The Hive - Cruft PBEM (Japan, Scen 2 Beta + Stacking Limits)

[Captain Cruft]

18 Dec 1943

I had a lucky escape today. A clutch of Fubuki class DDs which I have been using to evacuate Ambon by Fast Transport decided to hang around for the day phase, just as some American CVs turned up.

Well, they escaped without a scratch somehow. Very lucky indeed.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 46
TBF-1 Avenger x 22

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki
DD Uruyuke
DD Akatsuki
DD Inazuma

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 7

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki
DD Tatsuyuke

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Uruyuke
DD Tatsuyuke
DD Akatsuki
DD Suresushio

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

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 31
TBF-1 Avenger x 20

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

Japanese Ships
DD Ikazuchi
DD Suresushio
DD Hibiki
DD Sagiri
DD Tatsuyuke

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
6 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 7

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Uruyuke
DD Sagiri

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

[Captain Cruft]

19 Dec 1943

He is landing the 1st Marine Division at Ambon. The Ternate Frances' had a go but for the first time faced a properly large CAP, which duly despatched them and their escorting Zeros completely.

Over in Thailand a new plane has appeared - the Spitfire VIII - which kicks butt pretty much as well as the P-47.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 37
P1Y1 Frances x 30

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 93

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 16 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Perkins
APA John Penn

CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VMF-115 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-17 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-38 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
VF-40 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 33000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
318th FG/333rd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 35000
Raid is overhead
348th FG/341st FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers

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Amphibious Assault at Ambon (76,109)

TF 184 troops unloading over beach at Ambon, 76,109

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 34 (1 destroyed, 33 disabled)

Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 1st Marine Div /3
13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 lost overboard during unload of 1st Marine Div /6
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of XIV US Corps /2

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Morning Air attack on Ayuthia , at 56,61

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 58 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 21
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 9
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 22

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ic Tony: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 25000 feet
5 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 25000 feet
10 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
21st Sentai with Ki-61-Ic Tony (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 15 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 15 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
248th Sentai with Ki-61-Ib Tony (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Raid is overhead

[Captain Cruft]

Radar notes

I have two Ta-Chi 7 radars at Ayuthia in an IJAAF Base Force unit. These have yet to work, this is the third day in a row where the base has been Swept without a detection. This partially explains the dire performance of my CAP.

Takao currently has 10 of these radars installed. Let's hope that's enough.

[Captain Cruft]

Status

The radars at Ayuthia have started working. I still lose against the Sweeps but not so badly. The availability of SR 3 Tonies versus SR 1 Tojos does not seem greatly different, at least in the absence of bombing.

Otherwise there is not much going on.

Takao now has 1079+76 eng/veh. Testing shows that that this is still not quite enough in the face of the 1945 Allied strength but perhaps I will get to play in this area before that strength exists.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Status

The radars at Ayuthia have started working. I still lose against the Sweeps but not so badly. The availability of SR 3 Tonies versus SR 1 Tojos does not seem greatly different, at least in the absence of bombing.

Otherwise there is not much going on.

Takao now has 1079+76 eng/veh. Testing shows that that this is still not quite enough in the face of the 1945 Allied strength but perhaps I will get to play in this area before that strength exists.

Well, it depends on what you're fighting with the Tonys. I just a had a bunch of them get nailed and the Tojos did okay. Go figure.

The Spit VIII is devastating. Not much you can do except work his pools down by losing 5:1 planes. The replace rate is not good for them, but it hasn't mattered in my game as they hardly ever lose. I think they'd have to blunder into triple their number for you to get anywhere near even results.

I've started to pay much more attention to radars, but even with 4 present at some bases they can miss detection. Not great.

[Captain Cruft]

22 Dec 1943

There is a vast invasion fleet heading towards Kendari (probably). Brave sub SS RO-33 tried to stop it by putting two torpedoes into CA New Orleans.

Air from Makassar and other places will have a go at the Deathstar tomorrow. They will likely all just get shot down but we have to try.

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Sub attack near Wetar at 73,112

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1
CL Perth
AM Swallow
AM Skylark
APA La Salle
APA Pierce
APA Leonard Wood
APA Zeilin
APA Wharton
AKA Alcyon
xAP William S. Young
DD Drayton
DD Cummings
DD Mahan
DD Fanning

SS RO-33 launches 2 torpedoes at CA New Orleans
RO-33 diving deep ....
DD Drayton fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Cummings fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mahan fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Fanning fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fanning attacking submerged sub ....
DD Fanning fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fanning fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fanning fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fanning fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Wetar at 73,112

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

CA New Orleans is sighted by SS RO-33
SS RO-33 launches 4 torpedoes

[Captain Cruft]

Thailand

The Brits are all over the place now.

Tonies really don't seem to do well against Sweeps. I have therefore converted some of them to Tojos, of which I have lots spare.

Bangkok is at 1,250 AV with 6.61 forts.

[Captain Cruft]

Pacific

Things have quietened down here considerably. He has been bombing Ponape using Ground Attack with 2Es out of Kusaie, but the fortress has been barely affected. The airfield remains closed though and I am flying out the remaining av support to Truk and Guam.

It seems to me that he may be thinking the island hopping route is too tough (given his risk-averse nature) and is instead developing a schwerpunkt through the DEI towards the Philippines.

If this is the case then it suits me perfectly

[Captain Cruft]

23 Dec 1943

Well the vast fleet did indeed end up one hex away from Kendari, though there has been no landing yet.

All my air launched. No Lilies made it through the CAP but a fair number of low-flying Nicks did. However at this point the flak defeated them. A single hit on a CLAA was the only success.

There are still a fair few Nicks in good shape so we will try again tomorrow.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,107

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 104
Ki-48-IIc Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 425

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 19 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 17 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
24 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 20 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 22 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
25 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 15 on standby, 14 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 18 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 12 on standby, 17 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
30 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 17 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
28 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VF-25 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,107

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 36

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 400

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
CVL Monterey
CVL Cowpens
CV Bunker Hill

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 plane(s) with no ordnance
4 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (23 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
23 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (24 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
24 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (25 airborne, 5 on standby, 6 scrambling)
25 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (16 airborne, 15 on standby, 4 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (18 airborne, 4 on standby, 12 scrambling)
18 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (26 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
26 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (23 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
23 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-25 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,107

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 126

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 347

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 8 destroyed, 20 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 6 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 1
CV Enterprise
DD Braine
DD Bradford, Shell hits 2
DD Burns
DD Bullard
BB North Carolina
CV Yorktown

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
5 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 19 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 15 on standby, 14 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 17 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-25 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes

[Captain Cruft]

24 Dec 1943

The Nicks take out a 5in battery on the North Carolina. However these air units will now need to rebuild and recover before attacking again.

I am trying a counter-invasion with tanks at Morotai. Most of them landed safely despite having little preparation, possibly because I used my 4 LSDs to drop them . There is only a USMC Para Bn at the base. It would be great to destroy this unit and get rid of its high experience.

Industry-wise I now have over 2m HI points for the first time ever.

It is quite unbelievable that we are nearly in 1944. I feel like the game has only just started really.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 71,107

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 47

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 361

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

[Captain Cruft]

25 Dec 1943

It's Christmas Day, and although the Empire does not celebrate this festival we did get a present of sorts. My cardboard tanks wiped out the Marine paras at Morotai without taking any losses. It's not very realistic that unaccompanied tanks could defeat infantry in Jungle-Rough terrain like this but still, nice

Allied Army loss points went up by 100 too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Morotai (80,101)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 486 troops, 0 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Defending force 230 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 37

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 37 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Morotai !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
243 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
1st USMC Parachute Battalion

[Captain Cruft]

26 Dec 1943

Sub RO-38 nearly gets lucky with CV Hornet.

At Kendari, Lilies put a useful bomb into a DD and bounce 3 more off of CL Montpelier. His CVs have now withdrawn east and I have lost sight of them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ambon at 74,109

Japanese Ships
SS RO-38, hits 4, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
BB North Carolina
CA Baltimore
CL Phoenix
CLAA San Juan
CLAA San Diego
DD Braine
DD Bush
DD Burns
DD Bullard
DD Brownson

SS RO-38 launches 4 torpedoes at CV Hornet
DD Bush fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Burns fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bullard fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Brownson attacking submerged sub ....
Sounds of submarine breaking up detected!
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 157 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 29
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 6 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Montpelier, Bomb hits 3
DD Waller, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Gillespie
DD Gansevoort

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
15 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick sweeping at 15000 feet
9 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick sweeping at 15000 feet
16 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
8 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMO-251 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VMF-311 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

[Captain Cruft]

27 Dec 1943

Some 59 unescorted B-24s attack Ternate airfield. We shot down 25 of the beasties but then in the PM phase the Hellcat and P-47 Sweep arrived out of Boela, which had been socked in for the AM phase. A total of 35 Zeroes were lost. However the base is not closed so I will keep a CAP up.

He very rarely uses the Escort mission. While this normally means that I lose loads of fighters to Sweeps, on a few occasions now I have had the pleasure of opening up a can of whoop-ass on the unescorted 4Es. This may be important psychologically, since like most Allied players he tends to fixate on the "big stick" of the 4E bombers and doesn't seem to realise that his real strength lies in the more numerous and easier to support 2Es.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ternate , at 78,102

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 58

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 23
B-24D1 Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
P1Y1 Frances: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 6 destroyed, 13 damaged

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 48

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
261 Ku S-2 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 19 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
263 Ku S-2 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 16 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
341 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

[obvert]

Nice! I've not seen the A6M do so well against the 4E monsters.

[Captain Cruft]

I've done similar at least 5 times now, and also several times on a lesser scale with supposedly even more useless Rufes and Rexes. It's not about the aircraft it's about the absence of an escort, defending pilot quality and their fatigue/morale, air HQ and airgroup leaders, the altitude of the CAP and getting a good detection.

[AcePylut]

Even a few planes on cap does quite a bit for disrupting bomber accuracy. imo

[obvert]

Well those things are certainly important, but because I also pay attention to them I now that it's pretty rare to get such good results against 4Es with crap A6M. I also had some odd results, even downing 20 B-29s with only 18 A6M5c against 90 bombers. Sometimes the stars align.

Here your group that has the shortest time to intercept is also the one most out of position at 17k, so it's not just the settings. Maybe your pilots are also better, it is clear sky so no hidden bombers, and maybe ... who knows!

[Captain Cruft]

28 Dec 1943

Massive Sweeps and 4E bombing at Bangkok and Ternate. As a result both fields are now closed.

He has also taken Ayuthia with the initial Shock Attack over the river.

On the plus side we did get rid of 37 P-47s. However, he has clearly demonstrated that he has enough quality fighters in SE Asia to exhaust whatever CAP I might put up (sans the 1st Air Army). This is not unexpected but it's still a tad discouraging. I would guess I have at most one more month of access to Palembang and Singapore.

[Captain Cruft]

29 Dec 1943

We're getting very close to 1944 now. I will do a big post when that happens.

More Sweeps and bombing of Ternate and Bangkok today, unopposed. Neither of these bases will host air again, clearly.

I sank a USN sub south of Hong Kong. This was achieved by normal Es which were escorting some AOs. My policy is to use nothing but SCs for dedicated ASW TFs. This is to ameloriate the super-E effect, but I am finding that anything with Type 2 Depth Charges is quite deadly regardless of context.

A counter-invasion of Lotobato (adjacent to Ternate) is on for next turn. Fast Transport has delivered two SNLF units to the base from Babeldoab with reasonably low disruption. They will face a single USMC Para Bn as at Morotai.

[Captain Cruft]

30 Dec 1943

The USMC paras at Lotobato are duly despatched. Some Corsairs out of Kendari perform a Sweep over Balikpapan, where they are met (unsuccessfully) by some non-radar directed Nicks. This is the first time that this base has been attacked.

Ponape, Ternate and Bangkok get bombed, as per normal.