[font="Times New Roman"]20 - 30 AUGUST 1942[/font]
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NIGHT BOMBING: [/font]So Torsten and I agreed that 50 bombers could bomb any one target at night. To be honest, after see in this in action for a few days, it's still not great. The 4E especially still take out 20-30% of the fighters on CAP, regardless of how many there are, and still have virtually closed an airbase on one night. It's better though, and I can find ways to use this now. After a few days of night bombing with no opposition it's only human nature to try a day raid. Or at least so it seems.
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SUBS: [/font] Our subs couldn't track down the damaged CVs. Too bad. They're now huddled around Colombo and the lines of movement toward both Cape Town and Bombay. If anything moves in or out at least we'll have a shot at it.
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CHINA: [/font] Same old thing. Moving to prepare a thrust behind Chikhiang. Should have about 3500AV to head up the below road and see if we can overwhelm his blockade on the river of 2-3 Chinese units.
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ANDAMAN SEA: [/font] After the recent battles whittling down the IJN by about 1/4 I pulled back all but two SAGs from Victoria Point, but left all former CV groups there plus the Tainan zeros, a Tojo group and also a few more at Chumpon. The Shokaku and Ryujo repaired slowly until their system damage was down to around 40, and I took them out of pierside in preparation to send them to Singers.
Just about the time on the 21st his CVs appeared again near Port Blair. Interestingly I had Jakes on naval attack and they got through to hit the Wasp with one 60kg bomb. Some of his groups looked to be training (!!) by the reports, and there was virtually no CAP, but I didn't get any more luck this turn with a better set of hits.
The next day the CVs moved in close, only 6 hexes from Victoria Point. A bold move. On the 22nd our strikes came in heavily and just enough broke through to give the Allies a bad day. The North Carolina was sunk outright. Wish that had been a CV, but I'll take it nonetheless. The hit percentage by the Kates that made it through was apparently 200%!!! The reports must be off here, or else I've got Kates carrying TWO TT per run! [:D]
At any rate this was somewhat satisfying. The subs swarming the area got no joy as the Allies slunk back slowly to Colombo. I've got another surprise I'd like to try in a few days though.
Little Andaman falls to a few para units and part of a regiment, destroying three UK base forces there. That has to hurt him a little. Another three are on the remaining islands. We did hit and sink AMC Chittral and another two xAK in the area, either bringing reinforcements, supply, or trying for an evac of the base forces. I've now got AMCs and APDs at Port Blair and the invasion of all remaining occupied islands will take place as quickly as possible augmented by para-drops.
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PACIFIC: [/font] Evacuating as fast as possible all forward positions.
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BURMA: [/font] After the bombing agreement I pull nearly everything back from Central Burma. I've still got troops in all of the bases, but I'm preparing the inner line to defend, at least temporarily, and moving all air HQ and base forces back to Moumein and Rangoon. These are only in range to the 4E for now, and are more easily defended by the inclusion of AA and larger fields. I'll see how this goes.
On the 30th we jumped a big raid at Magwe and got about 65 bombers for 30 lost fighters on the day. Got lucky here as his sweeps came in last, although we would likely have done well with them also. I'd just rather get to the bombers. All moved back to Rangoon after.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 21, 42
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 40,57
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 13 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed by flak
Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1[:D]
CVL Hermes
CV Yorktown
BC Repulse
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 14 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Training flight from VMF-111 has been caught up in attack
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 22, 42
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Trinkat at 46,63
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N1 Kate x 5
B5N2 Kate x 33
Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 129
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 3 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 16 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVL Hermes, Torpedo hits 1
CV Wasp
CV Hornet
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 12 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 13 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 12 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 11 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 34300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Magazine explodes on BB North Carolina
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Trinkat at 46,63
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 84
B5N2 Kate x 30
D3A1 Val x 18
Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 115
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 18 destroyed, 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Illustrious, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1
CV Wasp
CV Enterprise
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trinkat at 46,63
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 67
D3A1 Val x 4
Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 67
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
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Ground combat at Little Andaman (44,59)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 943 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
Defending force 1836 troops, 23 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Japanese adjusted assault: 29
Allied adjusted defense: 23
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
143rd Infantry Rgt /1
Defending units:
118th RAF Base Force
221 Group RAF
106th RN Base Force
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 23, 42
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Night Naval bombardment of Victoria Point at 51,66
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 16 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 24 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 42 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed on ground
Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Astoria
CL Mauritius
CL Hobart
Japanese ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 26
Port hits 1
CA Canberra firing at Victoria Point
CA Astoria firing at Victoria Point
Walrus II acting as spotter for CL Mauritius
CL Mauritius firing at Victoria Point
CL Hobart firing at Victoria Point
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Night Naval bombardment of Victoria Point at 51,66
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 17 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 13 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 16 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed on ground
Allied Ships
CL Birmingham
CL Durban
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
CL Birmingham firing at Victoria Point
CL Durban firing at Victoria Point
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 45,60
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied Ships
CL Birmingham
CL Durban
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 24, 42
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Submarine attack near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Japanese Ships
SS I-29
Allied Ships
AMC Chitral, Torpedo hits 1
SS I-29 is sighted by AMC Chitral
SS I-29 launches 2 torpedoes
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Sub attack near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Japanese Ships
SS I-33
Allied Ships
AMC Chitral, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS I-33 launches 2 torpedoes
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Submarine attack near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Japanese Ships
SS I-11
Allied Ships
xAK Gandara, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS I-11 is sighted by xAK Gandara
SS I-11 attacking on the surface
Shichiji, Tsuneo decides to submerge SS I-11 due to damage
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Submarine attack near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Japanese Ships
SS I-29
Allied Ships
AMC Chitral, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AMC Chitral is sighted by SS I-29
SS I-29 launches 2 torpedoes
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 25, 42
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Trinkat at 44,64
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
H6K4 Mavis x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Changte, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x H6K4 Mavis bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Changte
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trinkat at 44,64
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3a Zero x 9
H6K4 Mavis x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Changte, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x H6K4 Mavis bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Changte
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Ground combat at Little Andaman (44,59)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 1188 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Defending force 1774 troops, 23 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 9
Japanese adjusted assault: 40
Allied adjusted defense: 17
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Little Andaman !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1242 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 296 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3
Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
143rd Infantry Rgt /1
Defending units:
221 Group RAF
118th RAF Base Force
106th RN Base Force
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Submarine attack near Wakkanai at 124,48
Japanese Ships
xAK Denmark Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-27
xAK Denmark Maru is sighted by SS S-27
SS S-27 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Denmark Maru
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 29, 42
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Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
B-24D Liberator x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 6
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 23
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
Runway hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 26,43
Japanese Ships
SS I-28
Allied Ships
xAK City of Lille, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK City of Lille is sighted by SS I-28
SS I-28 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK City of Lille
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 30, 42
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Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 51
Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 6
Blenheim IV x 18
Hudson IIIa x 6
Wellington Ic x 3
Hudson I x 12
B-18A Bolo x 12
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-25C Mitchell x 14
B-26 Marauder x 13
B-26B Marauder x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 20 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 3 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 4 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 3 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 27
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hudson I bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 25
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 8
Hudson III (LR) x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 5 destroyed
Hudson III (LR): 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
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Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
B-18A Bolo x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]With the focus on the deep IO the IJN CVs limped back to Singapore. They have another two months here until repaired. That will give us at least a minor CV threat eventually.[/font]
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