Matrix Games Forums

"Poorly Trained" ? Just curious, how do you define that? I'd figure your best of the best would still be on your carriers in early '43.

And of course, there is a bright side........lowers your fuel expenditure and the re-bought squadrons will arrive in plenty of time to join the Kamikaze Corps!

Mar 6 - 15, 1943

Time to get caught up.

I've been busy with other things, mostly dealing with my elderly mother.

So, back to the game. On 6 Mar 43 we sent CVs Kaga and Shokaku east of Manus for their return to Truk, and CV Hiryu and CVL Ryuho west of Manus for their return. The Allies hurried north to try to destroy these ships by gunfire (they announced that objective in an email) but failed in that mission. It didn't matter. The three burning flattops sank on 7 Mar 43 before reaching Truk; CV Kaga helped along by a submarine torpedo. Then a day or 2 later (9 Mar 43) CV Hiryu sank, too.

Nells flying from Truk sank a CVE which got too close, and heavily damaged another on the 8th.

Aerial bombing and naval bombardment by the Allies continued across the map encountering little resistance by the Empire. Occasionally a small CAP is encountered which is easily dealt with. As planes are repaired at Lae, Rabaul, and Manus they are flown to Hollandia or Truk. Two of the carrier fighter squadrons and 2 of the carrier bomber squadrons have been bought back. When they return they will be resized on a carrier to the maximum permitted, then stationed in Japan as land-based, and train, train, train.

The Allies have occupied and captured various dot bases near Kwajalein and the south coast of Celebes. If they have ground units prepped for Kwajalein, Kendari, and Makassar they will have little problem capturing those bases.

Japanese subs sank some small transports carrying supply into Tavoy (still controlled by Japan) on the 14th.

Ki-61-Id Tony R&D advanced to Feb '44 and Ki-84a Frank R&D advanced to Dec '43 on the 7th.
N1K2-J George R&D advanced to Oct '44 on the 11th.
A6M5c Zero R&D advanced to Nov '43 on the 12th.
J1N1-S Irving R&D advanced to Aug '43 on the 15th.

CV Soryu reached Yokohama on the 15th ready for her April upgrade. Over the days, CV Zuikaku came out of the shipyard to turn on her April upgrade, then went back in to do as much of both (repair and upgrade) as possible.

We decided to play until the end of 1943. Currently, the Allies have a slight lead in victory points. If they achieve automatic victory in 1943 (4:1) the game ends. If they have 3:1 on 1 Jan 44 the game ends with auto victory. If they have 2:1 Japan will concede victory as there is no way Japan can avoid defeat. If the Allies do not have 2:1 in points 1) I'll be VERY surprised, and 2) we may continue as it may be possible to avoid an Allied Decisive Victory.

I expect the Allies will recapture southern Celebes by the end of April. They are in position to begin the slog up Papua-New Guinea, if they by-pass Milne Bay, Buna, and Rabaul. Those bases are speed bumps and are not needed by the Allies to proceed. They have not attacked on the ground in Burma/Thailand, but if supply is available (and it appears to be by the amount of bombing they are doing), they could be in Singapore by the end of June. That kills Palembang and its oil; the Empire's limited fleet will soon run out of fuel. Nothing has happened in China in months. It's almost like playing Quiet China.

The Assault on Kwajalein, aka How Not to Capture an Atoll

On Mar 16 multiple surface combat TFs bombarded Kwajalein, multiple air units bombed the base, and multiple amphibious TFs landed troops. The shock attack by the Allies was ineffective -

Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2721 troops, 32 guns, 153 vehicles, Assault Value = 135
Defending force 4739 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
Allied adjusted assault: 3
Japanese adjusted defense: 53
Allied assault odds: 1 to 17 (fort level 4)

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1249 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 39 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 96 (28 destroyed, 68 disabled)

Assaulting units:
193rd Tank Battalion
1st Marine Rgt /2
151st Cmbt Engineer Battalion
627th TD Bn /1
2nd AmphTrac Engr Bn /2
198th Field Artillery Battalion
Pacific Ocean Areas /6
37th US Naval Const Bn /2

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
6th Fleet
Nimur Naval Fortress
Kwajalein Base Force

Many of the Allied units landed from LST, so it's curious that so many are shown as fragments. Also, no supply in the first wave?

On Mar 17 additional Allied reinforcements landed, but the number of units ashore decreased. There was a flash message that some units had re-embarked. The attack was unsuccessful again -

Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 541 troops, 0 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 44
Defending force 4461 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 75
Allied adjusted assault: 1
Japanese adjusted defense: 16
Allied assault odds: 1 to 16 (fort level 4)

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

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

Allied ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
627th TD Bn /1
1st Marine Rgt /2
2nd AmphTrac Engr Bn /1
37th US Naval Const Bn /2

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
6th Fleet
Nimur Naval Fortress
Kwajalein Base Force

On Mar 18 naval bombardment resumed, but coastal guns continued to fire at landing craft. It's not clear whether more troops landed or were withdrawn, but the shock attack collapsed -

Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 115 troops, 0 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Defending force 3901 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 49

Assault collapses, survivors seek cover

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Rgt /2
Pacific Ocean Areas /6

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
Nimur Naval Fortress
6th Fleet
Kwajalein Base Force

On Mar 19 the base was again bombarded by Allied naval ships, but there was no ground attack. The remaining unit fragment disappeared.

My comment in the email transmitting the turn was - "Go big or go home." We'll see if he got the message.

Mar 16 - 22, 1943

On Mar 16 Dobadura was vacated by Japan and flipped to the Allies. The Allies landed troops at Ternate.

On Mar 17 a loaded Japanese tanker was sunk in the Makassar Strait.

On Mar 18 I-180 sank an xAK in the Ceram Sea and I-11 fired at BB Washington near Phuket but missed. The Allies landed at Phuket, something hit a mine, and Betties attacking the task forces there put a torpedo into BB Washington. The Betties were unescorted and 33 of 37 got through the ineffective Allied CAP. The Allies captured Kavieng.

On Mar 19 the Allies landed troops at Djailolo and Galeia. Nells based at Truk put a torpedo in a CL at Kavieng, but lost about 90% of the aircraft to flak. Betties based in Singapore landed 2 bombs on the TFs at Phuket and I-124 put 3 torpedoes in BB Ramilles there. She has been reported sunk.

On Mar 20 the Allies captured undefended Djailolo and Galeia.

On Mar 21 the Allies captured Kokoda when it was vacated by Japan. I-33 put 2 torpedoes in a British tanker at Great Nicobar and sinking sounds were heard. The Allies landed troops at Sorong.

On Mar 22 SS Perch put 2 torpedoes in an AO near Ulithi and Allied troops landed at Tockangbesi-eilanden and Lolobato.

Japanese Aircraft R&D:
D4Y3 Judy R&D advanced to Mar '44 on the 17th.
N1K1 Rex R&D advanced to May '43 on the 20th.
B6N2 Jill R&D advanced to Apr '43 on the 21st and 3 of the 6 research sites changed to B6N2a immediately.

Mar 23 - 27, 1943

Mar 23: Lolobato flipped to the Allies

Mar 24: Balikpapan was bombed and swept for the first time. BBs Indiana and Massachusetts were seen for the first time. P1Y1 Frances R&D advanced to May '43.

Mar 25: Tockang... flipped to the Allies. Rambutyo, Saidor, Umboi Is., Emirau Is., and Tabar Is. were assaulted by the Allies. Vacant Emirau Is. was captured. A TF attempting to evacuate Japanese troops from Manado was mauled by Dutch cruisers. Ki-84a Frank R&D advanced to Nov '43.

Mar 26: Tabar Is. flipped to the Allies. Sorong, Rambutyo, and Umboi Is. were all captured by the Allies. Goodenough Is. was assaulted by the Allies. Ki-44-IIc Tojo R&D advanced to Aug '43.

Mar 27: Goodenough Is. flipped to the Allies. Gasmata was assaulted by the Allies. Several naval engagements occurred at or near Sorong -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 83,106, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
BB Ise
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CL Oyodo
DD Akizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Naganami
DD Onami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1
DD Ushio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
CA Chester
CA Louisville, Shell hits 2, on fire
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
DD Grayson
DD Morris, Shell hits 1
DD Benham
DD Wilson, Shell hits 1
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 2, on fire

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 60% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards

CLAA San Diego sunk by CA Tone at 2,000 yards

Jordan B. orders Allied TF to disengage

CA Portland sunk by BB Ise at 4,000 yards
DD Kazegumo sunk by DD Monaghan at 4,000 yards

Task forces break off...

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
CA Tone
CL Oyodo
DD Akizuki, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Naganami
DD Onami, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 2
DD Grayson, Shell hits 1
DD Morris, Shell hits 2
DD Benham, Shell hits 2
DD Wilson, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 60% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 21,000 yards

Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
Jordan B. orders Allied TF to disengage

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Ise
CA Tone
CL Oyodo
DD Akizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Naganami
DD Onami, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Hatsuharu, on fire
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee
CLAA Atlanta
CL Raleigh
DD Phelps
DD Stewart
DD King

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 60% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Air Combat TF evades combat

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Ise
CA Tone
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 1
DD Akizuki, on fire
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Naganami
DD Onami, heavy fires
DD Hagikaze
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
DD Frazier, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Rangitata, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Marella, Shell hits 7, on fire
xAP Idomeneus, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Fusto Arosemena, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Jefferson Davis, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Massive explosion on xAP Marella
xAP Jefferson Davis sunk by BB Mutsu at 7,000 yards
xAP Rangitata sunk by BB Mutsu at 7,000 yards

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Ise
CA Tone
CL Oyodo
DD Akizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Naganami
DD Hagikaze
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
DD Worden
xAP Le Maire
xAP Rooseboom
xAP Siberg

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 50% moonlight: 12,000 yards

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Ise, Shell hits 2
CA Tone
CL Oyodo
DD Akizuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Naganami
DD Hagikaze
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAP Ormiston, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Magazine explodes on DD Kortenaer
DD Kortenaer sunk by BB Nagato at 4,000 yards

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Ise
CA Tone
CL Oyodo
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Naganami
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
DE Peary, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP William E. Channing, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

xAP William E. Channing sunk by BB Nagato at 9,000 yards
Massive explosion on DE Peary

-----

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 2
BB Ise, Shell hits 4
CA Tone
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Naganami
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 2
CL Trenton, Shell hits 1
CL Helena, Shell hits 1
DD Grayson, Shell hits 4
DD Barton, Shell hits 1
DD Morris, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Benham, Shell hits 1
DD Sterett, Shell hits 2
DD Wilson

Tanaka, Raizo orders Japanese TF to disengage

-----

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sansapor at 84,107, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Ise
CA Tone
CL Oyodo
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Naganami
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
xAP David W. Branch

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Both Task Forces evade combat (It's likely that by this time the Japanese TF was out of ammunition)

Mar 28 - 29, 1943

Mar 28: A Japanese DD damaged in the previous combat sank. The 3 damaged Japanese battleships head to Home Island ports for repair.

Mar 29: Another series of naval engagements occurred at or near Great Nicobar. Unlike the Japanese tactical victory at Sorong, this one turned into a major defeat. Search had shown only small combatants and transports at Great Nicobar, while larger combatants were seen at Phuket. I later learned that a sub detected the Japanese TF a day earlier and the Houston TF was ordered back to Great Nicobar. Allied intel may have helped as well -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 43,67, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara
CA Kako
CL Kitakami
DD Takanami
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki
DD Tanikaze
DD Arashio
DD Wakaba
DD Usugumo
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
SC-743, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 39% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 39% moonlight: 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
SC-743 sunk by DD Hamakaze at 4,000 yards

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 43,66, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 3
CL Kitakami
DD Takanami
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki
DD Tanikaze
DD Arashio
DD Wakaba
DD Usugumo
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
DD Conway
DD Waller, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Cummings, Shell hits 1

CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Fenwick A. orders Allied TF to disengage
DD Waller sunk by CA Kako at 3,000 yards

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 43,66, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Myoko, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Kako, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Takanami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 2
DD Usugumo
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 5, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 2
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 4
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Ceres
CL Mauritius
DD Jenkins
DD Maury, Shell hits 2
DD Fanning
DD Smith, Shell hits 3
DD Preston, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Jupiter, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 39% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 39% moonlight: 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 2,000 yards
Magazine explodes on CA Kako
CA Kako sunk by CA Salt Lake City at 2,000 yards
Magazine explodes on CA Myoko
CA Myoko sunk by CA Salt Lake City at 2,000 yards

Hirata, Noboru orders Japanese TF to disengage
ADM Hirata went down with his flagship

-----

Day Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 44,68, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arashio
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CA Salt Lake City
CA Devonshire
CL Ceres
CL Mauritius
DD Jenkins
DD Maury, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Fanning

Mar 30 - 31, 1943

Mar 30: The Allies assaulted Morotai and Wotje; the Wotje atoll was captured. CL Kitikama took 2 torpedoes from a sub and sank.

Mar 31: Vacant Morotai was captured by the Allies while Allied troops landed at Manus and Talaud-eilanden. I-38 fired 6 torpedoes at CV Saratoga near Morotai but missed. I-34 was sunk at Phuket. Betties attacked a TF at Phuket and scored 3 torpedo hits on battleships at significant cost to the Japanese force -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Phuket at 48,69

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 34

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 5
Martlet IV x 6
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed, 10 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 1
xAP Hong Peng
BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 2
CVL Hermes

April 1 - 7, 1943

Apr 1: Waigao flipped to the Allies and vacant Talaud-eilanden was captured by the Allies. B6N2 Jill R&D completed and all research sites for the B6N2 were switched to B6N2a, while the B6N1 Jill production sites switched to B6N2 (at 120 per month).

Apr 2: Saidor was captured by the Allies; the defending company retreated inland.

Apr 3: With the B6N1 Jill out of production the Nakajima Ha-44 engine is no longer required, so the production facilities at Tokyo and Gifu were switched to Mitsubishi Ha-32 which is used by the B6N2 and B6N2a Jill. BBs Nagato and Ise arrived at Hiroshima for repairs; Ise requires only 4 days, Nagato needs 21. Chiang Mai flipped to the Allies. The Allies landed troops at Mergui and reinforced Tavoy.

Apr 4: Sangi flipped to the Allies. The Allies landed troops at Manado and reinforced Tavoy. I-32 was sunk by a sub in the Malacca Strait and an AKE was torpedoed by a sub entering Palembang; still burning it sank a few days later. D4Y3 Judy R&D advanced to Feb '44.

Apr 5: The Allies reinforced Manus, Manado, and Tavoy.

Apr 6: The Allies continued reinforcing bases not yet captured. Manus was captured by the Allies with minimal casualties -

Ground combat at Manus (101,119)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5074 troops, 73 guns, 147 vehicles, Assault Value = 212
Defending force 1757 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45
Allied adjusted assault: 116
Japanese adjusted defense: 3
Allied assault odds: 38 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Manus !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1092 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
2nd USMC Parachute Battalion
102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
43rd US Naval Construction Battalion
SoPac Area /1
24th US Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Pion Bn /1
I Marine Amphib Corps /6

Defending units:
Maizuru 4th SNLF
I/66th Naval Guard Unit
45th JNAF AF Unit /1

-----

I/66th Naval Guard Unit Wiped Out at Manus by attrition!!!
Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Manus by attrition!!!

Apr 7: An empty AO was hit by a sub torpedo entering Palembang. An aerial attack on Balikpapan was intercepted by George fighters which had some success (until the late arriving P-38s showed up) -

Morning Air attack on Balikpapan, at 64,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 27

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

-----

Morning Air attack on Balikpapan , at 64,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 24

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
ACM Kyo Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kotoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AMc Mogami Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 1

-----

Morning Air attack on Balikpapan, at 64,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 22

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 27000 feet

A second assault on Kwajalein failed -

Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 718 troops, 25 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 41
Defending force 3132 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 30
Allied adjusted assault: 0
Japanese adjusted defense: 11
Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 4)

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

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

Allied ground losses:
206 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Unit fragments destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Rgt /2
37th US Naval Const Bn /2
2/542nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
6th Fleet
Kwajalein Base Force

The Allied attack at Manado reduced the Japanese forts from 4 to 3.

N1K2-J George R&D advanced to Sep '44.

Apr 8 - 9, 1943

Bases assaulted by the Allies: Siberoet (off the west coast of Sumatra)

Bases captured by the Allies: (8) Talasea (flipped), (9) Sansapor (flipped), Manado, and Kwajalein

One of our subs sank an xAP at Phuket and Betties attacked the task force there without hitting anything. Betties also attacked the task force at Siberoet -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Siberoet at 42,85

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Kooringa
xAP Charon, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Charon

Zeroes flying naval attack from Hollandia had some hits on an AVP at Sarmi.

The new assault on Kwajalein lasted 2 days -

Ground combat at Kwajalein Atoll (132,115) (Apr 8, '42)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1473 troops, 32 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 49
Defending force 2716 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26
Allied adjusted assault: 1
Japanese adjusted defense: 5
Allied assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 4)

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

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

Allied ground losses:
300 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Rgt /2
37th US Naval Const Bn /2
2/542nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
6th Fleet
Kwajalein Base Force

Ground combat at Kwajalein Atoll (132,115) (Apr 9, '42)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2340 troops, 37 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 83
Defending force 2436 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Allied adjusted assault: 61
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 61 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied forces CAPTURE Kwajalein Island !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
2655 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 247 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

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

Assaulting units:
6th Marine Rgt /2
1st Marine Regiment
1st USMC Tank Bn /2
2/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
37th US Naval Construction Battalion
Pacific Ocean Areas /6

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
6th Fleet
Kwajalein Base Force

J1N1-S Irving (night fighters) advanced to Jul '43.

Apr 10 - 11, 1943

Bases captured by the Allies: Siberoet (flipped)

Allied subs sank an xAP, and xAK, and an LSD in the Malacca strait on the 10th!

Several undetected Japanese task forces had successful attacks on the 11th -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Phuket at 48,69, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Hamakaze
DD Usugumo

Allied Ships
AMc Sophie Marie, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Night Time Surface Combat, near Siberoet at 42,85, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Takanami
DD Hakaze
DD Tachikaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
xAK Kooringa, Shell hits 37, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Ayanami
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
AM Conflict, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Hashimoto, Shintaro crosses the 'T'

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Ayanami
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
PC Bonham, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Elout, Shell hits 30, and is sunk
xAKL Patras, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAKL Silindoeng, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAKL Sinabang, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAKL Van Diemen, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAKL Coolana, Shell hits 16, and is sunk

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 39% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 39% moonlight: 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Ayanami
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
DD McCall, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP J. Franklin Bell, Shell hits 1
AP American Legion, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AP Fuller, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
519 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 43 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 30 (17 destroyed, 13 disabled)

CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Hashimoto, Shintaro crosses the 'T'

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Ayanami
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
AP J. Franklin Bell, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP Fuller, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
653 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (15 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
xAK Mernoo

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Ayanami, on fire
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
xAK Mangola, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

After all these attacks BB Hiei was out of ammunition and also had used so many operation points that the TF was unable to retire. It was attacked by CV air in the AM and PM -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Manado at 76,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

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

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

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Manado at 76,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 16

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
CL Tama, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Nachi

It was learned later that these aircraft were from CV Saratoga (the Allied commander was not happy with their performance!)

Sallies flying from Singapore bombed the US Construction Battalion that had occupied Siberot -

Afternoon Air attack on 40th US Naval Construction Battalion, at 42,85 (Siberoet)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 9
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 20
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

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

The Allied attack at Tavoy reduced forts to zero -

Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 23950 troops, 499 guns, 302 vehicles, Assault Value = 741
Defending force 14612 troops, 151 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 301
Allied adjusted assault: 1198
Japanese adjusted defense: 487
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
393 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
18th British Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
29th British Brigade
77th LRP Brigade
137/155th Field Regiment
III Indian Corps
5th Field Regiment

Defending units:
Imperial Guards Division
112th Infantry Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Apr 12, 1943

Bases captured by the Allies: Mergui

After several days of landing reinforcements at Mergui the Allies finally attacked the lightly defended outpost -

Ground combat at Mergui (53,62)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 4158 troops, 194 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 242
Defending force 1081 troops, 4 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 15
Allied adjusted assault: 75
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 75 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Mergui !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

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

Assaulting units:
21st Australian Brigade
18th Australian Brigade
111th LRP Brigade
2/9th Fld RAA Rgt /1
3rd (Special Force) Division
Aus I Corps
2/11th Fld RAA Rgt /1

Defending units:
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
27th JAAF AF Bn

As expected an Allied combat TF pursued the BB Hiei task force with little ammunition left (the BB had no main gun ammunition) -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sangi at 76,96, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CA Nachi, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Yura
DD Shiranui, Shell hits 1
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Shell hits 4
CA Northampton
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 2
DD Radford, Shell hits 2
DD Saufley
DD Taylor, Shell hits 1
DD Monssen, Shell hits 1
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 1
DD Downes, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 50% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Hashimoto, Shintaro crosses the 'T'

Hashimoto, Shintaro orders Japanese TF to disengage

CA Nachi also had a torpedo hit from a later air attack and was detached from the TF with escorts.

Time to get caught up; though not much has been happening.

Apr 13 - 19, 1943

After attacks at Tavoy over several days the Allies captured the place -

Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60) 4/13/43

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 23415 troops, 499 guns, 302 vehicles, Assault Value = 677
Defending force 13264 troops, 149 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 173
Allied adjusted assault: 910
Japanese adjusted defense: 832
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
624 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
360 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
22nd (East African) Brigade
29th British Brigade
18th British Division
77th LRP Brigade
137/155th Field Regiment
III Indian Corps
5th Field Regiment

Defending units:
Imperial Guards Division
112th Infantry Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

-----

Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60) 4/18/43

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 17878 troops, 466 guns, 324 vehicles, Assault Value = 630
Defending force 12449 troops, 148 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 150
Allied adjusted assault: 485
Japanese adjusted defense: 304
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
476 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
408 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
29th British Brigade
2nd British Division
77th LRP Brigade
137/155th Field Regiment
2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
III Indian Corps
5th Field Regiment

Defending units:
Imperial Guards Division
112th Infantry Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

-----

Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60) 4/19/43

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 22473 troops, 534 guns, 366 vehicles, Assault Value = 600
Defending force 11979 troops, 148 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 121
Allied adjusted assault: 622
Japanese adjusted defense: 172
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Tavoy !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
4612 casualties reported
Squads: 130 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 151 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 71 (69 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 64 (64 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd British Division
29th British Brigade
77th LRP Brigade
2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
III Indian Corps
137/155th Field Regiment
5th Field Regiment

Defending units:
Imperial Guards Division
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment

Meanwhile, off the coast of Sumatra where the Allies landed an engineer battalion on Siberoet - a naval bombardment and aerial bombing preceded a paratroop drop on the island -

Night Naval bombardment of Siberoet at 42,85

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Namikaze
DD Tachikaze
DD Hakaze
DD Takanami

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

Port hits 2

-----

Morning Air attack on 40th US Naval Construction Battalion, at 42,85 (Siberoet)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 25

No Japanese losses

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

-----

Ground combat at Siberoet (42,85)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 504 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31
Defending force 212 troops, 0 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 22
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Siberoet !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units surrendered 1

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1

Defending units:
40th US Naval Construction Battalion

The damaged BB Hiei arrived at Manila on the 17th, determined it would be unable to completely repair there, and so departed for Nagasaki.

Apr 20 - 26, 1943

On the 21st a Japanese tanker unloading oil at Georgetown was surprised and sunk, I-10 sank an Allied xAP at Great Nicobar, and I-28 sank an Allied xAP at Phuket. D4Y3 Judy R&D advanced a month to Jan '44.

On the 22nd P1Y1 Frances production started at 60 per month.

On the 23rd the Allies landed troops at a non-base hex adjacent to Rabaul!? CV Soryu completed her refit. Ki-44-IIc Tojo R&D advanced to Jul '43 and Ki-84-a Frank R&D advanced to Sep '43.

On the 24th the Judy squadron formerly assigned to the sunk CV Hiyo loaded on CV Soryu and resized to 63 aircraft. Once filled out and trained up the squadron will be split in thirds to defend the Marianas Islands from airfields.

On the 25th the Allies landed troops at a non-base hex adjacent to Victoria Point!?

On the 26th CV Zuikaku completed repairs. A Japanese base force at Roi-Namur was destroyed by naval bombardment. H8K2-L Emily R&D advanced to Jun '43.

Apr 27 - 30, 1943

On the 27th refinery production on Java (Tjepoe and Soerabaja), Sumatra (Medan and Palembang), and Borneo (Balikpapan and Tarakan) were shut off. Right now all 6 of these bases have plentiful fuel. I would rather the Allies capture oil than fuel and have to repair the refineries to use it. Most available tankers are pulling fuel and oil from these bases and taking it to Cam Ranh Bay. Small, slow tankers drop it there for faster, larger tankers to pick it up for transport to Japan, although the larger tankers are still going into Palembang, too.

On the 30th a Japanese submarine put a torpedo in CV Victorious near Victoria Point. H8K2-L Emily R&D advanced to Jun '43.

In April the following quantities of fuel, oil, and resource were moved:

From Palembang - 58 tons of fuel and 318 tons of oil.
From Medan - 8 tons of fuel and 24 tons of oil.
From Balikpapan - 37 tons of fuel and no oil.
From Java - nothing.
From Indochina and Malaya - 70 tons of fuel inbound and 6 tons of oil inbound.
From Manila - 26 tons of resources (from the various Philippine Islands, not Luzon).
From Hokkaido - 1024 tons of resources.
From Toyohara - 243 tons of resources.
From Taihoku - 153 tons of resources and 19 tons of oil.
From China, Manchukuo, and Korea - 1009 tons of resources outbound, 73 tons of oil and 59 tons of fuel inbound.
The Home Islands received 372 tons of oil and 42 tons of fuel.

May 1, 1943

N1K1 Rex float fighter production began; a replacement for the Rufe with less range and maneuverability, but better durability.

A sub sank an Allied AMC at Mergui, then attacked on the surface during daylight, but the Allied tanker survived.

An Allied sub sank a PB near Saigon.

Allied troops landed at Ambon and Roi-Namur; the atoll at Roi-Namur was easily captured having been bombarded by US battleships almost daily for the past week -

Ground combat at Roi-Namur (132,114)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 4459 troops, 49 guns, 47 vehicles, Assault Value = 185
Defending force 1618 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13
Allied adjusted assault: 117
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 117 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied forces CAPTURE Roi-Namur !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
1828 casualties reported
Squads: 118 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 104 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (15 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
235 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Marine Regiment
754th Tank Bn /3
2/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engr Bn /1
2/532nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /3
I Marine Amphib Corps /1

Defending units:
47th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit

A6M5c Zero R&D advanced a month to Sep '43

May 2, 1943

I-35 was forced to surface by a destroyer escort, then was sunk by gunfire.

The Allies assaulted the Bikini atoll -

Ground combat at Bikini (131,110)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 570 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12
Defending force 1879 troops, 12 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 42
Allied adjusted assault: 0
Japanese adjusted defense: 43
Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

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

Allied ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
41st Naval Guard Unit
8th Area Army /1

This must have been a mistake.

Japanese high command repositioned some fighters in Malaya to enable long range combat air patrols to be flown over Georgetown, having watched the base being attacked by unescorted Allied bombers over the past several days -

Morning Air attack on Georgetown, at 49,74 (5/1/43)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 42

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

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 25

-----

Morning Air attack on Georgetown, at 49,74 (5/2/43)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 5
N1K1-J George x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 10 destroyed

-----

Morning Air attack on Georgetown, at 49,74 (5/2/43)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
N1K1-J George x 9
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Finally a good day's work by Japanese fighters!

May 3, 1943

Ki-45 KAI d Nick night fighter R&D advanced to Mar '44.

Bikini atoll was cleared of those pesky American engineers -

Ground combat at Bikini (131,110)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1532 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44
Defending force 338 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 11
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
365 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 43 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units surrendered 1

Assaulting units:
41st Naval Guard Unit
8th Area Army /1

Defending units:
1/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion

May 4 - 7, 1943

J1N1-S night fighter Irving R&D advanced to Jun '43 on the 4th.

CA Tone, a light cruiser, and several destroyers attempted to engage an Allied TF loitering near Phuket on the 5th. It turned out to be a lone MTB. Three attempts were made but each time the speedy MTB managed to avoid combat. However, the op points used in these attempts prevented the Tone TF from retiring. It was attacked by Allied aircraft, Tone took 3 bomb hits, and eventually burned up. The other ships retired on Singapore.

On the 7th Allied cruisers bombarded Alor Star. Allied troops landed at Salamaua and are in for a surprise since most of 65 Bde is there in some strength. The base is out of supply so air cargo planes at Hollandia will fly some in, hopefully enough for a quick attack.

BB Hiei completed repairs at Nagasaki and will join the other battleships at Saipan. Hiyo's squadron of Judys have been reinforced up to the 63 aircraft complement and will continue training at Yokohama until needed in the Marianas.

May 8, 1943

The Allies assaulted Madang and bombarded Salamaua and Alor Star by sea. Nells flying from Truk tried to bomb the Allied unit at Rabaul, but only a few got through the LRCAP. (I was hoping he'd forget to put CAP over Rabaul). Not sure why he marched 1 unit into Rabaul and not the whole stack, but the Allies were unceremoniously pushed out! -

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 16349 troops, 151 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 392
Defending force 4282 troops, 38 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 151
Japanese adjusted assault: 695
Allied adjusted defense: 95
Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 10 (7 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1621 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Rgt /1
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
5th Indpt SNLF Coy
4th Tank Regiment
Maizuru 2nd SNLF
21st/A Division
1st Div /1
2nd JNAF AF Unit
17th Army
53rd JNAF AF Unit
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
4th Base Force
43rd JNAF AF Unit
85th JAAF AF Bn
28th JAAF AF Bn
4th Port Unit
8th Fleet
Kure 5th SNLF /1
9th Field Const Bn /1

Defending units:
8th Marine Regiment

May 9 - 11, 1943

The Allied attack at Ambon on the 9th captured the base -

Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5974 troops, 154 guns, 327 vehicles, Assault Value = 234
Defending force 3463 troops, 19 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 67
Allied adjusted assault: 308
Japanese adjusted defense: 13
Allied assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Ambon !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
525 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
2/8th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
50th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
16th LH MG Regiment
101st LH Motor Regiment
260th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
148th Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment

Defending units:
24th Nav Gsn Unit
21st/B Division
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd JNAF AF Unit /1

On the 10th we tried an attack at Salamaua with the 65 Bde, but the lack of supply and disruption from naval attacks doomed the venture to failure -

Ground combat at Salamaua (98,127)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 6228 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 150
Defending force 3185 troops, 68 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 128
Japanese adjusted assault: 4
Allied adjusted defense: 190
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 47

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

Japanese ground losses:
589 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
20th Australian Brigade
2/3rd Pioneer Battalion

On the 10th -

Ki-84-a Frank R&D advanced to Aug '43 (expected production start in Jun '43)
D4Y3 Judy R&D advanced to Dec '43
N1K2-J George R&D advanced to Aug '44
B6N2a Jill R&D advanced to Sep '44

On the 11th a midget sub put a torpedo in BB Arizona at Eniwetok before being sunk.