Getting Bottlenecked: SierraJuliet (J) vs Mundy (A)

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Mundy

No, I was talking about the troops on ground. Wouldn't let me plot an exit from the hex at first.

Sorry for my misunderstanding. That is intriguing about the troops not wanting to move.

[Mundy]

Yeah, I was afraid I'd have to load them all back up and ship them to another port. Bad news with all the subs around.

Hopefully they can march quickly.

I'm not real happy with the map LST used for this. In Burma, it's almost impossible to send troop anywhere. I'm making about a mile a day there.

If I can get Manila fairly quickly, Luzon will pretty much be toast. I'll be able to air-interdict shipping over a good radius. I'll just need to grab every base on the island, so hopefully I can be fairly self-sustaining as far as supply goes. I'll be able to dock all those ships at Manila too. One CVE ate a torp a few days ago, so a drydock will help.

I'll just have to ensure all transports coming from the States or Pearl have carriers along to get past Truk/Marianas. I have other convoys enroute, but I'm sending them around the south end of Guam to avoid the massive sub pack to the north. One new fleet carrier is coming with one of them. Enterprise and Lexington are getting repaired at Mare Island. That port seemed to have a higher amount of Naval Support present.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Mundy

Yeah, I was afraid I'd have to load them all back up and ship them to another port. Bad news with all the subs around.

Hopefully they can march quickly.

I'm not real happy with the map LST used for this. In Burma, it's almost impossible to send troop anywhere. I'm making about a mile a day there.

If I can get Manila fairly quickly, Luzon will pretty much be toast. I'll be able to air-interdict shipping over a good radius. I'll just need to grab every base on the island, so hopefully I can be fairly self-sustaining as far as supply goes. I'll be able to dock all those ships at Manila too. One CVE ate a torp a few days ago, so a drydock will help.

I'll just have to ensure all transports coming from the States or Pearl have carriers along to get past Truk/Marianas. I have other convoys enroute, but I'm sending them around the south end of Guam to avoid the massive sub pack to the north. One new fleet carrier is coming with one of them. Enterprise and Lexington are getting repaired at Mare Island. That port seemed to have a higher amount of Naval Support present.

AFAIK, you should be able to make at least two miles a day in mountain terrain with an infantry unit in move mode. I assume you have Jungle Rough terrain which should be a bit easier - like 3 or 4 miles a day for infantry and 2 miles a day for artillery and armour. Only time I have had one mile a day is if a unit was in Combat or Rest mode, or extremely fatigued/low morale.

[Mundy]

11 January 1944

Steve caught one of my reinforcement groups as it was rounding south of Guam. I am thoroughly sick of his surface forces right now. They blitz right in and get away before my escorting carriers can to anything. The battle took forever to resolve, so hopefully, they're out of ammo. Next group will probably have a bunch of CAs along.

At Mauban, my troops are mostly 12-15 miles on the way to Manila, so they should arrive in 2-3 days. Probably about 5,000 left in supply to unload. I'll have to get them away from the subs and them park them somewhere until Manila is taken.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Saipan at 110,97, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
DD Akizuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Yudachi
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 1
DD Oboro
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
AGC Rocky Mount, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
AV Henderson~+, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AKA Alcyone, Shell hits 15, heavy fires
AKA Thuban, Shell hits 27, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Virgo, Shell hits 7
AKA Almaack, Shell hits 39, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Aquarius, Shell hits 28, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Jupiter, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
AKA Arcturus, Shell hits 16, heavy fires
AKA Procyon, Shell hits 26, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Pollux", Shell hits 79, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCI-445, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Arawa, Shell hits 6
LSI(L) Denbighshire, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AKA Red Jacket, Shell hits 56, and is sunk
AKA Great Republic, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AKA Bald Eagle, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Golden Gate, Shell hits 1
AKA Colbert, Shell hits 32, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Typhoon, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Rodman Coleman, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Gemini, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK John W Foster, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Peter Cooper Hewitt, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK W B Ayer, Shell hits 2
AK William H Ashley, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Alcoa Patriot, Shell hits 1
xAK Hercules, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCI-472, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-474, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-477
LCI-479, Shell hits 1
LCI-480, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-481, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-482, Shell hits 4, on fire
LCI-483, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Cefalu, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
LCI LC(FF)-503

Allied ground losses:
7034 casualties reported
Squads: 151 destroyed, 145 disabled
Non Combat: 664 destroyed, 628 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 533 (445 destroyed, 88 disabled)
Vehicles lost 750 (467 destroyed, 283 disabled)

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Uozum, J crosses the 'T'
CL Jintsu engages AGC Rocky Mount at 20,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AGC Rocky Mount at 20,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Colbert at 20,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AGC Rocky Mount at 20,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages LSI(L) Denbighshire at 20,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Thuban at 20,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Alcyone at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AGC Rocky Mount at 14,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Thuban at 14,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Colbert at 14,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Bald Eagle at 14,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Great Republic at 14,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Arcturus at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AGC Rocky Mount at 10,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AGC Rocky Mount at 10,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AGC Rocky Mount at 10,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Colbert at 10,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Bald Eagle at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Colbert at 10,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Bald Eagle at 10,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages xAK Typhoon at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AV Henderson~+ at 6,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AGC Rocky Mount at 6,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Bald Eagle at 6,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Red Jacket at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Bald Eagle at 5,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AGC Rocky Mount at 5,000 yards
DD Oboro engages LSI(L) Denbighshire at 5,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Colbert at 5,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Bald Eagle at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Great Republic at 5,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AGC Rocky Mount at 5,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages LCI-445 at 5,000 yards
DD Oboro engages xAK Hercules at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
AV Henderson~+ sunk by DD Akizuki at 4,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AGC Rocky Mount at 4,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AGC Rocky Mount at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AGC Rocky Mount at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AGC Rocky Mount at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AK W B Ayer at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages LCI-479 at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Great Republic at 3,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages LSI(L) Denbighshire at 3,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AGC Rocky Mount at 3,000 yards
AKA Great Republic sunk by DD Sazanami at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AGC Rocky Mount at 3,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AGC Rocky Mount at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Thuban at 3,000 yards
LCI-481 sunk by DD Yudachi at 3,000 yards
DD Oboro engages xAP Gemini at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
AGC Rocky Mount sunk by DD Asagiri at 2,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Colbert at 2,000 yards
AKA Bald Eagle sunk by DD Yudachi at 2,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Thuban at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Oboro engages LSI(L) Denbighshire at 3,000 yards
DD Oboro engages LSI(L) Denbighshire at 3,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Procyon at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages LSI(L) Denbighshire at 3,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages LSI(L) Denbighshire at 3,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Aquarius at 3,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Almaack at 3,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages LCI-472 at 3,000 yards
LCI-445 sunk by DD Oboro at 3,000 yards
LSI(L) Denbighshire sunk by DD Sazanami at 3,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Arcturus at 3,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages xAK Rodman Coleman at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
AKA Colbert sunk by CL Jintsu at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Arcturus at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Jupiter at 4,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Aquarius at 4,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Almaack at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Alcyone at 4,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Pollux" at 4,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Aquarius at 4,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AK William H Ashley at 4,000 yards
LCI-480 sunk by DD Sazanami at 4,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages LCI-479 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Red Jacket at 5,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Procyon at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Red Jacket at 5,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Almaack at 5,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AK John W Foster at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages xAK Typhoon at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Pollux" at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Procyon at 4,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Aquarius at 4,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Red Jacket at 4,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages xAK Rodman Coleman at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Jupiter at 2,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Pollux" at 2,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Red Jacket at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Arcturus at 2,000 yards
AKA Red Jacket sunk by DD Yudachi at 2,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Almaack at 2,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Virgo at 2,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AK W B Ayer at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages xAP Arawa at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages xAK Typhoon at 2,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Pollux" at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Procyon at 2,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Aquarius at 2,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Jupiter at 2,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Aquarius at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Almaack at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Virgo at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Alcyone at 2,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages LCI-482 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Pollux" at 4,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Pollux" at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Arcturus at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Jupiter at 4,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Aquarius at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Pollux" at 4,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Pollux" at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Pollux" at 2,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Procyon at 2,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Arcturus at 2,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Jupiter at 2,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Aquarius at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Almaack at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Pollux" at 2,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages xAP Cefalu at 2,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages xAP Arawa at 2,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages xAK Hercules at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Pollux" at 2,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Procyon at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Arcturus at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Jupiter at 2,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Pollux" at 2,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Almaack at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Pollux" at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AK Peter Cooper Hewitt at 2,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages xAP Golden Gate at 2,000 yards
xAK Rodman Coleman sunk by DD Sazanami at 2,000 yards
Uozum, J orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Pollux" at 4,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Procyon at 4,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Aquarius at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Almaack at 4,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Virgo at 4,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages LCI-483 at 4,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages xAP Arawa at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Pollux" at 7,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Arcturus at 7,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Pollux" at 7,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Pollux" at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages xAP Gemini at 7,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Thuban at 7,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AK Peter Cooper Hewitt at 7,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages LCI-479 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Pollux" at 11,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Pollux" at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Jupiter at 11,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Aquarius at 11,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Almaack at 11,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Virgo at 11,000 yards
DD Sazanami engages AKA Alcyone at 11,000 yards
Massive explosion on LCI-482
DD Hatsuzuki engages LCI-482 at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages AKA Pollux" at 15,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Procyon at 15,000 yards
DD Oboro engages AKA Pollux" at 15,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages AKA Pollux" at 15,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Almaack at 15,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Virgo at 15,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Thuban at 15,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages xAP Alcoa Patriot at 15,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages xAP Gemini at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages AKA Aquarius at 20,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AKA Pollux" at 20,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AKA Virgo at 20,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AK William H Ashley at 20,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages LCI LC(FF)-503 at 20,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages LCI-483 at 20,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages LCI-482 at 20,000 yards
LCI-474 sunk by CL Jintsu at 20,000 yards
LCI-472 sunk by CL Jintsu at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Day Time Surface Combat, near Saipan at 111,98, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago
CA Nachi, Shell hits 3
DD Takanami
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shigure, Shell hits 2
DD Suzukaze
DD Ariake, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CVL Independence, Shell hits 4
CVL Wright, Shell hits 1
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 2, on fire
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ringgold
DD John Rodgers, Shell hits 2
DD Sigourney, Shell hits 1
DD Sigsbee
DD Spence, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CA Nachi engages CLAA San Juan at 28,000 yards
CA Atago engages CLAA San Juan at 28,000 yards
CA Atago engages CLAA San Diego at 28,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Sigsbee at 28,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Sigourney at 28,000 yards
CA Atago engages CVL Independence at 28,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Takao at 28,000 yards
CA Atago engages CLAA San Diego at 28,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Sigourney at 28,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Ringgold at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CVL Wright at 25,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CVL Independence at 25,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Takao at 25,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CLAA San Diego at 25,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Spence at 25,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Sigsbee at 25,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Ringgold at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CLAA San Diego at 22,000 yards
CA Atago engages CLAA San Juan at 22,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CLAA San Juan at 22,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Ringgold at 22,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Spence at 22,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Sigsbee at 22,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Sigsbee at 22,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Ringgold at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
DD Shigure engages CVL Independence at 20,000 yards
CA Takao engages CLAA San Diego at 20,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Sigourney at 20,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Sigsbee at 20,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Ringgold at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CVL Wright at 17,000 yards
CA Atago engages CLAA San Diego at 17,000 yards
CA Takao engages CLAA San Diego at 17,000 yards
DD Sigourney engages DD Ariake at 17,000 yards
DD Spence engages DD Shigure at 17,000 yards
DD Ringgold engages DD Shigure at 17,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Sigourney at 17,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD John Rodgers at 17,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Ringgold at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Ariake engages CVL Wright at 14,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages CVL Independence at 14,000 yards
CA Takao engages CLAA San Juan at 14,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Ringgold at 14,000 yards
DD Spence engages DD Takanami at 14,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Spence at 14,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Sigourney at 14,000 yards
DD John Rodgers engages DD Takanami at 14,000 yards
DD Ringgold engages DD Shiratsuyu at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CLAA San Juan at 12,000 yards
DD Ariake engages CVL Independence at 12,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Takao at 12,000 yards
DD Sigourney engages DD Ariake at 12,000 yards
DD Spence engages DD Ariake at 12,000 yards
DD Sigsbee engages DD Shigure at 12,000 yards
DD Sigsbee engages DD Shiratsuyu at 12,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Spence at 12,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Ringgold at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CLAA San Juan at 11,000 yards
CA Atago engages CVL Independence at 11,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Takao at 11,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Nachi at 11,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Spence at 11,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Sigourney at 11,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Sigourney at 11,000 yards
DD Spence engages DD Takanami at 11,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Ringgold at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CVL Wright at 8,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Atago at 8,000 yards
CA Takao engages CLAA San Juan at 8,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Spence at 8,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Sigsbee at 8,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD John Rodgers at 8,000 yards
DD John Rodgers engages DD Ariake at 8,000 yards
DD Ringgold engages DD Shigure at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CLAA San Juan at 10,000 yards
DD Shigure engages CVL Independence at 10,000 yards
CA Takao engages CLAA San Juan at 10,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Takao at 10,000 yards
DD Sigourney engages DD Suzukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Spence at 10,000 yards
DD Sigourney engages DD Shigure at 10,000 yards
DD John Rodgers engages DD Shigure at 10,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Ringgold at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Takanami engages CVL Wright at 13,000 yards
CA Atago engages CVL Independence at 13,000 yards
CA Takao engages CLAA San Juan at 13,000 yards
DD Ringgold engages DD Ariake at 13,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Spence at 13,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Sigsbee at 13,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Sigourney at 13,000 yards
DD John Rodgers engages DD Shigure at 13,000 yards
DD Ringgold engages DD Shigure at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages CA Nachi at 18,000 yards
CA Atago engages CVL Independence at 18,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Spence at 18,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Ringgold at 18,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD John Rodgers at 18,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Sigourney at 18,000 yards
DD John Rodgers engages DD Takanami at 18,000 yards
DD Ringgold engages DD Shigure at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CVL Wright screened from combat
- escorted by DD Spence , DD Sigsbee , DD Sigourney ,
DD John Rodgers , DD Ringgold
CA Nachi engages CVL Independence at 22,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages CA Atago at 22,000 yards
CA Takao engages CLAA San Diego at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CVL Wright , CVL Independence screened from combat
- escorted by DD Spence , DD Sigsbee , DD Sigourney ,
DD John Rodgers , DD Ringgold
CA Nachi engages CVL Wright at 26,000 yards
CA Atago engages CVL Wright at 26,000 yards
CA Takao engages CVL Wright at 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[RangerJoe]

You had nice surface combat task forces to escort those. Good job.

[Mundy]

I'm just going to have to keep everyone well clear of the Marianas at this point.

I was avoiding going near Iwo up 'til now, but he doesn't have much there, so that's an alternative.

Once unloaded, I'll be routing my transports south past Leyte and to the west end of Luzon. Hopefully Manila falls quickly and hopefully he left a bunch of fuel there. My AOs have about 25k in fuel left. (out of 160k) I was amazed how quickly these convoys eat fuel.

I did sweep Manila last turn with two squadrons (one F6F and one F4U) and had some success. Not enough to beat them down that much, though.

I've had the rocket armed LCA thingies arrive since we've hit 1944, so I want to get a bunch of those delivered to the front. That'll help with the beach assaults and take pressure off my battleships for that work.

I have 3 CVEs due to arrive at Pearl over the next week or so, so that'll be another convoy to get out.

[Mundy]

12 January 1942

Two days until the first troops reach Manila.

Mauban is at 98% already to a level 1 airfield, so I'll get some planes up soon.

[Mundy]

15 January 1944

Troops arrive in Manila and attack. I've a bunch more inbound in about 2 days. Good start. Pretty much the Grade B group garrisoning the island.

Night Naval bombardment of Manila at 79,77 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

152 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 2
BB Idaho
BB California
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 1
CA Houston
CL Montpelier
CL Denver
CL Concord

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

Manpower hits 1
Fires 151
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Massachusetts
Combined 8th SNLF firing at BB Massachusetts
BB Massachusetts firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at BB Idaho
BB Idaho firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at BB California
BB California firing at Combined 8th SNLF
CA San Francisco firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at CA Minneapolis
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Houston
CA Houston firing at Manila
CL Montpelier firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at CL Montpelier
CL Denver firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at CL Denver
CL Concord firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at CL Concord

Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 64740 troops, 1009 guns, 583 vehicles, Assault Value = 2342

Defending force 10166 troops, 130 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 270

Allied adjusted assault: 847

Japanese adjusted defense: 741

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
1041 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 23 (3 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
634 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 162 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Infantry Division
3rd Marine Division
3rd USMC Raider Bn~
6MD 22nd Marine Regimental Combat Team
112th Cavalry (dsm) Regiment
4th USMC Raider Bn~
41st Infantry Division
27th Infantry Division
2nd Marine Div /10
2nd USMC Raider Bn~
33rd Infantry Division
1st USMC Raider Bn~
Marine AmphRecCoy~
503rd Parachute Regiment
4th Marine Division
43rd Infantry Division
1st Marine Div /14
Third US Fleet
ComAirSoPac
XI US Corps
42nd MAG
33rd MAG
Sixth US Army
5th Air Advn Base Force
22nd Port Advn Base Force
III Amphibious Corps
XI US Bomber Cmnd~

Defending units:
Combined 8th SNLF
94ID 18th GrsnUnit
4th South Seas Gsn
36th Const Co
3rd Construction Battalion
103rd Naval Repair Base Force
2nd Naval Construction Battalion
37th Const Co
30th JNAF AF Unit

[BBfanboy]

Your bombardment TF had no issues passing Bataan?

[Mundy]

Guess not. Maybe he has nothing there.

[Mundy]

17 January 1944

Manila falls, after 3 days of attacks. Losses a bit heavier on the last day. What's left of his guys ran to Clark, and I'm in pursuit. Clark didn't have much to begin with. 2 divisional fragments are heading SE and NE to grab bases. I want to round up as many resources and LI as I can. Manila seems packed with resources built up right now.

Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 94336 troops, 1557 guns, 730 vehicles, Assault Value = 3192

Defending force 8686 troops, 128 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 145

Allied adjusted assault: 1278

Japanese adjusted defense: 305

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Manila !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack-Raiden: 2 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
3381 casualties reported
Squads: 107 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 142 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 63 (58 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Allied ground losses:
1418 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 137 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Infantry Division
41st Infantry Division
24th Infantry Division
27th Infantry Division
6MD 22nd Marine Regimental Combat Team
2nd Marine Div /10
3rd USMC Raider Bn~
1st (Spec) Cavalry Division
503rd Parachute Regiment
40th Infantry Division
4th USMC Raider Bn~
4th Marine Division
112th Cavalry (dsm) Regiment
33rd Infantry Division
3rd Marine Division
1st USMC Raider Bn~
43rd Infantry Division
2nd USMC Raider Bn~
1st Marine Div /14
ComAirSoPac
33rd MAG
22nd Port Advn Base Force
Third US Fleet
III Amphibious Corps
XI US Corps
Sixth US Army
42nd MAG
5th Air Advn Base Force
XI US Bomber Cmnd~

Defending units:
94ID 18th GrsnUnit
Combined 8th SNLF
4th South Seas Gsn
103rd Naval Repair Base Force
36th Const Co
2nd Naval Construction Battalion
37th Const Co
3rd Construction Battalion
30th JNAF AF Unit

All my ships were disbanded at Calapan, which was the only island in the PI he didn't take. Unfortunately, the Constabulary battalion there is restricted, otherwise I would send them to other bases.

I didn't realize I had the buildup, but I had over 400 ships accumulated there. They're off to Manila to hopefully repair a bit. Only 8 out of 25 shipyards are working right now, but the 3rd fleet HQ is there, and their naval support should help a bit with ship repair. I'll keep one good core of transports for further invasions handy here, but get the rest to Pearl to help bring more stuff in. I'm currently at 200k in supply at Manila, with another 60k at Mauban. I'll need oilers and tankers, too. Fuel is tight here right now. About 8k in Fuel in Manila. A bunch of planes have moved to Manila, but I need further repairs to get the others over. On this map, I can't ship planes overland.

Oddly, I have mostly air HQs there, with not much present for actual base forces. I do have 4 construction units present, wtih 2 staying at Mauban and 2 going to Manila.

[Mundy]

21 January 1944

Most of my fleet carriers and a bunch of transports left Manila bound for Pearl. Another transport group with a CV and CVE escorting are headed to Manila and are approaching Marcus Is.

My forces attacked and immediately took Clark Field. He's got nothing but scrubs left on Luzon. Two bases forces accompanied the attackers and are set up. I'll be moving my air operations there, since it a much bigger field than Manila.

Large packs of mini-subs are in the Manila area, and I've been clubbing them down.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 95040 troops, 1741 guns, 634 vehicles, Assault Value = 3273

Defending force 7498 troops, 90 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 84

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 1402

Japanese adjusted defense: 82

Allied assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Clark Field !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
4035 casualties reported
Squads: 131 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 148 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 42 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 89 (81 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 8
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
805 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 101 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 27 (5 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division
4th Marine Division
2nd USMC Raider Bn~
33rd Infantry Division
27th Infantry Division
503rd Parachute Regiment
41st Infantry Division
24th Infantry Division
6MD 22nd Marine Regimental Combat Team
3rd USMC Raider Bn~
3rd Marine Division
1st (Spec) Cavalry Division
112th Cavalry (dsm) Regiment
6th Infantry Division
1st USMC Raider Bn~
4th USMC Raider Bn~
XI US Corps
22nd Port Advn Base Force
III Amphibious Corps
5th Air Advn Base Force

Defending units:
94ID 18th GrsnUnit
Combined 8th SNLF
4th South Seas Gsn
38th Field Const Co
2nd Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Construction Battalion
36th Const Co
9th Field Construction Battalion
37th Const Co
103rd Naval Repair Base Force
30th JNAF AF Unit

Some of my weaker units are headed towards all the smaller bases to take them over. I should be secure within a few weeks. I've left enough transports at Manila to send invaders out to the other islands, when I get to it.

All the remaining fuel at Manila is burned out, so two big tanker groups are fueling up at San Francisco, along with another big troop move.

Lots of planes are trying to get repaired up at Mauban, but it's going slow. Mauban is approaching level 3 airfield pretty soon. I can't move planes overland from there to Manila or anywhere else.

My base at Koepang on Timor has finally reached level 5, allowing all the B-24s there to reach their max range. A massive strike will hit Balikpapan next turn on the refineries. I'll switch to Soerabaja after that. No fighters appear to be based there as my recon Lightnings indicate.

Steve launches another strike at me on Tinian. Despite the favorable odds, his losses are higher. This could stalemate forever.

Ground combat at Tinian (108,94)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30217 troops, 500 guns, 563 vehicles, Assault Value = 1007

Defending force 25427 troops, 374 guns, 475 vehicles, Assault Value = 820

Japanese adjusted assault: 513

Allied adjusted defense: 141

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1493 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 102 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (13 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
481 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Division
5th Division
2nd Tank Division
12th JNAF AF Unit
59th JNAF AF Unit
21st Special Base Force
79th JAAF AF Bn
67th Field AA Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
19th Army
13th Field Construction Battalion
58th Construction Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
16th Field Construction Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th JNAF AF Unit
13th RF Gun (Pack) Battalion
90th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
4th Marine Div /10
3rd Marine Div /10
2nd Marine Division
1st Marine Division
37th Infantry Div /6
53rd (Sep) Inf.~ Rgt /1
140th (Sep) Inf.~ Regiment
25th Infantry Div /5
6th Armoured~ Div /8
I US Corps
102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
6MD 22nd Marine RCT /4

[BBfanboy]

Good progress! Congrats!

Mundy: All my ships were disbanded at Calapan, which was the only island in the PI he didn't take. Unfortunately, the Constabulary battalion there is restricted, otherwise I would send them to other bases.

If the issue is garrisons for various bases, don't forget you can fly these guys out with transport or patrol aircraft. I think Coronados can probably lift their heaviest equipment.

[Mundy]

Yeah, I did think of that, but I don't have transports there yet.

Still got some work to do before my bases are completely set.

Pearl is still overstacked, so I'm trying to get lots of the people there moved out west. The overstacking is making it hard to retain supply there. Lots more troops still sitting in the States. Need more troop transports, also.

All his surface forces are obsessed with my troops in Tinian and Guam. Nobody's tried to intercept any of my convoys yet. I'm hoping I can just evacuate everyone out of the Marianas at some point, but I'll need to bring a lot of firepower to pull that off. A couple of Iowas would probably do it, along with all my carriers.

[Mundy]

22 January 1944

An eventful turn.

Bombers hit Balikpapan. Forgot about them so they'll hit again next turn. Meant to flip them to Soerabaja. Looks like I got hits in.

Morning Air attack on Balikpapan , at 64,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 38
B-24J Liberator x 19

No Allied losses

Refinery hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Morning Air attack on Balikpapan , at 64,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

No Allied losses

Refinery hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

An oddity off Luzon. My departing carriers found a surface force one hex off the north tip of Luzon. Don't know how they missed me. My carriers were 4 hexes SE of there. Not sure how he got CAP over his ships. Maybe LRCAP from Formosa. Maybe a northern occupied base on Luzon... Hit them good and my Avengers did their job also. Hopefully, I'm not out of torps.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Calayan at 82,71

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero-Reisen x 14
N1K1J George-Shiden x 14
Ki-84a Frank-Hayate x 38

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 32
F6F-3 Hellcat x 76
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 67
SBD-5 Dauntless x 48
TBF-1 Avenger x 81
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero-Reisen: 7 destroyed
N1K1J George-Shiden: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank-Hayate: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 4 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 10 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 21, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Tama, Bomb hits 2
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 20, on fire
CA Chokai
DD Makigumo
DD Yugumo
DD Arashi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Okikaze
DD Kazegumo

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 15000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
5 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
10 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
14 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
14 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
11 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
15 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
2 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 15000 feet
1 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1' with N1K1J George-Shiden (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 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
202 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
265 Ku S-2~ with N1K1J George-Shiden (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 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
63rd Sentai~/B with Ki-84a Frank-Hayate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
63rd Sentai~/C with Ki-84a Frank-Hayate (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
47th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank-Hayate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
77th Sentai Det B with Ki-84a Frank-Hayate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Nagato
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Haruna
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Arashi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Kongo


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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Calayan at 82,71

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1J George-Shiden x 11
Ki-84a Frank-Hayate x 14

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 27
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 65
SBD-5 Dauntless x 24
TBF-1 Avenger x 78
TBM-1C Avenger x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1J George-Shiden: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank-Hayate: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 5 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 7, on fire
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 8, on fire
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Makigumo
DD Kishinami
DD Ikazuchi
DD Arashi, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kazegumo, Bomb hits 2
DD Yugumo
CL Tama, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Hamanami, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Okikaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
8 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 15000 feet
18 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
17 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
3 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
13 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
13 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
11 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 15000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
17 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
63rd Sentai~/B with Ki-84a Frank-Hayate (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 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
63rd Sentai~/C with Ki-84a Frank-Hayate (0 airborne, 0 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 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
47th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank-Hayate (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 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Ominato Ku S-1' with N1K1J George-Shiden (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 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
265 Ku S-2~ with N1K1J George-Shiden (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
77th Sentai Det B with Ki-84a Frank-Hayate (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 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Haruna
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Yamato class BB
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chokai
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Tama
Okikaze dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Okikaze

Also hit another group closer to my TF.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Batan Island at 87,74

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
SBD-5 Dauntless x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AR Yamabiko Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC CHa-14, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-9, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AR Yamabiko Maru

I should be able to get away without incident. Other battleships of his bombarded Tinian again, so I know where they are.

[Mundy]

27 January 1944

Clearing out Luzon yet. All I have left are the 4 northern bases near Vigan and then three at the extreme SE peninsula.

I think I went serious overkill as far as combat units go. What I really need right now are lots and lots of support units. My planes at Mauban are taking forever to get fixed. Once Luzon's cleared, it should be simple enough to free the rest of the islands. I've got a massive fuel convoy at Pearl ready to go. Waiting a couple turns for a couple transports to arrive and some ships to get fixed. I'll have at least 5 CVEs escorting this bunch.

I know his remaining carriers won't interfere. They're currently in the Coral Sea, attacking my transports in the area. Don't even remember what I was shipping down there. I've got planes at Guadalcanal prepping to attack. Looks like his carriers are fairly fighter-heavy, with not as much bombers. ...according to recon anyway.

Balikpapan's refinery situation is currently 111(190), while Soerabaja is 36(135). Bombers have been flying the last 5 days, so I'll rest them a bit.

I'm thinking after re-taking Mindanao, of maybe grabbing Balikpapan. That would help with the fuel situation that far west. Plenty of time to think that over.

[BBfanboy]

What happened with the Japanese BB TF you nailed north of Luzon? It sounded like you were going to try and hit them again (when you said "Hopefully I'm not out of torps").

[Mundy]

They up and vanished the next day. No idea where. Guessing they went north. I don't have any real search planes on Luzon, so my visibility is a bit limited.

I had no intention of hanging around. Steve's been pretty good at ambushing carrier groups with surface forces, so I wanted to stay away.

[Mundy]

28 January 1944

His carriers in Coral Sea just vanished. Must have gone north. I had the area fairly well covered with search planes.

I sank a fleet sub, 2 hexes from Manila. I think all the mini-subs there are dead now.

I'm loading a weak division to take to Panay. Start taking all the islands back. Some of the units in north Luzon are heading back to Manila to also get sent out. I've enough up there to finish what troops he has left.

I'm getting aircraft moved to Clark. Pretty much every unit is represented there now. Only disabled planes remain at Mauban, which I hope will speed things up. I've got nearly 360 search coverage with my B-24s there. All my 25s are set to naval attack. With their 14 hex range, they can make it nearly to the Chinese coast. I can start shutting down any shipping to the home islands that comes anywhere near the Philippines. A good supplement to the subs I already have out.

My next enroute convoy will arrive in Manila in 3 days. They've just got more combat units. In 2 days a big fuel shipment, plus a bunch of support forces will depart Pearl.

At Mare Island, I've jimmied the repair schedule a little bit so that Enterprise will be fixed in about 7 days instead of 30, if I had everyone in drydock. Another convoy I can get escorted out.

Manila's drydock went from a capacity of 8,000 to 15,000 since I took it over. I can eventually max it at 25,000, which won't help the one engine point I have on my battleship there. I'm considering moving some floating drydocks there from Pearl, but that'll be a treacherous trip.

A couple days, I'll resume bombing at Soerabaja and Balikpapan. I may back off on the latter, if I decide to take it.

[RangerJoe]

If there is only one major damage point, an AR can fix it.