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Alright, from now on I will be errata with the combat reports, as I cant be arsed to dig them out all the time - and I'm sure you cant be arsed to read them anyway. If something interesting happens I'll include it, otherwise I wont.

Situation today - the Brits cut off from Singers in Malaysia shock attack, failing to get through. All is lost, woe.
I sent in a half dozen APs to PI to see if he's napping in single and double ship TFs to see if anything could be snuck out. 30 Betties gave the answer, and it was No. Free points for him. All USN subs are now shuttling troops from PI to Borneo. Dutch and RN subs are on station east of Malaysia but its awful quiet around there now.

Mini KB remains off Amboina, T.IVs + Brewsters attacking it meet light CAP and execute a torpedo run but no dice.

At least some of KB are between Noumea and Suva heading East, CV Shokaku positively identified. At the same time BBs and APs are sighted 150 miles N of Rabaul, just missing the sub picket, the invasion is here! 16 Beauforts are at Rabaul, 32 Hudsons at Port Moresby, all set to low level naval attack. A fast transport TF just left Rabaul with 2k supplies - 3 CLs and about 5 DDs, it is ordered to patrol on station about 200 miles S of Rabaul, and will pounce if given the opportunity, or maybe evac depending.

Two USN CVs leave Auckland headed NW, the plan is to cut up around Gili Gili and possibly intervene at Rabaul, ETA at full speed is 3-4 days so maybe too late, a risky move but his CVs cutting down to Noumea and then turning East are presumably an effort to screen his invasion force and may well continue further East, my CVs, in an unexpected location at Auckland may be able to slip in behind him. 4 days though it might all be over, we shall see.
Risky? Yes. But I have Catalinas at Suva Noumea, Rabaul and Port Moresby so recon is fairly solid now, first hint of Jap CVs headed their way and they are outta there.

The other US CVs are at Pearl - Canton Island has 250 a/c based there of all types, including Fortresses though they are just passing through to the SWPAC area, significant forces also at Palmyra and Johnston Island, less significant ones at Midway at Pago Pago or whatever its called, a 30 av.support unit is headed for Christmas Island to use as a small reconnaissance base.

2am! too late. Time for bed. Hope you could vaguely understand whats going on. I'm sure Spriors page clears up his intentions anyway.

Arg. getting itchy feet about sending the CVs in in Jan 42!! [:(]

Oh well, it'll be real decision time when they near Gili Gili I suppose, so plenty of time to think it over.

Well, his carriers proceeded further east and bombed Suva. Thats fine, as everything of note in Suva just got evacuated, so he's wasting his time (and ammo).

Looks like the USN CVs may get to Rabaul unmolested after all. However, looks like they'll be late, as 10,000 Japs are ashore and besieging the 2000 defending Aussies.

The Beauforts at Rabaul drop -bombs- on the Jap ships. Bombs? wtf? I was expecting torpedoes. Needless to say level bombing with bombs, even at low level, do bugger all. a Jap CL catches a 500lber but it's just a scratch really, bombs aint much good.

Other than that, quiet, ish. Next turn I expect more action. Recon suggests his BBs have retired from Rabaul already, leaving only cruisers. My cruiser force is instructed to go in. Bit late but I want to toll his shipping, maybe even lure his BBs back in time for my CVs to show. What a shame that'd be.

Oh, as an aside, I managed to catch him over China with a combined third of the AVG (now sorely depleted), and some Chinese fighters.

And he bombed the hell out of Singapore port butchering all the MSWs and similar odds and ends there. A few APs were stashed there too just in case he overlooked them.
No, he didnt.

The interesting stuff :-

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/13/42

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TF 19 encounters mine field at Rabaul (61,88)

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

(Bwahahaha! Eat sub mine, sucker!)

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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
G3M Nell x 63
G4M1 Betty x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 8 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 29 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Kanimba, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Burnie, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
SS KXVIII, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ballarat, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bendigo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Van Diemen, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Toowoomba, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Goulburn, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Maryborough, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
15 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
15 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
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(Singers is dead. They just dont know it yet).

Day Air attack on 80th Chinese/C Corps, at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 15
Ki-51 Sonia x 61
Ki-21 Sally x 9
Ki-48 Lily x 9
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 11
I-153c x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 7 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged
I-153c: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
(Jap bombers meet a little surprise for them just south of Ichang - LRCAP. From China, With Love.)
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Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88


Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Natori, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
(Bombs? Whaa. I wanted a good 18 inch torpedo hit. The Beauforts tried a few attacks, that was the only hit)
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Hmm, questions, if anyone is about to answer them.

1) How can I make an air combat TF not react to enemy carriers? I don't want my heavily outnumbered CVs charging the Japs if they show up.

2) ...anybody know why my Beauforts were using 500lb bombs instead of torpedoes? nothing I can do to change that?

set reaction to zero on the tf screen

re beuforts they use bombs at extended range just keep them to norml range and they will use torps

Andy

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

set reaction to zero on the tf screen

re beuforts they use bombs at extended range just keep them to norml range and they will use torps

Andy

Well, I assumed that to re. the beauforts, but it was at range 0, in the Rabaul hex itself. Maybe the bad airfield there has something to do with it.

Thanks re. the carriers.

Aye 2 engined bombers need lvl 4 af or else they act like they are at extended range at all times.

So to use torps you need a lvl 4 af and be at norml range

Andy

Thanks, Andy, for that, I'll bear that in mind when playing with my Beauforts, as I love those planes. Need some building before they are much use by the sound of it.

A joyous turn today! My light cruiser force (happens to be mostly ABDA ships, he must be surprised seeing them show at Rabaul) attack! The battleship Haruna does nothing to stop them, and the Marblehead and Boise punch above their weight, literally - the 8" of Takao and Atago bounce off with almost no damage, while their 6" shells penetrate the Jap heavy cruisers.
And then they get amidst the convoy and put some hurt on. As is bloody typical for me, they arrive one day too late, so the troops are ashore. But it lifted my spirits no end.

The threat of Betties at Amboina has suddenly hit home. I've rearranged the airfarce so that Darwin is fighter heavy - only Wirraways sadly, but two squadrons of 16 are sitting there now to dissuade long range unescorted strikes. As and when more fighters become available I will reinforce accordingly.

Elsewhere - not much change. Massive Jap force landing at Kuching, and has been unloading for days now. Bad weather means the tiny RDAF cannot intervene.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/14/42

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Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 19
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TF 19 encounters mine field at Rabaul (61,88)

TF 19 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88


18 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 5
CA Takao, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Atago, Shell hits 14, on fire
DD Oshio, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
CL Danae, Shell hits 2
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
CL Boise, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Banckert, Shell hits 1
DD Van Nes
DD Van Ghent
DD Stronghold, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Express, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
CL Natori, Shell hits 48, and is sunk
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 10, on fire
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
AP Africa Maru
AP Anrugu Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Teiryu Maru
AP Tenryu Maru
AP Toyo Maru #2, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
AP Ujigawa Maru
AP Yamafuku Maru
AP Zyuyo Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
AP Chinko Maru
AP Daitei Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Danae, Shell hits 3
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 2
CL Boise, on fire
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes
DD Van Ghent
DD Stronghold, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Express, on fire, heavy damage

Banckert and Van Nes led a charmed life, so many attempts, so many misses. Stronghold sinks. Express caught a single heavy shell from the battleship and is on 40 flot and red sys, limping to Gili Gili to see what patching can be done. Boise is on 19 sys, the rest are in the green! VICTORY!
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Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13058 troops, 92 guns, 19 vehicles

Defending force 3790 troops, 39 guns, 2 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
237 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported

...or maybe not victory. When the Japs wake up from tripping over the shells on the beach, Rabaul will be in Japanese hands.

The Victorious Allied Forces After the Battle of Rabaul!



Now that things have developed a bit elsewhere, I'll put up some screenies of the various places of interest so you can see something of how the world looks in Jan 42.

His messed up forces limp away from Rabaul - this turn one of the APs raked by naval gunfire sinks. Half a dozen USN submarines are in the vicinity - with Catalinas in Rabaul tracking the transport fleets progress, I intend to hound them every inch of the way home.

Torpedo bombers are in place to attack the fleet at Kuching, but with Zeroes there I expect losses, with only the Brewsters and Demons to protect them.

A massive air raid port strikes Singapore again - those shredded ships arent going anywhere anyway, so a waste, pretty much. The AVG and the flak at such low level exacts a terrible toll on the Betties and Nells. The 50 Zero escort managed to chalk up 3 Buffaloes, pathetic, and some of the Nells turned back when the AVG got stuck in. Morale problems?

The promised screenies will have to wait a bit - the wife is over this week. [:)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/15/42

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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 50
G3M Nell x 51
G4M1 Betty x 45

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13
P-40B Tomahawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M Nell: 22 destroyed, 31 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed, 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 20 destroyed

Allied Ships
MSW Goulburn, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Van Diemen, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
5 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Only events of interest are at Singapore today, where the full might of his airforce is now beginning to focus. I'm pondering evaccing the AVG third stationed there back to Burma/China, as they aint gonna withstand this sort of punishment for long. So far, mind, they appear to be doing a reasonable job of hurting him more than he hurts me.


Day Air attack on Singapore Fortress, at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 20
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 29
Ki-51 Sonia x 48
Ki-21 Sally x 42

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 12
P-40B Tomahawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 6 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 16 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 destroyed, 22 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 22 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
27 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
24 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
17 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet

Here are the promised screenies!

PI looks bad... all the subs there (and the TF at Manila itself are more subs) bar the ones at the northeast are on sub transport duty, pulling out fragments to be reinforced later.



The forces at Malacca are all the non-Singapore units that were cut off by him landing in the south. A lot of them. They are circling the wagons for the Final Stand.


30 Fortresses at Dacca but they mostly do supply runs to China. Two squadrons of Blenheims at Mandalay are bombing him every step of the way. You can see some Chinese reinforcements slowly moving in. Too little too late though I fear.


Probably this is the most interesting one. Rabaul was very slightly reinforced with Lark Force from Darwin, I think this is what has tripped him up a bit. I have decided to reinforce, there is an armoured unit at Gili Gili which I'm in the process of picking up to drop at Rabaul itself. Note the US carriers SE of Woodlark, they are headed NE at full speed. Also note his transport TF trying to get away, surrounded with subs. [:D]


...and finally...

Well, a very quiet day. Another raid on Singapore, results much the same as above. The Buffalos cant even hack Oscars it seems, if I pull the AVG out he'll have total air superiority there.

Next day should be interesting though as those US CVs will be passing by Rabaul and in range of his fleeing transport group, which I still see thanks to the Catalinas at Rabaul. His CVs - I think its not the entire KB though, I suspect he has more carriers at Truk - remain at Noumea.

I am resolved to do one day of strikes and then flee around Gili Gili and back to the Australian coast.

They don't like it up em sir!

Oh and incidentally NZ Bdes at Auckland are fully loaded aboard a transport TF and have been for days. The Jap CVs by Noumea have meant they have been sitting quiet - maybe he's looking to hit Noumea, I wouldnt be surprised given he raided Lunga so early.

Anyway, they are in a slight change of plan headed north west, with the intention of getting them into theatre at Gili Gili or Port Moresby. I can always move em on to Lunga if the opportunity permits, while at Auckland they are too far away to influence the coming battles. (And I paid good PP for em)

Hmm.. why not try and slip them into Rabaul if you can? And be careful chasing that transport TF.. you'll be in Betty/Nell range from Truk soon.

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

Hmm.. why not try and slip them into Rabaul if you can? And be careful chasing that transport TF.. you'll be in Betty/Nell range from Truk soon.

That is part of my thinking - I just want these NZ brigades in theatre and doing some good asap, they are doing nothing in Auckland. If I can get them to Rabaul I will - but I suspect when he sees my CVs he'll move his CVs up and then I think my position in Rabaul will be untenable.

It'll be days to steam from Auckland to around Gili Gili, I can make the decision then. |Rabaul would be best, Lunga second best, Port Moresby/Gili Gili the booby prize.

And I just set the carrier CAP to 80% from the usual 60%.

Well, a damp squib went off as the carriers launch a desultory strike in their raid near Rabaul, just one in the afternoon. Thunderstorms today, see, just my luck. Still, every bomb hit counts, right?
Doubtless it'll get him thinking and being all paranoid.
The US carriers are instructed to sail SW towards safety, on the way I plan on having the Dauntlesses bomb the hell out of his troops at Rabaul. That Aussie armour unit will be landing at Rabaul this turn, I really hope he doesnt turn his CAs around and wreck the landing, but I assume he wont do that given the carriers just hit him. Unknown to him the carriers are dry having run all the way from Auckland, so they gotta pull back to a replenishment TF I have lurking S of Gili Gili anyway.

Just to increase the paranoia some Mitchells drop in at Lae and put a bomb or two into the (unused) runway there. Not intending to do anything other than demonstrate. A sort of "Hi there from the USAF! Look who's here!" to hopefully make him slow down a little in the South Pacific.

If his carriers stick around Noumea now he must either have balls of purest brass, or some sort of major op on from which he can't be distracted. I'm assuming they will move away. A single base force leaves Canton Island headed for Efate, I want to make sure Lunga is nice and snuggly under a solid Catalina recon screen.

Elsewhere Singapore holds out adequately and the Brits refuse to surrender at Malacca despite being surrounded, out of supply and with 5 to 1 odds. Manila, on the other hand, folds like a newspaper today. Only Bataan is left of the Big Three in the PI. And Amboina falls too, so that very important Betty magnet is now in Jap hands.

Unfortunately after all this, Mac is still alive.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/18/42

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ASW attack at 114,68

Japanese Ships
SS I-5, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DMS Southard
DMS Hovey
DMS Zane
DMS Trevor
DMS Perry
DMS Chandler
DMS Wasmuth

(God damn how many subs has he got marking Pearl? Answer : One less than yesterday. [:D]
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Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
B-25C Mitchell x 7


No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 4000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 4000 feet
(Greetings from the USAF!)


Day Air attack on Singapore Fortress, at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 8
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20
Ki-51 Sonia x 21
Ki-21 Sally x 27

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 7
P-40B Tomahawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 15 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet

(More fodder for the AVG, the RAF Buffalos try to keep up with the meanest Allied pilots in theatre)

Day Air attack on TF, near New Hanover Island at 60,85


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 51


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Bomb hits 1
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 2
DD Hibiki
AK Venice Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK China Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Arashio
CA Furutaka
CL Kashima
PC Takunan Maru #10, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
(Come on guys, thats pathetic. Loaded with troops too, mm mm. If only I could linger. Sadly I cant, no fuel! The place is crawling with subs though).
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Well, I saw todays combat report but then the comp died on me so I've not submitted the turn yet.

A fleet of BBs + APs has sortied from Kuching headed due west towards Sumatra. I expected him to move on Pontiniak perhaps but he appears to be headed either for Sumatra or that little island half way whose name I forget, which he has reconned heavily.

He is being bold, again. Again, my Swordfish - having been moved from Singers to Pontiniak some days ago - punish him for his audacity. Two Jap BBs catch a torpedo each though damage look slight.

I will move 8 ABDA Beauforts to Palembang, if he goes further west he'll run into them. If he turns south towards Pontiniak, he'll come into range of the 12 Vildebeest at Pontiniak as well as the Swordfish. Either way, I am happy that he'll be taking attrition. I am pondering reinforcing Java with the 16 Beauforts at Trimcomalee, might be a bit late now though as they'll have to go via AK.

In the South Pacific his transport fleet seems to have turned about and is only 60 miles from Rabaul! Looks like I misjudged his intentions badly here. The Jap CVs are now just off the NW tip of New Caledonia, uh oh, they are coming!

Two AKs are still unloading the Aussie armour there. They are clearly toast, I just hope they get the armour unloaded.
The US CVs really have no choice now, they have perhaps two days grace maximum to get the hell out of dodge before the KB arrives. As it is it's cutting it extremely fine. Full speed for Australia is the plan, they'll be around Gili Gili at the end of this turn. And KB will be extremely, scarily close if they go full speed NW. I fear the US CVs may not survive this little skirmish. [:(]

I'm going to remove 15 Devastators from the US CVs and park them at Rabaul. They suck anyway and so are somewhat expendable, and if he tries to land there, 15 torpedo bombers should put some hurt on him.

He likes picking on this Chinese unit SW of Ichang, once again a massive strike, once again the AVG and Chinese airfarce rise up to meet the incoming bombers, once again the kill ratio is firmly in the Allies favour.

Theres an amphibious assault at Sinkawang today - a move well foreshadowed by the deployments at Kuching. Every torpedo bomber that the RAF and RDAF can muster is already in position at Sinkawang and Pontiniak to meet the foe - 12 Vildebeest, about 8 Swordfish and 4 T.IVs. The Vildebeest don't fly but the other bombers ensure he doesn't get away completely unscathed. The Dutch PT boat force, currently at Pontiniak, is given orders to sally forth and disrupt the landing.

At Rabaul I can see the Jap carriers progress - they seem to be angling more towards Rockhampton than Port Moresby, which is where the USN CVs are going. So looks like they get away this time.
The Devastators now at Rabaul prove how utterly useless they are in the meantime. To come home they are going to have to skip through empty bases too, probably a spur of the moment error on my part.

The Brits at Malacca now face 11 to 1 odds with every attack. Miraculously they don't surrender yet. Which is good, their resistance is tying up the units he will need to capture Singapore - and with Singapore fairly empty of troops, it's end will be swift when he gets serious about taking it. He continues to advance up Burma at a rapid pace, I move Hurricanes to Akyab and am considering turning it into a forward base.

80 heavy and 50 medium US bombers of various types are now in AKs at the Aus coast awaiting deployment. 50 more heavies are in AKs just clearing the south of Timor, destined for Dacca. The problem is more aviation support to keep them going unfortunately, at least in Australia - a big RAF aviation unit will be at Dacca fairly soon.

Day Air attack on 89th Chinese Corps, at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 60
Ki-21 Sally x 8
Ki-48 Lily x 12

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 10
I-153c x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
I-153c: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet

(Seems to be a constant attrition of his pilots for little gain. I assume he's serious and is in the process of an offensive aimed at Ichang)
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Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 6
CW-21B Demon x 14
T.IVa x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
T.IVa: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Kaihei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
ML Hatsutaka, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 9
Martin 139 x 14


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Mexico Maru
AP Yamagata Maru
AP Meiten Maru
AP Sunten Maru
AP Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Teiun Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kaihei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW Wa 3

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,55


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 12


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 3000 feet
1 x Hudson I bombing at 3000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 3000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 3000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 4
CW-21B Demon x 16
T.IVa x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Kaika Maru
AP Kaihei Maru, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 11
Martin 139 x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Sunten Maru
AP Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Midori Maru

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Josho Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW Wa 3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,87


Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 15
Wirraway x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Shoei Maru
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CA Furutaka

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
1 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
(Devastators = crap)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Malacca

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 56356 troops, 231 guns, 478 vehicles

Defending force 19682 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
1005 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

(Malacca is turning into the British Thermopylae, they've almost held out an entire week now)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2846 troops, 26 guns, 20 vehicles

Defending force 13339 troops, 70 guns, 18 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

(Depending on what his carriers do I might well be able to reinforce this place further)

Indomitable (I think it is) is going to arrive at Colombo fairly soon, I plan on sortieing Hermes and Indomitable to a position just west of Java fairly soon. No sign of Japanese carriers in the DEI, and Swordfish actually seem to kick quite a lot of ass. 20 Swordfish going into one of his TFs sounds good.

Got two TFs of light forces deployed around Canton Island/Palmyra, I just spotted a lot of antisub forces at Baker Island, so they are given orders to zip in and waste 'em. Should arrive in 2 probably 3 days.