Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walker (J) DBB-B Scen 28

[Walker84]

Sep 21-24, 1942

Got back from holiday a few days ago - an interesting trip taking in the Costa de la Luz, some of the White Towns of Andalucia, and Cadiz, where the King of Spain's beard was 'singed' long ago.

Back in the war, the first few days saw very little combat activity from either side.

In India, it was noteworthy that my opponent has abandoned attempts to reduce the airfield at Diamond Harbour again, allowing my air units to regain their strength. This is timely as I have a supply convoy inbound and it will need all of the CAP it can get to survive.

In the Oz/Solomons/Coral Sea theatre, B-17s mounted an airfield attack on Milne Bay on Sept 23, which has a lvl 1 airfield but no air units currently. This is the precursor to a more interesting development on the following day as 3rd USMC Parachute Bn drops on my base at Ontong Java, preceded by a fairly heavy air bombardment involving 31 B-17s and 8 B-26s.

Ground combat at Ontong Java (115,131)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 312 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Defending force 548 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Allied adjusted assault: 1

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
296 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd USMC Parachute Bn /1

Defending units:
I/19th Naval Guard Unit
43rd Const Co

The base will fall tomorrow as the defenders are pretty shattered already. I expect Roger to airdrop more forces in next turn and I have sent naval assets to interdict any amphibious moves to reinforce - as I can't allow this nasty little incursion to go unpunished. N.B. Ontong Java is only 6 hexes from my Solomons 'redoubts' at Shortlands and Buin.

[Walker84]

Sep 25, 1942

SW Pacific

Well, I was wrong about Ontong Java falling - there is no Allied ground attack today, nor do any Allied planes overfly the island, or my LRCAP would have known about it. My own ground attack strike also fails to fly, but I have a good-sized naval bombardment primed for tomorrow that should rattle the marine paras...

Further north, B-24D Liberators mount a morning air attack on Kavieng, scoring a few port hits but losing one of their number to the A6M2 CAP. This is fortuitous as I had ships disbanded in the port the previous day but, having spotted a DL, had decided it was time to up anchor. What this means in practice is that I need to be careful of leaving anything in port south of Truk.

Bay of Bengal

A British battleship takes a torpedo just 6 hexes West of Diamond Harbour. Probably part of a larger bombardment TF that has somehow evaded my naval search. Thank god for the silent service!

Sub attack near Cuttack at 46,39

Japanese Ships
SS I-124, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 1
DD Inconstant

SS I-124 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Royal Sovereign
I-124 diving deep ....

Now things could get really interesting as I have two SCTFs nearby - one was escorting the supply convoy and the other was there precisely to interdict any Allied incursions in the Bay of Bengal. The big question is whether Roger will proceed to bombard DH now that he has been discovered. I have about 100 single-engined fighters on the airbase but most will be on CAP. I expect a big air attack to coordinate with the naval bombardment. Tomorrow will be interesting!

[Lowpe]

Nice to see you guys going at it again![:)]

[Walker84]

Thanks, even allowing for the holidays, its been a fairly slow game for the last several turns but I think that things are about to liven up a bit!

[Walker84]

Sep 26, 1942

Bay of Bengal

Massive anti-climax today. I had my SCTFs steam north on prospective intercept paths, plus amassed all available naval search with 90 Netties sitting on the runway at Akyab and Magwe. The only sighting appeared in the afternoon: an Allied TF a few hexes east of Ceylon where it must have steamed at flank speed throughout the night and day. The good news was that DH was spared any bombardment, although a supply convoy AKL was sunk by an Allied sub. The convoy should arrive tomorrow or the next day. DH supply is down to about 15k so this is timely.

SW Pacific

Today's big scare:SS Trout launches 6 torpedoes at CV Zuikaku near Ponape. Zui is part of an air combat TF scrambled in response to the Allied paradrop on Ontong Java. Although clearly I want to pre-empt any seaborne reinforcements, the main purpose was to demonstrate that I will respond sharply to Allied incursions into 'my space'. However, I can't afford to lose any CVs to make this point so will have to be very cautious in future.

Today's other main development is what appears to be the virtual annihilation of 3rd USMC Parachute Battalion by naval bombardment at Ontong Java. When I looked at the map after running the turn the hex appeared empty apart from my own Naval Guard unit. I guess the disrupted Allied squads could still reappear but I seem to be winning this battle for now.

Night Naval bombardment of Ontong Java at 115,131

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Nachi

Allied ground losses:
530 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CA Kinugasa firing at 3rd USMC Parachute Battalion
CA Aoba firing at 3rd USMC Parachute Battalion
CA Nachi firing at 3rd USMC Parachute Battalion

[Walker84]

Sep 27-28, 1942

Bay of Bengal

Having failed to intercept the Allied SCTF, my cruisers are re-directed to bombard Calcutta with pretty good results. SS KXVIII launches 4 torpedoes at CA Takao on the way out but misses.

Night Naval bombardment of Calcutta at 52,37

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 8 damaged
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 18 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 18 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Mohawk IV: 7 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CA Takao
DD Oboro
DD Sagiri
DD Shikinami
DD Uranami
DD Yukikaze
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero

Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 52

SS I-18 spots CL De Ruyter and DD Inconstant near Trincomalee but fails to hit them with 8 torpedoes. My supply convoy arrives at DH and will face a tense couple of days, first unloading supplies then I will need to decide about extracting an infantry division if the coast is still fairly clear.

One of my infantry regiments starts a feint through the jungle towards Ledo and is rewarded next day by a Wellington bombing raid. I want to keep my opponent preoccupied along the frontier while I am also busy at DH.

SW Pacific

I let the KB mosey NW towards Rabaul, still acting as a deterrent but hopefully away from where most of the Allied picket subs have been vectored. Despite my LRCAP over Ontong Java, I/19th Naval Guard Unit takes a pasting from three separate B-17 raids. I use some DDs to land a further small Naval Guard unit from Rabaul overnight and will attack the Marine para remnants in the morning (assuming my forces are not blasted off the atoll by B-17s by then).

Meanwhile, unescorted B-26s attack a small supply convoy at Shortlands, sinking a small AK but losing at least 8 of their number to CAP. I suspect that they were hoping to catch my DDs spotted at Ontong Java but reacted into my Shortlands lair instead.

[Walker84]

Sep 29, 1942

The Battle of Ontong Java

Ontong Java Atoll or Luangiua is one of the largest atolls on earth. It is sometimes referred to as Lord Howe Atoll, not to be confused with Lord Howe Island. It has also been the most fought-over atoll of this Pacific War to date...

ASW attack near Ontong Java at 116,132

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CL Tromp
CL Java
DD Patterson
DD Hull
DD Monaghan

SS I-15 is sighted by escort
I-15 diving deep ....
DD Hull fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Monaghan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hull fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Monaghan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Monaghan attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-15 eludes ASW attack from DD Monaghan
DD Monaghan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Monaghan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Monaghan fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ontong Java at 115,131

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CL Tromp
CL Java
DD Hull
DD Monaghan
DD Clark
DD Phelps
DD Patterson

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

Port hits 34
Port supply hits 12

Seagull V acting as spotter for CL Perth
CL Perth firing at Ontong Java
CL Tromp firing at Ontong Java
CL Java firing at Ontong Java
DD Hull firing at Ontong Java
DD Monaghan firing at 7th Indpt SNLF Coy
DD Clark firing at 7th Indpt SNLF Coy
DD Phelps firing at Ontong Java
DD Patterson firing at Ontong Java

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd USMC Parachute Battalion, at 115,131 (Ontong Java)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
D3A1 Val x 27

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Indpt SNLF Coy , at 115,131 (Ontong Java)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 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
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
6th Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

Also attacking I/19th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 7th Indpt SNLF Coy ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Indpt SNLF Coy , at 115,131 (Ontong Java)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
6th Ku S-1 with A6M3 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 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 147 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on I/19th Naval Guard Unit, at 115,131 (Ontong Java)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
6th Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ontong Java (115,131)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 175 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Defending force 177 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 2

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: disruption(-)

Allied ground losses:
240 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
I/19th Naval Guard Unit
7th Indpt SNLF Coy

Defending units:
3rd USMC Parachute Battalion

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

Intel reports two B-17s downed for four Zeroes. According to the on-screen report, the USMC para bn actually surrendered to the final assault. The Japanese Naval Guard units barely survived and I suspect the whole atoll is an ecological and human disaster after having so much ordnance dumped on top of it.

[jwolf]

Thanks for the summary. All the ships and planes put on quite a show! As for the land combat at the end, that shows some things that really bother me about this game. For one thing, zero casualties for the attacker. But more importantly, I don't think the odds ratio works well for such small forces, especially when both of them are so beat up that really neither one could fight. Actually, this battle looks more like a classical battle from antiquity in which the single champions of each side would fight and that one combat would determine the fate of both armies. Rant aside, though, congratulations for sticking it out and coming out on top -- if anyone is left!

[Walker84]

Thanks jwolf, I would agree that land combat is one of the less-refined aspects of this wonderful game. This is not merely an issue for smaller actions - I have seen bigger battles where one side loses 80,000 and the other next to nothing despite being the attacker, which again flies in the face of expectations.

That said, I consider the Ontong Java outcome to be reasonably historical and here is my analysis. My opponent took a gamble in landing a single para bn on an atoll which was defended by a fully-prep'd, 90 EXP Naval Guard unit dug in with level 2 forts. The initial shock attack caused a lot of disablements to the defender (and 'dispersed' or destroyed the resident sapper unit). I guess he hoped to gain the base solely with the shock attack because there was no follow-up landing. SO, a para bn fails to take a fortified defended atoll by surprise, and is then forced to dig foxholes in the open. I can't tell how many supplies were flown in but he must have been heavily disrupted till the end. Meanwhile, the Japanese send cruisers and bombard his positions. Then the Japanese send a reinforcement company to land on the island at night. So, the Allies bomb the atoll repeatedly and the Japanese also dive bomb the paras. The final battle involves fragments of both forces scrapping it out for what remains of the atoll. With no prospect of reinforcements the paras realise the hopelessness of their position and surrender.

[Walker84]

Sep 30 - Oct 3, 1942

SW Pacific

After the storm abates over Ontong Java the Solomons quietens down again. I extricate one of the shattered units from the atoll by air and no further attacks take place. My CVs are parked out of sight again and my rapid reaction force at Rabaul is back in place. I return to the task of building bases and reinforcing. The next Allied probe, when it comes, is likely to be much larger, and seaborne, in my estimation.

DEI

I take out a small Dutch unit at Melak deep in the interior of Borneo and find that three Dutch Dorniers were also holed up there. Massive amounts of fuel and oil are being extracted from the DEI wells with impunity right now. I wonder how long I can keep this up for before subs come nosing.

Aleutians

Recently, I installed a specially-trained Dinah recon / nav search unit at Attu Is, my sole outpost. I have not been inclined to go for further expansion here as it takes up precious engineers to build bases and the strategic case is not really there (in my estimation at any rate). My opponent has been inactive until recently but a couple of naval TFs were spotted at Adak Is recently and the inclusion of at least one BB indicates a real estate grab is in the offing. Coincidentally, I had a few CVs finishing refit in the Home Islands so thought I would see if I could intercept the shipping there. Judging by the latest search intel I may have been too late but at least my dive-bombers can take a good close look at Attu in the next day or two.

India / Burma

Pleased to report that I managed to extract the 14th division from Diamond Harbour without a single casualty. They are now unloading at Akyab. My last two divisions will now fall back on Diamond Harbour in orderly fashion and we will take if from there.

Meanwhile, on the Burma frontier, the Imperial Guards Division pushes the 1st Middlesex Battalion out of the hex immediately to the west of Kalemyo. I will direct the offensive where I can but am also focussed on preparing my MLR in Burma presently. My air defences have been augmented considerably with recent fighter reinforcements; the main deficiency is still in air support but Magwe airfield will soon reach size 8 which will help.

[jwolf]

... a couple of naval TFs were spotted at Adak Is recently and the inclusion of at least one BB indicates a real estate grab is in the offing.

To be fair, that isn't exactly a real estate grab since that is US territory. [;)] Of course the Japanese might view the situation a bit differently.

It's impressive how you've been able to extricate so much out of Diamond Harbor under very difficult circumstances.

[Walker84]

Thanks, and point taken about the real estate. I guess I could have speculated rather that he may now be planning to develop more real estate on the vacant lot he owns there...

The evacuation from Diamond Harbour has taken a lot of organisation, and has been dependent on maintaining local air superiority, which I have achieved pretty successfully apart from one purple patch when the base was shut by bombing temporarily.
In hindsight I might have been better off flanking his line by taking Chittagong when I had the chance rather than going for Calcutta. Mind you, my opponent has since confessed that the city would have fallen but for an extra division in transit that arrived just as I was attacking.

[Walker84]

Oct 4, 1942

Aleutians

My air combat task force arrives in the Aleutians in time to mop up a few Allied vessels that are caught in open sea between Adak Is and Dutch Harbor.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Chuginadak Island at 168,52

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
D3A1 Val x 11

Allied Ships
TK T W Drennen, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PC Bonham
TK George F Downey, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring TK George F Downey
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring TK T W Drennen

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Umnak Island at 169,51

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
B5N2 Kate x 14

Allied Ships
xAP North Coast, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AM Oriole, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

The residual Allied TFs shown on the map seem to consist mainly of AMcs, AMs, and APDs. We hope to net a few more fish tomorrow but will have to remain alert to the possibility of Allied CAP flying from the airbases at Adak and Umnak Island. Incidentally, recon at Adak shows a sizeable force: 16,000 troops, 243 guns and 137 AFVs so I guess that a significant build-up is planned.

[Walker84]

Oct 5 - 8, 1942

With no further viable naval targets presented in the Aleutians, I decide to sweep the newly-constructed Allied airbase which is now deploying a fighter unit. For some reason my carrier air attack in their three separate air groups, rather than en masse, and the results are not as good as I had hoped: about 14 P-40Es shot down for a similar number of Zeroes. The carriers refuel and start to head south-west to join up with the KB.

In a significant development, my forces finally pull out of Calcutta and concentrate in Diamond Harbour. Following successive withdrawals, I no longer had sufficient firepower to defend both bases satisfactorily. The risk now is that my opponent will move in and try to overwhelm the forces that remain - approximately 1000 AV behind level 4 forts in clear terrain. Maintaining pressure on Chittagong may help a little bit. I also have some surface assets nearby that could make it more uncomfortable for the Allies in a coastal hex.

Allied submarines seem to be becoming more active: an AK is torpedoed east of Java and a supply convoy is harried as it proceeds down the coast of New Guinea. I guess the dud torpedoes will soon be no more than a fond memory...

[Walker84]

Oct 9 - 11, 1942

DEI

After months of preparatory bombardment necessitated by the SL restrictions in mountain terrain, IJA forces assault Bandoeng, the final Dutch stronghold on Java. Results are pretty good and the place will fall soon...

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25931 troops, 269 guns, 249 vehicles, Assault Value = 840

Defending force 14050 troops, 123 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 354

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 434

Allied adjusted defense: 1528

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
771 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Vehicles lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1613 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 28 (2 destroyed, 26 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment
48th Division
65th Brigade
8th Tank Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Groep Zud
Tjilitjap Cdo
I Marechausse Cdo
III Landstorm Cdo
I/II Barisan Cdo
III/IV Barisan Cdo
IV KNIL Battalion
IX KNIL Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
XV KNIL Battalion
Makassar RK Cdo
VLG-IV Sup Groep
Andir ML Base Force
HQ II KNIL Division
Cheribon Defenses
Palembang ML Base Force
PBg-Ld AA Afd
Tjiitjap KM Base Force
3e-VLG-V Sup Afd

An interesting development on Mindanao as starving Allied troops emerge from the jungle to recapture the unoccupied base adjacent to Cagayan. This is next on my list, and then Cebu - the last Allied-occupied island in the Philippines.

India

Now that Allied forces are in the hex the 'Dunkirk phase' at Diamond Harbour is over. According to my intel, some 150,000 Allied troops are descending on the port just to make sure. With no retreat route the losses will undoubtedly be ugly. Still, its been an interesting diversion at times...

As my land forces continue to probe northwards towards Chittagong I send two battleships in to bombard the Allied forces at DH, but they only cause two Indian divisions a flea-bite 200 casualties. A single xAK is torpedoed by a sub while leaving the area. Allied P-39D Airacobras also perform a low level naval sweep - something they have become very adept at - and net a solitary PB. However, my defending fighters exact a heavy toll as some 20-plus Airacobras are shot down. The highest air-to-air losses to date by plane type are reproduced below...

[Walker84]

Oct 12 - 14, 1942

India/Burma

The Allies launch a fairly big air attack on Cox's Bazar, with P-38s taking on my A6M2 CAP. Losses are about even at 6 to 8 fighter planes apiece. Allied bombers then hit the airfield pretty hard - but fail to close it. I LRCAP the base but there is no follow-up, also no air attacks on Diamond Harbour which is strange given that the land war there is about to hot up. The Allied forces in the hex also remain silent - I wonder how many more units he intends to bring in before trying a bombardment attack?

In addition to my subs I have several surface TFs in the Bay of Bengal, and my AOs are spotted by an Allied sub so Roger now knows I am up to something here. His naval search has been non-existent in this theatre so far...

I also spot an undetermined Allied naval TF creeping along the Indian coast before it disappears again. Unlikely to be more BBs, but if so I am ready for them...

DEI

Bandoeng is now down to level 1 forts but I am struggling to take the hex due to disablements on my side (even though Dutch losses have been much higher). Need to bombard while resting up a few more days.

Having lost a CM to a sub attack outside Balikpapan, I have brought more ASW aircraft into the area. They are also being used to bomb some Dutch remnants that are in the jungle in various places.

SW Pacific

Two days of heavy B-17 raids on Nauru island damage the airfield significantly. I wasn't planning to base any planes there but I feel this level of attention is indicative of my opponent's potential line of attack in the theatre...

[Walker84]

Oct 15, 1942

India

Well, the Diamond Harbour bombardment attack came today and now I can see why my opponent has been a bit reticent...

Ground combat at Diamond Harbour (52,38)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 26314 troops, 569 guns, 614 vehicles, Assault Value = 1458

Defending force 38277 troops, 400 guns, 264 vehicles, Assault Value = 983

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

Allied ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 18 (3 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Indian Division
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
19th Indian Division
11th Indian Division
18th Australian Brigade
Waziristan Division
94th Coast AA Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
XV Indian Corps
2/9th Fld RAA Regiment
2/11th Fld RAA Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Burma Corps
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
85th British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
18th Division
5th Division
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
39th Field Const Co
25th Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
8th Port Unit
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
91st JAAF AF Bn
11th RF Gun Battalion
27th JAAF AF Bn
92nd JAAF AF Bn

There must be some more heavy stuff on the way soon judging by the movement arrows in Calcutta. Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can make it a little bit more uncomfortable for the Allied forces already dug in there.

DEI

Going in with another DA at Bandoeng tomorrow. Hopefully the place will fall and then I can start redeploying the troops. The good news is that most of them are earmarked to defend Java in any case, so no need to redeploy very far...

SW Pacific

The KB is in one place again (bar Kaga which is still in the dock after being attacked at Shortlands many moons ago).

[Walker84]

Oct 16, 1942

India / Burma


The IJN successfully bombards Allied forces at Diamond Harbour. Shame that the resupply trip isn't shorter. SS O19 takes a potshot at Kagero on the way out but misses and suffers 4 hits.

Night Naval bombardment of Diamond Harbour at 52,38

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Nagato
DD Asagumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Oshio
DD Yukikaze
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero

Allied ground losses:
376 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

BB Hyuga firing at 7th Indian Division
BB Ise firing at 7th Indian Division
BB Nagato firing at 11th Indian Division
DD Asagumo firing at 11th Indian Division
DD Natsugumo firing at 11th Indian Division
DD Oshio firing at 18th Australian Brigade
DD Yukikaze firing at 11th Indian Division
DD Hatsukaze firing at 11th Indian Division
DD Kagero firing at 19th Indian Division

Interesting that there was no Allied bombardment today. In addition to my standing CAP, Zeroes sweep DH from Burma hoping to catch some LRCAP over the hex but nothing is registered. I wonder if I can get my bombers into play as well...


DEI/Philippines

The attack at Bandoeng is not as successful as I had hoped, with the forts remaining obstinately at level 1. This is proving to be a really tough nut to crack [:(]
Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24370 troops, 269 guns, 248 vehicles, Assault Value = 681

Defending force 10929 troops, 108 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 173

Japanese adjusted assault: 239

Allied adjusted defense: 346

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
598 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 31 (14 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1150 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (9 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

And finally... I land a regiment at Cebu which was overlooked on the great push into DEI. Looks like I will need to bring more troops...

Ground combat at Cebu (80,86)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6086 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 238

Defending force 1683 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 76

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

Assaulting units:
81st PA Infantry Division
Cebu Constabulary
8th PAAC Avn Sup
1st Port Maint Engr Bn /1

[Walker84]

Oct 17 - 21, 1942

SW Pac

Lots of movement, but the only slightly interesting development is the sinking of PC Wilcannia by SS I-171 north of Brisbane.


DEI/Philippines

The 33rd Infantry regt lands at Cebu and is promptly shock attacked by the defenders. I forgot that there is a whole Philippine division stationed there at the start of the war. Reinforcements are ordered immediately from Manila.

The reduction of Bandoeng continues. Meanwhile, I read a fascinating account of Bullwinkle's failed assault on the Cocos Islands in his game with Lokasenna. The base itself is a good early target for the Allies being in bombing range of Batavia and Palembang. Food for thought...


India / Burma

LB-30s mount a nuisance raid on Port Blair. Next time they will encounter Nicks.

I manage to mount one more naval bombardment at Diamond Harbour on Oct 20, the same day that the main Allied assault goes in, preceded by massive air strikes. I have already reduced the CAP at the base to Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36 and Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12 in case the hex is overrun and although they do okay, the airfield is shut down as wave after wave of bombers strike.

The Allied attack on the 20th causes a lot of casualties on both sides but my forces take a lot of disruption...

Ground combat at Diamond Harbour (52,38)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 60730 troops, 752 guns, 767 vehicles, Assault Value = 2129

Defending force 37775 troops, 400 guns, 264 vehicles, Assault Value = 960

Allied adjusted assault: 1838

Japanese adjusted defense: 625

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
2948 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 224 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 47 (4 destroyed, 43 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2594 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 231 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Guns lost 85 (4 destroyed, 81 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
11th Indian Division
Waziristan Division
7th Armoured Brigade
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
18th Australian Brigade
7th Indian Division
19th Indian Division
5th Chinese Corps
94th Coast AA Regiment
2/9th Fld RAA Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/11th Fld RAA Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Burma Corps
XV Indian Corps
85th British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
5th Division
18th Division
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
8th Port Unit
39th Field Const Co
11th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
27th JAAF AF Bn
91st JAAF AF Bn
3rd Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
10th RF Gun Battalion

The Allies press the attack again on the 21st, clearly impatient to retake the base that once threatened Calcutta and has been held now for several months...

Ground combat at Diamond Harbour (52,38)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58282 troops, 712 guns, 763 vehicles, Assault Value = 1890

Defending force 34954 troops, 393 guns, 263 vehicles, Assault Value = 762

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 1076

Japanese adjusted defense: 433

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1864 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 260 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 38 (6 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1510 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Guns lost 41 (1 destroyed, 40 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

The Emperor has already been briefed that heavy losses are likely to be incurred as his troops fight to the end on the beaches. Meanwhile a diversionary attack has been planned along the Burmese frontier.

[jwolf]

On the positive side, you did successfully evacuate most of your ground troops from Diamond Harbor and Calcutta. But the fate of those remaining ... does not look good.