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Summary of Operations 9/12/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry from 9/11 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit. Detected status of Jaluit shows no visible Japanese forces or activity, though some evidence of construction to expand port facilities (port size is now 3).


South Pacific: Jap submarine intercepts outbound US transport convoy WP-12, torpedoes and sinks one TK from the convoy. AAR follows.

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Submarine attack near Malden Island at 184,150 (E of Malden Is)

Japanese Ships
SS I-4

Allied Ships
TK Gulfking, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires (sunk, 9400 fuel cargo aboard)

TK Gulfking is sighted by SS I-4
SS I-4 launches 2 torpedoes at TK Gulfking

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Port and airfield facilities in Auckland are now fully expanded to their maximum sizes (both size 9). Auckland is the primary rear staging base for Allied operations in the Suva/Samoa area.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/11 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 19 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown


Philippines: Japanese capture Balabac (SW of Palawan) in the western Philippines. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Balabac (70,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1122 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 16
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Balabac !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
14th Naval Guard Unit (previously reported at Oroquieta – western Mindanao)

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Southeast Asia: Japanese airfield strikes against Port Blair continue.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 7 Japanese ships anchored in port (+3 from last report), two Jap TF’s in harbor (-1 from last report), 87 aircraft (29 fighters, 24 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.


India: Small Jap fighter sweeps over Ledo airfield. AAR’s of these two fighter sweeps along with the AAR for the Jap fighter sweep over Ledo on 9/11 indicate Pillager is now operating Jap fighter squadrons in northern Burma with both Ki-43 Oscar and Ki-44 Tojo aircraft.


China: Advance elements of Japanese southern army detected entering Tsuyung base hex this game turn. Movement of several Chinese LCU to the NW from Tsuyung had already been started to cover the road between Tsuyung and Chengtu – this road the “back way” into the Chungking area from the south.

Japanese ground bombardment continues at Sining.

Summary of Operations 9/13/42

Ship Conversions: I’m examining a number of available Allied ship type conversions where some classes of xAKL and smaller xAK can be converted to small xAP. Ship classes for which these conversions are already available or will soon become available are distributed across different nationalities, mainly including smaller British and Commonwealth transports plus a few Dutch ships.

Amphibious load capacity (and ability to unload relatively quickly) of small AP ships proved quite useful in my last PBEM vs Pillager during the Samoa operations, both in the initial landings and also during later movement of reinforcement LCU’s into Samoa. Despite the fact in AE that xAP ships do not possess as good a level of amphibious operations capability (compared to AP, landing craft & specialized amphibious ships), small xAP with an ability to unload quicker than larger xAP could be a useful addition to amphibious load capacity in many situations – even where small xAP could possibly be used alongside landing craft in some operations.

It’s yet to be determined the number of small xAP ships that may be needed or desired, or how many of these small xAP will be created from conversions of small xAK or xAKL. At this time only 2 xAKL to small xAP conversions have been started (both of these in Australia from Dutch ships). I have approximately 12-15 additional xAKL in Australia or the South Pacific theatre area that are convertible to small xAP and plans are to gradually convert many of these in the near future. It should be noted that many xAKL are not convertible to small xAP, and my plans include the employment of xAKL ships for use in carrying supply during the initial landing and “second wave” support phases of amphibious operations.

A considerable number of small British/Commonwealth xAK ships (primarily in two classes) are also available for conversion to small xAP types. No immediate plan to convert any British or Commonwealth xAK is in place or being considered for the near future. Most of the eligible British/Commonwealth transports are now being utilized as general cargo ships – particularly in Eastern US to Australia convoys and also between British off-map bases (Capetown, Aden, Abadan) and India. Conversion of any British/Commonwealth transports to xAP is not being considered for now as long as their use in an xAK capacity remains useful or necessary and the current supply of available Allied AP and xAP ships is adequate for operational requirements.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry from 9/12 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Roi-Namur. Detected status of Roi-Namur shows undetermined Jap aircraft based on the island, also a size 4(1) airfield. Otherwise no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/12 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 4 Japanese ships anchored in port (-3 from last report), two Jap TF’s in harbor, 95 aircraft (35 fighters, 28 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.


India: Jap fighter sweeps continue over Ledo airfield, sweeps constested by RAF Hurricanes. Aircraft Losses screen from Intelligence reports show 13 Ki-43 Oscars destroyed (11 air-to-air). 5 Hurricanes destroyed along with one RAF pilot lost in action. AAR’s of the two fighter sweeps follow.

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Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 6 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 15000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 9

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

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 21000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 143 minutes

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China: Japanese ground attacks in the far western area - bombardment continues at Sining, deliberate attack NW of Sining. AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at 82,29 (NW of Sining)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13022 troops, 122 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 441
Defending force 874 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5
Japanese adjusted assault: 439
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 439 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
777 casualties reported
Squads: 53 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 65 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps

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Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12707 troops, 151 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 781
Defending force 19550 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 690

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

Assaulting units:
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
9th Separate Brigade
259th Brigade
303rd Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
8th War Area
8th Chinese Base Force
5th Chinese Base Force
12th Chinese Base Force

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Summary of Operations 9/14/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry from 9/13 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabiteuea. Detected status of Tabiteuea shows undetermined Jap aircraft based on the island and ship(s) in port. Tabiteuea airfield built up to size 4(3), port expanded to size 3(1). Otherwise no visible Japanese forces or activity.

Another Sigint entry from 9/13 indicates Jap 1st Infantry Division/A is now located at Saipan after transfer from the Kwantung Army (Manchuria). The entry is also indicating Jap 1 Division has been divided into sub-units. Previous reported location of 1 Division was in Port Arthur on 6/19/42. At this time it’s estimated the ‘B’ and ‘C’ sub-units of 1 Division are also somewhere in the Pacific theatres, possibly in the Marianas.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/13 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Muroto reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Hofuku Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown


Formosa Straits: US sub patrol intercepts small Jap transport TF between Formosa and Batan Is. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Itbayat Island at 83,69 (S of Batan Is)

Japanese Ships
PB Taijin Maru
xAK Lisbon Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

SS Sargo launches 2 torpedoes at PB Taijin Maru
PB Taijin Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 4 Japanese ships anchored in port, two Jap TF’s in harbor, 232 aircraft (100 fighters, 26 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.

This game turn’s recon report indicates a number of Jap fighter squadrons have just arrived in Rangoon – these planes appear to have flown into Rangoon (via air transfer) and did not arrive by sea transport. This information is also indicating a substantial increase of Japanese air forces in Burma is probably now underway.


India: Three 10th USAAF fighter squadrons (75 P-40E) have transferred from Bombay to Calcutta via rail transport, scheduled arrival at Calcutta in two days.

Jap fighter sweep over Ledo airfield. Aircraft Losses screen from Intelligence reports show 1 Ki-44 Tojo and 3 Hurricanes destroyed along with one RAF pilot lost in action. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 10

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

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China: Japanese capture Tsuyung in the southern area. Current situation map and AAR follow.

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Ground combat at Tsuyung (68,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40341 troops, 433 guns, 311 vehicles, Assault Value = 1430
Defending force 6727 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 205
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 1639
Allied adjusted defense: 394
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tsuyung !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2213 casualties reported
Squads: 136 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 204 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
35th Division
38th Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps
54th Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
16th Chinese Base Force

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Manchuria and Sakhalin: Two curious Sigint entries in the 9/13 report.

1) Jap 71 Mountain Gun Regiment is reported in hex 107, 31 in northern Manchuria along the rail line outside of Hailar. I’d normally view this particular report as routine in nature except for the fact 71 Regiment’s previous reported location was at Changchun (central Manchuria) on 6/12/42. This reported change in 71 Regiment’s location is clearly a northward move of this LCU towards the Russian border.

2) Karafuto Mixed Brigade is reported in hex 125, 44 – moving northward from its previous location at Toyohara (southern Sakhalin) probably heading toward Shikuka at the Japanese-Russian boundary line on Sakhalin.

Even given that at least so far these are isolated reports, Pillager is certainly not doing these moves for “laughs and giggles”. The Sigint report of 71 Mountain Gun Regiment clearly contradicts the earlier movements of other Kwantung Army LCU’s (notably Jap 1, 10, 12, 14, 19 Divisions) out of Manchuria to other theatres.

So where is Pillager going? Might not be India after all. At this point only the emperor and his hairdresser knows. I intend to keep my mind open to either possibility (India or the USSR). Pillager is certainly not planning to stand still if he succeeds in toppling China.

So where is Pillager going? Might not be India after all. At this point only the emperor and his hairdresser knows. I intend to keep my mind open to either possibility (India or the USSR). Pillager is certainly not planning to stand still if he succeeds in toppling China.

Perhaps he removed too many units from the Manchukuo Garrison to overrun China and he`s concerned about the USSR intervention trigger point ?
I`m not sure how that works, possibly if he goes back above the minimum requirements the trigger will re-set ?

You seem to be tracking his China OOB as far as is possible. so there may be a clue about that.

I`m really curious:
Does attacking India from China make sense this late in the Game and is it even possible ?
Does going into the USSR ever make sense ?

BTW: Still one of the most intriguing AAR`s around.

Interesting question Richard...

Perhaps he removed too many units from the Manchukuo Garrison to overrun China and he`s concerned about the USSR intervention trigger point ?

I doubt it. Pillager transferred quite a bit out of Manchuria in our last CHS match. He's done it and I believe he's familiar and comfortable with the limits.

You seem to be tracking his China OOB as far as is possible. so there may be a clue about that.

I'm tracking the entire Japanese LCU order of battle. As soon as there is a report about any LCU from Manchuria that appears elsewhere, it's almost guaranteed I'll catch it. Of the Japanese divisions Pillager removed from Manchuria, all three of the Japanese divisions (12th, 19th, 24th) in action at Bataan came from Manchuria. The 10th Japanese division now at Noumea also came from Manchuria. The Japanese 1st Division from Manchuria is now reported in the Marianas, its sub-units possibly distributed across several points in the Pacific (future AAR's and Sigint reports will likely confirm this).

I do have a pretty comprehensive "database" on Pillager's current Japanese OOB in China - 20 first line divisions have been identified and tracked in China. As expected, at this point there is no clue on where those divisions and the numerous supporting tank and artillery LCU will go next. It's very unlikely I will have any clear intelligence on this before the fall of China is complete (assuming it happens). But once China does fall, I will likely have considerable intelligence on where the 20 Jap divisions are going before they get there.

Does attacking India from China make sense this late in the Game and is it even possible ?

One should not believe in the word "impossible". If invading India with forces from China makes sense in terms of Pillager's Japanese "big picture", then it does make sense at least in Pillager's instance.

Does going into the USSR ever make sense ?

The more I'm looking at this, the more sense it makes for Pillager to go for the USSR rather than India. Several reasons... (readers feel free to chime in)

1) Manchuria is far superior as a jumping-off point for invading the USSR compared to Burma as a jumping-off point to invade India for multiple reasons. Compare the road and railroad networks for movement of troops, supply and "loot" (captured resources and oil). The 20 divisions now in China can strategic move (by rail) to Manchuria to invade the USSR, or march single-file southward across the Burma Road for a go on India.

2) Burma (let alone a Japanese bridgehead in India) is at the end of a long and rather flimsy line of supply. Pillager would have to capture one or more major bases in India before an invading Japanese army in India could adequately sustain itself and have sufficient supply for offensive operations. Burma is not an adequate base of supply for 20 Japanese divisions launching an invasion. Manchuria is definately an adequate base of supply.

3) Transferring five Japanese divisions from Manchuria to the Pacific is nothing. Twenty combat experienced first line Japanese divisions from China plus their supporting tanks and artillery more than makes up for the five divisions that left.

4) Siberia is much closer to the Japanese Home Islands than India. Very important for moving the "loot" (resources and oil) home to feed the war economy. And much less vulnerable to US submarines.

5) I have plenty of early warning (and time to prepare) for a Japanese invasion of India. And Pillager is well aware of it. How much preparation can I do in the USSR for a Japanese invasion, even if I know it's coming? Nothing.

I'm not completely sold on Pillager invading the USSR but the arguments above are good selling points.

Summary of Operations 9/15/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry from 9/14 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Mili (southern Marshalls). Detected status of Mili shows no visible Japanese forces or activity, also no evidence of construction to expand port or airfield facilities.

A TF of outbound US fleet subs from Pearl Harbor enroute to patrol areas near Truk make contact with a small Japanese transport TF while passing through the Marshalls. AAR’s follow.

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Sub attack near Roi-Namur at 131,113 (NW of Roi-Namur)

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyokko Maru
PB Nagata Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grouper

SS Grouper launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kyokko Maru
PB Nagata Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Roi-Namur at 131,113

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyokko Maru
PB Nagata Maru

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

SS Guardfish launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kyokko Maru
Guardfish diving deep ....
PB Nagata Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/14 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 12 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate


Philippines: Jap amphibious landing reported underway on Palawan, another Jap mopping-up operation of remaining US-controlled bases in the Philippines. AAR’s follow.

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Pre-Invasion action off Puerto Princesa

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-40
SC Ch 32
xAK Kureha Maru #3

SC CHa-40 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 32 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Puerto Princesa

TF 63 troops unloading over beach at Puerto Princesa, 73,83

Japanese ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

17 troops of a SNLF Squad accidentally lost during unload of 14th Nav Gd /2
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 14th Nav Gd

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US fleet sub Sargo attacked and damaged (system damage 35, float 25, engine 2) by Jap Ki-48 Lily air patrol in Formosa Straits off northern Luzon. SS Sargo is returning to Pearl Harbor at 15 kts for repair.


Southeast Asia: Dutch sub attacked by Japanese surface ASW near the Malacca Straits. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Phuket at 48,70 (SE of Phuket)

Japanese Ships
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 2 (system damage 8, no float or engine)

SS KXVIII is sighted by escort
DD Hakaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 4 Japanese ships anchored in port, two Jap TF’s in harbor, 219 aircraft (94 fighters, 27 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s (+1 from last report).

Sigint entry for 9/14 reports HQ Japanese 3 Air Division is now located at Pegu (Burma). 3 Air Division HQ’s previously reported location was at Kompong Trach in Thailand. Pillager’s moving in support for his new Jap air squadrons in Burma.


China: Chinese supply situation in the Chungking “pocket” is now critical.

Japanese intensify air attacks on Chungking. The Aircraft Losses display in the 9/14 Intelligence screens show 41 Ki-43 Oscar destroyed (35 air-to-air), along with 6 Ki-21 Sally and 9 Ki-36 Ida bombers. Chinese planes lost in action include 3 P-66 Vanguard and 2 H81-A3. Given the state of affairs, the Chinese AF is going up for as long as it can over Chungking and as well as it can go up. If they only had the supply, these guys could kick ass. AAR’s follow.

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Night Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 6

Allied aircraft
no flights

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

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 1 destroyed on ground

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 8
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 20
P-43A-1 Lancer x 22
P-66 Vanguard x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th FG/17th FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
5th FG/26th FS CAF with P-66 Vanguard (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
5th FG/27th FS CAF with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
3rd FG/32nd FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
11th FG/43rd FS CAF with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers

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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 12
P-43A-1 Lancer x 17
P-66 Vanguard x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-36 Ida: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th FG/17th FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
5th FG/26th FS CAF with P-66 Vanguard (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
5th FG/27th FS CAF with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
3rd FG/32nd FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
11th FG/43rd FS CAF with H81-A3 (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers

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Summary of Operations 9/16/42

Eastern US: The largest off-map transport convoy to date between the Eastern US and Australia departed this game turn for Australia. Convoy EX-18 contains 71 ships. Cargo loaded aboard Convoy EX-18 includes 3 LCU’s, 116 aircraft (7 air squadrons), 170K supply, 49K fuel.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry from 9/15 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Gardner Is. Detected status of Gardner Is shows no visible Japanese forces or activity, also no evidence of construction to expand port or airfield facilities.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/15 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: AV Kamikawa Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville


Philippines: Jap amphibious landing ops continue on Palawan. AAR’s follow.

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Invasion Support action off Puerto Princesa

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-40
SC Ch 32
xAK Kureha Maru #3


SC CHa-40 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 32 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 4 Japanese ships anchored in port, two Jap TF’s in harbor, 142 aircraft (53 fighters, 24 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: Night Japanese bombing attack and several daylight Jap fighter sweeps over Ledo airfield. AAR’s follow.

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Night Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 7

Allied aircraft
no flights

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

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38 (two identical AM fighter sweeps)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

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China: Japanese ground bombardment attack at Sining, otherwise quiet.

Summary of Operations 9/17/42

Japanese aircraft types: Pillager is beginning to employ the Ki-44-IIa mainly in fighter sweeps, so far this plane type has been encountered over Ledo and Chungking. I’m estimating the Ki-44-IIa is now or will quickly become Pillager’s primary IJA fighter type. Pillager appeared to phase in widespread production of the Ki-44-IIa quickly enough for it to reach significant front-line employment within two weeks (Ki-44-IIa initially available in 9/42). I do expect to see the Ki-44-IIa completely replace Ki-43 Oscar types in all theatres within a short time, definitely within two months possibly less.

Unless Pillager is producing Kawasaki engines and the Ki-61 Tony, Pillager could be planning to concentrate production and employment of Ki-44 variants as the primary (if not only) IJA fighter plane type in service through much if not all of 1943.

From what I see, the Ki-44 Tojo will be a more difficult opponent to the principal Allied LBA fighter types now in service (P-39D, P-40E, Hurricane IIb and Kittyhawk IA).

My estimate also includes Pillager bringing the Ki-44-IIb (2 x 40mm cannon, otherwise nearly identical to the Ki-44-IIa) into large-scale service by summer or fall 1943.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry from 9/16 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Nikunau (Gilbert islands). Detected status of Nikunau shows undetermined Jap aircraft based on the island, also evidence of airfield construction. Airfield size on Nikunau is now 2(2).


South Pacific: Transport convoy WP-13 (one AR, 15 transports) arriving in Auckland from the mainland US. Cargo arriving in Auckland aboard convoy WP-13 includes two US LCU’s (112 Cavalry Rgt, 112 USA Base Force), 41K supply and 54K fuel. The AR arriving with the convoy is planned to remain in the South Pacific theatre. A detachment of convoy WP-13 (3 transports) with 111 USN Base force and 5500 supply is bound for Pago Pago.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/16 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown


Philippines: Jap amphibious landing ops continue in the western Philippines – at Puerto Princesa (Palawan), also a new Jap landing started at Busuanga. AAR follows.

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Amphibious Assault at Busuanga

TF 317 troops unloading over beach at Busuanga, 77,80

Japanese ground losses:
1010 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 24th Div /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 24th Div /7
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 24th Div /18

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 5 Japanese ships anchored in port (+1 from last report), one Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 152 aircraft (63 fighters, 24 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: Night Japanese bombing attack and daylight Jap fighter sweeps over Ledo airfield continue.


China: Japanese ground attacks in the far western area. AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at 82,28 (E of Kiuchuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13167 troops, 122 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 454
Defending force 238 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 414
Allied adjusted defense: 4
Japanese assault odds: 103 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
228 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12904 troops, 151 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 805
Defending force 18454 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 668

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

Assaulting units:
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
303rd Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
259th Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
8th War Area
5th Chinese Base Force
12th Chinese Base Force

Don't fear the Tojo b as those 40mm cannons are practically worthless (accuracy rating of 2). It does have centerline mounted HMG rather than wing mounts but i'm not totally sure its a worthwhile swap. I'm not too sure why the 'b' tojo comes with the 40mm cannons as as far as I know the 4x HMG was more common.

Don't fear the Tojo b as those 40mm cannons are practically worthless (accuracy rating of 2). It does have centerline mounted HMG rather than wing mounts but i'm not totally sure its a worthwhile swap. I'm not too sure why the 'b' tojo comes with the 40mm cannons as as far as I know the 4x HMG was more common.

Soros,

Appreciate your input. I'm viewing employment of the Ki-44-IIb mainly in the capacity of a Japanese "antidote" weapon against US 4E bombers (specifically USAAF B-17 & B-24 variants). In general, I see the Ki-44 having a flight performance advantage over the most common Allied LBA fighter types (currently P-40E, P-39D, Kittyhawk IA and Hurricane II variants), particularly with regard to ceiling and max speed. This isn't exactly going to result in my fighter squadrons surrendering the skies to the Ki-44 at least in CAP situations over my own bases - my plans on dealing with the Ki-44 include contesting most or all Jap fighter sweeps over Allied bases, especially in situations where I can take it on with roughly equal or superior numbers of Allied LBA fighters. Even so... I view the P-38 as a possible weapon against the Tojo once I have the P-38 available and employed in sufficient numbers.

I haven't started this yet (obviously) but my plans are to employ US 4E bombers in the South and SW Pacific as "flying artillery" against Jap front-line bases within their reach. At the moment, I'm concentrating on quietly (1) building the airfields from which they will be operating and (2) moving base force LCU's and ample quantites of supply from the mainland US into these airfields - these steps providing the "infrastruture" for large-scale bombing activity. Once steps (1) and (2) are completed, the bombers will show up and begin their work.

Summary of Operations 9/18/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry from 9/17 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Majuro. Detected status of Majuro shows no visible Japanese forces or activity. No visible evidence of port or airfield construction on Majuro.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 9/17 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Aoba Is (adjacent hex E of Luganville). Aoba is a dot base hex, no port capacity, max airfield size 5. No evidence of Japanese construction activity on Aoba at this time but Pillager could have plans to develop port and/or airfield facilities at Aoba Is.

Another Sigint entry from 9/17 reports a Shokaku class CV is located at Truk. No great surprise, I pretty much estimated Truk as KB’s home base.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/17 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 21 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown


Australia: Jap fighter sweep and airfield bombing strike against Darwin. AAR’s follow.

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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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


Philippines: Japanese capture Busuanga. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Busuanga (77,80)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8983 troops, 121 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 183
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 165
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 165 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Busuanga !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
24th Division (previously reported at Bacalod)

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 4 Japanese ships anchored in port (-1 from last report), two Jap TF’s in harbor (+1 from last report), 152 aircraft (65 fighters, 24 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: No Jap air activity over Ledo this game turn.


China: Small night Japanese bombing attacks on Chungking, also small contested daylight fighter sweep. One Ki-44 Tojo (ops loss) and one Chinese H81-A3 fighter destroyed.

Tarawa Falls to Marines. I was able to insert the 1st Marine Div with Tank Bn and route the enemy. The purpose for taking Tarawa is to be able to reposition US 4E bombers to suppress enemy airfields in the Marshalls. One support CVE took significant damage, landing its meager air group on Tarawa while it retreats to the floating dock at Nuomea for repair. Five CV/CVLs are enroute with second invasion group headed for Makin. Those five plus the two already in the area represent all the front line carrier strength I have. The object (July 43) is to grab Makin, install long range bombers and fighters, and start reducing the Marshall airfields. As the bases build up ASW aircraft will deploy. The current plan is to refit/resupply the carriers and then hit the Marshalls in October. Both the 1st Marines and 3rd Marine divisions will withdraw once the islands are secure. Marine Defense BNs are enroute or on the island in the case of Tarawa.

I hoped the enemy would intervene with its remaining CV capability, but they must be employed elsewhere.

I believe your positioning of the long range bombers in the SOPAC and SWPAC is sensible. Once they get their accuracy up, they can be very potent base bombers.

As for Russia or India, your analysis makes sense. It looks as though linking up to Burma may be a possibility, but I think that mass rapid movement to go against Russia makes more sense than trying for India. In either case, I believe Pillager has taken too long to effect a victory by attacking now. It may be that Pillager will take out central China to secure the resources available and then may just shift to the defensive having gotten all that he can before you go on the offensive against him. Take this for what it is worth, I have no, nada, zero, experience with attack India or attack Russia. Johnjohn

johnjohn,

You could be spot on with the possibility of Pillager shifting to the (strategic) defensive as an alternative to attacking either India or the USSR. Though at this point, I consider all three options equally possible. I think Pillager does have time to accomplish an invasion of either the USSR or India, provided he can organize and launch this attack by early 1943. An early 1943 timeframe (however...) does not give Pillager a great deal of time.

In any event, I'm not anticipating any substantial amount of information that would reliably indicate Pillager's next move after a fall of China before the time when China actually falls. The main reason for this being that Pillager would have to keep the main Japanese ground force in China engaged against the Chinese until Chungking falls and most of the mop-up operations against the remaining Chinese army are completed. Prior to that point, Pillager would not be able to start moving more than a small portion of the Japanese army in China to reposition it for its next task (whether it be India, USSR or elsewhere).

Once Pillager does complete a Japanese conquest of China, a large scale movement of Japanese LCU's to reposition them for their next task(s) would no doubt be underway. The scale of this movement would be great enough to generate a good number of Sigint reports - my intelligence gathering/analysis would easily pick up the direction and rate of Jap LCU movements (down to specific units and where each one is likely going). That intelligence would provide an early indication of where Pillager is going next. Whether or not I can do anything about that early indication is another matter. At the very least I would know where the Japanese are not going, which in itself could be valuable.

Summary of Operations 9/19/42

Central Pacific: US submarine patrol reports contact with a TF of Japanese auxiliary ships. No information as to the Jap TF’s movement heading, though from the position of this contact the Jap TF (if moving southbound) is likely headed for Truk. Whether Truk or another Japanese naval base (farther south from Truk) is the ultimate destination for these auxiliaries is another question altogether.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Saipan at 115,96 (E of Guam)

Japanese Ships
AKE Saiho Maru
SC Ch 19
AD Daihachikyo Maru
AD Ayato Maru
PB Tenzan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Shark

SS Shark launches 2 torpedoes at AKE Saiho Maru
Shark diving deep ....
PB Tenzan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/18 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 23 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 7 Japanese ships anchored in port (+3 from last report), two Jap TF’s in harbor, 148 aircraft (68 fighters, 19 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s (+1 from last report).

Sigint entry for 9/18 indicates Japanese 14th Infantry Division is now located in Rangoon. Previous reported location of 14 Division was Bataan (this unit participating in battle there). 14 Division most likely is one of the new Jap LCU arrivals recently detected in Rangoon by the daily RAF recon flights.

Another Sigint entry for 9/18 is indicating 92 JAAF AF Bn has transferred into Burma from Thailand – current location of this LCU is at Pegu, previous location of 92 Bn was in Kompong Trach.


India: Japanese fighter sweep and airfield bombing raid at Ledo. Ledo airfield remains intact, no reported airfield runway or service damage. If nothing else, my abortive China supply airlift is serving as bait for the Japanese air forces in Burma. Additional Allied fighter squadrons are being prepared for transfer into Ledo – these squadrons becoming available as Tenth USAAF fighter units arrive as front-line reinforcements.

Intelligence screen Aircraft Losses display indicates 11 Ki-43 Oscars and 1 Ki-44-IIa destroyed (all air-to-air), three Hurricane IIa’s destroyed (1 air-to-air, 2 ops). Two Ki-21 Sally bombers also reported destroyed (both ops losses).

This action also produced the first Allied fighter ace of the campaign. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed
DC-2: 1 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground
DC-3: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes

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China: Small night Japanese bombing attacks on Chungking.

Jap ground bombardment attack at Sining in the western area. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12956 troops, 151 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1267
Defending force 18506 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 674

Assaulting units:
17th Division
6th Division (arrived this game turn to reinforce attack)
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
259th Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
303rd Brigade
82nd Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Base Force
8th War Area
12th Chinese Base Force

Summary of Operations 9/20/42

Central Pacific: Look what walked into my cross-hairs…



Pillager could be sending the main KB fleet carriers north from Truk to ports in Japan for refit or ship upgrades – the six “starting” fleet carriers in the KB all having 6/42 and 7/42 ship upgrades (unless these had been done earlier). Recent events in this PBEM making it rather unlikely the KB is returning to Truk from somewhere to the north. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Truk at 112,101 (due N of Truk)

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
BB Kirishima
CA Kumano
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Kagero
DD Urakaze
DD Shiranui
DD Isokaze
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
SS Whale

SS Whale launches 6 torpedoes at CV Akagi (torpedo hits, all duds)
Whale diving deep ....
DD Isokaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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South Pacific: Detachment of transport convoy WP-13 (3 ships) arrives at Pago Pago with 111 USN Base Force and 5500 supply cargo. Plans are to develop the base at Pago Pago as (1) one of several jumping off points for launching offensive operations in the South Pacific, and (2) use of its airfield as a stopping-off point for transfer flights of long-range air units (mainly 4E bombers at this time) between Pearl Harbor and bases in the South Pacific theatres. Current port size at Pago Pago is 4(2), airfield size 4(4) – construction activity is still underway.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/19 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 8 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: xAKL Koyu Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,149 near Santa Maria, Speed 0, Moving Northeast


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 7 Japanese ships anchored in port (+3 from last report), 3 Jap TF’s in harbor (+1 from last report), 85 aircraft (18 fighters, 31 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s. The decrease in number of planes in Rangoon from the 9/19 report could reflect transfer of Jap air units out of Rangoon. More fun and games in the skies over Ledo?

Summary of Operations 9/20/42 - continued

China: Japanese fighter sweep over Chungking. Aircraft Losses display reports 8 Chinese fighter planes destroyed (5 H81-A3, 2 P-66, 1 P-43A-1), one Jap Ki-44-IIa destroyed (ops loss). The results are not too surprising given the match-up. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 10
P-43A-1 Lancer x 18
P-66 Vanguard x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 2 destroyed
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
11th FG/43rd FS CAF with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
5th FG/17th FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 24000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
5th FG/26th FS CAF with P-66 Vanguard (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters to 25000.
Raid is overhead
5th FG/27th FS CAF with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters to 24000.
Raid is overhead
3rd FG/32nd FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 18000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes

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


Japanese ground forces begin their advance southward from Tsuyung in the southern area of China. Rough and mountain terrain in this area of China should favor the defense and slow the Japanese rate of advance for at least a short time. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 67,45 (S of Tsuyung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28468 troops, 339 guns, 280 vehicles, Assault Value = 989
Defending force 4143 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127
Japanese adjusted assault: 672
Allied adjusted defense: 340
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
479 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
23rd Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps
54th Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
16th Chinese Base Force

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Jap ground attacks in the far western area. Current situation map and AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at 81,27 (E of Kiuchuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13232 troops, 122 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 459
Defending force 43 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 438
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 438 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps

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Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 36272 troops, 355 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1272
Defending force 18557 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 677

Assaulting units:
6th Division
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
303rd Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
259th Brigade
82nd Chinese Corps
8th War Area
5th Chinese Base Force
12th Chinese Base Force

Summary of Operations 9/21/42

Central Pacific: Contact between a US sub patrol and possible KB escorts E of the Marianas. SS Shark was treated to an extensive depth charge attack by the Jap escorts. AAR follows.

Position of this contact was due north of SS Whale’s encounter with Jap CV Akagi last game turn. If the Jap ships in the AAR below are with the KB, this would confirm the KB is moving northward, possibly back to the Japanese Home Islands. There are additional US sub patrols further north of this hex location in the KB’s projected movement path to Japan. Identities of the Jap ships in this engagement are different from those escorting CV Akagi on 9/20 and could be escorts from a different Jap Air Combat TF.

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ASW attack near Saipan at 112,97 (SE of Saipan)

Japanese Ships
DD Akizuki
BB Hiei
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
DD Amagiri
DD Ushio
DD Sazanami
DD Akebono
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
SS Shark

SS Shark launches 2 torpedoes at DD Akizuki
DD Ushio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sazanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Oboro attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sazanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sazanami attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sigint entries for 9/20 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is, Tabitueua and Gardner Is. Detected status of Baker Is shows undetermined Jap aircraft based there. Undetermined Jap aircraft are visible at Tabiteuea, also Japanese ship(s) anchored in port there. No visible Japanese forces were seen at Gardner Is.


South Pacific: Detachment of transport convoy WP-12 (4 ships) arrives at Pago Pago from the mainland US with 175 USAAF Base Force and 9500 supply cargo.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/20 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 14 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands


Australia: Expansion of airfield facilities in NE Australia continues. Construction is well underway at Cairns, Townsville and Charters Towers – US and Australian engineer LCU’s have been concentrated in these locations with intent of building airfields at all three locations to maximum size (9 at Townsville & Charters Towers, 7 at Cairns). Plans are being considered to move the engineers northward to expand airfields at Cooktown and (later on) Portland Roads.

Long-term strategic plans being considered for SW Pacific theatre include a push into eastern Papua, not necessarily with Port Moresby as its initial or main objective. What cannot be predicted at this point is whether an advance by SW Pacific theatre in this direction will be a main line of Allied advance or a diversion to draw Pillager’s attention and Japanese forces away from Allied offensives elsewhere. This is dependent on the strength or weakness of Japanese forces and defenses in this area and whatever opportunities for an Allied advance are presented in the region.

Regardless… the construction now underway in NE Australia is a preliminary step in the process.

Japanese bombing raid on Darwin. Current damage status of Darwin is no port damage, airfield service damage 38, runway damage 34. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 5 Japanese ships anchored in port (-2 from last report), no Jap TF’s in harbor (-3 from last report), 145 aircraft (60 fighters, 27 bombers), 10 Jap LCU’s (+1 from last report).


India: Japanese fighter sweeps continue over Ledo. These had been opposed up to now by a single RAF fighter squadron (17 Squadron), two additional fighter squadrons due to arrive in Ledo next game turn. Aircraft Losses display in the Intelligence screens indicate 8 A6M2 Zeroes and 2 Hurricane IIa destroyed in air-to-air action, one Ki-44-IIa destroyed as an ops loss. AAR’s follow.

Two more RAF fighter pilots became aces during combat this game turn – these pilots the second and third Allied aces of the campaign.

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Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 7 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 15000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 4

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 21

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 3

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet
10 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 23000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

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China: Small Japanese night bombing attacks on Chungking.

Japanese ground advance continues in the far southern area towards a link-up between China and Burma. AAR and current situation map of southern China follow.

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Ground combat at 67,45 (SW of Tsuyung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28229 troops, 339 guns, 280 vehicles, Assault Value = 973
Defending force 3751 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 105
Japanese adjusted assault: 494
Allied adjusted defense: 148
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
380 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1170 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps
54th Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
16th Chinese Base Force

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Japanese ground forces in the far western area launch assault to capture Sining. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36304 troops, 355 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1270
Defending force 18581 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 679
Japanese adjusted assault: 924
Allied adjusted defense: 1486
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
3235 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 228 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 107 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Division
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
9th Separate Brigade
259th Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
82nd Chinese Corps
8th War Area
5th Chinese Base Force
12th Chinese Base Force

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Kwantung Army (Manchuria): Sigint entry for 9/20 indicates elements of Japanese 8th Infantry Division are loaded aboard a Jap xAK and now enroute to Guam. This report indicates a possible transfer of 8 Division from the Kwantung Army to the Central Pacific – the report also discounting the possibility of a future Japanese move against the USSR. This conclusion (of course) is not final and subject to confirmation by additional intelligence information

Summary of Operations 9/22/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 9/21 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Gardner Is for the second consecutive day. Detected status of Gardner Is continues to show no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/21 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville


Australia: Japanese planes bomb Darwin airfield for a second consecutive day.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port (-7 from last report), 3 Jap TF’s in harbor (+3 from last report), 102 aircraft (43 fighters, 28 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s (-1 from last report). Detected Jap TF’s in Rangoon include one probable surface combat TF (10 ships), one mine TF (2 ships) and one transport TF (4 ships including two TK).


India: No air activity over Ledo this game turn.


China: Japanese ground assault along the Kunming-Chungking highway. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 74,47 (S of Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23396 troops, 208 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 845
Defending force 25595 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1055
Japanese adjusted assault: 564
Allied adjusted defense: 1255
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
854 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 85 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1245 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 113 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
** 34th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
** 2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

** (reinforcements moved southward from Chihkiang area)

Defending units:
51st Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
1st Group Army
19th Group Army
25th Group Army

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Summary of Operations 9/23/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 9/22 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk. Detected status of Truk shows aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port. No visible Japanese TF’s or other activity.


South Pacific: Transport convoy WP-15 (43 transports) arrives in Auckland from the mainland US. Cargo arriving aboard convoy WP-15 includes six LCU’s (6 Marine Rgt, 93 & 96 Coast AA Rgts, 16 USN Seabee Bn, HQ USMC AirFMPac), 138K supply and 111K fuel.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/22 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown


Australia: Transport convoy EX-15 (54 transports) arrives in Australia from the Eastern US. Cargo arriving aboard convoy EX-15 includes nine LCU’s (HQ I US Corps, four USN Seabee Bns, 141 USA Base Force, 176 USAAF Base Force, 34 & 35 Aviation Base Force units), 125K supply and 50K fuel.

Japanese planes bomb Darwin airfield for a third consecutive day. Jap planes in these raids appear to be operating from airfields on Timor.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF’s in harbor (-3 from last report), 122 aircraft (45 fighters, 28 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s (-1 from last report).


India: Jap recon flight reported over Ledo, otherwise no air activity.


China: Japanese capture dot hex base at Mengtze in southern China (near Kunming). AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Mengtze (68,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5856 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 211
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 204
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 204 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Mengtze !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

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Japanese capture Kiuchuan, continue attack on Sining in the far western area. AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at Kiuchuan (82,26)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13252 troops, 122 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 459
Defending force 6103 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 231
Japanese adjusted assault: 374
Allied adjusted defense: 66
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kiuchuan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
859 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2081 casualties reported
Squads: 63 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 73 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Division

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
17th Group Army

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Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 34510 troops, 355 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1134
Defending force 16984 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 631

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

Assaulting units:
17th Division
6th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
303rd Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
259th Brigade
82nd Chinese Corps
8th War Area
5th Chinese Base Force

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Summary of Operations 9/24/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 9/23 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein. Detected status of Kwajalein shows undetermined aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port. No visible Japanese TF’s or other activity.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 9/23 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Rabaul. Detected status of Rabaul shows undetermined aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port. No visible Japanese TF’s or other activity.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 9/23 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: PB Shirogane Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville

Unidentified Jap submarine detected SE of Suva (hex 133, 162) by Catalina naval air search patrol. Several Allied transport TF’s including a second detachment of Convoy WP-12 is enroute to Suva – plans are to re-route these TF around the Jap sub contact.


Australia: Japanese planes continue bombing attacks on Darwin airfield.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF’s in harbor (+2 from last report), 135 aircraft (59 fighters, 25 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: Air combat over Ledo – RAF vs Jap fighter sweeps. Aircraft Losses display of Intelligence screens report 10 Ki-44-IIa destroyed (9 air-to-air, 1 ops), 2 Hurricane IIa and 1 Hurricane IIb destroyed (2 air-to-air, 1 ops), plus the Chinese H81-A3 (air-to-air). Two RAF pilots reported WIA, one KIA in this action. AAR’s follow.

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Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 1 (a stray Chinese pilot evacuating into Ledo from Chengtu who got caught up in the ruckus)
Hurricane IIa Trop x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
11th FG/43rd FS CAF with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 6 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 15000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 24000 and 27000.
Raid is overhead
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 27000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 10
Hurricane IIb Trop x 12

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 18000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 17000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes

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China: Japanese resume ground assault along highway from Kunming to Chungking. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 74,47 (S of Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22503 troops, 208 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 785
Defending force 24578 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 950
Japanese adjusted assault: 572
Allied adjusted defense: 793
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1350 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 66 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1206 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
34th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
51st Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
19th Group Army
1st Group Army
25th Group Army

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Japanese continue ground bombardment attack on Sining in the far western area.