question of exactly where and when Pillager uses 10 Division in the front lines.


SW Pacific: Coastwatchers report harbor at Rabaul is empty except for one Jap AV.


Australia: Jap air bombing attacks continue on Horn Is.


DEI: Japanese capture Palembang and Sibolga. Detected status of Palembang base does not show any damage to refineries, oil and resource production. AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39692 troops, 406 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 1325
Defending force 8522 troops, 53 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 155
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 564
Allied adjusted defense: 148
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Palembang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
608 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3890 casualties reported
Squads: 96 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 244 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 59 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (10 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 13
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Division
48th Division
4th Division
6th Tank Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Riouw KNIL Battalion (eliminated)
So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion
Padang Garrison Battalion
Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion
Zuid KNIL Battalion
2/15 Punjab Battalion
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
2 ML-KNIL Aviation
Djojakarta Base Force
Palembang Base Force
Semarang Base Force
Djambi Base Force
Teloekbetoeng Base Force
Kalidjati Base Force
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Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3565 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 124
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 57
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 57 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sibolga !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
33rd Infantry Regiment

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Philippines: Japanese landing force captures Legaspi. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Legaspi (82,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4054 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 155
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 77
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 77 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Legaspi !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
11th Garrison Unit (this unit has not previously appeared in the known Japanese OOB)

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Burma: A Chinese air force ground attack strike was launched on the Jap LCU(s) in the adjacent hex S of Paoshan detected last game turn. This strike identified one of the Jap LCU’s (or the only Jap LCU) in the hex as 4 Tank Regiment. The previous reported location of 4 Tank Rgt had been at Singapore on 1/24.


China: Japanese ground forces continue their attack near Tuyun. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 74,52 (S of Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28297 troops, 369 guns, 316 vehicles, Assault Value = 970
Defending force 8274 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 162
Japanese adjusted assault: 848
Allied adjusted defense: 397
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1438 casualties reported
Squads: 124 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 145 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
38th Division
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
4th War Area
9th Chinese Base Force

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Re use of the Argonaut.

A couple of issues for you to ponder.

1. Your other American fleet subs will be able to lay the Mk 12 mine once they undergo their December 1942 refits. You therefore most definitely do not need to keep the Argonaut in its mine configuration layout in order to use up those mines. Nor is the mine laying capacity of the Argonaut so large as to make a compelling case for its retention as a mine layer.

2. You can have a maximum of 3 SSTs. Whilst their combined troop/cargo carrying capacity is not huge, the three of them will transport a substantial part of a Marine Parachute battalion in combat mode. As such they do provide you with a mid 1942 capacity to sneak in behind enemy lines and capture poorly defended rear bases. You could cause a considerable amount of rear area logistical angst to your opponent by capturing and immediately reembarking.

Alfred