wneumann vs Jolly Pillager- the Allied perspective

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/13/42
 
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Ground combat at Kanhsien
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 852 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 108
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 5288 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 209
[font=verdana]63rd Chinese Corps[/font]

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/14/42

Central Pacific: Contact has been lost with Jap TF sighted W of Palmyra on 10/13.

Contacts between U.S subs and Jap carrier aircraft reported at Canton Is and Pago Pago, no contacts reported in the Kwajalein area.

U.S. submarine Albacore intercepted a Jap TF north of Majuro. Albacore sank AP Minto Maru in a torpedo & shelling attack.

Jap recon flights continue over both Palmyra and Penhryn. Unloading ops continue at Jarvis Is.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight again over Norfolk Is. TK Gulfdisc with cargo 12K oil for Australia departed from Panama City enroute to Wellington (NZ). Otherwise quiet.


Australia: Japanese air attack on 4 Australian Div in Daly Waters - moderate casualties.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports contact lost with Jap TF sighted in Darwin on 10/13, total of 57 aircraft, no other change in number or status of Jap forces.


India/Burma: Japanese recon flights over Chittagong and Dimapur. Heavy Jap air bombing raid on air base at Imphal.

Attack by U.S. and RAF bombers on Jap airfield at Mandalay. Recon on Mandalay reports 190 Jap aircraft (total all types) based in Mandalay, airfield damage 23 (after bombing raids), 5 Jap LCU also in Mandalay. Known Jap ground units in Mandalay include 55th Division, 44 Heavy AA Bn, HQ 15th Army. Given 190 Jap planes in Mandalay, one or two IJA or IJN Base units for aviation support.

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x IL-4c bombing at 10000 feet

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 19
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 22
Ki-21-II Sally x 16
Ki-49 Helen x 24
Ki-48-II Lily x 37

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet

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China: Jap recon flights over Chungking. Japanese ground forces continue attacks at Hengchow, Kanhsien, and hex 44,35. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at Hengchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 161200 troops, 662 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 3001
22nd, 26th, 36th, 37th, 40th, 41st, 60th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt,
2, 8 & 27 Engineer Rgts, 1 Mortar Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 45364 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1325
2nd Provisional, 21st, 23rd, 37th & 79th Chinese Corps, HQ 9th War Area

Japanese max assault: 2915 - adjusted assault: 2011
Allied max defense: 1289 - adjusted defense: 1586
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 5)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 4

Japanese ground losses:
2346 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
861 casualties reported
Guns lost 16

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1435
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 49650 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1593
28th, 29th, 42nd, 58th & 88th Chinese Corps; 50th Chinese Guerilla Corps/C, HQ 3 War Area

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Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 832 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 108
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 5297 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 208
63rd Chinese Corps

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/15/42

Central Pacific: Jap carrier aircraft patrols continue at Kwajalein, Pago Pago, and Canton Is. Ki-49 Helen naval search/ASW patrols still active in the Kwajalein area.

Jap recon flights (H8K Emily) over Palmyra and Pehnryn. Unloading operations continue at Jarvis Is. Otherwise quiet.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is. Otherwise quiet here too.


Australia: One Jap air bombing raid against 4 Australian Div in Daly Waters - light casualties reported.

F-5A recon flight over Darwin reports a Jap TF now in Darwin, 63 aircraft (no bombers), otherwise no change in Jap forces at Darwin. Hudson I recon flight over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, otherwise no change in Jap forces at Exmouth.

Recon flights are being started over Port Moresby - missions carried out by PBY Catalinas based in Cairns. Flights over Port Moresby were initiated to determine level of Japanese activity in response to bombing raids on 10/11 by G5N Liz bombers flying from Port Moresby. Report of initial recon flight over Port Moresby indicates two LCU's (one known to be HQ Jap 17th Army), airfield size = 5, also an undetermined number of aircraft based in Port Moresby. Recon flights over Port Moresby will be continued to obtain a more accurate determination of Jap forces and activity in Port Moresby, also maybe introduce additional stimulation and possibly slip a decoy into Pillager's thought process. Like I'm actually planning an attack on Port Moresby but who's to know that?


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, also air bombing raid against Allied air base at Imphal. AAR follows. Jap bombing of Imphal has succeeded in keeping RAF and AVG fighters on the ground (mostly due to damaged planes), however no major or lasting damage to aircraft or airfield facilities in Imphal.

Pillager's bombing attacks on Imphal have been useful in revealing current location of his bombers. "Counter-bombing" attacks of Jap airfields where bombers are detected flying from will be done to the greatest extent possible - given number of available Allied bombers, number of serviceable planes at any given time, and preserving pilot fatigue/morale levels in Allied bomber squadrons as much as possible to allow continuing ops without extended rest periods.

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 14
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 10
Ki-51 Sonia x 15
Ki-21-II Sally x 10
Ki-49 Helen x 14
Ki-48-II Lily x 34

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 9 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet

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China: Attacks by Jap ground forces continue in Hengchow, Kanhsien, and hex 44,35. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at Hengchow

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3188 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2815
22nd, 26th, 36th, 37th, 40th, 41st, 60th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt,
2, 8 & 27 Engineer Rgts, 1 Mortar Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 44019 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1250
2nd Provisional, 21st, 23rd, 37th & 79th Chinese Corps, HQ 9th War Area

Allied ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1128 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1445
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 41034 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1304
28th, 29th, 42nd, 58th & 88th Chinese Corps; 50th Chinese Guerilla Corps/C, HQ 3 War Area

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 848 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 111
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 5377 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 208
63rd Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/16/42

Central Pacific: Jap carrier aircraft patrols continue at Pago Pago, and Canton Is. No Japanese air patrols (either carrier aircraft or land-based Ki-49 Helens) detected by U.S. subs operating around Kwajalein.

Unloading operations completed at Jarvis Is. Two USMC ground units (3 Raider & 3 Para Bns) and 1100 supply were disembarked without incident. All transport ships have left Jarvis. So far, there is not any known Japanese detection of landings or construction activity by U.S. forces on Jarvis Is.

Jap recon flights (H8K Emily) continue over Palmyra and Penhryn.


South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: One Jap air bombing raid against airfield facilities at Daly Waters - light casualties and damage reported.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M2 and A6M3 fighters on CAP, three LCU's, no other activity. One LCU at Port Moresby known to be HQ 17th Army, the other two unidentified.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, no changes in status or number of Jap forces there. F-5A recon over Darwin reports 54 aircraft (no bombers) in Darwin, otherwise no change.


India/Burma: RAF Blenheim bombers attack Jap airfield at Mandalay - AAR's follow. No detected Japanese air activity over Burma or NE India.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 218 aircraft (125 bombers) based there, airfield damage 25, five TF's, nine LCU. Appears that Pillager transferred Japanese bombers out of Mandalay to Rangoon - most of the increase in the number of aircraft at Rangoon being bombers. Another hit on Rangoon by RAF Liberators could be in order.

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 64

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 9 destroyed, 32 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
8 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Blenheim IV bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 2000 feet

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China: Japanese ground forces bombard Hengchow, Kanhsien, and hex 44,35. Light or no Chinese casualties reported.

[wneumann]

View of the Big Picture

Current Intelligence Display as of 10/16/42 (shown below):

As we speak... Pillager continues to be on pace for a Japanese auto-victory come 1/1/43 - Japanese VP score is +578 VP over the number required for a 4:1 ratio based on the current Allied total of 4893. Allies have probably gained some ground but as I stated some time earlier, the Victory Point score is not a big factor in my calculations being that I intend to play beyond the Jap "auto-victory" anyway.

Most of Pillager's VP tally appears to be in "real estate" and a large amount of VP from (mostly Chinese) losses to Allied ground units.

Cadres were evacuated for many of the Allied LCU's destroyed by Japanese forces earlier in 1942. These cadres are in various stages of rebuilding to full TOE strength units in India, Australia, and the U.S. Some of these LCU's include

(U.S. forces) -

5th & 20th USAAF Base Force units, 1st USMC AA Bn (all evac at full TOE strength - now in Australia)
31st US RCT, 4th USMC Rgt (evac at partial TOE - both in front line service NW Australia)
2 Philippine Rgt, 120 USN Base Force, HQ Asiatic Fleet (now rebuilding in the U.S. from cadres)
1 Philippine Div (arrived in San Francisco as reinforcement, now in Line Islands)
HQ USAFFE (evac as cadre to Australia, later moved to India, now rebuilding in Delhi for possible later use there in the event it is decided to deploy large U.S. ground forces in Southeast Asia)
USMC 7th CD (evac as cadre from Pago Pago, rebuilt in U.S. to full TOE, now front line service in Central Pacific)

(British and Commonwealth forces) -

Australian 22nd & 27th AIF Brigades (evac from Singapore to Australia as cadres, both rebuilding at Melbourne)
SSVF Brigade (evac from Singapore, now rebuilding at Trincomalee)
Indian 6th, 8th, 12th, 15th, 28th Brigades (all evac from Singapore to India as cadres, 15th Brigade now at full TOE strength, others gradually rebuilding)
RAF Base force units 111, 112, 113, 1 ISF, 2 ISF (all evac from Singapore to India as cadres, in various stages of rebuilding)
Rangoon CD (evac as cadre from Rangoon to Calcutta area)
108 RN Base Force (evac as cadre from Borneo to Australia, now in Perth)

All British forces originally in Burma successfully withdrew to India - all remain in front line service.

Australian Lark Force Bn (evac from Rabaul to Cooktown at most of its TOE strength)
Australian 2/1 Independent Co (evac from Kavieng to Australia at most of its TOE strength)
NGVR Bn (cadres evac from Lae to Australia)

8 NZ Brigade (evac from Suva to Auckland at full TOE strength)

(Dutch forces) -

Makassar Garrison Bn (evac at partial TOE strength, rebuilding at Melbourne)
AA Battalions A-I, A-II, and A-III-Ld (all evac at full TOE strength to Australia)
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th Dutch Naval Base Force units (all evac at full TOE strength to Australia, now redeployed in various locations)
2 NEIAF Aviation (evac to Australia at full TOE strength)
NEIAF Base Force units 1 - 12 and 16 - 22 (all evac at full TOE strength to Australia, now redeployed in various locations)


Allied aircraft losses distributed across all categories - largest number of aircraft losses were destroyed on the ground. Most Japanese aircraft losses due to flak or operational causes.

Much of the Dutch air force was evacuated to Australia from the DEI before its fall to Japanese forces. This includes nearly all recon, patrol, torpedo bomber, and transport squadrons. Most bomber squadrons also evacuated, also several squadrons of fighters.

Many Dutch aircraft remain in Australia, others are widely redeployed from Australia (India, NZ, Central Pacific theater, U.S. west coast, one Dutch transport squadron "flew over the hump" and now flying supplies to Chinese ground forces defending Hengchow). Most Dutch air squadrons are in rear areas awaiting upgrade to improved aircraft.

[wneumann]

Strategic Map as of 10/16/42

[wneumann]

Allied ship losses as of 10/16/42:

Allied capital ships (cruisers and larger) sunk to date shown on display below.

Other Allied combat ships sunk to date include 14 DD, 22 subs, 12 MSW, 10 ML, 3 DM, 19 PT, 10 PG, 3 PC, 3 SC

Allied transports and aux ships sunk to date include 83 AK, 18 TK, 1 AO, 8 AP, 3 AR, 1 AV, 2 AVD, 1 AD

[wneumann]

Confirmed Japanese ship losses as of 10/16/42:

Japanese capital ships (cruisers and larger) confirmed sunk to date shown on display below.

Other Japanese combat ships confirmed sunk to date include 5 DD, 1 DE, 18 subs, 6 MSW, 8 ML, 1 PG, 8 PC

Japanese transports and aux ships confirmed sunk to date include 21 AK, 19 AP, 3 AV, 1 AD

It should be noted that many other Japanese ships of all types have been hit (and severely damaged in many instances) with no subsequent information to confirm their fate. This figure includes three CVL's, plus a number of cruisers and DD's. Several BB have taken lighter amounts of damage. At the very least, Pillager's repair shipyards have had their share of customers.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/17/42

Central Pacific: (no changes from 10/16/42 report)

Jap carrier aircraft patrols continue at Pago Pago, and Canton Is. No Japanese air patrols (either carrier aircraft or land-based Ki-49 Helens) detected by U.S. subs operating around Kwajalein.

Jap recon flights (H8K Emily) continue over Palmyra and Penhryn.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight (H8K Emily) over Norfolk Is. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: One Japanese air bombing raid against 4 Australian Div in Daly Waters - heavy casualties reported.

Hudson I recon flight over Exmouth reports no changes in Jap forces located there. F-5A recon flight over Katherine reports following Jap forces in Katherine - 7 LCU's, 80 aircraft (including 51 bombers, 8 fighters). Jap bombers based in Katherine are Ki-49 Helens which have been operating against Allied targets in Daly Waters.

Airfield facilties in Tennant Creek base now expanded to size 3, construction activity is continuing to expand the air base to at least size 4. An air base support LCU (41 RAAF Aviation) is now moving to Tennant Creek and due to arrive shortly. With the arrival of 41 RAAF Aviation in Tennant Creek and expansion of Tennant Creek airfield to size 4, four U.S. heavy bomber squadrons (48 B-17's) are earmarked for transfer to Tennant Creek to begin bombing operations against Jap airfields in NW Australia.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights reported over Imphal, Dimapur, Chittagong.

F-5A recon flight over Rangoon reports 231 Jap aircraft (including 133 bombers), runway damage 14, 7 Jap LCU's, 6 Jap TF's. This report confirms previous intel estimate (10/16 situation report) that Jap bombers in the Burma theater were concentrating at Rangoon. Orders have been issued to target Rangoon airfield with an air attack by RAF Liberators and a newly-arrived U.S. squadron of B-24's.


China: Jap recon flight reported over Chungking. Japanese ground bombardment attacks on Chinese forces in Hengchow, Kanshien, and hex 44,35.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/18/42

Central Pacific: (no changes from 10/16 & 10/17/42 reports)

Jap carrier aircraft patrols continue at Pago Pago, and Canton Is. No Japanese air patrols (either carrier aircraft or land-based Ki-49 Helens) detected by U.S. subs operating around Kwajalein.

Jap recon flights (H8K Emily) continue over Palmyra and Penhryn.


South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: Jap air bombing raids against 4 Australian Div and airfield facilities in Daly Waters - moderate casualties, light damage reported.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, otherwise no change in Jap forces there. Catalina I recon flight over Port Moresby reports CAP (A6M2 and A6M3 fighters), four Jap LCU's.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 57 Jap aircraft (no bombers), 8 Jap LCU's, 78 ships in port. No substantial change detected since last recon flight on 10/15.


India/Burma: Jap night naval bombardment of Allied base at Chittagong - AAR follows. Heavy damage to aircraft based in Chittagong, also heavy disruption to elements in HQ Indian XV Corps and base force LCU's. Combat LCU's in Chittagong (14th Indian Div, 63 Indian Brigade, 3 Carabineer Rgt) were unaffected by the Jap bombardment. Fortifications in Chittagong are currently built to level = 8. It seems that fortifications are more effective in protecting combat LCU's against bombardment attacks - HQ and ENG units do not appear to be protected as much by fortifications.

Two day attacks by Allied land-based aircraft on the Jap bombardment TF following the attack on Chittagong resulted in bomb hits on two Jap BB (no major damage). AAR's on these attacks also follow.

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Naval bombardment of Chittagong, at 31,25 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 14 destroyed
Hurricane IID/IV: 5 destroyed

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Asakaze
DD Shirayuki
DD Ariake
DD Umikaze
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato

Allied ground losses:
3892 casualties reported
Guns lost 48
Vehicles lost 5

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 115
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

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Day Air attack on TF at 29,28

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1
BB Ise
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet

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Day Air attack on TF at 29,28

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 12
Vengeance I x 16
Beaufort I x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 3 damaged
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Beaufort I: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1
BB Ise
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet
6 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Swordfish bombing at 10700 feet
2 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 1000 feet
9 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Swordfish bombing at 10700 feet
4 x Swordfish bombing at 10700 feet

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RAF Liberators and a squadron of U.S. B-24 bombers launch a day attack on Rangoon airfield. AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 15

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 43
B-24D Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 43 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
551 casualties reported
Guns lost 16

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 33

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet

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China: Japanese ground bombardment attacks continue against Chinese forces in Hengchow, Kanshien, and hex 44,35.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/19/42

Central Pacific: U.S. sub Grampus at Canton Is detects Japanese TF (7 DD's) engaged in ASW and/or mine sweeping mission. Jap DD Fumizuki from this TF hits a mine (on fire, heavy damage), other Jap DD's from this TF detected and attacked SS Grampus. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Canton Island at 100,100

Japanese Ships
DD Minazuki
DD Hatsushimo
DD Samidare
DD Murasame
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo

Allied Ships
SS Grampus

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

Jap carrier aircraft patrols continue at Pago Pago, and Canton Is. No Japanese air patrols (either carrier aircraft or land-based Ki-49 Helens) detected by U.S. subs operating around Kwajalein.

Jap recon flights (H8K Emily) continue over Palmyra and Penhryn.


South Pacific: Jap recon flights resume over Norfolk Is. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: Jap air raids continue against Australian 4 Div and airfield facilities in Daly Waters. Moderate casualties, light damage reported. Intel on Jap forces in Katherine indicate 99 aircraft (including 64 bombers) and 7 LCU's.

Recon flights over Exmouth (Hudson I) and Port Moresby (PBY Catalina) both report no change in Jap forces at either location. F-5A recon flight over Darwin reports 75 Jap ships in port (down from 78), otherwise no change.


India/Burma: U.S. B-25 bomber squadrons hit Jap air base at Magwe. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 2 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet

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

Jap recon flights reported over Dacca, Chittagong, and Imphal.


China: Jap recon flights continue over Chungking. Japanese continue ground bombardment against Kanhsien and hex 44,35. Japanese ground forces launch attack in Hengchow. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hengchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 162479 troops, 666 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 2949
22nd, 26th, 36th, 37th, 40th, 41st, 60th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt; 2, 8 & 27 Engineer Rgts,
1 Mortar Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 43750 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1219
2nd Provisional, 21st, 23rd, 37th & 79th Chinese Corps, HQ 9th War Area

Japanese max assault: 2951 - adjusted assault: 2781
Allied max defense: 1234 - adjusted defense: 1137
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Japanese ground losses:
1863 casualties reported
Guns lost 26
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1394 casualties reported
Guns lost 26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1128 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1480
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 29144 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 924
29th, 42nd, 49th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 848 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 113
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 5242 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 203
63rd Chinese Corps

[wneumann]

View of the Big Picture #2 - Status of 10/42 ship upgrades

Ships completed upgrade: 2 CV (Hornet, Yorktown), 1BB (Washington), 3 CA, 1 CLAA, 22 DD, 12 APD (converted from old DD’s), 4 SS


Ships now in upgrade: 2 CV (Enterprise, Saratoga), 4 BB (North Carolina, New Mexico, Idaho, Mississippi), 3 CA, 1 CL, 1 CLAA, 21 DD, 14 APD (converting from old DD’s), 37 SS

Upgrading of old BB’s (New Mexico, Idaho, Mississippi) is designated low priority – these ships are completing upgrade in a smaller shipyard until higher priority upgrades are completed.

Some of the old (four-stacker) DD’s converting to APD’s in this upgrade are designated low priority as well and were moved to complete in smaller shipyards.


Ships awaiting upgrade: 2 CV (Wasp, Lexington), 7 CA, 2 CL, 2 CLAA, 18 DD, 3 old DD’s (possible conversions to APD), 19 SS

Submarines still awaiting 10/42 upgrade are either still in front-line service, or are subs with moderate to heavy system damage now undergoing repair but not yet repaired to a level where they can begin 10/42 upgrade. I may also keep unconverted 3 of the old DD’s that did not start 10/42 upgrade (turn off upgrade for them) just to keep several in a DD configuration.


Some lower priority 10/42 ship upgrades were unintentionally allowed to begin immediately on 10/1/42 – these included the conversion of old (four-stacker) DD’s to APD, and upgrades on approx 10 AK’s. I moved some of these upgrades to smaller shipyards, others I allowed to complete where they were.

My plans were not to immediately convert the old four-stacker DD’s to APD, these destroyers were intended to remain unconverted and used for escort and ASW duty. Having looked at how these ships are equipped once they are converted to APD’s, they're expected to still be useful for ASW duty (though they do lose some depth charge armament in the upgrade). However, eventually having 26 APD’s produced from this upgrade does give me the unanticipated capability of mounting a “Tokyo Express” if one is needed.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/20/42

Central Pacific: Jap carrier aircraft patrols continue at Pago Pago and Canton Is, and heavy patrols by Jap carrier aircraft resumed at Kwajalein. Light patrol activity by land-based Ki-49 Helens also reported in the Kwajalein area.

Jap recon flights (H8K Emily) continue over Palmyra and Penhryn.

AK Loa Koeloe arrived at Penhryn and began unloading its cargo of 3000 supply. My intent is to create a pre-deployed supply dump in Penhryn ahead of the arrival of U.S. forces to garrison and build up base facilities there. No definite time frame has been set on when Penhryn is to be occupied, but occupation of Penhryn and build up of base facilities there to the greatest extent possible is planned as part of efforts to reclaim a direct sea communications route between the U.S. and Australia/New Zealand and also begin turning the flank on Pillager's outer perimeter towards the south.

Exactly when Penhryn will be occupied is largely determined by the pace at which Jarvis Island (the next base to the north of Penhryn) completes its build up and becomes fully operational. Build up of Jarvis Island is currently underway.


South Pacific: Japanese AO Iro torpedoed (1 hit) by U.S. sub Sargo at Pago Pago. AO Iro was not reported on fire - either the torpedo hit did not cause major damage and/or AO Iro was not carrying any (fuel) cargo.

Japanese recon flight (H8K Emily) reported over Norfolk Is.


Australia: Jap air bombing raids against 4 Australian Div and airfield facilities at Daly Waters - moderate casualties and damage reported.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, no changes from previous recon.

F-5A recon flight over Darwin reports 63 aircraft (no bombers), 7 Jap LCU's (down from 8), 23 ships disbanded in port (down from 75), also an unidentified TF in Darwin.

The following item appeard in the Sigint report for 10/20 - 1st Engineer Regiment is loaded on AP Tanba Maru moving to Soerabaja. Information obtained in the F-5A recon flight along with earlier data placing 1 Engineer Rgt in Darwin since 9/5/42 appear to confirm this Sigint report.


India/Burma: Japanese air bombing attacks against Allied bases at Imphal, Dacca, Dimapur. Also Jap fighter sweep flown on Imphal. AAR's for all follow. Jap recon flights (all Ki-46 Dinah) reported over Imphal, Chittagong, and Dacca. A Jap recon flight (G3M Nell from Rangoon) detected over Diamond Harbor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 28

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-48-II Lily x 16

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Dacca , at 31,23

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 4
Ki-21-II Sally x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 32

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 26 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IID/IV: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 36

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Dacca , at 31,23

Japanese aircraft
G5N Liz x 20

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G5N Liz: 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IID/IV: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G5N Liz bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G5N Liz bombing at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Dimapur , at 35,25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-II Lily x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-II Lily: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet

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

Attack by RAF Vengence dive bombers against Jap airfield at Mandalay. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet

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

F-5A recon flight over Rangoon reports 155 Jap aircraft (incl 49 bombers), airfield damage 27, 3 TF's, 6 Jap LCU's (this number a decrease from previous reports).

Three Jap ground units were detected (on 10/19) marching northward from Rangoon towards either Mandalay or Magwe. Small bombing raids by Allied bombers were ordered on the detected Jap LCU's to determine their identity and inflict minor damage if possible. These bombing raids were executed on 10/20. AAR's and situation map follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on HQ 3rd Air Division, at 32,30 (from the location of this sighting and attack, probable destination of HQ 3 Air Division is Magwe)

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st Heavy AA Battalion, at 31,31 (it should be noted that initial assignment of 41 AA Battalion in 12/41 is with the Kwantung Army - this unit now transferred from Manchuria to the Burma Army)

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Hudson I bombing at 8000 feet

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/20/42 continued

China: Jap recon flight over Chungking. Ground bombardments by Jap army forces continue at Hengchow, Kanhsien, and hex 44,35. No new Japanese army formations detected in recent fighting at any of these locations. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hengchow

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3228 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2826
22nd, 26th, 36th, 37th, 40th, 41st, 60th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt, 2, 8 & 27 Engineer Rgts, 1 Mortar Bn,
6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 42423 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1142
2nd Provisional, 21st, 23rd, 37th & 79th Chinese Corps, HQ 9th War Area

Allied ground losses:
620 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1488
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 29141 troops, 91 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 923
29th, 42nd, 49th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 868 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 113
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 5282 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 203
63rd Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/21/42

Central Pacific: Heavy patrols by Jap carrier aircraft and E13A1 Jakes continue at Kwajalein, appears that KB's carriers and escorts may now be concentrated there. Light patrol activity by Jap carrier aircraft continues at Pago Pago and Canton Is. Several patrol flights by Ki-49 Helens also observed near Kwajalein.

U.S. submarine S-47 hit in attack by a D3A2 Val near Kwajalein. S-47 received heavy damage, now returning to base.

Jap recon flights continue over both Palmyra and Penhryn.

AK Loa Koeloe still at Penhryn unloading supply - does not appear it was detected by Jap recon flights.


South Pacific: Jap recon flights continue over Norfolk Is. Otherwise all sectors remain quiet.


Australia: Jap air bombing raids continue against 4 Australian Div and airfield facilities at Daly Waters - light casualties and damage reported.

F-5A recon flight over Darwin reports 40 aircraft (no bombers), 6 Jap LCU's (down from 7), 7 ships disbanded in port (down from 23). An unidentified TF also remains in Darwin. Based on recon activity over Darwin in the last two days and fragments of earlier reports, it appears that Pillager may be transferring some Jap ground units from NW Australia.

If true, any Jap units being removed from NW Australia are likely (construction) engineers or support troops in excess of requirements. My estimate is that Pillager is keeping all or nearly all of his combat ground units (INF, ARM) now in NW Australia in that theater. If this estimate is true, two effects are -

1) Current front lines in NW Australia is or will be stable in the Katherine/Daly Waters area, reducing the probability of further Japanese ground offensives.
2) Retaining substantial Jap combat ground units in NW Australia reduces Pillager's capability to defend areas farther to the rear, many of the smaller island bases in the DEI being vulnerable to Allied invasion. Smaller bases in the DEI in Allied hands could be built up and used as a platform to start bombing Japanese-controlled oil facilities.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, otherwise no report.
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M2 & A6M3 fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU's (up from 4).


India/Burma: Jap recon flights (Ki-46 Dinah) reported over Imphal, Dacca, Dimapur.

Recon flights by Jap G3M Nell bombers continue over Diamond Harbor. Allied aircraft based in Diamond Harbor are transferring to nearby air bases (Calcutta area) in the event Pillager is planning to send a Jap bombardment TF to hit Diamond Harbor. Majority of Allied aircraft based at Diamond Harbor were on naval strike to counter Jap bombardment TF's.

F-5A recon flights over Rangoon report 176 aircraft (59 bombers), airfield damage 40, 6 LCU (no change), one unidentified TF.

Japanese air bombing attack on Dacca. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Dacca , at 31,23

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7
Ki-21-II Sally x 7
Ki-49 Helen x 14
Ki-48-II Lily x 11

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 11 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 damaged
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet

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

Chinese bombers attacked another Jap LCU detected moving northward from Rangoon towards either Mandalay for Magwe - this attack intended to obtain identity of this LCU and inflict possible casualties. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Aviation Rgt , at 31,31 (this LCU transferred to Jap Burma Army from its previous location at Takao)

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x IL-4c bombing at 10000 feet

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


China: Jap recon flight over Chungking. Japanese ground bombardment attacks continue at Hengchow, Kanhsien, and hex 44,35.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/22/42

Central Pacific: Heavy patrols by Jap carrier aircraft and E13A1 Jakes continue at Kwajalein, these patrols now including F1M2 Petes. Presence of F1M2 Pete aircraft indicate at least one CS and/or Nagato class BB(s) possibly at Kwajalein in addition to the KB and its escorts.

Recent Jap activity at Kwajalein could be formation of a Jap naval sortie by KB and naval bombardment TF(s) - possible target of this attack being Palmyra (recent recon flights) and the Line Islands area. With U.S. carriers and escorts now mostly involved in the 10/42 upgrade, U.S. forces in the Central Pacific are "fastening their chin straps". Pillager will come out, do his damage, and life goes on. Allied ships (other than subs) are planning to stay out of the way.

Light patrol activity by Jap carrier aircraft continues at Pago Pago and Canton Is. Several patrol flights by Ki-49 Helens also observed near Kwajalein.

U.S. sub Permit sinks WNW of Johnston Is after heavy damage from several Jap air attacks (on 10/11/42) near Kwajalein.

Jap recon flights continue over both Palmyra and Penhryn.

AK Loa Koeloe still at Penhryn continues unloading supply - still does not appear to be detected by Jap recon flights.


South Pacific: Jap recon flights continue over Norfolk Is. Otherwise all other sectors quiet.


Australia: Japanese air bombing raids continue against 4 Australian Div and airfield facilities in Daly Waters - light casualties and damage reported.

Hudson I recon flights over Exmouth - A6M2 fighters on CAP, otherwise no report.
Catalina I recon flight over Port Moresby report no CAP, 5 Jap LCU's (no change), two unidentified Jap TF's.

F-5A recon flight over Darwin reports 54 aircraft (no bombers), 10 ships disbanded in port (+3 from last report), one unidentified Jap TF, 6 Jap LCU's (no change).


India/Burma: Recon flights by Jap G3M Nell bombers continue over Diamond Harbor. No other Jap recon activity.

Japanese 4 Aviation Rgt now in Magwe (this LCU detected & attacked earlier while moving north from Rangoon). It would appear that Pillager's latest northward movement of LCU's in Burma is intended to step up the ongoing air war over Burma/NE India, increasing Japanese activity from their front-line air bases at Magwe and Mandalay. Significant presence of known Jap flak LCU's in Magwe (3 Light AA Bn, 2 & 3 AA Regiments) and Mandalay (44 Heavy AA Bn). Also Jap 41 Heavy AA Bn detected moving northward from Rangoon.

F-5A recon flight over Rangoon reports airfield damage 35, 148 aircraft (44 bombers), 6 LCU (no change), two unidentified Jap TF's.


China: Japanese ground bombardments and attacks at Hengchow, Kanhsien, and hexes 44,35 & 44,36. AAR's for all follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,36 (new combat action - 1 hex NW of Hengchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 57187 troops, 251 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1219
3rd, 6th, & 68th Infantry Divisions
Defending force 16868 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 546
10th & 54th Chinese Corps

Japanese max assault: 1214 - adjusted assault: 1220
Allied max defense: 492 - adjusted defense: 64
Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
866 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
449 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hengchow

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3216 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2900
22nd, 26th, 36th, 37th, 40th, 41st, 60th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt, 2, 8 & 27 Engineer Rgts, 1 Mortar Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 41422 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1091
2nd Provisional, 21st, 23rd, 37th & 79th Chinese Corps, HQ 9th War Area

Allied ground losses:
439 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1502
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Divisions, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 29216 troops, 91 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 924
29th, 42nd, 49th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7664 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 117
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 5198 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 199
63rd Chinese Corps

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese max assault: 114 - adjusted assault: 96
Allied max defense: 183 - adjusted defense: 25
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Japanese ground losses:
125 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported

[wneumann]

View from the Big Picture #3 - the Shipping War.

A look at the overall situation with regards to Allied shipping capacity and capabilities. This report is current to 10/22/42 game turn and includes all shipping both in port and currently at sea.

Figures below are the number of ships, and total cargo capacity of all ships for each type now located within the specified area.

U.S. Pacific Theater (includes U.S. West Coast, Canada, all Central Pacific, Panama City, Alaska)

AK: 332 ships, shipping capacity = 1,303,550
AP: 74 ships, shipping capacity = 211,695
APD: 29 ships, shipping capacity = 5,220
LST: none
TK: 65 ships, shipping capacity = 1,203,890


Australia, New Zealand, all South Pacific

AK: 102 ships, shipping capacity = 221,410
AP: 15 ships, shipping capacity = 28,140
APD: 3 ships, shipping capacity = 540
LST: none
TK: 31 ships, shipping capacity = 126,690

Remaining cargo shipping in this area mostly in Australian waters, the majority of it being smaller and short-range coastal ships. Most larger cargo ships and ships with longer range have been moved out of Australia to either India or the U.S. Pacific theater.


Southeast Asia Theater (includes India, Aden, and Indian Ocean)

AK: 224 ships, shipping capacity = 901,450
AP: 36 ships, shipping capacity = 124,200
APD: none
LST: 6 ships, shipping capacity = 216
TK: 36 ships, shipping capacity = 321,920

6 LST’s in Southeast Asia are Dutch LCVP 180-185 evacuated from DEI to Australia, then moved to India.

Sufficient AP capacity exists in Southeast Asia to support a medium to large-scale amphibious operation. More on that to be discussed in later reports.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/23/42

Central Pacific: U.S. subs continue reporting heavy air patrols - including carrier aircraft, E13A1 and F1M2 scout planes, also several Ki-49 Helens. SS Tuna hit and damaged heavily in an attack by a D3A2 Val - Tuna is now returning to Pearl.

Reports from U.S. subs at Pago Pago and Canton Is indicate no Japanese ships disbanded in port at either of these bases. However, light patrol activity by carrier aircraft (Kates only, no Vals) continues to be detected by U.S. subs at both locations. It would appear that Kates flying from Canton and Pago Pago could be land-based.

This activity suggests that the KB has likely concentrated at Kwajalein. Presence of F1M2 Pete aircraft at Kwajalein indicates presence of one or several Jap CS(s). While the possiblity of one or both Nagato BB(s) being at Kwajelein was mentioned in the previous report - as seen later in today's report, there are (and will be) no Nagato class BB(s) at Kwajalein.

Note: Nagato class BB's are equipped with F1M2 Pete aircraft in CHS (at least initially in 12/41) - along with Jap CS's.

Jap recon flights continue over Penhryn, no Jap recon flight reported at Palmyra.

AK Loa Koeloe continues unloading (neither detected nor molested) at Penhryn.


South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: Japanese air raids continue against 4 Australian Div and airfield facilities at Daly Waters - light casualties and damage reported.

Hudson I recon flights over Exmouth - no CAP, 5 Jap LCU's (no change).
Catalina I recon flight over Port Moresby report no CAP, 5 Jap LCU's (no change), Jap TF's have departed.

F-5A recon flight over Darwin reports 61 aircraft (no bombers), no ships disbanded in port (-10 from last report), 5 Jap LCU's (-1 from last report), one unidentified Jap TF. Possible that another Jap ground unit is being transferred out of Australia to parts unknown.


DEI: Sigint report for 10/23 - 3rd Hvy Field Artillery Regiment is located at Tjilitjap. Previous known location of 3 Artillery Rgt was Wyndham (NW Australia) back in 5/42. This unit may have been shipped to Java from Australia some time ago but has not shown up until now. Another indicator that Pillager is moving some Jap ground units out of Australia.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Dacca, Imphal, and Dimapur.

However... no Jap recon over Diamond Harbor. Three days (10/20 - 10/22) of Jap G3M Nells flying recon over Diamond Harbor (with no previous Jap interest in this base) indicated the possibility of a visit to Diamond Harbor by an IJN bombardment TF. In anticipation of this, all RAF aircraft based in Diamond Harbor were transferred out to nearby airfields (to dodge the "bullet") and put on naval strike (on the chance of getting a "lucky" hit).

First... the Jap naval bombardment on Diamond Harbor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Diamond Harbour, at 28,23 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

31 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise, Shell hits 2
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4
BB Nagato

Allied ground losses:
387 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2

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

Next... the aftermath.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 28,27

Allied aircraft (all evacuated from Diamond Harbor prior to the bombardment)
Swordfish x 12
Hurricane IIb x 5
Beaufort I x 22
Beaufighter VIC x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Beaufort I: 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 1
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Beaufighter VIC bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Beaufighter VIC bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufighter VIC bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter VIC bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 28,27

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 16 (also removed from Diamond Harbor)

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 2
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet

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If they can reach the Jap TF... two B-25 squadrons heading out for skip bombing practice, also a shower of bombs from 50-60 Liberators. Weather forecast for this area on 10/24 is Heavy Precipitation so I'm not expecting much to happen. Any additional damage (however minor) on the Jap BB will keep them out of mischief a bit longer.

Situation map follows.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/23/42 - part deux

India/Burma (continued):

F-5A recon flight over Rangoon reports 177 Jap aircraft (56 bombers), airfield damage 38, 6 Jap LCU's (no change), 2 Jap TF's.

Jap air bombing attack on Imphal - AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 2
Ki-51 Sonia x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 1
Ki-48-II Lily x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet

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Chinese IL-4 bombers detected and attacked yet another Japanese LCU (33rd Division/A) on the move in Burma. Previous known location of this part of 33 Division was Meiktila - given the location of the Chinese air attack, 33rd Division/A is moving southward (to Rangoon?). Position of 33rd Division/A is shown on the Burma situation map in the first part of today's (10/23) situation report. AAR of the bombing attack follows.

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Day Air attack on 33rd/A Division, at 31,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 1 damaged

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China: Jap recon flight over Chungking, several bombing attacks on Chinese forces defending Hengchow.

Japanese ground attacks continue at Hengchow, Kanhsien, and hex 44,35. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at Hengchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 162334 troops, 660 guns, 82 vehicles, Assault Value = 2939
22nd, 26th, 36th, 37th, 40th, 41st, 60th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt
2, 8 & 27 Engineer Rgts, 1 Mortar Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 41034 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1071
2nd Provisional, 21st, 23rd, 37th & 79th Chinese Corps, HQ 9th War Area

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese max assault: 2953 - adjusted assault: 2263
Allied max defense: 923 - adjusted defense: 1732
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
2500 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
780 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1506
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 29289 troops, 91 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 927
29th, 42nd, 49th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7570 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 112
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 4958 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 179
63rd Chinese Corps

Japanese max assault: 109 - adjusted assault: 47
Allied max defense: 155 - adjusted defense: 65
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese ground losses:
436 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
93 casualties reported

[Alfred]

Nice little riposte to the BB bombardment TF.  Should allow you to get an ASW TF to Diamond Harbor to deal with the SS which presumably is dropping mines in the harbor.
 
Alfred