Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Wed Apr 04, 2012 2:34 pm**

Aggressivness or foolhardiness? [:D]

In any case, the result so far is high attrition for both navies, especially the allied one.
However, in most cases I am merely reacting to my opponent's moves. I am not willing to accept any ground loss, as long as I have overwhelming carrier superiority (the 4 CVs reported by my search planes are likeley to be light carriers, since I don't believe there are any American CVs left)

Still waiting for the turn...

Posted: **Fri Apr 06, 2012 4:14 pm**

Jan 15 - Jan 17, 43

4 Fleet
Jan15: The allied fleet turns back! One of my subs, sitting two hexes west of Tarawa is spotted. Perhaps, that made the enemy think twice. I do not dare to chase them with the KB in neutral waters and with less than elite pilots. However, I keep KB near Makin, just in case the allies come back again.
Jan 16: The allied fleet is spotted 13 hexes southeast of Tarawa. Very strange movements. What are they thinking? I am beginning to think this is a bait. KB still unspotted near Makin.
Jan 17: The allied fleet moves closer to Tarawa! KB attacks them, but thunderstorms and average pilots prevent Yamaguchi from launching a single package. Several bombers miss the enemy ships entirely and turn back, but those who managed to find them, score several hits:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 141,129
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3a Zero x 15
B5N2 Kate x 33
D3A1 Val x 39

Allied aircraft
no flights (!?!?)

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

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 9 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Chenango, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD O'Brien
BB Washington
DD Laffey
DD Saufley
DD Radford
xAK Mormacdove, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Wichita

Allied ground losses:
445 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 80 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 79 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 102 (100 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Chenango
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Suwannee
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Sangamon

The enemy launches a weak, unescorted strike, which is dealt with with ease by KB's CAP:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 136,126
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
A6M3a Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 18
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 destroyed

Some bombers of the KB arrive late, but since there is no enemy CAP...

Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 141,129
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 9

No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
DD Saufley
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Sangamon, heavy fires, heavy damage

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 141,129
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 24 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVE Sangamon, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Saufley
DD Hammann

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 141,129
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Hammann, Bomb hits 1
DD Saufley
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 141,129
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Hobby
xAP Santa Isabel, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAP George H. Williams, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 114 (109 destroyed, 5 disabled)

I can't explain why Steven chose to attempt another invasion, considering he has recently lost all of his big American carriers. I can't explain it, as I can't explain the movement pattern of the allied invasion fleet, nor the lack of any fighter cover over it. He just threw away another 3 CVEs (possibly his last three), more APs and the troops they were carrying. It all feels too erratic and desperate, but perhaps I judge too quickly. [8|]
In any case, KB will pursuit the enemy and try to sink the remaining troop transports.

India
- 3AD is still resting. Two of its bomber airgroups were transfered to China.
- Troops transports are gathering at Rangoon.

Australia
Still resting.
Another enemy ground units is spotted near Carnavon, marching north towards Exmouth. Good, the more the merrier.

Army redeployments
- I forgot to report that Port Moresby is now garrisoned by 29 Div. The 144th Inf.Rgt moved to Port Blair.
- Two independent brigades were bought form China and are on their way to Singapore via rail.
- I received another garrison unit (120AV). It is on its way to Java, together with the HQs of the 19th Army and the 6th Air Div.
- Accumulating PPs to buy another full division from Kwantung Army in a month or so.

Posted: **Fri Apr 06, 2012 4:21 pm**

removed post

Posted: **Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:15 am**

With the sinking of 3 allied CVEs yesterday, I don't believe the allies have more than a couple of British CVLs and a couple of American CVEs left. The Essex class carriers will start arriving in late '43/early '44, while I 'll get Taiho in 3 days, the first 3 Unryu class CVs in late May and the other 3 in October.

Which means that for the best part of 1943 I am afforded almost complete strategic freedom.

Hence, autovictory is Japan's goal for this year.

I plan to remain on the offensive after the fall of China, which will free up almost 12000 AV. 2/3 of it will be used to defend Burma and Malaya and the rest 1/3 will be redeployed to the DEI and/or the Pacific, as PPs become available.
I currently have the 2nd Area Army (over 5000 AV) in India, occupying a line from Dacca to Tezpur, but this line will be abandoned after China's fall, for more favorable defensive ground inside Burma's soil.
An additional 500 AV will be moved from Trincomalee, leaving just 1000 AV there to defend against 7 allied divisions sitting in Ceylon, once the fort reaches level 9 (currently 8.61).
The current DEI garrison (1900 AV) is enough I believe, considering that I also have 1900 AV in northern Australia and that the enemy has no carriers left, thus being unable to threaten Japan with a deep strike.
For the same reason, the Kurilles, the Bonins and the Marianas will not receive sizable reinforcements in the the near future.

All in all, after China falls I think I can have over 6500 AV to use in offensive operations. As I said, the goal will be to secure enough VPs for an autovictory by the end of summer and then defend the Empire in the second half of 1943.

I need 3 times the victory points of the Allies by the end of this year. The score currently is roughly 48500:21500. I will get an additional 4800 from the remaining Chinese bases, while he will lose 1800 by losing Chungking. Add the army loss points and the total VPs gained from China could be around 7000. Which means I need another 4500 VPs, 10000 to be on the safe side. Where to find them? I know the answer to that, but I'd rather not announce it yet. [8D]

Posted: **Sat Apr 07, 2012 10:06 am**

I think I would keep the pressure up in India rather than fall back yet. 
 
As you move forward you keep the allies off balance, destroy their infrastructure in India, add to your supply/fuel with conquest, and maintain the security of Burma and its oil/fuel for that much longer in the game.  Without CV's, he can't do an end run on you.  Once late '43 comes along and he has the CV's, then retrench and look at your defensive belts.  Where you are now, I think you could hold Burma into mid '44 without damage.  If you can, why not?  All that oil/fuel/resource and flow to Fusan without any shipping, not to mention the considerable HI you can pick up as well in India.  Put a sub blockade on Cape Town and Karachi and he will struggle to reinforce.
 
I would get your Northern defenses going now.  Remember Rader, it takes only one lucky roll by the Allies and they are in Hokkaido and you have real problems.  When China falls, you end up with a lot of indepedent brigades that are perfect for defending those islands.  '43 is the time when I prep my defenses.  It keeps the game busy for me as I move everything around building up bases and buying out all those little BDE's and BN's to garrison the islands.

Posted: **Sat Apr 07, 2012 10:15 am**

I prefer India as well, but we have a house rule that I can't use the Chinese Exp. Army in India, so I am pretty much constrained to defend in Burma by this house rule.
Plus, I stupidly destroyed 600 HI in Calcutta, thinking I would gain victory points

Edit: I can't wait to release those independent brigades. as you say, they are perfect for garrisoning islands.

Posted: **Sat Apr 07, 2012 11:26 am**

Maybe your opponent will repair those HI in Calcutta, you never know about those Yanks!  [:D]

Posted: **Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:46 am**

Jan 18 43

4 Fleet
Lots of allied taskforces to attack. Most of them are heading for Baker Island. KB again launches many small strikes against them, but the inexperience of my pilots is exposed:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 140,129
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Saufley
DD Radford
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 146,133
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CA Australia
BB Washington
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 141,129
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 17

No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
DD Hammann, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 143,131
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Santa Isabel, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1558 casualties reported
Squads: 62 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 111 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (11 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 29 (28 destroyed, 1 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 145,126
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
ACM Bastion, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

SE Fleet
I attacked Numea, seeing there was no fighters there. 259Kg bombs will not hurt these two battleships, but I hope he will be forced to keep a few fighters in Numea from now on:

Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 1
BB Mississippi, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 9000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

China
The last remnants of the Chinese airforce bomb my troops east of Chungking. I bomb his troops in Kienko.

Posted: **Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:55 am**

Jan 19, 43

4 Fleet
KB is visited by an allied minesweeper[:D]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Howland Island at 144,131, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
DD Akigumo
DD Onami
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Arashi
DD Tanikaze
DD Kasumi
DD Shinonome
DD Yugiri

Allied Ships
DMS Long, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 96% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei collides with DD Yugiri at 144 , 131
DMS Long engages CV Akagi at 10,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DMS Long at 10,000 yards
DD Onami engages DMS Long at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DMS Long at 5,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DMS Long at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DMS Long engages CV Akagi at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DMS Long engages CV Zuikaku at 4,000 yards
DMS Long sunk by BB Kirishima at 4,000 yards
DMS Long sunk by BB Kirishima at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

The enemy main taskforce reached Baker Island. KB attacks, but the weather is awfull and my pilots too inexperienced:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Baker Island at 149,136
Weather in hex: Severe storms[:(]
Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 25
D3A1 Val x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Bomb hits 1
xAK Skagerak
CA Australia
xAP Smith Thompson
xAP Caleb Strong
CA Quincy
BB North Carolina
xAP George Ross
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Baker Island at 149,136
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 63
D3A1 Val x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
xAK Coast Farmer
BB Washington, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAP Caleb Strong
DD Barker
AK Libra, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Quincy
DD Hughes
CA Australia
xAP Kota Inten
xAK Potter, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
570 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 56 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (18 destroyed, 2 disabled)

The enemy also lost a CM and a DD in this area today.

Tomorrow, the KB will reposition itself near Makin, because SigInt reported another TF near Canton moving north.

Ceylon
I lost a tanker near Trincomalee [:(]
I destroyed the perpetrators (a DE and a PG), but it was too late. 8000 tons of fuel to the bottom of the sea. An ecological disaster...

Posted: **Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:58 am**

Jan 20, 43

No significant news to report in all fronts, except that the KB moved near Makin without being spotted.

Posted: **Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:33 pm**

Jan 21 - Feb 2 1943

Quiet turns and I don't see this pattern changing in the near future. However, a few things of note happened in the last 12 days.

China
At last the last remnants of the "Changsha Pocket" are destroyed. In total, 25 Chinese Corps' were destroyed, since the start of this operation.
I can now proceed with my assault on Chungking. My forces are gathering in Chihkiang. Full details of the operation will be given after it is launched.

Burma
The enemy air dropped 77th Chindits Brigade in Akyab. A single naval guard unit defended the base. The shock attack failed and I am in the process of transferring a regiment by air to deal with the threat.

Ceylon
A heavily escorted allied convoy (including BBs) made it to Colombo unmolested. My naval assets were not in position to intervene. The enemy also brought 70 fighters at Colombo to protect his transports, so I did not dare launching an attack with 22nd Air Flotilla's A6M2s.
The good news are that he appears to have difficulties supplying Ceylon either by air or sea, unless strong protection is provided. I will be ready for his next re-supplying attempt.
Meanwhile, Trincomalee is less than a month away from achieving a level 9 fort.

N.Australia
5AD launched 100 bombers against the 1st US Amphib. Corps. No fighters escorting them. The enemy was LRCAPing his troops. It was a slaughter, I lost 70 Helens in a single day.

SE Fleet
P-39s sweep Port Moresby for two consecutive days. I had 42 Tojos, but they were set at 9000ft, expecting heavy bombers coming in low. I lost 28 Tojos, he lost 12 P-39s.

4 Fleet
Kido Buttai is resting at Truk, repairing minor damage, upgrading to the A6M3a and filling with elite pilots.
CV Taiyo is undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan.

Posted: **Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:11 pm**

February 1943

I thought February and March would be quiet months, spending most of my time building up my defenses and preparing for a major offensive. It didn't work out like that. The enemy renewed his effort to take Exmouth, a battle that is still undecided. But first thing first...

Assam/Burma
If you recall, except that a Chindit brigade was air dropped in Akyab. There is no danger of losing the base, but for some strange reason, I can't destroy this unit, even with a 10 to 1 attack.

Ceylon
Trincomalee is the first Japanese base with a level 9 fort Immediately I moved 18 Div to Sumatra, leaving only 1000 AV in Ceylon to defend against 7 ill-supplied Commonwealth divisions.
KB2 covered the move, because a CVL was spotted near Diego Garcia. A dutch sub found my carriers and put a torpedoe into CV Kaga. Damage is 10/15/16.

N.Australia
The enemy attacked again at Exmouth, this time with more force. Two deliberate attacks, the first 1:3, the second 1:2 in my favor, produced equal losses, but dropped the forts to lvl 2.
After a short rest they tried again, with even more force. A British brigade, an Australian divisions and more armor brought the AV of the 1st US Amphib. Corps to 2000. This time, KB2 was away in the Bay of Bengal, and a strong allied SAG, including two BBs, bombarded Exmouth a couple of times. The forts were again built up to lvl 3, but after two deliberate attacks, are now back at lvl 1. These attacks produced equal losses, but this rate favors the enemy. My AV is now 600. Despite my own bombardments, I am not confident that I will keep the base.

DEI
I redeployed 4 and 21 Divs from Assam to the DEI, but I think I may have to throw one one them into the Exmouth meatgrinder.

SE Fleet
Increased Allied activity. Many troop transports, cruisers and some battleships spotted. The coral Sea is infested with allied subs. The garrison of Numea and Ndeni were reinforced. More troops, transports and destroyers in NE Australia too. The enemy is up to something. KB lurks nearby

China
Briefly, the plan to end the war in China:
Obviously, Chungking is the main objective. Most of the Chinese Army is gathered there, and one hex north of Kweiyang. I plan to use the 11th and 13th Armies to cross the river two hexes southeast of Chingking. The bridge is lightly defended. 4500 AV will then advance to Chungking, with a small holding force tasked with stopping the retreat of the Kweiyang Army.
Smaller pushed against Chengtu and Neinkiang will also be undertaken, about 1000 AV each. The garrisons of these
bases are weak.
The 12th and 1st Armies, east of Chungking and in Kienko respectively, will just defend against superior Chinese forces.

Posted: **Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:04 pm**

5 Mar, 1943

Ceylon
Suddenly, the enemy started an air campaign against Trincomalee. My fighters were set on low altitude, expecting bombers. His fighters came in first and wiped the floor with my outdated A6M2s (this front was given low priority on upgrades). His level bombers came later, unopposed and wrecked the airfield, destroying lots of Nells, and Hellens on the ground. The next day, I fared better, but I still lost the day, in terms of destroyed planes. The third day, I brought a Nick group from Rangoon and upgraded to the A6M3a and so I achieved 1:1 losses, despite the airfield being in bad shape. The Nick wrecked havoc among the enemy bombers, but it suffered against his fighters.

Over the three dyas, I'd say I lost nearly 150 aircraft, mainly on the ground. 50 of them were Nells, about 20 Hellens and 30 Zekes. The rest were air to air losses.

N.Australia
Wow, another attack was launched by the enemy and this time he came very, very close to take Exmouth, but my brave troops held their ground, only just. This attack brought my AV down to 500, but he suffered too. Continuous bombardments by sea and air certainly helped me here.

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 50602 troops, 1017 guns, 1209 vehicles, Assault Value = 1953
Defending force 32573 troops, 305 guns, 151 vehicles, Assault Value = 729

Allied adjusted assault: 973
Japanese adjusted defense: 974
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2224 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 157 disabled
Non Combat: 32 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 60 disabled
Guns lost 41 (8 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (26 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
1894 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 137 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 30 (4 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 120 (11 destroyed, 109 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/5th Armoured Regiment
14th NZ Brigade
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/9 Cavalry Cdo Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
4th Aus Cav Brigade
13th Australian Brigade
12th Australian Brigade
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
3rd Australian Division
2nd Marine Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
1st USMC Tank Battalion
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
Torres Strait Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
1st Marine Division
29th British Brigade
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I US Amphib Corps
78th Coast AA Regiment
65th Coast AA Regiment
2/3rd MG Battalion
2/13th Field Regiment
101st USN Base Force
5th Marine Defense Battalion
N Force Detachment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
131st Field Artillery Battalion
98th Coast AA Regiment
140th USA Base Force
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
27th Electric Engineer Regiment
9th Division
65th Brigade
16th Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
24th Nav Gsn Unit /1
20th Infantry Regiment
16th Recon Rgt /2
Kure 2nd SNLF
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
1st Mobile Engr Rgt /1
22nd Port Unit
22nd JAAF AF Bn
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
19th Army /1
61st JNAF AF Unit
9th JNAF Coy
28th JAAF AF Bn
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Bn /1

Just look at the forces he has committed here. 2 marine divisions, 1 Australian infantry division, 6 brigades, 4 armored regiments. I have 21 Div on the way, a few days away.

SE Fleet
Signs of imminent attack are continuous. Right now, there are two main allied concentrations, in Cairns and Numea, with what looks like invasion fleets.

A taskforce consisting of 3 CAs was spotted just three hexes south of Guadalcanal, heading northwest.

China
The offensive has begun, but the main goal, cutting off the large Chinese stack opposite of Kweiyang, was not achieved. The 11th and 13th armies, crossed the river and pushed back 4 Chinese Corps, but they were not fast enough. I had to beat the withdrawing Kweiyang stack in front of Chungking:

Ground combat at 76,46 (near Chungking)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 128977 troops, 1218 guns, 837 vehicles, Assault Value = 4711
Defending force 75000 troops, 283 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2619

Japanese adjusted assault: 4259
Allied adjusted defense: 736
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
6019 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 706 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 100 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 79 disabled
Guns lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 144 (20 destroyed, 124 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
10521 casualties reported
Squads: 398 destroyed, 316 disabled
Non Combat: 847 destroyed, 146 disabled
Engineers: 51 destroyed, 23 disabled
Guns lost 72 (29 destroyed, 43 disabled)
Units retreated 10

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
13th Division
12th Tank Regiment
17th Division
110th Division
22nd Division
9th Tank Regiment
39th Division
35th Division
40th Division
116th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Division
6th Division
11th Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
13th Army
4th Mortar Battalion
11th Army
22nd AA Regiment
North China Area Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
35th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps

Now, there are 500.000 Chinese troops in Chungking.

Meanwhile, just east of the Chinese Capital, the 12th Army is beaten by another strong enemy stack and is reduced to 300AV.

Posted: **Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:18 am**

Situation in China
Here is what China looks like, after the latest battles. I took Chengtu and Neinkiang. 500.000 Chinese troops are in Chunkging and another 200.000 just one hex to the east.

It will be a bloody battle surely, but I thing I will prevail. Their supply situation is abysmal and I have ample air support, in the form of 150 level bombers flying ground attack missions virtually unopposed, as the Chinese airforce is non-existent.

The outcome of the coming battle in China will decide if my 1943 offensive strategy can be implemented or not.

Posted: **Wed May 02, 2012 9:36 am**

Mar 11 - Mar 13, 43

Big news: the attack on Chungking failed miserably. I crossed the river with 5000 AV, which proved too small a force. I lost 3 divisions worth of troops and didn't even hurt his forts. I thought being low on supplies would lower his AV enough to gain me the advantage, but, alas, that didn't happen:

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 164335 troops, 1598 guns, 983 vehicles, Assault Value = 5900
Defending force 277153 troops, 1475 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9115

Japanese adjusted assault: 1354[&:]
Allied adjusted defense: 13979
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 10 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
39933 casualties reported
Squads: 948 destroyed, 1252 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 762 disabled
Engineers: 49 destroyed, 318 disabled
Guns lost 413 (70 destroyed, 343 disabled)
Vehicles lost 481 (33 destroyed, 448 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
13705 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 673 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 481 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 117 disabled
Guns lost 107 (10 destroyed, 97 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
17th Tank Regiment
35th Division
116th Division
13th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
110th Division
6th Division
115th Infantry Regiment
102nd Infantry Regiment
34th Division
39th Division
12th Tank Regiment
40th Division
13th Division
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Division
17th Division
104th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
58th/A Division
13th Army
21st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
8th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
North China Area Army
1st Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
11th Army
22nd AA Regiment
China Expeditionary Army
4th Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
87th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
70th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
8th Construction Regiment
20th Chinese Corps
4th Construction Regiment
86th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
11th Construction Regiment
43rd Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
259th Brigade
89th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
49th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
13th Construction Regiment
55th Prov Chinese Division
28th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
91st Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
1st Construction Regiment
8th Chinese Corps
2nd Construction Regiment
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
51st Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
10th Construction Regiment
84th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
12th Construction Regiment
4th War Area
9th Group Army
17th Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
18th Chinese Base Force
1st Group Army
16th Group Army
49th AA Regiment
3rd War Area
17th Construction Regiment
23rd Group Army
3rd Group Army
20th Chinese Base Force
18th Artillery Regiment
China Command
20th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
37th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
2nd Group Army
5th War Area
20th Group Army
CAF HQ
35th Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
2nd War Area
6th Construction Regiment
7th Chinese Base Force
13th Group Army
Central Reserve
19th Chinese Base Force
17th Chinese Base Force
12th Group Army
30th Group Army
27th Group Army
38th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
22nd Artillery Regiment
25th Group Army
10th Group Army
29th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
41st AA Regiment
19th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
14th Chinese Base Force
22nd Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
18th Group Army
32nd Group Army
7th War Area
31st Group Army
9th War Area
1st Chinese Base Force
14th Construction Regiment
Lusu War Area
21st Chinese Base Force
5th Group Army
49th Chinese Division
12th Chinese Base Force
13th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Base Force
6th War Area
56th AT Gun Regiment

This major setback requires a change in my strategy. I am not prepared to abandon my offensive plans for 1943, therefore, I will switch on the defensive in China, redeploying 5-7 divisions to Burma. A big difference from the 15-20 divisions Burma would get in the case of capturing Chungking. I will have to compromise on the defense of Burma, in order to carry out the 1943 offensive. I don't thing the British army is fit to launch an offensive on their own into Burma, so I think the risk is relatively low.

Meanwhile, the battle of Exmouth continues...the end is nigh.[:(]

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 59270 troops, 1223 guns, 1425 vehicles, Assault Value = 2165
Defending force 36488 troops, 326 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 912

Allied adjusted assault: 1133
Japanese adjusted defense: 560
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
4092 casualties reported
Squads: 81 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 43 (8 destroyed, 35 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
951 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 152 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 53 (3 destroyed, 50 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
Torres Strait Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
2/5th Armoured Regiment
4th Aus Cav Brigade
2nd Marine Division
13th Australian Brigade
27th Infantry Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
14th NZ Brigade
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
3rd Australian Division
762nd Tank Battalion
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
12th Australian Brigade
29th British Brigade
131st Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
140th USA Base Force
I US Amphib Corps
98th Coast AA Regiment
101st USN Base Force
148th Field Artillery Battalion
65th Coast AA Regiment
2/9 Cavalry Cdo Battalion
2/13th Field Regiment
N Force Detachment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
5th Marine Defense Battalion
78th Coast AA Regiment
2/3rd MG Battalion
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
20th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
4th Division
9th Division
16th Recon Regiment
1st Mobile Engineer Regiment
24th Nav Gsn Unit /1
16th Engineer Regiment
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
19th Army
61st JNAF AF Unit
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
22nd Port Unit
Kure 2nd SNLF
22nd JAAF AF Bn
9th JNAF Coy
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 58121 troops, 1221 guns, 1422 vehicles, Assault Value = 2033
Defending force 33823 troops, 318 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 725

Allied adjusted assault: 368
Japanese adjusted defense: 711
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: supply(-) (yay!)

Japanese ground losses:
3680 casualties reported
Squads: 107 destroyed, 174 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Guns lost 45 (7 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (33 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
591 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 49 disabled
Guns lost 32 (2 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Vehicles lost 67 (21 destroyed, 46 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
762nd Tank Battalion
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
1st Marine Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
27th Infantry Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
3rd Australian Division
12th Australian Brigade
4th Aus Cav Brigade
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2nd Marine Division
14th NZ Brigade
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
Torres Strait Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
29th British Brigade
78th Coast AA Regiment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2/9 Cavalry Cdo Battalion
5th Marine Defense Battalion
98th Coast AA Regiment
2/3rd MG Battalion
109th Tank Attack Regiment
140th USA Base Force
I US Amphib Corps
131st Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
65th Coast AA Regiment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
101st USN Base Force
13th Australian Brigade
2/13th Field Regiment
N Force Detachment
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
16th Recon Regiment
9th Division
65th Brigade
4th Division
20th Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Engineer Regiment
24th Nav Gsn Unit /1
22nd JAAF AF Bn
16th Engineer Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
19th Army
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
9th JNAF Coy
61st JNAF AF Unit
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
22nd Port Unit
28th JAAF AF Bn

I reinforced Exmouth with the 4th Division recently, but he did the same with 27th Inf.Div. I have to commit the 21st Division if I want to keep Exmouth, which I do. However, it will not arrive before the 20th of March at the earliest. Until then I can only bombard the enemy with my battleships and level bombers and hope for the best.
If I lose Exmouth, its substantial garrison will be stranded in the desert, as I control the SE hexside. Not an ideal situation, but better than being entirely destroyed.

Posted: **Thu May 03, 2012 11:18 am**

Mar 14 - Mar 17, 1943

Another crappy turn. Exmouth is lost and its garrison is stranded in the desert. Fuso and Yamashiro are attacked by land based Avengers and receive 2-3 torpedoes each.

First of all, In the last week my CAP over Exmouth became very ineffective, allowing three huge heavy bomber strikes to breakthrough and cause havock among the troops of 19th Army at Exmouth. Then, finally, after a long, hard-fought battle, Exmouth fell to the enemy:

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 69888 troops, 1415 guns, 1566 vehicles, Assault Value = 2537
Defending force 37663 troops, 397 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 668

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Allied adjusted assault: 1058
Japanese adjusted defense: 456
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Exmouth !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 37 destroyed[:(]

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

Japanese ground losses:
6736 casualties reported
Squads: 339 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 560 destroyed, 161 disabled
Engineers: 130 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 196 (182 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 97 (87 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 18

Allied ground losses:
844 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Vehicles lost 43 (13 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
2/4th Armoured Regiment
Torres Strait Battalion
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
12th Australian Brigade
762nd Tank Battalion
27th Infantry Division
Port Moresby Brigade
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Division
1st Marine Division
41st Infantry Division
4th Aus Cav Brigade
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st USMC Tank Battalion
3rd Australian Division
14th NZ Brigade
29th British Brigade
101st USN Base Force
148th Field Artillery Battalion
65th Coast AA Regiment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
13th Australian Brigade
I US Amphib Corps
78th Coast AA Regiment
5th Marine Defense Battalion
2/13th Field Regiment
N Force Detachment
140th USA Base Force
98th Coast AA Regiment
2/9 Cavalry Cdo Battalion
109th Tank Attack Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment
2/3rd MG Battalion
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
20th Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Engineer Regiment
4th Division
9th Division
16th Engineer Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
65th Brigade
24th Nav Gsn Unit /1
22nd Port Unit
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th JNAF Coy
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
22nd JAAF AF Bn
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
61st JNAF AF Unit
8th JNAF Coy
19th Army
28th JAAF AF Bn

19th Army HQ, 4 Div, 9 Div, 65 Bde, 1st Kure SNFL, lots of engineer and aviation support units...all retreated one hex southeast of Exmouth, since I controlled that hexside. Fortunately, 21 Div and an independent brigade that were on their way to Exmouth, did not make it in time, otherwise they would also have the same fate. They will unload at Soerebaja.

I will commit every available asset in this theater to save whatever units I can, before the enemy consolidates. I have naval superiority and a temporary air parity, until Exmouth is built up. Three transport squadrons are gathered in Java and will proceed to pick up the 19th Army, under the cover of KB2 and my LBA.

Prior to the above battle, I sent BatDiv3 to bombard the 1st US Amphib.Corps at Exmouth. BBs Fuso and Yamashiro encountered two patrol boat taskforces, expended most of their ammo against them, sinking them all while not taking any hits, then proceeded to bombard Exmouth with what little ammo they had left. These night actions meant that the TF could not make it safely out of the danger zone in the morning. It ended its movement 1 hex northwest of Exmouth and by this time my CAP was non-existent, allowing his Avengers to attack unhindered:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 50,128
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 21

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 2
CA Suzuya
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 50,128
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Suzuya
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage

Damage assessment:
BB Fuso - 53 sys, 75(34) flt, 28(23) eng, 3 fires.
BB Yamashiro - 29 sys, 82(54) flt, 27(27) eng.
Speed is down to 3 knots. I set Port Hedland as their home port, it's 8 hexes away.
They will be LRCAPed by 36 Zekes from KB2 and another 33 Zekes from Port Hedland. Tojos are unable to participate because of range, even with drop tanks.

I received some consolation by putting three torpedoes into BB Indiana, near Carnavon:

Sub attack near Carnarvon at 47,136

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Australia
CA New Orleans
CL Caradoc
CL Columbia
CL Perth
DD Lamson
DD Worden

SS I-23 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Indiana
I-23 diving deep ....
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
DD Worden is out of ASW ammo
DD Worden is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

CV Kaga
If you recall, Kaga received a torpedo by a sub in the Bay of Bengal a few weeks ago. It made it safely to Singapore. Damage is 0/13/10 and it will remain in the shipyard for two months.
CV Taiyo joined KB at Truk. Soryu will join KB2.
BB Yamato is repaired fully and returns in service.

IJA Redeployments
6 divisions and the 23rd Army HQ from China will be redeployed to Burma, to relieve the 2nd Area Army (2nd Army, 15th Army, 16th Tank Army), which will reinforce the DEI.
Alas, after the recent bloody battles in China. I was able to buy 1 division and 8 battered independent brigades very cheaply. The division and 5 brigades will go to the DEI. The other three brigades will go to the Kurille Islands. More will be released from this theater, as my armies at/near Chungking recover their AV.
Next items to be purchased: 3 SNFL units (Shanghai, Ankei, Yantze). They will go to the Kurilles too.

Strategic Reappraisal
Keeping Exmouth was important for my 1943 strategy, but not vital. I wanted to pin a large number of crack enemy units in that place, until the above army redeployments were complete. I would then launch a large scale offensive in West Australia, which is still very lightly defended. After the Battle of Exmouth the enemy can choose to reinforce W.Australia or continue his offensive in N.Australia and/or the DEI.

My offensive is not canceled yet. My immediate objective is to save the 19th Army and reinforce the DEI. I may also have to withdraw the 14th Army from Port Hedland and Broome, completely abandoning N.Australia to the Allies. Until this situation is resolved, my 1943 strategy is in doubt.

Posted: **Sun May 06, 2012 12:09 pm**

Late March 1943

More bad turns for the Empire, but the situation is now stabilized an the Emperor is poised to retaliate swiftly.

N.Australia
BBs Fuso and Yamashiro sink. They looked like they were going to make it back to Port Hedland and they were managing their damage pretty well, but they were found by enemy subs just 2 hexes off Port Hedland.

The 19th Army was pursued by the enemy in the desert, but I staged an elaborate evacuation. The operation resembled Dunkirk, in a smaller scale. 150 fighters from Port Hedland, KB2 and strong surface forces covered the transports. The operation was a success and 19. Army is saved. Back to Soerebaja to recover its AV.

Burma
The Chinese army at Paoshan decided to launch an offensive into Burma, perhaps aiming to create an escape route into India. The enemy also dropped another parachute brigade at Bhamo to assist the Chinese.
At the same time, the IJA is redeploying 7 divisions from China to Burma, through the Burma road. The leading division captured Paoshan and is pursuing the Chinese stack into Burma.

DEI
A strong reserve force is being gathered in Java (21 Div and four independent brigades). 19 Army (9 Div from Exmouth and 22 Div recently bought from China) will go to Soerebaja to recover. It currently has 300 AV, with a potential of 900 AV. It should reach it in a month or two.
More forces will soon come from Assam, as the 2nd Area Army is relieved by the 7 divisions coming through the Burma road.

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2012 10:18 am**

Early April 1943

This is a crucial period, as the IJA is redeploying major formations and at the same time, there are signs that the Allies will continue their operations in N.Australia and/or launch new ones in the Pacific Ocean.
I need 15 days of inactivity in all fronts, before I launch my offensive. The 2nd Area Army has already begun boarding trains, heading to Chittagong, while most of IJN's troop transports are heading there too.

The Chinese army in Burma is checked at Lashio by two IJA divisions. It is surrounded and will be destroyed soon. The para brigade at Bhamo will be dealt with soon after. The rest of Burma Army (5 divisions) is still near Paoshan, marching west.

SE Fleet
I have a feeling that the Allies are up to something here. NE Australia is built up to the max, Horn Island and Milne Bay are reconed. Both bases have 150 AV each, but air cover will be a problem for Horn Island, as the Allies have built major airfields in NE Oz. Another problem is that most of my carriers are in shipyards for upgrades, in preparation for my own offensive. Only Taiho remains in this theater.

4 Fleet
The Marshall Islands and/or Wake Island are also possible targets, based on some vague SigInt reports.

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