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Allied CV/CVLs - In '42, I would still strive for survivability more than strike heavy. So, I have most of the TBs (Avengers now) off training and replace them with Marine fighter groups. So, 36 USN and 18 Marine fighters should help out per American CVs. The next question would be 18 or 36 DBs? If your CV/CVLs role is to protect your TFs, then off come one of the DB groups and another 18 Marine fighters go on. Plan to position your Marine fighters somewhere close so you have this flexibility.

June 7, 1942

Sigint for the last two days gives some significant bits of information. First, it reveals that the Japanese are reinforcing Adak Island with the 32nd Division, supposedly. We'll see. Secondly, as I suspected it would appear the Japanese are moving to reinforce their invasion of Northern Australia, with the 90th Division moving on Wyndham. I can't do anything to stop the northern invasion as my lack of nav search and his ability to appear suddenly with carriers or surface vessels makes things a bit hairy.

However, my carriers happen to be between Pearl and the Aleutians and will move towards Adak to see if they can intercept the transports carrying the 32nd Division. You can see this in the image below. Note, my carrier TF composition would normally be difference, but I had opted a turn previous to reconstruct my Carrier TF to send some escorts to bombard Umnak Island. Only after this happened did I read the sigint and realize I might be able to sink the transports carrying a Japanese division nearby.

We'll see what happens. Not much to report on India at the moment. I will hope for Jamshedpur to hold while my US and Brit division look for attrition opportunities elsewhere.

11/32nd Division is loaded on a Kyushu Cargo class xAK moving to Adak Island.
1st Manchukuo Distr Division is located at Mukden(104,42).
Radio transmissions detected at Lunga (114,138).
Radio transmissions detected at Kalemyo (59,42).
2nd China Assault Division is located at Adak Island(162,52).
106th Ship Eng Coy is located at Nagasaki/Sasebo(102,58).
1st Ind.AA Gun Co is located at Niigata(114,57).
2/90th Division is loaded on a Std-C Cargo class xAK moving to Wyndham.

ORIGINAL: Anachro
Sigint for the last two days gives some significant bits of information. First, it reveals that the Japanese are reinforcing Adak Island with the 32nd Division, supposedly.

11/32nd Division is loaded on a Kyushu Cargo class xAK moving to Adak Island.

Aww, looks like John did not do his homework on maskirovka and routed transports directly to the problematic and outright dangerous target w/o waypointing. You should punish the guy ) It might’ve been the misdirection if he wanted 32nd to appear somewhere else unexpectedly for you. But right now there are no sich points on the map in my opinion

Right you are, GetAssista. The real conundrum is how best to get close without being spotted by his patrol craft. For now, my patrol craft will mostly search in the direction of Adak.

It also looks like John is using single xAK pickets throughout the large expanse of the Pacific.

June 8, 1942

In the Aleutians, my carriers are undetected and supply, some artillery, etc. are arriving at Umnak Island. Additional bombardments will hit Umnak over the next few days. However, interestingly enough, while the last turn's sigint showed that John is reinforcing Adak or will try to (I have yet to spot his transports), the 25th Division is apparently planning for Umnak. John might make another push for the strategically important island and if he is planning that, his carriers might make a re-appearance when he does so.

SIG INT REPORT FOR Jun 08, 42

11th Air Defense AA Regiment is located at Osaka/Kyoto(109,59).
16th RGC Temp. Division is located at Loyang(87,43).
28th Cavalry Regiment is located at Harbin(109,39).
43rd Const Co is located at Phnom Penh(58,69).
1st RF Gun Battalion is located at Palembang(48,91).
4th RGC Division is located at Chuhsien(88,56).
Radio transmissions detected at Moulmein (55,55).
Radio transmissions detected at Cam Ranh Bay (64,72).
5th Tank Regiment is located at Chengchow(88,44).
1st Air Defense AA Battalion is located at Tokyo(114,60).
Radio transmissions detected at Rabaul (106,125).
3rd Manchukuo Cav Brigade is located at Chihfeng(100,38).
Oita JNAF Base Force is located at Oita(104,59).
Radio transmissions detected at Madang (97,123).
22nd AA Regiment is located at Hankow(85,50).
6th Army is located at Hailar(107,30).
Radio transmissions detected at Chihkiang (78,50).
661 aircraft are based at Yokohama/Yokosuka (113,61).
4th Air Defense AA Regiment is located at Yokohama/Yokosuka(113,61).
40th Const Co is located at Fusan(103,55).
25th Division is planning for an attack on Umnak Island.
35th Fld AA Gun Co is located at Cox's Bazar(54,43).
1st Raiding Regiment is located at Kalemyo(59,42).
61st Division is located at Utsonomiya(115,60).
39th/B Division is located at Changsha(82,52).
Radio transmissions detected at Kanoya (102,61).
22967 men are based at Kanazawa (111,57).
Radio transmissions detected at Rabaul (106,125).

In India, supply is flowing into Jamshedpur!

June 9, 1942

Not much to report today other than that these bad boys arrived today, the last of my carriers before the Essex's and the first of my modern fast battleships.




Finally, these forces below will be attacking a single Japanese division tomorrow all on its own between Asanol and Ranchi.

Some sigint gleanings. It would appear that another Japanese division has arrived at Calcutta as reinforcements. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur is approaching level 5 forts.

Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 52,37 near Calcutta , Speed unknown
5/67th Division is loaded on AK Kaga Maru moving to Calcutta.

Nice to know another Japanese DD is confirmed out of the war.

DD Yugiri is reported to have been sunk near Bandjermasin on May 01, 1942

One thing I'd like to know is if there is a reason Wasp arrives without her 4/1942 upgrade. Hmm... Also why do my CV fighters seem to take heavy fatigue even when on stand down while operating up near the Aleutians?

June 10, 1942

In India, John's airforce is causing harsh attrition to my own planes as he seems to have an endless supply of zeroes. However, his tactical error in leaving a long division across the river between Asanol and Ranchi allows me to concentrate my strong divisions (British, US, Aussie) as well as armor units to push it back across the river with decent losses. You can see the results of my deliberate attack in the image below.

Now, while John has 3 divisions or so concentrated in Jamshedpur (35000 men, armor, and artillery units), his flank is defended only by 1-2 divisions plus armor in the clear center hex between Jamshedpur, Asanol, and Ranchi. However, one of the Japanese divisions in this hex (the 21st ID) and the armor have been degraded over the past week and this hex is understrength and could potentially be pushed further back (I expect the hex currently has ~500 AV). This might allow me to then swing over and potentially surround the Japanese troops at Jamshedpur, where John's flanks through recons how weak artillery units or less defending the hexes. The major worry is John's strong airforce and the reinforcements we know are coming from Calcutta and potentially Vizagapatnum.

North of Ranchi, John's 2 tank regiments are being chases by superior British and American armored units. South of Calcutta, the Burmese Division is slowly making its way northward despite air attacks and surrounding Japanese units. It should move to the next hex north tomorrow. It's AV isn't degrading too much, however.



In the Aleutians, John's transports have not been spotted, but neither have my carriers. Meanwhile, regular BB bombardments continue to cause havoc for his isolated defended on Umnak.

ORIGINAL: Anachro

One thing I'd like to know is if there is a reason Wasp arrives without her 4/1942 upgrade. Hmm... Also why do my CV fighters seem to take heavy fatigue even when on stand down while operating up near the Aleutians?

Wasp was used to assist the British in flying off fighters to beleaguered Malta. Wasp has a much greater capacity than British carriers available at that time (Ark Royal was sunk, Illustrious and Indomitable were heavily damaged in the Med).

Similarly, North Carolina is not immediately available at game start because she was at Scapa Flow guarding against a breakout by German heavy ships until the British could finish another KGV class BB.

I am sure Adm. King seethed at having these key ships helping the British when the Pacific needed them so badly, but the priority on containing Germany was an absolute imperative.

June 11-12, 1942

India
A nice couple of days, as first, on June 10th we manage do bag a large number of Zeroes in India through sweeps and CAPs to the number of ~30 zeroes/fighter and ~20 bombers and recon planes. Meanwhile, the first US Marine F4F Wildcats make their appearance in the airways above Ranchi and acquit themselves well. Then on the 11th, the Burmese Division which had somehow managed to be surrounded by a part of an Assault Division despite no forces on its northern flank, fights its way out to open the way further north!

North of Ranchi, Japanese tank regiments have had their fighter LRCAP escorts swept aside and will be bombed while my converging armored units reach them. A towed tank destroyer battalion sits in hex, but it really is meant to support other units and shouldn't attack on its own. Once some more units arrive, I'll try attacking.

Ground combat at 56,34 (near Rajshashi)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9779 troops, 84 guns, 47 vehicles, Assault Value = 308

Defending force 1158 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Allied adjusted assault: 30

Japanese adjusted defense: 11

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
707 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 22 (4 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Burma Division
35th Light AA Regiment

Defending units:
1st Para Assault/B Division

Aleutians

In the Aleutians, my ships and a number of old, slow battleships have been bombarding John's forces on Umnak and today I finally decided to attack in the day following another BB bombardment. I did not fully remove Japanese forces from the Island, but I did have a very good attack that will go a ways towards that goal. Japanese forces should be greatly diminished and I will most likely attack again tomorrow. It's important to remove them as John seems to have another division planning for Umnak.

I have yet to spot any transports heading to reinforce Adak, but my carriers are sitting south of Adak in wait and trying to avoid Japanese recon.

Night Naval bombardment of Umnak Island at 169,51

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
BB West Virginia
BB Colorado
CA Exeter
CL Jean de Vienne
DD Le Hardi
DD Le Casque
DD McKee
DD Stockton
DD Trippe
DD Porter
DD Tucker
DD Cummings
DD Maury
DD Craven

Japanese ground losses:
299 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

BB Pennsylvania firing at 7th Division
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB West Virginia
BB West Virginia firing at 7th Division
BB Colorado firing at 7th Division
CA Exeter firing at 7th Division
CL Jean de Vienne firing at 7th Division
DD Le Hardi firing at Guards Mixed Brigade
DD Le Casque firing at Guards Mixed Brigade
DD McKee firing at 7th Division
DD Stockton firing at 7th Division
DD Trippe firing at 7th Division
DD Porter firing at 7th Division
DD Tucker firing at 7th Division
DD Cummings firing at 7th Division
DD Maury firing at 7th Division
DD Craven firing at 7th Division

Ground combat at Umnak Island (169,51)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14229 troops, 170 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 482

Defending force 11501 troops, 124 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 177

Allied adjusted assault: 195

Japanese adjusted defense: 91

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1522 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
357 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
3rd Marine Raider Battalion
1st/298th Infantry Battalion
153rd(Sep) Infantry Regiment
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
201st(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st/102nd Infantry Bn /1
181st Field Artillery Battalion
141st USN Stn Base Force
1st Marine Air Wing
47th Construction Regiment
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
3/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion
116th Base Group

Defending units:
Guards Mixed Brigade
7th Division

Dutch East Indies

The fun part of this turn is what happens here. A few days back I had minelayer subs plant a large number of mines in the narrow waters heading the Palembang. I figured this might surprise John as he hasn't seen any activity in this area, most importantly I have not been operating any submarines here. This bears fruit as John's minesweepers seem to be employed elsewhere and John's tanker fleets run straight into my mines without any forewarning. A decent number of tankers and escort ships are hit by mines and I do hear a good amount of sinking sounds, so hopefully that includes some tankers and not just the escorts!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 12, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 8 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
PC PB-59, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
PC PB-58
PC PB-56, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
TK Ogura Maru #1, Mine hits 1, on fire
TK Nihon Maru, Mine hits 1
TK Manju Maru, Mine hits 1
TK Kiyo Maru, Mine hits 1

3 mines cleared

TF 253 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
PB Kiso Maru
PB Heiei Maru #7, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
PB Nanpo Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Magan Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
TK Meizan Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy fires
TK Tatibana Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy fires
TK Syoyo Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK San Pedro Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

3 mines cleared

Where exactly have you laid the mines please?

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

Where exactly have you laid the mines please?

The mines were laid Hex 49, 90 if the combat report is accurate.

Hmmm, the combat reports for those encounters both say "3 mines cleared". Seems more like 9 mines in the first and 10 in the second. [:D]

Mike

ORIGINAL: Panther Bait

Hmmm, the combat reports for those encounters both say "3 mines cleared". Seems more like 9 mines in the first and 10 in the second. [:D]

Mike

That's minesweeping the hard way[X(]

June 13, 1942

Not much to report today. No more sinking sounds from yesterday's mines (which I already stated were located in the narrow straits leading to Palembang).

India
In India, the major item of note is that John's tank regiments north of Ranchi decide to shock attack my tank destroyer battalion and succeed in pushing it back, but suffer a decent number of casualties in return, so I'm not sure if it was worth it. His tanks are now retreating to the east, but my own tanks are in pursuit and hopefully I will be able to catch him with the help of my bombers interdicting his forces.

Ground combat at 51,30 (near Ranchi)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 570 troops, 0 guns, 154 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Defending force 664 troops, 39 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Japanese adjusted assault: 49

Allied adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 32 (4 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion

Aleutians



In the Aleutians, my forces on Umnak have another round of good attacks, but the transports sigint had indicated were reinforcing Adak appear there suddenly without warning, so it's probably to be assumed that John succeeded in landing another division there, bringing the number he has there up to two. This is disappointing and I am flabbergasted that my PBY's failed to spot the transports on the approach. Oh well. I won't lie that I'd love to have Adak in the future as its a great staging ground for future operations against the Kuriles/Hokkaido, but not absolutely necessary. Perhaps the better thing is to surround and isolate Adak and make it a prison for the divisions John has there. Attu, Amchitka, Ulak, and Atka Island all seem to be easy targets as his defenses are focusing on Adak.

Ground combat at Umnak Island (169,51)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14103 troops, 175 guns, 63 vehicles, Assault Value = 455

Defending force 10576 troops, 124 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 105

Allied adjusted assault: 196

Japanese adjusted defense: 85

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
886 casualties reported
Squads: 80 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 14 (8 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st/298th Infantry Battalion
3rd Marine Raider Battalion
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
201st(Sep) Infantry Regiment
153rd(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st/102nd Infantry Bn /1
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
3/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Battalion
141st USN Stn Base Force
47th Construction Regiment
1st Marine Air Wing
116th Base Group

Defending units:
Guards Mixed Brigade
7th Division

Australia

Sigint seems to indicate that John has troops on transports heading for Wyndham in Australia. Perhaps I could catch these troops/transports, as 5 of my carriers are currently at Capetown (just arriving there as they were returning from India where there was little action or need for them). I could make a foray towards Australia before bringing them back to Pearl...

SIG INT REPORT FOR Jun 13, 42

13/90th Division is planning for an attack on Wyndham.
74th/B Division is planning for an attack on Wyndham.

Great AAR. I'm curious on your SIGINT. Have you noticed any maskirovka on attack planning or shipping destinations, or is he playing it straightforward?

Cheers,
CB

While I keep the idea of that in the back of my head, generally John seems to go where my sigint is telling me he is going, especially when its about ships moving to a destination. Attack planning on its own is a whole other story and I take such info with a grain of salt. As for the above, given that the divisions are divided (at least the 90th is for ship transport), that tells me they are already on ships and if they are planning for Wyndham, that's where they are going.

I forgot to note that this was the jump up in VP's from the turn with the mine hits against John's tankers, so here's to hoping I sank a few. From the combat report above, I would guess that the second TF was carrying fuel/oil so hopefully some burn up. Obviously this VP jump also includes destroyed Japanese squads, planes, etc. from the previous two turns.

The VP ratio sits at about 2.5:1 and will probably go higher. Really hoping to avoid a 4:1 ratio and actively seeking how to avoid 3:1 to avoid auto-victory. Any ideas? I am building up bases on mainland, etc. to get VPs from there...

June 14, 1942

Given the transports that we saw at Adak in the previous turn, I elect to move my carriers up at speed to intercept these in the hope of hitting some reinforcing troops and drowning them. John probably suspected my carriers were here in previous turns as he had gotten minor DL on them once or twice in the last week loitering around south of the Aleutians (1/10 DL, etc.) but he nonetheless pays for it with a successful strike that also happens to clear out some of his Vals at Adak, which seemed to be set to naval strike to hit some nearby easy Allied targets. Instead, his strike heads for my carriers and CAP does the rest.

The hit on his transports seems to damage a lot of vehicles and guns, so perhaps he was landing an artillery unit or a CD unit. I don't know. I also got A LOT of "FUEL BURNING" messages so hopefully a lot of them burn up.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ulak Island at 162,57

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
D3A1 Val x 28
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 11
F4F-3 Wildcat x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 162,52

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 24
F4F-3 Wildcat x 22
SBD-3 Dauntless x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Matumoto Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sumanoura Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kamogawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Aso Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Kinugawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kasagi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Matumoto Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kinugawa Maru

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 162,52

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 12
Fulmar II x 17
F4F-3A Wildcat x 22
F4F-3 Wildcat x 33
SBD-3 Dauntless x 64
TBD-1 Devastator x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Kumagawa Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Aso Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Akatomo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Durban Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Akiura Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kazuura Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
xAK Toyooka Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Rokko Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Amagi Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kasagi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Mayakiri
xAK Asakaze Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PC PB-55, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PC PB-62
xAK Tamashima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC PB-61, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Mikasa Maru

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 26 (16 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 38 (24 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Aso Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kazuura Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kumagawa Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kasagi Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Asakaze Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Rokko Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Toyooka Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PC PB-55
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Durban Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Akiura Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Amagi Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Akatomo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PC PB-61

Meanwhile, on Umnak Island, my forces continue to grind on his isolated forces, raising the experience of various (Sep) Infantry Regiments in the process.

Ground combat at Umnak Island (169,51)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14032 troops, 175 guns, 63 vehicles, Assault Value = 444

Defending force 10018 troops, 117 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 102

Allied adjusted assault: 181

Japanese adjusted defense: 145

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
963 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 9 (6 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
268 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd Marine Raider Battalion
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
201st(Sep) Infantry Regiment
153rd(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st/298th Infantry Battalion
1st/102nd Infantry Bn /1
47th Construction Regiment
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
3/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Battalion
1st Marine Air Wing
141st USN Stn Base Force
116th Base Group

Defending units:
Guards Mixed Brigade
7th Division

In India, my British Armored Brigade is one hex away from his two tank regiments in the north and sigint continues to suggest reinforcing Japanese divisions incoming. An additional US Infantry Regiment arrives at Bombay in a few days. A US ID is 8 days off the map...

8/56th Division is loaded on a Kyushu Cargo class xAK moving to Calcutta.