Act II - Uncivil Engr (J) vs. christopher1963 (A)

[Uncivil Engineer]

Re: the North China map in post #58 -

The stack 4 hexes SE of Sian will be vacated by the Empire to allow hexside control to revert to the Chinese. The stack contains 5 Chinese HQ and 9 Chinese corps, all at 0 effective AV. If I attack them here they will soon be destroyed, as they have no retreat route available, and respawn at Chungking. I don't want that. My stack, except one tank regiment, will move west; the tank regiment moving east to Loyang. After the Allies have hexside control, he may try to move them (that's fine); the tank regiment will move back in (and maybe some artillery that moved west) to now attack and force retreat. Some may get destroyed this way as well, but I have no control over that. Maybe in the meantime those units will suck up some reinforcements to extend their feeble lives. Stay tuned.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 10 - 12 Singapore captured. Ichang LOST.

Jan 10 - San Fernando was captured; the 2 defenders retreated to Lingayen. Tacloban was captured; the defending regiment surrendered. Vacant Ketapang was captured.

Jan 11 - On Luzon, Bayombong flipped to Japan and Lucena flipped back to Allies. A sub was lost to mines (it hit 2) at Canton Island. Bacolod was captured; the defender surrendered; resource was undamaged 20(0). Vacant Finschhafen was captured. Vacant Wewak was captured. Rabaul's airfield reached level 4.

Jan 12 - Repair of Miri's oil facility was stopped at 150(150); repair may be resumed in the future. Vacant Tandjoengbalai was captured. Vacant Shortlands was captured. Singkep was captured with resource intact 20(0).

Singapore was captured -

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 58181 troops, 649 guns, 421 vehicles, Assault Value = 1652

Defending force 27813 troops, 404 guns, 252 vehicles, Assault Value = 220

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1540

Allied adjusted defense: 439

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1487 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 49 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
24468 casualties reported
Squads: 655 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3127 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 141 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 569 (569 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 132 (132 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 34

Assaulting units:
56th Engineer Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
18th Division
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Division
33rd Division
Imperial Guards Division
113th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Army
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
SSVF Brigade
5/14th Punjab Battalion
1st Malay Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
28th Gurkha Brigade
2nd Argylls Battalion
109th RN Base Force
137/155th Field Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
11 Battery/3 HAA
224 Group RAF /2
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
AHQ Far East
1st Manchester Battalion
223 Group RAF
Malayan Air Wing
Singapore Fortress
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
112th RAF Base Force
Singapore Base Force
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
Malaya Army
2nd Malay Battalion
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
110th RAF Base Force
2/215th Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
111th RAF Base Force
30 Battery/3 HAA
109th RAF Base Force /1

That's the good news. The facilities at Singapore were trashed - HI 1(34), LI 1(39), Resource 1(19), and RSY 1(49), but 49k supplies were captured. HI will be repaired to at least 10; RSY will be repaired to at least 30; LI and resource will remain damaged.

And, after 9 days of battle at Ichang, the base was lost -

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 46145 troops, 346 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1265

Defending force 13804 troops, 159 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 185

Allied adjusted assault: 378

Japanese adjusted defense: 103

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Ichang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
4572 casualties reported
Squads: 187 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 195 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 82 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 75 (74 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 128 (128 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Allied ground losses:
989 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
68th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
34th Division
11th RGC Temp. Division
13th Tank Regiment
13th RGC Temp. Division
2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the Chinese left the hex west of the base vacant and allowed the surviving defenders to retreat there. They will rest a day while supplies are flown in, and then begin the trek to try to return to a base controlled by the Empire. It will be difficult.

Further north in China, the surrounded Chinese attacked as the Japanese units attempted to move out -

Ground combat at 86,43 (near Loyang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5396 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Defending force 24205 troops, 190 guns, 340 vehicles, Assault Value = 804

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 518

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
1987 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 148 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
98th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
39th Group Army
15th Group Army
51st Chinese Corps
36th Group Army
24th Group Army
14th Group Army
7th New Chinese Corps

Defending units:
12th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th Division
15th Tank Regiment
16th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

The Chinese units are totally combat ineffective, and even though the Japanese were in move mode, they sustained NO casualties. We will continue to withdraw to cede the hex before returning.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 13 - 16

Jan 13 - Legaspi flipped as 33 Rgt unloaded in the base. Vacant Dili and vacant Cape Gloucester were captured. Mine clearing began at Singapore.

Jan 14 - Kanhsien was captured. Vacant Manus and Billiton were captured; resource undamaged at Billiton.

Jan 15 - Naga flipped as 33 Rgt advanced into the base. Vacant Toboali was captured; resource at 16(4). Singapore was cleared of mines.

Jan 16 - Japanese forces were pushed out of Pucheng (in China; the Allies never relinquished control).

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 17 - 18

Jan 17 - Balikpapan was captured by 38 Div in a river crossing from Samarinda; the defenders retreated west into the jungle; the refinery and oil remain 300(0). On Sumatra, elements of 48 Div captured Medan; the defenders retreated SW into the jungle; the refinery and oil remain 200(0) and 210(0), respectively. Koepang was captured; the defenders retreated east into the jungle. An excellent day!

Jan 18 - In China, 3 tank regiments attacked and partially retreated the "0" stack of Chinese troops. Hopefully, he still has these units accepting replacements. North of Medan vacant Langsa was captured by 48 Recon Rgt. In central Sumatra, Pakanbaroe was captured by 4 Tank Rgt; the defenders surrendered; resource remained 20(0). Off Singapore, Tandjoengpinang was captured; resource is 79(1). Aichi Ha-60 engines advanced to Sep 42.

Recent operations in the eastern part of the DEI:

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 19 - 23

Jan 19 - Vacant Jolo was captured. Mines were cleared at Balikpapan. Three Chinese units in the "0" stack surrendered.

Jan 20 - Vacant San Jose was captured. Lautern was captured and the defenders surrendered, having no retreat route. Ha-45 engines advanced research one month (to Aug 43).

Jan 21 - Torokina flipped.

Jan 22 - Mines were cleared at Koepang. Vacant Muntok was captured.

Jan 23 - Vacant Sibolga was captured. A small SNLF landed at Lucena (on Luzon) behind Atimonan, which was captured by 16 Recon; the defenders retreated SW out of the fight (temporarily). Resource at Atimonan is 22(18). Allied troops landed south of Moulmein, cutting the retreat route of the Japanese force at Moulmein (which is still controlled by the Allies). However, Japanese reinforcements are inbound for Moulmein (33 Div, a tank regiment, and various and sundry support units).



The Allied task forces shown are small, but of unknown composition. A BB TF (with 2 CAs and plenty of DDs) will lead the Japanese reinforcements into Moulmein, hopefully sinking many Allied ships. The reinforcements will not unload on Jul 24, but the troops currently at Moulmein are strong enough that they are in no danger. I hope to be able to post a play-by-play of this battle as it occurs.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 24

Vacant Tawi Tawi was captured. Vacant Lae was captured. Parachute troops dropped on vacant Roxas and captured it. Bandjermasin was captured; resource is 60(0).

Two surface engagements occurred off the coast of Burma at the location shown below -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tavoy at 52,58, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Takao
CA Atago
CL Naka
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Asagumo
DD Yudachi

Allied Ships
CL Ceres, Shell hits 2, on fire

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 50% moonlight: 8,000 yards
McWilliam, H.H. orders Allied TF to disengage

Day Time Surface Combat, near Tavoy at 52,58, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Takao
CA Atago
CL Naka
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Asagumo
DD Yudachi, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Ceres, Shell hits 12, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 16,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 16,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
McWilliam, H.H. orders Allied TF to disengage
CL Ceres sunk by BB Kongo at 10,000 yards

Like trading a pawn for a bishop, except Japan does not have enough pawns to continue making that trade!

And I forgot that every engagement uses op points, making it nearly impossible to reach Moulmein on the 24th. It may not be possible on the 25th either, but the surface TF still has plenty of ammo and fuel. I will need to get an AKE up to Tavoy to replenish ammo in case there are more engagements; there is about 50k fuel at Tavoy.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 25

Oops! The hazard of letting the Allies change TF movements on turn 1 and they run and hide - they eventually show up again.

At sea near Moulmein -

Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 53,56, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Takao, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
CA Atago, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Naka, Shell hits 3
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 6, on fire
BC Repulse, Shell hits 9, heavy fires
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CA Exeter, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Caledon, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Scout, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stronghold
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Thanet, Shell hits 1
DD Jupiter, Shell hits 2, on fire

Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Leach, J.C. crosses the 'T'

I consider this a good result, considering the surprise (to me, not the TF). And who the hell is Leach? I thought ADM Tom Phillips commanded BB PoW. Anyway...

Vacant Madang was captured. Kendari was captured; one defender surrendered, one retreated.

In addition to the naval battle above, two HDML were sunk; one by this BB TF and one by the amphib TF (which included 2 CL among other combatants). It seems unlikely to me that BB Kongo can be repaired at Singapore (where the RSY is currently 10, but climbing); no-go for Saigon, so it may have to go all the way to Hong Kong. PoW and Repulse will likely be repaired at Colombo (good reason to invade Ceylon!?), and hopefully will be in the yard as long as Kongo.

So, there will be no immediate reinforcement of Moulmein; 33 Div and attachments will now unload at Tavoy; 6 Tank Rgt will rush up the main road to Moulmein followed by the rest. A small TF of 2 CLs and some DDs will fast attack to Moulmein to disrupt any further reinforcement by the Allies. They should be able to get in and out during the night phase and back to Tavoy and the protection of CAP. BTW, an APD and transport were sunk by Albacores flying from Rangoon. I'm not sure if CVL Hermes can get up the river; I know CVs and BBs can't.

[RangerJoe]

Admiral Phillips commanded the task force Z, not the Prince of Wales.

As far as the Kongo repairs, you may want to rethink Singapore. The travel time to get there will allow for more shipyard repairs. Repairing all that you can by pier side mode will also allow more shipyard repairs. Then the travel time and dangers of travel to Hong Kong. Just ask yourself, any Dutch subs or S-boats with decent torpedoes in the area? [8|]

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Admiral Phillips commanded the task force Z, not the Prince of Wales.

As far as the Kongo repairs, you may want to rethink Singapore. The travel time to get there will allow for more shipyard repairs. Repairing all that you can by pier side mode will also allow more shipyard repairs. Then the travel time and dangers of travel to Hong Kong. Just ask yourself, any Dutch subs or S-boats with decent torpedoes in the area? [8|]

I haven't given up on Singapore, but I'm not counting on it, either. By time Kongo gets there at cruise speed the RSY could be 15 or 16, which may be enough. But, I won't know for sure until Kongo gets there. I'd hate to have to go all the way to HK!

[RangerJoe]

Also, how long will it take to repair the system and minor damage? Less than one point per turn unless you have ARs and Naval support dedicated to just the ship. But let the AR work where ever it is needed and not necessarily on a specific ship unless it has to.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 26

The CL TF attempting to interdict Allied landings at Moulmein was instead intercepted by the PoW TF -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tavoy at 53,58, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage [sank during withdrawal]
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo
DD Tsuta, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BC Repulse, Shell hits 5
CA Exeter, Shell hits 3
DD Stronghold
DD Thanet, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jupiter, Shell hits 2, on fire

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 71% moonlight: 8,000 yards

So, the trade was one Japanese CL for extended repair time for Prince of Wales. The BB Kongo TF was able to move well south with the damage shown below -



In other action, vacant Kolaka was captured; resource is 40(0). Makassar was captured; resource is 20(0); defenders retreated. Iloilo was captured; resource is 13(7); defenders surrendered with no retreat route available. And Lingayen was captured, the defenders retreating to Clark Field -

Ground combat at Lingayen (79,75)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1800 troops, 13 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Defending force 3008 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 104

Japanese adjusted assault: 35

Allied adjusted defense: 9

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: morale(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
1197 casualties reported
Squads: 80 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Recon Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
21st PA Infantry Division

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 27

Vacant Pare Pare was captured. Canton port increased to level 6 and Singapore airfield increased to level 7. BB Kongo's flotation damage improved by 3 points enroute to Singapore! That helps.

In China the advance on Sian continues. A bypassed and encircled stack of Chinese troops attempted to breakout by shock attack with no success. Tanks pursued the retreated stack on the main road to Sian.



I expect a counterattack on the 2 tank regiments, as 5 of the defenders in that hex have not been depleted in combat, as the 8 that retreated there have been. If the 10 encircled Chinese units continue to attack and degrade themselves, I'll open a retreat route rather than destroy them in place.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 28

Sabang was captured; having no bases on Sumatra to retreat toward the Allied defenders surrendered. Gasmata and Kiriwina were captured; both were vacant.

A sub put a torpedo in CA Chicago near Suva.

The Chinese did counterattack the 2 pursuing tank regiments near Sian, and the tanks did well -

Ground combat at 84,42 (near Sian)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 8307 troops, 224 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 113

Defending force 1635 troops, 0 guns, 243 vehicles, Assault Value = 136

Allied adjusted assault: 53

Japanese adjusted defense: 277

Allied assault odds: 1 to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 24 (1 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1455 casualties reported
Squads: 115 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 30 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 42 (33 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
31st Group Army
3rd Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
5th War Area
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment

Reinforcing infantry will arrive soon.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 29

Ternate was captured; the defending base force surrendered. Vacant Taytay was captured by paradrop from Iloilo. BB Kongo and company arrived at Singapore, but cannot be repaired there (RSY now 14), so we're off to Hong Kong.

[RangerJoe]

The two CAs should be able to be repaired at Singapore. If you get the minor and engine damaged fixed at Singapore, then the Kongo should be able to get the major flood repair done there when the shipyard is finished repairing.

[Bif1961]

Beware about sending a ship to Hong Kong shipyard if he has airfields in range with the heavy bombers they will be sitting ducks.

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The two CAs should be able to be repaired at Singapore. If you get the minor and engine damaged fixed at Singapore, then the Kongo should be able to get the major flood repair done there when the shipyard is finished repairing.

None of the three ships can be fully repaired at Singapore in its current state (RSY=16). While flotation damage to BB Kongo has improved 5 points while returning to Singapore, it won't get fully repaired there. CA Takao is actually in worse shape than Kongo, but even CA Atago with just system damage can't be repaired at Singapore.

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Beware about sending a ship to Hong Kong shipyard if he has airfields in range with the heavy bombers they will be sitting ducks.

Good point. I'll have to check the number of level 4 airbases in China, but he does still control Clark Field, although the B-17s have long ago departed (last seen on Java, but I suspect have moved to SOPAC). Seems to me even medium bombers could do significant damage to BBs in port (or shipyard), so yet another consideration.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 30 -31

Jan 30 - A sub put 2 torpedoes in CA Cornwall loitering off the coast of Burma. She was with the Prince of Wales TF during the naval engagement on Jan 25, but suffered only 1 shell hit, and then had been detached for the battle on Jan 26. Anyway, looks like she's headed to a shipyard (Colombo?).

On Luzon, Lucena and Boac were captured; the 51 PA Div at Lucena retreated back to Batangas, while the 28 PS Cav at Boac surrendered to 16 Recon Rgt having no retreat route.

Pucheng was captured by shock attack, the defenders retreated EAST toward Wenchow. Further north in China the main road into Sian was opened.

Jan 31 - Vacant Watampone and Lomblen (both in DEI) were captured.

My opponent stated in a recent email that he expects to see the KB in the Bay of Bengal soon. This attack might change his mind -

Afternoon Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 66
B5N2 Kate x 89
D3A1 Val x 76

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 3 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 44

This was not the full KB, as Carrier Division 3 (Shokaku and Zuikaku) are near Celebes enroute to rejoin.

5 Div and Imperial Guard Divs loaded transports at Singapore over the past days and moved to Muntok on the 31st. They will move to Toboali on Feb 1st.

[RangerJoe]

Are you repairing Singapore? If so, then by the time the minor damage is repaired on the CAs, the shipyard can handle one of them. The Kongo will take a little longer to repair and the shipyard should repair more. You are also better off repairing all of the minor damage as is possible around Dutch boats and American S-boats with working torpedoes before sending the ships somewhere else.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 1 - 2

Feb 1 - Calapan was captured by paradrop. The lead fragment of 6 Tank Rgt arrived in Moulmein.

Feb 2 - Troops land at Port Blair; after unloading the transports are attacked by carrier-based Albacore TBs and 2 are sunk. Puerto Princessa was captured; the defenders surrender having no retreat route. Vacant Bima was captured. Vacant Green Island was captured by paradrop from Rabaul. Japanese troops advanced into Sian.

The invasion of Java is on! The map below shows the initial landings, which I had originally intended to be sequential to provide maximum naval and air support. But, since everything is in place and there currently appears to be no Allied naval force to contest the landings, all three of the phase 1 landings (Kalidjati, Merak, and Buitenzorg) will occur on Feb 3. Kalidjati and Merak will both have 2 BB TFs lead the way in. The 6 CVs and 2 CVLs of KB, stationed off Batavia will provide air support for all 3 landings.