Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

1942 September 09

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


There is an IJN sub near Karachi, keeping me honest on escorting troop convoys I suppose. Yamato's second half of a double-header against Cox's Bazar made only noise.

Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamato
CA Maya
DD Nowaki
DD Amatsukaze
DD Shiranui
DD Kagero
DD Makigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Yugumo



BB Ise firing at 70th British Division
E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at 2/1st Med Regiment
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Mogami
CA Maya firing at 70th British Division
DD Nowaki firing at 70th British Division
DD Amatsukaze firing at 70th British Division
DD Shiranui firing at 70th British Division
DD Kagero firing at 70th British Division
DD Makigumo firing at 70th British Division
DD Kazegumo firing at 70th British Division
DD Yugumo firing at 70th British Division

Otherwise there were heavy bombing raids all over China, as usual. News Flash! A Helen was shot down over Chungking and another two failed to make it home from the raid.

The 13th Border Defense Fortress has been monitored confirming via radio its orders to build massive pontoons and float to Nome, Alaska, where it will besiege that placid paradise.

There is still no indication whatsoever that the Empire has noticed any of our assets at sea around Fiji. The base forces will arrive at Suva late tomorrow but without time to begin unloading.

Tomorrow the B-17s from Calcutta will hit Akyab airfield and port. Meiktila airfield is scouting as 90% damaged. The next target after Akyab will be Magwe.

Imperial subs continue to prowl the waters around Pago Pago, leaving traffic near Fiji unmolested.

[BBfanboy]

You probably already thought of this but just in case;
Concentration of subs around Pago-Pago suggests his subs probably got a sniff of the ships that went there, most likely by Glen seaplane.
Glens have a range of 4 hexes, so just keep your carriers/amphib groups at least four hexes away from the known subs and they should remain undetected.
You would also have to ensure your carrier search aircraft do not overfly the known sub positions.

[witpqs]

You are right, but I want them hanging around Pago Pago when I am unloading troops at Fiji! [:D]

---

1942 September 10

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Today saw a bit of a respite in China. The aerial onslaught continued, but two Imperial ground assaults are serving to boost morale.

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9694 troops, 91 guns, 565 vehicles, Assault Value = 466

Defending force 50939 troops, 396 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1276

Japanese adjusted assault: 217

Allied adjusted defense: 2092

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 9

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

Japanese ground losses:
2422 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 151 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 35 (4 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 62 (7 destroyed, 55 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
563 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 102 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese
18th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
3rd War Area
1st Artillery Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Ground combat at 75,53 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25154 troops, 176 guns, 225 vehicles, Assault Value = 836

Defending force 21508 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 767

Japanese adjusted assault: 39

Allied adjusted defense: 859

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 22

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

Japanese ground losses:
1233 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 36 (1 destroyed, 35 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
322 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment
9th Division
5th Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
49th Infantry Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
32nd Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
115th Red Chinese Division
21st Chinese Cavalry Division
3rd Prov Chinese Corps

The battle near Tuyun saw a fresh Chinese corps take up positions just before dawn. Their weight clearly meant a difference in the outcome of a full on Imperial attack. Near Kweilin the matter seems to be another partial attack but it still went in the Allies favor this time.

The base forces' convoy has arrived safely at Suva and will now unload. A convoy with engineers and base forces has finished loading and leaves San Francisco for Fiji at sundown. Another convoy will commence loading the 40th Infantry Division and two more base forces, then itself depart for Fiji.

The B-17s all came home safely from Akyab.

Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 38
B-17F Fortress x 12


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

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

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



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 36
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-17F Fortress x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 13
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

Airfield and port damage already show increased, at 63% and 17%. A number of miles outside the town there are now additional Imperial troops as a fourth, yet unidentified, unit is spotted.

[witpqs]

1942 September 11

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Loads of air attacks on the Allies in China, and one unsuccessful attack on a merchant near Nauru Island by a USN sub. A third Imperial unit has not joined the Australians just over the border in Burma. The base forces finished unloading on Fiji and the ships are heading back for more. The 3rd Marine Division is 97% prepped for Noumea. The spring is coiling hard and only the shipping distances are in our way. And the Empire.

Here is the Intel screen.

[witpqs]

1942 September 12

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Now a fourth Imperial unit has joined the Australians. Over in China were the now expected beatings form the air. Plus this on the edge of that Imperial advance in the northern wastes.

Ground combat at 90,33 (near Paotow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1314 troops, 20 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Defending force 2582 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Japanese adjusted assault: 19

Allied adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

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


Allied ground losses:
948 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Cavalry Brigade

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps

The raid on Magwe is reported to have gone well, but we lack surveillance on the base to confirm the outcome.

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 52
B-17F Fortress x 23


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 100

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged



Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

All of the B-17s made is home safely. Akyab is still shut down and Meiktila shows as almost closed to CAP and closed to bombers. Our follow through tomorrow will be B-25s hitting the Akyab airfield and Wellingtons attacking the port.

Due to an orders error the empty convoy remained at Fiji where it was spotted today - 6/6. There is a sub in the area and perhaps a Glen was the culprit.

Here are the sub losses on both sides.

[witpqs]

1942 September 13

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Now 6 Imperial units with the Australians in Burma. The Wellingtons went into Akyab, half of them without escort. The B-25s did not. 10 Wellingtons were lost. Being experienced professionals, they hit their target through the opposition.

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11



Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 36


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

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



Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged



Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
11th 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 9000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 115 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 72 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead

We now have a better view of the Empire's incursion into northern China.

[witpqs]

1942 September 14

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The B-17 attack against Mandalay seemed to deliver the ordnance and reported only 1 x B-17 lost, but in fact 5 x B-17 were lost in the air! That's a new record; I've never before seen a multiplier of 5 on the losses reported in the combat report.

Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 30



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 70
B-17F Fortress x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 41

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai/C with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 9 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 6 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

Over in Burma, the Imperials conducted a recon.

Ground combat at 56,44 (near Akyab)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3882 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 877

Defending force 33560 troops, 444 guns, 573 vehicles, Assault Value = 808

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



Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
40th Inf Group Brigade
21st/B Division

Defending units:
6th Australian Division
7th Australian Division

Carriers sighted, possibly on a convoy escort mission to/from Port Moresby.

[witpqs]

1942 September 15

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Only air attacks in China today, and fewer than usual. Perhaps it was the weather there or perhaps DAW HQ is resting the bombers for a big push in Central China.

[witpqs]

1942 September 16

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In combat today there were some failed attacks by US subs on the Imperial war economy, plus aerial attacks on the Allies in China. On the ground was only this, as the Japanese continue their line of advance toward the northern supply route.

Ground combat at 90,32 (near Paotow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1314 troops, 20 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Defending force 1806 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Japanese adjusted assault: 28

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1

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

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


Allied ground losses:
581 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Cavalry Brigade

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps

There are presently 32,833 tons of supply in China. All of China.

Here is a look at the remaining sightings in the Coral Sea.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

There are presently 32,833 tons of supply in China. All of China.

Thats probably the cue to start leaving the place and go to India. Don´t get stuck on the wrong side of the mountains without supply. [:(]

Once you start going on the negative supply in China there is no turning back.

[witpqs]

Yikes! The fact that you are almost certainly right doesn't make that any more palatable a proposition. Well, Burma is going to be a grind, no doubt about it. In about 4 days the largest mass of amphibious transport ships will get back to Pearl and begin loading up for another delivery to Fiji, which will immediately be followed by them loading up assault forces at Fiji for Noumea. After that it all depends on how the expected naval combat there works out. Forces are ready to move right on up into the Solomons.

My point is, naval combat results being "good enough", whatever that is, in a few weeks the Empire should begin feeling significant pressure on its eastern flank. Will that save China? The world wonders...

---

1942 September 17

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


There were several encounters where subs on both sides failed to connect. But, after a bit of a dry spell, there was this.

Sub attack near Marcus Island at 129,92

Japanese Ships
xAK Hoeisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Argun Maru
xAK Toyokawa Maru
xAK Enzyu Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Thresher



SS Thresher launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Hoeisan Maru
Thresher diving deep ....
PB Hakkaisan Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Near the Channel Islands (US West Coast) and near Pago Pago IJN subs were hit by surface ASW forces. Also near Pago Pago and near Suva IJN subs were hit by Allied aircraft.

In China the round of air delivered beatings on the Allies, and yet another strange-looking ground combat.

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5192 troops, 64 guns, 567 vehicles, Assault Value = 391

Defending force 50336 troops, 394 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1220

Japanese adjusted assault: 170

Allied adjusted defense: 2221

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 13

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

Japanese ground losses:
644 casualties reported
Squads: 80 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1401 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 115 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)


Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
95th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese
57th AT Gun Regiment
3rd War Area
20th Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment

A load of oil arrived at Melbourne! It appears that the Empire's submarine force is no longer patrolling the Cape Town <-> Melbourne route. A large B-17 raid from Calcutta failed to go against Meiktila. Maybe the weather? Morale is tops among the groups and they have good commanders. I'm rearranging the location of some air HQs and also replaced commanders of two of them. The B-25s still have not flown against the closed Akyab airfield, so perhaps there is a heavy LRCAP there. The first P-40K sweep will test the air over Akyab tomorrow. Force Z is attempting to make its way stealthily into the Bay of Bengal so we can coordinate air and sea bombardments with a ground assault outside of Akyab. Surprise, speed, and a bit of luck are called for.

[witpqs]

Here is the SigInt that we've received about Noumea to date:

[witpqs]

1942 September 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The beatings in China continue, and today the Empire's effort to flank the defenses of Paoshan were revealed. The 35th Chinese Corps guards the road behind that gateway town. Now they see Imperial troops taking positions in the mountains across the river. Hopefully they are foot-sore.

Today was a good day in the air over Port Moresby, while the skies over Burma were more taxing. The first raids on the occupiers of Port Moresby:

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 14 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 28


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
24 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 95 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses



Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 62

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

CAP engaged:
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 16


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

The action over Burma:

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 57
B-17F Fortress x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 5 damaged

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



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 59

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai/C with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (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 9000
Raid is overhead
Kanoya Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
84th I.F.Chutai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (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 9000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
84th I.F.Chutai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Kanoya Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
24th Sentai/C with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 62 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 65 minutes

Here is a look at todays air losses.

[aprezto]

Intelmonkey makes its debut.

Brilliant raids against PM. Very good damage on facilities for 18 B24Ds at 10k feet. Keep that commander

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: aprezto

Intelmonkey makes its debut.

Brilliant raids against PM. Very good damage on facilities for 18 B24Ds at 10k feet. Keep that commander

Thanks!

Intel Monkey - now with a search box:

[witpqs]

1942 September 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


About a half dozen more Zeros were taken out of the skies over Port Moresby today by P-38Es. The P-40Ks did well over Akyab by all coming home safe while knocking down a few of their opposites. Heavy air attacks all over China and the octopus closing in. Does Chiang Kai-Shek even know where to find India? Maybe one of his generals knows.

V US Bomber Command has made it to Cairns to supervise the reduction of Port Moresby. I have been trying to use the LB-30 four-engine bombers for recon, and even with trained recon pilots they are just plain lousy at providing any real Intel. This is a long term opinion from several games. They don't don't have a dedicated camera device, but I figured they would be worth something. Not! At least not on a Recon mission. I'm going to try bombing with them, not to achieve damage but just to see if they recon worth a fart that way. the group at Brisbane has been not looking at Noumea, while the group at Suva has been ignoring Luganville.

The large convoy of (now empty) amphibious capable ships makes Pearl harbor tonight or tomorrow. Most of them will begin loading right away at Pearl or moving to load elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands. They will bring any remaining troops for the invasion of Noumea plus anybody else they can carry to Fiji. Transports from Australia are nearing New Zealand to pick up the Kiwi participants in combat load when the starting gun sounds. Imperial submarines have already begun to operate off of Suva having gained knowledge of activity there.

Here is the Intel Monkey's report on Luganville.

[witpqs]

1942 September 20

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The night began with 4 x unsuccessful attacks by USN subs on Imperial merchantmen. There seems to be something wrong with our bloody torpedoes...

The Lightnings and Liberators killed about 11 Zeros and 4 Nells in the air and on the ground at Port Moresby in exchange for 1 of each of ours. I hope invading turns out to be that easy. Noumea and Luganville were both attacked as ordered and although both bomber groups reported hitting their target they also reported not seeing their target as detection levels at both enemy held bases are 0/0. Sigh.

Amid the aerial beatings in China a second unit has emerged across the river from the road behind Paoshan. Reinforcements are on the way.

This could get interesting...

[princep01]

Moving a LYB infantry unit out of jungle is a chore under the best of circumstances, but you seem to be on the right path.....bomb'em, bombard'em, blow'em up&nbsp;and bayonet the remaining lot.&nbsp; It takes all that to dig them out.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the bright side, you&nbsp;won't have to deal with a large population of prisoners as a rule.
&nbsp;
I assume that Akyab is unuseable for bombers.&nbsp; I'd hate to see Force Z zapped by LB torpedo planes.&nbsp; If Tom Thumb Phillips is still in command...have someone frag him immediately.
&nbsp;
Anyway, hope it goes well and you clobber the LYBs wholesale.

[witpqs]

Akyab last scouts as 66% damaged for size 3 airfield - closed even to fighters. But that report is variable each turn based on FOW. I'm comfortable about no bombers there as 35% is the limit for level 3 (20% + 5% per level for offensive missions and 50% + 5% per level for CAP).

I don't remember if ol' Tom is still in charge. Hmm.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs
The night began with 4 x unsuccessful attacks by USN subs on Imperial merchantmen. There seems to be something wrong with our bloody torpedoes...

I called the manufacturer's rep. He said:

"No, no - it's never the equipment - it's always the operator who causes the problem. Nothing wrong with the exploders at all; it's just that those bloody submariners keep putting them in water and expect them to work ..." [:-]

About the lack of recon data on freshly bombed bases, I have seen that happen too and decided my guys have been decoyed by the rubber and canvas tanks and planes set up to soak up the attack...