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SITUATION REPORT: 11-30-43


SEAC:

All Allied planes within range of Songkhia are sent to bomb ground units inSongkhia:
Day Air attack on 43rd Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 14
Vengeance I x 50
Beaufighter VIC x 14
P-40N Warhawk x 42


Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1

And again:

Day Air attack on 43rd Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 14
Beaufighter VIC x 42
Beaufort V-IX x 7
P-40N Warhawk x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 39


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 3 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

And again:

Day Air attack on 43rd Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 20
Liberator VI x 107
B-25J Mitchell x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Liberator VI: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

And again:
Day Air attack on 46th Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 2
B-25J Mitchell x 18


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported



SEAC throws 126,000 troops, 2357 vehicles(largest Allied tank action of the war) and 977 guns against the 51,000 IJA defending Songkhia. The Allies suffer 1400 casualties vs 903 IJA and reduce fortifications to level 5.

Ground combat at Songkhia

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 126638 troops, 977 guns, 2357 vehicles

Defending force 50871 troops, 405 guns, 115 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5


Japanese ground losses:
903 casualties reported
Guns lost 44
Vehicles lost 12

Allied ground losses:
1423 casualties reported
Guns lost 63
Vehicles lost 21

SITUATION REPORT: 12-2-43


SEAC:

SEAC bombers continue to soften up Songkhia as the fighting rages on below:

Day Air attack on 43rd Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 11
Vengeance I x 48
Beaufighter VIC x 13
P-40N Warhawk x 41


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on 43rd Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 8
Liberator VI x 24
B-25J Mitchell x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on 46th Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 21
Liberator VI x 43
B-25J Mitchell x 28


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

In 3 days of continuous fighting at Songkhia both sides have suffered about 5000 casualties. The fortifications have now been reduced to level 3:

Ground combat at Songkhia

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 121045 troops, 808 guns, 2319 vehicles

Defending force 44736 troops, 271 guns, 81 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
1759 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 10

Allied ground losses:
1752 casualties reported
Guns lost 77
Vehicles lost 12



SWPAC:

Several days of bombing the airfields at Palau and Ulithi have left them totally suppressed. Targeting has now been changed over to prepare for the amphibious assaults. SWPAC Army Air Force (which now has greater bomb carrying capability than 8th Air Force in England) sends nearly 700 bombers against the 2 atolls.

Ulithi has only 2 units of which 1 is a combat unit....the 3rd South Seas Detachment. The targeting strategies have changed Woleia due to the ineffectiveness of the previous aerial bombardment. At Ulithi, SWPAC will only target the ground unit until the invasion...the bombardment TFs will be responsible for suppressing any CD guns on the atoll.

Day Air attack on 3rd South Seas Det. , at 55,67


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
B-25J Mitchell x 138


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on 3rd South Seas Det. , at 55,67


Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 107
B-24D Liberator x 25
B-24J Liberator x 65


Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
400 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Palau is a different story. Pre-war intelligence reports the existence of several well entrenced 8" CD guns so SWPAC will bombard Palau for a much longer period of time than Woleia was and will concentrate on port bombing at first to knock out the CD guns before suppressing the ground units:

Day Air attack on Palau , at 52,67


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 5
P-38J Lightning x 23
PB4Y Liberator x 9
B-24D Liberator x 21
B-24J Liberator x 122


Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

Day Air attack on Palau , at 52,67


Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 3
PB4Y Liberator x 65
B-24J Liberator x 66


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 7

SITUATION REPORT: 12-5-43



SWPAC:

SWPAC bombers continue to pound the ground units at Ulithi:

Day Air attack on 3rd South Seas Det. , at 55,67


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 95


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on 152nd IJA Base Force, at 55,67


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 40


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


SEAC:

RAF Bomber Command continues to support the ground offensive into Songkhia which has now lasted almost a week:

Day Air attack on 43rd Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 14
Vengeance I x 52
Beaufighter VIC x 14


Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 2 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on 43rd Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 16
Beaufighter VIC x 48
Beaufort V-IX x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 79


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
245 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Day Air attack on 43rd Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 14
Liberator VI x 28
B-25J Mitchell x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
173 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


Day Air attack on 46th Division, at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 13
Liberator VI x 48
B-25J Mitchell x 26


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
188 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

For the 6th day in a row the Allies conduct a deliberate assault on Songkhia and finally break through pushing the Japanese back to Alor Star.


Ground combat at Songkhia

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 108397 troops, 608 guns, 2276 vehicles

Defending force 38734 troops, 155 guns, 33 vehicles

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Songkhia base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
1484 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 8

Allied ground losses:
1085 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 12


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Finally I get to strike back with some hitting power.

This combat report is I think low on the losses. I believe the true count was 68 Allied planes destroyed on the ground. All I know is nothing flew from Bandou this turn

Naval bombardment of Bandou, at 25,41


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 10 destroyed
Vengeance I: 15 destroyed
Thunderbolt II: 4 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC: 4 destroyed
Boomerang II: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Kisaragi
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Kishinami
CL Kuma
CL Naka
CL Agano
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CA Atago
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
1023 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 3

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 111
Port supply hits 1

SITUATION REPORT: 12-8-43 INVASION OF ULITHI


The day started with a predawn bombardment by the BBs:

Naval bombardment of Ulithi, at 55,67

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA San Francisco
CA Astoria
CA Louisville
CA Northampton
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
BB Washington

Japanese ground losses:
559 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 50
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 13

This was followed by some minesweeping:

TF 1275 encounters mine field at Ulithi (55,67)

Allied Ships
MSW Courtenay
MSW Lockeport
MSW Ungava
MSW Lark
MSW Vigilance
MSW Motive
MSW Impeccable
MSW Herald
MSW Swallow
MSW Wollongong
MSW Wagga
MSW Strahan
MSW Lithgow

And

TF 1223 encounters mine field at Ulithi (55,67)

TF 1223 troops unloading over beach at Ulithi, 55,67


Allied Ships
DD Norman
DD Frazier, Mine hits 1, on fire
DD Van Galen

And then came the invasion:

TF 1292 encounters mine field at Ulithi (55,67)

TF 1292 troops unloading over beach at Ulithi, 55,67


Allied Ships
MSW Eland Dubois
MSW Wasaga
MSW Cairns
MSW Townsville
MSW Deloraine
MSW Tern
MSW Turkey
MSW Tumult
MSW Token
MSW Chief
MSW Pursuit
MSW Whyalla
MSW Lismore
MSW Launceton
MSW Gladstone
MSW Cootamundra
MSW Ararat
MSW Pirie
DMS Southard
DD Banckert
DD Barker
DD Bancroft
AP Tasker H. Bliss, Mine hits 1, on fire

Coastal Guns at Ulithi, 55,67, firing at TF 1292
73 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
DD Laffey, Shell hits 1
LCI LCI-448
DD Rapid
LST LST-459, Shell hits 2
DD Relentless
DD Duncan, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Welles
CL Raleigh

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
2262 casualties reported

TF 1292 encounters mine field at Ulithi (55,67)

TF 1292 troops unloading over beach at Ulithi, 55,67


Allied Ships
MSW Eland Dubois
MSW Wasaga
MSW Cairns
MSW Townsville
MSW Deloraine
MSW Tern
MSW Turkey
MSW Tumult
MSW Token
MSW Chief
MSW Pursuit
MSW Whyalla
MSW Lismore
MSW Launceton
MSW Gladstone
MSW Cootamundra
MSW Ararat
MSW Pirie
DMS Southard
DD Inconstant
DD Banckert
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Rotherham
DD Rapid
DD Barker
DD Duncan

Coastal Guns at Ulithi, 55,67, firing at TF 1292
31 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Laffey
DD Woodworth


Allied ground losses:
704 casualties reported

Overhead the sky was full of Allied bombers:

Day Air attack on 3rd South Seas Det. , at 55,67


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 69
TBM Avenger x 144


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Day Air attack on 3rd South Seas Det. , at 55,67


Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 6
TBM Avenger x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Day Air attack on 3rd South Seas Det. , at 55,67


Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 104
B-24D Liberator x 32
B-24J Liberator x 67


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
361 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

And then more BBs fired on the hapless atoll:

Naval bombardment of Ulithi, at 55,67

Allied Ships
CL Newcastle
CL Emerald
CL Java
CA Frobisher
CA Cornwall
CA Devonshire
CA Shropshire
BB Resolution
BB Royal Sovereign
BB Revenge
BB Valiant

Japanese ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 65
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 9


The Japanese defenders were so stunned by the display of firepower they could hardly fight back:

Ground combat at Ulithi

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 32803 troops, 391 guns, 124 vehicles

Defending force 2649 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1248 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ulithi base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
6623 casualties reported
Guns lost 24

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1

Ulithi was secured before the transports could unload all their troops and the Allies suffer much fewer casualties than at Woleai.

A return of the IJN bombardment forces to the Malay peninsula went much worse this time. Kongo blundered into one of my own mines and had to turn for home and repairs. The remaining force continued on with the bombardment, only to find the Allies have removed 3/4 of the troops from the area. And they aren't headed south. My view is they are moving around the bay to Bangkok in order to overwhelm the defenders there...

Allied air attack on the wounded Kongo beaten back and disrupted. No hits on the battleship and a few kills for IJN pilots.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-9-43


SEAC:

In a scene eerily reminiscient of December 1941(but the colors are reversed) the Allies mass in Songkhia while the Japanese desperately dig in at Alor Star.

The IJN attempts to bombard Songkhia but runs into one of their own Type 93 mines(I bet the mine was laid on the west coast but was struck on the east coast).

Naval bombardment of Songkhia, at 24,43

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Kishinami
CL Kuma
CL Naka
CL Agano
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CA Atago
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
BB Haruna


Allied ground losses:
406 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Poor weather grounds several hundred Allied naval bombers from striking the bombardment TF and the ones that get through are remarkable ineffectual.

Meanwhile, the Allied end run or "left hook" that crossed the river north of Krung Thep has reached the coast and invested Bangkok from the landward side. Conveniently. the Japanese defenders of Bangkok commit Hari Kari by counterattacking and lose 4000 troops to 4 Allied.


Ground combat at Bangkok

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 25664 troops, 182 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 54519 troops, 414 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
4116 casualties reported
Guns lost 50

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

3 SEAC Divisions are expected to cross the river into Bangkok from the NW tomorrow so ALL SEAC forces in Bangkok are ordered to shock attack.

12-11-43 ALLIES LIBERATE BANGKOK


SEAC unleashes a furious aerial bombarbment on Bangkok:

Day Air attack on 34th Heavy AA Battalion, at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Liberator VI x 27
B-25J Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Liberator VI: 7 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported

Day Air attack on 18th Hvy Field Artillery Regiment, at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 8
B-25J Mitchell x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Day Air attack on 29th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 20
Liberator VI x 46
B-25J Mitchell x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Liberator VI: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Day Air attack on 29th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8
Beaufighter VIC x 42
B-25J Mitchell x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Day Air attack on 29th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 22
Thunderbolt II x 38
Beaufighter VIC x 10
P-40N Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 2 destroyed
Thunderbolt II: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on 29th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 35
P-40N Warhawk x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Then nearly 100,000 SEAC troops lauch a deliberate attack on Bangkok and force the Japanese defenders to retreat to Krung Thep:

Ground combat at Bangkok

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 95636 troops, 854 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29365 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Bangkok base !!!


Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
1630 casualties reported
Guns lost 24

Allied ground losses:
507 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

35,000-40,000 IJA are now cut off in Krung Thep and the road is open to Saigon.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-19-43


80,000 SEAC troops are left behind at Krung Thep to reduce the pocket there. Another 50,000 troops led by most of the armor overrun the Japanese roadblock 60 mi SE of Bangkok causing over 1000 casualties and forcing the remnants back to Siemrem Reap.

SEAC forces now stand on the border of Indochina and have staged AC to forward bases at Bandou, Songkhia and Bangkok.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-21-43


SEAC:

Led by the Indian Armored Brigades, SEAC forces enter Siemrem Reap and are ordered to shock attack IJA defenders tomorrow.

Japanese Bombardment TF is spotted moving in for another bombardment run in the Gulf of Siam. All Allied bombers in range are put on alert for possible naval attacks.

Japanese Bombardment TF is spotted moving in for another bombardment run in the Gulf of Siam. All Allied bombers in range are put on alert for possible naval attacks.

Well, I thought I had a screenshot for you, because I wasn't aware that I was spotted. Let's just say that was a lot of bombers. I used up most of my flak and two squadrons staying afloat.

I'll be back!

As for the annoying retreat from Bangkok into a trap at Krung Thep... if the general survives he will be killed. He took most of my field army in Indochina with him into that hopeless pocket.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-22-43


SEAC:


Japanese Bombardment TF is hit by multiple airstrikes luanched from Victoria Point, Tavoy, Songkhia and Bandou:

Day Air attack on TF, near Soc Trang at 29,46

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 26
P-40N Warhawk x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 11 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Nagato
BB Haruna
CA Aoba

Day Air attack on TF, near Soc Trang at 29,46

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 24
P-40N Warhawk x 40
B-25J Mitchell x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 17 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 4 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Musashi
CA Furutaka
BB Yamato
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Atago
CL Naka, Bomb hits 1
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 1

Day Air attack on TF, near Soc Trang at 29,46

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CA Aoba
BB Nagato
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 1
CL Naka


BB Haruna is set on fire and single hits are scored on BB Musashi, CA Ashigara and CL Naka.

Allied armor shock attacks at Siemrem Reap but is unable to break through. SEAC will wait until more forces are brought up before ordering another attack.

Ground combat at Siemrem Reap

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 22058 troops, 65 guns, 1188 vehicles

Defending force 3894 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

WAR PLANS: CENTPAC.....WINTER 1943-44


Long dormant CENTPAC command has been relocated to Majuro to oversee mopping up operations in the Marshalls. The Allied supply route to support future operations in the Marianas, the Philippines and the Japanese home islands will pass through the Marshalls so all islands capable of supporting Japanese offensive air operations must be secured.

At a minimum, the Allies must capture Kwajalein, Maloelap and Wotje and then possibly Ponape. Kwajalein and Maloelap have been isolated and heavily bombed but recon shows 30,000+ troops on each atoll.

These amphibious operations will also provide experience for mainly untested troops who will assist in the Marianas invasion currently scheduled for Spring 1944. This will also be the 1st demonstration of the new US amphibious tank battalions.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-25-43


SWPAC:

The Royal Navy CVs sortie into the Java Sea and find an IJN mine warfare TF off Soerabaja:

Day Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 22,65


Allied aircraft
Hellcat II x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
Corsair IV x 2
Barracuda x 40
TBM Avenger x 8
Avenger II x 14


Allied aircraft losses
Barracuda: 5 damaged
Avenger II: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
ML Wakatake, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kitakami, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
ML Kyosai
ML Takashima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ukishima, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

The Japanese respond by sending in a 76 plane raid with land based AC:

Day Air attack on TF at 23,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
D3A Val x 21
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10
Ki-48 Lily x 21

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 18
Hellcat II x 46
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
Corsair IV x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 23 destroyed
D3A Val: 19 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 10 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 damaged
Hellcat II: 9 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Corsair IV: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Victorious
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 1
CL Birmingham
CV Formidable

A single Val scores a bomb hit on CV Illustrious.....thank goodness for armored flight decks....it will take a few gallons of paint to effect repairs.

The RN CVs deliver the coup de grace that afternoon:

Day Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 22,65


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2
Hellcat II x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
Corsair IV x 2
Barracuda x 48
TBM Avenger x 6
Avenger II x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Barracuda: 1 damaged
Avenger II: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
ML Wakatake, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ishizaki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
ML Ukishima, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kitakami, on fire, heavy damage
ML Takashima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

CL Kitakami and 3 MLs sink immediately.

Holy Crap Batman!!!! I assumed that you were on the west side of Java when I read your last post. You're right in the middle of the frying pan with those CV's.

Well, I guess if you want to raid, you need to go where his ships are. If you played it safer and stayed on the west side, you'd probably get spotted and his ships could flee easily.

Keep up the good AAR.

Bradley....thanks for your comments. I sent those CVs up the Java Sea both as a naval "reconnasaince in force" and I was hoping to catch the IJN bombardment TF in the Gulf of Siam.

Since I lost most of the old USN BBs in 1942 Ive been forced to use the RN BBs for my bombardment TFs in the central and south Pacific. The Japanese are taking advantage of the lack of Allied BBs in SE Asia by sending in their BBs to bombard my airfields and land units along the Gulf of Siam. Not having any BBs available to counter this threat but having a surplus of CVs I am sending the RN CVs to cover the SEAC advance. Not only do the torpedo bombers represent a mortal threat to IJN BBs but the CVs can cover amphibious "end around" invasions on the Malay peninsula in the future.

I was a little arrogant thinking the Hellcat II and Corsair IV CAP would fight off most Japanese naval attacks. One of the Japanese Vals got through my CAP and bounced a 250kg bomb off the armored flight deck of a CV so I thought it a bit safer to then re-route the CVs around the WEST side of Java before any Bettys showed up.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-28-43


SEAC:

SEAC bombers switch to counterair missions and attempt to take out the Japanese fighter base at Kompong Trach:

Day Air attack on Kompong Trach , at 29,44


Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 23


No Allied losses

Day Air attack on Kompong Trach , at 29,44

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 44
Beaufighter VIC x 12
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 16
P-40N Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 33

Day Air attack on Kompong Trach , at 29,44

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 19
B-25J Mitchell x 73

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 54

Day Air attack on Kompong Trach , at 29,44

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 15
Liberator VI x 83
P-40N Warhawk x 27
B-25J Mitchell x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 92

33 Japanese AC are destroyed on the ground and the airfield is now 60% neutralized.

SEAC troops now stand just outside Phnom Penh and are ordered to enter the city tomorrow.


SWPAC:

RN CVs leave the Soerabaja region after launching a final attack agaist the ships in port there:

Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2
Hellcat II x 3
Corsair IV x 2
Barracuda x 52
TBM Avenger x 8
Avenger II x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Barracuda: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Avenger II: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
ML Ishizaki, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wa 11, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported

Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1


CENTPAC: INVASION OF KWAJALEIN....D-DAY MINUS 1

The naval bombardment of Kwajalein continues for the 2nd day:

Naval bombardment of Kwajalein, at 79,79 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied Ships
CL Newcastle
CL Emerald
CL Java
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
CA Cornwall
CA Devonshire
CA Shropshire
BB Resolution
BB Royal Sovereign
BB Revenge
BB Valiant

Japanese ground losses:
1996 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24
Port hits 17
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 11

With the troops scheduled to hit the beaches tomorrow, Escort TF #1223 with CVEs to provide CAP and RADM Richmond Kelly Turner's V Amphibious Force, Amphib HQ aboard AGC Blue Ridge runs into a Japanese minefield off the coast of Kwajalein. CVE Sangamon strikes a Type 93 mine and is forced to retire from the battle due to topside fires and flooding below:

TF 1223 encounters mine field at Kwajalein (79,79)

TF 1223 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79


Allied Ships
DD Norman
CVE Sangamon, Mine hits 1

SITUATION REPORT: 12-29-43 CENTPAC: INVASION OF KWAJALEIN


The invasion of Kwajalein began with another pre-dawn bombarment:

Naval bombardment of Kwajalein, at 79,79

Allied Ships
CL Glasgow
CL Leander
CA Australia
CA Wichita
CA San Francisco
CA Astoria
CA Louisville
CA Northampton
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
BB Washington

Japanese ground losses:
3261 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 94
Port hits 18
Port supply hits 22

As the assault transports approached the beach, the tenacious defenders opened up with everthing they had left after nearly a year of starvation and aerial bombarbment:

TF 1292 encounters mine field at Kwajalein (79,79)

TF 1292 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79


Allied Ships
MSW Penguin
MSW Oriole
MSW Salute
MSW Sheldrake
MSW Dubbo
DD Pope
DD Paul Jones, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein, 79,79, firing at TF 1292
1708 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Caldwell
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 6
LCI LCI-335
DD Bailey
DD Warrington
LST LST-474
LST LST-467
DD Farenholt, Shell hits 1
LST LST-461
LST LST-458
DD Hughes, Shell hits 4
LST LST-344
LST LST-343, Shell hits 1
CL Raleigh
LST LST-121, Shell hits 2
DD Kennison, Shell hits 2
LST LST-74, Shell hits 2
LST LST-69
MSW Penguin, Shell hits 2
APD Herbert, Shell hits 7


Allied ground losses:
3465 casualties reported
Guns lost 22
Vehicles lost 7

TF 1292 encounters mine field at Kwajalein (79,79)

TF 1292 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79


Allied Ships
MSW Penguin
MSW Oriole
MSW Salute
MSW Sheldrake
MSW Dubbo
DD Kennison
DD Paul Jones, heavy damage
DD Farenholt, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein, 79,79, firing at TF 1292
400 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Herbert
DD Bailey
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 2
DD Caldwell
CL Raleigh
DD Warrington, Shell hits 2
DD Flusser


Allied ground losses:
1128 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


Meanwhile, CENTPAC bombers pummeled the atoll from above:

Day Air attack on 4th Division, at 79,79


Allied aircraft
Hellcat II x 6
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
Avenger II x 8


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Avenger II bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Avenger II bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Division, at 79,79


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
P-38J Lightning x 24
B-25J Mitchell x 101
PB4Y Liberator x 57
B-24J Liberator x 33


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Over 45,000 thousand assault troops made it ashore on the 1st day and casualties were heavy for both sides as dusk approached:

Ground combat at Kwajalein

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6377 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 48780 troops, 691 guns, 127 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
268 casualties reported
Guns lost 47


Ground combat at Kwajalein

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 45940 troops, 691 guns, 127 vehicles

Defending force 13775 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 56 to 1 (fort level 9)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kwajalein base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
1811 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1602 casualties reported
Guns lost 73
Vehicles lost 3

CENTPAC troops managed to capture the base but fighting still rages on. Additional assault troops will be landed all night and another shock attack is ordered for tomorrow.


DEI:

The RN CVs attack Japanese shipping at Palembang:

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55


Allied aircraft
Barracuda x 25


Allied aircraft losses
Barracuda: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Iwakuni Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
MSW Takasago Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Namba Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
MSW Wa 22, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

and also at Batavia:

Day Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 19,59


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2
Hellcat II x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
Corsair IV x 2
Barracuda x 18
TBM Avenger x 6
Avenger II x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Barracuda: 1 damaged
Avenger II: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hayabusa, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Hokutai Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

The end of '43 goes out with fireworks aplenty, including the Marianas Turkey Shoot, with a slight difference...

ORIGINAL: Belphegor

The end of '43 goes out with fireworks aplenty, including the Marianas Turkey Shoot, with a slight difference...

*snip*

OUCH!!!! .. how many did you lose?