Matrix Games Forums

11 Feb. 42

Java

Well the landings commence on Java at Merak and the Japanese AK Glasgow Maru hits a mine. No ground bombardments were conducted this turn (my unit has no artillery), so I have no idea what he is landing yet.

I did however look over my bases in Northern Java and was alarmed to realize I have less than 6000 supplies combined for all my bases north of Kragen. In the southern bastion of 3 bases, I have well over 50000, but apparently all the air missions I’ve been flying down there have sucked almost all of the northern supply into the south.

Recon spots a new possible invasion task force moving northwest from Makassar this turn. In all likelihood he’s heading to Kragen, so He’ll isolate a huge part of my land army in the north if he does and I don’t have enough supply to fight up there.

So a hasty new plan is devised and I’ve ordered all forces north of Kragen to fall back to the three base triangle that forms my defensive bastion in the south. Once my forces are consolidated and I have a better idea of what I am facing, I may then be able to launch a counter-attack to retake the northern part of the island.

I don’t think Japan has enough land forces to win on Java right now unless he manages to divide and isolate large pockets of my units to destroy them individually. By consolidating my forces (assuming I can and it’s not too late), I’ll have well over 800 AV in the south of the island. Unless he brings at least 4 divisions, I don’t think he can crack my defense.

And the need to continually bring in more supplies for his forces means he’ll be vulnerable to Dutch bombers for an extended period. Also the stalled invasion at Darwin means he’s probably already diverting sizable forces there that he originally planned to use on Java, so hopefully he’ll be pretty weak and I’ll get to launch a counter-attack.

If not, as long as I keep Soerabaja free of Japanese units, I’ll be able to produce enough supplies to keep my bastion intact until he can bring some divisions from either Manila or Singapore.

With ground combat on the island about to begin, I’ve pulled the heavies out to India. I’ve also rebased what’s left of the Dutch airforce at Soerabaja to Madioen, to keep it safe from shore bombardments. I also still have the Dutch torpedo bombers and a squadron of A-24’s based out of Malang with a few fighters.

Overall though, I probably have fewer than 200 planes left in Java due to all the fighting recently. I’ve pulled a few float plane groups out to Australia and India, but about half are still on Dutch soil keeping my Intel current.



My Blenheim’s from Rangoon hit Rahaeng again today and get a much better result than yesterday. Japan had apparently moved some fighters and auxiliary air units in overnight and quite a few planes are destroyed on the ground.

The added Japanese Cap did chew up my strike pretty good though. I lost 4 AVG fighter escorts (the combat report is FOW) in A2A and 1 to ops loss, and a total of 13 of the bombers were lost to all causes. The groups are so chewed up I ordered them stood down and will probably have to cycle them into India for replacement aircraft.

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Day Air attack on Rahaeng , at 31,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 6
Blenheim IV x 50
P-40B Tomahawk x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-59 Theresa: 7 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 7 destroyed, 36 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
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111 Japanese bombers hit Singapore again today and cause moderate damage to the base. 2 airbase supply hits are scored and Japan loses 7 bombers destroyed and 35 damaged.

My Dutch bombers hit Bali today and damage is reported as heavy with 66 runway hits. Japan must have one heck of an engineer crew there, as recon reports the airfield damage at 25 this turn. I lost 3 escort fighters and 1 bomber was damaged, while Japan lost 1 Zero and 1 Oscar.

86 bombers hit Manila today causing only 6 runway hits. Japan lost 1 bomber destroyed and 11 damaged.

My land bombardment at Darwin didn’t go off too well today, so I’ve cancelled it for a while, to give the airforce time to pound the unit. Unfortunately they didn’t fly today.

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Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14807 troops, 129 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 273

Defending force 18306 troops, 70 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 393



Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Jim

12 Feb. 42

Another good day for the allies today.

Japanese landings continue at Merak and the subsequent shock attack blasts my small Dutch battalion out of the hex at 372-1 odds. Japan has thus far landed about 500 AV at Merak.

Allied bombers hit the 21st Division at Darwin today and cause 116 casualties and 2 gun casualties. The raid is fortuitous as Japan launches a deliberate attack there today. The disruption caused by the bombings had a decent affect and Japan’s adjusted AV of 65 is about half my defenders adjusted AV of 129.

I’ve ordered a deliberate attack at Darwin tomorrow. Today’s attack must have burned up a lot of his supplies and his disruption will be high, so I want to try and push his unit over the edge and suck up what supplies he has left. Hopefully my small Wirraway squadron is enough to shoot down or abort any air supply attempts he tries during the turn.



A Japanese CA force bombards Batavia and smashes up some of my troops. My coastal defense unit had already left the hex, so no return fire was directed at the CA force.

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Naval bombardment of Batavia, at 20,60

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Maya
CA Mikuma
CA Ashigara


Allied ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

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Another Japanese ship hits a mine at Merak. This field is much smaller than the field I had at Port Moresby, so even though there are more ships here, a lot fewer are getting hit by mines.

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AP Yamakisan Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire
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44 Japanese bombers hit Singapore today, damage is light and no airbase supply hits are scored. 2 bombers are destroyed and 23 are damaged in the raid.

184 bombers hit Manila today in two large raids. Damage to the base is heavy, but only 1 airbase supply hit is scored. Japan loses no bombers and 15 are damaged in the raids.

36 Japanese Nell bombers hit Bandoeng from Palembang today. Looks like he was hoping to catch me rebasing planes north to react to his landings. Good thing he doesn’t realize I don’t have enough supplies in the north and an evacuation is in progress. Hopefully he’ll fly a few more raids like this before he realizes what’s up.

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Day Air attack on Bandoeng , at 19,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M Nell x 36
C5M Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 16000 feet
<snip>
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Japan launches a deliberate attack at Singapore and my forts hold up this time without losing a level. Japan suffers almost twice as many casualties as I do.

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Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 84703 troops, 366 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 1609

Defending force 72441 troops, 357 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 1070

Japanese max assault: 1347 - adjusted assault: 853

Allied max defense: 1046 - adjusted defense: 1909

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
2153 casualties reported
Guns lost 22
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1370 casualties reported
Guns lost 38
Vehicles lost 1

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At Wenchow I had ordered a deliberate attack last turn to see how my units fared against the single Japanese division. The fact 1 unit is 100% prepped for the base and the other is over 50% prepped made a difference and I achieved a 1-1 odds attack. Casualties were very light and I hardly suffered any disruptions, so I’ll continue deliberate attacking to help my units gain experience.

I don’t want to drive him out until my units get into the high 90’s if possible, so I’ll refrain from launching a shock attack. I just hope the 120 supplies a turn the base generates is enough to keep my units in combat supplies.

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Ground combat at Wenchow

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17099 troops, 87 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 529

Defending force 19439 troops, 69 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 455

Allied max assault: 537 - adjusted assault: 225

Japanese max defense: 312 - adjusted defense: 145

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
203 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


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In Burma Japan conducts a para drop onto Taung Gyi and finds himself outgunned by the 1st Assam Rifles battalion, the unit I very recently air lifted into the base. I’ll not conduct any attacks here, as Japan may bring in more paratroops and the odds could change rapidly. Very nice adjusted AV though, I wish all my units would quadruple their AV like this.

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Ground combat at Taung Gyi

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2366 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Defending force 1336 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Japanese max assault: 56 - adjusted assault: 21

Allied max defense: 37 - adjusted defense: 149

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Boy am I glad I recently reviewed Burma. Up till about 3-4 turns ago all I had in Taung Gyi was a small fragment of about 5 squads. With Japan’s base force only one hex away now, an air assault capture of this base would unhinge my entire front as he could air lift in much larger units once he owned the base.

I’ll send a Chinese division into the base to beef up my small battalion if Japan continues to drop paras onto the base.

Jim

13 Feb. 42

Lots of action near Java today. First my remaining 3 PT boats in the SRA engage a Japanese surface group at Batavia and finally one of my boats scores a torpedo hit. It’s the first hit of the war for the PT’s. It cost them though, all three boats head to the bottom.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 20,60

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
DD Ikazuchi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Inazuma
DD Isonami
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
PT MTB 11
PT MTB 12, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT MTB 27, Shell hits 100, and is sunk
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 20,60

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
PG Idzumo
PG Iwate

Allied Ships
PT MTB 11, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
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At Makassar Japanese ASW task forces conduct 3 separate ASW attacks on Dutch sub KXIII and send her under. The Japanese APD as a real killer ASW platform, better than anything the allies have, I wonder if this is historically correct.

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ASW attack near Makassar at 30,70

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 39
APD Patrol Boat No. 38
APD Patrol Boat No. 37
APD Patrol Boat No. 36

Allied Ships
SS KXIII
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ASW attack near Makassar at 30,70

Japanese Ships
PC Ishigaki
PC Kunashiri
PC Hachijo

Allied Ships
SS KXIII
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ASW attack near Makassar at 30,70

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 39
APD Patrol Boat No. 38
APD Patrol Boat No. 37

Allied Ships
SS KXIII, hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
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179 Japanese bombers hit Manila today in two separate raids. Damage to the base is heavy though only 1 airbase supply hit is scored. Japan loses 1 bomber destroyed and 20 bombers damaged.

Allied bombers hit the Japanese 21st division at Darwin and cause 72 casualties and 2 gun losses. Later in the turn the deliberate attack goes in and achieves a 2-1. Casualties are not too heavy but I stood down my forces for a turn to rest and recuperate. I’ll send them in again next turn.

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Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17379 troops, 143 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 282

Defending force 16647 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 326

Allied max assault: 265 - adjusted assault: 158

Japanese max defense: 171 - adjusted defense: 55

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
560 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
203 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
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The Dutch airforce flies 9 different air strikes against Japanese naval units east of Java, and even makes a few runs on some Japanese CV’s. 90%+ of the few 250lb bombs that hit (none hit the CV’s) simply bounced, but the torpedo bombers did manage to put one into the side of the BB Mutsu. Hopefully it didn’t just bounce as well, though the replay animation did not look like it was very heavily damaged by the torp.

Japanese zeroes shot down well over 50 allied planes in air to air today at a total cost of 2 zeroes downed in air to air. I gotta say Nik Mod seriously over-favors Japan in air to air, some of these Dutch pilots were well above 60 experience now, but it made no difference whatsoever, they simply do not get many chances to shoot back due to the excessively high Japanese maneuver ratings.



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Day Air attack on TF at 25,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

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Day Air attack on TF at 24,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 65

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
BB Hyuga

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 24,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2
Brewster 339D x 3
T.IVa x 7
A-24 Dauntless x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
T.IVa: 5 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 2
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 25,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Montoiru Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 24,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 13
CW-21B Demon x 13
Brewster 339D x 8
Martin 139 x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 11 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 11 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 6 destroyed
Martin 139: 4 destroyed, 22 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Soryu
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on TF at 26,64


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 25,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged


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Day Air attack on TF at 24,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 64

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

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Day Air attack on TF at 26,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 5
Brewster 339D x 2
Martin 139 x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 2
CL Yura
DD Yugumo
DD Yukikaze

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
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My second days attack at Wenchow goes in and was a big mistake. The small amount of disruption I received made a huge difference. Also Japan’s adjusted AV of 527 was way higher than yesterdays adjusted AV of 145. I think it was due to Japan not bombarding me today at Wenchow, bombardment attacks can halve your AV, but that still doesn’t explain how he more than tripled yesterdays AV.

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Ground combat at Wenchow

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16815 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 515

Defending force 19382 troops, 67 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 453

Allied max assault: 523 - adjusted assault: 97

Japanese max defense: 366 - adjusted defense: 527

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
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I hope this doesn’t end up costing me the base. I’ve stood down my guys for the foreseeable future to allow them to recover disruption and disablements.

Jim

14 Feb. 42

At Kragen a Japanese BB bombardment group moves in and conducts 2 shore bombardments to prepare the way for landings this turn. Thankfully my decision a few turns back to pull out of the north has allowed me to at least get close to matching the Japanese AV landed so far.

In another turn or two I should have a couple hundred more AV in the hex and I may even be able to start a counter-attack already. Assuming of course he doesn’t start to land the 56th Division last seen at Makassar next turn. Though I suspect he may have diverted that unit to Darwin to try and save the 21st Division there.

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Naval bombardment of Kragen, at 22,64

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CA Takao
BB Hyuga


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

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Naval bombardment of Kragen, at 22,64

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CA Takao
BB Hyuga


Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 5

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Ground combat at Kragen

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3300 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Defending force 8233 troops, 79 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 159


Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
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Japan also conducts a naval bombardment of Soerabaja this turn and causes a decent amount of damage at the base. Several planes are destroyed and US sub SS S-37 is pounded in port. Sys and float damage is in the red, so it’ll be a while before I can rebase the sub to a safer port for more extensive repairs.

My coastal defense guns did manage to land 7 hits on the CA Myoko, but it doesn’t look like much damage was caused.

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Naval bombardment of Soerabaja, at 23,66 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
T.IVa: 1 destroyed
Do 24K-2: 1 destroyed

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Myoko, Shell hits 7
CA Atago
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso

Allied Ships
SS S-37, hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
387 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 14
Port hits 1
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Singapore was hit by 8f Japanese bombers today. Damage at the base was heavy and 4 airbase supply hits were scored. Japan lost 4 bombers destroyed and 38 bombers damaged in the raid,

Two large raids totaling 175 bombers hit Manila today, damage caused was heavy but no airbase supply was hit. Japan only had 12 bombers damaged in the raid, none were destroyed.

At Darwin allied bombers hit the Japanese 21st Division again today and cause 48 casualties. A deliberate attack is scheduled for tomorrow.

Japanese bombers hit Madioen on Java today and their escorting zeroes shred the tiny allied CAP defending the base. Damage from the bombers themselves was non-existent.

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Day Air attack on Madioen , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 30

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1
Hawk 75A x 4
Brewster 339D x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
Hawk 75A: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 16000 feet
<snip>
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Japan launches another deliberate attack at Bandjarmasin and is repulsed. Look like the one big air strike I launched here several turns back has simply taken the fight out of the small Japanese invasion force. He’ll need to bring in more troops if he wants the place.

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Ground combat at Bandjermasin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1531 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Defending force 1670 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Japanese max assault: 35 - adjusted assault: 15

Allied max defense: 16 - adjusted defense: 55

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


Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported


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In China Japan is launching a couple of attacks to clear two of my gurilla Corps out. The first one failed to destroy the unit but is on track to kill it soon.

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Ground combat at 50,37

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7637 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 202

Defending force 766 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35

Japanese max assault: 127 - adjusted assault: 114

Allied max defense: 29 - adjusted defense: 11

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported


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The second attack resulted in the surrender of the unit during the replay, though the text does not report the surrender.

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Ground combat at 52,33

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2860 troops, 0 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 81

Defending force 757 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Japanese max assault: 75 - adjusted assault: 70

Allied max defense: 32 - adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 35 to 1



Allied ground losses:
924 casualties reported
Guns lost 7


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Jim

15 Feb. 42

The historical surrender date at Singapore arrives and finds the base still in allied hands. Each day henceforth that it remains in allied hands is a victory for the allied cause.

Japan conducts 3 naval bombardments at Kragen and the costal defense guns score a few hits. Damage to my units is heavy though, but more allied reinforcements are arriving each turn from the north, so I’m not sure if his assault next turn will win the base or not.

Japan landed lots of new units at Kragen this turn and his AV grows well above 500 in the allied bombardment phase. Several Dutch regiments have 45 miles accumulated towards the base, so next turns combat will be close.

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Naval bombardment of Kragen, at 22,64 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Takao
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
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Naval bombardment of Kragen, at 22,64 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Myoko, Shell hits 4
CA Atago
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso


Allied ground losses:
355 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1
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Naval bombardment of Kragen, at 22,64

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Ashigara
CA Maya


Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 1
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Ground combat at Kragen

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3610 troops, 19 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 300

Defending force 26862 troops, 130 guns, 63 vehicles, Assault Value = 559


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
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56 Japanese bombers hit Singapore today and damage to the base is moderate. 1 airbase supply hit is scored and Japan loses 4 bombers destroyed and 28 damaged.

102 Japanese bombers hit Manila today and damage to the base is moderate. No supply hits are scored however and Japan loses 1 bomber destroyed and 3 damaged.

ZUIKAKU IS BURNING!

27 allied bombers escorted by 26 allied fighters launch an air strike from Madioen today against a Japanese CV task force near Kragen this turn. 61 Japanese zeroes flying CAP over the task force shred the obsolete allied escorts, but their sacrifice allowed many of the bombers to get through.

The Dutch bombers were ineffective, but the 7 surviving A-24’s roll in on the Zuikaku and start their dives from 15000 feet. Two 1000lb GP bombs find their mark and both penetrate the flight deck. The first bomb sets off an ammo storage explosion and the second bomb sets off a fuel storage explosion.

Damage in the replay appeared to be very heavy and allied planners do not think the stricken ship will see port again. All available allied subs are vectored to the area to try and finish her off, though most are many days away.



Near Rangoon Japanese bombers attack a supply convoy heading into port there. 22 AVG fighters are flying LRCAP over the task force and actually do very well against the escorting Nate’s. I consider this the first allied victory in an air to air engagement of the entire game. The LRCAP broke up the strike and no hits were scored on the ships in the fleet.

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Day Air attack on TF at 28,33

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6
Ki-27 Nate x 15

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Tarakan

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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143000 screaming Japanese launch their first deliberate attack at Manila and get bloodily repulsed. Suffering almost 8000 Japanese casualties means they won’t be attacking again anytime soon. Japan did however manage to reduce the fort levels to 1. Allied losses were very heavy as well, with over 3000 casualties being suffered.

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Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 143086 troops, 746 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 2939

Defending force 74999 troops, 481 guns, 302 vehicles, Assault Value = 1350

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese max assault: 2946 - adjusted assault: 1494

Allied max defense: 1293 - adjusted defense: 4349

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


Japanese ground losses:
7888 casualties reported
Guns lost 114
Vehicles lost 10

Allied ground losses:
3137 casualties reported
Guns lost 69
Vehicles lost 10
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Allied troops at Darwin launch their second deliberate attack against the stalled Japanese 21st Division and achieve 4-1 odds. Japanese supplies must be all but gone by now, but just to play it safe I’ve stood down my men this turn to rest for a turn between attacks.

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Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18079 troops, 140 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 258

Defending force 15863 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 299

Allied max assault: 250 - adjusted assault: 123

Japanese max defense: 195 - adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
510 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
485 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
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For the past several turns Japan has been air transporting more paras into Taung Gyi. This turn I had several fighter groups flying LRCAP over the base and intercepted quite a few of the air transports over the base. Japan then launched a deliberate attack against the 1st Assam Rifles battalion and was again repulsed by the unit.

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Ground combat at Taung Gyi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3934 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 78

Defending force 1276 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Japanese max assault: 52 - adjusted assault: 15

Allied max defense: 36 - adjusted defense: 65

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
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I’ll be able to send a Chinese division to the base in about 2-3 turns (I don’t want to leave any other bases ungarrisoned so must await arrival of reinforcements to the area from Ledo) which should then assure it will not fall to the paras.

My opponents email was understandably terse this turn, and I thought he put it very well how he summed up today’s turn.

“A whole litany of disasters for me today.”

A great day for the allied cause for sure, but I can’t help but empathize with my opponents pain. Today’s turn dramatically demonstrates the main effect of the nik mod. No matter how strong your CAP is, the bombers will get through.

While exciting and fun for me today, I dread being on the receiving end once I start my counter-attacks. Many unanswered questions arise, the most pressing of which is will I have any carriers left once they begin to operate within range of enemy land based air?

If the low experienced Dutch and other allies can take out the Zuikaku when the groups that flew were already chewed up and very low on morale (25-40 average morale’s), what will well rested, high experienced Japanese groups do to my CV’s later in the war? I dread the future prospects for my CV’s.

Jim

Wow! Jim, this is a great achievement! For what i can see you're doing really a good job being in mid feb 42! He's stuck at Darwin, at Java he almost lost a CV, while Singa and Manila still hold their ground...if i was the jap guys i'd be really concerned about the actual situation....
&nbsp;
However Nik's changes to A2A really improove this game. With Stock game the allies cannot do anything before 1943 and japs cannot stand a single fight beyond that date (talking about CVs abviously). it was a one-way playing (first the japs, then the allies).
Now, with no more death stars we will all have much more fun from witp!
&nbsp;
My bet for ziukaku's sinking is for a 533mm ducth torp...i think one of those toys will bite her before she goes under the waves[:'(]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Wow! Jim, this is a great achievement! For what i can see you're doing really a good job being in mid feb 42! He's stuck at Darwin, at Java he almost lost a CV, while Singa and Manila still hold their ground...if i was the jap guys i'd be really concerned about the actual situation....

However Nik's changes to A2A really improove this game. With Stock game the allies cannot do anything before 1943 and japs cannot stand a single fight beyond that date (talking about CVs abviously). it was a one-way playing (first the japs, then the allies).
Now, with no more death stars we will all have much more fun from witp!

My bet for ziukaku's sinking is for a 533mm ducth torp...i think one of those toys will bite her before she goes under the waves[:'(]

Thanks G.H., I'm actually pretty happy the way things have gone so far. I just wish I hadn't wasted so many PP trying to defend the SRA with large low experience units. It hasn't really slowed him down any and the stuff I've managed to stop him with was already where it needed to be.

The extra power on Java in the form of the remnants of the US regiment and the PS regiment may make a difference though since they have good experience, but other than that I think I wasted about 600 PP.

The Zuikaku of course is a huge coup and was a very surprising bonus this turn. My airforce on Java was decimated so I didn’t expect it to have one more good strike in them. Especially since morale was so low.

I actually think the fires may put down the Zuikaku. As you can see the combatreports text does not state she had “heavy damage”, but look at the fire and smoke graphic, I think the ammo and fuel explosions probably gave her fires in excess of 50 and Japanese damage control is notoriously bad.

My subs are so far out of position I’m really kicking myself. He had been conducting heavy ASW sweeps in all his ports around Java, so I sent my subs to the further ports like Brunei. Saigon, etc. in hopes of some easy pickings among resource convoys. Now I’m kicking myself over that decision, 2 or 3 turns and he’ll be back in a safe port like Batavia or Palembang where he can put out his fires. He'll then head for Saigon I bet, so I’ll position a line of subs along that route if I fail to get her in the next few turns.

Jim

16 Feb. 42

Additional Japanese troops continue to come ashore at Kragen and Japan conducts two more bombardment attacks. Both bombardments are relatively ineffective and defending costal guns fail to cause much damage to Japan in return.

A Japanese air bombardment on the 2 KNIL Regiment causes moderate disruption to the unit later in the turn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Kragen, 22,64, firing at TF 128
TF 128 troops unloading over beach at Kragen, 22,64


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kragen, at 22,64

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Myoko
CA Atago
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kragen, at 22,64

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Ashigara
CA Maya
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Kragen, 22,64, firing at TF 128
TF 128 troops unloading over beach at Kragen, 22,64


4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd KNIL Regiment, at 22,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G3M Nell x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G3M Nell bombing at 12000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan then launches its expected deliberate attack and even though allied troops are forced to bombard this turn due to the landings, Japan fails to take the hex. The allied ground bombardment fails to cause any damage, but still 2 Japanese mortar battalions die at the end of the turn due to attrition.

I can’t imagine why these two units died so soon after landing, unless they were almost completely wiped out in the combat phase.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kragen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27455 troops, 145 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 565

Defending force 27183 troops, 223 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 555

Japanese max assault: 438 - adjusted assault: 217

Allied max defense: 536 - adjusted defense: 282

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
902 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
973 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kragen

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10766 troops, 80 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 503

Defending force 26092 troops, 120 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 495
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Mortar Battalion Wiped Out at Kragen by attrition!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5th Mortar Battalion Wiped Out at Kragen by attrition!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whatever the reason, allied planners are taking advantage of this setback for the Japanese and heading south to Madioen ASAP. Japan has an armored unit racing south from Batavia that will open a line of communication to the Kragen landings this turn. I doubt I can hold the clear hex once Japan has ample supplies, so I’m getting out while the getting is good.

Also Madioen is safe from naval bombardments which have caused my units no end of grief at Kragen.

At Darwin allied bombers hit the 21st division again this turn and cause 44 casualties and 2 gun losses. No deliberate attack is ordered this turn however, since a Japanese fleet is spotted four or five (can’t remember exactly) hexes northwest. All allied air is switch to naval attack for next turn and all ground ops are cancelled until we can ascertain the composition of this new threat.

He may be just coming in to bombard, or he may be landing new troops and supplies. Either way it can throw off a ground attack and I don’t want to lose the slim advantage I hold at Darwin by launching a failed attack.

Japan launches a deliberate attack at Singapore and his engineers manage to reduce the forts again. With the forts down to level 3, the base hasn’t long before it capitulates. I’ll be lucky to last until March. Casualties caused are pretty even, so he shouldn’t need to rest as long between attacks from now on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83950 troops, 364 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 1565

Defending force 70737 troops, 362 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 1036

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese max assault: 1511 - adjusted assault: 856

Allied max defense: 1094 - adjusted defense: 1647

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


Japanese ground losses:
2274 casualties reported
Guns lost 29
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1688 casualties reported
Guns lost 24
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jim

17 Feb. 42

Southeast of Java one of my subs looking for either the Mutsu or the Zuikaku runs into a Japanese surface fleet. US sub SS-38 fires a salvo and strikes the BB Hyuga with one torpedo. The sub managed to evade 2 separate ASW counter-attacks.

One odd development was that the Japanese CA Haguro launched a torpedo salvo at my sub during the first ASW counter-attack. Thankfully the torpedoes missed. This is a first for me, I’ve never seen a torpedo fired at a sub in ASW attacks before.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,68

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Arashio
DD Oshio
DD Arashi
DD Hayashio
DD Natsushio
CA Haguro

Allied Ships
SS S-38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Lots of action at Darwin today. First a Japanese BB group sails in and bombards the base, but the costal guns prevent major damage from occurring at the base, though two allied planes are destroyed on the ground.

A Japanese transport group then begins to unload the Japanese 2nd Division to augment the 21st Division already ashore. Again my costal defense unit performs admirably and causes lots of carnage amongst the unloading fleet.

The allied airforce at Darwin then launches 3 air strikes against the invasion fleets. The allied pilots choose well again and send only a few bombers at the BB fleet. The two big strikes go for the transport group, but very few hits are scored.

Again it’s the A-24’s that shine and score all the hits. These stalwart air frames were once referred to as paper tigers by my opponent early in the SRA campaign; I wonder what he’d say about them today.

At the end of the turn, the allied troops launch the mandatory ground bombardment attack and the comparative AV’s spell possible doom for the allies. My only hope is his adjusted AV drops way below the 600+ he has ashore now. By tomorrow he’ll probably have well over 700 AV before adjustments.

I’ve given the airforce orders for a grounds strike tomorrow, my ground troops will need all the help they can get.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 25
TF 25 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84


492 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Tofuku Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Katori, Shell hits 4
PG Daido Maru
PG Fukui Maru, Shell hits 3
PC Ch 30, Shell hits 7
PG Oi Maru, Shell hits 1
PG Nikkai Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
1235 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84


Allied aircraft
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 12
Wirraway x 4
Hudson I x 16
A-24 Dauntless x 11


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Nichiren Maru
AP Kiyoshima Maru
AP Jinshu Maru
AP Kofuku Maru
AP Tafuku Maru
DD Hatakaze
AP Kiyama Maru
AP Asahi Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Katori

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84


Allied aircraft
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 12
Wirraway x 6
Hudson I x 15
A-24 Dauntless x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Jinshu Maru
AP Haruna Maru
CL Katori, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Kiyama Maru
AP Konron Maru
PG Fukui Maru
AP Tafuku Maru
DD Hatakaze
AP Takayo Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11557 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Defending force 28940 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 636


Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At Rangoon Japanese land based zeroes escort a recon mission over the base and the ensuing air to air battle again shows how badly the allied planes are outclassed in this mod. My elite, low fatigue, high morale AVG pilots flying CAP over their own airbase couldn’t even hit an enemy plane…

Again Japan gets dozens and dozens of attempts to shoot at the allies, but very few return shots are allowed due to the huge difference in maneuver ratings.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

85 Japanese bombers hit Manila today causing moderate damage. No Airbase supply hits are scored and 1 Japanese bomber is destroyed and 15 are damaged. Japan then send two large raids against the ground units themselves and the 200th US Coast AA Regiment and 41st Reserve Division are hit.

Two Japanese air raids are sent against allied land units at Kragen and the MLD Marine Battalion and 57th PS Regimental Combat Team are hit.

My few remaining Dutch torpedo bombers launch a raid against Japanese shipping at Bali. No hits are scored and I lose 2 escorts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bali at 24,69

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 6
T.IVa x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sansei Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jim

Wow Jim, your stiff defence of Java and Darwin is really paying its dividends, isn't it?!
I think he made a quite huge mistake to keep his major ships around those waters so scattered. He should have landed in mass somewhere in the north of Java, estabilish a great AF for his bombers and simply reduce, with the brute force of the IJAF, your southern defences, while not risking his major naval assets.
However, i'm quite surprised on how the Darwin's defences held their ground. These results mean that Japan needs at least 2 reinforced divisions to land there with a chance of winning. Last time i attacked Darwin i moved in with 4 divisions, helped by the KB which launch a massive port-AF attack the day before the landings and the CD guns didn't shoot a single bullet...
He has already lost the "momentum" of this war i guess...
&nbsp;
Good job Jim!

18 Feb. 42

Japanese troops continue to pour ashore at Darwin and the costal defense guns deal out some more pain.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 25
TF 25 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84


265 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 30, Shell hits 2
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 1
PG Hakkaisan Maru, Shell hits 2
PG Fukui Maru, Shell hits 1
PG Kaikei Maru
AP Juko Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Returning from a high speed mine laying mission to Wake Island, my DM’s run into Japanese sub I-172 at Johnston Island as they arrive to refuel and the Preble takes one in the side. Damage to the DM is pretty bad and with 87 float and 38 fires only a miracle will save her.

The Preble’s sister ships exact their revenge in two separate ASW attacks and score a total of 8 hit/near misses. Hopefully she won’t make it back to a Japanese port.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Johnston Island at 104,78

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 6

Allied Ships
DM Preble, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DM Sicard
DM Pruitt
DM Tracy
DM Breese
DM Ramsay
DM Montgomery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Johnston Island at 104,78

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 2

Allied Ships
DM Sicard
DM Pruitt
DM Preble, on fire, heavy damage
DM Ramsay
DM Gamble
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25 Japanese Sally’s hit Hengchow today and score 3 resource hits.

Four separate Japanese raids fly to Rangoon this turn and the *elite* AVG is proved to be utterly worthless. Nik mod totally screws the allies in air to air battles. In the four engagements fought, the elite AVG only manages to score 2 damage results on enemy fighters. The other damage results and the destroyed Dinah were achieved by flak.

6 AVG fighters were destroyed and 18 were damaged in the ridiculously lopsided air to air duels. Didn’t nik even bother to test what such high maneuver ratings would do to the combat models? I doubt it given these results.

With the 80-90 experience AVG being so outclassed by Nates and Oscars, I dread what will happen to my regular 50-60 experience level US and British fighters once they start to see combat. My guys get so few shots at the enemy they can’t even tough them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 31
Ki-51 Sonia x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 17

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

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Bantam
AK Tunni, Bomb hits 1
AK Tasman

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 3
Ki-27 Nate x 15

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Van Heutsz

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 17
Ki-27 Nate x 31

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Bantam, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tunni, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Van Heutsz
AK Tasman

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One AK sank and the other was put in port at Rangoon. The rest shall continue to unload supplies, though they are doomed as my fighters can’t do anything against Japanese planes.

68 Japanese bombers hit Manila today and cause moderate damage. 1 airbase supply hit is scored and Japan loses no bombers and 8 are damaged.

2 more air strikes then hit the ground units at Manila and the 200th US Coast AA Regiment and the 51st Reserve Division are bombed.

Japanese planes strike Darwin today and cause moderate damage. 5 Wirraway’s on CAP are destroyed and 1 Hudson on the ground is destroyed. Looks like Darwin will soon be untenable for allied aircraft.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G3M Nell x 20
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 5 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 30

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allied bombers at Darwin then strike the Japanese 2nd Division and cause 105 casualties and 1 gun loss. I hope these raids are doing some significant disruption to the unit, as I doubt I can hold Darwin if they don’t.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 36,84


Allied aircraft
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 9
Wirraway x 5
Hudson I x 12
A-24 Dauntless x 12


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged
A-24 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here’s this turns allied ground bombardment at Darwin, as you can see we are greatly outclassed in AV’s.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11690 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 247

Defending force 31711 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 635


Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My units left Kragen for Madioen today and fully 20% of the allied supplies left on Java are left behind at the empty base for Japan to capture.

One unusual thing I noticed today is there are apparently 47 allied guns still at Kragen even though there are no allied units left at that base.

Here’s a screenshot:



Anyone have any idea what is going on here? I see 130 Japanese guns in the recon report, so it can’t be reporting Japanese guns. What are these guns intrinsic AAA or something?

Jim

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Wow Jim, your stiff defence of Java and Darwin is really paying its dividends, isn't it?!
I think he made a quite huge mistake to keep his major ships around those waters so scattered. He should have landed in mass somewhere in the north of Java, estabilish a great AF for his bombers and simply reduce, with the brute force of the IJAF, your southern defences, while not risking his major naval assets.
However, i'm quite surprised on how the Darwin's defences held their ground. These results mean that Japan needs at least 2 reinforced divisions to land there with a chance of winning. Last time i attacked Darwin i moved in with 4 divisions, helped by the KB which launch a massive port-AF attack the day before the landings and the CD guns didn't shoot a single bullet...
He has already lost the "momentum" of this war i guess...

Good job Jim!

Hi G.H.,

I agree I’ve knocked him back on his heels a bit, but I don’t think I’ve taken the momentum away from him yet. At best I’ve delayed his timetables and probably saved India from potential invasion. But Australia is still in very serious danger.

Remember Manila will fall probably within a month (only about 10k supply left). That’s 2 months ahead of schedule and a lot of Japanese combat power freed up to take somewhere.

With one carrier and 2 battleships in the yards for a while, India is a tougher nut to crack in terms of forcing a landing. He can still do it, but it will be a lot tougher. Also we’ve both learned how easy it is to hurt major surface assets in this mod, so going for India opens his CV’s up to my land based torpedo squadrons. Australia’s torpedo planes still aren’t available, so all he has to face are the few meager Hudson’s right now.

Australia is a lot easier to get ashore, and once established he can easily isolate it from the US in this mod because the US doesn’t really have enough ground strength to hold the south Pacific against the 143000 or so Japanese soon to be freed up at Manila.

I suspect Holding NZ will be my best option over the next few months, Nomeua and anything else he wants is really his for the taking. I’ve got small forces at Nomeua and Suva, but he can bring 2 divisions to each and easily over run them.

My first big troop convoys are just setting out for Australia and NZ, and the units they carry are pretty meager compared to what I see at Manila. Also don’t forget he has a division and the South Seas Det. Already at Port Moresby.

With 2 Divisions ashore at Darwin, 4 soon to be freed up at Manila and 1 at Port Moresby, Japan has plenty of strength to take whatever he wants in the South Pacific. At best the US could muster 2 divisions (Americal and 2nd USMC) down there, but I’ve decided to leave the 2nd USMC at Pearl, just in case he tries something there.

Had I not spent so many PP on those units I tried to defend the SRA with, I could have 2 or 3 Brigades already in the South Pacific, but they’re still stuck in port awaiting more PP to accumulate. So at best they're 1-2 months away from deployment to the islands.

So while I agree I’ve fought a good campaign in the SRA, it’s not decisive enough to have stopped his momentum, just slowed it down a bit and *perhaps* saved India at this point.

Jim

Jim, i really think that after PI-DEI-SRA-Malaya are completed the only wise choice for him will be to stop expanding (due to the fact that you're already deep into 1942) and consolidate his inner perimeter. The only possible ops for him should be to attack in mass one of your atolls in the pacific, grab some points, delay you and then go back.
If he goes to Oz, let's say by May 42, it's already too late! Oz is very big and you can easily exchange space for time.
Just in case fortify yourself at Alice Spring, sending the ANZAC HQ there along with a pair of divisions and do the same for the Perth Area(Katerine or whatever it's called that base some 8 hexes eastwards of Perth). He simply cannot invade everywhere. He can go for Darwin and try to come down along the road, but if he commits in the north he cannot go to Perth and vice versa. In both cases one of his flanks will be left unguarded. 10 divisions are a lot, i know, but he cannot commit all of them in Oz. He has at least 3 fronts opened and the British can try to advance in southern Burma if he leaves there only the 2 ordinary mixed regiments, while the americans can do some tricks in the Marshalls area if KB is involved in Oz...
Your situation looks however better than many others...you still have many chance to deny him the Auto victory by 1.1.43...

19 Feb. 42

At Batavia Dutch sub KXVII makes a run on a Japanese MSW but misses. No signs of the Zuikaku here yet.

Darwin gets hammered from the air and sea again today. Damage at the base is significant and I’ve decided to pull out the airforce. About half the planes are still damaged and may perish if he attacks this turn.

Allied bombers from Darwin hit both land and naval targets today. I decided to put the A-24’s on naval attack and they manage to put a 500lb bomb into an AK that was leaving the area.

Japanese planes hit Hengchow again today and cause another 4 resource hits.

At Manila my opponent continues to fly one mission at the base and two missions at my ground units there. This is turning into a regular pattern and I’m no longer causing enough damage to his planes to merit detailed reports on the strikes each turn. I’ll only report significant or unusual events at Manila from now on.

Today has a significant event in that Japan launches another deliberate attack and reduces the last level of forts. With no forts left my forces still manage to easily repulse the attack, so I am guaranteed to hold on until supplies run out. With less than 10,000 supplies left I figure my troops will surrender sometime in late March.

I had been worried that pulling out the US regiment and the 2 PS regiments might have reduced my combat power enough for him to overwhelm my garrison once my forts were gone. But it is apparent that that will not happen given today’s adjusted AV’s. Most of my units are at or close to 100% prepped for Manila, so I’m seeing a nice boost in my AV due to that and the urban terrain.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 132201 troops, 645 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 2513

Defending force 71497 troops, 411 guns, 300 vehicles, Assault Value = 1317

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese max assault: 2460 - adjusted assault: 1134

Allied max defense: 1236 - adjusted defense: 3885

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


Japanese ground losses:
4715 casualties reported
Guns lost 57
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
2442 casualties reported
Guns lost 81
Vehicles lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan launched an air attack at my fleet at Rangoon again today and the AVG did much better in air to air today. Looks like the fatigue from yesterdays missions dramatically affected the performance of Japan’s fighters. Yesterday when they were fresh the AVG couldn’t even touch them, today the AVG actually did quite well, shooting down 3 of the fatigued Nates.

Still it is kind of sad that I get *excited* over the prospect that Japanese Nates did not own my most elite fighter group…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 3
Ki-27 Nate x 14

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Tasman

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

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

Japan launches another attack to try and take Bandjermasin from the small Dutch garrison there and is again repulsed. I’m amazed at how tough this little garrison battalion is. Even after repeated bombing from Japanese air, Japan still cannot overcome the unit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandjermasin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1648 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Defending force 1515 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Japanese max assault: 40 - adjusted assault: 17

Allied max defense: 15 - adjusted defense: 13

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boy did I make a bonehead decision last turn. Feeling flush with recent successes, I decided to launch a deliberate attack at Taung Gyi in an attempt to drive out the two Japanese para units there. A Chinese division had arrived last turn and after one turns rest I thought why not…

I paid the price, both my units were bloodily repulsed and are now in the 80+ range of disruption. If Japan attacks this turn, he may end up taking the base after all. Then he’ll air lift in larger units and I’ll be forced to evacuate southern Burma without a fight.

STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Taung Gyi

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4797 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 140

Defending force 3790 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 68

Allied max assault: 130 - adjusted assault: 40

Japanese max defense: 68 - adjusted defense: 61

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here’s a screenshot of the attack. As you can see the Japanese 1st Para regiment is still pretty chewed up from his initial failed assaults and has a very low AV, but the 2nd Para regiment looks quite fresh and may have enough strength to force a retreat.



Jim

20 Feb. 42

Japan hits Hengchow again today with 23 Sally’s and scores 9 hits on the resource there.

81 Japanese bombers hit Singapore with two raids today and cause moderate damage to the base. 5 bombers are destroyed and 26 are damaged in the raids.

Japan then launches a deliberate attack later in the turn and Singapore loses another fort level. Japanese odds achieved are 1-1, so Singapore is on its last days. Also for the first time allied casualties are higher than Japanese casualties. At this point I doubt Singapore will even last till March.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 82980 troops, 346 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 1519

Defending force 68900 troops, 353 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 1011

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 1474 - adjusted assault: 2066

Allied max defense: 1062 - adjusted defense: 1204

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
1969 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
2570 casualties reported
Guns lost 63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan conducts a port attack at Soerabaja and hits US sub SS S-37 and sinks her. This sub had been repairing flooding damaged caused by a Japanese bombardment task force several turns ago and would have been ready to sail to safer waters this turn. Very timely strike by Japan…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G3M Nell x 43
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 15
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SS S-37, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
270 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

20 Japanese bombers hit Darwin today and cause moderate damage to the base. 1 A-24 is destroyed on the ground and no damage is suffered by the Japanese bombers.

42 allied Blenheim IV’s from Rangoon strike the Japanese 2nd Para regiment at Taung Gyi and casue 139 casualties and 3 gun losses. Disruption for my units is in the 60's this turn and no Japanese attack materialized, so I think my bonehead move last turn is past the danger point. I doubt the base will fall now if he attacks.

Near Townsville Australian MSW’s conduct two ASW attacks on a Japanese sub detected in the area. The first attack missed, but the second attack manages to score 6 hits and some flooding was reported, hopefully the sub will sink.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 48,105

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 6, on fire

Allied Ships
MSW Townsville
MSW Mildura
MSW Lithgow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan launches a shock attack against the small Dutch garrison at Bandjermasin, but once again fails to take the base. I wish all my Dutch units would have fought as tenaciously as these guys do.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandjermasin

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1622 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Defending force 1456 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Japanese max assault: 76 - adjusted assault: 18

Allied max defense: 14 - adjusted defense: 10

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I look over the garrison, I see nothing special about it. Experience is very low and about half the unit or more is disabled. I guess Japan simply didn’t bring enough men to the base to get the job done.

Jim

21 Feb. 42

At Darwin Japan launches a deliberate attack and achieves 1-1 odds and reduces the forts by one level down to level 1. I’ve decided to bring the independent company I sent to Wyndham back to try and give my guys just enough extra AV next time to prevent the 1-1 odds. Japan barely got 1-1 odds this time and another 18 squads should prevent it.

Of course if he reduces that last fortification in the next attack I’m toast. But it is a close enough fight that I’m willing to stick it out in hopes I can win.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32031 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 654

Defending force 16170 troops, 158 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 262

Japanese max assault: 541 - adjusted assault: 159

Allied max defense: 252 - adjusted defense: 152

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
481 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
394 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Japan attacks Bandjermasin again this turn and gets a 1-1 there as well. With the last fort level gone, it looks like my little garrison is on its last days.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandjermasin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1595 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Defending force 1412 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Japanese max assault: 37 - adjusted assault: 31

Allied max defense: 13 - adjusted defense: 25

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not much else to report really. Other than the routine bombing missions, not a lot happened today.

Jim

mmm...probably a pair of bombers on ground attack could do the trick to halt the japanese next attack at Darwin...can you master it?
However don't worry: he's going nowhere with Darwin. You can easily march towards Alice Spring, rebuild your units and come back in force.
Believe me: i've been there as japan and there's really nothing you can do to stop the allies from bombing the hell out of darwin when the allied 4Es come en mass in Oz...

22 Feb. 42

British sub SS Trusty is attacked in the middle of the South China Sea by the escorts of a large transport convoy. No hits are scored, and Intel states the convoy is heading east. Looks like Japan is sending his transports to Luzon in anticipation of Manila’s fall.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 27,52

Japanese Ships
AK Toei Maru
AP Tsuiba Maru
AP Ryuosan Maru
AP Waura Maru
AP Tsutsukami Maru
AP Hikade Maru
PC Ch 7
PC Ch 3
PG Sozan Maru
PG Eiko Maru
PG Chosa Maru
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS Trusty
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Southwest of Balikpapan, US sub SS Seal intercepts a Japanese tanker and slams a torpedo into its side. This is my first tanker of the war for my subs, hopefully it’s just the beginning of an active sub campaign in the SRA. No reports of the tanker sinking yet, and with Balikpapan just one hex away, he’ll probably be able to save it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 30,65

Japanese Ships
TK Rikko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Hachijo
PC Ishigaki
PC Kunashiri
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
SS Seal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Darwin gets hit with a naval bombardment today and lots of individual recon flights. It proves not to be enough as my heroic defenders hold against the deliberate attack. Given the adjusted AV’s, it looks like Japanese supplies are drying up again, though there is a transport fleet still in the hex, so he may be unloading supplies still. I’ll refrain from attacking until I’ve seen all the fleets leave and I’m sure he isn’t getting more supplies to his troops.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Dakota I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Ashigara
CA Maya


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31383 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 622

Defending force 16044 troops, 140 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 278

Japanese max assault: 427 - adjusted assault: 29

Allied max defense: 267 - adjusted defense: 239

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


Japanese ground losses:
409 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another large port attack at Soerabaja fails to get the AS ship docked in port there. It’s obvious Japan wants to sink her, so I’ve ordered her south to Perth. Unfortunately the port attack forces her to use all 1000 op points this turn, so she’ll sit docked at port for one turn exposed to air attack.

My few Dutch fighters left are needed to allow naval strikes to fly, I’m not going to waist them trying to fly CAP against overwhelming Japanese fighter strength. So the AS ship is just going to have to pray for rain.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G3M Nell x 46
C5M Babs x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 8 damaged


Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan launches a deliberate attack at Singapore and fails to reduce the fort levels. Based on his adjusted AV, I’d say he attacked before his troops disruption had gone away from the last attack. I’ll take it, this may allow my guys to last until March now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 81630 troops, 337 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 1446

Defending force 65010 troops, 320 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 940

Japanese max assault: 1395 - adjusted assault: 993

Allied max defense: 987 - adjusted defense: 1021

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
1148 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

Allied ground losses:
1918 casualties reported
Guns lost 70
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Java Tjilitjap falls and its 887 defenders march off to a POW camp.

My garrison at Bandjermasin survives another attack. I’m really proud of these guys.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandjermasin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1514 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Defending force 1421 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Japanese max assault: 32 - adjusted assault: 7

Allied max defense: 12 - adjusted defense: 10

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


Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now for the news of the allied disaster this turn. In China at Ichang, I have been sitting quietly so my unit’s disruption could settle down. With the arrival of the command HQ I decided since Japan was bombarding me each turn I’d go ahead and try a deliberate attack.

Huge mistake. Even though Japan’s AV was halved due to a bombardment attack, he still managed to more than quadruple my adjusted AV. All my units are 100% prepped for the base. Chiang Kai-shek’s HQ is 100% prepped for the base, but my AV is almost cut by 1/3rd. I don’t get it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 67411 troops, 375 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 2130

Defending force 74238 troops, 358 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 1767

Allied max assault: 2142 - adjusted assault: 967

Japanese max defense: 1859 - adjusted defense: 4131

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


Japanese ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
6879 casualties reported
Guns lost 147
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disruption and disablements are through the roof. If he attacks in the next turn or two I have no doubt I’ll be forced to retreat.

Jim

23 Feb. 42

More troops begin to land at Darwin and the coastal defense guns do their work among the transport fleet. This single unit has done tons of damage to the Japanese fleet. I must say I am very pleased with its performance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 94
TF 94 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84


324 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #1, Shell hits 6, on fire
AK Shunko Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
MSW Tokuho Maru #5, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tama Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
AK Sumanoura Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
484 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese sub I-158 is lying in wait outside Soerabaja and catches the Dutch AS ship as it tries to flee to Perth. The ship takes two torpedoes and goes straight to the bottom.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 23,67

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
AS Zuiderkruis, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan scores another 4 resource hits at Hengchow. If I didn’t need the AVG at Rangoon right now, I’d set an ambush up with them at Hengchow. But that will have to wait as it appears Japan will be making some moves into Moulmein soon and I need the AVG at Rangoon to protect my Blenheim IV’s.

Darwin gets hit by another air strike today and damage to the base is moderate. 2 previously damaged planes get destroyed on the ground.

Later KB sends 147 Kates to bomb the base and destroys another 7 planes on the ground. With KB now stationed off the coast, I’ll probably lose Darwin soon.

Japan has effectively shut down Darwin, I have very few engineers there and it will take weeks to repair all the damage to the base.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 15
G4M1 Betty x 22

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
Dakota I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 147

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Dakota I: 2 destroyed
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 3 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 95

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 11000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’ve got a base force at both Katherine and Daily Waters, but they each only have 10 engineers and a few engineer vehicles, so it will be a long time before those bases are in any shape to operate aircraft. So Darwin will have to hold or fall on the merits of the ground troops present with no more additional help from the air.

I’m mulling over the prospect of pulling my troops out before they are forced to retreat. I could easily pull back out of the range of KB and dig in at a new base inland and just concede Darwin to him, but my gaming spirit has me wanting to stick it out.

Either way I’m sending another division to Alice Springs to beef up my defense through the outback. That division plus the units already at Darwin should be enough to stop his 2 divisions and possibly a third one as well should he bring another ashore.

West of Java Japan invades Christmas Island and its tiny garrison manages to hit one of the PG’s in the invasion fleet. I doubt the base will hold, but at least it caused some damage before going under.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Christmas Island IO, 15,62, firing at TF 139
TF 139 troops unloading over beach at Christmas Island IO, 15,62


26 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Eifuku Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan launches a deliberate attack at Manila and the allies easily repulse the attack. Japan suffered more than double the casualties I did, so the base is safe until supplies dry up. With about 9000 supplies at the base plus all the supplies in the units, I’m hoping the base can hold for most of March. Early April would be a coup, but no way it’ll last till May as I had originally thought it would.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 128585 troops, 602 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 2243

Defending force 67190 troops, 335 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 1310

Japanese max assault: 2180 - adjusted assault: 1278

Allied max defense: 1188 - adjusted defense: 3469

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


Japanese ground losses:
4389 casualties reported
Guns lost 34
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
1803 casualties reported
Guns lost 71
Vehicles lost 13


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

My opponent has done a bang up job of killing my supplies at Manila. I had done almost a perfect job of pulling back into my redoubt, so the only reason he’s shortened my stay on Luzon is due to his attacks on my supply. Had he only done one raid a turn instead of three, I bet I’d still have in excess of 18000 supplies on hand.

My opponents land bombardment at Ichang this turn shows I’ve recovered enough disruption to hold my ground should he attack.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1744

Defending force 66750 troops, 148 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1545



Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I really think he missed an opportunity here to hurt me in China. Though he knows I’m 100% prepped for the base with my units (most units start the game 100% prepped), so perhaps his units are under-prepared and he didn’t want to risk an attack.

Jim

24 Feb. 42

Troops continue to unload at Darwin and the costal defense guns there hit another MSW.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 94
TF 94 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84


7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #1, Shell hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan hit Hengchow again today and scores 1 resource hit. Damage to the resource is now (80) 20, he’s effectively eliminated it.

Japanese Nell’s hit Madioen today and do heavy damage to the base. 6 allied planes are destroyed on the ground. Engineers reduced runway damage to 30, so it looks like I’ll be keeping the airbase open for an average of 1 turn in 4 once his raids become routine.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Madioen , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G3M Nell x 66
C5M Babs x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 destroyed, 19 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed
F.K.51: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
203 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 53

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Dutch bombers hit the two Japanese brigades that have advanced into Madioen along with other units. Too bad they won’t be able to fly every day, as damage caused to the units was respectable considering how few planes flew and how low their morale is.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 22,65


Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 3
F.K.51 x 1
Martin 139 x 15


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 56th Brigade, at 22,65


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
F.K.51 x 1
Martin 139 x 28


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This will be it for the Dutch airforce. There are practically no fighters left and perhaps 50 bombers. I’ll keep them on ground attack at Madioen until they are attrited to less than 15 bombers. Then I’ll disband all but 1 group and fly it out to Australia.

The A-24’s are already gone, I sent them to Rangoon several turns ago. The 5 remaining torpedo planes will stay at Soerabaja on anti-ship missions until destroyed. What few fighters I have left will stay until destroyed, except for the groups with range to fly out. They’ll fly to Australia once they have less than 4 airframes left.

Japanese troops that advanced into Madioen bombarded my forces today and our AV’s look pretty close. Japan still has probably another 500 AV on Java I think, so he may be able to start reducing my forts in a few turns once additional forces arrive.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madioen

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 26808 troops, 97 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 581

Defending force 43978 troops, 238 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 549



Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As expected Christmas Island falls to Japan and its small garrison of 137 men march off to POW camps.

Near Midway recon reports a DE 4 hexes northwest of the island. It is very possible that the report is FOW and it’s just a sub, but I’ve ordered the small PT squadron to run out 3 hexes and back just in case it is a small invasion fleet. I’ve also sent a sub to an intercept point as well.



I haven’t reinforced Midway yet, so there is no additional air or land forces there except the PBY squadron. With only 45 AV defending the island, it’ll be pretty easy for Japan to take if he wants it.

Jim