Matrix Games Forums

Summary of Operations 12/17/41

Rather quiet game turn overall.


Philippines: Remnants of all remaining US fighter air units on Luzon withdrawn this game turn.

Several attacks by US submarines against Jap transport ships at Jolo and off NW Luzon. No hits or damage reported.

Japanese amphibious force continues disembarking at Jolo.


DEI: A small Japanese surface naval TF (CL Nagara, 2 DD’s) entered the eastern DEI area and sank a lone AKL. The Jap TF was then intercepted in two brief engagements off Ambon by each of the two Dutch PT flotillas positioned at Ambon. No hits or damage to ships on either side in the two battles.

A second Japanese surface naval TF (CA’s Takao & Atago, 1 CL, 5 DD) entered Palembang and sunk three loaded Allied transports (1 TK, 1 AK, 1 AKL). No Allied troops aboard any of the sunk transports, these ships carrying only materiel (oil, fuel, supply) as cargo.


Hong Kong: Japanese ground attacks continue. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20597 troops, 321 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 570
Defending force 5582 troops, 132 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 174
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0 (British engineers later rebuilt back to level 1)
Japanese adjusted assault: 156
Allied adjusted defense: 321
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
374 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
653 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
66th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
38th Division
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
1st Middlesex Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Malaya: Jap bombing raids on Singapore continue. Remnants of last British air units remaining in Singapore were withdrawn – no operational planes left.


Burma, India and China all reporting quiet.

Summary of Operations 12/18/41

Hawaii: Unidentified Jap submarine detected NW of Lihue.

A flotilla of six S-class submarines is departing Pearl Harbor to operate in the South Pacific area. This transfer will make better use of the S-class subs’ shorter range and also bring their better torpedoes to bear on Japanese naval and transport targets that will certainly appear in this theatre in the near future. Plans on where these subs will be based in the South Pacific area have not been finalized, though Auckland and bases on the east coast of Australia are under consideration.


US West Coast: Unidentified Jap submarine detected and attacked near Los Angeles by a float plane from CA San Francisco (this CA part of a TF of lightly damaged ships arriving from Pearl Harbor). Entry from Operations Report of 12/18 follows.

SOC-1 Seagull from VCS-6/4 attacking a Type A1 class SS at 224,79
A Japanese SS is reported HIT


Canton Is: Japanese surface TF appeared, taken on in night engagement with CA Pensacola. No reported hits or damage. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 153,143, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
CL Tatsuta
DD Sazanami
DD Ushio
DD Mutsuki
DD Kisaragi
DD Yayoi
DD Mochizuki

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola

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


Australia: xAP Boschfontein with 3 KNIL AA Bn evacuated from DEI arrives at Perth. 3 KNIL AA Bn is now attached to SW Pacific command. Current plans are to disembark this LCU in Perth and transfer it overland from Perth to reinforce flak defenses on the Australian east coast.

Other arrivals at Perth this game turn from the DEI include a small Dutch AO (1550 oil cargo) and a Dutch AK (1450 fuel).


Philippines: Allied PT’s and MTB’s transferring southward from Luzon after expending their torpedoes arrived at Tarakan. After refueling, these boats are continuing southward movement to Soerabaja where they will join the general sea evacuation from the DEI.

Last USAAF B-17 bombers departed Mindanao this game turn for Darwin. A total of 21 B-17D’s from the Philippines reached Australia, air units with these planes are now attached to SW Pacific command.

A total of 28 PBY Catalinas transferred from the Philippines are now based in Australia, air units with these planes attached to South Pacific command.

Japanese amphibious force continues disembarking at Jolo.


DEI: All sectors reporting quiet. Sea evacuations continue.

Concentration of Dutch LCU’s on Java at Batavia and Soerabaja continues. Base force units with engineer elements in Batavia and Soerabaja are busily digging foxholes and will also be in place for “enhanced” demolitions of oil & resource production, industrial and shipyard facilities at these two bases.

A similar concentration of Dutch LCU’s on Sumatra at Palembang (eastern Sumatra) and Medan (western Sumatra) is also underway. Emphasis in this action is on concentrating available engineer elements from nearby bases in Palembang for demolition of oil & resource production and refineries. The last Allied transport ships in Palembang (2 AKL’s) are now loading resource points for evacuation.


Hong Kong: Quiet. No reported ground combat. .


Malaya: Jap bombing raids on Singapore continue.

A rather large Japanese landing force coming ashore at Mersing, engaged by 22 Australian Brigade. AAR follows.

All British ground forces north of Johore Bahru are “packing” to withdraw into Singapore as quickly as possible. Singapore base is also set to draw as much of the available supply from mainland Malaya into Singapore proper as possible. Current plans are to organize a ground defense of Johore Bahru followed by a withdrawal into Singapore fortress,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2396 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 96
Defending force 17314 troops, 320 guns, 318 vehicles, Assault Value = 239

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

Assaulting units:
22nd Australian Brigade

Defending units:
3rd Ind. Engr Rgt /21
21st Ind. Engr Rgt /21
Sasebo 8th SNLF /21
Yokosuka 4th SNLF /21
Sasebo 3rd SNLF /21
26th Fld AA Gun Co /21
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Bn /21
8th Field AF Const Bn /21
15th Const Co /21
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Bn /21
1st RF Gun Bn /21
3rd Engineer Const Bn /21
HQ 2nd Fleet /21
56th Const Co /21
34th Road Const Co /21
31st Fld AA Bn /21
5th Mortar Bn /21
HQ 14th Army /21
35th Fld AA Bn /21
3rd Mortar Bn /21
21st Fld AA Gun Co /21
8th Medium FA Rgt /21
47th Const Co /21
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Bn /21
33rd Road Const Co /21
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Bn /21
9th Field AF Const Bn /21
12th JAAF Base Force /21
43rd Const Co /21
35th Fld AA Gun Co /21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What makes the above AAR interesting is the identities of the Japanese units involved. Not so much what kind of LCU's they are, or the number of them... but where some of those Japanese units came to Mersing from. Pillager brought a number of units shown in the preceeding AAR (italics) into Mersing from Formosa, rather than using them in the Philippines.

Hard to say how much can be concluded from the action at Mersing. The most likely conclusion is that Pillager is placing some emphasis on Singapore, and perhaps more emphasis than indicated simply by the fact he is landing Japanese forces at Mersing to outflank British ground defenses in Malaya. Might be that a quick Japanese capture and build-up of Singapore as a base has some importance to Pillager's plans as a jumping-off point for other Jap advances.

I'm not necessarily interpreting this as Pillager ignoring the Philippines, though at this time he has sufficiently eliminated it (for his purposes) as a significant Allied obstacle to his plans. But I easily see the possibility that Singapore is considerably more important in Pillager's plans than Manila. And besides... both Pillager and I realize the Philippines will fall no matter when he lands on them.


Burma, India and China all reporting quiet.

The move on mersing, as constituted appears to be very risky. Risky because

(a) the ships are vulnerable to Vildeberest/Swordfish from Singapore
(b) a shortage of infantry suggests an Allied shock attack may be very profitable
(c) it may well be that you can rush some additional infantry to Mersing (don't forget the British Catalinas can transport infantry to Mersing) to assist in (b) above
(d) so much artillery is very vulnerable to ground attack from level bombers from Singapore and Palembang and Medan

Alfred

Summary of Operations 12/19/41

US West Coast: Jap submarine detected last game turn remains off Los Angeles.


Suva: Transport (AP) carrying Lark Bn arrives at Suva from Rabaul. Lark Bn was evacuated from Rabaul on 12/12 and will be disembarking in Suva to reinforce the Allied garrison force. AM Penguin (evacuated from Guam) escorted the Lark Bn transport into Suva.


New Zealand: Elements of Pensacola transport convoy with US 147 FA Rgt arrives at Auckland. 147 FA Rgt is disembarking at Auckland pending further orders.


Rabaul: Japanese invasion force reached Rabaul and is now landing troops. Several AAR’s of gunnery exchange between Allied shore batteries and the Jap invasion TF show the invasion TF to have at least 2-3 AK escorted by 5 PB’s with no evidence of heavier Japanese naval forces in the area.

Force N (1 CA, 4 CL, 1 DD) is moving NW from the Tulagi area toward Rabaul for a possible engagement with the Japanese invasion TF.


Philippines: Japanese amphibious force continues disembarking at Jolo.


DEI: Jap amphibious landings underway at Menado and Singkawang. An unidentified Japanese TF detected NE of Morotai. AAR of Allied ground bombardment attack at Singkawang follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singkawang (56,88)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 830 troops, 5 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 36
Defending force 2859 troops, 63 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

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

Assaulting units:
West Borneo KNIL Battalion
Singkawang Base Force

Defending units:
41st Guard Bn /23
51st Fld AA Bn /23
6th Field AF Const Bn /23
23rd AA Rgt /23
18th JNAF AF Unit /23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last two Allied evacuation transports departing from Palembang with cargo of resource points.

All available Dutch 139WH-3 2E bombers transferred by air into Palembang to launch ground attack air strikes against Japanese LCU’s coming ashore at Mersing.



Hong Kong: Japanese ground forces resume attack against Hong Kong. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20525 troops, 321 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 564
Defending force 5115 troops, 132 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 144
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0 (fortifications rebuilt to level 1)
Japanese adjusted assault: 251
Allied adjusted defense: 257
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
335 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
38th Division
66th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Malaya: Japanese landing force continues disembarking at Mersing, engaged by 22 Australian Brigade. Jap force at Mersing was reinforced this game turn with Sasebo 3 SNLF arriving from Samah. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2376 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
Defending force 18806 troops, 320 guns, 335 vehicles, Assault Value = 238

Assaulting units:
22nd Australian Brigade

Defending units:
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
33rd Road Const Co
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Fleet /21
56th Const Co
1st RF Gun Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Bn /21
31st Field AA Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
26th Fld AA Gun Co
43rd Const Co
8th Field AF Construction Battalion
15th Const Co
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
35th Field AA Battalion
34th Road Const Co
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
47th Const Co
3rd Mortar Battalion
35th Fld AA Gun Co
14th Army
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Field AF Construction Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
12th JAAF Base Force /21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The move on mersing, as constituted appears to be very risky. Risky because

(a) the ships are vulnerable to Vildeberest/Swordfish from Singapore
(b) a shortage of infantry suggests an Allied shock attack may be very profitable
(c) it may well be that you can rush some additional infantry to Mersing (don't forget the British Catalinas can transport infantry to Mersing) to assist in (b) above
(d) so much artillery is very vulnerable to ground attack from level bombers from Singapore and Palembang and Medan

Alfred

(a and c) Singapore airfield is pretty much non-operational due to bombing damage. British air forces in Singapore have all been evacuated via the DEI or Rangoon. The British torpedo bombers (Vildebeests & Swordfish) are now based on Java, other British air units are in various stages of evacuation and no longer available for combat ops.

(b) Most British infantry LCU's are still located in central Malaya and will need to be moved southward, either to avoid being cut off from a retreat into Singapore and/or reinforce 22 Australian Brigade in attacking or holding on at Mersing. I'm not expecting any British LCU's to reach Mersing in time to execute an effective counterattack, but reinforcing Mersing would be useful in bottling up Japanese ground units Pillager is landing there and keeping them separated from the Jap ground forces advancing southward from Kota Bharu and Thailand. No matter what... I have to hold Mersing to keep the escape route into Singapore open, so at the very least reinforcing an Allied ground defense at Mersing is a must.

(d) Although I have no British level bombers available to attack Japanese LCU's at Mersing, the full available Dutch 139WH-3 2E bomber force (40-45 planes) were sent to Palembang to launch a ground attack strike at Mersing. This air strike should have a good chance of at least a modest level of success as Mersing (as of now) is probably beyond the range of effective Japanese LRCAP (assuming Pillager has any LRCAP up over Mersing). The Japanese flak LCU in Mersing are still partially disembarked, so the Dutch bombers might have things their way for at least one try.



Southeast Asia: A series of sigint report entries for 12/19 indicate elements of four Japanese LCU’s are enroute by sea to Bangkok. Build-up for land invasion of Burma.


Burma: Sea evacuation from Rangoon of materiel (fuel, oil, resource) and Allied forces in excess of what is needed for a rear-guard defense of Burma is nearly complete. All transport shipping sent into Rangoon to remove LCU’s, aircraft and material have loaded and are now departed. RAF and AVG fighter air units in Rangoon have completed their CAP cover mission for the sea evacuation and are preparing for transfer out of Rangoon to bases in NE India.


China: Japanese ground forces attack in north China. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 89,40 (SW of Taiyuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12181 troops, 141 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 980
Defending force 4977 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135
Japanese adjusted assault: 178
Allied adjusted defense: 88
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1792 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 45 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
37th Division
41st Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
33rd Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Big Picture #2 – Early War Allied Air Operations & Doctrine

From the Allied perspective, the air campaign during the early war period is considerably different in AE than my past experience in CHS or stock WitP. Several factors I’ve already observed in AE greatly influence the way Allied air operations and doctrine are handled in this game compared to my last game vs Pillager in CHS, and possibly other factors that I’ve yet to run into. Anyway…this discussion will cover what I’ve observed so far in AE and what measures appear to be necessary as adjustments.

Two principal factors appear to dominate conduct of the overall Allied air campaign in AE through at least the opening months of the war.

1) Starting strength of Allied Air Units: Few Allied air units begin the game on 12/8/41 at anything approaching full TOE strength, even those air units equipped with “obsolete” planes. Thus… before the Allies can even begin thinking of an air war, there is first the task of bringing air units up to TOE strength with whatever planes that are available, regardless of type.

2) Aircraft Production & Replacement Pools: Two other eye-opening features of AE from the Allied side are the numbers of planes available in the replacement pools and the Allied production rates for those aircraft types where planes are being produced at all. The numbers for both aircraft production and replacement planes on hand are quite stingy in AE compared to either CHS or stock WitP, and create a rather severe shortage of planes across all nationalities and aircraft types.

The end result of the two factors mentioned above: Combining the two factors I mentioned renders any significant or sustained Allied air operations (defensive or offensive) during the early war period virtually impossible, with the exception of local defense operations at critical rear-area bases or operations in forward areas (Philippines, DEI, Malaya) where Allied air units for the most part will be fighting to the last plane.



Primary roles of Allied air forces in the early war period: Outside of the forward areas (Philippines, DEI, Malaya), Allied air doctrine during the opening months of the war cast the Allied air forces in two primary roles.

• A force-in-being: Units of the Allied air forces which are at operational TOE strength will need to be used carefully and be committed only in situations that are critical or very significant to the overall conduct of the war. No matter how weak Allied air forces are compared to the Japanese, the Japanese have to operate with the knowledge that an Allied air force exists to oppose them and that force can appear before them anywhere and at any time. Only if Allied air forces are kept at a significant level of strength, will the concept of a force-in-being be possible.

• A work in progress: Considerable amounts of time, planning, effort and micro-management will be required before the strength of Allied air forces becomes useful for sustained large-scale air operations, particularly with regard to combat ops.

What cannot be estimated at this time is how long a period the early-war state of Allied air forces will continue before advanced plane types appear in sufficient numbers to bring Allied air units to full strength and to allow effectively supporting air units in sustained operations and combat. My present thought being the air war in AE is not unlike playing the rest of the Allied side in general – patience, discipline and preparation being key.



Classification of Allied air units: After combing through Allied air units starting the game on 12/8/41 across all theatres and nationalities, I’ve placed nearly all Allied air units into one of four categories as follows.

Category #1 – Forward area air commands as of 12/8/41 Air units in this category include those in areas that will come under immediate or imminent Japanese attack (i.e. Philippines, DEI, Malaya) in 1941 or early 1942. Many of these air units are frozen in a restricted command at these locations with no possibility of transfer (using PP) to a non-restricted command, this being true of all Dutch air units in the DEI and many US air units in the Philippines.

In general, plans for forward Allied air units (especially fighters) located in the Philippines, DEI, and Malaya will be to stand and fight to the last plane. Once an air unit no longer has any operational planes remaining or if the base an air unit is located at is under imminent danger of capture by Japanese forces, either withdrawal or disbandment of the air unit will be executed to save its surviving pilots, or (where possible) the air unit is flown out or evacuated by sea transport.

It is anticipated at least the surviving US B-17 bomber and PBY patrol air units along with much of the British air forces in Malaya will evacuate from the forward areas to participate in future operations. Executing a withdrawal or disband once an air unit no longer has any operational planes or is threatened with imminent overrun by Japanese ground forces is the probable option for most other Allied air units in forward areas, mainly US air units in the Philippines other than B-17’s and PBY’s, Dutch air forces in the DEI and some British air units.


Category #2 – Air units suitable for long-term or permanent employment in front line air forces This category includes air units satisfying both the following criteria – (a) are in a non-restricted command or are in a restricted command and can be transferred out of the command using PP, and (b) do not have a withdrawal date or have a withdrawal date late enough (1943 and after) to warrant bringing them up to full establishment and training for use in front line service. Most if not all Allied air units entering the game as reinforcements after 12/8/41 are expected to be Category #2.

Most air units in Category #2 as of 12/41 exist in the mainland US, Hawaii and Australia, with some British air units.

In some instances, air units starting the game as Category #1 that do not have a withdrawal date will switch to Category #2 after evacuation out of the forward areas, notably some British air units from Malaya having a late or no withdrawal date.

Initially, virtually none of the Category #2 air units will be in a condition suitable for effective use in sustained or significant air operations, especially combat against any kind of substantial Japanese opposition. This situation is true for either or both the following reasons – (a) insufficient number of planes on hand in the air unit or in the replacement pools to bring them up to or maintain them at full strength, and/or (b) low pilot experience and training levels.

During the early war period, it is planned that Category #2 air units will be in training mode as much as possible and not be employed in combat operations except for critical situations.

When the use of dedicated pilot training squadrons is implemented, it appears in nearly all cases these squadrons can only be selected and drawn from Category #2 air units that do not have a withdrawal date. This appears to be due to the fact that pilots in an air unit can be transferred from the air unit to the general reserve pilot pool only when the air unit does not have a withdrawal date. If an air unit does have a withdrawal date, it appears that pilots cannot be brought into the air unit from the pilot pool, trained in the air unit, and then returned from the air unit to the (general) pilot pool after training.


Category #3 – Air units suitable for short-term employment in front line air forces This category includes a number of air units in the mainland US with a relatively early withdrawal date during 1942 and attached to a non-restricted command (either initially or transferred from a restricted command using PP). As in Category #2, there are virtually no Allied air units in Category #3 in a condition suitable for effective use in sustained or significant air operations.

Some air units starting the game in Category #1 and have an early withdrawal date will become Category #3 once they are evacuated from the forward area (i.e. Philippines, Malaya) where they started the game.

Early withdrawal dates of these air units limit their usefulness in building them up for effective long term employment in front-line service. Due to having a withdrawal date, Category #3 air units are also not usable as dedicated pilot training squadrons.


Category #4 – Non-transferrable restricted rear area command air units This category includes a number of air units in the mainland US that are in restricted commands, and are either not transferrable to a non-restricted command or are transferrable but have not been transferred. From my observation, it appears that with very few exceptions, Category #4 air units have a withdrawal date.

Useful employment of Category #4 air units in the mainland US is limited to local defense of bases in the mainland US and missions (primarily naval search and ASW) on or close to the US West Coast.

Except for the few Category #4 air units that do not have a withdrawal date, Category #4 air units are likely not usable as dedicated pilot training squadrons.


Final notes on air unit categories – The breakdown of air units into the four categories described above reflects the state of Allied air forces as they exist on 12/8/41 and during the first months of the war. Some of the air unit categories I described above gradually disappear as time in the game progresses.

The initial Japanese conquests will render Category #1 air units extinct, many of these units eliminated in action during the Japanese advance, with other Category #1 air units that evacuate from forward areas merged into Category #3 until they are eventually withdrawn from the game.

Withdrawals will eventually remove nearly all Category #3 and #4 Allied air units from the game as most of these air units have a withdrawal date. Nearly all the air units I’ve placed in this group are expected to leave the game by the end of 1942 or considerably earlier, and likely never to operate in a significant front-line or training role.

Beginning mid- to late-1942, the number of Category #2 Allied air units in the game will increase and this category eventually becomes the predominate category of Allied air units in the game. In the mid- and late-war periods, except for a small number of Category #4 air units in the mainland US that are non-transferrable from their restricted command and do not have a withdrawal date, nearly all other Allied air units in the game can be regarded as Category #2 units operating either in a front-line or training role. It's anticipated that Category #4 air units without a withdrawal date will almost certainly be employed as dedicated pilot training squadrons.



Training, training, more training: While the Allies do lack for planes, they do not lack for pilots. And that’s what those pilots will be doing for awhile… training.

Pilot training will be an important if not the sole activity for air units in all theatres when these air units are not required for other functions. All or as many air units as possible will be engaged in pilot training activity except when needed for other functions or in critical situations.

Methodology of Pilot Training: This is the micro-management part…

Plans are to set air units actively in training mode to continuous 100% training, with pilot fatigue levels and numbers of operational planes monitored in these units. An air unit in active training will be stood down once the air unit is found to have a pilot fatigue level of 30 or above, and/or the air unit has a significant number of damaged planes. Once the air unit’s fatigue level drops and all planes in the air unit are in operational status, the air unit will again be placed in 100% training.

It's anticipated that pilots in most if not all air units will be performing specialized rather than general training. The specific type of specialized training done for pilots in an air unit will be based first on the air unit’s type (fighter, bomber, patrol, recon, transport, etc). In some cases, the designated type of specialized training will be set according to the mission type(s) the air unit is expected to fly in front-line operations (strategic vs tactical bombing of ground targets, naval vs ground attack air strikes for bomber units; recon vs naval search for patrol & recon air units; air-to-air combat vs ground support for fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons, etc).



Development of dedicated pilot training squadrons: At the earliest possible time, a number of selected air units may be designated for use as dedicated pilot training squadrons. Due to the (apparent) restriction where pilots in an air unit can be transferred out of the air unit to the general reserve pilot pool only when the air unit does not have a withdrawal date, selection of dedicated pilot training squadrons can only be made from air units that do not have a withdrawal date, these air units mostly in Category #2 and a few Category #4.

Expected training activity to be performed in designated pilot training squadrons will be to draw untrained pilots from the replacement pools, provide either general or specialized training to these pilots, then transfer the trained pilots from the training squadron into the general reserve pilot pool for eventual assignment in a front line air unit.

I’m anticipating as of now that the large-scale practice of dedicated training squadrons will probably be limited to the US, mainly USAAF and USN pilots. Though if it proves to be feasible, I would consider extending the use of dedicated training squadrons to other nationalities and branches of service.



Conclusion: The discussion above is based on my initial observation of Allied air units in AE, the state of those air units, Allied aircraft production, and numbers of available planes in the Allied plane replacement pools on 12/8/41. I’ve also included some observations from my earlier play of AE against the Japanese AI through mid-1942 prior to starting this PBEM vs Pillager.

I’m also quite aware that “missing links” probably exist in my view of conducting early-war Allied air operations in AE, and I’ve not even got around to mentioning the workings of Allied air warfare in AE later on (1943 and after).

I will gratefully receive from readers any facts, opinions, advice, suggestions on the general conduct of the Allied air war in AE or about other air topics.

Summary of Operations 12/20/41

US West Coast: No reported contact this game turn with detected Jap submarine off Los Angeles.


Suva: Transport convoy from Sydney arrived in Suva and is disembarking 39 Australian Bn to reinforce Allied ground forces garrisoning Fiji. This LCU, along with Lark Bn arriving at Suva last game turn, will double the infantry strength on Fiji.


Rabaul: Japanese forces capture Rabaul. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1803 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 64
Defending force 381 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7
Japanese adjusted assault: 25
Allied adjusted defense: 3
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
1st JNAF Coy

Defending units:
B Coy/NG Rifles
Rabaul Det. Base Force

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

Force N is now 4 hexes SE of Rabaul and is proceeding into Rabaul to strike at ships in the Japanese landing TF. Still no detected heavy Japanese naval forces in the Rabaul area.


Australia: Dutch AP arrives at Perth from DEI carrying Marinier Bn (Dutch INF) evacuated from Java. Marinier Bn is being disembarked at Perth and will be brought to full TOE strength with replacement LCU elements. Marinier Bn is now assigned to SW Pacific command.

US DD Pope and AP President Madison (empty) also reached Perth this game turn from the DEI.


Philippines: Japanese landing force captures Jolo. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Jolo (74,90)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1459 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 28
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 28 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Jolo !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
3rd JNAF AF Unit

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

No detected Japanese ship activity in sea areas near Luzon.

Several strafing attacks by Zeroes against remaining US PT boats on station at Iba (Luzon). Light damage reported to several PT’s, no Japanese planes hit.


DEI: Japanese landing forces capture Singkawang. A new Jap landing is now underway at Kuching. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singkawang (56,88)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1875 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 50
Defending force 1061 troops, 10 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 36
Japanese adjusted assault: 35
Allied adjusted defense: 7
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Singkawang !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
307 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st Guard Battalion
51st Field AA Battalion
23rd AA Regiment
6th Field AF Construction Battalion
18th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
West Borneo KNIL Battalion
Singkawang Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuching (58,88)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1113 troops, 5 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 51
Defending force 4577 troops, 21 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 167

Assaulting units:
Sarawak Force
2/15 Punjab Battalion
106th RN Base Force

Defending units:
2nd Engr Rgt /24
II./4th Infantry Bn /24
I./4th Infantry Bn /24
2nd Recon Rgt /24

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

All Allied shipping has now departed from Palembang. Several Dutch minelayers have been detailed to lay minefields in Palembang base and its adjacent sea approaches.

Japanese landing force at Manado has captured that base. AAR follows. A flotilla of Dutch PT boats sent to attack Japanese transport ships in Manado entered Manado base hex and engaged the enemy transports in a night action, but failed to press home the attack.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3170 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 107
Defending force 1628 troops, 2 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 57
Japanese adjusted assault: 47
Allied adjusted defense: 15
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
393 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Manado Garrison Battalion
Manado Base Force

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


Hong Kong: Continued Japanese ground attack at Hong Kong. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20436 troops, 321 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 558
Defending force 4796 troops, 132 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 138
Japanese adjusted assault: 210
Allied adjusted defense: 229
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
299 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
331 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
38th Division
66th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force

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


Malaya: Allied ground forces in central Malaya prepping to withdraw southward to form a defense around Johore Bahru. Some units will begin moving southward on the 12/21 game turn, the remaining Allied LCU’s in central Malaya to begin their southward movement over the next 1-2 days.

Plans are to divert several of the Allied combat LCU’s leaving central Malaya to reinforce 22 Australian Brigade at Mersing. What is questionable is whether these units will reach Mersing before the Japanese launch a ground attack sufficient to force 22 Australian Brigade out of Mersing.

In any event, plans are to hold Johore Bahru as long as possible until Allied forces are pushed back onto Singapore.

The Dutch 2E bomber force transferred to Palembang failed to launch a ground attack air strike on Japanese LCU’s at Mersing.

Current situation map of Malaya and latest ground combat AAR’s at Mersing follow. From information shown in the AAR’s below, it appears that Japanese LCU’s in Mersing have almost completely disembarked from their ships. Reinforcing an Allied defense of Mersing could already be too late. Several entries in the 12/20 Sigint report indicate Pillager is sending additional Jap ground units by sea into Mersing.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10479 troops, 253 guns, 200 vehicles, Assault Value = 248
Defending force 2376 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
Japanese adjusted assault: 128
Allied adjusted defense: 173
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
56th Const Co
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
2nd Fleet
26th Fld AA Gun Co
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
43rd Const Co
35th Field AA Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
33rd Road Const Co
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
9th Field AF Construction Battalion
8th Field AF Construction Battalion
34th Road Const Co
15th Const Co
1st RF Gun Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
14th Army
12th JAAF Base Force
35th Fld AA Gun Co
5th Mortar Battalion
47th Const Co
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
41st JAAF AF Bn /24

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2263 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 83
Defending force 19614 troops, 335 guns, 338 vehicles, Assault Value = 244
Allied adjusted assault: 18
Japanese adjusted defense: 637
Allied assault odds: 1 to 35

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

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
434 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Australian Brigade

Defending units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 8th SNLF
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
26th Fld AA Gun Co
9th Field AF Construction Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
35th Field AA Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th JAAF Base Force
3rd Mortar Battalion
8th Field AF Construction Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
2nd Fleet
15th Const Co
31st Field AA Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
47th Const Co
1st RF Gun Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
33rd Road Const Co
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
35th Fld AA Gun Co
34th Road Const Co
43rd Const Co
56th Const Co
14th Army
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
41st JAAF AF Bn /24

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

Summary of Operations 12/20/41 (continued)

Burma: Final stages of sea evacuation from Rangoon due to complete in the 12/21 game turn. RAF and AVG fighter air units in Rangoon are now transferred by air out of Rangoon. LCU’s for a rear-guard defense of Rangoon are in place, all other Allied LCU not required for this task have departed Rangoon by sea or are in some stage of overland movement towards Akyab. A small contingent of engineer elements also remain in Rangoon to perform demolition of production, shipyard and refinery facilities.


China: Japanese ground forces attack a second time near Taiyuan in north China. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 89,40 (SW of Taiyuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12043 troops, 141 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 977
Defending force 820 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 170
Allied adjusted defense: 16
Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Units pursuing 2

Allied ground losses:
295 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st Division
37th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
7th Group Army

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

Summary of Operations 12/21/41

US Mainland: US transport ship reinforcements arriving at Panama are now being sent to the Eastern USA base instead of entering the game map. This practice will be done provided the number and location of on-map US transport ships in the game is sufficient to cover shipping operations on the game map.

Plans are underway to organize transport convoys departing the Eastern USA and utilizing off-map sea routes to Australia via Capetown as much as possible, especially for transporting non-critical reinforcements and materiel. Unlike WitP stock and CHS, the off-map sea routes provide a second (though slightly longer) communications route between the US and Australia virtually free of possible Japanese interdiction. Off-map routes are also handy in the respect that until transports from the Eastern USA reach Capetown, it’s basically “send em and forget em”, no management required.


Central Pacific: Japanese forces land on and capture Arorae atoll (W of Baker Is). AAR of this action follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Arorae (138,137)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1458 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 56
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 56 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Arorae !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)


Assaulting units:
61st Nav Gd /27

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

CV Enterprise TF and CA Pensacola are currently operating undetected near Canton Is, but are not being sent to Arorae to attack ships of the Jap amphibious TF still detected at Arorae. Plans are to hold back for the moment US naval forces in the Canton Is area and draw Pillager further south before attacking. My opinion being that Japanese amphibious TF’s heading for either Baker Is or Canton would be more lucrative prey. As long as CV Enterprise and the Pensacola remain undetected, Pillager may not be as likely to send significant Japanese surface naval or carrier forces to support an operation at Baker or Canton, increasing the possibility of a successful US counter-attack on an initial Japanese move in this direction.


Rabaul: Force N enters Rabaul and attacks Japanese ships still unloading in a hit and run operation. Force N remains intact and now off Woodlark Is retiring southward. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hagoromo Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Noshiro Maru #2, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Takunan Maru #10, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Toshi Maru #3, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Shonon Maru #15, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PB Takunan Maru #2, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PB Takunan Maru #5, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shinwa Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Taiyu Maru (later intercepted and sunk by Force N in a daylight action)

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Achilles
CL Perth
CL Adelaide
DD La Triomphant

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


Australia: Ships arriving in Perth from the DEI include one Dutch AK with 3000 fuel cargo, a Dutch AP carrying Lifjwacht Cavalry Sqdn, also 5 small Dutch xAP (all empty) and 4 small Dutch AMc. Lifjwacht Cavalry Sqdn is disembarking at Perth and will be brought to full TOE strength with replacement LCU elements. Lifjwacht Cavalry Sqdn is assigned to SW Pacific command.

Two USN floatplane air units (10 planes total, elements of squadron VJ10) have reached Australia from the Philippines. These planes are still attached to Asiatic Fleet.


Philippines: Japanese strafing attacks by Zeroes continue against US and British PT on station at Iba (Luzon). One British MTB reported sunk, two US PT’s damaged. No Japanese planes hit or destroyed.

A number of Sigint report entries over last several game turns indicating various Jap LCU’s prepping for Lingayan.


DEI: Japanese force continue moving into W Borneo. Kuching captured. Jap landing is now underway at Brunei. AAR of Kuching attack follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuching (58,88)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4592 troops, 21 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 169
Defending force 1526 troops, 9 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 51
Japanese adjusted assault: 100
Allied adjusted defense: 9
Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuching !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1262 casualties reported
Squads: 61 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 59 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
I./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Engineer Regiment
II./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Recon Regiment

Defending units:
Sarawak Force
2/15 Punjab Battalion
106th RN Base Force

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

Unidentified Japanese TF detected in the Eastern DEI area NE of Ambon, possibly an invasion TF. Possible destinations of this TF include Ambon and Kendari. A Dutch PT flotilla (6 boats) is at Ambon and will attempt to intercept the Jap TF.


Hong Kong: Continued Japanese ground attack at Hong Kong. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2077 troops, 153 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 550
Defending force 4541 troops, 132 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

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

Assaulting units:
38th Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
66th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force

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


Malaya: No detected activity by Japanese ground forces in central or northern Malaya.

Most Allied ground forces previously in central Malaya have reached Johore Bahru. Plans are for most of these units (particularly combat LCU) to form a defense of Johore Bahru before an eventual withdrawal into Singapore.

Dutch 2E bombers from Palembang launched a ground attack air strike on Japanese LCU’s at Mersing with minor success. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 55th Infantry Regiment, at 51,82 (Mersing)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 43

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 27 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb
7 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb
6 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb
7 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb
6 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb
6 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb

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

Latest ground combat AAR at Mersing follow. The AAR report indicates two Jap infantry regiments (55th & 114th) have landed in Mersing and now reinforcing the Japanese attack.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11106 troops, 263 guns, 200 vehicles, Assault Value = 491
Defending force 1921 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 49
Japanese adjusted assault: 146
Allied adjusted defense: 65
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
196 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 8th SNLF
114th Infantry Rgt /27
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
55th Infantry Rgt /27
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
26th Fld AA Gun Co
31st Field AA Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
9th Field AF Construction Battalion
34th Road Const Co
56th Const Co
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
12th JAAF Base Force
43rd Const Co
15th Const Co
35th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Mortar Battalion
47th Const Co
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Fleet
35th Field AA Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Field AF Construction Battalion
33rd Road Const Co
41st JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade

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


Burma, India and China all reporting quiet.

Summary of Operations 12/22/41

US West Coast: British TK Eidsvold torpedoed and sunk near Los Angeles by Jap submarine identified as I-17.


South Pacific: The KB was detected this game turn operating betwen Canton Is and Pago Pago, reported moving on a SE heading. Appearance of this contact on the map suggests the KB is operating here at full strength.

A number of Jap carrier planes located and attacked CA Pensacola which was stationed at Gardner Is. AAR and situation map follows. CA Pensacola is withdrawing to the NE at 12 knots. Float planes from Pensacola have flown off to Canton Is.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Gardner Island at 149,144

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Gardner Island at 149,144

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
B5N2 Kate x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage (sys 10, float 59, eng 12, no fire)

Note: Combat replay shows one of two torpedoes hitting CA Pensacola a dud.

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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



It cannot be determined at this time what objective(s) Pillager has for operating the KB in this sea area. Possibilities include a “reconnaissance in force” as a preliminary to Japanese forces moving against Canton Is and/or Pago Pago, also to interdict and destroy Allied shipping moving between the mainland US and bases in the South Pacific area.

Allied naval forces operating near Pago Pago and Canton Is are moving away from the KB’s location and projected course (southward), with the intent of dodging the KB and remaining undetected, then returning to this area once the KB has departed.

CV Enterprise task force and CA Pensacola are withdrawing to the N and NE of Canton Is. CA Louisville and the CV Lexington task force have been operating near Pago Pago and are withdrawing south from Samoa towards the Cook Islands.

No Allied transport shipping is currently at Pago Pago, Canton Is, or in the KB’s vicinity and projected path of movement, though a number of individual transport ships and small convoys bound for Canton, Pago Pago and Auckland are heading towards this general area but remain at some distance to the E and NE as of now. These transports will be diverted or held in place until confirmed the KB has moved back to the north.


Sigint: Sigint report for 12/22 contains an entry reporting heavy volume of intercepted radio activity near (just east of) the Mariana Is. Red Japanese TF symbols were shown on the game map in the hex location where the Sigint report entry indicated the radio signals originated.

Current estimate of enemy activity reported in this Sigint entry is that the Japanese TF(s) in question are part of a larger southward movement of Japanese forces, likely destination somewhere the South Pacific theatre.

Summary of Operations 12/22/41 (continued)

Coral Sea: Force N continues moving southward and is well beyond range of Japanese LBA now detected in Rabaul. Plans are for Force N to proceed to Auckland to replenish pending further orders.


New Guinea: Japanese troops are reported landing at Hollandia. Numbers and identities of Japanese LCU’s and ships at Hollandia is not known.


Australia: Allied ships arriving in Perth from the DEI and Singapore (via the DEI) include 1 British PG, 1 British and 1 Dutch xAP , 5 British AK, 2 Dutch xAKL, 2 small Dutch AO, 2 small Dutch AMc.

Cargoes reaching Perth on these ships include 845 oil, 1432 supply, 1000 fuel, RAF and RAAF air units (total planes in these units: 24 Hudson I, 15 Buffalo I fighter, 2 Buffalo I PR). One Dutch LCU (Padang Base Force) arrived in Perth this game turn. Padang Base Force is assigned to SW Pacific command and will be disembarking at Perth.


Philippines: Japanese strafing attacks by Zeroes continued against US and British PT on station at Iba (Luzon). Six boats (2 US & 2 Philippine PT, 2 British MTB) remain at Iba, all in varying stages of damage. Orders have been issued for surviving PT and MTB at Iba to depart the Philippines for the DEI, then to Australia if possible.


DEI: Japanese forces capture Brunei. AAR follows. Map displays are showing approx 50% demolition of oil production and refinery facilities at Brunei and Miri.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Brunei (65,87)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1336 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 153
Defending force 457 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 26
Allied adjusted defense: 5
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Brunei !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
III/81st Naval Guard Unit
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
III./124th Infantry Bn /30
II./124th Infantry Bn /30
10th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
107th RN Base Force
100th RN Base Force

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

Japanese LBA (including Ki-21 Sally) now operating from Singkawang. Detected status of Singkawang base shows 67 aircraft (23 fighters, 17 bombers).

A newly detected contact with a Japanese surface combat TF including at least one BB appeared near Sorong. This TF is moving on a SW heading, likely to enter the eastern DEI sea area.


Hong Kong: Continued Japanese ground attack at Hong Kong. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20440 troops, 321 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 554
Defending force 4549 troops, 132 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 131
Japanese adjusted assault: 312
Allied adjusted defense: 225
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
380 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
219 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
66th Infantry Regiment
38th Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force

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



Malaya: Mersing captured by Japanese forces. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8826 troops, 246 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 799
Defending force 1776 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 39
Japanese adjusted assault: 66
Allied adjusted defense: 15
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Mersing !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units pursuing 5

Allied ground losses:
758 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
56th Engr Rgt /30
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
Sasebo 8th SNLF
114th Infantry Regiment
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
148th Infantry Rgt /30
56th Recon Rgt /30
55th Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Rgt /30
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
9th Field AF Construction Battalion
15th Const Co
35th Fld AA Gun Co
56th Const Co
12th JAAF Base Force
14th Army
33rd Road Const Co
3rd Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
34th Road Const Co
41st JAAF AF Bn
2nd Fleet
43rd Const Co
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Field AF Construction Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
26th Fld AA Gun Co
35th Field AA Battalion
47th Const Co
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th FA Rgt /30

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade

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

The preceding AAR also shows several more Japanese LCU’s now disembarking in Mersing – including 113 & 148 Infantry Rgts, 56 FA Rgt and 56 Recon Rgt.

Plans to form a defense of Johore Bahru before an eventual withdrawal into Singapore are still in effect. Only three British LCU’s remain in mainland Malaya north of Johore, one of these LCU moving this game turn into Singapore by rail (strategic movement). The other two LCU are engaged with Japanese ground forces near Temuloh, it is uncertain whether these units can reach Johore before they are trapped by the Japanese advance. Overall, nearly the complete British ground forces in Malaya have reached Johore and Singapore intact.


Burma: All Allied ships are now cleared from Rangoon. No detected signs of Japanese ground forces entering Burma, including the far south.


China: Japanese ground forces attack in north China. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11197 troops, 94 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 391
Defending force 9218 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 276
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 85
Allied adjusted defense: 256
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
285 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
35th Division

Defending units:
27th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps

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

You do not need to send any transports to the Eastern USA base in order to embark units for transport to any "off map" base (caveat note the temporary broken link with the Middle East until the opening of the Mediterranean in May 1943).

LCUs and LBAs can be moved between "off map" bases using their own local "off map" shipping (which is not represented in the game). Hence the transports you have sent from Panama should be used "on map". You only need sea lift capacity located "off map" if you need to move LCU/LBA from "off map" to "on map" or need to move supply/fuel from/to "off map" bases which have no land connection between them.

Alfred

Summary of Operations 12/23/41

South Pacific: No further display or reported contacts with the KB.


New Guinea: Japanese forces capture Hollandia. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hollandia (93,116)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 325 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 4
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hollandia !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy

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


Australia: Allied ships arriving in Perth from the DEI and Singapore (via the DEI) include 1 Dutch PG, 2 US DD’s, 3 British DD’s (from Hong Kong), 1 British AP, 7 small & 3 large Dutch xAP , 1 Australian xAP, 2 Dutch AK, 1 Dutch xAKL, 2 small Dutch AO, 8 small Dutch AMc, 1 Dutch AS, 2 Dutch AG, 2 Dutch AGP.

Cargoes reaching Perth on these ships include 3100 oil, 1750 resource, 3001 supply, 6400 fuel. One Dutch LCU (2 KNIL AA Bn) arrived in Perth this game turn and will be disembarking at Perth. 2 KNIL AA Bn is assigned to SW Pacific command, plans are to use this LCU to reinforce flak defenses on the east coast of Australia.


Philippines: Japanese bombers (Ki-21 Sally) are operating from Jolo. Detected status of Jolo base shows 29 aircraft (all bombers).

Jap ground attack air strikes reported against US LCU’s at several locations on Luzon.


DEI: Japanese forces landing at Kendari, supported by a surface combat TF including four BB (Nagato, Fuso, Ise, Hyuga), one CL and 5 DD. The surface combat TF attacked and sank two Philippine AKL’s near Kendari that had been escaping southward through the eastern DEI. AAR of ground combat in Kendari follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 524 troops, 9 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 25
Defending force 9360 troops, 87 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 324

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

Assaulting units:
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Kendari Base Force

Defending units: (LCU landing at Kendari brought in from Japanese home islands)
16th Recon Rgt /32
9th Infantry Rgt /32
20th Infantry Rgt /32
16th Engr Rgt /32

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


Hong Kong: Continued Japanese ground attack at Hong Kong. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20267 troops, 321 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 542
Defending force 4150 troops, 132 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 126
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 175
Allied adjusted defense: 573
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
38th Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
66th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force

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


Malaya: Japanese ground forces advancing in northern Malaya capture Taiping, also attack near Temuloh. British FSMV Brigade was destroyed this game turn in ground combat at Temuloh.

Japanese ground forces from Mersing advanced across the Malayan peninsula north of Johore Bahru and cut land communications from Singapore and Johore Bahru into central and northern Malaya. Except for one LCU (8 Indian Brigade engaged with Jap ground forces at Temuloh), all mobile British LCU’s in Malaya successfully retreated southward into Johore Bahru or Singapore before land communication was cut off. Pillager closed the trap, but he'll find it practically empty when he looks inside.

My short-term estimate of the situation is that Pillager will first move to liquidate what he has "trapped" in central Malaya while holding Japanese ground forces stationary in the Mersing area. I expect it will take Pillager at least several days before he realizes he's trapped nothing (other than 8 Indian Brigade) in central Malaya and that British ground forces successfully escaped into Singapore. Until he realizes the trap in central Malaya is empty and also not until at least some of the Japanese ground units advancing southward by land through central Malaya reach the Johore Bahru area is he likely to begin launching ground attacks against British positions at Johore Bahru. Though it buys me nothing more than time (and not much at that), it's at least time.

Dutch 139WH-3 bombers launch a ground attack strike against Japanese LCU at Mersing without noticeable effect.


China: Japanese ground forces continue attack in north China. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 88,41 (NW of Loyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16619 troops, 140 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 586
Defending force 7582 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 218
Japanese adjusted assault: 255
Allied adjusted defense: 208
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
338 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
493 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
33rd Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
7th Group Army

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

Summary of Operations 12/24/41

Samoa: KB raid on Pago Pago. Port attack air strike launched against Pago Pago base, light damage to port facilities on shore. A flotilla of nine US PT’s recently arrived in Pago Pago from Pearl Harbor were also hit, all sunk.

Two US auxiliaries evacuating Pago Pago to escape the KB were found and sunk.

KB is split into two divisions – one division reported heading NE, the second KB division heading SE. All US and Allied transport shipping and naval forces have departed the Pago Pago area.

AAR’s and situation map follow.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Niuatoputapu at 143,163

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N2 Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Kingfisher, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
AGP Niagara, and is sunk

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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Kingfisher


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 39
D3A1 Val x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PT-28, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-20, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-30, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-25, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-21, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-26, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-22, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-23, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-42, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

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

Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 3

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

Summary of Operations 12/24/41 (continued)

Solomon Is: Japanese forces begin landing at Shortlands.

Force N (short of fuel) moved out the Coral Sea and is now beyond range of turning back to the Shortlands – current orders for Force N is return to Sydney for refueling and replenishment. Otherwise, an attack on the Japanese TF landing at Shortlands would have been a tempting target, given the known disposition of the KB and Japanese surface naval forces.


Rabaul: Detected status of base – 51 aircraft (23 bombers), 2 LCU.


New Guinea: Japanese (automatically) occupy Vanimo on northern coast near Hollandia.


Australia: Allied transport ships arriving in Perth from the DEI and Singapore (via the DEI) include 2 Dutch xAP , seven TK (1 Commonwealth, 1 British, 5 Dutch), 2 British AK, four xAKL (3 Dutch, 1 Philippine).

Force Z arrived in Perth this game turn from the DEI and will proceed from Perth to Capetown for refit and further orders. Possible future employment of Force Z after refit at Capetown includes returning to Australia (this had been done in my last match vs Pillager in CHS).

Other Allied naval forces arriving at Perth from the DEI this game turn include 3 Dutch CL’s, 2 US & 7 Dutch DD. These ships will all remain in Australia pending further orders.

A number of Allied auxiliary ships arrived at Perth this game turn including AS Holland & AV Langley from the Philippines, one Dutch AS, 1 US AVD, 1 US AVP, two US AM, four small Dutch AMc. Plans are for most or all these ships to remain in Australia.

Total cargoes reaching Perth this game turn aboard these ships include 17030 oil, 2700 resource, 3283 supply, 33365 fuel. One RAF air unit (W Flight RAF) with 6 Wirraway arrived in Perth aboard a transport from the DEI.

Two small Dutch combat LCU (Marinier Bn & Lijfwacht Cav Sqn) now landed in Australia are drawing elements from the replacement pools to build to full TOE strength.


Philippines: A small number of Jap ground attack air strikes continuing against US LCU’s on Luzon.


DEI: Japanese forces capture Kendari, AAR follows. Jap surface combat TF with BB’s Nagato, Fuso, Ise & Hyuga, one CL and 5 DD remains at Kendari.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9428 troops, 87 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 325
Defending force 839 troops, 10 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 24
Japanese adjusted assault: 141
Allied adjusted defense: 5
Japanese assault odds: 28 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
418 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
16th Engineer Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
20th Infantry Rgt /32

Defending units:
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Kendari Base Force

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

Jap LBA bombers (Ki-21 Sally) strike Palembang, no reported damage or Allied casualties.


Malaya: Japanese ground forces detected in Malacca, these units likely moving northward into Malacca from Mersing into the rear of what appears to be British positions holding central Malaya. As stated in last game turn’s operations report, only 8 Indian Brigade remains in central Malaya. 8 Indian Brigade is in Temuloh and engaged by Jap ground forces moving into that hex from the north.

Dutch 139WH-3 bombers again launch a ground attack strike against Japanese LCU at Mersing with no noticeable effect.


China: Japanese ground forces attacking in north China towards Sian. AAR’s and situation map follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11035 troops, 94 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 377
Defending force 9185 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 271
Japanese adjusted assault: 594
Allied adjusted defense: 100
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tsiaotso !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
188 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2653 casualties reported
Squads: 175 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 115 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
35th Division

Defending units:
27th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 88,41 (N of Tsiaotso)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 16660 troops, 169 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 972
Defending force 7243 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 183
Japanese adjusted assault: 888
Allied adjusted defense: 67
Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2556 casualties reported
Squads: 190 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 132 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
37th Division
41st Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
33rd Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
7th Group Army

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



Japanese ground forces (11th Army) attacking at Changsha. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45658 troops, 392 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1577
Defending force 55099 troops, 367 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1503
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese adjusted assault: 1071
Allied adjusted defense: 1717
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1365 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 102 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 71 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1318 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 91 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
18th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Division
6th Division
34th Division
58th Infantry Regiment
11th Army

Defending units:
72nd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
30th Group Army
9th War Area
27th Group Army
19th Group Army
29th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force

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

Summary of Operations 12/25/41

South Pacific: No detected or reported contact with anything that can be positively identified as the KB.

Sigint report entry for 12/25 indicates radio transmissions intercepted N of Savaii, in the same hex location as one of the KB divisions detected on 12/24. The map display shows a detected Jap submarine at this hex location. It could be a Jap sub, could be the KB hanging around.


Solomon Is: Japanese forces capture Shortlands. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 7
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Shortlands !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy

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


Australia: Allied transport ships arriving in Perth from the DEI and Singapore (via the DEI) include one Dutch AR, one Commonwealth xAP , seven AK and xAK (4 British, 2 Dutch, 1 Australian), one Philippine xAKL, one Australian AM, two British HDML’s.

Total cargoes reaching Perth this game turn aboard these ships include 1000 resource, 11768 fuel.


Philippines: Jap ground attack air strikes continue against targets on Luzon, one ground attack strike, also bombing attacks on defenses at Subic and Manila Bay.


DEI: Japanese TF (11 ships) detected off Tarakan, incoming…

Jap LBA bombers (Ki-21 Sally) continue bombing Palembang. No reported damage or Allied casualties.


Hong Kong: Japanese capture Hong Kong this game turn. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20447 troops, 321 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 556
Defending force 4047 troops, 132 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 123
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 354
Allied adjusted defense: 161
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
360 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
9594 casualties reported
Squads: 215 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 664 destroyed, 77 disabled
Engineers: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 160 (154 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 70 (67 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units destroyed 5

Assaulting units:
38th Division
66th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force

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


Malaya: Japanese ground forces capture Malacca. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Malacca (49,81)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1025 troops, 4 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 38
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 38
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 38 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
56th Recon Regiment

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

Jap bombers launch multiple air raids on Singapore, mainly against base facilities. No reports of damage or Allied casualties. Approx 20 Jap bombers were hit by flak, one reported destroyed.


China: Japanese forces in north China capture Chengchow. This attack along with the two Japanese ground attacks near Tsiaotso on 12/24 clearly indicate Pillager is setting Sian as the objective of a Jap ground offensive in north China. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengchow (88,44)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 23777 troops, 226 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 833
Defending force 16066 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 406
Japanese adjusted assault: 996
Allied adjusted defense: 160
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
609 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
8403 casualties reported
Squads: 144 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 359 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 80 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
36th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
8th New Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
7th Construction Regiment
39th Group Army
24th Group Army
1st War Area
10th Chinese Base Force

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

Jap ground attack air strikes in the last two days against Chinese LCU’s in the Wuchow area. With the fall of Hong Kong, it’s anticipated that Wuchow is likely the next objective of Japanese ground armies in south China. Ten Japanese LCU’s were detected in Canton, this in addition to the Jap units just completing the capture of Hong Kong (above)

The Big Picture #3 - Conduct of Sea Transport Operations

Overall, the conduct and movement of Allied transport by sea is expected to be a much more complex task in AE than my previous CHS game vs Pillager. Several factors impacting Allied sea transport operations are mentioned here.

Japanese Submarine forces: It is my view that Jap submarines can be used more effectively and at much less risk against Allied transports in AE than CHS or stock WitP. I see this as mainly due to two factors – first, what appears to be a slight increase in effectiveness in AE for Jap submarine torpedoes, and second, the reduced effectiveness of Allied surface (naval) ASW in AE.

It’s only a question of time before Pillager “connects the dots” and begins to go aggressively against Allied transports. My conclusion is based on observing performance of the Japanese AI in AE when playing the Allies against it and I have absolutely no reason to believe that Pillager can’t do at least as well if not better with Japanese subs against Allied transport shipping.


Allied surface naval ASW operations and protection of transport shipping: The diminished effectiveness of Allied surface naval ASW in AE compared to CHS has a significant impact on the conduct of sea transport operations for the Allies. Effects of this reduction in effectiveness for Allied ASW on Allied sea transport is being felt in these areas.

• In general, early-war Allied surface naval and air ASW operational capabilities in AE will make it more difficult to intercept and attack Japanese subs before they find and attack Allied transport shipping.

• To minimize exposure of Allied transports to Japanese submarines and maximize the value of Allied ASW resources available to protect transports, a system of transport convoys for Allied shipping will need to be implemented.

• Inclusion of DD’s and specialized ASW ships (DE, KV, etc) in Allied transport convoys as escorts will be required to maximize effect of the limited numbers of DD’s and specialized ASW ship types available for escorting transport ships, this being especially true during the early war period.


Security of on-map Allied transport shipping: Providing secure movement of Allied transport shipping without significant interruption from Japanese action across each of the six primary movement routes will be an important part of Allied strategy in the early war period. Securing routes for transport shipping will be a significant factor in many decisions including what locations to defend (or not defend) against Japanese attack, sites where principal Allied bases are to be developed, among others.

Security of on-map transport shipping routes requires protection of Allied transport ships moving at sea (either individually or in convoy) from each of the following forms of Japanese attack.

• Submarines
• Surface naval raiders.
• Carrier forces (including KB, also CVL and floatplane tender TF’s)

The threat of attack from Japanese LBA was not included here as the scope of this discussion covers rear-area transport shipping routes rather than movement of transport ships into forward bases or front-line areas normally within reach of enemy LBA.

A variety of Allied resources and tools will be used as needed in securing movement of transport shipping across on-map routes, and include the following.

• DD’s and specialized ASW ships attached to convoys for close escort.
• Dedicated ASW task forces to independently attack detected Jap submarines.
• LBA air units performing naval search and ASW missions from bases near or along the shipping routes.
• Surface naval and/or Carrier TF’s operating in a screening role along transport shipping routes.
• Implementation and use of a transport convoy system.


Allied transport shipping routes: Conduct of Allied transport shipping operations throughout the war will inevitably focus on a number of primary shipping routes, each primary route controlling strategic communication into or between one or more major theatres. The flow of transport ships and cargoes across these routes has an important strategic effect on the course of the war.

Primary on-map shipping routes

#1 – Western US & Canada to Hawaii and the Central Pacific theatre.
#2 – Western US and Panama to eastern areas of the South Pacific theatre.
#3 – Western US & Canada to Alaska and the North Pacific theatre.
#4 – Western US and Panama via route #2 to central and western areas of the South Pacific theatre, Australia/New Zealand and the SW Pacific theatre. Route #4 includes route #2 above and extends it across central and western areas of the South Pacific theatre to New Zealand and Australia.
#5 – Western Indian Ocean. This route actually represents a network of shipping lanes, including on-map shipping movement through the western Indian Ocean between points in mainland India and Ceylon, and also movement to India and Ceylon from off-map bases at Aden, Abadan and Capetown.
#6 – Eastern Indian Ocean route between Colombo and Western Australia.

Primary off-map shipping routes

#7 – Eastern US to Australia via Capetown.
#8 – Eastern US to India. This is actually two off-map movement routes from the Eastern US, one via Capetown and a second route via Aden (once Mediterranean travel is opened in 1943).

For the US, securing transport routes #1, #2 and #3 above is vital for effective movement from the western US to almost any location in the Pacific. A major priority of US air and naval resources in the eastern Pacific area will go toward security of routes #1, #2 and #3 as collectively these routes are the prerequisite to any effective on-map communication going out from the western US and Canada.


To some extent there is an overlap between routes #4 and #2. For purposes of discussion I deliberately made these into two separate shipping routes to make the following distinction.

Route #4 represents the historical route of communication from the western US to Australia across the South Pacific that was successfully maintained by the Allies during the actual campaign in the Pacific. Maintained in real life, yes… WitP and AE often show a different story. In my CHS match vs Pillager, the Japanese captured Canton Is, Pago Pago, Suva, Noumea and completely eliminated this historical route through the South Pacific.

In my long-range calculations, Pillager is expected to again send an initial Japanese advance deep into the South Pacific in an attempt to repeat establishment of an outer perimeter line along Canton Is - Pago Pago - Suva - Noumea. Even if my plans to maintain footholds at Suva and Pago Pago are successful, Pillager will still be in a good position to seriously interdict route #4 if not completely shut it down. If there's a way I can keep route #4 open, it will be used. However, my long-term strategic plans run on the premise route #4 will at the least be heavily interdicted if not fully shut down as a result of the Japanese advance. Therefore, a contingency is needed and AE provides one.

Route #2 exists as a truncated version of route #4 (historical US to Australia route across the South Pacific) and represents the route of communication between the US west coast and Allied front-line bases in the combined South/SW Pacific theatre (Line Islands – Penhryn – Society Is) after Pillager sent Jap forces to overrun Canton, Pago Pago, Suva and Noumea in our last CHS match.

So what happens if Pillager cuts the historic US to Australia communications through the South Pacific (Route #4) again? In our CHS match, the remaining on-map communication route between the US and Australia/NZ was a very long path through sea areas along the eastern and southern edges of the WitP (CHS) map. Along much of this alternate route, Allied transport shipping was moving with absolutely no cover against Japanese interdiction. No adequate bases existed along or near this route to provide LBA cover or to support substantial Allied naval forces, this situation leaving a sizable uncovered "gap" along the route. Pillager sortied the KB, surface raiders and floatplane tender TF’s a number of times into this “gap” to engage and sink Allied transports with virtually no effective opposition.

Now for the contingency… As in CHS, a path along the southern and eastern map edges is again available as an alternative to route #4 if (and after) Pillager seriously interdicts or shuts down that route by a Japanese advance in the South Pacific. And in one respect the designers of AE helped out! They provided lots of islands down there for bases from which the Allies can cover this route.

But why do this when AE also provides route #7 (Eastern US via Capetown to Perth, Melbourne or Adelaide). While route #7 from the eastern US to Australia is no shorter than the long way from the western US to Australia going around the southern and eastern map edge, unlike the southern and eastern map edge route, most if not all of route #7 is completely free from any kind of Japanese interference. Allied transport shipping moving across route #7 does not require naval escorts nor coverage by LBA from nearby land bases (bases that would have to be built up in order for LBA to operate).

Only one thing is needed before route #7 can be used on a large scale, transport ships moved and operating off-map.

You do not need to send any transports to the Eastern USA base in order to embark units for transport to any "off map" base (caveat note the temporary broken link with the Middle East until the opening of the Mediterranean in May 1943).

LCUs and LBAs can be moved between "off map" bases using their own local "off map" shipping (which is not represented in the game). Hence the transports you have sent from Panama should be used "on map". You only need sea lift capacity located "off map" if you need to move LCU/LBA from "off map" to "on map" or need to move supply/fuel from/to "off map" bases which have no land connection between them.

Alfred

Using route #7 as the primary communications route between the US and Australia is the reasoning behind dispatching US transport ships arriving as reinforcements in Panama to the Eastern US rather than sending them onto the game map. In addition to ships from Panama, substantial numbers of large, long-range transport ships now heading to Capetown from Australia, India, the DEI, Philippines, Malaya and other areas are expected to provide yet more ships for use on route #7.

It should also be noted that route #7 is a combination of off- and on-map sea movement, on-map movement being the final leg from Capetown to Australia. For purposes of my calculations, Allied transport ships operating along route #7 will be considered off-map as this is where they'll be spending most of their time.

Allocating transport ships for the mainly off-map movement along route #7 does not draw from US transport ships already operating on-map along the US West Coast, Canada, Hawaii and Alaska. Numbers of on-map US transport ships now operating from the US West Coast are adequate for current transport requirements in on-map areas of the eastern Pacific.


Route #5 is basically a British theatre of operations and actually represents the network of mainly on-map sea routes covering India and the Southeast Asia theatre. Transport shipping in this area of the Indian Ocean is almost entirely short-range and relatively local in nature compared to shipping routes in the Pacific theatres.

Route #6 represents the on-map sea route mainly between Colombo and Perth and will be used almost entirely for transport shipping into western Australia (via Perth) from India, Ceylon and off-map bases in Aden and Abadan.

Routes #6 and #4 are the two routes most likely to be subject to active Japanese interdiction.

Route #8 is another available off-map shipping route, though it’s anticipated this route will not be as extensively used.


Utilization of off-map bases and shipping routes: Where possible, Allied transport convoys will make use of off-map bases and shipping routes, especially in non-critical situations where neither the convoy’s cargo nor the time in which it has to arrive at its destination are crucial factors. Collection of longer-range transport ships and their movement to off-map bases early in the game will be done to begin implementing an off-map transport system


Collection & Allocation of transport ships: A process was begun immediately effective 12/8/41 to collect and allocate on-map Allied transport ships. The process will (1) concentrate Allied transport ships in central locations from where they can be allocated or used, and (2) allocate and dispatch individual transport ships according to their future employment.

Transport ships in Hawaii, Alaska, and the mainland US & Canada as of 12/8/41 are being collected and retained in this general area to service on-map shipping routes leaving US and Canadian west coast ports for Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific theatres. These ships are exempted from the collection and allocation process for transport ships that will occur elsewhere.

In all other on-map areas, the process of collecting and allocating transport ships will take place. Transport ships from forward areas in the immediate path of the Japanese initial advance (Philippines, DEI, Hong Kong, Malaya, etc) are being evacuated to rear-area bases along with whatever cargo can be loaded aboard them. Once transport ships arriving from forward areas are unloaded, they will go into the allocation process.

Allocation of transport ships will be done according to the type of operation each individual ship will be used for – long range vs short range or local transport, on-map vs off-map movement, etc. Several criteria including size, movement range, ship type and nationality will factor into how and where a given transport ship will be used.

Longer range ships (8,000 to 10,000 mi and greater) and ships with larger cargo capacities are generally being dispatched to off-map locations. Several roles for these ships are anticipated and include.

• Transporting reinforcements and materiel (supply, fuel, oil, resource) entering the game in off-map locations to on-map bases.

• Long range transport operations both on- and off-map. I’m anticipating extensive use of these ships in moving cargoes between the US and Australia from the Eastern US via Capetown to ports in southern Australia (route #7).

Smaller and shorter range ships (< 8,000 mi) will be retained on-map and used for short-range and local transport operations along routes that in most cases will be entirely within the same theatre area. Distribution of smaller and short-range transport ships among major theatre commands will be done according to operational needs.


Transport Convoy System: Plans are to establish and implement a convoy system for the majority of Allied transport shipping similar to what was historically done in the Atlantic. The convoy system will be used and followed to the greatest extent possible, though I expect making many exceptions to this rule on an case-to-case basis as situations dictate.

Size and composition of transport convoys: The following practices will be used in the formation and operation of Allied transport convoys to the greatest extent possible.

• A convoy may be formed of ships proceeding to a single destination, or can include ships going to a cluster of multiple destinations within a short distance of each other or located at different points along a common path of travel.

• Port capacity of the assigned destination base or bases for a convoy will be the main factor in determining the number and size of ships to be included in that convoy. If possible, the port size of a destination base should be sufficient to allow simultaneous docking of all ships from a convoy that are being sent to that destination.

• Size and number of ships in a convoy going to the same destination should not exceed the destination base’s port capacity to unload the ship(s) within a relatively quick period of time, usually 3-5 days maximum. This practice will ensure best turn-around time of transport ships at the destination port and also minimize exposure of transport ships to enemy air or naval attack while stopped at the destination base.

Movement of transport convoys with multiple destinations: Transport convoys composed of ships going to multiple destinations will detach individual ships or groups of ships going to each destination (with or without escorts) as the convoy approaches that destination. These ships proceed to the destination base, load and/or unload, then depart from the destination base to merge again with the convoy for the return trip.

Risks of a transport convoy system:

• Use of a transport convoy system will impose delays in many departures of individual ships as a result of collecting and holding loaded transport ships in port while transport convoys are being formed. In turn, ship departure delays will slow down the rate of deployment of materiel (supply, fuel), land and air forces by sea, especially movement of US forces from the western US by sea to Australia, New Zealand and forward bases in the Pacific theatres.

• Each transport convoy that is formed and sails is to some degree “putting a number of eggs in the same basket”. While the risk of a convoy’s detection by Japanese forces (especially carrier or surface naval) is somewhat less than for the same number of transport ships sailing independently (one target to detect vs many), the possibility of heavy losses is considerably increased for a transport convoy that is detected and attacked by Japanese forces.

Summary of Operations 12/26/41

Panama: Three damaged US BB’s from Pearl Harbor arrived in Panama, these ships enroute to US east coast shipyards to complete repairs and then upgrades. The fact these BB are lightly damaged (I can get them to the US east coast) and that there is little value in keeping these ships in or near the front line (at this point in the war, front-line employment of US BB at this point in the war merely providing cannon fodder for the KB) lends itself to sending them to US east coast shipyards for repair and upgrade. Utilization of US east coast shipyards keeps shipyard capacity on the west coast & Pearl Harbor free for quicker and/or more urgent repair. Also, once repaired and upgraded, these BB can either return to the map via Panama or dispatched to Australia via Capetown (more than one way back into the Pacific).



One moderately damaged US BB (Nevada) still at Pearl Harbor with current damage levels 26 system, 27 float, 11 eng. BB Nevada is now capable of 14 kts and and plans are to have it leave Pearl Harbor shortly to complete repairs on the US west coast.

Two more severely damaged BB's remain at Pearl Harbor and will need to continue repair of damage there.

Summary of Operations 12/26/41 (continued)

Australia: Allied transport ships arriving in Perth from the DEI and Singapore (via the DEI) include 1 Australian AM, 1 Dutch AVP, 2 small Dutch xAP , 3 British xAKL, 2 British TK, 1 Dutch PC.

Total cargoes reaching Perth this game turn aboard these ships include 2000 resource, 14725 fuel.

At this time, nearly all Allied transports and auxiliary ships successfully leaving the DEI have already reached Australia or are now in Australian waters. Unlike my last match vs Pillager in CHS where I got nearly all Allied transports to Australia, Pillager's early movement of Japanese CVL's and surface naval forces into the Philippines and northern DEI decimated US and British transports leaving the Philippines and Hong Kong and claimed substantial Allied ship losses elsewhere.


DEI: Jap landing begins at Tarakan, heavy fire on Japanese transport ships from Dutch coastal artillery. AAR’s follow. While scoring hits on enemy ships is nice, Pillager is disembarking the Japanese 4th Division to capture Tarakan so the gallant actions of Dutch coastal gunners isn't expected to put a serious crimp on Pillager's progress.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tarakan
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

74 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Eiwa Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
PB Kinsyo Maru #2, Shell hits 3
DD Akikaze
xAKL Hinode Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
PB Teibo Maru #2
xAP Huzi Maru

Japanese ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)

120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAKL Eiwa Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Akikaze fires to suppress enemy guns at 7,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAKL Hinode Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Akikaze fires to suppress enemy guns at 7,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAKL Hinode Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Akikaze fires to suppress enemy guns at 7,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAKL Eiwa Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Akikaze fires to suppress enemy guns at 7,000 yards
PB Teibo Maru #2 firing at enemy troops
PB Kinsyo Maru #2 firing at enemy troops
120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging PB Kinsyo Maru #2 at 2,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging PB Kinsyo Maru #2 at 2,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tarakan

TF 204 troops unloading over beach at Tarakan, 67,91

Japanese ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 4th Div
20 troops of a IJA HMG Squad lost in surf during unload of 4th Div /12
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Div /10
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 4th Div /10
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 4th Div /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Div /9
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Div /8
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 4th Div /7
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Div /6
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 4th Div /5
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 4th Div /3
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 4th Div /3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarakan

46 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hinode Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
DD Akikaze
PB Teibo Maru #2, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAP Huzi Maru

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAKL Hinode Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Akikaze fires to suppress enemy guns at 6,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAKL Hinode Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Akikaze fires to suppress enemy guns at 6,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAKL Hinode Maru at 6,000 yards
PB Teibo Maru #2 fires to suppress enemy guns at 6,000 yards
PB Teibo Maru #2 firing at enemy troops
120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging PB Teibo Maru #2 at 2,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging PB Teibo Maru #2 at 2,000 yards
PB Kinsyo Maru #2 firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Tarakan Coastal Gun Battalion, at 67,91 (Tarakan)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarakan

30 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Eiwa Maru, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akikaze
PB Teibo Maru #2
xAK Goyo Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
xAP Huzi Maru

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

DD Akikaze fires to suppress enemy guns at 6,000 yards
PB Teibo Maru #2 fires to suppress enemy guns at 6,000 yards
DD Akikaze fires to suppress enemy guns at 6,000 yards
PB Teibo Maru #2 fires to suppress enemy guns at 6,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Goyo Maru at 6,000 yards
PB Teibo Maru #2 fires to suppress enemy guns at 6,000 yards
PB Teibo Maru #2 firing at enemy troops
PB Kinsyo Maru #2 firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tarakan (67,91)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 989 troops, 30 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 44
Defending force 12895 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 444

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

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

Assaulting units:
VII KNIL Battalion
Tarakan Coastal Gun Battalion
Tarakan Base Force

Defending units:
4th Div /37

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

Jap LBA bombers (Ki-21 Sally) continue bombing Palembang with no significant damage or Allied casualties.

Last Allied convoy remaining in the DEI (2 empty Dutch CM, 1 Dutch xAKL) departed this game turn for Australia.


Malaya: Japanese ground forces (one LCU) detected entering Johore Bahru base hex. 8 Indian Brigade now in Temuloh with no possiblilty of escape to Singapore, it is now remaining in Temuloh to the end.

Jap bombers continue air attacks on Singapore. Light British casualties reported. 9 Jap bombers hit by flak.


China: Japanese ground forces (12 LCU) detected entering Changsha base hex.

Summary of Operations 12/27/41

Canton Is: Japanese naval bombardment of Canton Is. Substantial damage (30-40%) reported to base facilities. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island at 153,143

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
DD Hokaze
DD Yuzuki

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 18
Port hits 23
Port fuel hits 8
Port supply hits 3

BB Kirishima firing at Canton Island
BB Hiei firing at Canton Island
CA Kako firing at Canton Island
CA Furutaka firing at Canton Island
CA Kinugasa firing at Canton USN CPNAB
CA Aoba firing at Canton Island
DD Hokaze firing at Canton Island
DD Yuzuki firing at Canton Island

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

One or more unidentified Jap TF(s) detected near Tarawa. Sigint report entry for 12/27 indicates radio transmissions from same hex location. Possibilities include the KB returning to base (Kwajalein?), also invasion TF(s) on their way to Canton and/or Baker Is. Number, composition, and heading of these TF(s) are unknown.

CV Enterprise TG is near Christmas Is and just completed refueling from a replenishment TF. It is remaining within movement range of either Canton or Baker Is in the event Pillager's unidentified Jap TF(s) are pulling an invasion. All this keeping in mind the KB may still be in the area.

That being said… the “all clear” has been sounded at Pago Pago and Suva. Transport shipping activity to these two bases is resumed.


New Guinea: Japanese landing (1 LCU detected) at Hansa Bay near Madang. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Hansa Bay

TF 302 troops unloading over beach at Hansa Bay, 97,121

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

8 Engineers lost from landing craft during unload of 3rd Base Force /27
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of 9th JNAF Coy
8 Engineers lost overboard during unload of 3rd Base Force
8 Naval Support troops lost overboard during unload of 3rd Base Force
8 Naval Support troops lost in surf during unload of 3rd Base Force
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 3rd Base Force /29
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 9th JNAF Coy /28

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


Australia: No arrivals of Allied transport ships in Perth from the DEI.


DEI: Japanese capture Tarakan. AAR’s follow.

Two stray British MTB’s heading southward from the Philippines visit Tarakan and disrupt Jap disembarkation in a night surface combat operation, fired their torpedoes at Jap transports, hit nothing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarakan
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Sakae Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
PB Teibo Maru #2
xAKL Eiwa Maru, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akikaze
xAK Goyo Maru
xAP Huzi Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akikaze
xAK Goyo Maru
xAK Hitati Maru
xAK Terukawa Maru
xAK Syohei Maru
xAK London Maru
xAK Kurogane Maru
xAKL Eiwa Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Sakae Maru
xAP Asama Maru
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
xAP Huzi Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
PB Teibo Maru #2

Allied Ships
MTB 8
MTB 9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tarakan at 67,91

Japanese Ships
DD Akikaze
xAK Syohei Maru
xAK Terukawa Maru
xAK Hitati Maru
xAK Goyo Maru
xAKL Sakae Maru
xAKL Eiwa Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 5 (system 18, float 37)

SS KXVIII launches 4 torpedoes at DD Akikaze
DD Akikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akikaze is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarakan
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Eiwa Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Teibo Maru #2, Shell hits 2
DD Akikaze
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
xAP Huzi Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarakan
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Eiwa Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akikaze
PB Teibo Maru #2
xAKL Sakae Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
xAP Huzi Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarakan
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Sakae Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
DD Akikaze
xAK Goyo Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Teibo Maru #2
xAP Huzi Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tarakan (67,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12925 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 447
Defending force 1773 troops, 46 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 341
Allied adjusted defense: 28
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tarakan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1036 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 67 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 27 (26 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Division

Defending units:
VII KNIL Battalion
Tarakan Coastal Gun Battalion
Tarakan Base Force

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


Japanese surface naval TF previously reported in Kendari on 12/24 appears at Ambon, engages Dutch PT flotilla in a daytime action. Dutch PT’s were unable to close range to fire torpedoes. No hits or damage on either side. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Ambon at 76,109, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CL Yura
DD Mikazuki
DD Yakaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
PT TM-4
PT TM-5
PT TM-6
PT TM-7
PT TM-8
PT TM-9

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

Jap fighter sweeps (Zeroes) reported over Palembang. Dutch transport and patrol seaplanes are now flying additional engineer elements into Palembang to reinforce the demolition of oil & resource production and refinery facilities there. 13 engineer squads and one engineer vehicle are currently in Palembang. Dutch LCU’s from surrounding bases on Sumatra have already moved into Palembang



Malaya: Jap bombers (Ki-21 Sally) continue air attacks on Singapore against port facilities and ground units. Light British casualties reported. Jap bombers hit and inflicted additional damage on Dutch submarine K-XIII under repair in Singapore shipyard. Dutch sub K-XIII is being removed from the shipyard (3 days delay) and will depart from Singapore for India. 9 Jap bombers reported hit by flak.


Burma: Japanese capture Mergui in southern Burma. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mergui (53,62)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 53 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 5
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Mergui !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /38

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


Capetown: Five large Dutch AK arrived in Capetown from the DEI evacuation. These ships are being allocated to transport operations between the US east coast and Australia.


China: Japanese ground forces attack at Changsha, capture Chuhsien. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 57304 troops, 636 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 2315
Defending force 61193 troops, 405 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1635
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 1182
Allied adjusted defense: 2151

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2574 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 161 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 133 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2782 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 149 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 176 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
18th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Division
116th Division
34th Division
3rd Division
6th Division
58th Infantry Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Army
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
30th Group Army
9th War Area
19th Group Army
29th Group Army
27th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force

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

Ground combat at Chuhsien (88,56)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 12274 troops, 112 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 436
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 458
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 458 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Chuhsien !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
15th Division

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

Summary of Operations 12/28/41

Let’s go to Tokyo! SS Argonaut deposits its first load of mines in Tokyo Bay. A fitting start for the sundry voyages of this distinguished boat which laid its mines across nearly the entire WitP game map in my last outing vs Pillager.


Canton Is: KB task force(s) spotted three hexes NW of Canton by SOC-1 Seagull from damaged CA Pensacola now operating from Canton Is. KB is reported moving on an E heading, either to check out Palmyra or intercept any US naval forces or transports moving southward into the area from Pearl Harbor.

CV Enterprise TG remains in the Christmas Is area outside the detection range of KB aircraft.


New Guinea: Japanese capture beach hex at Hansa Bay. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 402 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 59
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 8
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hansa Bay !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
Bandasan SNLF
9th JNAF Coy
3rd Base Force

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

Sigint report entry for 12/28 indicates radio transmissions detected in hex 99,112 north of Hollandia.


Australia: Allied transport ships arriving in Perth from the DEI and Singapore (via the DEI) include 2 British TK, 2 British xAK, six Dutch xAKL.

Total cargoes reaching Perth this game turn aboard these ships include 11980 oil, 1950 resource, 4670 supply, 2900 fuel, along with two RAF & one RNZAF air units (total planes – 2 Singapore III patrol, 14 Vildebeest).


DEI: Probable Japanese invasion TF (9 ships including multiple AP) detected three hexes W of Ambon, moving on an E heading. A flotilla of six Dutch PT’s is at Ambon.

Jap fighters (Zeroes) continue sweeps over Palembang, also ground attack strike by Ki-21 Sally bombers on Dutch LCU’s in Palembang. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Palembang Base Force, at 48,91 (Palembang)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 6 damaged

Allied ground losses: (no engineers affected)
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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


Malaya: More Jap LCU’s detected entering Johore Bahru base hex, other Jap LCU shown in adjacent hex. I’d expect the battle for Johore Bahru to begin shortly.


Philippines: Jap bombing strikes reported at several locations on Mindanao, including Davao. Minor damage and casualties reported.


Capetown: One large Dutch xAP arrives in Capetown from the DEI evacuation. This ships has been attached to a convoy of US transports also arriving this game turn in Capetown from India – ships this convoy departing for the US east coast to participate in transport operations between the US east coast and Australia.


India: British 18 Division arrived at Madras and now disembarking.

One British xAK arrived in Colombo from DEI evacuation, cargo included 1935 fuel and part of 100 Squadron RAF (two Wildebeest). Other elements of 100 Squadron (9 planes) arrived this game turn in Perth from the DEI.


China: Attacks by Japanese ground forces at Changsha and Loyang. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1115 troops, 140 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2182
Defending force 59260 troops, 405 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1487

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
116th Division
13th Division
34th Division
18th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Division
58th Infantry Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
74th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
30th Group Army
29th Group Army
9th War Area
27th Group Army
19th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Loyang (87,43)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 10965 troops, 94 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 375
Defending force 36445 troops, 166 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1014
Japanese adjusted assault: 196
Allied adjusted defense: 268
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
766 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
597 casualties reported
Squads: 42949666 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
35th Division

Defending units:
5th New Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
15th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
93rd Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
7th Construction Regiment
1st War Area
36th Group Army
15th Group Army
14th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
24th Group Army
39th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
10th Chinese Base Force

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