Stalking the Wolf. Mundy (A) vs GrauWolf80 (J) - LST's Bottleneck Mod.

[Mundy]

31 December 1941

Landings
Enderbury Island (next to Canton)
Sandakan

Losses
Enderbury Island
Lungyu / Jinhua
Mergui
92/38 (China)
81/74 (Luzon)

GW has a bunch of carriers parked about 8 hexes SE of Midway. Between them and the bunch off of Java, I'm not sure which one consists of KB, unless they've been broken up.

To my dismay, I've lost the battleships that were at Port Moresby. I have 4 small search squadrons at PM, so my searches will be rather spotty. Enterprise is headed for the gap near Rabaul. Lexington is a few days out yet, but can help cover area. I want them dead.

GW seems to have straightened things out a bit, and bombarded Midway this turn. A number of his ships did blunder into the mines there.

Night Naval bombardment of Midway at 158,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-4 Catalina: 3 damaged

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
DD Kawakaze
DD Shigure
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Tokitsukaze

Allied Ships
AV Tangier, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 11
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2

6th Marine Defense Battalion firing at BB Mutsu
BB Mutsu firing at 6th Marine Defense Battalion
BB Nagato firing at Midway
DD Kawakaze firing at 6th Marine Defense Battalion
6th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Kawakaze
DD Shigure firing at Midway
DD Shiratsuyu firing at 6th Marine Defense Battalion
6th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Shiratsuyu
DD Tokitsukaze firing at Midway


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

Night Naval bombardment of Midway at 158,91

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-4 Catalina: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
DD Ariake
DD Yugure
DD Wakaba
DD Yukikaze

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 4

BB Hyuga firing at Midway
BB Ise firing at Midway
DD Ariake firing at Midway
DD Yugure firing at Midway
DD Wakaba firing at Midway
DD Yukikaze firing at Midway

TF 31 encounters mine field at Midway (158,91)

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Mine hits 1



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

TF 31 encounters mine field at Midway (158,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Kawakaze, Mine hits 1
DD Shigure
DD Shiratsuyu

6 mines cleared


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

TF 31 encounters mine field at Midway (158,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu, Mine hits 1, heavy damage



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

TF 31 encounters mine field at Midway (158,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Shigure
DD Tokitsukaze

3 mines cleared


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

TF 114 encounters mine field at Midway (158,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Yugure
DD Yukikaze, Mine hits 1, on fire

3 mines cleared


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

TF 31 encounters mine field at Midway (158,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



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

TF 31 encounters mine field at Midway (158,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Tokitsukaze

2 mines cleared


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

TF 114 encounters mine field at Midway (158,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Ariake
DD Yukikaze, on fire

2 mines cleared

That's a lot of steel to bring to this location. I'm half suspecting a landing here.

My Dutch subs have bagged 2 or 3 subs off Sandakan. Any hit counts, I guess. I've noticed that not all his sub drivers seem to be aces, as he's suffered a number of misses already in this game.

Sweeps have been hitting Rangoon, with losses around 1.5 - 1 in his favor. I just unloaded a bunch of ground and air units from Singapore and Soerabaja with more on the way. Most of the bombers I've relocated to Toungoo, due to air support issues. When those two RAF group HQs land, this should be eased quite a bit.

This was some 10-is hexes south of Hawaii, so his carriers are all over the place. Yorktown is inbound to Pearl, so I'll have to watch it.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 181,122

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Reisen x 27
B5N2 Kankoh (Kate) x 9
D3A1 Kanbaku (Val) x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Smith, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Honomu, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Absaroka, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Kanbaku (Val) releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kankoh (Kate) launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Smith


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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 181,122

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Reisen x 9
B5N2 Kankoh (Kate) x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Smith, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Absaroka, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kankoh (Kate) launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 181,122

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Kanbaku (Val) x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Montgomery City, Bomb hits 4
xAKL Mexican, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Kanbaku (Val) releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Kanbaku (Val) releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 181,122

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Reisen x 27
B5N2 Kankoh (Kate) x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Mexican, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Montgomery City, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N2 Kankoh (Kate) launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

The way he's got them all over, maybe I can ambush one of these with my carriers. I'd want to unite York with the other two before I tried anything like that.

[Mundy]

01 January 1942

A new year...

Landings
Midway
Sandakan

Losses
Kampar
Midway
Sandakan
84/48 (China)

With that many ships on the scene, I should have figured Midway would be invaded. It's going to be no mean trick to hold it through. I can probably keep that island isolated and useless for him. I'm thankful I didn't get my forward sub base set up there yet. He brought along two regiments which was more than enough for the job. The coast artillery was pretty much useless not hitting anything here or on the previous bombardment.

At Soerabaja, with all the ships there, I decide it was time to get out of Dodge. I formed about 27 task forces of 5-7 ships and sent them to Australia. He got some of them, but most of them should get away.

Fuso and Yamashiro looked to have escaped, as I can't find them anywhere. Too bad...

That sub off San Francisco is starting to be a real pain. The little Coast Guard tubs got mauled by her before. I've moved up a couple Kingfisher squadrons to patrol, but can only reach out 3 hexes. I recalled a PBY squadron from Pearl and put them on ASW patrol also. I don't have the ships there to deal with it right now.

Similarly at Pearl, I have at least two subs lurking. I created 4 ASW groups and plastered the area. Unfortunately, most of my DDs only have the depth charge dropper in the rear, so won't get many attacks yet. Taney's probably the best equipped of anyone there right now.

[Mundy]

02 January 1942

Landings
<None>

Losses
Anyang
Ipoh
84/48

The waters around Java are pretty red right now. Fortunately, with all the ships dying, I've probably lost 1/3 of them, with the rest getting away. Unfortunately, my 20,000 ton ARD isn't amongst them.

His cruiser force near Rangoon is sitting in the river hex at the edge of the ocean. Not a good move, as now he's pinned for a fight against HMS Revenge and friends. Swordfish from HMS Hermes put a couple of non-penetrating bombs on Takao

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 4
Hudson I x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Takao

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Bomb hits 2
CA Chokai

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Swordfish I bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Elsewhere, I'm dealing with carriers everywhere. Two groups are between Pearl and Christmas Island, sinking an AR at the latter island. I've disbanded the survivors. I'm pretty much paralyzed between Pearl and Suva right now. I'm pretty certain right now that KB has been broken up to do this and they're probably operating in pairs. I'll have to look for a 3 v 2 matchup somewhere. If his ships start to stray towards Pearl, I may try to pounce with a cruiser force. Aircraft there are anti-ship oriented right now.

My Chinese gunboats bombard Ichang to no effect.

[Mundy]

03 January 1942

Landings
<None>

Losses
82/60 (China)

It looks like my supply situation in the States is back on track. Light industry is about 95$ effective right now, with over 300k at San Francisco. I can start shipping with abandon now, provided I deal with those two subs offshore. In India, most of the LI is still down. I need to start getting supply shipped over soon. I've been feeding it fuel from Abadan.

Of the escapees from Soerabaja, they're about 2/3 of the way to Australia, out of harms way. The bum rush more or less worked.

My Chinese bombers are hitting, I think Hankow. The port, which indicates he has ships disbanded there. Anything to cause trouble somewhere.

His cruisers near Rangoon up and disappeared, dancing around my battleship. I have a very thorough air search coverage over the area, so I'm sure they're gone. I've merged them with the Hermes group.

I figure in about two weeks, I'll probably be able to buy out a USA division. They're stocking up at San Francisco like cans of Spam before Armageddon.

ENT and LEX are moving towards Noumea before heading towards Pearl. YORK is going to Pearl first to top off her shortened aircraft supply.

[Mundy]

04 January 1942

Landings
<None>

Losses
<None>

Dealing with this turn after turn.

Submarine attack near Fort Ord at 218,73

Japanese Ships
SS I-4

Allied Ships
xAK Mana, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Mana is sighted by SS I-4
SS I-4 launches 2 torpedoes

ASW really sucks in this point in the war. The 4 ASW groups around Pearl can't do anything, and none of the ASW flights land a hit.

My subs have been active too. Japan is literally carpeted with subs right now.

Sub attack near Ise at 108,63

Japanese Ships
xAK KM Portland, Shell hits 5

Allied Ships
SS Sargo~

SS Sargo~ attacking on the surface
SS Sargo~ low on gun ammo, Jacobs, T D breaks off surface engagement and submerges

Sub attack near Balikpapan at 66,98

Japanese Ships
xAP Hakone Maru, Torpedo hits 1
CM Tsugaru
xAK Teiryu Maru
xAK Tenryu Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8

Allied Ships
SS S-38~

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

SS S-38~ launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Hakone Maru
S-38~ diving deep ....
PB Kyo Maru #10 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Kyo Maru #8 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Kyo Maru #10 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Kyo Maru #10 is out of ASW ammo
PB Kyo Maru #10 is out of ASW ammo
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #10 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Troops take a shot at Balikpapan, but they hold for now. They came overland from the NE.

Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5046 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 213

Defending force 4225 troops, 47 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Japanese adjusted assault: 47

Allied adjusted defense: 37

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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

Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
55ID 144th Infantry Regiment
III/66th Naval Guard Unit
23SBF Kure 2nd' Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion
Samarinda Cdo
Samarinda Base Force
Balikpapan Defenses
Balikpapan Base Force
Civilians

I'm about to start dispersing the Indian Army to deal with my garrison issues in India. I'm hoping just breaking up about 2 divisions will settle most of this.

Lexington and Enterprise will refuel briefly at Brisbane before continuing on to Pearl, where they can join Yorktown. His carriers have quieted down, so I'm not sure if they're pulling back or not.

My troops at Pegu, including my new Australian division are moving across the river to Martaban, which is another river he'd have to cross to get to me. It doesn't appear he has many troops in the area. I'm debating whether or not to run these guys down the peninsula. I wouldn't want anything to happen in the backfield. I've been continuously feeding troops into this area.

[Mundy]

05 January 1942

Landings
<None>

Losses
54/59

What is the BJ2 Nagoya? Some kind of single engined bomber, but I have no clue what it is. Google provides nothing. It's below, and it flew with Thai fighter escort.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,54

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Rikko (Betty) x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Rikko (Betty): 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Kortenaer
xAP Boschfontein
xAP Tjitjalengka~, Torpedo hits 1

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Rikko (Betty) launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,54

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Rikko (Betty) x 7

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 9
Buffalo I x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Rikko (Betty): 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Boschfontein

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Rikko (Betty) launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn' with H81-A3 (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
AVG/2nd Sqn' with H81-A3 (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
AVG/3rd Sqn' with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead

Morning Air attack on TF, near 55/54 at 55,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Chukou (Nell) x 27
G4M1 Rikko (Betty) x 9

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 24
Buffalo I x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Chukou (Nell): 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
G4M1 Rikko (Betty): 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Kelantan~
xAP Hong Siang
CL Mauritius~
AV +Wusueh, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Kinta

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M2 Chukou (Nell) bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x G4M1 Rikko (Betty) bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x G3M2 Chukou (Nell) bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn' with H81-A3 (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
AVG/2nd Sqn' with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
AVG/3rd Sqn' with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AV +Wusueh


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

Morning Air attack on TF, near 55/54 at 55,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Chukou (Nell) x 13

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 18
Buffalo I x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Chukou (Nell): 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn' with H81-A3 (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
AVG/2nd Sqn' with H81-A3 (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
AVG/3rd Sqn' with H81-A3 (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near 55/54 at 55,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Chukou (Nell) x 6

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 16
Buffalo I x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Chukou (Nell): 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn' with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
AVG/2nd Sqn' with H81-A3 (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
AVG/3rd Sqn' with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near 55/54 at 55,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Reisen x 6
B.J2 Nagoya x 10
Hawk III x 9

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 15
Buffalo I x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B.J2 Nagoya: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hawk III: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AV +Wusueh, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hong Kheng

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B.J2 Nagoya bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
2 x B.J2 Nagoya bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn' with H81-A3 (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
AVG/2nd Sqn' with H81-A3 (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
AVG/3rd Sqn' with H81-A3 (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near 55/54 at 55,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B.J2 Nagoya x 4

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 8
Buffalo I x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B.J2 Nagoya: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
AVG/2nd Sqn' with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 78 minutes
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Raid is overhead
AVG/1st Sqn' with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 73 minutes
AVG/3rd Sqn' with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near 55/54 at 55,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Rikko (Betty) x 6

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 7
Buffalo I x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Rikko (Betty): 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
AVG/2nd Sqn' with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Raid is overhead
AVG/1st Sqn' with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
AVG/3rd Sqn' with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Raid is overhead



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near 55/54 at 55,54

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Rikko (Betty) x 9

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 7
Buffalo I x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Rikko (Betty): 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
PG Dragonfly
xAP Dominion Monarch~, Torpedo hits 1
DD Encounter

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Rikko (Betty) launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn' with H81-A3 (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
AVG/2nd Sqn' with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
AVG/3rd Sqn' with H81-A3 (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead

My CAP mostly held up, but a couple raids breezed through. I just had one RAF Buffalo squadron and the AVG up. Next turn, the other Buff squadrons from Singapore and Java will pitch in. One of the AVG squadrons has some aces already, including Greg Boyington. Experience is rising. I'll eventually be moving some RAF Hurricane squadrons in.

For India, My garrison issues should be fixed within a week. I broke up one Indian division and spread a few smaller units around. It didn't take as much as I feared. Thankfully, the red exclamation point helps me find the trouble spots.

Balikpapan and Tarakan still hold out under attack. I'll give them 3 days tops.

I'm looking forward to my Doolittle squadrons when it comes. I'll have to send it to Tokyo.

[LargeSlowTarget]

For India, My garrison issues should be fixed within a week. I broke up one Indian division and spread a few smaller units around. It didn't take as much as I feared. Thankfully, the red exclamation point helps me find the trouble spots.

I have pre-set smaller units to move to places requiring garrisons. There are some glitches,three units are moving in combat mode instead of strat move. It is surely possible to spread the small stuff around differently to optimise the garrisons, but it shouldn't be necessary to split a division - I never had to do that. At least not in the beginning, many small units will disband later and then it might become necessary.

[Mundy]

I just took the easiest route. I wasn't seeing anyone in strat mode moving around. Once I plug the leaks, I can do something more careful.

I'm glad you're checking in. I appreciate your insight.

06 January 1944

One week in and we've gotten through a month of game time. Not bad.

Landings
<None>

Losses
Balikpapan
Tsiaotso

Tarakan's still holding out. How... I don't know as they've nearly zero combat power.

Got this from da Monkey. Seems like overkill for a garrison.

1942-01-05 56ID 148th Infantry Regiment is loaded on xAP Montevideo Maru moving to Wake Island -

A sub sank another transport near San Francisco. I've been getting escorts to the incoming transports from Panama, but I'm missing a few. I've got more YPs and PCs on patrol, but they're not finding their targets. I've been beefing up leadership on these vessels.

I think the threat of his carriers has finally passed. I can start thinking of getting my forward bases beefed up with assets from Pearl. I've built up quite a few assault transport for getting them there efficiently.

[Mundy]

07 January 1942

1 Month,

Landings
<None>

Losses
Tambaya

I capture hex 92/46 in China. For the most part, we're both treading fairly lightly in China. Small gains here and there by both sides -- more him, but I have my moments too. He mainly holds the south and east 1/4 of the country. I'm trying to form a coherent line along the main rivers.

Warspite is enroute to Pearl. Some DDs from Pearl are enroute as an escort. Colorado's probably about a month out yet.

He hasn't moved into Singapore or Bataan yet. Just the daily massive bombings.

[Mundy]

09 January 1942

Landings
<None>

Losses
89/55

Tarakan holds again. Don't know how they're doing it.

Ground combat at Tarakan (67,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3907 troops, 56 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 174

Defending force 3188 troops, 39 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese adjusted assault: 91

Allied adjusted defense: 85

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
21st Fld AA Gun Co
31st Field AA Battalion
35th Field AA Battalion
26th Fld AA Gun Co

Defending units:
VII KNIL Battalion
Tarakan Base Force
Tarakan Defenses
Civilians


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


Ground combat at Tarakan (67,91)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 620 troops, 23 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Defending force 4980 troops, 130 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 165

Assaulting units:
VII KNIL Battalion
Tarakan Defenses
Tarakan Base Force
Civilians

Defending units:
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
35th Field AA Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
26th Fld AA Gun Co

GW now has 4 submarines sitting off San Francisco. I haven't had an opponent yet that worked that part of the map this hard yet, so his sub philosophy is pretty close to mine. One of my subs takes a shot at a freighter off the west coast of Hokkaido, but misses.

I've got another ASW patrol going off SF. I've had to replace all the grade B losers running these ships with better captains. The Coast Guard MLs, I've found, only have enough depth charges for about one pass at a sub. I wish my planes would start landing hits. One of PBYs and 4 of Kingfishers are working the area. His subs have been within range of my floatplanes.

Mostly quiet elsewhere, apart from the daily bombings of the two hot spots. Intel Chimp has been quiet with the intel. I'm not getting loads of reports of units prepping for Melbourne or anything like that.

I'm getting decent buildups of cargo and people haulers at my ports, so I'll be moving stuff soon. I'm better off that in stock as far as the xAP supply.

BB Royal Sovereign is enroute from Aden.

[Mundy]

10 January 1942

Landings
Jolo


Losses
50,81 (near Kluang)
92/45
Utan Melintang
Weston / Beaufort

Tarakan still holding.

No move towards Rabaul yet. Once some transports show up, I'm half tempted to send about two divisions up there. I'd also pack some Coastal Artillery while I'm at it.

[Mundy]

11 January 1942

Landings
Jolo

Losses
Kuala Lumpur
Loyang
Ye (54,58)

GW has a sub off Vancouver Island, claiming an xAKL bound for Coal Harbor. Another spot to screen.

I haven't sank many, but the results are kind funny.

A sub plus carriers hit a transport and its destroyer near Palmyra. I'm guessing one carrier, so I'll be sending mine that way.

[Mundy]

12 January 1942

Landings
Kudat (69,86)

Losses
Thanbyuzayat (55,56)
53/61

GW caught my precious assault transports about 8 hexes south of Hawaii. I didn't need that. I was shipping reinforcements to Noumea, but that's on hold now. My carriers are a number of days away yet. I'll time things so that Yorktown at Pearl will get involved at the same time as the other two. He's pretty much paralyzing me between Hawaii and Australia right now.

[Mundy]

13 January 1942

Landings
<None>

Losses
Kudat

Most of my transports south of Hawaii are toast. It looked like two separate carrier groups were involved, so I'll have to tread lightly here. One group had at least a pair, and the other may have been a single carrier.

Mississippi arrives in Panama.

A weird message popped up about naval gunfire at Singapore, to there appears to be no combat messages.

I just remembered I had B-17s from the Philippines at Rangoon. They're paying Bangkok's light industry a visit.

No troops have entered Bataan or Singapore yet. None of the other islands of the Philippines have been taken either.

[BBfanboy]

The "dry fire" of CD guns at Singapore just means enemy ships transited the hex, but no actual shooting took place for supply, range or d/l reasons.

[Mundy]

Thanks.

14 January 1942

Landings
Jesselton

Losses
<None>

I'm rounding up a couple brigades plus flak and coastal artillery to send to Rabaul. He's taking his time about it, so I can do what I can to make this difficult. If I can block him here, I can forestall any messy Solomons campaign.

GW is probably the best opponent I've face with the use of his subs. He has at least one at the board edge where he can catch all the arrivals from Panama. Most Japanese players I've encountered never bother. I was trying the same thing against AW1Steve and Onime, to little effect. As it is, if they're not caught right away, I've been able to run escorts down to them to shepherd them back in.

Two militarized APs I had at Colombo are heading to Pearl via Cape Town. Got to make up those losses.

I hit Bangkok's LI to no effect. Try it once more. Another Chinese bombardment mission is off to a Central China target.

Some Japanese MTBs made a run into Rangoon to no effect. I've got a HDML patrol set up for next time. A big cruiser force is off to bombard the Japanese port just south of Moulmein from Colombo. Once Royal Sovereign shows up, my two BBs can take over that role. If KB doesn't show up in these parts, I'll run my ships rampant around here -- make the RN somewhat relevant.

[Mundy]

16 January 1942

Landings
<None>

Losses
87/54 (China)
88/55 (China)

Tarakan is still holding out, somehow.

Ground combat at Tarakan (67,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3901 troops, 55 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 174

Defending force 3032 troops, 41 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Japanese adjusted assault: 62

Allied adjusted defense: 76

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

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

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

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
35th Field AA Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
31st Field AA Battalion
26th Fld AA Gun Co

Defending units:
VII KNIL Battalion
Tarakan Base Force
Tarakan Defenses
Civilians


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


Ground combat at Tarakan (67,91)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 501 troops, 24 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Defending force 4997 troops, 129 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 169

Assaulting units:
VII KNIL Battalion
Tarakan Defenses
Tarakan Base Force
Civilians

Defending units:
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
35th Field AA Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co
31st Field AA Battalion
26th Fld AA Gun Co

Carriers spotted in a few locations. One group in the Java Sea, bombarding Soerabaja and Batavia. The other is about 5 hexes SW of Johnston Island. Looks like a pair. Yorktown departed Pearl for Tahiti to link up with the other two carriers. I've got an oiler on the way also, as the pair are getting down in fuel.

[Mundy]

17 January 1942

Landings
Rabaul

Losses
Chengchow
Tenom / Melalap (67,88)
54/57
57/53

I'm a bit late with Rabaul, with his forces showing up near the end of the turn. I'll re-route the convoy that was headed there to Port Moresby. Lae is tempting, but I don't want them to get cut off somewhere along the way.

My troops reach Moulmein. A little over 1,000 AV worth. After the bombardment hits the base south and next to there, I'll probably move in. A whole bunch of troops are loading up at Diamond Harbor for shipment to Rangoon. Some troops are going to Pegu to prevent any back end moves by him. The entire Dutch Air Force is probably there now. I'll probably re-locate Mindanao's B-17 squadrons to Australia and maybe Port Moresby eventually when the airfield there gets built up. Of course I may have to withdraw them by then.

[Mundy]

18 January 1942

Landings
Rabaul

Losses
<None>

I noticed a while back, that at San Francisco, I have two old WWI era Eagle boats. Henry Ford's naval triumph. I thought they were only on the east coast. I know a U-boat claimed one of them during the war.

An Australian brigade and a couple good British armored regiments unloaded at Karachi, now railing their way to Diamond Harbor. They'll be very helpful in Burma.

Speaking of. My bombardment finally makes it.

Night Naval bombardment of Thanbyuzayat at 55,56

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
CA Australia
CL Caledon~
CL Colombo~
CL Capetown~
CL Glasgow~
CL Ceres~
CL Dauntless~
CL Enterprise~
CL Hobart
DD Aetos~
DD Ierax~
DD Nizam~
DD Napier~
DD Nestor~

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Manpower hits 10
Resources hits 1
Fires 1070
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Walrus II acting as spotter for CA Exeter
CA Exeter firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
Walrus II acting as spotter for CA Cornwall
CA Cornwall firing at Thanbyuzayat
CA Australia firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
CL Caledon~ firing at Thanbyuzayat
CL Colombo~ firing at Thanbyuzayat
CL Capetown~ firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
CL Glasgow~ firing at Thanbyuzayat
CL Ceres~ firing at Thanbyuzayat
CL Dauntless~ firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
CL Enterprise~ firing at Thanbyuzayat
CL Hobart firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
DD Aetos~ firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
DD Ierax~ firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
DD Nizam~ firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
DD Napier~ firing at 55ID 112th Infantry Regiment
DD Nestor~ firing at Thanbyuzayat

Thanbyuzayat is one hex south of Moulmein, on the coast. My troops are marching there now, as he has one unit there.

He's had some MTBs hanging around Rangoon and they clashed with my HDMLs last turn, to no effect for either side. GW has some cruisers showing up, roughly across from Tavoy. My bombardment force is moving to intercept. I have no convoys in the area, so he can't catch anything except light fighting craft. A big one is loading up at Diamond Harbor, but this should be resolved by then.

For extra help, Indomitable has arrived at Aden, so Hermes won't be quite so naked on her patrols. Royal Sovereign made it to Colombo last turn. Once the cruisers return, I can get a two battleship bombardment mission going.

Force Z is near rounding the corner by Melbourne, enroute to Sydney. I may pay Rabaul a visit with them. Enterprise and Lexington are nearing Tahiti. I was worried about being chased after hitting his ships at Canton. Yorktown and a pair of AOs should be near there in a few days.

I've noticed I have about 170,000 in resources at Cape Town. I'm loading these up for Australia. Shipping fuel there doesn't help the supply situation anymore, as HI doesn't produce it, so I'll try to feed the LI with this. I've got regular shipments of supply going to India, one of which finished unloading last turn. I can't get as much there with each convoy anymore. Babes-C reduced capacity. My old 25 ship convoys used to carry about 100k, but now I'm topping at about 70k.

[Mundy]

19 January 1942

Landings
Nauru Island
Pontianak
Sambas

Losses
Nauru Island
Sidate

Forgot to mention last turn...for a laugh. The civilians on Rabaul beat off his assault. He didn't try this turn.

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3659 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 119

Defending force 2095 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 50

Allied adjusted defense: 51

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

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

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

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
56ID 148th Infantry Regiment
4th Base Force

Defending units:
Civilians

My Chinese fleet manages some results at Hankow. One of them hits a mine going in and is in bad shape. I should have seen that coming, I guess.

Night Naval bombardment of Hankow at 85,50

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Hayabusa: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Fushimi, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
PG Yung Sui
PG Mei Yuan
PG Ying Teh
PG Kiang Yuan
PG Ming Chuen
PG Chu Tung
PG Chu Kuan

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

PG Yung Sui firing at Hankow
PG Mei Yuan firing at 2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
PG Ying Teh firing at Hankow
PG Kiang Yuan firing at 68ID 14th Ind.Mix.' Brigade
PG Ming Chuen firing at 5th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
PG Chu Tung firing at Hankow
PG Chu Kuan firing at Hankow

Some battleships have showed up one hex from Port Moresby. Most likely, Fuso and Yamashiro. I've moved my A-24 up to Cairns in case he moves south at all. I can't sic my carriers on him this time as they've gone east.

I got my first real live solid hit on a sub near PM. I've given him some of the "soft" hits, where the replay just indicated damage without the hit and penetration messages. This sub should most likely clear out.

ASW attack near Port Moresby at 96,133

Japanese Ships
SS I-22_, hits 1

Allied Ships
xAK Cycle
xAKL Helen Dawn
DD Voyager

SS I-22_ is sighted by escort
I-22_ diving deep ....
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Voyager attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-22_ eludes DD Voyager by diving deep
Escort abandons search for sub