Matrix Games Forums

8/15-8/16/43



SUBS


SS Sunfish puts a torpedo in xAK Toyokawa Maru near wakkanai.

SS Pollock sinks AK Arabia Maru off Donggala.

SS Tambor sinks xAKL Nagano Maru by Gorong.

SS Triton sinks xAK Hiyoshi Maru near Manado.

SS I-169 gets into a duel with LST-16 off Taberfane and they both trade blows until death:


Submarine attack near Taberfane at 82,118

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 24, heavy damage

Allied Ships
LST-16, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



LST-16 is sighted by SS I-168
SS I-168 attacking on the surface
Aihara M. decides to submerge SS I-168 due to damage



TORPEDO ALLEY

Japan has control of the seas around the Allied bases at both Dobo and taberfane on the southern edge of the DEI. As I mentioned previously in this thread...there is nothing between the IJN bombardment TFs and Dobo save for a dozen Allied subs deployed between Misool and Dobo in what Ive termed "Torpedo Alley".

This turn....Dave sends not 1 or 2.......but _FOUR_ of his remaining 6 BBs....Yamato, Musashi,Nagato and Fuso on naval bombardment missions against Dobo:


Sub attack near Dobo at 83,116

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 1
BB Fuso
DD Asashio
DD Shinonome
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead, hits 3



SS Steelhead launches 6 torpedoes at BB Nagato
DD Shinonome fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Sub attack near Gorong at 82,112

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1
BB Nagato
DD Shinonome
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish, hits 3, heavy damage



SS Swordfish launches 6 torpedoes at BB Fuso
DD Shinonome fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wakaba is out of ASW ammo
DD Wakaba is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub




Then SS Sturgeon bounces a torpedo off BB Musashi:



Sub attack near Dobo at 82,115

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon, hits 1



SS Sturgeon launches 4 torpedoes at BB Musashi
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



These 2 II Australian Corps bases at Dobo and Taberfane must represent a serious threat to dave if he is willing to risk 4 of his 6 remaining BBs to neutralize them.



CBI


The large Allied resupply TF makes it to Rangoon without incident and begins to unload another 70,000 supplies. BB Yamato and BB Musashi had been patrolling here for months and I wasnt sure if they were still around. With the sighting this turn of these 2 BBs in the DEI we are free to run in as much supply as we want into Burma by sea as the Allies have control of the air here.


In China.....Dave attacks our rear guard south of Sian:


Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14935 troops, 291 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 3288

Defending force 340 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 694

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 694 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)


Allied ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Engineer Regiment
110th Division
68th Division
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
60th Division
70th Division
58th Division
36th Division
6th Division
29th/A Division
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
22nd AA Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
52nd Road Const Co
4th Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
7th Group Army



Dave only has 3200 AV here vs 3800 Chinese AV in 3x terrain....makes me wonder if this was just a diversion. I may stop the reinforcement here from the 2200 AV Chinese army to the SE of Sian.

I staged in another fighter squadron to Sian with Hurricane IIcs for CAP but Dave hit Sian with multiple air attacks and now with a ruined runway I must admit defeat....pull out all the AC still able to fly...and disband all the damaged AC.

In the south....Dave pulls most of his 2 panzer divisions from Kanhsien to close in on the trapped Chinese army near Amoy.

Dave continues to bombard the surrounded Chinese army near Amoy to exhaust their supply:


Ground combat at 83,59 (near Amoy)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9595 troops, 224 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 724

Defending force 37031 troops, 269 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 894



Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
33rd Division
43rd Recon Regiment
25th/A Division
25th/C Division
25th/B Division
29th/C Div /1
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
51st Chinese/A Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
7th Chinese/B Corps
97th Chinese/A Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
97th Chinese/B Corps
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese/C Corps
3rd New Chinese/C Corps
NCAC
Y' Force
57th AT Gun Regiment



I have over 2500 AV of Chinese, Aussie and US troops closing in on Kanhsien in an attempt to break the encirclement.

But will they arrive in time?




II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


After sending in 4 BBs to naval bombard Dobo Dave sent all of his bombers in the southern DEI in to hit the Allied AF at Taberfane. The end result is that both bases are closed and out of supply and Im forced to send in the entire Fifth Fleet to reinforce these islands.....reopen their airfields...and acquire additional mutually supporting AFs in the area.

DD Rotherham valiantly patrolled Dobo, Taberfane and Japanese held Kai-eilanden and managed to sink IJN shipping while avoiding the 4 IJN BBs:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Kai-eilanden at 81,115, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Santos Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Kumakawa Maru, Shell hits 2
xAKL Nagano Maru
xAKL Kosho Maru

Allied Ships
DD Rotherham



Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Reduced visibility due to Rain with 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 100% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Ashby D. crosses the 'T'
DD Rotherham engages xAKL Kumakawa Maru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Rotherham engages xAKL Kumakawa Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Rotherham engages xAKL Kosho Maru at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Rotherham engages xAKL Kumakawa Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Rotherham engages PB Santos Maru at 4,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


Day Time Surface Combat, near Kai-eilanden at 81,116, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-507
LB-508, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-509, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Rotherham



Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
Ashby D. crosses the 'T'
LB-509 sunk by DD Rotherham at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
LB-508 sunk by DD Rotherham at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...



I only have a couple of CMs left in the Pacific with significant mine armaments left. I sent CM Salem to mine Dobo....the target of numerous IJN naval bombardments....and she was just able to lay 140 mines off Dobo before she was spotted ny Japanese naval bombers:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Dobo at 83,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 13



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CM Salem, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AM Sage



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Dobo at 83,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 11



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Sage, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo






Even though Dave has 2 IJN subs patrolling the narrow Torres Strait between Australia and New Zealand.....Allied ASW TFs and AC have kept the subs submerged and apparently all the Allied CVs/CVEs/Surface TFs/Amphib TFs/Replenishment TFs passed through the straits without being spotted.

Unfortunately....long ranged IJN naval search AC spotted an Allied surface TF in the Arafura Sea.....with BB PoW and BB Massachusetts in attendance no less....so Dave certainly knows that something is up even though he has spotted no carriers or amphibious ships.

But then.....Dave also spotted another Allied surface TF with 2 BBs off Hansa Bay this turn and witnessed all of Fifth Air Force's nearly 200 4Es and 150 2Es hit Japanese AFs on the _northern_ coast of New Guinea so he needs to consider if the next Allied blow will land on the north coast of New Guinea or in the southern DEI. I ordered the USN BBs at Hansa Bay to bombard Wewak next turn just to cause some confusion for Dave.

Here is a current screenshot of Allied TFs in the Arafura Sea:

II AUSTRALIAN CORPS OFFENSIVE: OPERATIONAL PLANNING



Im still a bit surprised at the level of the Japanese response to what is essentially a diversionary theatre for us in the DEI.....Dave has committed 4 of his 6 remaining BBs....including his 2 super BBs.....and most of his air forces outside of the CBI. All this for 2 measly bases on the southern rim of the DEI. Evidently Dave fears an Allied advance here more than one through the Marshalls, Carolines,
Paulaus or New Guinea.

This next Allied offensive will feature the heaviest concentration of Allied naval airpower to date.....8 CVs(CV Enterprise is still in drydock at Luganville repairing torpedo damage for another 2 weeks), 3 CVLs and 13 CVEs that can put over 1200 AC in the air!

Next turn....the 13 CVEs will cover amphibious landings of engineers, BFs and supplies at both Dobo and Taberfane as it is absolutely critical that we reopen these AFs ASAP. The fast carriers will do a run in to a position approximately 90 nm west of Kai-eilanden....here they can both support the CVEs and sweep the southern DEI of IJN shipping. In addition....with 2 IJN BBs torpedoed last turn...hopefully we can catch a damaged BB at sea or in port. Naval search and recon shows a buildup of IJN shipping in port at Ambon so hopefully 1 of the damaged BBs has put to port here and we can catch them with TBFs next turn.

Dave launched repeated airstrikes at Taberfane last turn...it appeared that these airstrikes originated from Japanese AFs at both Ambon and Misool. Next turn will go like this......P-38s will sweep Ambon and Misool at 40,000' followed by nearly 100 4Es bombing each AF. On the 2nd day of the turn...the Allied CVs will arrive on station and hit Ambon port.

As seabees and BFs are landed next turn at Dobo and Taberfane.....the invasion forces for Saumlaki will form up at Taberfane and appear to be a reinforcement of that base....but as soon as we finish unloading at Taberfane the invasion transports will reroute to Saumlaki. Once Saumlaki is secured...and depending on how severely we deal with Japanese air forces in the southern DEI....we will invade at Kai-eilanden.

Her is a screenshot of the activities for next turn:

With only one torp hit each, I doubt those BBs will be at Ambon - foolish if he did send them there. Still gotta check it out though!

Where did you get drydock services in Luganville? Does the scenario you are playing give the port a drydock, or do the Allies get a floating drydock big enough to lift Enterprise?

BBfanboy.....I have a floating drydock(ARD) at Luganville along with 5 ARs....I think that 4ARs are the most you can use with a single ARD.



8/17-8/18/43



SUBS

SS RO-66 is hit by 20 DCs from an Allied ASW TF off Horn Island and sunk.

SS I-17 is hit by 22 DCs from an Allied ASW TF off Horn Island and sunk.....the Torres Strait is now open for business.

SS KXIV puts a torpedo in TK Juko Maru near Balabac.

SS Sargo sinks xAK San francisco Maru by Dadjangas.

SS Steelhead sibnks E Ishizaki off Boela.

SS Growler sinks xAK Yasukawa maru near Donggala.

SS Sargo lands a fish on xAK Kurohimo Maru off Davao.

SS S-42 sinks CMc Katashima by Gebe.

SS Blackfish sinks SC Ch42 off Koshiki-jima.

SS Mingo sinks APD Matsukaze Maru by Misool.

SS I-19 is sunk by and Allied ASW TF by Taberfane.



CBI


While the British xAKs unload supplies at Rangoon....I detached 2 YMS from the TF to go hunting the Japanese subs just off the mouth of the Irrawaddy River. Dave puts a daitai of Nells on naval attack that first sink the 2 YMs vessels but then impale themselves on the Allied CAP over the xAKs at Rangoon:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 52,55

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 18
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 23



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 21
Hurricane FR.IIb x 2
Hurricane XIIb x 5
Kittyhawk III x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
YMS BYMS-2008, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
YMS BYMS-2044, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
No.6 Sqn IAF with Hurricane FR.IIb (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
Raid is overhead
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
No.60 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.113 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.615 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 22
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 23



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 10
Hurricane IIc Trop x 51
Hurricane FR.IIb x 8
Hurricane XIIb x 7
Kittyhawk III x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 15 destroyed, 1 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Hoihow
xAK Hunan
xAK Jalaratna
xAK Montanan



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
No.6 Sqn IAF with Hurricane FR.IIb (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 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 19600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
No.60 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.79 Sqn RAF with Martlet II (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34300 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.113 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.615 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers


The British xAKs will finish unloading at Rangoon next turn and then will head back to Calcutta to pick up another load of supplies. I have air superiority in the region so with BB Yamato and BB Musashi back in the DEI there is nothi ng to stop Allied supply convoys into Rangoon....for the moment. Ive adjusted the supply arrows to draw as much supply as possible from Rangoon to Mandalay.



In China the situation appears to be stabilizing. Dave moves his northern army into the same hex as my main Chinese army defending to the south of Sian. He will probably attack next turn but my force is larger and its defending in 3x terrain so I not too concerned here.


In the south....Dave continues to bombard the surrounded Chinese army outside of Amoy:



Ground combat at 83,59 (near Amoy)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9635 troops, 224 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 1188

Defending force 37038 troops, 266 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 896


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


Assaulting units:
2nd Recon Battalion
33rd Division
25th/A Division
3rd Tank Regiment
25th/B Division
8th Armored Car Co
43rd Recon Regiment
25th/C Division
1st Tank Division
29th/C Div /1
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
97th Chinese/B Corps
51st Chinese/A Corps
7th Chinese/B Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese/C Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
97th Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese/C Corps
NCAC
Y' Force
57th AT Gun Regiment


Dave pulled the bulk of his 2 armor divisions out of Kanhsien.....leaving maybe a fragment of a recon regiment there....to reinforce his attack on the surrounded Chinese. Im not sure but I think that surrounded Chinese troops are almost as hard to kill as surrounded Japanese troops so I may still have a chance of relieving this army.

Ive railed some 3200 AV of multinational troops to Kukong....including Australian, US Army and Canadian troops that having been marching in circles for the last couple of months trying to engage the Japanese.....and they are all bearing down on Kanhsien. Next turn some 900 AV will shock attack across the river into Kanhsien with the rest of the 3200 AV army right behind them.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


P-38s sweep Japanese AFs at Misool, Gorong and Ambon and then the 4Es rototill the AFs at Misool and Ambon. The the Allied CVEs and fleet carriers arrive on the scene and engage land based Japanese naval bombers:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 82,117

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 102 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
B6N2 Jill x 11



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 71


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes




Morning Air attack on Taberfane , at 82,117

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 59


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses


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


Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 61 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers



Morning Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 82,117

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 24



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 43


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 70 minutes
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes



Allied carrier bombers hit IJN shipping in the banda Sea and also in port at ambon:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Misool at 80,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 82
TBF-1 Avenger x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Nozima Maru, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Yamabiko Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 9000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
10 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
2 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 9000 feet
3 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
8 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
2 x F4F-3 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
261 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
13th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000
Raid is overhead
68th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Nozima Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Yamabiko Maru



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Boela at 80,110

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 52
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 27
TBF-1 Avenger x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Giyu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Jinsai Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Clyde Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Hakodate Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Iwashiro Maru
xAK England Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x F4F-3 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 9000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
16 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
13th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (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 7000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Clyde Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Brasil Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK England Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ambon , at 76,109

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 29
TBF-1 Avenger x 54


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Gozan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Ryua Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Kasui Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Miiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

Massive explosion on xAKL Gozan Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ambon , at 76,109

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 36


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



DD Rotherham continues to interdict IJN shipping around Kai-eilanden before she is finally overwhelmed by Japanee naval air and sunk:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Kai-eilanden at 81,115, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-504, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Rotherham



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 27,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
LB-504 sunk by DD Rotherham at 17,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Kai-eilanden at 81,115, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-507, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Rotherham



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
LB-507 sunk by DD Rotherham at 12,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...



Morning Air attack on TF, near Kai-eilanden at 81,115

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A1 Val x 15



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

Allied Ships
DD Rotherham



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kai-eilanden at 81,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A1 Val x 13
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 19



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Rotherham, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Rotherham



In the swirling air battles over the DEI this turn Japan suffers a ,major aerial defeat. Japan loses 281 AC this turn vs Allied losses of 57 AC. In A2A.....Japan loses 204 AC vs Alloied losses of 27 AC. Individual plane losses include 51 A6M2s, 26 Tojos, 37 Helens, 29 Bettys, 22 Nells, 18 Sallys, 14 Oscar Ic, 13 Oscar IIa, 14 Oscar Ic, 11 Jills, 9 _38Hs, 7 Hellcats, 3 F4F-4s, 7 PV-1 Venturas and 4 SBD-5s.

Besides the closure of Japanese AFs at kai-eilanden and saumlaki.....the main Japanese AF in the region at Misool is now 45% damaged while the Japanese AF at Ambon is now 22% damaged. The Allied 4Es will again target Misool and Ambon next turn to put them out of action. Dave moved up aerial reinforcements to his level 4 AFs at Manokwari and Noemfoor. I think that Dave is intending to focus on the CVEs at Dobo so Im consolidating all 13 CVEs at Taberfane. The AF at Dobo is now down to 28% runway damage and 39% service damage with more seabees being unloaded next turn. I staged in 2 squadrons of P-47D1s to Dobo to CAP at 42,000' and a squadron of F4U-1s to CAP at 31,000'. While the CVEs cover the unloading at Taberfane....all the surface TFs are moved there along with the amphibious TFs poised to land at Saumlaki. I hope to finish unloading at Dobo and Taberfane this turn and then on the following turn we will invade Saumlaki and then Kai-eilanden 2-3 turns after that.

As far as the fast carriers.....I was really tempted to send then deeper into the DEI to port attack Kendari and hit IJN shipping deep in the Banda Sea but the threat of IJN subs forces me to keep them closer to Australia where they can support the landings at Taberfane and Dobo. But every turn the CVs must be on the move or Dave will close in on them with his IJN sub wolfpacks.

8/19-8/20/43



SUBS


SS S-42 sinks APD Asakaze maru off Boela.

SS Mingo sinks xAK Kosho maru near Gorong.

SS I-17 sinks xAK Jalartra by Rangoon.



CBI


The Japanese are thrown back with heavy losses in their assault south of Sian:


Ground combat at 84,43 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 82077 troops, 774 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 3290

Defending force 102158 troops, 580 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3821

Japanese adjusted assault: 804

Allied adjusted defense: 14362

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 17

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

Japanese ground losses:
17377 casualties reported
Squads: 443 destroyed, 682 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 173 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 94 disabled
Guns lost 137 (15 destroyed, 122 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2401 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 34 (1 destroyed, 33 disabled)


Assaulting units:
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
68th Division
58th Division
36th Division
6th Division
110th Division
70th Division
60th Division
26th Engineer Regiment
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
29th/A Division
4th Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
22nd AA Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Road Const Co
1st Mortar Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese/C Corps
Jingcha War Area
20th Artillery Regiment
8th Group Army
Lusu War Area
1st War Area
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Rgt /1
6th Group Army
33rd Group Army
5th War Area
85th British AT Rgt /1



Dave loses the equivalent of 2 1/2 divisions as casualties....with the equivalent of 1 division destroyed. The situation in the north has really stabilized for the Allies and I dont see a serious threat now to Sian unless Dave has a major reorganization of his forces in the south and commits another 3000-4000 AV in the north.


In the south.....Dave tries to finish off our surrounded Chinese army outside of Amoy but is again repulsed with heavy losses:


Ground combat at 83,59 (near Amoy)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31134 troops, 503 guns, 845 vehicles, Assault Value = 1203

Defending force 37084 troops, 262 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 904

Japanese adjusted assault: 610

Allied adjusted defense: 1351

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1358 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 176 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 47 (1 destroyed, 46 disabled)
Vehicles lost 56 (2 destroyed, 54 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
365 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)


Assaulting units:
25th Division
1st Tank Division
2nd Recon Battalion
3rd Tank Regiment
33rd Division
8th Armored Car Co
43rd Recon Regiment
29th/C Div /1
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
97th Chinese/A Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
97th Chinese/C Corps
7th Chinese/B Corps
97th Chinese/B Corps
51st Chinese/A Corps
69th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
3rd New Chinese/C Corps
Y' Force
NCAC
57th AT Gun Regiment




Meanwhile.....here comes the calvary to the rescue as the Allies liberate Kanhsien in a sahock attack:


Ground combat at Kanhsien (81,57)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 13283 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 817

Defending force 70 troops, 0 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 846

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 846 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kanhsien !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1



Assaulting units:
254th Armoured Brigade
25th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese/A Corps
9th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

Defending units:
18th Tank Rgt /2



By the end of the turn....we now have over 3000 AV in Kanhsien that are only two hexes away from the surrounded Chinese army....and there isnt anything in the way to stop us from breaking the encirclement if the surroiunded Chinese can only hold on for another 3 turns.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


Seabees, supplies and aviation personnel continue to unload at Dobo and Taberfane.

The heavy bombers based at Darwin completely knock out the 2 main Japanese AFs in the southern DEI at Ambon and Misool:



Morning Air attack on Ambon , at 76,109

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 37



Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 14
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 39


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-II Topsy: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
H6K5 Mavis: 3 destroyed on ground
H6K4-L Mavis: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 3 damaged

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



Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 53

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
25th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 30 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers




Morning Air attack on Misool , at 80,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-17F Fortress x 7
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 53


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

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



Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 52

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (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 14000
Raid is overhead



Morning Air attack on Ambon , at 76,109

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 10
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 43


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 9 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed on ground
H6K5 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
H6K4-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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



Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 30

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb


Morning Air attack on Misool , at 80,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-17F Fortress x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 68


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

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



Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 78

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Misool , at 80,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2



Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged

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



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead



We destroyed over 30 AC on the ground here 2 turns ago and I wont know how many Japanese AC were destroyed on the ground this last turn until I get the file back from Dave. I am concerned about the combat result over Misool as apparently the A6M2 squadrom from CV Zuikaku was CAPing or LRCAPing the base......KB could be nearby.



I really blew it with the CVEs this turn. As I consolidated all the CVEs at Taberfane.....I set all of them to increase their CAP from 30% to 90% as I was expecting an aerial attack this last turn. Originally....I had layered the CAP from 31,000' all the way down to 9000'. In resetting the CAP to 90%.....all of the Hellcats were set to 31,000'. None of the 80 layered P-47D1s, F4U-1s and Spitfires based one hex to the north on Dobo drifted to help CAP the CVEs. None of the 200 Hellcats CAPing the CVs 1 hex to the west of Taberfane drifted to help CAP the CVEs. One measly attack by a single Betty daitai escorted by a single A6M2 daitai broke though over 200 Hellcat CAP to land torpedoes on 4 of the CVEs:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 82,117

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G4M1 Betty x 27



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 213


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Corregidor
CVE Copahee, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Altamaha, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Prince William, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Copahee
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Altamaha



Ive attached a screenshot of the battle just as the remaining 191 Hellcats finish off the last of the escorting A6M2s. The Bettys came in unmolested by the Hellcat CAP. Im waiting to get the file back from Dave. CVE Prince William is sunk and I dont know if I can save CVE Copahee or CVE Altamaha. With one fell swoop the USN loses nearly 1/3 of its CVEs. Ive said before in this thread that I consider USN CVEs to be expendable while the CVs are beyond precious. The USN gets something like 60 CVEs by the end of 1944 so long term the loss of 2 or 3 CVEs is insignificant. In the near term however.....the loss of 3 CVEs does stress Allied offensive capabilities in August 1943. Fortunately.....the VRF squadrons all disperse to the empty AF at Taberfane so none were lost. I can continue my II Australian Corps offensive into the DEI with the VRF squadrons being land based in their current position.....just as soon as the seabees can fix all the AF damage there.

The Japanese naval airstrike next door on the CVs faces CAP that has been properly layered and the Bettys are destroyed before they can even get into position to launch a torpedo:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 81,117

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 99 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M3 Nell x 29



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 30
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 156


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
22 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
No.888 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 Det with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



The Allied carrier bombers get a small measure of revenge as they hit IJN shipping in the DEI:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Gorong at 81,112

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 43
TBF-1 Avenger x 17


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kumakawa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PB Santos Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



The next day.....the Japanese airstrike on the CVEs draws in drifting CAP from the Allied CVs next door and the incoming Japanese AC are annihilated:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 82,117

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G4M1 Betty x 14



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 187


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.888 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers



Japan loses another 2 Betty daitais this turn after losing a Nell and a Betty daitai last turn.....thats 4 daitais of the crack pre-war pilots that will never be replaced.


It was interesting to see the VF squadrons take in replacements from the VRF squadrons automatically at the end of the turn. I remember earlier versions of WitP where you had to manually take on replacements and it didnt always work.....so its nice to see that feature function on autopilot.

Unfortunate slip on the CVE CAP - so many details in this game and if you are the least bit tired, some slip through the cracks. [:(]
There is no guarantee that those Nettie datais had the best pre-war pilots. Some players [Greyjoy for example] take their best of the best and hoard them for home defence later on, replacing them with newly trained pilots. By 1943 those trainees will be fully trained and somewhat experienced.

8/20/43........EPILOGUE



I got the file back from Dave and the damage was heavy from the air battle over Taberfane. CVE Sangamon has 7 SYS 44 FLT 2 ENG damage, CVE Altamaha has 51 SYS 90 FLT 4 ENG damage and CVE Copahee has 31 SYS 60 FLT 4 ENG damage. CVE Altamaha may be a goner but Im gonna try to save the other 2 CVEs. As you can see from the screenshot....the area is swarming with IJN subs. Fortunately...all of the fires have been put out on all 3 CVEs so Im going to disband them in port at Taberfane 1 hex away.. Ive got an AR coming from Port Moresby that should arrive in 2 turns to help with the more critical damage. The AFs at both Dobo and Taberfane were fully repaired last turn so this turn over 150 fighters have staged into the 2 AFs to fly layered CAP and LRCAP over the disbanded CVEs at Taberfane.

Meanwhile....the 9 remaining CVEs will cover the invasion of Saumlaki next turn. The CVs will take up station 1 hex to the NW of Saumlaki for support.

After completely closing the Japanese AFs at both Ambon and Misool last turn.....the 4Es at Darwin were staged back to New Guinea where they will be tasked with closing the Japanese AFs at Noemfoor and Biak. Venturas, B-25s and TBFs were staged into Darwin this turn to ground attack Japanese defenders at Saumlaki.

I might have had 1 CVE sunk last turn and 3 CVEs heavily damaged but Japan suffered another disaster in the air. Last turn Japan lost 263 AC vs Allied losses of 49 AC.....that makes over 500 Japanese AC destroyed over the last 2 turns. In A2A.....Japan loses 138 AC to 15 Allied. The 4Es alone destroyed over 80 AC on the ground at Misool and Ambon. Individual plane losses include 84 A6M2s, 45 Bettys. 30 Nells, 33 Oscar IIas, 11 Oscar IIcs, 10 Jills, 10 Helens, 13 Hellcats, 9 P-38Hs and 7 B-24D1s.

II Australian Corps will be landing a tank regiment and an infantry regiment at Saumlaki next turn to face off against an estimated 5000 defenders. The Japanese garrison will be heavily bombed by tactical and medium bombers for 2 turns(4 days) before an assault is launched. Im crisscrossing the entire area with ASW TFs and ASW AC to deal with the Japanese sub menace. Allied minelayers have now mined Dobo, taberfane and even the Japanese base at Misool....where the IJN bombardment fleets always seem to form up so there should be a surprise if they come back. Allied subs still are deployed in "torpedo alley" between Dobo and Misool.

8/21-8/22/43



SUBS


SS Peto sinks xAK Kinkansan Maru off Moppo.

SS Tunny sinks xAKL Higari Maru near Gebe.



CBI


Georges sweep Rangoon at high altitude and shoot down over 30 Allied fighters while losing one of their own:


Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 42



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3
Hurricane IIc Trop x 3
Hurricane FR.IIb x 12
Hurricane XIIb x 16
Kittyhawk III x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Hurricane FR.IIb: 4 destroyed
Hurricane XIIb: 5 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 7 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
19 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 40000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.6 Sqn IAF with Hurricane FR.IIb (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 13 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 13 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.79 Sqn RAF with Martlet II (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 34300 , scrambling fighters to 34300.
Raid is overhead
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 35600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes



Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 32



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 13
Hurricane IIc Trop x 3
Hurricane FR.IIb x 5
Hurricane XIIb x 8
Kittyhawk III x 5


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 4 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane FR.IIb: 3 destroyed
Hurricane XIIb: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
22 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 40000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.6 Sqn IAF with Hurricane FR.IIb (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
No.79 Sqn RAF with Martlet II (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 10 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34300 , scrambling fighters to 34300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 35600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes



The British xAKs make it back to Calcutta without incident and reload supplies for another trip back to rangoon.

In China.....Dave is content to bombard away both at Kukong and on our surrounded army near Amoy:


Ground combat at 80,58 (near Kukong)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 106162 troops, 1002 guns, 349 vehicles, Assault Value = 3797

Defending force 78327 troops, 656 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 3016

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


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


Assaulting units:
37th Division
22nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Guards Inf. Regiment
104th Division
51st Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Division
34th Division
38th Division
41st Division
8th Division
6th Tank Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
51st Ind.AA Gun Co
30th Field AA Machinecannon Company
21st Mortar Battalion
29th Field AA Machinecannon Company
42nd Air Defense AA Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Rgt /6

Defending units:
70th Chinese/A Corps
39th Chinese/B Corps
83rd Chinese/A Corps
7th New Chinese/B Corps
29th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese/B Corps
8th Chinese Corps
16th Canadian Brigade
43rd Chinese/A Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
95th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese/C Corps
77th Chinese Corps
77th Chindit Brigade
49th Chinese/C Corps
99th Chinese/C Corps
41st AA Regiment
31st Group Army
7th War Area
109th Tank Attack Regiment
38th Group Army
49th AA Regiment


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

Ground combat at 83,59 (near Amoy)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9684 troops, 207 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 1188

Defending force 36522 troops, 256 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 844



Assaulting units:
25th/B Division
1st Tank/B Division
3rd Tank Regiment
33rd Division
43rd Recon Regiment
1st Tank/A Division
25th/A Division
2nd Recon Battalion
47th Naval Guard Unit
8th Armored Car Co
1st Tank/C Division
25th/C Division
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
97th Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
97th Chinese/B Corps
7th Chinese/B Corps
51st Chinese/A Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese/C Corps
NCAC
57th AT Gun Regiment
Y' Force
97th Chinese/C Corps


Kukong is secure...Im not worried about the Japanese here. Meanwhile.....the Allies have a massive army that is closing in on the surrouded Chinese troops near Amoy. Dave put out a roadblock to stop us and we will have a battle 1 hex away from our surrounded army in 2 turns.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS.....DEATH OF THE CVEs


An Allied bombardment TF hammers saumlaki:


Night Naval bombardment of Saumlaki at 78,117 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB West Virginia
CA Houston
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
CL Nashville
DD Parrott
DD MacDonough
DD Smith
DD Conway
DD Converse

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



Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5
Port hits 5

BB Idaho firing at 51st Base Force
51st Base Force firing at BB Idaho
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB West Virginia
BB West Virginia firing at Saumlaki
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Houston
CA Houston firing at 51st Base Force
51st Base Force firing at CA Houston
CA Northampton firing at Saumlaki
CA Indianapolis firing at Saumlaki
CL Nashville firing at 51st Base Force
51st Base Force firing at CL Nashville
DD Parrott firing at Saumlaki
DD MacDonough firing at Saumlaki
DD Smith firing at 28th Division
DD Conway firing at Saumlaki
DD Converse firing at Saumlaki



Meanwhile....the main Allied invasion force for Saumlaki assembled at Taberfane and was ordered to move at high speed to Saumlaki to invade but they landed on Taberfane instead...go figure.

I learned my lesson from last turn as far as CAP over the CVEs that were covering the invasion of Saumlaki. I carefully layered CAP over the CVEs from 31,000' down to 9000' but it made _ABSOLUTELY_ NO DIFFERENCE. 168 Hellcats were unable to fight off 15 A6M2s and 54 Bettys. In fact....my Hellcats only made 6 passes on the Bettys before they started launching their torpedoes and the results were devastating for the CVEs:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 111 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
G4M1 Betty x 54



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 168


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Barnes
CVE Chenango, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Long Island
CVE Nassau, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CVE Santee, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Anzio, Torpedo hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
26 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
25 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Suwannee
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Santee



Dave is off on a business trip until next Sunday or Monday so there was no rush in posting this. Instead....I started a thread in the War Room on the ineffectiveness of CAP in v.1.06.1108r9 to see if anyone in the forums had an explanation for this result. Many posters gave opinions on the battle without reading the results. Caster Troy felt as I did that I had a serious string of bad die rolls. One poster stated that the 2 squadrons at 31,000' were effectively out of the battle. Im ok with that...I should still have had over 125 fighters remaining to intercept the incoming strike but then that poster stated that probably half of the 60 fighters flying at 20,000' would miss the battle. I would still take the 30 fighters at 20,000' and the 60 fighters at 9000' to fight off 15 A6M2s and 54 Bettys coming in at 15,000' but it didnt happen and I think that if the game design doesnt allow CAP flying only 5000' over an incoming strike to intercept then the game design is flawed.


After this initial flawed interception....the remaining Allied CVEs are rendered hor's de combat:



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
G4M1 Betty x 53



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 88


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 14 destroyed, 11 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Barnes
CVE Corregidor
CVE Breton, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CVE Long Island, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
15 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers

Ammo storage explosion on CVE Long Island



Morning Air attack on TF, near Molu at 79,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
G4M1 Betty x 29



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 18
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 57


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 19 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Santee, heavy damage
CVE Chenango, heavy damage
CVE Nassau



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 11000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
No.888 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VMF-211 Det with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Molu at 79,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 10



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 37


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 76 minutes
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 78 minutes
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 9000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.888 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 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 to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 20000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 78 minutes
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 21000
Raid is overhead
VMF-211 Det with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes


The Allied carriers get off a few minor attacks that sink IJN shipping and subs in port at Ambon and Boela:


Afternoon Air attack on Boela , at 80,110

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 47
TBF-1 Avenger x 35


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 5 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
SS I-181, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Kayo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
3 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 9000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
801 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(21 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 21 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ambon , at 76,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 10



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 31
SBD-5 Dauntless x 36
TBF-1 Avenger x 35


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk



Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Boela , at 80,110

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14
TBF-1 Avenger x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



Port hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 271 minutes








Anyway....3 more CVes are sunk so that makes 4 sunken CVEs out of 13 CVEs 2 turns ago. The 90 FLT damage CVE from 2 turns ago made it safely to port at Taberfane and has already repaired FLT to 86. So I now have 3 CVEs safely at port at Taberfane. There are 3 damaged CVEs that will reach Taberfane tomorrow and disband and 2 more CVEs with 90% FLT that will take 2 days to reach Taberfane. The CVs will move 2 hexes West of Taberfane to cover the withdrawing CVEs with 90% FLT damage. In addition...there are still 2 operational CVEs that will join the CVs along with a new CVL that just arrived in the Arafura Sea.

One Allied AR will reach Taberfane next turn and 2 more are on the way from Rabaul.

Dave has flooded the seas around Darwin with subs so all the damaged CVEs will stay in port at Taberfane until we have eliminated the IJN sub threat.

The invasions of Saumlaki and Kai-eilanden will be postponed. Instead......all the BFs and construction engineers bound for Saumlaki and Kai-eilanden will be re-routed to Dobo and Taberfane. Dobo is currently a level 1 AF and will enlarge to a level 2 AF next turn. Taberfane is currently a level 2 AF and will enlarge to a level 3 AF next turn. I have over 250 fighters now at Dobo and taberfane to cover the CVEs that are repairing in port and I hope to expand both AFs to level 5 with some 500 fighters and naval bombers ASAP to keep KB away. I also have 4 AA regiments with the 90mm AA guns on the way and probably over a dozen ASW TFs to hunt down the IJN subs.

If Dave decides to attack Taberfane to finish off the CVEs then I think that we will have a Battle Royale here.

Obviously all offensive ops are halted now until the 9 remaining CVes can be saved. CV Enterprise will complete her repairs at Luganville in 12 days and I will then still proceed with minor amphib assaults in the Marshalls and New Guinea but the main Allied offensives towards the Carolines/Paulaus/Philippines will be delayed for at least 3-6 months until we can rebuild our CVE TFs.

I hope Taberfane is a big enough port that subs cannot penetrate the anchorage or that you have lots of mines there!

EDIT- BTW I left a comment in your thread on CAP in the War Room.

I also left a comment on your thread in the war room. I´ve lost 6 CVEs in a similar fashion about a year ago when a IJ strike went through a very big CAP virtually unopposed. I have had that happen many, many times now.

That while my own strikes run into a brick wall and get annihilated down to the last plane time and time again! Fun huh!? [:)]

BBfanboy.....Taberfane is only a (0)1 port and would be extremely difficult to enlarge but as they say.....any port in a storm.

JocMeister.....I feel your pain and I appreciate you posting on my thread on CAP in the War Room. I see a lot of posters that look at the data and try to make assumptions and assertions to explain the data. But the data is out there for both you and me and no one can refute it. I....like you and CT and others....feel that the game design is borked in this issue. I had one poster tell me that half of my CAP at 20,000' would not intercept a strike at 15,000' even with 35 minutes of warning. All I can say is WTF. Ive been playing WitP for 8 years and played every iteration of stock/BB/CHS/AE and have never seen CAP as ineffectual as it is now. I did get some pointers on how to construct CAP given how the game is modeled now and we will see if it makes a difference....maybe as early as next turn. The Allies had the advanced air radar...not the Japanese. The Allies had the Fighter Direction School...not the Japanese. The Allied aircraft had radios.....not the Japanese. I shudder to think what would happen if Dave and I were to recreate the Marianas Turkey Shoot....instead of destroying some 450 Japanes AC the US would lose all their carriers. Im not worried about destroying 450 Japanese AC right now....all I want to be able to do is fight off 15-25 fighters and 30-50 Bettys. In RL WWII the Allied fighter pilots and AA gunners referred to the Bettys as "Flying Zippo Lighters"....its not like that in AE.

Go figure.



8/22/43.....EPILOGUE


Ive been waiting for a week for Dave to return home and send back a turn so I will give an update on the land war in the CBI.


REORGANIZATION OF ALLIED LAND FORCES


You can probably infer from my posts that Ive have been extremely concerned about the presence of an entire IJA PANZERARMEE in the CBI. Based on 8 years of experience of playing WitP....I had already sent every anti-tank formation in the game(save one) to fight off the hordes of tin plated Japanese tankettes. However...in previous games of WitP I had only faced off against only 1 or 2 panzerkorps...never an entire panzer army. Even with US/UK/Indian/Cdn/African formations in China Im still getting crushed by the massive IJA tank formations and Ive finally decided to do something about it.

Australia as of 8/43 is secure...she no longer requires massive Aussie infantry or armor formations for defense. Australia is now protected by the full might and authority of the US Army/USAAF/USMC and USN. And I dont need Aussie armor to retake the SRA...Ive got plenty of multinational infantry and US Army and USMC armor for that. Consequently....I am now in the process of buying out and sending every Australian armor unit in the game to the CBI. I had massed most of the Aussie armor in Darwin early in the war and they are all now moving towards Alice Springs where they will rail to Perth. Dozens of xAPs and xAKs are sailing from Capetown to Perth to pick them up and ship them to Karachi where they will move overland to Burma and eventually China. Eventually I should be able to move the equivalent and an Australian tank corps to the CBI and if thats not enough I will start looking at sending in the US armored formations.

Dave also has the bulk of the IJAAF in China so this is requiring major changes. I dont need Aussie AA units anymore so Im sending all of them to Perth for shipment to Karachi. I also sending a couple of dozen SEAC AA units from India and Burma into China.

Now that Im able to get supply convoys from Calcutta to Rangoon and Ive been able to draw tens of thousands of supplies into China......Im moving over a dozen BFs from India and Burma into China so that we have more flexibility to base Allied AC to resist the IJAAF.


Allied infantry/BF/AA LCUs are constantly on the move overland from Lashio to the Chinese railhead at Tuyun. From there they rail all over China. Currently....all Allied reinforcements reaching Tuyun are immediately railed to Kukong where they will be used to breakthrough the encirclement of the 850 AV Chinese outside of Amoy.

The Chinese have regained the Indochinese border in the extreme south of China. Additional Chinese troops have recaptured Pakhoi and will move on Kwangchowan.

Nearly 4000 AV of Allied troops are now massing near Kanhsien and they will attempt to breakthrough the IJA roadblock and relieve the surrounded Chinese army outside of Amoy.

8/23-8/24/43



SUBS


SS Pargo lands a torpedo on BB Yamashiro off Morotai.

SS I-179 returns the favor by putting a fish in BB Colorado near Darwin.

The Allies return the favor when a USN ASW TF lands 21 DCs on SS I-179.

SS RO-33 puts a torpedo in CM Kung Wo near Rangoon.

SS Pollack sinks xAKL Columbia Maru by Manado.

SS I-37 sinks CM Kung Wo near Rangoon.



CBI


Relatively quiet in China as the Allies continue to stabilze their front lines. Dave bombards at Wuchang to asses the size of the investing Chinese army:


Ground combat at Wuchang (84,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 54153 troops, 542 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 1759

Defending force 97888 troops, 437 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3757


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


Assaulting units:
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
116th
25th RGC Temp. Division
63rd Division
39th
24th NCPC Route Brigade
15th AA Regiment
56th Field AA Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mobile AA Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
27th Fld AA Gun Co
54th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
79th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
94th Chinese/A Corps
74th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese/B Corps
6th War Area
9th War Area
19th Group Army


Dave again bombards outside of Kukong and it looks like hes bringing up some reinforcements here from Canton:


Ground combat at 80,58 (near Kukong)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 106253 troops, 1002 guns, 349 vehicles, Assault Value = 3802

Defending force 78303 troops, 656 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 3014

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


Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
22nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
104th Division
8th Division
6th Guards Inf. Regiment
34th Division
38th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Division
51st Division
37th Division
6th Tank Regiment
42nd Air Defense AA Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
29th Field AA Machinecannon Company
51st Ind.AA Gun Co
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
30th Field AA Machinecannon Company
8th RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
70th Chinese/A Corps
39th Chinese/B Corps
16th Canadian Brigade
7th New Chinese/B Corps
10th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese/C Corps
8th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps
46th Chinese/B Corps
77th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese/A Corps
95th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
83rd Chinese/A Corps
67th Chinese Corps
77th Chindit Brigade
29th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese/C Corps
31st Group Army
7th War Area
38th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
49th AA Regiment


And of course there is the obligatory bombardment of the the surrounded Chinese army outside of Amoy:


Ground combat at 83,59 (near Amoy)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9791 troops, 207 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 1250

Defending force 36611 troops, 253 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 858


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


Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
3rd Tank Regiment
47th Naval Guard Unit
1st Tank/C Division
25th/B Division
1st Tank/A Division
43rd Recon Regiment
33rd Division
2nd Recon Battalion
1st Tank/B Division
25th/A Division
25th/C Division
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
7th Chinese/B Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
97th Chinese/B Corps
51st Chinese/A Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
69th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese/C Corps
Y' Force
57th AT Gun Regiment
NCAC
97th Chinese/C Corps


The advance guard of a 3000 AV Allied army.....some 1100 AV.....will attack the Japanese roadblock just to the north of the surrounded Chinese army. We almost certainly will open up a road hex to the surrounded Chinese army next turn....but 1st.....Dave will get one last shock attack in on the surrounded Chinese.




II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


Dave's Netties get in some parting shots on undercapped Allied TFs just outside of Darwin:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
G3M3 Nell x 13
G4M1 Betty x 13



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
F4U-1 Corsair x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 3
BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 2, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF-221 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VMF-225 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
18th FG/70th FS with P-40K Warhawk (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G4M1 Betty x 18



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA Quincy



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 14000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-221 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
VMF-225 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/70th FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 76,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 58 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
G3M3 Nell x 18



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AM Rail
xAK Steel Seafarer



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-221 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
18th FG/70th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes



Even though I had 3 BBs torpedoed this turn I was somewhat relieved that I didnt lose any CVEs this turn for the 1st tirm in 3 turns.

Three more damaged CVEs make it to Taberfane and deband in port. The two 90 FLT damaged CVEs only moved 2 hexes towards Taberfane and not the required 4....FLT damage on CVE Long Island increased to 94....Im hopeful that one of these CVEs makes it to port at Taberfane next turn. Taberfane enlarges to a level 3 AF and Dobo enlarges to level 2 AF. Some 250 fighters spread between Dobo and Taberfane continue to CAP and LRCAP over the wounded CVEs in port at Taberfane. Ive attached a screenshot of the damaged CVEs undergoing repairs.

One AR makes it to Taberfane with 3 more on the way. There is now more that 250 aviation support at Taberfane with hordes of seabees being landed....we should soon see a level 4 AF there.

The fast carriers will withdraw to Darwin next turn to refuel and take on AC replacements. CV Enterprise will complete her repairs in 10 days at Luganville.

It will take me probably 2 more turns to reload the assault forces for Saumlaki and then we will invade.

While Taberfane port is loaded with damaged CVEs....Darwin port is filled with damaged BBs.

Dave loses another 85 Nettys and A6M2s vs 25 Allied AC.....how long can the Netties keep up these numbers of losses?


Fifth Air Force again extended a mighty hand to II Australian Corps.....heavy bombers worked over Waigeo(level 6 AF)and Biak while medium bombers continued to suppress level 4 AFs at Aitape, Hollandia, Manokwari and Gorong.

But Dave has no shortage of level 4 and above AFs in the DEI and New Guinea so the Netty onslaught will continue.Last turn it looked as if the Netties that hit Darwin sortied from either Lautem or Dili. Recon will investigate this turn.

8/25-8/26/43



SUBS


SS O20 pputs a torpedo in TK Ayoyuki Maru near Muntok.



CBI


I dont have enough supply in NE India to allow the Burma supply convoys to reload at Calcutta. Im forming 2 more large convoys and they will have to haul supplies from Karachi to Rangoon. Additional DDs and YMS arrive at Calcutta so we will have more ASW assets to use against the IJN sub wolfpack off Rangoon.

The Georges sweep Rangoon at 42,000' again and mow down another 20 Allied fighters or so at the cost of 1 George. This really appears to be an uber fighter for the Japanese...the Hurricanes cant stand up to it. Imn going to try to build a P-47D2 squadron at Calcutta ASAP and Im bringing the F4U-1 squadron back from China to Burma to deal with the Georges.


Dave makes one last attempt to annihilate the surrounded Chinese army outside of Amoy:

Ground combat at 83,59 (near Amoy)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33594 troops, 507 guns, 960 vehicles, Assault Value = 1261

Defending force 36657 troops, 253 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 865

Japanese adjusted assault: 897

Allied adjusted defense: 1066

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1715 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 42 (1 destroyed, 41 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1412 casualties reported
Squads: 82 destroyed, 118 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 16 (4 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Assaulting units:
43rd Recon Regiment
1st Tank Division
3rd Tank Regiment
25th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
8th Armored Car Co
33rd Division
47th Naval Guard Unit
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
51st Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese Corps
97th Chinese/B Corps
97th Chinese/A Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
7th Chinese/B Corps
69th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese/C Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
NCAC
Y' Force
97th Chinese/C Corps




Chinese troops break through the Japanese roadblock to relieve the surrounded Chinese army:


Ground combat at 83,58 (near Kanhsien)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27128 troops, 214 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 1553

Defending force 64 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 607

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 607 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Chinese/C Corps
100th Chinese/B Corps
82nd Chinese/C Corps
38th Chinese/A Corps
56th Chinese/B Corps
82nd Chinese/B Corps
46th Chinese/A Corps
254th Armoured Brigade
14th Chinese/A Corps
7th Australian/C Division
7th Australian/B Division
60th Chinese/C Corps
9th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

Defending units:
29th/C Div /1

In a couple of turns I should be able to move a Chinese LCU in to open up a hex side and relieve the surrounded Chinese.


Dave and I both reinforce outside of Kukong:


Ground combat at 80,58 (near Kukong)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 106813 troops, 1033 guns, 392 vehicles, Assault Value = 4010

Defending force 87783 troops, 738 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 3299

Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
37th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Guards Inf. Regiment
104th Division
22nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
12th Division
34th Division
8th Division
51st Division
38th Division
6th Tank Regiment
8th RF Gun Battalion
42nd Air Defense AA Regiment
29th Field AA Machinecannon Company
30th Field AA Machinecannon Company
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.AA Gun Co
21st Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mobile Infantry Rgt /4

Defending units:
77th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese/B Corps
10th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese/B Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
95th Chinese Corps
77th Chindit Brigade
9th Prov Chinese/B Corps
39th Chinese/B Corps
9th Prov Chinese/C Corps
83rd Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps
70th Chinese/A Corps
29th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese/C Corps
71st Chinese/C Corps
7th New Chinese/B Corps
43rd Chinese/A Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Canadian Brigade
7th Australian/C Div /2
31st Group Army
7th War Area
41st AA Regiment
38th Group Army
109th Tank Attack Regiment
49th AA Regiment


Im bringing up some fresh US Army and Aussie LCUs to Kukong so I dont see the Japanese causing us too much concern here.


The rest of China is now very quiet. Daves large army that was driving on Sian from the south has suddenly disappeared so Im going to recon nanyang to see where its heading.



CENTPAC


USMC DBs and TBs based at Mili and Maloelap continue to hit Japanese AFs at Roi-Namur and wotje. The USMC pilots sink an xAK in port at Kwajalein:


Afternoon Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 17
SBD-5 Dauntless x 16


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Araogawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes


Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 16


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Araogawa Maru, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
16 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb




SIGINT reported that CVL Ryuho was spotted in port at Rota this turn......thats the 1st useful sigint Ive received in 6 months or so. Im flying one of the PBY-Liberator recon planes over Rota next turn to see what else might be lurking there.





II AUSTRALIAN CORPS

Great turn for the Allies here....I didnt have any CVEs or BBs torpedoed this turn. The CVs take on replacements at Darwin while AKAs and APAs load the Aussie 4th Armor Brigade that was inadvertantly dropped at Taberfane....its loading very slowly and it will be at least another turn or 2 before we can invade again at Saumlaki.

Taberfane enlarges to a level 4 AF so now I have 300 fighters and naval bombers between Dobo and Taberfane to ward off the Japanese air attacks on the damaged CVEs in port at Taberfane. The 1st of 4 AA regiments with 90mm AA guns is landed at Taberfane and 3 more will be landed next turn.

The 2 90+ FLT damaged CVEs make it back to Taberfane and are immediately disbanded. Ive attached another screenshot of Taberfane port. Out of the 13 CVes I had 3 turns ago...3 are sunk, one unscathed CVE has sailed back to Darwin to refuel and take on AC replacements.....and the other 9 CVEs are repairing at Taberfane port. I could actually have 4 CVEs ready for emergency use in a week or so. An additional 3 ARs make it to Taberfane to help with repairs.

Rota is a pretty small outpost to actually park a CVL at. I suspect Ryuho was just passing through the hex on the way to Guam or Saipan for fuel. Guam seems the most likely position to put CVs for reaction to you.

BBfanboy....you were correct about Rota. Recon didnt spot anything valuble there last turn.



8/27-8/28/43



SUBS


SS Seadragon sinks PB Aso Maru near Talaud-eilanden.

SS trusty sinks PB Hakkai Maru off Tanjoengbulai.

SS O21 sinks LB-104 by Singapore.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


With over 230 land based fighters ordered to CAP and LRCAP Taberfane....130 fighters actually scramble to meet the 1st Japanese sweep of the day:


Morning Air attack on Taberfane , at 82,117

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 12
P-40N5 Warhawk x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 26
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 75


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Raid is overhead
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 23000.
Raid is overhead
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 11 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
348th FG/342nd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 18000.
Raid is overhead



Some of the CAP is pulled off to cover an ASW TF that is attacked by Netties:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Kai-eilanden at 81,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
G3M3 Nell x 18



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 5
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Woodworth
DD Meade



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
348th FG/342nd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes



About 75 fighters are left to face the 2nd Japanese sweep of the day over Taberfane:


Morning Air attack on Taberfane , at 82,117

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M2-N Rufe x 8



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 2
P-40N5 Warhawk x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 44


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (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 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes



Finally the Japanese bombers show up and there are still around 75 fighters on CAP and LRCAP to face them:


Morning Air attack on Taberfane , at 82,117

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 24
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 30
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 39



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 2
P-40N5 Warhawk x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 43


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 14 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 10 damaged
P-40N5 Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 11 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 5 destroyed on ground
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Altamaha, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Nassau, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
CVE Corregidor, Bomb hits 1
CVE Santee, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Chenango, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 42
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 33810 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 32000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 34810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (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 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
20 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters to 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
22 planes vectored on to bombers


Once again.....the Allied fighters dont make a single pass on the Japanese bombers. Some 230 fighters ordered to CAP from 42,000' down to 9000' and not one Japanese bomber is attacked. LOL.....the Japanese bombers destroyed several of the fighters on the ground that were supposed to have scrambled to CAP. Its obvious that I cant protect the CVes from relatively small Japanese airstrikes whether in port or at sea. CVE Long Island is sunk and 4 of the CVEs are floating wrecks that will be forced to stay in port. The other 4 CVes still capable of making 7-10 knots will make a run for Sydney for repairs.....the Allied CVs will sortie to cover the withdrawing CVEs.

Another Japanese airstrike targets Allied shipping at sea off Taberfane but this time the Allied CAP is up to the challenge:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 82,117

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 55
B6N2 Jill x 21



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 3
P-40N5 Warhawk x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 19
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 55


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Hawkins
BB Massachusetts
BB Prince of Wales
CA Exeter



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/342nd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes



Japan loses 120 AC in A2A combat vs 23 Allied AC. Overall this turn....Japan loses 161 AC vs 71 Allied AC.



Dobo is enlarged to a level 4 AF so now next turn I will have nearly 300 land based fighters on CAP and LRCAP over Taberfane.

What was a disaster with the USN escort carriers 2 turns ago is now a catastrophe. Only one CVE remains operational now. If Im lucky and the 4 CVEs leaving port at Taberfane this turn actually reach the Sydney shipyards they will still be out of the war for 6 months. Regarding the other 4 CVEs left at Taberfane.... 2 are still on fire and cant dock and its questionable that the fires will be doused before they sink...... for the other 2 CVEs it will probably take 6 months to repair enough damage at Taberfane before they are seaworthy enough to leave port to go to a shipyard to complete repairs. I doubt that CAP over Taberfane will allow this to happen.

CV Enterprise will complete repairs at Luganville in 8 days and then I will have 9 CVs and 4 CVLs....enough to perhaps make amphibious attacks in peripheral theatres like the Marshalls and the DEI where I have several bases with land based air to support ops but not to make the main drive right through the center of the Japanese defenses to take the Carolines, Paulaus and the Philippines.....that will now need to be pushed back at least 6 months until the spring of 1944.

Meanwhile....all the fighter squadrons from the 12 damaged/sunk CVEs have dismounted and are now based at CVE Taberfane....an unsinkable carrier with 250 Hellcats that can still cover amhibious ops at Saumlaki and Kai-eilanden.



CBI


The Georges again sweep at Rangoon but the Allied fighters stay on the ground this turn. I will CAP Rangoon with P-38Hs at 40,000' next turn while I try to stage in some F4U-1s and convert a P-40K squadron over to P-47D2s.

In China....the Indian 254th Armor Brigade relieves the surrounded Chinese army outside of Amoy and now we have an open hexside....on a highway no less.....for the Chinsee to withdraw to Kanhsien. Dave gets in a final parting shot to the Chinese here before they can evacuate the hex:

Ground combat at 83,59 (near Amoy)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32163 troops, 503 guns, 953 vehicles, Assault Value = 1158

Defending force 35167 troops, 244 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 745

Japanese adjusted assault: 620

Allied adjusted defense: 1003

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1037 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 116 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 28 (3 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 35 (4 destroyed, 31 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1367 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 143 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
25th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
1st Tank Division
3rd Tank Regiment
8th Armored Car Co
33rd Division
47th Naval Guard Unit
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese/B Corps
7th Chinese/B Corps
97th Chinese/A Corps
3rd New Chinese/C Corps
NCAC
51st Chinese/A Corps
Y' Force
57th AT Gun Regiment
97th Chinese/C Corps



The main Japanese army in the north is withdrawing from the forests south of Sian and is heading to the rail head at Sinyang. It will be interesting to see where Dave sends them next.

8/29-8/30/43


SUBS


SS S-46 is sunk by an IJN ASW TF near Gebe.

SS Tunney is hit by 10 Dcs from an IJN ASW TF off Gebe and its doubtful she will make it back to port.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


Taberfane is enlarged to a level 5 AF while Dobo enlarges to a level 4 AF.

The 4 least damaged CVEs at Taberfane make their way into the Arafura Sea covered by the Allied fleet cattiers. CVE Anzio and CVE Sangamon start taking on water as their temporary repairs fail and its doubtful that they will make the east coast of Australia. Im going to send them to Merauke port to take care of the floatation issues before they head to Sydney.

Back at Taberfane....CVE Santee is unable to put out a level 1 fire while CVE Chenango is unable to douse a level 44 fire....I think that these 2 CVEs are too heavily damaged to extinguish the fires. They cant dock until the fires are out so Im not sure if they can be saved.

While the Allied fleet carriers cover the withdrawing CVEs.....II Australian Corps will finally invade next turn at Saumlaki covered by land based fighters flying from CVE Taberfane and CVE Dobo.

8/31-9/1/43



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


II Australian Corps troops swarm shore at Saumlaki under the LRCAP of land based fighters on CVE Taberfane:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 31, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Saumlaki (78,117) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

84 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
DD King
APA Custer


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


CL Detroit firing at 51st Base Force
51st Base Force firing at CL Detroit
DD King firing at 51st Base Force
DD King fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saumlaki (78,117)

TF 489 troops unloading over beach at Saumlaki, 78,117


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 4th Armoured Bde /8
M3 Grant/Lee lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Armoured Bde /11


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Saumlaki (78,117) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

77 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
DD King
APA Custer


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


CL Detroit firing at 51st Base Force
51st Base Force firing at CL Detroit
51st Base Force firing at DD King
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 01, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Saumlaki (78,117)

68 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCI-85, Shell hits 1, on fire
AM Wagga
LCI-84


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-85 at 4,000 yards
AM Wagga fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saumlaki (78,117)

TF 303 troops unloading over beach at Saumlaki, 78,117





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Saumlaki (78,117)

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Wagga
LCI-85, on fire


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


AM Wagga fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Saumlaki (78,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA Custer
CL Detroit



8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at APA Custer



By the end of the turn we have over 300 AV of assault troops ashore at Saumlaki:


Ground combat at Saumlaki (78,117)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 989 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Defending force 5337 troops, 43 guns, 297 vehicles, Assault Value = 310

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



Assaulting units:
28th Div /9
4th Naval Construction Battalion
51st Base Force

Defending units:
11th Australian Brigade
4th Armoured Bde /14
8th RAAF M/W Sqn /4



A deliberate attack will be ordered here for next turn.


Meanwhile....the Allied fleet carriers have moved into the Arafura Sea to cover the withdrawal of 4 of the damaged CVEs. CVE Anzio and CVE Sangamon continue to take on water so they all must head for the nearest port....Merauke. Three fighter squadrons are staged into Merauke to CAP the port while the CVEs undergo emergency repairs.

The fleet carriers will head back north next turn to cover the II Australian Corps invasion of Kai-eilanden.

Dave introduces Georges into the DEI theatre for the 1st time as they sweep Dobo at high altitude:


Morning Air attack on Dobo , at 83,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 186 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4



Allied aircraft
P-39N1 Airacobra x 20


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39N1 Airacobra: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
531st FBS with P-39N1 Airacobra (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes




Morning Air attack on Dobo , at 83,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 157 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3



Allied aircraft
P-39N1 Airacobra x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39N1 Airacobra: 2 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 40000 feet

CAP engaged:
531st FBS with P-39N1 Airacobra (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes



So Dave is sweeping Dobo to get some of my CAP over Taberfane to drift.....and of course my P-47D2s CAPing and LRCAPing at 40,000' dont drift....its my lowly P-39N1s flying at 9000' that drift over to Dobo to get killed......go figure.


CVE Santee still sits at Taberfane with a level 1 fire while CVE Chenango sits at Taberfane with a level 44 fire....these fires just cant be doused and I will soon lose CVE Chenango.

Dobo is enlarged to a level 5 AF.

If that CVE cannot douse the fires itself because of system damage, I wonder if putting it into an escort TF with another ship would enable the other ship to douse that 1 level fire? I have never seen a ship unable to douse such a small fire!

CVE Santee still sits at Taberfane with a level 1 fire while CVE Chenango sits at Taberfane with a level 44 fire....these fires just cant be doused and I will soon lose CVE Chenango.

Not sure if you saw, but I think in Mike Solli's AAR recently there was a discussion about how this is a bug, and some ships disbanded in port can't put put 1 fire. They have to be put in an escort TF and then usually will put it out apparently, but of course this may not be ideal if the ship is in severe trouble and in range of enemy strikes.

obvert.....BBfanboy....thanx for the tip on the level 1 fire bug on a ship in port. I will form an escort TF with CVE Santee and an AR no less(poor CVE Chenango succumbed to her fire this turn and sank at Taberfane).



9/2-9/3/43



SUBS


SS Amberjack sinks xAK Dainiti Maru off Balikpappan.

SS Tullibee sinks TK Hiburi Maru near Naha.

SS Amberjack sinks xAKL Hokuan Maru by Donggala......SS Amberjack is at least an ace now.....she sank 3 TKs earlier in the war.



CBI


Georges and Tojos sweep Rangoon at extremely high altitude again but this time modern US AAF and USMC fighters are waiting for them:


Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 43



Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 5
Kittyhawk III x 5
P-38G Lightning x 19
P-38H Lightning x 19
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 8
F4U-1 Corsair x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
19 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 40000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMD-254 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters to 34000.
Raid is overhead
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Raid is overhead
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
51st FG/26th FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000 , scrambling fighters to 39000.
Raid is overhead
23rd FG/75th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 40000 and 42000.
Raid is overhead
51st FG/449th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 40000 , scrambling fighters to 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 38



Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 3
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-38G Lightning x 7
P-38H Lightning x 12
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
34 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 36000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMD-254 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters to 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 38000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
51st FG/449th FS with P-38H Lightning (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 40000 , scrambling fighters between 37000 and 43000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 64 minutes
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters to 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters to 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
51st FG/26th FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000 , scrambling fighters between 40000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes




Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 33



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 6
Hurricane IIc Trop x 19
Hurricane XIIb x 3
Kittyhawk III x 4
P-38G Lightning x 13
P-38H Lightning x 16
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 8
F4U-1 Corsair x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VMD-254 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters to 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Raid is overhead
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
No.79 Sqn RAF with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14600
Raid is overhead
51st FG/26th FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 39000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
51st FG/449th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 40000 , scrambling fighters between 35000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes




Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 19



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 5
Hurricane IIc Trop x 20
Hurricane XIIb x 2
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-38G Lightning x 11
P-38H Lightning x 12
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VMD-254 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters to 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk III (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19600
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
No.79 Sqn RAF with Martlet IV (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9600
Raid is overhead
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14600
Raid is overhead
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
51st FG/26th FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000 , scrambling fighters between 33000 and 39000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
51st FG/449th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 40000 , scrambling fighters between 38000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes



In China....the Allies retake Nanyang for the umpteenth time during the war:


Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 99694 troops, 597 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3916

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

Allied adjusted assault: 2587

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 2587 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nanyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:



Assaulting units:
23rd Chinese Corps
55th Chinese/C Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
36th Chinese/A Corps
36th Chinese/B Corps
61st Chinese/A Corps
34th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese/B Corps
47th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese/B Corps
96th Chinese/C Corps
40th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese/C Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese/C Corps
Jingcha War Area
8th Group Army
6th Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Rgt /1
1st War Area
5th War Area
33rd Group Army
85th British AT Rgt /1




No sign of the large IJA force that was facing off against them....I guess they have railed to another part of China. Its been quiet in China for over a week now and the longer it stays quiet the worse it is when the Japanese appear in force.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS



II Australian Corps captures Saumlaki with a pair of deliberate attacks:


Ground combat at Saumlaki (78,117)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5201 troops, 43 guns, 297 vehicles, Assault Value = 319

Defending force 2532 troops, 52 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Allied adjusted assault: 61

Japanese adjusted defense: 39

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled


Allied ground losses:
178 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Assaulting units:
11th Australian Brigade
4th Armoured Bde /14
8th RAAF M/W Sqn /4

Defending units:
28th Div /9
1st Indpt SNLF Coy /2
4th Naval Construction Battalion
51st Base Force


Ground combat at Saumlaki (78,117)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5068 troops, 43 guns, 296 vehicles, Assault Value = 306

Defending force 2274 troops, 50 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Allied adjusted assault: 257

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Saumlaki !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
729 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (11 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
11th Australian Brigade
4th Armoured Brigade
8th RAAF M/W Sqn /4

Defending units:
28th Div /9
1st Indpt SNLF Coy /2
4th Naval Construction Battalion
51st Base Force


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

4th Naval Construction Battalion Wiped Out at Saumlaki by attrition!!!

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

51st Base Force Wiped Out at Saumlaki by attrition!!!


Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Saumlaki by attrition!!!



I will land multiple construction engineer LCUs and BFs at Saumlaki next turn and now we have a 3rd AF in the DEI.




Meanwhile...covered by the Allied fast carriers.....the Australian 29th Brigade storms ashore at Kai-eilanden:


Night Naval bombardment of Kai-eilanden at 81,115

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
CA Canberra
CA Vincennes
CA Quincy
CA Chester
CL Santa Fe
CL Montpelier
CL Marblehead
CL Trenton
CL Durban
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Blue
DD Walke
DD O'Brien
DD Frazier

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 52
Port hits 34
Port supply hits 4

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB New Mexico
BB New Mexico firing at Kai-eilanden
CA Canberra firing at Kai-eilanden
CA Vincennes firing at Kai-eilanden
CA Quincy firing at Kai-eilanden
CA Chester firing at Kai-eilanden
CL Santa Fe firing at Kai-eilanden
CL Montpelier firing at Kai-eilanden
CL Marblehead firing at Kai-eilanden
CL Trenton firing at Kai-eilanden
CL Durban firing at Kai-eilanden
DD Ralph Talbot firing at Kai-eilanden
DD Blue firing at 25th JNAF AF Unit
DD Walke firing at Kai-eilanden
DD O'Brien firing at 25th JNAF AF Unit
DD Frazier firing at Kai-eilanden


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kai-eilanden (81,115)

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DM Sicard
LSI(L) Dunedin Star



DE Gilmore fired at enemy troops
DM Sicard fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kai-eilanden (81,115)

TF 487 troops unloading over beach at Kai-eilanden, 81,115


Allied ground losses:
315 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kai-eilanden (81,115)

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DM Sicard
LSI(L) Dunedin Star


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


DE Gilmore fired at enemy troops
DM Sicard fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


Invasion Support action off Kai-eilanden (81,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DM Sicard
LSI(L) Dunedin Star



DE Gilmore fired at enemy troops
DM Sicard fired at enemy troops



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 03, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kai-eilanden (81,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DM Sicard
LSI(L) Dunedin Star



DE Gilmore fired at enemy troops
DM Sicard fired at enemy troops


Invasion Support action off Kai-eilanden (81,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DM Sicard
LSI(L) Dunedin Star



DE Gilmore fired at enemy troops
DM Sicard fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kai-eilanden (81,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DM Sicard
LSI(L) Dunedin Star



DE Gilmore fired at enemy troops
DM Sicard fired at enemy troops


Invasion Support action off Kai-eilanden (81,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Empire Star
LSI(L) Australia Star
LSI(L) Dunedin Star



LSI(L) Empire Star fired at enemy troops
LSI(L) Australia Star fired at enemy troops
LSI(L) Dunedin Star fired at enemy troops



The 29th Australian Brigade will be ordered to shock attack here next turn.


Dave doesnt go after the damaged USN CVEs at either Taberfane or Merauke. Instead...he launches a port attack at Darwin:


Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 25
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 26
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 51



Allied aircraft
P-39N1 Airacobra x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 42
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 40
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 10 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 10 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 25 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Bomb hits 4
LST-475, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-221 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-225 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
531st FBS with P-39N1 Airacobra (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/7th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/70th FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
19 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
475th FG/433rd FS with P-40K Warhawk (4 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers



Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 99 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 7



Allied aircraft
P-39N1 Airacobra x 19
P-40K Warhawk x 34
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 36
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VMF-221 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-225 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
531st FBS with P-39N1 Airacobra (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/7th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (2 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/70th FS with P-40K Warhawk (4 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (3 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
475th FG/433rd FS with P-40K Warhawk (5 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers




This time the incoming Japanese port strike is butchered. If my CAP over Taberfane had perfomed like this I would still have most of my CVEs intact.....can you say "random results".

Taberfane enlages to a level 6 AF. Now that I have over 400 fighters CAPing and LRCAPing Taberfane and I need to now CAP the damaged CVEs at Merauke I simply dont have enough additonal fighters to CAP Darwin and also cover my amphib ops at Saumlaik and Kai-eilanden.....so Im evacuating Darwin port....the 3 damaged BBs there will be sent out of theatre now for repairs and Darwin's fighter cover will be reduced dramatically.

Now that we have captured Saumlaki and landed at Kai-eilanden....its time for the fast carriers to get out of Dodge before KB or the IJN sub wolfpacks show up.