Act III - DBB-C Uncivil Engineer (J) vs. christopher 1963 (A)

[Uncivil Engineer]

New email intel just in - CV Indomitable, hit by a sub torpedo on Jul 10 (post #250), has sunk.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 13, 1942

Nells put another bomb in BB California at Koepang.

The Japanese carriers moved to strike Koepang, but ended up in weather and did not fly any missions.

The stack of units moving out of Sian has cleared the base.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 14, 1942

Bases captured today: Lautem

Ground combat at Lautem (72,115)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11403 troops, 138 guns, 114 vehicles, Assault Value = 309

Defending force 1682 troops, 23 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 30

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 148

Allied adjusted defense: 25

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lautem !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
219 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
382 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 45 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 23 (20 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Assaulting units:
8th Tank Regiment
48th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Sparrow Force
28th Australian Battalion
1e-VLG-II Sup Afd
46th Const Rgt /2
43rd Const Rgt /1

Two fast transport supply convoys reached Lautem before the attack, otherwise supply would have been very low. One of the convoys put 4 depth charges on an Allied sub on the way in.

US BBs Pennsylvania and Oklahoma bombarded Adak and Allied reinforcements landed, but there has yet to be any kind of attack. An Allied xAP hit one of our mines.

Sallies and Nells, flying from Kendari and Ambon, put 5 more bombs on BB California in port at Koepang. The carrier Vals and Kates followed -

Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M5 Zero x 33
B5N2 Kate x 31
D3A1 Val x 44

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 1

Recon of Calcutta by Glens found tankers, but no ground units!? They will continue to recon. Elements of 1 Tank Division, enroute to Tavoy from north and south, have all begun to prep for Calcutta.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 15, 1942

Bases captured today: Oro Bay (by paradrop - vacant)

The cruiser TF covering the carriers detached from that mission and bombarded Koepang -

Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 12 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Chikuma
CL Kinu
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki
DD Arashio
DD Arashi
DD Shiranui
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships
BB California, Shell hits 3, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
452 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

And, while enroute back to Soerabaja, the carrier aircraft attacked -

Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M5 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 31
D3A1 Val x 36

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 9, heavy damage

The newly arrived squadron of Airacobras did well against our Zeroes. Been quiet over at Port Moresby, so that's probably where they came from.

A cross-river attack into Yenen reduced the forts -

Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6750 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 211

Defending force 5123 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Japanese adjusted assault: 71

Allied adjusted defense: 51

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
5th New Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
12th Chinese Base Force

Kawasaki Ha-60 engine research advanced a month from Jan '43 to Dec '42.

The first D4Y1 Judy research site (at Nagoya) reached 30(0).

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 16, 1942

Bases assaulted today : Taliaboe (dot base somewhere north of Ambon; just cleaning up the bases to the rear)

And finally, an attack at Adak -

Ground combat at Adak Island (162,52)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5458 troops, 89 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 244

Defending force 3829 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Assaulting units:
193rd Tank Battalion
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
201st(Sep) Infantry Regiment
37th (Sep) Infantry Rgt /2
176th Construction Regiment
802nd Aviation Engineer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
16th Infantry Regiment
37th JNAF AF Unit
5th Fleet
4th Ship Engineer Regiment
22nd Special Base Force /4

The Allies landed on Adak on Jul 5. They've been landing troops and supplies there every day since without an artillery bombardment. I don't know if those 2 infantry regiments have organic artillery, or not, but the lack of casualties indicates NOT. Adak should fall to the Allies tomorrow. The Japanese units shown are ALL fragments.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 17, 1942

Bases captured today: Taliaboe (vacant dot base)

Bases LOST today: Adak

Ground combat at Adak Island (162,52)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7268 troops, 95 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 255

Defending force 3466 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Allied adjusted assault: 161

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 32 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Adak Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
653 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (6 destroyed, 2 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
201st(Sep) Infantry Regiment
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
176th Construction Regiment
802nd Aviation Engineer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
16th Infantry Regiment
5th Fleet
37th JNAF AF Unit
4th Ship Engineer Regiment
22nd Special Base Force /4


4th Ship Engineer Regiment Wiped Out at Adak Island by attrition!!!
16th Infantry Regiment Wiped Out at Adak Island by attrition!!!
37th JNAF AF Unit Wiped Out at Adak Island by attrition!!!
Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Adak Island by attrition!!!

BBs Mutsu and Nagato bombarded Koepang -

Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 6 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CL Kitakami
CL Nagara
DD Yukaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Minazuki
DD Yayoi
DD Uranami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Kasumi
DD Natsugumo

Allied ground losses:
482 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 26
Port fuel hits 1

DD Hatakaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Matsukaze, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
These destroyers hit mines upon arrival and detached with 2 heavy cruisers

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 18, 1942

Bases captured today: Yenan (RES 22(18))

Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6698 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 207

Defending force 4684 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Japanese adjusted assault: 262

Allied adjusted defense: 43

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Yenan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1312 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 66 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
5th New Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
12th Chinese Base Force

US BBs bombarded Amchitka. B-17s bombed Rabaul for the first time.

5 Fleet HQ at Adak, out of supply and disrupted, takes casualties, but does not surrender -

Ground combat at Adak Island (162,52)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7319 troops, 113 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Defending force 1619 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 120

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 120 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
376 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
201st(Sep) Infantry Regiment
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
176th Construction Regiment
154th FA Bn /1
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
802nd Aviation Engineer Battalion
209th FA Bn /1
232nd Base Sqdn /1

Defending units:
5th Fleet

The units attritted at Adak yesterday begin rebuilding at either Attu or Paramushiro.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 19, 1942

B-17s hit Rabaul again -

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
MC-21 Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 3 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 2 destroyed on ground
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak

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

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 20

Looks like I'll need more fighters there and fewer bombers.

5 Fleet HQ was destroyed at Adak, losing support squads and its VADM commander. It will reconstitute at Attu under a new leader.

[Uncivil Engineer]

A note on recon of the Indian coast - almost continuous recon of Calcutta has discovered up to 6 LCU there, but, not much elsewhere. Madras is empty; the two bases mid-coast (can't recall their names) have 1 unit; half way up to Calcutta, nothing. And, so far, nothing at Chittagong. Were the Indian units bought out and moved to southern Burma?

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 20, 1942

38 Div brigades and fragments have been loading at Makassar and Roti. The amphib TF loading at Roti is covered by a 2 BB TF, while 3 other BBs bombarded Koepang -

Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 34 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 12 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-4 Catalina: 11 damaged
PBY-4 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Kongo
CA Nachi
CA Tone
CL Naka
DD Asanagi
DD Mochizuki
DD Satsuki
DD Kisaragi
DD Arashio
DD Oshio
DD Hamakaze
DD Isokaze
DD Akizuki

Allied Ships
BB California, Shell hits 5, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
525 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 21

However, 2 destroyers at Roti hit mines before the minefield was cleared and one of them sank.

And then, 2(?) US CVs appeared 5 hexes south of Koepang and launched AM and PM strikes on the TFs at Roti -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Roti at 67,116

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 53
SBD-3 Dauntless x 78
TBD-1 Devastator x 30
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 3
APD Tade, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AK Hirokawa Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kasumi
DMS W-8, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
APD Tsuga, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 3
AMC Kinryu Maru, Bomb hits 1
DD Natsugumo
AK Sagami Maru, Bomb hits 1
DD Arare
xAK Kashii Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Kansai Maru
DD Hatsuyuki, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Sakura Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
1155 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)

...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Roti at 67,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 53
SBD-3 Dauntless x 79
TBD-1 Devastator x 30
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 5, on fire
APD Tsuga, heavy fires
DD Arare
DD Hatsuyuki, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 5
AMC Kinryu Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Tade, on fire
DD Kasumi
DD Natsugumo
CL Nagara
AK Azumasan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Sagami Maru
xAK Kansai Maru

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

All without losing an Allied plane!

Ha-43 engine research advanced from Jun to May '45 (Sam, Ki-83); Ha-44 engine research advanced from Feb to Jan '43 (Jill).

Two Ki-61-Ia Tony research sites (Maebashi and Hachinohe) reached 30(0); Tony research should be complete sometime in late Sep '42 (too bad there won't be any engines available then!) Selecting this engine and airframe was probably a bad idea.

This chart shows the situation before the Jul 21 turn -



Considering the number of bomb hits on the 2 BBs, Nagato and Mutsu are in relatively good shape. All naval units at/near Timor have stopped loading or unloading and will depart to the north. Hirata's TF will cover the beat up amphib TF and have Oscar LRCAP from Kendari if they can get within 6 hexes. Three CV/CVL just finished repair at Soerabaja and will head south. If the US carriers pursue the battleships, they may be in for a surprise. The Japanese carriers are currently undetected, but the Allies may have intel on their location, status, or destination.

Japanese subs sank an xAK at Adak and an xAKL at Ramree. Hirata's TF put 7 depth charges on SS Drum at Roti when attacked.

Edit to correct: The Japanese carrier force is 4 CV and 2 CVL, not 3 and 3 as shown on the chart. One of the CVs is Junyo, which for all practical purposes is a CVL.

[RangerJoe]

Just keep moving the Tony up to the Ki-100 and you will have engines for the planes then.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 21, 1942

CVs Hiryu and Soryu, fresh off the July upgrades, and new A6M5 Zeroes, moved to a position off Mergui and found a British TF -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 52,55

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 44
B5N2 Kate x 11
D3A1 Val x 35

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 20
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 14 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 21 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 8, on fire
CL Glasgow
CA Devonshire

Looks like the fighter pilots need more training!

Imperial Guard and 33 Divs departed Moulmein, ending the offensive there. Up near Pegu, the Brits decided to go on the offensive somewhat prematurely -

Ground combat at 56,53 (near Pegu)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11860 troops, 96 guns, 148 vehicles, Assault Value = 488

Defending force 18287 troops, 125 guns, 200 vehicles, Assault Value = 510

Allied adjusted assault: 193

Japanese adjusted defense: 701

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
256 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2927 casualties reported
Squads: 139 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 118 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 9 (7 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 50 (18 destroyed, 32 disabled)

Assaulting units:
45th Indian Brigade
17th Australian Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
7th Cav Recce Regiment
88th Chinese Division

Defending units:
18th Division
14th Tank Regiment
15th Army

Down at Timor, the US carriers moved east, staying south of Timor, and out of range of the Japanese carriers, which remain undetected -



The Japanese carriers will continue SE on the 22nd and attack Koepang if no naval targets are found.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 22, 1942

Subs sank 2 pesky KV in the Aleutians !! [;)]

An AMC and APD carrying evacuees from Roti sank before reaching Makassar. [:(]

The second DD that hit a mine at Roti and was disbanded in port, has sunk in port. [:(]

Hiryu and Soryu moved NW, but all the British TFs disappeared; they will retire to Victoria Point to refuel and replenish sorties.

The 6 CV/CVLs near Koepang bombed the base, as the US carriers disappeared -

Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M5 Zero x 57
B5N1 Kate x 8
B5N2 Kate x 24
D3A1 Val x 37

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 11 damaged
PBY-4 Catalina: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
ARD Tjilitlap Kv, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB California, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
HDML P 5, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Runway hits 2
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 1

The evacuation of the fragment of the SNLF parachute unit that captured Oro Bay some days ago was successful. A Tojo CAP at Buna and a Zero LRCAP from Rabaul stopped all bombing attempts. Instead of continuing his successful B-17 strikes on Rabaul, where several Japanese planes were recently destroyed on the ground, the Allies shifted to bombing Lae, where no Japanese planes are stationed.

A fourth Tony research site (Gifu) reached 30(0). This model (Ki-61-I a) will be ready for production by Sep 1 (but engines will not be). Four of the five sites will change to researching a future model. The d model, due Apr '44, has the best gun rating, the longest range, and the lowest SR. The Tony Ki-100 improves maneuverability, range, durability, and reduces SR to 1, so getting it before March '45 would be nice. All the Tonies have armor.

Question - to what Zero does the A6M2 upgrade automatically? I thought A6M5. If I do it manually, the 30(0) production changes to 0(20).

[RangerJoe]

If I remember correctly, the A6M2 fighter upgrades to the A6M2 fighter bomber . . .

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If I remember correctly, the A6M2 fighter upgrades to the A6M2 fighter bomber . . .

Ah, the Sen Baku. I forgot about that one. Available Feb '44. The Zeroes currently in play (both A6M2 and A6M5) don't have Sen Baku as a change option (I did a random check, not every unit). Two units enter service in '44. I'm not researching the plane.

That's a bummer! I was expecting an auto upgrade while in production the same as the upgrade from the Rufe to A6M5 while in development (research). Why I thought that is a mystery. Brain cramp I guess.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 23, 1942

Subs sank an xAK at Adak and an xAKL at Arorae. One of our APDs heavily damaged during the Roti evacuation sank as it reached Makassar.

Our CV TF moved south of Timor and attacked a TF at Derby, totally ignoring other spotted TFs, and not using all available aircraft -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Derby at 64,127

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 56 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 11

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 16

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Lycaon, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Mijer, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AMC Westralia, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage

...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Derby at 64,127

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 16

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

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Swartenhondt, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Lycaon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AMC Westralia, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

A shock attack in China forced a Chinese corps off the road east of Sian, with heavy loss -

Ground combat at 86,41 (near Loyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5151 troops, 36 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 126

Defending force 7351 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 112

Japanese adjusted assault: 74

Allied adjusted defense: 33

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
402 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2047 casualties reported
Squads: 97 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 73 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
59th Infantry Brigade
2nd Mobile Engineer Regiment
2nd Mobile AA Battalion

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps

Jul 24 preview - BB Yamato arrived at Hiroshima for repair with 20 system, 13 flotation, and 4 engine damage. When it started north after the battle at Timor flotation damage was 25, so a significant amount of repair was accomplished by the crew while enroute. It will still require 112 days in the shipyard. BB Ise continues on to Nagasaki.

[RangerJoe]

Repair the Yamato at Pier mode first since it will receive any benefits from the port, AR if available, and any Naval support. Then repair what is left in the shipyard.

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Repair the Yamato at Pier mode first since it will receive any benefits from the port, AR if available, and any Naval support. Then repair what is left in the shipyard.

I didn't think it would make much difference, but WOW!

Changed Yamato to pierside, which will require 28 days to repair everything down to 6 major flotation damage. Then, ??? to fix that in shipyard. If less than 60 days it's a remarkable improvement over 112 days.

THANKS.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 24, 1942

Bases assaulted today: Tockangbesi-eilanden (a vacant dot base south of Kendari)

One of our subs hit a mine at Arorae; it will be lucky to get back to Kwajalein.

Another of our subs sank an xAK at Russell Is. He's been creeping up the island chain from Tulagi, and in the Marshalls/Gilberts at Arorae.

A carrier strike on Koepang sank BB California (according to just received email intel) -

Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M5 Zero x 76
B5N1 Kate x 16
B5N2 Kate x 45
D3A1 Val x 46

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 15 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS O23, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage

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

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Repair the Yamato at Pier mode first since it will receive any benefits from the port, AR if available, and any Naval support. Then repair what is left in the shipyard.

I didn't think it would make much difference, but WOW!

Changed Yamato to pierside, which will require 28 days to repair everything down to 6 major flotation damage. Then, ??? to fix that in shipyard. If less than 60 days it's a remarkable improvement over 112 days.

THANKS.

You are welcome.