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Summary of Operations 12/03/42

A cheap purchase from the LCU dead pile… An expenditure of 2 PP brings back the US 192 Tank Bn destroyed in the Philippines. A cadre of 192 Tank Bn is scheduled to return to the game in 33 days at San Francisco attached to the US West Coast (restricted) command. Plans are to re-assign 192 Tank Bn from West Coast to a yet to be determined front-line command immediately on re-entry to the game before a rebuild to full TOE strength in the mainland US is started. 192 Tank Bn’s sister unit from the Philippines (194 Tank Bn) is also available in the LCU dead pile and is being considered for future re-activation.


US West Coast: Jap submarine I-26 remains detected off the sea approaches to Seattle/Vancouver. US/Canadian surface ASW forces remain in the I-26’s hex position but no combat occurred. Floatplane from I-26 continues flying over Puget Sound Defense LCU (Oak Harbor base hex).


Central Pacific: US sub patrol engages probable Japanese surface ASW TF near Kwajalein. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Bikini at 129,112 (NW of Kwajalein)

Japanese Ships
PB Senyu Maru #2
PB Mikitade Maru
PB Takuna Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Thresher

SS Thresher launches 2 torpedoes at PB Senyu Maru #2
PB Mikitade Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Takuna Maru #7 fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

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South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/02 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed 1, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF’s in harbor, 45 aircraft (45 fighters, no bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground bombardment along northern front of Chungking pocket. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 80,43 (E of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14123 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 474
Defending force 9297 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 315

Assaulting units:
58th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
24th Group Army
32nd Group Army

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Elements of Japanese 3rd Division in the far western sector are pushing eastward from Hami to re-establish communication with the main Japanese front now facing the Chinese at Kiuchang. 3 Division’s line of communication is cut off by Chinese forces that recaptured and now hold Ansi and Kiuchang – these Chinese forces include the army withdrawing westward from Sining. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 80,19 (E of Hami along Ansi-Hami road)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4394 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 151
Defending force 1317 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 30
Japanese adjusted assault: 141
Allied adjusted defense: 7
Japanese assault odds: 20 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
762 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (13 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd/B Division

Defending units:
12th Chinese Base Force

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Summary of Operations 12/04/42

US West Coast: Jap submarine I-26 remains detected off the sea approaches to Seattle/Vancouver. US/Canadian surface ASW forces failed to mount an attack on the Jap sub.


South Pacific: Allied sub patrol engages Jap surface ASW in southern sea approaches to Rabaul. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Rabaul at 106,128 (SE of Rabaul)

Japanese Ships
PB Myoken Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Nanpo Maru

Allied Ships
SS O23

SS O23 launches 4 torpedoes at PB Myoken Maru
PB Myoken Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Nanpo Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/03 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 7 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 14, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 11, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 12, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 10, Moving Southwest


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF’s in harbor (-2 from last report), 36 aircraft (36 fighters, no bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: Several encounters with Jap submarines reported by transport convoy CD-14 (Capetown to India theatre) as the convoy was departing Colombo after delivering supply from Capetown. Fortunately, the Jap subs had poor marksmanship in both attacks. AAR’s follow.

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Submarine attack near Colombo at 28,47 (NW of Colombo)

Japanese Ships
SS I-160

Allied Ships
xAK Bellerophon

xAK Bellerophon is sighted by SS I-160
SS I-160 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Bellerophon

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Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 27,44 (S of Trivandrum)

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
xAK Tanda

xAK Tanda is sighted by SS I-159
SS I-159 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Tanda

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Capetown: Problems from the recent fuel point shortage in Capetown are resolved, with 250K fuel now on hand in Capetown base. Given the volume of ship traffic into and passing through Capetown, steps to prevent a fuel shortage from occurring again have been designed and implemented.

Ship traffic into and through Capetown not only includes shipping between Capetown and India, but also EX/XE transport convoys between the Eastern US and Australia along with occasional tanker convoys transporting fuel from Abadan to Australia (both of these using Capetown as a transit point). Nearly all transport shipping in this part of the game map passes through Capetown, practically no ship movement done across the on-map portion of the Indian Ocean between Colombo and western Australia.

The primary mechanism for doing this involves routing of the CD/DC transport convoys which until recently have been employed solely for transporting supply points from Capetown to points in India (mainly Bombay and Colombo). Previous movement of these convoys was simply a round-trip between Capetown and a destination in India with empty ships returning to Capetown.

Changes to the CD/DC convoy routes involve altering the route to include a third stop at Abadan. Typical route of these convoys are now (1) Capetown to India loaded with supply, air units and LCU’s; (2) empty ships proceed to India to Abadan after unloading in India; (3) ships refuel at Abadan and load fuel cargo; (4) return to Capetown from Abadan loaded with fuel cargo. Ships in CD/DC convoys are not refueled in India (TF’s leaving Capetown for India are set to “do not refuel”).

Composition of CD/DC convoys is almost entirely made up of AK/xAK ship types, the original intent of the convoys to mainly deliver supply from Capetown. While AK ship types are not the most efficient fuel point carriers, the large number of AK/xAK ships in the convoys represent a considerable amount of available shipping capacity that can be put to use to maintain fuel point stocks in Capetown. Also, the additional stop in Abadan allows ships to refuel in Abadan from the stocks there rather than refueling from fuel point stocks in Colombo or mainland India.

A small portion of the British TK fleet is also running fuel from Abadan to Capetown, though most of the larger and longer range British TK continue transport of fuel from Abadan to Australia (fuel deliveries to Australia still having the higher priority).

Transport of fuel from Abadan to India continues, this being done using a 30-40 ship fleet of smaller xAK and xAKL, also taking advantage of a relatively quick shipping route between Abadan and Karachi. Once on the Indian mainland (at Karachi), fuel stocks are distributed overland from Karachi to where needed.


China: Japanese attack cuts road from Niekiang to Chengtu, this development also a threat to the line of communication between Chungking and Chinese forces on the northern front. A gradual transfer of some Chinese LCU’s from the northern front to the Chungking area has been underway for some time, these LCU now at various points of transit. At this point, risking collapse of the northern Chinese front is becoming somewhat irrelevant. AAR and current situation map follow.

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Ground combat at 75,43 (W of Neikiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37128 troops, 383 guns, 180 vehicles, Assault Value = 1259
Defending force 11107 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 482
Japanese adjusted assault: 867
Allied adjusted defense: 99
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1217 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5843 casualties reported
Squads: 106 destroyed, 216 disabled
Non Combat: 127 destroyed, 66 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 33 (5 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th Division
36th Division
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
44th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
35th Group Army

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Pillager is also probing the eastern flank of the approaches to Chungking (this at the junction of the northern and southern Chinese fronts. AAR of this action follows.

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Ground combat at 80,43 (E of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14196 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 482
Defending force 9326 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 318

Assaulting units:
58th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
24th Group Army
32nd Group Army

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Summary of Operations 12/05/42

Hawaii: PBY Catalina air patrols from Pearl Harbor spot two Japanese subs to the east of Oahu. One Jap sub identified as I-30 attacked in the adjacent hex E of Pearl Harbor (hex location 181, 107) – no report of the I-30 being hit, though several entries in the 12/04 Operations report indicate an oil slick present in this hex and the Sunk Ships display reports I-30 as sunk (sinking is questionable as the sub remains detected on the game map). The second Jap sub (unidentified) was spotted ENE of Oahu (hex location 185, 105) and reported moving on an E heading, possibly bound for the US West Coast.


US West Coast: No further contact with Jap submarine I-26 off the sea approaches to Seattle/Vancouver.


Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-24 (one SC, 47 transports) departing Eastern US for Australia via Capetown. Cargo aboard the convoy includes three LCU’s (142 USA Base Force, 44 & 45 USN Naval Construction Bns), 102K supply and 67K fuel.


South Pacific: Multiple entries in 12/04 Combat Events report indicate US sub S-47 is under attack by B5N2 Kate aircraft in hex location 115, 167 south of Noumea. These reports indicate a high probability the KB has sorted into the South Pacific area with its current location likely somewhere in or now entering the sea area between Noumea and Norfolk Is, for a possible strike against Auckland. If this estimate is true, the KB’s estimated arrival off Auckland is within 2-3 days.

Several actions and alerts are now underway… US sub S-42 is being dispatched to a patrol area at a point SE of S-47’s current location. S-42 ordered movement will likely intercept the KB if it has sorted and is moving against Auckland. Two other US S-class subs have sorted northward from Auckland to intercept. All other ships now in port at Auckland are under orders to evacuate immediately. Air units in Suva, Auckland and airfields in northern New Zealand are now activated. If it is the KB, the welcome mat is out…

No Allied transport convoys are currently in the South Pacific theatre area or due to arrive in the next few game turns.


Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/04 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: AK Nako Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 11, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 13, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 14, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed unknown

Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,161 near Isle of Pines, Speed 10, Moving Southeast – (possible this coastwatcher report could actually be for more than one ship rather than as stated in the entry, and if so, this may also be the KB’s current position and heading given the B5N2 Kate contacts mentioned above)


Australia: While current estimates have Pillager possibly sending the KB on a sortie toward New Zealand, appropriate alerts have been put in effect along the southeast coast of Australia from Brisbane southward – this including increased naval search air patrols from Australian air bases and also a sortie of Allied subs based in Australia.


DEI: Sigint entry for 12/04 indicates Pillager may be in the process of transferring Jap 23rd Infantry Division from the Kwantung Army (Manchuria) to the DEI.


Southeast Asia: Sigint entry for 12/04 reports elements of Imperial Guards Division are now located in Singapore – previous location of the division was in Soerabaja on 11/22. Question is now whether Pillager is moving all the division to Malaya or only part of it.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF’s in harbor, 38 aircraft (38 fighters, no bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground assault on eastern flank of the approaches to Chungking at the junction of the northern and southern Chinese fronts. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 80,43 (E of Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14257 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 487
Defending force 9309 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 317
Japanese adjusted assault: 299
Allied adjusted defense: 148
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
768 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1792 casualties reported
Squads: 86 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 138 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 18 (14 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
58th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
24th Group Army
32nd Group Army

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Summary of Operations 12/06/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 12/05 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Abemama (Gilbert Islands). No visible Japanese forces or activity, also no visible evidence of port or airfield construction at Abemama.


South Pacific: The KB has sortied into the South Pacific, spotted by multiple Allied naval air search patrols. Current position is due E of Norfolk Is, reported moving on a SE possibly due S heading toward Auckland. US sub S-47 intercepts two separate KB task forces, torpedoes CV Hiyo. AAR’s follow.

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Sub attack near Norfolk Island at 115,168 (NE of Norfolk Is)

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Torpedo hits 1 (hit penetrated belt armor, reported sunk in Intelligence display)
BB Hiei
CA Mikuma
CL Agano
DD Makinami
DD Shikinami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shinonome
DD Ikazuchi

Allied Ships
SS S-47

SS S-47 launches 4 torpedoes at CV Hiyo
S-47 diving deep ....
DD Hatsuyuki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hatsuyuki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hatsuyuki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hatsuyuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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ASW attack near Norfolk Island at 116,168 (NE of Norfolk Is)

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
DD Akigumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kasumi
DD Hagikaze
DD Urakaze

Allied Ships
SS S-47

SS S-47 is sighted by escort
S-47 diving deep ....
DD Urakaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Urakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Three other US S-class subs are now positioned along the KB’s projected course toward Auckland, a fourth S-class sub is departing Auckland. At least the first three if not all four subs should be in position to intercept KB if it continues moving southward to attack Auckland.

Except for two ships in Auckland shipyard (one damaged xAK, one S-class sub stuck in ship upgrade), all Allied ships have cleared Auckland.

Current estimates have Pillager turning KB due south toward Auckland, expecting him to go in at full speed to strike Auckland next game turn. If so, the welcome mat is out and ready. Situation map follows.



Sigint entries for 12/05 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Aoba Is and Ndeni. Detected status of Ndeni shows undetermined Jap planes based there. Otherwise no visible Japanese forces or activity at either location.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/05 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 8 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Singapore: Sigint entry for 12/05 reports another Jap LCU transferred from Kwantung Army (Manchuria) and appearing this game turn in Singapore – LCU in this Sigint report is 4 Medium Field Artillery Rgt. Previous reported location of 4 Artillery Rgt was Port Arthur on 7/09/42.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF’s in harbor, 40 aircraft (40 fighters, no bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


China: All sectors reporting quiet.

Summary of Operations 12/07/42

Japanese Home Islands: US sub patrol engages small Jap transport TF. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Kanoya at 105,67 (due S of Shikoku)

Japanese Ships
PB Kogane Maru
xAK Tazima Maru

Allied Ships
SS Saury

SS Saury launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kogane Maru
Saury diving deep ....
PB Kogane Maru attacking submerged sub ....
SS Saury eludes PB Kogane Maru by diving deep
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Several actions between US sub patrols and Japanese transports near the northern Marianas. AAR’s follow.

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Sub attack near Agrihan at 113,86 (NE of Pagan)

Japanese Ships
xAK Unyo Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Finback

xAK Unyo Maru #2 is sighted by SS Finback
SS Finback launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Unyo Maru #2

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Sub attack near Pagan at 113,90 (ESE of Pagan)

Japanese Ships
xAK Nitiren Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

SS Sargo launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Nitiren Maru

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Sigint entry for 12/06 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Majuro. No visible Japanese forces or activity, also no visible evidence of port or airfield construction on Majuro.


South Pacific: KB has pulled back to the north, now detected at Isle of Pines dot base hex near Noumea. What cannot be determined at this point is whether Pillager is actually withdrawing the KB or re-grouping it for another push to the south. Allied alerts, activations and precautionary measures for the South Pacific theatre area remain in effect. Current situation map follows.



Jap naval attack bombing strike against Allied transport TF unloading cargo in Suva. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Suva (132,160)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Darvel

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VMF-441 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

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Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/06 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed 9, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 12, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 10, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 115,161 near Isle of Pines, Speed 16, Moving Northwest (probable KB sighting)
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 115,161 near Isle of Pines, Speed 16, Moving Northwest (probable KB sighting)


DEI: Dutch sub patrol intercepts Jap transport passing through the Sunda Straits between Java and Sumatra. AAR follows.

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Submarine attack near Oosthaven at 47,97 (in Sunda Straits)

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hanakawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 3 (minor system & float damage)

xAKL Hanakawa Maru is sighted by SS KXVIII
SS KXVIII attacking on the surface

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, one Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report, 42 aircraft (42 fighters, no bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s (+1 from last report).

Summary of Operations 12/07/42 (continued)

China: Japanese ground assault outside Chengtu cuts main road line of communication between Chengtu and Chungking. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 76,42 (adjacent hex NE of Chengtu)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36889 troops, 383 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 1222
Defending force 972 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 54
Japanese adjusted assault: 970
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 970 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
1321 casualties reported
Squads: 53 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
15th Division
8th Armored Car Co
36th Division
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
5th New Chinese Corps

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Japanese launch ground attack against northern front of Chungking area. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 80,40 (N of Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12524 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 459
Defending force 19812 troops, 111 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 628
Japanese adjusted assault: 409
Allied adjusted defense: 331
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
280 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
116th Division

Defending units:
83rd Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
Red Chinese Army
13th Group Army

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Current situation map of Chungking area follows.

Summary of Operations 12/08/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 12/07 reports heavy volume of Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein. As expected, detected status of Kwajalein shows Japanese planes based there and ship(s) in port (numbers/types of both undetermined).No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Kwajalein.


South Pacific: No detection or contact reported this game turn with the KB. It appears Pillager has pulled KB back to the north.

Japanese mines detected in Suva base hex, minesweeping operations are now underway.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/07 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 115,161 near Isle of Pines, Speed 14 , Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 105,125 near Rabaul, Speed 12, Moving West
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Yuzan Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap’s TF in harbor (+1 from last report, 36 aircraft (36 fighters, no bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground attack continues against northern front of Chungking area. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 80,40 (near Kienko)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12402 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 446
Defending force 17784 troops, 111 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 595

Assaulting units:
116th Division

Defending units:
35th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
13th Group Army

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

Summary of Operations 12/09/42

Central Pacific: US sub intercepts Jap transport task force NE of the Marianas. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Agrihan at 113,87 (NE of Pagan)

Japanese Ships
xAK Tokiwa Maru
xAP Kamo Maru
xAP Teia Maru
xAK Aso Maru
PB Tonon Maru

Allied Ships
SS Finback

SS Finback launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Tokiwa Maru
Finback diving deep ....
PB Tonon Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Sigint entry for 12/08 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Nauru. Detected status of Nauru shows undetermined Japanese planes based there. No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Nauru.


South Pacific: No reported sighting or contact with KB.

Minesweeping operations continue at Suva.

Sigint entry for 12/08 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Luganville. Detected status of Luganville shows undetermined Japanese planes based there, also evidence of construction to expand port and airfield facilities. Current airfield size at Luganville is 4(5), port size 3(3). No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Luganville.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/08 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Mikasa Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 7, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed 7, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,136 near Thousand Ships Bay, Speed 5, Moving Northwest


Australia: Transport convoy EX-20 (13 ships) arrived this game turn in Australia from the Eastern US. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes two LCU’s (US 43rd Infantry Division, 9 Marine Defense Bn), 8K supply and 56K fuel. Including 43rd Division, there are now four US divisions based in Australia with SW Pacific theatre.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap’s TF in harbor, 35 aircraft (35 fighters, no bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: All sectors reporting quiet. A general withdrawal of Chinese LCU's from the northern front towards Chungking is underway, the overall effort seeking to (1) get all or as many Chinese ground units as possible into Chungking for a final stand, and (2) delay movement of Japanese forces toward Chungking for as long as possible. The objective is now to make the final stages of the fall of China consume as much time and effort as possible, and the fall of Chungking be at the greatest possible cost to Japanese forces attacking it.

Current situation map follows.

Summary of Operations 12/10/42

Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-25 (39 ships) departing the Eastern US this game turn for Australia via Capetown. Cargo travelling aboard the convoy includes 149K supply and 28K fuel, no air squadrons or LCU’s.


US Fleet Subs and 12/42 Submarine Upgrades: 35 of the 70 US fleet submarines currently in service have started the 12/42 ship upgrade, mainly at Pearl Harbor and US West Coast shipyards. The first subs to complete the 12/42 upgrade are due to finish in the next several days. As individual subs complete the 12/42 upgrade, a review of the commanding officer on each sub will be done and the sub’s commanding officer replaced with an upgrade as needed before the sub returns to active operations.


Central Pacific: US sub patrol intercepts Jap transport convoy. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Chichi-jima at 115,80 (ESE of Iwo Jima, between Iwo Jima and Marcus Is)

Japanese Ships
xAK Kamoi Maru
AK Aratama Maru
AK Sakito Maru
xAK Toba Maru
PB Nako Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

SS Tambor launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kamoi Maru
Tambor diving deep ....
PB Nako Maru #2 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Sigint entries for 12/09 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit and Eniwetok. Detected status of Jaluit shows one or more Jap LCU(s) present in the base hex, no visible Japanese planes, TF or ships, though some evidence of construction to expand port facilities. Current port size at Jaluit is 3(1). Detected status of Eniwetok shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Dutch sub K-XV on patrol near Munda reports several contacts with Val and Kate carrier planes. The KB itself was not detected. This report indicates the KB’s possible location as somewhere near Munda, possibly heading for Rabaul. Dutch submarine O23 is operating on patrol in the southern sea approaches off Rabaul NW of K-XV's position – possible O23 could have contract with KB carrier planes and/or KB task forces during the next game turn if the KB is actually bound for Rabaul.

Minesweeping operations concluded at Suva – total of 19 mines cleared this game turn. Game map indicates no further Japanese mines detected in Suva.


US surface ASW reports contact with Jap submarine in the Tonga Islands area. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Niue at 144,168 (due W of Niue, due E of Tongatapu)

Japanese Ships
SS I-16

Allied Ships
SC-522
SC-519
SC-517
SC-521

SS I-16 launches 2 torpedoes at SC-522
SC-522 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-521 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Jap submarine attacked off Auckland by Allied surface ASW. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Auckland at 117,185 (due E of Auckland)

Japanese Ships
SS I-15, hits 2

Allied Ships
DM Ramsay
DM Montgomery
DM Gamble
DD Schley
DM Sicard
DM Pruitt
DM Preble

SS I-15 is sighted by escort
DM Pruitt attacking submerged sub ....
DM Pruitt is out of ASW ammo
DM Pruitt fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Sigint entry for 12/09 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Thousand Ships Bay. Detected status of Thousand Ships Bay shows no visible Japanese forces, though some evidence of airfield construction. Current airfield size at Thousand Ships Bay is 2(3), port size 1(1).

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/09 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,136 near Thousand Ships Bay, Speed 4, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed 4, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 8 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed 9, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Hankow Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 7, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed 6, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 0, Moving Northwest


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap’s TF in harbor, 51 aircraft (51 fighters, no bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese begin ground assault to capture Chengtu. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25445 troops, 281 guns, 170 vehicles, Assault Value = 857
Defending force 37068 troops, 320 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1314
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 475
Allied adjusted defense: 1919
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2279 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 271 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 35 (1 destroyed, 34 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
382 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
15th Division
36th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
95th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
28th New Chinese Division
10th Group Army
14th Group Army
3rd Chinese Base Force
4th Construction Regiment

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


Japanese re-capture Kiuchan in the far western area. This action is part of a Japanese ground offensive to relieve the Jap 3rd Infantry Division controlling Hami and Urumchi which had its line of communication cut off by Chinese forces still operating in the western area. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kiuchuan (82,26)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12854 troops, 102 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 488
Defending force 11696 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 381
Japanese adjusted assault: 225
Allied adjusted defense: 77
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kiuchuan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3232 casualties reported
Squads: 116 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 101 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division
15th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
303rd Brigade
82nd Chinese Corps
8th War Area
5th Chinese Base Force

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

Summary of Operations 12/11/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 12/10 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Maleolap. Detected status of Maleolap shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: No contact reported this game turn with KB or Japanese carrier planes.

Sigint entries for 12/10 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Rabaul, Lunga and Tanna. Detected status of Rabaul shows the expected Jap planes based there, also ship(s) in port – numbers/types of both undetermined. Detected status of Lunga shows undetermined Jap aircraft based there. Otherwise, no visible Japanese forces or activity observed at the three enemy bases.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/10 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea (a Jap transport TF with 4 xAKL is visible in Noumea)
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


DEI: Dutch submarine K-XVIII on patrol off southern exit of Sunda Strait (between Java & Sumatra) reports contact with Jap surface ASW (3 PB). No combat occurred.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 3 Jap’s TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 32 aircraft (32 fighters, no bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s. New Jap TF in Rangoon appears to be a small transport TF (2 ships – one xAK, one DM).


India: Allied air transport squadrons have moved back into Ledo. Mission designated for these squadrons is to resume evacuation of Chinese Army LCU’s out of Chungking to India that can be transferred to commands outside of China. Four Chinese units now in Chungking have been identified for evacuation – three division LCU’s and the 8th New Chinese Corps. Air evacuation of one Chinese division (93rd) from Chungking has been started.


China: Japanese continue assault to capture Chengtu. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24736 troops, 389 guns, 241 vehicles, Assault Value = 1485
Defending force 36738 troops, 320 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1277

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
35th Division **
15th Division
104th Division **
8th Armored Car Co
36th Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion **
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion **
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment **
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment **
2nd Mortar Battalion **
23rd Army **
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion **

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
10th Group Army
28th New Chinese Division
3rd Chinese Base Force
14th Group Army
4th Construction Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

** indicates Japanese LCU’s arriving this game turn to reinforce attack on Chengtu.

Summary of Operations 12/12/42

South Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine detected off Auckland. Allied surface ASW dispatched from Auckland to locate and attack the sub.

Jap bombing attack on Norfolk Is. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Norfolk Island, at 113,170

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft (planes in the attack appear to be from Noumea)
G4M1 Betty x 7

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/11 Operations report follow. A significant number of the entries below are reporting unidentified Jap TF’s entering Rabaul from the south – these entries may show returning KB task forces in the process of arriving in Rabaul.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 10, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 8, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 16, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 8, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 10 , Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 12, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed 3, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,136 near Thousand Ships Bay, Speed 4, Moving Northwest


DEI: Dutch submarine K-XVIII off southern exit of Sunda Strait remains in contact with Jap surface ASW (3 PB). No combat occurred.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 3 Jap’s TF in harbor, 43 aircraft (43 fighters, no bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground bombardment at Chengtu. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 49007 troops, 587 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 1499
Defending force 36624 troops, 320 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1262

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Division
35th Division
8th Armored Car Co
104th Division
36th Division
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
14th Group Army
28th New Chinese Division
3rd Chinese Base Force
10th Group Army
4th Construction Regiment

Summary of Operations 12/13/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 12/12 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit. Detected status of Jaluit shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.

Another Sigint entry for 12/12 is indicating Jap radio transmissions intercepted from unidentified Japanese TF(s) at sea E of Mindanao. No information available as to number of TF(s), ship(s), composition or movement.


South Pacific: Jap bombing attacks on Norfolk Is continue.

Sigint entries for 12/12 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Lunga and Koumac. No visible Japanese forces or activity shown at either location.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/12 Operations report follow. A number of entries below are reporting Jap TF’s departing Rabaul to the SE and E with a relatively high movement speed (over 10 kts). These entries are potentially suspicious as the Japanese ships reported in them are (1) moving at a speed greater than the normal transport ship traffic, (2) the KB had been retiring in the general direction of Rabaul from its last sortie and could have turned southward again after refueling in Rabaul. If this estimate is accurate and the KB is moving southward again, this time Pillager could be sending the KB southward along the northern side of the Solomons to evade detection and interception by Allied submarines.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed 4, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,136 near Thousand Ships Bay, Speed 5, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed 5, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed 6, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 10, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 12, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 13, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 16, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 19, Moving East


DEI: Dutch submarine K-XVIII off southern exit of Sunda Strait remains in contact with Jap surface ASW (3 PB). No combat occurred.


Indian Ocean: Sigint entry for 12/12 reports intercepted radio transmissions from an unidentified Jap submarine operating in the eastern Indian Ocean well off the western coast of Australia (hex location 33, 144 WNW of Perth). No information available on the sub’s movement heading. The Jap sub’s reported position is in a sea area rarely used by Allied shipping. Current Allied transport routes have practically no Allied ships moving on-map across the eastern Indian Ocean between Colombo/India and Australia, also very little Allied ship traffic moving into or out of Perth.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, one Jap TF in harbor (-2 from last report), 41 aircraft (41 fighters, no bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground bombardment continues at Chengtu. No significant change from last turn’s AAR. Current situation map of Chungking area follows.

Summary of Operations 12/14/42

US Fleet Subs and 12/42 Submarine Upgrades: 43 of the 70 US fleet subs in service are now undergoing or completed 12/42 ship upgrades. 18 subs have completed the ship upgrade, 10 of these subs also receiving new commanders. The goal of this process is optimizing the officers commanding all US fleet subs in anticipation of improved torpedo dud rates to take effect starting 1/43. The criteria used for US fleet sub commanders is for all or as many commanders as possible to have a 60+ aggressiveness rating plus best available naval rating. Replacement of US sub commanders currently has top priority for PP expenditures for the duration of the 12/42 upgrade (this is on schedule for an expected full completion by early to mid-Jan 43).


South Pacific: No further contacts or reports indicating any actual or possible movement of the KB. At this time (until proven one way or the other), I’m assuming the possibility Pillager could be sending the KB southward again from Rabaul after refuelling, possibly along the northern side of the Solomons. If this estimate is true, no US sub patrols are currently along or near the KB’s estimated movement path for the next 2-4 days, earliest possible detection is anticipated to be somewhere in the area near Ndeni or Luganville at the end of this time period. Allied submarine and naval air search patrols from Suva and Auckland have been activated to watch for a possible return of the KB. At this time, there's no immediate impact on Allied transport shipping movement into or from the South Pacific theatre area, also no other alerts or precautions in effect.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/13 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed 4, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


DEI: Dutch subs K-XVI and K-XVIII off southern exit of Sunda Strait are in contact with Jap surface ASW (3 PB). No combat occurred. K-XVI just arriving in this patrol area and relieving K-XVIII.


Malacca Straits: Sigint entry for 12/13 reports intercepted radio transmissions from one or more unidentified Jap TF(s) in the Malacca Straits off Medan. No information as to number of TF(s), composition or movement.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF’s in harbor (+1 from last report), 42 aircraft (42 fighters, no bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


India: Air evacuation of Chinese 93rd Division from Chungking to Ledo has nearly completed. Transfer of another Chinese army division (55th Prov) in Chungking to Southeast Asia command was done and air evacuation of this division to Ledo was started this game turn.


China: Japanese ground bombardment continues at Chengtu. No significant change in AAR from the last two game turns.

January 27, 1944--A narrative update on significant operations in the ocean areas south of Johnston Island. The KB (reduced) sortied and managed to get in among my shipping lanes undetected. About 35 ships took the brunt of the attacks, with 20 being sunk, mostly LSTs. Everything else scattered and successfully avoided the little KB. However, the Intrepid group did intercept from Pearl Harbor. CVL Cabot was sunk, Langley badly damaged (she made it back to Pearl) and Intrepid took minor damage, is also back at Pearl Harbor. I immediately sortied eight CVs from Munda and Kwajalene to take out the KB. In a ten day pursuit they did so, sinking (reportedly, FOG on) Hiyo, Shokaku, Akagi, Kaga, and one CVL. They also got Kirishima and several CLs. Virtually the entire Pacific Fleet ended up participating in the operation.

The ship losses, though numerous, are not significant ships and the "pipeline" has already replaced the capacity lost. The good news is that none of the convoys hit were lifting at the time, they were empty and repositioning. Losing Cabot hurts, but with four fleet CVs down the tube, the IJN is out of business.

Now the buildup to move forward can go on without the worry of Japanese raids.

On the Burma front, the Chindits have taken Warazup, Mitkyena, Katha, and are attacking Lashio. Another impulse is heading down the road toward Swebo. A supply line to China is now open between Mitkyena and China.
The submarine effort is paying significant dividends, taking out several ships daily.

It will take three months to reequip and repair the fleet for further ops. Most of the lift to Munda for the Truk operation, which now may be cancelled, is done. It is clear there is nothing in the way to move up to the Marianas and get the homeland bombing campaign underway. I raided Truk and no planes or ships were there. The 34,000 or so troops spotted and the big coastal guns look ripe to be avoided. That will enable 8 divisions to be available for the Marianas. In this campaign the enemy has built up Guam, Rota, Tinian, Siapan, and one of the small islands in the north. I have enough lift and support to hit the marianas in three or so months. It does not look as though the enemy has any seapower left with which to interfere.

Since the outcome of this contest is a foregone conclusion, I am now shifting to learning mode for big ops, a strategic approach, and how to finish off the enemy.

John

johnjohn,

Sounds like you're close to ready for a human Japanese opponent. I think it's fine to play the wrap-up against the AI but at the same time recognize there's a limited amount of useful experience to be gained from the wrap-up beyond things specific to the '44-'45 late-war period (i.e. kamikazes, test-driving ship and plane types that become available during this time, launching or completing a late-war campaign in a specific area of interest, etc). If these are the kind of things you'd want to explore while playing the wrap-up, doing so is certainly worthwhile.

Summary of Operations 12/15/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 12/14 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Maleolap and Canton Is. Detected status of Canton Is shows undetermined Jap planes based there, otherwise no visible Japanese forces or activity at either location.

Another Sigint entry for 12/14 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk. Detected status of Truk shows the expected Jap planes based there and ship(s) anchored in port (undetermined types & numbers for both), no other visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: As expected, no further information available on KB’s location or movement. If Pillager has KB heading southward from Rabaul on its projected route to the N of the Solomons, it’s not anticipated to encounter US submarine or naval air search patrols until it passes to the E or S of the line Ndeni-Luganville-Noumea, this event projected to occur in 2-3 days if my situation estimate is correct. For the moment, the South Pacific theatre remains mostly business as usual.

Japanese air bombing raid on Norfolk Is, planes in this raid appear to be based at Noumea. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Norfolk Island, at 113,170

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/14 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 8 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 12, Moving Northwest


DEI: Sigint entry for 12/14 reports unidentified Jap TF(s) off (E of) the Moluccas. No information available as to number of TF(s), composition or movement. Given the timing and position of this Sigint report, it’s quite possible this contact could be the same Japanese TF(s) reported E of Mindanao in another Sigint entry on 12/12 - this contact having moved southward between 12/12 and 12/14 . If true, it’s unusual for the same Japanese ship contact to appear in this manner twice in 3 game turns. Something may be up with this one, though I won’t even begin to speculate on a conclusion as I possess no other intelligence data that can be connected with the two Sigint entries. We will all have to stay tuned for further developments.

Dutch sub K-XVI attacks Jap surface ASW off southern exit of Sunda Strait. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Oosthaven at 46,97 (S of Oosthaven)

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 8
PB Higashiyama Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

SS KXVI launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 8
PB Higashiyama Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 39 aircraft (39 fighters, no bombers), 10 Jap LCU’s (+1 from last report).


India: Air evacuation of Chinese 93rd Division from Chungking to Ledo is completed. 93 Division will be moved to a rear-area base in the interior of India to draw replacement elements for rebuilding.


China: Japanese ground bombardment continues at Chengtu. Ground assault by Jap forces probing northern front of Chungking pocket. AAR’s and current situation map of Chungking area follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 79,43 (E of Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8783 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 307
Defending force 60877 troops, 323 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2248
Japanese adjusted assault: 101
Allied adjusted defense: 1372
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 13

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

Japanese ground losses:
663 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
58th Division

Defending units:
86th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
24th Group Army
22nd Group Army
3rd Group Army
32nd Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 49406 troops, 589 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 1540
Defending force 36656 troops, 316 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1265

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

Allied ground losses:
236 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
104th Division
8th Armored Car Co
35th Division
15th Division
36th Division
23rd Army
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
95th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
14th Group Army
28th New Chinese Division
10th Group Army
3rd Chinese Base Force
4th Construction Regiment

Summary of Operations 12/16/42

South Pacific: Situation remains quiet, no contact or report with KB. A line of US submarine and naval air search patrols is fully activated – this line extending from the Ellice Islands westward to near Ndeni and southward to Norfolk Is. If another KB sortie is underway from Rabaul, KB task force(s) will encounter some point of this patrol line within the next several game turns.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/15 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul Speed 15, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,137 near Tassafaronga, Speed 12, Moving West


DEI: Sigint entry for 12/15 continues position reporting of the unidentified Jap TF(s) that appeared in the 12/12 and 12/14 Sigint reports. The 12/15 Sigint entry indicates current position of the Jap TF(s) is now in the Eastern DEI and a continued movement southward. There is still no information available as to number of TF(s), composition or movement. As stated before, something is up with this and it won’t likely be known before the Jap TF(s) reach their intended destination (if even then). Situation map follows.




Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF’s in harbor (+1 from last report), 45 aircraft (45 fighters, no bombers), 10 Jap LCU’s. Identified Jap LCU’s in Rangoon include two HQ’s (2nd Fleet & 15th Army), 14th Infantry Division, 55 Mountain Gun Rgt, 47 Field AA Bn. Five other Jap LCU’s in Rangoon are unidentified.


India: Pillager has detected the return of Allied air transport squadrons to Ledo and started air bombing raids against Ledo airfield. Light damage to airfield facilities reported (service damage 2, runway damage 4). AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 4
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 21
Ki-51 Sonia x 19

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 5 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground

Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 8

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 7 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 2 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 10

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 2 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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

Air evacuation of Chinese 55th Prov Division from Chungking to Ledo completed this game turn. Plans are to move this division to a rear-area base in the interior of India and rebuild from replacement elements. Evacuation of Chinese LCU’s from Chungking to India is planned to continue as long as (1) Ledo airfield remains operational, (2) sufficient planes remain operational in Allied air transport squadrons to execute an airlift, (3) Chungking remains in Chinese control, and (4) transferrable Chinese LCU’s suitable for evacuation are still left in Chungking.


China: Japanese ground bombardment continues at Chengtu. AAR of this action has no significant change from last game turn.

Summary of Operations 12/17/42

South Pacific: Japanese air bombing raid on Norfolk Is. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Norfolk Island, at 113,170

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/16 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF’s in harbor (-1 from last report), 39 aircraft (39 fighters, no bombers), 10 Jap LCU’s.


India: Japanese air bombing raids against Ledo airfield continue. Additional damage to airfield facilities reported (current service damage 20, runway damage 25). 12 C-47 transport planes destroyed on the ground in these strikes. Air evacuation of 8th New Chinese Corps from Chungking to Ledo is now underway.


China: Japanese ground bombardment continues at Chengtu. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 49641 troops, 590 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 1573
Defending force 36513 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1261

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

Allied ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
104th Division
15th Division
35th Division
36th Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
80th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
14th Group Army
28th New Chinese Division
10th Group Army
3rd Chinese Base Force
4th Construction Regiment

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

Japanese forces recapture Ansi in the far western area. AAR and current situation map of the far western region follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ansi (80,23)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12524 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 459
Defending force 9102 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 269
Japanese adjusted assault: 196
Allied adjusted defense: 48
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ansi !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2040 casualties reported
Squads: 103 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 130 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division

Defending units:
303rd Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Base Force
8th War Area
12th Chinese Base Force

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

Summary of Operations 12/18/42

Central Pacific: US sub patrol takes on Jap surface ASW in the northern Marshall Islands area. AAR follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Bikini at 129,112 (SW of Bikini, between Eniwetok & Kwajalein)

Japanese Ships
PB Takuna Maru #6
PB Senyu Maru #2
PB Mikitade Maru
PB Takuna Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Thresher

SS Thresher launches 2 torpedoes at PB Takuna Maru #6
Thresher diving deep ....
PB Mikitade Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Takuna Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Sigint entries for 12/17 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Abemama (Gilberts) and Nauru Is. Detected statuses of Abemama and Nauru show undetermined Jap aircraft based on Nauru, otherwise no visible Japanese forces shown at either location. Evidence of construction to expand airfield facilities was observed at both Abemama and Nauru – current detected airfield size at each location is 2(2).


South Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine spotted E of Auckland (hex location 121, 186) by PBY Catalina air patrol. Pillager is maintaining continuous Jap sub patrols off Auckland – said Jap sub patrols will also be continuously engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with the ample quantities of Allied surface and air ASW based in the Auckland area.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/17 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Hikosan Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: AK Nippo Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 35 aircraft (35 fighters, no bombers), 10 Jap LCU’s.


India: Japanese air bombing raids against Ledo airfield continue. Additional damage to airfield facilities reported (current service damage 37, runway damage 34). Six C-47 transport planes destroyed on the ground this game turn. Air evacuation of Chinese 8th New Chinese Corps from Chungking to Ledo continues – though the Jap air strikes on Ledo have affected the pace of this LCU’s evacuation. It is possible that either damage levels to airfield facilities and/or the diminishing numbers of operational transport planes will result in suspending the Allied air transport operations now underway from Ledo to evacuate Chinese LCU’s in whatever time is left to do so.

Overall, evacuation of Chinese LCU’s to India has been successful. To date, eight Chinese infantry divisions, a Chinese HQ LCU and elements of a Chinese infantry corps have reached India. Elements of two additional Chinese LCU’s (54 Cavalry Division & 16 Base Force) that escaped from the front in southern China are now moving overland across northern Burma and expected to reach Ledo safely. In addition, 14 Chinese air force squadrons have reached India.

The contents of Chinese replacement pools (both planes and LCU elements) have been used entirely for rebuilding of evacuated air and ground units in India. This prioritization of employing Chinese replacement pools "occurred by default" as a result of the lack of available supply on hand in China reaching a level where it became no longer possible for Chinese LCU’s and air squadrons located within China to draw any replacement planes or elements. Once this situation became true, the only Chinese units having sufficient supply available to draw replacements were those that had been evacuated to India.

AAR’s of latest Japanese air attacks on Ledo follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 12
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 21
Ki-51 Sonia x 19

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 21 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 3 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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


China: Japanese ground bombardment continues at Chengtu. The AAR of this game turn’s action same not changed from last turn. Chinese ground forces outside Chungking continue withdrawing toward Chungking – plans are to consolidate all Chinese LCU’s that reach Chungking into a “death star” for a glorious last stand. Current situation map follows.

Summary of Operations 12/19/42

A rather slow day at the office...

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 12/18 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wotje. Detected status of Wotje shows no visible Japanese forces or activity. Evidence of airfield expansion was observed at Wotje – current airfield size is 3(0).


South Pacific: Dutch submarine O-23 on patrol off southern sea approaches to Rabaul engages Jap surface ASW. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 106,128 (S of Rabaul)

Japanese Ships
PB Myoken Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Nanpo Maru

Allied Ships
SS O23

SS O23 launches 2 torpedoes at PB Myoken Maru
O23 diving deep ....
PB Nanpo Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Myoken Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Sigint entry for 12/18 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tulagi. Detected status of Tulagi shows no visible Japanese forces or activity. Current airfield size shown at Tulagi is 2(2), port size 2(3).

Daily coastwatcher entries from 12/18 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 3, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 13, Moving Northwest


DEI: Dutch submarine K-XVI sank after striking two mines in Merak base hex while attempting to move northward through the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. The Japanese minefield encountered in Merak base hex effectively blocks (the unobstructed) passage of Allied ships northward through the Sunda Strait and into the Java Sea, this no doubt a well conceived move by my opponent.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 50 aircraft (50 fighters, no bombers), 10 Jap LCU’s.


India: Japanese air bombing raids against Ledo airfield continued. Reported damage levels to Ledo airfield is service damage 44, runway damage 37. Five C-47 transport planes destroyed on the ground this game turn. Air evacuation of 8th New Chinese Corps from Chungking to Ledo is continuing.


China: Japanese ground bombardment continues at Chengtu. The AAR of this game turn’s action same not changed from the last several turns.