Godzilla {J: Andav} vs. Rodan {A: witpqs}

[modrow]

Thank you for the prompt response [&o]

Hartwig

[witpqs]

1942 April 06

INVADED
Batavia, Palembang, Djokjakarta, Urumchi, Changsha, Lanchow are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Toboali is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cebu !!!



Overall
• No carrier sightings.

• It looks like more than two months until we have bought out the LCU needed for the Marshall Islands invasions.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Fuel/Supply convoy leaving LA for Wellington.


Pacific
• Fuel unloading at Pago Pago.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• APD Bulmer flotation damage is 97(59) with 2 hexes to go.

• Enemy sub activity near Aoba Island.

• What is going on here??

Morning Air attack on Cooktown , at 92,137

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet

Morning Air attack on Cooktown , at 92,137

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet

Civilians were amused, but we have no units of any kind here. Are the Imperials trying to bait fighters up for the slaughter? Are they planning to invade? Is this a form of recon?


Philippines
• Allied High Command is hoping the Empire overlooks the high technology in the Stearman 75M just captured.

Ground combat at Cebu (80,86)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11960 troops, 84 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Defending force 5230 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Japanese adjusted assault: 322

Allied adjusted defense: 35

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cebu !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Stearman 75M: 9 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
374 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
5282 casualties reported
Squads: 344 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 313 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 39 (39 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
146th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
81st PA Infantry Division
Cebu Constabulary
1st Port Maint Engineer Battalion

DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• Hopefully they run out of tank shells.

Ground combat at Djokjakarta (52,103)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 384 troops, 0 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Defending force 6053 troops, 45 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 199

Japanese adjusted assault: 22

Allied adjusted defense: 111

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 1)

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

Allied ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
I KNIL Battalion
V Landstorm Cdo
Groep Zud
4th Cav Sqdn
II KNIL Battalion
VI Landstorm Cdo
Lijfwacht Cav Sqdn
Tjilitjap Cdo
Tjilitjap Defenses
Cheribon Defenses

• Another unit has appeared. More are seen en route. Certainly those three tank units pursuing off-road helped with the delay.

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 807 troops, 76 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 457

Defending force 17061 troops, 142 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 244

Assaulting units:
38th Division
55th Engineer Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
XI KNIL Battalion
1st Cav Sqdn
I Landstorm Cdo
I Marechausse Cdo
XIV KNIL Battalion
X KNIL Battalion
XII KNIL Battalion
IV Landstorm Cdo
2e-VLG-III Sup Afd
KNI Zeemacht
A-I-Ld AA Battalion
HQ I KNIL Division
3e-VLG-III Sup Afd
Batavia KM Base Force
KNI Leger
ML-KNIL
1e-VLG-III Sup Afd
ABDA
Batavia Defenses
2e-VLG-V Sup Afd

China
• Looks like armour-only again.

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34247 troops, 236 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 1022

Defending force 22895 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 474

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 50

Allied adjusted defense: 839

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 16 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 72 (1 destroyed, 71 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
8th War Area
8th Chinese Base Force
21st Chinese Base Force

• The westernmost infiltrator has appeared again so it was just a recon failure.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Survivors pushed back into Lashio, but there will be little rest there.

Ground combat at 61,46 (near Lashio)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11954 troops, 84 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 384

Defending force 1174 troops, 0 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 223

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
408 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
33rd/B Division
33rd/C Division

Defending units:
Upper Burma BAF Battalion
Burma Corps

• The British 70th Infantry Division arrived at Karachi, greatly improving that city's defenses.

• Akyab and Cox's Bazar are under recon.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No subs on station.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 April 07

INVADED
Amphibious TF 237 offshore of Donggala
Batavia, Palembang, Djokjakarta, Urumchi, Changsha, Lanchow are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP



Overall
• No carrier sightings.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Yard work. The three Yorktown's were returned to service at Pearl Harbor.


Pacific
• Enemy sub activity near Suva.

• Fuel unloading at Pago Pago.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• APD Bulmer & Co. is 1 hex from Sydney with flotation damage of 93(59).


Philippines
• Going dark.


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• Many air strikes on enemy shipping by our intrepid fliers, including some with fighter escort, but on made hits. The ships at Toboali were plenty scared, though.


China
• In an alternate (sync bug) universe Lanchow fell to the Empire.

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34199 troops, 236 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 1001

Defending force 22830 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 459

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 882

Allied adjusted defense: 517

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
939 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 116 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1338 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 112 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 14 (5 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
8th Chinese Base Force
8th War Area
21st Chinese Base Force

• A hard blow prior to a ground assault but our unit slipped away into the next hex. Now on a primary road after crossing country between roads, the 5th BF should be able to stay ahead of the Imperial infantry for a while longer.

Morning Air attack on 5th Chinese Base Force, at 84,25 , near Kiuchuan

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
188 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Enemy sub activity near Trivandrum. Texan was sunk in BOTH universes.

Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 27,42

Japanese Ships
SS I-123

Allied Ships
xAK Texan, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAK Texan is sighted by SS I-123
SS I-123 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Texan

• No garrison.

Morning Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 25000 feet

Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No subs on station.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 April 08

INVADED
Amphibious TF 20 offshore of Billiton
Batavia, Palembang, Djokjakarta, Semarang, Medan, Urumchi, Changsha, Lanchow are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Donggala is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Madjene !!!



Overall
• No carrier sightings.

• We knew this.

Previous report of sinking of CVL Ryujo incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service

I assume the same of CVE Taiyo.

• Over the past couple of days the USA 24th and 147th (Sep) Inf Rgts have arrived and are preparing for Mili.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Yard work.


Pacific
• Fuel unloading at Pago Pago.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• APD Bulmer is in the shipyard at Sydney!


Philippines
• Going very dark.


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• With the para landing at Madjene the southern half of Celebes is now invaded.

• Lots of air strikes again but no hits on naval targets. The ground strikes are barely annoying them.

• The Tapaboeli Cdo has made it to Medan and no enemy units are seen. They will shock attack tomorrow - let's hope to destroy some Oil production!


China
• Just north of Ichang.

Ground combat at 82,47 (near Ichang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3882 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Defending force 7635 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 232

Japanese adjusted assault: 117

Allied adjusted defense: 469

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
58th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
67th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army

Our units here had been left as the sole defenders of Ichang prior to the Imperials' approach. Now they are moving westward (so no fortifications) but are in good terrain and gaining experience.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Fortifications finally being built in India bases just across the Burma border.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No subs on station.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 April 09

INVADED
Batavia, Palembang, Djokjakarta, Urumchi, Changsha, Lanchow are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Billiton is occupied by the Japanese
Medan is occupied by the Allies
Japanese forces CAPTURE Semarang !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Djambi !!!



Overall
• No carrier sightings.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Yard work.

• Sending an ARD (3k) from San Francisco to Pago Pago with escorts and a slow AO.


Pacific
• Fuel unloading at Pago Pago.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Fuel & Supply unloading at Melbourne.


Philippines
• Deep shadows.


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• Medan declared liberation before we could attack and in celebration damaged 2x Oil and 2x Refinery (if I remember last turn's mouse-over correctly). They also helped the Tapanoeli Cdo upgrade some militia to regular infantry.

• Our brave fliers made many sorties against the naval forces of darkness: a trio of destroyers which sallied to Semarang (likely to attack our PT boat). Many attack runs were made against those destroyers but no hits gained.

• More elite paras in the DEI.

Ground combat at Djambi (48,88)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 777 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 440 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Japanese adjusted assault: 42

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Djambi !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
Djambi Cdo

• At least they stop to eat.

Ground combat at Semarang (53,102)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12902 troops, 104 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 384

Defending force 1690 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Japanese adjusted assault: 141

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 35 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Semarang !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
751 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (16 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division

Defending units:
V KNIL Battalion
Tjiitjap KM Base Force
Andir ML Base Force
A-III-Ld AA Battalion
Samarang Defenses

China
• A Betty squadron and a pursuing infantry unit are still after our Sining base force now running along the border with Mongolia.

• No news regarding infiltration or defense lines.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Enemy sub activity near Colombo.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No subs on station.


Complete combat report attached.

[dave sindel]

New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• APD Bulmer is in the shipyard at Sydney!

Nice work George! I never figured she'd make it with what 95? flot damage.

[zuluhour]

Tapanoeli Cdo upgrade some militia to regular infantry.

where do these guys start?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Tapanoeli Cdo upgrade some militia to regular infantry.

where do these guys start?

The opposite coast. When I next have the game open I'll check the base name.

One thing I did not do this game was a wholesale rearrangement of Dutch land forces. I have moved some to meet threats and moved a few others. Air support was moved to support air units' needs, but mostly Dutch LCU's were left in place until a tactical situation developed. With most or all restricted there isn't much you can do anyway, but I figured in most cases (like all of Sumatra) they get rolled over anyway so leaving them spread out will take longer to mop up all of them. In this instance that has allowed me to get behind his lines.

[witpqs]

1942 April 10

INVADED
Batavia, Djokjakarta, Urumchi, Changsha, Lanchow, Lashio are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Japanese forces CAPTURE Palembang !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Pare Pare !!!



Overall
• No carrier sightings.

• Business as usual.

Previous report of sinking of SS I-174 incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service

West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Yard work.


Pacific
• Fuel unloading at Pago Pago.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Fuel & Supply unloading at Melbourne.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• Many other strikes on shipping were made by our fliers but the last hurrah for the squadrons at Palembang made theirs count.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3
PBY-5 Catalina x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Kuroshio Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Kashiwara Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

• As planned, the attackers were tired.

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9206 troops, 81 guns, 47 vehicles, Assault Value = 305

Defending force 2353 troops, 21 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 126

Allied adjusted defense: 34

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Palembang !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Do-24K-1: 2 destroyed
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
400 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
808 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (12 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Assaulting units:
5th/A Division
5th/B Division

Defending units:
Lahat Cdo
Palembang Cdo
Riouw Cdo
Palembang ML Base Force
PBg-Ld AA Afd

Looks like no damage whatever to the Oil and Refinery. I think bribes were involved: the facilities were insured by M&M Assurance.

• Another empty base for bragging rights in letters home.

Ground combat at Pare Pare (66,104)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 66 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 6

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pare Pare !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1

China
• They continue giving our units experience.

Ground combat at 82,47 (near Ichang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3855 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 124

Defending force 7575 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 228

Japanese adjusted assault: 53

Allied adjusted defense: 160

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
402 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
58th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
67th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army

India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Lets hope the Imperials at the gates of Lashio (does Lashio have gates??) perform as poorly as they did on the trail.

• Enemy sub activity near Colombo.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No subs on station.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Tapanoeli Cdo upgrade some militia to regular infantry.

where do these guys start?

I think it was Sibolga.

[zuluhour]

Nice holding Palembang into April. Someday I will decide to forfeit Singers for the place. Never
looked into what I think would be a high PP expenditure, always thinking of those beautiful fresh
formations in the old USA.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Nice holding Palembang into April. Someday I will decide to forfeit Singers for the place. Never
looked into what I think would be a high PP expenditure, always thinking of those beautiful fresh
formations in the old USA.

Holding Palembang was really due to hitting Oil at Miri (or whatever it was) by 4EB, 2EB, and even 1EB. Imagine the potential for damage by a large air force based at nearby Batavia? I was surprised he pulled the trigger just now while I still hold Batavia, but I guess 1) he figures there is not enough left there to hit it (there isn't), or 2) he is beginning to feel the lack of additional Oil/Fuel, if only in planning future economy. A third, devious possibility is to lure me into transferring my remaining bombers to Batavia just before a final, overwhelming assault there! [:-]

[witpqs]

1942 April 11

INVADED
Batavia, Djokjakarta, Urumchi, Changsha, Lanchow, Lashio are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP



Overall
• No carrier sightings.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Yard work.


Pacific
• Fuel unloading at Pago Pago. Fuel unloading at Suva (from Pago Pago).


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Fuel unloading at Melbourne.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• it was a trap!

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18777 troops, 203 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 584

Defending force 17035 troops, 142 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 240

Japanese adjusted assault: 404

Allied adjusted defense: 451

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1198 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled

Allied ground losses:
939 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
55th Engineer Regiment
38th Division
41st Infantry Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
XI KNIL Battalion
X KNIL Battalion
I Landstorm Cdo
I Marechausse Cdo
XII KNIL Battalion
1st Cav Sqdn
XIV KNIL Battalion
IV Landstorm Cdo
2e-VLG-III Sup Afd
3e-VLG-III Sup Afd
Batavia KM Base Force
ABDA
Batavia Defenses
KNI Zeemacht
1e-VLG-III Sup Afd
HQ I KNIL Division
ML-KNIL
KNI Leger
A-I-Ld AA Battalion
2e-VLG-V Sup Afd

But our forces held anyway.

• Our aircraft and PT boat attack but cannot penetrate the enemy shields.


China
• This must have been an armour-only or otherwise partial assault.

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33710 troops, 236 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 940

Defending force 21783 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 369

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 38

Allied adjusted defense: 397

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 10 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 32 (1 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
492 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
8th Chinese Base Force
8th War Area
21st Chinese Base Force

Fortifications were immediately rebuilt to 1.

• An Imperial unit on the road NE of Changteh is heading straight west, off road for 3 hexes before hitting any other road. Maybe they're just collecting mushrooms.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Waiting for that first assault at Lashio.

• BB Warspite has arrived at Cape Town after crossing the Atlantic. She will make minor repairs and then depart for Bombay when Illustrious arrives.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No subs on station.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 April 12

INVADED
Batavia, Djokjakarta, Urumchi, Changsha, Lanchow are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lashio !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Palopo !!!



Overall
• No carrier sightings.

• A number of subs finished April upgrades (radar!). More in progress of course.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Yard work.


Pacific
• Enemy sub activity near Suva.

• Fuel unloading at Pago Pago. Fuel unloading at Suva.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Enemy sub activity near Aoba Island.

• Fuel unloading at Melbourne.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• As Celebes is being taken from the sky our guerrilla forces on Borneo are being hunted down.

Ground combat at 64,96 (near Balikpapan)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7608 troops, 64 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 210

Defending force 1860 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Japanese adjusted assault: 132

Allied adjusted defense: 16

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (4 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st/B Division
21st/C Division

Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion
I Samarinda Cdo
Balikpapan MLD Base Force
Balikpapan Defenses
Tarakan MLD Base Force
1e-VLG-I Sup Afd

• Our air groups and PT boat continue to strike...


China
• For a base which fell in a sync bug Lanchow shows stubborn resolve!

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33736 troops, 236 guns, 254 vehicles, Assault Value = 932

Defending force 21473 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 352

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 863

Allied adjusted defense: 453

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1894 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 174 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 23 (8 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1143 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 22 (21 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
8th War Area
8th Chinese Base Force
21st Chinese Base Force

Fortifications immediately built back to 1.

• In about two days our troops will cross the river and break contact.

Ground combat at 82,47 (near Ichang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3801 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 118

Defending force 7226 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 199

Japanese adjusted assault: 101

Allied adjusted defense: 139

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
227 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
58th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
67th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army

India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Lashio fell but with fewer casualties than feared.

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25935 troops, 208 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 810

Defending force 4638 troops, 6 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Japanese adjusted assault: 425

Allied adjusted defense: 64

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lashio !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
535 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 50 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1653 casualties reported
Squads: 85 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
33rd/B Division
112th Infantry Regiment
18th Division
33rd/C Division

Defending units:
Mandalay BMP Battalion
BFF Brigade
1st Burma Brigade
Burma Corps

Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No subs on station.


Complete combat report attached.

[zuluhour]

Where are the Chinese in regards to Burma? Only from Paoshan east?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Where are the Chinese in regards to Burma? Only from Paoshan east?

Two units dug in on the road just west (that is, the Burma side) of Paoshan. One unit in Paoshan, plus several base forces. The British base force from Lashio is also at Paoshan but is now pulling out for the long, long march through the mountains to get to India as there are adequate Chinese base forces there. That unit had been moved there to expedite fortification building.

[zuluhour]

I am going to try my best to hold Lashio as long as possible. I think your April date is OK. I do not
have gobs of Imperials knocking on the door yet. I find the Burma campaign one of the really fun
things in the game. There are great reads on the subject and many images to envision the conflict
from.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

I am going to try my best to hold Lashio as long as possible. I think your April date is OK. I do not
have gobs of Imperials knocking on the door yet. I find the Burma campaign one of the really fun
things in the game. There are great reads on the subject and many images to envision the conflict
from.

Burma-Indochina seems like a standard formula: IJA armour trumps everything for six months, then the Allies bring in some armour and the IJA trump is over-trumped. The IJA is then euchred, and the Allies take the pot! (or poppy fields).

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Burma-Indochina seems like a standard formula: IJA armour trumps everything for six months, then the Allies bring in some armour and the IJA trump is over-trumped. The IJA is then euchred, and the Allies take the pot! (or poppy fields).

Agreed [8D]

Although I would add further....

The CBI theater does not lack for troops. Many Indian divisions start to appear early in the game and can be bought out relatively inexpensively. They lack "fire power" for some months and need time to build with replacements and upgrades - but they are sufficient to hold the line in early 1942 if entrenched behind forts and further well supplied. Chittatong and Cox's Bazar for example, Imphail, and Ledo. As WITPQS demonstrated last game they actually become capable forces by 1944.

There is also the 4 restricted "Ashlam Rifle brigades" (spelling - forget the exact name) that can be diverted to the frontier quickly. Not worth buying out but good enough to hold the rail line to Chittatong.

It is not only the lack of Armor but the lack of Artillery and Engineers.

The available ART tends to be ineffective 6 pounder mountain gun units early. Further there are only so many available as you need to keep up garrison requirements in other parts of the map.

ENG base forces that can build are equally scarce and needed for garrison duties.

Much of this resolves itself by diverting the early Australian and British Divisions into the India frontier; further some early AA and South African brigades show up in Mombassa as I recall.

However those first 6 months are a bit of a jig saw puzzle with garrisons; one of the most enjoyable aspects of the game in my humble opinion ... in the first 6 months.

[zuluhour]

Not just garrisons but defensive measures for India itself. I can't allow a cake walk on the southern coast nor a quick capture
of Ceylon. Substantial combat power needs to be maintained in India proper IMO for quite awhile before committing too much
to Burma. I have gone overboard with a US reinforcement strategy here and also let the natural flow of assigned units take on
the task but have never guessed IJ intentions correctly to take any advantage. With PDU off I'm finding it even more of a challenge
but fun.