Burns vs. Yubari, CHS scenario 158 version 2.08c

[Gen.Hoepner]

Hi Jim. Yes, air superiority in NE Oz is defenetly gained i think. From now on nothing can stop u from keeping his AFs there well suppressed.
The zeros cannot do anything against your 4Es...he'd need the Tonies, but even if he has already some air wings equipped with them i doubt he can move them to Oz right now. Too late!
YEs, the critical mass at Townsville has been reached. Now be patient and keep him honest there. Bombard him every day just to be sure he doesn't move back unseen. Be ready to place a great wolfpack of subs near Cairns and CookTown as soon as you have the feeling he's trying ton evacuate.
It's gonna be fun[8D]

[Jim D Burns]

20 July 42

Sub ops today consist of three different allied subs making attacks on Japanese shipping. Two of the three attacks score hits, but both hits fail to detonate.

After resting up for over a week to raise the morale of my heavy squadrons, I send the Chinese LB-30’s and the Chinese long range bombers to Pescadores on Formosa to conduct a port attack. The results are more than satisfying as even the Chinese bombers score a couple of hits.

This has got to vex my opponent as he looks over all his ports within range of these babies that he has ships sitting in.

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Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 24
IL-4c x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 5 damaged
IL-4c: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
MSW Rokko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Choun Maru #21, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fuki Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Zogen Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
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What a doofus I am. Last turn I perused the possible city attacks for my medium bombers sitting at Akyab slowly regaining morale. I must have accidently assigned a mission to the squadron I was using to look at the possible targets with. They flew all alone this turn and got chewed up by the CAP. I’m lucky I only lost 3 bombers.

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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
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My medium bombers hit Cooktown again today and I’d have to say this will do it for that base as well. 60 runway hits has to close the field, so I expect my opponent will be pulling his zeros out of this base as well now.

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Day Air attack on Cooktown , at 48,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 29
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 4 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 22 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 60

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

30 Marauders from Umnak Island hit the airfield at Amchitka and score only 3 runway hits.

Land bombardments are traded at Nanchang today. I notice that Japan's land bombardment at Townsville today has a lot less units there than he had before. I wonder if he’s already decided to leave.

In the waters around India, my AP’s have finally escaped the pursuing Japanese wolf packs and entered the Aden channel this turn. That leaves just the stricken Wakefield left in danger now and Glens spotted it this turn.



As you can see from the screenshot, I’ve got every available ASW task force in the area following the stricken ship trying to get it into port safely at Bombay so it can repair the flood damage. It’s one of my better AP’s, it would be a shame to lose it.

Jim

[Jim D Burns]

21 July 42

The only sub action today occurs at Palau, where the SS Grampus takes a shot at a Japanese AK. Unfortunately the attack missed.

At Alice Springs I’ve divided the duties of my Hudson bombers so both Daily Waters and tenant Creek are hit today. 61 Hudson’s hit Daily Waters and minor damage. 45 Hudson’s and 16 Beauforts hit Tennant Creek and cause minor damage.

I want to cause damage to these two bases every day if I can in order to keep Japan from building up the airfields. All the Hudson’s combined on one target don’t cause enough damage to close the airfield, so daily damage will be the only way to stop construction. I’ll keep these missions active and see if fatigue piles up too fast to prevent this strategy from working.

82 B-24’s hit Cairns today and cause heavy damage to the base. Also over 1,000 casualties are caused on the ground, that’s gotta hurt.

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Day Air attack on Cairns , at 48,102


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 82


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
1099 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 75

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My B-17’s fly two raids and hit two units at Townsville today. 40 Marauders fly against Amchitka Island today and score 5 runway hits. Looks like the North Pacific Command is going to need a lot more air power before it can close any airfields up north.

Japan flies a raid against Ichang today and strikes one of my Corps there. He hasn’t flown raids here before.

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Day Air attack on 77th Chinese Corps, at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24
Ki-30 Ann x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 24
Ki-21-II Sally x 15
Ki-49 Helen x 15

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
15 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
15 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 11000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 8000 feet
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Japans land bombardment at Townsville today shows he’s definitely pulling back. He’s left 5 divisions at Townsville with some other smaller units, just enough to prevent me from driving him out. This is probably why so many casuallties were caused by my B-24's this turn, he must have close to 100,000 men at Cairns right now.



I’ll make sure all my bombers are on naval attack every turn from now on, as I expect evacuation and supply convoys to be arriving in the area soon.

Land bombardments are traded again at Nanchang. After weeks of these attacks, the two units left with less than 59 experience (one has 57 the other 58) refuse to gain any experience, so I’ve decided to stand my units down for a while. Perhaps after a week or two of rest, these units will gain experience again when I reassign the attack.

Jim

[ny59giants]

If you can spare a squadron or two of Beaufort I's to place at Townsville and set at range of 4, that should make any shipping in or out of Cairns very expensive.
&nbsp;
Place some high experienced LBs at Bombay on Naval Search at 1000 feet to help find and hit his lurking subs. I found those LB-30s do this job very well. [:D]

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

If you can spare a squadron or two of Beaufort I's to place at Townsville and set at range of 4, that should make any shipping in or out of Cairns very expensive.

Place some high experienced LBs at Bombay on Naval Search at 1000 feet to help find and hit his lurking subs. I found those LB-30s do this job very well. [:D]

I don't have any Beaufort I's in Australia [:(], just the Beaufort V-IX's. But I do have 5 Dutch torpedo planes at Sydney, I'll send them north.

We have a house rule about no search planes set to lower than 6,000 feet. It helps prevent the sub clearing sweeps you mention, I find those too gamey and unrealistic. With the current HR, I've lost about 9 subs and my opponent 6 or 7. It's still higher than historical losses, but a far cry from the dozens of losses most games have by now, so the rule works well.

Jim

[ny59giants]

The 2 Canadian Blenheim squadrons upgrade to Beaufort I (with PDU on) if you still have them in the eastern Pacific.

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

The 2 Canadian Blenheim squadrons upgrade to Beaufort I (with PDU on) if you still have them in the eastern Pacific.

We're playing PDU off, but I will look to see if any of the Hudson squadrons upgrade to them. I have quite a few Hudson squadrons in Asutralia, so hopefully 1 or 2 will upgrade to them.

Jim

Edit: Nope, just loaded an old save, none of the squadrons in Australia upgrade to torpedo planes. Looks like the Dutch are it for now.

[Jim D Burns]

I took a closer look at things. For now I only have 2 Beaufort I squadrons (both in India), though I do get a third in 96 days that arrives at Victoria.

I think I’ll send the Victoria squadron to the North Pacific and rely on torpedo planes from the SWPAC and SPAC HQ’s to provide a torpedo plane presence in Australia. My first TBF squadron arrives in Seattle in 85 days, so it’ll be a while before I have any land based torpedo planes in Australia. Other than the few Dutch torpedo bombers there now of course.

I get very few land based torpedo plane squadrons, probably less than 15 total for the entire game. Though I may still be able to upgrade some level bomber squadrons later that I’m currently unaware of now.

Jim

[Jim D Burns]

22 – 23 July 42

22 July is a very slow day. It starts off with one of my Dutch coastal subs (3500 endurance) torpedoing a loaded AP one hex southwest of Rangoon. The sub suffers a minor hit from the escorts counter-attack, but damage is very light, so the sub shall remain on patrol.

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Sub attack at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AP Tientsin Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wa 9
MSW Wa 6

Allied Ships
SS KXII, hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
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Next is this odd report. During the turn the message scrolled by that a Japanese DD at Rangoon destroyed a mine, but the combat report text states there were 271 casualties. I wonder if this is a clue that perhaps a Japanese ship from the just attacked AP convoy struck a mine as it entered port and I simply wasn’t privy to it.

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TF 131 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33)

Japanese Ships
DD Shirayuki

Japanese ground losses:
271 casualties reported
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My bombers hit both Cairns and Cooktown again today.

Japan conducted land bombardments at Townsville and Nanchang. My B-24’s caused over 670 casualties at Cairns today.

23 July is a pretty bad day overall for the allies due to a disastrous raid on Rangoon today.

First no sub ops occurred today, that’s the first day in a long time my subs failed to have any activity at all occur.

My Hudson bombers hit both Daily Waters and Tennant Creek today.

Then my heavy bombers from Dacca launch a large air strike on Rangoon and are intercepted by 102 Japanese fighters. I lose a total of 17 of the 72 attacking planes. 14 of them are lost to air to air, the rest were op losses. Almost all of the remaining planes are damaged.

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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 55
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-17D Fortress x 24
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 6 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F-5A Lightning: 2 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 24 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 22 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 7 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
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Only 8 Japanese planes were destroyed and all of those were on the ground. My squadrons morale levels have all plummeted, one squadron is as low as 20. It’ll take weeks to recover from this disastrous raid.

My Blenheim’s from Akyab then launch an air attack on the Japanese fleets that are withdrawing from Rangoon. Unfortunately they target the surface fleet instead of the transport fleet and no hits are scored.

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Day Air attack on TF at 28,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Tone
DD Fubuki
CA Myoko
CL Natori
CL Kinu
DD Nagatsuki

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess I should be thankful that the two fleets left Rangoon this turn. Had they still been in port, these bombers would have been decimated as well by the 100+ fighters flying CAP over the base.

My heavies hit Cairns again today and cause just under 500 casualties today. The Guards division at Townsville is hit by my B-17’s.

In China Japan conducts two raids on my units at Ichang.

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Day Air attack on 42nd Chinese Corps, at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 9
Ki-30 Ann x 27
Ki-51 Sonia x 26

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
75 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 39th Chinese Corps, at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 24
Ki-21-II Sally x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 20

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan conducts a land bombardment at Ichang today. I also note there are now 4 Japanese units on the road just east of Ichang. Another 13 units are spotted at Hankow.

This leads me to believe Japan is gearing up for an attack on my units at Ichang. There isn’t a lot I can do to help those units due to the long transit times moving over the trails entails. So they’ll have to hold or fall on their own merits.

Japan also conducts his routine land bombardments at Nanchang and Townsville today.

Jim

[Jim D Burns]

24 – 25 July 42

24 July has Japan conduct two ASW attacks against my Dutch coastal sub at Port Blair, but both attacks miss. No other sub ops occurred today.

Allied medium bombers from Alice Springs hit both Daily Waters and Tennant Creek today.

36 British Liberator III’s hit Port Blair from Calcutta today, but no damage was caused at all even though the raid was not intercepted.

Heavy bombers from Rockhampton hit Cairns, the 48th Division and the Guards Division today.

71 Blenheim IV’s from Akyab hit Meiktila today causing minor damage to the base. 2 bombers are lost to flak. Then another 17 Blenheim’s are sent to attack a couple of Japanese MSW’s one hex outside of Rangoon, but no hits are scored. The defending LRCAP shoots down two bombers.

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Day Air attack on TF at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 27
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
MSW Mejima Maru
MSW Bisan Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Japan sends a small raid and hits the 75th Corps at Ichang.

Japan conducts land bombardments at Ichang, Nanchang and Townsville.

25 July is a busy day for sub ops. The Flying Fish attacks a Japanese tanker and scores a hit, but it’s a dud.

Then Japan conducts 4 ASW attacks this turn. Two of the attacks result in hits against the Dutch costal sub KVII at Rangoon. Damage is minor but I’ve ordered the sub to return to port for repairs.

Last turn my PBY’s flying recon over Amchitka Island in the Aleutians spotted a Japanese transport task force. I sent my PT boats in and it resulted in a night time surface attack.

The PT commander gained a tactical advantage and 5 of the boats launched torpedoes. One torpedo scored a hit on an AP, though no casualties were reported, so I suspect the ship had already discharged its cargo.



All boats that launched torpedoes launched them at 3,000 yards and the attack then broke off after the one attack phase. This is the first time I’ve ever seen more than 2 or 3 PT boats launch their torpedoes in a naval battle let alone all in one attack phase. I guess if a task force is poorly escorted, you can actually see more than just a couple of PT’s engage, but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen it, so it may be just a very lucky die roll.

After last turns raids with my Blenheim’s at Akyab, I assumed my opponent would retaliate, so I pulled them back for a little R&R. I was right, Japan launched a large strike today and closed Akyab’s airfield. Engineers have repaired enough damage to make the field semi-usable, but given the power of Japan’s airforce at Rangoon, I decided to pull everything out except a float plane squadron.

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Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16
Ki-21-II Sally x 31
Ki-49 Helen x 47

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 9 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 8 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 4 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 79

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan followed up his air raid with a fighter sweep that killed a few more of my Hurricanes.

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Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed
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Allied medium bombers from Charter Towers hit Cooktown today. Umnak mediums hit Amchitka Island today causing very minor damage.

Japan conducted land bombardments at Townsville and Ichang today.

Jim

[Jim D Burns]

26 - 27 July 42

26 July begins with a lot of Japanese mine clearing operations. Of note is this report, I can’t tell if the ship that sunk was sunk due to a mine or simply sank from previous damage.

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TF 132 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33)

Japanese Ships
AP Tientsin Maru, and is sunk
MSW Mejima Maru
MSW Bisan Maru
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Sub ops today consist of 2 Japanese ASW attacks, but both miss their targets. Then Dutch sub KXVIII, located in the Malacca Strait, fires two torpedoes at a loaded AP and both fish find their mark. The sub pays for its attack and is hit by the counter-attacking escorts, but damage isn't too severe.



Japan launches an air raid against Akyab today, but all but 4 bombers fail to locate the target. Damage to the base is negligible.

SigInt reports another Japanese brigade is preparing for Geraldton. Given my opponents troubles in NE Australia, I’d be surprised if he commits a large scale landing in the west now. But it could turn the tide for him in the NE if it’s large enough, so I’ll still send the Americal Division to the west when it gets relieved.

Japan conducts land bombardments at Townsville and Ichang today.

27 July starts with US sub SS Pickerel launching an attack on a Japanese ML at Rabaul, but the torpedoes miss. A Japanese ASW attack against the Pickerel later in the turn launched by the same ML it just attacked, also fails to hit its target.

Some good news occurred today during the turns processing, reports flashed by of the AP hit in yesterdays torpedo attack in the Malacca Strait sinking and survivors were being rescued. I hope a good chunk of a strong unit went down with that ship.

Japan then launches a large port strike on Calcutta with 70 Nell bombers. My Hurricanes do a good job and actually achieve a 4-1 kill ratio against the zeros flying the long range escort mission. Flak then tears through the bombers and no targets are hit in port.

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Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
G3M Nell x 70

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
G3M Nell: 8 destroyed, 26 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M Nell bombing at 14000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My opponent informed me via email his recon had spotted some juicy targets in port at Calcutta. All I have there is a single coastal sub (endurance 3500) that is repairing some system damage. All other allied shipping left the Indian ports along the east coast of India as soon as Rangoon fell.

31 allied Liberator III’s hit Port Blair today and again failed to cause any damage, what the heck is up with that base, I’m not even scratching it?.

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Day Air attack on Port Blair , at 23,34


Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 31


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Liberator III bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Medium bombers from Umnak Island hit Amchitka in the Aleutians.

Japan conducts land bombardments at Townsville and Ichang today.

Jim

[Gen.Hoepner]

I'd bet 50 euros that the unist prepping for the western coast of Oz are only a decoy...he cannot really commit there at the moment. He has to save his army stuck in the eastern coast! If he really goes for Perth...i'd say dont' commit much more of 500 AVs...fortify at K. (don't remember the name of that base some 10 hexes east of Perth) and let it come...as long as the lanes from Us to Oz are open, Australia is a big trap for him....

[Jim D Burns]

28 – 29 July 42

Sub ops for 28 July start off with the SS Trout slamming a torpedo into a Japanese AK at Saipan. The skipper of the Trout manages to evade the escort’s counter-attacks.

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Sub attack near Saipan at 64,64

Japanese Ships
AK Kagu Maru, Torpedo hits 1
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
SS Trout
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Two other US subs make attacks this turn, but both miss their targets. Japan also conducts two ASW attacks but no hits are scored.

99 Hudsons and 16 Beaufighters hit Tennant Creek today and cause heavy damage to the base. 9 of the planes are damaged by flak, but none are lost.

Japan conducts land bombardments at Townsville and Ichang today. As you can see from the screenshot of the Ichang attack, Japan now has over 4,000 AV in the hex.



After looking over the situation, the only benefit I see Japan gaining from this move is if he plans to continue west from Ichang after driving out my units. It’ll take him about a month, but he can flank Changsha to the north and basically force me to withdraw from my two defensive hexes east of Changsha in the forest and at Nanchang.

I’m going to mull things over for a while and see if I can come up with a plan to counter such a flanking move by Japan.

The only sub activity for 29 July is an attack on a Japanese CA at Truck by SS Triton. The sub scores a hit but it’s a dud torpedo.

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Sub attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Michishio
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Triton
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At Ichang Japan conducts two air raids on my land units there. I notice he doesn’t have a lot of fighters flying as escort. I’ll spend some time trying to recognize any patterns to these raids and set up an ambush in the future with the AVG if I spot the pattern.

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Day Air attack on 75th Chinese Corps, at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 9
Ki-30 Ann x 27
Ki-51 Sonia x 26
Ki-21-II Sally x 13
Ki-48-II Lily x 11

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 7000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 94th Chinese Corps, at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 3
Ki-51 Sonia x 4
Ki-21-II Sally x 6
Ki-48-II Lily x 4

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 7000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan conducts his usual land bombardments at Ichang and Townsville today.

Nothing else of note to report today.

Jim

[Jim D Burns]

30 – 31 July 42

30 July has no sub ops of any kind occur.

At Townsville 36 B-17s hit the 18th Division and cause 168 casualties.

Japan conducts two air raids on my units at Ichang.

In the Aleutians a large 30 ship convoy arrived at Adak Island to unload a Seabee unit and supplies and fuel. My P-40E squadron at Umnak Island could not fly LRCAP over Adak Island as the code said it was too far, even though the base is just 5 hexes away, which is the max range of P-40Es.

I paid for it, as Japan has moved at least two Betty squadrons into his small level 2 airfields with some zeros. A total of 4 strikes were flown and several of my ships were hit by 250kg bombs.

Thankfully only the SC Dundas has sunk so far, but several of my AK’s are in bad shape.

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Day Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 97,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Admiral Chase, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Laws, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Admiral Gove, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 5000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 97,38

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Haleakala
AK Admiral Gove, on fire, heavy damage
SC Dundas, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Elna
AK Taku

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 5000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 97,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SC New Westminster
AK Admiral Senn
AK Ravnaas, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Coast Trader

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 5000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 97,38

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Admiral Laws, on fire
AK Elna
AK Northern Sword

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 5000 feet
<snip>
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I divided the task force in two with 14 ships in one task force and 15 in the other. They shall remain in hex and continue unloading as it will only get harder to supply this island in the future. Especially once Japan completes a level 4 airfield in the area.

The amazing thing is my Seabees unloaded and completed a level one airfield, so the P-40s are now on Adak so I’ll have some CAP next turn.

Japan conducts land bombardments at Townsville and Ichang today.

31 July starts out with one of my APs hitting Japanese mine at Dutch Harbor. This minefield was previously undetected, I’ve dispatched two MSW fleets to clear the mines out. The AP is carrying part of an air HQ on route to Umnak. Damage isn’t too bad so I’ve diverted the fleet around the minefield as it had withdrawn 3 hexes east for some reason instead of continuing west after it struck the mine.

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TF 1035 encounters mine field at Dutch Harbor (102,37)

Allied Ships
AP President Polk, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
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78 Hudsons hit Daily Waters today and cause minor damage.

My bombers from Chungking flew a port attack today against Tientsin and hit an AK docked in port there. Damage to the ship didn’t appear to be too heavy.

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Day Air attack on Tientsin , at 55,30


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
LB-30 Liberator x 24
IL-4c x 12


Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged
IL-4c: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Horaisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

82 B-24’s hit Cairns today and cause heavy damage to the base. 129 of my medium bombers hit Cooktown and that base also suffers heavy damage.

In China Japan only conducts one raid against my units at Ichang. I think I’ll wait one more turn and then try an ambush with the AVG.

The only land bombardment Japan conducts today is at Ichang. I wonder if all my air attacks in NE Australia are causing my opponent some supply problems which has forced him to discontinue his land bombardment. Whatever the cause, I’m glad for the break as his bombardments have chewed up two of my HQ’s and two of my brigades.

I went over all my dispositions in China today to study what a Japanese drive west from Ichang would/could do. I’ve gone ahead and ordered 3 corps plus an HQ from Wuchow to move to the river line hex 2 hexes NE of Hengchow.

I’ve also ordered 2 corps from each of my large defensive hexes east of Changsha to move to the river hex NE of Hengchow as well. In addition one HQ from the forest hex will move as well. That will give me
2 HQs and 7 Corps defending the river hex along the trail from Ichang.



By moving them now, they can hopefully be fully dug in to level 3 by the time Japan tries to cross the river.

The 2 HQs and 6 corps at Ichang shall fight Japan for every hex and will probably be in bad shape by the time they retreat across the river. So once they are retreated, I’ll move 1 HQ and 3 corps to both Changsha and Hengchow. These units will be my new reserve army, as I’ll have no more spare troops left except my guerilla troops after these redeployments are made.

Eventually once my guerilla units are all rebuilt and redeployed to Wuchow, I’ll move all 9 or 10 of them into Canton to allow me to pull about 3 corps out of Canton to act as a southern reserve army based out of Wuchow.

I also have the two destroyed corps from Wenchow rebuilding at Chungking, but they each still need about 100 squads, so they are months away from being ready to re-enter combat.

Jim

[Gen.Hoepner]

Ichang isn't an easy target for Japan. For some reasons supply tends not to flow there easily. How many units does he have there?...How about a supply-air-bridge from Chungking...with enough supplies your units at Ichang should hold...
Jim, beware of the Troll's tactic in China...if he brings more reinforcements at Canton he can eventually dislodge you from there and so threaten your whole southern flank....do you have any strong reserve army somewhere around Liuchow?

[Gen.Hoepner]

Sorry...i've seen now the screen shot....4000 AVs...mmmmm...try an airbridge Jim...with enough supplies 2000 chinese AVs should hold

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
Sorry...i've seen now the screen shot....4000 AVs...mmmmm...try an airbridge Jim...with enough supplies 2000 chinese AVs should hold

Hi G.H.,

Supply hasn’t been a problem for me at Ichang, my units are pulling plenty so far. I do have 32 air transports in China now, so I can create a decent air bridge if needed, but so far I haven’t needed to. Ironically it is the base 2 hexes NE of Ichang that has had supply problems.

That’s why I transferred 32 air transport planes to China Command. I’ve been flying supplies there and only recently got the units up to their full on hand supply for the first time in the game there. I’ll continue that air bridge until supplies are out of the red/orange there.

I’ve got 6 corps and some HQ’s at Canton. My reserve army of 3 corps and an HQ at Wuchow is marching north to set up a defense behind the river. So once they leave my only reserve in the south will be the guerilla units. I’ve got about 7 or 8 full strength guerilla units there now and one or two are marching to Wuchow from Chungking. The last guerilla unit is almost totally rebuilt at Chungking, once it reaches Wuchow, I’ll send the guerilla units to Canton and pull out 3 of the 6 corps to form a southern reserve with.

I’m not as worried about a second large Japanese front in China in my game since he’s committed 10+ divisions to Australia already. In order to achieve what Troll achieved in your game, he’d have to bring most/all of the forces from Australia back to do it.

The Ichang offensive is his big push. These are the same forces I stopped in the forest hex east of Changsha, so I think he’ll eventually push me out of Ichang. Unlike the forest hex, I won’t be able to rush any reinforcements in, which is why I was able to hold onto the forest hex.

The only advantage I have here over the forest hex is my units are all 100% prepped for Ichang, so they’ll get a combat bonus for that. But I think he’ll start wearing them down like he was doing to my units in the forest, and eventually he’ll be able to push me out.

Jim

[Jim D Burns]

1 – 2 Aug. 42

1 August arrives and the British crown asks for yet another BB to be sent home. I have no choice but to send the ships as I’m extremely short on political points. This means I’ll have only 2 British battleships in Indian waters for the next year and more. I cannot afford to send any more battleships back to Britain after this, so any future requests shall see me paying the cost.

I’ve pretty much released everything in the Panama region I wanted to already and about half the air squadrons in the US have been sent into the Pacific. So from here on out political points shouldn’t be so limited that I can’t afford to say no once in a while to big ship requests.

Sub ops today consist of 3 allied sub attacks. Two attacks miss their targets, but at Wake the SS Grayling slams a torpedo into a Japanese ML. Damage didn’t appear to be too heavy though, so I doubt the ship will sink.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wake Island at 85,72

Japanese Ships
ML Shirataka, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Grayling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

72 B-24s hit Cairns today causing moderate damage to the base.

In the Aleutians Japan conducts another three air raids on my task forces there. Even though I’ve got fighter support in the area, several more of my ships are hit and the SC ship, New Westminster, sinks. With 37,000 supplies unloaded at Adak Island now, I’ve gone ahead and ordered my fleets to sail to Umnak and Dutch Harbor to unload their remaining supplies at those two bases.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 97,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Nabesna
AK Admiral Laws, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Norlago, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 97,38

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged


Allied Ships
AK Haleakala, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Malanao, Bomb hits 1
SC New Westminster, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 100,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
G4M1 Betty x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Malama
AK Admiral Williams, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Senn, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan conducts a land bombardment at Ichang today.

Sub ops for 2 August consist of an allied ASW attack on a Japanese sub NE of Auckland, but the sub manages to evade and no damage is caused.

89 Hudsons hit Daily Waters today and cause moderate damage to the base. In Burma 89 Blenheim IVs hit Meiktila and cause light damage to the base there.

Japan launches a large air raid on Mandalay causing moderate damage to the base and destroys 3 Hurricanes on the ground. With over 100 bombers available to smash Mandalay at will, I’ve withdrawn all my Hurricanes out of Burma now back to Indian airspace.

In China Japan sends another raid against my land units at Ichang and my little AVG ambush puts 21 P-40Bs up as LRCAP. Only 2 of my fighters are lost and they manage to shoot down 6 Oscars and 7 Sonias. With most of the rest of my fighters damaged I rebase all 3 squadrons back to Chungking to recover disablements.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 94th Chinese Corps, at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 34
Ki-30 Ann x 11
Ki-51 Sonia x 26
Ki-21-II Sally x 23
Ki-49 Helen x 18

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 7 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged


Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Aleutians Japan launches four small raids at my fleeing task forces and manages to hit another 3 ships. I now have 3 fighter squadrons based at Umnak, so hopefully I can shoot something down should he try to fly again tomorrow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 99,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Malanao

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 98,37

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Admiral Gove, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 99,37

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AK Taku

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 98,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
G4M1 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AK Admiral Gove, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Chase, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All of the ships should reach either Umnak or Dutch Harbor next turn, though there are still mines at Dutch Harbor, so I expect several ships will pay the price for entering that hex. I have no choice though as it is my only port in the area large enough to dock ships in to help reduce flood damage.

Japan conducts a land bombardment at Ichang again today and causes 265 casualties. I guess all the disruption is causing my units to be more vulnerable as his casualties caused has increased almost every turn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 180891 troops, 908 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 4299

Defending force 76822 troops, 310 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2183



Allied ground losses:
265 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nothing much else of note to report today. One of my subs did spot a fleet north of Cooktown today, but I can’t tell if it’s really a fleet or just a Japanese sub. If it’s a fleet my medium bombers at Charter Towers should have a field day next turn.

Jim

[Jim D Burns]

3 Aug. 42

There is lots of sub activity today. Too much to do just a summary of everything, so I’ll cut and paste the combat reports with a few of my comments injected. There was a lot of potential to harm Japan in today’s sub ops, but in the end defective torpedoes prevented any damage to Japan from occurring.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 53,109

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio
DD Akebono
DD Yugiri

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel, hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
ML Okinoshima Hit! Fails to detonate

Allied Ships
SS Tuna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Eniwetok at 77,78

Japanese Ships
AP Tsuyama Maru Hit! Fails to detonate
PC Ch 7
PC Ch 3

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 57,91

Japanese Ships
AK Toyooka Maru Miss
AK Umegawa Maru
AK Hokuroku Maru
PG Tamo Maru #6

Allied Ships
SS Pompano
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 65,132

Japanese Ships
SS I-24, hits 2

Allied Ships
MSW Tui
MSW Moa
MSW Kiwi
MSW Sanda
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 53,109

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio
DD Oshio
DD Hamakaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Yukikaze
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wake Island at 85,72

Japanese Ships
ML Tsugaru Hit! Fails to detonate

Allied Ships
SS Grayling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
AK Tsuneshima Maru Miss
MSW Noshiro Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Triton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
ML Tokiwa Miss

Allied Ships
SS Tuna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Both ASW attacks on the Pickerel were made by KB’s escorts, as the sub stumbled upon KB east of Rockhampton.

I think this saved my airbase at Rockhampton from attack, as my opponent complained in his email KB stopped one hex short of its plotted move. The time and op points needed to conduct the ASW Attacks probably made the difference.



I’ve decided not to rebase my heavies out of Rockhampton since allied recon spots at least two convoys about to enter the shallow water slot a few hexes north of Cooktown. KB will probably have to head north to cover these convoys if he wants to avoid massive damage caused by my medium bombers at Charter Towers.

So I’ve given all my heavy squadrons naval attack missions with 20% naval search. Let’s see if they can hit anything from 15,000 feet.

84 Blenheim IV’s from Imphal raided Meiktila today causing moderate damage to the base. I’m really torn as to whether to upgrade these bombers or not. Some upgrade to Vengeance dive bombers and some to Hurricane III/IV’s. Both of these air frames have much shorter range than the Blenheim’s, but both are better bombers than the Blenheim’s.

I guess I’ll wait until I have a forward airfield that can stand up to the punishment Japan’s 100+ bombers from Rangoon are dishing out. Right now if I upgrade these squadrons, they’ll end up sitting on their duffs at a rear area base until allied fighters can secure air dominance on the front lines of Burma.

Japan’s bombardment of Ichang caused more casualties today than yesterday. He now has 4300 AV in the hex.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 181022 troops, 909 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 4303

Defending force 76559 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2184



Allied ground losses:
371 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AVG’s ambush must have stung him, as no Japanese air raids are being conducted at Ichang right now.

Jim

[Jim D Burns]

4 – 5 Aug. 42

4 August starts out with three allied sub attacks. The SS Triton hits a Japanese AK at Truck. The other two attacks miss and the SS Bass is hit by the counter-attacking escorts north of Cooktown. With only 4 system damage, the Bass remains at sea with orders to move to Cooktown to try and get another shot at the incoming task forces.

Then the allied heavies from Rockhampton and the mediums from Charter Towers launch a series of disastrous raids on KB which has moved north from its last position as I suspected it would.

I won’t do a play by play of the raids, suffice it to say 54 allied bombers are shot down today and only 1 zero is lost in return. The three bomb hits scored on the CA’s bounced, so the raids were a completely wasted effort. Especially since none of the three raids appear to have targeted his CV's.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 51,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 152

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 30
B-26B Marauder x 24
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 69 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 14 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Maya
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 1
DD Harusame
CA Takao
DD Shikinami

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 51,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 152

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-26B Marauder x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 25 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 6 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
CL Naka

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 51,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 8
B-26B Marauder x 11
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 7 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 21 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 1
DD Hatsuyuki
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1
CA Mikuma
CA Chikuma

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All my bomber squadrons that participated in today’s raids have devastated morale levels, some as low as the mid teens. I also lost about 35 good pilots today, so I doubt my medium bombers will do much damage to the incoming transport fleets if/when they do launch an attack against them.

Here’s a screenshot of today’s air losses:



Japan conducted a land bombardment at Ichang today.

5 August is so short, I decided to post the entire combat reports file.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/05/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
ML Tsugaru

Allied Ships
SS Tuna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Guards (2nd) Division, at 46,105


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 1


No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 8th Hvy Field Artillery Regiment, at 46,105


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 1


No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 180857 troops, 909 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 4300

Defending force 76212 troops, 307 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2175



Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are two things to note this turn. First the transport fleets north of Cooktown are not moving south, so it appears they are waiting for KB. However, KB has moved northeast from its last position. I cannot tell if he’s simply going around the range of my medium bombers at Charter Towers, or if he spotted my invasion task force near Luganville.

That’s right, the first allied counter-attack of the war is now just 4 hexes away from Luganville. It consists of a combat loaded RCT aboard about 30 or so ships. P-38F’s from Noumea and now P-29’s from Efate are flying LRCAP over the fleet.

I haven’t seen a sighting report that appears to have detected the fleet yet, but today’s move by KB has me nervous that he may have spotted it.

I’ve got about 60 or so A-29’s at Koumac along with a P-38 squadron that have range 9 naval attack missions set, so if KB heads east I can at least throw something at them to try and stop/slow them down. With the invasion task force only 4 hexes from Luganville now, I’m going in no matter what, it should unload the troops in a single phase, so it won’t have to stick around long.

It’s a shoestring operation in that I don’t really have enough air power in the area to adequately protect the fleet. I also do not have any CV’s or surface ships around. But since Luganville is currently empty of Japanese units, I decided to take it back before my opponent decided he wants to fight for the island and comes back with some sizable units.

Jim