PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[PzB74]

I was quite happy about the surface engagement: we damaged several valuable Allied escorts and carriers.
Andy has to sail to Oz for repairs. According to Nishimura he surprised the enemy ships by using false identification
signals. Going in from the opposite side of the convoy at flank speed, he was able to fire off a few salvos at the carriers
before the escorts gave chase.

Can't remember, but I think the Bennington got hit by a 5" or 8" shell.

Not sure, but heaviers escorts would have given Andy an edge. As it was my 'weak' Kinugasa class heavy cruisers were the
heaviest surface warships in the engagement. I think Andy got more carriers than escorts, so damaging and sinking cruisers
is still one of my primary objectives.

Andy is in a hurry, no doubt - he's got a long way to Tokyo! [8D]
Kudos for not going for some crazy adventure against Okinawa...Malaya is a bit far from his closest bases, but it's a risk
he's willing to take in exchange for heavier casualties. As long as Singapore remains in our hands, it will be most difficult
for him to dominate the area though. As soon as he moves into Burma and Indochina, I'm going to deploy reinforcements to halt him.

I'm using mostly small ml's (both are now heavily damaged) and several subs. Only got 3 left in action, got a dozen boats in
around the Home Islands. In 2-3 months our crash sub program will allow us to deploye 40 subs in mining and offensive missions.

Today was a costly turn, but we managed to shoot down more enemy naval aviators and hit the light carrier St Lo with 2 torpedoes . A huge ammo explosion was reported.

More bases fall to the Allies in central Malaya. Singapore will soon come under attack by massed LBA - so I'm going to launch more bombers tomorrow if Andy tries to force the straits again.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/05/44

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5
J2M Jack x 11

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 3
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
J2M Jack: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F-5C Lightning: 1 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 2 destroyed
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 26th USA FA Brigade, at 22,49

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 815th USA Tank Destroyer Battalion, at 23,45

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 14
Ki-67 Peggy x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Ind.Mixed/A Brigade, at 23,45

Allied aircraft
Mosquito FB.VI x 9
Mosquito PR.IX x 1
P-38J Lightning x 26

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Mosquito FB.VI bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,59

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 14
P1Y Frances x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P1Y Frances: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE St. Lo

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Bungaree

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,61

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 52
F4U-1D Corsair x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,59

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 12
P1Y Frances x 2

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 7 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Windham Bay

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This strike got split up from the main raid and slaughtered:

Day Air attack on TF at 24,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 9
N1K1-J George x 6
J2M Jack x 11
A6M5c Zeke x 7
G4M2 Betty x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 105
F4U-1D Corsair x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 9 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 6 destroyed
J2M Jack: 11 destroyed
A6M5c Zeke: 7 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 7 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 11 damaged
F4U-1D Corsair: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Essex
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Todays bigg strike! Costly, but we landed a few solid hits.

Day Air attack on TF at 24,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 31
N1K1-J George x 2
J2M Jack x 10
D4Y Judy x 19
A6M5c Zeke x 3
B7A Grace x 20
G4M1 Betty x 23
G4M2 Betty x 25
P1Y Frances x 29
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 45
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 32
Ki-21 Sally x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 93
F4U-1D Corsair x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 24 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
J2M Jack: 10 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
A6M5c Zeke: 3 destroyed
B7A Grace: 15 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 14 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 39 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 11 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 29 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 12 destroyed, 14 damaged
F4U-1D Corsair: 11 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp
CV Saratoga
CVL Independence, Torpedo hits 2, on fire *ammo storage explosion*
CVL Belleau Wood

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Can't hold and the road into Alor Star and Georgetown lies open.

Ground combat at Taiping

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 13567 troops, 0 guns, 714 vehicles, Assault Value = 987

Defending force 9079 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 168

Allied max assault: 702 - adjusted assault: 268

Japanese max defense: 147 - adjusted defense: 113

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Taiping base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
250 casualties reported
Guns lost 23

Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 22

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29998 troops, 327 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 750

Defending force 25309 troops, 226 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 531

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not a lot of defenders left at Noemfoor!

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29804 troops, 249 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 558

Defending force 5121 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Allied max assault: 531 - adjusted assault: 824

Japanese max defense: 6 - adjusted defense: 16

Allied assault odds: 51 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
3109 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fortress Singapore

[PzB74]

It's not really a question about victory: it's more about inflicting damage and delaying the enemey.
The more ships wer hit, the longer time Andy will have to use before he can launch another offensive.

After loosing thousands of ac to the Uber CAP, even hitting a cv is something out of the ordinary [8|]

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: pauk

no, Ron, there is no despite the fact .... did you look carefully at the Allied TF composition? No BBs, no CAs in CV TF... only two CLs and one CLAA... i learned the lesson well when String ruined my Baby KB in the oppening months because i didn't protect my CV(L)s with CAs - of course one CVL was sunk and other heavily damaged (i can't recall exactly composition of the Allied SC TF, but ALlies can not have outstanding ships in the february 42)...

Andy is impatient and hasty in this game because he want to win on historical date. He gambled (yes, he didn't take a risk) and he is punished... few CAs in Allied TF would done miracles, right PzB?[;)]

Pauk...I'm referring to what would have happenned IRL, not according to WITP. With all his ships sporting radar I can't see this happening...the USN CLs and a few DDs would simply have blocked the Japanese from getting anywhere near the CVs...which most likely would have been fleeing before the Japs ever had a chance of spotting them.

And don't forget that modern Allied CLs are just as powerful as the biggest CAs, some argue more so because their guns are better suited to night surface combat due to volume of fire. The USN escorts were more than capable of fending off the Japanese in this example (again I stress that real life and WITP are two very different things), if not defeating them outright...saying that the escort was too light is way off. The only thing that is way off is the surface combat model.

[PzB74]

In many ways I agree with you Ron, but it's very difficult to achieve much with surface combat TFs in WitP.
Escorts almost always sacrifice them and prevent carriers or transports from being hit.

Look at this TF:

11 escorts for 5 carriers, that's a bit on the light side. If the Japs were able to move in close in cover of the convoy,
it could have been possible to get of a salvo before tangling with the escorts. 100 long lances fired in the confusion has a long range and could easily have ripped into a carrier.

It's easier to justify than the brutal slaughter of the Uber CAP if nothing else [:)]

CV Hancock
CV Bennington, Shell hits 1
CV Yorktown
CVL Cowpens, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Monterey, Shell hits 1, on fire
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 1
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Abbot
DD Bullard, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Callaghan
DD Caperton
DD Chevalier
DD Cogswell, Shell hits 1
DD Cony
DD Spence

[ChezDaJez]

With all his ships sporting radar I can't see this happening...the USN CLs and a few DDs would simply have blocked the Japanese from getting anywhere near the CVs...which most likely would have been fleeing before the Japs ever had a chance of spotting them.

Except that it happened at Leyte Gulf in daylight with allied air superiority. Granted they were only CVEs but still allied radar and air support was available.

Leyte was a fluke and so was this battle so I don't see it as being out of line with historical precedence. The US CVs in this battle did manage to get away with only minor damage. Pretty much what I would expect to happen.

Chez

[AmiralLaurent]

In Leyte Gulf the IJN ships didn't close to 4000 yards excpet maybe on some DD charging them, but I agree that a surface TF reaching this point without being spotted should be "impossible".

As for surprise in WITP, it is not only simulating the fact that a TF arrived undetected IMOO, but also the fact that when two TFs were meeting at sea the identity of the other was not so sure... So here the cruiser TF was not thought to be hostile until it opened fire on the CV (surprise phase) and then the escort protected the CV retreat.

Radars in 1944 were not as good as today. Many kamikaze attacks reached the ships because they were not detected (small raids), or confused with Allied ACs returning to the CVs, or their determined altitude was wrong and the CAP was sent too high ot too low and unable to find them.

By the way, I read yesterday an interway of an US nightfighter pilot flying over Europe in 44-45. He said that the land radars may be used to find a target at up to 60 miles of a target, and nightfighter crew will not chase when it close to 15 miles of the target, leaving the way to AA fire. Beyong 60 miles radar can only give a general warning but can't be precise enough to guide fighters to the incoming attack.

[saj42]

Gripping stuff - always need my fix of this AAR [&o]
 
700 AC at Singapore ! - thats a tad overstacked [:D] ( I remember discussions previously about Allied overstacking but can't recall what your and Andy's agreed solution was).

[WhoCares]

Regarding the surface combat, you should also keep in mind that PzB had 3(!) TFs in that hex, one engaged the carriers, one the transports and the last one was out of targets as they left the hex.
This makes 5 TFs in that hex - not really a surprise to me that he got a few shots on the CVs... You can easily construct a scenario where the CV escort reacted to another TF (eg. the attack on the transports) and left the carriers exposed to an attack.

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: Tallyho!

Gripping stuff - always need my fix of this AAR [&o]

700 AC at Singapore ! - thats a tad overstacked [:D] ( I remember discussions previously about Allied overstacking but can't recall what your and Andy's agreed solution was).

IIRC, this game started with no overstacking limits and PzB overstacked his AF early in the game. Please, sorry if i'm mistaken. I believe that Andy limit himself to x 100 per AF size and number of available aviation support.

[PzB74]

Me and Andy landed a deal allowing ca 100 ac pr af lvl - so Singapore wasn't overstacked according to our house rules.
Size 9 airfields are usually allowed to stack an unlimited number of ac. The danger is that quite a few will be destroyed if (when) 257 enemy B-29s arrives after a sweep by 300 enemy fighters [8|]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/06/44

Air Combat

Poor Singapore got sweeped and dusted good today. I still can't get more than half my fighters
into the air, most annoying.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 47
N1K1-J George x 10
J2M Jack x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 47
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 18
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 43
Ki-102a Randy x 15

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 59
F6F Hellcat x 18
P-38J Lightning x 79

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 20 destroyed, 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
J2M Jack: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 35 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 34 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses - this is quite a high tally though!-)
FM-2 Wildcat: 39 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 10 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 45 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our CAP is a spent force by the time the Corsairs arrive:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7
N1K1-J George x 4
J2M Jack x 5
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 30
P-38J Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 9 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 8 destroyed
J2M Jack: 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 8 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 3
J2M Jack x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed
J2M Jack: 3 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not to talk about 257 Superforts. There are some 150 damaged ac left in Singapore after
I evacuated my squadrons today. Let's see how good my 500 engineers are. Perhaps we can
open up the store again one day when Andy gets tired of bombing.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 4
J2M Jack x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 74
P-40N Warhawk x 38
B-29 Superfortress x 257

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 25 destroyed
J2M Jack: 15 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 28 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 13 destroyed
A6M5c Zeke: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 17 destroyed
B7A Grace: 24 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
J1N1-S Irving: 2 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 6 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed
Ki-67 Peggy: 7 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-29 Superfortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
631 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

Airbase hits 75
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 386
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 13
N1K1-J George x 7
J2M Jack x 9

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 3
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
J2M Jack: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 5 destroyed

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 632nd USA Tank Destroyer Battalion, at 24,44

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
Mosquito FB.VI x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Mosquito FB.VI: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 711th USA Tank Battalion, at 24,44

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
Mosquito FB.VI x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mosquito FB.VI: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An enemy carrier TF closes in on Kuching and finish of our 2 crippled dd's!

Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 25

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 12
TBM Avenger x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yayoi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shop is closed by the time this afternoon sweep arrives...

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 44

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Andy is using the 'follow' command and we are driven out of Alor Star.

Ground combat at Alor Star

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 13216 troops, 0 guns, 691 vehicles, Assault Value = 431

Defending force 6649 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 99

Allied max assault: 670 - adjusted assault: 217

Japanese max defense: 76 - adjusted defense: 43

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Alor Star base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
687 casualties reported
Guns lost 18

Allied ground losses:
182 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 9

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 30052 troops, 326 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 755

Defending force 25118 troops, 228 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 521

Japanese ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29707 troops, 242 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 559

Defending force 4243 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Allied max assault: 538 - adjusted assault: 540

Japanese max defense: 1 - adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 41 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
177 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

153rd IJN Base Force Wiped Out at Noemfoor by attrition!!!

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Noemfoor
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses

60% of our air losses were caused on the ground: in a2a we lost some 140 Jap fighters to 100 Allied.
I'm now going to regroup our air units. In 2 weeks we should be back in strength as we have a lot of pilots
in our bombed out Daitais (I'm still keeping half my fighters in PI/Formosa/China area).

Will provide a screenie over Malaya and an outline of the plan for defense in the next post.

[PzB74]

I'm not drawing forces from Formosa/PI to reinforce Burma.
Andy asked if I would use Chinese troops to defend Malaya/Burma and Indo China. I replied that no Chinese Army Command
units would move into Burma and Malaya, but a few units had been assigned to defend Indo China bordering up to China proper.
He seemed satisfied with this. Camranh Bay and Hue are defended by Chinese Army Command units and there are a few smaller units in Phnom Penh. Will release one of the latter tomorrow and airlift it to Tavoy.

While we bomb and delay the Allied troops in Malaya, an army is slowly being assembled in Rangoon. Tavoy got size 9 forts and I want to make the most out of it.

If Andy moves towards Indo China he will slowly meet stronger and stronger opposition. Doubt he will move into China Army Command as that would be his undoing. Thus Andy's aim would be to capture the large airfields in Burma and close our training bases in China. It's not going to threaten our ground defenses of China/Formosa and the Philippines though.

So let's wait and see what happens. I'm going to gather the KB again shortly, perhaps a sneak attack against an unguarded convoy [:)]

Malaya Campaign

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/07/44

Surface Combat

A damaged enemy dd stumbles into a barge convoy of Borneo:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat at 25,55

Japanese Ships
MSW Wa 22, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
MSW Banshu Maru #56, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AG AG-121
AG AG-122
AG AG-369
AG AG-5031
AG AG-5070
AG AG-5087
AG AG-5113
AG AG-5142
AG AG-2049
AG AG-2051
AG AG-2055
AG AG-2059
AG AG-2061, Shell hits 1, on fire
AG AG-2087
AG AG-2526
AG AG-2531

Allied Ships
DD Bullard, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few mine successes:

TF 1049 encounters mine field at 26056224,22

Allied Ships
MSW Wallaroo
MSW Lismore
MSW Bundaberg
MSW Bunbury
MSW Mildura
MSW Lark
MSW Warrnambool
MSW Bittern
DD Burns
DD Black
DD Charles Badger
CL Mobile, Mine hits 1 [:)]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1090 encounters mine field at 26056224,21

Allied Ships
DE Donaldson
DE Fleming
DE Charles R. Greer
APD George E. Badger
APD Newman
APD Barr
AK Stephen M. White, Mine hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DE Duffy
APD Dickerson
APD Reeves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Andy did me a favor and destroyed most of the damaged ac at Singapore and released the
trapped pilots.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 28
P-38J Lightning x 36

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29 Superfortress x 235

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 20 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 4 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed
Ki-67 Peggy: 11 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 15 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed
J2M Jack: 5 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 3 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
ML Ma 2, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ma 1, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PC Shonan Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kotobuki Maru #3, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Risen Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
TK Matsumoto Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tamo Maru #7, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
397 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 222
Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We pounded the enemy tank formations:

Day Air attack on 2nd Australian Tank Regiment, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 763rd USA Tank Battalion, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 14
Ki-49 Helen x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 711th USA Tank Battalion, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 711th USA Tank Battalion, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 815th USA Tank Destroyer Battalion, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 11
Ki-30 Ann x 13
Ki-67 Peggy x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 7

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-67 Peggy bombing at 5000 feet
11 x P1Y Frances bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An enemy TF with cve's came into range of Palembang.
Unfortunately not hits were scored.

Day Air attack on TF at 24,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 27
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Kadashan Bay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 56
F4U-1D Corsair x 17

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 21
P1Y Frances x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Windham Bay
CVE Fanshaw Bay
CVE Kadashan Bay

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

A huge formation of tanks is advancing north.

Ground combat at Songkhia

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10573 troops, 0 guns, 555 vehicles, Assault Value = 400

Defending force 5042 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 91

Allied max assault: 426 - adjusted assault: 146

Japanese max defense: 77 - adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Songkhia base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
588 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 14

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 30144 troops, 327 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 757

Defending force 24861 troops, 224 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 514

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enemy troops moved quickly into Alor Star, pasting our paras!

Ground combat at Alor Star

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 239 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Defending force 19777 troops, 209 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 535

Japanese max assault: 10 - adjusted assault: 0

Allied max defense: 472 - adjusted defense: 709

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
171 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Naskra]

Paratroopers at 0 -709 lol.  You should have softened 'em up with a turn of bombardment.

[Raverdave]

ML Ma 2, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ma 1, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PC Shonan Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kotobuki Maru #3, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Risen Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
TK Matsumoto Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tamo Maru #7, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
 
 
I LOVE seeing jap MLs getting the snot kicked out of 'em ![8D]

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Raverdave

ML Ma 2, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ma 1, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PC Shonan Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kotobuki Maru #3, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Risen Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
TK Matsumoto Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tamo Maru #7, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


I LOVE seeing jap MLs getting the snot kicked out of 'em ![8D]

IIRC those are only the small MLs with a range of 5 and a couple of mines. I never used the 4 or 5 I get of this type. The work isn´t worth it for me.

[duckenf]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: Raverdave

ML Ma 2, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ma 1, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PC Shonan Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kotobuki Maru #3, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Risen Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
TK Matsumoto Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tamo Maru #7, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


I LOVE seeing jap MLs getting the snot kicked out of 'em ![8D]

IIRC those are only the small MLs with a range of 5 and a couple of mines. I never used the 4 or 5 I get of this type. The work isn´t worth it for me.

Perhaps, but I think they are perfectly suited for the present situation where PzB wants to keep mining the Malacca Straits. Based in Singapore, constricted channels nearby -- and in need of lots of mines, well, any ML would be effectively a short-range one in that situation. Of course, Singapore is going to fall, but this makes the naval reinforcement/supply of Malaysia easier in the short-term for the Allies.

[erstad]

Actually, the short-legged MLs are much more useful now that you can mine your own hex.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: erstad

Actually, the short-legged MLs are much more useful now that you can mine your own hex.

That´s true. But how many mines do they lay? 30 each? And the worst ones...

[PzB74]

Exactly, small expendable MLs have claimed quite a few losses in the Malacca Strait.
They've been hit repeatedly and were only hulks when the B-29s got them. Got some 30 mines
each, more than my subs.

I only got 1 ML TF left, it's busy mining the Okinawas and Formosa. Will move to the Home Islands after
that. Silly silly - the game replaces all msw's but not a single ML. [:(]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/08/44

TF 1049 encounters mine field at 26056224,22

Allied Ships
MSW Wallaroo
MSW Lismore
MSW Bundaberg
MSW Bunbury
MSW Mildura
MSW Lark
MSW Warrnambool
MSW Bittern
LCI LCI-331, Mine hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1076 encounters mine field at 26056224,22

Allied Ships
MSW Ungava
MSW Quatsino
MSW Bungaree
MSW Geelong
MSW Cootamundra
MSW Tamworth
DE Martin
AK Otis Skinner, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

2 of our subs tangled with a convoy and were both sunk.

ASW attack at 22,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-54, hits 15, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
AP Empire Tamar
LST LST-241
LST LST-226
LST LST-225
AP Hunter Liggett
MSW Bobolink
MSW Scuffle
MSW Scrimage
MSW Saunter
MSW Salute
MSW Scout
DE Sederstrom
DE Edward C. Daly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 22,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-48, hits 9

Allied Ships
MSW Ungava
MSW Quatsino
MSW Bungaree
AK Nathaniel Crosby
AK John B. Floyd
MSW Geelong
MSW Cootamundra
MSW Tamworth
DE Stadtfeld
DE Mitchell
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 22,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-34, hits 2

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-146
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another sub lost, at least she took one with her.
Sub attack at 22,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-34, hits 15, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
AK Joliet Victory, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AK Jubal A. Early
AK James M. Clements
LCI(G) LCI(G)-79
LST LST-466
LST LST-465
LST LST-460
LST LST-335
LST LST-246
LST LST-244
LST LST-85
LST LST-81
LSV Catskill
MSW Stawell
MSW Canso
MSW Junee
MSW Grebe
MSW Burnie
MSW Buoyant
MSW Triumph
MSW Parkes
DE Deede
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

I didn't like it when my ships were spotted and lay open for attack by several enemy TFs.
Fortunately Andy didn't expect us and even though 1 destroyer was moderately damaged and
2 cl's heavily hit, Nishimura's fleet is still operational.

2x1000lb bombs hit the Aoba and she gets away with 8 sys damage!! Minor miracle.
Nishimura's flagship can continue the battle.

Day Air attack on TF at 26,50

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 13
TBM Avenger x 8

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 2
CA Kinugasa
CL Isuzu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good shooting!

Day Air attack on TF at 26,50

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 8

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 2 light cruisers are heavily damaged and I doubt they'll make it to Saigon.

Day Air attack on TF at 26,50

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 24
TBM Avenger x 17

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged
TBM Avenger: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Arashio
CL Isuzu, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asakaze
DD Isonami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Yahagi, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yunagi
CA Kinugasa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 22,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 41
D4Y Judy x 2
P1Y Frances x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 96
F6F Hellcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 36 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 1 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 19 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 19 destroyed, 9 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Kitkun Bay
CVE Altamaha

Aircraft Attacking: 1!! got through...whopping
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I love these suicide attacks...!-( It's incredible how many uncoordinated
no hope silly attacks you have to witness as Japan.

Day Air attack on TF at 22,52

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 96
F6F Hellcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 11 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 22,50

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 9

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 3
F6F Hellcat x 54
F4U-1D Corsair x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 9 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 22,52

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 96
F6F Hellcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 6 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 3 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 2 damaged

Day Air attack on TF at 22,52

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
FM-2 Wildcat x 66
F6F Hellcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 7 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP La Salle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our flak was effective today!^

Day Air attack on TF at 26,50

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 6
TBM Avenger x 6

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBM Avenger: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
DD Naganami
DD Hato

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our ships at Singapore also managed to divert a few strikes:

Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 23,50

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 20
SB2C Helldiver x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Konan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 23,50


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 20
SB2C Helldiver x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,54

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 19
G4M2 Betty x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 2
F6F Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
TK L.P. St. Clair, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *wosh* [:)]

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The damaged Bullard was dispatched most brutaly....

Day Air attack on TF at 24,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 9 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Bullard, Kamikaze hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Johore Bahru

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 30164 troops, 329 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 759

Defending force 24790 troops, 224 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 513


Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enemy Convoys to and from Malaya

As you can see from this screenie, I got a lot of cunning plans. Feeling pretty confident,
our defenses are quite solid even though we have to give ground. Can't be strong everywhere
and I can't afford to defend Malaya and Burma to the last man in the end of 1944.

Oil reserves have barely gone down over the last month, even without receiving oil from the DEI.
Think we got enough to last throughout the remainder of the war.

[Monter_Trismegistos]

Any chance for a screenshot of your submarine fleet? How many subs do you have? Any of them are operating in other than Malaya regions?