Scott1964 vs stldiver The War of the Samurai

[scott64]

[stldiver]

We have moved up to Dec 27th 1942

In the central Pacific one RCT invaded Ponape but suffered 2 shock attacks both 0-1 vs lvl 5 forts and a CD and baseforce, this will be a long haul unless I bring support.
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Ground combat at Ponape

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3790 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 79

Defending force 9309 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied max assault: 150 - adjusted assault: 28

Japanese max defense: 9 - adjusted defense: 40

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5) [:(]


Allied ground losses:
260 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Usual bombings of Okinawa, Palembang gets hit with heavies for the 1st time but he had pulled most of his bombers out so no aircraft damaged.
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Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 4
Liberator III x 26
P-38G Lightning x 45
B-17D Fortress x 10
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D Liberator x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses [&:] Where did they go?

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 36

China is the update of the hour several days ago a guerilla unit walked into little Puechang and recaptured this abandoned town, Scott probably felt like I do, its insignificant. The front has stood stabilized as can be seen by the picture below except for one remarkable event today.
The Japanese attacked my forces outside of Yangku and retreated them, My troops had occupied the area but I had to slowly pull them out due to lack of supply. Finally Scott attacks and I was hoping I could hold but was easily pushed out [:(].
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Ground combat at Yangku

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 108454 troops, 427 guns, 247 vehicles, Assault Value = 2568

Defending force 57288 troops, 159 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1584

Japanese max assault: 5308 - adjusted assault: 2930

Allied max defense: 1635 - adjusted defense: 397

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
6593 casualties reported Total 13pts lost
Guns lost 67
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
968 casualties reported With retreat 44 pts lost
Guns lost 16

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Below is the static Front in china pretty much like its been the last 6 months except for Puechang and Yangku the last few days. He can now start recieving resources at Yangku, I won't be back unless I bring more troops.

[scott64]

[thegreatwent]

Fight fiercely Scott. China is one of the areas I think you can still conduct offensive actions in.

[stldiver]

Dec 28th 1942,

The 3rd Marine Para unit drops in and captures Aru, just days before they secured another (starts with M, forget the name) base on Northern New Guinea.

Usual raids on Okinawa its almost completely closed.

I don't want to interrupt the reading of another AAR for long so I am posting an update map of Northern New Guinea, as can be seen after Palau sp? falls the way is open into the DEI.

Why the update? Its to preview the news for tommorrw, A division has marched from southern Okinawa and now has enterned the northern base, tommorrow it will shock attack and hopefully secure the entire island. There are still only 3 units there, one of which retreated from Naha. I don't believe they can hold.

At the same time more troops have marched into Suva and will also shock attack tommorrow so in all should be a banner day for the allied command.

Once again we thank you for your time, you may return to your other important AAR [:-]

p.s. TheGreatWent, do not give the empire hope, the co-prosperity sphere is a bubble that has burst[:D]

[thegreatwent]

TheGreatWent, do not give the empire hope, the co-prosperity sphere is a bubble that has burst

I think it was Studs Terkel who wrote "Hope Dies Last"[:D]

[stldiver]

The hoped for banner day was 1/2 accomplished I will detail each theatre. This update will be for Dec 29th and 30th 1942

South Pacific

Reinforcements that landed at Nandi finally marched to Suva and easily pushed the defenders to the beaches. In the next few weeks we will demolish over 17k of troops here as Luganville is the only base close enough and Noumea is slowly subverting this, so only sub transport is available for the defenders, and yes we have seen many subs visit so we are under the assumption fragments are removed and we will once again face these troops.

Just a note on the American USA division that lead this final assault. When it arrived in early 1942 it was transported to Noumea to defend against the Japanese invasion (read earlier AAR), the KB was in the area and many ships and troops were lost in this battle. When it became evident that the battle was lost, evacuations by PBY, and fast transports pulled a good portion of these units out to Pago Pago to rebuild and defend the next line. Several months ago the American USA division was reloaded and moved to (then thought unoccupied or lightly defended) Luganville for an illfated invasion. Unfortunatly Scott still had a division there, and was in the process of moving another south that quickly landed also. Once again a bombardment force came in, hit the japanese, picked up troops and headed to Pago Pago and New Zealand to rebuild, in a fluke when Scott assualted the remants, and there were about 10k worth of disrupted troops, they vanished and reappeared in San Fransico, where they claimed they had been all along. This all contributed to both the Allied commands and Japanese bringing in both CV fleets and the decisive battle north of Noumea saw over 7 Japanese CV's destroyed for 1 US CV. The American USA division was reunited from SF and New Zealand and finally once again was the first to land at Nandi and then head to Suva and finally finish the job it came for so long ago!
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Ground combat at Suva

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 34476 troops, 341 guns, 122 vehicles, Assault Value = 764

Defending force 17365 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 412

Allied max assault: 1316 - adjusted assault: 393

Japanese max defense: 312 - adjusted defense: 37

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Suva base !!! [:'(]

Japanese ground losses:
678 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
1171 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 6

Okinawa
The allied division that marched north and expected to easily push off the Japanese troops was easily repulsed, I attribute the low AV of attack due to low reconn level and will bombard for a while to increase. Time will tell if I need to move surface forces back in to soften up, am reluctant at the moment due to 240 plus bombers hitting the island could easily turn to naval attack.
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Ground combat at Nogo

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 11967 troops, 218 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 292

Defending force 7554 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Allied max assault: 470 - adjusted assault: 96 [:(]

Japanese max defense: 73 - adjusted defense: 217

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
689 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 8

China
On Dec 30th Scott hit Nanchang with a large force of fighters and gave the AVG a bloody nose, I can tell you know that they have pulled out again. I am fighting in Scotts backyard and he truly does control the skies.
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Day Air attack on Nanchang , at 48,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M3a Zero x 28
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 44 [X(]
Ki-21-II Sally x 19
Ki-48-I Lily x 12
Ki-15 Babs x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged [:)]
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 16 destroyed [:@]

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

In a military move I also pulled out of Hankow, the troops there were low on supply and I didn't want a repeat of Yangku where scott could easily push me out. Thus Scott in the last few days once again has two major resource centers flowing again in China. The front is stagnent again as I have level 9 forts all over and assume he does the same.

Sumatra
Torpedo planes hit Palembang on the 29th hitting only 1 AK,(22 sighted in port) and on the 30th the heavies come in, guess I need to get the reconn level up as I would think more ships would be damaged.

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Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 24
B-17D Fortress x 11
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-24D Liberator x 20

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 4 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Aobasan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Sado Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Daifuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Nichiho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Kyushu Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Natisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port supply hits 2

While this raid was going in, (no fighters at Palembang as my P-38G sweeps forced his withdrawel) I decided to sweep Singapore
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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 1
P-38G Lightning x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged

I am happy with the day one results.

Truk
Once again bombers from Saipan hit Truk, they are down to 18 ships in harbor, won't these ships ever sink?
Note to self ships in good port are hard to sink.
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Day Air attack on Truk , at 66,78

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 130

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 12 damaged

Japanese Ships The unsinkable transports
AK Kotohira Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Taga Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Shikisan Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Akiura Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kofuku Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Takaosan Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yamafuji Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yamazuki Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kowa Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yokohama Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yamahagi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK San Francisco Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PG Hokoku Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Terukawa Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Canton Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lyons Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fuyukawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

and on the Japanese side, Okinawa gets visited daily with many bombers.

Below is my division marching towards the Japanese just before the attack.

History Fact
The Battle of Okinawa, also known as Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The 82 day long battle lasted from late March through June 1945.

The battle has been referred to as the "Typhoon of Steel" in English, and tetsu no ame ("rain of steel") or tetsu no bôfû ("violent wind of steel") in Japanese. The nicknames refer to the ferocity of the fighting, the intensity of gunfire involved, and sheer numbers of Allied ships and armored vehicles that assaulted the island. The battle has one of the highest number of casualties of any World War Two engagement: the Japanese lost over 100,000 troops, and the Allies (mostly United States) suffered more than 50,000 casualties, with over 12,000 killed in action. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed, wounded or attempted suicide. Approximately one-fourth of the civilian population died due to the invasion. The Tenth Army had five Army Divisions, the 77th, the 96th, the 27th, the 81st, and the 7th. Three Marine Divisions fought on Okinawa, the 6th, the 2nd and the 1st. All these divisions were supported by naval, amphibious, and tactical air forces.

The main objective of the operation was to seize a large island only 340 miles away from mainland Japan. After a long campaign of island hopping, the Allies were approaching Japan, and Okinawa would serve as a springboard for the planned invasion of the mainland islands. Although hastily converted to a base for air operations, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused Japan to surrender just weeks after the end of the fighting at Okinawa and the invasion never took place.

[stldiver]

We have moved to the new year and I will update the war.

South Pacific
Fiji has been recaptured and over 3k of Japanese troops on the beaches have perished the last two days, they should last less then a few days, about 15k left.

Lunganville houses about 9 units 46k strong, but most are remnants from noumea and fiji, though there are two infantry divisions stranded there!

Lunga periodically launches over 70 heavy bombers at Rabaul and daily over 40 fighters/ divebombers at Tulagi, Tulagi has 7 units about 7k strong and I believe is probably out of supply, Rabaul is 7 units about 15k and only has 4 ships left in port, no supply gets to this region, Scott has moved units to most of the bases, to prevent the easy grab, but this area is cutoff.

Central Pacific
In the Marshalls Kwajalein is still held with 8 units one is at least a division as is Jauleit, wotje and Maelop with small units, I only bomb here occasionally as it is back water and appears to have supply, let them starve I say.

Ponape I have landed an RCT which was badly banged up and lost some transports due to CD gun here, its a stalemate till I bring in more.

Truk has 16 planes and about 17 heavily damaged transports with 7 units and 30k troops, over 120 heavy bombers fly from Saipan every few days and hit the harbor, this base is non functional, over 11 subs have been sunk in this harbor.

Palau is the only base out of the marianas area still in Japanese hands with 9 units and 21k of troops, he has no aircraft and probably no supplies, the way is open past with the next resistance ambonia and phillipines.

To the north I have not reconned Iwo Jima, lately but I am sure its well built with chi chi jima,

The landing at Okinawa has Naha secured but very suppressed by over 220 bombers hitting it daily, I moved a diviison to Nogo overland but it had a 0-1 attack, then today was hit by a surface group centered around BB's Yamato, Hyuga, they are not to happy on the ground. Basically this area is cutoff except if I bring my CV's back and that will be touch and go with 220 bombers and zero escorts. The only support this base has is from Nanchang which wavers back and forth in who controlls the air above, currently it is empty and Scott controls the air.

Burma/DEI
Nothern Sumatra is completely controlled by the British and Padang houses 48 P-38G and approx 50 heavies, plus hurricanes, The P-38 Sweeps with heavy raids have forced Scott to pull back from Palembang and have just begun to battle over Singapore. Scott has most of his fighter force over Rangoon, Nanchang, and Okinawa thus I have a slight advantage in the air.

Bombers from Port Blair and Sabang hit airbases north of singapore and have chases his bombers back to Saigon or to Formosa and Japan where they launch against Okinawa.

North Pacific
Has all been quiet except raids by my bombers vs his bases, untill today when CL's and DD showed up and hit Adak, for minor damage, they ran into 5 PT boats (been there almost the entire war) sank two for no lose, although 2 japanese DD's have been lost to mines. He brought these ships north due to the fact I had resupplyied these bases, but the transports left a few days before. I hope my bombers get a strike in but cloud cover makes it difficult.

Naval Losses
Japanese
7 CV's (all big boys) 4 CVL, 2 CVE, 2BB (Haruna, Hei), 3 CA, 8 CL, 37 DD, 7 APD, 126 AP, 232 AK 6 AO, 11 TK , 41 SS, 8 Aux, 41 Mine,62 Pat, 4 CS

Allied
2 CV (hornet,Wasp), 1 BB (POW), 1 CA, 8 CL, 35 DD, 3 APD, 50 AP, 210 AK, 9 AO, 18 TK, 17 SS, 6 Aux, 17 mine, 52 PAT (inclues PT's)

Overall he has his surface group intact and about 3 small CV's about the biggest is Junyo, to counter I have 4 CV's Lex, Ent, Sara, and Yorktown, plus several CVE's. This does not count the 3 british CV's plus hermes.

I have taken heavy AK losses which has been felt but now the transports reinforcements are coming fast and strong and the pinch should be over shortly. I have already assets moved or moving for the next offensive. There are several options, all of which I am sure Scott is aware of.

I will post the score below.

[stldiver]

Here is a Map of the area.

The entire south pacific is cuttoff with my base at Hollandia and Marianas, Marcus, Wake and Midway completing the enclosure.

[stldiver]

Jan 3rd 1943

Scott had parked what appeared 10AK's at Madang, out of reach of my bombers, well I finally repaired the Cruisers that where hit long time ago in the Noumea operation, and they traveled north and paid a visit to Madang! These ships will now have to move somewhere else, as I have a good naval presence in the area. In addition there were more then 10 ships!

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Madang at 55,87

Japanese Ships
PG Busho Maru, Shell hits 1
PG Keiko Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PG Nanpo Maru
PG Okuyo Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
PG Taiko Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Jinshu Maru
AP Kiyama Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
AP Kiyoshima Maru
AP Kofuku Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Takayo Maru, Shell hits 2
AP Teiryu Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Tofuku Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Durban Maru
AP Fukusei Maru
AP Jinsai Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP Kanayama Maru
AP Kisaragi Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Kyosei Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yamatsuki Maru
AP Mitsu Maru #3
AP Rozan Maru
AP Sumiyoshi Maru
AP Tainichi Maru
AP Takuei Maru
AP Takunan Maru
AP Tsuruga Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA Chicago
CA Salt Lake City
CA Australia, Shell hits 2
CL Perth
DD Craven
DD Gridley
DD McCall
DD Benham
DD Ellet
DD Balch
DD Arunta

Day 2 of the airwar at Singapore leads to more losses for both sides.
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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 21
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 4
Liberator III x 22
P-38G Lightning x 39
B-17D Fortress x 7
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-24D Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 4 destroyed
G3M Nell: 4 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed
J1N1-R Irving: 1 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged [:(]

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 43

Rabaul and Truk harbors are hit again by LBA no sinkings just more damage.

[stldiver]

After a couple days of raids, Allied fighters return to Nanchang!

This time F4F wildcats that vacated Okinawa are in the mix [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/05/43
Day Air attack on Nanchang , at 48,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3a Zero x 24
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 36
Ki-21-II Sally x 22
Ki-48-I Lily x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
P-40B Tomahawk x 14
P-40E Warhawk x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 9 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged [:)]
Ki-21-II Sally: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-48-I Lily: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 14

In addition Scott has abandoned Singapore of his fighters and bombers, I also stopped attacking but will commence tommorrow!

I know scott mentioned some problems with his economy back in early summer, I think he ran it to fast, not sure if he is still recovering from these affects as I have seen no convoys heading to resource areas, so I think things could be tight, then again I have been wrong before!

The last 2 days have seen my ships around Rabaul area split up and try to chase Scotts ships, several more have been hit, including 4 msw sunk patroling Rabaul Harbor. Scott has no air presence except some patrol planes at Lae.

[stldiver]

A young fisherman sits on the wind swept waters just outside of Singapore harbor, fishing had been poor of late, seems all that japanese shipping in the harbor, spread oil about, must be over 20 of them.

He heard the drown of engines coming from the west, this had become typical the last few days, but the planes always headed to the airfields, and the Japanese pilots rose up to do battle. That was till 2 days ago when the might Japanese planes fleed the area. Good riddance, the Co-prosperity sphere had brought him nothing.

This time he noticed the planes turned towards the harbor, and he jumped with glee as he saw bombs dropping on and around the ships. Some planes even came in low.

He smiled at the thought of the Japanese leaving and fishing becoming good again!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/07/43
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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 18
Albacore x 39

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Yamafuji Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Mikage Maru #20, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sensan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Oyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Toten Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Haisho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bichu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Itsukushima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Yoko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Amaho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Haguro Maru, Bomb hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Albacore bombing at 10000 feet
17 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
18 x Albacore bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 12
B-17D Fortress x 9
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 19

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Haguro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Oyama Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Toten Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mikage Maru #20, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yamafuji Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tatsufuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Haisho Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tokushima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yoko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sensan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Itsukushima Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fukuei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Teikin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Gamitsu Maru #1, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Belgium Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 3

Swordfish on their way to Singapore

[stldiver]

Singapore endures another day of battles, it appears no resistance will be forthcoming, many ships are damaged to the heavy side again.

Truk is also hit with more damage, but again only one ship goes down. They must be made of balsa wood.

In a surface action the CA Salt Lake city and 3 DD pay a visit to Rabaul can sink 3 transports with another 3 Heavily damaged and probably will go down.

The japanese on fiji get another pounding maybe one day two at the most left for these boys, the original 11 or 12 units is down to 3.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/08/43
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Ground combat at Suva

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58504 troops, 595 guns, 169 vehicles, Assault Value = 1207

Defending force 5924 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Allied max assault: 1161 - adjusted assault: 1162

Japanese max defense: 21 - adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 166 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
3444 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 2

[scott64]

[scott64]

Top Secret Base somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere.

Thegreatwent "Are the men in position?"
Feurer Krieg "Yes they are."
Q-Ball rubbing hands together "Finally some action."
Fabertong "Banzai."

[stldiver]

There is a loud cascade of talking and bantering going on between the assembled leaders of the allied commands. The air is one of happy times and marked with the comradre of military men who have been running different theatres all coming together to plan the future. The last 7 months of the war since the great carrier battle south of New Guinea has been one of great advances and victories for the allied command.

Today Jan 13th, ADM Kimmel had brought the leaders together at Saipan to discuss what they have achieved and what they were planning.

Kimmel hit his gavel on the table, quieting the room, the generals quickly took their seats.

Kimmel "Gentleman, we have made great strides in the war, and I have convened you here to determine our next course of action, I want each of you to update your theatres and then we will entertain ideas for advancement, RADM Theobald why don't you begin."

RADM Theobald (HQ North Pacific) "Gentleman the North Pacific has become quiet for a long time with occasional fights sprouting up. We have only sent supply convoys into the area, but our bombers flew from Umank and regularly bombed Kiska and Amchita. Attu which is also held by the Japanese is covered by Tony's and we did not risk unescorted raids. Just about a week ago we moved a larger base force into Adak allowing us to move our bombers closer. Yesterday this brought results as 2 destroyers and 2 transports were spotted supplying Amchitka, at the end of the day scratch 2 destroyers and 1 transport. This should allow us to know begin regular bomb runs vs these islands and begin sweeps vs Attu, within the next couple of months I anticipate all these islands will be filled with starving soldiers. On the naval front the Japanese sent a bombardement group vs Attu consisting of 2 CL and numerous DD, The Dutch Sub KXVI on Jan 9th spotted this group retreating past Parushimo Japan and torpedoed and sand the CL Kiso. As to the future once these islands are suppressed we will either take or bypass them"

Kimmel "Very good, I am glad the North is well in hand with so little assets involved, RADM Ghormley update us on the South Pacific if you would"

RADM Ghormley (HQ South Pacific) "Thank you sir, All goes well in the south. In the past months Noumea has been recaptured as well as Fiji, the last resistance at Suva surrendared on the 10th of January. The only troops left in the south are 43,000 men stranded at Luganville, this is at least 2 divisions and we intend to bomb them into oblivion. In the Solomons we still only hold Lunga. The japanese have troops at Port Morseby, Rabaul, Tulagi, Lai and several other bases. The main contingets at Port Morseby, Rabaul and Tulagi. With the fall of Suva we will begin clearing out this area, I must commend the 3rd marine raiders who just the other day landed at undefended Gasamata and secured this vital base. As to the future, we hold all of Northern New Guinea and are begining to clear the southern end. We sent cruiser groups into the area and chased the remaining transports away, currently 13 ships are making a run past Hollandia and the SBD's are having a field day.

This theatre is now backwater, and it is only a lack of transports that keeps us from clearing it out, we shall take our time."

Kimmel "Excellant, once again I commend you on doing your operations on a shoestring. I will now update the Central Pacific"

"The Marshalls have for a long time been target practice for some of our bombers, soon we will begin clearing the small islands out then consider Kawalajen, although like Luganville and truk, we may let it sit and rot. Speaking of truk there are still 14 heavily damaged transports in the harbor and we are slowly destroying them, it is a wonder to behold over 100 B-24's fly from Saipan every few days to ravage that harbor. The battle of Okinawa continues we securely hold Naha and have 2 divisions assaulting Nogo, on the 10th they managed to reduce the fortifications and we felt in a week the base would be ours, till last night 6 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers along with 2 CL's and DD's bombarded their positions, they were thrown into a distrupted state. Along with this Japanese bombers hit Nanchang which our B-24's were using trying to soften Nogo up. The battle is still pitched and we will eventually win, its just a question of time, we need to secure the airspace first to push this stalemate into our favor. Nanchang is the key to that"

"Now Douglas, why don't you update us on your theatre"

Gen Douglas McArthur (HQ Southwest Pacific) Well gentleman, you all seem to be hogging the transports, since I left the Phillipines my forces were split between India and Australia, I need ships, planes to transport my men and begin the push back thru the DEI, currently we only hold Australia, Northern Sumatra, Mandalay north thru India. Our planes from Northern Sumatra have ravaged the shipping at Singapore, and we control the airspace, although yesterday the Japanese did set up a fighter trap and downed 10 B25C's at Khota Baru. Rangoon is a fortress as well as the base south of Mandalay, we need transports to move our large armies behind these bases. I believe with the P-38G's we can still controll the airspace"

ADM Kimmel "Yes, Yes, McArthur but are you desires to move thru the DEI really necessary seing as we have direct access to attack the Phillipines, Formosa, and we already have a foothold on Okinawa?"

McArthur "You don't understand I must be the one leading the forces, I have my image to uphold!"

Many generals look to the ceiling and tap their fingers in amazement at the ego.

ADM Kimmel "Gentleman as I see it, The Japanese have 3 small carriers operating and we have 4 heavy carriers with more small carriers coming online, I was shown the other day new fighters for the British called Spitires and the Marines called Corsairs that soon will neutralize the Japanese fighters. I want offensive plans put in place immediatly and begin moving the troops to launch position. We have been idle to long, its time to open the new front! Thank you for coming and good hunting!"


Picture of Northern New Guinea with the 13 transports escaping and a cruiser force in chase.

[scott64]

[X(][:D][:'(][:-]
Naval bombardment of Naha, at 54,46
Allied aircraft
no flights [:-]
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 8 destroyed [:)]
Japanese Ships
DD Manazuru
DD Karukaya
DD Fuyo
DD Yuzuki
DD Uzuki
DD Shiratsuyu
CL Yura
CL Natori
CA Furutaka
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Takao
BB Yamato [:'(]
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Mutsu
BB Kirishima
Allied ground losses:
2104 casualties reported [X(][:-]
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 19

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 110[:D]

[stldiver]

A dirty mud covered Australian soldier peers through the bushes trying to pinpoint where the rifle fire is coming from. Suddenly he hears a rustle of leaves behind and rolls over leveling his gun at the movement. Another dirty face Aussie peers through the bush and then begins to grin at him.

"Well I'll be dang if it I don't run into you again" The new arrival whispers "Last time I saw you was Rabaul just before them Japs kicked us out, your from the Lark force battalion right!"

The first soldier suddenly recognizes the face from over a year earlier (see post #29). "Well I'll be your that chap from the NGVR that came to help us out, glad you made it out, good to see ya!"

New arrival "Same to ya, what do you think about this mess, there wasn't supposed to be any Japs here, a quick grab they said, know we are in the 3rd day and every day my commander tells me were knocking down the next line of fortifications, they don't care who's getting shot or sick from malaria"

first soldier "Yea, but its better putting the attack on the Japs then recieving, I overheard our commander LTC Burgess say that we didn't expect an SNLF and tank unit here but we was still going to push on. Its not bad in the last days we have taken down two of those fort lines, he says we take the next one then we will rest a few days and chase the Japs back to Port Morseby"

New arrival "Well it'll be touch a go, we probably need a little more help"

first soldier "Well Burgess said for todays attack their dropping in some para's to help us break the next line."

Suddenly in the distance they hear the drone of aircraft and a red flare is seen to arch over the jungle. Moments later little black spots pour out of the planes and parachutes begin to open over the positions.

first soldier "Ok thats the signal time to make the push, If you look over there I believe theres another of those coconut bunkers, I'll work to the right and you cover me."

The new arrival moves forward and takes his covering position as he begins to hear the statico sounds of rifle and machine gun fire begin across the lines as the NGVR and Lark force battalions begin to press the Japanese positions for the third day."

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/18/43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2490 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 68

Defending force 3976 troops, 0 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Allied max assault: 114 - adjusted assault: 30

Japanese max defense: 34 - adjusted defense: 23

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0 [:)]

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
94 casualties reported


History Fact
The Battle of Buna–Gona was a battle in the New Guinea campaign, a major part of the Pacific campaign of World War II. On November 16, 1943, Australian and United States forces attacked the main Japanese beachheads in New Guinea, at Buna, Sanananda and Gona. By January 22, 1943, after prolonged heavy fighting in trying conditions, the Allied forces had overcome the defenders. Casualties were extremely high. Lt. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger later compared the casualty ratio to the United States Civil War. As a percentage of casualties, killed or wounded in action at Buna exceeded the better known Battle of Guadalcanal.

The Allies initially lacked tanks and air support for the troops was inadequate and poorly coordinated. American officers also argued against artillery support as unnecessary with the result that the the 32nd Division had to borrow eight 25 pounders from the Australians. General Harding requested tanks from Milne Bay but was sent Bren gun carriers instead with tanks not arriving until late in the campaign. Without the support that could have taken out a strongpoint in minutes, the Japanese positions could hold out for days and had to be taken one by one which required troops crawling to the bunkers and pushing grenades through the slits.

The beginning of the campaign revealed that the American troops were not hardened for extended forced marches, were poorly trained and unprepared for operations in a tropical environment. Although staff officers considered the 32nd Division unready for combat its training had been interrupted and they were rushed to New Guinea. By the time the Allied advance had stalled in late November moral was low due to heavy losses and self-inflicted wounds were increasingly encountered amongst American casualties.

Tropical diseases, especially malaria, dengue fever and bush typhus (known to the Japanese as tsutsugamushi), caused far more casualties to the combatants than the effects of battle. The 32nd Division suffered the extraordinary illness rate of 66 percent, of the 9,825 men who entered combat in the division, 7,125 were casualties due to illness (with 2,952 requiring hospitalisation), compared to 586 killed in action, 1,954 wounded in action, and 100 more dead from other causes. Total casualties of 9,956 exceeded the Division's entire battle strength

Below is one of the actual coconut bunkers at buna

[scott64]

Down to the AVG 

[stldiver]

Snapshots in the pacific Jan 22, 1943

Bali

Mgen Ilgen walks along the runway with Ltc Conckijm

Ilgen "Well we landed and have reclaimed Bali without a sign of the Japanese, I believe we caught them by surprise, I am having the Barisan regiment dig in immediatly"

Ltc Conckijm "Well its great being back on dutch property, the 3rd NEIAF is already to handle aircraft, I understand catalina's are already on the way to take a peek at whats in the area."

Ilgen "Excellant, this is the 1st step back into the DEI but not the last, I believe the Japs are more interested in Okinawa then us"

Conckijm nods in agreement, his eyes wandering over to the edge of the jungle where he catches a glimpse of a native woman barely dressed looking at him, then he listens and hears the whispher of a tune "Bali High....." he smiles, and thinks yes I will like it here.

B-17D over Palembang

Maj Tapner peers out the front window at the black puffs in front of his plane, Palembang was no milk run, the anti aircraft was always intense and they always lost bombers but thankfully there was no fighter resistance. Today's target was again the port where over 20 ships had been hit the previous days. One thing for sure the Japs like taking a pounding. The plane shudders as an explosion of black shrapnel rips holes thru the right wing, the plane will make it but it will have to be repaired when they get back.

Okinawa - Nogo hills

The two MGen's stand peering thru the binoculars at the ships unloading at Nogo harbor.

MGen Wing of 43rd div "I don't see any warships but theres a lot of transports unloading, it appears to be a division"

Mgen of 24th divison "Well we definatly need reinforcements now, I'll send a message to command, although they are funny about bringing ships under 100 enemy bombers without fighter cover"

MGen Wing "Well somethings going to have to be done to break this stalemate"

The two men turn and go back to their commands, the statico of artillery continues to hurl shells towards the now reinforced Japanese positions"


West Coast
An aide walks into the office of a high ranking officer and puts a note on his desk.

The high ranking officer picks up the paper and reads the few words, short and to the point.

"Your command has been changed from West coast to Central Pacific - Load transports immediatly"

Liberator III over Rangoon

Wcdr Jendine pilots the Liberator III towards Rangoon airfield, it had been a long time since he had flown at this target, but orders had come the day before. The Japanese had pulled all aircraft out of Rangoon, there had always been close to 70 fighters over the city every day, now there were none. British high command was not going to let the opportunity pass.

Jendine didn't care where the Japanese planes went, probably towards China or Okinawa or North Sumatra where the war was closer to home, all he cared about was they were not shooting at him.

He feels the plane rise as the bombs are released, shortly after puffs of dirt are thrown up all along the airfield below, its a good run. The plane banks and heads back to Port Blair. Soon this airfield will be non operational.


(a brief note on my play style, If you have followed you may have noticed I never bomb resources, oil etc. That is because I believe its unfair, and takes away from the combat aspect. We have full knowledge of where every resource and oil is and thus to much information, also I don't believe in bombing civilians that are on my side or that I will liberate. Now Japan's home Island is fair game, just wanted to point out why I don't hit Burma's, DEI industry centers)