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ABDA Intel Update, 16 Feb 42 (continued)
3. Probably enemy course of action:

The 25th Army will use 2 division equivalents to take Sumatra with its primary target Palembang. The Army will also prepare 2 Divisions for an invasion of Northern Java.
Attachments and Detachments: The 25th Army is likely to detach a division to the 15th Army.

The 14th Army will be responsible for taking the rest of Borneo, including the key port of Balakpapan, and the Celebes (Makassar and Kendari). Operations against Timor are likely prior to invasions of Southern Java.
Attachments and Detachments: The 25th Army may be tasked to provide a division for operations against Port Moresby.

The 15th Army will continue to push aggressively into Burma against weak resistance.
Attachments and Detachments: One division from the 25th. This division is likely to be supported by adequate naval and air forces to conduct an amphibious invasion of Rangoon.

18 Feb 42: Gallant Warrior returns home.
The Battleship Oklahoma returned to Mare Island today, the first of the great wounded battlewagons from the Pearl Harbor attack to make it home. Here she will have the remainder of her hull damage repaired and an extensive refit. It will not be many months now before Oklahoma’s great guns bellow in defiance of Imperial Japan’s ambitions.

I tested the process of sending the damaged BBs to the West Coast with Oklahoma first (the most expendable). I put her in the shipyard and got her major float damage down below 50 and her major engine damage down below 10 so she could at least make 10 knots. I then repaired all her system damage pierside. I found out with an unfortunate incident with an AK, if you don’t fix all the system damage, it seriously compromises damage control. Oklahoma made good time getting home. She was two days out of San Fran when I got an ominous message that “temporary flotation repairs failing”. When I checked her, she had 2 points of temporary float damage (total of 51 float dam), but by next turn she had pumped herself out and steamed into San Fran unaffected.

Oklahoma (BB-37), built by the New York Shipbuilding Company, Camden, New Jersey. Keel laid in October 1912; launched in March 1914; completed in May 1916.

16-28 Feb 42 Operations Update


Sumatra: The enemy invaded Palembang, but his initial Brigade sized force was inadequate to shift the Dutch and British defenders. Swordfish had some success against his transports, sinking a large AMC and an AK.

Borneo: An invasion TF is headed towards Balakpapan.

Java: The KB, after supporting the final enemy push to take Ambon, showed up southwest of Java and attacked the Sorebaja harbor. Some small patrol vessels and AKLs were sunk along with S-36 and S-38 that were undergoing repairs. ABDA has conducted an intense review of naval search sectors to minimize the likelihood of the enemy slipping by undetected.

Celebes: The enemy has taken Makassar.

Australia: Reinforcements from the Middle East continue to arrive at Perth.

Burma: In lower Burma, MG Smyth (17th Indian Division) reported the enemy 33rd division crossed the Sittang 80 miles north of Pagu and surprised the HQ of the 2nd Kings Own. The overwhelmed battalion surrendered. The enemy turned north and is between him and the Chinese. Gen Slim has ordered Smyth to pass through the 1st Burma Division sector at Rangoon and for both Divisions to begin withdrawing north to reestablish contact with the Chinese.

China: Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek reports the situation is dire and he needs more men and money. He has agreed to commit 4 divisions to Northern Burma.

Papua New Guinea/Bismarks/Solomons: No activity for many weeks. The enemy still holds Rabaul, Lae, Buna and the Shortlands, but he has very limited forces in the area; however, with the rapid collapse of resistance in the Philippines, more forces may soon be coming.

SOPAC: The build-up of Fiji, Pagu Pagu and Noumea continues without enemy interdiction. Enemy subs have been sited off Pagu Pagu, but we have major ASW TFs operating there.

CENPAC: Quiet.

NORPAC: Quiet.

1-7 Mar 42 Operations Update

Sumatra: Our counterattack against the enemy beachhead at Palembang was unsuccessful and the enemy was able to reinforced his initial invasion of Palembang . He now has two division equivalents (5th Div, 16th Guards Rgt, 16th, 24th Inf Rgts and the 66th Infantry Group ) facing 28th Gurkha Brigade, So.Sumatra Garrison Bn, 5/14th Punjab Bn, Zuid KNIL Bn and 2nd Argylls Bn. 1000 AV vs 260 behind 3 forts. Banshees and Swordfish continued to have some success against enemy shipping bringing in supplies and reinforcements. 224 RAF HQs and the aircraft have moved to Praboemoelih 40 miles to the south.

After a week of intense fighting, the Japanese took Palembang on 5 Mar 42. Dutch engineers were able to damage approximately 1/3 of the facilities (a good, balanced outcome).

Borneo: The enemy invaded Balikpapan on 1 Mar 42 with a regiment (90th). They quickly overwhelmed the 2 defending battalions. Dutch engineers were able to damage approximately 1/3 of the facilities. B17s from Java struck the city a few days later doing light damage to the oil facilities.

Java: The KB, continues to circumnavigate Java wreaking its vengeance on the coastal minesweeper force.

Celebes: Quiet.

Australia: 4 US CVs and Force Z are at Perth positioned to sortie against the Java invasion forces.

Burma: In central Burma, the Japanese 33rd division drove the Chinese out of Toungoo while the 17th Indian Division and 1st Burma Division race to the north along the Rangoon -Prome-Magwe main road. Rangoon is all but evacuated. Gen Slim ordered the B Sqdrn, 3rd Hussars and Viper force to exploit the gap between the enemy 33rd Division and the remainder of his forces to cut off a single enemy regiment penetrating the Burma plain. On 2 Mar 42, B Sqdrn took Taung Gyi 40 miles behind the enemy lone regiment (identified at 15th Grds) at Meiktila. The Chinese and 17th Indian Division will now attempt to consolidate at Meiktila and counterattack.

China: Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek reports the situation is dire and he needs more men and money. The enemy is probing in the North at Tsiaotso (across the river from Loyang), in the center outside of Changsha and in the south at Chuhsien.

SWPAC: No activity for many weeks.

SOPAC: Major build-up of Noumea is nearly complete.

CENPAC: I-7 was sunk operating off the West Coast.

NORPAC: Quiet.

ABDA intelligence is still trying to put together a better picture of the enemy order of battle. The commitment of a new division (the 5th) and a new Rgt (16th grds) at Palembang is an alarming development.

8-15 Mar 42 Operations Update

Sumatra: 28 Gurkha and 2nd Argylls are retreating west in the hope of eventual extraction to India. The remainder of the units are moving to Oosthaven. Anglo/Dutch/American transport units are flying combat effective units to Java.

Borneo: no new activity since Balikpapan fell.

Java: The enemy carrier strength has apparently been split into 2 mobile strike forces of 4 carriers each. One covered a major landing on northern Java at Merak on 9 Mar 42. The Anglo/Dutch air attacks were a turkey-shoot. The 4 US CVs and Force Z were still 2 days away, however, they have not been sighted and another opportunity may still arise. A British CV TF is joining the 2 US CV TFs and will loiter 400 miles south of Java. Intel estimates assume a southern invasion force is coming.

Celebes: Fast BBs tried to raid Kendari, but Vildebeests and Banshees hit Kongo and Haruna and forced them to withdraw. Unfortunately, the Banshee squadrons are being withdrawn.

Burma: The Japanese conducted an amphibious invasion of Rangoon on 11 Mar 42 in division strength. Allied forces completed their demolition efforts (partisans had done tremendous damage in the short time between the withdrawal of the 1st Burma Division and the enemy invasion) and retreated to the north. In central Burma, two Chinese divisions have halted the tired advance of the Japanese 33rd division short of the plain, while the 1st Burma and 17th Indian divisions have consolidated vicinity Meiktila. The exposed enemy 15th Grds regiment at Meiktila withdrew southeast to Taung Gyi only to find it held by B Sqdrn, 3rd Hussars. The tired Japanese, low on ammunition and supplies could not retake the town from the Hussars. 2 Chinese divisions and the bulk of the 17th Indian division are moving to Taung Gyi to teach the enemy to be more cautious in the future. The timing is tight. An enemy unit is moving along the trail to the east through the Shan States to relieve the Guards. Slim’s BUCORPS will only have a couple days to bloody the enemy’s nose.

India: Another KB (4 CVs) appeared off Akyab and sank 4 small xAKLs unloading supplies. It is not clear how the carrier TF evaded naval search units operating out of north Sumatra bases. Only a small number of coastal freighters are still off the east coast of India; however, a large amount of shipping is at Ceylon. The Far East Fleet has ordered an evacuation of Ceylon. I-177 sank the large transport Australia Star that was evacuating the base force from Port Blair.

China: Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek reports the situation is dire and he needs more men and money. The enemy attacks by 2 divisions at Tsiaotso (across the river from Loyang) were defeated. In the center outside of Changsha, two more enemy divisions were roughly handled. The enemy is massing in the south at Chuhsien. Currently he has the 15th and 22nd Divisions with three more units seen moving to encircle the city. Chinese forces are moving to counter the envelopment and 3 Chinese Corps of the 10th Army Group are dug-in behind 3 forts.

Australia: Australian units continue to train and build-up the defenses at Perth, Darwin and Cairns.

SWPAC: More small invasions in Papua New Guinea. We are withdrawing forces from Port Moresby, leaving only a token. With the US Carriers in the Indian Ocean and fall of the Philippines, there is no short-term ability to effectively defend this foothold on New Guinea.

The buildup of US submarine forces at Brisbane continue. This squadron is mixed with a division each of S-boats and fleet boats. Their mission is to interdict the enemy build-up in New Britain and the Solomons. Skipjack sank an enemy freighter 80 miles north of Rabual.

SOPAC: The enemy made numerous small landings in the Solomons at Lunga, Munda and Tassafarronga.

CENPAC: Quiet.

NORPAC: Engineers and an Infantry Bn are enroute to Dutch Harbor. No enemy activity has been noted in the north.

16-23 Mar 42 Operations Update

Kido Butai: CarDiv1 (Akagi and Kaga) is operating with Hiryu and 2 CVLs (Ryujo and Zuiho) and was last seen off northern Java on 21 Mar 42. A 2nd mobile strike force built around CarDiv 5 (Zuikako and Shokaku), Soryu, and a CVL believed to be Shoho was operating in the Indian Ocean and was last seen on 18 Mar 42 off Ceylon.

Sumatra: The enemy has conducted two invasions of northern Sumatra. Benkalis fell to direct amphibious assault on 17 Mar 42. The enemy invaded at Tandjoengbali then marched up the coast road and took Medan.

Small portions of 28 Gurkha and 2nd Argylls were successfully evacuated to Australia, but the bulk of the two units are still cut off on the west coast. Anglo/Dutch/American transport aircraft have evacuated two Dutch infantry units from Oosthaven.

Borneo: no new activity since Balikpapan fell.

Java: The enemy now has 2 divisions at Merak (the 4th and the 6th Guards) and they drove out a Dutch regiment on 17 Mar 42. The enemy is now advancing slowly (in combat formation) directly on Batavia. The Militaire Luchtvaart - Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger (ML-KNIL) (Air Force of the Royal Dutch Indies Army) is harassing the advance. RAF Vildebeests operating out of Batavia report having torpedoed 3 AKs off the coast. ABDA leadership is somewhat suspicious of this squadrons claims and some of those of one of the American Banshee units. Lots of hits reported that should result in sinkings, but if so, the IJN is not owning up to the losses.

Celebes: The enemy is mopping up around Makassar.

India: In Calcutta, Gen Wavell has ordered all the major combat units on Ceylon to be moved to reinforce the Bengal region of India. With the impending fall of the DEI and Burma, both east India and Ceylon cannot be held. The choice to defend Bengal is obvious. One of the KBs was sighted off Ceylon, but finding no worthy targets, turned up its nose and left.

China: no major actions or movements. The Japanese continue to bombard and build-up at Chuhsien. Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek reports the situation is dire and he needs more men and money.

Australia: Australian units continue to train and build-up the defenses at Perth, Darwin and Cairns.

SWPAC: Australian units hiding in the jungles after being driven from Rabaul, Kavieng and Lea have all been evacuated by amphibious patrol aircraft to Port Moresby where Army transports have flown them on to Cairns. These men, when healthy, will help reconstitute the Australian 8th Division for the defense of northern Australia. This far-flung Division lost one brigade in Malaya (the 27th) and suffered more casualties in the protracted fight for Ambon. The Division will be reconstituted around the 22nd brigade (safely evacuated from Singapore before the fall), Sparrow, Gull, Lark and Black Forces.

SOPAC: The enemy has taken Tulagi to nearly complete his hold on the Solomons.

CENPAC: Quiet.

NORPAC: Engineers and an Infantry Bn have safely reinforced Dutch Harbor. No enemy activity has been noted in the north.

Burma: 2 Chinese divisions, two brigades of the 17th Indian division, supported by tanks and artillery, attacked the enemy 15th Grds at Taung Gyi [see map below]. Over three days of fighting, BUCORPS inflicted serious casualties to the tired, poorly supplied enemy formation. Allied casualties were light. Another enemy regiment (14th Grds) arrived on 18 Mar 42 and relieved the pressure. The 17th Indian Div is consolidating again at Meiktila. The enemy appears to be reinforcing his center force (2 rgts of the 33rd Div north of Toungoo) with the entire 38th Division while a single regiment of the 33rd advances to the west along the Rangoon-Prome-Magwe axis.

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

ABDA intelligence is still trying to put together a better picture of the enemy order of battle. The commitment of a new division (the 5th) and a new Rgt (16th grds) at Palembang is an alarming development.

ABDA intell has determined the 5th Division is made up of three previously identified Regiments: 11th, 21st, and 42nd

Interested in the view of an allied PBEM player of scen 2 is it to much to have added the extra couple of Japanese Divisions or does it make it just that little bit harder?

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Interested in the view of an allied PBEM player of scen 2 is it to much to have added the extra couple of Japanese Divisions or does it make it just that little bit harder?

Andy,

Herb and I have stopped our Scen 2 game to restart in Patch 2. As Allied I found it no more difficult than in Witp. TBH I didn't even notice the extra divisions as the tactic Herb employed in this game was very similar to the one he employed in our current WitP game. Do the Japanese also receive extra flattops in Scen 2? I'm sure I saw a message flash across of a Mabel attacking a sub from a carrier that was not one of the usual ones.

In scen 2 I think all the CVE's get a small organic group so its probably Taiyo its still a CVE in Scen 2 but it has a few aircraft
 
No extra CV's in Scen 2 for the japanese

Biggest change in scen 2 in terms of impact is a few more stockpiles of supply and resources gives the japanese player a little more time and Truk and Camran Bay being one level higher port at start allows slightly easier re arming
 
its around the edges than japan is better at stat
 
Extra LCU's help keep the momentum and I am still guaging whether the timing is right for them

Thanks Andy

There was no sudden deluge or flood of Japanese infantry so far in our game if that was your concern.

Andy,

It is hard to tell yet. The Philippines were a disaster for the Allies, but mainly due to his committment of overwhelming airpower. I think the challenge is coming in India, Northern Australia and Noumea. If I read his OOB correctly, there is no way to defend Ceylon and have a chance of defending Bengal. He can throw 6 veteran divisions at India by early May. He can take Darwin with two divisions--which he has. Hopefully he doesn't have three more veteran divisions to send to Noumea.

In SOPAC, it will come down to carriers though. If I lose even one Allied CV, I don't believe I will be able to threaten his advance if he decides an a "Javelin" strategy.

I think the volume and quality of his pilot replacements with PDU on is going to be a real nightmare for me in 43 and 44.

25 Mar 42 Burma: BUCORPS reports the enemy has conducted a large amphibious invasion of Akyab. A heavily escorted (3 battleships) invasion TF delivered the entire Imperial Guards Div and combat engineers to Akyab. 48 Gurkha Bde holds Akyab, but for how long? The enemy’s proficiency at amphibious turning movements is again demonstrated (only a few more days before the amphib bonus expires though).

27 Mar 42 Java: 2 enemy divisions (the 4th and the 6th Guards) have advanced on Batavia from Merak. The Japanese have often advanced boldly, but in doing so, have not defended their flanks and rear. Dutch armor is moving through the mountains to probe at the enemy base of operations at Merak. Meanwhile, Adm Spruance led 5 Allied Carriers in a raid against enemy shipping unloading at Merak. ABDA fighters conducted high altitude sweeps over the enemy held port in the morning. The massive carrier air strike came in against little resistance.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 12
F4F-3A Wildcat x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 29
SBD-2 Dauntless x 34
SBD-3 Dauntless x 67

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Kinka Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Nankai Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ceylon Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hague Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Terukawa Maru
AK Tosan Maru
DD Sanae
xAK Kenyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Nissan Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Izan Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Yamasimo Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Sagami Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Nisso Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AK Sakito Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Chile Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Okikaze
AK Sasako Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Norfolk Maru
xAK Keihuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Morning Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Norfolk Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nisso Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamasimo Maru
xAK Keihuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Izan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 16
F4F-3A Wildcat x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 28
SBD-2 Dauntless x 34
SBD-3 Dauntless x 84


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Akiura Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Kinka Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sanae, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Hague Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
AK Sakito Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
E Tsuta, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Syohei Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Sasako Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Terukawa Maru
DD Hakaze
xAK Chile Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
SC Ch 27
TB Kari
AK Tosan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1



Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Tosan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Hoko, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Sasako Maru, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hakaze
DD Okikaze

Here is a map of the situation in China nearing the end of Mar 42.

Here is the ground plan for Eastern India (Bengal region)

28 Mar 42, Batavia, Java
DUTCH REPORT MAJOR VICTORY ON JAVA
For months, the armed forces of Imperial Japan have appeared to be an unstoppable juggernaut. From the Philippines to Malaya, from Sumatra to the Celebes, they have rolled over the Allied defenders. After some small reversals in Burma, the Japanese aggressors have lost their appearance of invincibility on the outskirts of Batavia, Java. There, the KNIL inflicted a stunning defeat on the conquerors of Singapore and the Bataan. An attack by three Japanese divisions on the Dutch stronghold of Batavia was repulsed with very heavy losses. After heavy shipping losses at the port of Merak yesterday due to a strike by Allied carrier aircraft, the Japanese may be hesitant to reinforce their tattered formations on Java.

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 36244 troops, 342 guns, 47 vehicles, Assault Value = 1226

Defending force 25344 troops, 266 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 789

Japanese adjusted assault: 288

Allied adjusted defense: 1193

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
5840 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 276 disabled (high percent destroyed)
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 273 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1834 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 138 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Assaulting units:
20th Infantry Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
6th Guards Division

Defending units:
2nd KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
6th KNIL Regiment
Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
KNIL Army Command
Pontianak Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
ABDA
Merak Base Force
ML-KNIL
Batavia Base Force

That was a nice attack at Merak. Good show! Don't get trapped in Burma. Once in a city with enough supplies the Indian divisions and brigades flesh out nicely.