Matrix Games Forums

DEC 25

Clearing mines at Singapore but an escort was lost hitting a mine. I guess you have to lose ships to clear mines. Also clearing mines at Bataan.


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TF 88 encounters mine field at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-18
DMS W-17
DMS W-14
DMS W-13
DMS W-12
DMS W-11
DMS W-10
DMS W-9
DMS W-3
DMS W-2
TB Manazuru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

41 mines cleared


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TF 168 encounters mine field at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-19
DMS W-16
DMS W-15

45 mines cleared


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TF 168 encounters mine field at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-19
DMS W-16
DMS W-15

60 mines cleared

Midway was pounded and taken.


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Invasion Support action off Midway Island (158,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
CL Kiso
DD Yakaze
AK Sakito Maru

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


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

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
DD Umikaze
DD Yamakaze

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1

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Invasion Support action off Midway Island (158,91)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
AK Sakito Maru
BB Hyuga

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

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Morning Air attack on 1st/298th Infantry Battalion, at 158,91 (Midway Island)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 49
D3A1 Val x 77

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

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


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Morning Air attack on 1st/298th Infantry Battalion, at 158,91 (Midway Island)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
D3A1 Val x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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Ground combat at Midway Island (158,91)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2458 troops, 31 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Defending force 2448 troops, 59 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Japanese adjusted assault: 25

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Midway Island !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
2841 casualties reported
Squads: 101 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 122 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 70 (70 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

We also took Singkawang.

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Ground combat at Singkawang (56,88)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5865 troops, 57 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Defending force 972 troops, 13 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Japanese adjusted assault: 56

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Singkawang !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
333 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


Since Dec 7, I have had 2 Royal Thai divisions marching up thru the jungle with the objective of cutting off the Burma road. They went undetected until the last day or two when the were attacked by air. However, they engaged the allies one hex east of Taung Gyi and easily pushed them aside.


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Ground combat at 60,49 (near Taung Gyi)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9138 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 295

Defending force 2677 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 94

Japanese adjusted assault: 111

Allied adjusted defense: 34

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1107 casualties reported
Squads: 71 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st RTA Division
2nd RTA Division

Defending units:
BFF Brigade
13th Burma Rifles Battalion

We continued to enjoy success around Sabang.


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Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 16

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet


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Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 5,200 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 10

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 6 damaged
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed on ground
L-18 Lodestar: 4 damaged
L-18 Lodestar: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 7


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Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 6,200 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 10

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 9 damaged
L-18 Lodestar: 1 damaged
L-18 Lodestar: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-4 Catalina: 5 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4


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Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
L-18 Lodestar: 8 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

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Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

No Japanese losses




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Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 17

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 damaged
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-4 Catalina: 3 damaged
L-18 Lodestar: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6

The invasion at Medan should take place tomorrow.

Finally, the invasion of Port Blair started.


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Ground combat at Port Blair (46,58)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 272 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Defending force 872 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Japanese adjusted assault: 12

Allied adjusted defense: 7

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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

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

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
11th Indian Div /1
Pt Blair Coastal Gun Battalion
Port Blair Adv Base Force
108th RAF Base Force /1
223 Group RAF /2

Dec 26 - Jan 4

Between the real holidays, having several game issues associated with the windows patch, I haven't had time to write much, so this will be more summary and plans than details.

The Port Blair operation started out well, but we were unable to land the full unit for whatever reason. I then chose to save the remainder of the unit. After several days of fighting this fragment was lost. We did get another freighter with the subs. After the success of the subs at Sabang, we moved them to Colombo. I will mount an invasion of Port Blair shortly, but at the moment I have no plans to go to India. I would like them to think I'm going there however.

In Burma, we took Mergui, Tavoy and Moulmein. We were advancing on Pegu when he double back to re-take Moulmein. So I split the two RTA divisions. The 3rd re-took Moulmein and the 4th pushed into Pegu to establish a foothold. The 15th Army is marching up to re-inforce the operation. He has been bombing my 2 division in northern Burma to slow them down (successfully). We have not reached Taung Gvi yet. Once we attack there, I'll see whether we can split the divisions yet. I would like to take Lashio and be able to hold it. We could then operate in Western China, which I think will be more beneficial than India.

In Malaya, we are almost in complete control. All remaining Allied forces are in Kuala Lumpur. We are surrounding them for the final elimination. The Singapore mines have been cleared, the airfield is 100% operational and the port is down to 33 damage. In Sumatra, Palembang continues to be pounded. The airfield has been put out of commission, so we are using Praboemoelin to provide cap. Rotating Oscar and Nate units which our Zero units get replacements, this has also been slow. We have taken Djambi and Medan. Following the capture of Singkawang, we moved the bombers in and started hitting the various Java locations. Could not find force Z in any port, so its whereabouts still unknown. Focused some on Batavia to try to neutralize the airfield but even with fighter support, it has been expensive, Trying to re-inforce that unit at the moment.

On the other side of Borneo we tried again to Tarakan bringing in the 81st Guard and a bombardment force. While we had some initial success we were still unable to take the location. Another bombardment run and shock attack are planned for tomorrow. We also tried to reinforce Balikpapan but ran into some bug. We were brining a unit down on fast transport from Cam Ranh Bay. However the TF always wanted to end run the Philippines not proceed thru Sulu Sea. I kept forcing it thru the Sulu Sea. When it reached the hex to the west of Tawi Tawi, it stopped and tried to unload the unit there (partially unloading). Again this is West of Tawi Tawi not on Tawi Tawi. There is only a sliver of land in the hex. Anyway it stopped unloading. You could not cancel the unload, the ships still had most of the unit and it wouldn't move any where. I finally resolved the problem, after several days, by creating a surface combat fleet and transferring part of the force to it. Move the force and then repeat the process. I put the fleets back together in Sandakan, retasked them as fast transport and proceeded to Balikpapan. Only part of the unit went as the remainder is still on that sliver of land.

In the Phillipines, we have taken Bataan and cleared the mine field there. That has Manila cutoff. We moved our Aparri force down to Bayombong where we had trapped some forces and eliminated them. That leaves only the forces in Manila. A large force but one that is cut off. We have been bombing it daily. In Mindanao, we took Dadjangas and Cotabato.

After the Midway victory, we stayed to see if anything was going to occur, but it was quiet. The KB had been split so I moved it to Truk to re-combine. The one force ran a bit low on fuel and took longer. I had it stop at Kwajalein for a quick topoff and then on to Truk. The Coral Sea will be the next action there, but nothing is set up yet. I want to take Ocean and Nauru first. I normally get them early, but those marauding raiders curtailed that.

The next big effort started yesterday. Three invasion fleets, a surface fleet and a 6 carrier air fleet left Babeldaob together. The objectives are Ambon, Kendari and maybe Makassar, depending upon what I see for resistance. They are all following a re-inforcement TF headed to Ternate to hopefully mask what is occurring. Prior to this I had subs visit all the ports in Java trying to find Force Z to no avail. There is enough firepower in both the air fleet and the surface fleet to finish them off if they show up.

Jan 5-7

Or better known as the Battle of Ambon.

Relative to Jan 7 the earlier days are hardly worth mentioning. Tarakan continues to hold out. Forces are moving in for the final destruction on Manila. We captured Ulan Melintang and Melak. Landed at Muntok. Bombed bases in Java, in the Celebes and Ambon in advance of our major offensive. The Allies, bombed oil in Palembang and Balikpapan, interdicted the 1st/2nd RTA near Taung Gyi. All the normal stuff.

I had been trying to micro manage the position of the 3 invasion fleets to time them for the upcoming operation. Everything was set to go on the 7th.

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I find when a major battle is going to occur, other theaters of operation get some action. So as I sat down to watch it unfold, the first report was

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 07, 42
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Submarine attack near San Francisco at 218,71

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
xAP Perida

xAP Perida is sighted by SS I-5
SS I-5 launches 2 torpedoes

and while the first attack missed the 2nd didn't
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Submarine attack near San Francisco at 218,71

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
xAP Perida, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

The down south
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Sub attack near Noumea at 116,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-3, hits 1

Allied Ships
TK Gulfdawn, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS Elliot


Still today was the battle of Ambon. I knew Mike and Mike would have a surprise and they didn't disappoint. According to the search reports, they brought 42 ships including 10 carriers to the defense. And while I am sure they do not have 10 carriers, we did see close to 300 planes in various encounters, so I believe we can safely say "we have found the bulk of the Allies carrier force". Whether the operation was successful or not it was clearly going to be costly. I had 6 carriers (CVL/CVE) whose role was defense of the invasions and opportunity naval attacks. However, I had envisioned that with surface forces not a major carrier force, so these attacks of opportunity would be escort less. Fortunately only a few actually pushed forward the attack and thus no damage was done to their carrier TF and our losses were small. By the same token no air assault was carried out on our carrier TF as they focused on the Ambon invasion.

Early in the evening as the forces deployed the submarines were the first combantants.
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ASW attack near Obi at 76,105

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Myoko
DD Wakaba
DD Nenohi
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon, hits 1
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Sub attack near Obi at 76,105

Japanese Ships
CVL Kushiro
CA Nachi
CA Myoko
DD Kuroshio
DD Wakaba
DD Nenohi
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
SS KXV, hits 1

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ASW attack near Bara at 74,106

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AMc Toroshima Maru
xAP Ussuri Maru
xAK Sasago Maru
xAK Rokko Maru
TB Hiyodori

Allied Ships
SS S-40

Then the prep for the invasion
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Night Naval bombardment of Ambon at 76,109 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BC Haruna
BC Kongo
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CL Yura

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

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Pre-Invasion action off Ambon (76,109)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

58 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Nichiryo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PB Busho Maru
PB Keiko Maru
xAKL Totai Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Fukkai Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Takatiho Maru

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

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

And the nighttime invasion
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Amphibious Assault at Ambon (76,109)

TF 107 troops unloading over beach at Ambon, 76,109

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

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Invasion Support action off Ambon (76,109)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

33 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Keiko Maru
PB Busho Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru

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

Our sub found a surface fleet in the area
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ASW attack near Namlea at 76,108

Japanese Ships
SS RO-64, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Banckert

So by daybreak the invasion force had landed with minor casualties. Then the air attacks started.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Namlea at 76,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

We attacked the carrier foce with 68 fighters covering. Got away easy here.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Damar at 77,113

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 5
D3A1 Val x 9

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 6
Sea Hurricane Ib x 9
F2A-3 Buffalo x 18
F4F-3A Wildcat x 14
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
F2A-3 Buffalo x 5
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed

No Allied lossesThe Allied response
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 3 destroyed
139WH-3: 1 destroyed by flak
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BC Kongo

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 15
Fulmar II x 5
Swordfish I x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 8
F2A-3 Buffalo x 17
F4F-3A Wildcat x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 15
SBD-2 Dauntless x 36
SBD-3 Dauntless x 43
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
Swordfish II x 6
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
Swordfish II x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-2 Dauntless: 3 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed by flak
Swordfish II: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BC Haruna, Bomb hits 9, on fire
BC Kongo, Bomb hits 9, on fire
xAKL Nichiryo Maru, on fire
xAK Tainichi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shozan Maru
xAK Konan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Minryo Maru
xAK Turusima Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Horai Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Tofuku Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Yura, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Mikazuki
xAKL Fukkai Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Nanko Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Totai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Tosei Maru
xAK Kofuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Mochizuki, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Mangole at 75,105

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Naka


Will discuss these two attacks later.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 71,106

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 3
Hudson I x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Teiryu Maru
xAK Shinwa Maru

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 71,106

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Syoka Maru
xAK Ryoyu Maru #21, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Japanese ground losses:
367 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Meanwhile back at Ambon

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 1
B-17E Fortress x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Konan Maru, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Ryuto Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru, heavy fires

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2
B-17E Fortress x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Minryo Maru
xAK Kofuku Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Another futile attempt at the enemy carriers
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Damar at 77,113

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 3

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 6
Sea Hurricane Ib x 9
F2A-3 Buffalo x 17
F4F-3A Wildcat x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
F2A-3 Buffalo x 5
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 75,109

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BC Kongo

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Namlea at 76,108

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Eendracht

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 15
Fulmar II x 5
Swordfish I x 7
F2A-3 Buffalo x 17
F4F-3A Wildcat x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 15
SBD-2 Dauntless x 36
SBD-3 Dauntless x 44
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
Swordfish II x 6
F2A-3 Buffalo x 3
Swordfish II x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed by flak
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
Swordfish II: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Ryuto Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tainichi Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
BC Kongo, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires
CL Yura, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BC Haruna, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PB Busho Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kizan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Horai Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Konan Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Mikazuki
xAKL Nichiryo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Minryo Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk



The interesting thing is that it appears they fell for the Ambon only attack. Those air attacks outside Kendari are against the Kendari invasion for and there appears to be nothing stations there. More on this next post.

Finally we took Muntok.

Certainly the first appearance of the allied carriers was not expected. While we should take Ambon, we lost all the transports and a ight cruiser. The two battlecruisers are hurt but may be able to escape. It also does not appear as if he can stop the Kendari invasions. However, with the presence of the major carrier force we will withdraw the Makassar invasion. We can send them to Tarakan and finally take that stubborn base.

The tactical options are dependent upon their next move. Was this a surprise attack and thus a quick withdrawal of the carrier force or does he see the Kendari invasion as easy pickings, as far as the transports are concerned. Certainly I don't have the carrier force to prevent their destruction. But are they sure of that. To hedge and still be aggressive, I sent the carrier force to NE of Kendari and they will provide air cover. In order for them to be attacked there, the allies will have to commit their carries to move NW deep into the Banda Sea. Unnoticed in all the activity was a surface fleet, only destroyers and 1 cruiser, but they have been ordered into the Banda Sea. If the allies are aggressive, there may be a night battle and with some luck maybe we can scratch a flattop or two.

This also means there is no significant force defending the Coral Sea area. The KB has been parked at Truk. Now some action will begin.

It's too bad that your BattleCruisers took a hit. Hopefully, you will be able to save them and get them back to Japan. At least your Carriers are safe, and were not impacted.... I have already lost 2 CVs and 2 CVLs due to a miss-step and bad timing... I was moving a CV force north while the other stayed around too long, and whammo, 4 Carriers gone.

Allied players sure know how to make you pay for mistakes.

Congrats as well as getting some key bases early, especially Singapore. Very well done. I'm still trying to get that one, and it's really good to see that you were able to get it so quick..... Well done...

Give 'em hell Bristoduke,,,,we need to show BTS Allied players that they are not to mess with the Imperial forces