jwilkerson(Jpn) Moses (Allies)

[jwilkerson]

Well, everything is still "waiting" for something big to happen .. but here are a couple of pics anyway. In the Aleutians we're just hunkered down while the American Armadae zoom back and forth doing their thing.

[jwilkerson]

Oh, on the previous pic - it is unclear - we have 1 SNFL, 1 BF and 1 Cons engr on EACH of the three Islands we occupy!!
=============================================================================


Ok, and here is Burma ... we are probably 2-3 turns away from starting our aerial intervention. We are just gathering a couple more fighters units who have finished training up in China ...

Hopefully the following things will all happen at (about) the same time (haha [:D])

1. Our reinforcing 21 IMB will arrive at Akyab ... (followed shortly by the 15 AHQ)

2. We will fly in the two regiments of the 55ID to Akyab.

3. The British units (at least one of which is armor - we should be paying more attention - I'm sure we've spotted both) will arrive at Akyab.

4. Our fighters will deploy into Burma and attract attention or otherwise reduce the amount of bombing against the forces in Akyab.

The one thing we can't do much about is the sea. We will bring in some more subs .. but other than a half dozen DDs everything else is headed for Port Moresby.

[jwilkerson]

Well we haven't done an annotated CombatReport in a while .. so here goes ...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/16/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIF x 7


No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 50,97
In the last couple of turns we've managed to put torps into several of the fast ships which Moses has been usually to supply Port Moresby ...

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

Allied Ships
DD Walke, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 39
Ki-21 Sally x 34
Ki-48 Lily x 50
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 74

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36
We continue to try to suppress Changsha, where Moses has a 37 unit high Telephone Pole

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Ki-21 Sally x 54
Ki-36 Ida x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 6 damaged


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 45

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 14
Blenheim IV x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 24


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pamakasan , at 24,66

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
And we continue to suppress PM aAF

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
C5M Babs x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 108

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 15 damaged


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 112

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 14


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th Chinese Corps, at 49,26
This is Moses' 16 unit Telephone pole outside Yenen

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
Ki-30 Ann x 32
Ki-32 Mary x 24
Ki-51 Sonia x 44
Ki-21 Sally x 15
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 3



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,26
Moses' Yenen stack still has insufficient Arty to inflict losses on our stack ...


Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 101755 troops, 537 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3807

Defending force 132309 troops, 1457 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 2610


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/17/42


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 100,36
Off the Aleutians .. our boat is out of action and must RTB ..

Japanese Ships
SS I-6, hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
AVD Hulbert
DD Le Triomphant
DD Chew

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,98
I think this makes the third OP out of four where Moses has placed a sub on the path of KB prior to spotting KB ... MAGIC must be workin' pretty darn well in this game!!!!

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
DD Yamagumo
DD Kasumi
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish, hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,98
This is the "assembly" hex for the PM invasion, so we gotta lot of TFs here ..

Japanese Ships
PG Nagata Maru
PG Kaikei Maru
PG Ikunta Maru
PG Hakkaisan Maru
PG Fukui Maru
PG Daido Maru

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,98

Japanese Ships
PG Tamo Maru #6
MSW Kyo Maru #3
MSW Hanata Maru #6
MSW Ataka Maru

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,98

Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Yukikaze

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 27,36
Our ML group shuttling back and forth to Rangoon ...

Allied Ships
SS KXIV

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 52
Ki-21 Sally x 31
Ki-48 Lily x 53
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 81

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 39
Ki-21 Sally x 36
Ki-36 Ida x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-36 Ida: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 10
Blenheim IV x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 3


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pamakasan , at 24,66

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 8
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Port supply hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
C5M Babs x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 105

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 13 damaged


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 102

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Betty's from Rabaul trying to help keep PM suppressed ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G4M1 Betty x 230

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged


Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Munda , at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M3 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 14


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36


Allied aircraft
B-18A Bolo x 10


Allied aircraft losses
B-18A Bolo: 6 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 49,26
The 16 unit stack outside Yenen ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 36
Ki-32 Mary x 24
Ki-51 Sonia x 42
Ki-21 Sally x 13
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th Chinese Corps, at 49,26
Ditto

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 3
Ki-51 Sonia x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 12
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/A Division, at 30,29
Our poor guys at Akyab ...


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/A Division, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 52,93
Best hit we've gotten on the Fast Trans ops to PM ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 85
G3M Nell x 19
G4M1 Betty x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Pope, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mugford, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Vendetta, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 18,32
Out in the Bay of Bengal ...

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PG Hollyhock

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 52,93
Finishing off a cripple South of PM

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
DD Mugford, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 18
PC Ch 14
MSW W.13
APD APD-32

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,26
Outside Yenen ...

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 101251 troops, 526 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3796

Defending force 132300 troops, 1459 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 2609

[jwilkerson]

Well stuff is gonna happen now - for better or worse ....

First in Burma - we're "on the move" .. we've flown in the fighter force .. primary purpose is to dance around so the Allies will let us fly in 2 regiments of the 55ID to Akyab.
Also the 56ID has landed at Bangkok and is prepping and moving towards Akyab.
Oh and the 21 IMB arrived at Akyab this turn, which was the trigger for the air operation to happen.

Oh we expect to lose a pile of fighters .. but the pools are in good shape .. main thing is to delay at Akyab .. hopefully until the Tony/Tojo's can deploy to Burma .. they should be able to extend the delay. We also need some "fleet" over here!!!

[jwilkerson]

And in the Coral Sea .. I don't think we've actually been spotted yet .. but he knows we're there .. it will still be another turn or so while we manipulate this "Armada" into poor ole PM "harbor" [:D]

He has two options ...

(a) Throw everything he has at us
(b) Do nothing

We don't know which he will choose - but we are prepared for option (a) ... we have most of the offensive airforce we own in the area.

Oh and we snuck the SSD over to Kakoda so after we land, we actually have a supply route back to Buna (now to get some real supplies over to Buna!)

[aztez]

Moses is doomed at New Guinea and he is in deep trouble at Burma/India!!! [:D][:D][:D]

[jwilkerson]

Well then we certainly should have no worries!!! [:D]


====

Here is the situation in the Coral Sea. The main group with KB are heading to the hex SW of PM as are the Western Fleet. This will put us 1 hex out from the landings which will commense on the next turn.

[jwilkerson]

And an annotated CombatReport

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/20/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 54,94
As KB advances - the US subs continue to track

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
DD Yamagumo
DD Kasumi
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Ayanami
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIF x 6


No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 54,94
One supply ship is knocked out of the convoy - this ship will attempt to deposit its cargo at Gili Gili if it lasts long enough

Japanese Ships
AK Suruga Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Kyo Maru #13
PC Kyo Maru #2
PC Gamitsu Maru #1
MSW Toshi Maru #5

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
AK Atlas Maru
PG Uji
PG Eifuku Maru
PG Kozan Maru
PG Muro Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36
Moses has begun advancing 20 of the 39 units at Changsha towards "Wuhan" ... so our continued suppression of Changsha is still of importance

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-48 Lily x 27
Ki-36 Ida x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 76

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kungchang , at 46,26
This is an EXP=59 Sally unit - obviously not enough to get useful damage on the airbase supporting the 16 unit stack threatening Yenen

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 24
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Consistently Betty's have been unable to accomplish meaningful results against either the AF or the port at PM ... 9xAnn get better results ...

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 14 damaged


Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Temp. Division, at 49,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 36
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Temp. Division, at 49,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 36
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 49,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 35
Ki-32 Mary x 27
Ki-51 Sonia x 48
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 65th Chinese Corps, at 43,40

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 8
Ki-27 Nate x 142
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/A Brigade, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/A Brigade, at 30,29
For the first time our fighters intervene over Akyab .. we get one Blenheim ...

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/B Brigade, at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/B Brigade, at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington III x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Wellington III: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 3
B5N Kate x 196

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 6 destroyed, 15 damaged


Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 101

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 12


No Allied losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,26

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 100568 troops, 500 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3779

Defending force 132386 troops, 1457 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 2611


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/21/42


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIF x 7


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
PG Uji
PG Eifuku Maru
PG Kozan Maru
PG Muro Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel, hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
MSW Tamozono Maru #2
PC Nichi Maru #1
PG Aso Maru
PC Hachijo

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 41
Ki-21 Sally x 35
Ki-48 Lily x 54
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 158

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Ki-21 Sally x 24
Ki-48 Lily x 27
Ki-36 Ida x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 60

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
Buffalo I x 16
Blenheim IV x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 77
G3M Nell x 27
G4M1 Betty x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 78
Ki-46-II Dinah x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 90

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 10 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/B Division, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4
Wellington III x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/A Brigade, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/A Brigade, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3
Blenheim IV x 3
Wellington III x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 3
B5N Kate x 183

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 29 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 97

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 12


No Allied losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,26

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 100672 troops, 493 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3782

Defending force 132480 troops, 1457 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 2613


Ground combat at 49,26

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 100672 troops, 493 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3782

Defending force 132480 troops, 1457 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 2613

[jwilkerson]

I'm on the road this week (in beautiful gray overcast skys San Diego !?) so not a lot of time for turns or AARs ... but a quick update.

China: At Yenen, Moses is sitting, we are bombing. At Changsha/Wuhan/Nanmchang Moses sent 19 units towards Wuhan but then back off and is sitting one hex out, we're bombing. But now two telephone poles are on the move.

Burma. We shot down 40 to 4 in the air over Burma this last turn. Also Moses had 1 armored unit arrive at Akyab, we will shock attack and hope for the best. And we reinforced the CAP over Akyab this turn.

Papua, the landings at PM will start this turn.

Aleutians: We haven't seen his carriers for several days, so we will risk moving 35 Bde to Kiska covered by a SAG including Mutsu and the Unyo/Shoho group.

[ny59giants]

"telephone poles" = what??
I know I should know, but am experiencing a "software clitch" with my brain. [:D][:D]

[jwilkerson]

Ah, Telephone Poles, in this AAR I've been using that description for Moses stacks of Chinese troops 10+ high ... wandering around and looking threatening ...

======================================================

Annotated CombatReports ...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/24/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
DD Ariake
DD Yuzuki
DD Shigure

Allied Ships
SS Stingray, hits 7
A lot of sub/anti-sub around our landing hex at Port Moresby

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 52,91

Japanese Ships
DD Mochizuki
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Maikaze
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo

Allied Ships
SS Sargo, hits 1, on fire
One hex to the West of PM were the bulk of the fleet is sitting ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
There will be lots of air activity in Burma this turn ... Allies lead off with a night strike again Pagan, our closest base to Akyab

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIF x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed


Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Beaufighter VIF bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91
We try to knock out some of the coastal guns at PM before we land

Japanese Ships
DD Hiyodori
DD Otori
DD Tomozuru
DD Hatsukari
DD Sanae
DD Wakatake
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Tanikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
CL Abukuma
CL Yura
CL Nagara
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
776 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 5

Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91
Likewise ...

Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga
CL Tatsuta
CL Kuma
DD Kuri
CA Ashigara
DD Yukikaze
CA Maya


Allied ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 3

Runway hits 7
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 53,91
More SW/ASW at PM

Japanese Ships
PG Tamo Maru #6
MSW Kyo Maru #3
MSW Hanata Maru #6
MSW Ataka Maru

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 53,91
More...

Japanese Ships
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Tanikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
SS Stingray, hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 36
TF 36 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


738 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
738 "Coastal Guns" still do some damage ...
Japanese Ships
AP Tasmania Maru
CL Sendai
AP Tatsutake Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Yugumo
CL Oi, Shell hits 1
CL Natori
CA Takao
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
AP Kogyo Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Nitta Maru
AP Tatuwa Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
3112 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

TF 36 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


738 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Tasmania Maru
CL Sendai
AP Tatsutake Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Yugumo
CL Oi, Shell hits 1
CL Natori
CA Takao
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
AP Kogyo Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Nitta Maru
AP Tatuwa Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
3112 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

TF 36 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


738 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Tasmania Maru
CL Sendai
AP Tatsutake Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Yugumo
CL Oi, Shell hits 1
CL Natori
CA Takao
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
AP Kogyo Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Nitta Maru
AP Tatuwa Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
3112 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hsinyang , at 49,33
And in China, Moses does another one of his "in/out" ambush attacks


Allied aircraft
I-153c x 24
SB-2c x 28


Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 4 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hsinyang , at 49,33
These Nates are flying "sympathetic or drifting" cap from "WuHan" and in the air include 47th and 5th FIghter groups ... the Hsinyang Nates are sitting on the ground resting ... the Airborne Nates take no losses ...

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 10

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 7
Brewster 339D x 16
SB-2c x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
SB-2c: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36
Our usual attacks on Changsha

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Ki-48 Lily x 48
Ki-15 Babs x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 49

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 36
Ki-48 Lily x 21
Ki-36 Ida x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 9 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29
We massacre a group of Beef-a-lows to the last plane ... over AKyab ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
A6M3 Zero x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 24
Catalina I x 1
CW-22 Falcon x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 24 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Never ending air attacks on PM ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 17
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Runway hits 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 17
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Runway hits 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36
Americans heat up their air attacks in the Aleutians ...


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 16
B-18A Bolo x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 13


Allied aircraft losses
B-18A Bolo: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Temp. Division, at 49,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 32
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Temp. Division, at 49,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 32
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 49,26
In the woods to the West of Yenen ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 33
Ki-32 Mary x 27
Ki-51 Sonia x 48
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 49,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 33
Ki-32 Mary x 27
Ki-51 Sonia x 48
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 48th Chinese Corps, at 47,35
Big Chinese stack at Wuhan ...

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 75
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 81st Chinese Corps, at 47,35
Ditto

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 51
Ki-36 Ida x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd USMC Division, at 53,91
At PM

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 10
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd USMC Division, at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 damaged


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
DD Ariake
CL Jintsu
DD Yuzuki
DD Shigure
DD Hatakaze
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 52,91

Japanese Ships
DD Mochizuki
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Maikaze
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo
CA Nachi

Allied Ships
SS Sargo, hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 38776 troops, 275 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 763

Defending force 7586 troops, 37 guns, 393 vehicles, Assault Value = 249

Japanese max assault: 1616 - adjusted assault: 2190

Allied max defense: 244 - adjusted defense: 53

Japanese assault odds: 41 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Well we booted the first Allied unit out - I'm sure there will be some others ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,26

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 99897 troops, 480 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3768

Defending force 132478 troops, 1458 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 2613


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 20670 troops, 208 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 500

Defending force 43873 troops, 452 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 1607


Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/25/42


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 52,91

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo
DD Kasumi
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Ayanami
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 17th Group Army, at 48,35
Wuhan

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 59
Ki-21 Sally x 52
Ki-36 Ida x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hsinyang , at 49,33

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 4
Brewster 339D x 7
SB-2c x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed On the ground, one pilot lost

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
7 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
3 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
3 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
3 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
3 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hsinyang , at 49,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 9

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x IL-4c bombing at 8000 feet
3 x IL-4c bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Ki-48 Lily x 16
Ki-36 Ida x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28
Allies comming on in the same old way at Mytchina ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 13
Buffalo I x 11
Blenheim IV x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 5 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 12
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 5 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged

Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 16
B-18A Bolo x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 9


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Temp. Division, at 49,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 36
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 49,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-30 Ann x 36
Ki-32 Mary x 27
Ki-51 Sonia x 48
Ki-21 Sally x 15
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 28th Chinese Corps, at 43,40
Training near Canton

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 36
Ki-27 Nate x 175
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd USMC Division, at 53,91
At PM

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged


Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd USMC Defense Bn , at 53,91
Ditto

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 4
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/B Division, at 30,29
Attempting to disrupt Allied bombing at Akyab

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M3 Zero x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6
Blenheim I x 10
Blenheim IV x 6
B-18A Bolo x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 11 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Blenheim I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/A Brigade, at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M3 Zero x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 7
A-20B Boston x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27 Finally the B-17s make their appearance hitting 2 supply ships

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Ushio Maru
PC Gamitsu Maru #1
AK Yamabato Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yanagigawa, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Kyo Maru #13
AK Yuki Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
AP Mogamigawa Maru
AP Hakusan Maru
AP Turusima Maru
DD Yukaze
DD Fubuki
CL Kitakami
DD Asagiri
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi

Allied Ships
SS Stingray, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,26

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 99610 troops, 481 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3759

Defending force 132506 troops, 1459 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 2614



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 20613 troops, 208 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 498

Defending force 44025 troops, 453 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 1612


Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported

[jwilkerson]

Big day for Air Battles in CBI.

In Burma, we had staged forward one 12 Plane Oscar unit to Akyab to try to take a bit of pressure off the LRCAP units flying from Pagan and Mandalay.

Moses tried the tactic of hitting all of our bases in Burma.

I'm not sure who came off better in the exchange. I suppose it depends on your perspective.

For months, we had allowed Moses to own the skies over Burma as we had nothing that could sustain a defense against the 100+ 4EB he had deployed at Dacca.

When he began to threaten a ground attack on Akyab we moved reinforcements towards Akyab. Once they reached/approached Akyab we committed the fighters forward into Burma, primarily as a distraction. If Moses if fighting our fighters, he isn't bombing our ground forces attempting to defend Akyab. We expected to lose plenty of fighters. We have plenty of fighters - the true cost for us would be the pilots, and we expected to lose plenty of those as well. But we resigned ourselves to trading pilots for Akyab. We determined we could not afford to lose Akyab this early, that would undermine our position in Burma, and we hope to delay in Burma at least until late '43. Allowing the Allies to have AF in Burma puts SRA heavy industry and resources within range of the P-38/B24 combo. So Burma is a key buffer. Hence worth fighting for if we can acheive a meaningful result.

So by committing the fighters now, we hope to delay the loss of Akyab, until the Tony/Tojo can arrive (in about 4-8 weeks) and then we hope they can cement the delay for roughly another year, though if Moses commits P-38s to CBI ASAP this will be problematic after after '42.

Soooo, from our perspective we have and are accomplising our goal at an acceptable price.

In air to air combat, which is where the bulk of the pilots are lost, we came out ahead, not quite 2 to 1, but close. After this turn, we rotated 2 Oscar and 1 Zero unit out of Burma and brought forward 1 Oscar and 1 Zero unit. During the especially bloody fighting over Akyab, we had 2 Oscar and 1 Zero unit decimated, but we decimated the AVG (yet again) in return. Overall we lost slightly more aircraft, but the bulk of these were Topsy's lost on the ground at Rahaeng. We have replaced these, and losing Topsey's does not alter the fighter pilot balance which is the key for us.

In China, Moses sustained his attacks against the worst fighter group we have on the map, the 33rd. We lost 8 pilots, but thanks to support from the elite 47th and also the 144th I think we came out ahead in the a2a combat / fighter pilot exchange. So we will essentially ignore this attack by Moses and continue our focus on attempting to contain his large stacks around Changsha. Our fighter defense seems sufficient to ward off any adverse effects from his air attacks.

[jwilkerson]

And the air losses screen.

[jwilkerson]

6/29-30 Summary.

We took PM on the first attack, I was even surprised. I think throwing in the airborne made the most difference, followed by the airstrikes and the units being in reasonably good shape and having the HQs lined up and prepped.

Also, we kicked three units out of Canton but got surprisingly beat up in return. Four new Chinese units arrived this turn as well
We had already put the 48ID on boats and this unit is enroute from Manilla and will arrive at Canton in a couple of days. We will attack again when the 48ID is ready.

With the PM campaign switching to a new phase, we are sending KB to Tulagi (designated Fleet Base 1). KB has 6 CV, 2CVL, 6BB, and numerous Cruisers and DDs. The Zuikaku/Shokaku are returning to Japanese to refit.

Air redeployments include:
a) 54 Betty, 27 Zero to Kwajalein
b) 54 Betty, 27 Zero to Lunga
c) 81 Betty to Truk
d) 27 Nell to Darwin, enroute to Thailand.

The remaining aircraft are remaining at Rabaul/Lae to support Port Moresby setup activities.

In Burma, we are holding firm, keeping the fighter force deployed in Burma, we can take a bit more punishment and want to see how hard he can hit at this point. We have 6 Zero and 2 Oscar chutai in reserve in Thailand.

The Northern fleet is on an op to bring the 35IMB to Kiska and generally test the Allied naval presence in the Western Aleutians. Shoho/Unyo group as well as Mutsu group and one Cruiser/DD grp are involved.

In Central China we continue to be concerned about Wuhan, will the Allies 19 units test us there? We have moved another Division from Nanchang to Wuhan and we are flying in a SNLF from the reserve at Tsingtao. Now Five Chinese units appear to be heading towards Nanchang.

In North China we are moving one division and one artillery rgt from Yenen to the Woods hex to the West where we face 16 Chinese units.

In Oz we see the "footprints" marching from Perth towards Derby. We have earmarked a number of PI units for Derby, the shipping is arriving shortly.

[jwilkerson]

Strategic summary, end of June 1942.

Well, we are half way through 1942. In the game, we have accomplished more than the Japanese did historically in virtually every spot. Certainly not more than our "good" Japanese players, but not a disasterous start, and one which, I hope has some staying power. I've got something at virtually all the spots on the map that I think will be important through the end of the game. Some "short path" approaches have more than minimal strength for this time of the war.

Our Fleet is intact. We have lost 1 training cruiser, a few DDs a few more light escorts and more than a few AP/AK, but not hurting here. On the other side of the coin, we have not significantly damaged the Allied fleet either.
Generally we will fight the Air/Naval part of the war with the following three forces:
(1) Betty/Nell/Frances/Zero - the Air Striking Force. This force is actually the primary striking force and will go after carriers and BBs supporting the Allied landings.
(2) Surface Force - This force will include as many BB, CA/CL, DD as possible and will go in to attack Allied invasions, when the opportunity arises.
(3) Carrier Force - This force will incude as many CV/CVL/CVE/BB/CA/CL/DD as possible and will hover within the air cover of the ASF, but be prepared to attack the Allied invasion when the opportunity presents itself.

The above forces will attack, but force 2 and 3 will only attack when it is expected that their ship losses will be minimal - these forces are essentially irreplaceable in ships.

In CBI we will continue to reinforce with ground units from the PI as CBI is the area we are most engaged with the Allies. Yet the bulk of our Air/Naval strength will remain facing the Americans.

Most of our outer bastions, we want to hold until late '43 ... these include:

Aleutians
Wake/Marcus
Marshalls
Solomons/Papua
Northern Oz

In China, DEI, SRA, Burma, Kuriles, Western NG, Carolines, Marianas, Bonins, Burma, China we want to hold through late '44 (ha ha ). But priorities have to be aligned with these goals.

We will recieve the Tonys and Tojo within the next month, we would like to have at least four full groups before they are committed. Thus commitment will probably not be until Late August. But after that, the Tony/Tojo force should grow quickly. Between now and mid-1943 we hope to retain at least air parity, through the use of these fighters. Currently there are about 17 chutai flying the Oscar in Burma/Thailand. The remaining Army Fighter force is in China and all fly Nates. Once the Tony/Tojo arrive, we will move the Oscars to China. Thereafter the IJA will use both Oscar-I and Nates exclusively in China.

And in Q1 1943, the Navy savior, the Jack will join us. I'd expect the Jack to replace about half of the Landbased Zero force. Unfortunately, having those Zeros assigned to the ASF be the range 11 ones will greater increase their naval strike value, so we have to maintain a significant force of A6M2 as long as possible. So the Naval fighter slots must be spilt between the Jacks and the Zeros.


The Lily's are becomming obsolete (only about 50 remaining for the 3 groups flying the Lily) and we will gradually convert them all over to Sallys. The Army Dive Bomber force started the war with snough DBs in the "warehouses" to perhaps last most of the war. We are gradually switching to a mix of using the Anns for those units spread about the Pacific flying ASW. In China we are mostly using the 1 hex shorter range Mary. But in China this one hex is not much of an issue, but GS missions are flown at 0-2 hexes range. We have very few units flying Sonias because of their tiny range. But for those situations where we have enemy very close we can and are using Sonias. We are only building Sallys in this class right now. We have 200+ Sally in the pool. The DB types all have 100+.

Army recon planes are being gradually converted over to Dinah. We still have 7 groups flying K-15 and 3 flying Ida. But with about 50 K-15 and 20 Ida in reserve, these types will be flying for a while longer. The three Navy recon groups are still flying C5 ... the Irvings will be arriving during Q4 1942.

Patrol groups are about evenly split between Mavis and Emily and we have about 30 of each in reserve. We are not building these.

Float Planes, plenty in reserve. Some groups have switched to Jakes, all have switched off Pete. Each types has 100+ in the pools. We may make a few more Jakes, but not many.

Carrier planes. Each pool group has 200+ except the Vals which are 190+ and building.

Betty/Nell .. we have 200+ in the pools and are building. There are still 8 chutai flying the Nell with 70 in reserve. These groups will fly the Nell for a while.

Army Transports are all Topsy now, though we have 59 Hickory in reserve and 28 Topsey. We have turned both Topsey factories back on and will bring the reserve back to 100+

Navy Transports are flying the Tabby, though 1 group flies Tina and two groups fly Mavis. Tina and Mavis have 10+ in reserve, the Tabby's have 50+ in reserve.

Both Rufe Float Fighter chutai are in the Kuriles/Aleutians where they will remain.

I'll post some more "month end' reports shortly ..

[jwilkerson]

Here is view of combat aircraft pools. Everything looks good except A6M3. We've only got three units converted to this plane, but two of them have been operating in Burma and "turn over" of aircraft in those two units has been about 100% recently. Fortunately most were lost on the ground and pilots loses have been under 30% in the type. But we have convered one A6M2 factory over to begin to raise total A6M3 capacity from 72 up to 100.

[jwilkerson]

And here is view on combat support pools. Topsy is a bit low .. we have suffered quite a few losses on the ground in the past month with them as well. Topsy production has been restarted.

[jwilkerson]

Scene of action definitely shifted to CBI.

China: Around "Wuhan" we're playing LCU shell games. Moses is moving people in/out of "Wuhan" and last turn moved 2 units between "Wuhan" and Nanchang. We trapped one of those two units there this turn. Also we moved seven units out of Nanchang to the West one hex, to block the retreat of these two units. We will risk a shock attack this turn as we have 2400+ AV and hope he has less. We will provide air support from Nanchang.
Around Canton, we landed the 48ID this turn and next turn the 21ID will at least start to unload. We are also prepping the 3rd YOK for Canton. And we are moving in two more Sally units. We will probably attack in another turn or so.

Burma: This turn quite a few "Missions cancelled due to weather". But we got a good intercept over Akyab, with 34 Zeros shooting down 10 Bolos and driving the rest home. No bombs fell on our troops at Akyab this turn. A unique event, we aren't likely to be able to repeat. At sea there are four Allied TFs bearing down on Akyab. We don't know whether they will perform amphibious landing at Akyab or are they just reinforcing the Allied Armor to the (map) NW of Akyab.
One "tactic" we are trying in Burma with at least a tiny bit of success, is to use LRCAP to cover different AF from time to time. Maybe this throws off the Allied intel based attack decisions which rely on the "air sup" numbers. At least that seems to be the case. But we lose a fair number of planes to operational loss when using this trick, so it is expensive. But anything that increases the FOW for the Allies in the air game, is good for us. Still no sign of Tony or Tojo, we have our fingures crossed for early arrival.

[jwilkerson]

7/8/42

Burma: The two Allied armoured Bdes are still sitting outside Akyab. The four Allied TFs have gone home!? The airbattles continue over Burma. Recall that our purpose if fighting these airbattles in Burma is merely to provide a distraction to the Allied airpower, to permit us to hold on to Akyab for a bit longer. Actually aircraft losses are pretty much meaningless for both sides, as both sides have sufficient pools to sustain higher loss rates than we are taking. So the trade off for us is fighter pilots for Akyab. And thus far the trade-off is acceptable. Losing Akyab at this point would be a disaster and would probably mean early loss of Burma. Also we have many IJA fighter units training up in China with all but two of them in the 70s and three of them (I think) just touching the 80s. So we still have a large reserve of good pilots for the Tony/Tojos when they show up.

China:

Canton: We have now moved both the 48ID and 21ID to Canton and a load of Artillery are now enroute from Manilla as is the 3rd YOK from Soerabaja. We should be in a position to try an attack in a few days. Nominally we need 4000 AV to challenge his 1000 AV, we're approaching 3000 AV, we hope to be able to make up the difference by beating up his units with air support and by using the airborne. We will shortly see if this is enough.

Changsha-Wuhan-Nanchang triangle: There is a whole lot of "shuffling" going on here. Lots of shell games. We walked the 20IMB to the nex on the road between Changsha and Wuhan, but before the Chinese got a unit there we plotted a move to Wuhan, so we should be able to "slip through the lines" this turn. Another, probably futile effort, to scare Moses into withdrawing. We have beat up 7 Corps on the Road from Changsha to Nanchang and even though we are significantly out numbered in the Hex one to the (map) SE of Changsha, we will try another attack this turn. There are probably three good Chinese units in this stack and with good air support from Nanchang, we hope we can win this as well. Purpose is really just to try to scare Moses into waking away from Wuhan for a little while. But thus far, Moses has shown that he doesn't "scare". And ultimately he can go huddle back in Changsha rebuild and come out again. And so ultimately we cannot prevent him from sitting on Wuhan/Nanchang and shutting down the production facilities there. We would need six division equivalents of reinforcements to be able to kick him out of the Urban hex at Wuhan and that probably won't happen in this game.

Yenen: We continue to pound his forces, but he has a big pile of AV here (3000+) and also the woods terrain (modifed 6000 AV) so again, nominally we need at least 6000 AV to challenge this stack and our 3000 AV is not even close. To get 3000 AV is about 8 division equivalents and again, not gonna happen. But at least we have the woods hex here to keep him out of Yenen. No such hex around Wuhan or Nanchang.

[jwilkerson]

7/22/42

Main action still in CBI.

Burma: Moses seems to have finally figured out that all of our fighters distracting him from bombing Akyab can (mostly) be ignored. He has shifted from a general campaign of bombing our fighter bases all over Burma to primarily focusing on Akyab. However, at Akyab he is still going after the installations and not the troops, so the troops are still recovering AV, especially the poor ole 33rd. Once the 56ID arrives, we may try to pull the 33ID back to Rangoon to completely rebuild. As to the air to air combat, we certainly aren't winning all the battles any more. We win some and we lose some. Our navy fighter pilot losses have gone up dramatically in the past few days as Moses has refocused his attacks and apparently gotten another US fighter group with P-40B. Our plan is to run the Zero groups that are in theather, into the ground and withdraw them once the Tony/Tojo's can take over. But still no sign of those Tony/Tojo, even though with are within 2 weeks of August, so I guess no early arrival in this game [:(] We've tried to mostly keep the Oscars in supporting roles, though they too have taken more losses lately, but we do have a whole pile of 80+ EXP Nate units in China that we can bring into Burma once the Tony/Tojo show up.

China: Well all the big stacks on both sides are back in their barns. Moses' troops have returned to their bases and so have ours. So all the shell game excitement of the past several weeks is in a state of pause, until the next round.