BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[inqistor]

Quite a lots of fighter types on CAP. Are all of them from Rangoon (if not, attack bases which provides LRCAP)? Send some bombardment TF, or bombers at night. Considering your trouble with supplies, this is surprising, that Rangoon have enough to operate planes. How much troops are in the hex?

ORIGINAL: PzB

That was only a small sweep; first when Andy sent in the bulk of his fighter force did we committ.
250 fighters sweeping Rangoon today, ~140 went in coordinated.
The new air combat model still restricts air combat so while our smallers strikes suffer our big sweep fail to
take sufficient advantage of their superior numbers.

Result is that we roughly achieves a 1-1 kill ratio with 32 pilots KIA.

What do you think, is it worth a prolonged effort?

Go ahead, it is probably your last chance, and I still see old Airacobras in use.

Also, you should try sweep not Rangoon, but some nearby bases (like Pegu). That way you would only fight with some leakers, not whole force.

[janh]

ORIGINAL: PzB
...
Result is that we roughly achieves a 1-1 kill ratio with 32 pilots KIA.
What do you think, is it worth a prolonged effort?

It doesn't seem to serve a greater goal at this point, except maybe a little attrition of Commonwealth air frame pools. But at the cost of training up his pilots, especially if you send in greenies on outclassed plane types. I wouldn't do that.

ORIGINAL: PzB
Andy knows there is a supply issue and says there's little to be done about it without re-designing the entire model.
But yes, it has been an annoyance for a looong time for me.

Hmmh, aren't there any parameters to tune in the functions that calculate supply draw for units inside cities and in the open, or for calculation of bomb-hits on cities and bases that are transformed into supply losses? Quick-and-dirty solutions, but probably wouldn't make it worse?
Perhaps even tuning bomb-hits on bases so far down that the IJ air capability to inflict supply hits would be neutered would be better. Generally, just tuning down the hit rate for the 4EB on any target if using big carpets (i.e. carrying >= 4 bombs each) would serve the purpose and also eliminate some side effects like the overestimated capability to close down a group of airfields (higher level airbases) or cause havoc on port or anti-shipping missions.

[PzB74]

Will continue to snipe at Rangoon and surrounding bases, but not every turn.
Let's see how Andy plays it as well. Not possible to bombard Rangoon as heavy cruisers can't get into the estuary and bombarding with DDs and CLs wouldn't be
very efficient.

Yes, you should - Pauk's Return! Guess you're missing some of the JFB ranting, no!?-)

Have to ask Andy about what can be done about the supply system, didn't seem to me that much more will be done.
There are 300k+ enemy troops at Rangoon and Pegu, see attached screen. Andy has no problems with supplies...that's for sure.

I'm still in the process of moving troops around in Burma and Indo China.
More base force units and 200k supplies on the way from Home Islands. First when a complete air base system is in place can we orchestrate
truly efficient air campaigns; defensive as offensive.

The ability of 150 4Es to permanently close a size 7 airbase with one attack for 7-10 days is awful...makes life almost impossible as a Jap airman in 44-46.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 19, 44

ASW Attacks

Subs near Tokyo; we hit several these last days. They mined of of our small islands.

ASW attack near Hamamatsu at 111,62

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-47
E Ishigaki

Allied Ships
SS Grayback, hits 2

SS Grayback is located by SC CHa-47
Grayback diving deep ....
E Ishigaki fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Ishigaki attacking submerged sub ....
E Ishigaki fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Ishigaki fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Ishigaki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 40 encounters mine field at Izu Oshima (113,62)

Japanese Ships
E Ishizaki
E Naryu

3 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hamamatsu at 112,62

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-63, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC CHa-61
SC CHa-71

Allied Ships
SS Dragonet

SS Dragonet launches 4 torpedoes at SC CHa-63
SC CHa-71 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-71 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-71 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-71 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-71 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Umboi Island , at 100,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 31
P-38J Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
J1N1-S Irving: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Umboi Island , at 100,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 63
B-24J Liberator x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Umboi Island , at 100,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

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

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rangoon - Pegu force intel

[castor troy]

Never had problem running cruisers to Rangoon. BB no, CA yes. [&:]

[Puhis]

It's all about displacement, big ships can't use rivers. Like CT said, usually CAs are not too big. At least most of them can use rivers.

What's the limit, 14000 tons?

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: Puhis

It's all about displacement, big ships can't use rivers. Like CT said, usually CAs are not too big. At least most of them can use rivers.

What's the limit, 14000 tons?

15,000 tons according to the manual, p39
mike

[Puhis]

Yeah, and biggest cruiser in this game is about 14700 tons (that's Myoko-class). So there shouldn't be any problems.

[PzB74]

I have had problems sending Jap heavy cruisers into Rangoon before, can always check again [:)]
Today a scout TF encountered an enemy TF far far east of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean.
- Will probably get Andy to jump....

I'm probing and manouvering to try to catch Andy off guard.
It's not easy and I have to be careful, can't risk to much.

Townsville has 121 ships in port, the entire PM invasion force.
So KB manouvered carefully, setting up 16 hexes away (16 hexes away from PM, Luganville and Townsville to minimize detection risk).
- Still 1 CV and 1 surface TF were spotted and the surprise attack was aborted.

Too bad, but if Andy is paranoid he will put 400 fighters on CAP and alert all his naval and heavy bombers to a potential surface threat and evacuate high value shipping.
I still think Ceylong and posing of Allied ships here is a feint, not sufficient build up and preparations yet. Keeping KB closer to Central Pacific to react is my preference for now.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 21, 44

Surface Combat

Day Time Surface Combat, near San Clemente Island at 211,107, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AV Kamoi
DD Urukaze

Allied Ships
DD Norman Scott
DE Eichenberger
DE George
DE Riddle
APD Barr
DMS Ellyson
AO Manatee

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Detected; aborting

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: PzB

I have had problems sending Jap heavy cruisers into Rangoon before, can always check again [:)]

PzB,

advice is a dangerous gift to give, and I have not tried to bombard Rangooon in AE; however, I have seen numerous IJN CA bombardments of Palembang, which should be the same situation.

[erstad]

Not possible to bombard Rangoon as heavy cruisers can't get into the estuary

Sure they can. I've done it on multiple occasions. If aztez posts combat reports in his AAR you can find examples of it.

[PzB74]

Well, then I only need half a dozen large cruisers [;)]
Tried a bombardment of Buna to disrupt the enemy division there today; didn't quite work out...

Allied naval bombers tried to hit our ships at Gasmata but only hit our CAP.

Andy did spot something in the Coral Sea...which he assumed to be the KB!

Andy:"Please please please lose KB to my massed LBA ........"
Me: "Now we're into wishfull thinking "

Let him grow a bit paranoid! Obviously the thought of facing the full might of our LBA and KB is giving him grieves.
It's a must to keep KB intact - so no big hazard missions against LBA even though the rewards could be sweet.

In a fleet to fleet encounter in cover of our own LBA it will be difficult to destroy KB in a single encounter.
Even if Allies get in good hits it should be possible to retreat and rebuild it a couple of times.
- If we get things our way once more Andy's Tokyo schedule will have to be permanently shelved! [8D]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 22, 44

Bombardments

Night Naval bombardment of Buna at 99,129

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CL Isuzu
DD Mutsuki
DD Oboro
DD Shikinami

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Suzuya
CA Suzuya firing at Americal Infantry Division
CL Isuzu firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Mutsuki firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Oboro firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Shikinami firing at Americal Infantry Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 103,127
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 11

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 7
Kittyhawk IV x 12
Spitfire VIII x 24
Kittyhawk IV x 7
P-38H Lightning x 4
P-38J Lightning x 11
P-40N5 Warhawk x 22
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 18
SBD-5 Dauntless x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CL Isuzu

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-5 Dauntless bombing from 16000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 30000 feet
7 x Kittyhawk III sweeping at 30000 feet *
9 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet
1 x P-40N5 Warhawk sweeping at 30000 feet
4 x Kittyhawk IV sweeping at 30000 feet
4 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 30000 feet
4 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 30000 feet

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Buna will be hard pressed against the Americal Division!


Ground combat at Buna (99,129)
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10471 troops, 211 guns, 198 vehicles, Assault Value = 388
Defending force 5690 troops, 58 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

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

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
16th Garrison Unit
9th RF Gun Battalion
6th JNAF AF Unit
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
15th AA Regiment
11th JAAF Base Force /1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Naval recon ac

Look at the range of this thing! Going into production later in 44....

[PaxMondo]

The Kate as a flying gas tank ... put a 1000kg fuel tank in the torp bay. At least, that's what it looks like. [:D]

[Remenents]

Can we get a post on to date sunk ships? I am curious to see the totals. Been reading, but with so many posts, hard to keep a tally on whats still around.

Thanks

Adam

P.S. Not just totals, the actual names too if you can, want to see if a few of my favorite ships are still afloat.

[PzB74]

Actually, it was the fastest carrier recon of the war, 610 km/h..!
See more info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_C6N
- It also had the dubious honor of being the last kind of ac to be shot down during the war [8|]

I can post the current Allied loss list - can do the Jap one tomorrow! [:)]

Sometimes AE decides to smash your bombers, like when 20 Betty bombers attacked artillery units at Cairns instead of the
Americal division at Buna [8|] Cost us 16 bombers...

This turn this shit happened to Andy - lots of bombers flying out from PM attacking arty units in Rabaul [:D]
I sat watching happily as we gunned down crack US B-25s and SBDs!

We also sent 3 George units to sweep leaky CAP near Rangoon; this didn't go too well - we lost 20 George fighters to a similar number
Allied fighters. Hm, must be range. Our fighters were based in Bangkok. Still, we now got our first ace with 20 kills - impressive.

The Americal division attacked at Buna and got a 1-4 odds, perhaps we can drag this one out.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 23, 44

Sub Attacks

Submarine attack near Pearl Harbor at 185,94

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
xAK Loch Ranza, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Loch Ranza is sighted by SS I-7
SS I-7 attacking on the surface

Mine Warfare

Mines are working...and much less dangerous for us!)

TF 312 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
DD Sims
DD Frazier
DD Laffey
DD Napier, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

5 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 36

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 13
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-311 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
23rd FG/76th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
58th FG/311th FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 17

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 8
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 4 destroyed
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 28000 feet

CAP engaged:
23rd FG/76th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes
58th FG/311th FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 106,125 (Rabaul)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 4
N1K1 Rex x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 19
B-25G Mitchell x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 7 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25G Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 2 plane(s) with no ordnance
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
934 Ku S-1 with N1K1 Rex (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (2 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

Also attacking 45th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 45th Field AA Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 4
N1K1 Rex x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 7 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami

CAP engaged:
934 Ku S-1 with N1K1 Rex (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125
Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3
N1K1 Rex x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless bombing from 16000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground COmbat

Ground combat at Buna (99,129)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10451 troops, 211 guns, 198 vehicles, Assault Value = 385
Defending force 5705 troops, 58 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

Allied adjusted assault: 66
Japanese adjusted defense: 169

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
151 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
16th Garrison Unit
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
6th JNAF AF Unit
9th RF Gun Battalion
15th AA Regiment
11th JAAF Base Force /1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air to Air

[PzB74]

Reported Allied capital ship losses:

Also ca 120 destroyers and some 68 subs reported sunk.

[PzB74]

Andy still seems to have problems getting his bombers to hit the right targets.
Another good turn for us in other words....

Been conducting recon of Dutch Harbour and Alaska area, nothing to report.
Both the Yamato and Musashi have been upgraded and repaired, first time in 3-4 months they're both operational.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 24, 44

Sub Attacks

Allied ASW is just to much of a threat..sub should make it, but will need some serious R&R!

ASW attack near Trivandrum at 27,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-165, hits 16, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Burden R. Hastings
AK Hyperion
AK Azimech
xAK William Keith
xAK Sidney Edgerton
xAK Joseph Simon
xAK Brander Matthews
DE Kistna
DE LeHardy

SS I-165 launches 4 torpedoes at DE Burden R. Hastings
I-165 bottoming out ....
DE Kistna fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE LeHardy fails to find sub and abandons search
DE Kistna attacking submerged sub ....
DE Kistna fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Kistna attacking submerged sub ....
DE Kistna fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 8
N1K1 Rex x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 106,125 (Rabaul)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 6
N1K1 Rex x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 19

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 106,125 (Rabaul)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 4
N1K1 Rex x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 106,125 (Rabaul)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3
N1K1 Rex x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16
B-25G Mitchell x 6
B-25H Mitchell x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed by flak
B-25G Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25H Mitchell: 1 destroyed
B-25H Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Infantry Regiment, at 98,127 (Salamaua)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 3
P-40N5 Warhawk x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Mitchell II bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 106,125 (Rabaul)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 1
N1K1 Rex x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
B-25H Mitchell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25H Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25H Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Ground Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless bombing from 16000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
30th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 54,60
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 7

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 6
PV-1 Ventura x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Kyukaze

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 54,60
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yunagi

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses

[PzB74]

The list isn't that long - fortunately.
Most painfull is the cruiser and destroyer losses.

Ca 70 destroyers (45 fleet) and 50 subs have also been lost.
The relative low losses of capital ships compared to cruisers and destroyers leaves us with a not perfectly balanced fleet to say the least.
- Shouldn't complain too much I guess [;)]

We've lost 2-3 fleet oilers and less than 10 tankers and the tanker fleet is more or less out of work since I'm easily able to haule the available fuel and oil between SRA and Home Islands.
In general we have more than enough ships and will receive a further 3 fleet carriers and 2 light cruisers by the later summer. Larger numbers of destroyers will also start arriving soon.

Jap Naval Losses

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Actually, it was the fastest carrier recon of the war, 610 km/h..!
See more info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_C6N
- It also had the dubious honor of being the last kind of ac to be shot down during the war [8|]

So, are you going to put them on Carriers?

Sometimes AE decides to smash your bombers, like when 20 Betty bombers attacked artillery units at Cairns instead of the
Americal division at Buna [8|] Cost us 16 bombers...

This turn this shit happened to Andy - lots of bombers flying out from PM attacking arty units in Rabaul [:D]
I sat watching happily as we gunned down crack US B-25s and SBDs!

Probably bad weather at original target. He should cut range short.
Anyway, your CAP numbers over Rabaul seems pretty low.

We also sent 3 George units to sweep leaky CAP near Rangoon; this didn't go too well - we lost 20 George fighters to a similar number
Allied fighters. Hm, must be range. Our fighters were based in Bangkok. Still, we now got our first ace with 20 kills - impressive.

Try go at great difference in altitude. If all his planes are at 30k try to go really low (where maneuver difference will be greater).

The Americal division attacked at Buna and got a 1-4 odds, perhaps we can drag this one out.

Maybe visit by two battleships? You have KB in the area anyway.
Is he landing additional troops at Port Moresby? How many units are there?

And finally, what is this?

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25H Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Ground Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Have they, at last, implemented ditching of bombs, to avoid fighters?

[janh]

ORIGINAL: PzB
2CV, 2CVL, 4 BB, 6 CA, 7 "modern" CL, 70 DD and 50 SS

Hossah. The CA and especially DD really hurt, as the CV, but in comparison to the enemy...
3 GB CV, 7 large US CV, 1 CVL, 8 CVE, 21 BB/BC including 4 modern, 11 CA, 25 CL, 120 DD and 68 SS
you surely have gotten a bargain! I have to look back, but wasn't Hornet II only moderately damaged? So long ago...

Good report from the Alaska AO, probably means that Andy is not too keen on opening another front there at the moment. Or he's hiding it well. Basically that now really has narrowed the number of potential attack routes you have to watch. If you could guesstimate timing, perhaps from ship or LCU arrivals (you are playing with fixed schedules, right?), you could attempt to lay a trap on one of them, hoping it is the one highest on his list.

Also I want to point out that Andy appears to have withdrawn all his 4EB, or have you seen any strikes recently? He hasn't been using them much in the last few turn, or am I wrong?

[PzB74]

Yes, the C6N is fully carrier capable - so I will try them out.
Our Judy's have such a crazy range anyway that I'm unsure about the gains....

Got 120 fighters at Rabaul with another 140 at Gasmata to cover our bombardment TFs that shuttle to and from Buna.
Not to keen on sending in our few battleships to hit a rather unimportant target, not worth the risk.
- We all know that sometimes bombardment TFs stay the night..RIP!

I tried with shorter range in today's sweeps and that worked better.
Last time I varied altitude only with a few thousand feet. The risk is that the units go in one by one, the ones going in low will
usually die when the enemy gets the dive on them.

Yep, I noticed that a single B-25 dropped its ordnance when attacked by fighters!

FOW made some numbers on us and the names of ships that were truly sunk finally appeared.
What's listed here now is probably the right ones.

Andy is continuing with his Guinea invasions; Merauke was invaded today.
In due time he will expand into the SRA and no doubt try to organize a Central Pacific landing and a landing in Malay area.
I would guess summer 44 is a good time for another major push.

Yes, only some B-17s continue to hit us in Burma while ca 150 B-24s operate our of Northern Oz.
No doubt Andy is prepping his air fleets for the next big push.
- Placing the Combined Fleet in the Marianas or Mindanao is probably the best choice; I believe in using LBA to weaken enemy invasions and support
before sending in the cavalry [:)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 25, 44

Tried sending in some MTBs today, they were useless!
5 large Shimakaze class destroyers were also ordered to intercept some convoys heading into Rangoon from the north.
They made contact but the enemy eluded them.

Our naval bombers also attacked but our escoirts took a heavy beating while the Judy's failed to score.
Our Frances bombers at Port Blair usually stay home, got a poor leader that is about to be replaced. Sometimes they sneak in....

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-151, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-156
MTB G-159, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-160, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-161, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-162, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Black
DD Caperton
DD Guest
DD Isherwood
DD Sproston
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-156, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Black
DD Caperton
DD Guest
DD Isherwood
DD Sproston

Poor visibility due to Rain with 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 3% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 2,000 yards
DD Sproston fires at MTB G-156 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-156 engages DD Sproston at 2,000 yards
MTB G-156 engages DD Guest at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
MTB G-156 sunk by DD Guest at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 52,54, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Arikaze
DD Takakaze
DD Hikokaze
DD Susukaze
DD Ishikaze

Allied Ships
LCT-321
LCT-322
LCT-323
LCT-362
LCT-363
LCT-364
LCT-365
LCT-366
LCT-367
LCT-368
LCT-369
LCT-370
LCT-371
LCT-372
LCT-470
LCT-471
LCT-472
LCT-473
LCT-474
LCT-475
LCT-477

Low visibility due to Rain with 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 3% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 28,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Barge TF evades combat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,54, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-163
MTB G-164
MTB G-165, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
xAKL Belray

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,54, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-163, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-164, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-165, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Charrette
DD Kidd
xAK Eastern City
xAK Shahzada
LST 8

Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air Combat

Night Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 139 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39N1 Airacobra x 12
P-70 Havoc x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Laffey
DD Frazier

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,100 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 12

Allied aircraft
P-39N1 Airacobra x 5
P-70 Havoc x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Laffey

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

I have hundreds of fighters at Bangkok but relatively few took of to intercept the small shipping strike.
The reason is the lack of radar...we have 3 Air HQs in the base but none base units. So I have to send one with radar asap!


Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 12

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 10
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 5
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th Naval Guard Unit, at 89,124 (Merauke)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 13
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 17

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 4th South Seas Gsn ...
Also attacking 16th Naval Guard Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th South Seas Gsn , at 89,124 (Merauke)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 7
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-25G Mitchell x 3
B-25H Mitchell x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 17

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-25H Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x Mitchell II bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25H Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 16th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 4th South Seas Gsn ...
Also attacking 16th Naval Guard Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Merauke , at 89,124
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 22
P-38J Lightning x 8
P-40N5 Warhawk x 9
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 24

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,54
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 8
N1K1-J George x 25

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 7
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Charrette

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 9000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bangkok at 56,62
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3
N1K1-J George x 21
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 26
Ki-84a Frank x 52

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 6
PV-1 Ventura x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Atlantic Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Training flight from 68th Sentai has been caught up in attack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions

Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless
CL Adelaide
CL Sumatra
DD Cummings
DD McCall
DD Radford
DD Philip
DD O'Bannon
DD Nicholas
PG Charleston
LCI-85
LCI-436
DE Hotspur
LCI-435

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

CA Frobisher firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
CL Birmingham firing at 4th South Seas Gsn
CL Mauritius firing at 4th South Seas Gsn
CL Ceres firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
CL Dauntless firing at 4th South Seas Gsn
CL Adelaide firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
CL Sumatra firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
DD Cummings firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
DD McCall firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
DD Radford firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
DD Philip firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
DD O'Bannon firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
DD Nicholas firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
PG Charleston firing at 16th Naval Guard Unit
DD McCall fired at enemy troops
DD O'Bannon fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Merauke (89,124)

TF 225 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 89,124

Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 42 (0 destroyed, 42 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (0 destroyed, 15 disabled)

11 troops of a AIF Inf Section 43 accidentally lost during unload of 4th Australian Div /5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1440 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 97
Defending force 9985 troops, 155 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 372

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

Assaulting units:
4th South Seas Gsn
16th Naval Guard Unit
13th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
4th Australian Div /19
10th RAAF M/W Sqn /1
10 RAAF Base Force /6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Merauke Invaded

I've managed to hang onto the small bases like Merauke using small garrisons and building forts.
Andy landed a full Oz division today! Strangely our naval bombers didn't engage...didn't spot any carriers.

The questions is whether it's worth to attack this force in strength or not; will try with the resources available to us.
A para unit with 100% prep for Merauke will be airlifted; with 4 forts and 98 AV we may throw a spanner into the works here as in Buna!