Matrix Games Forums

1944 - Jan 15 thru 18 - The war continues.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Subs:
Steelhead is hit in between Luzon and Formosa
Tautog sinks an xAK of Dobo
Dragonet, Capelin, Flier are each hit by DCs.
Cisco gets an xAK south of Japan.

CVs:
KB - [&:]

Burma:
Rangoon - Spitfires sweep and then less than 100 bombers hit AF. Again, weather is in control in this theater. [:D] Beauforts from Bassien sink 2 PBs 3 south of base.

Moulmein - Sweeps and then a few bombers try to keep AF damaged.

1 SE Moulmein - Sweeps and then about 200 bombers hit troops. Deliberate attack on 17th takes the hex and will allow me to move a tank unit into Moulmein and open up that hexside. Thus, troops can move along trail vs cross country.

China: Chinese industry continues to be destroyed
Sian - Over 80 Helens hit the industry here.

Chengtu - Small group of Oscars sweep.

Kunming - Frank and Tojo sweep before massive number of Helens hit my LI & HI.

Australia:
Darwin - Oscars and Tojo sweep over my troops just outside base. I overlooked the need for more AA and some CAP for my troops. Two small LCUs to SE of base are hit by Nells before a shock attack almost wipes out my units. Again, I have no LRCAP here nor enough AA. Oscars are no match for my sweeping P-38s and then the 48 B-24s when they hit base on 18th.
Note to Allied player - bring plenty of AA units with ALL your advancing troops. I've failed to heed my own advice many, many times in this game. [:(]

New Guinea:
Merauke - P40s sweep from Horn Island while limited number of bombers keep AF closed.

Umboi - P47s on power sweeps (no CAP) and then over 50 bombers hit the troops. Three BBs hit the base along with over 100 bombers before a deliberate attack captures the base on 17th.

Finschhafen - BB TF with BB Washington hit the base along with over 70 bombers. MY CV/CVL/CVEs hit the troops before a successful shock attack on 16th lower forts to 0. A heavily damaged base is captured on 17th. The 4th Marine Division is to head west towards Lae at 3 miles per day.

Buna - Two 18 plane groups of Avengers keep the AF closed. I don't want any sneak attacks from here.

Milne Bay - Over 100 bombers hit the lone BF still here. Fast Transport TF conduct landings. Shock attack takes base on 17th.

Others:
Rabaul - Over 100 bombers fly daily to keep AF totally closed, weather permitting.

Engineering: Groote Eylandt P4; Victoria AF7; Feni Island P2 & AF4; Torokina P2; Horn AF5; Bassien AF9; Munda F4; Gove AF3; Deboyne F4; Umboi AF2; Shortland AF7;

Notes:
Still learning how to conduct invasions and get control of hexes in Burma.

1944 - Jan 19 thru 21 - Mini-KB is now in Andaman Sea near Rangoon!!

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Subs:
Stonehenge sinks 2 PBs off Moulmein.
Muskallunge is hit twice by DCs off Georgetown.
Tarpon sink an xAK off Manus with 2 TT hits.
Gunnel sinks an xAK off Manus.
S47 gets a PB off Aitape
Guavina gets an xAKL off Toyohara in two attack phases.

CVs:
KB - [>:]
Mini-KB is due east of Port Blair on 19th. Moves up the coast to be close enough to hit Akyab on 20th. They are back to 2 NE of Port Blair by 21st.

Burma:
Rangoon -
19th - One of the two TF that hit Moulmein ends the turn at mouth of river SW of Rangoon. 4 PBs are quickly sunk. However, the other TF ends the turn 3 hexes due west of base and fines a minefield there. [X(] CA Hawkins is slightly damaged. Only 3 Spitfires are on LRCAP over the TF to west of Rangoon while most end up just SW of Rangoon with the other TF. [X(] 18 Nell from Port Blair get through and get a TT hit on the damaged Hawkins. The "elite" IJN air force is not so elite. [:)] 35 Nell to be followed by 20 Helens get NO hits on the 2 CA and 6 DD TF still in the minefield. 28 Zero with 18 Jill and 12 Judy ONLY get ONE bomb hit on CA Hawkins. I'm shocked that this TF still exist!! [:D]
20th - Almost 100 Tojo, Frank, and George are now on CAP, but don't do well against sweeping P-47s. Enough survive to work over the unescorted bombers.
21st - Recon now shows over 195 fighters present.

Moulmein -
19th - 12 barges are sunk when 2 BB TFs hit the base.
20th - 50 P-38s sweep

1 SE Moulmein -
20th - A shock attack by me shows elements of 3 Tank Div and 56 ID present.
21st - With no fighters available from Pegu to provide LRCAP, 75 Oscars with 59 Helens hit the troops.

Bassien -
19th - 32 Franks sweep the base.

Ramree Island -
19th - 25 Peggy hit the AF. My fighters were away on LRCAP missions.

Pegu -
20th - BB Kongo & Haruna, 2 CL, 6 DDs hit the fighter filled AF. Almost 150 Helen and Peggy are escorted in by Oscars. My feeble CAP is not up to the task.
In response, I post on the forum about this base NOT having any port 0(0). It was corrected in later versions of DBB 30. Thus, I move in subs and wait damaged subs at Colombo to repair before sending over a large Sub Mine Laying TF to make it more costly next time. The AF is damaged enough that fighters are sent to the interior to recover while the AF is repaired. [:@] Base damage is 0-16-50
21st - With the fighters now evacuated from base, a BB TF of 2 CA & 4 DDs hit the base. Damage is now up to 0-35-70

Akyab -
20th - Mini-KB moves up the coast and goes after my shipping nearby. 5 LST are lost all day. Just 8 Jill and 6 Judy are needed vs 16 Hurricane in AM phase. Too bad, as in the afternoon phase, the P-38s, P-47s, and P-51s tear into the 34 Zero and 16 Jill. Losses are 25:2.

China: Chinese industry continues to be destroyed
Sian -
Over 80 Helens hit the industry here. Oscars hit the AF from 100' and provide escort.

Chengtu -
Small group of Oscars sweep.

Kunming -
Massive number of Helens (almost 200) hit my LI & HI.

Australia:
Darwin -
20th - Adding Tojo to CAP is still not enough to deal with two groups of sweeping P-38s. The B-24s come in afterwards. A ground bb attack shows just the 48 ID present.
21st - Only one group of P-38s sweep and the B-24s are down to just 35 of 48 as fatigue sets in.

New Guinea:
Merauke -
P40s sweep from Horn Island while limited number of bombers keep AF closed. BB Arizona and 4 DD hit the base.

Umboi - Daily deliberate attacks keep wiping out the remaining troops, but they should be wiped out soon.

Buna -
Two 18 plane groups of Avengers keep the AF closed. I don't want any sneak attacks from here.

Others:
Rabaul -
Over 100 bombers fly daily to keep AF totally closed, weather permitting. Good weather of 20th and 21st allows over 250 bombers to make the trip both days.

Engineering: Kiriwina AF6; Woodlark P3; Wessel AF1; Hengyang AF5; Umboi AF3;

Notes:
The BB TFs showing up at Pegu was new. The IJN now has control of the seas while my subs work underneath the waves. Bassien will get my DBs and TBs in the days ahead. These days show me not to get into too many predictable patterns and beliefs.
The big A2A day on the 20th gets the Allies only 2:1 odds in losses (83A:164J).

1944 - Jan 22 thru 24 - More lessons fall on my Australian troops.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Subs:
Guavina at Wakkanai gets another xAKL
Trident off Mergui gets I-157 with 2 TT hits. Love sub vs sub action!!
Archfish gets a TT hit on an AKE at Sarmi
Gunnel gets a TT hit on an xAK at Manus
Angler get s TK with 3 TT hits off western Japan
Lancefish hits a TK with 1 TT off Amami Oshima

CVs:
KB - [>:]

Burma:
Rangoon -
22nd - 39 Nicks, 15 Tojo, 23 George, 25 frank face off against four P-38 sweeps from Prome. Allies lose 10 for 26.

Moulmein -

1 SE Moulmein -
23rd - About 100 Helens with Oscar escorts come in at 6k. My deliberate attack, 256J:435A, just misses 2:1 odds.
24th - Frank and George sweep before Oscars escort in over 50 Helens

Pegu -
22nd - 20 Peggys hit AF.
24th - Base damage is down to 0-23-0 as I start to move in fighters again. I also now have two subs in hex and two more in the hex to SW to hopefully slow down any future BB TF. A Sub Mine Laying TF has left Colombo for here.

China: Chinese industry continues to be destroyed
Sian - Up to 80 Helens and 60 Oscars hit the industry and AF.

Chengtu -

Kunming - Over 150 Helens continue to destroy HI and LI.

Australia:
Darwin -
22nd & 23rd - One group of P-38s sweep the empty skies before three B-24s groups hit base.
24th - Oscars, Rex, George, Tojo are now on CAP as one group of P-38s sweep from Gove. I lose 2 for 9. BB Ise & Hyuga, 2 CA, 2 CL, 4 DDs hit my troops after 21 Zero, 54 Jill, and 54 Judy from a new CV TF off to the NW hit my troops. No ground attacks, but one should be coming soon.
Note - bring CD guns for next time "IF" you drive north from Alice Springs
Intel shows 1st Tank Div is now here.

New Guinea:
Merauke -
P40s sweep from Horn Island while limited number of bombers keep AF closed. BB Arizona and 4 DD hit the base from Portland Roads.

Buna -
Two 18 plane groups of Avengers keep the AF closed.

Others:
Rabaul - Up to 200 bombers keep AF closed, weather permitting.

Engineering: Shortland P4; 1000 Ship Bay F3; Gove P2; Finschhafen AF3; Buka AF7; Wessel AF2; Umboi P2 & AF4; Torokina AF7;

Notes:
My CVs are back at Munda recovering damages. I've moved the forward base to here from Luganville.

1944 - Jan 25 thru 27 - Minor disaster at Darwin

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Subs:
Gunnel sinks another xAK with 2 TT hits at Manus.
S-46 is hit once at Darwin.
Archerfish hits an AKE at Sarmi with 1 TT.
Flasher sinks an xAK 6 north of Hollandia.
Sailfish is hit once off Boela after getting a TT hit on DD Nagatakaze. No sinking sounds are heard.

CVs:
KB - [>:]

Burma:
Rangoon -
26th - Two 16 plane groups of Spitfires sweep the skies.
27th - The Spits sweep again, but about 140 bombers hit the AF afterwards.

Moulmein - Two 16 plane groups of Spitfires sweep the empty skies.

1 SE Moulmein -
25th - 36 Oscars with 19 Peggy & 23 Helen find 14 Hurricanes (leaky CAP) = 2 losses for Japan.
26th - Over 100 George and Frank sweep aside my small Hurricane LRCAP in multiple attacks. I lose 6 for just 1 Japanese fighter.

Pegu -

China: Chinese industry continues to be destroyed
Sian - Left off the target list for these few days.

Chengtu -

Kunming - Up to 150 Helens continue to destroy HI and LI.

Australia:
Darwin -
25th - 21 Zero with 49 Judy and 54 Jill from CV to WNW of base hit troops. This is followed by an exploratory ground bb attack that shows the 48 ID is reinforced by 1st, 2nd, and Gds Tank Divisions. YIKES!! [X(]
26th -

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 38379 troops, 557 guns, 1429 vehicles, Assault Value = 1640

Defending force 27697 troops, 312 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 587

Japanese adjusted assault: 1419

Allied adjusted defense: 260

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
596 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 114 (85 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
6555 casualties reported
Squads: 101 destroyed, 239 disabled
Non Combat: 379 destroyed, 186 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 156 (36 destroyed, 120 disabled)
Vehicles lost 71 (27 destroyed, 44 disabled)
Units retreated 8

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
11th Tank Regiment
48th Division
1st Tank Division
2nd Tank Division
16th Recon Regiment
Guards Tank Division
46th JNAF AF Unit
26th Fld AA Gun Co
35th Field AA Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
32nd Port Unit
35th Fld AA Gun Co
1st Ship Engineer Regiment
2nd JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
2nd Australian Division
1st Australian/B Division
1st Australian/C Division
Australia Command
108th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd Australian Army
2/2nd Heavy AA Regiment
13th Field Regiment

Another lesson of war falls on my poor Australian troops - bring more AA and if your going to be near the sea, bring a few CD units to at least help keep the BB TF at bay. While I took my time to build up Tennant Creek AF to max, I haven't done so with the other bases between there and Darwin. Also, I didn't get anything but temporary control of the airspace above the base due to the distance from my bases.

New Guinea:
Merauke -
P40s sweep from Horn Island while about 60 bombers keep AF closed.

Buna -
Two 18 plane groups of Avengers keep the AF closed.

Others:
Rabaul - Up to 200 bombers keep AF closed, weather permitting.

Engineering: Gove AF4 & 5; Milne Bay AF5 & F2; Woodlark P4; Wessel AF3; Umboi AF5; Cochin P6; Katherine F1;

Notes:
Gove and Wessel are steadily being build up as multiple TF steam back and forth from these new outpost from Cairns. Fighters along with SBDs and Avengers take up space as AFs grow and more Aviation Support arrives. Hopefully, Nick stays around Darwin with his ships so I can try to catch him there by using drop tanks.

The stalemate in Burma needs to be resolved soon. I have more troops moving down towards Rangoon and beyond from Akyab and Ramree Island. Marching along those trails takes time. Another B-24 group (48 planes) is on its way from Cape Town along with some A-20s.

1944 - Jan 28 & 29 - Manus receives some attention.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Subs: Japan is losing one to two merchant ships per day!! [8D]
Bluegill sinks an xAKL off Naha
Shark sinks an xAK SW of Truk.
Devilfish sinks an xAKL off Toyohara.

CVs:
KB - [>:]

Burma:
Rangoon -
28th - Mine Field 3 due west of base is cleared. Eventually, I can send in SC & BB TF back to visit Rangoon and Moulmein. P-39s sweep the skies before 46 bombers come in.

Moulmein -
24 P-51As sweep before 96 B-24s hit the AF both days.

1 SE Moulmein -
28th - Five groups of Spits and three groups of P-47s are assigned LRCAP from Pegu (three hexes away). 84 Frank and 24 George try to sweep in five attacks. I lose only 2 vs 11.
29th - Two groups of P-38s sweep. 2 of 5 Franks are destroyed when they encounter 15 Spits and 19 P-47s on LRCAP. 68 bombers go after the now reformed 3rd Tank Division (was at isolated Rangoon weeks ago).

Pegu -

Chaing Mai -
My Chinese Corp which is on the extreme left flank (4 hexes EEN) is attacked by over 150 Helens both days. It is too far from any base to offer any LRCAP.

China: Chinese industry continues to be destroyed
Sian - Left off the target list for these few days.

Chengtu -
29th - 66 Oscars with 75 Helens hit the AF.

Kunming - Up to 150 Helens continue to destroy HI and LI.

Australia:
Darwin -
28th - 21 Zeros with 51 Judy and 53 Jill hit my retreating troops SW of base.
29th - 40 Franks and 21 Zeros escort in 89 Jill, 52 Judy, and 39 Kate before the shock attack.

Ground combat at 75,125 (near Darwin)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14423 troops, 187 guns, 83 vehicles, Assault Value = 432

Defending force 23287 troops, 315 guns, 266 vehicles, Assault Value = 348

Japanese adjusted assault: 84

Allied adjusted defense: 203

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2169 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 201 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
583 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Assaulting units:
48th Division
26th Fld AA Gun Co
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
35th Fld AA Gun Co
9th RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
1st Australian/B Division
1st Australian/A Division
2nd Australian Division
1st Australian/C Division
2nd Australian Army
Australia Command
2/2nd Heavy AA Regiment
108th Anti Tank Regiment
13th Field Regiment

What happened to the three tank divisions that were at Darwin earlier?? They should have come out and destroyed my troops over a series of days.

Ground combat at 76,125 (near Darwin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 902 troops, 4 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Defending force 3681 troops, 57 guns, 114 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Japanese adjusted assault: 6

Allied adjusted defense: 170

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 28

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

Japanese ground losses:
377 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
16th Recon Regiment

Defending units:
4th Armoured Brigade
109th Anti Tank Regiment

New Guinea:
Merauke -
P40s sweep from Horn Island while about 60 bombers keep AF closed.

Buna -
Two 18 plane groups of Avengers keep the AF closed.

Others:
Rabaul - Up to 200 bombers keep AF closed, weather permitting.

Manus -
29th - I thought I had set my P-38s and P-47s to sweep after the BB TF hit the base along with b-24s. I guess not. [&:]

Night Naval bombardment of Manus at 101,119 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2-L Emily: 5 damaged
H8K2 Emily: 28 damaged
H8K2 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 49 damaged
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M5b Zero: 10 damaged
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Biloxi
CL Santa Fe
CL Denver
DD Maury
DD Gridley
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford
DD Helm
DD Blue
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 29
Port hits 17
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Night Naval bombardment of Manus at 101,119

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 39 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 22 damaged
H8K2-L Emily: 2 destroyed on ground
H8K2 Emily: 22 damaged
A6M5b Zero: 3 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Phoenix
CL Boise
CL Honolulu
DD McCook
DD Doyle
DD Satterlee
DD Thompson
DD Sproston
DD Ringgold
DD Cowell
DD Claxton

Japanese ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 17
Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 5

Engineering: Oak Harbor P5; Tulagi P5; Kiriwina AF7; Katherine F2; Long Island AF1 & P1;

Notes:
Darwin - IMO, I think Nick missed a good chance to destroy my troops here. Don't know what he left behind, but Intel Reports show two of three tank divisions moving back to Java. Why??

1944 - Jan 30 & 31 - Multiple BB TFs end up short of Pegu.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Subs:
Tally Ho is sunk by escorts of mini-KB at Port Blair.

CVs:
Some are at Port Blair. Exactly how many I don't know, but most of the DBs and TB are sent to Bassien to find out if Nick moves them north.

Burma:
Rangoon -
30th - 25 P-51A & 16 Spits sweep the empty skies before almost 300 bombers hit AF.

Moulmein -
31st - 2 hexes to SW finds an xAK and xAKL sunk by 6 Beauforts torpedoes.

1 SE Moulmein -
30th - 50 P-38s sweep the skies and find no opposition.
31st -

Ground combat at 56,56 (near Moulmein)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 32406 troops, 675 guns, 830 vehicles, Assault Value = 1176

Defending force 29139 troops, 281 guns, 209 vehicles, Assault Value = 1185

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

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
50th Tank Brigade
150th RAC Regiment
26th Indian Division
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
5th Indian Division
15th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
16th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
4th West African AA Regiment

Defending units:
56th/A Division
1st RTA Division
56th/B Division
3rd Tank Division
2nd RTA Division
56th/C Division
3rd Machine Cannon AA Battalion

The 1st and 2nd RTA Divisions were at Moulmein while the 3rd Tank was at Rangoon. I control the hexside into Moulmein, so I can move troops in and out easily.

Pegu -

Chaing Mai -
30th - My Chinese Corp which is on the extreme left flank (4 hexes EEN) is attacked by over 140 Helens.

Tavoy -
31st - two hexes to NW....

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 53,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1 Rex x 6

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1

This attack is followed by 16 Barracuda and then 16 Vengence. I get 4 more bomb hits on each BB, but we all know that 250 and 500 lb bombs do nothing but scratch the paint. [:D]

China: Chinese industry continues to be destroyed
Chengtu -
30th - 32 Chinese P-40s were moved here and the CAP finds 14 Helen fly in first. Then, 66 Oscars with 47 Helens and finally another 12 Helen. I shoot down 15 for no losses. [:)]

Kunming -
31st - Up to 120 Helens continue to destroy HI and LI. They hit the troops to east of Chaing Mai on the 30th, I think.

Australia:
Darwin -
30th - 54 Jill come in at 15k to hit troops 1 SW of base.

New Guinea and Bismarck Sea area:
Merauke - P40s sweep from Horn Island while about 60 bombers keep AF closed.

Buna - Two 18 plane groups of Avengers keep the AF closed.

Rabaul - Up to 150 bombers keep AF closed, weather permitting.

Manus -
30th - three groups of P-47s (75 planes) sweep the skies and again find no CAP present. Then, the various types of B-24s pay a visit - 177 planes.
31st - The AF is now officially closed as 156 B-24s hit the AF with a sweep of 25 P-38s.

Kavieng -
31st - 18 Hellcats escort in 42 SBDs from Feni. Nick's 4 DD Fast Transport TF doesn't survive!!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 106,122

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18
SBD-5 Dauntless x 42

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
DD Hatsuyuki, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
DD Shirayuki, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arashio, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 15 (9 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Others:

Engineering: Bassien F4; Feni AF5; Wessel P1 & AF4; Shortlands P5; Milne Bay F3; Gisborne AF5; Long Island AF2;

Notes:
Hansa Bay - This has the potential for a size 9 AF and troops are loading at Brisbane and in a few days more at Sydney to invade here. Manus troops will follow after invasion of Merauke is complete.

1944 - Feb 1 & 2 -
Pegu hit by warships...again! [:(]
Japanese merchant fleet hit by DBs.
Possible weakening at Moulmein [:)]

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Subs:
KVII is hit by escorts at Pegu.
Devilfish sink an xAKL off Toyohara with 2 TT hits.
Cabrilla hits an xAK just off Kendari
Mingo sinks TK south of Shikuka.

NOTE: Total Allied sub losses to date are 7 S-boats, 7 Dutch, 1 British ,and 14 American Fleet subs. This means my war on his merchant fleet is going well. [8D]

CVs:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 48,56

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 8
A6M5c Zero x 58

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter TF.X x 16
P-38H Lightning x 25
P-38J Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter TF.X: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
CV Hiyo
CV Junyo
CVL Ryuho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (Ammo Explosion)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufighter TF.X launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

A second group of 15 Beaufighter come in without escorts and I lose 5.
30 P-38s are on high escort duty while 8 B-25s come in at 1000' and I lose 9 planes total for no hits.
Another 16 P-38s with 6 Beaufort VIIIs fail to get through the CAP.
5 of 8 B-25s at LowN are lost.

Burma:
Rangoon -
1st - 16 Spits sweep from Bassien. 100 bombers hit the AF. 15 Vengences sink 3 xAK at the base while 16 SBD sinks three more just one hex away.
2nd - About 150 bombers hit AF.

Moulmein -
2nd -

Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 49767 troops, 861 guns, 533 vehicles, Assault Value = 1502

Defending force 26823 troops, 369 guns, 252 vehicles, Assault Value = 583

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
209th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
20th Indian/A Division
Guides Cavalry Regiment
11th (East African)/C Division
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
20th Indian/B Division
2nd British Division
17th Indian/B Division
11th (East African)/B Division
20th Indian/C Division
17th Indian/A Division
11th (East African)/A Division
Provisionl Tank Brigade
17th Indian/C Division
X' Force
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
17th Indian Light AA Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
101st Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
38th Ind Engineer Regiment
23rd Division
3rd Tank Div /6
35th Div /1
2nd Army
48th Field AA Battalion
13th RF Gun (Pack) Battalion
Burma Area Army
32nd Field AA Battalion
101st Machine Canno AA Battalion
70th JAAF AF Bn
1st Ind. Field Artillery Battalion
206th Ship Eng Coy
93rd JAAF AF Bn
27th Fld AA Gun Co
11th Ind.AA Gun Co
96th JAAF AF Bn

With only one full strength division defending, all Allied divisions will recombine, all bombers in theater will hit the base. 4e bombers to hit AF at 11k and 2e bombers at 6k. I do have both Command and Corp HQs 100% prepped. Following my own advice here. [;)]

1 SE Moulmein -
1st - A few surviving Hurricanes from Pegu are destroyed as leaky CAP runs into George sweeping and Franks on LRCAP (160 planes). Then the bombers...

Morning Air attack on 150th RAC Regiment, at 56,56 , near Moulmein

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 22
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 39
Ki-67-Ia Peggy x 39
Ki-84a Frank x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 27 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-67-Ia Peggy: 14 damaged
Ki-67-Ia Peggy: 2 destroyed by flak
They come in at 6k, but I now have 3 Hvy AA units (72 heavy AA guns) to keep the damage light. 5 of 66 Helen are destroyed and no casualties are reported in the follow up attacks. [:)]

Pegu -
1st -

Night Naval bombardment of Pegu at 55,53

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 10 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane FR.IIb: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CL Tama
CL Jintsu
DD Nagatsuki
DD Umikaze
DD Samidare
DD Harusame

Allied ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 41

I left just the Hurricane groups.

Night Naval bombardment of Pegu at 55,53

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 41 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 6 destroyed on ground
Hurricane FR.IIb: 8 damaged
Hurricane FR.IIb: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
DD Arashi
DD Urakaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Maikaze
DD Natsushio
DD Kuroshio

Allied ground losses:
281 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (6 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 56

Base damage is 0-36-75 with most LCUs around 75 in disruption.

Chaing Mai -

Tavoy -
1st - A TF (2 north of base) is hit by 8 Beaufort Is vs 6 Rex and I lose 4 for no hits. Then, 16 Barracuda sink 2 PBs and an xAK.

Rahaeng - one to west

Ground combat at 57,56 (near Rahaeng)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4870 troops, 82 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 656

Defending force 14661 troops, 291 guns, 170 vehicles, Assault Value = 437

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Amphibious Brigade
3rd Tank Regiment
2nd Guards Division
6th RTA/B Division
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
25th Indian Division
14th Indian Light AA Regiment

China: Chinese industry continues to be destroyed
Chengtu -

Kunming - Over 110 Helsn attack my few remaining LI both days.

Australia:
Darwin -
1st - 18 P-47, 23 Hellcats, 14 SBDs find no CAP over 2 xAKs, PB, SC. All are sunk as the one xAK that survived is sunk later in day by S-36.
2nd - 24 P-38s sweep.

New Guinea and Bismarck Sea area:
Merauke -
2nd - Landings commence on a now empty base. Japanese troops seem to be retreating across the mtns towards Hollandia.

Buna - Two 18 plane groups of Avengers keep the AF closed.

Rabaul - Up to 150 bombers keep AF closed, weather permitting.

Manus -
1st - 25 P-38s sweep.
2nd - 25 P-47s sweep.

Wewak -
1st - Two strikes with 54 Hellcats and 34 SBDs total reach out from Long Island to sink 4 xAKs.
2nd - 4 DDs avoid combat with an AM, 2 SC, and 13 barges. Why?!? [&:] Never mind, my DBs and TBs will find them later. [:D] 13 SBDs and 31 Avengers sink them all one NW of base.

Hansa Bay -
1st - 12 SBDs sink 5 barges. Not much to brag about, but it does help their experience levels.
2nd - 25 P-47s sweep.

Kavieng -
Saumlaki - 17 Corsairs with 14 SBDs sink an xAKL and PB.

Others:

Engineering: Kiriwina P3; Umboi AF6; Fenton F2; Gove AF6; Long Island AF3;

Notes:
While ONLY 4 ships are shown to be sunk on the 1st, any of the transports or their escorts with two hits are sunk, IMO. Air losses are 74A to 33J for day.

With the lack of naval attacks from Bassien, I now decide to send 6 more SBD groups from the USA, Pearl, and Alaska to Eastern USA and eventually to India. I have more than enough DBs in the Pacific.

Attack Bombers - I've trained up most of my B-25s in both GrdB and LowN skills as I often use them in ground attacks. Do I need to train them in Straffing also??

Escort for Attack Bombers - Since your attack bombers come in at 1000' what altitude do you set your escorting fighters at? My DBs and TBs are set at 12k along with their fighters. Is that good enough for the attack bombers??

When KB strikes, there are only 7 Cleveland Class CLs, 8 Fletchers and 8 Mahan Class DDs. There is NO LRCAP. [X(][X(] My BB TF take time out on way to bombard bases to attack subs and when daylight comes are at targets rather on way back to Sarmi.

Is this result in June '44 to be expected or did I get very lucky??

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 03, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 82,107

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 9 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Mobile, Torpedo hits 1
DD Hazelwood
CL Columbia

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sansapor at 83,107

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 5 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Biloxi
CL Santa Fe

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P1Y1 Frances bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 82,107

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 54
B6N2a Jill x 69
D4Y1 Judy x 28
D4Y2 Judy x 10
D4Y3 Judy x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2a Jill: 8 damaged
B6N2a Jill: 3 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed by flak
D4Y2 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Cleveland, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Montpelier
DD Cony, Bomb hits 1
CL Columbia, Bomb hits 2
DD Marshall, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Mobile, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Miller
DD Heermann
DD Claxton
DD Hazelwood
DD Healy

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
19 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Marshall

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sansapor at 83,107

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 10
B6N2a Jill x 77
D4Y3 Judy x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2a Jill: 14 damaged
B6N2a Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 10 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Birmingham, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Biloxi
DD Reid
CL Santa Fe, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Downes
DD Shaw
DD Case
DD Perkins

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
26 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sansapor at 83,107

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 9 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Perkins
CL Biloxi
CL Santa Fe

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 82,107

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 64
B6N2a Jill x 92
D4Y3 Judy x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2a Jill: 9 damaged
B6N2a Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 5 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Columbia, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Claxton
CL Mobile, Bomb hits 1
CL Montpelier, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Marshall
CL Cleveland, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Cony
DD Healy
DD Colahan, Bomb hits 1
DD Miller
DD Hazelwood

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
18 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
17 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
19 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Columbia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Montpelier

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sansapor at 83,107

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2a Jill x 46
D4Y3 Judy x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2a Jill: 9 damaged
B6N2a Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Santa Fe, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shaw
DD Flusser
CL Birmingham
CL Biloxi, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Downes

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
26 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Biloxi

Ship damage wasn't as bad as I had expected watching the Combat Replay. Only CL Cleveland is serious. ALL ships are directed to head south to be under the protection of the Allied Fleet off just captured Kaimana which will move to north 3 to 4 hexes.