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December 27, 1942

Landed at Shortlands, no enemy bombardment attack, guess there is not much there.
A number of Naval Bombardments with 5 old BBs seems to have neutralized the enemy.

Air bombardment of Rabaul gave so-so results. Standing down the bombers to repair
airframe fatigue.

December 28, 1942

DA at Shortlands yields success.

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5589 troops, 111 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 211

Defending force 1147 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 108

Japanese adjusted defense: 11

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Shortlands !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
488 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
12th NZ Brigade
181st Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
65th Naval Guard Unit

The 147th will march to Torokina and take it.

It looks like there was a minefield at Shortlands, never hit any mines
I have a 2 DMS minesweeper TF there to sweep the mines
==================================================

December 29, 1942

Not much happened, swept all the mines at Shortlands, cleaning up
the damaged port and airfield at Shortlands, 3 SeaBees and a USN BF will be there in two days.

The first units moved into the hex SE of Ramree Island, the rest should get there tomorrow and
we can see about sending the Empires troops off with a bang. [:)]

December 30, 1942

Lost in my notes, I had a FTTF taking a part of an Infantry Regiment to Torokina
It got there this turn. No bombardment attack from my opponent, guess his troops
are still in bad shape from their defeat and retreat from Shortlands.

He swept Ramree Island and I lost 5 P-40Ks, 4 in air-2-air and 1 ops. 2 Pilots were lost also.

Ramree Island completed a level airfield 1 this turn.

December 31, 192

Last day of the year. Starting tomorrow my torpedos improve some, most dud rates go down 20%.

I did a Naval Bombardment at Torkino. His troops did not attack, which is good since my troops
have no supply.

I landed a small force on Tarawa with a FTTF. Recons showed it to have no troops.
Recon was right. My force did not do a shock attack as expected. I am not sure I understand.
Amphibious Assault at Tarawa (136,128)

TF 67 troops unloading over beach at Tarawa, 136,128

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===========================================
Looks like I am finely in Tojo range at Ramree Island from somewhere

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 12
Hurricane IIc Trop x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 28000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.79 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 35000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
No.14 Sqn RNZAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 3 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-44-IIc Tojo sweeping at 28000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.79 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 35000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
No.14 Sqn RNZAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 86 minutes

Hurricanes can stand up to Oscars, but not Tojos.
It looks like I lost 14 Hurricanes and he lost 11 Oscars and 2 Tojos.
============================================

I am seeing nothing or next to nothing on bases in the Gilberts and Marshalls.

An interesting comment from my opponent on Discord in response to my stating
that he had seen my CVs in the Gilberts a few turns ago

That may be true - but don't feel like losing any CVs this early - especially over non-important bases

I was surprised. Even a Naval Guard unit would keep me from invading before I got APAs.
Invading Atolls with xAPs and even APs can be a losing proposition. But an empty atoll? I am all in for that.

I think there is no shock attack on atoll landings if there is no AV on one side or the other. For example, if you unloaded construction troops or an HQ only, there would be no shock attack either.

January 1, 1943

A new year.

As expected: Tarawa is occupied by the Allies

He bombed the airfield at Ramree Island, I lost 2 x Hurricane IICs on the ground, I can afford
airframe losses, as long as I don't lose pilots.

He vacated the hex NW of Prome before I was able to attack, oh well.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I think there is no shock attack on atoll landings if there is no AV on one side or the other. For example, if you unloaded construction troops or an HQ only, there would be no shock attack either.

When he made an amphibious assault on Tarawa in 1941 it triggered a shock attack the same turn.

January 2, 1942

Torokina is taken and the defender eliminated


Allied adjusted assault: 64

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 64 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Torokina !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
245 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
65th Naval Guard Unit
==============================================
He is heavily bombing Ramree Island

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 91
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
33 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
33 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 36
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

I have some AA units moving in that should make it more expensive for him to bomb
I have no aircraft that can stand up to this size of air assault given
that there is no railroad connection to move units in and out of the base.
=========================================================

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I think there is no shock attack on atoll landings if there is no AV on one side or the other. For example, if you unloaded construction troops or an HQ only, there would be no shock attack either.

But then you can't take the base either. No assault value, no combat orders.[:D]

ORIGINAL: Nomad


Hurricanes can stand up to Oscars, but not Tojos.
It looks like I lost 14 Hurricanes and he lost 11 Oscars and 2 Tojos.
============================================

I'm amazed it took until late 42 to see Tojos grinding down some Hurricanes. In mid 42 he should have the -a version which has an extended range of 8, usually enough to get into range of some Allied base with fighters and the Brits have nothing until late 43 that can stand up against Tojos. Fielding Hurricanes vs Tojos nearly feels like fielding Nates or early Oscars vs Warhawks, a lost cause.

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I think there is no shock attack on atoll landings if there is no AV on one side or the other. For example, if you unloaded construction troops or an HQ only, there would be no shock attack either.

But then you can't take the base either. No assault value, no combat orders.[:D]

In the case of landing non-AV troops, that was a follow-on landing after infantry was already ashore, but had not secured the island. And I think I also saw one where the landing infantry did not SA because the Japanese had no AV.
I have no answer for the Japanese doing a SA on undefended Tarawa in the first days of the war, unless it is part of the landing bonus period code.

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: Nomad


Hurricanes can stand up to Oscars, but not Tojos.
It looks like I lost 14 Hurricanes and he lost 11 Oscars and 2 Tojos.
============================================

I'm amazed it took until late 42 to see Tojos grinding down some Hurricanes. In mid 42 he should have the -a version which has an extended range of 8, usually enough to get into range of some Allied base with fighters and the Brits have nothing until late 43 that can stand up against Tojos. Fielding Hurricanes vs Tojos nearly feels like fielding Nates or early Oscars vs Warhawks, a lost cause.

Are Tojos superior to the Spitfire Vs that start to show up (in Oz, at first) in 1942?

January 3, 1943

Not much, bombing of airfield and units at Ramree Island

This is an interesting tidbit of intel

3/55th Mountain Gun Regiment is loaded on a Kyushu Cargo class xAK moving to Phuket.

Not sure why he is putting that unit there, maybe he is moving all the 55th Infantry Division there?

Probably Phuket enroute to India or Burma.

January 4, 1943

I don't know BBfanboy, but I doubt it.

He is continuing to bomb my troops at Ramree Island and some in Katha.
I am moving forces to take Katha to try and find a way to get supply into
the central portion of Burma.

I landed a small force on Arorae in the Gilberts, cleaning up a bit.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: Nomad


Hurricanes can stand up to Oscars, but not Tojos.
It looks like I lost 14 Hurricanes and he lost 11 Oscars and 2 Tojos.
============================================

I'm amazed it took until late 42 to see Tojos grinding down some Hurricanes. In mid 42 he should have the -a version which has an extended range of 8, usually enough to get into range of some Allied base with fighters and the Brits have nothing until late 43 that can stand up against Tojos. Fielding Hurricanes vs Tojos nearly feels like fielding Nates or early Oscars vs Warhawks, a lost cause.

Are Tojos superior to the Spitfire Vs that start to show up (in Oz, at first) in 1942?

Yes, they usually are. Not to talk about numbers, when the Japanese builds some 150 Tojos there are some two dozen Spitfires in late 42 per month. And the Brits don't even get them until mid 43.

January 5, 1943

He bombed troops at Katha today, no bombs fell on Ramree Island

Nothing much else. The US is building things faster and faster, still a long
way to catch up.

And I agree with caster troy, the Tojo's are a bit superior in speed and climb, the Spit Vc
is a bit better in maneuver at low altitudes, but the biggest problem is availability, I don't
get any for the Brits until 9/43 and then I get only 12 per month. The Brits never really
get enough fighters to make a real difference if Japan fields a goodly number in that area.

January 6, 1943

He bombed Ramree Island, some damage. My flak destroyed 1 bomber and damaged 5 others.

Interesting, now he has a piece of that unit going to Rangoon

2/55th Mountain Gun Regiment is loaded on xAK Kurohime Maru moving to Rangoon.

January 7, 1943

He bombed Ramree pretty hard this turn

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
42 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 28000 feet



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

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-44-IIc Tojo sweeping at 28000 feet



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

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 36
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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

Afternoon Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 20
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 30

No Japanese losses

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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

Afternoon Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 26
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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

Afternoon Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

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

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

====================================
My ground attack at Katha

Ground combat at Katha (61,43)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33846 troops, 168 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1263

Defending force 4388 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Allied adjusted assault: 2030

Japanese adjusted defense: 735

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
267 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
25th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
26th Group Army
III Indian Corps
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
28th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
15th Guards Regiment

I got a good adjustment, I notice that he does not seen to set his
defending unit to their base as future objective and he gets a (-) for
preparation. That unit is the one that took Katha a few months ago.

=========================================
This intel is interesting, is he going to defend Rabaul now?

6/1st Air Army is loaded on a Ansyu xPB class PB moving to Rabaul.

It is still damaged, airfield 65 and port 33. I will be bombing it this turn.