AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

[racndoc]

Captain Conflict....thanks for the comments. WitP AE is one game that will certainly stay loaded on your computer.



2/24-2/25/43



SUBS


Lots of sub action this turn:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 24, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rabaul at 106,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 3

Allied Ships
DMS Southard
DD Kane
DD King



SS I-4 launches 4 torpedoes at DMS Southard
DD Kane attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-4 eludes DD Kane by diving deep
SS I-4 eludes DD Kane by diving deep
DD King fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kane attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kane cannot establish contact with SS I-4
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kane attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-4 eludes ASW attack from DD Kane
DD Kane is out of ASW ammo
DD Kane is out of ASW ammo
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rabaul at 106,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
DD Kane
DD King



SS I-28 is located by DD Kane
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Sub vs Sub: SS I-27 attacking SS S-40 at 97,119 - near Wewak

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
SS S-40, heavy damage



SS I-27 launches 2 torpedoes at 3,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Beaufort at 66,86

Japanese Ships
PB Shuko Maru #5

Allied Ships
SS O20



SS O20 is sighted by escort
O20 bottoming out ....
PB Shuko Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shuko Maru #5 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Shuko Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shuko Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shuko Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



Submarine attack near Singkep at 50,88

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio
DD Fubuki
DD Isokaze
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 13, and is sunk



SS KXVIII is sighted by escort
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Isokaze attacking submerged sub ....
SS KXVIII forced to surface!
DD Isokaze firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Oyashio firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Fubuki firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


Sub attack near Manus at 102,118

Japanese Ships
xAKL Saiho Maru, Shell hits 9, heavy fires

Allied Ships
SS S-44, hits 2



SS S-44 attacking on the surface
Moore, J.R. decides to submerge SS S-44 due to damage


Submarine attack near Mussau Island at 105,120

Japanese Ships
xAKL Gyoun Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel



xAKL Gyoun Maru is sighted by SS Pickerel
SS Pickerel launches 2 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wakkanai at 123,48

Japanese Ships
DD Teruzuki
DD Takanami
DD Makinami

Allied Ships
SS Snook, hits 3



SS Snook launches 2 torpedoes at DD Teruzuki
Snook bottoming out ....
DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Takanami attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 25, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wakkanai at 124,48

Japanese Ships
DD Teruzuki
DD Takanami
DD Makinami

Allied Ships
SS Pogy, hits 10, heavy damage



SS Pogy launches 2 torpedoes at DD Teruzuki
DD Takanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
PB Suyozai Maru
PB Toko Maru #4

Allied Ships
SS Truant, hits 3, heavy damage



SS Truant is located by PB Suyozai Maru
Truant diving deep ....
PB Toko Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Suyozai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toko Maru #4 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Suyozai Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Toko Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toko Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toko Maru #4 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Toko Maru #4 is out of ASW ammo
PB Toko Maru #4 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Toyohara at 126,46

Japanese Ships
xAK Tone Maru
xAK Ryugi Maru
xAK Misaku Maru
xAK Meigen Maru
xAK Kashiwara Maru
xAK Hokutatsu Maru
xAK Boston Maru
xAK Ehime Maru
PB Hinode Maru #20

Allied Ships
SS Shad



SS Shad is sighted by escort
Shad diving deep ....
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Japanese Ships
SS RO-66, hits 3

Allied Ships
APD Waters



SS RO-66 is sighted by escort
RO-66 bottoming out ....
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Waters attacking submerged sub ....
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sarmi at 91,114

Japanese Ships
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-31



xAK Kotobuki Maru #5 is sighted by SS S-31
SS S-31 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kotobuki Maru #5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Toyohara at 125,47

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokutatsu Maru
xAK Ryugi Maru
xAK Misaku Maru
xAK Meigen Maru
xAK Kashiwara Maru
xAK Boston Maru
xAK Ehime Maru
PB Hinode Maru #20

Allied Ships
SS Shad



SS Shad launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Hokutatsu Maru
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Japanese Ships
SS RO-66

Allied Ships
LST-446



LST-446 is sighted by SS RO-66
SS RO-66 launches 2 torpedoes at LST-446


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Makassar at 63,104

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamafuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC CHa-34

Allied Ships
SS Grayback



SS Grayback launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Yamafuku Maru
SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Umnak Island at 169,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-170, hits 4

Allied Ships
YMS-128



SS I-170 is sighted by escort
I-170 bottoming out ....
YMS-128 fails to find sub, continues to search...
YMS-128 fails to find sub, continues to search...
YMS-128 attacking submerged sub ....
YMS-128 fails to find sub, continues to search...
YMS-128 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Sub attack near Tawi Tawi at 70,91

Japanese Ships
TK Kuremente Maru
PB Toshi Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Gato



SS Gato launches 2 torpedoes at TK Kuremente Maru
Gato diving deep ....
PB Toshi Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toshi Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toshi Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toshi Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toshi Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Toyohara at 125,48

Japanese Ships
DD Teruzuki
DD Takanami
DD Makinami
DD Kazegumo

Allied Ships
SS Pompon, hits 20, and is sunk



SS Pompon is located by DD Teruzuki
DD Takanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Makinami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami attacking submerged sub ....
SS Pompon forced to surface!
DD Kazegumo firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Takanami firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Kazegumo firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Takanami firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


When the smoke clears.....the Japanese lose 4 freighters but the Allies lose SS KXVIII and SS Pompom plus SS Truant and SS Pogy are heavily damaged. If this ASW attrition keeps up I may need to rethink my sub patrol routes.



SWPAC


SWPAC armor hits the Japanese troops retreating towards Hansa Bay:


Ground combat at 98,122 (near Hansa Bay)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4476 troops, 117 guns, 577 vehicles, Assault Value = 693

Defending force 4148 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 116

Allied adjusted assault: 140

Japanese adjusted defense: 136

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 45 (3 destroyed, 42 disabled)


Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Australian Division
198th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
14th Garrison Unit /1
13th Garrison Unit /2
64th Naval Guard Unit
28th Div /6
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2
43rd Nav Gd /1
39th Road Const Co
3rd JNAF Coy
4th Div /1




Ground combat at 98,122 (near Hansa Bay)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4308 troops, 115 guns, 574 vehicles, Assault Value = 680

Defending force 3457 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95

Allied adjusted assault: 118

Japanese adjusted defense: 73

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
960 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 17 (7 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units destroyed 1



Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
6th Australian Division
134th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
198th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
28th Div /6
64th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2
3rd JNAF Coy
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
14th Garrison Unit /1
39th Road Const Co
43rd Nav Gd /1
4th Div /1
13th Garrison Unit /2


The Allied armor will rest this turn and the 6th Australian Division will assault the Japanese here.



CENTPAC.....INVASION TABITEUEA


The invasion of Tabiteuea begins with a pre-dawn naval bombardment:


Night Naval bombardment of Tabiteuea at 137,134

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CA Salt Lake City
CA Louisville
CA Indianapolis
CLAA San Diego
DD Downes
DD Conyngham
DD Mahan
DD Dunlap
DD Lardner
DD Lansdowne
DD Laffey
DMS Wasmuth

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled



Port hits 27
Port supply hits 9

CA New Orleans firing at 7th JNAF Coy
CA Salt Lake City firing at 7th JNAF Coy
CA Louisville firing at III/84th Naval Guard Unit
CA Indianapolis firing at Tabiteuea
CLAA San Diego firing at III/84th Naval Guard Unit
DD Downes firing at 7th JNAF Coy
DD Conyngham firing at Tabiteuea
DD Mahan firing at Tabiteuea
DD Dunlap firing at Tabiteuea
DD Lardner firing at Tabiteuea
DD Lansdowne firing at III/84th Naval Guard Unit
DD Laffey firing at 7th JNAF Coy
DMS Wasmuth firing at III/84th Naval Guard Unit


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tabiteuea at 137,134

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
DD Mustin

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



Port hits 10
Port supply hits 3

CA Chicago firing at Tabiteuea
DD Mustin firing at 7th JNAF Coy


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tabiteuea at 137,134

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CA Northampton
CL Durban

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



Port hits 13
Port supply hits 6

CA Houston firing at 7th JNAF Coy
CA Northampton firing at Tabiteuea
CL Durban firing at Tabiteuea



Pre-Invasion action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL Detroit
APD Rathburne
DD Bagley
DD Bulmer



CL Marblehead firing at 7th JNAF Coy
CL Detroit firing at 7th JNAF Coy
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tabiteuea (137,134)

TF 471 troops unloading over beach at Tabiteuea, 137,134


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




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Starling
LST-450
LST-454



AM Starling fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tabiteuea (137,134)

TF 142 troops unloading over beach at Tabiteuea, 137,134



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APD Waters
APD Stringham



APD Waters fired at enemy troops
APD Stringham fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tabiteuea (137,134)

TF 81 troops unloading over beach at Tabiteuea, 137,134





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Starling
LST-450
LST-454



AM Starling fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-20



LST-20 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tabiteuea (137,134)

TF 467 troops unloading over beach at Tabiteuea, 137,134





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APD Rathburne
DD Bagley
DD Bulmer



Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APD Rathburne
CL Marblehead
DD Bagley
DD Bulmer



Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Starling
LST-450



AM Starling fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-20



LST-20 fired at enemy troops


Invasion Support action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Starling
LST-454
LST-450



AM Starling fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DMS Lamberton
DMS Boggs
AP Crescent City



DMS Lamberton fired at enemy troops
DMS Boggs 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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tabiteuea (137,134)

TF 460 troops unloading over beach at Tabiteuea, 137,134


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (0 destroyed, 20 disabled)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-20



LST-20 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tabiteuea (137,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-446
LST-448



LST-446 fired at enemy troops
LST-448 fired at enemy troops
LST-446 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tabiteuea (137,134)

TF 474 troops unloading over beach at Tabiteuea, 137,134


The Marines quickly overrun the stunned, outnumbered Japanese defenders:


Ground combat at Tabiteuea (137,134)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4424 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 150

Defending force 276 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 120

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 120 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled



Assaulting units:
21st Marine Regiment
F Det USN Port Svc
257th USAAF Base Force /1

Defending units:
7th JNAF Coy
III/84th Nav Gd /2



Amphib transports immediately begin to unload seabees, construction engineers and base forces.

The surface TFs are sent out of harm's way at the end of the turn and the CVEs withdraw 4 hexes to the SE. The transports will complete unloading as quickly as possible next turn and then withdraw towards Luganville as we want to get clear of the Gilberts as soon as possible in case KB shows up.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: CaptainConflict

Just wanted to say I have been following Your AAR for awhile now and I purchased this game because of it. I have enjoyed the reading and look forward to more. [&o]

You are watching the demolition of one very experience opponent by another....I play as Japan mostly, and watching AdmSpruance in action, particularily in China, is scary....

Mike

[racndoc]

Wirraway_Ace_....China is precarious at times but things now seem to be under control. For the moment anyway....


2/26-2/27/43



SUBS


Lots of sub action again this turn. SS Pogy succumbs to the damage suffered last turn from an IJN ASW TF and she is lost with all hands in the Kuriles.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 26, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Nonouti at 136,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Lansdowne
DD Kalk
DD Lardner



SS I-172 is located by DD Lansdowne
I-172 diving deep ....
DD Kalk fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lardner fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lardner fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lardner fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lardner attacking submerged sub ....
DD Lardner fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sapporo at 120,49

Japanese Ships
PB Ryuto Maru
SC CHa-17

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead



SS Steelhead is located by PB Ryuto Maru
PB Ryuto Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-17 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Ryuto Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ryuto Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ryuto Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ryuto Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ryuto Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sapporo at 120,49

Japanese Ships
PB Choun Maru #21
xAK Sanuki Maru
xAK Neikai Maru
xAK Meigen Maru
xAK Kashu Maru
xAK Hokutatsu Maru
xAK Boston Maru
PB Hinode Maru #20

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead



SS Steelhead launches 2 torpedoes at PB Choun Maru #21
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #20 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Donggala at 67,97

Japanese Ships
DD Okikaze
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
SS Trout



SS Trout launches 2 torpedoes at DD Okikaze
Trout diving deep ....
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamakaze Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Tatumiya Maru
PB Nikkai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grayback



SS Grayback launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Yamakaze Maru
Grayback diving deep ....
PB Nikkai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nikkai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nikkai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nikkai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nikkai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Onotoa at 136,135

Japanese Ships
SS RO-103, hits 4

Allied Ships
LST-20
AM Strive



SS RO-103 is sighted by escort
AM Strive fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Strive attacking submerged sub ....
AM Strive cannot establish contact with SS RO-103
AM Strive attacking submerged sub ....
AM Strive cannot establish contact with SS RO-103
AM Strive fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Strive fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Donggala at 67,97

Japanese Ships
DD Okikaze
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
SS Seal



SS Seal is located by DD Okikaze
Seal diving deep ....
DD Okikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ariake attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ariake is out of ASW ammo
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Nukufetau at 131,146

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1
CA Salt Lake City
CA Louisville
CA Indianapolis
CLAA San Diego
DD Dunlap
DMS Wasmuth
DD Downes
DD Conyngham



SS I-25 launches 6 torpedoes at CA New Orleans
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Conyngham fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Onotoa at 136,135

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 26, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Kalk
DD Lardner
DD Lansdowne



SS I-172 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Kalk
DD Kalk attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-172 forced to surface!
DD Kalk firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lardner firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves



Sub attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamakaze Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Salmon



SS Salmon launches 2 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Manado at 75,96

Japanese Ships
xAK Victoria Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Pacific Maru
PB Kyo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Amberjack



SS Amberjack launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Victoria Maru
PB Kyo Maru #2 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Kyo Maru #2 is out of ASW ammo
PB Kyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Toyohara at 125,48

Japanese Ships
PB Ayaha Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Awa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead



SS Steelhead launches 2 torpedoes at PB Ayaha Maru
Steelhead diving deep ....
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 27, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 65,98

Japanese Ships
DD Umikaze
DD Okikaze

Allied Ships
SS Trout



SS Trout launches 4 torpedoes at DD Umikaze
Trout diving deep ....
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Okikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hakodate at 120,53

Japanese Ships
PB Yachiyo Maru
SC CHa-42
PB Tokuho Maru #5

Allied Ships
SS Halibut



SS Halibut launches 2 torpedoes at PB Yachiyo Maru
Halibut diving deep ....
PB Yachiyo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Balikpapan at 65,98

Japanese Ships
PB Magane Maru
PB Manyo Maru
PB Nagato Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gato



SS Gato is located by PB Magane Maru
PB Magane Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ominato at 119,55

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-30
SC CHa-33

Allied Ships
SS Gurnard



SS Gurnard launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-30
Gurnard diving deep ....
SC CHa-33 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub





CENTPAC


CENTPAC seabees and construction engineers complete a level 1 airstrip at Tabiteuea in less than 1 turn. A squadron of P-40Ks is immediately staged in.

Im getting the "willies" about the sudden appearance of KB here as CENTPAC is deep in "Injun" country without sufficient carrier support. Dave showed a couple of CVEs/CVLs to me just W of Manus and N of New Guinea this turn and I consider that to be just a diversion with most of KB headed to the central Pacific. I sent Admiral Hill's amphib TF back to Noumea last turn and stood off the USN CVEs 4 hexes to the SE this turn but now everyone will be sent back to base at full speed...there are some small amphib TFs dropping of aviation engineers and BFs that have not completely unloaded but I will withdraw then anyway to drop their loads on Suva....and then small expendable xAPs and xAKLs can complete dropping off the support troops at Tabiteuea after I complete a level 1 port there.


Dave staged in some IJAAF AC to Tarawa this turn to test CENTPAC air defenses in the Gilberts:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 destroyed
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DMS Lamberton



CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Balch
AK Betelgeuse



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead



Dave knows exactly what Allied carrier air groups are here now so it is time to get out of Dodge ASAP.




SWPAC


The 6th Australian Division hammers the Japanese troops retreating from Madang to Hansa Bay:


Ground combat at 98,122 (near Hansa Bay)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15507 troops, 352 guns, 454 vehicles, Assault Value = 680

Defending force 2613 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Allied adjusted assault: 190

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 47 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1212 casualties reported
Squads: 83 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units pursuing 6


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
6th Australian Division
148th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
205th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
64th Naval Guard Unit
28th Div /6
4th Div /1
39th Road Const Co
13th Garrison Unit /2
43rd Nav Gd /1
3rd JNAF Coy
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2



The 5 SWPAC armor battalions pursue the defeated Japanese troops into Hansa Bay.



I dont usually post air combat results over land bases but this turn was different. USMC F4U-1s go into combat in squadron formation this turn and sweep over a large Japanese CAP/LRCAP over Hansa Bay:


Morning Air attack on 4th Tank Regiment, at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 38,800 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 30
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 61



Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(33 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 17 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 34 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
802 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
204 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
201 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (28 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
28 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
25th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 27 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead


This is the 1st time Ive seen the Tojos punked like this.....and the F4U-1 pilots are 70 exp and 70 air skill.

Then a squadron of the most advanced non-USAAF Allied fighter....the Spitfire Vc Trop...sweeps Hansa Bay and the Tojos get revenge:


Morning Air attack on 4th Tank Regiment, at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 45



Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 4 destroyed



CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(34 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 25 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
802 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 30370 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
204 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
201 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
26 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 143 minutes
25th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
22 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 216 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 35800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes



The Spitfire pilots are better than the F4U-1 pilots....they are 75 exp and 72 air skill...these are probably my best non naval pilots...and they cant match up to the Tojos.


When the smoke clears.....Japan has lost 117 AC to 46 Allied AC. In A2A combat.....Japan loses 86 AC to 40 Allied AC. Individual plane losses include 44 Oscars, 25 Sallys, 19 Rufes, 17 Tojos, 10 A6M2s, 12 F4F-4s, 6 Spitfire Vc Trops and 3 F4U-1s.

[racndoc]

2/29-3/1/43



SUBS

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 28, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wewak at 97,119

Japanese Ships
xAKL Ganges Maru
xAKL Malacca Maru
PB Narita Maru

Allied Ships
SS Hoe



Captain of SS Hoe elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Hoe diving deep ....
PB Narita Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Narita Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Narita Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Narita Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Narita Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Sub attack near Hakodate at 120,53

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-42
PB Yachiyo Maru
PB Tokuho Maru #5

Allied Ships
SS Haddock



SS Haddock launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-42
Haddock diving deep ....
PB Yachiyo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokuho Maru #5 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Tokuho Maru #5 cannot establish contact with SS Haddock
SS Haddock eludes PB Tokuho Maru #5 by diving deep
PB Tokuho Maru #5 cannot reach attack position over SS Haddock
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokuho Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Mussau Island at 107,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-180

Allied Ships
DMS Southard
DD Kane
DD King



SS I-180 is located by DMS Southard
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Mussau Island at 107,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-177, hits 1

Allied Ships
DMS Southard
DD Kane
DD King



SS I-177 launches 2 torpedoes at DMS Southard
I-177 diving deep ....
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kane attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kane cannot establish contact with SS I-177
DD Kane cannot reach attack position over SS I-177
DD Kane cannot reach attack position over SS I-177
DD Kane loses contact with SS I-177
DD Kane cannot reach attack position over SS I-177
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kane fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Mussau Island at 107,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-180

Allied Ships
DMS Southard
DD Kane
DD King



SS I-180 is located by DMS Southard
I-180 diving deep ....
DD Kane fails to find sub and abandons search
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Ominato at 121,54

Japanese Ships
DD Makinami
DD Teruzuki
DD Takanami

Allied Ships
SS Gurnard, hits 1



SS Gurnard is located by DD Makinami
Gurnard diving deep ....
DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Takanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Takanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Ominato at 121,54

Japanese Ships
DD Teruzuki
DD Takanami, Shell hits 1
DD Makinami
DD Kazegumo

Allied Ships
SS Gurnard, hits 20, and is sunk



SS Gurnard launches 2 torpedoes at DD Teruzuki
DD Takanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Makinami is out of ASW ammo
DD Makinami is out of ASW ammo
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Makinami is out of ASW ammo
DD Makinami is out of ASW ammo
DD Makinami is out of ASW ammo
DD Makinami is out of ASW ammo
SS Gurnard forced to surface!
DD Kazegumo firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Takanami firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Kazegumo firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Takanami firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Kazegumo firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Takanami firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


Submarine attack near Mussau Island at 107,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-4

Allied Ships
DD Whipple



DD Whipple is sighted by SS I-4
SS I-4 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Whipple


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 65,98

Japanese Ships
xAKL Miyati Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Heiyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trout



SS Trout launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Miyati Maru
Trout diving deep ....
PB Heiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Heiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Heiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Heiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Heiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 01, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Balikpapan at 65,98

Japanese Ships
PB Manyo Maru
PB Magane Maru
PB Nagato Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trout



SS Trout is sighted by escort
Trout diving deep ....
PB Magane Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nagato Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Malacca at 49,82

Japanese Ships
PB Kamitsu Maru
PB Heiei Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Trusty



SS Trusty is sighted by escort
Trusty diving deep ....
PB Kamitsu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Heiei Maru #7 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Kamitsu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kamitsu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kamitsu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kamitsu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Ominato at 119,55

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-33
SC CHa-30

Allied Ships
SS Haddock



SS Haddock is located by SC CHa-33
Haddock diving deep ....
SC CHa-33 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



ASW attack near Ominato at 119,55

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 14
SC CHa-51
SC Ch 23

Allied Ships
SS Haddock



SS Haddock is located by SC Ch 14
SC CHa-51 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-51 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



The Allies lose another sub this turn....SS Gurnard sinks off Ominato. Thats makes 4 Allied subs lost over the last 3 turns. Dave is doing a good job with massing his ASW AC over the sub chokepoints and then after spotting the subs he is working them over with with ASW TFs.



CBI


Quiet.




CENTPAC


Engineers on Tabiteuea build a level 1 port and are have level 2 AFs and ports 30% completed.

Allied amphib TFs, surface TFs and CVEs successfully withdraw from the central Pacific without any losses.



SWPAC


Dave naval bombards SWPAC armor at Hansa Bay:

Night Naval bombardment of Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Nagato
CL Oi
CL Abukuma
CL Jintsu
CL Sendai
DD Tanikaze
DMS W-19


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 28 (18 destroyed, 10 disabled)


E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at 754th Tank Battalion
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Nagato
BB Nagato firing at 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
CL Oi firing at 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
CL Abukuma firing at 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for CL Jintsu
CL Jintsu firing at 763rd Tank Battalion
CL Sendai firing at 763rd Tank Battalion
DD Tanikaze firing at 754th Tank Battalion
DMS W-19 firing at 754th Tank Battalion



Air battles break out over Hansa Bay, Madang and the jungle road hex in between. The Allies get the better of the A2A combat for the 3rd turn in a row but cannot keep up with the attrition....more on this in the "AIR WAR" segment. Dave is trying to interdict the road movement of the Allies 6th Australian and 32nd and 43rd Divisions as they advance on Hansa Bay. Japan now has some 34,000 troops and 150 AFVs at Hansa Bay.



SOPAC


A USN ASW TF pursued some IJn subs too far to the north...actually N of kavieng and they were hit both by Truk based Betties and a portion of KB that was stationed NE of Kavieng:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 107,117

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 23



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD King
DD Kane
DD Whipple



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




Morning Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 107,117

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
D3A1 Val x 22



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Kane, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Whipple, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD King, Bomb hits 1
DMS Southard, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Kane
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DMS Southard


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 107,121

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 59
D3A1 Val x 42



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Kane, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DMS Southard, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a 'R' Class class DD
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DMS Southard



DD Kane and DMS Southard are sunk. DD Whipple and DD King limp back to port at Shortlands.


Big shipyard turn for the Allies......19 APs at Auckland go into the yards to convert into APAs. After completing their conversion their unloading rates/day will increase from 650 to 1500....absolutely critical for atoll assaults. The APAs should be available by late March.

CV Wasp has a repair estimate of 49 days while CV Enterprise now has a repair estimate of 54 days.



THE AIR WAR


Overall....Japan now has lost 7549 AC vs Allied losses of 6855 AC. In A2A......Japan has lost 3392 AC vs Allied losses of 3064 AC.

The Chinese air force was decimated in the fight to recover Sian and will takes months to rebuild. RAF, RAAF and RNZAF fighter pools are doing OK now but the medium bomber squadrons average 50% TOE.

The USAAF has reached its nadir for the war....Ive pretty much shut down Allied air forces in the CBI and the only realy active area on the map is over New Guinea.....but its really active in New Guinea as Japan fights for every base on the northern coast. Ive been generally winning the individual air battles but overall Im losing the attrition war.

I had been really dependent on the P-39Ds but now that they are out of production my P-39D squadrons average 50% TOE. My only USAAF fighter replacements now are 65 P-40Ks/mo and 20 P-38Gs/mo and now the P-40K losses are so high that most squadrons average 70-80% TOE. This situation will not begin to improve until 7/43 when the USAAF starts receiving 20 P-38Hs and 35 P-39N1s/mo. I should finally be OK by 8/43 when the USAAF starts to receive an additional 70 P-40N1s/mo, 55 P-40N5s/mo and 56 P-47Ds/mo.

In the interim.....I am increasingly forced to depend on VF and VMF squadrons with their F4F-4s to carry on the fighting. Ive dismounted all the VF squadrons from the carriers and they are spread over the Solomons and New Guinea but with a replacement rate of 45 F4F-4s/mo Ive now run out of Wildcats and most VF and VMF squadrons are at 80-90% TOE. Ive converted 3 VMF squadrons to F4U-1 Corsairs(30/mo) and they are holding their own in A2A but I will be critically short of Navy and Marine fighters until 4/43 when I finally start to get 120 Hellcats/mo. Once the Hellcats arrive I will convert the VF squadrons over and then the VMF squadrons will have sufficient numbers of F4F-4s and F4U-1s.

And then the Marines will have to fill the breach for fighter support for SWPAC/SOPAC/CENTPAC until the new Army fighters arrive in summer 1943. I also need to get more RAAF and RNZAF fighters into the air battle over New Guinea but whereas they have a surplus of airframes they also have a shortage of trained pilots.

[racndoc]

3/2-3/3/43



SUBS


SS Gato sinks TK Ose Maru off Tawi Tawi.



NORTHERN AUSTRALIA.....II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


A Japanese bombardment TF tries to slow down the Allied buildup at Bathurst Is.:


Night Naval bombardment of Bathurst Island at 76,123

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
DD Fumizuki
DD Uzuki


Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (9 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 15
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at Bathurst Island
DD Fumizuki firing at Bathurst Island
DD Uzuki firing at Bathurst Island


Ive got over 20 PBYs on naval search here but the IJN bombardment Tfs usually come in without being spotted.




SWPAC/SOPAC


A Japanese cruiser force bombards the forward SOPAC airbase at Lihir:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lihir at 108,124, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CA Suzuya
CL Natori
CL Yura
DD Arashio
DD Murasame
DD Yudachi

Allied Ships
AM Glenelg, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Bordvik, Shell hits 8, and is sunk



Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages AM Glenelg at 10,000 yards
CL Yura engages AM Glenelg at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
AM Glenelg sunk by CA Suzuya at 8,000 yards
CL Yura engages xAKL Bordvik at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages xAKL Bordvik at 6,000 yards
xAKL Bordvik sunk by CA Chikuma at 6,000 yards
xAKL Bordvik sunk by CA Chikuma at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


Night Naval bombardment of Lihir at 108,124

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 15 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-4 Wildcat: 52 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 28 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 11 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 12 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
CL Yura
CL Natori
DD Yudachi
DD Murasame
DD Arashio


Allied ground losses:
447 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled


Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 47

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for CA Suzuya
CA Suzuya firing at Lihir
CA Chikuma firing at Lihir
CA Tone firing at Lihir
CL Yura firing at Lihir
CL Natori firing at Lihir
DD Yudachi firing at 1st USMC Parachute Battalion
DD Murasame firing at Lihir
DD Arashio firing at Lihir


I kind of saw this coming as several IJN TFs have been hovering just to the N of Lihir just out of range of the SBDs. But as long as the Japanese enjoy a material advantage in carriers I cannot justify exposing BBs or CAs to stop these nightime naval bombardment attacks.

Only 7 AC were destroyed on the ground this turn in the 2 Japanese naval bombardments but the Allies got beat up in the air over New Guinea and the Admiralties this turn. The Allies lose 30 AC in A2A vs 14 Japanese AC as medium bombers fly over Kavieng without their escorts and are butchered. A Dutch squadron with Mitchell II bombers loses 10 of 11 AC...there are no more Dutch replacement bombers so this squadron is effectively out of the war now.




CBI

The Australian 9th Division reaches Mandalay and it will continue to march to the front line outside of Pegu.


Japan makes a couple of 1:3 probing attacks in southern China. There doesnt seem to be any major objectives left in northern China for the Japanese with the exception of Sian....which is now safely out of reach of Japan. Im pretty certain that the next Japanese offensive will be in the south and I still have about 4000 AV of Chinese troops marching from Ichang towards changsha.

Here is a screenshot of the current front line in southern China:

[racndoc]

3/4-3/7/43



SUBS


SS O19 is hit by 13 DCs from an IJN ASW TF near Muntok....its all shallow water around the approaches to Palembang and you need to interdict the IJN tanker routes regardless of the risks. SS O19 struggles to get back to port at Ceylon.

SS Tarpon sinks xAKL Kensho Maru near Sarmi.

SS Growler decides to surface to sink a barge....evidently not wanting to waste a torpedo on this target....and ends up losing a gunnery duel to a _barge_:

Submarine attack near Sarmi at 92,114

Japanese Ships
LB-103, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
SS Growler, hits 2, on fire



LB-103 is sighted by SS Growler
SS Growler attacking LB-103 on the surface
Gilmore, H.W. decides to submerge SS Growler due to damage


The captain of SS Growler will be sacked when it returns to port.




CBI


Quiet across the theatre.

Dave is heavily bombing the 4000 AV Chinese army that is marching from Ichang to Changsha. Its march progress has been slowed down quite a bit. Ive lost contact with the 7000 AC IJA manuever force but I expect it to materialize shortly somewhere in southern China.


NORTHERN AUSTRALIA.....II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


The Japanese send another bombardment TF to hit Bathurst Is.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 05, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Bathurst Island at 76,123

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 7 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-2 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
DD Hokaze


Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 8
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 1

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at Bathurst Island
DD Hokaze firing at Bathurst Island


At least its Bathurst getting bombarded instead of Darwin. I will need to build up a series of interlocking airfields here before I can stop the nightly Japanese incursions.




SWPAC


I US Corps reaches Hansa Bay and a bombardment is ordered to determine Japanese defensive strength:



Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6321 troops, 181 guns, 356 vehicles, Assault Value = 1527

Defending force 26131 troops, 298 guns, 214 vehicles, Assault Value = 735

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


Allied ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (4 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
43rd Infantry Division
32nd Infantry/A Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
32nd Infantry/B Division
763rd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry/C Division
154th FA Bn
225th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
205th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
28th Div /6
4th Tank Regiment
21st Div /1
48th Division
11th Garrison Unit
8th Div /3
10th Garrison Unit /4
3rd JNAF Coy
Southeast Area Fleet
2nd Area Army
39th Road Const Co
1st Naval Const Bn /1
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
17th Naval Const Bn /4
29th JNAF AF Unit
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
13th Garrison Unit /2



It looks like the Allies have a nominal 2:1 advantage here. A deliberate attack will be ordered next turn after another massive aerial bombardment by Fifth Air Force.

I bought 2 RAAF and 1 RAF squadrons from Australia Command and sent then to New Guinea to reinforce the dwindling numbers of USAAF fighters.

[racndoc]

3/8-3/9/43


Bad turn for the Allies in the air, on land and on the sea.


SWPAC


I US Corps launched its long awaited assault at Hansa Bay this turn. Japan starts out the turn with a naval bombardment of Allied troops at hansa bay:



Night Naval bombardment of Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Atago
DD Oshio
DD Asashio



E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for CA Mogami
CA Mogami firing at 6th Australian Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Atago
CA Atago firing at 43rd Infantry Division
DD Oshio firing at 43rd Infantry Division
DD Asashio firing at 6th Australian Division



The Allies responded with a massive aerial assault by Fifth Air Force on the IJA defenders at Hansa Bay with over 250 4E, 2E and tactical bombers. Here is the result of our single largest gound attack on Hansa Bay by over 130 bombers:



Morning Air attack on 11th Garrison Unit , at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 16
DB-7B x 9
Beaufighter VIc x 8
Beaufort V x 3
Beaufort VIII x 27
Kittyhawk III x 5
A-20A Havoc x 3
B-18A Bolo x 2
B-17E Fortress x 29
B-17F Fortress x 8
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 10
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-26 Marauder x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 15
P-40K Warhawk x 21
F4U-1 Corsair x 7


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 2 damaged
A-20A Havoc: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

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



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x DB-7B bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort V bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking Southeast Area Fleet ...
Also attacking 21st Div /1 ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Bn /1 ...
Also attacking 29th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 48th Division ...
Also attacking 28th Div /6 ...
Also attacking 48th Division ...
Also attacking 10th Garrison Unit /4 ...
Also attacking 48th Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Area Army ...
Also attacking 48th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Bn /1 ...
Also attacking 48th Division ...
Also attacking 11th Garrison Unit ...
Also attacking 21st Div /1 ...
Also attacking 29th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 48th Division ...


I know that the weather here was atrocious this turn.....I know that the Japanese were behind level 3 forts in rough terrain.....still....only a single squad was disrupted. After a week of heavy aerial bombardment at Hansa Bay the Japanese defenders had suffered little disruption and few disablements and were ready for the Allies when SWPAC launched its initial assault at Hansa Bay:


Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40790 troops, 792 guns, 1360 vehicles, Assault Value = 1524

Defending force 26422 troops, 326 guns, 214 vehicles, Assault Value = 753

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 875

Japanese adjusted defense: 5579

Allied assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1038 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 74 (34 destroyed, 40 disabled)
Vehicles lost 30 (14 destroyed, 16 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1268 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 28 disabled
Guns lost 38 (5 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Vehicles lost 96 (3 destroyed, 93 disabled)


Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
6th Australian Division
134th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
148th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
8th Div /3
21st Div /1
48th Division
11th Garrison Unit
4th Tank Regiment
28th Div /6
10th Garrison Unit /4
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
3rd JNAF Coy
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
1st Naval Const Bn /1
Southeast Area Fleet
29th JNAF AF Unit
39th Road Const Co
17th Naval Const Bn /4
2nd Area Army
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
13th Garrison Unit /2


This wasnt quite the result that I was expecting. The Japanese must have had some good die rolls as their adjusted AV increaded eight fold from their nominal AV without any preparation on their part.

I will have the US Army armor attack this turn while SWPAC infantry rest and lick their wounds. Im now regretting the withdrawal of the 1st Marine Division from New Guinea for redeployment to CENTPAC for the Gilberts Campaign. I dont dare venture any deeper into the Gilberts or the Marshalls until I get damaged CV Wasp and CV Enterprise back on line and maybe also a couple of Essex class carriers too.....see what happened later this turn in my CENTPAC report. That makes resumption of the CENTPAC offensive delayed until July 1942 at the earliest. Meanwhile...the presence of the 1st Marine Division at Hansa Bay could have tipped the scales in our favor. I can reinforce at Hansa Bay with a couple more tank battalions and a cbt engineer battalion but other than that the cupboard is pretty bare.

Adding insult to injury this turn.......while Allied fighters were LRCAPing, sweeping and escorting bombers over Hansa Bay, Dave launched a counterair attack over the level 6 SWPAC airbase at Nadzab:


Morning Air attack on Nadzab , at 98,125

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 19



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 4 damaged
Beaufort VIII: 4 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed on ground
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 1 damaged
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
Spitfire Vc Trop: 2 damaged
Spitfire Vc Trop: 6 destroyed on ground
DB-7B: 2 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk III: 1 damaged
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed on ground
Beaufort V: 7 damaged
Beaufort V: 3 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground


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


Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
19 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



Morning Air attack on Nadzab , at 98,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 101 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 13
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 10



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 5 damaged
Beaufort VIII: 3 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
DB-7B: 1 damaged
DB-7B: 1 destroyed on ground
Spitfire Vc Trop: 2 destroyed on ground
Beaufort V: 6 damaged
Beaufort V: 2 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk III: 2 damaged
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed on ground


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


Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



So maybe 40 2E bombers hit Nadzab and the airbase is now is shambles. 56 Allied AC are destroyed on the ground and the airbase is now 65% damaged. I wish that the 4Es could be this efficient in taking out airfields.

Im halting the carpet bombing by Fifth Air Force over Hansa Bay....the attacks so far have been ineffectual and Im tasking all the Allied fighters with supporting the air battle over Hansa Bay instead of defending their own airfields. Virtually all the Allied fighters on New Guinea will now CAP and LRCAP Lae and Nadzab as construction engineers struggle to repair the damaged airfields.



CENTPAC


After Allied setbacks on land and in the air....what turn would be complete without a defeat on the seas. A portion of KB shows up NW of Tarawa to hit a small Allied convoy bringing reinforcements to Tabiteuea:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 92 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
D3A1 Val x 13



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Wahine, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DM Sicard, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
1 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
7 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet

CAP engaged:
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes




Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
D3A1 Val x 22



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DM Sicard, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Wahine, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
7 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DM Sicard
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Wahine


The IJN carriers are at extended range and xAP Wahine is pounded into submission by 60 kg bombs. DM Sicard will make a run for it to the S next turn.

There are 4 separate IJN air combat TFs here with at least 125 fighters and 180 bombers.

[racndoc]

3/10-3/11/43



SUBS GONE WILD

Lots of action this turn:

ASW attack near Miri at 64,86

Japanese Ships
PB Ginyo Maru
PB Shonan Maru #17

Allied Ships
SS Trusty



SS Trusty is sighted by escort
PB Ginyo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Sub attack near Hakodate at 120,53

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-17
SC CHa-15
PB Ryuto Maru

Allied Ships
SS Halibut



Captain of SS Halibut elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
PB Ryuto Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
SC CHa-17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-17 attacking submerged sub ....
SC CHa-17 is out of ASW ammo
SC CHa-17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Miri at 64,86

Japanese Ships
PB Ginyo Maru
PB Shonan Maru #17

Allied Ships
SS Trusty



SS Trusty is located by PB Ginyo Maru
Trusty bottoming out ....
PB Ginyo Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ginyo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Sub attack near Daito Shoto at 100,68

Japanese Ships
xAK Cuba Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Clyde Maru
xAK China Maru
CM Tsugaru

Allied Ships
SS Searaven, hits 2

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



SS Searaven launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Cuba Maru
CM Tsugaru fails to find sub, continues to search...
CM Tsugaru attacking submerged sub ....
CM Tsugaru fails to find sub, continues to search...
CM Tsugaru fails to find sub, continues to search...
CM Tsugaru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Submarine attack near Nanumea at 138,142

Japanese Ships
SS RO-103

Allied Ships
DM Sicard, heavy damage



DM Sicard is sighted by SS RO-103
SS RO-103 launches 2 torpedoes



Submarine attack near Aogashima at 111,64

Japanese Ships
xAK Osaka Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tunny



xAK Osaka Maru is sighted by SS Tunny
SS Tunny launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Osaka Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sapporo at 120,49

Japanese Ships
PB Shinko Maru #5
PB Bokuyo Maru
PB Awa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa



SS Tinosa launches 2 torpedoes at PB Shinko Maru #5
PB Bokuyo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


SS S-27 single handedly tries to blockade Hansa Bay:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 10, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
xAKL Momoyama Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-27, hits 1



xAKL Momoyama Maru is sighted by SS S-27
SS S-27 attacking on the surface
SS S-27 low on gun ammo, Jukes, H.L. breaks off surface engagement and submerges


Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
LB-102

Allied Ships
SS S-27



LB-102 is sighted by SS S-27
SS S-27 attacking LB-102 on the surface
SS S-27 low on gun ammo, Jukes, H.L. breaks off surface engagement and submerges


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
xAKL Momoyama Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-27



xAKL Momoyama Maru is sighted by SS S-27
SS S-27 launches 2 torpedoes


Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
LB-105, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-27



LB-105 is sighted by SS S-27
SS S-27 attacking LB-105 on the surface
SS S-27 low on gun ammo, Jukes, H.L. breaks off surface engagement and submerges


Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
LB-104, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-27



LB-104 is sighted by SS S-27
SS S-27 attacking on the surface
SS S-27 low on gun ammo, Jukes, H.L. breaks off surface engagement and submerges


Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
LB-102

Allied Ships
SS S-27



LB-102 is sighted by SS S-27
SS S-27 cannot acquire firing solution on enemy LB



CENTPAC


IJN BBs bombard Tabitueuea:


Night Naval bombardment of Tabiteuea at 137,134

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 damaged
PBY-5A Catalina: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Nagato
DD Wakaba
DD Nenohi
DD Yudachi
DD Tanikaze
DD Amatsukaze


Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 17
Port hits 8

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at Tabiteuea
BB Nagato firing at Tabiteuea
DD Wakaba firing at Tabiteuea
DD Nenohi firing at Tabiteuea
DD Yudachi firing at Tabiteuea
DD Tanikaze firing at Tabiteuea
DD Amatsukaze firing at Tabiteuea



This bombardment doesnt really hurt the CENTPAC buildup in the Gilberts but I am a bit surprised about the level of the Japanese response here.



SOPAC


XIV US Corps starts to mass just outside of Rabaul. LSTs drop supplies on the beach for them as they complete their long march through the jungle.


An IJN cruiser forces hit Allied shipping at Lihir:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lihir at 108,124, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Kinu
DD Murasame

Allied Ships
AM Kapunda, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Morazan, Shell hits 17, and is sunk



Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 12,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Kinu engages xAKL Morazan at 11,000 yards
CL Yura engages xAKL Morazan at 11,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAKL Morazan at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Kinu engages xAKL Morazan at 9,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAKL Morazan at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages AM Kapunda at 6,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAKL Morazan at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Kinu engages AM Kapunda at 5,000 yards
xAKL Morazan sunk by CL Yura at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
Massive explosion on AM Kapunda
Massive explosion on AM Kapunda
CL Kinu engages AM Kapunda at 2,000 yards
AM Kapunda sunk by CL Yura at 2,000 yards
AM Kapunda sunk by CL Yura at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...




SWPAC


Lots of action here this turn and in the near future.


SWPAC armor attacks Hansa Bay this turn while the infantry rest:


Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4617 troops, 117 guns, 584 vehicles, Assault Value = 1419

Defending force 25813 troops, 306 guns, 211 vehicles, Assault Value = 696

Allied adjusted assault: 115

Japanese adjusted defense: 2471

Allied assault odds: 1 to 21 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
735 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 2


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 66 (3 destroyed, 63 disabled)


Assaulting units:
763rd Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry/A Division
32nd Infantry/C Division
762nd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry/A Division
32nd Infantry/B Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
43rd Infantry/B Division
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Australian Division
43rd Infantry/C Division
I US Corps
154th FA Bn
198th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
4th Tank Regiment
11th Garrison Unit
28th Div /6
21st Div /1
48th Division
8th Div /3
10th Garrison Unit /4
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
17th Naval Const Bn /4
29th JNAF AF Unit
1st Naval Const Bn /1
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Area Army
Southeast Area Fleet
42nd Ind.AA Gun Co /3
3rd JNAF Coy
39th Road Const Co
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
13th Garrison Unit /2


All of I US Corps will assault Hansa Bay next turn.


The Allies and Japan are involved in a massive struggle here at Hansa Bay.....not just on bringing in reinforcements but also in bringing in supplies. The Allies would seem to have the advantage here as xAKs unload 8000-10,000 supplies/turn at the level 2 port at Lae while AKs unload an additional 5000-6000 supplies /turn in amphib ops. Supplies are now flowing nicely from Lae-Nadzab-Madang-Hansa Bay.

Meanwhile...Japan has to bring in supplies to Hansa Bay by transport AC and small craft. Ive attached a screenshot of New Guinea and you can see that the northern coast is teeming with barges, xAKLs, AMs, PBs, EEs and the like. SS S-27 sank an xAKL and a couple of barges last turn and now I am sending another dozen or so subs into the area. Soon...the stretch of coastal waters between Sarmi and Hansa Bay will be known as "torpedo alley".

Back in January...I mentioned how true to RL....the decimated and understrength B-26 squadrons of Fifth Air Force were being withdrawn to train in strafing in preparation for the arrival of the specially designed "commerce destroyers"...the B-25D1s. Fifth Air Force just converted its 1st B-26 squadron over to B-25D1s and they went into action for the first time today:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 95,118

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
LB-115, Shell hits 7, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-116, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-113, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-118, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-114



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36000
Raid is overhead



Im placing two P-39D squadrons on strafing attacks on the northern coast of New Guinea in addition to the B-25D1 squadron as we go into an all out effort to interdict Japanese resupply of Hansa Bay.

For the 1st time in the war....Im placing some Fifth Air Force 4Es on "city bomb" mode to lay minefields at the Japanese ports of embarkation at Hollandia, Aitape, Vanimo and Wewak. In additon... some CMs and DMs are on their way to lay multiple minefields off Hansa Bay.

The battle for Hansa Bay and the remainder of the northern coast of New Guinea is a titanic struggle now on land, on and under the sea and in the air.


STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS


Outside of the CBI.....the Allies have 4 main avenues of advance now against Japan. The 2 main avenues of advance remain the SWPAC thrust across the northern coast of New Guinea and the SOPAC advance across the Admiralies/Carolines/Paulaus to rendezvous in Mindanao and the central Philippines in early 1944. These 2 offensives are using up 99.99% of Allied resources(outside of the CBI) and their ultimate goal is to sever Japan's SLOC between the SRA and the Japanese home islands in addition to providing a springboard for an eventual assault on Luzon.

The other 2 Allied commands are just beginning their advances and are utlizing less than 0.01% of Allied resources at this point in time. CENTPAC has just gotten a foothold in the Gilberts at Tabiteuea while II Australian Corps has just gotten a foothold just off the coast of Darwin at Bathhurst Is. Both of these commands are just beginning offensives that are mostly diversionary in nature yet they have received an inordinate amount of Japanese attention.

One Aussie battalion along with some engineers and BFs at Bathurst Is. now has caused the commitment of 2 IJN BBs and their escorts plus a sizeable commitment of IJA air groups to the southern DEI. One US Army brigade plus some seabees and BFs at Tabiteuea has caused the commitment of 2 IJN BBs and 4 air combat TFs to the central Pacific. Japan has only 6 BBs remaining so that leaves only BB Yamato and BB Musashi to resist Allied moves in both SWPAC and SOPAC.

The northward advance of II Australian Corps from Darwin to the southern DEI could eventually become a primary axis of advance if SWPAC bogs down in New Guinea but the CENTPAC offensive into the Gilberts and Marshalls is mainly to create a diversion to cause Japan to build up in the Marianas as opposed to building up in the Carolines/Paulaus.

[racndoc]

3/12-3/13/43


SUBS

The USN Silent Service really hit paydirt this turn:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 12, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sapporo at 120,49

Japanese Ships
PB Bokuyo Maru
PB Awa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Whale



SS Whale launches 2 torpedoes at PB Bokuyo Maru
Whale diving deep ....
PB Bokuyo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru attacking submerged sub ....
SS Whale eludes ASW attack from PB Awa Maru
SS Whale eludes ASW attack from PB Awa Maru
PB Awa Maru cannot establish contact with SS Whale
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
LB-106, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-44



LB-106 is sighted by SS S-44
SS S-44 attacking LB-106 on the surface


Sub attack near Vanimo at 94,116

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tenposan Maru
PB Fuji Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Silversides



Captain of SS Silversides elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
LB-108, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-47



LB-108 is sighted by SS S-47
SS S-47 attacking on the surface


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Hengchun at 84,68

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon



SS Sturgeon launches 4 torpedoes at DD Oyashio
DD Oyashio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Oyashio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Oyashio is out of ASW ammo
DD Oyashio is out of ASW ammo
DD Oyashio is out of ASW ammo
DD Oyashio is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 13, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hakodate at 120,53

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-33
SC CHa-30

Allied Ships
SS Peto



Captain of SS Peto elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Peto diving deep ....
SC CHa-33 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Keijo at 101,50

Japanese Ships
PB Kohoku Maru
PB AnsyuMaru
PB Kenan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Scorpion



SS Scorpion is located by PB Kohoku Maru
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kohoku Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Taichu at 87,66

Japanese Ships
TK Nisshin Maru #2
E W-8

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon



SS Sturgeon launches 4 torpedoes at TK Nisshin Maru #2
Sturgeon diving deep ....
E W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-8 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
APD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
SS S-44, hits 1



SS S-44 is sighted by escort
APD Matsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Matsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Matsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Matsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Matsukaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Taichu at 87,66

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio
E W-8

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon, hits 2



SS Sturgeon launches 2 torpedoes at DD Oyashio
E W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-8 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-8 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-8 is out of ASW ammo
E W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Mili at 135,121

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CA Takao
DD Hagikaze
DD Shiranui
DD Tsuta
DD Harukaze
DD Yamagumo

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon



Fuel storage explosion on CV Junyo
SS Seadragon launches 6 torpedoes at CV Junyo
Seadragon diving deep ....
DD Tsuta fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Harukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


A fuel storage explosion cant be good.


Sub attack near Hakodate at 120,53

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-4
SC CHa-11
SC CHa-33
SC CHa-30

Allied Ships
SS Halibut



Captain of SS Halibut elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Halibut diving deep ....
SC CHa-33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-30 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC CHa-33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-33 attacking submerged sub ....
SC CHa-33 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Moppo at 99,53

Japanese Ships
PB AnsyuMaru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
PB Kenan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gunnel



SS Gunnel launches 2 torpedoes at PB AnsyuMaru
Gunnel bottoming out ....
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


ASW attack near Rabaul at 106,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 2

Allied Ships
AM Grebe



SS I-28 is sighted by escort
AM Grebe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Grebe attacking submerged sub ....
AM Grebe cannot reach attack position over SS I-28
AM Grebe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Grebe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Grebe fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Rabaul at 106,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
LST-451, Shell hits 2



LST-451 is sighted by SS I-28
SS I-28 attacking on the surface
Yajima, Yasuo decides to submerge SS I-28 due to damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Nagasaki/Sasebo at 101,59

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-18
SC CHa-48
SC CHa-47

Allied Ships
SS Tunny



SS Tunny is sighted by escort
SC CHa-48 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC CHa-47 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-47 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-47 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-47 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-47 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-47 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



After experiencing the Japanese torpedoing of 4 Allied carriers its nice to see the Allied subs reciprocate.


II AUSTRALIAN CORPS.......NORTHERN OZ


Japan sweeps both Darwin and Bathurst Is. and then sends in Nicks at wavetop level to strafe Allied shipping:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 76,123

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 36



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
PT-158
LST-447
PT-144
PT-147
PT-156
PT-153, Shell hits 3



Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet

CAP engaged:
343rd FG/11th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
70th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 76,123

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 29



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
PT-143, Shell hits 1
PC Zeeman, Shell hits 1
PT-158, Shell hits 5
PT-149
PT-144, Shell hits 1
PT-147, Shell hits 2
LST-447



Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet



I doubt that these Nick pilots have had much training in strafing....unlike the USAAF pilots that will return the favor later this turn.



CENTPAC


Even with the torpedoing of CV Junyo Japan keeps up its efforts to suppress Tabiteuea. IJAAF bombers are staged into the level 4 AF at Tarawa and they strike the level 3 AF at Tabiteuea... continuing the suppression from the naval bombardment of the previous turn.

There is way too much Japanese activity in the Gilberts for CENTPAC to conduct any further buildup or offensive ops until all the USN carriers are available. The current repair estimates for CV Wasp and CV Enterprise are 38 and 45 days respectively.



SWPAC


I US Corps launches an all out deliberate attack this turn at Hansa Bay:



Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40175 troops, 796 guns, 1370 vehicles, Assault Value = 1431

Defending force 25508 troops, 308 guns, 209 vehicles, Assault Value = 687

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 1052

Japanese adjusted defense: 1585

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2113 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 136 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 32 (14 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (4 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
617 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 31 (2 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 47 (5 destroyed, 42 disabled)


Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
6th Australian Division
148th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
134th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
205th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
11th Garrison Unit
21st Div /1
4th Tank Regiment
28th Div /6
8th Div /3
48th Division
10th Garrison Unit /4
2nd Area Army
29th JNAF AF Unit
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
39th Road Const Co
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
3rd JNAF Coy
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
17th Naval Const Bn /4
Southeast Area Fleet /1
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
13th Garrison Unit /2



The 1st time we launched a full attack Japan had an adjusted AV of over 5000 here. This turn its only 1500 and Japan suffers heavy losses. Ive just enlarged the port at Madang to level 2 and last turn transport AC flew in a naval service detachment. This next turn a small USN tranport TF will attempt to drop off another armor battalion at Madang that can then march up the road to reinforce Hansa Bay.


The heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force hammer the Japanese airbase at sarmi and destroy 20 Japanese fighters on the ground.



BATTLE OF THE BISMARCK SEA


The historical Battle of the Bismarck Sea took place March 2-4, 1943 as Fifth Air Force destroyed a Japanese convoy carrying troops and supplies across the Bismarck Sea to Lae. Fifth Air Force had developed a new plane....the B-25D1...with new tactics....skip bombing....and totally annihilated the IJN convoy over a 3 day period.

Here in this game....just as in real life....depleted B-26 squadrons were withdrawn from Fifth Air Force to Townsville, Australia. At Townsville, the 81st Depot Repair squadron converted B-25s by bolting on four .50" machine guns to the nose. The resultant plane was nose heavy so lead was added to the tail as ballast. The tail guns and belly turrests were removed. When the nose mounted machine guns were fired the vibtations were so great that rivets would pop out of the skin of the airplane. This new aircraft was purpose built to be a "commerce destroyer".

The pilots were historically trained by skip bombing an old beached liner....SS Pruth....off the Australian coast. Here in game....the bombers pilots....who mostly started with low naval skills in the 70s....were trained in strafing since January 1943.


Now I US Corps is locked in a desperate battle with dug in Japanese troops at Hansa Bay. While Allied supply can be drawn overland from Lae-Nadzab-Madang-Hansa bay.....Japan must bring in supplies and reinforcements by transport AC and small naval craft. The coastline of New Guinea was swarming with small IJN ships....barges/PBs/AMs/xAKLs carrying supplies and troops from Sarmi. Hollandia, Aitape and Wewak to Hansa Bay so Fifth Air Force sent in their "commerce destroyers" to interdict IJN shipping:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 95,118

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 20


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tenposan Maru, Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Shuntai Maru, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb


Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 98,120

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Shirogane Maru, Shell hits 21, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wewak at 96,119

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 20


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
LB-112, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-110, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-109, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-111, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb


Morning Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 95,118

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
LB-114, Shell hits 11, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-117, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dagua at 95,119

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 19


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAKL Sunten Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Shuko Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Saiko Maru, Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes



Amazing results from a single B-25D1 squadron with 15 AC. The attack bombers didnt work at all in the first game I played of AE. I can now report that attack bombers work as designed. They come in at wavetop level with their nose guns firing to suppress IJN ship AA and then they drop their bombs with incredible accuracy. So Japanese ship AA is suppressed first...then the bombs are dropped. Its a 2 step process that is repeated everytime.

With the success of the USN subs and the Fifth Air Force B-25D1s in blockading Hansa Bay I will order another deliberate attack next turn with I US Corps as Japanese troops at Hansa Bay are not bringing in anything close to enough supplies now.

[racndoc]

3/14-3/15/43


SUBS


SS Tautog puts a fish in TK Tonan Maru #2. I think I read something in another AAR that the Tonan Maru were enormous vessels....actually converted whaling ships. Well this Tonan Maru probably wont sink from 1 torpedo due to its size but the torpedo ignited both an oil and a fuel fire...evidently it can carry 2 different loads.

SS Salmon puts 2 torpedos in AO Toho Maru and she sinks off Balikpappan....she is worth 26 ppoints so she must be pretty big.

CV Junyo is reported as having sunk off Jaluit after eating 2 torpedoes in the Gilberts a couple of turns ago. Dont know if this is accurate intel but a fuel storage explosion doesnt sound good. CV Enterprise had 76% FLT and over 50 SYS after taking 2 Japanese torpedoes a few months ago and she has a larger displacement and has higher durability than CV Junyo so I tend to believe the intelligence report here.



CBI


Quiet in northern China. There is no sign of the 7000 AV Japanese army than had been marauding around northern China and I figure that they will being showing up in south central China in the near future. Dave is advancing from both Hangchow and Chuhsien towards Nanchang so I think the next big Japanese effort here will be to retake Nanchang.

Ive had been pretty busy in northern China and around most of the Pacific so I've neglected to check my supply levels in China for awhile. Then a level 7 AF was completed at Chungking and low and behold my supply level there had dropped from ov er 30,000 to about 13,000 supplies. There are a half dozen construction regiments there and they have also built a level 8 fortress there so all construction work was immediately terminated.

I had about 200 transport AC at Ledo flying in supplies to Burma for an eventual offensive but now the transport AC have been re-routed to fly supplies over the hump from Ledo to to Kunming. The transport AC have a capacity of 6000 so each plane can carry 3 points of supply...or about 600 supplies can be air lifted to Kunming daily. Thats about 100 more than you would get from having the Burma Road open. I also reset the supply arrows to try to draw supplies from Burma to China.

Well now Burma is pretty devoid of supplies yet Chungking is still at 13,000 supplies. I have 12,000 supplies sitting at Kunming but they dont seem to draw to Kweiyang and then on to Chungking. I think that monsoon season starts in May so I have 6 weeks or so to try to suck in more supplies from India to Burma. There is a British supply convoy with 60,000 supplies unloading at Chittagong this turn and I will try to draw that supply down the coastal road to Cox's Bazaar-Akyab-Prome. There are 50,000 supplies at Kalemyo and I will try to draw those 3 hexes to Shwebo. There are 60,000 supplies at Kohima and 70,000 supplies at Ledo and I will try to draw those through the jungle to Warazup.

The 2 frontline Allied bases in southern Burma....Prome and Toungoo...both have just under 1000 supplies. There are about 20,000 supplies in central Burma between Shwebo/Mandalay/Meiktila. I was going to wait until the 9th Australian Division and the 4th and 29th British Brigades arrived at the front before attacking but I just noticed that 7th Armored Brigade withdraws in 16 days. XV Indian Corps with its 5100 AV will advance on the 71 LCUs of the Japanese 15th Army at Pegu while IV Indian Corps with its 1700 AV will advance on the 7000 strong Japanese garrison at Rangoon. I doubt that I can achieve anything here due to the low supply levels. The IJA panzer korps is at Pegu with 1700 AFVs. I estimate that 15th Army at Pegu has the equivalent of 6 infantry divisions and 12 armor regiments or about 4000 AV. We will see.

Tenth Air Force and the RAF in India have been quietly resting and rebuilding after suffering heavy losses in the campaign to retake Sian. Now the medium bombers will be staged to Akyab this turn to bomb the Japanese AF at Pegu while the 4Es of Tenth Air Force will hit the level 4 Japanese AF at Chiang Mai...recon indicated about 100 AC at Chiang Mai.



SWPAC


Allied troops are repulsed with heavy losses at Hansa Bay this turn:


Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39839 troops, 797 guns, 1368 vehicles, Assault Value = 1391

Defending force 24364 troops, 301 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 587

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied adjusted assault: 631

Japanese adjusted defense: 1715

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1095 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 26 (3 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 80 (79 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
1058 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 145 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 76 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Guns lost 51 (5 destroyed, 46 disabled)
Vehicles lost 133 (16 destroyed, 117 disabled)


Assaulting units:
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
763rd Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
6th Australian Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
I US Corps
134th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
4th Tank Regiment
8th Div /3
28th Div /6
11th Garrison Unit
48th Division
21st Div /1
26th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
10th Garrison Unit /4
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
Southeast Area Fleet /1
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
2nd Area Army
17th Naval Const Bn /4
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
29th JNAF AF Unit
3rd JNAF Coy
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
13th Garrison Unit /2


I will rest both the armor and the infantry here next turn while the artillery continues to bombard away. No Japanese transports tried to reinforce Hansa Bay this turn so the B-25D1s didnt fly. I have a CL and a DD covering the unloading of a fresh armor battalion at Madang this turn while 100 fighters fly CAP overhead. I hope to reinforce Hansa Bay with 2 tank battalions and a combat engineer battalion over the next week.

[racndoc]

3/16-3/17/43



SUBS GONE WILD!


The US Silent Service has its biggest turn of the war as subs attack IJN shipping from the home islands to the Manchurian and Chinese coasts to the DEI to the Philippines to the Gilberts to the waters off New Guinea:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Vanimo at 94,116

Japanese Ships
LB-107, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tambor



SS Tambor attacking on the surface


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Nago at 95,63

Japanese Ships
TK Kiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kyo Maru #13
TK Azuchisan Maru
TK Okuni Maru
PB Yamadori Maru
PB Kogane Maru

Allied Ships
SS Drum



SS Drum launches 2 torpedoes at TK Kiyo Maru
Drum diving deep ....
PB Yamadori Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Kogane Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kogane Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kogane Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kogane Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kogane Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Culion at 75,80

Japanese Ships
PB Ginyo Maru
TK Toen Maru
TK Fujisan Maru
PB Shonan Maru #17

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf



SS Seawolf launches 2 torpedoes at PB Ginyo Maru
Seawolf diving deep ....
PB Ginyo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shonan Maru #17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
LB-101, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-34



LB-101 is sighted by SS S-34
SS S-34 attacking on the surface
Massive explosion on LB-101


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 106,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
DD Talbot



SS I-28 launches 2 torpedoes
I-28 bottoming out ....
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aitape at 96,118

Japanese Ships
PB Nichiro Maru

Allied Ships
SS Hoe



SS Hoe launches 2 torpedoes
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wewak at 96,119

Japanese Ships
LB-102

Allied Ships
SS S-36



SS S-36 cannot acquire firing solution on enemy LB


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wakkanai at 121,48

Japanese Ships
xAK Muroran Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Syunko Maru
xAK Taian Maru
xAK Hokutai Maru
xAK Yamayuri Maru
xAK Italy Maru
PB Sonobe Maru
PB Fukeui Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Finback



SS Finback launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Muroran Maru
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Makin at 135,125

Japanese Ships
xAK Bushu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Etashima Maru
SC Ch 2

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish



SS Swordfish launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Bushu Maru
SC Ch 2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Fukue-jima at 100,59

Japanese Ships
TK Goyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1
TK Nissyo Maru
TK Akebono Maru
DD Nokaze
DD Tachikaze

Allied Ships
SS Thresher



SS Thresher launches 4 torpedoes at TK Goyo Maru
Thresher diving deep ....
DD Nokaze attacking submerged sub ....
SS Thresher eludes ASW attack from DD Nokaze
SS Thresher eludes DD Nokaze by diving deep
DD Tachikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sarmi at 92,114

Japanese Ships
E W-16
E Tomozuru
E W-14

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish



SS Flying Fish is located by E W-16
Flying Fish diving deep ....
E W-16 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-16 fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wakkanai at 124,48

Japanese Ships
PB Bokuyo Maru
PB Awa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish



SS Kingfish is sighted by escort
PB Bokuyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Bokuyo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Awa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wakkanai at 122,47

Japanese Ships
PB Sonobe Maru
PB Choyo Maru #2
xAK Syunko Maru
xAK Taian Maru
xAK Seisyo Maru
PB Fukeui Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa



SS Tinosa launches 2 torpedoes at PB Sonobe Maru
Tinosa diving deep ....
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sarmi at 91,114

Japanese Ships
xAK Tenryu Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Silversides



xAK Tenryu Maru is sighted by SS Silversides
SS Silversides attacking on the surface


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aitape at 96,118

Japanese Ships
PB Nichiro Maru

Allied Ships
SS Hoe



SS Hoe launches 2 torpedoes
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Submarine attack near Sarmi at 91,114

Japanese Ships
xAKL Malacca Maru, Shell hits 39, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Silversides, hits 8, on fire



xAKL Malacca Maru is sighted by SS Silversides
SS Silversides attacking on the surface
Burlingame, C.C. decides to submerge SS Silversides due to damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sarmi at 91,114

Japanese Ships
AKE Heian Maru, Shell hits 4

Allied Ships
SS Silversides



AKE Heian Maru is sighted by SS Silversides
SS Silversides attacking on the surface
Burlingame, C.C. decides to submerge SS Silversides due to damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 106,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
DD Talbot



SS I-28 launches 2 torpedoes
I-28 bottoming out ....
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Wewak at 96,119

Japanese Ships
LB-102

Allied Ships
SS S-36



LB-102 is sighted by SS S-36
SS S-36 cannot acquire firing solution on enemy LB


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 17, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sarmi at 92,114

Japanese Ships
E Sagi
E Tomozuru
E W-16
E W-14

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier



SS Grenadier launches 4 torpedoes at E Sagi
Grenadier diving deep ....
E W-16 fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-14 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-14 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub vs Sub: SS Tarpon attacking SS I-2 at 97,121 - near Hansa Bay

Japanese Ships
SS I-2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon



SS Tarpon launches 2 torpedoes at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Wewak at 96,119

Japanese Ships
LB-102

Allied Ships
SS S-36



LB-102 is sighted by SS S-36
SS S-36 cannot acquire firing solution on enemy LB


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sarmi at 91,114

Japanese Ships
AKE Heian Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-46



AKE Heian Maru is sighted by SS S-46
SS S-46 launches 2 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Amami Oshima at 97,62

Japanese Ships
PB Yamadori Maru
TK Kiyo Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Thresher



SS Thresher launches 2 torpedoes at PB Yamadori Maru
Thresher diving deep ....
PB Yamadori Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yamadori Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yamadori Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yamadori Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yamadori Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Arthur at 98,45

Japanese Ships
xAK Kizan Maru
xAK Surabaya Maru
xAK Kiyama Maru
xAK Juko Maru
xAK Chowa Maru
PB Daiya Maru

Allied Ships
SS Stingray, hits 1



SS Stingray launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Kizan Maru
Stingray bottoming out ....
PB Daiya Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Daiya Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Daiya Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Daiya Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Daiya Maru is out of ASW ammo
PB Daiya Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Submarine attack near Sarmi at 91,114

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kakuzan Maru, Shell hits 33, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-46, hits 8, on fire



xAKL Kakuzan Maru is sighted by SS S-46
SS S-46 attacking on the surface
Pierce, J.R. decides to submerge SS S-46 due to damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aitape at 96,118

Japanese Ships
PB Nichiro Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-34



SS S-34 launches 2 torpedoes
S-34 diving deep ....
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichiro Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Arthur at 98,45

Japanese Ships
PB Sozan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Kiyama Maru
xAK Juko Maru
xAK Chowa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Stingray



SS Stingray launches 2 torpedoes at PB Sozan Maru
Stingray bottoming out ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 65,98

Japanese Ships
PB Kaika Maru
PB Heiyo Maru
PB Tsukikawa Maru
PB Tokihime Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gato



SS Gato launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kaika Maru
Gato diving deep ....
PB Tsukikawa Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Tokihime Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokihime Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokihime Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Tokihime Maru loses contact with SS Gato
PB Tokihime Maru loses contact with SS Gato
SS Gato eludes ASW attack from PB Tokihime Maru
PB Tokihime Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokihime Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tokihime Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aitape at 96,118

Japanese Ships
PB Nichiro Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Hoe

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



SS Hoe launches 2 torpedoes
Sub escapes detection


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rabaul at 106,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 1

Allied Ships
AM Grebe



SS I-28 is sighted by escort
I-28 bottoming out ....
AM Grebe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Grebe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Grebe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Grebe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Grebe attacking submerged sub ....
AM Grebe cannot establish contact with SS I-28
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shikuka at 126,44

Japanese Ships
PB Choyo Maru #2
xAK Syunko Maru
xAK Uga Maru
xAK Taian Maru
xAK Hokutai Maru
xAK Italy Maru
PB Sonobe Maru
PB Fukeui Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead



SS Steelhead launches 2 torpedoes at PB Choyo Maru #2
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



CENTPAC


IJAAF bombers continue to hit the level 3 AF at Tabiteuea on a daily basis. With IJN bombardment TFs in the area I cant stage in any fighters for CAP. This theatre will just have to wait until we can commit our entire carrier force.

CV Wasp and CV Enterprise both have their repair estimates down to less than 40 days now. The APAs should be completing their upgrades in another 4 days. With the torpedoing of CV Junyo a week ago.... I feel better about going back on the offensive with only 6 fleet carriers to provide support. I dont feel as if I need to wait for the 2 Essex Class CVs to arrive in July so we will probably be able to resume our offensive in the Gilberts in early May.


SWPAC

As posted earlier.....USN subs harass IJN shipping all along the northern coast of New Guinea.

We finished unloading a fresh tank regiment at Madang and they will move to reinforce at Hansa Bay next turn. The artillery bombards the Japanese at Hansa Bay while the infantry and armor formations rest:

Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1886 troops, 105 guns, 172 vehicles, Assault Value = 1350

Defending force 23737 troops, 305 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 541

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry/A Division
32nd Infantry/C Division
6th Australian/B Division
32nd Infantry/A Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Australian/A Division
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
32nd Infantry/B Division
754th Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry/B Division
43rd Infantry/C Division
763rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
6th Australian/C Division
154th FA Bn
205th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
134th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
28th Div /6
11th Garrison Unit
21st Div /1
48th Division
26th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
8th Div /3
10th Garrison Unit /4
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
2nd Area Army
17th Naval Const Bn /4
Southeast Area Fleet /1
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
3rd JNAF Coy
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
29th JNAF AF Unit
13th Garrison Unit /2


When I get the file back I will check the fatigue, morale and disruptions of the units of I US Corps and if not too bad we will launch another assault.

Fifth Air Force targets the Japanese AF at dagua and several fighters are destroyed on the ground.


CBI


Tenth Air Force pounds the Japanese AFs at Rangoon and Chiang Mai and several aircraft are destroyed on the ground.

Eastern Army's IV Indian Corps and XV Indian Corps bigin their marches on Rangoon and Pegu respectively. I dont think that I have enough force to dislodge the IJA 15th Army from their primary defensive position at Pegu but I am hoping to pin them in place while we liberate Rangoon. I have several BFs and AA LCUs at Prome and if we can take Rangoon I should be able to stage in enough fighters to be able to bring in supplies by sea.

If SEAC can take Rangoon and bring in supply convoys the whole tide of war will change in this theatre,

In China, Dave has left only a single LCU to garrison Nanyang so we will move our 5000 AV Chinese army into the base to re-take it.

Dave has 2 seperate thrusts in south central China aimed at capturing nanchang. I have a 2500 AV garrison at Nanchang plus another 4500 AV army that was pulled out of Ichang is on the march to reinforce and should arrive at Nanchang in 2 turns. Dave's tank division broke into open terrain as it pursued the Chinese retreating to Nanchang so I staged in 3 squadrons of DBs from India to Changsha to slow then down:

Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 86,54 , near Nanchang

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 45
P-40K Warhawk x 23


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
13 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
7 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 39th Division ...
Also attacking 13th Indpt Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 13th Division ...
Also attacking 1st Tank Division ...
Also attacking 39th Division ...
Also attacking 1st Tank Division ...
Also attacking 39th Division ...
Also attacking 13th Indpt Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Tank Division ...
Also attacking 39th Division ...
Also attacking 13th Indpt Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Tank Division ...
Also attacking 39th Division ...
Also attacking 13th Indpt Infantry Regiment ...


Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 86,54 , near Nanchang

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 45
P-40K Warhawk x 19


Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
7 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 37th Division ...
Also attacking 39th Division ...
Also attacking 13th Division ...
Also attacking 1st Tank Division ...
Also attacking 37th Division ...
Also attacking 1st Tank Division ...
Also attacking 37th Division ...
Also attacking 1st Tank Division ...
Also attacking 37th Division ...


Whats conspicuous about these two DB attacks is that the Japanese had been reinforced by an additional 2 divisions by the 2nd day of the battle. My recon doesnt show any Japanese troops moving though either Chuhsien or Hangchow but Im convinced that the majority of the 7000 AV Japanese army that had threatened Sian has now moved to the south.

[racndoc]

3/18-3/19/43



SUBS


SS S-34 puts a torpedo in xAKL Shuka Maru near Hollandia.

SS Trigger lands a fish on xAK Takaoka Maru off Manokwari.



SWPAC

I US Corps launches a pair of bloody assaults at Hansa Bay:


Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39593 troops, 803 guns, 1370 vehicles, Assault Value = 1384

Defending force 23928 troops, 308 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 552

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied adjusted assault: 1351

Japanese adjusted defense: 997

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1399 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 105 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 35 (18 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
187 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 31 (5 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 124 (26 destroyed, 98 disabled)


Assaulting units:
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
763rd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
6th Australian Division
198th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
148th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
8th Div /3
21st Div /1
28th Div /6
11th Garrison Unit
26th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
48th Division
10th Garrison Unit /4
Southeast Area Fleet /1
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
17th Naval Const Bn /4
3rd JNAF Coy
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
29th JNAF AF Unit
2nd Area Army
13th Garrison Unit /2


Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39012 troops, 800 guns, 1349 vehicles, Assault Value = 1308

Defending force 23094 troops, 282 guns, 155 vehicles, Assault Value = 482

Allied adjusted assault: 736

Japanese adjusted defense: 829

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2130 casualties reported
Squads: 90 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 27 (16 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1486 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 144 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 28 disabled
Guns lost 48 (1 destroyed, 47 disabled)
Vehicles lost 48 (5 destroyed, 43 disabled)


Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
6th Australian Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
154th FA Bn
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
28th Div /6
21st Div /1
11th Garrison Unit
26th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
48th Division
10th Garrison Unit /4
Southeast Area Fleet /1
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
8th Div /3
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
17th Naval Const Bn /4
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
29th JNAF AF Unit
3rd JNAF Coy
2nd Area Army
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
13th Garrison Unit /2


That last assault really hurt. Im going to bombard with artilllery for a couple of turns and rest all the armor and infantry.

USN DMs laid 3 minefields at Hansa Bay. There is almost no barge traffic along the New Guinea coast now. After the Battle of the Bismarck Sea Dave doesnt seem to be trying to run in supplies to Hansa Bay by sea.



CBI


Dave continues to mass Japanese forces in south central China for an eventual attack on Nanchang.

In the north.....Chinese troops re-enter Nanyang and an assault will be ordered for next turn.

In Burma....IV Indian Corps closes in on Rangoon while XV Indian Corps reaches the outskirts of Pegu. Dave appears to be withdrawing his Rangoon garrison to Pegu as Eastern Army approaches so we may get Rangoon without a fight.

The supply draw is working well now in Burma. I was able to draw over 60,000 supplies to Prome last turn over the coastal road from Akyab. We were also able to draw supply from Kalemyo to the the Shwebo/Mandalay/Meiktila complex and Allied supply levels increased almost 50% to over 33,000 supplies.

We were even successful in drawing supply to Chungking where we now have 17,000 supplies.

[racndoc]

3/20-3/21/43


SUBS


SS Trigger sinks xAP Teika Maru off Morotai and most of the Japanese troops aboard are lost at sea.

SS Triton sinks xAK Teikoku Maru near Iwo-jima.

SS Salmon sinks TK Azume Maru by Tawau.



CENTPAC


Japan redoubles their efforts to close the CENTPAC AF at Tabiteuea. First a small naval bombardment is sent in:

Night Naval bombardment of Tabiteuea at 137,134

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Yuzuki


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


CL Kuma firing at 21st Marine Regiment
DD Yuzuki firing at 21st Marine Regiment


Then Dave sends in the daily air raid to hit the airfield but a squadron of P-40Ks is staged in.... evidently they are a crack P-40K squadron....and the Japanese suffer heavy losses in A2A combat:

Morning Air attack on Tabiteuea , at 137,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 31
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 16



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 23


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses


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


Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes


Morning Air attack on Tabiteuea , at 137,134

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 13



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses


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


Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (8 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes



The IJAAF Oscars are hammered and the AF at Tabiteuea remains open. Im sure that I will be seeing much larger IJN surface TFs in the Gilberts in the near future.....but in about a week the waters from the Gilberts to the Marshalls will be flooded with USN fleet subs.



SWPAC


I US Corps bombards away at Hansa Bay while the armor and the infantry are rested:



Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1386 troops, 102 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 1297

Defending force 22391 troops, 258 guns, 153 vehicles, Assault Value = 438

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



Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry/A Division
762nd Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
43rd Infantry/A Division
32nd Infantry/C Division
43rd Infantry/B Division
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
32nd Infantry/B Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Australian/C Division
754th Tank Battalion
6th Australian/B Division
6th Australian/A Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry/C Division
I US Corps
134th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
198th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
11th Garrison Unit /3
10th Garrison Unit /4
21st Div /1
26th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
28th Div /6
48th Division
90th Infantry Rgt /4
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
29th JNAF AF Unit
8th Div /3
3rd JNAF Coy
2nd Area Army
Southeast Area Fleet /1
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
17th Naval Const Bn /4
13th Garrison Unit /2


I will rest the troops again next turn as we wait for a fresh combat engineer regiment to arrive and then we will renew the assault.



Dave sends in CA Atago to bombard the troops at Hansa Bay but first she has to run the gauntlet of Allied subs and bombers:



Sub attack near Wewak at 97,119

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish



SS Flying Fish launches 4 torpedoes at CA Atago
Flying Fish diving deep ....
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma attacking submerged sub ....
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma attacking submerged sub ....
DD Inazuma cannot establish contact with SS Flying Fish
SS Flying Fish eludes ASW attack from DD Inazuma
Escort abandons search for sub


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 13
P-40K Warhawk x 17


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1
DD Hibiki



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb


The 500 lb bomb penetrates the deck and explodes deep inside the ship.


Fifth Air Force targets the AF at Wewak this turn. First....the F4U-1s sweep at high altitude and decimate the Nicks on CAP:

Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 40,800 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 41



Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 7 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(41 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 41 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes



Then the P-38Gs sweep the target causing further attrition of the Nicks:


Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 26



Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
26 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 100 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13



Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 93 minutes



By the time the heavy bombers arrive at Wewak there are no more Nicks on CAP and the 4Es leave the AF there with 60% damage and a bunch of busted up AC.

Japan loses an incredible 63 AC in A2A combat this turn vs 4 Allied AC. Overall....Japan loses 96 AC vs Allied losses of 18 AC. Individual plane losses include 42 Oscars, 39 Nicks, 6 Sallys, 5 Helens, 5 P-38Gs and 4 P-40Ks.



CBI


The IJA 1st Tank Division leads an assault on Chinese troops near Nanchang but is decimated by the AT guns regiment waiting for them:

Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8513 troops, 128 guns, 626 vehicles, Assault Value = 2361

Defending force 35311 troops, 252 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1378

Japanese adjusted assault: 54

Allied adjusted defense: 669

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 12

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1042 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Vehicles lost 75 (3 destroyed, 72 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
406 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
13th Division
39th Division
34th Division
37th Division
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
92nd Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
56th AT Gun Regiment



Farther north....the Chinese recapture Nanyang:


Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18805 troops, 158 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5481

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

Allied adjusted assault: 588

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 588 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nanyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:



Assaulting units:
34th Chinese/B Corps
57th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese/A Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese/C Corps
16th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese/B Corps
59th Chinese/B Corps
1st Chinese/C Corps
61st Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
30th Chinese/A Corps
45th Chinese/A Corps
34th Chinese/A Corps
36th Chinese/A Corps
34th Chinese/C Corps
59th Chinese/C Corps
35th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese/B Corps
1st Chinese/B Corps
36th Chinese/C Corps
7th Group Army
37th Group Army
2/215th Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
8th Group Army
2nd Group Army
1st War Area
4th Group Army
Lusu War Area
5th War Area
33rd Group Army
85th British AT Rgt /1
20th Artillery Regiment
Jingcha War Area
33rd Chinese/B Corps
6th Group Army
22nd Artillery Regiment
36th Group Army
34th Group Army
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Rgt /2


Now the Chinese can again threaten both Sinyang and the Chengchow/Loyang/Tsiaotso complex.


In Burma.....IV Indian Corps enters a deserted Rangoon and an assault will be ordered for next turn.

XV Indian Corps invests the main Japanese defensive position at Pegu. An artillery unit will bombard 15th Army at Pegu next turn to see exactly what IJA forces are deployed there.

Meanwhile....Dave drops elements of 4 IJA paratroop regiments in our rear at Taung Gyi:

Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1642 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 102

Defending force 1935 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 96

Japanese adjusted assault: 47

Allied adjusted defense: 199

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
364 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
3rd Raiding Rgt /1
4th Raiding Rgt /2
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /3
1st Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
SSVF Brigade


Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 418 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 83

Defending force 1899 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 90

Japanese adjusted assault: 2

Allied adjusted defense: 220

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 110 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
3rd Raiding Rgt /1
4th Raiding Rgt /2
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
1st Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
SSVF Brigade



The 29th British Brigade is 2 hexes away at Mandalay and they will be ordered to reinforce Taung Gyi ASAP. Chinese troops at Toungoo will be airlifted to Taung Gyi. A half dozen fighter squadrons will LRCAP Taung Gyi.

To top it off....nearly 300 Tenth Air Force and RAF 2Es and 4Es will carpet bomb the Japanese at Taung Gyi.

[racndoc]

3/22-3/23/43



SUBS GONE WILD!


SS S-32 sinks LB-119 off Aitape.

SSX Ha-16 is sunk near Rabaul by an Allied ASW TF

SS Gunnel is hit by 7 DCs from an IJN ASW TF off China and is heavily damaged.

SS Gato sinks E W-3 near Donggala.

SS Triton sinks xAK Kian Maru near Ulithi.

SS Greenling puts a torpedo in xAK Tanzine Maru by Balikpappan.

SS I-28 is hit by 33 DCs from newly converted RN DEs(ASW value=9) and is sunk near Rabaul.

SS gato sinks xAK Taketoyo Maru near Balikpappan.


CENTPAC


A6M@s sweep Tabiteuea and this time the P-40Ks take it on the chin. Supplies are starting to dwindle here so we will need to figure out how to get a resupply convoy though.


SWPAC


P-38Gs sweep Sarmi and work over the Tojos on CAP.

Dave brings in a bombardment TF to hit Hansa Bay and they run into the newly laid minefields there:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 22, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 63 encounters mine field at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Japanese Ships
DD Yudachi, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame, Mine hits 1, heavy damage





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
DD Yudachi, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon



DD Yudachi is sighted by SS Tarpon
SS Tarpon launches 4 torpedoes at DD Yudachi



DD Mura same sinks immediately but DD Yuadchi stays afoat until daybreak when it is finished off by the intrepid B-25D1s:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 23
F4U-1 Corsair x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 15, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Magazine explodes on DD Yudachi


IJN BBs make it through to bombard Hansa bay but the damage is negligible:



Night Naval bombardment of Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at 6th Australian/B Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Nagato
BB Nagato firing at 6th Australian/C Division


I US Corps bombards Hansa Bay and now suddenly everyone is low on supply so all of I US Corps will bombard next turn.

Fifth Air Force levels Wewak destroying IJA fighters on the ground.

SIGINT show 2 IJA paratroop formations are preparing for Madang.



CBI


Seven IJA divisions trash a Chinese army outside of Nanchang:

Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 74661 troops, 686 guns, 958 vehicles, Assault Value = 2743

Defending force 34924 troops, 252 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1337

Japanese adjusted assault: 2046

Allied adjusted defense: 629

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
4961 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 348 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 42 (1 destroyed, 41 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
7482 casualties reported
Squads: 199 destroyed, 585 disabled
Non Combat: 318 destroyed, 131 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 115 (29 destroyed, 86 disabled)
Units retreated 5


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
39th Division
41st Division
34th Division
37th Division
13th Division
12th Tank Regiment
1st Tank Division
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
82nd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
56th AT Gun Regiment


The remaining Chinese retreat to Nanyang where we now have almost 7000 AV.

Japan attacks W of Loyang only to be thrown back with heavy losses:

Ground combat at 85,43 (near Loyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8697 troops, 136 guns, 627 vehicles, Assault Value = 397

Defending force 24991 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1078

Japanese adjusted assault: 170

Allied adjusted defense: 2026

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 11

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

Japanese ground losses:
1135 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 36 (1 destroyed, 35 disabled)
Vehicles lost 65 (6 destroyed, 59 disabled)



Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Division
14th RGC Temp./C Division

Defending units:
80th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
45th Chinese/C Corps
45th Chinese/B Corps
56th Chinese/A Corps



In Burma.....IV Indian Corps secures Rangoon. Ive adusted the supply aroows to try to draw the 65,000 supplies at Prome down to Rangoon. Hopefully now that we are in control of Rangoon the Burma Road is functional again. A BF from Prome and some AA units are marching from Prome to Rangoon and we will start to attempt to bring in supplies by sea here.

Dave sends in BB Yamato and BB Musashi to bombard Allied troops at Pegu:

Night Naval bombardment of Hansa Bay at 97,121

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at 6th Australian/B Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Nagato
BB Nagato firing at 6th Australian/C Division


The damage is again negligible and Im happy to be ablew to locate these 2 BBs. With 2 additonal IJN BBs bombarding Hansa Bay this turn that leaves only 2 more available BBs to oppose us either in CENTPAC or II Australian Corps north of Darwin.


XV Indian Corps bombards the main Japanese defensive position at Pegu and it appears that the IJA 15th Army is retreating towards Moulmein:

Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1540 troops, 122 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 5157

Defending force 128117 troops, 1691 guns, 1922 vehicles, Assault Value = 3911

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


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 41 (10 destroyed, 31 disabled)


Assaulting units:
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th British Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
5th British Brigade
63rd Indian Brigade
23rd British Brigade
2nd Recce Regiment
48th Gurkha Brigade
16th British Brigade
88th Chinese Division
13th Indian Brigade
18th British Division
27th Infantry Division
BFF Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
200th Chinese Division
111th Chindit Brigade
7th New Chinese/A Corps
12th Indian Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
1st Burma Battalion
45th Indian Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment
46th Indian Division
6th Indian Brigade
16th Canadian Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
8th Indian Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
16th Indian Brigade
14th British Brigade
36th Chinese Division
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
7th Australian Division
7th New Chinese/B Corps
XV Indian Corps
2/11th Field Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Division
3rd Tank Regiment
21st Division
20th Division
7th Tank Regiment
56th Division
19th Tank Regiment
1st Recon Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
33rd Division
8th Tank Regiment
55th Division
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
1st Engineer Co
11th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
26th Recon Regiment
47th Field AA Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
36th Field AA Battalion
4th RF Gun Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
45th Field AA Battalion
21st Ind.AA Gun Co
20th AA Regiment
26th Fld AA Gun Co
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
41st Field AA Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
15th JAAF AF Bn
29th Fld AA Gun Co
23rd AA Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Southern Army
2nd RF Gun Battalion
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
40th Field AA Battalion
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
15th Army
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
93rd JAAF AF Bn
51st Field AA Battalion
Burma Area Army
29th JAAF AF Coy
34th Road Const Co /2
14th Naval Construction Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
32nd Field AA Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
6th RF Gun Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
29th Ind. Engineer Regiment
101st JAAF AF Bn
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
53rd Const Co
3rd Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
22nd Air Flotilla
48th Field AA Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion
13th Naval Construction Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
43rd Const Co
25th Army
62nd JAAF AF Bn /1



Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1482 troops, 117 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 5154

Defending force 118361 troops, 1656 guns, 991 vehicles, Assault Value = 3299

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


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 27 (12 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Assaulting units:
5th British Brigade
6th British Brigade
88th Chinese Division
44th Indian Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
BFF Brigade
7th Australian Division
15th Indian Brigade
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Indian Brigade
18th British Division
2nd Recce Regiment
16th Canadian Brigade
200th Chinese Division
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
14th British Brigade
16th Indian Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
7th New Chinese/A Corps
16th British Brigade
27th Infantry Division
1st Burma Battalion
48th Gurkha Brigade
12th Indian Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment
3rd Cavalry Regiment
63rd Indian Brigade
45th Indian Brigade
23rd British Brigade
36th Chinese Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
13th Indian Brigade
111th Chindit Brigade
46th Indian Division
7th New Chinese/B Corps
2/13th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
XV Indian Corps
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
33rd Division
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
55th Division
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Division
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
21st Division
20th Division
56th Division
1st Engineer Co
8th RF Gun Battalion
45th Field AA Battalion
21st Ind.AA Gun Co
29th JAAF AF Coy
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
22nd Air Flotilla
26th Fld AA Gun Co
13th Naval Construction Battalion
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
Southern Army
41st Field AA Battalion
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
29th Ind. Engineer Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
53rd Const Co
11th RF Gun Battalion
32nd Field AA Battalion
15th Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
4th RF Gun Battalion
36th Field AA Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
15th JAAF AF Bn
6th RF Gun Battalion
23rd AA Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
47th Field AA Battalion
25th Army
48th Field AA Battalion
34th Road Const Co /2
93rd JAAF AF Bn
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Fld AA Gun Co
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Burma Area Army
29th Fld AA Gun Co
9th RF Gun Battalion
20th AA Regiment
43rd Const Co
40th Field AA Battalion
101st JAAF AF Bn
10th RF Gun Battalion
62nd JAAF AF Bn /1


IJA AV here dropped from 3900 to 3299 here in 1 day. Even though we outnumber the Japanese at Pegu Im happy to let then withdraw unmolested.

Over 300 Allied 2Es and 4Es bombard the IJA paratroops at Taung Gyi and an assault is ordered for next turn.

[racndoc]

3/24-3/25/43



SWPAC


I US Corps once more bombards at Hansa bay. Im still having trouble drawing sufficient supplies from Madang to the front so I again am forced to call off the assault.

P-38Gs sweep Sarmi at long range....this seems to be the main staging base on New Guinea for Japan and its heavily CAPed so the P-38s have been mixing it up here with the Tojos for the last few turns.....giving much better than what they get. The two P-38G squadrons of 5th Air Force are now at less than 50% strength and are withdrawn to Port Moresby to rest and take on replacements.

Fifth Air Force heavy bombers switch targets to once again suppress Rabaul. Rabaul is not repairing its AF and port damage very quickly so Im assuming that they are very low on supplies.

SIGINT reports a couple of IJA para formations prepping for Madang so Im flying in some defensive troops via transport AC.


B-25D1 "COMMERCE DESTROYERS"

The B-25D1s have been so effective at interdicting IJN convoys along the northern coast of New Guinea that the area is now virtually devoid of targets. There is a lot of IJN activity at Sarmi however so the B-25D1s are set at long range naval attack without their normal fighter escorts. After the P-38G sweeps work over the Japanese CAP at Sarmi the B-25D1s come in at wavetop level:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
E W-21
E W-14
E W-16



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
25th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 91,114

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 8
DD Inazuma
CL Naka, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Naganami, Shell hits 2
CA Atago



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
25th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead



Not only do the B-25D1s land a 500 lb bomb on a CL but they shoot down some Tojos and Oscars. The Japanese fighters only seem to win the dogfights when they attack from the rear....from the front they are usually forced away or shot down by the nose mounted machine guns. This is somewhat reminiscent of the modern day USAAF ground support AC in the Gulf War....the A-10 Warthogs...lumbering tactical ground support AC that were able to shoot down Iraqi fighters with their nose cannon.

A second B-25D1 squadron was staged to Darwin before it reached max TOE. It was also placed on long range naval attack at 100' and they hit Japanese shipping in the DEI during their 1st turn on station:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,114

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Nagano Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Natsukawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead


Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tohuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Yamayuri Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead


Once again the B-25D1s shoot down Japanese fighters that carelessly attack head on.



CBI


Quiet in China.

The Japanese forces that had been advancing on Nanchang suddenly disappear back into the forests and are probably headed back to the railheads at hangchow and Chuhsien for redeployment elsewhere.

In Burma....most of IV Indian Corps reinforces XV Indian Corps at Pegu and they bombard the IJA 15th Army as it withdraws towards Moulmein:


Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1469 troops, 108 guns, 89 vehicles, Assault Value = 6152

Defending force 118308 troops, 1656 guns, 992 vehicles, Assault Value = 3297

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


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (11 destroyed, 18 disabled)


Assaulting units:
111th Chindit Brigade
6th British Brigade
7th Australian Division
150th RAC Regiment
8th Indian Brigade
13th Indian Brigade
36th Chinese Division
BFF Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment
16th Indian Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
2nd Recce Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
44th Cavalry Regiment
43rd Cavalry Regiment
22nd (East African) Brigade
1st Burma Battalion
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
6th Indian Brigade
254th Armoured Brigade
48th Gurkha Brigade
5th British Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
16th British Brigade
18th British Division
200th Chinese Division
7th Armoured Brigade
23rd British Brigade
7th New Chinese/A Corps
14th British Brigade
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
27th Infantry Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
88th Chinese Division
255th Armoured Brigade
63rd Indian Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
45th Indian Brigade
12th Indian Brigade
50th Tank Brigade
16th Canadian Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
46th Indian Division
7th New Chinese/B Corps
XV Indian Corps
2/11th Field Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
20th Division
21st Division
33rd Division
2nd Division
56th Division
Imperial Guards Division
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
55th Division
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Engineer Co
32nd Field AA Battalion
101st JAAF AF Bn
10th RF Gun Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
93rd JAAF AF Bn
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
53rd Const Co
21st Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
34th Road Const Co /2
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
29th Fld AA Gun Co
40th Field AA Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
4th RF Gun Battalion
25th Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
45th Field AA Battalion
41st Field AA Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
8th RF Gun Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
29th JAAF AF Coy
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
43rd Const Co
47th Field AA Battalion
23rd AA Regiment
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
14th Naval Construction Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
Burma Area Army
5th Mortar Battalion
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
29th Ind. Engineer Regiment
Southern Army
20th AA Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
21st Ind.AA Gun Co
13th Naval Construction Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
51st Field AA Battalion
26th Fld AA Gun Co
36th Field AA Battalion
6th RF Gun Battalion
15th Army
15th JAAF AF Bn
22nd Air Flotilla
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
62nd JAAF AF Bn /1


Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2485 troops, 167 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 6853

Defending force 29691 troops, 537 guns, 371 vehicles, Assault Value = 545

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Assaulting units:
36th Chinese Division
31st Infantry Regiment
200th Chinese Division
150th RAC Regiment
254th Armoured Brigade
18th British Division
111th Chindit Brigade
22nd Indian Brigade
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
BFF Brigade
50th Tank Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
16th Canadian Brigade
43rd Cavalry Regiment
6th British Brigade
2nd Burma Brigade
16th British Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
27th Infantry Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
45th Indian Brigade
2nd Recce Regiment
6th Indian Brigade
13th Indian Brigade
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
15th Indian Brigade
14th British Brigade
7th Australian Division
44th Cavalry Regiment
22nd (East African) Brigade
16th Indian Brigade
63rd Indian Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
255th Armoured Brigade
5th British Brigade
23rd British Brigade
1st Burma Battalion
26th Indian Brigade
12th Indian Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
88th Chinese Division
48th Gurkha Brigade
46th Indian Division
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
7th New Chinese/A Corps
9th Australian Division
7th New Chinese/B Corps
2/13th Field Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
IV Indian Corps
XV Indian Corps
109th Tank Attack Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
8th Medium Regiment

Defending units:
Imperial Guards Division
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Engineer Co
41st Field AA Battalion
34th Road Const Co /2
45th Field AA Battalion
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
43rd Const Co
93rd JAAF AF Bn
Burma Area Army
26th Fld AA Gun Co
29th JAAF AF Coy
15th JAAF AF Bn
47th Field AA Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
23rd AA Regiment
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion
101st JAAF AF Bn
13th Naval Construction Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
53rd Const Co
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
29th Fld AA Gun Co
21st Ind.AA Gun Co
34th Field AA Battalion
20th AA Regiment
32nd Field AA Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Army
62nd JAAF AF Bn /1


By the end of the turn only 550 AV of IJA troops is left at Pegu. A deliberate attack will be ordered next turn just in case any IJA LCUs havent cleared the hex.

A massive air battle breaks out over Pegu as Japan tries to cover its withdrawal. We are able to get some F4U-1s into the battle and Japan takes heavy fighter and bomber losses. Between the P-38G sweeps over Sarmi and Rahaeng and the air battle over Peu Japan loses 69 AC in A2A combat vs 24 Allied AC.

Altogether....Japan loses 93 AC this turn vs 47 Allied AC. The previous turn Japan lost 62 AC in A2A combat vs 27 Allied AC. Individual plane losses over the last 2 turns include 48 Tojos, 33 Oscars, 35 Topsys, 14 Sallys, 14 Lilys, 10 Nicks, 9 A6M2s, 7 Rufes, 22 HurricaneIIcs, 16 P-38Gs, 17 P-40Ks, 4 HurricaneIXbs and 4 F4U-1s. The arrival of the F4U-1 and the exclusive use of P-38s on high altitude sweeps seems to be changing the tide in the air war against Japan. Japan has now lost a total of 8101 AC vs Allied losses of 7288 AC or about 12% greater. In A2A combat....Japan has lost 3669 AC vs Allied losses of 3199 AC or about 14% greater.

Most of the USAAF fighter squadrons are understrength as we reach nadir point for the USAAF until new plane types arrive in summer 1943. However....we will start receiving 120/Hellcats/mo in about a week so the USMC will suddenly take on a much greater role....at least in the Pacific....as they will finally be able to flesh out their VMF groups with F4F-4s as the Navy switches over to the Hellcats.


Tenth Air Force and the RAF carpet bomb the IJA paratroops at Taung Gyi with over 300 bombers but the results are disappointing. The paratroops arent even disrupted when the Allies launch their attack:


Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5031 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 238

Defending force 1826 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Allied adjusted assault: 120

Japanese adjusted defense: 25

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

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

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


Allied ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
SSVF Brigade
55th Prov Chinese Division
14th Canadian Bde /1

Defending units:
3rd Raiding Regiment
4th Raiding Regiment
1st Raiding Regiment
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF


Im a bit surprised about suffering heavier casualties than the Japanese in a 4:1 attack. The bombers did a bit better the next day and actually disrupted the paratroops a bit:


Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5203 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 224

Defending force 1732 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Allied adjusted assault: 158

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
55th Prov Chinese Division
SSVF Brigade
14th Canadian Bde /1

Defending units:
4th Raiding Regiment
1st Raiding Regiment
3rd Raiding Regiment
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF


The British 29th Brigade is marching to reinforce but this is taking a bit longer to mop up than I had anticipated.

[racndoc]

3/26-3/27/43



CENTPAC


Japan bombs the forward CENTPAC AF at Tabiteuea again. The P-40Ks on CAP cause Japan to lose 15 Oscars and 5 Sallys to A2A and Ops while no P-40Ks are lost.

Supplies are down to about 1300 at Tabiteuea now and I still dont have any good ideas of how to resupply without commiting to a major fleet action.



SOPAC


Powerful XIV US Corps completes massing on the outskirts of Rabaul and the order is given to advance on the target. Even though its only a march distance of 48 miles it will take over 2 weeks for the Allied troops to hack their way through the jungle.

LSTs continue to drop supplies on the beach for XIV US Corps and they are now carrying over 45,000 supplies with them into Rabaul. Rabaul doesnt seem to be repairing its port and AF damage very rapidly so Im hoping that the 45,000 man garrison there is low on supplies. Ive mined Rabaul repeatedly and have at least 2 S class subs on station there at all times and with all the USMC DBs based nearby it will be very difficult for Dave to bring in any supplies except maybe for transport AC.


Seventeen newly converted APAs reach Noumea. CV Wasp and CV Enterprise both require less than 30 days now to complete repairs. Soon SOPAC will reume its amphibious advance across the Pacific.



SWPAC


I US Corps now has sufficient supplies on hand to resume the assault on Hansa Bay. All the 2Es, 4Es and tactical bombers of Fifth Air Force will carpet bomb Hansa bay this next turn and the following turn we will adain attack Hansa bay.

SS S-32 pumps 4" shells into LB-121 and LB-122 off Aitape and both barges are _obliterated_. I kinda like that "O" word.



CBI


Quiet in China.

Tenth Air Force heavy bombers pound the remining IJA troops at Pegu but they still are able to retreat beforew an attack can be launched. IV Indian Corps joins up with XV Indian Corps at Pegu just in time to take over an open city.

The Allies have now advanced from Shwebo-Mandalay-Rangoon/Pegu virtually without firing a shot.

Bassein is captured and now the only IJA troops left in our rear are the IJA paratroops at Taung Gyi.

Rangoon is drawing supplies down the coast road very nicely from Akyab-Prome-Rangoon and we now have 29,000 supplies at Rangoon. The Burma Road is now definitely open for business and Chungking just went back over the critical 20,000 supply level. BFs and AA LCUs are still on the march to Rangoon. Individual supply ships are crossing the Bay of Bengal now to bring in supplies to Rangoon and as soon as I can get the AF open at Rangoon we will attempt to bring in convoys from Calcutta covered by LRCAP from fighters based at Akyab/Prome/Rangoon.


My next immediate goal here is to finish off the IJA paratrops at Taung Gyi but then what to do with the 7000 AV of Eastern Army? Surprisingly....Dave does not withdraw to Moulmein but keeps his army in the jungle next to Pegu. Personally I would have withdrawn across the Salween River. I dont want to get into a frontal assault on 4000 AV of IJA troops in jungle terrain. Dave has been bombing eastern Army pretty heavily while they remain in the clear terrain of Pegu. Ive basically not contested this as the Allied air forces have been busy conducting other missions. Next turn over 200 fighters....mostly RAF plus 1 VMF squadron....will fly a CAP trap over Pegu and we should have a pretty good sized air battle.

My goal here was to reopen the Burma Road and now that its been done....with monsoon season close to starting....Im not sure which direction I want to go. It kind of depends on how successful I am in bringing in reinforcements and supplies by sea into Rangoon. Before I launch another offensive I will need to bring any a lot more BFs and aviation personal so that I can at least have parity with the Japanese air force.....we have basically advanced beyond the range of our aerial support. Im letting the RAF and the VMF squadrons handle most of the dirty work here now so that whats left of the USAAF fighters have enough replacements to continue fighting in the south and central Pacific and in China.

My 3 options for Eastern Army at this point would be to:

1) frontal assault against the 4000 AV of the IJA 15th Army and advance down the coastal road towards Moulmein and Tavoy;
2)Place a blocking force of 3000 AV at Pegu and send the remaining troops into China to help take some of the pressure off the hard-pressed Chinese army;
3)Place a blocking force of 3000 AV at Pegu and move the other 4000 AV down the interior road from Taung Gyi to Rahaeng and the plains of central Thailand.

The 3rd option seems most feasible to me now.

[racndoc]

3/28-3/31/43



SUBS


SS Sargo puts a torpedo in xAK Dakar Maru by Balikpappan.

SS Thresher is sunk by an IJN ASW TF off Fukue-jima.

SS I-155 sinks xAKL Sipora near Rangoon.

SS I-155 sinks xAKL Illinoian near Rangoon.



CBI


Quiet in China.

The British 29th Brigade reaches Taung Gyi and the IJA paratroops surrounded there will be assaulted next turn.

With SS I-155 sitting just off Rangoon I will need ASW escorts to get supply convoys into Rangoon. BFs and AA guns reach Rangoon this turn and fighters are immediately staged in.

I didnt realize that there was a river in between Pegu and the IJA 15th army so when I ordered all of Eastern Army to invest the jungle hex where 15th Army was positioned the Allied armor was trashed in a shock attack across the river:

Ground combat at 56,54 (near Moulmein)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 21424 troops, 204 guns, 2037 vehicles, Assault Value = 1407

Defending force 132371 troops, 1710 guns, 1972 vehicles, Assault Value = 3953

Allied adjusted assault: 222

Japanese adjusted defense: 10669

Allied assault odds: 1 to 48

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

Japanese ground losses:
557 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 35 destroyed, 23 disabled
Guns lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
4024 casualties reported
Squads: 201 destroyed, 146 disabled
Non Combat: 230 destroyed, 215 disabled
Engineers: 63 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 98 (54 destroyed, 44 disabled)
Vehicles lost 542 (168 destroyed, 374 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
150th RAC Regiment
50th Tank Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
255th Armoured Brigade
44th Cavalry Regiment
43rd Cavalry Regiment
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
254th Armoured Brigade
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
2nd Recce Regiment

Defending units:
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
21st Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
2nd Division
8th Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
1st Engineer Co
20th Division
7th Tank Regiment
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
33rd Division
18th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
55th Division
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
56th Division
1st Recon Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
26th Recon Regiment
36th Field AA Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
22nd Air Flotilla
45th Field AA Battalion
43rd Const Co
51st Field AA Battalion
4th RF Gun Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion
62nd JAAF AF Bn /1
5th RF Gun Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
53rd Const Co
6th RF Gun Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
21st Ind.AA Gun Co
31st Field AA Battalion
13th Naval Construction Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
15th JAAF AF Bn
Southern Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
101st JAAF AF Bn
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
11th Shipping Engineer Regiment
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
29th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
93rd JAAF AF Bn
2nd RF Gun Battalion
34th Road Const Co /2
26th Fld AA Gun Co
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
23rd AA Regiment
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
29th JAAF AF Coy
15th Army
6th Shipping Engineer Regiment
41st Field AA Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Burma Area Army
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
47th Field AA Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
29th Fld AA Gun Co
32nd Field AA Battalion
25th Army
11th RF Gun Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
20th AA Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Bn /3


I will pull the armor back next turn and they will probably need to R&R in Rangoon now for a couple of months. Supplies are flowing nicely into Rangoon.



CENTPAC


Dave sweeps Tabiteuea with A6M2s and then sends in Oscar escorted Sallys and Helens. The P-40K squadron based at Tabiteuea continues to thrash every Japanese airstrike and keeps the AF open. In the last 4 days Japan loses over 50 fighters in A2A combat vs less than 10 Allied fighters.

Supplies at Tabiteuea are now down to 600. USN subs....including 3 SSTs... are sent on transport missions to bring supplies to the isolated base.


SOPAC


US XIV Corps continues to advance on rabaul and is still 32 miles out. LSTs continue to drop supplies on the beach and XIV US Corps is now carrying over 50,000 supplies with them.

CV Victorious completes its transit from the Panama Canal to Auckland where it joins some USN CVEs. The Allies now have 5 fleet carriers available and CV Wasp and CV Enterprise should complete their repairs in less than a month. When we have 7 fleet carriers available we will resume the amphibious advances in SOPAC and CENTPAC and challemge the mighty KB.


SWPAC


I US Corps finally captures Hansa Bay after 4 days of carpet bombing by Fifth Air Force:

Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 41425 troops, 804 guns, 1486 vehicles, Assault Value = 1561

Defending force 24064 troops, 259 guns, 150 vehicles, Assault Value = 533

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied adjusted assault: 1683

Japanese adjusted defense: 793

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
4142 casualties reported
Squads: 148 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 84 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 59 (42 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 22 (2 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (4 destroyed, 32 disabled)


Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
767th Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
6th Australian Division
134th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
154th FA Bn
148th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
11th Garrison Unit /3
26th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
48th Division
10th Garrison Unit /4
28th Div /6
21st Div /1
90th Infantry Rgt /4
8th Div /3
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
3rd JNAF Coy
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
Southeast Area Fleet /1
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
17th Naval Const Bn /4
2nd Area Army
29th JNAF AF Unit
13th Garrison Unit /2




Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40992 troops, 803 guns, 1486 vehicles, Assault Value = 1498

Defending force 21256 troops, 222 guns, 150 vehicles, Assault Value = 406

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Allied adjusted assault: 1110

Japanese adjusted defense: 301

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Hansa Bay !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
8076 casualties reported
Squads: 317 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 349 destroyed, 126 disabled
Engineers: 110 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 139 (120 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 145 (142 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 17
Units destroyed 2


Allied ground losses:
451 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 75 (5 destroyed, 70 disabled)


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
767th Tank Battalion
6th Australian Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
154th FA Bn
148th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
48th Division
10th Garrison Unit /4
28th Div /6
21st Div /1
90th Infantry Rgt /4
12th Air Defense AA Rgt /1
2nd Area Army
41st Air Defense AA Bn /1
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
3rd JNAF Coy
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /2
8th Div /3
29th JNAF AF Unit
17th Naval Const Bn /4
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
Southeast Area Fleet /1
11th Garrison Unit /3
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
13th Garrison Unit /2


Even after the Japanese defenders are retreated from Hansa Bay and take enormous losses they still have 36,000 troops remaining. These troops will retreat to Wewak where they will join another 16,000 fresh IJA troops in a prepared defensive positions in difficult terrain.

Meanwhile....I US Corps is exhausted from the prolonged battle for Hansa Bay. Both the 32nd and 43rd Divisions have over 100 disabled squads and many of the armor units are at less than 50% TOE. I will need to stand down I US Corps for 3 months for rebuilding.

The Japanese defenses on New Guinea grow stronger as we advance to the west and our supply line becomes longer and more tenuous. SWPAC has advanced overland from Port Moresby to Buna and then Lae and finally Madang and Hansa Bay. Like MacArthur in real life...SWPAC will need to conduct further advances on New Guinea by amphibious landings rather than marching across the never ending swamps, rivers and jungles.

But before SWPAC can conduct any amphibious landings on New Guinea SOPAC must turn the Bismarck Sea into an Allied lake.....and that means invasions by I Amphibious Corps at Kavieng/Mussau/Manus while XIV US Corps reduces Rabaul.

[racndoc]

4/1-4/2/43



SUBS


SS Sargo puts a torpedo in fully loaded TK Hirota Maru near Donggala and she lights up like a roman candle.

SS Sealion sinks xAKL Ryuun Maru off jaluit.

SS Balao lands a torpedo on xAK Hakonesan maru by Tiachu.


CBI


The armor of Eastern Army that was mauled by the IJA 15th Army 2 turns ago successfully withdraws to Pegu.

The IJA paratroops that were dropped a few turns ago at Taung Gyi were completely wiped out this turn:

Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9524 troops, 135 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 430

Defending force 1438 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Allied adjusted assault: 219

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 54 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
437 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
SSVF Brigade
29th British Brigade
14th Canadian Brigade
55th Prov Chinese Division

Defending units:
1st Raiding Regiment
3rd Raiding Regiment
4th Raiding Regiment
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF


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

1st Raiding Regiment Wiped Out at Taung Gyi by attrition!!!

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

3rd Raiding Regiment Wiped Out at Taung Gyi by attrition!!!

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

4th Raiding Regiment Wiped Out at Taung Gyi by attrition!!!

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

Yokosuka 3rd SNLF Wiped Out at Taung Gyi by attrition!!!




ALLIED OPERATIONAL PLANNING: SPRING 1943-SUMMER 1944


Outside of the CBI....the Allies will conduct 4 axis of advance towards Japan.

The 2 main thrusts will be parallel drives by SOPAC to the Bismarcks/Admiralties/Paulaus.....and a
SWPAC drive west down the northern coast of New Guinea and eventually to the Moluccas by late 1943.

II Australian Corps will launch a secondary thrust North from Darwin across the Arafura Sea to Saumlaki/Taberfane and then across the Banda Sea to Ceram and the Moluccas by late 1943. If SWPAC gets bogged down in New Guinea troops will be transferred over to II Australian Corps and then it will become a primary axis of advance.


SOPAC, SWPAC and II Australian Corps will all meet up in the invasion of Mindanao, Puerto Princessa and the central Philippines in early 1944.

A combined assault on Luzon by SOPAC/SWPAC/II Australian Corps is planned for summer 1944.

Meanwhile.....CENTPAC will launch a diversionsry secondary offensive into the Gilberts by May 1943 and then the Marshalls by summer 1943. This advance will shorten Allied SLOCs from the west coast US to New Guinea by hundreds of miles and will create a diversion that will force Dave to heavily garrison the Marianas at the expense of the Carolines and Paulaus.

Of all 4 Allied axis of advance...the CENTPAC thrust on the Marianas is most likely to result in a full commitment of KB.....which is why this advance will be delayed until the Allies have massive carrier superiority by summer 1944.


Ive attached a screenshot showing each Allied axis of advance with the estimated launch date of every operation.

[racndoc]

4/3-4/4/43



SUBS


SS Seal sinks TK Kuremoto Maru near Sangi.

SS S-44 sinks LB-120 off Aitape.

SS Seawolf sinks PB Fumi Maru by Puerto Princessa.




CBI


Relatively quiet across the CBI.

Dave has an IJN CA patroling the waters off Rangoon and he caught another one of my blockade runners:



Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,54, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
xAKL Selma City, Shell hits 7, and is sunk



Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 3,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
CA Haguro engages xAKL Selma City at 3,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages xAKL Selma City at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
xAKL Selma City sunk by CA Haguro at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...



So now I will need to deal with both IJN subs and surface TFs in order to get supllies into Rangoon by sea. That means I will need to get additional aviation support into Rangoon as well as naval search, ASW and naval strike air groups.

Allied fighters sweep Bangkok for the 1st time in the war. Its nice to be able to put some pressure on Japanese airfields that were rear area bases for so long.



CENTPAC


Japan hits Tabiteuea again with both high altitude sweepers and escorted bombers on airfield attack missions. The P-40K group at Tabiteuea has put up a good fight against overwhelming odds but now is reduced to a fragment of its former self. Supply has basically been exhausted at Tabiteuea but Ive got sub transports and fast tranports on the way. I was hoping to use Tabiteuea as a forward bomber base to help reduce Tarawa and Makin but in its current state it cant even defend itself.

Ive flooded the Gilberts and Marshalls with over a dozen subs and this turn a USN sub was spotted by a Val 2 hexes NE of Eniwetok. Eniwetok has a level 1 AF but I tend to think that this Val flew off a flattop....and that there is a strong possibility that KB is lurking just N of the Marshalls for the "imminent" invasion of Tarawa. if so...they will have to lurk for another month or so before anything happens.

I will be creating a diversion in SOPAC before CENTPAC begins the next phase of its Gilberts campaign so hopefully that will get the attention of KB.



SWPAC


Its been quiet here since the capture of Hansa Bay. Ive pulled a lot of fighters groups and all of the medium bomber groups out of New Guinea for R&R. Dave has also pulled out most of the Japanese air forces from New Guinea but he still has a lot of fighters covering Aitape and there is also a lot of Japanese naval activity there.

I sent the P-38Gs on high altitude sweeps over Aitape this turn but the Tojos seem to have bested them this time. However while the Tojos were busy fighting high altitude sweepers the B-25D1s swooped in at wavetop level to hit IJN shipping at Aitape:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 95,118

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 24


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAKL Yamamizu Maru, Shell hits 14, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
PB Odatsuki Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes




Ive completed the withdrawal of the 1st Marine Division form New Guinea and they are back at Noumea resting and prepping for the Gilberts.



SOPAC


XIV US Corps is now only 18 miles out from Rabaul so they should invest the base in less than a week. Meanwhile....LSTs continue to offload supplies on the beach and XIV US Corps is now carrying over 60,000 supplies with them.


Ive completed the withdrawal of the 2nd Marine Division from the Solomons and they are now resting at Noumea and prepping for the Gilberts.

[racndoc]

4/5-4/6/43



CENTPAC


Japan again sweeps and bombs Tabiteuea. The P-40K squadron there only has 3 operational fighters and the base is virtually out of supplies.

A USN AV on fast transport arrives at Tabiteuea and will unload next turn. Nearly 30 F4F-3s and F2A-3s are staged in to cover the unloading. Another AV and an AVD are on the way in fast transport mode with supplies.



SOPAC


Lead elements of XIV US Corps approach within 7 miles of Rabaul. XIV US Corps now is carrying along over 70,000 supplies.

Rabaul once again has a 100% neutralized AF from Allied medium bombers so Fifth Air Force will switch targets and hit the level 4 Japanese AF at Manus next turn.



SWPAC


Transport convoys are busy landing seabees and engineers at Madang. We will need to build up Madang and Hansa Bay to level 6-7 AFs before we make any further advances in this theatre.

F4U-1s and P-38Gs sweep the Japanese AF at Aitape at high altitude while P-40Ks sweep at 20,000'. Then the heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force pummel the AF there. Combined with P-38G sweeps over Bangkok Japan loses 34 AC in A2A vs 7 Allied AC. Individual plane losses include 13 A6M2s, 13 Oscars, 12 A6M3s,3 Tojos, 5 P-38Gs, 4 BeaufighterVIcs and 2 F4U-1s. Im a bit concerned by the absence of Tojos in A2A combat this turn. It leads me to think that the Tojo squadrons have been pulled out of the line for a major operation or redeployment.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


This theatre has mostly been a sleepy backwater for me although Dave continues to generate a tremendous amount of interest here.

Bathurst Island has built a level 5 AF now.

B-25D1s based at Darwin hit an IJN convoy at extreme range in the DEI:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Lomblen at 68,113

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 10


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Saigon Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AMC Nosiro Maru, Shell hits 7
AMC Bankok Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru, Shell hits 7, Bomb hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lomblen at 68,113

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMC Bankok Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru, Shell hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Dave has been quietly building up his base at Merauke in the Allied rear. The initial target of II Australian Corps will be to capture Merauke and the invading troops are now 76% prepped. The capture of Merauke will not only remove a threat to Allied SLOCs from the south Pacific to Darwin but will provide another large AF to help neutralize Japanese bases at Hollandia and Sarmi.

Phase I of II Australian Corps' advance will be to secure bases on the far side of the Arafura Sea to prepare for an eventual advance into the eastern DEI and NW New Guinea. The estimated launch date of this operation will be late summer-fall 1943.