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Summary of Operations 5/29/42

Central Pacific: Several actions reported between US fleet subs and Japanese TF’s near Truk. AAR’s follow.

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ASW attack near Truk at 112,113 (S of Truk)

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
xAKL Sasago Maru
xAKL Ryoyu Maru #21
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
SS Trout

SS Trout launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hagikaze
Trout diving deep ....
DD Kuretake attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Truk at 115,99 (NE of Truk)

Japanese Ships
xAP Asama Maru
CM Tsugaru
AK Amagisan Maru
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish

SS Swordfish launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Asama Maru
Swordfish diving deep ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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ASW attack near Truk at 110,107 (NW of Truk, two separate actions between SS Pollack and this TF)

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
BB Kirishima
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu
DD Kuroshio
DD Kagero
DD Ikazuchi
DD Hibiki
DD Natsushio
DD Hatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Pollack, hits 1 (total hits in both actions – system damage 5, float 39, no fire or engine)

SS Pollack launches 4 torpedoes at DD Yugumo
Pollack diving deep ....
DD Ikazuchi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hibiki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Natsushio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hatsukaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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South Pacific: Coastwatchers report no Japanese ships in harbor at Rabaul. Individual Japanese ships reported in Lunga, Tulagi, and Luganville.


Philippines: Renewed Japanese ground assault on Bataan. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 63182 troops, 978 guns, 564 vehicles, Assault Value = 1882
Defending force 52144 troops, 866 guns, 788 vehicles, Assault Value = 1462
Japanese adjusted assault: 1118
Allied adjusted defense: 973
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1820 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 261 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 261 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 104 (4 destroyed, 100 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1937 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 64 destroyed, 175 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Vehicles lost 97 (36 destroyed, 61 disabled)

Assaulting units:
14th Division
9th Garrison Unit
24th Division
19th Division
48th Division
12th Division
6th Tank Regiment
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
25th Army
1st RF Gun Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
14th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
194th Tank Battalion
14th PS Engineer Regiment
11th PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
Manila Bay Defenses
192nd Tank Battalion
1st PA Infantry Division
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
41st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
1st PI Base Force
1st USMC AA Battalion
202nd PA Construction Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Cavite USN Base Force
Far East USAAF
I Philippine Corps
PAF Aviation
201st PA Construction Battalion
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Bataan USN Base Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Provisional GMC Grp
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
Manila USAAF Base Force
II Philippine Corps
USAFFE
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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Philippine ground forces on Mindanao withdrawing from Zamboanga have lost contact with the Japanese 5th Division that had been pursuing them from Zamboanga.


Malacca Straits: Dutch submarines on patrol or in transit through the straits report contacts with Jap ASW air patrols (Ki-48 Lily). Given the entries for these contacts in the 5/28 Combat Events report indicate two different variants of the Ki-48, it can be concluded Pillager is operating at least two Jap air units equipped with Ki-48’s over the Malacca Straits.


Burma: British LCU that operated as a rear-guard defending Myitkyina has reached Ledo on its overland march following the Japanese capture of Myitkyina. Akyab is now the only base inside Burmese territory remaining in Allied control.


China: Japanese ground bombardment attack near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2375 troops, 192 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 892
Defending force 11528 troops, 247 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 299

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

Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units: (Jap LCU’s below were previously in action at Tuyun)
104th Division
9th Armored Car Co
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
55th Prov Chinese Division
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
4th War Area
16th Group Army
35th Group Army

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Summary of Operations 5/30/42

South Pacific: Naval surface combat raid by Force N (ANZAC Cruisers) against Lunga found no Japanese ships in harbor. One Jap LB was detected at anchor by Force N, although coastwatchers on Lunga are reporting this ship to be an AD. Detected status of Lunga base shows port size 1(1), airfield size 2(5), possible evidence of airfield construction. Force N was attacked twice in daylight air strikes by G4M Betty bombers believed to be operating from Luganville. No surface naval combat occurred, AAR of air strikes follow.

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Morning Air attack on TF, at Lunga (114,138)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Stuart
CL Perth
CA Canberra
CA Australia

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Lunga (114,138)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Bomb hits 1 (no reported damage)
CA Canberra

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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No report from coastwatchers on Japanese ships at Rabaul. CVE Unyo reported in harbor at Luganville by coastwatchers.


Philippines: Japanese ground assault on Bataan continues. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 60070 troops, 978 guns, 564 vehicles, Assault Value = 1688
Defending force 49781 troops, 861 guns, 750 vehicles, Assault Value = 1330
Japanese adjusted assault: 721
Allied adjusted defense: 861
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2447 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 149 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 197 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Vehicles lost 58 (5 destroyed, 53 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1902 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 132 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 170 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 57 (5 destroyed, 52 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Division
14th Division
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
48th Division
9th Garrison Unit
24th Division
12th Division
6th Tank Regiment
25th Army
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
11th RF Gun Battalion
8th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
1st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
51st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
91st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
14th PS Engineer Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
Manila Bay Defenses
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
71st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
31st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
4th Marine Regiment
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
II Philippine Corps
201st PA Construction Battalion
202nd PA Construction Battalion
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Cavite USN Base Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
PAF Aviation
1st PI Base Force
301st Construction Battalion
Far East USAAF
Bataan USN Base Force
Manila USAAF Base Force
1st USMC AA Battalion
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
USAFFE
Provisional GMC Grp
I Philippine Corps
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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Japanese amphibious landing reported underway at Davao, LCU in the landing force is the Jap.5th Infantry Division that had been at Zamboanga. AAR’s of landing ops follow.

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Pre-Invasion action off Davao

Japanese Ships
PB Tatibana Maru
PB Kaito Maru
PB Toyotsu Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru

PB Tatibana Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kaito Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Toyotsu Maru 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

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Amphibious Assault at Davao

TF 222 troops unloading over beach at Davao, 79,91

Japanese ground losses:
631 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 5th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 5th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 5th Div /5

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Burma: Dutch sub on patrol off Rangoon reports contact with small Jap transport TF. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Rangoon at 53,55

Japanese Ships
TK Manju Maru
PB Tama Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS KVIII

SS KVIII is sighted by escort
KVIII bottoming out ....
PB Tama Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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China: Japanese ground assault near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27968 troops, 420 guns, 357 vehicles, Assault Value = 898
Defending force 11569 troops, 244 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 303
Japanese adjusted assault: 655
Allied adjusted defense: 643
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
298 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (7 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
351 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (9 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
31st Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Group Army
4th War Area
9th Group Army
35th Group Army

October 26, 1942 The Johnjohn adventure against the AI--first time player. Excellent advice re: Long Island. Will withdraw both CVEs in a couple of days when Hornet and Wasp arrive from Pearl. Meanwhile Sara, York, and Enterprise are headed back to PH. Am clearing shipyard space for quick turnaround. Have one CVE enroute with replacement a/c, much needed by all three carriers. Two more are forming up in Tacoma and are also headed to PH to replenish the CVs. Long Island will head to SD and pick up Joe Foss and his squadron and run it out to the south Pacific.

Meanwhile Cactus has 100 AB damage an 46 port damage. Most of the Betties have been shot down as have a considerable number of fighters. Bases are being developed at Rennel and Kirakira. About 25 orphans of Yorktown at Kirakira. Meanwhile the strat RR feature in India has broken down. The 2nd Brit Div is now marching (was strat RR deployment to Calcutta) to nearest railhead to re-embark on trains. Don't know what happened (we did have a storm and lost power) but it sure is a pain. Two other units are not moving properly either.

Seems the best invasion approach (according to a number of other posts) is bomb and bombard the defenders into oblivion and then attack. I am going to try that, but I am going to land at Tassafaronga first and march to Lunga. With three enemy carriers out of business for awhile to reequip aircraft, I have a terrific opportunity to move into the Eastern Solomons in force. This could be real fun. Johnjohn

johnjohn,

A final note or two on US CVE's... Not sure if it works the same way in AE as in WitP (probably does at least to some extent) and I'm probably not your best expert on the subject, but this is as best as I see it. I have little doubt there are readers who are more knowledgeable on this subject than I - you're certainly welcome to chime in with additional information or provide corrections to anything in my own statements.

My own utilization of US CVE's during my previous CHS (WitP) match vs Pillager was driven somewhat by necessity and the situation in that game. While to some extent my use of CVE's were in a suitable role, there were instances where my use of them was not exactly "best practices". Specifically, this was employment of CVE's during the Pago Pago invasion and follow-up (resupply/reinforcement) operations in late 1943-early 1944 at the end of our game. Last time I looked, my thread for our CHS game still exists in the WitP After Action Reports forum. As stated before... what I did there was driven largely by "tactical necessity" and probably should not be considered best practice. Even though what I did with CVE's during the Pago Pago operations in our last game was a success, that success came with a hefty cost. Of the ten CVE's in the first group sent to Pago Pago, eight of them were sunk, both the other two limped home to a lengthy shipyard repair.

Individual CVE's are best suited for use in a particular role depending on characteristics of the air group(s) that is/are based aboard that CVE.

1) Some CVE's do carry combat air squadrons on board them. While I wouldn't throw these pilots/planes in a first-line combat role against the KB without a significant amount of training and upgrade, fighter squadrons on these CVE's are quite suitable for CAP missions providing direct fighter cover over Amphibious or Transport TF's during sea movement or as they unload at a target or destination hex. These CVE's may also have a small contingent of Avengers (TBF or TBM) suitable for ground or airfield attack missions or ASW. These CVE's can be used in front-line combat in emergency situations or to backup the fleet CV's, but not as a primary carrier striking force.

2) Air squadrons aboard other CVE's are designed to provide replacement planes/pilots mainly for VF squadrons on your first-line fleet CV's - these are generally fighter squadrons. I'd guess these too could be used in combat, but probably only as a last resort. Generally, CVE's with replacement air squadrons are most suitably grouped together and operating in Replenishment TF's.

3) CVE Long Island is a category unto itself, as mentioned in a previous post.

I may end up using CVE's in AE much the same as I did in our CHS match, that depends on future events yet to be determined. What will probably be the case is that I'll look at my CVE's (and the air units aboard them) as they arrive in the game as reinforcements and determine where they will go and what they'll be doing. My best guess at this time is that I will be keeping most if not all CVE's in rear-areas and heavily train pilots in the air units aboard them.

The doctrine under which how I will employ CVE's is most likely something I will develop as a work in progress. What I'm expecting is that the air groups on CVE's are not going to be suitable for anything approaching front-line combat and will need considerable training (and possibly other work) before the CVE's and their planes can be employed effectively in even a support or escort role.

Summary of Operations 5/31/42

North Pacific: Jap submarine takes on transport convoy AW-1 off Kodiak Is. The convoy was returning from Anchorage to the mainland US. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Kodiak at 182,42

Japanese Ships
SS I-21, hits 9 (reported sunk)

Allied Ships
KV Edmundston
TK William H. Berg
TK Gulfking
xAK Barbara Olson
PG Charleston
KV Quesnel

SS I-21 is sighted by escort
I-21 bottoming out ....
KV Quesnel attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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South Pacific: Coastwatchers at Rabaul report one Jap AK in harbor. Individual Jap ships continue to be reported in Lunga and Luganville.

Force N (ANZAC Cruisers) returning to base for replenishment and repair of minor system damage from sea movement at full speed. While the mission was not a roaring success, it was a brief opportunity to slip forward behind the KB's "back" and maybe catch a target while Pillager had the KB going home to reload and replenish.


Australia: Transport convoy MX-7B arrived this game turn in Australia from the Middle East with three Australian engineer LCU’s (I Australian Corps Engineer Bn, 2/1 & 2/2 AIF Pioneer Bns). Some elements of 2/2 AIF Pioneer Bn were lost in the sinking of xAP Hong Kheng off Perth by a Japanese sub on 5/24.


DEI: Japanese mop-up operation, amphibious landing underway at Denpassar. AAR’s follow.

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Pre-Invasion action off Denpasar (multiple light shore bombardment actions during the game turn)

Japanese Ships
PB Togo Maru
xAK Yahiko Maru

PB Togo Maru 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 1,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Denpasar

TF 204 troops unloading over beach at Denpasar, 58,108

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)

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Philippines: Japanese landing at Davao continues. Davao captured. AAR’s follow.

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Invasion Support action off Davao (multiple light shore bombardment actions during the game turn)

Japanese Ships
PB Tatibana Maru
PB Kaito Maru
PB Toyotsu Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru

PB Tatibana Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kaito Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Toyotsu Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

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Invasion Support action off Davao

Japanese Ships
xAP Brazil Maru
xAP Husimi Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru
PB Tatibana Maru

xAP Brazil Maru fired at enemy troops
xAP Husimi Maru fired at enemy troops
LSD Shinshu Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Ground combat at Davao (79,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6128 troops, 20 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 257
Defending force 721 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33
Japanese adjusted assault: 227
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 227 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Davao !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
867 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
5th Division

Defending units:
1st /101st PA Battalion
2nd/101st PA Battalion (LCU eliminated)

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Japanese ground bombardment at Bataan. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3479 troops, 342 guns, 266 vehicles, Assault Value = 1525
Defending force 47885 troops, 858 guns, 744 vehicles, Assault Value = 1223

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

Assaulting units:
12th Division
48th Division
14th Division
24th Division
19th Division
9th Garrison Unit
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
25th Army
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
11th RF Gun Battalion
8th RF Gun Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
71st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
11th PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
41st PA Infantry Division
192nd Tank Battalion
Manila Bay Defenses
91st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
51st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
USAFFE
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
14th PS Engineer Regiment
Provisional GMC Grp
PAF Aviation
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
I Philippine Corps
1st PI Base Force
1st USMC AA Battalion
201st PA Construction Battalion
Far East USAAF
301st Construction Battalion
II Philippine Corps
Cavite USN Base Force
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
Bataan USN Base Force
Manila USAAF Base Force
202nd PA Construction Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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Indian Ocean: Contact reported between Dutch submarine and unidentified Jap task force. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Victoria Point at 49,64 (SW of Victoria Point)

Japanese Ships
PB Seikai Maru
PB Yomei Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 1 (minor system & float damage)

SS KXVIII launches 2 torpedoes at PB Seikai Maru
PB Seikai Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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China: Japanese ground bombardment attack near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2299 troops, 192 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 878
Defending force 11311 troops, 233 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 297

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

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
62nd Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
4th War Area
16th Group Army
35th Group Army

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I think I am operating under the classic "Necessity is the mother of invention" strategy. Not knowing how or best to use assets means I define what I need and then insert the asset into that role. As for the CVEs, I was unaware of what a VR group exists to do. So I subdivided the two VR groups on Copahee into six 9 plane detachments, three of VF and three of VB, placing two fighter and one bomber on the ship and distributing the other 27 planes to front line bases. The two CVEs backstopped the 3 cvs attacking the enemy. Long Island has carried detachments of fighters and bombers from Lexington, which were abandoned all around Noumea in January when Lex bought it. Their pilots are on average over 70% exp. Although Long Island helped turn back an invasion at Dutch Harbor in late June, she took some damage and spent a month in shipyard at Seattle before joining with Copahee and coming south. Copahee's planes shot down a number of bombers trying to sink APs. A measure used in desperation. But when the three CVs turned to return to Noumea they took all the planes from the VRs on the front line airfields. Ah hah, so that is how VR squadrons are to be used. So I will gather up copahee's split groups and head back to SD to replenish the squadrons, if possible. Meanwhile the two new CVEs at Tacoma will team up with escorts on the way and head to PH to replenish the fighters and bombers on the three damaged CVs--York with 40 flotation damage, but the others with only system damage. All three need to upgrade as well. Looks like a good time to do it too. Then the CVEs will go back and get more planes.

I have sent four very fast APs (+20 knots) to SF to pick up the forty-third Division and take it to Brisbane. Am waiting for more fighter and bomber squadrons to arrive. Am running out of both aviation support and planes for all the new bases being built in the SOPAC operations area. All in all, it is a learning experience. Am having fun, but then the carriers are still afloat. Johnjohn.

johnjohn,

Looks as if you have some reorganization of your CV air groups to do.

Get the upgrades done on those CV's. Even with the 1942 upgrades, the carriers gain additional flak and improved radar. While the additional flak in itself is not necessarily decisive, there is a slight chance it could prove the difference between having or losing the carrier. The improved radar largely speaks for itself...

Also don't ignore ship upgrade levels on the DD's, cruisers and BB's escorting the carriers. Upgrades giving these ships added flak and radar also provide additional AA protection and detection capability for a CV they're escorting.


I've been keeping my CV's at home. All are on the US West Coast receiving or due to receive upgrades. CV's Lexington and Saratoga are just starting 6/42 upgrades. Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet all have 7/42 upgrades. I also have all available first-line cruisers and DD's current with their upgrades. The more flak, radar and other equipment these ships have when it's time to go after the KB, the better. As with the other Allied air forces, USN carrier pilots are in full training mode, virtually every available "training slot" in a squadron that can be occupied by a pilot is occupied by one.

At this point in the campaign I'm basically operating no USN surface combat or bombardment TF's and have few or no short-term plans to do so until the balance of carrier forces in the Pacific theatres is tipped in the Allied favor (i.e. the KB no longer exists or what's left of it is no longer a major "player" in events). In a surface combat or bombardment role at this time in the campaign, at best there is little for first-line US combat ships to do that would significantly impact events, at worst they're cannon fodder for the KB if it happens to show up.

My present allocation of first-line USN surface combat ships (DD, crusers, fast BB's) is almost exclusively devoted to providing escorts in carrier TF's with a relatively small number of DD's providing escort to transport convoys. Current plans are to continue this practice as long as the KB remains the main Japanese opponent for the USN.

Summary of Operations 6/01/42

6/42 Ship Upgrades: Activity for this is now or soon will be beginning at all Allied shipyards. It appears the 6/42 upgrades include a large number of ships, though a large proportion of the ships involved are transports and various auxiliaries.

Two US fleet CV’s (Lexington & Saratoga) and some DD classes have 6/42 upgrades, upgrading of these ships receiving first priority and set to begin immediately.

Handling of upgrades for transports and auxiliary ships is being done based on current location and activity of ships, need for individual ships to be available for operational missions, available shipyard capacity, etc. Some older US BB classes are also in the 6/42 ship upgrade, these ships will likely receive lower priority as the need for their availability in combat operations is rather low at the moment.

Some movement of ships due for upgrade to distribute them among various shipyards is also in the planning stages. Only high-priority 6/42 ship upgrades are planned at Pearl Harbor to keep shipyard capacity reserved for emergency repairs – most ships now at Pearl Harbor due for 6/42 upgrade will gradually be dispatched to the mainland US.


Japanese Home Islands: US sub Cuttlefish heavily damaged in attack by Jap ASW air patrol (Ki-21 Sally) ESE of Aogashima. SS Cuttlefish is expected to limp home to Pearl Harbor for some shipyard repair time.


Central Pacific: Jap submarine attacks escorted transport near Lihue. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lihue at 177,107 (SW of Lihue)

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
DMS Wasmuth
xAKL Nebraskan

SS I-8 launches 2 torpedoes at DMS Wasmuth
I-8 diving deep ....
DMS Wasmuth fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sigint entry for 5/31 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk. Detected status of Truk is showing undetermined Jap ship(s) at anchor and aircraft based there. One or more unidentified Japanese TF(s) are also visible in Truk harbor.


South Pacific: Japanese capture Noumea, this I regarded as pretty much inevitable. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12338 troops, 124 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 344
Defending force 624 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28
Japanese adjusted assault: 148
Allied adjusted defense: 64
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Noumea !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
780 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
10th Division (landed at Koumac, marched overland to Noumea)

Defending units:
New Caledonia Det (eliminated)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Coastwatchers at Rabaul report 9 Japanese ships in harbor. Individual Jap ships including various auxiliaries are reported in Tulagi, Shortlands, Lunga and Luganville.


Australia: Jap airfield bombing strike against Darwin. Japanese planes participating in the strike appear to be coming from Koepang. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
G4M1 Betty x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 19
(Airfield service damage 38, runway damage 44)

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEI: Japanese capture Denpassar. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Denpasar (58,108)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 278 troops, 0 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 67 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 8
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Denpasar !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Rgt /3

Defending units:
Den Passer Base Force (eliminated)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Philippines: Japanese ground bombardment at Bataan continues. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 57871 troops, 978 guns, 461 vehicles, Assault Value = 1566
Defending force 47650 troops, 854 guns, 742 vehicles, Assault Value = 1214

Allied ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Division
12th Division
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
48th Division
14th Division
9th Garrison Unit
24th Division
6th Tank Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
25th Army
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th RF Gun Battalion
56th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
51st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
4th Marine Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
41st PA Infantry Division
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
Manila Bay Defenses
31st Infantry Regiment
1st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Provisional GMC Grp
Bataan USN Base Force
PAF Aviation
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Cavite USN Base Force
14th PS Engineer Regiment
202nd PA Construction Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
201st PA Construction Battalion
1st USMC AA Battalion
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
USAFFE
Manila USAAF Base Force
Far East USAAF
I Philippine Corps
II Philippine Corps
1st PI Base Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Burma: Sigint entry for 5/31 reports Jap 3 Mortar Bn arrived in Burma and now located at Prome. Previous location of 3 Mortar Bn was at Singapore.


China: Japanese ground assault near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27803 troops, 420 guns, 335 vehicles, Assault Value = 889
Defending force 11342 troops, 233 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 302
Japanese adjusted assault: 639
Allied adjusted defense: 364
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
890 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 31 (3 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
429 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (10 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
2nd RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
93rd Chinese Division
4th War Area
16th Group Army
9th Group Army
35th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL: wneumann

...6/42 Ship Upgrades: Activity for this is now or soon will be beginning at all Allied shipyards. It appears the 6/42 upgrades include a large number of ships, though a large proportion of the ships involved are transports and various auxiliaries.

Two US fleet CV’s (Lexington & Saratoga) and some DD classes have 6/42 upgrades, upgrading of these ships receiving first priority and set to begin immediately.

Handling of upgrades for transports and auxiliary ships is being done based on current location and activity of ships, need for individual ships to be available for operational missions, available shipyard capacity, etc. Some older US BB classes are also in the 6/42 ship upgrade, these ships will likely receive lower priority as the need for their availability in combat operations is rather low at the moment.

Some movement of ships due for upgrade to distribute them among various shipyards is also in the planning stages. Only high-priority 6/42 ship upgrades are planned at Pearl Harbor to keep shipyard capacity reserved for emergency repairs – most ships now at Pearl Harbor due for 6/42 upgrade will gradually be dispatched to the mainland US....

You don't have to worry about distributing your ships to various shipyards on the West Coast in order to spread out the upgrade workload.

When you click on the upgraded class, you are told what size shipyard is required for the upgrade.

1. If the specified shipyard size is none, then the upgrade can be done at a suitably sized port (basically port size cubed > ship tonnage/100). You just have to anchor (=disband) the ship into the port.

2. If a shipyard size is specified then the upgrade will only commence if the ship is anchored in a port with a shipyard equal to or greater than the specified upgrade size. However, there is no requirement for the ship to be in the shipyard whilst the upgrade is being carried out. Nothing prevents you from moving a ship out of the shipyard to pierside for the duration of the ship's unavailability due to the upgrade work.

There are reasons why you may not wish to have too many ships at Pearl Harbor undertaking an upgrade. Wanting to maintain shipyard capacity for other tasks is certainly not one because no ship at Pearl Harbor which is being upgraded needs to be in the shipyard for that purpose.

Alfred

Alfred, thanks for the advice. I actually do that with my upgrades. Where I am getting into trouble as a first time player is learning what some of the ships can do. Since I don't always know, I experiment. WNeumann is quite helpful with his advice, although he is battling a real opponent, not the AI nor has he sunk half the jap fleet. Thus I may more adventurious at this point. What I am presently doing is moving a three carrier TF which has depleted some of its air groups to PH to refit. Some of the carriers missed 42 updates, so they will get them now as they get repaired. CVEs are bringing replacement a/c to PH to help replenish the air groups. Yorktown will need to go into the yard, she has some major damage. The others will pony up to the pierside to fix their system needs. All will update at least once. Sara got her 6/42 update, so she is getting the next one. Yorktown and Enterprise will undergo 10/42 upgrades.

Wasp and Hornet are now at Noumea, Long Island and Copahee are heading back to SD, in part to escort the remaining parts of the 3rd USMC Div to Hawaii and then to bring Joe Foss and his squadron forward. My problem at PH is two of the three old BBs have 70+ floatation damage and need over a year to fix it. I am afraid to ship them to the WC in this condition, so PH shipyard is congested as a result. BTW, the third BB is heading to SF for additional repairs. I think she can get there. I hope to get the floatation damage down below 50 on the other two and then ship them to SF. Anyway I look at it, both are out of action for up to two years at this point. Mississippi, the third BB, should be repaired in about 6 months. Pennsylvania and Colorado are undergoing repairs on WC and nearly ready to return to action. Idaho and Nevada are at Noumea. Every other old lady is sunk. All the fast BBs are escorting the CVs. Destroyers and Cruisers are regularly updated, and since I have used them extensively in repelling the enemy (3 CVs sunk, 6 BBs sunk, 13 CAs sunk, 12 CLs sunk, 37 DDs sunk, numerous supply and small fry sunk). Noumea is a class 7 port, 9 AF. Luganville a 3/5, Ndeni a 1/3, listing AF last. PH is a 9/9 as are all the wc ports. I have plenty of places where I can do upgrades, but for the CVs I prefer PH. It is just a safer place right now. Johnjohn. Somebody wake me when Halsey is done chewing out that Ensign.

Upon further review, it is 7 enemy BBs sunk, 3 CVs (Hiyru, Soyru, Zuikaku), 1 CVL, 1 CVE, 13 CAs, 14 CLs, 37 DDs, numerous small fry and over 100,000 troops killed or drowned. It is all beginners luck, so don't think this is going to my head. And you better believe that I am taking notes about what happens when the enemy is NOT the AI. I don't know if you are reading the beginners thread (cant remember the thread) where he has lost all his carriers and is surrounded at Kirachi, but I have, so I don't have any ambitions about how well I am doing. Thus far I have lost Lexington and Formidable (Lex in the battle that bagged the three CVs) and Formidable ran into a good SS and was lost to torpedoes. I foolishly used my BBs to protect Canton Is and lost three to enemy torpedo planes. I have lost a total of 12 cruisers, mostly UK. Since I am not trying to prove anything but merely to learn the game, I am continuing my learning by moving on to the next impossible task, pushing 17,000 troops off Guadalcanal. I have a hard time fathoming where I am against the AI. (It is the end of October 42) All I know, as WNuemann has oft repeated, I have been most fortunate. A real opponent would have me surrounded at Kirachi by now. johnjohn

Alfred,

Appreciate your remarks. You make some good points in your post which I easily see as being true in nearly all instances.

All but a few of the ships I sent into an upgrade start the upgrade with no damage of any kind set on them - I've set repair mode on them to "pierside", they sit there for the required number of days and they're done... I very readily agree that upgrade on ships in this category do not place any burden on the shipyard at which they're undergoing the upgrade.

I have noticed a few ships that do receive a small quantity of system damage when they go into an upgrade. It appears this situation probably depends on the ship's class and the particular upgrade (4/42, 6/42, etc) the ship is going through. In the case of these ships, the repair of this system damage from the upgrade does use capacity of the shipyard where the ship is being upgraded (though impact on the shipyard is minor). This of course depends on the repair mode one uses to repair the system damage on these ships during the upgrade process. In nearly all cases, I've also upgraded this category of ships in "pierside" repair mode, though I will put them in "shipyard" mode towards the end of their upgrade when the shipyard in question has capacity to spare.

As far as rotating ships from Pearl Harbor to the mainland US for upgrade, I've been handling this as part of my normal traffic pattern for convoys moving back and forth from the mainland US. Basically, dispatching ships for upgrade in the mainland US as part of convoys (escorts or empty transports/auxiliaries) that are returning to the US West Coast. Likewise, ships completing upgrade return to Pearl with outbound convoys (escorts or loaded transports/auxiliaries) from the US West Coast.

In general, I've been doing a minimum number of ship upgrades at shipyards located in forward bases or bases that are most likely to come under a possible Japanese attack (i.e. Auckland, Colombo, Brisbane). I have done a small number of upgrades in these bases, but I restrict these to ships that can be upgraded quickly and those ships I want to keep "in theatre" - an example being 4/42 upgrades of US S-class subs done in Auckland as these subs returned to base from patrol (not more than 1-2 subs at a time).

johnjohn,

You are correct in regarding the AI as a training exercise, it's a good place to "push the envelope" - try things out, make mistakes and see the consequences, learn both your own and the enemy's "hardware".

Probably one of my biggest handicaps vs Pillager has been lack of playing time vs the AI, especially in our first match in CHS. Experimentation against a human opponent is much less feasible and (the consequences of mistakes) much less forgiving than against the AI. Without enough time at practice, you can end up learning things the hard way in "live action".

I haven't seen the beginners thread, though given what you describe I do not eliminate the possibility the author could be playing against a Japanese opponent more aggressive than average. For an Allied player in the early war period (1941 and most of '42), even minor tactical mistakes cost heavily if caught by your Japanese opponent if he's alert enough and in the right place to exploit the situation. This quite obviously a function of how aggressive or conservative the human Japanese opponent you're playing against is. Underestimating the possible actions a human Japanese opponent has the ability to do with his available forces in a given situation (even if what they're doing appears to be "out on a limb") can also be costly.

Human opponents being more unpredicatable than the AI... this is a major reason behind much of my emphasis on being "intelligence driven" (i.e. tracking locations and movement of Jap LCU's, etc). As in the historical campaign, intelligence is king for the Allies - Midway would not have been won without it, just to name one example. The more information I have available about what Pillager is doing (or possibly doing), the more accurately I can estimate his plans and movements, where he's building up and what he's building up in those places, what he is and is not defending, etc. It's not all hard information, some of it is connecting the dots, and it's not always accurate (but not straying too far from the hard information will minimize the inaccuracies). Once you understand your opponent's plans and actions, you can more effectively prepare and make your own.

Summary of Operations 6/02/42

Sigint entry for 6/01 reports CV Kaga is moving to Singapore. Could Pillager be sending the KB on an Indian Ocean raid?


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/01 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Maloelap. Detected status of Maleolap shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Dutch submarine on patrol in southern sea approaches to Rabaul intercepts Japanese surface TF. No indication of this TF’s composition (beyond what is reported in the AAR) or the TF’s movement heading (into or departing Rabaul). If a surface combat TF, the Japanese ships could be heading out to locate and attack Force N. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Green Island at 108,128 (SE of Rabaul)

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri
CA Kako
CL Yubari
CL Yura
CL Nagara
DD Murakumo
DD Inazuma
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS K-XV

SS K-XV launches 4 torpedoes at DD Amagiri
K-XV diving deep ....
DD Amagiri attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEI: Japanese mop-up operations continue in the eastern DEI, amphibious landing underway at Endeh (on Flores island). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Endeh

TF 277 troops unloading over beach at Endeh, 65,113

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th JAAF AF Coy
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 4th JAAF AF Coy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Philippines: Japanese ground bombardment at Bataan continues. No visible indication of any fresh Japanese ground units arriving to reinforce the attack on Bataan. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 58243 troops, 978 guns, 461 vehicles, Assault Value = 1595
Defending force 47360 troops, 850 guns, 733 vehicles, Assault Value = 1196

Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
19th Division
14th Division
9th Garrison Unit
48th Division
12th Division
24th Division
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
11th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
Manila Bay Defenses
4th Marine Regiment
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
31st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
31st Infantry Regiment
91st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
21st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
14th PS Engineer Regiment
Manila USAAF Base Force
201st PA Construction Battalion
202nd PA Construction Battalion
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
USAFFE
Bataan USN Base Force
Far East USAAF
301st Construction Battalion
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
I Philippine Corps
1st USMC AA Battalion
Cavite USN Base Force
PAF Aviation
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
II Philippine Corps
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Provisional GMC Grp
1st PI Base Force
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


China: Japanese ground assault again near Kweiyang. I was somewhat surprised at the 1:21 adjusted attack odds as Pillager’s previous attacks in this hex were at or near 1:1 odds. Can’t tell from the AAR exactly what happened. Both the local counterattacks I launched near Sian had followed similar Japanese attacks at poor odds. However, in both Jap attacks at Sian, the Japanese assault value was very low and the results of the attack had very high Japanese losses – both these conditions favoring an immediate Chinese counterattack. That does not appear to be the case in the results of this Jap assault at Kweiyang and a Chinese counterattack here would be under very unfavorable conditions. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26960 troops, 420 guns, 331 vehicles, Assault Value = 836
Defending force 11093 troops, 224 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 288
Japanese adjusted assault: 22
Allied adjusted defense: 469
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 21

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

Japanese ground losses:
220 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (13 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
64th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
31st Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
93rd Chinese Division
4th War Area
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
35th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the Japanese ground advance in China slowed down for the moment, I’ve withdrawn the most heavily depleted Chinese LCU’s into Chungking to rebulld them to full TOE strength (or as close as possible) with replacement elements. I’m seeing that rebuilding Chinese LCU’s from replacement squads being a slow but necessary process. It could be gamey, but a consideration is to send some of the Chinese LCU’s with very low strengths back to the front lines, have them eliminated in action, then get them back at 1/3 TOE strength instead of rebuilding them with replacement elements from 10-20% or less TOE.

I didn’t think of talking Pillager into a “quiet China” scenario back when we started this PBEM (not that he would have likely gone along), but I’d do it now. China is grunt work, I’d rather be pushing ships and planes around.

OK--the other aar is The Power of Inexperience. Fascinating reading. Johnjohn. BTW--intel keeps wavering on whether Junyo or Akagi is sunk, so I will claim Junyo. 4 enemy CVs sunk. Junyo, because I know I got one off Milne Bay and Akagi has struck at me sense--so it must be Junyo. Connecting the dots sometimes yields incomprehensible pictures, but sometimes you see the face of the enemy. Johnjohn

johnjohn,

I'll have to take a look at that string (Power of Inexperience).

Connecting the dots sometimes yields incomprehensible pictures, but sometimes you see the face of the enemy.

The thing with AE (was also true in WitP) is that the most useful intelligence is acquired one piece at a time, quite often from a combination of sources and almost always over a extended number of game turns. One day's worth of information almost never provides a complete picture of a particular area or situation, it's really necessary to accumulate and combine information from weeks or months of game turns to create a collection of information from which any kind of picture will begin to form.

Probably my most useful intelligence tool is maintaining a spreadsheet containing entries for the entire Japanese LCU order of battle - each LCU listed individually with its last reported location and the date (game turn) it was reported there. Each game turn I extract all references to Japanese LCU's from the game turn's Sigint and AAR reports, updating the spreadsheet entry for each LCU referenced in Sigint or an AAR with its reported location and when it was reported there. It's part of the routine I follow for playing each game turn. Over time, this accumulation of small pieces begins to turn into something resembling a picture.

Starting from 12/8/41 it may be several months into 1942 before the accumulated LCU information begins to look like a picture. At this point in our PBEM (6/42), almost every Japanese LCU in Pillager's inventory has appeared at least once in an AAR and/or Sigint report entry and my spreadsheet is now an almost complete listing of every Japanese LCU and its most recently reported location. I can look up any Japanese-controlled base in that spreadsheet and quickly identify at least some if not all Jap LCU(s) located in that base and how long those LCU(s) have been there. From the number and type(s) of LCU's in a base, it is not too far of a stretch to figure out what Pillager may be doing in that base or plans to do there, especially if you have other information to combine with knowlege of the LCU(s).

It's also a rather simple matter of tracking Jap LCU movements. Location and movement of combat LCU's and HQ's indicate where and to what extent Pillager is concentrating Japanese combat forces offensively or defensively and also the areas or theatres Pillager where is not placing or cannot place a lot of emphasis (if you know where your opponent is, you also know where he isn't).

Engineer, base force and HQ LCU's reveal locations and sizes of developed Japanese naval and air bases and where construction is planned or underway for airfields, ports and fortifications.

It's a rather simple matter to pick up where Pillager is sending LCU's arriving in the game as reinforcements, also tracking the transfer of LCU's from Manchuria/Korea to other theatres (including specific identity of transferred LCU's and where they are being sent). If Pillager moves anything, I will eventually know about it to some degree of detail.

Once you add 2 + 2, the higher mathematics will start to follow quickly...

Summary of Operations 6/03/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/02 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit. Detected status of Jaluit shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Coastwatchers report 10 Japanese ships in harbor at Rabaul, also individual Japanese ships located at Tulagi, Lunga, Koumac and Luganville. While there is no positive confirmation, it is possible the Jap ships reported in Rabaul could be the surface combat TF engaged by Dutch sub K-XV near Green Is on 6/02.


DEI: Japanese capture Endeh (on Flores island) in the eastern DEI. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Endeh (65,113)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 271 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 4
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Endeh !!!

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

Assaulting units:
4th JAAF AF Coy

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Dutch submarine K-XVI on patrol in the straits between western Java and Sumatra reports contact with Jap ASW air patrol (Ki-21 Sally). K-XVI is on patrol in this location to pick up and provide early warning of any Japanese carrier or surface combat TF entering the Indian Ocean via this strait. This mission is to provide security for Allied transport convoys moving on-map through the Indian Ocean between India/Middle East and Australia.


Philippines: Continued Japanese ground bombardment attacks at Bataan. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 58844 troops, 978 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 1642
Defending force 47049 troops, 847 guns, 731 vehicles, Assault Value = 1179

Allied ground losses:
329 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
9th Garrison Unit
12th Division
24th Division
48th Division
14th Division
19th Division
6th Tank Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
11th RF Gun Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
25th Army
10th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
31st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
71st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
1st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
51st PA Infantry Division
Manila Bay Defenses
41st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
301st Construction Battalion
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Far East USAAF
PAF Aviation
Bataan USN Base Force
201st PA Construction Battalion
14th PS Engineer Regiment
1st PI Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Provisional GMC Grp
Manila USAAF Base Force
I Philippine Corps
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
1st USMC AA Battalion
II Philippine Corps
USAFFE
202nd PA Construction Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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China: Quiet this game turn.

Summary of Operations 6/04/42

South Pacific: Coastwatchers report 15 Japanese ships in port at Rabaul. Individual Japanese ships continue to be reported at Tulagi, Lunga, Belep Is, Noumea and Luganville.


DEI: Japanese mop-up operations continue in the eastern DEI. Amphibious landing operations reported underway at Mataram and Saumlaki. AAR’s follow.

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Amphibious Assault at Mataram

TF 204 troops unloading over beach at Mataram, 59,109

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)

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Amphibious Assault at Saumlaki (N of Darwin)

TF 295 troops unloading over beach at Saumlaki, 78,117

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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Philippines: Japanese ground bombardment attack at Bataan. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 59260 troops, 978 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 1679
Defending force 46634 troops, 839 guns, 729 vehicles, Assault Value = 1159

Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (8 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Division
48th Division
14th Division
12th Division
24th Division
9th Garrison Unit
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Army
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th RF Gun Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
1st PA Infantry Division
192nd Tank Battalion
Manila Bay Defenses
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
51st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
31st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
11th PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
4th Marine Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
202nd PA Construction Battalion
Provisional GMC Grp
14th PS Engineer Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Far East USAAF
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
301st Construction Battalion
PAF Aviation
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
1st PI Base Force
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Bataan USN Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force
201st PA Construction Battalion
I Philippine Corps
Manila USAAF Base Force
USAFFE
II Philippine Corps
1st USMC AA Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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China: Japanese ground shock attack near Kweiyang. This is the same Japanese LCU’s that launched a 1:21 deliberate attack in the same hex against the same Chinese defenders two game turns ago (6/02). In the deliberate attack at this hex two days ago, the known Japanese LCU's and assault strength in the hex did not "justify" the 1:21 odds in that attack. It may have been FOW or Piilager not setting up the Japanese ground attack on 6/02 properly, either or... something looked funny. I launched two successful Chinese local counterattacks near Sian after failed Japanese assaults. Up to a point the AAR of the failed Japanese attack in hex 75,50 on 6/02 resembled the two failed attacks near Sian. It was tempting to launch a Chinese counterattack in 75,50 on 6/03 but on closer inspection of the 6/02 AAR something didn't look right... and it wasn't. A Chinese counterattack on 6/03 would likely have been a disaster, and the Jap attack below on 6/04 would have cost me a second day of heavy Chinese losses and possession of hex 75,50. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 26984 troops, 420 guns, 329 vehicles, Assault Value = 847
Defending force 11179 troops, 220 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 294
Japanese adjusted assault: 609
Allied adjusted defense: 487
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
735 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 29 (23 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
975 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
104th Division
9th Armored Car Co
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
21st Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
31st Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
4th War Area
16th Group Army
35th Group Army

Summary of Operations 6/05/42

Japanese Home Islands: Several contacts reported off the Japanese Home Islands between US fleet subs and Japanese transports. AAR’s follow.

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Submarine attack near Iwo Jima at 105,72 (NW of Iwo Jima)

Japanese Ships
xAP Rakuyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

xAP Rakuyo Maru is sighted by SS Sargo
SS Sargo launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Rakuyo Maru

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Sub attack near Torishima at 109,66 (WNW of Torishima)

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 10
SC Ch 5
xAK Misaku Maru
xAK Kyuma Maru
SC Ch 6

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

SS Tarpon launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 10
Tarpon diving deep ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 6/04 report heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk and Kwajalein. Detected status of both locations showing undetermined aircraft based on these islands plus ship(s) in port. One or more unidentified Japanese TF(s) are visible at Kwajalein.


South Pacific: Coastwatchers report 13 Japanese ships in port at Rabaul.


Australia: Japanese airfield bombing strike at Darwin. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
G4M1 Betty x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24
(Airfield Service damage 42, runway damage 44)

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEI: Japanese capture Mataram and Saumlaki. AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at Mataram (59,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 215 troops, 0 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 11
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 7
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Mataram !!!

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

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Rgt /3

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Ground combat at Saumlaki (78,117) (N of Darwin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 743 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 4
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Saumlaki !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: disruption(-)

Assaulting units:
48th JAAF AF Bn /1

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Philippines: Japanese ground bombardment attack at Bataan. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 59846 troops, 978 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 1718
Defending force 46250 troops, 832 guns, 720 vehicles, Assault Value = 1135

Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (10 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
19th Division
48th Division
9th Garrison Unit
14th Division
24th Division
12th Division
6th Tank Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Field Artillery Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
1st RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
194th Tank Battalion
21st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
14th PS Engineer Regiment
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
11th PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
71st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
Manila Bay Defenses
1st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
Manila USAAF Base Force
202nd PA Construction Battalion
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
II Philippine Corps
USAFFE
PAF Aviation
1st USMC AA Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
Provisional GMC Grp
Bataan USN Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force
Far East USAAF
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
201st PA Construction Battalion
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
1st PI Base Force
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
I Philippine Corps
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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China: Japanese ground shock attack continues near Kweiyang. This is a rather strange looking AAR. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 26356 troops, 420 guns, 313 vehicles, Assault Value = 804
Defending force 10401 troops, 216 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 266
Japanese adjusted assault: 0 (all these LCU and nobody leaped up from the trenches and attacked?)
Allied adjusted defense: 982
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99

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

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 56 (47 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
9th Armored Car Co
38th Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
49th Chinese Division
64th Chinese Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
31st Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
4th War Area
16th Group Army
35th Group Army

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Summary of Operations 6/06/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/05 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit. Detected status of Jaluit shows no visible Jap forces or activity.


South Pacific: Coastwatchers report no Japanese ships at Rabaul harbor, individual Japanese ships (transports) reported at various locations in the Solomons, Noumea and Luganville.


Philippines: Japanese occupy Malabalay in the interior of Mindanao. Ground bombardment attack continues at Bataan. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3792 troops, 342 guns, 267 vehicles, Assault Value = 1760
Defending force 45948 troops, 827 guns, 709 vehicles, Assault Value = 1109

Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
24th Division
12th Division
19th Division
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
9th Garrison Unit
48th Division
14th Division
6th Tank Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
56th Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
25th Army
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Engr Rgt /19

Defending units:
1st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
41st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
51st PA Infantry Division
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
71st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
Manila Bay Defenses
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
192nd Tank Battalion
11th PA Infantry Division
14th PS Engineer Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
4th Marine Regiment
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
301st Construction Battalion
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
I Philippine Corps
1st PI Base Force
Bataan USN Base Force
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
II Philippine Corps
USAFFE
Far East USAAF
Manila USAAF Base Force
PAF Aviation
1st USMC AA Battalion
202nd PA Construction Battalion
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
201st PA Construction Battalion
Provisional GMC Grp
Cavite USN Base Force
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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Indian Ocean: Two small minesweepers encounter Jap submarine off Trincomalee. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Trincomalee at 32,48

Japanese Ships
SS I-164

Allied Ships
AMc Agra
AMc Calcutta

Captain of SS I-164 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
AMc Calcutta attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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China: Quiet this game turn.