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Now back to the day by day. In the Celebes area, the 16th Army has begun to unload at Darwin (Japanese code name is Dawson). Not sure whether we will try attack tomorrow or whether we will wait one day. Still cogitating on that one. The KB is one hex off to the NW, the Nagato/Mutsu SAG is in the Landing hex, the Taiyo/Hosho group, together with the Fuso/Yamashiro group are escorting a separate supply convoy in from the NE.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/01/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 22
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported

Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-48 Lily x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
8 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged

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Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 27
G4M1 Betty x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
11 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
16 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
E8N Dave x 2

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
E8N Dave: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 28th Chinese Corps, at 43,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 44
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd Malaya Brigade, at 23,46

Japanese aircraft
C5M Babs x 1
Ki-21 Sally x 65 We have finally been able to move the SEA Sallays on Malaya

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
144 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 11th PA Division, at 46,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 10
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on No. 107 RAN Base Force, at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 62
E13A1 Jake x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 3 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
18 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
22 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 38,59


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Hokko Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-26A bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G3M Nell x 11 WIth the Sallys arriving in Malaya, the Nells and Zeros are switching over to support Burma

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,47

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Admiralty Islands at 58,84


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Admiralty Islands at 58,84


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 1


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Karukaya

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Needwood, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 110 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

TF 110 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84


135 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Warm welcome at Dawson !!!
Japanese Ships
MSW W.16, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.15, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.12, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.11, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.10, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
PG Yachiyo Maru
PG Tamo Maru #7
PG Takunan Maru #8
PC Ch 23
PC Ch 22
PG Hong Kong Maru
PG Tamo Maru #6

Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 110
636 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Nichiryo Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Tama, Shell hits 6, on fire
PG Takunan Maru #8, Shell hits 5, on fire
PC Ch 23, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yawata Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yamura Maru, Shell hits 1
PC Ch 22, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yasukuni Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Suwa Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PG Hong Kong Maru, Shell hits 2
PG Yachiyo Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire
AP Kirishima Maru
AP Anyo Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Aikoku Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
1239 casualties reported
Guns lost 20

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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TF 187 troops unloading over beach at Bulla, 40,75


Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported


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Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 166718 troops, 1737 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 3305

Defending force 67593 troops, 490 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1987

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1 First useful result

Japanese max assault: 3305 - adjusted assault: 1403

Allied max defense: 2073 - adjusted defense: 3643

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


Japanese ground losses:
3854 casualties reported
Guns lost 128
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1273 casualties reported
Guns lost 22


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 31,34

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 34272 troops, 336 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 603

Defending force 9137 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 246

Japanese max assault: 426 - adjusted assault: 92

Allied max defense: 233 - adjusted defense: 293

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1410 casualties reported
Guns lost 41

Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 44963 troops, 527 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 934

Defending force 43524 troops, 395 guns, 82 vehicles, Assault Value = 735



Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported


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Ground combat at Tuguegarao

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21878 troops, 263 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 433

Defending force 8651 troops, 88 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 244



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Ground combat at Lingayen

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2177 troops, 0 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 91

Defending force 1010 troops, 0 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Japanese max assault: 172 - adjusted assault: 312

Allied max defense: 36 - adjusted defense: 25

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 8

Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 6


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 47575 troops, 452 guns, 307 vehicles, Assault Value = 858

Defending force 8250 troops, 45 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 145

Japanese max assault: 1162 - adjusted assault: 1070

Allied max defense: 131 - adjusted defense: 181

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuala Lumpur base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
253 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
717 casualties reported
Guns lost 12


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4780 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 111

Defending force 12482 troops, 173 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 476

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

In the PI, we have the 16ID and 21ID sitting on Manilla. And we have the 65IB advancing on Lingayen and the 48ID advancing on Tugueguro. Most probably the Americans will choose to be interred in Manilla.

If he's not diligent the Americans will be force into Bataan now that you have Manila under siege...

During the 3rd of January we launch a full assault on Dawson, out rout the enemy out of town. Further, the merchant fleet in the port departed in haste and most were sunk by carrier planes.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/03/42

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Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 110 The warm welcome at Dawson continues ... though the damage inflicted does seem to be significantly reduced ... this being the first turn I've tried the trick of putting the BBs directly into the invasion TF ... it does seem to work !!
TF 110 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84


286 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Yasukuni Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Terukuni Maru, Shell hits 1
PC Ch 23, Shell hits 14
PC Ch 22
AP Kamakura Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Tama, Shell hits 2
AP Heian Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Hakusan Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Argentina Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
586 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 110
TF 110 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84


24 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Argentina Maru
CL Tama

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported

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Sub attack near Kendari at 33,71

Japanese Ships
SS I-160

Allied Ships
AK Johanne Justesen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 34,83

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Yenen , at 50,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 54
Ki-15 Babs x 5

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 42
Ki-15 Babs x 4

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 10
Ki-48 Lily x 52

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
8 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
8 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-21 Sally x 113
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged Ouch ... tried dropping down from 15k to 12k ...


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 69

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
E8N Dave x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
E8N Dave: 2 damaged

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Day Air attack on 65th Chinese Corps, at 43,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 46
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 46,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 57
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin Coastal Artillery Regiment, at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N Kate x 48
E13A1 Jake x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
10 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
5 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
6 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
6 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 11th PA Division, at 46,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 28,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 23
Ki-30 Ann x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Resistance, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Elk, Bomb hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,83 The merchant fleet running from Dawson, attracted a bit of attention from KB ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 23
B5N Kate x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Belawan, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sigli, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ormiston, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Zealandia, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Pasir, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Ormiston, on fire, heavy damage
AK Belawan, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sigli, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Legazpi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Zealandia, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
D3A Val x 12
B5N Kate x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MSW Deloraine, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Westralia, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lepus, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sarangami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,83

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 11
B5N Kate x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MSW Deloraine, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Senang, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Governor Wright, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Westralia, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
E8N Dave x 1

No Japanese losses

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Day Air attack on TF at 39,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
B5N Kate x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Bengalen, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ipswitch, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A Val x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Legazpi, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Zealandia, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57
D3A Val x 32
B5N Kate x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Westralia, on fire, heavy damage
AK Governor Wright, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Madison, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Senang, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lepus, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 34,83

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
AP Ormiston, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


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Ground combat at Darwin

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 43315 troops, 453 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 930

Defending force 6962 troops, 42 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 107

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 1444 - adjusted assault: 544

Allied max defense: 77 - adjusted defense: 52

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Darwin base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1338 casualties reported
Guns lost 14


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Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 162871 troops, 1587 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 3124

Defending force 65461 troops, 440 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1944



Allied ground losses:
300 casualties reported
Guns lost 11


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Ground combat at 31,34

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29695 troops, 287 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 524

Defending force 12025 troops, 99 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 326


Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14997 troops, 169 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 303

Defending force 4251 troops, 49 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 83



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 44724 troops, 515 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 926

Defending force 42901 troops, 361 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 668



Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported


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Ground combat at Manila

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 20358 troops, 280 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 668

Defending force 44724 troops, 515 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 926


Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 12438 troops, 106 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 317

Defending force 2117 troops, 0 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 85

Allied max assault: 662 - adjusted assault: 522

Japanese max defense: 85 - adjusted defense: 36

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 24

Allied ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

In the New Britain sector, we are finally ready to try the landing at Rabaul. With carrier support this is perhaps normally regarded as a push over. But with no carriers and the only strike planes as far away as Truk, it is a bit more risky. But we have Mavis groups at Wewak, Admiralties and Kwajalein as well as a number of submarines forward deployed in the Coral Sea. This turn we detected an AK in the Solomon Sea, but otherwise no warships.

I will try to put a few posts in here about the Japanese strategy. To kick things off, I'm just going to repeat a post I made earlier in the month, in response to a query about IJN Late War Naval Strategy.

The best "Late-War Japanese Navy Strategy" is not to have one. That is, win in the early war and then you don't need a late war strategy. Let's face it, if you Don't win early, then you sure aren't going to "win" in any usual sense of the word. Although most of us probably think folks like PzB are "winning" just by "surviving with honor"!!!

Winning early, usually means demoralizing your opponent to the point where he resigns. This is the only way I've ever won (I've only played japanese in PBEM). And this demoralization (in my experience anyway) has always been caused by a unequal carrier exchange.

That being said, if you find your self in the late war (which I have in several games) here are a few pointers ...

(1) Getting the Oil and Resources back is still critical, never stop working on this. I usually try to have a few main routes that I use which are heavily defended. This has the trade-off that the enemy can usually figure out what they are. This in turn drives me to build up new alternates. An early route is like Palembang-Singapore-Siagon-CamRanh Bay, Taan, HongKong (around the north side of Hainan) Pescadores, Shanghai, Sasebo, and then on into the port of debarkation. A second route I might use would be Palembang-Kuching, Jesselton-PuertoPrincessa-SanJose-Bataan-Pescadores-Shanghai-Sasebo. And another alternate Soerabaja-Balikpapan-Tarakan-PuertoPrincessa-Legaspi-Osaka. Use of Sallys and Helens as the ASW aircraft with PG/PC as internal convoy escorts and a few ASW "hunter-killer" groups with as many DD/APD/PC/PG as your house rules allow and some good admirals to prosecute contacts. I've never had an Allied sub commander who wasn't demoralized by the ability of the Japanese to suppress the USN sub campaign (in the game).

(2) Rock/Paper/Scissors ... The triad of KB/Surface Force/Betty&Zero Strike force.

The KB should be massed in one hex, but should be broken up into as many TFs as make sense given the availability of escorts. By this point you will not likely have the ability to defeat a full attack by the USN "death Star" (though if you think you can then build big TFs with BBs in with the CVs). So 2-3 CV/CVL per TF with 2-3 CA and 5+ DD would be pretty much "minimal" and you may not have the ships to do better.

The Surface Force might sometimes be mingled with KB ... even inside the KB TFs ... because BBs are good distractors for attacks when they are in the carrier TFs and they have good flak. But when the opportunity arises, sending in 4 or more TFs of about 8 surface ships each, with good admirals of course, can decimate a poorly protected Allied invasion force. The individual TFs should probably ideally have about 8 ships each, I use 4 big ones and 4 little ones. And make sure the big ones all have the same main gun. Like group your 14" BBs in one force and your 16" BBs in another, etc. Same for cruisers. CA in separate forces from CL. More TFs with good admirals will generate more engagements. More engagements means more chance of destroying whatever is in the hex. House rules might (should) limit the size of TFs smaller than about 8. Especially smaller than 4. If someone comes to the party with 50 TFs of one ship each, I'll be done with that game. But assuming "reasonable sizes are maintained" it is also useful to have the largest TF (one with maybe 16 ships, be a light force with no BB/CA .. with an aggressive admiral, this force might be likely to engage first .. it will thus hopefully engage the most powerful enemy force, cause it to expend ammo and hopefullty set the stage for it to be wiped out by succeeding engagements.

The Betty/Zero force ... by '44 will really be (mostly) the Frances/Zero force. And believe it or not, I still keep some of the old A6M2 around, just because of their range. But these guys are best employed in a area with a good group of medium to large size airbases L4+ ... the bases might be originally occupied by Army fighters ... and the Navy Strike Bomber force, together with its escorting fighters will just transfer in at the right moment.

So, the basic idea is that the enemy will invade somewhere, and your LCU defense will at least be strong enough that you can buy enough time to assemble all of the above and get them to the area while the hex is still contested (once it is not contested the enemy fleet can withdraw .. the enemy fleet is only vulnerable while the hex is still contested). Then you want to keep the combat ships just out of range of the enemy but well within range of your land based strike force. If the enemy is foolish enough to advance towards you, you can throw everything in and probably do some worthwhile damage. Otherwise you dance with the ships and strike with the LBA. Mostly you won't do much. But, by bringing all this stuff to the party (and keeping it intact) you keep the other guy "honest". You don't give him any freebees. You make him do big invasions with lots of preparation and planning and lots of ships, every time. This "cost" is the primary objective. Make him pay. And keep your forces viable. This "strategy" causes the maximum delay. And that is the goal. Cause maximum delay. By '44 that is the best you can do.

(3) Read the PzB/Andy Mac AAR ... it is a living reference for late war Japanese Naval Strategy.

(4) Keep moving troops to the important areas. Unfortunately you have to mostly violate Napoleon's axoim. You have to defend everything, at least in the places that matter. Like in the Marinanas, you might as well build up each Island evenly, if you don't, it will be spotted and the enemy will land on the weak one. Likewise the Bonins. The PzB/Andy Mac game has examples of both.

(5) keep moving supplies to every place the enemy could hit. Use all available means: Barge, Fast trans, Air Trans, single AK/AP, sub trans ... some of them will get stopped, some will get through. Never say "I have enough supply there - I don't need any more" ... the enemy can destroy all the supply in a hex with bombardments pretty quickly. You need to keep moving it in.

(6) Mines. House rules might prevent. But a full court press from the start of the war, might be able to make a big difference. I've never tried it in WITP but I've used it successfully in WPO. To try this, you need to build a pile of MLE (like at least a dozen) from the first turn. Hold onto all your ML. Once the MLE come in. Spread them out into the forward areas with about 4 ML each ... and the build up the minefields. Fields of 3000+ are about the minimum size that will start to make a difference. Fields of 7000+ can probably stop almost any invasion. Especially if supported by a full Rock/Paper/Scissors per the above. Per my experience in WPO I'd say you can build fields of 3000+ at about 4 spots per MLE/ML(x4) grouping. Once they are built, they must be continually resown as they will attrite pretty quickly. So the number of ML will limit the ultimate number and size of the fields you can sustain. You get a number of small (300 to 600 n.m. range) MLs during the war, but not many more long range ones. So, once the enemy figures out what you're doing, he will attempt to disrupt with subs. Thus you'll need to react with a supporting ASW effort in the areas you're mining. Use the same formula as above. Good ASW planes (Sallys and Helens and Dive Bombers are all good .. especially 80+ exp ones, they will actually be able to get hits). And have at least one ASW "Hunter Killer" group around. You'll lose some minelayers, but keep up the resowing for the fields you think are in likely invasion spots. Mines can have a major demoralizing effect on players who weren't prepared to deal with them.

Well, that should be enough to get you started!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/05/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 69
TF 69 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88


11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
150 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Rabaul, at 61,88


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Minekaze
DD Hayate
DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi
CL Tenryu


Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21
Port hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 69
TF 69 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88


Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 62
B5N Kate x 18
E13A1 Jake x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 14th Mortar Battalion, at 23,48


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 10


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th NLF , at 31,34


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 5
Blenheim I x 6
Blenheim IV x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 46,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 57
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
34 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
11 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Burma Rifles Brigade, at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 23
Ki-30 Ann x 22

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed ummm Fighters have returned to Rangoon, we'll have to do something about that ... take a note !

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 11th PA Division, at 45,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 31st PA Division, at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged umm Claude's don't make good ftr bmbrs .. take a note !
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on No. 109 RAN Base Force, at 30,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N Kate x 22
E13A1 Jake x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Talaud Island at 42,64


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-26A bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,65

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Chinko Maru
AP Somedono Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,62


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Nissen Maru #2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-26A bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,65

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Tango Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 49,70

Japanese Ships
AK Sinno Maru
AK Shinju Maru
AK Syunsei Maru
PC Ch 20
PC Ch 19
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Oi Maru

Allied Ships
SS Salmon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Rabaul, at 61,88

Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Minekaze
DD Hayate
DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi
CL Tenryu


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 45,47

Japanese Ships
AK Zogen Maru
AP Jinsan Maru
MSW W.19
MSW W.17
APD APD-38
APD APD-37
APD APD-34

Allied Ships
SS S-41, hits 9


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 27,56

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13978 troops, 164 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 289

Defending force 918 troops, 3 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 498 - adjusted assault: 476

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 95 to 1



Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 168909 troops, 1504 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 3250

Defending force 63647 troops, 364 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1867

Japanese max assault: 6198 - adjusted assault: 3375

Allied max defense: 1729 - adjusted defense: 3057

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1) ummm we got him down to fort level zero last turn .. but he grew another one over night oh well gotta rest for a couple of daze ... close but nooo cigar ...

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
6438 casualties reported
Guns lost 52

Allied ground losses:
1085 casualties reported
Guns lost 29


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 30,34

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14589 troops, 159 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 283

Defending force 14164 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 368

Japanese max assault: 218 - adjusted assault: 264

Allied max defense: 268 - adjusted defense: 109

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating! We've crossed the Salaween in two places now ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 44661 troops, 516 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 927

Defending force 30179 troops, 308 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 441



Allied ground losses:
103 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tuguegarao

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20052 troops, 231 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 337

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

Japanese max assault: 281 - adjusted assault: 66

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 66 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tuguegarao base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16049 troops, 239 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 441

Defending force 44661 troops, 516 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 927


Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul We will try an attack next turn ...

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2465 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81

Defending force 8235 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 186


Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wyndham

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 986 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Defending force 2148 troops, 7 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 66 - adjusted assault: 80

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 5

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wyndham base !!! Huffin and puffin ... but now it is On to Derby !!!


Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

View of Northern Oz. We are trying to use airborne and air mobile forces to rapidly secure the other Northern Oz ports, will support from KB.

Kendari Operation will then go forth ASAP.

Meantime 38ID, 23IB and supporting forces are Planning for Java Operation.

Over on the other side the Rabaul operation struggles on ... the USN CA Louisville came in a despite 16 warships in the hex (in two groups of 8) managed to sink one DD and beat up a CL and two DDs, though she her self took a reported 4 torpedo hits. But the replay shows the Louisville getting a very hit shots fired ratio over our forces, we call it "the Tom Hunter effect" [:D]

Raizo T. and his CA SAG remain on station with yet another (cannon fodder apparently) CL/DD SAG in reserve. If the US has two more cruisers they can probably stop the landing [&:]

And of course the ground troops failed as well. It will probably take around a week to win the land battle. Not sure we have that long. If his carriers are anywhere in SOPAC they should be able to make it by then. And he knows where our carriers are (not).

Not a good day for the Empire ... a Chinese Tk unit arrived in Yenen. An Allied convoy is unloading at Singapore ... and our landing at Rabaul failed to push the Allies out of the base.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/06/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kisaragi
DD Oite, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Hasu, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya
DD Hiyodori

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 11 The first engagement is all to the Louisville, she sinks one DD and knocks out a CL and a DD taking only superficial damage. Had she run at this point, she would've had a clear victory and been sure to survive ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kisaragi
DD Hasu, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fuyo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Karukaya
DD Hiyodori

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 41, Torpedo hits 2, on fire Getting greedy the Louisville pours some more fire on the previously damaged CL and DD and strikes out at yet another DD ... but in return she takes a reported 2 torpedo hits, which seem to slow her rate of fire ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kisaragi
DD Hasu, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fuyo, on fire
DD Karukaya
DD Hiyodori

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage And pressing her attack to a clearly suicidal level, the Louisville takes another pair of torpedoes, probably inflicting fatal damage. Time will tell.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Rabaul, at 61,88

Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Natsugumo
CL Kuma
CL Naka
CA Ashigara
CA Maya Meantime Raizo T.'s SAG blissfully throws a few shells ashore ... wonder how the surface battle would've turned out had I reserved the role of the SAGs ?


Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 96
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
Buffalo I x 6
Hurricane II x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 6 destroyed, 23 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 2 damaged
Hurricane II: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Sally's stagger in to Singapore for their daily raid, as the high command missed the data about a convoy unloading below ...


Allied ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 53
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
16 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 1 damaged

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cotabato , at 41,60

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 27
G4M1 Betty x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
13 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
14 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed Brigade, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 12
Blenheim I x 4
Blenheim IV x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Division, at 23,48


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 111th USAAF Base Force, at 44,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Tank Regiment, at 49,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 27
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 31st PA Division, at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Talaud Island at 42,64


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-26A bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 19

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,65


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Nissen Maru #2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-26A bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 101,61

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61, hits 8, on fire, heavy damage This sub forgot to move ... any IJN sub that forgets to move, for one turn even, is probably dead ...

Allied Ships
DD Chew
AVD Hulbert
DMS Lamberton
DMS Boggs
DD Schley

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Rabaul, at 61,88

Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Natsugumo
CL Kuma
CL Naka
CA Ashigara
CA Maya


Allied ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8214 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 183

Defending force 3750 troops, 35 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Japanese max assault: 372 - adjusted assault: 58

Allied max defense: 61 - adjusted defense: 40

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
I tried waiting a bit longer than usual to up the prep points .. it didn't help ... our disruption isn't that bad ... we will hopefully be able to attack every other day ... but it will still take at least 3 more attacks to take the hex ...


Japanese ground losses:
727 casualties reported
Guns lost 23

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 161780 troops, 1385 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 2861

Defending force 64174 troops, 342 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 1864



Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 44594 troops, 512 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 924

Defending force 30025 troops, 311 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 443



Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 33,62

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8155 troops, 70 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 184

Defending force 1318 troops, 11 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Japanese max assault: 172 - adjusted assault: 68

Allied max defense: 15 - adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16068 troops, 240 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 443

Defending force 44594 troops, 512 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 924


Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Well if our planes won't fly ... at least our ships will steam ...

Here we are disrupting the Dutch resupply convoy for Singapore ... seems like everybody (except the Brits) are willing to die for the "Empire".

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/07/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singapore at 23,50

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Usugumo
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Shirayuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami
DD Asagiri
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
AK Beatrice, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Duymaer van Twist, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Modjekerto
AK Meroendoeng
AK Poelau Tello, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Siberoet, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
The previously depicted convoy battle ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-48 Lily x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 17 I had the idea that the 8x100KG bombs would do more damage to the runway ... but since I've broken down into Chutai that doesn't seem to be happening .. but if I don't break down I can't attack every turn .. hum .. trade offs ..

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34 He's there but he won't come up .. just bombs my troops instead ...

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 56

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tarakan , at 33,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 13th Tank Regiment, at 49,32


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 11


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
5 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mixed Brigade, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13
Blenheim I x 3
Blenheim IV x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards Division, at 23,48


Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 3
Blenheim I x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 50th Chinese Corps, at 43,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 46
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8 Training up ... our goal right now is 75 ...
Ki-51 Sonia x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
27 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 46,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 54 Training up our Tony pilots ...
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 99th Chinese Corps, at 50,26 At Yenen

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 80
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
203 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd PA Division, at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 4 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Johore Bahru , at 22,49

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed Ouch these were 80+ exp guys ... not sure why they got butchered ... bad die roll?

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cotabato , at 41,60

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Davao at 41,61


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3 These guys have been launching two strikes per day for quite a while .. their exp must be getting high enough that he will want to pull them out soon!


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Ryoyu Maru #21

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-26A bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 22
Ki-21 Sally x 21 Fairly limp attack considering we have 138 Sallys at the base ... but at least they flew ...

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
Buffalo I x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Modjekerto, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Meroendoeng, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7409 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Defending force 3688 troops, 35 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 75

Japanese max assault: 18 - adjusted assault: 28 Dumb mistake on my part ... hit the "bombardment" button on the SSD .. but apparently the Mairuzu SNLF could not bombard so they stayed on attack .. now they are trashed ...

Allied max defense: 66 - adjusted defense: 103

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


Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen We will try shock attack next day .. I'm not very confident .. but the forts should be level zero and we are disruption 21 or below ... so it won't get much better than this .. and another Chinese Corps will arrive in a few days ... we are up to about 40 average prep points ...

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 168806 troops, 1408 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 3267

Defending force 63935 troops, 343 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 1858



Allied ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 44584 troops, 513 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 923

Defending force 30118 troops, 317 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 446



Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1414 troops, 0 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Defending force 36392 troops, 308 guns, 118 vehicles, Assault Value = 738

Japanese max assault: 40 - adjusted assault: 1 Armor attack to keep him off balance until the 48ID arrives at Clark

Allied max defense: 777 - adjusted defense: 809

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


Japanese ground losses:
321 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 26

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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16191 troops, 247 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 446

Defending force 44584 troops, 513 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 923


Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

In the "Oz Theater" we have started the attack of Derby ... shoe string style as usually .. and the initial airborne drop by 3 Yok failed (as usual) those 0 AV BFs are tough !!! ... But we will reinforce and hit with air/naval bombardments and hope for the best. Several Allied LCUs are gathering around Wyndham, we are flying in (sloooowly) one RCT of 2ID .. and a second will arrive in port tonight to begin unloading. But, potentially the Allies could retake the town in the next day or so and that would not be good. Then we'd have to mount full 2xDiv Assault ... and we don't even have the shipping in the area any more to do that. So supreme risk for next day or so ... after that, we should be solid (if we make it).

In the CBI Theather ... we have taken Yenen and will advance to the West down the main road. And in Burma, the 33ID is advancing on Mandalay while the 55ID will go in to take Rangoon. The 4IB and 21IB are in support. We are massing zeros near the front for the anticipating air battles ...

You're really pushing onwards Joe [:)]
Shouldn't bypass Java and other major enemy strongholds completely. I have defended these area successfully well into mid 42 against
just such tactics.

PS! Go and fix the Ohka bombs before you get to late 1944 [:D]
Grudgingly annoying to see them hit nothing but water.

But I've had Allies shutting me down with 100+ B-17/LB-30 attacks out of Darwin by mid-42 (killing oil/resources on Ceram and at Kendari .. and disrupting attempts to build up Timor ... )

But it is only Mid-Jan ... and Java wasn't invaded historically until end of Feb ... so we've still got a few days left (I hope!) ... actually ignoring Australia and China which are clearly non-historical, everywhere else we're either ahead and way ahead of schedule ... but as I said (way) above Oz isn't really an attack ... we're really just trying to delay the inevitable Allied attack out of Northern Oz.

But I'm worried ... I'm always worried ... keeps me on my toes ... I hope !

=======

This turn Rabaul finally fell ... we flew in 27 Zeros and are flying in some guys to help 'em pump the gas as well ... The AF isn't too bad ... so we'll rest the Nells/Betty's this turn .. and then fly some of them in next time ... this will finally give us some air cover in the area. Oh and one of the Zero Chutai will cover cap a small landing trying to sneak into Lae tomorrow ...

That's true - but what about India? If you don't take it you can't prevent Allied Air Forces from shutting you down in Burma and
grousing your training camps in China [:D] That was my initial paranoia when I started playing WitP based on PacWar experiences [;)]

Noumea is an easy kill in early 42 and provides a lot of easy points - but it also prolongs your flanks and make you vulnerable.
When the Allies counter-attack it is simply enough to cut in at Southern NG and the Marshalls, efficiently isolating the Solomons and
all Jap posessions further south.

Allied player ALWAYS goes for Port Moresby! Suggest you build Southern NG, New Britain and the most important islands in the area down to Shortland
if you don't plan for an offensive towards New Caledonia and Fiji.

With Northern Oz neutralized you can hold the enemy at reasonable distance for quite some time to come.

ORIGINAL: PzB

That's true - but what about India? If you don't take it you can't prevent Allied Air Forces from shutting you down in Burma and
grousing your training camps in China [:D] That was my initial paranoia when I started playing WitP based on PacWar experiences [;)]

Noumea is an easy kill in early 42 and provides a lot of easy points - but it also prolongs your flanks and make you vulnerable.
When the Allies counter-attack it is simply enough to cut in at Southern NG and the Marshalls, efficiently isolating the Solomons and
all Jap posessions further south.

Allied player ALWAYS goes for Port Moresby! Suggest you build Southern NG, New Britain and the most important islands in the area down to Shortland
if you don't plan for an offensive towards New Caledonia and Fiji.

With Northern Oz neutralized you can hold the enemy at reasonable distance for quite some time to come.

While I've tried India invasion against AI to try to learn basic logistics timeframe, I think I would require several more practice runs before trying in a real game ... against a human ... after all .. I'm not PzB !!!
[:D]

As to East NG/Solomons ... I've been playing with the self-imposed rule of not splitting the KB (never played with that before) ... and as soon as foot hold on Java is made, then I expect KB to go East and stay East ... but in the mean time I've been living in the East with the assumption that American carriers will appear at any moment. So this makes advancing too quickly in the SOlomons/NG area risky. So far, no sign of Enemy CVs .. and now we have finally captured Rabaul. So this should give us enough area cover to at least advance and build up bases farther forward even without our carriers being present. But Americans could through Marines forward quickly and perhaps make them "stick". At like Lunga ... without carriers and infantry divisions we would not be able to throw them off before they could dig in.
Against AI, I've even been able to successfully invade Kwajalein (and Majuro) by end of Jan 42 (as Allies) with maximum effort. And in the current game, I doubt I could stop Moses if he tried that. Even despite the fact that in stock, Kwajalein has triple the forces present that it did IRL [:D]
But so far, I don't have the impression that Moses will try the Marshalls invasion in Jan '42 gambit ... he seems to be doing a more stanard methodical build up.
As to PM, while we might be (or have been able) to take it. I do not think it is holdable, with the Allies knowing KB is West. Even now, the Allies have sufficient strength to re-take. So my plan here is to build up faster in that vicinity and keep it suppressed until the P-38/B-17 combo make that untenable. Once that combo shows up, no defense really works against massed attacks. Then, almost over night, the game shifts into the late war feel, with the Japanese getting massacred and only able to "snipe" back. And I know you're well familiar with that feeling!

In my experience (from my other games) I was most worried about the Darwin flank as offering the Allies the most rapid return route into my vitals ... I think in East NG/Solomons, even with a bit less bases (but better defended) than historical the defense can be prolonged for a good bit of time against an offensive along the North NG coast. And in Burma, if it is the Allied goal to get 100 P-38 and 400-B17 able to operate in China by end of '42 then (assuming they can make the LOG work) yes the game will end much faster ... but if that is what the Allied player chooses to do, then so be it! Maybe I'll finally get to play the Allies that much sooner [:)]

Well the US Carriers finally arrived in the Solomon Sea, they are proceeded by what appears to be a "diversionary" group of AK ... hum I guess I need to talk to Moses about using small sacraficial merchant groups to soak off airstrkes ... fortunately in this case, the tactical "AI" was not confused by the AK, though he did send one strike after the accompanying oiler group - I'd say that is fair game. Unfortunately the main strike went in and only bounced a "high there" bomb off the Enterprise. I think the "commander" [:D] screwed up by ordering the planes in too high (and forgetting they were flying from a level-3)


Oh well .. "for what we are about to receive..."