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

[racndoc]

6/10-6/11/43



CENTPAC


PB4Y-1 Liberators hammer Mili AF and port.

Avengers destroy IJN shipping at Maloelap.

Virtually all Allied shipping has withdrawn from this theatre.



SWPAC


Fifth Air Force continues to hammer Japanese AFs at Aitape and Wewak.

P-38s sweep Japanese AFs at Sarmi, Aitape and Wewak and destroy 23 Tojos with no losses.

B-25D1s hit IJN shipping off Aitape:


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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
LB-135, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-133, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



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





CBI


Lots of action here in China. Dave tries to surround the Chinese and we try to surround the Japanese on the Indochinese border and outside Nanning.

Dave bombards at outside Nanning and at Tsiaotso to recon Chinese troop levels:


Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22887 troops, 197 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1809

Defending force 22378 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 798



Assaulting units:
27th Division
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
12th RGC Temp. Division
14th RGC Temp./A Division
22nd Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
14th RGC Temp./B Division
68th Division
29th/A Division
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
8th New Chinese Corps
259th Brigade
34th Separate Brigade
303rd Brigade
3rd Chinese/A Corps
15th Chinese/B Corps
15th Chinese/A Corps
90th Chinese/A Corps
9th Separate Brigade
17th Chinese/A Corps
3rd Chinese/B Corps
90th Chinese/C Corps
15th Chinese/C Corps
17th Group Army
18th Group Army


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

Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25494 troops, 251 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1045

Defending force 22226 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 919


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


Assaulting units:
10th Tank Regiment
38th Division
11th Division
III/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
100th Chinese/A Corps
14th Chinese/B Corps
71st Chinese/B Corps
54th Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/A Corps
54th Chinese/B Corps
21st Group Army



We should be able to hold off the Japanese near Lang Son as both Dave and I attempt to envelope each other. Tsiaotso may be lost though it is inconsequential to the overall Chinese defenses.


Allied transport AC continue to airlift troops into Sining and we now have nearly 100 AV there....the Japanese offensive here is now finished.


Meanwhile....Chinese troops outside of Loyang counterattack and annihilate an IJA armor regiment:


Ground combat at 86,43 (near Loyang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 51213 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1902

Defending force 330 troops, 0 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied adjusted assault: 863

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 863 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 56 (56 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
115th Red Chinese Division
76th Chinese/B Corps
27th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese/C Corps
45th Chinese/C Corps
76th Chinese/A Corps
80th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese/B Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
56th Chinese/A Corps

Defending units:
15th Tank Regiment


As Ive said several times before the only way to deal with Jap armor (besides massing AT guns) is to shock attack them in clear terrain...however in this instance a simple deliberate attack was enough.



IJA armor is repulsed by Chinese BFs in the mountains near Kungchang:



Ground combat at 81,37 (near Kungchang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2913 troops, 51 guns, 211 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

Defending force 2113 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Japanese adjusted assault: 55

Allied adjusted defense: 64

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

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


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


Assaulting units:
3rd Tank/A Division

Defending units:
6th Chinese Base Force
8th Chinese Base Force



Next door at Tienshui 1600 AV of the Chinese Red Army will shock attack IJA paratroops next turn....they have been hammered by Allied airpower the last 2 turns and I expect an easy overrun followed up by Allied explotation into Kunchang and beyond.

Its time for the Allies to retake western China.

[racndoc]

6/12-6/14/43



PACIFIC COMMANDS


The AKs upgrading at Noumea will complete their conversion to AKAs this turn and then the following turn we will begin loading troops for the next round of amphibious assaults.


The fast carriers and the CVEs will wrap up their reprovisioning and repairs at Luganville next turn.


CV Essex traverses the Panama Canal and heads out into the vast expanses of the south Pacific. CV Essex will usher in a new era for the US Navy as we will finally achieve quantitative superiority to go along with our qualitative superiority.

CVE Anzio is completed at Portland and she heads out into the north Pacific to join up with the rest of the fleet.




CBI: MECHANIZED WAR IN CHINA


Battles rage across China from nearly the Soviet border in the extreme west to the Indochinese border in the extreme south.


Western China first.......Mao Tse-teung's Red Chinese army overruns the IJA paratroops holding the important road junction of Tienshui:

Ground combat at Tienshui (81,38)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 39645 troops, 221 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1676

Defending force 61 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 873

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 873 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tienshui !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


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


Assaulting units:
16th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese/A Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese/A Corps
5th New Chinese/B Corps
55th Chinese/B Corps
Red Chinese Army
34th Group Army
36th Group Army

Defending units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /3



Now the 1600 AV of the Red Chinese and another 2000 AV of Nationalist Chinese and Australians will advance on western China to retake Lanchow and get the oil and refineries back on line to supply Sian.


Transport AC continue to airlift a multinational force of Australians, canadians and Chindits into Sining and that base is now secure:



Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2367 troops, 41 guns, 204 vehicles, Assault Value = 100

Defending force 3278 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127



Assaulting units:
3rd Tank/C Division

Defending units:
77th Chindit Bde /2
16th Canadian Bde /2
7th Australian/C Div /2
5th Chinese Base Force




Meanwhile......2 squadrons of B-25s are staged into Hami near the Soviet border and they they just absolutely decimate the Japanese tankettes out in the open at Kiuchuan......it sort of shows what Rommel was up against when his panzers were hit by Allied airpower in the open desert of North Africa without aircover. When the B-25s are done the Japanese tankettes are repulsed by Chinese construction engineers in a scene out of John Wayne's "Fighting Seabees":



Ground combat at Kiuchuan (82,26)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 217 troops, 0 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Defending force 744 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 10

Allied adjusted defense: 9

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:



Assaulting units:
31st Tankette Co

Defending units:
4th Construction Regiment




Ground combat at Kiuchuan (82,26)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 177 troops, 0 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Defending force 739 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

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


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


Assaulting units:
31st Tankette Co

Defending units:
4th Construction Regiment


Canadian troops will be flown into Kiuchuan next turn to augment the Chinese construction workers. This represents the high water mark for Japan in China. The Japanese offensive in nthe west has been contained and now the Allies will slowly take it all back.


In central China Dave continues to bombard away at Tsiaotso:



Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 49828 troops, 399 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 2758

Defending force 22474 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 813



Assaulting units:
14th RGC Temp./B Division
22nd Division
68th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
29th/A Division
39th Division
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
12th RGC Temp. Division
15th Division
27th Division
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
14th RGC Temp./A Division
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
303rd Brigade
8th New Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
90th Chinese/C Corps
34th Separate Brigade
15th Chinese/B Corps
15th Chinese/A Corps
259th Brigade
90th Chinese/A Corps
17th Chinese/A Corps
3rd Chinese/B Corps
3rd Chinese/A Corps
15th Chinese/C Corps
17th Group Army
18th Group Army



Dave has massed most of his IJA forces in central China here and now Im just realizing that my troops probably cannot retreat...I should have tried to retake Loyang to open up an escape but now its too late....The IJA tank regiment that was destroyed last turn was a sacrifice to prevent Chinese troops from breaking the encirclement and now the 800 AV of Chinese troops will be soon overrun.


Ive been distracted by the violent fighting and manuever occurring in extreme SE China.


Dave is trying to surround another Chinese army on the Indochinese border:

Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25923 troops, 248 guns, 210 vehicles, Assault Value = 1095

Defending force 22218 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 918

Japanese adjusted assault: 588

Allied adjusted defense: 1285

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1076 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (2 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
889 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
10th Tank Regiment
11th Division
38th Division
9th Tank Regiment
III/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
54th Chinese/A Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
14th Chinese/B Corps
49th Chinese/A Corps
71st Chinese/B Corps
54th Chinese/B Corps
21st Group Army



Next door another Chinese force trying to relieve the surrounded troops on the border is hit by the IJA 18th Division:


Ground combat at 72,56 (near Nanning)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12512 troops, 123 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 445

Defending force 7189 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 298

Japanese adjusted assault: 40

Allied adjusted defense: 69

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
681 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
415 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 75 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Assaulting units:
18th Division

Defending units:
200th Chinese Division
2nd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps



Virtually all of RAF and Tenth Air Force medium and heavy bombers are in China and next turn most of them will hit the IJA 18th Division next turn. Just to the south of this hex another IJA division and an Indian tank regiment face off but neither side launches an attack as both sides try to march in reinforcements.

Just to the NE of the IJA 18th Division...some 700 AV of American and Australian troops have arrived at Nanning....with another 1200 AV of SEAC troops right behind them.........and they will shock attack across the river from Nanning into the IJA 18th Division in 2 turns. The future of the IJA 18th Division looks very violent.

Its quiet now around Kukong after SEAC anti-tank regiments and tank destroyers stopped the Japanese armor dead in their tracks. Now that Wuchow has been retaken by the Chinese the Japanese troops in the area are hunkered down in Canton.....and my previous recon that showed there was only 1 LCU in Canton was wrong as now we see 18 LCUs there so the attack on Canton has been cancelled.

Three Indian tank brigades supported by Chinese infantry are begining to make a sweep are Japanese held coastal cities in south central China.

The war in China has definitely changed form the 1942 model that had IJA tank formations running circles around the slow Chinese infantry. Now SEAC armor and mechanized formations are about to engage in a swirling battle all across southern China as they finally reach the front lines. Dave and I are engaged in a battle of manuever here with massed airpower that feels more like the Russo-German war on the eastern front than War in the Pacific. Its actually a lot of fun.

[racndoc]

6/14-6/17/43



SUBS


SS Balao puts a torpedo in TK San Clemente Maru near Fukue-jima.

SS Permit sinks xAKL Tamaki Maru near Balikpappan.

SS Permit sinks xAKL Hakuyo Maru by Donggala.




PACIFIC COMMANDS



The AKAs complete their upgrades.

Thousands of Allied troops board assault transports at Noumea and Luganville for the next amphibious leap forward.

CVL Independence arrives at Balboa and heads out to join the fleet.



CBI


After a 1:1 and two 3:1 assaults Japanese troops finally kick the Chinese out of Tsiaotso:



Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37518 troops, 328 guns, 155 vehicles, Assault Value = 2497

Defending force 18291 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 393

Japanese adjusted assault: 796

Allied adjusted defense: 211

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
6366 casualties reported
Squads: 294 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 244 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 13


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
39th/B Division
15th Division
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
68th/B Division
39th/A Division
12th RGC Temp. Division
68th/C Division
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
29th/A Division
27th Division
22nd Division
39th/C Division
68th/A Division
14th RGC Temp. Division
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
303rd Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
34th Separate Brigade
259th Brigade
8th New Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/A Corps
3rd Chinese/B Corps
17th Chinese/A Corps
90th Chinese/C Corps
17th Group Army
15th Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
3rd Chinese/A Corps


Both sides have been heavily attritioned here.....especially the Chinese.....but they are able to retreat towards Nanyang.


The Red Chinese Army closes in on Kungchang.

Out west....Allied transport AC continue to fly reinforcements into Sining and Kiuchuan:


Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2520 troops, 42 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 236

Defending force 4006 troops, 55 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 149



Assaulting units:
3rd Tank/B Division
3rd Tank/C Division

Defending units:
16th Canadian Bde /2
77th Chindit Bde /2
7th Australian/C Div /2
5th Chinese Base Force



In the south....Japan continues to attack the Chinese garrison cut off on the Indochinese border:



Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25726 troops, 248 guns, 300 vehicles, Assault Value = 1014

Defending force 21688 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 852

Japanese adjusted assault: 708

Allied adjusted defense: 1239

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2082 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 111 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Guns lost 15 (3 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
837 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 128 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Assaulting units:
38th Division
11th Division
10th Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
III/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
54th Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/A Corps
71st Chinese/B Corps
14th Chinese/B Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
54th Chinese/B Corps
21st Group Army



Next door.....Allied forces attack in an attempt to break through to the cut off Chinese:



Ground combat at 72,56 (near Nanning)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21072 troops, 306 guns, 397 vehicles, Assault Value = 891

Defending force 20205 troops, 207 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 649

Allied adjusted assault: 145

Japanese adjusted defense: 310

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1290 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 139 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1563 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 109 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 19 (4 destroyed, 15 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2nd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps
200th Chinese Division
31st Infantry Regiment
9th Australian Division
52nd Chinese/A Corps
4th War Area

Defending units:
8th Division
18th Division
9th Tank Rgt /2


I was surprised that the arriving SEAC forces didnt shock attack across the river from Nanning into this hex. Another 1000 AV of US and Chinese troops arrive the following day and next turn some 1900 AV of Allied troops will launch an attack here.

[racndoc]

6/18-6/19/43



CBI


Dave orders back to back shock attacks at Sining but the Allied multinational force holds:



Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5279 troops, 84 guns, 413 vehicles, Assault Value = 230

Defending force 4189 troops, 55 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 152

Japanese adjusted assault: 224

Allied adjusted defense: 211

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
268 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


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


Assaulting units:
3rd Tank/B Division
3rd Tank/C Division

Defending units:
16th Canadian Bde /2
77th Chindit Bde /2
7th Australian/C Div /2
5th Chinese Base Force



Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5149 troops, 84 guns, 412 vehicles, Assault Value = 206

Defending force 4206 troops, 55 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 131

Japanese adjusted assault: 190

Allied adjusted defense: 172

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 23 (3 destroyed, 20 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
3rd Tank/B Division
3rd Tank/C Division

Defending units:
77th Chindit Bde /2
7th Australian/C Div /2
5th Chinese Base Force


I imagine that the attacking Japanese armor must be pretty exhausted after consecutive shock attacks. Transport AC continue to airlift the 7th Australian Division into Sining.


The Red Chinese and Nationalist Armies continue to close in on Kungchang.


In southern China Japanese troops continue to bombard the Chinese Army cut off near Lang Son on the Indochinese border:


Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 504 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1002

Defending force 20984 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 773



Assaulting units:
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
38th Division
7th Tank Regiment
11th Division
10th Tank Regiment
III/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
14th Chinese/B Corps
71st Chinese/B Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/A Corps
54th Chinese/A Corps
54th Chinese/B Corps
21st Group Army



Next door.....US, Aussie and Chinese troops try to break through to relieve the beleagured Chinese force isolated on the border:


Ground combat at 72,56 (near Nanning)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 54145 troops, 631 guns, 730 vehicles, Assault Value = 2171

Defending force 19164 troops, 206 guns, 106 vehicles, Assault Value = 547

Allied adjusted assault: 960

Japanese adjusted defense: 254

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1812 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 214 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 46 (7 destroyed, 39 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (9 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1779 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Assaulting units:
9th Australian Division
27th Infantry Division
96th Chinese Division
31st Infantry Regiment
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
38th Chinese/C Corps
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
200th Chinese Division
50th Tank Brigade
55th Prov Chinese Division
52nd Chinese/A Corps
4th War Area
2nd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps

Defending units:
8th Division
18th Division
9th Tank Rgt /2




The IJA 8th and 18th Divisions are heavily attrited but manage to withdraw to join the siege on the Chinese border force:


Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 504 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1363

Defending force 21007 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 775

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



Assaulting units:
8th Division
18th Division
38th Division
7th Tank Regiment
11th Division
10th Tank Regiment
III/81st Naval Guard Unit
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
9th Tank Rgt /2

Defending units:
14th Chinese/B Corps
54th Chinese/A Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/A Corps
71st Chinese/B Corps
54th Chinese/B Corps
21st Group Army


Im sure that Dave will attack here next turn but at least the Allied troops are now in a position to relieve the Chinese.

There are large air battles occurring every turn over the manuevering armies in southern China. There is virtually no Japanese air activity over Burma, India, New Guinea, the Admiralties and the Gilberts and Marshalls as apparently Dave has massed the majority of the IJAAF in China. I dont have nearly enough airfields or supply in southern China to contest the Japanese on anything close to even turns so consequently the Tenth Air Force and RAF bombers are getting shot up and are losing their effectiveness. Im just hoping to stalemeate the front line across China and then Allied air forces will be withdrawn to India to rest and rebuild.




PACIFIC COMMANDS


CVE Corregidor is completed at Portland. In just the last week the US Navy has received a CV, CVL and 2 CVEs carrying over 100 fighters and 80 naval bombers....and then CV Yorktown II will arrive in the Pacific in 11 days....the US Navy carrier buildup now is breathtaking.


Admiral Hill's amphib TF departs Noumea and crosses the Coral Sea as it heads north to the war zones.


The medium and heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force continue to neutralize Japanese airfields on the northern coast of New Guinea and the Admiralties as the Allies prepare for their next round of amphibious advances. The Japanese AFs at Manus, Wewak, Aitape, Dagua and Vanimo have all been heavily damaged and the only Japanese AFs(larger than level 1) still operational in the area are the level 2 AF at Hollandia and the level 4 AF at Sarmi.

Meanwhile.....USMC and USN DB and TBF squadrons continue to pound the Japanese AFs at Mili and Maloelap in the Marshalls.

Dave knows that something big is about to hit him...but he cant be sure if it will land in the Marshalls, Admiralties,north coast of New Guinea...or even the southern DEI. This turn PBYs spotted an IJN BB at Kendari so perhaps Dave is expecting II Australian Corps to begin invading Japanese bases in the Banda Sea.


The summer of 1943 will be a very busy time for the Allies in the Pacific.

[racndoc]

6/20-6/21/43



PACIFIC COMMANDS


Amphibious assault TFs, surface TFs and Aoir Combat TFs continue to mass oin the Solomon Sea for the next round of Allied amphibious advances.

Fifth Air Force medium bombers hammer the Japanese AF at Dagua while the heavy bombers put the AF at Vanimo out of action.



CBI


The Nationalist Chinese arrive at Kungchang and they will launch a combined assault with the Red Chinese there next turn.

Transport AC continue to airlift Australian reinforcements into Sining.


In the south....three Indian armor brigades bombard at Chaotow and immediately hit by an IJN bombardment TF. An attack will be ordered here next turn.

The Chinese troops on the Indochinese border are prevented by the movement rules from withdrawing down the highway so they will need to slug it through the forests to the NE to escape.

[racndoc]

6/22-6/23/43



SUBS


SS Seahorse sinks SC Ch-2 near Hakodate.


SOPAC


Four separate amphib TFs cross the Solomon Sea as they make their way to the jumpoff points for the upcoming amphib assaults on Mussau Is. and Manus.


Fifth Air Force pounds Japanese airfields at Dagua and Vanimo as we try to ensure that we will have air superiority over the invasion beaches.


B-25D1s based at Kavieng hit an IJN convoy mid way between Truk and Mussau Is.:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 106,113

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 1 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
xAK Tsukuba Maru, Shell hits 9, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Amagi Maru, Shell hits 19, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk



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



Its very dangerous now for any IJN shipping to sail south of Truk and the Carolines.


CVE Chenango finally arrives at the Sydney shipyard as she will now complete repairs of the damage from the Kate launched torpedo during the Gilberts campaign. CVE Chenango still has 40 FLT of damage and the repair estimate is 35 days.




CENTPAC


The PB4Y-1 Liberators and TBFs hammer away at the Japanese airfield at Mili as we try to creat a diversion from the upcoming SOPAC offensive.



CBI


Indian armor captures Chaochow on the coast of China:


Ground combat at Chaochow (81,61)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7875 troops, 90 guns, 635 vehicles, Assault Value = 519

Defending force 562 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Allied adjusted assault: 168

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 168 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Chaochow !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
407 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


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


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
254th Armoured Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade

Defending units:
1st RGC Route Brigade



We will now advance on Hong Kong from the east and on Canton from the north to see if Japan has enough troops available to defend both cities.


In the west.....the Red Chinese and Nationalist Chinese capture Kungchang:


Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43820 troops, 234 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1760

Defending force 3084 troops, 53 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Allied adjusted assault: 942

Japanese adjusted defense: 343

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Kungchang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
839 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 119 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 29 (22 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 182 (171 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
16th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese/A Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
55th Chinese/B Corps
98th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese/B Corps
1st Chinese/A Corps
96th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese/C Corps
36th Group Army
34th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
6th Chinese Base Force
8th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
3rd Tank/A Division
66th Nav Gd /3


The IJA 3rd Tank/A Division is virtually annihilated here. The rest of the 3rd Tank Division has pulled out of Sining and it looks like all the Japanese troops in western China are in full retreat towards Lanchow.

Chinese guerrillas outside of Paotow cut the only supply road to the IJA forces in western China......now the Japanese will be out of supply here.

[racndoc]

6/24-6/25/43



CBI


Chinese troops retake Kahnsien.


In the west......Chinese troops advance on Lanchow as IJA troops retreat back towards Manchuria.

The Chinese colossus is on the move.




SOPAC: INVASION MANUS AND MUSSAU IS.: D_DAY MINUS ONE


General Kenney is a busy man these days....a _very_ busy man. Most of the VMF and VMSB assets from CENTPAC as well as all the US Navy PB4Y-1 Liberators stage over to Fifth Air Force bases on New Guinea and the Bismarcks. Fifth Air Force is now larger and more powerful than Eighth Air Force in England.

Fifth Air Force has spent the last few months neutralizing a half dozen Japanese airfields on New Guinea and the Admiralties. In fact....the only operational Japanese airfield larger than level 1 within 800 miles of Port Moresby is the level 2 airfield at Hollandia.


SOPAC is now poised to land the largest Allied amphibious force to date........over 3 1/2 divisions on Manus..... concurrent with a brigade sized landing on Mussau. USAAF and VMF land based fighters will cover both ops. The brand new USAAF P-47D2s will be used in combat for the first time. AdmHill's amphib TF with nearly 2 divisions and I US Amphibious Corps HQ disguises itself as a lowly transport TF just off Lae while AdmDraemel's amphib TF with 3 regiments blends into the daily shipping unloading at Rabaul. Another LST TF bound for Manus as well as a small amphib TF bound for Mussau blend into the background noise of all the Allied shipping unloading at Rabaul.

So far there have been no reported sightings of Allied amphib TFs at Lae and Rabaul so surprise should be complete. Allied CVE, fast carrier and surface TFs have been kept well to the south...... out of range of Japanese naval search...... and they will all conduct fast run-ins to their targets this turn.

[racndoc]

6/26-6/27/43



SUBS


SS Grenadier sinks xAKL Miyakawa Maru off Miyake-jima.

SS Mingo sinks TK San Luis Maru near Hengchun.



SOPAC: INVASION MANUS


Dave tried to block the straits between New Guinea and New Britain with 2 subs but the Allied surface and bombardment TFs heading to Manus detected and sank them:


Submarine attack near Umboi Island at 100,125

Japanese Ships
SS RO-60, hits 20, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
DD Norman
DD Nestor
DD Nepal



SS RO-60 is sighted by escort
DD Norman fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nestor fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nepal fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nestor fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nestor attacking submerged sub ....
SS RO-60 forced to surface!
DD Nepal firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Norman firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Nepal firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Norman firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Norman firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Nestor firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Nepal firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves




Sub attack near Umboi Island at 100,125

Japanese Ships
SS RO-101, hits 22, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
CA Houston
DD Grayson
DD Carmick
DD Buchanan



SS RO-101 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Mississippi
DD Carmick fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Buchanan fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Carmick attacking submerged sub ....
SS RO-101 forced to surface!
DD Carmick firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Buchanan firing on surfaced sub ....
BB Mississippi firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves




The invasion of Manus is preceeded by a naval bombardment:


Naval bombardment of Manus at 101,119

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB Colorado
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
CL Boise
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Doyle
DD Renshaw

Japanese ground losses:
500 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 82
Port hits 20
Port supply hits 5

BB Arizona firing at Manus
BB Colorado firing at Manus
CA New Orleans firing at 7th Base Force
CA Chicago firing at Manus
CL Boise firing at Manus
DD Hammann firing at Manus
DD Anderson firing at Manus
DD Doyle firing at Manus
DD Renshaw firing at Manus




Then US Army and USMC troops invade Manus while the 14th NZ Brigade invades Mussau:



Pre-Invasion action off Manus (101,119)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
DD Monaghan
DD Dale
APA Elmore


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


CL Marblehead firing at 44th Naval Guard Unit
DD Monaghan firing at Kure 3rd SNLF
DD Dale firing at 7th Base Force
DD Monaghan 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 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Manus (101,119)

TF 341 troops unloading over beach at Manus, 101,119


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


13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 23rd Marine Rgt /5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mussau Island (105,120)

29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
DD Dent
LCI-63
LCI-22
LCI-62
DD Van Galen
LCI-21


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


CL Trenton firing at 67th Naval Guard Unit
DD Dent firing at 67th Naval Guard Unit
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 Mussau Island (105,120)

TF 360 troops unloading over beach at Mussau Island, 105,120


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mussau Island (105,120)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-707
LST-341
LST-461



SC-707 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mussau Island (105,120)

TF 378 troops unloading over beach at Mussau Island, 105,120





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Manus (101,119)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

31 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Richmond
DD Litchfield
DD Edsall
APA Cambria
DD Chew



CL Richmond firing at 7th Base Force
DD Litchfield firing at 7th Base Force
DD Edsall firing at 7th Base Force
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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Manus (101,119)

TF 425 troops unloading over beach at Manus, 101,119


Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)


13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 58th (Sep) Infantry Rgt
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost overboard during unload of 7th Infantry Div
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 7th Infantry Div /5
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost overboard during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt /3




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 27, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Manus (101,119)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
DD Dale
APA Elmore
DD Hull
DD Monaghan


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


CL Marblehead firing at 7th Base Force
DD Dale fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Mussau Island (105,120)

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCI-21
DD Van Galen
DD Dent



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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Manus (101,119)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

18 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Richmond
DD Chew
DD Litchfield
DD Edsall
APA Cambria


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


CL Richmond firing at 7th Base Force
DD Chew firing at Kure 3rd SNLF
DD Litchfield firing at 44th Naval Guard Unit
DD Edsall firing at Kure 3rd SNLF
DD Litchfield fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Mussau Island (105,120)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-707
LST-341
LST-461



SC-707 fired at enemy troops




Overhead.....some 200 land based fighters....including over 100 F4U-1 Corsairs......LRCAP the amphib forces at Manus in addition to over 200 F4F-4s based on the CVEs. Over 100 land based fighters.....including the 1st appearance of the brand new USAAF P-47D2s ....LRCAP the invasion at Mussau.

The USN fast carriers stand by off Kavieng...out of range of the 200 fighters and bombers at Truk but close enough to engage should KB show up.

Over 1000 DBs, TBs, 2Es and 4Es pummel both Manus and Mussau. Dave remarked to me that Allied planes flew 15,000 sorties this turn and he wondered if they ever flew that many sorties in RL WW II.

By the end of the turn the Allied amphibious TFs have completely unloaded at both Manus and Mussau:


Ground combat at Manus (101,119)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2515 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Defending force 39938 troops, 705 guns, 789 vehicles, Assault Value = 1388

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Assaulting units:
Kure 3rd SNLF
Sasebo 5th SNLF
43rd Naval Guard Unit
44th Naval Guard Unit
22nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Air Defense AA Regiment
2nd Air Div /1
3rd Shipping Engineer Regiment
7th Base Force
64th Nav Gd /3

Defending units:
23rd Marine Regiment
3rd Marine Regiment
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
148th Infantry Regiment
9th Marine Regiment
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
129th Infantry Regiment
7th Infantry Division
I US Amphib Corps


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

Ground combat at Mussau Island (105,120)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 357 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Defending force 3678 troops, 42 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 153



Assaulting units:
67th Nav Gd /1
54th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
14th NZ Brigade



I was a little surprised by the lack of defenders on Manus....recon had shown me that there were 17,000-18,000 troops at Manus for the last 6 months......evidently they were mostly support forces. A deliberate assault will be ordered next turn at Manus after another round of carpet bombing and multiple naval bombardments while a shock attack will be ordered at Mussau.

Level 5-7 airfields will be developed at both Manus and Mussau. Not only will this complete the security for our main forward base at Rabaul but the eventual level 7 airfield at Mussau will allow the Allies to pound Truk into submission and irrelevance.

[racndoc]

6/28-6/29/43



SUBS

SS Jack sinks SC Ch33 off Hakodate.

SS O16 sinks xAKL Tohuku Maru near Balikpappan.



CBI


Chinese troops can only manage a 1:2 attack at Lanchow:


Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10652 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 939

Defending force 7815 troops, 142 guns, 503 vehicles, Assault Value = 325

Allied adjusted assault: 230

Japanese adjusted defense: 311

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
435 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
496 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 70 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Assaulting units:
98th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese/B Corps
55th Chinese/B Corps
55th Chinese/A Corps
1st Chinese/A Corps
83rd Chinese/C Corps
34th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force
Red Chinese Army
36th Group Army
8th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
3rd Tank/B Division
3rd Tank/A Division
66th Nav Gd /2
3rd Tank/C Division
30th Engr Rgt /1




Dave is trying to withdraw the remainder of his forces in western China. Additional Chinese troops reinforce here the 2nd day of the turn and we will assault again next turn.



I was planning on assaulting Swatow but Dave reinforced massively here by sea so next turn we will withdraw:


Ground combat at Swatow (81,62)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2606 troops, 17 guns, 281 vehicles, Assault Value = 500

Defending force 17047 troops, 219 guns, 203 vehicles, Assault Value = 599


Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Assaulting units:
38th Chinese/B Corps
254th Armoured Brigade
7th Chinese/C Corps
97th Chinese/C Corps

Defending units:
3rd Tank Regiment
30th RGC Division
18th Tank Rgt /2
47th Naval Guard Unit
25th Division
1st RGC Route Brigade
71st Engr Rgt /2
2nd Mobile FA Rgt /1
9th RF Gun Bn /1
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Bn /1
1st Art.Mortar Rgt /1
Southern Fleet /1


Farther south......Chinese troops invest Pakhoi.




SOPAC


I Amphibious Corps captures Manus after 2 assaults:


Ground combat at Manus (101,119)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38283 troops, 705 guns, 789 vehicles, Assault Value = 1393

Defending force 6966 troops, 47 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 3869

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 227 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Manus !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: HQ(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1954 casualties reported
Squads: 82 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 29 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (20 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
452 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Assaulting units:
9th Marine Regiment
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Regiment
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
129th Infantry Regiment
23rd Marine Regiment
7th Infantry Division
I US Amphib Corps

Defending units:
Kure 3rd SNLF
Sasebo 5th SNLF
43rd Naval Guard Unit
44th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Air Div /1
2nd Air Defense AA Regiment
22nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
7th Base Force
3rd Shipping Engineer Regiment
64th Nav Gd /3



Ground combat at Manus (101,119)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37868 troops, 705 guns, 789 vehicles, Assault Value = 1329

Defending force 4368 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Allied adjusted assault: 2647

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 529 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
5722 casualties reported
Squads: 129 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 398 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 32 (32 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3


Allied ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
129th Infantry Regiment
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Regiment
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
9th Marine Regiment
23rd Marine Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
7th Infantry Division
I US Amphib Corps

Defending units:
43rd Naval Guard Unit
44th Naval Guard Unit
7th Base Force


All Japanese forces are eliminated at Manus.


14th NZ Brigade captures Mussau:


Ground combat at Mussau Island (105,120)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3678 troops, 42 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 153

Defending force 1099 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Allied adjusted assault: 250

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 50 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Mussau Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
14th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
67th Nav Gd /1
54th JNAF AF Unit




Ground combat at Mussau Island (105,120)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3636 troops, 42 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 146

Defending force 689 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 230

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 230 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
716 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


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


Assaulting units:
14th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
54th JNAF AF Unit



Construction engineers and aviation LCUs will be dropped at both Manus and Mussau next turn.

[racndoc]

7/1/43


The Allies reach the mid point of 1943 having just completed their Gilberts and Admiralties/Bismarcks campaigns.

With last turns capture of Manus and Mussau Is......the Allies finally have an island that can be developed into a AF that can send fighters over Truk at normal range(with drop tanks). The first order of business for all the Pacific commands will be the neutralization of Truk. Dave has staged in a lot of AC to protect Truk......current recon shows some 140 fighters, 70 bombers plus 40 aux. AC.

The Allies currently have a level 6 AF at Kavieng and the recently captured AFs at Manus and Mussau will be rapidly built up to level 7.
Once Mussau reaches a level 3 AF we will begin P-38 sweeps over Truk and the heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force will join in once Mussau AF is enlarged to level 5.


CENTPAC OPERATIONS


AKAs AND APAs are currently loading troops at Rabaul for an assult on Kusaie and Ocean Is. This will open up a direct line of communication between the new main Allied naval base in the central Pacific at Rabaul and the next CENTPAC offensive into the Marshalls this summer. The Marshalls' Campaign will consist of 2 phases. In the 1st phase CENTPAC will capture Maloelap and Mili and in the 2nd phase CENTPAC will take Roi-Namur and Eniwetok.

Once Truk has been neutralized by Fifth Air Force......CENTPAC troops will invade Ponape and that AF will be used to keep Truk suppressed by short ranged bombers for the duration of the war.

[racndoc]

7/1/43



SOPAC OPERATIONS


SOPAC historically became irrelevant after the RL capture of the Bismarcks and Admiralties as it had geographically run out of south Pacific real estate to capture.

In this game....CENTPAC will focus on the Marshalls/Marianas/Bonins/Home Islands while SOPAC will serve as the naval arm of SWPAC......covering the seaward flank of SWPAC as it continues its advance NW up the coastline of New Guinea. SOPAC will basically be out of business until the neutralization of Truk by mid July 1943....then SOPAC will take bases in the Carolines and the Palaus in late summer 1943 as SWPAC advances along the New Guinea coast towards the DEI and Mindanao.


SWPAC OPERATIONS


SWPAC conducted a land campaign in New Guinea from mid 1942 until early 1943 that saw them advance from invasion beaches at Port Moresby to Buna/Salamaua/Lae/ and then up the Markham River Valley to Madang and finally Hansa Bay. The combination of the withdrawal of the 1st USMC Division from New Guinea to CENTPAC for the Gilberts Campaign and ever stiffening Japanese resistance in New Guinea caused SWPAC to stall out in their offensive several months ago at Hansa Bay.

Meanwhile.....Japan has massively reinforced the northern coast of New Guinea with over 60,000 troops alone in the Aitape/Dagua/Wewak triangle. SWPAC simply doesnt have sufficent ground forces to bulldoze through the Japanese defenses in difficult jungle/swamp terrain. Its time for SWPAC to pull a MacArthur.....since MacArthur is still in command of SWPAC....and go base hopping behind Japanese front lines to bypass the heavier concentrations of IJA troops and capture the lightly defended bases in the Japanese rear. With the recent massive increase in USN amphibious lift capabilities we hope to run nearly simultaneous advances for SOPAC and SWPAC towards Babeldaob and NW New Guinea/eastern DEI during the summer and fall of 1943. The bypassed Japanese strongholds on the northern coast of New Guinea will then be bombed into irrelevance.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS OPERATIONS

II Australian Corps will take Japanese bases on the edge of the Banda Sea during summer 1943 in preparation for an assault on the southern DEI. Im treating II Australian Corps......like CENTPAC.....more as a diversionary offensive to keep Dave from concentrating everything against the main advance by SWPAC and SOPAC. If SWPAC should bog down in New Guinea then I have the option to switch additional forces over to II Australian Corps and make its advance into the DEI the main advance.

I have over 2200 PPs available for buying restricted Australian troops to join II Australian Corps. Buying restricted Aussie troops for II Australian Corps only costs 25% of the cost for buying Allied troops so right now I could purchase nearly 3 1/2 divisions for II Australian Corps.

Dave has already commited naval forces and air forces to the southern DEI far in excess of current Allied commitments.



CARRIER OPERATIONS


The 2nd Essex Class carrier.....CV Yorktown II.....arrived in Balboa last turn and headed out to join the fleet.

In about a month..... after Truk has been put out of business permanently and CENTPAC has commenced its Marshalls campaign....the fast carriers of Task Group 58 will number 9 CVs and 2 CVLs.....capable of putting over 370 fighters into the air.

Also by then.....CVE Chenango will have completed repairs in Sydney and 2 more USN CVEs will have arrived in the south Pacific.....allowing the CVE Task group to put up over 280 fighters over the fleet. I may decide at that time to splt off the CVEs from the fast carriers and cover simultaneous operations in the 2 peripheral commands....CENTPAC in the Marshalls and II Australian Corps north of Darwin.

Any Allied amphibious ops in SWPAC or SOPAC will require all the fast carriers and CVEs for support.

[racndoc]

6/30-7/1/43



SUBS


SS Trusty puts a torpedo in AO Ashizuri near Medan.



CENTPAC


APAa and AKAs continue to load troops to assault Kusaiae, Ocean and Nauru Is.

Heavy bombers based at Tabiteuea pound the level 4 Japanese AF at Roi Namur while medium and tactical bombers based at Makin, Tarawa and Abemama hammer the Japanese AFs at Mili and Maloelap. Next turn heavy bombers from Fifth Air Force that were staged to Rabaul will hit the Japanese level 4 AF at Ponape and further isolate the Marshalls.

The fast carriers refuel in the Solomons while the CVEs cover amphib loading ops at Rabaul.



SOPAC


Transports drop off construction engineers and aviation troops at both Manus and Mussau. The AF and port at Manus are so heavily damaged that it will be another turn or two before we can stage in fighters.



CBI


The Red Chinese Army liberates Lanchow after 2 deliberate attacks:


Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36220 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1733

Defending force 8825 troops, 142 guns, 500 vehicles, Assault Value = 322

Allied adjusted assault: 479

Japanese adjusted defense: 249

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
673 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 62 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
686 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 64 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled


Assaulting units:
55th Chinese/B Corps
5th New Chinese/B Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese/A Corps
16th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese/C Corps
55th Chinese/A Corps
83rd Chinese/C Corps
36th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force
34th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
8th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
3rd Tank Division
66th Naval Guard Unit
30th Engr Rgt /1
76th JAAF AF Bn /2
2nd Ind. Engr Rgt /1



Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35755 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1680

Defending force 8338 troops, 142 guns, 500 vehicles, Assault Value = 231

Allied adjusted assault: 413

Japanese adjusted defense: 85

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Lanchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1511 casualties reported
Squads: 61 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 269 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 108 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 62 (54 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 312 (312 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5


Allied ground losses:
360 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
55th Chinese/A Corps
1st Chinese/A Corps
5th New Chinese/B Corps
51st Chinese/C Corps
55th Chinese/B Corps
98th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese/C Corps
Red Chinese Army
6th Chinese Base Force
34th Group Army
36th Group Army
8th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
3rd Tank Division
66th Naval Guard Unit
30th Engr Rgt /1
76th JAAF AF Bn /2
2nd Ind. Engr Rgt /1


The IJA 3rd Tank Division has been decimated by repeated attacks. All Japanese troops in western China are now on the retreat and Chinese troops will pursue them back to Paotow.


With the recapture of Lanchow.....oil and fuel can again flow from the west to central China.


In the south.....Allied troops retake Pakhoi:


Ground combat at Pakhoi (72,58)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19697 troops, 161 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 2171

Defending force 10 troops, 3 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 479

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 479 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Pakhoi !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


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


Assaulting units:
27th Infantry/B Division
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
52nd Chinese/A Corps
65th Chinese Corps
9th Australian/B Division
2nd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps
27th Infantry/C Division
38th Chinese/C Corps
50th Tank Brigade
27th Infantry/A Division
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
200th Chinese Division
55th Prov Chinese Division
9th Australian/C Division
9th Australian/A Division
31st Infantry Regiment
52nd Chinese/B Corps
4th War Area

Defending units:
19th Ind. Engr Rgt /2




Chinese troops bombard at Kanhsien this turn and find it to be lightly defended.....a deliberate attack will be ordered for next turn.

[racndoc]

7/2-7/5/43



CENTPAC


US Army troops land at Nauru while Marines land at Ocean Is. Tactical bombers, medium bombers and heavy bombers pound the Japanese defenders on Nauru before the 158th Sep Regiment storms ashore.



Pre-Invasion action off Nauru Island (127,128)

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Dent
APA Sumter
DD Van Galen


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


DD Dent firing at 301st Ind.Infantry Battalion
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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Nauru Island (127,128)

TF 152 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 127,128


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




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

Ground combat at Nauru Island (127,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2771 troops, 43 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 113

Defending force 1441 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Allied adjusted assault: 20

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
629 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
290 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
158th(Sep) Infantry Rgt /1

Defending units:
301st Ind.Infantry Battalion
31st JNAF AF Unit




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 05, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Nauru Island (127,128)

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA Sumter
DD Van Galen
DD Dent



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


Pre-Invasion action off Ocean Island (130,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Grebe
AM Finch
APA Du Page



AM Grebe fired at enemy troops
AM Finch fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Ocean Island (130,130)

TF 482 troops unloading over beach at Ocean Island, 130,130


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




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Ocean Island (130,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Grebe
AM Finch
APA Du Page



AM Grebe fired at enemy troops
AM Finch fired at enemy troops



Amphibious Assault at Nauru Island (127,128)

TF 414 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 127,128





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Ocean Island (130,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Grebe
AM Finch
APA Du Page



AM Grebe fired at enemy troops
AM Finch fired at enemy troops


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

Ground combat at Nauru Island (127,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2539 troops, 43 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Defending force 28 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 65

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 65 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nauru Island !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K1 Emily: 4 destroyed

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

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



Assaulting units:
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
301st Ind.Infantry Battalion




Enemy resistance is minimal at Ocean while Nauru is finally taken after 2 days of shock attacks.


Meanwhile.....a much larger amphibious force under the command of Admiral Hill forms up east of the Solomons and heads toward Kusaiae.

Heavy bombers based at Rabaul suppress the Japanese level 4 AF at Ponape while tactical, medium and heavy bombers based in the Gilberts neutralize Japanese AFs at Mili, Maloelap and Roi-Namur in the Marshalls.

Recon now shows that Dave has 38,000 troops at Ponape.....much more than I had expected. I had only prepped one division for Ponape and now will have to postpone that invasion indefinitely. I may end up bypassing Ponape as well as Truk as the Allies advance across the Pacific towards the Marianas and the Philippines.



CBI


The Red Chinese Army catches the retreating Japansee with a shock attack just outside of Lanchow:

Ground combat at 82,34 (near Lanchow)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 11761 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 444

Defending force 1441 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Allied adjusted assault: 490

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 37 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
915 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 1


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


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
55th Chinese/A Corps
16th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese/C Corps
36th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
34th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
30th Engineer Regiment
66th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
76th JAAF AF Bn /2



The IJA 3rd Tank Division got away but the rest of the Japanese troops were decimated yet again. There arent very many IJA troops left in western China now.


In southern China.....Ive found that fighting in clear coastal terrain is very dangerous for the Allies. Even though I have committed substantial SEAC force here I simply dont have enough airfields to take on the Japanese air forces. Dave bombed Allied troops in Swatow and then hit them with naval bombardments before launching an assault:


Ground combat at Swatow (81,62)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 19086 troops, 274 guns, 233 vehicles, Assault Value = 709

Defending force 10211 troops, 62 guns, 279 vehicles, Assault Value = 477

Japanese adjusted assault: 877

Allied adjusted defense: 75

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
378 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
4050 casualties reported
Squads: 66 destroyed, 116 disabled
Non Combat: 124 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 29 (16 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 120 (80 destroyed, 40 disabled)
Units retreated 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
30th RGC Division
3rd Tank Regiment
43rd Recon Regiment
25th Division
1st RGC Route Brigade
47th Naval Guard Unit
18th Tank Rgt /2
71st Engr Rgt /2
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
9th RF Gun Bn /1
Southern Fleet /1

Defending units:
254th Armoured Brigade
7th Chinese/C Corps
38th Chinese/B Corps
97th Chinese/C Corps



Most of the Indian armor was able to escape before Dave launched his attack but all of the troops in this area are heavily demoralized from the aerial and naval bombardments. I committed the heavy bombers of Tenth Air Force here to hit the Japanese ground forces but I didnt have any fighter bases within range and Dave was able to ambush the 4Es with over 60 Nicks....I lost 9 4Es in one turn.


The Allied troops retreated to Chaochow where Dave still hit them with naval bombardments. Im trying to withdraw the Indian armor and the Chinese forces inland towards more favorable defensive terrain but now Dave is trying to catch them in a vise between his 700 AV at Swatow and another 5 IJA divisions rapidly approaching from the NE.


I have Chinese reinforcements heading to Chaochow and they ambush an IJA regiment by shock attacking across a river:


Ground combat at 81,59 (near Chaochow)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 13529 troops, 129 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

Defending force 3416 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Allied adjusted assault: 436

Japanese adjusted defense: 35

Allied assault odds: 12 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1827 casualties reported
Squads: 44 destroyed, 88 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (5 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
675 casualties reported
Squads: 72 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
93rd Chinese Division
14th Chinese/C Corps
77th Chindit Brigade
7th New Chinese/B Corps
16th Canadian Brigade
49th Chinese/C Corps
109th Tank Attack Regiment
7th War Area

Defending units:
58th Infantry Regiment




Meanwhile.....Chinese troops crush another IJA tank regiment outside of Nanchang:


Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 116496 troops, 737 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4700

Defending force 1107 troops, 3 guns, 115 vehicles, Assault Value = 85

Allied adjusted assault: 710

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 710 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
491 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 104 (25 destroyed, 79 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Allied ground losses:
292 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
62nd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese/B Corps
78th Chinese/B Corps
54th Chinese/C Corps
87th Chinese/C Corps
92nd Chinese/C Corps
70th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese/B Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps
85th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/B Corps
78th Chinese/A Corps
13th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
78th Chinese/C Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
87th Chinese/A Corps
99th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese/B Corps
26th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps
50th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese/A Corps
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
20th Group Army
30th Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
32nd Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment
3rd New Chinese/A Corps

Defending units:
12th Tank Regiment
2nd RGC/C Division

[racndoc]

7/6-7/7/43



SUBS


SS Permit sinks DMS W-19 off Tanjoenglselor.



CENTPAC


Allied aerial and naval bombardment forces hammer Kusaie.

Adm Hill's amphib TF invades at Kusaie:


Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 2 damaged
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
BB West Virginia
CA Houston
CA Northampton
DD Aylwin
DD MacDonough
DD Farragut
DD Helm
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
425 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)



Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 38
Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

BB Mississippi firing at Kusaie Island
BB Idaho firing at Kusaie Island
BB West Virginia firing at Kusaie Island
CA Houston firing at Kusaie Island
CA Northampton firing at Kusaie Island
DD Aylwin firing at Kusaie Island
DD MacDonough firing at Kusaie Island
DD Farragut firing at Kusaie Island
DD Helm firing at Kusaie Island
DD Bagley firing at Kusaie Island


Pre-Invasion action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

166 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
CL Marblehead
CL Richmond
APA George Clymer
DD Hatfield

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (5 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


BB New Mexico firing at 4th Division
CL Marblehead firing at 61st Division
CL Richmond firing at 61st Division
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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kusaie Island (125,118)

TF 425 troops unloading over beach at Kusaie Island, 125,118


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)


5 troops of a US MMG Section lost overboard during unload of 160th Infantry Rgt
81mm M1 Mortar damaged beyond repair during unload of 160th Infantry Rgt /7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
CL Marblehead
CL Richmond
DD King
DD Litchfield
APA George Clymer



CL Marblehead firing at 61st Division
CL Richmond firing at 61st Division
DD King firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF
DD Litchfield firing at 40th JNAF AF Unit
DD King fired at enemy troops
DD Litchfield fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 4 damaged
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 8 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB Colorado
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
CL Boise
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Doyle
DD Renshaw

Japanese ground losses:
497 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 14 (6 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 46
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 3

BB Arizona firing at Kusaie Island
BB Colorado firing at 61st Division
CA New Orleans firing at Kusaie Island
CA Chicago firing at Kusaie Island
CL Boise firing at Kusaie Island
DD Hammann firing at 61st Division
DD Anderson firing at Kusaie Island
DD Doyle firing at Kusaie Island
DD Renshaw firing at Kusaie Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

33 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-482
LST-32



SC-983 fired at enemy troops
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LST-482


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kusaie Island (125,118)

TF 419 troops unloading over beach at Kusaie Island, 125,118





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

38 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA George Clymer, Shell hits 2
AKA Betelgeuse
BB New Mexico



88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at APA George Clymer


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

Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4901 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 211

Defending force 7958 troops, 143 guns, 188 vehicles, Assault Value = 307

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


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


Assaulting units:
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
7th Guards Inf. Rgt /1
Yokosuka 4th SNLF /1
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
61st Div /8
24th Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
40th JNAF AF Unit
4th Div /5

Defending units:
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
160th Infantry Regiment
34th Infantry Rgt /4


The 147th(Sep) Regiment will land next turn and after another 2 days of massive aerial and naval bombardments we will launch an attack.



US Marines capture Ocean Is.

CENTPAC heavy bombers pound the Japanese AF at Ponape.

[BBfanboy]

I have read this AAR from the beginning - a lengthy task but a compelling story. Simply brilliant [&o]- if anyone wants to know what the Allies can achieve in 1942 I will point them at this AAR!
You seem to have an excellent sense for when to take a risk and when to get outta Dodge. Starting with your carrier raid on Rabaul in early '42 and retaking the Solomons shortly after you pushed just enough at the right places and times to do the deed. If any cracks showed in his defences you exploited them.
Of course, I think he made some mistakes - using KB too much in the DEI gave you freedom to attack Rabaul. Sending his BBs into the Solomons with only LBA cover led to loss of five in one clash! Relying on subs only to take on your carriers did some damage but did not stop them - he needed to risk KB. Throwing a few troops at Northern Austalia while the Solomons were under attack was a sideshow and he should have known you would not divert from your attack because of it.
Very glad to see someone finally taking Ocean, Nauru and Kusaie Islands as a way to isolate the Marshalls. Their development potential is not high but the position is great, and his search arcs are knocked back in another key area. Notice the Emily destroyed at Ocean or Nauru.
Looking forward to further developments...

[racndoc]

BBfanboy....thanks for your comments. The Allies have certainly come a long ways from the dark days of April/May 1942 where they were taking on KB with 4 intact CVs and Lexington with over 40% FLT damage on the line.....we are finally at the point of the war where the Allies achieve numerical equality with the IJN carriers and begin to build an advantage.





7/8-7/9/43



SUBS


SS Billfish sinks xAK Fusami Maru off Hachijo-jima.

SS Salmon sinks TK Kyoie maru near Tawi Tawi.



CENTPAC


CENTPAC reinforces Kusaie with the 147th(SEP) Regiment:



Night Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
BB West Virginia
CA Houston
DD Aylwin
DD MacDonough
DD Farragut
DD Helm
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 4
Port hits 2

BB Mississippi firing at Kusaie Island
BB Idaho firing at Kusaie Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB West Virginia
BB West Virginia firing at Kusaie Island
CA Houston firing at Kusaie Island
DD Aylwin firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF
DD MacDonough firing at Kusaie Island
DD Farragut firing at Kusaie Island
DD Helm firing at Kusaie Island
DD Bagley firing at Kusaie Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB Colorado
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
CL Boise
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Doyle
DD Renshaw

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled



Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 14
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

BB Arizona firing at Kusaie Island
BB Colorado firing at Kusaie Island
CA New Orleans firing at Kusaie Island
CA Chicago firing at Kusaie Island
CL Boise firing at Kusaie Island
DD Hammann firing at Kusaie Island
DD Renshaw firing at Kusaie Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-32
LST-482



SC-983 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-699
LST-340
LST-16
LST-477
LST-480



SC-699 fired at enemy troops
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LST-16


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kusaie Island (125,118)

TF 445 troops unloading over beach at Kusaie Island, 125,118





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-482
LST-32



SC-983 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-699
LST-475
LST-16
LST-340
LST-449
LST-477



SC-699 fired at enemy troops

Night Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
BB West Virginia
CA Houston
DD Aylwin
DD MacDonough
DD Farragut
DD Helm
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 4
Port hits 2

BB Mississippi firing at Kusaie Island
BB Idaho firing at Kusaie Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB West Virginia
BB West Virginia firing at Kusaie Island
CA Houston firing at Kusaie Island
DD Aylwin firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF
DD MacDonough firing at Kusaie Island
DD Farragut firing at Kusaie Island
DD Helm firing at Kusaie Island
DD Bagley firing at Kusaie Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB Colorado
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
CL Boise
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Doyle
DD Renshaw

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled



Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 14
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

BB Arizona firing at Kusaie Island
BB Colorado firing at Kusaie Island
CA New Orleans firing at Kusaie Island
CA Chicago firing at Kusaie Island
CL Boise firing at Kusaie Island
DD Hammann firing at Kusaie Island
DD Renshaw firing at Kusaie Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-32
LST-482



SC-983 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-699
LST-340
LST-16
LST-477
LST-480



SC-699 fired at enemy troops
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LST-16


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kusaie Island (125,118)

TF 445 troops unloading over beach at Kusaie Island, 125,118





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-482
LST-32



SC-983 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-699
LST-475
LST-16
LST-340
LST-449
LST-477



SC-699 fired at enemy troops


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 09, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

60 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Empire Pride
APA Elmore
SC PC-578


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


LSI(L) Empire Pride firing at 61st Division
LSI(L) Empire Pride fired at enemy troops
APA Elmore fired at enemy troops
LSI(L) Empire Pride fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-707
LST-31
LST-29



SC-707 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-482
LST-32



SC-983 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kusaie Island (125,118)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-699
LST-16
LST-475
LST-480
LST-340
LST-477



SC-699 fired at enemy troops
10cm T91 Howitzer battery firing at LST-16





SS I-35 lands a torpedo on CV Enterprise:



Sub attack near Kusaie Island at 123,118

Japanese Ships
SS I-35

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1
BB North Carolina
CA Astoria
CL Denver
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Atlanta
DD Bache
DD Hobby
DD Nicholas
DD Conway



SS I-35 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Enterprise
I-35 diving deep ....
DD Hobby fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Conway fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hobby attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nicholas fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub


CV Enterprise has 8 SYS and 20 FLT damage and she will now head back into port for repairs. Im thinking of changing her nickname from Lucky E to Unlucky E as this is the 2nd time during the war that she has been torpedoed by a Japanese sub. Ironically....CV Essex and CVL Independence join the line off Kusaie just as CV Enterprise gets torpedoed and must be withdrawn. This will probably push our SOPAC and SWPAC summer offensives back a month to 45 days as I want CV Enterprise back on the line before we go deep into Injun country.


CENTPAC will deliver a deliberate attack on Kusaie next turn.





SOPAC



Mussau enlarges its AF to level 4 and over 80 P-38Fs/Gs/Hs are staged in to sweep Truk. Japan loses 64 AC in A2A vs 38 Allied AC. Individual plane losses include 35 A6M2s, 16 Oscars, 12 Tojos, 11 Nicks, 17 P-38Gs, 8 P-38Hs, 7 F4F-4s and 2 P-38Fs.

I will sweep Truk a couple more turns as Mussau builds up to a level 5 AF....Dave will tire of the disproportionate fighter losses and will eventually evacuate his airforce from Truk and then we will send in the heavy bombers.




CBI


I tried to sneak in some xAKLs to reinforce Rangoon with supplies but Dave intercepted with CL Kashii:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,54, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kashii
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Kwai Sang, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAKL Beatrice, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAKL De Klerk, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
xAKL De Haan, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAKL Elout, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
YMS BYMS-2055, Shell hits 2, and is sunk



Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 4,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Kobayashi, Sonosuke crosses the 'T'
YMS BYMS-2055 sunk by CL Kashii at 4,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL Elout at 4,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL De Klerk at 4,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL Elout at 4,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL De Haan at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL Elout at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL De Haan at 6,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Elout at 6,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Beatrice at 6,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL Elout at 6,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Beatrice at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Elout at 8,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL De Haan at 8,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL De Klerk at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL Elout at 10,000 yards
CL Kashii engages xAKL De Klerk at 10,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Kwai Sang at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Elout at 8,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL De Klerk at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Elout at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...



Then SS RO-102 sailed in to pick off a straggler:


Submarine attack near Rangoon at 54,54

Japanese Ships
SS RO-102

Allied Ships
xAKL De Haan, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



xAKL De Haan is sighted by SS RO-102
SS RO-102 launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL De Haan



Allied naval bombers try to exact retribution but are overwhelmed by Jap CAP:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 53,58

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 15



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 6
Beaufort VIII x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead




Massive land battle in central China as 4000 AV of Chinese troops square off against 4300 Chinese AV outside of Nanchang:


Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 112744 troops, 948 guns, 314 vehicles, Assault Value = 4099

Defending force 109443 troops, 658 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4320

Japanese adjusted assault: 1304

Allied adjusted defense: 1703

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
13894 casualties reported
Squads: 171 destroyed, 874 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 110 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 106 disabled
Guns lost 61 (4 destroyed, 57 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
12923 casualties reported
Squads: 144 destroyed, 1298 disabled
Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 147 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 76 disabled
Guns lost 235 (44 destroyed, 191 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
63rd Division
64th Division
116th Division
22nd Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
39th Division
27th Division
35th Division
15th Division
59th Division
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
78th Chinese/C Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps
87th Chinese/A Corps
50th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese/B Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/B Corps
54th Chinese/C Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
78th Chinese/A Corps
48th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese/B Corps
92nd Chinese/C Corps
78th Chinese/B Corps
87th Chinese/C Corps
68th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese/B Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
85th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese/A Corps
30th Group Army
32nd Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
20th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment
3rd New Chinese/A Corps




Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 95624 troops, 621 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3093

Defending force 98826 troops, 945 guns, 314 vehicles, Assault Value = 2771

Allied adjusted assault: 646

Japanese adjusted defense: 2036

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
4196 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 332 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled


Allied ground losses:
5951 casualties reported
Squads: 246 destroyed, 808 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 108 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 62 (14 destroyed, 48 disabled)


Assaulting units:
87th Chinese/B Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
92nd Chinese/B Corps
26th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps
99th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese/B Corps
87th Chinese/A Corps
92nd Chinese/C Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps
32nd Chinese/B Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/B Corps
50th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese/C Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese/A Corps
70th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps
68th Chinese Corps
54th Chinese/C Corps
53rd Chinese/A Corps
7th Artillery Regiment
30th Group Army
32nd Group Army
20th Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
3rd New Chinese/A Corps

Defending units:
22nd Division
116th Division
64th Division
35th Division
15th Division
27th Division
39th Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Division
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
63rd Division
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion



We come out on the short side here as the Chinese suffer massive casualties in the clear terrain. It looks to me that Japan now has some 2400 AV left vs 2200 Chinese AV....I lost 21000 Chinese AV here this turn. Im hoping to withdraw the remaining Chinese to Nanchang and hopefully Dave doesnt order a shock attack. Every bomber left in Tenth Air Force at Chungking will target the Japanese here next turn.


Farther south.....Indian armor fights off Japanese armor near Chaochow:


Ground combat at 81,60 (near Chaochow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9117 troops, 139 guns, 721 vehicles, Assault Value = 427

Defending force 11425 troops, 122 guns, 564 vehicles, Assault Value = 480

Japanese adjusted assault: 267

Allied adjusted defense: 266

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
437 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 44 (9 destroyed, 35 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 65 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)


Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
23rd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
268th Motorised Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
254th Armoured Brigade
7th Chinese/C Corps
38th Chinese/B Corps
43rd Chinese/C Corps
97th Chinese/C Corps
39th Chinese/C Corps



Japanese troops retake Chaochow:


Ground combat at Chaochow (81,61)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 25364 troops, 318 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value = 2404

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

Japanese adjusted assault: 1226

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 1226 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Chaochow !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+)



Assaulting units:
41st Division
37th Division
13th Division
32nd Division
3rd Tank Regiment
34th Division
43rd Recon Regiment
18th Tank Rgt /2
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th RF Gun Bn /1


Chinese troops continue to pursue retreating Japanese troops near Lanchow in western China.

[racndoc]

7/10-7/11/43



SUBS


SS Seadragon torpedoes xAK Kenyo Maru off dadjangas.

SS S-40 sinks TK Amakusa maru near Misool.

SS Hoe is sunk by IJN ASW near Culion.

Allied ASW TF sinks SS I-171 by Kusaie.

SS Thresher sinks xAKL Kaisyo Maru off Donggala.



CENTPAC


CENTPAC troops are only able to get a 1:2 attack at Kusaie despite massive naval and aerial bombardments:


Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10862 troops, 186 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 436

Defending force 5380 troops, 121 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 164

Allied adjusted assault: 217

Japanese adjusted defense: 263

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
756 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 24 (3 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Assaulting units:
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
160th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
7th Guards Inf. Rgt /1
Yokosuka 4th SNLF /1
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
61st Div /8
40th JNAF AF Unit
24th Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
4th Div /5



This island obviously will take a bit longer to secure than I had anticipated. I dont like leaving my CVEs and CVs exposed to the IJN carriers turn after turn along with the IJN sub threat and the land based naval bombers. Ive got plenty of supplies on the beach so all the assault transports and CVEs will withdraw a bit to the SE while the CVs refuel and rearm in the Gilberts along with all the bombardment TFs.

APAs and AKAs begin loading troops in the Gilberts for invasion targets in the Marshalls.



CBI


Dave hits my main army in central China with a 1:2 attack outside nanchang:


Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 96179 troops, 870 guns, 314 vehicles, Assault Value = 3335

Defending force 89117 troops, 603 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2315

Japanese adjusted assault: 1000

Allied adjusted defense: 1314

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
6619 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 626 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 50 disabled


Allied ground losses:
9737 casualties reported
Squads: 415 destroyed, 448 disabled
Non Combat: 127 destroyed, 203 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 88 (36 destroyed, 52 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
35th Division
116th Division
63rd Division
64th Division
27th Division
17th Division
39th Division
22nd Division
15th Division
69th Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Division
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
92nd Chinese/C Corps
48th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps
87th Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps
26th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese/A Corps
32nd Chinese/B Corps
92nd Chinese/B Corps
70th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/B Corps
78th Chinese/B Corps
87th Chinese/C Corps
54th Chinese/C Corps
68th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese/B Corps
50th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese/A Corps
20th Group Army
3rd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps
32nd Group Army
4th Chinese/A Corps
30th Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
3rd New Chinese/A Corps



The Chinese troops here are very disrupted and some 415 infantry squads were destroyed last turn. What was once a 4300 AV Chinese army has now been reduced to less than 2000 AV. Im trying to withdraw to Nanchang but Dave will get to attack the Chinee here one more time before they can clear the hex.


In southern China.....Dave continues to pursue the Indian armor and Chinese troops withdrawing from Cahochow:



Ground combat at 81,60 (near Chaochow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 590 troops, 0 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 329

Defending force 5664 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Japanese adjusted assault: 40

Allied adjusted defense: 59

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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


Allied ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
23rd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
7th Chinese/C Corps
43rd Chinese/C Corps
38th Chinese/B Corps
97th Chinese/C Corps
39th Chinese/C Corps



Most of these Chinese troops will join the Indian armor in good defensive terrain next turn but a couple of Chinese LCUs will probably get crushed here.

Chinese troops retake Kanhsien and invest Kwangchowan....we are having a rather fluid, swirling battle here across the south of China as both sides try to surround each other. I have about 3000 AV of Chinese and SEAC troops that are going to threaten Hong Kong and Canton to try to reduce the pressure on the rest of the Chinese line.

[racndoc]

7/12-7/13/43



SUBS


SS Billfish sinks xAK Sugiyama Maru off Agrihan.

SS Tambor sinks LB-127 near Vanimo.



CBI


Dave tries to finish off my main army in central China in an all out shock attack before I can withdraw from the hex outside Nanchang:

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

Ground combat at 85,55 (near Nanchang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 91357 troops, 870 guns, 314 vehicles, Assault Value = 2624

Defending force 81861 troops, 545 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1940

Japanese adjusted assault: 364

Allied adjusted defense: 498

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
11409 casualties reported
Squads: 157 destroyed, 741 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 29 destroyed, 72 disabled
Vehicles lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
6536 casualties reported
Squads: 269 destroyed, 256 disabled
Non Combat: 116 destroyed, 220 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 23 disabled
Guns lost 85 (38 destroyed, 47 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
27th Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
69th Division
17th Division
116th Division
39th Division
35th Division
59th Division
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
78th Chinese/B Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
99th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese/C Corps
87th Chinese/B Corps
50th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps
85th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/C Corps
68th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/B Corps
70th Chinese Corps
54th Chinese/C Corps
87th Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
92nd Chinese/B Corps
53rd Chinese/A Corps
7th Artillery Regiment
30th Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment
20th Group Army
78th Chinese/A Corps
32nd Chinese/B Corps
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
32nd Group Army
3rd New Chinese/A Corps


Japan loses 900 squads killed or disabled. When Dave and I first faced off here the Chinese had over 4300 AV vs a Japanese army of 4000 AV. After 3 turns of bloody combat Japan has about 1900 AV left to the Chinese army that now musters around 1700 AV. The Chinese have suffered casualties of over 2600 AV....nearly 1200 Chinese squads have been killed in 3 turns...this represents nearly 3 1/2 months of Chinese replacements. To put this in perspective.....I sent some 2500 AV of US/British/Canadian/Australian/Indian troops from Burma to China to help shore up the defenses and now Ive lost an army larger than that in 3 turns. At least the Chinese remnants are able to withdraw in good order into Nanchang where they are reinforced by 800 AV of fresh Chinese troops and level 3 fortifications.


Farther south things arent much better for the Chinese withdrawing inland from Chaochow:


Ground combat at 81,60 (near Chaochow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16526 troops, 192 guns, 876 vehicles, Assault Value = 677

Defending force 4488 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 103

Japanese adjusted assault: 553

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 42 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1708 casualties reported
Squads: 140 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 69 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
43rd Recon Regiment
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Tank Division
3rd Tank Regiment
18th Tank Rgt /2

Defending units:
43rd Chinese/C Corps
38th Chinese/B Corps
97th Chinese/C Corps



The 3 Indian armor brigades were able to escape here but the slower Chinese infantry was left behind to get crushed. Now Dave has 2 tank divisions and 5 infantry divisions pursuing the Indian armor. Note to self......dont contest the Japanese in clear coastal terrain. Even with high experience/morale SEAC troops with modern tanks you just cant stand up to the Japanese naval and aerial bombardments in clear terrain. I just dont have enough supplies in coastal China or BFs to put up an effective air defense. I need to pull everyone here back to the rough terrain near Kukong.


In the northwest.....the Chinese continue to pursue the retreating Japanese outside Lnachow:


Ground combat at 83,34 (near Lanchow)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10491 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 446

Defending force 502 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Allied adjusted assault: 227

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 227 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
527 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 45 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1


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


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
55th Chinese/A Corps
16th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese/C Corps
36th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
34th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
66th Naval Guard Unit
76th JAAF AF Bn /2




CENTPAC


CENTPAC launches 2 more assaults on Kusaie:


Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10740 troops, 186 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 417

Defending force 4754 troops, 120 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 111

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 177

Japanese adjusted defense: 41

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
656 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
457 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
160th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
28th Div /2
Yokosuka 4th SNLF /1
61st Div /8
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
24th Air Defense AA Regiment
40th JNAF AF Unit
4th Div /5



Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10474 troops, 186 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 382

Defending force 4558 troops, 118 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 92

Allied adjusted assault: 110

Japanese adjusted defense: 57

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
652 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Assaulting units:
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
160th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
28th Div /2
Yokosuka 4th SNLF /1
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
61st Div /8
40th JNAF AF Unit
24th Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
4th Div /5



Im going to rest the troops here next turn and then shock attack on the following turn.


APAs and AKAs continue to load assault troops in the Gilberts for invasions of Maloelap and Mili in the Marshall Islands. The Allied fast carriers refuel and take on AC replacements in the Gilberts in preparation for the upcoming Marshalls ops.



SWPAC/SOPAC


The airfields at Mussau and Manus both reach level 5 this turn. After 2 turns of fighter sweeps over Truk the P-38s are withdrawn to Port Moresby to rest and take on replacements. Once I wrap up the invasions of Maloelap and Mili in the Marshalls the heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force will stage into Mussau and P-38 escorts will put Truk out of business.

[racndoc]

7/14-7/15/43



CBI


This isnt sleepy China backwater from RL WWII...this is all out mech war and its hot as hell. This turn the Chinese capture Kwangchowan. Dave is trying to crush Chinese formations and Im trying to crush japanese formations throughout China. With large numbers of reinforcements now arriving in Burma down the coastal road from Chittagong Im sending at least another 1000 AV of SEAC troops to replace the Chinese losses that I just suffered outside Nanchang.

Dave has 2 armor divisions and 5 infantry divisions chasing down my 3 Indian armor brigades outside CHaochow.....my Indian armor should escape at the destruction of their Chinese infantry compatriots. Im going to reinvest Canton with over 2000 AV of Allied troops to take pressure off the rest of southern China.



SWPAC


Fifth Air Force shuts down level 4 Japanese AFs on New Guinea at Aitape and Wewak and switches targets to the level 4 Japanese AF at Vanimo.




CENTPAC


CENTPAC troops invade and capture Maloelap after massive naval and aerial bombardments:


Night Naval bombardment of Maloelap at 136,117 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Shell hits 4
BB Colorado
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
CL Boise
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Renshaw

Japanese ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 12 (5 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11
Port hits 5

Maloelap Naval Fortress firing at BB Arizona
BB Arizona firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Colorado
BB Colorado firing at Maloelap
CA New Orleans firing at Maloelap
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Chicago
CA Chicago firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
Maloelap Naval Fortress firing at CA Chicago
CL Boise firing at Maloelap
DD Hammann firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
DD Anderson firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
DD Renshaw firing at Maloelap


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Maloelap (136,117) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

43 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
CL Marblehead
CL Trenton
CL Richmond
DD King
DD Sands
DD Litchfield
APA Arthur Middleton
DD Hatfield

Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)


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


BB New Mexico firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
CL Marblehead firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
CL Trenton firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
Maloelap Naval Fortress firing at CL Trenton
CL Richmond firing at 1st JNAF AF Unit
DD King firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
DD Sands firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
DD Litchfield firing at Maloelap Naval Fortress
DD King fired at enemy troops
DD Litchfield fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Maloelap (136,117)

TF 425 troops unloading over beach at Maloelap, 136,117


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


13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 25th Infantry/B Div


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Maloelap (136,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

25 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-23
SC-708
LST-34, Shell hits 1, on fire
LST-28
LST-339



SC-708 fired at enemy troops
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LST-23
15cm 41YT CD Gun battery firing at LST-34


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Maloelap (136,117)

TF 433 troops unloading over beach at Maloelap, 136,117





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Maloelap (136,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AKA Bellatrix, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Marblehead
CL Trenton
APA Arthur Middleton
DD Hatfield


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


15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AKA Bellatrix at 19,000 yards
CL Trenton firing to suppress enemy battery at 19,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Maloelap (136,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-28
SC-708
LST-23



15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-28 at 6,000 yards
SC-708 firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
SC-708 fired at enemy troops



Invasion Support action off Maloelap (136,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-708
LST-34
LST-339
LST-23



SC-708 fired at enemy troops


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

Ground combat at Maloelap (136,117)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6443 troops, 139 guns, 128 vehicles, Assault Value = 256

Defending force 1813 troops, 34 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 87

Japanese adjusted defense: 6

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Maloelap !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
574 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 126 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 36 (36 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (36 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3


Allied ground losses:
531 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 22 (4 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Assaulting units:
25th Infantry/B Division
25th Infantry/C Div /4

Defending units:
1st Air Defense AA Regiment
5th Air Division
Maloelap Naval Fortress
1st JNAF AF Unit


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

1st JNAF AF Unit Wiped Out at Maloelap by attrition!!!





CV Enterprise....."Unlucky E".....reaches Luganville and enters port. I had my 1st ARD finally arrive at Noumea after a 2 month sail across the Pacific at a speed of 5 knots and she was sent to Luganville with 4 ARs to perform critical repairs on CV Enterprise. With 8 SYS and 19 FLT damage I have a repair estimate of 43 days for CV Enterprise. Im sending Seventh US Fleet HQ from Noumea to Luganville to speed up the repairs on Enterprise.

I split my CVEs up last turn....4 CVEs with 112 fighters covered the invasion of Maloelap while the other 7 CVEs covered Kusaie to prevent Japanese reinforcement by air transport AC. Im sending the 4 CVEs at Maloelap to reinforce the 7 CVEs already present at Kusaie and Im using transport AC to fly in construction engineers and BF forces to Maloelap. The fast carriers of Task Group 58 are pulling out of the Gilberts/Marshalls to escape from the IJN sub menace. I put all of the TBF formations......all now expert at ASW warfare...... on ASW and hit Japanese subs between the Gilberts and the Solomons:


TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 132, 130 near Ocean Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island

TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-2 attacking a Type KRS class SS at 127,129
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-2 attacking a Type L4 class SS at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-5 attacking a Type KD3A/B class SS at 127,129
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-5 attacking a Japanese SS at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-6 attacking a Japanese SS at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-6 attacking a Type J1 class SS at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-8 attacking a Type KD6A class SS at 127,129
a Type L4 class SS is reported HIT
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-9 attacking a Type B1/B2 class SS at 127,129
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-71 attacking a Type KD5 class SS at 127,129
a Type KS class SS is reported HIT
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-71 attacking a Type K5 class SS at 127,129
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-22 attacking a Japanese PT at 127,129
TBF-1 Avenger from No.832 Sqn FAA attacking a Type KD3A/B class SS at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from No.832 Sqn FAA attacking a Type KRS class SS at 127,129
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports periscope wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports periscope at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports periscope wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports submarine wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports conning tower at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports submarine wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator from VMSB-241 attacking SS RO-103 at 128,128
SS RO-103 is reported HIT
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports turbulence in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator from VMSB-241 attacking a Japanese SS at 127,129
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports object near surface at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports diving submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator from VMSB-241 attacking a Japanese SS at 127,129
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports shadow in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-2 attacking SS RO-109 at 127,129
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-6 attacking SS RO-109 at 127,129
SS RO-109 is reported HIT
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-8 attacking SS RO-103 at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-9 attacking SS RO-103 at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-9 attacking SS RO-103 at 128,128
SS RO-103 is reported HIT
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-9 attacking SS RO-103 at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
TBF-1 Avenger from No.832 Sqn FAA attacking SS RO-103 at 128,128
TBF-1 Avenger from No.832 Sqn FAA attacking SS RO-109 at 127,129
SS RO-109 is reported HIT
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
Walrus II sighting report: 2 Japanese ships at 135,117 near Maloelap, speed 17, Moving West
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 123, 118 near Kusaie Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports periscope wake at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports possible submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object under water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports radio transmissions at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports diving submarine at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports diving submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports radio transmissions at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports shadow in water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports object under water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports possible submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports radio transmissions at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports oil slick at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports object under water at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports suspected submarine at 128, 128 near Nauru Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports shadow in water at 127, 129 near Nauru Island
Seagull V reports periscope wake at 137, 116 near Maloelap
Seagull V reports possible submarine at 137, 116 near Maloelap


CENTPAC troops continue to load at Tabiteuea for the invasion of Mili.



CENTPAC medium and heavy bombers continue to pound the Japanese troops on Kusaiae while Allied troops rest for the shock attack that will be ordered next turn.

Ive attached a screenshot of the Marshalls.......after we take Mili Japan will be reduced to the level 4 AF at Roi-Namur and the level 3 AF at Wotje....somehow I forgot about Wotje and didnt schedule an invasion so troops will need to eventually be prepped here. Inexplicably.....Dave has over 40,000 troops at Ponape.....I dont understand this unless Dave intended to use Ponape as a transport AC base to fly reinforcements into the Marshalls as I advanced. I will bypass Ponape for now and bomb it into oblivion just like Truk.

[BBfanboy]

Ponape is something like 12 hexes from Truk - 2E bomber or tpt a/c range. Truk naval fortress has no AV - just guns, so a para assault could take it while avoiding the 105 fortress guns. He wants to keep you from taking Truk, so he loads up Ponape which, I believe has no stacking limits and can be built up to a decent port and airfield.