Matrix Games Forums

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/12/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 91 troops unloading over beach at Amboina, 39,73


Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 93,63

Japanese Ships
AK China Maru
PC Ch 24
PC Takunan Maru #10
PC Sonan Maru #6
PC Sonan Maru #5
PG Shotoku Maru
MSW Seki Maru #3
MSW Fumi Maru #2
MSW Banshu Maru #8
MSW Asahi Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trout, hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 22,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-153

Allied Ships
AP Kanimba, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 98,99

The CVE-KB's escorts continue to do a very good job at sinking enemy transports near Canton. Still no sign of any troops going down with those transports though... Could they all have offloaded their troops in just a day or so? Weird... I'm going to have to delay my planned invasion of Canton Island for a few more days so I can add an extra NLF in order to overwhelm the extra defenders that might have been landed.

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Sawakaze
DD Yakaze
DD Wakatake

Allied Ships
AP Bloemfontrin, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 98,99

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Sawakaze
DD Yakaze
DD Wakatake

Allied Ships
AP Republic, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 98,99 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Wakatake
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 4
CL Oi, Shell hits 2


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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 45,56

Japanese Ships
AK Takao Maru
MSW W.8
MSW W.7

Allied Ships
SS S-39

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 47,45

Japanese Ships
AP Kokuryu Maru
MSW Wa 20

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 63rd Chinese Corps, at 43,39

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 7
Ki-51 Sonia x 24
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,57

Mucho small raids from the DEI continue to plant bombs on my transports and small military vessels. I'm going to transport some Claudes into Pontianak and try to draw air raids into that port.

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Fukko Maru, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 22,65


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW Banshu Maru #56

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
Martin 139 x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kashiwara Maru
AP Nissen Maru

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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Teiun Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
Hudson I x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Hayakafuku Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,59


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hakozake Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 31,66


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 1


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Meiten Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,59


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Sunten Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,61


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Ryoyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,59


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Eiko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet

Hmm, these level bombing raids do seem to get quite a few hits on very small vessels. Ah well, payback's a dog of the female gender eh? [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 98,99

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Bloemfontrin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

I'm finally in range of Singapore and I'm going to begin fighter sweeps to cut down on the enemy fighter defences, to be followed by level bomber raids until such time as the air base closes. The Oscars seem to do very well indeed. A 6 to 1 exchange rate with relatively even forces engaged. Encouraging.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 30

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1
Buffalo I x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 22,65


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW Choun Maru #7

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Hudson I x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kisogawa Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 25,53

Ah, I see my secret plan... Suicide At Sea-Go has succeeded [:(] [:(] [:(]. I hadn't realised this much force had been concentrated at Singapore and one of my convoys pays the price.

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15
Blenheim I x 19
Blenheim IV x 10
Hudson I x 20


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Meikai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PT Gyoraitei #2, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Jusan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Iwashiro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Tatsuwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Iburi Maru
AP Yoshinogawa Maru

Japanese ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuala Lumpur at 23,46

Manoora is at Kuala Lumpur. What is it doing there? I am certain these men could evacuate southward by land. Is he trying to send them to India?

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 33
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15
Ki-21 Sally x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Manoora

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Koepang, at 28,77

Japanese Ships
DD Oshio
DD Arashio
BB Ise
BB Mutsu
BB Hyuga
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35763 troops, 319 guns, 16 vehicles

Defending force 12977 troops, 115 guns, 3 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 5


Japanese ground losses:
294 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1

A good result for me... I'll shock attack next turn and can expect Hong Kong to fall then... This will be a good result as it will free up the 38th Infantry Division for service in the Phillipines.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 78868 troops, 879 guns, 14 vehicles

Defending force 30629 troops, 178 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
141 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 42,60

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14342 troops, 173 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 433 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 270 to 1



Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 45,50

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1540 troops, 0 guns, 107 vehicles

Defending force 5187 troops, 49 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Taiping

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 34571 troops, 408 guns, 5 vehicles

Defending force 2965 troops, 27 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Taiping base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
249 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
450 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lae

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 611 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lae base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gasmata

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 774 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 26 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Gasmata base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 46036 troops, 276 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 74484 troops, 877 guns, 7 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
452 casualties reported
Guns lost 20

Allied ground losses:
2343 casualties reported
Guns lost 83

His troops tried to push mine out of Changsha but, unfortunately, I am there in too much strength to be pushed out so easily. I'm unsure as to whether or not to mount a major push at Changsha yet. It doesn't figure much in my plans for China but pushing here for its diversionary worth may well be worth it if I can minimise the casualties incurred.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuching

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1051 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 9595 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles


Kuching continues to hold out... I am still learning the effects of disruption and fatigue on troops and it would appear that the fatigue and disruption suffered by my troops is such that they are almost completely incapable of offensive action. In turn this is robbing my transports of their planned LRCAP and this is pushing my losses up. Ah well, life is risk and the vast majority of the plan is going very well indeed.

As you can see in this picture the allied forces in Singapore are retreating quickly but in an orderly fashion down the Malaysian peninsula.

In the meantime one of my transport TFs is caught within 300 miles of Singapore and is getting bombed to hell and back. The LRCAP from 2 Daitais of Zeros based in Saigon didn't fly at all *sigh*. Fail to co-ordinate and eat bombs...

Day Air attack on TF at 25,53

Ah, I see my secret plan... Suicide At Sea-Go has succeeded . I hadn't realised this much force had been concentrated at Singapore and one of my convoys pays the price.

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15
Blenheim I x 19
Blenheim IV x 10
Hudson I x 20


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Meikai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PT Gyoraitei #2, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Jusan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Iwashiro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Tatsuwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Iburi Maru
AP Yoshinogawa Maru

Japanese ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

A wholelot worse would have happenned to your ships you used the first move bonus on to get to Java. That's why folks said your use of Star Trek technology in 1941 was so gamey it smelt like a deer on the side of the road.[:)]

In the following picture you can see the situation in the middle-DEI.

Unfortunately my transports in Soerabaja had Saigon as their home base and so they've managed to flee right past Batavia. Oops! I am going to change their orders immediately and dock them at Pontianak. Whatever survives the journey can be used to transport the Pontianak Regiment across to Java or Sumatra as the need arises.

I've been airlifting an Aviation Regiment into Brunei in order to provide support for the 50 or so transport planes I've moved into Brunei in order to fly supply into Banjarmasin... I'm continuing to pay the cost for failing to load supply on the transports which moved the regiment into Banjarmasin. Fortunately my transport planes seem to be able to fly in about 200 tons of supply per day... In the meantime I'm sending a "do or die" convoy comprising 2 x AKs and 1 x PG from Saigon with 14,000 tons of supply. With enough supply this Brigade will be able to recuperate and make good progress along the road to Tarakan, clearing enemy forces from their positions along the way. By the end of the 2nd week my Bde should have enough supply and rest to begin moving at a reasonable pace.

Elsewhere you can see Macassar getting pasted by CAs, BBs and DDs. I don't plan to amphibious assault it. Instead I'm just going to march the troops from near Makali into Macassar and assault it from the landward side.

My 2 Bdes and the NLF in Java are going to race northwards. 1 Bde is going to head south-westward to destroy the 6th Dutch Regiment and other defenders of Soerabaja which retreated in that direction. The other Bde and NLF will head north. I estimate that the 2 Bdes will be enough to break the Dutch defenders in java but I am worried that they may retreat towards Sumatra. If they do that I will have increasing difficulty destroying them...

My current plan would be that if they retreat into Sumatra I will attempt to "bounce" Teloekbetong before sending NLFs to take all of the coastal bases on the west and north of Sumatra. Then I would drive northward, pushing the Allies into Palembang etc before, eventually, trapping them against the sea and forcing their surrender... A strong allied force being driven into the Sumatran hinterland would require the committment of strong forces for an unacceptably long time. It really wouldn't be doctrinally ideal to have to slow the exploitation of this thrust in order to destroy these ineffectual forces.

It's good to see that flogging a dead horse is still alive and well [;)]


And now back to the AAR...

As you can see Kendari has been built up and supplied to quite acceptable levels. The Battleline and the CA-TF will refuel there before raiding Northern Australia. In addition I have two CL-based destroyer squadrons which I think I will raid the enemy shipping fleeing to Darwin with...

I have too little force to take Kupang so I'll shake loose an NLF from Kendari and land it there to help out.


Depending on how these operations go I'm going to look into invading Northern Australia... In preparation for this I'm also gathering a force comprising 5 CAs, 2 CLs and 22 DDs at Port Moresby in order to cover possible invasion fleets to Townsville.... This will be a recon-pull operation as opposed to the recon-push operations which have been occurring to date.

I don't see how you expect Hong Kong to fall next turn? You got a 1:1 that turn and he has level 5 forts. Shock attack will not get you to 7:1. [8D] If you did do a shock attack, you probably lost a bunch of troops.

BTW, LRCAP of taskforces is notorous for being unrealiable. [:(] It is in the design.

It's good to see that flogging a dead horse is still alive and well

Well, dead deer in this case! LOL Yep, I'm notorious. I'll go find someone else to pick on now.[8D]

Well the way I figured it was that I got 1:1 but was actually about 1.5 to 1. So if I shock-attacked I should get 3 to 1. Add in the 2 engineer regiments I had along to reduce the enemy fortifications and I figured I could drop his fortifications by 2 levels to about 3. My understanding is that Level 9 Forts triple a unit's combat effectiveness so each Fort level seems to add about 25% to a unit's combat power ( I'm sure it isn't quite a linear function but this is for back of the envelope calculations).


So, shock would give me 3:1 odds and dropping the forts from 5 to 3 would give me another 50% combat bonus. I figured I could something on the order of 5:1 odds. In any case I wish to free 38th Division for offensive operations in the Phillipines so I'll take additional casualties in order to maintain my operational tempo... very Soviet of me [:D]. It didn't work out quite that way but neither did it go too badly... I just may be getting a bit more of a hang of ground combat.

Thanks for the feedback Nomad. That was very helpful... I'm learning a LOT both from playing the game and the bits of advice people are giving here. I appreciate it.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/13/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1094 encounters mine field at Manila (43,52)

Allied Ships
DD Thanet, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

LOL! My sub-laid mines begin to pay off. Good, enemy surface raids on Lingayen prove troublesome this turn.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 26,82

Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
DD Oshio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
TK Angelina, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AK Pasir, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AK Siaoe, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
AK Sipirok, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
ML Prins van Oranje, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Just north of Derby my Battleline runs into an Allied convoy seeking to escape. This escape is stopped and another Minelayer goes to meet Davey Jones. No mean are noted to have drowned so I presume none of these ships is evacuating infantry units.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Enemy PT boats... I wonder if they began the game in Manilla or if they were created there.... I'm going to create a new DD TF in Takao. I have about 10 DDs there and will send 4 or 5 to Lingayen under a good, cautious CO. With any luck they'll have better luck than these unfortunates.

Japanese Ships
DD Chidori, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hatsukari, Shell hits 2
DD Tomozuru

Allied Ships
PT PT-32, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT PT-33
PT PT-35
PT PT-41, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
DD Chidori, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Hatsukari
DD Tomozuru, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
PT PT-33
PT PT-35

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 47,45

Japanese Ships
AK Tamahoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Kuching, 28,56, firing at TF 105
TF 105 troops unloading over beach at Kuching, 28,56


10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Taibun Maru, Shell hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rahaeng , at 31,35


Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 39


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
C5M Babs x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 70
Ki-21 Sally x 136
Ki-48 Lily x 57

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1
Buffalo I x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 7 destroyed, 35 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 3 destroyed, 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 9 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 8 destroyed
Blenheim IF: 2 destroyed
Swordfish: 2 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Catalina I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 154

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 20000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 20000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 20000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet

It would appear that attacking at 6000 feet is hazardous to the health of my bomber crews... The results were very good but the cost was prohibitive. I will bomb from 11,000 in future.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

I launched a Port Attack in the hopes of catching Force Z at anchor... Only a few minesweepers were hit so perhaps Force Z has moved? This is troubling if true...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G3M Nell x 43

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 6 destroyed, 31 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
MSW Maryborough, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ballarat, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Toowoomba, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Goulburn, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
5 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 35,83


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,54


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3
Hudson I x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
DD Shirakumo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,54


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 12
Blenheim I x 19
Blenheim IV x 11
Hudson I x 18


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1
DD Sagiri
CL Kinu
DD Shikinami
DD Fubuki
DD Ayanami

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6
B-17C Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Natsugumo
DD Samidare
CL Naka

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Derby at 24,85

I got great enjoyment from this... I bet it surprised the hell out of Trey too... Since I knew my battleline would be in the midst of enemy escapees today I set the planes on its accompanying CS to naval attack. 3 rather brave Jake pilots took on Houston and, by all accounts, did rather well. I'm sure the system damage is pretty much negligible but I enjoy the idea of 3 scout seaplanes taking off to bomb a heavy cruiser bristling with AAA .

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuala Lumpur at 23,46

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 26
Ki-32 Mary x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Zenyo Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 20
Hudson I x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kamo
DD Kasasagi
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 2

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
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hakozake Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 30,68


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Meiten Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Sunten Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,59


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Ryoyo Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Eiko Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet

The Batavian martins get their licks in on my transports fleeing for Pontianak.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 31,66

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 18

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

Allied Ships
AK Si Kiang
AK Elcano, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
TK Manatawny, Torpedo hits 1
AK Sarangami
AK Escalante R
AK Dos Hermanos, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Taurus, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
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
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 31,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G3M Nell x 43
G4M1 Betty x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Escalante R, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Governor Wright, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Elcano, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Manatawny, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Taurus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sarangami, Torpedo hits 1
AK Dos Hermanos, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 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 G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 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
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

These ships are escaping from the Phillipines and are running the gauntlet between Sulawesi and Borneo... or rather, they WERE running that gauntlet. The Bettys and Nells resume their usual service.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Harusame, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Samidare
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 2
DD Banckert, Shell hits 4
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 2
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 2, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

59 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Inazuma
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Naka, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
AP Zealandia, Shell hits 1
AP Westralia, Shell hits 1


Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

The Naka-led TF didn't overwhelm the De Ruyter-led TF as I expected. Casualties are heavy and the TF is forced to split into 4 separate units attempting to make their separate ways back to Kendari... In response to these serious losses I recall my Battleline and CA-line TFs and bring them back to Kendari ( with bombardment runs on Kupang on the way back) for replenishment before striking Darwin with the full weight of the battleline.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 166 troops unloading over beach at Lamon Bay, 44,52


Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Koepang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1888 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 806 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

The BBs and CAs will bombard Koepang on the way back to Kendari and another NLF is already loading onto APs and on its way to Koepang to finish this assault. I expect Koepang to fall in the next 5 days.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 35590 troops, 311 guns, 15 vehicles

Defending force 12813 troops, 110 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
468 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
12487 casualties reported
Guns lost 91

A good result. Apparently a surprising one but maybe I just got a good roll on the randomised aspects of ground combat? Still, this will help the Phillipines invasion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Amboina

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1259 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1937 troops, 17 guns, 2 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuching

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9538 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1813 troops, 8 guns, 2 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 104155 troops, 1197 guns, 21 vehicles

Defending force 30668 troops, 179 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
1642 casualties reported
Guns lost 61
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
560 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Heavy losses but necessary. Once I can get China turned into a bit more of a war of manoeuvre I should win handily. These casualties are the price I pay for creating these opportunities for manoeuvre. I will detail my Chinese strategy once Changsha and Yenen have fallen. I expect this to be by about December 21st.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Koumac

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 706 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Koumac base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singkawang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 492 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 785 troops, 7 guns, 4 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Hmm, the NLF here is almost completely disabled... I have decided to send a 1500 ton AP from Pontianak to Singkawang with a fragment of one of the brigades at Pontianak. The AP will almost certainly be sunk in the endeavour but I really want this air base in order to prevent any enemy transports fleeing to India from Batavia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Goodenough island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 593 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Goodenough island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tavoy

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1729 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tavoy base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuching

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1051 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 9424 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mersing

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 126 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mersing base !!!

Paratroop drop on the undefended base.

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

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 363 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca base !!!

Again more paratroops. They were dropped here in order to cut off 2 units of enemy troops retreating from Khota Bharu towarsd Singapore... I am seeing more evidence of troop movements from Singapore to Sumatra and to allow this to proceed in an unfettered manner would throw my timetable off too much.

I'm still looking at the Australian operations but from what people here have said I think I might be better diverting the division to the Phillipines in order to end things there quickly ( while 56th Brigade acts as the "big stick" in the environs of Australia)... Might even raid with it if things look good. I've been eyeing up Dunedin and I think it is possible... I'd love to take out the forts so I could land there more easily if I ever decided to take New Zealand...

Would landing in New Zealand free up both the New Zealand and Australian commands or just the New Zealand command?

Interesting, I would not have expected the same troops to go from 1:1 to 9:1. Something must have changed at Hong Kong that we do not see. [&:] I really wish they would give us all the info, or at least more. [8|]

Taking New Zealand will cut off all supplies and reinforcements to australia. It would be more effective than trying to take australia, IMHO. You do not have to worry much about 4 engine bombers if he can't get supply to australia.

Would landing in New Zealand free up both the New Zealand and Australian commands or just the New Zealand command?

Restricted HQ parameters never change. Landing in either Oz or NZ simply allows those LCU's to march overland to your position and 'discuss' why you are on their soil without an invite. [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/14/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukari, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tomozuru

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thracian, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukari, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tomozuru

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thracian

The new DD TF will be too late to help Hatsukari... The current TF is proving quite a disappointment. For 3 destroyers damaged or sunk I've only really destroyer a couple of PTs... Tomozuru is ordered to withdraw overnight. It will be no more than a target if it stays.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 42,50

Japanese Ships
AP Hawaii Maru
AP Shinko Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Thanet, heavy damage

Thanet comes out of Manilla to raid a couple of my APs running past Manilla, empty, on their way back to Tainan. It would appear that 2 fairly fresh DDs and the heavily damaged Thanet are all that the defending Allies can muster in terms of surface forces.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 98,99 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Wakatake
CL Oi, Shell hits 2
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 2


Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 113,63

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33, hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
DD Balch
DD Fanning
DD Dunlap

People who know the initial US dispositions better than I can confirm or deny this but I have interpreted this contact as being with the screening elements of a US CV TF... It would appear that they didn't skirt far enough north of PH to avoid my submarine line. My submarine scored no hits but it should make Trey more circumspect in his movements around PH.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th Group Army, at 43,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo strafing at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rahaeng , at 31,35


Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 39


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Georgetown , at 23,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10
Ki-21 Sally x 43
Ki-48 Lily x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
7 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 11000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet

I wanted to see if there were any planes on the ground in Georgetown. It would appear there are not... While 1 division and its accompanying artillery and infantry regiments makes for Singapore the other two divisions will hit Georgetown and overwhelm it quickly. Then 1 division will continue to Johore Bahru and conduct a holding action while the Imperial Guard moves to Saigon and embarks on transports... At present I feel my Independent Bdes and Rgts will be enough to take the DEI so I envision sending the Imperial Guard to the Phillipines to hasten its fall and leave me with a, roughly, 8 division mobile force.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 63rd Chinese Corps, at 43,39

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 6
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N Kate bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 27th Chinese Corps, at 50,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 10

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,44


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
Blenheim I x 24
Blenheim IV x 8
Hudson I x 19


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hakozaki Maru
AP Santos Maru
DD Otori
AK Sakura Maru
AK Sado Maru
AP Kyushu Maru
AP Ayatosan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Kasuga Maru
AP Meiyo Maru
AP Nitta Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Nagara Maru, Bomb hits 1
MSW W.1
PG Chosa Maru
AP Ryugi Maru
AK Yahiko Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
1 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet

The transports heading for the DEI carrying the 4th Mixed Regiment again got no LRCAP ( 3 Zero Daitais were allocated this mission today and none appears to have flown). The damaged ships are stripped from the TF and left to fend for themselves. The rest of the TF makes full speed for Pontianak from where it will sail when Batavia has been reduced somewhat. I have enough undamaged transports docked there to carry the two Bdes which will end up there and I have 3 CLs and about 15 DDs ready to act as escorts. In addition I am bringing in 1 Claude and 1 Zero daitai over the next two days. Together with the Zero daitai at Soerabaja this should act to give my transports the cover they need to invade Java or Sumatra when the time comes. [/b]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,57


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 7
Martin 139 x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Iwashiro Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,50


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 3
Buffalo I x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tamatsu Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Swordfish bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 33,78

LOL!!! Hmm, not even in the battle of the Bismarck Sea did B-17 pilots claim this kind of accuracy... Basically every stick managed to plant one bomb into the Sendai. It, unsurprisingly, sinks. Not bitching about it, just find this sort of accuracy amusing as the Allies didn't have the SD-1400 ( aka FX-1) [:D]. Ah well these sorts of things have a habit of balancing out. A glitch which favours one side is usually matched by one which favours the other roughly equally.

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 33,79


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Harusame, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 32,65

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 18
G4M1 Betty x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Dos Hermanos, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Manatawny, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AK Sarangami, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,80


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,44


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 20
Blenheim IV x 5
Hudson I x 17


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Aobasan Maru
AK Atago Maru
AP Awajisan Maru
AP Hokuriku Maru
AP Daifuku Maru
AK Kinka Maru
AK Sasako Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Atutasan Maru, Bomb hits 2
AK Sakura Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Nagara Maru
AP Mogamigawa Maru
AP Meiyo Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,57

*chuckle* My DBs don't do as well as this... A hit per level bomber sortie is pretty awesome [:D]. THAT IS IT!!!! I am BANNING sake from my airbases... and no more pilots with 20/6 vision. I'm all for giving the differently able a chance but I just can't afford any more one-eyed bombardiers no matter what the equality legislation says [8D]

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Jusan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
91 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 2
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Hayakafuku Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuwa Maru, Bomb hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 7
Brewster 339D x 12
Martin 139 x 18
Hudson I x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 destroyed


Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Uranami
DD Fubuki
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2
DD Hatsuyuki

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
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71

Bye bye Nishho... I am definitely going to have to do something about these B-17s and other long-range level bombers in the future. Fortunately I think my offensive plan for the next year is coming together. I will outline it after my Week 1 synopsis is posted

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Nishho Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 30,85


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3
B-17C Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Inazuma
DD Samidare, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Ryoyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 35,82


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 8
B-17C Fortress x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84

Must not make controversial remarks about how I feel it would not be 5 times less likely ( per sortie) to hit a ship with a torpedo than with a bomb from 5,000 feet. I think the issue here must be that each bomb is accounted for and given a to hit% instead of each stick being given a % of having 1 bomb per stick hit ( obviously if some account could be taken of the ship's deck area a CV would have a higher deck area and thus a chance that a 2nd bomb in the same stick would hit it). Anyways, that's for WiTP II. Within this game I have the tools to defeat this threat. Some of those tools are unhistoric but so is the threat so I think it all balances out. I'm glad some of my ships are getting hit as at least Trey is getting some reward for his efforts. I've already told him how many of my ships are badly damaged so that he doesn't lose heart.

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AK Belawan
AP Van Imhoff, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Liran, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wyndham at 30,86

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Montanes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AVD William B. Preston, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuala Lumpur at 23,46

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 30
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28
Ki-32 Mary x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 26,44

Japanese Ships
AP Ayatosan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Malang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13029 troops, 159 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3175 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 34 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malang base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
3196 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Amboina

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3455 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1837 troops, 15 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Amboina base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
398 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

I only want to deny the Allies the use of Amboina as an airbase. His troops are now in the jungle. I will land at the other base on the island to remove their supply and then move out. If the Allies retake either base I will simply transport in again and destroy them. Since neither base will be in their hands they will, at that time, surrender. Not taking the other base before defeating them at Amboina was another example of my ignorance of game mechanics. Still, I learnt and it was a cheap lesson so it's all good.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuching

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9267 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1786 troops, 7 guns, 2 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Bugger. Definitely going to need to transport in more troops to this base... Most of the troops I have there are massively disrupted and out of supply.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 101648 troops, 1116 guns, 19 vehicles

Defending force 29688 troops, 165 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
2328 casualties reported
Guns lost 56
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
681 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Good. Soon I will land paratroops from the 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLFs at Sian and the Chinese base immediately north of it... Since the base north of Sian is especially important I will also land most of the 1st Parachute Regiment there. If I understand the game mechanics properly taking this northern base will force the Chinese units from yenen to retreat down the path to Sian instead of along the road to the 3 Chinese bases west of Yenen. I can then place some blocking forces on that path while my main force goes for those bases and then turns south to Sian. I will time this breach of the enemy line with a similar breach at Changsha and then a few days later hit at Ichang. As he responds to these three thrusts I will begin to move from Canton to illustrate that his reactions to the threats in the north are dislocating his defences in the south. The exploitation phase will be the most important aspect of this plan and, as such, I am massing my tank regiments at Ichang (whilst not attacking with them so Trey doesn't know they are there).

When Yenen and Changsha fall he will react. As this reaction develops I will attack at Ichang demonstrating that his initial northern defensive line ( and movement of reserves) has actually been dislocational. As he responds to this threat the movement from Canton will draw forces off southward. End result, hopefully, I take the Northern resource centres and cut off major Chinese forces to the north-west of Chungking and can exploit with my armoured forces towards Chungking in a manner guaranteed to draw southern forces northward prior to the commencement of the crucial phases of my Southern Chinese offensive.

And before anyone asks... No, I amn't banking on the Paratroopers to accomplish anything. I am sure Sian will be garrisoned enough to prevent them taking it but I think there's a good chance two regiments hitting the city north-west of Sian will be enough to take it and that's the most important part of the plan.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tuguegarao

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2959 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 420 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 82 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tuguegarao base !!!



Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Norfolk Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 707 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Norfolk Island base !!!


I want Norfolk as part of my plan to keep the Australian coast under Emily survey. It is integral to the success of operation Kiwi-Go...




End of Week 1 Synopsis

Overall things have gone very well. The failure of LRCAP to function as I expected ( it appears I expected too much and thus I've learnt to adjust expectations downward) cost my transports near Singapore dearly but all of the crucial objectives were taken. The failure to take Kuching and Singakawalang(sic) played a major part in depriving my convoys of their planned air cover and the failure to land supplies with a few of the invasions, most notably the entire Bde at Banjarmasan, was "embarrassing". The appropriate officers have committed sepuku.

Enemy fleets at Manilla and Soerbaja have been eliminated almost in their entirety and the Repulse and Prince of Wales have been damaged, although I can find no further sign of them at Singapore... perhaps they have evacuated to Batavia under my nose? No matter, they are undoubtedly slowed by damage and should they seek to interfere again land-based Bettys should make short work of them.

The northern Australian ports are under siege by the Battleline and 4 Daitais of Bettys. Should any of the escapees from the Phillipines and Java which managed to make it to these ports seek to move to eastern or southern Australia my Bettys at Kendari and Port Moresby will make this prohibitively expensive.



After some serious thought and reading of both the advice here and several of the AARs here, most notably Pauk's invasion of Northern Oz, I have decided that the most practicable course of action vis a vis Australia is to isolate it, remove the Allied ability to resupply it and let lack of supply and naval reinforcement render it impotent. No matter how many infantry divisions or bombers with a range of 600 miles the Australians can manufacture they will find it extremely difficult to project this combat power without a sufficiently strong navy. In this game no CVs or BBs are spawned in Australian ports and I'm quite confident that land-based Bettys can make any Australian aggression towards Port Moresby or the DEI prohibitively expensive. The occasional sweep by the KB should help in eliminating such light to medium combat vessels as the Australians can produce.

In order to prevent resupply totally, as opposed to just making it difficult, New Zealand must fall. I have decided that if I can free an operational reserve of 8 divisions after the fall of the Phillipines I should have no problems taking New Zealand. However, New Zealand and Australian combat power will not grow precipitously over the next 6 months and I believe I can keep the Americans so busy that they have little time to send major resupply fleets to Australia so I do have some time before I need to take New Zealand.


So New Zealand is Phase 3. What about the end of Phase 1 and the beginning of Phase 2.

Phase 1: Lasting until the end of January 1942.
This will feature the mobilisation of all divisions and engineering regiments for the reduction of Manilla. I estimate that 7 to 8 divisions can be committed to this task by the end of 1941. Once Manilla falls my forces will make every effort to recuperate quickly before heading to the western area of India. KB will cover this operation as will the battleline.

2 divisions will operate in Burma. 1 Pinning down the defenders of Rangoon ( and eliminating them if possible) while the other pushes northward into India supported by a few tank regiments... This will force Trey to commit forces to Eastern India, weakening Western India.

1-2 divisions will hold Johore Bahru against counter-attack from Singapore. Level 9 forts and a concentrated army bombing campaign should help keep the Singaporean garrison at bay while the decisive battle occurs elsewhere. It may prove wise to reduce the Singaporean garrison after the Phillipines falls in order to free more divisions for India even though this would rob the Indian operation of all surprise.


The Independent Regiments/Mixed Brigades operate in the DEI and continue to reduce Dutch holdings with a series of ground and amphibious assaults. It is imperative that by the time the invasion fleet must pass via Batavia on its way to India no Dutch or English planes are operating from either Singapore or Sumatran bases to give warning of its approach.


In the Australian theatre I will simply garrison my takings and build up mutually supporting airbases whilst maintaining a show of force with light surface forces ( CLs and DDs). My CAs will transfer to Kendari for resupply and to aid in the DEI and Phillipines operations.



In the Central Pacific an operation to take Johnson island is under way. South Seas Detachment is rested and on board several transports on their way to Johnson. A screening force of over 20 submarines is posted at spots likely to be traversed by carriers or surface combat TFs from Pearl Harbour while Kido Butai has replenished at sea and is moving into bombing range of Johnson. Previous strikes carried out by Kido Butai on its way west from Pearl Harbour show no airplanes or ground reinforcements at Johnson. I am hopeful that it will fall quickly and facilitate my patrol watch over Pearl Harbour.


In China I will drive west ( and as a diversion also south) from Yenen and north-westward from Ichang thus threatening forces at Sian and Homan with encirclement. In the south my forces from Changsha and Canton will attempt to divert significant enemy forces onto themselves. With a little luck the Northern China Industrial Area will fall under my sway and from there I can exploit deeply into the Chungking direction. My overall goal would, of course, be the elimination of the Chinese theatre as a drain on my combat power and its replacement by an area requiring static garrisons of low quality and supplying me with required war material.


Phase 2: February 1942
Combat operations in China will follow on from the position outlined above. Elsewhere, depending on how long it take Manilla to fall and the situation on the ground my strategic reserve will displace to India either directly or with a stop-off to reduce Singapore. Once there every effort will be made to secure Betty bases in Ceylon and land in Western India. With secure bomber bases and a secure bridgehead forces will exploit and attempt to cut the British in Eastern India off from their supply whilst capturing sources of supply for our own replenishment. It will necessitate the withdrawal of KB from the Central Pacific and this makes me nervous but with such depth to my defence I believe any advantage Trey takes will be minor and reversable when KB returns to the scene in April.


Phase 3: April-May 1942.
The strike against New Zealand. I see no reason not to make this a full-blooded strike with the committment of KB, the battleline and the entire strategic reserve. The more I commit the quicker I capture New Zealand and the more rapidly I can focus my assets on the decisive theatre ( the eastern pacific).


Phase 4: June 1942. Possibly an operation against Pearl Harbour or just dispersion of my units to create divisional strongpoints all along my initial defensive line and the construction of forts and a new reserve.


Phase 5: If things go well then I would consider the Kwantung and Chinese Area Armies moving against the Soviet Union at some stage. At this stage this is an aspiration and not an even slightly concrete goal.


I want to state that I am only sketching out Phases 3 to 5 in order to illustrate my long-term strategic goals. I realise fully that the farther the phase is in the future the less likely I am to be in a position to carry it out when the time comes. Still, some idea of what I'm thinking of over the next 6 months will be useful to you all in evaluating my proposed moves whilst also remembering that I AM aware of how unlikely it is that I will roll "boxcars" in every engagement on the way to these phases.


At the moment I'm quite nervous about Manilla. I have no experience of fighting in urban terrain and I've heard it gives a 400% bonus to combat power. As near as I can see Trey is trying to hold me at Clark Field so that he can build forts at Manilla since fort and terrain and preparation bonuses are additive... so, terrain = x 4 bonus, forts = x 3 bonus ( if he builds level 9 forts) and preparation is a x 2 bonus... So Trey could be getting up to a 2400% bonus to his combat value if everything goes his way... If he has the local and army HQs in the same hex with him then that could be another 100% bonus which would mean he could get up to 48 times his combat value .

I have about 1,000 PPs saved up. I think I'll spend them on releasing some of my bombers into the Phillipines so that I can help reduce his supplies and begin weakening these ground forces.

All of this is possible as my opponent seems to be withdrawing as many of his troops as possible from Singapore and Java into the northern bit of the DEI just east of Singapore... I'm inclined to let them wither on the vine a little if this is what happens and use the forces thus freed up to end the struggle in the Phillipines and establish myself in Australia before turning to clear them up.

The "Northern bit of the DEI" would be just West of Singapore, and would be the island of Sumatra. Which would include Palembang, quite possibly the most important oil resource in the game. If your opponent gets a unit of engineers there, they can sabotage the oil fields pretty effectively, and lead to major shortages later in the game.

That US CV TF your sub encountered should be Halsey and Enterprise if no drastic changes were made by your opponent.

Well we got a lot of turns done over the last two days so I'm trying to post turns ASAP to et the AAR right up to date.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/15/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

I'm still learning so I decided to try out night attacks on Singapore. looks like it is more difficult to get your airgroups to launch them and this one surely didn't seem to do too much damage. I think I'll stick to day attacks from now on... Also noticed that Trey has a night fighter group at Singapore.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 19

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Well, well, well, the little ship that can, does [:D]

Japanese Ships
DD Tomozuru

Allied Ships
DD Scout, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Thracian, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Koepang, at 28,77

On the way back to Kendari my surface TFs unload a few shells at Koepang. The anaemic damage caused is probably due to both TFs having low levels of ammunition for their main guns.

Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki
DD Michishio
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Chokai
CA Atago

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Koepang, at 28,77

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
DD Arashio
DD Oshio
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
BB Haruna


Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported

Runway hits 16
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rahaeng , at 31,35


Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 36


No Allied losses

Trey seems obsessed with hitting Rahaeng. I have nothing there. I made a decision to just put enough into Burma to keep his attention and not be distracted by this theatre myself. The two Burmese Army divisions, a few construction Bns for runway construction and 2 Tank Regiments are all I'm willing to commit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

I'm also becoming a bit of a fan of fighter sweeps. The haul from each sweep seems to be remarkably good.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 55
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

I figured I couldn't give up on PoW and Repulse just because of one day of missed attacks so I attacked again. It cost me 3 Nells and again no sign of the BB and BC... I now officially decide that they either aren't present or are laid up in drydock or something and trying to hit them with Port Attack again will only cost me precious pilots to no gain.

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 25

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 destroyed, 19 damaged



Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Another sweep with Zeroes based at Soerabaja

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
CW-21B Demon x 4
Brewster 339D x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 2 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 43,39

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 8
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Hikosan Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Jusan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 6
Brewster 339D x 7
Martin 139 x 22
Hudson I x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kari, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1
DD Kamo

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 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
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I 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 at 28,49

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 7
Blenheim I x 9
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson I x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Tsunushima Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nojima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kuroshio Maru

Japanese ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,57


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Taibun Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 28,77


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 4


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 28,77


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 7


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Ise

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 9
Martin 139 x 30
Hudson I x 8

No Japanese losses

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

Japanese Ships
DD Kari, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kiji
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1

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
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I 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
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 28,49

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 4
Blenheim I x 12
Blenheim IV x 6
Hudson I x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Tsunushima Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kashi Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Tamatsu Maru
AP Nojima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuala Lumpur at 23,46

Again the Manoora just sits there at KL and takes hits from 100 Kg bombs. I have no idea what it is intended to be doing except for acting as a distraction.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 23
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11
Ki-32 Mary x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 61,44

Japanese Ships
AD AD-3243
AK Sinno Maru
MSW Kongo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 39,72

Japanese Ships
AP Kisogawa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 141 troops unloading over beach at Arawe, 57,89


Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported


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

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2534 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 37 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Madioen base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Djokjakarta

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13453 troops, 155 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 275 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Djokjakarta base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lamon Bay

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 483 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lamon Bay base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Finschafen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 534 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Finschafen base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nauru Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 663 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 26 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nauru Island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kiriwina Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 507 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kiriwina Island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Naga

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 61 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Naga base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cotabato

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 323 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 672 troops, 6 guns, 1 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

I attempted to take Cotabato with paratroops but too few flew in to move the Base Force... I'll ship some of the paras I dropped at Buantan around to Cotabato and see how I do then... If Cotabato falls then my attack on the enemy in Davao should result in their capitulation.


So, very little action this turn. I finally had LRCAP work, tried some night bombing and tried some fighter sweeps. I've learnt a bit more about game mechanics and so I'm happy with the turn.


Below is a basic schematic of what I've taken and the coverage I'll have from those islands with my Bettys. Nothing fancy but indicative of my thinking with respect to keeping the US fleet at bay while I conduct my land war to the east of Japan.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/16/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 72 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (43,42)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.19
PG Akitsu Maru
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
PG Chiyo Maru
PC Ch 3


This is the escort for the transports I've tasked with picking up the 38th Division from Hong Kong and sending it to the Phillipines.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 43,49

Japanese Ships
AP Hawaii Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AP Shinko Maru, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT PT-33
PT PT-35

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,49

Japanese Ships
AP Shinko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,49

Japanese Ships
AP Hawaii Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-41

S-41 has a very good day indeed. A predictable convoy routing near Manilla brings predictable results...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 7
CW-21B Demon x 4
Brewster 339D x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
CW-21B Demon: 3 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed

Another excellent sweep result over Batavia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

The Nates seem to fare incredibly poorly compared to even obsolete Allied planes. 9 pilots have just gone to their deaths flying these obsolescent crates... I'm going to give them another couple of tries and if the results do not improve I'll stand the Nates down until they can be replaced by Oscars.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 45
Ki-48 Lily x 17
Ki-15 Babs x 3

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-35A x 8
P-40B Tomahawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-35A: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lingayen , at 44,50


Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 17


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,60


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 5
Brewster 339D x 15
Martin 139 x 10


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Saiko Maru
AK Tone Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 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 Rahaeng , at 31,35


Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 36


No Allied losses

More air sweeps over Rahaeng. Again since I have no airplanes committed to this subsidiary theatre these sweeps inflict no losses. I'm at a bit of a loss as to why they are continuing but I suppose the Allies have to cover every eventuality and that's what these sweeps are for.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mersing , at 23,49


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 2
Buffalo I x 6
Vildebeest IV x 6
Blenheim I x 5
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson I x 7


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Vildebeest IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Vildebeest IV bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Swordfish bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Johnston Island , at 102,74

This strike was made as KB passed Johnston on its way to rendezvous with the underway replenishment fleet. I ordered the strike as my recon had shown no planes at Johnston and, frankly, I could not believe this was correct. It cost me 2 Vals but it seems the recon was correct and there are no US planes there. Good this will help protect the invasion fleet. I'll withdraw a bit north-westward, refuel more and then return to bomb Johnston in the two days before the invasion fleet lands.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 97
B5N Kate x 137

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 65

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
21 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
19 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
21 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
12 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
14 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
17 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
24 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
16 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
16 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
15 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 4


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Maikaze, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Sinkep Island at 22,53

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Poelau Bras, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Revenge is sweet. Bye, bye PTs.

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
PT PT-33, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT PT-35, Shell hits 3, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 82725 troops, 994 guns, 8 vehicles

Defending force 43727 troops, 200 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Guns lost 14


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10108 troops, 175 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese assault odds: 46 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuala Lumpur base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Arawe

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 702 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Arawe base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tongatapu Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1595 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 856 troops, 9 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tongatapu Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
1424 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1


The above was just a little housekeeping. I continue to proceed down the Malaysian peninsula and also wipe out some more of the enemy support troops in the Pacific. I'm scrambling my engineers from Japan to begin building bases and defences on my holdings in the region. It'll take them a while to get into position but by the end of January I should have a network of mutually supporting Level 4 airbases in the area.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/17/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

The new surface combat group does the trick at Lingayen. I'm going to leave them there to protect against further DD or PT raids. Amazing what difference a new TF with a different commander and more carefully chosen DDs will make.

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
DD Scout, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Thracian, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 82
Ki-21 Sally x 54
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
Wirraway: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet

It looks as though 11,000 feet is MUCH safer for my bombers than 6,000. Results are not as good but the increased survivability more than makes up for this. 1 Oscar destroyed in A2A combat in exchange for 6 Buffalos with the 54 level bombers taking out another 4 enemy planes on the ground for no loss is an eminently acceptable combat result.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 2
CW-21B Demon x 1
Brewster 339D x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Hmm, another rotten day for Nates. I can't see that much difference between them and Oscar Is so I'm a bit nonplussed at these losses. Experientially, however, they perform poorly and should be retired post-haste. I will stand them down, try to bring 20,000 tons of supply into Lingayen and convert them to Oscars ASAP.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 49
Ki-48 Lily x 8
Ki-15 Babs x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 5 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 4 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lingayen , at 44,50


Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


No Allied losses

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

I've decided not to invade Australia but it serves my purposes to draw Trey's attention to Australia... and hopefully away from India... I've contacted Trey asking him what we could agree on as being reasonable should Australia fall. We've decided that so long as an Australian city remains under Australian control Australian units can continue to appear BUT once all of Australia falls no more Australian units can appear... As an aside we also dealt with what would happen if India was taken out of the war and agreed that British divisions and ships would appear on the American West Coast to represent:
a. Intensive interdiction of reinforcement convoys in the Indian Ocean by submarines and surface/carrier TFs preventing reinforcements arriving in Perth.
b. UK divisions and ships traversing the Atlantic ocean and basing out of ports in the Western United States.

This way if India or Australia are knocked out of the war the Japanese get a reduction in both the forces facing them ( native divisions/ships no longer appear) AND the number of fronts on which they have to fight whilst divisions recruited from the population native to the United Kingdom and ships crewd by natives of the United Kingdom can still take part in the fighting, albeit it from the Western USA.

I think that's a reasonable compromise between rewarding the Japanese for taking India or Australia whilst realising that the loss of India would not automatically prevent ANY further UK participation in the war. Now, I'm SURE some people will bitch about this being "gamey" or ahistorical etc etc but suffice it to say that given my appreciation of the Indian situation ( vis a vis Bose, the Indian National Army and the Quit India movements) I feel it is "reasonable" within this game AND the parameters my opponent and I have agreed upon.

Anyways I hope that the size of this raid and the follow-up bombardment of Darwin will convince Trey I'm planning to make a serious effort twoards Australia.

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 80
G4M1 Betty x 46
H6K4 Mavis x 7

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
15 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
8 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
11 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
7 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 43,39

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 9

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th Chinese Corps, at 50,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 18

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manila at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed


Allied Ships
TK Gertrude Kellogg, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 22,46

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 14
Ki-32 Mary x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 33,55


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Yuzan Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 94675 troops, 1094 guns, 10 vehicles

Defending force 43002 troops, 186 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1908 casualties reported
Guns lost 61
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
710 casualties reported
Guns lost 20

An excellent result. I will shock attack next turn. I've been holding off at Yenen for the past couple of days but next turn it will be time to shock attack there also. With any luck I can have both Yenen and Changsha fall on the same day. Simultaneity is, after all, a force multiplier.

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

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 54794 troops, 676 guns, 260 vehicles

Defending force 40024 troops, 278 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
351 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 7

Allied ground losses:
245 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

No success. The Chinese AV wasn't too high though so once my own AV reaches about 1500 I will try again. At that point in time I should have a good chance for success.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Funafuti island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 606 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Funafuti island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bulla

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 753 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bulla base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 579 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12595 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Since I was planning to hit Yenen on the 18th I wanted to drop airborne units at Sian today to take it before dropping some more at Kungchang tomorrow. My idea was that with its route of retreat removed the army at Yenen would surrender. Unfortunately there is at least 1 Chinese Corps at Sian and my paratroops from the 1st Yokosuka SNLF are completely outmatched.

Anyways, complete success never happens. I will modify the plan to push the enemy out of Yenen tomorrow, land at Kungchang on the 19th or 20th and then attack the enemy troops on the road west of Yenen with the intention of forcing their retreat down the path to Sian. A small force will harry them down this path while the main force makes for Kungchang before turning towards Sian.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/18/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 47,45

Japanese Ships
AP Meizan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Okuyo Maru
PG Nanpo Maru
PG Kongosan Maru
PG Chohakusan Maru
MSW Takashima Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 32,73

Japanese Ships
DD Samidare, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Teloekbetoeng at 19,58

I-157 decides to take on the Allied AK Lematang on the surface. It scores two torpedo and two shell hits but also manages to get itself hit by one of the guns mounted on the merchant.

Japanese Ships
SS I-157, hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AK Lematang, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Another good result for my bombing raids over Singapore. 4 Oscars are destroyed but take 1 Wirraway and 7 Buffalo with them. The bombers follow up by destroying a further 7 planes on the ground. There is also some runway damage and also some supply damage which I am happy with as it all helps to reduce Singapore's potential ability to withstand a siege.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 71
Ki-21 Sally x 60
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1
Buffalo I x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 12 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed
Swordfish: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tarakan , at 33,61

I'm moving a division north of Borneo to the Phillipines so decide to bomb the Allied airfields on the south of Borneo in order to ground Allied planes there while the convoy is in range. I'm also hoping to take out some of their bombers and fighters. With limited supply I believe the Allies won't be able to generate replacement aircraft and so each loss will prove relatively permanent ( unless Trey rebases the squadrons before I can finish the job).

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
G3M Nell x 76
G4M1 Betty x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 98

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
13 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
14 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
13 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
12 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
8 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
5 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
5 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
9 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
2 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell 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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Townsville , at 46,103

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 19
H6K4 Mavis x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 79th Chinese Corps, at 47,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 48
Ki-30 Ann x 34
Ki-51 Sonia x 34
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
24 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
28 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 27th Chinese Corps, at 50,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,80


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 6
B-17C Fortress x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,80


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Hyuga

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Banjarmasin at 27,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
Martin 139 x 5

No Japanese losses

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

Japanese Ships
AK Saiko Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manila at 43,52

Ok, Nates officially suck... Next turn I am standing down all Nate squadrons in the Pacific Theatre of Operations.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 23
Ki-30 Ann x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed


Allied Ships
AK Capillo, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bisayas, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 21,42

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 15
Ki-32 Mary x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Mist

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manila at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 4
Ki-30 Ann x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed


Allied Ships
DD Thanet, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 damaged


Allied Ships
MSW Burnie

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 22,48

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 7
Ki-32 Mary x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Madioen , at 21,64


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 18
Hudson I x 6


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 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 Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,80


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 5
B-17C Fortress x 5


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

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
2 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,80


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manila at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 2
Ki-30 Ann x 3

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed


Allied Ships
AK Capillo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manila at 43,52

What a disastrous escort mission from the Nates... Losses are disastrously high...

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 27

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 13 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Mindanao, Bomb hits 17, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 49,45

Japanese Ships
PG Okuyo Maru
PG Nanpo Maru
PG Kongosan Maru
PG Chohakusan Maru
MSW Takashima Maru

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandoeng

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2543 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bandoeng base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 92365 troops, 1015 guns, 7 vehicles

Defending force 41425 troops, 157 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
2906 casualties reported
Guns lost 38
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1547 casualties reported
Guns lost 27


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

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 50900 troops, 661 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 39402 troops, 260 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Yenen falls. The Chinese retreat towards Kungchang. With my paratroops being dropped on Kungchang in two days time, to coincide with the next attack on the retreating Chinese forces, I hope they can be herded to Sian and away from Kungchang.


Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 137079 troops, 1590 guns, 15 vehicles

Defending force 28720 troops, 164 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Yenen base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
2879 casualties reported
Guns lost 55
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1721 casualties reported
Guns lost 11


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tjilitjap

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13447 troops, 155 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 992 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese assault odds: 48 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tjilitjap base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1464 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

1 Regiment vs a small local defence force does not an even contest make.[:D]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Georgetown

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 59493 troops, 570 guns, 17 vehicles

Defending force 4134 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Georgetown base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
169 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
6267 casualties reported
Guns lost 36

2 divisions attack the forces isolated at Georgetown. 18th Indian Brigade and assorted support units march into captivity. The Imperial Guard division is immediately sent to Saigon to embark for the Phillipines while the 2nd division will continue onward to Johore Bahru to prevent the British forces in Singapore from attacking into Johore Bahru while I'm building my forts there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nukufetau island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 557 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nukufetau island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8760 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 313 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 531 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

The Chinese attacked my paratroops at Sian... Unfortunately when my paratroops retreated they retreated TOWARD Chungking.... I can't be sure but I think this means that any supply coming down the Chungking/Sian road is now blocked. If that's true then the entire Chinese Northern Front really could be in even more serious trouble than I had planned for at this time.


Next turn my Battleline, 8 BBs and 6 CAs is going to bombard Darwin. I'm quite nervous about the possibility of some of these ships hitting mines but apart from that I'm confident. I am particularly looking forward to running into the De Ruyter-based light surface TF. I WANT that ship sunk. With any luck I'll also collect a lot of transports and auxiliary vessels docked at the port.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/19/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 42 troops unloading over beach at Singkawang, 25,57


Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

I've sent a kamikaze 1500 ton AP to Singkawang with troops from the 4th Independent Regiment ( at Pontianak). I am hoping that the extra troops can tip the scales there in my favour. *fingers crossed*. Why not wait for them to march there? Simply because it looked like it would take about 30 days for them to reach it and since I would sincerely hope that operations in the DEI would be largely over by then that sort of delay is simply not acceptable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 37,58

Japanese Ships
MSW W.4
DD Asashio

Allied Ships
SS KXVI, hits 2

This is simply a case of a couple of convoy escorts running over a submarine. I haven't, yet, gotten around to creating dedicated ASW groups yet so every random encounter like this is doubly a boon to me.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 34,47

Japanese Ships
APD APD-36
APD APD-39

Allied Ships
SS S-38, hits 4, on fire

A very unlucky sub is run over by my Fast Transports bringing portions of the Parachute Regiments back from the Phillipines. While I am finding it very difficult to mount as many airborne operations as I'd like given the bug which removes my ability to pick up troops I've airdropped to capture enemy bses I must admit that the anti-submarine attacks being launched by the APDs I've tasked to collect them is quite welcome compensation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 69
Ki-21 Sally x 46
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1
Buffalo I x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 9 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 71
G4M1 Betty x 29

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
11 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 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 bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Townsville , at 46,103

More demonstration raids against Northern and North-Eastern Australia. It is a costly distraction but is consuming far less than the 1/3rd of my forces I would be willing to allocate if required.

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 20
H6K4 Mavis x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 15th Division, at 47,33

Wow, the first Allied air raid in China... Great, this will burn Allied supply at a great rate. I don't know how much supply 4-engined bombers burn but everything I've read on the forum says they burn a lot of supply. Unless these raids begin to hit my resources I won't even try to oppose them. Why shoot down planes which aren't hitting anything irreplaceable and are burning large amounts of Chinese supply while doing so?

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 6


Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x IL-4c bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 43,39

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 9

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 70th Chinese Corps, at 47,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 50
Ki-30 Ann x 24
Ki-51 Sonia x 33
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
23 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
30 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 6
B-17C Fortress x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 1


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Banjarmasin at 27,64

This raid came from Balikpapan. I may send the battleline there in order to reduce this base in future.

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
Martin 139 x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Saiko Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 21,46

I added Oscars to the CAP to supplement the Nates and guard them from Allied fighters. Unfortunately the first raid didn't get escorted by Oscars. End result, 14 Nates shot down for only 1 P-40B. Disastrous. ALL Nates will now be stood down and withdrawn from combat theatres.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 26
Ki-32 Mary x 7

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 14 destroyed
Ki-32 Mary: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Cougar, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Malacca , at 22,47


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 4
Buffalo I x 2
Vildebeest IV x 7
Blenheim I x 8
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson I x 5


No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Vildebeest IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Vildebeest IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Swordfish bombing at 5000 feet
5 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 5
Brewster 339D x 18
Martin 139 x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

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 at 21,46

This went much better. Oscars accompanied the raid and while I lost 13 of them they did shoot down 12 of the AVGs P-40Bs operating from Singapore. This is an acceptable exchange ratio for me.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 62
Ki-32 Mary x 6

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 13 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 12 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Empire Rennie, Bomb hits 1
AK Empire Cougar, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84

Operation... Vendetta-Go achieves full success. The troublesome light surface TF is sunk in its entirety.

Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
C.XI-W: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 1
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 2
CA Kumano
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Banckert, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Losses of Allied bomber aircraft are disappointingly low. I assume that Trey has transferred them to Wyndham or some other base. Still, the enemy ships sheltering in the harbour have been hit hard and the illusion of a possible invasion has been maintained. In fact Trey even wrote me today of the massive invasion fleet north of Koepang. Well, there is a single AP being escorted by a PG and a few DDs in a CL-led light surface TF but far be it from me to inform him of this [:D]. The longer he fears invasion the longer he will misallocate his resources, easing my progress in the crucial sectors.

The coastal guns scored a few hits but system damage in most of my vessels is all in the 2 to 6 points area. As such it won't stop any future operations although Arashio isn't in very good shape. I doubt it will survive.


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed

42 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 3
CA Chokai, Shell hits 4
CA Mogami, Shell hits 3
CA Atago
BB Kongo, Shell hits 4
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
BB Haruna

Allied Ships
AK Liran, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bengalen, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Zealandia, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Deloraine, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Van Imhoff, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Westralia, Shell hits 1
MSW Cairns, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ipswitch, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Belawan, Shell hits 2, on fire


Allied ground losses:
829 casualties reported
Guns lost 26
Vehicles lost 5

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 118 troops unloading over beach at Babo, 42,77


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 136 troops unloading over beach at Admiralty Islands, 58,84


Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 141 troops unloading over beach at Sag Sag, 57,88


Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 151 troops unloading over beach at Nanomea Atoll, 87,101


Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Koepang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2984 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 727 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Koepang base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
2007 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Finally Koepang falls. Timor is now, officially, mine.. MINE! ALL MINE !!!! [:D][:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 88890 troops, 956 guns, 7 vehicles

Defending force 39597 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Changsha base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
1719 casualties reported
Guns lost 40
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
885 casualties reported
Guns lost 16


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Changsha falls. I will attack Ichang next... I'm not sure if I have enough there but there's about 1700 AV in place with another 1600 on the way and due to arrive over the next week so if it doesn't fall tomorrow it shouldfall by the end of the 3rd week, right on schedule.

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

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 50965 troops, 666 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 39224 troops, 257 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1462 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Moulmein base !!!

I should mention something about Burma now. 1 division and 3 Tank Regiments are in Burma at present. The Allies have withdrawn into Rangoon. From what I can see some 35,000 men are in the port with a couple of Brigades holding at Mandalay and nearby bases. My infantry division has moved to invest the port of Rangoon, with a Betty Daitai at Tavoy providing cover against large-scale evacuation. Obviously submarines can take out small fragments but given my overall plan to hit India within about 2 months I doubt these fragments will accomplish anything worthwhile. The tank regiments are moving northward to Pagan and Taung Giryi ( which seems to hold a few Brigades). The second division of the Burmese Army will continue to advance towards Rahaeng. At that point in time I will determine where it can do most damage and direct it accordingly. I would be quite happy to leave the first division investing Rangoon if it allows me to put pressure on the Eastern Indian border more quickly. Probably though it will pay to take Rangoon as quickly as possible.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 447 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Woodlark Island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanomea Atoll

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 518 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nanomea Atoll base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Victoria Point

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2214 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Victoria Point base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13423 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 23168 troops, 299 guns, 37 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Guns lost 13


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1059 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuantan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 318 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuantan base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Christmas Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 217 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Christmas Island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Legaspi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 81 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Legaspi base !!!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/20/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 105 encounters mine field at Batavia (19,59)

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo, Mine hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 19,59

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Isonami
DD Shikinami
DD Yugiri
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
TK Manvantara, Shell hits 1
TK Semiramis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Chokai
CA Mogami
CA Atago
BB Kongo
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
BB Haruna

Allied Ships
AP Westralia, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ipswitch, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Cairns, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Belawan, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Deloraine, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Van Imhoff, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Liran, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Zealandia, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bengalen, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 3

The Battleline continues to do good work at Darwin. Since most of these shell hits represents hits from 8 inch or larger shells I confidently expect the Minesweepers to sink and, hopefully, a few of the transports. Even if they don't the extensive system damage incurred will render these ships too slow to transport any counter-invasion into the DEI for many, many months. The more APs and AKs I can sink now the fewer Australia will have available for counter-invasion when I move to take New Zealand.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 49
Ki-21 Sally x 75
Ki-46-II Dinah x 6

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2
Buffalo I x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Blenheim I: 5 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 4 destroyed
Swordfish: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
Catalina I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 3

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 40

I keep plastering the airfields but the engineers continue to do an excellent job repairing it. Airfield damage is now in the mid-40s but it has actually fallen over the last couple of days. Ah well, it is burning supply and offensive potential. I'm maintaining an average exchange ratio in Malaya of about 5 to 1 in terms of planes, although it is closer to 2 or 3:1 in pilots. All of this should mean fewer British reserves when it comes time to bomb my amphibious assaults in India.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Townsville , at 46,103

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 10
H6K4 Mavis x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet

More diversionary raids against Australia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 40th Division, at 47,33


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x IL-4c bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 15th Division, at 47,33


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 3


Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x IL-4c bombing at 15000 feet

Chinese supply being burned to no effect. [:D] In a few days I'm going to put my plan to take the, roughly, one-third of Chinese forces north of Yangtze out of the war into action and I think Trey will miss the supply he is currently burning once those resource centres and the Mytkina road get cut.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 36,80


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
B-17C Fortress x 2


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 21,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Cougar, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 11

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1
Buffalo I x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged


Allied Ships
MSW Bendigo
MSW Burnie

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

I think Trey is using the MSWs as disposable "lures" for my Nells in order to prevent them trying to hit the APs and AKs... The question is, of course, whether they are bringing troops out or supply in. My guess would be that they are bringing supply in.

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

Japanese aircraft
E8N Dave x 8
E13A1 Jake x 4

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
E8N Dave: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied Ships
AP Zealandia, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x E13A1 Jake attacking at 100 feet
2 x E8N Dave attacking at 100 feet
2 x E8N Dave attacking at 100 feet
1 x E8N Dave attacking at 100 feet
2 x E8N Dave attacking at 100 feet

*chuckle* I get a great kick out of obsolescent seaplane raids.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 21,49

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 43
Ki-32 Mary x 6

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 9
P-40B Tomahawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Mist
AK Empire Barracuda

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,66

Japanese Ships
AP Shofuku Maru
PG Kogyoku Maru

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 49,45

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 12
PC Ch 11
PC Ch 10
PC Ch 6
PC Ch 5
PC Ch 4
PG Myoken Maru
PG Kiso Maru
MSW W.20
MSW W.12

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 149 troops unloading over beach at Wallis Island, 93,107


Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 45,50

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2896 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5331 troops, 54 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singkawang

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1601 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 860 troops, 9 guns, 3 vehicles

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



Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Singkawang and Kuching continue to hold. It is all very frustrating as I can't bring in supplies to Singkawang to allow the troops to resupply and rest up and launch a proper attack. I've got a couple of uncommitted NLFs at Tainan. I'm going to bring them into Kuching, take Kuching and then move them over to Singkawang once the air situation improves.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Admiralty Islands

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 677 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Admiralty Islands base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sag Sag

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 636 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sag Sag base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rangoon

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15472 troops, 176 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 22014 troops, 254 guns, 17 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
228 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
730 casualties reported
Guns lost 18

15,000 allied combat troops attacked at Rangoon. Trey must not have realised that my blocking force comprised an entire division. My tank regiments will bypass Rangoon and head north-eastward in order to maintain the illusion that my main effort will follow the pattern of a headlong assault along the land route into the operational depth of the enemy's India position.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13036 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 24761 troops, 384 guns, 41 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
590 casualties reported
Guns lost 15


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kungchang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 293 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1354 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[/b] Another Yokosuka NLF and elements of the 2nd Parachute Regiment drop onto Kungchang today as I endeavour to take my operational objective by coup de main. Unfortunately the effort fails but I will continue to reinforce it by air and rush ground troops westward from Yenen in a race against Chinese reinforcements coming from Sian. I expect the Chinese to win the race but even should they "get there the fastest" they will NOT "get there with the mostest". Only 2 divisions will push the Yenen defenders back along the paths to Sian. The rest will make for Kungchang. [8D] [/b]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wallis Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 120 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wallis Island base !!!


I have included a picture, below, to illustrate the paths of resupply/evacuation which Allied shipping in the DEI/Singapore region seems to be following and the new routing of my resupply runs to the Kendari region. Allied forces in Balikpapan and the Phillipines no longer pose a significant threat to this shipping route. In order to further solidify this route and to facilitate the rapid conquest of Sumatra I have decided to strip most of my forces from Kendari, put them in transports supported by the full weight of my Battleline ( 8 BBs and 9 CAs) as bombardment support and take Mendano and the southern Borneon ports in a series of operations. Once these are taken ( which I estimate will take until mid-January) I should be able to bring the full weight of my Independent Regiments and flexibility afforded by my transport fleets to bear on the Sumatran campaign, significantly speeding it up.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/21/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1092 encounters mine field at Singapore (23,50)

Allied Ships
AP Van Rees, Mine hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1110 encounters mine field at Singapore (23,50)

Allied Ships
AP Speelman, Mine hits 1, on fire

Ah, good, my sub-laid minefields manage to catch two APs... No casualties noted though... Maybe he is just bringing in supplies in order to stock up for a long siege? I don't see that as being sensible given my strategy of simply holding the Singaporean forces in place with a single division dug in behind Level 9 Forts in Johore Bahru and using it to train up my bomber units. However if I was seeking to assault with 5 divisions and take it quickly then I could see how this Allied strategy must make sense... My current estimation of the Allied course of action is that he has not yet divined my intentions and is, therefore, following a less than optimal strategy to combat what I am actually doing. I think that this is a good example of 20/20 hindsight being a very poor guide when playing someone who through almost complete ignorance of the Pacific campaign comes at things with a fresh eye untainted by much idea of what the participants actually did/considered doable.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 32
Ki-21 Sally x 88
Ki-46-II Dinah x 7

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1
Buffalo I x 14
P-40B Tomahawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 destroyed
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Blenheim I: 2 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Swordfish: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 32

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed

I've decided after a bit of trial and error that the best way to limit nuisance raids is to simply mount sweeps over any active Allied fields and knock their fighter strength back to nothing. Once that's done I can mount CAPs over my TFs and whittle away at the bombers. That's the plan anyways and it sounds like it is doable. I'll try it and see how it works.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 2
CW-21B Demon x 1
Brewster 339D x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 40th Division, at 47,33


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x IL-4c bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 20th Mixed Brigade, at 47,33


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 3


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x IL-4c bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 49th Chinese Corps, at 47,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 52
Ki-30 Ann x 34
Ki-51 Sonia x 34
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
24 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
32 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Belitung Island at 23,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 5
Brewster 339D x 9
Martin 139 x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Martin 139: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Shirakumo was heavily damaged by mines off Batavia and in an effort to protect it I ordered LRCAP. It looks like it won't save Shirakumo but it has whittled down the Martins a little and for that I'm grateful.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Nagato

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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 21,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Cougar, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 damaged


Allied Ships
MSW Bendigo
MSW Burnie

The Nell raid commander has, of course, been ritually disembowelled for his continuing failure to obey the orders to attack the slow, unmanoeuvrable transports instead of the, relatively speaking, small, nippy MSWs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 55,97

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9
E13A1 Jake x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Latouche
AK Kanlaon II, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,53

The next couple of attacks are by planes based at Singapore and are aimed at CL-led destroyer TFs leaving Pontianak and making their way to Saigon for replenishment.

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
Blenheim I x 5
Blenheim IV x 2
Hudson I x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Yugiri
DD Kasasagi

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,71


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kisogawa Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,52


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 2
Vildebeest IV x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
DD Ayanami

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,52


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 28
Hudson I x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 4
DD Asagiri
DD Sagiri
DD Ayanami

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
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Thursday Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1038 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Thursday Island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,26

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 133802 troops, 1530 guns, 12 vehicles

Defending force 19136 troops, 97 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1791 casualties reported
Guns lost 34
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
414 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pagan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1658 troops, 0 guns, 111 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 32 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pagan base !!!


One of my tank regiments takes Pagan base without loss. Two other tank regiments are making for Mandalay and one is heading for the base just north of Rahaeng in order to pin enemy forces there in place. I believe that the Allies will have to honour these thrusts and divert forces to the Burma/Indian line and away from the invasion beaches.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rangoon

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3760 troops, 16 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 25181 troops, 238 guns, 16 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kungchang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 139 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1364 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1



Earlier I was asked to post some information about losses.... Here's a composite picture of Allied and Japanese military losses. In addition the Allies have lost many MSW, AS, AV and AVDs. Overall as of 24th December 1941 ( where we are at the moment) total confirmed Allied shipping losses are 145 ships vs 35 Japanese ships ( mostly APs and AKs). I suspect there are probably another 20 or so Allied ships which have probably sunk or are so badly damaged they'll never leave DEI ports/Singapore/Manilla before these ports fall to my ground troops. His carriers are still at large though.

I estimate that on the 26th or 27th of December my invasion of Johnson island by the South Seas Detachment will occur. I am currently arranging underway replenishment of KB near Midway. I have held off the invasion until now since I did not have a Base Force at Palmyra. By the 25th I will have a Base Force sufficient to support a 100 Betty strike force there. So, if the Allied CVs react to the Johnson invasion they should not only face a depleted KB ( Only 430 planes operational) but also a significant Betty force to mop up cripples/surface TFs. My experiences with the outrageously high sortie rate per hit for Japanese planes under NikMod has made me paranoid about a CV battle at this time.