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Jan 9, 1943

Sixteen hits on HI at Bangkok reduced HI to 0(40). It will not be repaired. Resource and oil will be allowed to flow to Singapore for transport to Cam Ranh Bay where it is stockpiled so as not to flow back to Bangkok. Smaller tankers are being used to transport oil to Cam Ranh Bay and fuel to Singapore from Palembang. Then larger tankers transport both oil and fuel from Cam Ranh Bay to Nagasaki. Some oil is periodically sent to Hong Kong to meet the oil deficit in China.

Again, there was no ground combat.

Jan 10, 1943

British cruisers bombarded Mergui, British light cruisers bombarded Tavoy, and BB Washington TF bombarded Koepang, all with the usual results. British and American bombers again visited Bangkok getting 11 hits on light industry and reducing it to 46(34). A deliberate attack by British/Aussie forces just inside Thailand was repelled -

Ground combat at 55,58 (near Tavoy)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 15792 troops, 277 guns, 681 vehicles, Assault Value = 565
Defending force 12771 troops, 142 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 386
Allied adjusted assault: 384
Japanese adjusted defense: 2152
Allied assault odds: 1 to 5

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+) (jungle-rough x3)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
381 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1312 casualties reported
Squads: 85 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 76 (8 destroyed, 68 disabled)
Vehicles lost 49 (2 destroyed, 47 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th Australian Brigade
50th Tank Brigade
17th Australian Brigade
18th Australian Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
IV Indian Corps

Defending units:
33rd Division
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

BB Yamato completed repairs at Soerabaja and rejoined Adm Tanaka's TF.

Jan 11, 1943

The Allies have finally determined (based on email intel) that fighting in the jungle on the Burma coast and in Thailand is the wrong strategy (see the combat result from yesterday). Instead of landing the 77 LRP Bde (or any unit) on a non-base hex to envelop the Imperial Guard Div on the coast north of Tavoy, they should have landed at lightly defended Tavoy itself. The Allies have closed the airbase there and have been sending recon flights routinely, so should have a good idea of the situation. They have had air and naval superiority in the Andaman Sea for some time. I expect a landing at Tavoy and/or Mergui in the near future. For that reason, the Imperial Guard Div and attached artillery will begin to withdraw toward Tavoy staying in combat mode (so the move will take about 6 days). Likewise, 33 Div one hex to the east will begin to withdraw down the secondary road toward Bangkok. Carrier Div 2 (Hiryu, Soryu, and Ryujo) departed Manado for Singapore and the Andaman Sea. BBs Yamato and Mutsu (Adm Tanaka) departed Soerabaja to join the carriers. The CV Junyo and a CVE will stay at Manado allowing themselves to be seen in the hope that the Allies think the CVs are still there!

I-15 attacked on the surface an xAKL at Buka, sinking it -

Submarine attack near Buka at 109,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
xAKL Sagoland, Shell hits 30, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAKL Sagoland is sighted by SS I-15
SS I-15 attacking on the surface
Massive explosion on xAKL Sagoland
SS I-15 low on gun ammo, Matsumura M. breaks off surface engagement and submerges

Recon shows a ship in port as xAP, but since recon also shows auxiliary planes at Buka it's probably an AVD or some such. Betties at Rabaul will attack the port tomorrow. There are no Allied ground units at the base.

Meanwhile, Aussie cruisers bombarded Torokina and the 8th Marine Rgt assaulted the base prompting a Japanese artillery bombardment -

Night Naval bombardment of Torokina at 109,130

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CL Hobart
CL Perth
CL Achilles
CL Leander

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

Port hits 9
Port supply hits 8

---

Ground combat at Torokina (109,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1923 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 74
Defending force 4074 troops, 38 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 140

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
Kure 5th SNLF /3
85th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
8th Marine Regiment
I Marine Amphib Corps /4

Airstrikes on Bangkok scored 7 more hits on light industry reducing it to 38(42). I can understand taking out the heavy industry, but not the light. Is the Allied supply situation that plentiful that he won't need Bangkok to produce supply, or that plentiful that he can afford 60,000 supply to repair LI?

An allied attack at Bara captured the base -

Ground combat at Bara (74,107)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 542 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42
Defending force 121 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Allied adjusted assault: 19
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Bara !!!

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

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

Assaulting units:
2/7th Ind Coy
44th Australian Battalion

Defending units:
4th Raiding Rgt /1 (this fragment contains only disabled troops)

Soerabaja airfield reached level 7. D4Y3 Judy R&D advanced a month to May '44. The last (of 6) N1K1-J George R&D sites reached 30(0) so the George may become available at the beginning of Mar '43 rather than mid-March.

Jan 12, 1943

I-11 put 2 torpedoes in an xAK off the NE end of Andaman Is., then another in a second transport. I think the first sank.

BB Washington TF bombarded Koepang, Brit cruisers bombarded Mergui, Brit light cruisers bombarded Tavoy, and American cruisers bombarded Jaluit. Kates and Jills based at Roi Namur attacked the TF at Jaluit (it stayed around!?) but had no hits.

Our planned port attack on Buka did not fly. Perhaps because it's a zero port dot base?

The fragment of 4th Raiding Rgt at Bara was wiped out by attrition; the unit will reform at Manado.

Jan 13, 1943

A lone British light cruiser bombarded Mergui, 2 light cruisers bombarded Tavoy, and a British heavy cruiser bombarded Victoria Point. The Yamato TF arrived at Georgetown along with a heavy cruiser TF. The 3 carrier TF will refuel at Singapore tomorrow then head north staying east of Malaya, but within striking distance of our three mentioned ports.

British bombers had 7 more hits on light industry at Bangkok reducing LI to 37(43).

Zeroes based at Rabaul strafed the level 0 port at Buka -

Afternoon Air attack on Buka , at 109,128

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AV Chandeleur, Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 10
Port supply hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x A6M5 Zero bombing from 100 feet

The ship has not been reported sunk, but coastwatchers reported the port empty the next day.

The Allies fired artillery at the Imperial Guard Div on the Burma coast revealing the fact that 18 Brit Div had withdrawn. My guess would be back to Moulmein to load on transports for an amphib assault at either Tavoy or Mergui. But it could also go inland toward Rahaeng.

BB Ise completed repairs at Manado.

Jan 14, 1943

The BB Yamato TF and a cruiser TF arrived at Phuket; the cruiser TF put 18 hits on Dutch sub KXVIII. No sinking sounds.

Our Buna evacuation TF encountered 3 or 4 subs on its run-in to Buna, but no hits.

British light cruisers bombarded Tavoy; BB Washington bombarded Koepang; US cruisers bombarded Jaluit.

P-38s swept Kendari downing 7 Tojos for 1 P-38!

Rabaul-based Betties attacked a TF at Torokina -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 109,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 34
G4M1 Betty x 16

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP S'Jacob, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Dorsey

Jan 15, 1943

Six carrier Zeroes covering the evacuation TF at Buna were downed by a Spitfire sweep. That shows how poorly trained my pilots are.

Sapporo airfield reached level 7 and a bunch of aviation support units activated on Hokkaido.

Jan 16, 1943

Two Allied TFs bombarded Kendari and two bombarded Jaluit, both doing extensive damage -

Night Naval bombardment of Kendari at 70,106

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed on ground
F1M2 Pete: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
BB Oklahoma
CA Houston
CL Raleigh

Japanese ground losses:
585 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12

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

Night Naval bombardment of Kendari at 70,106

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 9 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
F1M2 Pete: 1 damaged
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed on ground
D4Y1 Judy: 7 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Washington
CA Salt Lake City
CLAA San Diego

Japanese ground losses:
321 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 38

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Tennessee
BB West Virginia

Japanese ground losses:
302 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 9
Port hits 10
Port supply hits 2

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

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CL Honolulu
CL Detroit

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6
Port hits 10
Port supply hits 4

I should have had the evac TF at Buna depart after one day of loading, but search showed nothing within range. Well, that was wrong!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Buna at 99,129, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 27, heavy fires, heavy damage (sank later)
DMS W-22, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
SC Ch 10, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAP Buenos Aires Maru, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
xAP Huzi Maru, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Shell hits 1
DD Mahan
DD Whipple, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
6059 casualties reported (most of a brigade of 16 Div)
Squads: 138 destroyed, 147 disabled
Non Combat: 168 destroyed, 190 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 79 (73 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

This Allied TF remained at Buna (see daylight combat) but was covered by clouds and was NOT attacked by the Japanese carrier force within range. They instead attacked (ineffectively) a TF at Woodlark Island covered very effectively by CAP.

Hankow's forts reached level 6.

Jan 17, 1943

Two Allied TFs bombarded Jaluit destroying the fort unit and its guns.

The Japanese attacked a lone Allied unit that had moved onto the road in front of Rahaeng pushing it back into the bush -

Ground combat at 57,56 (near Rahaeng)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 14445 troops, 138 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 454
Defending force 3226 troops, 38 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Japanese adjusted assault: 435
Allied adjusted defense: 148
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
814 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 14 (5 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (7 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
56th Division
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
26th Indian Brigade

After several days of small reinforcements and resupply the Allies attacked at Koepang -

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 7581 troops, 127 guns, 362 vehicles, Assault Value = 256
Defending force 14501 troops, 19 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 263
Allied adjusted assault: 135
Japanese adjusted defense: 347
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1097 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Sparrow Force
2/8th Armoured Regiment
Gull Force
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th LH Motor Regiment
28th Australian Battalion
2/10th Armoured Regiment
16th LH MG Regiment
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment
43rd Construction Regiment
SW Pacific Theater /7
260th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps /3

Defending units:
27th Ind Engineer Regiment
4th Division
38th Division
2nd Army /2

R&D on the N1K1-J George advanced a month to May '43. With 6 30(0) R&D sites it will advance again in 17 days, or less, as there are now 490 Ha-45 engines in inventory and 240 per month producing.

Jan 18, 1943

Bases lost today: Jaluit

After another naval bombardment and several aerial attacks, the Allies landed at Jaluit in strength and easily captured the base -

Ground combat at Jaluit (134,120)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 5763 troops, 80 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 244
Defending force 1794 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31
Allied adjusted assault: 39
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 39 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Jaluit !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
1955 casualties reported
Squads: 71 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 116 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
768 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 14 (5 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
5th Marine Regiment
131st Cmbt Engr Rgt /3
3/592nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1
2nd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
I Marine Amphib Corps /2
225th Field Artillery Battalion
2/592nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1
3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
145th FA Bn /1
3rd AmphTrac Engr Bn /3
2/542nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
52nd Naval Guard Unit
7th JNAF Coy
Jaluit Base Force

Three or four US carriers covered the operation at Jaluit and attacked Kwajalein and Roi-Namur sinking several small craft at the latter. The only highlight for the Japanese was the action of 6 Zeroes on CAP over Kwajalein -

Afternoon Air attack on Kwajalein Island, at 132,115

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 32
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Weather may have been a factor in their success.

I-170 sank an xAKL at Koepang ON THE SURFACE IN DAYLIGHT! Desperate times call for desperate measures!
And the Allied attack was partly successful -

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5617 troops, 88 guns, 337 vehicles, Assault Value = 229
Defending force 13633 troops, 19 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 219
Allied adjusted assault: 54
Japanese adjusted defense: 339
Allied assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
594 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
2/8th Armoured Regiment
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
28th Australian Battalion
2/10th Armoured Regiment
Sparrow Force
Gull Force
16th LH MG Regiment
43rd Construction Regiment
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment
SW Pacific Theater /7
260th Field Artillery Battalion
6th LH Motor Regiment
I US Corps /3

Defending units:
27th Ind Engineer Regiment
4th Division
38th Division
2nd Army /2

Jan 19, 1943

Allied cruisers bombarded Maleolap, Tavoy, and Wotje.

SS Haddock sank a small tanker (2850 tons) loaded with oil out of Palembang. As partial payback I-1 put a torpedo in a larger British tanker off the north Australian coast.

Six PTs engaged a convoy of transports loading resources at Makassar sinking 2 with 2 torpedoes. It's not clear why they broke off the attack.

Zeroes and Betties stationed at Rabaul attacked an uncapped TF at Buka -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Buka at 109,128

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 32
G4M1 Betty x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Birminghan City, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD MacDonough, Shell hits 1
DMS Chandler, Shell hits 3
xAP President Fillmore, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 1
xAP Cap St Jacques, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
217 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

---

Morning Air attack on TF, near Buka at 109,128

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Cap St Jacques, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP President Fillmore, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Birminghan City, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1685 casualties reported
Squads: 95 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 97 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 77 (55 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (18 destroyed, 7 disabled)

US carriers again attacked Kwajalein and Roi-Namur.

Ha-45 engines reached 505 in inventory. George R&D is at 15%; Frances R&D is at 60%.

Jan 20, 1943

Oro Bay (adjacent to Buna) flipped to the Allies. I guess my fragment there starved.

Dutch CLs bombarded Sorong.

SS Tuna put a torpedo (that exploded) into CV Zuikaku near Kavieng; she'll head home with a couple destroyers. As partial payback I-52 put 2 torpedoes in an xAP at Buka and sank it. I-1 attacked (and sank?) an xAP at Broome on the surface in daylight. Lot of that going on lately?!

Allied CVs again attacking Kwajalein and Roi-Namur sank a damaged sub at Kwaj.

In Thailand the lost fragment of 77 LRP Bde was destroyed -

Ground combat at 54,61 (near Tavoy)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 3729 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 121
Defending force 336 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15
Japanese adjusted assault: 91
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 91 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
369 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
77th LRP Bde /2

The Allies had another successful attack at Koepang in that it killed more Japanese troops (tanks tend to do that when infantry is not entrenched) -

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 4813 troops, 96 guns, 307 vehicles, Assault Value = 258
Defending force 13134 troops, 19 guns, 89 vehicles, Assault Value = 189
Allied adjusted assault: 71
Japanese adjusted defense: 437
Allied assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
485 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (4 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
28th Australian Battalion
6th LH Motor Regiment
Gull Force
Sparrow Force
2/10th Armoured Regiment
16th LH MG Regiment
2/8th Armoured Regiment
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/9th Armoured Rgt /1
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment
SW Pacific Theater /7
21st Fld RAA Rgt /1
43rd Construction Regiment
260th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps /3

Defending units:
4th Division
38th Division
27th Ind Engineer Regiment
2nd Army /2

All 8 Ha-45 engines built today were used to accelerate R&D at 6 George (15% to 27%) and 2 Frances (60% to 64%) sites; inventory remains at 505.

Jan 21, 1943

Our fast transport evacuation TF arrived at Buna and put 3 hits on SS Spearfish before loading the remains of 16 Div/A Bde.

A cruiser TF operating near our battleships in the Andaman Sea bombarded Car Nicobar (hoping to find some transports to sink) while the battleships moved to Port Blair hoping for the same -

Night Naval bombardment of Car Nicobar at 44,62

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Aoba
CA Myoko
CL Nagara
DD Nowaki
DD Hamakaze
DD Isokaze
DD Maikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Kagero

Allied ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 3

The battleships found nothing to sink so will bombard the base tomorrow and retire.

Two US cruiser TFs bombarded Makassar and one bombarded Maleolap (not shown) -

Night Naval bombardment of Makassar at 65,106

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-C Irving: 4 damaged
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 33 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 14 damaged
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 4 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 11 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 11 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA Houston
CL Raleigh
CLAA San Diego

Japanese ground losses:
364 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Airbase hits 29
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 98
Port hits 1

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

Night Naval bombardment of Makassar at 65,106

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 9 damaged
J1N1-C Irving: 4 damaged
Ki-57-I Topsy: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CLAA Atlanta

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19

One of our Zero squadrons at Rabaul attacked a TF at Torokina -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 109,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms (the weather appears to have kept the Allied CAP on the ground)

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AP William Ward Burrows, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
DD King
APD Crosby, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 109,130

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud (better weather, more CAP)

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP William Ward Burrows, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD King
APD Crosby, Shell hits 2

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

US CVEs attacked Kwajalein doing little damage. Kates and Jills stationed at Roi-Namur attacked the CVEs doing no damage while losing a few planes.

A6M5c Zero R&D advanced a month while getting the engine bonus. George and Frances R&D advanced at the double due to the engine bonus.

Jan 22, 1943

Bases lost today: Maleolap

While US carriers attacked Kwajalein (doing little damage), battleships pounded Maleolap before ground forces assaulted the atoll -

Night Naval bombardment of Maloelap at 136,117 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 2
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 2
BB West Virginia

Japanese ground losses:
431 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 15 (13 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 11
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1

---

Morning Air attack on Maloelap Naval Fortress, at 136,117 (Maloelap)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 35

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

---

Pre-Invasion action off Maloelap (136,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Detroit
CL Richmond
DD Porter
DD Conyngham
APD Stringham

Japanese ground losses:
358 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

---

Amphibious Assault at Maloelap (136,117)

TF 614 troops unloading over beach at Maloelap, 136,117

Allied ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (0 destroyed, 14 disabled)

---

Ground combat at Maloelap (136,117)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1173 troops, 7 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 79
Defending force 763 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11
Allied adjusted assault: 39
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 39 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied forces CAPTURE Maloelap !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1098 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

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

Assaulting units:
151st Cmbt Engineer Battalion
34th Infantry Rgt /3
1st USMC Tank Bn /2
3/532nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1
2/532nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /3
3rd AmphTrac Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
Maloelap Naval Fortress
Maloelap Base Force

Jan 23 - 25, 1943

The Allies continued bombarding by sea defenseless bases - Mergui, Tavoy, Majuro, Koepang, and Ternate, and landed more troops and supply at Torokina and Koepang. Deliberate attacks at both those bases continued to wear down the defenders while sustaining few Allied casualties -

Ground combat at Torokina (109,130) 1/24/43

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 4515 troops, 73 guns, 43 vehicles, Assault Value = 178
Defending force 2762 troops, 26 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 78
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Allied adjusted assault: 118
Japanese adjusted defense: 71
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
8th Marine Regiment
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
I Marine Amphib Corps /4
SoPac Area /5

Defending units:
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
Kure 5th SNLF /3
85th JAAF AF Bn

---

Ground combat at Torokina (109,130) 1/25/43

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5121 troops, 81 guns, 53 vehicles, Assault Value = 170
Defending force 2482 troops, 26 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 51
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Allied adjusted assault: 60
Japanese adjusted defense: 61
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
421 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
8th Marine Regiment
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
I Marine Amphib Corps /4
97th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
SoPac Area /5

Defending units:
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
Kure 5th SNLF /3
85th JAAF AF Bn

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116) 1/25/43

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 6155 troops, 116 guns, 382 vehicles, Assault Value = 259
Defending force 12381 troops, 19 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 146
Allied adjusted assault: 207
Japanese adjusted defense: 339
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
698 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
2/8th Armoured Regiment
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
28th Australian Battalion
Gull Force
2/9th Armoured Regiment
2/10th Armoured Regiment
6th LH Motor Regiment
16th LH MG Regiment
260th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment
43rd Construction Regiment
SW Pacific Theater /7
21st Fld RAA Regiment
Sparrow Force
I US Corps /3

Defending units:
4th Division
38th Division
2nd Army /2

On the 23rd Balikpapan airbase reached level 7 and B6N2 Jill R&D advanced to Jul '43. On the 25th N1K1 Rex R&D advanced to Jun '43. Both aircraft are getting the engine bonus.

although not post much, continuing to follow the AAR.

How's the supply/fuel/oil situation doing?

you run out of pilot replacements yet for the Navy fliers?

IdahoNYer wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 4:47 am although not post much, continuing to follow the AAR.

How's the supply/fuel/oil situation doing?

you run out of pilot replacements yet for the Navy fliers?

Supply at Tokyo is just under 1.7 million. Supply at Rabaul, Truk, and Babeldaob is over 20k each, but I'm having a hard time keeping Singapore up. We're playing Da Babes -C so refineries don't make supply. Otherwise, Palembang would be flush and could supply Singapore. Most smaller bases are under-supplied. China is OK (I run continuous 10k convoys to Shanghai and Hankow - supply in, resource back to Nagasaki).

Fuel stockpile is 2.5 million and has been steady at that level; oil stockpile is 2.2 million and has dropped over the past weeks from 2.5 million. I've been shipping mostly oil from Palembang. A convoy with 101,000 oil just arrived at Nagasaki.

Pilot replacement does not seem to be a problem; the problem is pilot training. The carrier pilots mostly suck but I still have the 6 big carriers that started the war. Will be getting the George in about 3 weeks; that doesn't help the carriers, but should greatly improve land-based CAP.

I'm concerned about the HI stockpile - it's just 832,000 (Jan 31, '43) and I thought it would be closer to 1.5 million by now. That's what happens when you don't overrun China or take Rangoon!

Thanks for following.

Jan 26 - 30, 1943

On the 26th, the Allies bombarded Mergui, Makassar, and Ternate. Not much else happened.

On the 27th, they bombarded Tavoy and Ternate, and bombed Buna, Makin, Ternate, Kendari, Koepang, and Ambon by air. I started keeping track to try to guess when and where they go next.

Lost a small tanker out of Palembang to a sub (he hasn't been down there much; I thought the sea lanes south of Singapore would be saturated in submarines).

Torokina was easily captured by the Allies.

N1K1-J George R&D advanced to Apr '43 (with the engine bonus) and should become available in mid-February.

On the 28th, the Allies bombarded Majuro and Makassar, and bombed Mergui, Shortlands, Pisanuloke, Kendari, Ambon, and Makin by air. They landed troops at vacant Salajar (south of Makassar).

On the 29th, they bombed Shortlands, Mergui, Makin, Ternate, Kendari, Majuro, Ambon, and Peiping (had 4 hits on HI, but HI there is already zero) and captured Salajar. An attack at Koepang got the Allies one attack closer to capture -

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 7161 troops, 133 guns, 433 vehicles, Assault Value = 301
Defending force 11368 troops, 19 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 82
Allied adjusted assault: 207
Japanese adjusted defense: 133
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
690 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th LH Motor Regiment
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
16th LH MG Regiment
2/8th Armoured Regiment
Gull Force
28th Australian Battalion
2/10th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
Sparrow Force /1
15th LH MG Rgt /1
260th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment
43rd Construction Regiment
SW Pacific Theater /7
21st Fld RAA Regiment
I US Corps /3

Defending units:
38th Division
4th Div /1
2nd Army /2

I had started a small xAKL convoy toward Kendari to evacuate some aircraft that won't repair due to lack of supply, escorted by 3 battleships. On the 30th, I split the faster BB Hiei off and sent it's TF to Salajar to try to nail the Allied transports lingering there. The other 2 BBs went to Kendari, but the trailing xAKLs didn't follow(?!). Three engagements occurred -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Salajar at 67,108, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CL Tama, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Satsuki, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Shell hits 1
CLAA San Diego
CL Raleigh
DD Lansdowne
DD Walke
DD Morris
DD Stuart

Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight

---

Day Time Surface Combat, near Salajar at 67,108, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CL Tama, Shell hits 3
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Shell hits 3, on fire
CLAA San Diego
CL Raleigh, Shell hits 4
DD Lansdowne
DD Walke
DD Morris
DD Stuart, Shell hits 1

---

Day Time Surface Combat, near Salajar at 67,108, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
CL Tama
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, on fire
CLAA San Diego
CL Raleigh, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Lansdowne
DD Walke
DD Morris
DD Stuart

Also on the 30th, the Allies bombarded Majuro and Shortlands, followed by troops landings. Lightly defended Majuro was captured -

Ground combat at Majuro (136,119)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 893 troops, 4 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 46
Defending force 625 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6
Allied adjusted assault: 15
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Majuro !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
862 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 55 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
1st USMC Tank Bn /3

Defending units:
Majuro Base Force

---

Ground combat at Shortlands (110,132)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1702 troops, 23 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 58
Defending force 1210 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38
Allied adjusted assault: 7
Japanese adjusted defense: 3
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
483 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
284 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units destroyed 2 (the 2 Const Bn fragments)

Assaulting units:
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Bn /2
36th US Naval Const Bn /1
39th US Naval Const Bn /1

Defending units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF

The Allies bombed Shortlands, Mergui, Makassar, Kendari, Peiping, and Makin by air.

P1Y1 Frances R&D advanced a month to Jul '43.

Jan 31 - Feb 2, 1943

On the 31st, one of our subs was sunk at Great Nicobar. The Allies bombarded Victoria Point, and bombed Shortlands, Mergui, Makassar, Kendari, and Makin by air. Shortlands, which had largely been evacuated by air, was captured by the Americans. Vehicle production was turned off and armaments production was turned back on.

On the 1st, CV Zuikaku arrived at Yokohama to fix the repairs caused by an Allied submarine torpedo that actually worked. She arrived with 21 system, 10 flotation, and 22 engine damage. The captain (Yokokawa, 35 naval rating) was replaced (Shinoda, 77 naval rating). I didn't bother looking at CV captains early in the game figuring I'd go with what the Japanese had in real life. That was probably a mistake. I've been changing submarine captains routinely, but not others. Anyway, straight into the shipyard will require 67 days, so I opted to use 22 days of pier side repair to get the system damage and 3 points of engine damage fixed before going into the shipyard, leaving only major damage for the shipyard. There is some risk that this sequence will require more than 67 days.

The survivors from yesterday's battle at Shortlands were wiped out (all fragments). The Allies bombed Makin, Mergui, Makassar, Kendari, and Buna. At some of these bases only the rubble is being moved around; the airfields and ports have been unusable for some time. The Ki-43-IIb Oscar started production at 90 per month replacing the IIa. The IIb gives up some maneuverability for extra range and armor.

On the 2nd, the combined American/Australian/Dutch(?) force captured Koepang -

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 6680 troops, 182 guns, 426 vehicles, Assault Value = 379
Defending force 10767 troops, 19 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 52
Allied adjusted assault: 300
Japanese adjusted defense: 81
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Koepang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
906 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 68 (68 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (3 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th LH MG Regiment
2/10th Armoured Regiment
28th Australian Battalion
16th LH MG Regiment
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Gull Force
2/8th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
6th LH Motor Regiment
101st LH Motor Regiment
260th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment
43rd Construction Regiment
131st Field Artillery Battalion
SW Pacific Theater /7
I US Corps /3
21st Fld RAA Regiment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
45th US Naval Const Bn /1

Defending units:
38th Division
4th Div /1
2nd Army /2

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Koepang

He's known for a least 2 weeks that the Japanese forts were zero. The usual bases were bombed from the air. The Ki-61-Id Tony advanced R&D from Apr '44 to Mar '44.

Time for some maps to show the precarious situation of the Japanese Empire.



The Allies give every indication that they will attack the Burma coast at Tavoy and/or Mergui. The facilities at both are unusable, so they only get LRCAP periodically. Bangkok is also unusable, and the refinery has been trashed. Japanese naval task forces are as shown. CVs Hiryu and Soryu are repairing in Singapore while their air components actively train. Allied attacks at Tavoy, Mergui, and/or Sabang cannot be repelled on the ground or in the air. Only a naval action to sink a landing force could stop an assault.

A better course of action for the Allies might be an attack east from Moulmein, then south down the rail line to Bangkok. Supply will flow down that route, but not east from Tavoy and Mergui (at least not in quantity). The Japanese divisions shown would have to reposition to Bangkok to stop that advance. I'm defending the axis he appears to have chosen, not the axis I would choose.