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Long time no see...

I have been too busy at work and with moving and what little spare time remains is spent on doing turns. Finally have some slow time at work, so going from memory, here is a short sitrep.

Current game date is July 22, 1942. Since my last post end of April 1942, I have managed to establish complete control over the SRA. Bataan has fallen, ending the PI campaign. Batavia has been captured, Java, Sumatra and the lesser DEI islands have been mopped up (a few dots remain).

In China, the annoying "thorn in the side" at Wenchow has fallen, in the North Sian has been captured. Unfortunately a large part of the defenders has managed to retreat to the west - ongoing operations try to surround that stack. I have plans for Lanchow as well, but need to bring forward supplies and give some units a rest to recover disabled squads. There is also seesaw action between small units on the long stretches of roads between Lanchow and Paotow.
In southern China, I have broken the siege of the "ex-French-flagged town that starts with Kwang..." (name eludes me at the moment) and am feeling my way to Pakhoi. East of Canton, I have lost a puppet unit when it shocked-attack accross a river into a hex thought empty but in fact holding a Chinese Corps.
In the China skies, there is no opposition anymore. I have concentrated almost all Ki-51 units and most Ki-48s plus - just in case - three Oscar groups in Central China. I have flown a few manpower attacks and Ed has sent a few Wellingtons on retaliation raids against Hong Kong and Shanghai, but after discussion we have agreed to halt industry attacks in China.

In Burma, Akyab has fallen and Cox Bazar was shortly under Japanese control, but British forces are counter-attacking and have roughly handled the IJA 18th Division which is retreating towards Akyab at half strenght. The former British Akyab garrison has retreated into my LOC between Akyab and Prome / Rangoon and is preventing supplies from reaching Akyab and the battered remnants of the 18th Div. Furthermore, RN light forces stage frequent bombardment runs againstr Akyab. I am trying to sneak-in supplies with barges, PBs and old DDs on FT runs, covered by light forces of my own. So far, no clash has occured. The IJA 33rd and elements of the 55th Div are is trying to encircle and then to dislodge the roadblock, but progress through the jungle terrain is slow. The British forces (reinforced Indian division) surprised me with their punch, and recon shows more units coming south from Chittagong. I may need more than three divisions to hold the left flank in Burma.
In Northern Burma, Thai auxiliary forces conduct a slow campaign for Myitkyina against remnants of the British Burma garrison. They will need some help from Japanese forces.
On the Eastern flank, a Corps-sized unit is advancing towards Paoshan in China.
In the air, I have two groups of Oscars and two groups of Zeroes plus one small group of Ki-45a (used as night-fighters). They are not too effective against Hurricanes and P-40s which frequently sweep and / or LRCAP the hex containing the 18th Div which I try to protect from enemy bombers and to support myself with ground bombing. I do not even profit from superior numbers - according to recon, Ed has about 200 fighters at Chittagong, Diamond Harbor and Calcutta. With PDU off, I have only two groups of brand-new Tojo Ia at my disposition, one of them is en route to Burma.

In the South, action centers on Northern Oz and the Southern Solomons. I have captured Darwin, Katherine and Daly Waters as well as Wyndham, Broome and Derby. Around Darwin, I have managed to surround and destroy a division worth of infantry plus several base forces. I have two divisions at Broome prepped for Port Hedland which appears to be held by a single brigade plus a tank unit, but I am waiting for 2/3 of KB to finish the July upgrades to provide air cover. Ed has sent carriers to the area before and I have not spotted them since - they may still lurk around. I have some subs who have interdicted traffic to Carnavon, so Ed is ready to fight for NW Oz. I prefer to play it safe.

Zui and Sho plus what is left of Mini-KB are busy. For some time, they have tried to protect my ill-concieved Normanton invasion. After the capture of Darwin, I had sent the Guards Inf Bde and two SNLF units from PM to Normaton and then ordered them to retire overland to Darwin. The idea was to entice Ed to send troops in pursuit in order to weaken the defenses in the Cooktown / Cairns area for an eventual invasion by two divisions recuperating at Darwin. Well, Ed did sent troops in pursuit - Aussie armor and US infantry. He also sent 4Es, medium bombers and fighters - KB tried to interfere but after all it is a waste of precious carrier pilots and a need developed for carrier air in the Solomons (more later). I should have known better - Ed is a "tanker" - and his tanks have crushed not only the Normanton expedition, but also my own tanks sent from Darwin on a rescue operation. The op is not over yet but I will probably lose 6-8 tank and recon regiments to the incessant air and ground attacks. I was convinced that in mid-1942, the Allies have only improvised or obsolete AFV at their disposal, but apparently Allied tank units are deadly only 8 months into the war. That bodes ill for my defense of Darwin - but I hope I can return the ground bombing favors if he ventures farther north. In any case, I will concentrate my AT units in Norther Oz and will try to constitute the 1st and 2nd Tank divisions in the area as well, hoping that they will be more effective nearer to friendly air power and when the Allies are farther from their supply sources. Going on the defensive in NE Oz, the two Divs at Darwin have been reallocated to the defense of PM and Milne Bay, with Mini-KB providing escort.

The other occupation for the reinforced Mini-KB has developped recently near the Souther Solomons. Ed has invaded Ndeni and Vanikoro two turn ago, both "held" by SNLF companies as early-warning devices. Mini-KB has been rushed over from PM, but so far has only managed to receive a torpedo hit on Zui from a prowling S-class submarine. A raid by a destroyer SAG managed to sink two US DDs of a covering force in exchange for one IJN DD, the cruiser SAG that followed found nothing - Ed has staged a near-perfect hit-and-run invasion. Mini-KB will retire to Rabaul to refuel and to dispatch Zui to a shipyard. I expect to see probing attacks by LBA, SAGs and maybe even carriers into the Tulagi / Guadalcanal area soon. I am busy building air bases and forts in the Solomons chain, but I need to find some infantry and air groups to defend these bases asap. I will try to delay further moves up the Solomons chain with the threat of KB.

In the CentPac, some Allied subs at Nauru and Ocean Island are annoying my ressource convoys and Ed staged a SAG raid which sank some merchies plus another carrier raid against Baker Island. I have weak Naval Guard units sitting on a number of atolls with engineers helping to dig trenches and bunkers. I will not invest heavily in defending the Gilbert / Marshalls, but hope to appear strong enough to prevent easy grabbings.

Finally, the North Pacific. Here we have had some hot action around my outpost at Attu. Ed has bombers and P-38s up there and SAGs which made frequent bombardment runs with old BBs and CLs - apparently preparing for an invasion. After the fall of Wenchow, I had a SAG available to interfere - mighty Yamato, Fuso and Ise plus a pair of cruisers and half a dozen DDs. Set to patrol near Attu, they intercepted a bombardment run consisting of four old BBs, an Omaha class CL and a bunch of DDs. This happened at night and during a thunderstorm - the result was a close-in fight at a few thousand yards.
I managed to sink two BBs and heavily damaged the two others and the CL as well- but the enemy concentrated on Yamato and the pride of the IJN succumbed to uncontrollable fires.

Alas, the game is as good as won - CL Boise sunk early in DEI, BB Idaho sunk at Attu - now I only need to sink BB New York when she arrives later in the war and then IdahoNYer will surely suffer from low moral and throw the towel!

Heh, nice personal touch with the Boise and Idaho and, maybe later on (??) the New York.

Slow day at work, so here is a sitrep and some ranting about the future. Game date is August 5th, 1942. Not much happening actually.

Troops in China advance slowly in the mountains between Ankang and Kienko, trying to surround a stack of 20k Chinese troops south of the road to Kienko. I will try to advance into the Chungking plain eventually, but it is not a priority theater for me and I try to make do with supplies generated locally. I have a bunch of Ki-51 and Ki-48 and one group of Oscar IIa and two groups of Oscar Ic for air support. The Ki-51 are concentrated at Sian and ground-bomb the stack I try to bag in order to force it into combat mode to slow movement. One Oscar group sweeps the target hex, another provides escort. Last turn Ed tried to interfere with some Hurricanes and lost a few for no gain. The Lilies are concentrated at Hankow and are targeting Chinese forces in clear terrain near Nanking to cause casualties (ground attacks in other than clear terrain rarely cause losses to the enemy) and to train pilots. With renewed air opposition last turn, I will switch them to attack airfields in range with one Oscar group as escort.

In Western Burma, 18th Div is rebuilding slowly at Akyab, 33rd Division has arrived to beef-up resistance and elements of the 55th Division are moving into position along the river east of Akyab to prevent flanking movements. Recon counts at least 50k enemy troops in the three hexes around Cox - that is scary, I need to beef-up the Burma flank. Ed has also made a few bombing runs against Akyab in the past. I have some Oscars and newly-arrived Tojos at Magwe and will fly LRCAP over Akyab when weather allows (I order local CAP only if forecast is thunderstorms - which it has been for the past turns). Recon says there are now 150 fighters at Chittagong! No offensive missions from my part, not enough numbers to matter, not enough AS and bombing troops in the jungle is not very effective anyway. Two weak Ki-51 units will migrate to Lashio instead to help with the Paoshan operation. At Prome, two groups of A&M2 provide local CAP only, I need to conserve Zero airframes (more on this later). A Nell and a Betty group are on night naval attack, hoping to get lucky because Ed is bombarding Akyab with light forces (CL+some DDs). I have some old DDs Toyko-Expressing supplies into Akyab and a light SAG trying to do some bombaring of my own at Cox - but CL Kuma got torpedoed and at least two Allied subs are lurking on the Rangoon - Akyab - Cox route. I have put a partial Ann group at Rangoon on ASW, but pilots are only half-trained in ASW. Hope this helps at least with spotting the sneaky little bastards. Four of my own brave submarines are patrolling between Chittagong and Akyab in order to catch Ed's bombardment runs, but no luck so far. I will try a bombardment of Chittagong to scare-away the LBA concentration at least temporarily and maybe destroy a few a/c.

In Central / Northern Burma, the Thai Divisions are ordered to concentrate at Mytkyina, the last Allied base in Burma held by some weak remnants of the Burma garrison. I am a bit worried about this part of the front, I have no reserves available in case Ed tries something funny south from Imphal/Kohima. In Eastern Burma (or more correctly, Western China), 65th Bde and a weak para Bn are crawling through the mountains towards Paoshan while the "main force" prepares for a river crossing once the flanking elements are in place. I would prefer to have another division or two for this attack, but they are not available for the moment.

In Northern Australia, Ed has sent armour and infantry to pursue the remnants of my tank units that managed to survive the ill-conceived and ill-fated Normaton expedition in the direction of Daly Waters. They have mauled a RCT of the 5th Division sent to the rescue, but the other elements of 5th Div are on the way to reinforce. Furthermore, his units are now in range of Sallies based at Darwin which have conducted some low-level ground attacks to give some payback. Let's see how far Ed dares to advance. On the downside, last turn Daly Waters got hit by 30+ B-17s, most likely from Tennant Creek, and suffered heavy damage. I have Eng units there building forts, and a level-2 airbase with no AS units (always in short supply), but I have two Oscar groups at Katherine. I will put one on local CAP and the other on LRCAP over Daly Waters - not that it will help much against 4Es. I have a Ki-44 and a Ki-45 group in the Home Islands taking replacement planes and training, they will move to Darwin as soon as my AKV group is back from the Ki-44 delivery to Burma. Hope they will make a difference. Depending on the air situation, I may try a stab at Tennant Creek with 5th Division, elements of the 2nd Division and the two Tank Divisions, once reconstituted. I have sent almost all Japanese anti-tank units to Norther Oz, for what they are worth.

On the Western Oz front, I have decided to invade Port Hedland without waiting for KB-1 (Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu have finished July upgrades in the Home ISlands) - my naval search and my subs have found no enemy naval activities in the area apart from an occasional convoy to Carnavon (and one of my raiders mauled a TK convoy between Perth and Cape Town - 4-5 TKs sunk). I have three groups of Betties and two Zero groups at Derby and Broome, so if Ed has something hidden in the area, I am not entirely defenseless. I have sent two divisions plus SNLF forces in a huge amphib TF with many AKs (I have converted all Kyushu class xAK to AKs) for a quick hit&run - I found an Aussie Bde and an Aussie Bn which have been forced to surrender. I have embedded 4 BBs into the amphib TF, and they caused over 800 casualties in the pre-invasion bombardment. Much better than seperate bombardment TFs which will only thrash the base I want to take. Last turn, para units took Coruna Downs from a lone Aussie Eng Bn. Now, I will repair Port Hedland, build-up the airbase and then move forward Zeros and Betties for the next step - Exmouth. Ed has build-up Carnavon, so I will need to bombard it - but I will wait for Port Hedland naval air search becoming operational.

In PNG, nothing to report. I am dispatching a few Eng assets to dig trenches, in a few days the Guards Bde and the 2nd Mai SNLF who have been destroyed in the Normanton adventure will reappear at Tokyo and after fillin-out will move to garrison Terapo and Merauke. I have one division at PM and another is moving to Milne Bay. A SNLF is moving to Rossel Is. Air bases at Nazdab, Wau and Lae are ready for operations - just lacking more AS and air groups (which are scattered between Truk and Buin on ASW or training) in case Ed moves against PNG.

In the Solomons, I have my troops digging trenches as well, and building a string of level-2 airbases between Rabaul and Munda. I will try to oppose any advances into the Solomons with the land-based IJNAF light bomber groups and KB-2 (Shokaku, Hiyo, Junyo plus what is left of the CVLs - and Zuikaku which is on the way to the shipyard to repair torpedo damage).

In the Central Pacific, also just digging trenches and building bunkers. Only delaying actions planned, but Kusaie and Ponape are being built into fotresses with air-bases for a bit more serious resistance.

In the Northern Pacific, I hope to spring a surprise on Ed. I know he wants to liberate Attu and the recent loss of two BBs and heavy damage to others has not cooled his temper - he is bombing Attu from Adak and Amchitka and my subs have spotted naval activities betwen Dutch Harbor and Amchitka. I have bombarded Amchitka recently and I will repeat the treatment against his bomber base at Adak. This operation will have carrier support - as said above, KB-1 is just out of the yards. The four carriers have resized their air groups (but are short of Zeroes) and will make a demonstration in the North before heading to Truk to hide, build and train air groups and await developments.


Turning to the Home Front:

On the plane production side, it is not looking good. I have made a noob mistake concerning the Zero upgrade path. I have upgraded all A6M2 factories to the A6M3, not realizing that only a few LBA groups upgrade to the M3 model. I wanted to use the M2 airframes "liberated" by the LBA upgrades to feed the carriers until the M3a becomes available. I should have paid more attention the upgrade paths - costly "PDU off" lesson. I had to reconvert a M3 factory back to M2 - which must now repair from 0 back to useful numbers to feed the carrier and the LBA squadrons not converting to the M3 model. In short, I have a severe shortage of M2 airframes at the moment, especially after having resized the carrier air groups to be fighter-heavy (Sho / Zui for example 36F/18DB/18TB), so I must curtail operations. Only the two M3 groups are available for offensive use. And my M3a R&D factories are repairing oh-so-slowly - another noob mistake, should have set them to M3 first to repair faster and let them auto-upgrade. Well, reading the forum is one thing, keeping in mind the information available another. I have always been a proponent of the time-honored methods of "learning by doing" and "trial-and-error"...

Regarding R&D, I am concentrating on fighters. I have three 30x R&D factories researching the Tojo line and four 30x for the Oscar (others are still repairing). Also still repairing are 2x Jack, 2x Sam, 4x George, 4x Frank, 3x Jill and 3x Judy. I also research the night-fighter versions of the Nick, Randy and Irving. I'm not pushing R&D on 2E bombers, recon, patrol and transport types, but some R&D factories set to Oscar will convert to production and are earmarked to switch to other models when becoming available at historic dates for limited production for upgrade purposes.

On the oil&ressources side, I am quite content. Stockpiles in the HI are rising. Losses to Allied subs are still low with torpedoes not working most of the time. I am training lots of LBA and float planes in ASW. I also use coastal routing and I try to run few but huge convoys with escorts. There is more stuff available (esp. on Hokkaido) than I can ship home with the DBB-C reduced capacity. But I manage to keep Palembang pretty dry with 13 medium-TK go back and forth to Singers and the big TKs (one convoy with the huge Tonans and another with the 10+k tonners, both with escort carrier protection) and the Yusen N hauling oil and ressources to the Home Islands. The small TKs (or what is left after the Miri debacle early in the war) are shuttling betzween Miri and Manila and Medan and Singers. THe AOs are busy shipping fuel to Rabaul and Koepang, my bases for operating Combined Fleet. I have converted all xAK that can become tankers, the snaller ones are just arriving at Borneo ports, Boela and Babo to help shipping oil to Manila, the bigger ones will ship from Java and Manila to the HI. ASW protection is minimum 4 escorts, with older DDs and TBs reserved for the big tankers. My ressource convoys must make do with just one or two escorts.

The one big problem is fuel and supplies production. Although I do not export fuel from the Home Islands and try not to refuel convoys coming / going to the SRA in the Home Islands, I am running out of fuel! I have almost a million oil points stored at Tokyo, but only 4000 fuel. Last turn, the four largest heavy industry locations did not produce. I guess I will need to curtail Combined Fleet ops to save fuel and curtail ressource hauling in order to start shipping fuel in xAKs to the Home Islands. Supplies are lower than I like, although industry expansion is almost finished except R&D repairing (mostly not) and the A6M2 factory, I need need to "ration" the supplies exports to the different fronts. Not frontlines bases starving yet, but that is only a question of time. Maybe one day I should invest the time to learn how to use Tracker (and not to overexpand industries) - but playing time being in even shorter supply than fuel, and I want to enjoy playing a wargame, not crunching numbers...

Losses: Could be worse, no Midway suffered so far, although the loss of two CVL and Yamato this early in the war hurts. Allied ASW picks up, a sub attacked is a sub sunk or at least in the yards. I have lost a few LCUs, mostly tank regiments, which while buying back are cheap, but cost vehicle points to flesh out (have expanded all vehicle factories to 25, but won't go farther since Japanese armor is not too effective). Air losses slightly favor the Allies since I was often too careless regarding CAP traps. I now try to sweep before I bomb and escort bombers, but that does not always work either.

Future operations: I'm already on the defensive on most fronts, except China and maybe Western Oz. I will try to advance in China without investing additional forces and only limited supply imports, I'm not going for Chungking at all costs. I need to keep Ed away from the SRA and occupy his 4Es in the SWPac / SoPac area, so I may push in Western Oz to deny him air bases in reach of the SRA and play possum around Rabaul to entice him to attack in that area. I will try deny Ed the use of size 5+ air bases for as long as possible. The idea is to fortify and garrison certain frontline bases Ed will likely attack (PM, Milne Bay, Guadalcanal) with max forts and small "bait" airbases for local CAP. He will need to build bases in escort range first to eliminatge local CAP, then bomb the "bait" airfields to keep them neutralized before attacking the base. Meanwhile, I build "strike" air bases further to the rear to hit any attack attempts on the "bait" bases. "Strike" bases will be built if possible at locations that are protected from surface bombardment, i.e. inland bases or port locations behind land barriers (par ex. Nadzdab, Talasea).

Update on house rules:
We have added a house rule regarding the use of tanks, since massive tank-only armies as seen in some AARs are unrealistic, unhistoric and give distorted results. Our rule state that one tank unit can attack alone, but two or more can only attack in conjunction with infantry, and three tank units are the max per hex.

We have added a house rule regarding the use of tanks, since massive tank-only armies as seen in some AARs are unrealistic, unhistoric and give distorted results. Our rule state that one tank unit can attack alone, but two or more can only attack in conjunction with infantry, and three tank units are the max per hex.

Seems pretty reasonable. BTW, what's the Victory Point situation? Are you on track for auto-victory by the end of 1942?

I'm not playing with victory points in mind and am not aiming for auto-victory - can't even tell you what the current score is since I do not care and do not check.
In this spirit, I do not use tracker and sophisticated numbers crunching in order to "optimize" production etc. I admit that some monitoring of the economy would do me some good, but I do not have the time to spare to get tracker up and running and to learn how to use it. Plus I am not the accountant type. Nor do I use any of the other tools around. I just want to play a game, not doing an exercise in business management [:)]

In the Northern Pacific, I hope to spring a surprise on Ed. I know he wants to liberate Attu and the recent loss of two BBs and heavy damage to others has not cooled his temper - he is bombing Attu from Adak and Amchitka and my subs have spotted naval activities betwen Dutch Harbor and Amchitka. I have bombarded Amchitka recently and I will repeat the treatment against his bomber base at Adak. This operation will have carrier support - as said above, KB-1 is just out of the yards. The four carriers have resized their air groups (but are short of Zeroes) and will make a demonstration in the North before heading to Truk to hide, build and train air groups and await developments.

News Flash: Naval Battles in the North - IJN SAG surprised by Allied cruisers at night during thunderstorms off Adak - knife fight at 2000 yards - BB Fuso torpedoed, CA Chokai & 2 DD sunk - CA Quincy, CL Raleigh & 2DD sunk - CL Phoenix & CLAA San Juan heavily damaged by surface action and carrier strikes - PG Tulsa, 2 MSW, 2 AKL sunk as well - Amchitka and Adak bombarded - subs and carriers will chase cripples

Workload slowing down, time for an update.

The game is in October 10th, 1942. No big changes from last update - days of easy conquests are over, I have the historical perimeter plus some extensions at PM & Northern Oz and I have not been Midwayed nor Guadalcanaled yet. So far so good, but enemy pressure is mounting with concentration of air attacks against PM, Allied counter-offensives in Burma, build-ups at Exmouth, Ndeni.


China

Still grinding towards the Chungking plain via Sian. Will try to capture Kienko first to open the road for supplies. Ed is defending the road hex east of Kienko with a big stack, I have two divisions and lots of arty to keep them occupied. Here some typical result :

Ground combat at 79,41 (near Kienko)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3324 troops, 235 guns, 107 vehicles, Assault Value = 920

Defending force 36802 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 919

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

Assaulting units:
15th Division
26th Division
4th Mortar Battalion
12th Army
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
Red Chinese Army
39th Group Army

So I will try a pincer movement - my main force just made a river crossing south of Kienko with excellent results :

Ground combat at 77,43 (near Chungking)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 45697 troops, 334 guns, 324 vehicles, Assault Value = 1525

Defending force 39682 troops, 284 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1301

Japanese adjusted assault: 1074

Allied adjusted defense: 184

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
525 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 122 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 51 (6 destroyed, 45 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
18491 casualties reported
Squads: 517 destroyed, 245 disabled
Non Combat: 407 destroyed, 98 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 40 disabled
Guns lost 74 (34 destroyed, 40 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
63rd Division
3rd Tank Regiment
3rd Division
37th Division
11th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
59th/B Division
11th Army

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps

I only now realize that I have violated a house rule - max three tank units per hex (sorry Ed, I just ordered the stack forward with follow orders without looking closely) - but I don't think that at these odds one tank Rgt less would have made much difference. I will leave a unit to guard the flank and will move the ballance to cut-off Kienko from the south.


In the North, slowly moving to surround Lanchow. Ed has a stack south of Lanchow and I have some Bde with arty to keep them occupied. A division, some tanks and Puppet units are moving to come in from the North - a Recon Rgt just captured undefended Hami.

On the "Western Approaches" of China, I am besieging Paoshan, here is a typical combat :

Ground combat at Paoshan (65,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2832 troops, 210 guns, 210 vehicles, Assault Value = 285

Defending force 23811 troops, 116 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 669

Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
34th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Division
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
11th Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
102nd RAF Base Force
56th AT Gun Regiment

However, Ed is marching units through the mountains around the road to Paoshan in order to get behind my siege force. I have a division on the road betwen Paoshan and Lashio, but is is at half-strength. I may have to pull back from Paoshan - don't have the strength to take it because Burma needs attention.



Burma


The dreaded early Allied Burma counteroffensive... Ed is trying to out flank Akyab. He has a two-division stack one hex north of the road between Akyab and Rangoon. He has already shattered elements of the 55th Division which have retreated from that hex, but I have been able to rush reinforcements to the front and slipped the 21st Div into the hex before the enemy stack could move south. Two attacks and the 21st is in bad shape :

Ground combat at 56,44 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30040 troops, 564 guns, 588 vehicles, Assault Value = 924

Defending force 11435 troops, 98 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 299

Allied adjusted assault: 400

Japanese adjusted defense: 772

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
644 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
352 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 64 (8 destroyed, 56 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Royal Tank Regiment
70th British Division
43rd Cavalry Regiment
2nd British Division
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Light AA Regiment

Defending units:
21st Division

More forces are on the way - I have abandoned further offensive moves in Northern Oz (Exmouth / Tennant Creek) and am rushing four more divisions to Burma. I hope they will arrive in time.

In Northern Burma, I have finally captured Mytkyina and the Thai units are trying to push enemy remnants back across the border. Actually more than just remnants since there is a US Mountain Rgt in action. Supply caps are low so I cannot engage large force, even if they (or the supplies) were available.

Ed is also sweeping and bombing peripheral bases like Lashio and Shwebo (presumably for supply hits) and my ground units at the border - with mixed results since sometimes I can decimate his attacks with LRCAP. But with just one Tojo group available (the other one is in Oz) and Oscars IIa for the rest (in the upgrade process to IIb variant) I cannot do much more since I also need to guard against raids on my main base - Magwe. Am building-up some more airbases around Magwe for mutually supporting CAP, but I will not waste planes and pilots on offensive sweeps against Chittagong.

Australia

As said above, I have abandoned offensive ops in the Northern Territory and pulled out most of the combat and support units. Port Hedland is defended by the Imperial Guard Div, pending availability of an expendable brigade-sized speed-bump. Broome, Derby and the inland base whose name eludes me at the moment are defended against raids and paradrops by three Bns from the 2nd Division, the rest of the division is covering Darwin with forward positions at Daly Waters. AT assets are in place and digging in. I hope to create a "psychological defense", make Ed expend time to build-up bases and concentrate assets before attacking, then pulling out. I do keep some AV support at Darwin - in case Ed decides to advance, I plan to throw-in air assets to take advantage of the clear terrain. For the moment, the Sallies and Betties fly ASW. Some fighters are covering recon assets at Port Hedland and Darwin. I have tried some night bombing of Exmouth, Carnavon, Meekwhatever, Normanton, Tennant Creek and other bases within Sally and Betty range, with little to show for but losses to flak and night-fighters. OTOH, there are three pesky B-17Ds raiding Port Hedland every night, they got many hits and destroyed half-a-dozen planes with each raid - until I sent some Nicks on night-CAP. The bombers are less effective now, but even 20+ Nicks on CAP each night have not managed to down a single B-17 yet.

Recon reports build-ups of all Allied bases in Queensland. Horn Island is bombed daily, the lone Eng Coy is too busy fixing the small airfield rather than building forts for the SNLF garrison. PM airbase is also in the focus of P-38 sweeps and increasingly heavy raids of 2Es and 4Es - up to 80 bombers per day. Damage is heavy but I have Eng units there to fill holes and to force Ed to keep bombing. I think Ed tries to supress PM so he can invade Horn Island and open the way to the dot bases like Wessel Island et al. closer to Darwin - in order to support a drive up north from Tennant Creek with airbases closer to Darwin and eventually a seaborne supply flow. Well, I am concentrating AV support at Wau (size 3) and Nazdab (size 5) and may try some LRCAP above PM. Won't station planes at PM to get destroyed on the ground by air or possible surface bombardment. I'm also building up Lae, to create a network of mutually supporting bases that hopefully will make it harder for Ed to close airfields, and to enable me to interdict the area around Horn Island.

SoPac

Enemy bombing of Tulagi / Lunga area continues, I also observe traffic at Ndeni - but I will not risk carrier assets against LBA just for transports. If Ed moves against the lower Solomons, I will contest it with air from bases build farther back (Munda, Bougainville) and Combined Fleet. I will not invest heavily, the MLR will be the Bismarck barrier.


CentPac

I am currently moving against Vaitupu with KB2, a couple of cruisers, two Naval Garrison units and the 1st Independent Tank Company. I have bombed and bombarded that outpost repeatedly and apparently it is lightly held. Naval search and subs haven't picked up any naval forces except the occasional resupply efforts. This operation is more for "morale" and "prestige" than for strategic value. If I am not mistaken, a large part of the USN has upgrades due in october, so I do not expect much opposition.


North Pacific

It seems sending BBs and KB1 to the Aleutians has scared away the USN. After the surface battle reported in my last post, I have sent KB1 in pursuit. I managed a couple of bomb hits on cripples, and today I got Intel that CL Phoenix has been sunk. Hope this is true. I also staged some bombardment runs against Adak, but it is being repaired quickly and Ed keeps bombing Attu but with little effect. I have fasttransported some supplies and will keep a bunch of subs, DDs and a CL in the area, hoping to make Ed think that my Navy is still around, waiting. In fact, KB1 and the BBs are heading south. I will keep them in readiness in the Palaus so there are at hand when something develops in the Solomons or Northern Oz. It is also near the fuel-producing areas.


Sub War

Have had some luck with sub vs. sub recently, sank two S-boats in the Aleutians. Apart from that, nothing to report - I can't seem to find his convoy routes, they must be far far south (US-Oz, CT-Oz) or far north (CT-India). His subs are getting more numerous and bolder, patrolling of the Home Islands, the East China Sea, around Formosa, off Rangoon, even in the Strait of Malacca. I try to run few but big convoys, and most AO / TK convoys have embedded air cover from CVE / CS types. Allied ASW is getting better as well, but not critical yet.


Production
Supplies remain tight, compared to the pile-it-on of the Allied side. Due to botched R&D, Zero M3a will arrive only one month earlier, in 11/42. R&D for Jill and Judy just reaching the magic 30. Jack and George still repairing, no research yet. Heavily researchig Oscar line since many groups are stuck with it. First Tony due 11/42. Frank way off.

Five turn later - Oct 20, 1942.

BANZAI! On Oct 16th, the Empire has recaptured the vitally important strategic location of Vaitupu atoll. Supported by KB2 and an escort of cruisers and DDs, a SNLF, a Naval Guard unit and the 1st Independent Tank Coy have wiped out a Bn of the 102nd Rgt USA as well as two Naval construction units. Ok, granted - this is a rather insignificant piece of real estate in the middle of nowhere - but at least one Allied counter-offensive booted out and a morale boost for the Empire.


The boost is needed - the news from other corners of the Empire are not good.

In Burma, sweeps by P40Ks, Hurricanes, Martlets and even P-39Ds continue over "secondary" (i.e. unimproved) bases like Akyab, Lashio, Mandalay and Shwebo. The bombing raids by medium bombers against these bases have ended - and have been replaced with bombing raids by B-24! Clearly supply interdiction missions to starve the Akyab garrison, the Paoshan siege and the border battles. Enemy medium and light bombers continue to harrass my troops at the Burma-India border, but thankfully the jungle is limiting my ground losses.

At the moment I concentrate CAP over my biggest air bases Magwe and Prome - in order to put a meaningful quantity of fighters in the air, as that is the only way to inflict at least equal losses. I would like to spread them out to cover more area and to limit the "all eggs in one basket" hazard, but this is difficult due to lack of AV support, supplies and air units with front-line airframes (DBB-C and PDU off are really hurting here).

At Magwe I have 1.5 Tojo IIa groups, one Oscar IIb group and an Oscar IIa group scheduled to upgrade soon. At Prome, I have a big (45) but understrength Zero M2 group guarding two groups of Netties on naval / ASW patrol. At Rangoon, a small (27) understrength M2 group is covering resupply convoys. A Nick group is split between the three bases for night CAP. That is all I can support AV / supply-wise for the moment.

Ed is avoiding sweeping my main bases at Magwe and Prome, but for how long ? From time to time I LRCAP the secondary bases he is sweeping, exchanging airframes at roughly 1:1 ratio according to FOWed combat reports - but due to pilot fatigue I can do this only once or twice a week. Allied pilots on the other hand do not seem to need rest...

I am moving more AV support, the other Tojo IIa group (was defending Port Hedland) and more Oscars IIb as they become available to Burma, trying to stem the tide with mutually supporting bases centered around Magwe. I will need to hold that area in order to deny the base complex to the enemy. The Magwe-Mandalay area is protected by a river, but it is clear terrain open to bombing. Flak is on the way.


Unfortunately, the situation on the ground is not promising either.

With a few attacks, the 21st ID guarding the flank of Akyab has been pushed back with 50% disablement into the jungles between Akyab and Magwe. I will keep it there for the moment, hoping that the road hex to the east will allow to pull enough supplies to repair disabled devices. At least our brave Asian brothers of the Thai Army have succeeded in pushing a USA Mountain Rgt back towards India with heavy losses to the enemy - the only bright spot.



Let's take a look at the position of the unrestricted big units :

1st TD Burma - at Prome changing op mode and preparing to move north
2nd TD Burma - at Prome changing op mode and preparing to move north
4th ID Burma - in the jungles between Shwebo and Cox Bazar
5th ID Burma - at Prome changing op mode and preparing to move north
18th ID Burma - Akyab garrison, 70% strength
21st ID Burma - in the jungle between Magwe and Akyab, 50% strength
33rd ID Burma - Akyab garrison
48th ID Burma - at Shwebo
55th ID Burma - split, 2 Rgt rebuilding at Magwe, 1 Rgt guarding Akyab flank
56th ID Burma/China - between Lashio and Paoshan backstopping 65th Bde, 70% strength
65th Bde Burma/China - Paoshan siege

31st ID China/DEI - split, 2 restricted Rgts still awaiting PPs, 3 Bns of third Rgt on garrison duty in DEI
21st Ind. Mixed Bde - Southern China

Guards ID Oz - Port Hedland
2nd ID Oz - split between Daly Waters / Broome / Derby

16th ID PNG - Milne Bay
38th ID PNG - Port Moresby
Guards Mixed Bde PNG - Terapo

From reading other AARs, the (certainly unhistoric and probably unrealistic) Allied early Burma counter-offensive was to be expected, and it is clearly developping into the main show. I hope the three fresh divisions will be able to stop and maybe even turn back the Allied advance. They must - I have no reserves left. PPs have been spent to free Arty, Eng, AV support and AA and for changing leaders - need to stop that and start accumulating for freeing infantry units.


What happened on the other corners of the Empire? Last turn the half-expected attack on Horn Island has taken place. Ed has bombed the place for weeks and now has sent an invasion force with Aussi and Kiwi CLs in support, apparently staging through Portland Roads and hugging the coast. I have subs all over the place, one managed to sink an AMc (of course, of all targets available..), but I have lost two subs (including minelaying I-124 - too bad). Ground combat was a foregone conclusion :

Ground combat at Horn Island (91,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4927 troops, 91 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 201

Defending force 1040 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Allied adjusted assault: 479

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 479 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Horn Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1248 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 52 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
754th Tank Battalion
40th Infantry/A Div /1
2nd Pioneer Battalion
147th Field Artillery Battalion
15th US Naval Const Bn /1

Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF

No biggie, it is just a speedbump in my plan. The Northern Queensland bases like Cooktown, Coen, Port Hedland, Normanton etc. are all maxed-out and teeming with fighters and bombers - no point to try to defend that position in strength or to try to take it back against concentrated air power. I will sacrifice small cheap units at forward bases in order to force Ed to spend time to prepare invasions, while preparing some "hard points" for prolonged defense in more suitable locations.

Actually, I have a large part of Combined Fleet based at Koepang ready to intervene at Darwin or Port Hedland. A sortie against a Horn Island invasion was regarded as a possibility in my plan, but unfortunately the timing is off - Combined Fleet is busy staging a raid against Exmouth and Carnavon. Two turns ago, the Allies dared to send BBs (including North Carolina) to bombard Port Hedland - and I seek revenge. It is a risk, but I think the Allied CVs are unavailable for their October upgrades.

In China, still grinding towards the Chungking plain. The pincer around Kienko has succeeded, my forces have entered the hex from the South, West and ast. But the northern hexside are still open and apparently Ed is pulling out in that direction. I need to rest a turn or two to gather supplies and reduced disruption of the units who entered the hex the hard way (river crossing) before helping the enemy to pull out faster.

Apparently Ed is trying to kill "eaters" to reduce supply requirements - there is no other explanation for that river crossing below:

Ground combat at 82,46 (near Patung)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3321 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 385

Defending force 18063 troops, 121 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 565

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 2536

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

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

Allied ground losses:
2630 casualties reported
Squads: 132 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 118 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 36 (36 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th/C Division

Other fronts - almost quiet, in SoPac just nuisance bombing of Tulagi and Munda, NorPac ineffective bombing of Attu, calm restored in the CentPac after the liberation of Vaitupu. I have some long-range subs and Glen subs off the West Coast and off Perth, but I just can't seem to find his shipping routes...

[quote]Combined Fleet is busy staging a raid against Exmouth and Carnavon. Two turns ago, the Allies dared to send BBs (including North Carolina) to bombard Port Hedland - and I seek revenge.[/quote]

Lots of action:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 20, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 48,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
AM Kingfisher, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Elisavet, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
AM Kingfisher sunk by BB Kirishima at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages xAK Elisavet at 11,000 yards
xAK Elisavet sunk by DD Shirayuki at 11,000 yards
xAK Elisavet sunk by DD Shirayuki at 11,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 3
BB Haruna, Shell hits 2
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra, Shell hits 2
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 2
CL Achilles, Shell hits 3, heavy damage
CL Birmingham
DD Henley
DD Jarvis
DD Van Galen
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Inconstant

Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Okano V. crosses the 'T'
CL Achilles engages BB Kirishima at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Australia at 8,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Achilles at 8,000 yards
CL Achilles engages DD Uranami at 8,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages CA Australia at 8,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages CL Achilles at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages BB Kirishima at 3,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Canberra at 3,000 yards
CA Australia engages BB Haruna at 3,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Hawkins at 3,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Achilles at 3,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages DD Shirayuki at 3,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Electra at 3,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Inconstant at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Hawkins at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Canberra at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA Canberra at 7,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Canberra at 7,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Inconstant at 7,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Inconstant at 7,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Inconstant at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Shirakumo at 7,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Van Galen at 7,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Shirakumo at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages BB Kongo at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Achilles at 11,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Australia at 11,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Achilles at 11,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Inconstant at 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Shirakumo at 11,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Electra at 11,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages DD Fubuki at 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Shirakumo at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Haruna, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 1
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
BC Repulse
DD Sims, Shell hits 1
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Cushing
DD Nepal, Shell hits 2, on fire

Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Hiei at 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Nepal at 8,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Kongo at 8,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Uranami at 8,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Shirayuki at 8,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Shirakumo at 8,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Fubuki at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB North Carolina at 3,000 yards
BB Hiei engages BB North Carolina at 3,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Nepal at 3,000 yards
BB Kongo engages BB North Carolina at 3,000 yards
DD Uranami engages BB North Carolina at 3,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Nepal at 3,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Nepal at 3,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Nepal at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB North Carolina at 7,000 yards
BC Repulse engages BB Haruna at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Nepal at 7,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Cushing at 7,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Nepal at 7,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Uranami at 7,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Nepal at 7,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Nepal at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BC Repulse at 10,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Hiei at 10,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Shirayuki at 10,000 yards
BC Repulse engages BB Kongo at 10,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Uranami at 10,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Sims at 10,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Shirakumo at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Sims at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Kirishima at 13,000 yards
BB Hiei engages BB North Carolina at 13,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Shirayuki at 13,000 yards
BC Repulse engages BB Kongo at 13,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Sims at 13,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Sims at 13,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Sims at 13,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Nepal at 13,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Fubuki at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei, on fire
BB Kirishima
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki, on fire
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 52, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Cushing, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage

Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Cushing at 11,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Kirishima at 11,000 yards
DD Cushing engages DD Uranami at 11,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Cushing at 11,000 yards
DD Cushing engages DD Fubuki at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB North Carolina at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages BB North Carolina at 10,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Cushing at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Kirishima at 7,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Hiei at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB North Carolina at 7,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Kongo at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Kirishima at 4,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Hiei at 4,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Uranami at 4,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Shirakumo at 4,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Fubuki at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB North Carolina at 2,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Cushing at 2,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Cushing at 2,000 yards
DD Cushing engages DD Shinonome at 2,000 yards
BB North Carolina sunk by BB Kirishima at 2,000 yards
DD Cushing engages DD Shinonome at 2,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Cushing at 2,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Cushing at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Cushing at 5,000 yards
DD Cushing engages DD Shirakumo at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Cushing engages DD Shirakumo at 10,000 yards
DD Cushing engages BB Kongo at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Cushing engages DD Shirakumo at 13,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Cushing at 13,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Cushing at 13,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Cushing at 13,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Cushing at 13,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Carnarvon at 49,133 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

BB Kirishima firing at 21st Australian Brigade
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kongo
BB Kongo firing at 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment
57th Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at BB Kongo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise

Allied ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (2 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (6 destroyed, 11 disabled)

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Hyuga
BB Hyuga firing at 134th Field Artillery Battalion
BB Ise firing at 4th Marine Defense Battalion


Bombardments fail to supress airbases

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS KXII

SS KXII launches 4 torpedoes
Sub escapes detection


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, on fire
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
AM Castlemaine, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAKL Benkalis, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAKL Benkoelen, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
xAKL Parigi, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Okano V. crosses the 'T'
BB Kongo engages AM Castlemaine at 10,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages AM Castlemaine at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages AM Castlemaine at 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages AM Castlemaine at 11,000 yards
BB Kongo engages AM Castlemaine at 11,000 yards
DD Uranami engages xAKL Parigi at 11,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages xAKL Parigi at 11,000 yards
Massive explosion on xAKL Parigi
DD Shirakumo engages xAKL Parigi at 11,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages AM Castlemaine at 11,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages AM Castlemaine at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages AM Castlemaine at 9,000 yards
xAKL Parigi sunk by BB Hiei at 9,000 yards
BB Haruna engages AM Castlemaine at 9,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages AM Castlemaine at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
AM Castlemaine sunk by BB Kirishima at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages xAKL Benkoelen at 2,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages xAKL Benkalis at 2,000 yards
BB Haruna engages xAKL Benkoelen at 2,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages xAKL Benkoelen at 2,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages xAKL Benkoelen at 2,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages xAKL Benkoelen at 2,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages xAKL Benkalis at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages xAKL Benkalis at 3,000 yards
DD Uranami engages xAKL Benkalis at 3,000 yards
xAKL Benkalis sunk by DD Shinonome at 3,000 yards
xAKL Benkalis sunk by DD Shinonome at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, on fire
BB Hiei, on fire
BB Kirishima
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki, on fire
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
AM Bombay, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Minnipa, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAKL Wollongbar, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages AM Bombay at 11,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages AM Bombay at 11,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages xAKL Wollongbar at 11,000 yards
AM Bombay sunk by BB Hiei at 11,000 yards
DD Uranami engages xAKL Wollongbar at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
xAKL Wollongbar sunk by BB Hiei at 9,000 yards
Okano V. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages xAKL Minnipa at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Haruna engages xAKL Minnipa at 10,000 yards
DD Uranami engages xAKL Minnipa at 10,000 yards
DD Uranami engages xAKL Minnipa at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXII

CL Yubari is sighted by SS KXII
SS KXII launches 4 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Exmouth at 50,125

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
BB Nagato
DD Natsugumo
DD Michishio
DD Asashio
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Asagumo
DD Yamagumo

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII

SS KXVIII launches 6 torpedoes at CV Akagi
DD Kasumi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arare fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Asagumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Luckily that Dutch sub attack failed!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 50,129, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CL Isuzu
DD Yugumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
PT-76
PT-79
PT-81
PT-83, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
CA Haguro engages PT-81 at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Mogami collides with CA Takao at 50 , 129
CA Haguro engages PT-81 at 17,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages PT-83 at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT-83 at 14,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT-79 at 14,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT-81 at 14,000 yards
DD Samidare engages PT-83 at 14,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages PT-83 at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT-83 at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Atago engages PT-83 at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Samidare engages PT-83 at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Kumano engages PT-83 at 12,000 yards
CA Mogami engages PT-83 at 12,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages PT-83 at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-83 at 13,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT-79 at 13,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages PT-79 at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
PT-83 sunk by DD Suzukaze at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages PT-81 at 16,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT-81 at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-81 at 16,000 yards
DD Murasame engages PT-81 at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages PT-81 at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 28,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 48,133, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
DD Grayson
DE Parrott
DE Rathburne
AM Cootamundra
AM Echuca
xAP Amra
xAK Catrine
xAP Van Overstraten

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards...
BB Hiei engages xAP Van Overstraten at 25,000 yards
BB Hiei engages xAP Amra at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...

My boys must be low on ammo.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 50,130, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CL Isuzu
DD Yugumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
PT-76
PT-79
PT-81, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages PT-81 at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT-76 at 18,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-81 at 18,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-81 at 18,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages PT-81 at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
DD Murasame engages PT-81 at 19,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages PT-81 at 19,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages PT-81 at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages PT-76 at 18,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT-79 at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages PT-79 at 13,000 yards
CA Maya engages PT-81 at 13,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages PT-76 at 13,000 yards
DD Samidare engages PT-79 at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
PT-81 sunk by CA Kumano at 12,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages PT-76 at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT-79 at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 48,133, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 3
BB Haruna
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Uranami, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Monssen, Shell hits 4
DD Anderson, Shell hits 2

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Monssen at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Monssen at 18,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Monssen at 18,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Monssen at 18,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Shinonome at 18,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Fubuki at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Anderson at 15,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Monssen at 15,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Anderson at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 11,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Monssen at 11,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Monssen at 11,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Anderson at 11,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Monssen at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
DD Monssen engages BB Haruna at 9,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Anderson at 9,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Anderson at 9,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Shinonome at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Anderson at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Anderson at 10,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Monssen at 10,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Anderson at 10,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Monssen at 10,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Monssen at 8,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Shirakumo at 8,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Monssen at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 7,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Monssen at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Monssen at 7,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Monssen at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 6,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Monssen at 6,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Anderson at 6,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Monssen at 6,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Monssen at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 5,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Monssen at 5,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Monssen at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Fubuki at 9,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Anderson at 9,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Anderson at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Monssen at 14,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Anderson at 14,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Shirayuki at 14,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Anderson at 14,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Monssen at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Yep, low on ammo for main guns and out of torps. Ballsy enemy DDs nonetheless.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Maya, Shell hits 2
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
DD Yugumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 55, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sims, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 2
DD Nepal, Shell hits 12, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Kumano at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Sims at 26,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Atago at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BC Repulse at 22,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BC Repulse at 22,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mikuma at 22,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Sims at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Kumano at 20,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Nepal at 20,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mogami at 20,000 yards
CA Maya engages BC Repulse at 20,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Nepal at 20,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Sims at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Haguro at 17,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Nepal at 17,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mikuma at 17,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Murasame at 17,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Myoko at 17,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Maya at 17,000 yards
CA Atago engages BC Repulse at 17,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Suzukaze at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Kumano at 13,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Suzuya at 13,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages DD Ralph Talbot at 13,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Yugumo at 13,000 yards
CA Atago engages BC Repulse at 13,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Suzukaze at 13,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Sims at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages BC Repulse at 11,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Yugumo at 11,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages BC Repulse at 11,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BC Repulse at 11,000 yards
CA Maya engages BC Repulse at 11,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Atago at 11,000 yards
CA Takao engages BC Repulse at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Nepal at 11,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Nepal at 11,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Sims at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages BC Repulse at 9,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Suzuya at 9,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mikuma at 9,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BC Repulse at 9,000 yards
CA Myoko engages BC Repulse at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Sims at 9,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Nepal at 9,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Murasame at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Haguro engages BC Repulse at 12,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BC Repulse at 12,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages DD Ralph Talbot at 12,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DD Nepal at 12,000 yards
CA Myoko engages BC Repulse at 12,000 yards
CA Maya engages BC Repulse at 12,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CL Isuzu at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Nepal at 16,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Yugumo at 16,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Suzukaze at 16,000 yards
CA Myoko engages BC Repulse at 16,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Nepal at 16,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Murasame at 16,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Nepal at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Kumano at 17,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BC Repulse at 17,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Yugumo at 17,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mogami at 17,000 yards
CA Haguro engages BC Repulse at 17,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Ralph Talbot at 17,000 yards
CA Atago engages BC Repulse at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BC Repulse at 14,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mikuma at 14,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mogami at 14,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Maya at 14,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Atago at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Haguro at 10,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Ralph Talbot at 10,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BC Repulse at 10,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Takao at 10,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CL Isuzu at 10,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Suzukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Sims at 10,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Murasame at 10,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Nepal at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages BC Repulse at 8,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BC Repulse at 8,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Ralph Talbot at 8,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Sims at 8,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Atago at 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages BC Repulse at 8,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Kumano at 8,000 yards
DD Nepal sunk by DD Yugumo at 8,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages BC Repulse at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Sims at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Sims at 8,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Takao at 8,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Suzukaze at 8,000 yards
Scott, Norman orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Samidare at 9,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Yamakaze at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Shiratsuyu at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Haguro at 17,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Shiratsuyu at 17,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Suzukaze at 17,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Ralph Talbot at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Haguro at 24,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mikuma at 24,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Maya at 24,000 yards
Range increases to 28,000 yards
CA Mikuma collides with CA Takao at 49 , 133
BC Repulse engages CA Haguro at 28,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Ralph Talbot at 28,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Mikuma at 28,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Haguro at 28,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Maya at 28,000 yards
Task forces break off...

So far so good, but all this fighting kept my ships off Carnavon until sunrise. Enter LBA...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 49,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 2

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame
CA Takao
CA Mikuma
CA Kumano

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 48,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 10
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 1
BB Kirishima

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 49,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Suzuya, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 50,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 8 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 49,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 49,133

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Isuzu
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 48,133

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10
TBF-1 Avenger x 11

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 49,133

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Suzuya
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Maya

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 49,133

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
TBF-1 Avenger x 2

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Shell hits 34, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Mikuma
CA Kumano
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 2
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Murasame, Shell hits 1
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Canberra, Shell hits 28, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 32, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Birmingham
DD Henley, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Van Galen, Shell hits 1
DD Electra, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Encounter, Shell hits 5, heavy fires

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Hawkins at 26,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Haguro at 26,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Hawkins at 26,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Birmingham at 26,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Hawkins at 26,000 yards
CA Myoko engages DD Electra at 26,000 yards
CA Takao engages CA Hawkins at 26,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Kawakaze at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Kumano at 20,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Mikuma at 20,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Hawkins at 20,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Encounter at 20,000 yards
CA Atago engages CA Hawkins at 20,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CA Hawkins at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Haguro at 19,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Hawkins at 19,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CA Haguro at 19,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Encounter at 19,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Atago at 19,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Henley at 19,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Van Galen at 19,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Yamakaze at 19,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Van Galen at 19,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Electra at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Haguro at 15,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Mikuma at 15,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Mogami at 15,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Birmingham at 15,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Kawakaze at 15,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Samidare at 15,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Samidare at 15,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Jarvis at 15,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Van Galen at 15,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Yamakaze at 15,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Jarvis at 15,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Jarvis at 15,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Henley at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Mikuma at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Birmingham at 11,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Hawkins at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Electra at 11,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Yugumo at 11,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CL Isuzu at 11,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Suzukaze at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Henley at 11,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Encounter at 11,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Samidare at 11,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Murasame at 11,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Yugumo at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Birmingham at 8,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Myoko at 8,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Electra at 8,000 yards
CA Takao engages CA Hawkins at 8,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Isuzu at 8,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Henley at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Murasame at 8,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Yugumo at 8,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Kumano at 8,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Mogami at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Hawkins at 8,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Hawkins at 8,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Atago at 8,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Takao at 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages DD Jarvis at 8,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Henley at 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Henley at 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Haguro at 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Haguro at 9,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Haguro at 9,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Encounter at 9,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Electra at 9,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Van Galen at 9,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CL Isuzu at 9,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Henley at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Electra at 9,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Jarvis at 9,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Van Galen at 9,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Shiratsuyu at 9,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Yugumo at 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Hawkins at 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Australia at 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Birmingham at 9,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Samidare at 9,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Atago at 9,000 yards
CA Takao engages CA Hawkins at 9,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Samidare at 9,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Kawakaze at 9,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Samidare at 9,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Electra at 9,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Encounter at 9,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Henley at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Canberra at 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Mogami at 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Birmingham at 10,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Hawkins at 10,000 yards
CA Atago engages CA Hawkins at 10,000 yards
CA Takao engages CA Hawkins at 10,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages DD Jarvis at 10,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Electra at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Jarvis at 10,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yamakaze at 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Canberra at 10,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Australia at 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CL Birmingham at 10,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Hawkins at 10,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Electra at 10,000 yards
CA Hawkins sunk by CA Takao at 10,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Encounter at 10,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Kawakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Samidare at 10,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Murasame at 10,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Henley at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Haguro at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Australia at 8,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Samidare at 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Myoko at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Van Galen at 8,000 yards
CA Takao engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CA Haguro at 9,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Haguro at 9,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Electra at 9,000 yards
CA Atago engages CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Jarvis at 9,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Henley at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Encounter at 9,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Yugumo at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Haguro at 11,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Encounter at 11,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Atago at 11,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Jarvis at 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Suzukaze at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Van Galen at 11,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Encounter at 11,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Murasame at 11,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Shiratsuyu at 11,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu collides with CA Takao at 49 , 133
CA Haguro engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CA Haguro at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Myoko at 11,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Van Galen at 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Takao at 11,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages DD Henley at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Electra at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Electra at 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Samidare at 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Murasame at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Australia at 10,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CA Haguro at 10,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Kawakaze at 10,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Canberra at 10,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Yamakaze at 10,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Takao at 10,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CA Canberra at 10,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Jarvis at 10,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Kawakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yamakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Van Galen at 10,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Henley at 10,000 yards
DD Van Galen engages DD Yugumo at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Canberra at 7,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Haguro at 7,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Mogami at 7,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Electra at 7,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Van Galen at 7,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Takao at 7,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CA Canberra at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yamakaze at 7,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Van Galen at 7,000 yards
Poole P. orders Allied TF to disengage
Tanaka, Raizo orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Encounter at 9,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Van Galen at 9,000 yards
CA Takao engages CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Suzukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Electra at 9,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Encounter at 9,000 yards
DD Murasame engages DD Encounter at 9,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Henley at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Canberra at 12,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CA Haguro at 12,000 yards
CA Myoko engages DD Electra at 12,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Van Galen at 12,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Takao at 12,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CA Canberra at 12,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Henley at 12,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Kawakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Encounter at 12,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Murasame at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Australia at 17,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Canberra at 17,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Electra at 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Atago at 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Isuzu at 17,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Encounter at 17,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Encounter at 17,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Murasame at 17,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Jarvis at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Canberra at 21,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Canberra at 21,000 yards
CA Myoko engages DD Electra at 21,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Samidare at 21,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Haguro at 25,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CA Haguro at 25,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Atago at 25,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages DD Henley at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 28,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Canberra at 28,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Mikuma at 28,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Monssen, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Anderson

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Anderson at 17,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Anderson at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Anderson at 15,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Anderson at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Anderson at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Monssen at 11,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Monssen at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Monssen engages CA Suzuya at 8,000 yards
DD Monssen engages CA Maya at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Monssen at 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Monssen at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Anderson at 6,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Monssen at 6,000 yards
Patterson R. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Anderson at 5,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Monssen at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Anderson at 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Monssen at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Anderson at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Anderson at 15,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Monssen at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Anderson at 16,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Monssen at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Anderson at 17,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Monssen at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Anderson at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Carnarvon at 49,133

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19

CA Maya is sighted by SS O19
SS O19 launches 4 torpedoes at CA Maya



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 21, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 49,133, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Mikuma
CA Kumano
CL Isuzu
DD Yugumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Murasame

Allied Ships
xAKL Minnipa, heavy fires

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Exmouth at 51,128

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Takao
DD Suzukaze
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS S-38

SS S-38 launches 4 torpedoes at CA Atago
S-38 bottoming out ....
DD Suzukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 50,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 67

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 50,127

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1
CA Mikuma

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Raid is overhead
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 51,128

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Atago
DD Kawakaze, Bomb hits 1
CA Takao, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 48,131

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 48,131

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 2

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.


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

Well, I got my revenge, North Carolina is definetly sunk. But at a heavy price, thanks mostly to unexpected land-based USN carrier air. And there are some cripples in bad shape which may go down as well. Costly failure...

[img]https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/upfi ... C5D372.jpg[/img]

[X(] [X(] That was a whole month's worth of action packed into one day! Counting the air losses as well (disproportionately on the Allied side), what is your opinion of the day's scorecard? I'm seeing at as roughly even, effectively a costly stalemate.

I'm seeing at as roughly even, effectively a costly stalemate.

Yes, it was a rousing day, but I'm inclined to give the edge to the IJN. Three CA's versus one BB and two CA's sounds like a loss for the Allies. Granted, their ships can be replaced while Japanese CA's cannot.

Yeah I could believe a small edge to the Japanese. But I only saw one Allied CA on the loss list (admittedly I lost track of all the damage in the reports and maybe one other CA is doomed but not yet sunk). Also several Japanese BBs will presumably (??) be out of action for quite a while, maybe removing (??) the option for a similar Japanese foray for a long time. That's pretty speculative on my part so I'd like to hear the official assessment from LST.

My assessment is "costly failure". North Carolina is a nice catch, but an old CA and a DD will not hurt the Allies. On my side, three CA and four DD are sunk, and I have a Kongo and two more CA and Yubari crawling along at 4 to 7 knots and with float damage in the 50+ range - well inside enemy LBA range. I will try to protect them with KB1, but that may fail and exposes yet undamaged assets. I expect to lose more ships before the show is over. Hence my negative assessment.

But I only saw one Allied CA on the loss list (admittedly I lost track of all the damage in the reports and maybe one other CA is doomed but not yet sunk)

Yes, I'm thinking Canberra will not stay top of water for long -- and now that I think about it, Repulse's chances are slim as well.

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

I'm seeing at as roughly even, effectively a costly stalemate.

Yes, it was a rousing day, but I'm inclined to give the edge to the IJN. Three CA's versus one BB and two CA's sounds like a loss for the Allies. Granted, their ships can be replaced while Japanese CA's cannot.

Any engagement that ends in a slugfest is an Allied victory. A simple numbers game, Allies will get lots of replacements, Japan won't. Losses will be felt when the Allies start simultaneous offensives.

For me the biggest lesson is that unless there is air power involved, Japan still easily rules the sea in late 42.

Slugfest aftermath

Over the past few turns I have tried to extricate my wounded ships from the Carnavon area. I have merged and divided the two battered TFs into a group of "walking wounded" with low float damage and capable of a cruise speed of 15 knots or more more and a group of "stretcher cases" - the last includes three crippled BBs, several cruisers and DDs with float damage and engine damage in red and cruise speeds between 8 and 3 knots, plus some unwounded DDs for ASW. I am expecting to lose a ship or two anytime due to poor damage control.

To protect the cripples, I have ordered KB1 (4 CV, 1 CVL) to follow the "stretcher cases TF". The "walking wounded" also follow the "stretcher cases" in order to remain under KB CAP umbrella until clear of the air threats. I have put KB1 on 100% CAP and the Vals and Kates of the four CV on night airfield attack against Carnarvon (the CVL is carrying three groups of Vals and Kates with fixed resizes that add-up to max capacity - they fly naval search and ASW).

With the usual strays and the light bomb load of carrier bombers, the night-bombing wasn't too effective, the Vals and Kates managed to destroy or damage a handful of planes on the ground and made a few holes in runways. The less obvious effects like fatigue / morale impact on the following days airstrikes by the Allies are hard to judge. Ed said in his email that only part of his airforce launched - but that this might have been due to bad weather. I tend to agree, as I remember seeing a thunderstorm icon over my stack of TFs during the replay.

However, Ed also pointed out that I have violated a house rule with that carrier night-bombing attack - for the second time (after a night-strike against Noumea months ago). He is right of course and I am terribly sorry! For some reason it remains hardcoded in my brain that the house rule "night-bombing limited to one unit per target" is for LBA - but we apply it to carrier air as well. I am a slow learner to start with and memeory alpha is not getting better with age... Ed has magnanimously offered to play-on, but reserves himself the right to conduct a "payback" night-attack with eight air squadrons of medium bombers against a target and on a date of his choice. That is ok for me - although I'm afraid that mediums will cause far more damage than carrier planes.

Now, for the results. The cripples and KB have crawled north along the coast, past Exmouth towards the nearest port - Port Hedland. Of course Ed has seen to it that the waters are sub-infested - luckily an attack on KB has missed the intended CV victim (going fro memory, I think it was Hiryu). A damaged CL (Yubari?) was not so lucky and was hit again, but is hanging on. Dring daytime, Allied air came out but the solid CAP of 80-100 Zeroes took care of each attack. I think even if the strikes had been stronger without my night-bombing, Ed would simply have suffered more losses to my CAP.
Surprisingly no losses on the way that I am aware of, despite some "temporary repairs failing" messages. The cripples auto-disbanded at Port Hedland, but I have ordered them out again towards Broome since Port Hedland is in medium-bomber range - and a "payback" night-attack is to be expected (it did not materialise yet). One hex short of Broome, BB Haruna - already heavily damaged - has been attacked by a Dutch SS, with three torpedos hitting and exploding. Either this is FOW and they prematured, or the puny 45cm torps did not impress the tough old lady, or it is the sync bug - but Haruna is still afloat at the end of the last turn. I hope she will make it to port. Transport planes are busy transferring a Fleet HQ to Broome to help with repairs (AR conversions are not finished yet, AR Arashi is en route from Rangoon)and I have Nicks and Oscars on CAP / night-CAP. Hope I can save the strecther-cases and nurse them back to health! The walking wounded have peeled off and are on the way to the yards.


What happened elsewhere? Many enemy TFs in the Horn Island area, but just "small fry" like APDs. I'm not sending Betties against such fast, nimble targets - into CAP/LRCAP without escorts - again. Not even if I had Betties available, that is. I did not mention it before, but When Ed moved against Horn Island, I had set AM2s at Nazdab to escort and AM3s at Wau to sweep, with Betties at Rabaul on naval attack. Well, the M2s never launched (despite being set to same height as the Betties and 11th Air Fleet HQ at Rabaul and a Flottila HQ at Nadzab), the M3 swept only on Day 2 after Horn Island had fallen (forgot that you can't sweep your own base) and the brave Betties went in on their own. Now I need to rebuild the Betty groups after heavy losses - both in planes and in pilot morale. I only build 40 Betties / month and I have lost six weeks of production in two days - yikes! And to add insult to injury, I forgot to switch from bombs (they were flying ASW / naval search) to torps on two of three Betty groups. Heavy losses for one hit each on a KV and an AP and two hits on a CLAA. The KV and the AP probably went down, I hope the CLAA as well!

Apart form the Betty desaster, I'm still short of Zeroes - short of airframes for M2 groups and short of M3 groups for ample number of frames produced. M3a production will start in a few days, things may brighten up a bit.

Burma - 27th US Inf Div has been identified between Cox and Magwe. As if I had not enough woorries with the pommies and their colonial troops, which are again on the move south to the pivotal hex linking Akyab to Rangoon. LEt them come - I have two Tank divisions halfway to Akyab and the 5th ID following slowly behind. I hope Allied SIGINT has not revealed their presence. Hope they are worth the vehicle points investement.

Got a new turn - more later.

Thanks for the update. Did Haruna take any additional damage at all? Otherwise, it seems your crippled ships have been very fortunate so far.

Interesting rule on night bombing... on my game it has always end in poor/ disappointing results... for both Allies and Japan
To the point neither him nor I want use it

And Japanese damage control is very underestimated... not near as bad as most people thinks it is

Ed has unleashed the beasts - P-38s and 4es.

As a result, I am depressed and frustrated, so be warned - this is a WHINING post...

Ed has concentrated on Prome (Burma) and Wau (PNG) with sweeps preceeding unescorted 4E strikes.

Well, I expect the P-38 to be effective and I expect to suffer on the ground when 4e bombers get through.

But some results are just too odd for my taste, given the disparity of numbers.


It took just two turns to destroy the biggest airbase in Burma, Prome (level 7) - after the smoked cleared, runway damage is at 97 and service damage at 74.

It hurts, but it is not unexpected since fighter defense was not really numerous. There was only one 45-plane Zero group at Prome, and during the second turn some Tojo and A6M3 LRCAP from Magwe and Rangoon. The issue I have is with my pilots. Most of the time attacks were not pressed, but aborted in face of defensive fire of the bombers. My pilot are all 50-80 exp / 70+ air skill guys with 90 morale - I expected more determination facing 4Es...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 03, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 9 destroyed

[:)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed

[:(]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-II Topsy: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28

[:@]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15


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

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 04, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 2 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 12

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

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

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 05, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 12

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-43A-1 Lancer sweeping at 20000 feet

One lucky Japanese pilot.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

No more raids on Nov 6th - might be the weather, might be Allied Command considered no further attacks necessary.

I am abandoning the Prome airbase for the moment since I fear similar treatment for Rangoon - which is the entry point for all reinforcements and supplies and thus of prime importance. So the Prome AV support and the remnants of the Zero group plus a Tojo grop move down to Rangoon. Zero M3a and first Tony just entered production. Bringing the Zero groups in Burma back to strength with the M3a will be a priority. The two IJAAF groups available to upgrade to Tonies will be rushed to Burma as well (although I could use something else than Oscars in the SoPac) - with the slow repair they are better kept on rail lines for swapping out if necessary.

What else happens in Burma ? An Allied offensive in Northern Burma from the Kalmyo area with advances on multiple vectors south, southeast and east. I did notice the movement arrows, but my reinforcements arrived too late to contest the river crossings. Now the Thai divisions fighting the border battles near Mytkyina are in danger of being cut-off, and even Mandalay is threatened. I have just one division and two Tank Rgts to oppose several Infantry and Armour brigades and lesser units in the Shwebo area - not the best defensive terrain. My recon says Ed has more than 2000 AFVs on the frontlines!?! There is also at least one US Army division (27th ID) engaged. I cannot believe it that with 80% of all unrestricted Japanese ground and air units deployed in Burma, the Allies have the initiative in that theater.

Now, on to the destruction of Wau. It is smaller (level-3) but was protected by mutually supporting CAP from Wau itself and the adjacent bases at Lae (level 2) and Nazdab (level 6). Did not matter - Runway damage 100, service damage 94. And a number of frustrating results which left me weeping and whining (yes, I know that even the most lopsided results can be "explained away" - but I need to let off steam...).

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 03, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 28

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Many hits for such a small number of survivors...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 28

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-17F Fortress x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 23

Okazaki, M. in a A6M2 Zero makes head on attack ... forces B-17E Fortress out of formation

At least one pilot with guts! Nice try, but no cigar...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

That is acceptable.

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

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 04, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed

Acceptable as well

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8

Outnumbered 2:1 - invulnerable beasts...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Outnumbered 10:1 and still they get through with impunity!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

WTF??? 33 vs 2 and they win - those Lightnings must pe piloted by Batman and Robin!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

To be expected with those numbers. Lighting sweeping - LST weeping...

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

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 05, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 54
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

Outnubered 79:21 but nearly equal losses - kudos to the Grumman Ironworks...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 45
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 43
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

More sweeping, more weeping

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

48 vs 3 - and the three live to boast about a kill *shaking head*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 35
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses


45 vs 2 - unbelievable...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 32
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-17F Fortress x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 5 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 31

40+ interceptors - no kills. I'm grabbing a bottle to drown my sorrows...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 27
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 20
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2

So they are mortals after all?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 17
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Oh, an encore. But not enough to raise morale...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 12
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

17 vs 3 - and the 3 win ... I NEVER see that kind of results when I do the sweeping.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 06, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed

Rinse & repeat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-17F Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 7 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Again, 40+ interceptors, no kill - get me another bottle...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 6 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

36 vs 6 - I stopped caring and skipped the rest of the replays in disgust

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 5 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wau , at 98,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Ed calls the results "fairly historical for this time of the war".

I'm not so sure - in 1945 maybe, but in 1942 ?

Alas, to play Japan, you don't need to be a masochist - but it helps.

Admittedly, I don't have experience with the game except in the early war period. And in that period, playing Allies, I was repeatedly on the receiving end of sweeps with exactly that kind of lopsided result. Jap fighters could routinely fly against 5-1 or even 10-1 odds and come out smiling. Part of that was my own inexperience and/or incompetence, and part is just the brutal fact of relative skill and preparation on each side at that point of the war. So I guess some payback is in order, but I confess I don't know to what degree or just how historical it is with your results in late 42. I enjoyed your comments -- for example, the one really lucky Zero pilot, better lucky than good! Alas, "more sweeping, more weeping" says it all [:(] and it's really rough when you have a turn like that. Good luck as you fight on!