Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Lowpe


Interesting that you don't use your tanks in Burma....I can't imagine defending there without them in 43 and 44. Some of the smaller tank units go great on atolls that will likely see invasions.

Tanks are just such a key defensive ingredient for Japan...hard to see a use for them as a shipped counter attacking force with AKs....however, of all troops they are the best protected from enemy naval bombardments since they are the last targeted.

From what I've seen in most AAR's:
1. I commit more units to Burma/SE Asia until I get to Vinh
2. I commit far fewer to island garrisons
3. I have far larger reaction forces.

Granted, AI is far, far, far easier to predict.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Lowpe


Interesting that you don't use your tanks in Burma....I can't imagine defending there without them in 43 and 44. Some of the smaller tank units go great on atolls that will likely see invasions.

Tanks are just such a key defensive ingredient for Japan...hard to see a use for them as a shipped counter attacking force with AKs....however, of all troops they are the best protected from enemy naval bombardments since they are the last targeted.

From what I've seen in most AAR's:
1. I commit more units to Burma/SE Asia until I get to Vinh
2. I commit far fewer to island garrisons
3. I have far larger reaction forces.

Granted, AI is far, far, far easier to predict.

The tank divisions are difficult to use as reaction forces from transport or amphibious TFs because they have so many large loading cost devices. The small, independent tank regiments, especially the light tank regiments, make very good sea-borne reaction forces.

Feb. 24th 1942.

A tough day for the empire.

It starts off well enough with another fighter sweep over Moresby, followed up by a strike on the airfield to keep the P-40s damaged in the engagement yesterday on the ground.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
13rd PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
13rd PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M2 Nell x 28

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 59

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Over Soerabaja, however, things do not go well for the empire. A series of strikes on the units, the airfield, and the port there were scheduled. The appearance of a large allied CAP presence is a surprise.


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Morning Air attack on Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion, at 56,104 (Soerabaja)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 29
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 10
CW-21B Demon x 3
75A-7 Hawk x 8
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
6 planes vectored on to bombers
2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
1-VI.G.V with B-339D (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
3-VI.G.V with B-339D (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
24th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers

Also attacking Soerabaja Base Force ...
Also attacking Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion ...


Afternoon Air attack on Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion, at 56,104 (Soerabaja)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
G4M1 Betty x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 5
CW-21B Demon x 3
75A-7 Hawk x 8
P-40B Warhawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Soerabaja Base Force, at 56,104 (Soerabaja)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 7
A6M2 Zero x 44
B5N1 Kate x 31
B5N2 Kate x 54

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 4
CW-21B Demon x 3
75A-7 Hawk x 5
P-40B Warhawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


The scoresheet shows 27 Japanese planes down for the day. I failed to pick up the reinforced fighter units on Java. I had been lazy in my recon the past few days, not changing around the recon to monitor the various potential airfields, and Robert found an airfield without detection level to reinforce his airforce on Java and then fly LRCAP over Soerabaja without my noticing. So well done by the allies. I thought that he had mostly evacuated his air force.
.

Feb. 25th

Betties and CV-born kates come after the airfield at Moresby again to try to keep the P-40s damaged in the engagements yesterday on the ground. The allies withdraw their undamaged aircraft and the raids are uncontested.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M2 Nell x 28

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 11 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 90

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 5 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 9

The Japanese also land an SNLF at Woodlark Island off the coast of New Guinea. Another bombardment of Singapore and allied B-17s flying a ground strike over Moresby complete the action for the day. Japanese forces continue to fan out from Semarang to occupy Java. Major battles await in Buitenzorg and Batavia, and air supremacy over the island is again contested by the allies, so the Java campaign is just beginning, it appears.

Feb. 26th

A Dutch sub near Java is given a rough time. One hit causes "severe engine damage" and another an "internal explosion"

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ASW attack near Semarang at 53,101

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Ashigara
CA Maya
CL Kiso
DD Oshio
DD Yamagumo
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS KXII, hits 6

The KXII has been a very productive allied submarine, so this is good news.

Near Suva, a Japanese submarine finds a high value target at last. Alas it appear the AP is empty.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kabara at 137,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

Allied Ships
AP Henry T. Allen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Zeilin
DD King

The battle in and around Moresby continues with another air raid on the allied airfield.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M2 Nell x 26

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 6 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10

Recon reports that the airfield may now be out of operation.

The Akagi-Kaga group, under the personal command of Yamamato, has moved into close proximity of Moresby, and they find a small allied cargo TF.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,134

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Bidelia, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
PG Swan, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Sjobris, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Bidelia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PG Swan
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Sjobris

Another AKL is sunk later in the day. 821Bobo does a really nice job of using every allied asset, I have noticed. When he needs to send cargo ships into dangerous areas, he uses the little 1 VP ships, while preserving his better merchants. He has done a remarkable job at minimizing allied shipping losses while hampering and slowing the Japanese advance.

Near Java, some Betties find a slightly larger merchant.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tjilatjap at 51,102

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Lowana, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Empire Hamble

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

102 Sallies, 27 Anns, and 24 Sonias fly ground support over Singapore for a Japanese offensive, but are hampered by storms. The weather report called for clear skies. Someone in the meteorology office in Tokyo will learn how to use a Wakizashi. Based on the weather forecast for the day, a ground offensive on Singapore was ordered.

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

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 79433 troops, 979 guns, 1127 vehicles, Assault Value = 2503

Defending force 33629 troops, 430 guns, 262 vehicles, Assault Value = 615

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 2905

Allied adjusted defense: 1095

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
3475 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 260 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 86 disabled
Vehicles lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2846 casualties reported
Squads: 112 destroyed, 213 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 143 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 46 disabled
Guns lost 56 (9 destroyed, 47 disabled)
Vehicles lost 29 (3 destroyed, 26 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Division
18th Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
33rd Division
5th Division
1st Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
55th Engineer Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
Southern Army
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
11th Indian Division
2/17 Dogra Battalion
2nd Loyal Battalion
1st Manchester Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
2nd Gordons Battalion
1st Malay Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
SSVF Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
9th Indian Division
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Malayan Air Wing
AHQ Far East
Singapore Base Force
2nd ISF Base Force
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Singapore Fortress
Malaya Army
112th RAF Base Force
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
1st ISF Base Force
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
111th RAF Base Force

Not a poor result. Few vehicles were lost, very few Japanese squads were destroyed, and 56 allied guns were disabled or destroyed along with 53 engineers. Hopefully, the damage to Singapore's facilities will be mitigated by the casualties to the allied engineers.

The drive across the Gobi Desert continues.

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

Ground combat at 88,31 (near Dalan Dzadagad)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11143 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 367

Defending force 3334 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 90

Japanese adjusted assault: 220

Allied adjusted defense: 61

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
251 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1519 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 55 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Mongol Garrison Army

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps

A good day overall for the empire.

Have you ever bombarded Singers with Battleships from maximum range?

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Have you ever bombarded Singers with Battleships from maximum range?

No, I have never tried it. I sandboxed a few bombardments of Pearl with the fast BBs from maximum range. Not bad results generally, and it is certainly something to consider if Japan is tied up at Singapore or the allies reinforce it early. In this case, however, I would much like to get Singapore as intact as possible, and the forces there seem sufficient to get the job done in another 2 weeks or so.

I am a little behind the timetable I laid out at the beginning. I wanted to have Singapore by the end of February, but I will be a week or so behind. 2 Dutch subs are to blame for the delays... or so I tell myself (to avoid admitting my own errors).

Pearl is easy...I once had a game where the KB reacted into Singers quite by error (on a different map) and the cd guns destroyed it.

I think you are doing well...the slow down at Singers won't materially hurt you, at I don't think so.

I haven't told you, but I really enjoy your AAR, and thanks for taking the time to do it.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Pearl is easy...I once had a game where the KB reacted into Singers quite by error (on a different map) and the cd guns destroyed it.

I think you are doing well...the slow down at Singers won't materially hurt you, at I don't think so.

I haven't told you, but I really enjoy your AAR, and thanks for taking the time to do it.

I was pretty happy with this game from the start and very happy to have found Robert as my opponent. He is a good player and is getting better constantly (which worries me to no end). He learns my habits and favorite tactics so quickly that is a little scary to see. I will be pressed to come up with new tactics to try to catch him off guard, and he has already caught me off-guard several times. It should be a very competitive game, and I am sure that he will give me all that I can handle (and probably more) as the allies gain force.

Japanese Destroyer Captain Hara of the Shigure fame, said to repeat a tactic is dangerous to do three times id to invite disaster. You can very time day altituted composition direction to throw you opponent off.

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Lowpe


Interesting that you don't use your tanks in Burma....I can't imagine defending there without them in 43 and 44. Some of the smaller tank units go great on atolls that will likely see invasions.

Tanks are just such a key defensive ingredient for Japan...hard to see a use for them as a shipped counter attacking force with AKs....however, of all troops they are the best protected from enemy naval bombardments since they are the last targeted.

From what I've seen in most AAR's:
1. I commit more units to Burma/SE Asia until I get to Vinh
2. I commit far fewer to island garrisons
3. I have far larger reaction forces.

Granted, AI is far, far, far easier to predict.

The tank divisions are difficult to use as reaction forces from transport or amphibious TFs because they have so many large loading cost devices. The small, independent tank regiments, especially the light tank regiments, make very good sea-borne reaction forces.

Not really, use 2x or 3x the capacity required xAKL's and they can unload easily in one phase. Takes sandbox practice to get it right, but once you have it figured out it is pretty easy. AK's also will unload in one phase while you have the bonus ...

He's giving a little, or more than that, of fight and resistance in the air on Java, nice and fun! Be careful of unnecessary losses, we really don't need them not at this stage. Fun contest!

Port Moresby: I thought you invaded it few weeks earlier, what happened than? your forces still there? It was an excellent move than, to try to seize it that early.

Very very good job on his air assets over and at Moresby, very good! Bobo has to be hurt and worried about his fighters pool and availability now!

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

He's giving a little, or more than that, of fight and resistance in the air on Java, nice and fun! Be careful of unnecessary losses, we really don't need them not at this stage. Fun contest!

Port Moresby: I thought you invaded it few weeks earlier, what happened than? your forces still there? It was an excellent move than, to try to seize it that early.

Very very good job on his air assets over and at Moresby, very good! Bobo has to be hurt and worried about his fighters pool and availability now!

I just lost 27 bombers unnecessarily to a very good play by Robert at Soerabaja.

I did invade Moresby 2 weeks ago. I attacked once and had a large number of disabled squads. There is no proper HQ present, so reorganization of the 2 regiments has been slow and hampered by continuous B-17 bombing from Australia. The B-17s are flying from a smaller airfield, so they are not carrying full loads, but nevertheless, they have hampered (impeded actually) the already slow reorganization. I do not have enough there, at this moment, to merit another attack on the base. I will need reinforcements at Moresby to take the base.

I have made destroying USAAF assets a priority from the first day: from going after the B-17s at Cagayan and Clark Field to sweeps over Pearl and raids on the airfield at Pearl. (Getting those B-17s is actually the best way to defend Palembang). The idea is to keep his fighter pools at the margins, especially the P-40Es, for as long as possible. We all know the U.S. faces a fighter shortage for a few months in 1943. He is probably a little concerned about his U.S. fighter pools at this point, especially his P-40s, but there will be additional assets available for deployment soon, such as P-38s. He has done a good job of preserving British air assets and Australian, so he has some other units available at this point. The war is decided mostly in the air. Win the air war, and you win the game. This is true for any player for either side.

Feb. 27th

Betties find a couple of cargo ships attempting to remove supplies or maybe air units from Java. There are no assets (other than maybe supplies) aboard the ships.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Tjilatjap at 51,102

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Empire Hamble, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Halizones, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

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

Severe storms hamper air activities over Moresby, but Yamamota manages to launch his planes from the Kaga-Akagi group against Moresby despite the weather.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby Brigade, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 89

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

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

The ground strike is accompanied by the landing of a Japanese reinforcement regiment. The Japanese also land an SNLF and a naval construction battalion at Milne Bay.

The big guns continue to fire on Singapore, and the allied position there is softening substantially.

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

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7015 troops, 377 guns, 561 vehicles, Assault Value = 2252

Defending force 30880 troops, 422 guns, 259 vehicles, Assault Value = 368

Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Feb. 28th

With the Japanese position at Moresby reinforced, a night-time heavy CA bombardment of Moresby is followed up by an assault on the base supported by Nells from Rabaul and 90 Kates from the Akagi-Kaga group.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
DD Urakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Shiranui
DD Isokaze
DD Yukikaze

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 12
Port hits 13

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby Brigade, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
G3M2 Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 30th Australian Brigade, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
B5N2 Kate x 89

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Moresby falls. Banzai!

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10620 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 391

Defending force 5508 troops, 76 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Japanese adjusted assault: 385

Allied adjusted defense: 63

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2461 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 113 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 58 (44 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Assaulting units:
16th Infantry Regiment
80th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
4th Fleet
36th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
30th Australian Brigade
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force