A midwar Japanese AAR (no USS Henrico)

[Cribtop]

Kweiyang is key. Well done. Nice fighter kills. As I asked in jrcar's AAR, can anything be done against the evil Thuds?

[Chickenboy]

My opponent has done a good job of rotating his various fighter airframes through his groups. He's distributed his A2A losses nicely amongst different air types.

I suspect that this will be the last of the P-38H that I see for some time. However, he's got plenty of F4U-1, F6F, FM-1 and P-40Ks in his inventory still.

But yes, the P47s are a riddle to which I cannot yet supply an answer. At least not with what is currently available.

I'm looking forward to the Ki-44IIc, which should come out no later than 1/44. SuluSea's testing showed considerably better A2A efficacy (at least against bombers) with the upgunned model. Franks will become available no later than 3/44 too, so that should help.

I'm planning on producing the Ki-61D models, which should become available in the next few months too. They're less capable against other fighter types, but should wreak havoc amongst Allied heavy bombers, given the opportunity.

[Chickenboy]

Nice long writeup killed by the refresher....grrr...rewrite below...

August 27, 1943:

China:

Kweiyang:

Allied B24s, B25s and FBs from Chungking ground attack here in the morning phase, causing some disruption and 150 casualties.

Infantry combat in the afternoon phase at Kweiyang successfully reduces forts by two and kills lots of Chinese. Appreciable Japanese disruption from the shock attack. Units will rest a couple turns and do a deliberate attack.

Ground combat at Kweiyang (74,49)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 131185 troops, 1028 guns, 416 vehicles, Assault Value = 4741

Defending force 28492 troops, 283 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 652

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 3540

Allied adjusted defense: 1151

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
8215 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 573 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 623 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 46 disabled
Vehicles lost 62 (15 destroyed, 47 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3892 casualties reported
Squads: 122 destroyed, 232 disabled
Non Combat: 169 destroyed, 590 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 91 disabled


Assaulting units:
40th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
13th Division
15th Tank Regiment
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
53rd Infantry Brigade
61st Infantry Brigade
6th Division
115th Infantry Regiment
68th Division
12th Tank Regiment
37th Division
51st Recon Regiment
60th Division
39th Division
69th Infantry Brigade
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
38th New Chinese Division
85th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
52nd Chinese Corps
13th Construction Regiment
64th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
11th Construction Regiment
20th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
1st Group Army
1st War Area
27th Group Army
39th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
18th Chinese Base Force
24th Group Army
7th Construction Regiment

Chengchow:

Morning IJAAF air attacks score some 80 casualties against the Chinese stack here.

58th ID West of Chengchow bombards the Chinese units in the hex and discovers that they are in strength, with ample support units. The Chinese attack in the pm phase and are modestly successful:

Ground combat at 87,44

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22623 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 782

Defending force 9014 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 335

Allied adjusted assault: 180

Japanese adjusted defense: 141

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
685 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
47th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
4th Group Army
14th Group Army
15th Group Army

Defending units:
58th Division


Inauspicious timing of the Chinese attack found the 58th in "bombardment" mode, probably reducing defensive strength. The 58th is now set for Combat/Defend in preparation for tomorrow's expected reprisal.

A regiment from the 8th Division (8/A) moves out from Chengchow to help out the 58th ID. A second regiment (8/B) is strat railing into Chengchow tomorrow and will be able to help within a week or so. 8/C is still in Kwangtung and will be delayed pending PP availability.

In the meantime, I order all IJAAF bombers in the Chinese theatre to concentrate on this hex in an effort to add to the unit disruption.

Ichang: Northeast of Ichang, in what appears to be forming into a meeting engagement, IJAAF bombers continue to beat on two Chinese units in the open. 231 Chinese casualties result from the morning bombardment.

[Chickenboy]

August 27, 1943

Burma:

Several Allied infantry regiments move across the border. I believe that the Allied host may NOT be attacking directly into Prome. There is no longer an 'arrow' indicating ongoing movement across the river. Hmmm...

In the meantime, KB sails near Port Blair in support of pending bombardment missions. KB is thus far unspotted. They will sail within 6-7 hexes of Ramree island before conducting the bombardment mission. If we're lucky, I may catch an Allied TF at sea, but that would be unjustly fortunate. He knows my heavy surface forces are in the area from a submarine sighting yesterday.

Recent reconnaisance of Cox's Bazaar, Ramree island and Akyab all show 180-250 aircraft in each airfield.

[Chickenboy]

Duplicate...

[Chickenboy]

August 27, 1943

Elsewhere:

Rabaul:

Heavy air battles again over Rabaul and Koepang. Japanese CAP above Rabaul does manage to bring down some 19 P47s, but at a poor rate of exchange. IJAAF CAP is getting beaten up at Rabaul.

The Ki-45 KAIa Nicks are rotated to Truk to rebuild. Betties on Rabaul are moved to Ponape for temporary safe keeping, as I expect a visit from his heavies in the next couple of days at Rabaul.

An Oscar IIb unit at Rabaul is switched to Ki-44IIa airframes. Nicks and Oscars are so much fodder at this stage of the war, they just can't stand a chance against Allied mid-late war aircraft.

The Allied incursion / airfield on New Britain is now active. Some 32 fighters and 31 "auxiliary" aircraft are on the tarmac at this level 3 A/F now.

I order my surface heavies (in orbit due East of Rabaul) onto the scene to:

1. Defend against an amphibious OP on Gasmata
2. Bombard the new Allied a/f on W. New Britain
3. Act as DB CAP trap at range. Approximately 60 A6M3a from Rabaul are detailed to fly CAP over the TF as it moves into the area.

The SCTF has been spotted for a couple turns, so they're not going to be a surprise, but they could be a useful deterrent to larger non-combat supply ships in the area.

Koepang: Ki-44IIas based at Koepang perform remarkably well, utterly destroying two sweeping F4F-4 squadrons for low loss to themselves. These Koepang (Timor) pilots are getting some pretty good skills.

Near Singapore: SS Sturgeon receives the attention of an IJN ASW TF near Mersing. The submarine is damaged by 5 hits from DD Oite. The damage is unlikely to be fatal to the submarine.

Air losses:

[Chickenboy]

8/27/43 industry:

Fuel: 1,953,367
Oil: 1,372,061
HI: 1,948,236

Of course, without tracker, it's harder to track Honshu fuel, oil and resources per se. This is what's in the Empire, not where it's most needed.

[fodder]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Koepang: Ki-44IIas based at Koepang perform remarkably well, utterly destroying two sweeping F4F-4 squadrons for low loss to themselves. These Koepang (Timor) pilots are getting some pretty good skills.

Thanks for the look into your game. I'm finding it very interesting.

You have not posted a screen shot of this area of the map. I have to ask, where did these F4F-4s come from? Does he have a base near by or are there carriers around?

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: fodder

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Koepang: Ki-44IIas based at Koepang perform remarkably well, utterly destroying two sweeping F4F-4 squadrons for low loss to themselves. These Koepang (Timor) pilots are getting some pretty good skills.

Thanks for the look into your game. I'm finding it very interesting.

You have not posted a screen shot of this area of the map. I have to ask, where did these F4F-4s come from? Does he have a base near by or are there carriers around?

Hi fodder,

Thanks for the note.

The F4F-4s are sweeping from Darwin to Koepang. I assume that's a maximum range for them with droptanks?

[fodder]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: fodder

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Koepang: Ki-44IIas based at Koepang perform remarkably well, utterly destroying two sweeping F4F-4 squadrons for low loss to themselves. These Koepang (Timor) pilots are getting some pretty good skills.

Thanks for the look into your game. I'm finding it very interesting.

You have not posted a screen shot of this area of the map. I have to ask, where did these F4F-4s come from? Does he have a base near by or are there carriers around?

Hi fodder,

Thanks for the note.

The F4F-4s are sweeping from Darwin to Koepang. I assume that's a maximum range for them with droptanks?

Sorry, My fault. I missed Truscott when I looked at the map. Darwin is too far at 12 hexes away, MAX range with drop tanks for the F4F-4 is 9 hexes. That little and hard to see dot base of Truscott is only 8 hexes away.

[Chickenboy]

August 28, 1943:

China:

Chengchow area: Morning IJAAF air attacks are coordinated nicely and result in 508 Chinese casualties in the stack to the West of Chengchow. The Chinese attack later in the turn comes off at 1:2 and they suffer heavier casualties. Their bolt shot, they'd better leave if they know what's good for them.

Kweiyang area: Quiet. Troops at Kweiyang reduce fatigue and disruption, setting the stage for an attack in 3-4 days.

Patung: West of Patung, troops move into position to attack across the river to Chungking. They are 36 miles across the hex. Considering they're marching on road, they may cross tomorrow.

Burma/KB: KB moves into position to support multiple bombardment attacks on 8/30/43. Recon on Akyab, Cox's Bazaar and Ramree results in high sighting ratings on these three hexes.

CV Kaga is spotted by Allied scout aircraft, so there will be no surprise (at least not FROM me) on this OP.

Rabaul: Many furballs erupt in the skies above Rabaul. IJAAF forces suffer disproportionally again. See below for aircraft lost today. Several units have been rotated out and a few others rotated in to Rabaul to keep up the CAP.

B17s hit Rabaul a/f today, resulting in moderate damage to the field and cracking up some 20 airframes on the ground. I expect more of the same treatment tomorrow.

Tomorrow, BB Kongo, Haruna, CA Ashigara and company will bombard Arawe and return to Rabaul.

Lautem: My airborne warriors savage repeated sweeps of P-38Hs from Darwin. BANZAI!

Pacific: SC CHa-50 engages SS Snapper off the Southern coast of Hokkaido. No damage results.

Near Cam Ranh Bay, SS 0-23 puts 3 TT into TK Seiwa maru, setting her ablaze and sinking her. She was a small TK, so it could have been worse. Escort reply is ineffective.

HI: 1,948,455
Oil: 1,351,276
Fuel: 1,970,762
Res: 17.47MM

[Chickenboy]

SW DEI map, August 28, 1943

My apologies to the readers. My error entirely. Allied fighter sweeps have been sweeping LAUTEM, Not Koepang. Range from Darwin to LAUTEM is 9. There have been few allied raids on Koepang (W. Timor).

Pretty static here. Taberfane has been built up, but I don't think he's ready to advance on that axis after the drubbing he took in our earlier carrier battle.

[obvert]

How much are you still using Rabaul as a port at this point? It's obviously a major airfield and presumably a refueling and replenishing station, but I'm guessing not much is being disbanded there now.

Are you using only Truk for most port activities and repair?

[Chickenboy]

Haven't used Rabaul for much (port-wise) for some months. There's no fuel there now. The two 'ships' at anchor there are barges.

I have some limited fuel at Manus, which I use for submarine ops in the area. For larger refueling, Truk, Babeldoap, Saipan, Guam or Palau-that 'line'-is where more fuel is located.

For naval activity in the SW Pac, Truk, Saipan and Davao are more heavily used for refueling and what not. Manila is my repair yard of choice for smaller vessels.

While I don't think Truk is in immediate danger, my opponent's LR B24 recon flights CAN reach from P/NG bases. Thus, keeping the KB at Truk is guaranteed to result in the loss of surprise.

[Chickenboy]

August 29, 1943:

China:

Morning and afternoon bombing runs result in 117 Chinese casualties near Ichang and 374 near Chengchow.

West of Patun: A terrible effort from the Japanese units crossing the river west of Patun (SE of Chungking). Heavy casualties at poor odds essentially wipes out a regiment of mine:

Ground combat at 77,47

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 90078 troops, 1067 guns, 802 vehicles, Assault Value = 3184

Defending force 36385 troops, 240 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1273

Japanese adjusted assault: 2148

Allied adjusted defense: 4030

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
7457 casualties reported
Squads: 140 destroyed, 272 disabled
Non Combat: 113 destroyed, 270 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3380 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 198 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 227 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled


Assaulting units:
64th Infantry Brigade
3rd Division
116th Division
36th Division
41st Division
17th Division
35th Division
3rd Tank Division
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
31st Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
99th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
32nd Group Army
22nd Artillery Regiment


Kweiyang: Well, what goes around, comes around I guess.

An inexplicable Chinese shock attack by a single unit results in a Chinese massacre. I suspect that this unit was a reinforcement from Chungking sent to help stabilize the front at Kweiyang. Such a reinforcement would have had to cross the river to enter the hex.

Not even one Japanese casualty occurs in the 1:99 slaughter. I love it. BANZAI!!!

Ground combat at Kweiyang (74,49)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5946 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 679

Defending force 122445 troops, 1012 guns, 404 vehicles, Assault Value = 4227

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 6513

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

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


Allied ground losses:
7194 casualties reported
Squads: 303 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 258 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
38th New Chinese Division
70th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
28th New Chinese Division
39th New Chinese Division
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
13th Construction Regiment
11th Construction Regiment
24th Group Army
27th Group Army
39th Group Army
20th Chinese Base Force
18th Chinese Base Force
7th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
1st Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
1st War Area
7th Construction Regiment

Defending units:
68th Division
15th Division
40th Division
51st Recon Regiment
6th Division
37th Division
60th Division
115th Infantry Regiment
61st Infantry Brigade
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Division
53rd Infantry Brigade
39th Division
69th Infantry Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment




Burma/KB: Two bombardment TFs split from the dedicated surface cover with KB. Planes are set to night recon and orders given for a full speed approach to Ramree island. I'm going to take the 'small solution' for now, as I don't like the idea of a bombardment TF falling back possibly under an air umbrella of DBs.

Bombardment forces will consist of 3 BB; 5 CA; 2 CL and 11 DDs. Ramree island has 91F and 77 Auxs type aircraft present on a level 7 field. We'll see how it goes.

P/NG: Arawe bombardment goes off well, in spite of attempted PT interdiction. Morning damage report shows 42 port, 15 AF damage:


Night Naval bombardment of Arawe at 102,126

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed on ground
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Ashigara
CL Yubari
CL Agano
DD Asanagi
DD Minazuki
DD Michishio


Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 44
Port hits 15
Port supply hits 1

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Haruna
BB Haruna firing at 1st USN Naval Construction Regiment
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Kongo
BB Kongo firing at Arawe
CA Ashigara firing at Arawe
CL Yubari firing at Arawe
CL Agano firing at Arawe
DD Asanagi firing at Arawe
DD Minazuki firing at Arawe
DD Michishio firing at 1st USN Naval Construction Regiment

BB Kongo and Haruna were attacked after they had returned to Rabaul. Some 3 bombs (500lb.) hit them for negligible damage.

A DD TF I sent screening the Arawe bombardment stayed around a bit too long tangling with PT boats. Although an Allied PT boat took a fatal shot during the evening engagements, morning brought vengeful Allied DBs. DD Murakamo and Okinami were both hit by single 1000 lb SAP bombs. Murakamo will likely survive, while Okinami's trip back to Truk will be 'nip and tuck'.

Rabaul: Heavy air battles again over Rabaul. Interestingly, most of his fighters from P/NG were set to escort his naval strike planes. Few escorts join the expected B17 sorties. On the day, some 28 B17s are 'damaged'. A number of Japanese planes are destroyed by aerial bombardment.

HI: 1,948,784
Oil: 1,314,649
Fuel: 1,991,738
Res: 17.48MM

[Chickenboy]

August 30, 1943

On the USS Brownson, 280 NM NE of Brisbane, Australia

Seaman First class Jason Anderson hated the night ocean watch. Tonight wasn't so bad though. Smooth seas, warm tropical breezes and smooth sailing had been on order since his task force left Sydney a day and a half ago. Sydney itself was a wonderful port of call, with its friendly (in some cases VERY friendly) people, its excellent beer and a liberal duty schedule ashore. Still, he was only a little disappointed to put back out to see again. The Brownson had seen limited action in the war and he was-quite frankly-getting bored. A little action would break up some of the routine. Plus, it was time to give it back to the goddamn Japs.

"Nice night." The observation came from his watchmate, Alex Simpson, on the aft station beside him. Jason knew the voice well, having been on duty with Alex for the better part of two years now. "Pitch ****ing black though."

He was right, the still night was 'tropical dark'. Once the sun went down, with a new moon in the sky, there was nothing but darkness. An inky, murky, almost penetrating darkness. It would conceal their progress well as they sailed on a northeasterly heading.

Ahead of the Brownson, Jason knew intuitively that the Juneau and Atlanta steamed on the same heading and speed, the task force zigzagging periodically as a lumbering mass. Occasionally, Jason spotted faint characteristic flourescent trails behind the larger ships. The waters here were so warm that phosphorescent plankton were stimulated by the passing ships. Otherwise, Jason would have been convinced that the Brownson sailed alone.

Behind them, with the rest of the heavy escort, sailed Hornet. In June, she had been damaged at the naval battle of New Guinea. Through seemingly miraculous repair efforts, she was once again ready for sea. Seaman Anderson wasn't told where they were headed, but all the ship's scuttlebutt was that they were heading towards New Georgia and Rabaul-where they hoped to kick some serious Jap tail.

Both seamen passed the bulk of the night straining against the impenetrable darkness to see something-anything-of interest to the ship. Closer to Sydney, a pod of dolphins kept pace with the port bow of the boat, but they had long since gone. Now, it was just the steady swell of the sea and hushed rustle of tropical air across their faces. Their duty would be over in another hour or so and both men could get some rest.

Lost in his thoughts and the sea, seaman Anderson was startled when his partner tugged at his elbow, excitedly stabbing his finger out across the water abaft towards port.

"Jason, bearing 240! Look!"

Six icy green fingers stretched across the sea some two hundred yards away, running from left to right behind the Brownson. Both sailors reached for the watch intercom, Anderson grabbing it first.

"CONN, aft watch-I count multiple inbound tracks-probable torpedoes-bearing 240 aft! Range 200 yards!"

Moments seemed to stretch. Time stood still. A seeming eternity later, both men were startled as the ship heeled hard to port and the general quarters claxons boomed through the ship.

Behind them, the darkness was torn by a blinding flash of light. A sickening, teeth-rattling thud pressed against their faces a moment later. Less than a half mile behind them, outlined by the flash was Hornet's port side. A column of water climbed several hundred feet into the air against her. A moment later, another flash of light hit further down her side. Again, the air was rent by a an ear-splitting explosion. Another towering column of water seemed to dwarf the massive ship and rained ruin across her deck.

Almost immediately, fires broke out in the Hornet's aviation hangars. White hot flames licked and consumed the flight deck from stem to stern, lighting the ship up like an blinding phosphorous torch. Seamen Anderson and Simpson watched several men, wreathed in flames, falling into the ocean below. The thick, black smoke that Hornet vomited from her midsection disappeared into the black night. Hornet slew towards port, listing considerably.

Seaman Anderson banged his clenched fists against their station railing, hot tears of impotent fury coursing down his face.

[Chickenboy]

August 30, 1943:

BANZAI! I-25 successfully penetrated Hornet's screen and hits her with two torpedoes. BOTH hits result in ***FUEL STORAGE EXPLOSION*** notices.

Sub attack near Bundaberg at 100,155

Japanese Ships
SS I-25, hits 5

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Atlanta
DD Ammen
DD Fletcher
DD Terry
DD Strong
DD Chevalier
DD Brownson



SS I-25 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hornet
DD Terry fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Strong fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Chevalier fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Brownson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Brownson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Brownson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Brownson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Brownson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Brownson fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Chickenboy]

August 30, 1943:

Rest of the day in a future addendum...

[obvert]

Bazaii! Nice to see that the subs are still causing problems at that date even with the uber-ASW the Allies have.

[Chickenboy]

August 30, 1943:

China: Bombardment of the Chinese units NE of Ichang results in 131 casualties. West of Chengchow, IJAAF bombers inflict 279 casualties on the Chinese stack.

Kweiyang: Units have recovered some disruption and fatigue. Deliberate attack ordered for tomorrow. Kweiyang, having had its defenses taken down to level 2 from the last attack, should fall.

Tuyun: Some rabble have emerged from the woods SW of Tuyun to block the rail into Tuyun. These were small units that were pushed into the woods post assault. They're emerging to be a PITA. Two regiments from Tuyun are dispatched to deal with the vagrants.

Chengchow: Other than the aforementioned aerial bombardments, nothing much happening with this Chinese stack. They seem to have stopped here. 8/A infantry division arrives in the hex as reinforcements tomorrow.

Ichang: IJAAF aerial bombardment has slowed the Chinese stack to the NE of the city. Japanese forces should arrive in the open hex tomorrow and likely assault the Chinese forces now caught in the open.

P/NG: Heavy raids on Rabaul continue (see air losses below). Smaller numbers of P47D2s meet a mixed Japanese CAP of Tojo and A6M3a aircraft. Later flights of B24s (with F4F-4 escort) meet sufficient IJ CAP to break their efficacy up. Still, Rabaul stands at moderate field damage.

My BB bombardment TF returns to Truk to refuel and standby. DD Okinami takes on additional flotation and fire damage during the night. She'll try to make Shortlands instead of Truk, but it's a long shot at this point.

Allies move in a 6 DD TF near Arawe, probably in a naval sweep. SS I-172 takes an ill-advised shot at one of the DDs, misses, and receives moderate damage in return. She'll return to Truk.

Timor: Multiple sweeps of F4F-4s and P-38H fighters over Lautem result in heavy fighting. After several waves, the Ki-44IIa fighter CAP is depleted and Allied heavy bombers emerge in force. Japanese fighters give some resistance, particularly to an ill-fated unescorted Australian Boomerang flight attacking the airfield. In the end, however, the Allied heavies reign supreme for the day.

The airfield receives moderate-heavy damage (runway 75 / airfield 36). For the time being, the Ki-44IIa fighters are rebased to elsewhere in the DEI for recuperation.

I order an A6M3a sentai into Kendari and move some fighters to Dili (1 hex from Lautem) to provide cover too. It will take him some time to take out Dili and Kendari too.

Burma/KB: Ramree island bombardments go off well. Between the two bombardments, they score some 23 airbase hits, 3 hits to airbase supply, 152 hits to the runways and 13 port hits. Some 10 Allied fighters are destroyed on the field.

All ships involved will return to Singapore for additional orders, fueling and rearmament.

Pacific: In the East China Sea (SW of Nagasaki), xAK Hukuzyu maru is torpedoed by SS Sunfish. E Oki is in the area, but fails to damage the submarine in reply. The xAK sinks in the morning.

Near Cairns, SS I-17 sinks DD Cushing with a well-placed torpedo spread.

Production:

Tomorrow should see the arrival of the B6N2 Jill, with an incredible standard torpedo range. All research efforts will be used for production. By the new year, all ships should have replaced their B5N2 aircraft with either the B6N1 or B6N2. B5N2 and superfluous B6N1 airframes will be banked for kamikaze duty.

J2M2 production comes on line tomorrow. This airframe, while useful as an adjunct, isn't a war winner. The J2M5 ("Raiden") is sweet though. It will help to defray the damage to any singular IJNAF airframe and will be produced at approximately 60 airframes / month.

HI: 1,949,007
Fuel: 1,951,849
Oil: 1,311,133
Resources: 17.497MM