AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

[racndoc]

9/4-9/5/43


SUBS


SS S-47 is sunk by an IJN ASW TF near Gebe:


Submarine attack near Gebe at 80,105

Japanese Ships
PC Nire
DD Hokaze
E Sagi
E Kasasagi

Allied Ships
SS S-47, hits 40, and is sunk



SS S-47 is sighted by escort
DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
E Sagi attacking submerged sub ....
E Sagi attacking submerged sub ....
SS S-47 forced to surface!
E Sagi firing on surfaced sub ....
E Kasasagi firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Hokaze firing on surfaced sub ....
E Kasasagi firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Hokaze firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


Wow.....40 hits by an IJN ASW TF on an Allied sub....I think thats the most Ive ever seen. I wonder if these are the really lethal IJN E boats or if those are still coming later.


SS Tarpon is hit by 4 DCs from the same IJN ASW TF near Gebe:


ASW attack near Misool at 81,108

Japanese Ships
DD Hokaze
PC Nire
E Sagi

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon, hits 4



SS Tarpon launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hokaze
DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi attacking submerged sub ....
E Sagi is out of ASW ammo
E Sagi is out of ASW ammo
E Sagi is out of ASW ammo
E Sagi is out of ASW ammo
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Lucky for me they finally run out of ammo.



SS I-171 is sunk by an USN ASW TF off Taberfane.


SS I-156 is hit by 3 DCs from an USN ASW TF off Taberfane.


SS Rashon sinks xAK Soyo Maru by Kashiki-jima Retto.





II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


The 29th Australian Brigade captures Kai-eilanden:


Ground combat at Kai-eilanden (81,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2286 troops, 28 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 92

Defending force 1354 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Allied adjusted assault: 68

Japanese adjusted defense: 23

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
29th Australian Brigade

Defending units:
12th Div /7
28th Div /14
25th JNAF AF Unit




Ground combat at Kai-eilanden (81,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2216 troops, 28 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 81

Defending force 1560 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Allied adjusted assault: 102

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kai-eilanden !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
263 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (16 destroyed, 4 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
29th Australian Brigade

Defending units:
12th Div /7
25th JNAF AF Unit



There still remains a mop up of the remnants of the Japanese defenders but construction troops and BFs will begin unloading here next turn.


The newly acquired Allied AF at Saumlaki becomes operational and fighters are immediately staged in.


The Allied fast carriers withdraw south to safer waters just as a half dozen sub IJN wolfpack closes in on them off Taberfane....as reported before....I-171 is sunk here and 3 additional IJN subs are heavily damaged by ASW TFs and AC.

The 3 damaged BBs at darwin make good their escape into the Arafura Sea and the Allied fighters that had been at Darwin can now be relocated to help CAP the damaged CVEs at Merauke and the Allied buildups at Kai-eilanden and Saumlaki.


CV Enterprise will complete her repairs at Luganville next turn. The 7th Fleet HQ that had been supervising repairs on CV Enterprise at Luganville has now been dropped off at Merauke to help repair the damaged CVEs. Three damaged CVEs remain at Taberfane.


TBFs based at Dobo sink an IJN PB near Boela:


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

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12
TBF-1 Avenger x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Shosei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



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



Dave tries an unsuccessful night attack with his Bettys near Saumlaki:

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

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 6



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Kennison
APD Little



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



I guess its time for me to move a couple of nightfighter squadrons over to the DEI from Rabaul.



CBI


If you can believe it....Dave and I had a major naval battle some 80 miles up the Irrawaddy Delta at Rangoon itself:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Suffolk
CL Kenya, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Benham
DD Worden, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Warramunga
DD Quadrant



Poor visibility due to Rain with 35% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 35% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 3,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
Moizumi, Shinichi crosses the 'T'
CL Kenya engages CA Nachi at 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CL Kenya at 3,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Hayashio at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CL Kenya at 2,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Kenya at 2,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Worden at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Kenya engages CA Nachi at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Kenya at 8,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Worden at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages CA Nachi at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Kenya at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Quadrant at 11,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Warramunga at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Benham at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
CA Suffolk, Shell hits 7, on fire
CL Kenya, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Benham, Shell hits 1
DD Worden, on fire
DD Warramunga
DD Quadrant, Shell hits 2



Poor visibility due to Rain with 35% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 35% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 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
Coffey H. crosses the 'T'
CA Nachi engages CA Suffolk at 6,000 yards
CL Kenya engages CA Haguro at 6,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 6,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Hatsuzuki at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CA Suffolk at 3,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages CA Haguro at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Quadrant at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Quadrant at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CA Suffolk at 5,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages CA Haguro at 5,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hayashio at 5,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hatsuzuki at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 5,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Hayashio at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CA Suffolk at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Kenya at 8,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hayashio at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 8,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Hayashio at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Suffolk at 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Suffolk at 10,000 yards
DD Worden engages DD Hatsuzuki at 10,000 yards
DD Worden engages DD Hatsuzuki at 10,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Benham at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages CA Nachi at 11,000 yards
CL Kenya engages CA Haguro at 11,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hatsuzuki at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages CA Nachi at 10,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CL Kenya at 10,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 10,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Hayashio at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Suffolk at 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Suffolk at 9,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Quadrant at 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Worden at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages CA Haguro at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Kenya at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Quadrant at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages CA Nachi at 12,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Kenya at 12,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Warramunga at 12,000 yards
DD Worden engages DD Hatsuzuki at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CA Suffolk at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Quadrant at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 13,000 yards
Moizumi, Shinichi orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Suffolk at 12,000 yards
CL Kenya engages CA Haguro at 12,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Warramunga at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Worden at 12,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Hatsuzuki at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,54, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 5, heavy fires

Allied Ships
DD Warramunga, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Quadrant, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage



Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Hayashio at 13,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Hatsuzuki at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Warramunga at 6,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Warramunga at 6,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Hatsuzuki at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Hayashio at 8,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Warramunga at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Quadrant at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Warramunga at 11,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hayashio at 11,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 11,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hayashio at 11,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hatsuzuki at 11,000 yards
Moizumi, Shinichi orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hayashio at 13,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Warramunga at 13,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hayashio at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages DD Quadrant at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Warramunga at 12,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Warramunga at 12,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Warramunga at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Quadrant at 13,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Hayashio at 13,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hatsuzuki at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Quadrant at 14,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 14,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Hatsuzuki at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 15,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Warramunga at 15,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Hatsuzuki at 15,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Warramunga at 15,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Warramunga at 15,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hayashio at 15,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Warramunga at 15,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Quadrant at 15,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Warramunga at 15,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Warramunga at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hayashio at 17,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Warramunga at 17,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Hatsuzuki at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Quadrant at 18,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Warramunga at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Warramunga at 22,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Warramunga at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Warramunga at 25,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Warramunga at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Quadrant at 27,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Warramunga at 27,000 yards
Coffey H. orders Allied TF to disengage
Task forces break off...


Looks like my super experienced battle hardened RN ships got the worst of it. This was probably an IJN bombardment TF....Im sure that Dave wanted to bomb Rangoon AF with its 300 AC and also destroy any shipping that might be unloading supplies. Im saying that this was probably an IJN bombardment TF because even though I had over 70 level bombers and torpedo bombers( 8 hex range Beauforts) not one Allied AC spotted them or attacked them coming or going...even though the IJN ships were damaged and spent several movement points fighting a daytime combat in the Rangoon hex before withdrawing.....looks like they had the Romulan naval bombardment "cloaking device".

Now I have no RN surface units to protect either the base at Rangoon or the TFs dropping off supplies there so I will need to suspend resupply convoys here until more surface TFs can be brought up. Also...I will need to disperse the Allied airforces at Rangoon AF so they wont get chewed up in a naval bombardment.

Quiet over China with the exception of a major reinforcement of Wuchang by the Japanese there over the last couple of turns. I have some 3800 AV of Chinese troops at Wuchang that are 100% prepped for it but Im considering a withdrawal if Dave continues his buildup there.

[racndoc]

9/6-9/7/43



SUBS


SS Truant lays a new minefield in the river delta off Palembang and immediately claims victims:


TF 40 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
AMc Hakozake Maru
AMc Choun Maru #7, Mine hits 1, heavy damage



7 mines cleared


TF 109 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
AMc Menado Maru
AMc Kembu Maru
PB Nishho Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MGB G-2, Mine hits 1, heavy damage



8 mines cleared



TF 3 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 6, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


I think that this is the 4th or 5th tome Ive mined the exit hex from Palembang...and there is a _lot_ of IJN shipping passing thru here....and Ive sunk over a dozen ships here with minefields.



SS I-162 takes 14 DCs from USN ASW TF near Taberfane.

SS I-3 takes 7 DCs from USN ASW TFs near Taberfane.


SS Saury sinks TK Nitlei Maru off Hengchun.

SS Rasher sinks xAK Akasi Maru by Gunzan.



CBI


Dave once again masses the equivalent of 2 tank divisions in a quick thrust towards Liuchow:



Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8202 troops, 27 guns, 885 vehicles, Assault Value = 561

Defending force 1052 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Japanese adjusted assault: 469

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 469 to 1

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


Allied ground losses:
968 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
7th Tank Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Rgt /2

Defending units:
5th New Chinese/A Corps


This time the IJA armor actually vaporized a Chinese infantry LCU. However....as Dave moves his armor towards Liuchow he will encounter modern US Army and Aussie divisions and we will see how his armor does in that environment.



Dave has massed over 30 LCUs now in Wuchang and we have evacuated the hex.


With last turn's defeat of the RN cruisers at Rangoon we will probably need to mostly evacuate Rangoon AF before Dave sends another stealth bombardment TF in to hammer it. Nonetheless...the Allied now have 3 Catalina squadrons on naval search off Rangoon with over 100 naval bombers so hopefully we spot the incoming IJN bombardment TF even though it has the cloaking device....probably 80 of the naval bombers have a range of 14 hexes so if we dont spot or attack the IJN bombardment TF its definitely not a range issue.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


Dave sends in multiple aerial naval strikes against Allied surface TFs at Taberfane:


Morning Air attack on Taberfane , at 82,117

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 5



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 10
P-40N5 Warhawk x 23
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 39
F4U-1 Corsair x 35
F6F-3 Hellcat x 42


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses



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, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 38800.
Raid is overhead
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 38800.
Raid is overhead
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (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 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VMF-223 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
348th FG/342nd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 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 12000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes




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

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 88
G4M1 Betty x 44



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 9
P-40N5 Warhawk x 23
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 71
F4U-1 Corsair x 29
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 8 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 1
BB West Virginia, Torpedo hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
32 x G4M1 Betty 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)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 13000
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F 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, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 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 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-223 with F4U-1 Corsair (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
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 7 minutes
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/9th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(23 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/342nd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers




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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
G4M1 Betty x 46



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 10
P-40N5 Warhawk x 23
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 49
F4U-1 Corsair x 27
F6F-3 Hellcat x 61


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 27 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 1
BB Mississippi
CL Marblehead



CAP engaged:
VRF-1F 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, 4 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F 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 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F 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, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-223 with F4U-1 Corsair (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 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 12000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (6 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/8th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (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 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/9th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 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 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 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 36 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/342nd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers


Evidently 170 fighters cant stop 37 A6M2s and 46 Bettys.


Morning Air attack on Taberfane , at 82,117

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 10
P-40N5 Warhawk x 20
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 33
F4U-1 Corsair x 25
F6F-3 Hellcat x 39


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

No Allied losses



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, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 2000.
Raid is overhead
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 13000 , scrambling fighters to 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
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, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (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 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VMF-223 with F4U-1 Corsair (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 12000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (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 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (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 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 15 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 between 2000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
348th FG/342nd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes



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

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 103 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
B6N2 Jill x 23
G4M1 Betty x 5



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 9
P-40N5 Warhawk x 20
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 50
F4U-1 Corsair x 20
F6F-3 Hellcat x 50


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Torpedo hits 2



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

CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (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, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
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 13 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
VMF-223 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (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, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IV (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/8th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (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, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/9th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (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, 7 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
348th FG/342nd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (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
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
343rd FG/11th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (4 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers




USMC DBs and TBs are decimated before finally breaking thru and hitiing IJN shipping nin the DEI:

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

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 24
TBF-1 Avenger x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
E Kasasagi
DD Hokaze
E Sagi



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (29 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
29 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Misool at 80,108

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23



Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 24


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
PC Nire
E Sagi
DD Hokaze



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
23 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 118 minutes





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

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 10
TBF-1 Avenger x 42


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 4 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hokaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PC Nire, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
E Kasasagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
E Sagi



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
10 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (27 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
27 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
16 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hokaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Kasasagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PC Nire



The Allies have now acquired two level 2 AFs at Saumlaki and Kai-eilanden and a level 5 AF at Dobo and a level 6 AF at Taberfane but the cost in ships has been exorbitant. To take these 4 islands ......the Allies have suffered 7 torpedoed BBs, 6 torpedoed and bombed CVEs and 6 CVEs sunk.

Now Dave will most certainly send in his BBs to naval bombard the Allied AFs as the Allied fleet carriers have moved away. I have 3 PT boat TFs still patrolling around Dobo/Taberfane. The damaged BBs will hang out for another turn at Taberfane as we pull the remaining 2 CVEs at Taberfane out of pierside repair.

Dave has lost over 1000 A6M2s/Oscars/Netties/Jills here vs Allied losses of maybe 300 AC but I just cannot continue to suffer the losses in combatant ships here. Kai-eilanden will be the last objective we take here for a few months and now its time to upgrade all the AFs on all 4 islands.


Allied offensive ops will now transition to SWPAC and CENTPAC.

[nicwb]

Ouch ! It certainly looked like your Hellcat drivers were asleep at the wheel - three attacks and no Japanese air casualties ! [&:]

On the other hand he manages to get his Jills and Betties through a heavy CAP ! Not a good day for the fighter jocks ! (and worse for the bomber pilots)

[racndoc]

nicwb....CAP seems to much leakier in this latest version of AE. This turn it was Dave who suffered from the leaky CAP.




9/8-9/9/43



SUBS


SS Triton puts a torpedo in xAK Yamahuku Maru near Cam Ranh Bay.

SS Muskallunge sinks SS I-3 off Kai-eilanden....I think thats the 3rd or 4th IJN sub killed by Allied subs.

SS S-45 sinks AK Tatukami Maru near Kendari.

SS I-12 is sunk by an USN ASW Tf by Ambon.

SS Tullibee sinks AK Chicago Maru off Tanegashima.

SS Searaven sinks xAK Kyokusei Maru near Chichi-jima.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


The Aussie 29th Brigade launches 2 more assaults at kai-eilanden:


Ground combat at Kai-eilanden (81,115)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2169 troops, 28 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 89

Defending force 774 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Allied adjusted assault: 64

Japanese adjusted defense: 11

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
29th Australian Brigade
3rd USN Naval Const Rgt /2
220th USN Base Force /1
1st USN Naval Const Rgt /5
353rd Const Rgt /3

Defending units:
12th Div /7
25th JNAF AF Unit




Ground combat at Kai-eilanden (81,115)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2152 troops, 28 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Defending force 440 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied adjusted assault: 16

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 16 to 1

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

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



Assaulting units:
29th Australian Brigade
3rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
220th USN Base Force
1st USN Naval Construction Regiment
353rd Const Rgt /3

Defending units:
12th Div /7
25th JNAF AF Unit


As the mop up operations continue at Kai-eilanden seabees repair the AF damage and next turn we will stage in fighters and naval bombers here.


I had formed a TF at Taberfane with CVE Santee and an AR to put out her level 1 fire but she sank this turn anyway. Its ridiculous that the "level 1 fire bug" cost me a CVE but thats the way it is.

The 2 CVes left at Taberfane will rquire 1 more turn to get back to ready status and then I will pull the damaged BBs and CVEs out of the war zone.


This turn its Dave that suffers from leaky CAP as the B-25D1s hit IJN shipping in the DEI:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 19
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 47



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8
P-38H Lightning x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokuroku Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
xAK Myoko Maru, Shell hits 8
xAK Tokai Maru
xAK Nankai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Hawaii Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
12 planes vectored on to bombers
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (25 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
25 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
21 planes vectored on to bombers
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
13 planes vectored on to bombers
13th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (22 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
22 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (23 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
23 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
23 planes vectored on to bombers



CBI


SEAC troops counterattack the Japanese in the jungles outside of Taung Gyi:


Ground combat at 62,50 (near Taung Gyi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3674 troops, 13 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 255

Defending force 2041 troops, 8 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 108

Allied adjusted assault: 188

Japanese adjusted defense: 181

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
3rd Cavalry Regiment
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
SSVF Brigade

Defending units:
1st RTA/B Division
9th Armored Car Co
2nd Raiding Rgt /1



Ground combat at 62,50 (near Taung Gyi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3565 troops, 13 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 234

Defending force 1756 troops, 8 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Allied adjusted assault: 143

Japanese adjusted defense: 46

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
535 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
3rd Cavalry Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
SSVF Brigade

Defending units:
1st RTA/B Division
9th Armored Car Co
2nd Raiding Rgt /1



In China....6 IJN tank regiments.....the equivalent of 2 tank divisions....continue their advance on Liuchow. SEAC reinforcements arriving at Tuyun are immediately railed to Liuchow to deal with this.

The main Japanese army in northern China rests quietly at Sinyang....evidently recovering its disablements.

[nicwb]

I see what you mean about leaky CAP- well at least its cutting both ways [8D]

[racndoc]

9/10-9/11/43



SUBS


SS Skate sinks TK Manju Maru near Ishigaki.

SS Perch lands a torpedo on TK Nissyo Maru by Singkawang.

SS I-24 is hit by 24 DCs from an USN ASW TF and sinks off Taberfane.

SS Haddock sinks PB Hakkaisan Maru near Wakkanai.



CBI


Its taken a few months to redeploy AA units from India and Australia to China but they are starting to make their presence felt:


Morning Air attack on 44th Indian Brigade, at 74,51 (Tuyun)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 16 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 destroyed by flak


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


Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 5th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 44th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 5th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 44th Indian Brigade ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd (East African) Brigade, at 74,55 (Liuchow)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 21



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 11 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak


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


Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 18th British Division ...
Also attacking 22nd (East African) Brigade ...
Also attacking 18th British Division ...
Also attacking 22nd (East African) Brigade ...



Morning Air attack on 44th Indian Brigade, at 74,55 (Liuchow)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 17
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 10



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 20 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed by flak


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 5th Indian Division ...
Also attacking RAF 222 Group Base Force ...
Also attacking 44th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 5th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 44th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 5th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 44th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 5th Indian Division ...



Tenth Air Force and RAF heavy bombers target the George base at Uttaradit in Thailand:


Morning Air attack on Uttaradit , at 59,56

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 6



Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 6
Liberator B.III x 13
Liberator GR.III x 17
B-24D Liberator x 17
B-24D1 Liberator x 41


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged



Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
13 x Liberator B.III 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-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D 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
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 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
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 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 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (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 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 20 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes


Morning Air attack on Uttaradit , at 59,56

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4



Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
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

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 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 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (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 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 15 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Uttaradit , at 59,56

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2



Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 17


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

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 5 destroyed



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

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

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 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 33 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (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 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (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 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes


Morning Air attack on Uttaradit , at 59,56

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2



Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

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

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes



Morning Air attack on Uttaradit , at 59,56

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 7



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 1
Liberator II x 6
Liberator B.III x 13
Liberator GR.III x 14
B-24D Liberator x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
Liberator II: 3 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 2 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
13 x Liberator B.III 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-24D 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

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (20 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead




II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


The 2 damaged CVEs at Taberfane are now back in ready state and can make 8 knots....so this turn Im evacuating damaged CVEs, 4 damaged BBs, amphib transports and replenishment TFs from Taberfane to the south. I just cant stop the Netty naval and port attacks regardless of how many fighters I place on CAP and LRCAP. With the withdrawal of the Allied surface TFs....I imagine that Dave will bring back his BBs to naval bombard the Allied AFs at Kai-eilanden, Dobo, Taberfane and Saumlaki.....but I have 3 of the bases heavily mined and scores of PT boats in the area.....plus now I have torpedo bombers on both Dobo and Kai-eilanden so Dave would be taking great risks to commit his few remaining BBs here. Some 300 fighters at Taberfane will LRCAP the withdrawal of Allied shipping this turn into the Arafura Sea.


II Australian Corps troops mop up the remaining Japanese stragglers on Kai-eilanden.

B-25D1 commerce raiders hit IJN shipping in the DEI:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Waigeo at 81,106

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 2 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4
P-38H Lightning x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-26, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Gebe at 80,105

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Iwashiro Maru, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Gebe at 80,105

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4
P-38H Lightning x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Iwashiro Maru, Shell hits 17, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Raid is overhead






SWPAC


There has been a couple of delays here in SWPAC resuming its offensive in New Guinea as I first had to take care of business in the DEI.

Next turn....Adm Hill's amphib TF will land the US Army 43rd Division at Vanimo. In so doing....SWPAC will be leapfrogging the heavily defended but out of supply Japanese level 4 AF at Aitape. Once Vanimo is captured...additional tank and infantry formations will be landed to march overland to take Hollandia.

Newly repaired CV Enterprise joins up with newly arrived CV Lexington II to form a 5th carrier division for 5th fleet. Now 10 CVs, 5 CVLs and a CVE will cover the landings at Vanimo. Additionally....nearly 200 fighters based 3 hexes away at Dagua will help LRCAP the invasion.

[racndoc]

9/12-9/13/43



SUBS


SS S-28 sinks PB Tama maru off Biak.



CBI


The Allies continue to counterattack on the back roads in the jungles south of Taung Gyi:


Ground combat at 61,51 (near Taung Gyi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1732 troops, 3 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Defending force 1410 troops, 8 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Allied adjusted assault: 90

Japanese adjusted defense: 46

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Assaulting units:
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment

Defending units:
9th Armored Car Co
1st RTA/B Division
2nd Raiding Rgt /1



Ground combat at 61,51 (near Taung Gyi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1716 troops, 3 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 228

Defending force 1394 troops, 8 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Allied adjusted assault: 114

Japanese adjusted defense: 64

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)



Assaulting units:
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
SSVF Brigade

Defending units:
1st RTA/B Division
9th Armored Car Co
2nd Raiding Rgt /1


We continue to draw the just offloaded supplies from rangoon to Mandalay, Lashio and beyond.


Quiet across China.






II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


The 2 damaged CVEs and the 4 damaged BBs safely withdraw from Taberfane into the southern portion of the Arafura Sea. taberfane port is now virtually a ghost town. The seas around Taberfane and Dobo are nearly deserted as well save for subs and a few ASW TFs.

CVE Altamaha has a failure of her temporary flotation repairs and she will put into port at Merauke with all the ARs. BB Idaho also has a failure of her temporary flotation repairs but she will continue on to the level 4 port at Milne Bay. That will leave the Allies with 4 damaged CVEs in port at Merauke. Im going to try to repair some of the SYS and FLT damage on these CVEs before they head out to Milne Bay but if Dave figures out that Ive stashed some heavily damaged ships at Merauke I need to be ready to conduct another emergency evacuation.


Dobo enlarges to a level 6 AF while Kai-eilanden enlarges to a level 3 AF.



SWPAC


AdmHill's amphib TF drops off the 43rd Division at Vanimo:


Pre-Invasion action off Vanimo (93,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

58 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
APA Crescent City
DE Burden R. Hastings


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


CL Detroit firing at Sasebo 8th SNLF
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 Vanimo (93,117)

TF 571 troops unloading over beach at Vanimo, 93,117


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


10 troops of a US Cmbt Eng Sqd 43 lost overboard during unload of 43rd Infantry Div /3
105mm M2 Howitzer damaged beyond repair during unload of 43rd Infantry Div /9


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Vanimo (93,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

55 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
APA Crescent City
AKA Oberon
DE Burden R. Hastings


Allied ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


CL Detroit firing at Sasebo 8th SNLF
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



By the end of the turn SWPAC has 400 AV ashore vs 156 Japanese AV:


Ground combat at Vanimo (93,117)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3626 troops, 30 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 156

Defending force 12852 troops, 217 guns, 220 vehicles, Assault Value = 398

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


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


Assaulting units:
18th Garrison Unit
Sasebo 8th SNLF
1st JNAF Coy
6th Naval Construction Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th JAAF Base Force /1

Defending units:
43rd Infantry Division
XI US Corps
3rd NZ Div /1



Overhead.....Fifth Air Force pummels the Japanese defenders at vanimo with medium and tactical bombers. A shock attack will, be ordered at Vanimo next turn.

Ten CVs and 5 CVLs of Fifth Fleet sortied from Milne Bay last turn to cover the landings at Vanimo. With the evacuation last turn of the port at Taberfane....the Allies are now able to stage over 200 fighters from Taberfane to Dagua to LRCAP the followup landings next turn at Vanimo. Dave has 3 level 4 AFs at Manokwari, Noemfoor and Biak that all look to be recently reinforced with AC so next turn I will move the fast carriers back 3 or 4 hexes near Wewak.

Once SWPAC captures Vanimo we will drop off 2nd echelon troops that will march overland to assault Hollandia along with constrction engineers and BFs.

[racndoc]

9/14-9/15/43



SUBS


SS Permit sinks PB Eifuku Maru near Lolabato.

SS Seadragon sinks xAK Koyo Maru off davao.



CBI


SEAC troops punch thru Japanese defenses on the secondary roads in the jungles south of Taung Gyi:



Ground combat at 61,51 (near Taung Gyi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3554 troops, 13 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 229

Defending force 1105 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Allied adjusted assault: 170

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
SSVF Brigade

Defending units:
1st RTA/B Division
2nd Raiding Rgt /1



Dave has virtually all of 15th Army in Moulmein to resist a coastal road offensive by the Allies from Rangoon and Pegu. Now SEAC will open a new front inland on the secondary roads in the jungle to outflank 15th Army.


Quiet in China.



SWPAC


The US Army 43rd Division captures Vanimo:


Ground combat at Vanimo (93,117)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10673 troops, 217 guns, 205 vehicles, Assault Value = 402

Defending force 5056 troops, 48 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 191

Allied adjusted assault: 460

Japanese adjusted defense: 151

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
446 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
XI US Corps
3rd NZ Div /1

Defending units:
7th Indpt SNLF Coy /1
Sasebo 8th SNLF
18th Garrison Unit
2nd Guards Div /3
1st JNAF Coy
6th Naval Construction Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th JAAF Base Force /1



Ground combat at Vanimo (93,117)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10168 troops, 215 guns, 205 vehicles, Assault Value = 330

Defending force 5078 troops, 57 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 185

Allied adjusted assault: 292

Japanese adjusted defense: 63

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Vanimo !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1121 casualties reported
Squads: 61 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 48 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 36 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 8


Allied ground losses:
263 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
XI US Corps
3rd NZ Div /1

Defending units:
18th Garrison Unit
Sasebo 8th SNLF
7th Indpt SNLF Coy /1
2nd Guards Div /3
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st JNAF Coy
6th Naval Construction Battalion
4th JAAF Base Force /1


Next turn the 2nd echelon troops will unload at Vanimo including the 32nd Division and 2 tank regiments bound for Hollandia. Construction engineers and BFs will also be landed at Vanimo. The 10 CVs and 5 CVLs of Fifth Fleet will move north to again cover the landings.

CVE Natoma Bay is completed at Portland and heads out into the North Pacific to join Fifth Fleet. Another new CVE SW of Hawaii is also on the way to join Fifth Fleet.

One of the damaged CVEs reaches Milne Bay and is finally able to unload its VF and VT squadrons there before going into pierside repair mode. Another damaged CVE at Merauke leaves port for Sydney. The 2 heavily damaged CVEs from Taberfane are disbanded in port at Meruake this turn. That leaves 4 damaged CVEs at Merauke and so far Dave has not sent any recon or search over this base. Seventh Fleet HQ and 3 ARs are at Merauke to faciliate repair of the damaged CVEs. Our leaky CAP CVE debacle in the DEI has pushed our main offensives into the Carolines/Paulaus/Philippines back 6 months until the 6 damaged CVEs are repaired and additional new CVEs arrive but the peripheral offensives on New Guinea and in the Marshalls will continue.

[crsutton]

I really don't know how I have overlooked this excellent AAR for the past year. Anyways I just got finished reading the whole thing and wanted to say thanks for such an excellent product..[;)]

I would save Dave really lost when he gave up his counter attack in the Solomons in mid 42. Quite frankly, there was no better time or place to deal you a severe pasting. The Allied force is good but so fragile at this stage. Even if he traded carriers (say 4 for 4) in a major carrier battle, it would have doomed your troops at Lunga and in the rest of the Solomons. Sometimes the Japanese player just has to accept the risk of losing major ships and this was the place for him to take the risk. I think the loss of the four Kongo's just spooked him. When KB showed up at Akyab for his meaningless stab there, I could see that you had the war won.

Well that and his lackluster effort in China. The fact that you hold Changsha means Superforts over the Home Islands right away. The Japanese player just has to do a better job in China.

Your play has been steady and excellent. My only critique and I admit it is minor is that you have been too deliberate in thinking you have to retake every enemy base in your path. I am playing scen #2 so my counter offensive came later towards the end of 1942-early 43 but I found it just was not necessary to take half of the bases you have in the Solomons and New Guinea. It is easy enough to cut them off and starve them. Attached is a screen shot of the Solomons in my game. Now it is a backwater but you can get an idea of the based that I just bypassed.

It leaves him to evac and save a lot of troops over time but he generally could not get heavy equipment out and that cripples any unit that he tries to rebuild. Anyhow you did well enough so perhaps your method is better...

[racndoc]

crsutton....thanx for your comments. In regards to taking most of the bases in the Solomons....I was fighting in the Solomons in early-mid 1942....a time when Japan has rather substantial carrier air superiority. I took all the bases in the Solomons so that land based air could cover my advance...and equal out Japan's carrier air advantage. Now in 1943 Im bypassing Japanese level 4 AFs at Wewak and Aitape. But Dave likes to fly troops and engineers into dot hexes that Ive bypassed and then he flies in supplies and builds up level 1 AFs in my rear to base recon and naval search over my rear areas. Look at the attached screenshot I have for this turn in the Bismarcks....Dave has built up a level 1 AF in my rear at Rambutyo...with a garrison of 5000 troops no less. Now I have to commit substantial air power here just to keep the base closed every turn.



9/16-9/17/43



SUBS


SS S-31 is hit by 4 DCs from an IJN ASW Tf and is hevaily damaged off Muntok.

SS Haddock sinks xAK Ryoka Maru near Wakkanai.

SS Seadragon torpedoes AK Kinugasa Maru by Cotabato.

SS O19 sinks TK Azuchisan Maru near Brunei.

SS O19 sinks TK Tennan Maru near Jesselton.

RO-66 is sunk in port at Babar by Beaufort VIIIs.





SWPAC


The 32nd Division, 2 tank battalions, 42,000 supplies and numerous construction engineers and BFs are unloaded at Vanimo this turn. Over 160 AC are staged into Vanimo to cover the 2nd echelon landings. AdmHill will now send his amphib TF back to Milne Bay next turn and the fast carriers will also return to port. The 32nd Division, 2 tank battalions and most of the 43rd Division will now march overland through the jungle from Vanimo to Hollandia.

One of the damaged CVEs reaches port at Port Moresby while a 2nd damaged CVE reaches port at Milne Bay. Three of the damaged CVEs continue their emergency repairs at Merauke.

Brand new CVE Casablanca reaches the Marshalls while newly arrived CVE Natoma Bay sails from the west coast to Hawaii....I should have 5 operational CVEs in the Pacific by Feb. 1944. CVL Cowpens arrives at Balboa and begins her voyage across the Pacific. In November the 5 USN CVLs will be able to increase their fighter squadrons from 12 AC to 24 AC and that will really help us to maintain fighter superiority over our amphib landings.

[racndoc]

DOUBLE POST

[racndoc]

9/18-9/19/43



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


Heavy bombers based at Bathurst Is. hammer the Japanese port at Kendari....deep in the DEI:


Morning Air attack on Kendari , at 70,106

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 46


Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Amakasu Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
PB Kyo Maru #11, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Yuki Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Taiyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Port hits 9
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kendari , at 70,106

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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


Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 7


No Allied losses



Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 1

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




B-25D1s based at Saumlaki hit an IJN ASW TF near Gebe:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Gebe at 80,105

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 10
DD Minazuki
E W-1
E W-9



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Gebe at 80,105

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Mutsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
E W-1
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Taberfane is enlatged to a level 7 AF.




SWPAC


The fast carriers covering the 2nd echelon landings at Vanimo head back to Milne Bay for fuel and rearming as the unloading of troops is completed. A handfull of low value AKs remain behind to continue offlaoding supplies at Vanimo.

The 32nd Division, 43rd Division and the armor begins its march through the jungle to assault Hollandia.



CENTPAC.....RESUMING THE MARIANAS OFFENSIVE


Two Marine regiments will invade Wotje next turn without carrier aircover as the fleet carriers are now in the Solomon Sea heading back to Milne Bay to refuel. The only Japanese AF within range of Wotje.....the level 4 AF at Roi-Namur....has been neutralized by SBDs and TBFs based in the Marshalls. Dave has been distracted by the recent amphib assaults in the DEI and on New Guinea so we are not expecting KB to make an appearance here for a few days at the earliest.

After capturing Wotje....the only remaining Japanese AFs in the Marshalls are the level 1 AF at Kwajalein and the level 4 AF at Roi-Namur. The fast carriers will sail to the Marshalls after refueling at Milne Bay to provide aircover for amphib landings at both Kwajalein and Roi-Namur. The only Japanese AF that can contest CENTPAC landinga in the Marshalls is the level 4 AF at Ponape. Currently.... over 100 medium and heavy bombers from Fifth Air Force on New Guinea are staging to CENTPAC airfields in the Marshalls and the Gilberts and they will neutralize Ponape before the Marines storm ashore at Kwajalein and Roi-Namur.

CV Bunker Hill exited the Panama Canal this turn and headed out into the south Pacific to the war zones. She will arrive in the Marshalls just about the time venerable CV Victorious is withdrawn by the Brits to support operations in the ETO. The USN will then have 10 CVs and 5 CVLs in the central Pacific.

CENTPAC will spend the rest of the fall taking Eniwetok and Wake Island to open a direct route between Hawaii and the Marianas/New Guinea/Rabaul and cut over 1000 miles from the convoy routes that run from the US west coast to the central Pacific. I mentioned before that I wouldnt invade in the Carolines/Paulaus until I rebuilt the USN CVE fleet due to the threat of land based air. However....I have no problem mopping up Kwajalein, Roi Namur, Eniwetok and Wake due to the scarcity of Japanese land based air in the region....and the ease with which we can close each supporting Japanese AF in turn.

[racndoc]

9/20-9/21/43



SUBS


SS Corvina sinks xAK Zeno Maru near Torishima.

SS Dace sinks xAK Takao maru by Shikotan.




II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


Dave saw that I had moved several squadrons of the PBY-4 Liberators forward to Bathhurst Is. Several squadrons of Helens hit the AF there hard:


Morning Air attack on Bathurst Island , at 76,123

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 42
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 12
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 26
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
PB4Y-1P Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
26 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
No.82 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk III (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 15000
Raid is overhead
No.85 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk III (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, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes



Morning Air attack on Bathurst Island , at 76,123

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 38
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 6
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 25
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 5 destroyed on ground


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


Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
No.82 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk III (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 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
No.85 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk III (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 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 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes



Eight PB4Y-1 Liberators are destroyed on the ground.



The USAAF heavy bombers return the favor pounding the Japanese AF at sansopar destroying several Japanese AC on the ground.



Saumlaki enlarges its AF to level 4 and Kai-eilanden enlarges its AF to level 5.



CBI


Dave sweeps Rangoon with his Georges at high altitude:


Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 31



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 16
Beaufighter VIf x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 23
Hurricane FR.IIb x 4
Hurricane XIIb x 3
Kittyhawk III x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 4 destroyed
Beaufighter VIf: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Hurricane FR.IIb: 1 destroyed
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VMD-254 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800
Raid is overhead
No.6 Sqn IAF with Hurricane FR.IIb (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 20000
Raid is overhead
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 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.60 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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 14600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
No.176 Sqn RAF with Beaufighter VIf (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 26500.
Raid is overhead
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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 14600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
No.79 Sqn RAF with Martlet IV (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes



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

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 3
Beaufighter VIf x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11
Hurricane FR.IIb x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VMD-254 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters to 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.6 Sqn IAF with Hurricane FR.IIb (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
No.60 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 35600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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 14600 , scrambling fighters to 43000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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 14600 , scrambling fighters to 16600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
No.176 Sqn RAF with Beaufighter VIf (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
No.79 Sqn RAF with Martlet IV (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 9600 , scrambling fighters to 11600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes




RAF CAP is decimated as the P-38s and P-47D2s have been sent to sweep and escort strikes on Bangkok.




The RAF and Tenth Air Force hit the AF at Bangkok and the IJN shipping unloading at port there. The B-25D1 "commerce destroyers are especially effective:


Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 36
B-24J Liberator x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

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



Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 52

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



Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8


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

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter TF.X x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 21


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
21 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 16
P-38H Lightning x 25


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 40000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 27,100 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
A-36 Mustang x 18
P-38G Lightning x 16


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x A-36 Mustang sweeping at 25100 feet *



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bangkok at 56,62

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes


Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 3
Beaufighter VIf x 7
Beaufort I x 4
Wellington GR.VIII x 9
Beaufort VIII x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington GR.VIII: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Kiso Maru, Bomb hits 2
xAK Iwaki Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Josho Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Otori Maru
xAK Nansin Maru
xAK Kurohime Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Beaufort I bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bangkok at 56,62

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuzin Maru, Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Teiren Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Miyadono Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Macassar Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Meisho Maru, Shell hits 11
xAK Gotake Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Kurohime Maru, Shell hits 10
xAK Nittai Maru
xAK Josho Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires
xAK Otori Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim VD bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bangkok at 56,62

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 4
P-38G Lightning x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuzin Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Meisho Maru
xAK Otori Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb





When the smoke clears Japan has lost 128 AC this turn vs 70 Allied AC. Japan loses 20 AC on the ground vs Allied losses of 10 AC on the ground.




CENTPAC: INVASION WOTJE.....OUT OF SYNCH VERSION


After a murderous aerial bombardment by over 200 tactical, medium and heavy bombers......elements of the 2nd Marine Division storm ashore at Wotje:


Pre-Invasion action off Wotje (135,115) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

172 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 12
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Evertsen
DD Vampire, Shell hits 1
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 3, on fire
LST-17
LST-30
DD Tjerk Hiddes

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



Wotje Naval Fortress firing at CL Caradoc
CL Caradoc firing at Wotje Naval Fortress
CL De Ruyter firing at Wotje Naval Fortress
Wotje Naval Fortress firing at CL De Ruyter
Wotje Naval Fortress firing at DD Evertsen
DD Evertsen firing at Wotje Naval Fortress
Wotje Naval Fortress firing at DD Vampire
DD Vampire firing at Wotje Naval Fortress
DD John D. Edwards firing at Wotje Naval Fortress
Wotje Naval Fortress firing at DD John D. Edwards
DD Vampire 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 Wotje (135,115)

TF 469 troops unloading over beach at Wotje, 135,115


Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)


10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 8th Marine Rgt /2


Invasion Support action off Wotje (135,115) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

64 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 1
DD Crosby
LST-342
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Evertsen
LST-17
LST-452



Wotje Naval Fortress firing at CL Caradoc
Wotje Naval Fortress firing at DD Crosby
DD Crosby firing at Wotje Naval Fortress
DD Crosby fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


Invasion Support action off Wotje (135,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-452
LST-342
LST-341
LST-17
LST-30, Shell hits 2
CL De Ruyter
CL Caradoc
LST-353



LST-452 fired at enemy troops
LST-342 fired at enemy troops
15cm 41YT CD Gun battery firing at LST-30


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Wotje (135,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-452
LST-17
LST-30



LST-452 fired at enemy troops



The Marines annihilate the shell shocked Japanese garrison with a 1:1 and a 12:1 shock attack:


Ground combat at Wotje (135,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6346 troops, 69 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 230

Defending force 3227 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95

Allied adjusted assault: 104

Japanese adjusted defense: 95

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
314 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
526 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Engr Rgt /3
8th Marine Rgt /5

Defending units:
Wotje Naval Fortress
7th Guards Inf. Regiment
28th Div /4
51st Construction Battalion
Wotje Base Force



Here is the sreenshot of the final 12:1 shock attack:

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

crsutton....thanx for your comments. In regards to taking most of the bases in the Solomons....I was fighting in the Solomons in early-mid 1942....a time when Japan has rather substantial carrier air superiority. I took all the bases in the Solomons so that land based air could cover my advance...and equal out Japan's carrier air advantage. Now in 1943 Im bypassing Japanese level 4 AFs at Wewak and Aitape. But Dave likes to fly troops and engineers into dot hexes that Ive bypassed and then he flies in supplies and builds up level 1 AFs in my rear to base recon and naval search over my rear areas. Look at the attached screenshot I have for this turn in the Bismarcks....Dave has built up a level 1 AF in my rear at Rambutyo...with a garrison of 5000 troops no less. Now I have to commit substantial air power here just to keep the base closed every turn.

I see your point. Your time frame is different from mine and that has a big impact. My opponent does the same to me in 1944 but the effect is not that great because the Allies by then have tons of surplus air units and base forces that need something to do. And bombing rear units allows them to train up very well.

In late 42, every Allied air unit is needed at the front.

[racndoc]

crsutton.....great point about using the enemey bases in your rear to train up your air units. As we advance farther into the DEI and eventually the Philippines I will be bypassing many more Japanese bases.



9/20-9/21/43



CENTPAC: INVASION WOTJE....HOST MACHINE VERSION


In my last post I attached the result from my 2nd shock attack at Wotje....where over 200 Allied tactical, medium and heavy bombers worked over Wotje and the US marines overran the island in a relatively easy 12:1 assault....completely destroying all the Japanese defenders. Imagine my surprise when I read this alternate combat result on the combatrpt.txt from the host machine:


Ground combat at Wotje (135,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6212 troops, 92 guns, 261 vehicles, Assault Value = 193

Defending force 3046 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 83

Allied adjusted assault: 20

Japanese adjusted defense: 26

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
659 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (7 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1497 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 36 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 56 (22 destroyed, 34 disabled)
Vehicles lost 42 (7 destroyed, 35 disabled)


Assaulting units:
8th Marine Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
7th Guards Inf. Regiment
Wotje Naval Fortress
28th Div /4
51st Construction Battalion
Wotje Base Force



The 8th Marine Regiment is almost completely disrupted.....it has only one functioning infantry squad remaining with a total AV of 11. Ive attached a screenshot of the current state of the 8th Marine Regiment at the end of this post. Instead of completely destroying the Japanese defenders here as I saw in the 001 replay the Japanese are very much alive and kicking on Wotje and the former 200 AV assault force from the 2nd Marine Division has been reduced to a total AV of 79. Ive seen a lot of out of synch carrier battles in WitP over the last 8 years but this is the worst out of synch land combat result Ive ever seen. I sent my 001 file combat results back to Dave and he was stunned.....he had never seen anything like this either. No matter...we will adapt our tactics to the situation.

I will rest the 8th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Combat Engineers while the 2nd Marine Tank defends. I will LRCAP Wotje to slow down the inevitable reinforcement by long ranged Japanese transport AC. I will naval bombard Wotje with every available surface and ASW TF in the Marshalls and send in the surface TFs and fast carriers from Milne Bay. I have no other invasion forces prepped for Wotje biut I have 2 USMC paratroop regiments in Tabiteuea that will be shipped 1st to Makin and then paradropped on Wotje. And I will continue to stage tactical, medium and heavy bombers from New Guinea, the Bismarcks and Admiralties to bomb the bejesus out of this god forsaken atoll.

A simple invasion where I used no naval bombardment.....since I thought I would have an overwhelming aerial bombardment that completely fizzled out..... goes completely FUBAR.

[BBfanboy]

That ain't just FOW, that's Sandstorm of War, way out in the Pacific![:(]

[racndoc]

9/22-9/25/43


SUBS


SS Trout sinks AO Tsurumi off Gorontalao.

SS RO-08 sinks DD Russell near Maloelap.

SS Amberjack sinks TK Fukokumo Maru by Tawi Tawi. I beleieve that is the 5th TK sunk by SS Amberjack during the war so she is now an "ace". She takes 14 DCs from IJN escorts in return and with around 50 SYS and 50 FLT she is hobbling back to port at Darwin for repairs.

SSX Ha-31 is sunk by USN ASW TF near Wotje but not before she torpedoes and sinks DD Issac Sweers in the melee.

SS O21 sinks xAK Awajisan by Georgetown.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


B-25D1s and TBFs hit IJN shipping in the DEI:


Afternoon Air attack on Kendari , at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 14


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
LB-115, Shell hits 5
LB-114, Shell hits 2



Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
TK Gosyu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
802 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
204 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead
25th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead



Dave sends in his two super battleships to bombard the Allied AF at Saumlaki. Allied naval bombers sortie to attack the BBs but cant get thru the extremely heavy Japanese LRCAP:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 74,109

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 61
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-38H Lightning x 18


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
P-38H Lightning: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (36 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
36 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (25 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
25 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
204 Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 21000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
68th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 74,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 55
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22
SBD-5 Dauntless x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Musashi



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (32 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
32 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (23 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
23 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
5 planes vectored on to bombers
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
204 Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 21000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
68th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 74,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 52
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 17
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
DD Isokaze
CL Naka



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
19 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 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 105 minutes
204 Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero (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 14000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
9th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 200 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
29 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 85 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (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 18000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 101 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 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 13 minutes
68th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (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 16000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes



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

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 49 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 20 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 24 damaged
PBY-5A Catalina: 2 destroyed on ground
P-38H Lightning: 88 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 3 destroyed on ground
SBD-5 Dauntless: 41 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 destroyed on ground

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
CA Mogami
CL Naka
DD Sagiri
DD Isonami
DD Arashio
DD Isokaze


Allied ground losses:
735 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 60 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 18 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (9 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 16
Runway hits 69

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Musashi
BB Musashi firing at Saumlaki
BB Yamato firing at Saumlaki
CA Mogami firing at Saumlaki
CL Naka firing at Saumlaki
DD Sagiri firing at 227th USN Base Force
227th USN Base Force firing at DD Sagiri
DD Isonami firing at Saumlaki
DD Arashio firing at Saumlaki
DD Isokaze firing at Saumlaki



The naval bombardment is devastating....20 AC are destroyed on the ground including the very aircraft that were unsuccessful in their naval attacks on the BBs. The AF at Saumlaki is a mess now and will require a few days of repairs before it is operational again.

Dave has lost 5 BBs to torpedo bombers during naval bombardment runs so far in the war and its just a matter of time before he loses another.




CENTPAC


The 2nd Marine Division hunkers down on Wotje as the 8th Marine Regiment attempts to recover its disrupted squads.

For the 3 turn(6th day) in a row over 300 Allied bombers based in the Marshalls and Gilberts largely ignore their orders to bomb Wotje. Allied bombardment TFs naval bombard Wotje every turn and now Dave has massed another sub wolfpack around Wotje....Ive lost 2 DDs to the subs here in the last 2 turns.

The Allied fast carriers will arrive in the northern Marshalls next turn.

[racndoc]

9/26-9/29/43



SUBS


SS Corvina torpedoes TK Teiyo Maru near hengchun.

SS Permit sinks SC CHa-49 off Morotai.

SS Haddock sinks xAK Tohuku Maru by Toyohara.

SS Aspro lands a fish on xAK Ryujo Maru near Negro....I wish that had been CVL Ryuho.

SSX Ha-30 is sunk by an USN ASW TF off Wotje.

SS Paddle is hit by 4 DCs from an IJN ASW TF by Saisho To....she is a long way from home and I doubt that she will make it.

SS Robalo sinks xAK Azuchi Maru near Nakadori-jima.

SS RO-103 torpedoes a loaded AO Guadalupe off Jaluit and she lights up like a torch.



CBI


Extremely quiet in China.

The Allies massive SEAC army just south of Pegu has faced off against the massive Japanese army across the Salween River in Moulmein for pover 6 months.

Im trying to turn a recon in force on the jungle trails south of Taung Gyi into an offensive into Thailand. I need to attach a screen shot to show whats going on but Im about to isolate the Japanese level 4 AF at Chiang mai from the rest of occupied Thailand.

Im bombing the Japanese troops on the trail before I launch the assault but the Georges on CAP give as good as they get from the high altitude USAAF sweepers:


Morning Air attack on 9th Armored Car Co , at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 35
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed



CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (34 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
34 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Armored Car Co , at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 31
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4



Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 4 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 4 destroyed



CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
30 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 258 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (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 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 72 minutes



Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/B Division, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 20



Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 14
CW-22 Falcon x 4
B-25G Mitchell x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 4 destroyed
B-25G Mitchell: 1 destroyed

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



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
6 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 20 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes

Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...



Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Regiment, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 17



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 15
Vengeance I x 36


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 5 destroyed

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



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes

Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...



Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Regiment, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 7



Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 3
Liberator B.III x 13
Liberator GR.III x 13
Wellington GR.VIII x 10
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 29


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Wellington GR.VIII: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
13 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (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 16000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 140 minutes

Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/A Division, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3



Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 13


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

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



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (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 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 91 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Armored Car Co , at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 35000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/A Division, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15
B-26B Marauder x 3


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...


Afternoon Air attack on 9th Armored Car Co , at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 16
Beaufort VIII x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 4 destroyed
Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead



Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/A Division, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5



Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 3
Liberator B.III x 6
Liberator GR.III x 14
Wellington GR.VIII x 7
B-24D Liberator x 17
B-24D1 Liberator x 33


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.III: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
Wellington GR.VIII: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
5 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 9th Armored Car Co ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Raiding Rgt /1 ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 9th Armored Car Co ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 9th Armored Car Co ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Regiment, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
Vengeance I x 28


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

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (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 to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 144 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (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 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...


Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/B Division, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2



Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
B-26B Marauder x 3


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...


Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Regiment, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes



Afternoon Air attack on 1st RTA/A Division, at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 15
Beaufighter VIc x 4
Beaufighter TF.X x 4
Beaufort I x 9
Beaufort VIII x 12


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 3 destroyed
Beaufighter TF.X: 1 destroyed
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed

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



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Beaufort I bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/A Division ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...


Afternoon Air attack on 9th Armored Car Co , at 60,54 , near Chiang Mai

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1



Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 9


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

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 40000 feet

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes




Either the George is an uber figher or Dave has loaded up his George squadrons with elite pilots.

I was hoping to overrun the Japanese defenders here with just my advance guard but I was so distracted by the fighting in the Marshalls that I evidently left my troops in the wrong op mode:


Ground combat at 60,54 (near Chiang Mai)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1724 troops, 3 guns, 272 vehicles, Assault Value = 156

Defending force 3344 troops, 27 guns, 156 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Allied adjusted assault: 64

Japanese adjusted defense: 295

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 24 (4 destroyed, 20 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 43 (2 destroyed, 41 disabled)


Assaulting units:
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
1st RTA/A Division
1st RTA/B Division
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Raiding Rgt /1


Ive got the 18th UK Division and an Indian division following bup the advance guard and I will eventually blow through here....but I wanted to keep the size and scope of my advance secret as long as possible.




CENTPAC....INVASION WOTJE....OUT OF SYNCH VERSION


Lots of strange things happening in the Marshalls.....Im wondering if Im in some kind of vortex from the space/time continuum.

I have over 300 bombers in the Marshalls and Gilberts that are targeting Wotje....but they strike Wotje on the 1st day of the turn but then most of the bombers go over to commander decision on their own for the 2nd day of the turn and bomb Jaluit or Kwajalein.

Then Dave shows up with a surface TF with 2 CLs in clear weather 2 hexes away from Fifth Fleet.....10 CVs and 5 CVLs:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Likiep at 134,113

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12
TBF-1 Avenger x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
CL Natori



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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Likiep at 134,113

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 71
SBD-5 Dauntless x 35
TBF-1 Avenger x 17


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranui
CL Natori, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Kinu, Bomb hits 4
DD Minegumo



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
16 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Natori


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Likiep at 134,113

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 12


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
CL Natori, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shiranui



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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Natori


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Likiep at 134,113

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12
SBD-5 Dauntless x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Natori, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kinu



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with A6M3a Zero (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 11000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Natori




But thats it. Over 300 SBDs and 200 TBFs and Im not sure if we sank anything from a range of 2 hexes in clear weather. The SBD-5 Vindicators spotted this CL surface TF the 2nd day of the turn at a range of 8 hexes in clear weather but not a single SBD or TBF sortied to finish them off.


I sent in naval bombardment TFs to Wotje this turn along with multiple landing craft TFs to drop off supplies to the overstacked 2nd Marines:

Night Naval bombardment of Wotje at 135,115

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
CL Tromp
CL Sumatra
CL Java
DD Crosby
DD Stronghold
DD Arunta
DD Drayton

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



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

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Detroit
CL Detroit firing at Wotje
CL Tromp firing at Wotje
CL Sumatra firing at Wotje
CL Java firing at Wotje
DD Crosby firing at Wotje
DD Stronghold firing at Wotje
DD Arunta firing at Wotje
DD Drayton firing at Wotje


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Wotje at 135,115

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Arizona
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:
465 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 32 (20 destroyed, 12 disabled)



Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 56
Port hits 33
Port supply hits 6

BB New Mexico firing at Wotje
BB Arizona firing at Wotje
CA Canberra firing at 4th Division
CA Vincennes firing at Wotje
CA Quincy firing at Wotje
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Chester
CA Chester firing at 7th Guards Inf. Regiment
CL Santa Fe firing at Wotje
CL Montpelier firing at Wotje
CL Marblehead firing at Wotje
CL Trenton firing at Wotje
CL Durban firing at Wotje
DD Ralph Talbot firing at 4th Division
DD Blue firing at Wotje
DD Walke firing at Wotje
DD O'Brien firing at Wotje
DD Frazier firing at Wotje



While the 8th Marines continue to recover their disabled squads on Wotje.....the 2nd marine Tank is ordered to attack as massed transport AC based at Makin drop the 503rd Parachute Regiment on the tiny atoll:


Ground combat at Wotje (135,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1575 troops, 12 guns, 163 vehicles, Assault Value = 185

Defending force 2481 troops, 61 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Allied adjusted assault: 37

Japanese adjusted defense: 20

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (6 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (4 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
8th Marine Regiment
503rd Parachute Rgt /1

Defending units:
53rd Nav Gd /1
28th Div /4
4th Div /1
Yokosuka 4th SNLF /1
Wotje Base Force
6th RF Gun Bn /1
51st Construction Battalion
7th Guards Inf. Rgt /1
51st Nav Gd /1


Look at the attached screenshot for the assault on Wotje on day 2.....for the 2nd time in the war CENTPAC captures Wotje....at least on my out of synch computer:

[racndoc]

9/28-9/29/43



INVASION WOTJE.....HOST MACHINE VERSION



For the 2nd time in the war.....the 001 replay shows me capturing Wotje while the combat rpt.txt shows Dave still in control of the atoll:



Ground combat at Wotje (135,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2012 troops, 12 guns, 162 vehicles, Assault Value = 194

Defending force 2543 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Allied adjusted assault: 77

Japanese adjusted defense: 28

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
315 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (9 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
8th Marine Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
503rd Parachute Rgt /1

Defending units:
53rd Nav Gd /1
28th Div /4
4th Div /1
Yokosuka 4th SNLF /1
7th Guards Inf. Rgt /1
Wotje Base Force
6th RF Gun Bn /1
51st Const Bn /1
51st Nav Gd /1




Everyone including the 8th Marine Regiment will attack at Wotje next turn.


The fast carriers will retire to the south next turn to get away from the IJN subs.

Looks like Dave disbanded one of his damaged cruisers in port at Kwajalein so Im sending in the SBDs to finish off whatever is anchored there.

[racndoc]

9/30-10/3/43



SUBS


SSX-Ha32 is sunk by the escorts of an Allied bombardment TF near Wotje.

SS I-27 is sunk in port at Kwajalein by SBDs.


SS Haddo torpedoes xAK Siraha Maru off Totohara.

SS Harder is hit by 16 Dcs from an IJN ASW TF and sinks near Wakkanai.



CBI


Allied troops rout 2 IJA tank regiments near Pakhoi:



Ground combat at 72,57 (near Pakhoi)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 26103 troops, 442 guns, 373 vehicles, Assault Value = 938

Defending force 1397 troops, 0 guns, 222 vehicles, Assault Value = 106

Allied adjusted assault: 548

Japanese adjusted defense: 27

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 147 (112 destroyed, 35 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
360 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
22nd (East African) Brigade
111th Chindit Brigade
28th Gurkha Brigade
5th Indian Division
78th Chinese/A Corps
21st Group Army

Defending units:
14th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment


One IJA tank regiment is destroyed.


Allied troops continue to manuever on the Burma/Thailand border to isolate Chiang Mai.



CENTPAC: WOTJE IS FINALLY CAPTURED



CENTPAC hammers Wotje with multiple naval bombardments:


Night Naval bombardment of Wotje at 135,115

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
CL Tromp
CL Sumatra
CL Java
DD Crosby
DD Stronghold
DD Arunta
DD Drayton

Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled



Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 15
Port hits 6

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Detroit
CL Detroit firing at Wotje
CL Tromp firing at Wotje
CL Sumatra firing at Wotje
CL Java firing at Wotje
DD Crosby firing at Wotje
DD Stronghold firing at Wotje
DD Arunta firing at Wotje
DD Drayton firing at Wotje


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Wotje at 135,115

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Arizona
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:
898 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 50 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 14 (9 destroyed, 5 disabled)



Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 19
Port hits 29
Port supply hits 11

BB New Mexico firing at Wotje
BB Arizona firing at Wotje
CA Canberra firing at Wotje
CA Vincennes firing at Wotje
CA Quincy firing at Wotje
CA Chester firing at Wotje
CL Santa Fe firing at Wotje
CL Montpelier firing at Wotje
CL Marblehead firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF
CL Trenton firing at Wotje
CL Durban firing at 4th Division
DD Ralph Talbot firing at Wotje
DD Blue firing at Wotje
DD Walke firing at Wotje
DD O'Brien firing at Wotje
DD Frazier firing at Wotje


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Wotje at 135,115

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CA Dorsetshire
CA Houston
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
CL Danae
DD Kennison
DD Racehorse
DD Parrott
DD Litchfield
DD Edsall
DD Alden

Japanese ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 4

CA Frobisher firing at Wotje
CA Dorsetshire firing at Wotje
CA Houston firing at Wotje
CA Northampton firing at Wotje
CA Indianapolis firing at Wotje
CL Danae firing at Wotje
DD Kennison firing at Wotje
DD Racehorse firing at Wotje
DD Parrott firing at Wotje
DD Litchfield firing at Wotje
DD Edsall firing at Wotje
DD Alden firing at Wotje


Nearly 300 tactical, medium and heavy bombers plaster Wotje from the air.

The shell shocked Japanese defenders on Wotje are finally overwhelmed:


Ground combat at Wotje (135,115)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6760 troops, 96 guns, 262 vehicles, Assault Value = 178

Defending force 603 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Allied adjusted assault: 124

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 124 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wotje !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
747 casualties reported
Squads: 48 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3


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


Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
8th Marine Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
503rd Parachute Rgt /1

Defending units:
4th Div /1
Wotje Base Force
28th Div /4



We've got some minesweeping to do first at Wotje before we land seabees and BFs to get the level 3 AF there up and running. But since we are overstacked on Wotje with over 9000 troops on an atoll with a stacking limit of 6000 we will need to evacuate the assault troops before the support forces can be landed.


Common sense would dictate that CENTPAC now secure Kwajalein and then Roi-Namur. Dave has been furiously reinforcing both atolls by transport AC....there are now over 11,000 troops on Roi-Namur and 8000 troops on Kwajalein and both atolls have stacking limits of 6000. Im now planning to bypass and isolate Kwajalein and letting it "starve" for a bit while taking Roi-Namur and then Eniwetok. I will be landing nearly 40,000 troops on Roi-Namur so I had better bring _A LOT_ of supplies with me when CENTPAC invades here. I currently have only 2 regiments prepped for Kwajalein so we will need to isolate it for awhile before we invade there.