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Jul 25, 1942

Bases captured today: Tockangbesi-eilanden

1 Tank Div formed at Tavoy (prepping for Calcutta), but it's ordered to move north on the main road to reinforce 33 Div and Imperial Gd Div, just south of Moulmein. The latter 2 units attacked, but the Allies had 3 brigades just arrive -

Ground combat at 55,56 (near Moulmein)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24262 troops, 297 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 723

Defending force 26327 troops, 506 guns, 547 vehicles, Assault Value = 802

Japanese adjusted assault: 323

Allied adjusted defense: 1823

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
4199 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 328 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled

Allied ground losses:
546 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
33rd Division
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
21st Australian Brigade
25th Australian Brigade
18th Australian Brigade
18th British Division
7th Armoured Brigade

Our carriers once again attacked Koepang, giving a clear indication that BB California has been sunk (the indication being that California did not attract any bombs, whereas in all previous attacks it did) -

Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 77
B5N1 Kate x 16
B5N2 Kate x 43
D3A1 Val x 61

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 8 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
HDML P 4, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
HDML P 9, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS O23, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
HDML P 8, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ARD Tjilitlap Kv, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Runway hits 9
Port fuel hits 1

BB Ise arrived at Nagasaki with 23 system, 11 flotation, and 5 engine damage, requiring 53 days in shipyard. Doing pierside repair first would require 31 days, then shipyard time to repair 8 major flotation damage. The 53 day route seems like it might be the shortest time, so Ise was kept in the shipyard. Ise departed the battle zone with 29 flotation damage, so considerable repair was accomplished enroute to the Home Islands.

Jul 26, 1942

Bases assaulted today: Koepang

Two battleships bombarded Koepang before a recon by suicide fragment arrived -

Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CL Kitakami
CL Nagara
DD Yukaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Minazuki
DD Yayoi
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Natsugumo
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
HDML P 1, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
HDML P 6, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
HDML P 7, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
HDML P 2, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

---

Pre-Invasion action off Koepang (68,116)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

419 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
CL Isuzu
DD Sanae

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)

---

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15828 troops, 217 guns, 129 vehicles, Assault Value = 529

Defending force 52 troops, 1 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

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

Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry Division
I KNIL Battalion
6th Cav Sqdn
II Marechausse Cdo
1st Cav Sqdn
Timor Cdo
Sparrow Force
VkA-1 Sup Afd
197th Coast AA Regiment
A-II-Ld AA Battalion
KNI Zeemacht
1e-VLG-III Sup Afd
43rd Const Rgt /4
2e-VLG-V Sup Afd
42nd Base Group
A-III-Ld AA Battalion
SW Pacific Theater /2

Defending units:
38th/B Div /1

The rest of 38 Div and a headquarters will arrive tomorrow, so when the Allies attack we should have a decent sized force. Hopefully, elements of 48 Div and 2 tank regiments will finish loading at Dili (the port is damaged) and also arrive at Koepang.

After our abortive attack south of Moulmein yesterday, the Allies counterattacked, without success -

Ground combat at 55,56 (near Moulmein)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23619 troops, 481 guns, 323 vehicles, Assault Value = 749

Defending force 21182 troops, 297 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 413

Allied adjusted assault: 259

Japanese adjusted defense: 645

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1099 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
794 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 123 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled

Assaulting units:
25th Australian Brigade
18th Australian Brigade
18th British Division
21st Australian Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
III Indian Corps

Defending units:
33rd Division
Imperial Guards/A Division
Imperial Guards/B Division
Imperial Guards/C Division
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Jul 27, 1942

A TF headed by BB Kirishima detached from the other battleships at Dili and proceeded west to bombard Koepang, and the CVs, having found nothing around Saumlaki worth attacking, also headed west to bomb the Allied ground units at Koepang ahead of their expected attack -

Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Aoba
DD Asanagi
DD Hamakaze
DD Isokaze
DD Akizuki

Allied ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7
Port hits 3

All of the amphib TFs arrived at Koepang to reinforce the fragment of 38 Div on the ground, but they were attacked several times by 3 carriers south of Timor, resulting in 7 transports being sunk, along with 2 & 8 Tank Rgts -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Asaka Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Goyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Aki Maru

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
SBC-4 Helldiver x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 45
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Hakusan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tsukuba Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Sakito Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Santos Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Yoshino Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Yamamiya Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hakozaki Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tatukami Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Ronsan Maru
xAK Aki Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 17 (7 destroyed, 10 disabled)

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Kokuryu Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tokiwa Maru
xAK Santos Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Aki Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Yubari
xAK Ronsan Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Konan Maru
PB Heiei Maru #7
DD Fubuki

Japanese ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 200 (174 destroyed, 26 disabled)

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
SBD-3 Dauntless x 45
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Yoshino Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Kako
CA Furutaka, heavy damage
xAK Shikano Maru
xAK Aki Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Fukoku Maru
xAP Hakozaki Maru, on fire
xAK Noto Maru
xAK Tatukami Maru, on fire
xAK Yamamiya Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Toa Maru

Japanese ground losses:
235 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Some of the damaged transports sank later; more will sink tomorrow; CA Furutaka was also hit by 2 sub torpedoes inbound to Koepang and will not make it to Soerabaja, having 91 flotation damage. The US carriers also attacked our BB TF at Dili, but did no damage.

The Japanese carrier attack on the US 32 Division at Koepang was a waste of time and effort, although it may have disrupted the Allies' attack -

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15969 troops, 217 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 520

Defending force 7949 troops, 97 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 235

Allied adjusted assault: 212

Japanese adjusted defense: 155

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
567 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1311 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
I KNIL Battalion
II Marechausse Cdo
32nd Infantry Division
Timor Cdo
1st Cav Sqdn
6th Cav Sqdn
Sparrow Force
A-III-Ld AA Battalion
VkA-1 Sup Afd
KNI Zeemacht
2e-VLG-V Sup Afd
1e-VLG-III Sup Afd
43rd Const Rgt /4
197th Coast AA Regiment
42nd Base Group
A-II-Ld AA Battalion
SW Pacific Theater /2

Defending units:
48th/B Div /2
38th/A Div /2
38th/B Div /1
38th/C Div /1
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Army
18th Port Unit

Saigon and Rabaul airfields reached level 7.

A second Judy research site (at Hamamatsu) reached 30(0).

Jul 28, 1942

Places assaulted today: Allies one hex south of Moulmein

BB Hiei and TF departed Dili to bombard Koepang, but is met by a US cruiser TF -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Kuma, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Nowaki
DD Oshio
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Chicago
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 2
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 1
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 2
DD Maury
DD Benham
DD Sterett
DD Smith
DD Drayton

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight

Allies always shoot better under a full moon!

The cruisers then proceeded to tear up some amphib TFs trying to reinforce the Japanese force at Koepang, or place a minefield -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
CL Katori
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1
DD Akatsuki
DD Fubuki
DD Yunagi
DD Tachikaze
DD Nokaze
E Saga
PB Heiei Maru #7, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
PB Kinsyo Maru #2, Shell hits 1, on fire
AMC Asaka Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAK Tatukami Maru, on fire
xAK Konan Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Shikano Maru
xAK Fukoku Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
SC Ch 30, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC Ch 33, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Chicago
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 1
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward
DD Maury
DD Benham
DD Sterett
DD Smith, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Drayton

---

Night Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-7, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DMS W-19, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-20
PB Kamitsu Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
AK Sakito Maru
xAK Goyo Maru
xAK Toa Maru
xAK Kosin Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
xAK Noto Maru
xAK Tokiwa Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Teihoku Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
xAP Hakozaki Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Haruna Maru, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Takatiho Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kokuryu Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Chicago
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward
DD Maury
DD Benham
DD Sterett
DD Smith, on fire
DD Drayton

Japanese ground losses:
736 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)

A Japanese carrier air strike on Koepang was totally ineffective.

Jul 29, 1942

Bases assaulted today: Allies at Amchitka

BB Kongo and TF departed Dili and bombarded Koepang, while artillery from Makassar landed -

Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Tone
CL Naka
DD Mochizuki
DD Satsuki
DD Kisaragi

Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

As the Allies were landing troops south of Moulmein yesterday, 1 Tank Div arrived -

Ground combat at 54,57 (near Moulmein)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5708 troops, 97 guns, 332 vehicles, Assault Value = 238

Defending force 203 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese adjusted assault: 107

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 107 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
276 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division

Defending units:
1st Gloucestershire Bn /1

Jul 30, 1942

A6M5c research advanced from Sep to Aug '44.

Time to catch up! So, it will be quick and dirty.

Jul 31, 1942 - CV Hiyo commissioned at Kobe.

Japanese troops assaulted Lomblen (actually, 2 TFs with LCU fragments loaded on transports that were going to sink, dropped the troops on the vacant island; the transports were attacked and sunk by a US cruiser TF after unloading).

Aug 1, 1942 - Bases captured today - Lomblen

Aug 2, 1942 - Bases assaulted by Allies - Roti (vacant)

Aug 3, 1942 - Bases captured by Allies - Roti

An evacuation TF at Ocean Is. was sunk by an Allied CL TF.

Japanese CV & CVL TFs move SE from Soerabaja to within range (7) of Roti. The Allied TF departed, so no attacks were made.

Aug 4, 1942 - Tony research advanced from Nov to Oct '42.

Aug 5, 1942 - The Japanese CV TFs moved closer to Timor and attacked TFs at or near Koepang -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 38
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Thomas Jefferson, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAK Liloa, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Coast Farmer, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 69,117

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 32
B5N2 Kate x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AVD Gillis, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aug 6, 1942

B6N1 Jill research reached 30(0) at Tsu.

With CV and BB cover at Koepang, the fragments of 38 Div were able to get ashore at Koepang without Allied interference. Not that it's going to make any difference; the Allies have us way outgunned there. And something hit a mine at Koepang(?); not sure which ship, but it wasn't a battleship.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 69,119

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 63
B5N1 Kate x 7
B5N2 Kate x 10
D3A1 Val x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Bontekoe, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Wollongbar, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Ward, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Proteus, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Time, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 102 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 52 (50 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 233 (190 destroyed, 43 disabled)

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truscott at 69,121

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 3

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AP Thomas Jefferson, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

This chart shows the plan for tomorrow. Both carrier TFs show Darwin as the destination; I'm fairly certain that's where his carriers are located. I want them to stay there. I made sure he saw my carriers coming from Soerabaja, and that I had more than he had. So, he left the southern coast of Timor for Australia. Carrier Div 2 (Hiryu, Soryu, Ryujo) is headed to the Gilbert Islands via waypoints, where he has been creeping toward Tarawa, capturing and improving many of the dot bases. Nells from Roi-Namur have been ineffective. The larger carrier force, Carrier Divs 1 & 3, show Darwin as destination, but will move via waypoints as shown; however, due to refueling will only move 1 hex on the 7th. Two TFs of empty transports are inbound to the area to pick up fragments of LCU intended for Koepang. Kirishima will bombard Koepang and return to Soerabaja to rearm (and escort CV Zuikaku to the battle area). BBs Kongo and Nagato will merge TFs at Lomblem, where some LCU fragments are located.

Aug 7, 1942

Bases recaptured today by the Allies: Ulak Is (vacant dot base in Aleutian Is chain)

BB Kirishima TF bombarded Koepang, then headed back to Soerabaja -

Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CL Nagara
DD Yukaze
DD Asanagi
DD Tanikaze
DD Arashi
DD Shiranui
DD Maikaze

Allied ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Runway hits 8

British BBs bombarded Tavoy and Port Blair -

Night Naval bombardment of Tavoy at 54,60

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 7 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Valiant
CL Caradoc
CL Ceres

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

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 14
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 2

---

Night Naval bombardment of Port Blair at 46,58

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
CA Exeter
CL Birmingham

Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Runway hits 2
Port hits 3

But, BB Valiant loitered too long -

Sub attack near Tavoy at 52,59

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Decoy
DD Jupiter

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 52,59

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 52,59

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

CV Hiyo, now with escorts, departed Kobe for Yokohama to pick up more escorts before heading east to harass the Allies in the Aleutian Islands, where Amchitka is on the verge of falling to the Americans after 3 days of deliberate attacks (but forts are still 3 and there is plenty of supply).

Aug 8, 1942

Tojo Ki-44-IIc research advanced from Feb to Jan '44, and will continue to advance 60 days every month; estimated research completion is late summer '43.

The LCU fragments near Timor have been loaded (to reinforce Koepang).

Forces assembled west of Hengyang began advancing to attack at Chihkiang -

Aug 9, 1942

Our 6 carriers (4 CV, 2 CVL) moved to the hex SW of Roti. The air groups' primary mission saw an attack on a tanker to the south -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Derby at 66,123

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 15
D3A1 Val x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Fosna, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring TK Fosna

And the secondary mission to bomb the port at Koepang. This attack was absolutely pathetic, accomplished nothing, and would be a waste of time to display.

British BB Valiant is reported sunk. Maybe.

Aug 10, 1942

Reinforcements unloaded at Koepang as the BB Kongo TF bombarded the base -

Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Ashigara
CA Takao
CL Jintsu
DD Yunagi
DD Kamikaze
DD Mochizuki
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Natsugumo
DD Arashio

Allied ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14
Port hits 2

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Kongo
BB Kongo firing at 32nd Infantry Division

Kongo retired to Endeh to meet an AKE just arrived from Kendari, and was replaced in support by the BB Nagato TF.

The Allies decided to confront the Japanese CVs. During daytime movement the Japanese CV TF encountered the CV Lexington TF in the hex highlighted in this chart. Both TFs evaded combat -



The Japanese CVs retired to Lautem (enroute to their home port of Soerabaja) and from there attacked the US CVs -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Moa at 73,118

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 29
B5N1 Kate x 8
B5N2 Kate x 28
D3A1 Val x 55

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 110

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 5 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed, 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 15 destroyed, 18 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DD Van Ghent
CA Chicago
DD Lansdowne
CL Java
DD Lardner

The US conducted 2 counterstrikes and 2 attacks on the TFs at Koepang -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 72,115

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M5 Zero x 81

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 12 destroyed, 7 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CVL Zuiho
CVL Shoho
CV Kaga
CV Akagi

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 72,115

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M5 Zero x 72

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
SBD-3 Dauntless x 83
TBF-1 Avenger x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 16 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1
CVL Zuiho
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1
CA Chikuma
CV Junyo
CA Myoko
DD Sazanami
CVL Shoho

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
SBC-4 Helldiver x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBC-4 Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
CA Kako
xAP Naminoue Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru
AK Sakito Maru

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAP Naminoue Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru

A similar airstrike pattern played out in the afternoon -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Moa at 73,118

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
B5N1 Kate x 6
B5N2 Kate x 17
D3A1 Val x 30

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 80

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 17 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Saratoga, on fire

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 72,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M5 Zero x 66

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7
TBF-1 Avenger x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Junyo

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 72,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M5 Zero x 59

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 52
SBC-4 Helldiver x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 45
TBF-1 Avenger x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBC-4 Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Shokaku
CA Chikuma
CA Myoko
CV Kaga
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 2
DD Nokaze
DD Oyashio
CV Junyo

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato

In summary, the morning attacks saw 2 bomb hits on Japanese CVs and 6 bomb and 1 torpedo hit on US CVs. The Japanese suffered far higher losses in aircraft. The afternoon attacks saw 1 bomb and 1 torpedo hit on US CVs, and 6 bomb and 2 torpedo hits on Japanese CVs. Both CVLs had fighter aircraft partially abort to Dili. CVL Zuiho is in bad shape (68 flotation damage), but might be able to make port if not attacked again. CVs Yorktown (2 torpedo hits) and Saratoga (on fire) MAY be unable to conduct flight operations, but I'm not counting on that. CV Lexington (and possibly CV Hornet/Wasp) are undamaged.

Aug 10, 1942 (continued)

Aircraft losses were high on both sides -



Neither side lost a carrier, yet. Yorktown and Saratoga are close enough to Darwin to make port (Yorktown is reported sunk, but the air losses don't support that), and later move to Sydney. CVL Zuiho, moving at only 3 knots, has been regrouped with CVL Shoho and some destroyers, and headed for Kendari, before returning to Soerabaja. If attacked in any way they are both toast. The other CVs will retire TOWARD Kendari, but stay close enough to the CVLs to provide CAP.

Aug 11, 1942

Before this turn the Allied commander expressed the belief that he had lost the carrier battle. That indicates to me that Yorktown may have sunk (as reported) and that Saratoga may be in bad shape (it was on fire). But, as I indicated in the previous post, if CVLs Shoho and Zuiho were attacked in any way, they would sink -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 73,114, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CVL Zuiho, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage sank minutes later
DD Harukaze
DD Hayate, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA Northampton
CA Chicago
CA Salt Lake City
DD Lansdowne
DD Henley
DD Craven
DD Gridley

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 3,000 yards

I considered covering this TF with BB Nagato and the available cruisers, but the available ships likely would not have been sufficient and there was no guarantee that they would have arrived in time, so didn't want to lose them in addition to the light carriers.

At Koepang, a destroyer hit 2 mines and sank. The main carrier force neared Kendari, and with the Betties stationed there managed to have a small impact -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Damar at 74,115

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16 (not sure if these are from a surviving carrier, or land-based at Saumlaki)

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 1
CL De Ruyter
DD Evertsen

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Damar at 74,115

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 12
B5N2 Kate x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Van Heemskerck

Other attacks by Betties and the carriers were ineffective.

An Allied AO took 2 sub torpedoes near Baker Is.

In China, the Chihkiang offensive began with a river crossing operation -

Ground combat at Chihkiang (78,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 51972 troops, 432 guns, 389 vehicles, Assault Value = 1642

Defending force 26579 troops, 247 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 644

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 2016

Allied adjusted defense: 862

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2019 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 203 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 33 (3 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1550 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 144 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 42 (2 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Division
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
1st Ind.Inf.Group
13th Tank Regiment
58th Division
11th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
23rd Army
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
14th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
49th AA Regiment
3rd War Area
308th Base Group
14th Chinese Base Force

The Japanese force is about 10k troops overstacked, so we will shock attack again to, hopefully, capture the base quickly. These Chinese troops are expected to retreat EAST toward the nearest base, Changteh. That direction may not be expected (or desired) by the Allied commander, and may allow a Japanese move WEST to open other avenues of advance toward Chungking. It will also reduce the Chinese supplies at Changteh and Ichang to what can be locally produced.

Aug 12, 1942

A British CA/CL TF bombarded Tavoy doing substantial damage -

Night Naval bombardment of Tavoy at 54,60

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 13 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 8 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 37 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire
CL Caradoc
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless

Japanese ground losses:
547 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 70
Port hits 16
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 1

The slow CV Junyo was detached from CarDiv 1. CV Zuikaku finished repairs at Soerabaja yesterday and departed east to join the main carrier force. It's TF merged with the reinforced CarDiv 1 heading back to Soerabaja for aircraft replenishment and repair. Just in time. The Japanese carrier air struck first -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 64,113

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 50
B5N2 Kate x 30
D3A1 Val x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 9 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 1
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Fuel storage explosion on CV Hornet

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 64,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 34
SBC-4 Helldiver x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 27
TBF-1 Avenger x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBC-4 Helldiver: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Akagi
CV Zuikaku
CV Kaga

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 64,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi

Two swings, two misses!!!

In the afternoon, the Allies struck first -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 64,107

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 27
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Shokaku
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Zuikaku

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 64,113

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 29
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta
DD Caldwell

In summary:

CV Kaga - 2 bomb hits

CV Lexington - 3 bomb hits
CV Wasp - 4 bombs, 1 torpedo
CV Hornet - 1 bomb, 3 torpedoes & fuel storage explosion

Both Wasp and Hornet are reported sunk, but more likely only Hornet went down -



Our follow up shock attack at Chihkiang did not go as well, due to disruption from the previous shock, and the timely arrival of a fresh Chinese corps -

Ground combat at Chihkiang (78,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 50329 troops, 432 guns, 389 vehicles, Assault Value = 1466

Defending force 34165 troops, 245 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 793

Japanese adjusted assault: 656

Allied adjusted defense: 1861

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2303 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 190 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 44 disabled
Guns lost 46 (1 destroyed, 45 disabled)
Vehicles lost 79 (13 destroyed, 66 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1616 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
1st Ind.Inf.Group
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
58th Division
11th Tank Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Army
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
16th Construction Regiment
49th AA Regiment
3rd War Area
10th Group Army
308th Base Group
14th Chinese Base Force

Aug 13, 1942

The Brits bombarded Tavoy again, by sea and air, and the air attacks met some LRCAP.


Aug 14, 1942

More Chinese reinforcements arrived at Chihkiang, and since our force is overstacked a partial withdrawal is ordered. Between Tuyun in the west and Ichang in the east, the Chinese have interior lines and can shift forces more quickly than the Japanese. But, occupation of the bases limits supply flow between them, so only locally produced supplies are available, which we all know in China that ain't much.

A brigade of 4 Div successfully loaded transports in one day at Mergui without naval or air interference from the British. Task forces at Mergui have mostly been undetected while he's been concentrating on Tavoy 2 hexes to the northeast. The Japanese carrier force arrived at Soerabaja, but 3 of the carriers need to go to Singapore for complete repair as Soerabaja has only level 10 repair shipyard. The air units on CVs Akagi and Kaga have had replacements turned off and the ships will now complete their first upgrade (delayed from July). CVs Shokaku and Zuikaku will continue to operate (carefully) between Java and Timor, while CVs Hiryu and Soryu, having refueled at Truk, are approaching the Gilbert Islands. CV Hiyo is near Amchitka with 3/3 DL, but no Allied ships have been sighted. I was hoping he would continue to reinforce Amchitka and we could nail some transports or cruisers.

I've been reading your backlog and saw the multiple carrier strikes that went in unescorted and had to say something.

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Why are the carrier strikes unescorted? If they were escorted, they might be more effective. Any chance to sink at sea those American BBs now should not be wasted.

I wish I knew. Shokaku and Zuikaku have full squadrons, recently upgraded to A6M5, but still only 18 fighters per. I can change that in July (it's now July 1, so the resize will be happening soon). Akagi is a little short on fighters. Junyo has already been resized and has 32 fighters. CAP on all 5 carriers was set at 30% and LRCAP over my battleships was set at 30%, leaving 40% for escort. For the July 1 turn, I reduced some to 20%, hoping to get some escort, but I haven't got the turn back yet. The only other possibility is the fighter leaders suck - I haven't checked that - they should be the same as what started the game, unless the starting leaders got killed and replaced by AI.

I wish I knew. Shokaku and Zuikaku have full squadrons, recently upgraded to A6M5, but still only 18 fighters per. I can change that in July (it's now July 1, so the resize will be happening soon). Akagi is a little short on fighters. Junyo has already been resized and has 32 fighters. CAP on all 5 carriers was set at 30% and LRCAP over my battleships was set at 30%, leaving 40% for escort. For the July 1 turn, I reduced some to 20%, hoping to get some escort, but I haven't got the turn back yet. The only other possibility is the fighter leaders suck - I haven't checked that - they should be the same as what started the game, unless the starting leaders got killed and replaced by AI.

The reason your carriers are launching unescorted strikes is due to the lcap. You cant lcap and escort strikes at the same time since your destination for the lcap prevents your escorts from launching on targets outside the same hex as the lcap. Hopefully you have rectified the problem by now since I'm currently reading your backlog.

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

Aug 12, 1942

A British CA/CL TF bombarded Tavoy doing substantial damage -

Night Naval bombardment of Tavoy at 54,60

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 13 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 8 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 37 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire
CL Caradoc
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless

Japanese ground losses:
547 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 70
Port hits 16
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 1

The slow CV Junyo was detached from CarDiv 1. CV Zuikaku finished repairs at Soerabaja yesterday and departed east to join the main carrier force. It's TF merged with the reinforced CarDiv 1 heading back to Soerabaja for aircraft replenishment and repair. Just in time. The Japanese carrier air struck first -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 64,113

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 50
B5N2 Kate x 30
D3A1 Val x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 9 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 1
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Fuel storage explosion on CV Hornet

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 64,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 34
SBC-4 Helldiver x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 27
TBF-1 Avenger x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBC-4 Helldiver: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Akagi
CV Zuikaku
CV Kaga

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 64,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi

Two swings, two misses!!!

In the afternoon, the Allies struck first -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 64,107

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 27
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Shokaku
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Zuikaku

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 64,113

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 29
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta
DD Caldwell

In summary:

CV Kaga - 2 bomb hits

CV Lexington - 3 bomb hits
CV Wasp - 4 bombs, 1 torpedo
CV Hornet - 1 bomb, 3 torpedoes & fuel storage explosion

Both Wasp and Hornet are reported sunk, but more likely only Hornet went down -



Our follow up shock attack at Chihkiang did not go as well, due to disruption from the previous shock, and the timely arrival of a fresh Chinese corps -

Ground combat at Chihkiang (78,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 50329 troops, 432 guns, 389 vehicles, Assault Value = 1466

Defending force 34165 troops, 245 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 793

Japanese adjusted assault: 656

Allied adjusted defense: 1861

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2303 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 190 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 44 disabled
Guns lost 46 (1 destroyed, 45 disabled)
Vehicles lost 79 (13 destroyed, 66 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1616 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
1st Ind.Inf.Group
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
58th Division
11th Tank Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Army
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
16th Construction Regiment
49th AA Regiment
3rd War Area
10th Group Army
308th Base Group
14th Chinese Base Force

CV wasp could be dead as well. The wasp is lower durability than the Yorktown and Saratoga class CVs which I've killed in the past with 4 250kg bomb hits. If you can keep pursuing them to finish them off that helps as well.

Overall you won this battle due to the weather being very favourable. The first day of allied attacks were in severe storms which greatly reduced their accuracy. I can understand your opponents dismay over the results.

How many planes total did you lose here? This looks like the death ride of the IJNAS at Santa Cruz in terms of air losses.

CV wasp could be dead as well. The wasp is lower durability than the Yorktown and Saratoga class CVs which I've killed in the past with 4 250kg bomb hits. If you can keep pursuing them to finish them off that helps as well.

Overall you won this battle due to the weather being very favourable. The first day of allied attacks were in severe storms which greatly reduced their accuracy. I can understand your opponents dismay over the results.

How many planes total did you lose here? This looks like the death ride of the IJNAS at Santa Cruz in terms of air losses.

Here are the CURRENTLY reported CV/CVL/CVE losses -



Wasp and Hornet were reported sunk some days ago, then they were replaced by Lexington in the report.

Aircraft losses have been horrific! As I said a few posts previous, with Akagi and Kaga headed to Singapore for the July upgrades, replacements to their air units have been turned off. And because of the high loss in aircraft, pilot proficiency is way down as replacements came in.