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Well the picture below doesn't really require much additional commentary. Hilo is a Level 5 airbase with about 40,000 tons of supplies and a level 3, soon to be level 4, port. Hawaii has no fighters left and nothing but heavily damaged ships in port. The enemy AAA is visciously effective and downs a half-dozen bombers a day but the price is worth it as the Allies don't have unlimited supply.

Kodiak, the disaster that just keeps on giving. 130 AV of Allied troops behind Level 3 forts and mountainous terrain were just about doable for 2.5 divisions of Japanese troops BUT I didn't know about the winter landing rule which cost me many multiples of the casualties one would normally suffer. As a result I have to keep significant portions of KB in the area in order to prevent Allied reinforcements landing. Given time and sufficient supplies my troops on-land will be able to rebuild themselves and attack.

And I've saved the most interesting for last.

The key points to note here are that the Chinese guerilla regiments on the rail lines and paved roads have all been destroyed. The guerilla regiments on trails have been left as they are valuable as pilot training targets.

I gave up Ichang without a fight and Kaifeng with only a small fight as I felt that it would be just too suspicious to give up Kaifeng without any sort of struggle. I have over 2,000 AV available split between Chengting and Suchow. To be fair I thouht the enemy would follow my fleeing units to Chengtin but, instead, he has veered south and this has forced my to improvise a little. Still, my shallow and deep twin envelopments are ready and have been ordered into action. With any luck slightly over 15 Chinese units will be rendered combat ineffective by this gambit. My bombers are supporting this by resource-bombing Kaifeng and Honan so as to minimise the enemy ability to resupply his spearheads.

If the gambit fails Jutland13 will have split China in two with disastrous consequences. Still, in order to ensure the committment of the forces I wished to destroy a great prize had to be offered.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/01/42

Today's the day for beginning the division of Java into Java North and Java South. Essentially I'll be splitting the island at Madoien ( an inland base with a nicely sized airfield and a x3 defensive bonus). I'm only dropping in 150 AV worth of troops but I should be able to air transport in more by air if he tries to concentrate on and destroy my forces.

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Naval bombardment of Singkawang [Borneo], at 25,56

Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami
DD Sagiri
DD Asagiri
CL Isuzu
CA Kumano
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Chokai


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30
Port supply hits 4

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Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor [Oahu] , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 1
Ki-48-I Lily x 3
Ki-21-II Sally x 22

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 3 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 damaged

Runway hits 4

Far too few of my bombers are attacking Pearl Harbour. I'll leave it as is though as it will be an excellent opportunity for me to lure in some more fighters etc and destroy them in aerial combat. I'll begin transferring a Zero daitai there as soon as possible.

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I am also stepping up the bombing campaign in China to a new level with continuous ground attacks against selected enemy units and massed air raids against enemy ground troops prior to major ground offensives. Not only will this burn supply but it should also help to move my ground offensives along.

Day Air attack on ROC 9th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 64

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on ROC 52nd Field Army , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 21

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged


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Day Air attack on ROC 25th Field Army , at 51,38

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 3
D3A2 Val/Ki-52 x 73
B4Y1 Jean x 25
Ki-27 Nate x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val/Ki-52: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on ROC 64th Field Army , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 12
Ki-48-I Lily x 25

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on ROC 49th Field Army , at 51,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 168
Ki-48-I Lily x 56
Ki-21-II Sally x 25
Ki-49 Helen x 6

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

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Day Air attack on ROC 16th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 32

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on ROC 75th Guerilla Regiment, at 47,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 37

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 120

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on IA 15th Brigade, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 22
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on RAF No. 110 Base Force, at 24,47

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 24

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on TF, near Seward [Alaska] at 113,29

Well, an Allied surface combat TF has been found near Kodiak. I have stood down my Kates in an effort to lure the enemy CVs in. Hopefully the presence of only Vals in my strikes will convince the US to risk their carriers.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 54
D3A2 Val/Ki-52 x 51

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatfield, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chester, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD McCall

It looks to me like two CAs and a DD are doomed with the other CA and 2 or 3 more DDs in fairly good shape.

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Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby [NG] at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 7
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
Wirraway CA-1 x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Demodocus, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lycaon, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Neleus, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

The massacre over Port Moresby continues. So far the Zero chutai involved hasn't lost a single plane but has shot down almost 20 Wirraways. The Wirraway really is useless.

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Day Air attack on TF, near Seward [Alaska] at 113,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 32
D3A2 Val/Ki-52 x 28
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate x 6

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 3
P-43A Lancer x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chester, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Hmm, looks like not all my Kates were stood down. Still, nothing like the 100 available flew. I'll hang around for a few days mounting minimal raids in order to lure the Allies in. If they don't take the bait then I'll split KB and send the stronger half down to Fiji via Hawaii.

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Day Time Surface Combat at 98,78

Japanese Ships
CL Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Boise
DD Craven
DD Gridley
DD Maury, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Benham
DD Dunlap
DD Fanning
DD Balch

Agressive isn't he? A mid-ocean intercept with the Boise and 7 DDs within 6 hexes of Johnston Island. Very audacious.

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Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16325 troops, 274 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 496

Defending force 7795 troops, 112 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 340



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Ground combat at Pucheng [Cent China]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2860 troops, 3 guns, 171 vehicles, Assault Value = 86

Defending force 6544 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 174



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Ground combat at 51,41

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24002 troops, 390 guns, 263 vehicles, Assault Value = 596

Defending force 12491 troops, 249 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 616

Japanese max assault: 550 - adjusted assault: 154

Allied max defense: 488 - adjusted defense: 83

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
284 casualties reported
Guns lost 13

Allied ground losses:
406 casualties reported
Guns lost 15


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Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 27612 troops, 481 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 474

Defending force 22932 troops, 318 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 562


Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported


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Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23788 troops, 457 guns, 288 vehicles, Assault Value = 538

Defending force 17742 troops, 282 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 494


Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 7


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Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4576 troops, 85 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Defending force 8310 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 189


Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


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Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4709 troops, 188 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

Defending force 28665 troops, 305 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 534



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Ground combat at Madicen [Java]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 72 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

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

Japanese max assault: 4 - adjusted assault: 6

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Madicen [Java] base !!!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/02/42

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Naval bombardment of Suva [FIJI], at 83,117

Allied Ships
DD Porter
DD Drayton
DD Mahan
CA Astoria
CA Chicago
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

And Jutland13 seems intent on making the nightmare at Suva last even longer and worse.

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Day Air attack on Kaifeng [Cent China] , at 51,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 7
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 6
I-16 Type 24 x 9
LaGG-3 x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann: 1 destroyed

Resources hits 1

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Day Air attack on Changsha [S China] , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 26
Ki-36 Ida x 65
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-36 Ida: 3 damaged

Resources hits 15

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Day Air attack on Tsuyun [W China] , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 26
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

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Day Air attack on Nanning [S China] , at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 30
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

Resources hits 5

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Day Air attack on ROC 23rd Field Army , at 51,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 111
Ki-48-I Lily x 37
Ki-21-II Sally x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 4

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Day Air attack on ROC 52nd Field Army , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 23

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged


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Day Air attack on ROC 25th Field Army , at 51,38

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 3
D3A2 Val/Ki-52 x 73
B4Y1 Jean x 25
Ki-27 Nate x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val/Ki-52: 1 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
77 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on ROC 92nd Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 29

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on ROC 80th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 60

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

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Day Air attack on ROC 20th Field Army , at 51,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 61
Ki-48-I Lily x 15
Ki-21-II Sally x 5
Ki-49 Helen x 3

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

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Day Air attack on ROC 75th Guerilla Regiment, at 47,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 37

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
37 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 122

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

A total tally of 300+ Chinese ground casualties in a day. That'll burn through their supplies pretty quickly.

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Day Air attack on IA 12th Brigade, at 22,47

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 52
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 6
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

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Day Air attack on TF at 23,53

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 42

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PT KM # TM-13
PT KM # TM-12, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PT KM # TM-11
PT KM # TM-10

This pesky little PT group has been hanging around between northern Borneo and Singapore for some time now. It was obviously waiting for transports but since it was easy to route around them I didn't assign fighters to deal with them until two days ago. TM-12 pays the price and I'm sure the others will suffer similarly soon enough. Whatever transports I have in the area have sufficient escorts to protect them from what remains.

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Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur [MLA]

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83114 troops, 1043 guns, 1357 vehicles, Assault Value = 2225

Defending force 3104 troops, 62 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese max assault: 2227 - adjusted assault: 2317

Allied max defense: 64 - adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 331 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuala Lumpur [MLA] base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
5464 casualties reported
Guns lost 85
Vehicles lost 1

And with Kuala Lumpur's fall the last Allied base in Malaysia has fallen. The troops involved will move on to Singapore and begin loading in the third wave of transports bound for Ceylon/India.

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Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16358 troops, 276 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 494

Defending force 7850 troops, 116 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 340

Three Australian Brigades are involved in the defence of Noumea... That's a lot of troops who won't be available for the defence of New Zealand when the time comes.


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Ground combat at Pucheng [Cent China]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2884 troops, 3 guns, 172 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Defending force 6559 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 173



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Ground combat at 51,41

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23785 troops, 380 guns, 263 vehicles, Assault Value = 591

Defending force 11839 troops, 213 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 583

Japanese max assault: 597 - adjusted assault: 276

Allied max defense: 358 - adjusted defense: 41

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
753 casualties reported
Guns lost 22

Allied ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Guns lost 7


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

And the second push, this time backed up by heavy bomber raids, does the trick and pushes the Chinese back into Suchow. From there I will push them back to the area around Pucheng ( from which I've already removed all resource centres) and use them as training aids for the rest of the war.

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Ground combat at Hong Kong [UK]

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2028 troops, 41 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Defending force 9816 troops, 168 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 275

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese max assault: 19 - adjusted assault: 13

Allied max defense: 302 - adjusted defense: 1357

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

This was a little test attack by two of my engineer regiments. It looks like they were able to reduce the fortifications quite succesfully just by themselves. That's nice to know for when it comes time to batter down the defences at Karachi, Bombay and Manilla.

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Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 27727 troops, 486 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 482

Defending force 22885 troops, 322 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 559


Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


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Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23943 troops, 465 guns, 287 vehicles, Assault Value = 545

Defending force 17679 troops, 276 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 491


Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


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Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4663 troops, 87 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Defending force 8274 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 190


Japanese ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


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Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4709 troops, 189 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 129

Defending force 28998 troops, 312 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 538



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Ground combat at Kragen [Java]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 68 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

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

Japanese max assault: 4 - adjusted assault: 4

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kragen [Java] base !!!

More paras landed at Kragen since I can't unload at Madoien and thus need to capture a nice base from which I can move to Madoien.


Below you can see the forces which fell defending Kuala Lumpur.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/03/42

I have ordered my CVs to naval attack with a secondary mission of port attacking Port Seward ( where the American CAs and DDs are hiding out). Unfortunately they don't seem to be willing to fly... My CVs are mostly in the red in terms of their fuel. Could that have something to do with it? I have more than sufficient sorties to fly the raids.

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Night Time Surface Combat at 113,31

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Hiyo
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 8
DD McCall, Shell hits 1
DD Brooks
DD Gilmer, Shell hits 1
DD Hatfield, Shell hits 23, and is sunk

Hatfield . I wonder if there's a McCoy on the roster as well.

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Sub attack near Singapore [UK] at 22,51

Japanese Ships
AO Tsurumi

Allied Ships
SS O16

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Sub attack near Geelong [Australia] at 29,125

Japanese Ships
SS I-9

Allied Ships
AK Empire Lapwing, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

And my subs continue their excellent work. At the cost of one sub sunk and two more damaged they have sunk a couple of dozen of enemy vessels, including at least one CL. Not bad. I-2 is the stand-out of my force but I've noticed the other early I-Class boats are doing extremely well also.

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Sub attack at 146,55

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
AP Harris

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Day Air attack on Kaifeng [Cent China] , at 51,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 9
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 4

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 10
I-16 Type 24 x 8
LaGG-3 x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 4: 2 damaged
I-16 Type 24: 1 damaged
LaGG-3: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Resources hits 1

It would appear my Ki-32s managed to kill a LaGG-3. That's amusing. What will be less amusing for Jutland13 is that the Me-109 - the premier fighter/interceptor until mid-43 - has entered series production. I really am putting high hopes in this plane, particularly given the excellent performance of the I-16 Type 24 and Yak-1, both of which have superior manoeuvrability to the A6M2.

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Day Air attack on Kaifeng [Cent China] , at 51,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 26
Ki-36 Ida x 85

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 2
I-16 Type 24 x 3
LaGG-3 x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 4: 9 destroyed
I-16 Type 24: 3 destroyed
LaGG-3: 2 damaged

Resources hits 24

Interestingly enough the Nates are capable of holding the line against the I-16 Type 24 when flown by inexperienced Chinese pilots. When facing trained Soviet pilots the Nates die in droves.

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Day Air attack on Changsha [S China] , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 35
Ki-51 Sonia x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 damaged

Resources hits 25

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Day Air attack on Nanning [S China] , at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 29
Ki-48-I Lily x 21
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 3

No Japanese losses

Resources hits 16

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Day Air attack on Manila/Cavite [PH] , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 229
Ki-48-I Lily x 66
Ki-21-II Sally x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-48-I Lily: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
TK Alfred Clegg, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 24
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 9

I just decided to vary things up a little as regards the Phillipines. There are still quite a few Allied merchant vessels hanging around and I thought I'd just remind Jutland13 that he needs to be careful of them.

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Day Air attack on Port Moresby [NG] , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 10

Allied aircraft
Wirraway CA-1 x 37

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 9 destroyed

The independent Chutai flying out of Rabaul continues to take its toll of the Wirraways. I don't know how long Jutland can continue taking these losses. Obviously, since it is over his base many of his pilots will bail out and survive but he is still going to lose some of them.

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Day Air attack on Darwin [Australia] , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 40

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 15
Brewster 339D/F2A x 11
CW-21B Demon x 4
Hawk 75/P-36 x 3
Wirraway CA-1 x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed
Brewster 339D/F2A: 10 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
Hawk 75/P-36: 2 destroyed
Wirraway CA-1: 1 destroyed

And another little probe just to see what is there. The Zeroes again manage to do their thing. There's no need to push it now but it is nice to know that when the time comes to push my invasion of Northern Australia that I will be able to destroy the Allied fighters which will have the job of allowing the bombers to get through to my CVLs and CVEs.

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Day Air attack on ROC 91st Field Army , at 48,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 9

No Japanese losses

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Day Air attack on ROC 25th Field Army , at 51,38

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 3
D3A2 Val/Ki-52 x 72
B4Y1 Jean x 25
Ki-27 Nate x 80

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

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Day Air attack on ROC 49th Guerilla Regiment, at 45,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 24

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 123

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on ISF 2nd Base Force, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 11
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 3 damaged

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Day Air attack on IA 6th Brigade, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 15
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Day Air attack on TF at 114,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 76

Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 9
B-25C/D Mitchell x 3
B-26A Marauder x 8
P-36A Mohawk x 12
P-43A Lancer x 28
Blenheim IV x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A/B-23 Bolo: 4 destroyed
B-25C/D Mitchell: 1 destroyed
B-26A Marauder: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 7 destroyed
P-43A Lancer: 21 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Hiyo
CV Kaga

8 bombers push through my CAP to attack my CVs but, fortunately, score no hits. It is nice to see bombers with poor escorts managing to get some leakers through CAP though as this bodes well for 1944 games.

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Day Air attack on TF at 111,34

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25C/D Mitchell x 2
B-26A Marauder x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26A Marauder: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima

The bomber attacks on my BBs are now suffering far fewer losses as my ships begin to run out of FlAK. My BB TF has no more than 16% FlAK left. Soon it will have to go for replenishment.

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Day Air attack on TF, near Kodiak [Alaska] at 111,33

Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Aikoku Maru

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Day Air attack on TF, near Singkep [NEI] at 22,53

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 42

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PT KM # TM-11, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT KM # TM-10
PT KM # TM-13, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Two more PTs bite the dust... Not a bad performance from the Nate given that it isn't a cannon-armed aircraft.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 110,34

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25C/D Mitchell x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Daaban Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 111,34

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 2

Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A/B-23 Bolo: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Hilo [Hawaii] at 116,74

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 1
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E/F Fortress x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E/F Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

These bombers are flying out of Midway. I anticipate the landing of the 19th Division at Midway in the next week to aid in the elimination of such pinprick raids.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Hilo [Hawaii] at 116,74

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 1
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E/F Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E/F Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 17,59

Japanese Ships
SS I-157

Allied Ships
AD Anking, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Excellent, another specialty class ship bites the dust.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16383 troops, 277 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 495

Defending force 7896 troops, 120 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 342


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

By the end of the month I should be able to mass about 900 AV here and will, then, attack.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 27772 troops, 489 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 487

Defending force 22877 troops, 320 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 560


Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24121 troops, 469 guns, 290 vehicles, Assault Value = 553

Defending force 17700 troops, 273 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 492


Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4683 troops, 87 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Defending force 8316 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 191


Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4736 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 131

Defending force 29316 troops, 317 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 542

In a few days time I'll launch a Shock Attack here. I doubt I'll get a 2:1 but I'm hoping for a bare 1:1 and fort level reduction. Over time I will then be able to attrit the defenders and take the base. With that done a paratroop unit will be brought in while my troops recuperate and prepare for the capture of Alaska.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Soerabaja [Java]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 52 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Defending force 19829 troops, 226 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 396

Japanese max assault: 4 - adjusted assault: 0

Allied max defense: 433 - adjusted defense: 505

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Just dropping some paratroopers onto Soerabaja to see what's there. 400 AV, less than is at Batavia and completely insufficient to counter-attack the 150 AV which will soon be ensconsed in the woods at Madoien.


In other news, three divisions of Japanese troops have finished embarking for the invasion of Ceylon. I've already made my maskirovka, reconned all the bases under cover of my maskirovka and have done my initial attrition of the enemy capability to intervene. Now, true to Soviet doctrine the damoclean sword will drop. Nothing subtle or ueber-manoeuvrist. Just a straight in assault on the beaches followed by rapid shock attacks on the bases. Where I go from then? Well, that's the question Jutland will be asking himself [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/04/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Francisco [CAL] at 142,49

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

Allied Ships
AP Crescent City, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

I-2 does it again. Seriously, what's the Japanese equivalent of the CMOH ? This sub's skipper is getting it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 25,55

Japanese Ships
AK Uyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXV

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Takao [Formosa] , at 47,45

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
SB-2M x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann: 11 destroyed
Ki-48-I Lily: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2M: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

Ah, the Soviets are getting more and more frisky. It looks to me like they've flown a couple of squadrons into China to help them out. I explicitly stated that "volunteer" Soviet airgroups in China would not result in a state of war so Jutland, I'm sure, felt free to do this with minimal risk of serious retaliation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kaifeng [Cent China] , at 51,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 26
Ki-36 Ida x 80

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 5
I-16 Type 24 x 7
LaGG-3 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 4: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
I-16 Type 24: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
LaGG-3: 2 damaged

Resources hits 31

More bombing of Kaifeng. Note how well the Nates do when pitted against poor-quality pilots flying the excellent I-16 Type 24.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nanning [S China] , at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 30
Ki-48-I Lily x 23
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 3

No Japanese losses

Resources hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby [NG] , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 12

Allied aircraft
Wirraway CA-1 x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor [Oahu] , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 1
Ki-48-I Lily x 17
Ki-21-II Sally x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
P-36A Mohawk x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AR Rigel, Bomb hits 1
DMS Zane, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 21
Port hits 2

Just varying things up a little, plus I wanted to see if the California was still in harbour.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Vladivostok [AMUR] , at 65,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 48
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 24 x 103
Yak-1 x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 24: 22 destroyed
Yak-1: 5 destroyed

It is obvious that Japan and the Soviet Union are going to be at war sooner rather than later and it is high time to see how the A6M2 fares against the best Soviet fighters. As I feared it doesn't fare nearly well enough. It will not be possible to subdue the Soviets with A6M2s. I will have to be defensive until such time as I can field the Me-109 in significant numbers. It isn't a choice I'm happy to make as there is just far too much to defend but it seems like the only choice available to me at this time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 91st Field Army , at 48,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 32
Ki-51 Sonia x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 91st Field Army , at 48,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 23

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 25th Field Army , at 51,38

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 3
D3A2 Val/Ki-52 x 97
B4Y1 Jean x 34
Ki-27 Nate x 108

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 80th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 27

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 16th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 90

No Japanese losses


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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 49th Guerilla Regiment, at 45,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 27

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 75th Guerilla Regiment, at 47,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 37

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 106

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 28th Brigade, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 21
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Hilo [Hawaii] at 116,74

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 1
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E/F Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kongo Maru, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 110,34


Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 1
B-25C/D Mitchell x 2
B-26A Marauder x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C/D Mitchell: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin [Australia] , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 33

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 6
Brewster 339D/F2A x 7
CW-21B Demon x 3
Hawk 75/P-36 x 2
Wirraway CA-1 x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
Brewster 339D/F2A: 5 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Hawk 75/P-36: 2 destroyed
Wirraway CA-1: 1 destroyed

Another nice sweep of Darwin. 1 Zero lost in return for 13 Allied planes. Quite acceptable

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 111,34

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4

Allied aircraft
B-26A Marauder x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26A Marauder: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Singapore [UK] at 22,51

Japanese Ships
AO Tsukushi Maru

Allied Ships
SS O16


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16425 troops, 279 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 535

Defending force 7866 troops, 120 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 340



Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 48,39

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 18821 troops, 263 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 519

Defending force 9761 troops, 160 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 502



Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 27733 troops, 491 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 491

Defending force 22886 troops, 320 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 561


Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24187 troops, 472 guns, 291 vehicles, Assault Value = 556

Defending force 17670 troops, 273 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 491


Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4761 troops, 90 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Defending force 8352 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 193


Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4748 troops, 189 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Defending force 29646 troops, 324 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 549


Tomorrow I'll begin the attack on Kodiak. I've landed 10,000 tons of supply under cover of KB and my battleline and my troops there have recovered their disruption and fatigue to a level commensurate with taking the offensive. Most of the units involved are at under 50% effectiveness so any losses suffered will be eliminations and not disablements but time is beginning to be an issue and four weeks after landing is a more than sufficient wait. Still the key with ground attacks ( and this cannot be stressed enough... especially given the ruinous and wasteful nature in which I see ground offensives being conducted in many other AARs) is NOT to attack quickly and then win through after prolonged ground combat. The key is to gather your strength, recover disruption and then Shock Attack such that the base falls in 1 or at most 2 days. If this means enduring a couple of weeks of enemy bombardments and friendly losses with no reply then that's fine. Japan attacks in order to gain the means of production required to produce the weapons it requires for the defensive battles in 1943 and 44. As such attacking in a manner which ensures damage of resources ( any attacks which don't achieve at least 1:1 odds) is the acme of self-defeating behaviour.

Watch the shock attacks when attacking oil/resource/industry bases, I remember reading somewhere that they increase the level of damage when the base falls.
 
 

bbbf,
 
Actually that's where I have found them most useful. I used to bother bringing engineers along etc but a few games ago began just leaving the engineers at home in order to concentrate on bringing more AV.
 
I've captured Palembang, Kuching, Toboali and Kendari with no damage by vastly overmatching the enemy in terms of AV and ensuring they fall in 1 ( or at most 2) Shock Attacks with NO attack resulting in a 0:1 odds rate. I think the most engineers I ever had present was 30 engineers at Kendari because I was planning on expanding the air base there.

This has led me to conclude that if players just land more AV instead of the engineers ( and each construction Bn brought represents an opportunity cost of some 40 to 50 AV ) they can Shock Attack and take the base with less damage than with the alternate ( lower AV, higher engineer numbers) modus operandi.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/05/42

The 5th of January, a day that will live in infamy due to the Soviet Union's surprise attack on the great metropolis of Tokyo. Almost 200 bombers flew into the attack in the early hours of the morning of the 5th of January 1942 and attacked the shipping gathered in the harbour.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 42 encounters mine field at Singapore [UK] (22,51)

Japanese Ships
DD Matsukaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Los Angeles [CAL] at 146,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
AP President Adams, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Those early I boats continue their reign of terror off the coast of the Continental United States.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tokyo [Honshu] , at 66,43

193 Soviet bombers screamed over Tokyo Harbour at only 1000 feet. I think the low altitude kept them safe from the 100+ fighters I had kept on CAP. Unfortunately for them I have roughly 1000 FlAK guns at Tokyo harbour as I was expecting just such an attack and managed to down over 80 bombers with almost another 20 succumbing on the way home. Essentially half of the raid was downed. The results weren't too bad with only 35 ships being hit, only two being left with system damage in the 90s and none being sufficiently damaged that they will sink. So, while a number of ships will be in port for some time ( up to 3 months in some cases ) none are going to sink.

Allied aircraft
IL-4C/DB-3F x 9
SB-2M x 184


Allied aircraft losses
IL-4C/DB-3F: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
SB-2M: 78 destroyed, 28 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Kosei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ML Kurokami, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Showa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Biwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Ronsan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AR Akashi, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AP Kogane Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kizan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ML Nasami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AR Yusho Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Siraha Maru, Bomb hits 1
ML Tsurushima, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AE Kashino, Bomb hits 1
ML Naryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minekaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APD Patrol Boat No. 32, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
ML Saishu, Bomb hits 1
AP Yoshinogawa Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Naniwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Thames Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Raizan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yamakuni Maru, Bomb hits 1
APD Patrol Boat No. 34, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Shinai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yosyu Maru, Bomb hits 1
ML Kyosai, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Eihuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sawakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Nichibi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Konzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Mayati Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Toyokawa Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Alaska Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Kuretake Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 17

Without any sinkings to his name for this attack he is going to be back tomorrow. I'm leaving my CAP unchanged as he will, undoubtedly, come back at a higher altitude to minimise FlAK effects and this will allow my CAP to intercept.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kaifeng [Cent China] , at 51,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 6
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 3

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 5
I-16 Type 24 x 6
LaGG-3 x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
LaGG-3: 1 damaged

Resources hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha [S China] , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 30
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-36 Ida x 58
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 4

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-36 Ida: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 4: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 25

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Honan [Cent China] , at 49,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 31

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nanning [S China] , at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 30
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

Resources hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby [NG] , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 10

Allied aircraft
Wirraway CA-1 x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 4 destroyed

The results over Port Moresby are beginning to fall as some of the Wirraways appear to be being withdrawn. Good, no point letting trained pilots die for nothing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 91st Field Army , at 48,39

Note the especially focussed bombing in China today. This is occurring in support of a Japanese counter-offensive around Nanchang where a couple of Chinese armies have attacked in advance of the main body.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 166
Ki-49 Helen x 9

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 100th Field Army , at 48,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 13

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 84th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 35

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 5th Field Artillery Regiment, at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 68

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 49th Guerilla Regiment, at 45,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 27

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 72

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 111,34

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4

Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 5
B-26A Marauder x 4
Blenheim IV x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A/B-23 Bolo: 2 damaged
B-26A Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
BB Yamato

More paint-scratching.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore [UK] at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 37

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PT KM # TM-10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 111,34

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AO Naruto


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Hilo [Hawaii] at 116,74

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 1
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 1

Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 7
B-25C/D Mitchell x 3
TBD Devastator x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A/B-23 Bolo: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25C/D Mitchell: 3 damaged
TBD Devastator: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro

The BBs are proving a real death-trap for any single-engined attackers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Singapore [UK] at 22,51

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CL Sendai
DD Isonami
DD Shirayuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
PT KM # TM-10, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Brave but pointless.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16433 troops, 279 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 591

Defending force 7841 troops, 119 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 339



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 48,39

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 18913 troops, 263 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 522

Defending force 9662 troops, 152 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 497



Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanchang [C China]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 29361 troops, 443 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 715

Defending force 14072 troops, 191 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 816

Japanese max assault: 1550 - adjusted assault: 645

Allied max defense: 833 - adjusted defense: 183

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
803 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Allied ground losses:
1081 casualties reported
Guns lost 44
Vehicles lost 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Excellent, that's two armies wrecked for a fortnight and unable to intervene in my ongoing pocketing of twenty Chinese units around Kaifeng.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong [UK]

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3780 troops, 78 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 9859 troops, 170 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 276

Japanese max assault: 36 - adjusted assault: 9

Allied max defense: 303 - adjusted defense: 553

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The engineers have a bad die roll today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 28049 troops, 497 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 495

Defending force 23036 troops, 319 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 565


Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24285 troops, 478 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 558

Defending force 17730 troops, 277 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 491


Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4783 troops, 91 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Defending force 8317 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 192



Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4755 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Defending force 30063 troops, 331 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 555


Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported


So, the Soviet Union has attacked Tokyo and created a state of war with Japan. Japan is now at war with everything on the map. Still, this won't change my overall plan of removing India from the war and then taking care of China, Northern Oz, the rest of the Pacific and Alaska. Once that's done I'll take care of the Soviet Union and settle in for the long, hard defensive battles to come. I fully expect to be succesful, the only real question being whether I can hold the Soviets off while trying for Northern Oz and Alaska or whether I have to go for the Soviets first and only go for Northern Oz later.

Obviously Jutland believes my worst nightmare is the thought of the Allies basing all their twin and four-engined bombers out of the Soviet Union. As such it is something I expect to see within the fortnight. It will hurt but when it happens I have the forces to riposte appropriately and remove the threat within a fortnight. Strangely Jutland seems to not believe this even though I've said this to him and even though he should know from reading AARs of previous games that I don't really see the need to engage in verbal games about such issues and am open about such force correlations in the interests of balance.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/06/42

As per my policy today is a day for delivering ripostes to offset the psychological impetus the attack on Tokyo will have given Jutland. Kodiak Island is chosen as the area in which the most immediate riposte can be given.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kodiak [Alaska], at 111,33 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Fumizuki
DD Ushio
DD Akebono
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
219 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 1

Battleline softening up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 8,3

Japanese Ships
SS I-3, hits 6

Allied Ships
TK Harpa
TK Empire Diplomat
TK Athelstane
PC Parvati
PC Netravati

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 82,118

Japanese Ships
SS I-7, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Porter
DD Drayton
DD Mahan

Hmm, not the best of days for the submarine force but nothing sank.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tokyo [Honshu] , at 66,43

And they are back. As expected though their morale is completely insufficient to the task at hand. Give them another few days to recover though and Jutland will definitely try again. By then 60 Me-109s will be available and the cost will prove excruciatingly high.

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 59
Ki-27 Nate x 20
Me-109E-4 Mike x 3

Allied aircraft
IL-4C/DB-3F x 6
SB-2M x 70

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 damaged
Me-109E-4 Mike: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4C/DB-3F: 1 destroyed
SB-2M: 7 destroyed, 23 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Yubari Maru, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SB-2M bombing at 1000 feet

The altitude was the only unexpected thing about today's raid. The bombers came in at 1,000 feet again. Jutland really is ruthless and willing to spend his men's lives for advantage quite freely once he feels certain he can gain the advantage he seeks. He reminds me a lot of myself in that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kaifeng [Cent China] , at 51,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 7
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 6
I-16 Type 24 x 5
LaGG-3 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 4: 1 damaged
I-16 Type 24: 1 damaged

Resources hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Honan [Cent China] , at 49,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 30

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby [NG] , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 9

Allied aircraft
Wirraway CA-1 x 17
I-16 Type 24 x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 3 destroyed

LOL! I-16 Type 24s are now showing up over Port Moresby. I bet you don't see that in too many games . These fighters are absolutely lethal and far better than any other early-war Allied fighter other than, perhaps, the P-40 Es ( experience being equal).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor [Oahu] , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 12
Ki-48-I Lily x 25
Ki-21-II Sally x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
P-36A Mohawk x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
R4D-5 Skytrain: 1 destroyed
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed
B-25C/D Mitchell: 2 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed
TBD Devastator: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 40

More air raids over PH with the intention of preventing its full re-opening as a bomber base.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 9th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 75

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 100th Field Army , at 48,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 72

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 100th Field Army , at 48,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 22

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 49th Guerilla Regiment, at 45,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 27

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 112,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 84

Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A/B-23 Bolo: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kodiak [Alaska] at 111,33

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4

Allied aircraft
B-26A Marauder x 2
Blenheim IV x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
BB Kirishima

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Hilo [Hawaii] at 116,74

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 1
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 27400 troops, 331 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 555

Defending force 5409 troops, 196 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Japanese max assault: 1020 - adjusted assault: 476

Allied max defense: 98 - adjusted defense: 268

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
776 casualties reported
Guns lost 17

Allied ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 2

While I've lost three times as much as the Allies this really doesn't tell the whole story:
1. I've reduced the fort level.
2. I've removed 22 squads ( roughly) from the US order of battle so their max defence should fall from about 98 to 75.
3. A 1:1 battle results in 1 of the LCUs from each side receiving very high disruption and the others roughly 20 to 30% disruption. So let us assume one of the remaining US LCUs suffers 66% disruption and the 2nd 33%. This should drop the remaining AV from 75 to 37.

Multiply this by 3 for the mountainous terrain and you end up with an adjusted AV on the order of 111. With the Japanese capable of mustering 400+ AV tomorrow a solid 3 or 4:1 should be achieved, more than sufficient to secure the base and force surrender of the Allies. So, tomorrow the Shock Attack goes in again with the expectation that the odds will be somewhere between 3 and 5 to 1 depending on just how much disruption and disablement tomorrow's bombardments cause.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16458 troops, 280 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 590

Defending force 7859 troops, 121 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 340



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 48,39

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 18998 troops, 264 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 526

Defending force 9576 troops, 146 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 492

Japanese max assault: 994 - adjusted assault: 800

Allied max defense: 318 - adjusted defense: 31

Japanese assault odds: 25 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
832 casualties reported
Guns lost 18

Allied ground losses:
345 casualties reported
Guns lost 17


Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Another Chinese unit got ahead of itself and was, gratefully, pushed back.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong [UK]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 320 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35

Defending force 9856 troops, 171 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 277


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singora [Thailand]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 620 troops, 34 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 551

Defending force 14750 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 437



Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 28250 troops, 503 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 504

Defending force 23615 troops, 353 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 570


Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24369 troops, 481 guns, 297 vehicles, Assault Value = 558

Defending force 17729 troops, 276 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 491


Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4795 troops, 91 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Defending force 8351 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 193



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4418 troops, 171 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 118

Defending force 28865 troops, 314 guns, 63 vehicles, Assault Value = 517

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/07/42

Another day, another Shock Attack on Kodiak.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,47

Japanese Ships
AO Tsukushi Maru

Allied Ships
SS O20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Liuchow [S China] , at 41,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 23
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nanning [S China] , at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 30
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed

Resources hits 18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor [Oahu] , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 1
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 12
Ki-48-I Lily x 21
Ki-21-II Sally x 38

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
P-36A Mohawk x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty: 2 damaged
Ki-48-I Lily: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed
TBD Devastator: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
B-18A/B-23 Bolo: 1 destroyed
R4D-5 Skytrain: 2 destroyed
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 88

In order to achieve better results over Pearl Harbour I have been forced to begin sending my army bombers in at 6,000 feet with the Bettys going in at 11,000. Unfortunately the loss of 5 or 6 bombers per day is crippling as I simply cannot replace that number of pilots on an ongoing basis. Once I bring a Zero daitai into range I should be able to provide escorts sufficient to protect both my bombers and Hilo and begin going in at a height more conducive to long-term survival.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kodiak [Alaska] , at 111,33

Japanese aircraft
C3N1 Kate x 1

No Japanese losses

Recon for KB's ground attacks to follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 33rd Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 78

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 91st Field Army , at 48,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 96
Ki-51 Sonia x 81

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 91st Field Army , at 48,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 160
Ki-48-I Lily x 51
Ki-49 Helen x 9

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 84th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 32

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 49th Guerilla Regiment, at 45,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 27

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 28th Brigade, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 19
Ki-21-II Sally x 6
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

Purely training missions going in at very high altitudes to ensure minimal losses.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 37th US Army Regiment, at 111,33

Japanese aircraft
C3N1 Kate x 1
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate x 8

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on US Army 201st Regiment, at 111,33

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1-C Judy x 3
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 4
C3N1 Kate x 1
D3A2 Val/Ki-52 x 83
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate x 79

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val/Ki-52: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

This is the most important raid of the day. With any luck the US 201st Regiment is going to be sufficiently damaged that the ground attack can succeed. In the past I wasn't convinced about the utility of CAS missions prior to launching a ground offensive. Over time though I've come to realise that while ground attack air missions have very little utility when directed against large stacks of ground units ( such as are common in China) they have great utility when directed against stacks of enemy ground units containing 3 or fewer major combat formations. Kodiak contains two regiments of US troops ( and a tiny portion of a third which Jutland13 tried to fly in before I LRCAPPED the place and shot down a lot of his flying boats) and, as such, it is very vulnerable to these CAS missions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kodiak [Alaska] at 111,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 9
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4

Allied aircraft
B-26A Marauder x 2
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson IV x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IV: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Chikuma

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Hilo [Hawaii] at 116,74

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 1
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 1

Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Ise

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Like a wounded pitbull they still keep coming.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Honan [Cent China] , at 49,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 27

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kodiak [Alaska] at 111,33

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Yuri Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 94,63


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 6
B-17E/F Fortress x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hakusan Maru
DE Wakatake
AP Hanakawa Maru
AP Hakuyo Maru

And the enemy launches his first attack on the Midway invasion force.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 110,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 82

Allied aircraft
Hudson IV x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IV: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 26554 troops, 305 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 525

Defending force 4949 troops, 169 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 116

Japanese max assault: 880 - adjusted assault: 524

Allied max defense: 80 - adjusted defense: 109

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kodiak [Alaska] base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
603 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
6885 casualties reported
Guns lost 93

Kodiak falls with all 250 of its resource centres intact. This is going to be developed into a major bomber base and in a couple of months, after my divisions recuperate, I'm going to launch the invasion of Alaska. It'll be interesting to see how America fares in the face of a strategic bombing campaign in the early portion of 1943.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16563 troops, 282 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 592

Defending force 7899 troops, 122 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 342



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong [UK]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 312 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Defending force 9850 troops, 170 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 277

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singora [Thailand]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 620 troops, 34 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 549

Defending force 14871 troops, 201 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 442


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 28409 troops, 506 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 513

Defending force 24416 troops, 359 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 571


Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24406 troops, 487 guns, 297 vehicles, Assault Value = 556

Defending force 17739 troops, 273 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 492


Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pucheng [Cent China]

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3561 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 180

Defending force 2868 troops, 3 guns, 172 vehicles, Assault Value = 85

Allied max assault: 350 - adjusted assault: 8

Japanese max defense: 84 - adjusted defense: 46

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
392 casualties reported
Guns lost 9


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singora [Thailand]

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 13939 troops, 201 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 441

Defending force 21661 troops, 284 guns, 99 vehicles, Assault Value = 549

Allied max assault: 778 - adjusted assault: 224

Japanese max defense: 565 - adjusted defense: 1239

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)


Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
1365 casualties reported
Guns lost 14


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4827 troops, 91 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Defending force 8386 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 193


Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Naga/Pili/Daet [PH]

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2882 troops, 16 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 152

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

Allied max assault: 326 - adjusted assault: 310

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 310 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Naga/Pili/Daet [PH] base !!!

Naga changed hands a while back. I had no troops nearby and have no idea how it fell into my hands so its loss isn't really something to concern me.

I have a couple questions:

1. Why attack in No Pac? I can see taking a base or 4 (up to maybe Attu/Adak) for defensive purposes, but doesn't any further offensive just weaken your attack towards Hawaii?

2. I'd wager that either the Home Islands and/or Manchukuo are low on ground forces now. A threat against the former seems unlikely, but what about the latter? Do you have a contingency plan for that?

Interesting read, BTW.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/08/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Los Angeles [CAL] at 146,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
AK Hoegh Merchant, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Must not comment on how well my subs are doing, especially the low-numbered I class boats. [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 84th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 77

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 80th Field Army , at 51,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 34

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported

These bombing raids are directed at units in the Kaifeng pocket as I'm trying to slow their reaction to my manoeuvres. I've got slightly over 10 divisions involved in pocketting them and expect them to try to break out towards Honan - I have 5 divisions dedicated to preventing such a break-out but only 3 divisions are there at present and I don't think that will be enough to hold out against 15+ Chinese armies. I will post a screenshot after the next turn showing the dispositions in China.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 49th Guerilla Regiment, at 45,41

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 12
Ki-48-I Lily x 18

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 140

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Midway Island [USA] at 97,63


Allied aircraft
B-17E/F Fortress x 11
B-25C/D Mitchell x 2


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E/F Fortress: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Eiko Maru
DE Wakatake
AP Saipan Maru
AP Haaburu Maru

Despite coming in at 1,000 feet the enemy bombers fail to achieve any hits. I'm quite concerned that the surface strike group centred on the US CL Boise will intervene so I'm eager to stay put, tough out the inevitable losses to CD guns and aerial attack and get away before the enemy surface groups can intervene.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Midway Island [USA] at 97,63


Allied aircraft
B-17E/F Fortress x 7
B-25C/D Mitchell x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Chinko Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Hakusan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Hanakawa Maru
AP Chowa Maru

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported

The first succesful aerial attacks at Midway.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Midway Island [USA], 97,63, firing at TF 62
TF 62 troops unloading over beach at Midway Island [USA], 97,63


353 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 2
AP Haaburu Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
DE Wakatake, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16532 troops, 282 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 592

Defending force 7956 troops, 122 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 345



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong [UK]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 328 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Defending force 9875 troops, 171 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 278


Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singora [Thailand]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 613 troops, 33 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 825

Defending force 12727 troops, 151 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 279



Allied ground losses:
3 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 116,75

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3219 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95

Defending force 642 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2



Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 28562 troops, 508 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 525

Defending force 24506 troops, 358 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 574


Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24462 troops, 490 guns, 296 vehicles, Assault Value = 562

Defending force 17822 troops, 274 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 494


Japanese ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4861 troops, 92 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Defending force 8414 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 194


Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway Island [USA]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1793 troops, 77 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Defending force 3082 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 169


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway Island [USA]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3082 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 169

Defending force 2627 troops, 88 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Japanese max assault: 180 - adjusted assault: 29

Allied max defense: 34 - adjusted defense: 41

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)


Japanese ground losses:
458 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Once the entire division lands ( 2 more days ) and rests to recover disruption and fatigue Midway will fall easily enough. With a bit of time for rest and recuperation I'll have 3.5 divisions ready to go to clear up the rest of the Pacific and Alaska... when the time comes.


ctangus,
Questions are always welcome. I'll always give my view of things which may not always be correct but it is interesting to debate nonetheless.

1. Why attack in the North Pacific?
'
A few reasons actually:
a) The Northern Route is the quickest route for the Allies to get four-engined bombers into range of the Home Islands and so I want to control as much of that route as possible so that I get as much "depth" to my defence as possible.

b) Usage of the northern bases will allow me to establish a more secure cordon on the approaches to the Home Islands. This cordon is essential to protect against surprise invasions of the Home Islands by a maximum force Allied invasion fleet.

c) It gives my submarines significantly shorter transit times to the West Coast than would otherwise pertain.

d) Empires Ablaze gives the Japanese a proper strategic bomber in the Me-264 which carries 16 x 250 Kg bombs. I cannot use the Me-264 as a strategic bomber from Hawaii so, since this is a test game, I'm aiming for the capture of Kodiak and Alaska in order to give me a base from which to launch a bomber offensive against Canada and the West Coast. Alaska has a lot of resources which will yield supply and help me sustain a bomber offensive with minimal allocations of my precious merchant shipping - hence the desire to take all of Alaska and not just 1 or 2 isolated bases.


2. I believe, personally, that the Home Islands are in more danger than Manchuria... I believe the defences in Manchuria are strong enough to hold the Soviets and that they should prove solid ( although there is one, intentional, weak point I am hoping my opponent will find. There's nothing easier than chopping up an over-extended offensive and losing a bit of ground and a city for a short time is well worth it. ). When my opponent comes to see that Manchuria is pretty solid I think he might try to hit the Home Islands. Obviously I've taken steps to protect them but if, for example, he were to load up 8 divisions I might be in trouble. To be fair though if he does that then I will have a great opportunity to destroy such a large portion of his ground forces as to set any ground offensives back by a year and I am making preparations to prevent such an attempted landing being succesful.

So, why do I think the Home Islands are at greater risk? Simply because IF he commits to attempt an invasion then he must carry it through and that ups the risk whereas if he tries a ground offensive in Manchuria he can always pull back at any time once he sees the strength of the defences.


I'll outline some of my planning for Manchuria/Korea in a couple of days so that this can be clarified.

Having been offline for 3-4 weeks i was expecting 10's of pages to read through .. happy to be disapointed with that though[;)]

Jolly good read though and a very interesting game esp the soviet aspect, it;s either going to go your way or all be over in 43 one way or another. As of now I happen to think you'll have a very tough if maybe overly large defensive perimeter as you will have a LOT more places to defend come late 42. Still closing PH was an eye opener, as an allied player that worries me so well done.

Seems a shame to ditch the Tojo for a clone gerry 109E ( which should be obsolete well before 43 IRL), maybe loses a tad of flavour while upping the "what if" quotient. ever thought of writing a "what if" novel about this game ? Given your prodigious writing skills and a very tolerant GF (lucky you) maybe get a best seller on your hands too (PS i want royalties now [;)]).

glad to see the game going well, glued to this one !

Rob,
 
Indeed. Both games went on hiatus due to travel and having to replace an opponent over the Xmas. The mad thing was I missed their unconscionable time wastage [:D].
 
As to the defensive perimeter... Yes, that is a concern but I think that with India, China and the Soviet Union subjugated that I will have so many forces freed up from garrisoning/ facing off against my opponents in those areas that I will end up with a net gain in terms of force density at my defensive perimeter.
 
As to what ifs. LOL! I doubt there would be sufficient "give" in the what if... plus having to give you half the royalties means it wouldn't pay .
 
 
As to the Me-109... Well, I tried for the FW-190. Originally I wanted to see if the FW-190 A and FW-190F ( with an armour rating of 2) could get in. In the end some of the twin-engined Japanese planes fulfill the role of the F very well and I do think that it is reasonable to give Japan something with a bit more "oomph" in 1942 - particularly since they are going to have to face the Soviet planes of that era which really are miles ahead of anything the Japanese had and, IMO, superior to Allied planes of the same vintage also ( although this superiority really only existed at low altitude for most of the Soviet planes).
 
Also, don't forget, the Tojo is still present, in two forms. It is present as the Ki-44 II - MG-armed, very manoeuvrable and fast and the Ki-44 III which is carrier-capable, extremely manoeuvrable, fast and armed with 4 cannon. I expect the Ki-44 III to be my premier carrier-based fighter for almost the entire war and one of my top land-based fighters right up until the delivery of the Shinden in 1945. So, the Tojo is most assuredly still present. I doubt I'll build many of the Ki-44 IIs as I've been disappointed with their performance over the DEI but I believe I'll be building many thousands of the Ki-44 III.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/09/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Midway Island [USA], 97,63, firing at TF 62
TF 62 troops unloading over beach at Midway Island [USA], 97,63


291 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DE Wakatake, Shell hits 4

Japanese ground losses:
271 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Midway Island [USA], 97,63, firing at TF 62
TF 62 troops unloading over beach at Midway Island [USA], 97,63


251 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Gyoko Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
169 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Singapore [UK] at 22,51

Japanese Ships
AP Fusemi Maru

Allied Ships
SS O16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kaifeng [Cent China] , at 51,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 32
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 11
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 3

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 10
I-16 Type 24 x 6
LaGG-3 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 4: 12 destroyed
I-16 Type 24: 5 destroyed
LaGG-3: 11 destroyed

A very succesful day was had over Kaifeng. My forces are closing in on the town on the ground also. With any luck a combination of aerial assault and ground embargo will hold them. In the meantime 28 enemy planes destroyed at the cost of 2 of our own isn't to be sniffed at either.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Liuchow [S China] , at 41,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 25
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

Resources hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nanning [S China] , at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 30
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

Resources hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor [Oahu] , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 16
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 4
Ki-48-I Lily x 18
Ki-21-II Sally x 53

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
P-36A Mohawk x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 13 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
TBD Devastator: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 58

A very bad day to be a bomber pilot. 17 twin-engined bombers are downed. The bombers are, once again, ordered to go to higher altitude for future raids.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 32nd Field Army , at 47,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 13
Ki-51 Sonia x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 16th Field Army , at 51,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 37
Ki-36 Ida x 40

Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 4 x 4
LaGG-3 x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 4: 3 destroyed
LaGG-3: 1 destroyed


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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 49th Guerilla Regiment, at 45,41

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6
Ki-48-I Lily x 13

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 137

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 6th Brigade, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 21
Ki-21-II Sally x 4
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 38,80

Japanese aircraft
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter

The enemy are, unaccountably, sending a cruiser TF into the area between Amboina, Timor and Kendari. I presume they are trying to run a bombardment TF into Amboina ( as Kendari is protected by surface strike groups and thus isn't a suitable target). The only reason for running such a bombardment TF is to try to knock Amboina out of action. Why would they try to knock Amboina out of action? The only suitable reason would be to cover the evacuation of multiple single-ship TFs from the Phillipines.

So, I am responding by drafting in an additional 3 Mavis Chutai to the region and am increasing my Nell and Betty search percentages to 30. With any luck I'll be able to spot any of these evacuating TFs if they are present. If they aren't I should just really ensure launches against the cruiser TF. It is win/win.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 38,80

Japanese aircraft
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near San Jose Buenavista at 42,56

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Ben Nevis

This single ship TF lends some credence to the speculation above.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16577 troops, 281 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 598

Defending force 8008 troops, 122 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 349


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singora [Thailand]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 603 troops, 33 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 576

Defending force 12837 troops, 147 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 283


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 28715 troops, 509 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 531

Defending force 26008 troops, 359 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 575


Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24499 troops, 489 guns, 296 vehicles, Assault Value = 573

Defending force 17717 troops, 270 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 491


Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4861 troops, 92 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Defending force 8456 troops, 107 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 196


Japanese ground losses:
1 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway Island [USA]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1753 troops, 73 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Defending force 7634 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 260


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway Island [USA]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7634 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 260

Defending force 2465 troops, 79 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Japanese max assault: 108 - adjusted assault: 50

Allied max defense: 32 - adjusted defense: 27

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Tomorrow's shock attack ought to exceed the 4:1 required for the base to fall. It'll be nice to remove this thorn from my side and complete the chain of islands running from the Home Islands to Hawaii.

Hi Nemo,

Can you post some maps showing control of the board? I'm like - totally a visual dude - know what I mean? [:D]

Piccies would be nice [8D].

and thanks for the tojo info (cv capable etc.). I really should read the readme ( if there is one), As for the 109E , ok i was not aware the soviets had a much better airforce than japan early on. just assumed vast numbers of I16's and old I15 i-planes . also the LAGG-3 (about this time frame ) and the Mig 1 and 3 were high altitude planes iirc and performed below par vs thier german counterparts as the air combat over russia was on the whole low level. Maybe they are slightly over modelled ? what stats have you given them vs stock ?

Come the LA5 however its all change, that was a superb plane. Very well armed and highly manouverable. my favoite plane from IL2 sturmovic flight sim days.

with india, russia and china conquered i agree on your assesment of freed up forces for the perimeter, but will you have the time to do it ? thats what keeps me glued to this one [:D]

keep up the good work old boy [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/10/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Midway Island [USA], 97,63, firing at TF 62
TF 62 troops unloading over beach at Midway Island [USA], 97,63


74 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Amboina [Ambon], at 40,74 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

101 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Edsall
DD Alden
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Banckert, Shell hits 1
CL Tromp, Shell hits 13, on fire
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Amboina gets hit, hard, by the Allied TF. Unfortunately for them my love affair with CD guns continues and I've made sure to have them up front wherever I go and the Piet Hein looks doomed. My aerial forces in the region suffered nothing more than a couple of planes destroyed on the ground. Their combat effectiveness is unaffected and I am hopeful that I will be able to take a further toll of the Allied TF on its return to Darwin.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Singapore [UK] at 22,51

Japanese Ships
DE Hashidate
PC Ch 18
PC Ch 17
PC Ch 16
PC Ch 15
PC Ch 14
PC Ch 13
PC Ch 12
PC Ch 11
PC Ch 10
PC Ch 6
PC Ch 4
PC Ch 3
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
DE Uji
APD Patrol Boat No. 36
APD Patrol Boat No. 2

Allied Ships
SS O16, hits 6, on fire

The addition of the APDs has made this ASW TF much more likely to attack. Strangely the APDs didn't drop any DCs. All of the hits were scored by two of my PCs but the APDs seem to make a contact more likely.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Honan [Cent China] , at 49,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 30
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 9
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Liuchow [S China] , at 41,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 17
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

Resources hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nanning [S China] , at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 29
Ki-46-II/C7M2 Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

Resources hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Amboina [Ambon] , at 40,74


Allied aircraft
Hudson IV x 17


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IV: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

He REALLY wants this base closed. I think he is definitely trying to sneak transports past me. It is the only explanation which makes sense.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby [NG] , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 11

Allied aircraft
Wirraway CA-1 x 15
I-16 Type 24 x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Anchorage [Alaska] , at 113,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 38
C3N1 Kate x 5
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate x 54

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 3
P-43A Lancer x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 2 destroyed
P-43A Lancer: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 1

Hardly a stunning success but at least it shows Colorado is still present.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 49th Guerilla Regiment, at 45,41

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6
Ki-48-I Lily x 24

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 137

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 6th Brigade, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 13
Ki-21-II Sally x 3
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 15th Brigade, at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 11
Ki-21-II Sally x 4
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on RAF No. 110 Base Force, at 24,47

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 26

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga [Mndno] at 40,59

Japanese aircraft
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Ben Nevis, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported

Well, look here, troop-carrying transports trying to sneak away from the Phillipines. With 90 Nells and Bettys in the area their chances of survival are slim at best.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 41,57

Japanese aircraft
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Churruca, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lahaina [Maui] at 115,73


Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kashima Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 40,78

Japanese aircraft
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Edsall
CL Tromp, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 40,77

Japanese aircraft
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 15,31

Japanese Ships
AK Tokuwa Maru
AP Nihonkai Maru
AP Azuchi Maru
DMS Shumushu

Allied Ships
SS Truant


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway Island [USA]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7906 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 255

Defending force 2325 troops, 72 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Japanese max assault: 204 - adjusted assault: 44

Allied max defense: 33 - adjusted defense: 16

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
300 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

At this rate Midway should fall tomorrow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea [New Cal]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16560 troops, 280 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 600

Defending force 8014 troops, 123 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 348


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hankow/Wuhan

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 20872 troops, 304 guns, 162 vehicles, Assault Value = 416

Defending force 1287 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Japanese max assault: 896 - adjusted assault: 1330

Allied max defense: 69 - adjusted defense: 193

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
384 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 116,75

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3280 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Defending force 622 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese max assault: 166 - adjusted assault: 70

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hailar [Manchukuo]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 28889 troops, 517 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 534

Defending force 25971 troops, 356 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 576


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,24

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24652 troops, 491 guns, 294 vehicles, Assault Value = 581

Defending force 17670 troops, 266 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 491


Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva [FIJI]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4910 troops, 93 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Defending force 8505 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 196


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway Island [USA]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1625 troops, 66 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Defending force 7293 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 221

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sawahloento [SMTRA]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 24 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

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

Japanese max assault: 0 - adjusted assault: 2

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sawahloento [SMTRA] base !!!

And below we can see the situation in China with a special emphasis on the Kaifeng pocket. Also please note the rapid clearance of Chinese guerillas from the Japanese lines of communication. I think 4 Chinese guerilla regiments remain behind my lines but all of these units are either on open terrain or on trails. The roads and railways have been cleared and the 4 Chinese guerilla regiments are thus merely training tools for my pilots.

Some might wonder about Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a non-entity. It is being held in place by no more than 20 Japanese AV. As such I can wait for it to starve and then run a division in to take it. There's no rush.