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Summary of Operations 3/05/43

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/04 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Maleolap. Detected status of Maleolap shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/04 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Noumea. Detected status of Noumea shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there and LCU’s, both these as expected. Currently available intelligence has 3 Jap LCU known to be located in Noumea – including 10th Infantry Division, 80 JAAF AF Bn, 13 JNAF AF Unit. Detected port size at Noumea is 5(4), airfield 2(5).

Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/04 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
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: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown

Plans are under consideration to station one US patrol sub in or near the Solomon Is with the purpose of entering Japanese-held base hexes where coastwatcher reports have indicated Japanese ship(s) are present. The sub would be dispatched into these Jap bases as an “intruder” to attack any Japanese shipping it can find. This idea was prompted by last game turn’s (unplanned and unintended) visit of SS Permit into Lunga which sank a Jap barge before moving on. Visits by Allied "intruder" subs will probably be limited to minor Japanese bases where it's likely or known that Pillager has not laid a defensive minefield.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 70 aircraft (47 fighters, 23 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.

Current detected status of Magwe shows oil production at 93(208).


China: Chungking sector quiet, no reported ground combat activity.

Summary of Operations 3/06/43

Japanese Home Islands: US sub patrol intercepts Jap transport SW of Kyushu. SS Herring reports spotting two Jap TF’s at the hex location of the attack (98, 62) - one Jap TF is a single ship moving E (this TF probably xAK Hokuan Maru), the second Jap TF containing four ships moving NW (this likely to be surface ASW).

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Submarine attack near Amami Oshima at 98,62 (N of Amami Oshima)

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokuan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (2 torpedoes hit, second hit a dud)

Allied Ships
SS Herring

xAK Hokuan Maru is sighted by SS Herring
SS Herring launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Hokuan Maru

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Sub attack near Amami Oshima at 98,62

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokuan Maru, heavy damage (dud torpedo hit)

Allied Ships
SS Herring

SS Herring launches 2 torpedoes

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South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/05 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


DEI: US sub patrol intercepts small Jap transport TF off southern exit of Sunda Strait (between Sumatra and Java). This Jap TF is still spotted by SS Gunnel – reported to contain two ships (one PT, one AM) and moving on SE heading. AAR follows.

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

Japanese Ships
xAKL Bokuei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (sunk)
PB Hokuyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gunnel

SS Gunnel launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Bokuei Maru
PB Hokuyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF in harbor (+2 from last report), 62 aircraft (42 fighters, 22 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.

Detected status of Magwe shows oil production remains at 93(208). This is probably an accurate level of damage in Magwe.


China: Chungking sector quiet, no reported ground combat activity.

On the training front we skipped over one key component. Pilot training will not exceed the levels of the commanders. If you want pilots in the 60-70 range, you must have a highly rated commander, otherwise training taps out at the CO's applicable rating. Another use for the 80+ guys. I.E. A 55 Commander limits you to "55" overall ratings. A 70 allows pilots to train up to 70 and so on. This is a limitation similar to CO's on subs. More agressive guys get the tankers, less do not. So one needs to replace the less aggressive commanders when able.

The same goes for the squadrons. BTW--you truly do not run out of suitable squadron commanders. Make sure that the specialized task (Air for fighters, naval for naval bombers, ground for LBA bombers, and so on matches up. Don't inadvertantly put a good bomber guy in command of a fighter squadron and vice versa.) This goes for Arleigh Burke too, don't waste him in command of a submarine. However, this is an appropriate place to put the guy that deserves to fly rubber dog shit (pardon me please) in a transportation squadron.

John

Summary of Operations 3/07/43

Japanese Home Islands: US sub patrol engaged by Jap surface ASW southwest of Kyushu. The Jap surface ASW TF in this AAR contains the same DD that engaged SS Herring in earlier actions. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Tokara Retto at 99,62 (N of Amami Oshima)

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
SS Herring

SS Herring launches 4 torpedoes at DD Yuzuki
Herring diving deep ....
DD Harukaze attacking submerged sub ....
SS Herring eludes ASW attack from DD Harukaze
Escort abandons search for sub

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Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-33 (24 ships) departing this game turn for Australia via Capetown. Cargo aboard the convoy includes two LCU (842 & 857 Engineer Aviation Bns), 53K supply and 55K fuel.


Central Pacific: US surface ASW covering small supply/fuel transport TF at Midway engages Jap submarine in Midway base hex – this Jap sub probably operating the floatplane detected intermittently over Midway the past several game turns. AAR follows.

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ASW attack at Midway Island 158,91

Japanese Ships
SS I-17

Allied Ships
DMS Boggs

SS I-17 is sighted by escort
I-17 bottoming out ....
DMS Boggs fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sigint entry for 3/06 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Maleolap. Detected status of Maleolap shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: RNZAF Hudson naval search from Suva spots one or more Jap TF(s) northwest of Suva. Reported movement of Jap TF(s) is on a SE heading at 19 kts. Suva is a possible destination, though another possibility has the Jap TF moving southward past Suva towards Auckland. Reported composition of the spotted Jap TF is 3 ships (one CS, 2CA) – actual composition could be anything from a submarine to the KB.

The Jap TF(s) probable movement path already took it past two US S-class sub patrols located off the north edge of the situation map below. There has been no report of contacts with Jap planes from any of the US subs shown on the situation map, also no reported plane contacts from the two US subs north of the map. So far Pillager does not appear to have planes operating in the air from the Jap TF. US subs shown on the map below are shadowing the Jap TF or being vectored into the TF(s) expected movement path.

Appropriate alerts and actions now in effect at Suva and elsewhere – CAP and air patrols in Suva fully activated, surface ASW and one S-class sub have sortied out of Suva. Situation map follows.



Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/06 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 11 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Aso Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Malacca Straits: Dutch sub O-21 in patrol area at the northern entrance to the straits near Phuket attacked by multiple Ki-48 Lily and Ki-30 Ann air patrols. O-21 hit and damaged in at least one of these attacks – reported system damage 25, float 5, engine 3. Sub is returning to base for repair at 17 kts movement. In the last month or so, Pillager has reinforced both Japanese surface and ASW forces operating in the Andaman Sea area between Rangoon and the Malacca Straits.


Burma: USAAF and RAF bombers hit oil production facilities in Magwe. Eight bombers (8 B-24D/Liberator II, 1 Wellington) lost in the raid – four by Japanese CAP fighters, the remainder operational losses. Four Jap fighter planes (2 Ki-44, 2 A6M3) are reported destroyed in combat or due to operational loss. AAR follows. Detected status of Magwe shows oil production at 43(258).

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Morning Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 46

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 28
Wellington Ic x 16
B-24D Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses (destroyed count accurate, some damaged planes operational loss)
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Oil hits 114

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Liberator II bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x Liberator II bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 29 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 32
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 37

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses (some damaged planes operational loss)
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged

Oil hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 25 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 29 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

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Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF in harbor, 66 aircraft (38 fighters, 28 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground bombardment attack at Chungking. AAR follows.

3 detected Japanese LCU in hexes adjacent to Chungking.

** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn.

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Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3315 troops, 305 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 7913
Defending force 539081 troops, 3021 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17143

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
110th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Infantry Brigade
41st Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
116th Division
17th Division
15th Tank Regiment **
26th Division
58th Division
8th Armored Car Co
36th Division
15th Division
70th Division
39th Division
34th Division
22nd Division
35th Division
13th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
40th Division
104th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Division
37th Division
38th Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
12th Army
11th Army
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
North China Area Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
10th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
99th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
67th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
20th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
79th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
7th New Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
97th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
21st Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
13th Construction Regiment
12th Construction Regiment
6th Chinese Base Force
57th AT Gun Regiment
36th Group Army
China Command
1st Chinese Base Force
4th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
29th Group Army
27th Group Army
259th Brigade
11th Construction Regiment
6th Construction Regiment
5th Group Army
10th Chinese Base Force
16th Chinese Base Force
5th Construction Regiment
7th War Area
31st Group Army
5th War Area
CAF HQ
7th Construction Regiment
19th Group Army
Central Reserve
9th Group Army
4th War Area
3rd Construction Regiment
8th Construction Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
Lusu War Area
3rd Group Army
7th Group Army
9th War Area
41st AA Regiment
7th Chinese Base Force
17th Chinese Base Force
17th Group Army
24th Group Army
22nd Group Army
Jingcha War Area
20th Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
2nd Construction Regiment
98th Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
1st Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
39th Group Army
17th Construction Regiment
21st Group Army
2nd War Area
14th Group Army
6th Group Army
8th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
26th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force
11th Group Army
25th Group Army
6th War Area
11th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Base Force
22nd Artillery Regiment
34th Group Army
38th Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
3rd War Area
Red Chinese Army
32nd Group Army
13th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force
13th Chinese Base Force
1st War Area
40th Chinese Corps
33rd Group Army
34th Chinese Corps
12th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
10th Construction Regiment
20th Chinese Base Force
23rd Group Army
37th Group Army
49th AA Regiment

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Summary of Operations 3/08/43

Central Pacific: An interesting Sigint entry for 3/07 reporting unidentified Japanese TF(s) well out in the Philippine Sea N of Babeldaob and E of Leyte. While the detected Jap TF do not represent any likely threat and could very well be a transport convoy running between the Japanese Home Islands and Babeldaob (or one of its nearby bases), there is also a possibility Pillager could be using this sea area as an alternate transport route to evade interception by Allied subs. Up to now this sea area has been unexplored by Allied subs (only because I’ve not sent any there) – a small “exploratory” mission into this sea area is now under consideration.

Sigint entry for 3/07 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Canton Is. Detected status of Canton Is shows unidentified Jap planes based there, no other visible Japanese forces or activity. Detected airfield size at Canton is 2(0), port size 2(2).


South Pacific: Jap TF(s) again spotted by RNZAF Hudson naval search NW of Suva. Detected position of the Jap TF(s) is hex location 127,154 (9 hexes NW of Suva). Although the Jap TF(s) reported movement continues on a SE heading now at 11 kts, visible movement of Jap TF on the map shows it/they are almost stationary. Updated report of the spotted Jap TF’s composition is now 6 ships (all CA).

This is becoming rather curious. Current weather conditions over this map area is Thunderstorms – while it’s possible Pillager does not know he’s been spotted, I do not consider that too likely given the TF have now been spotted in two consecutive game turns. Either Pillager doesn’t know the TF has been spotted or he doesn’t care.

At this point, eight US subs have been vectored into the Jap TF(s) projected movement path to the SE. A second, much nastier surprise has also been prepared. If Pillager has sent the KB on a visit to Suva, the ambush is waiting.


Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/07 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 9 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


SW Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/07 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Port Moresby. Detected status of Port Moresby shows unidentified Jap planes based there, no other visible Japanese forces or activity. Detected airfield size at Port Moresby is 4(6), port size 1(2).


Australia: Transport convoy EX-27 (48 ships) arrives in Australia from the Eastern US via Capetown. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes three LCU (224 USN Base Force, 98 Field Artillery Bn, 15 USMC Defence Bn), five air transport squadrons (64 planes total), 136K supply and 85K fuel.


Burma: RAF bombers continue attack on oil production facilities in Magwe. 23 bombers (10 Liberator II, 13 Wellington) lost in the raid – 17 planes (12 Wellington, 5 Liberator II) lost to Japanese CAP fighters, 6 planes (5 Liberator II, one Wellignton) were operational losses. Two Ki-44 Tojo (both operational losses) reported destroyed. Detected status of Magwe shows oil production at 14(287). AAR follows.

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Morning Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 46

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 20
Wellington Ic x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Wellington Ic: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Oil hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wellington Ic bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x Liberator II bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x Liberator II bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 29 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

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Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 63 aircraft (33 fighters, 30 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese continue ground bombardment attack at Chungking. Latest AAR follows.

3 detected Japanese LCU in hexes adjacent to Chungking.

** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (no new arrivals)

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Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3310 troops, 304 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 7987
Defending force 539808 troops, 3015 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17209

Allied ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
39th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
104th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
13th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
58th Division
41st Division
26th Division
35th Division
22nd Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th Division
59th Infantry Brigade
116th Division
36th Division
8th Armored Car Co
15th Tank Regiment
37th Division
17th Division
40th Division
32nd Division
110th Division
70th Division
3rd Tank Division
38th Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Army
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
North China Area Army
1st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Army
21st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
27th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
72nd Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
51st Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
48th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
29th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
52nd Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
56th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
65th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
91st Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
5th War Area
China Command
12th Construction Regiment
2nd Chinese Base Force
31st Group Army
4th War Area
19th Group Army
38th Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
15th Chinese Base Force
33rd Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
24th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
6th War Area
18th Chinese Base Force
4th Chinese Base Force
37th Group Army
5th Group Army
2nd War Area
6th Group Army
2nd Construction Regiment
25th Group Army
259th Brigade
22nd Group Army
36th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
22nd Artillery Regiment
10th Chinese Base Force
6th Chinese Base Force
3rd Group Army
8th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
Lusu War Area
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
17th Group Army
20th Group Army
20th Chinese Base Force
13th Chinese Base Force
1st Chinese Base Force
1st War Area
14th Group Army
12th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
3rd Construction Regiment
Red Chinese Army
Central Reserve
17th Construction Regiment
40th Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
29th Group Army
11th Construction Regiment
39th Group Army
7th Group Army
10th Construction Regiment
7th War Area
9th War Area
13th Construction Regiment
3rd War Area
13th Group Army
32nd Group Army
7th Construction Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
18th Group Army
6th Construction Regiment
9th Chinese Base Force
16th Construction Regiment
9th Group Army
34th Group Army
26th Group Army
5th Construction Regiment
CAF HQ
1st Group Army
21st Group Army
16th Chinese Base Force
34th Chinese Corps
14th Construction Regiment
23rd Group Army
98th Chinese Corps
4th Group Army
27th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
8th Construction Regiment
49th AA Regiment

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

Summary of Operations 3/09/43

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/08 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wotje. Detected status of Wotje shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Jap surface naval force bombards Suva, evades US sub patrols. It appears likely the Jap bombardment TF made both its final approach into Suva and departure after the bombardment at full movement speed – possibly a factor explaining the TF evading US subs in its path. Current position of the Jap bombardment TF is hex location 126, 156 (ESE of Efate) moving on a W heading at 33 kts.

The bombardment left 23 runway, 13 service damage to Suva airfield. Port damage from the bombardment was minimal. Quantities of supply on hand and engineers are sufficient to quickly repair all port and airfield damage.

Actual aircraft losses from the bombardment included 9 planes destroyed on the ground, 13 other planes damaged – considerably less than reported in the AAR.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Suva at 132,160

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 11 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-4 Wildcat: 11 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 23 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-4 Catalina: 9 damaged
PBY-4 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38F Lightning: 13 damaged
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38G Lightning: 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao

Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

CA Kako firing at Suva
CA Maya firing at Suva
CA Atago firing at Suva
CA Takao firing at Suva

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

Two small air attacks by Jap night bombers preceded the naval bombardment, damage from these being minor to none. G4M Betty bombers in the first attack below originated in Noumea, G3M Nell bombers in the second attack approaching Suva from the NW (these planes likely came from Luganville).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Suva, at 132,160

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

No Japanese losses

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Suva, at 132,160

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 3

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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


A number of Allied LBA bombing squadrons transferred into Suva from New Zealand during the 3/08 game turn’s orders phase with the intent of launching naval air strikes against the Jap TF as it retired or if it had remained off Suva past daylight. Transferred squadrons included three Hudson III squadrons (36 planes) trained for skip bombing and seven USMC dive bombing squadrons (126 SBD-3).

At daylight, the Jap bombardment TF retired to its current position 8 hexes from Suva – outside the SBD-3’s 7 hex normal flight radius but still within the Hudson III’s radius. AAR’s of the Allied bombing strikes follow. As best as I’ve determined, failure of the SBD-3 to launch was probably the result of range to the target (8 hexes, one greater than the SBD-3’s normal flight range) - rather than size of Suva airfield (currently size 9, not subject to plane over stacking) or damage to Suva airfield from the earlier bombardment that could have prevented any Allied planes from launching.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tanna at 126,156 (ENE of Tanna)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9 (drop tanks)

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 6 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Kako
CA Atago
CA Takao

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
5 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanna at 126,156

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 (drop tanks)

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 9 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
DD Michishio

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

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

A quick “post-mortem” of the Suva action indicates little if any additional Allied measures could have been taken to prevent or otherwise significantly change the outcome. Pillager simply got in, accomplished the mission and got out.

One relatively small measure on Suva that can be implemented is increasing the use of Nadi airfield. Nadi is currently built to maximum airfield capacity (size 9), easily allowing dispersion of aircraft based on Fiji between Nadi and Suva airfields. Nadi currently does not have much aviation support, transfer of additional LCU with aviation support to Nadi will be required - LCU for this is not available on Fiji but can be brought in from existing reserve units at Auckland.


Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/08 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Nagisan Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 3 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 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 23 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown


SW Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/08 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Port Moresby for a second consecutive game turn. Detected status of Port Moresby is unchanged from what was reported last game turn.


Andaman Sea: US sub patrol reports contact with Jap transport TF.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Mergui at 50,61 (W of Mergui)

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze
PB Kyo Maru #5
xAK Yahiko Maru
xAK Tusima Maru
E Shimushu

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish

SS Kingfish launches 2 torpedoes at DD Tachikaze
DD Tachikaze attacking submerged sub ....
E Shimushu fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Tachikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 66 aircraft (37 fighters, 29 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese continue ground bombardment attack at Chungking. Latest AAR follows.

3 detected Japanese LCU in hexes adjacent to Chungking.

** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (no new arrivals)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 55422 troops, 757 guns, 256 vehicles, Assault Value = 8109
Defending force 540343 troops, 3009 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17263

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:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
26th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
104th Division
17th Division
35th Division
8th Armored Car Co
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th Division
13th Division
70th Division
110th Division
34th Division
40th Division
22nd Division
58th Division
32nd Division
15th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Infantry Brigade
37th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
36th Division
39th Division
41st Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Division
15th Division
38th Division
12th Army
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
North China Area Army
21st Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Army
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
23rd Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
100th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
69th Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
19th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
14th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
36th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
47th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
84th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
20th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
89th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
18th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
Central Reserve
9th Group Army
32nd Group Army
38th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
CAF HQ
22nd Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
China Command
6th War Area
13th Construction Regiment
11th Group Army
31st Group Army
20th Group Army
259th Brigade
4th War Area
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
4th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
58th Chinese Corps
39th Group Army
29th Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
5th War Area
21st Group Army
2nd Construction Regiment
10th Construction Regiment
34th Chinese Corps
12th Group Army
10th Chinese Base Force
7th Group Army
1st Chinese Base Force
Jingcha War Area
18th Chinese Base Force
3rd Group Army
22nd Artillery Regiment
6th Chinese Base Force
Red Chinese Army
6th Construction Regiment
33rd Group Army
8th Group Army
2nd Chinese Base Force
1st Group Army
23rd Group Army
3rd Construction Regiment
Lusu War Area
3rd War Area
18th Group Army
7th Construction Regiment
34th Group Army
5th Construction Regiment
6th Group Army
98th Chinese Corps
13th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
14th Construction Regiment
27th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force
11th Chinese Base Force
37th Group Army
17th Group Army
24th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
17th Construction Regiment
12th Construction Regiment
14th Group Army
25th Group Army
20th Chinese Base Force
2nd War Area
9th War Area
11th Construction Regiment
1st War Area
8th Construction Regiment
26th Group Army
36th Group Army
19th Group Army
7th War Area
16th Chinese Base Force
57th AT Gun Regiment
5th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
49th AA Regiment

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

Summary of Operations 3/10/43

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 112,104 (N of Truk)

Japanese Ships
AK Tosan Maru
PB Kosin Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

SS Seadragon launches 2 torpedoes at AK Tosan Maru
Seadragon diving deep ....
PB Kosin Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

An interesting entry in the 3/09 Operations report follows – this from a US sub patrol operating S of Truk. Appears there may have been a brush with a sub-vs-sub encounter.

SS Sunfish detects possible enemy submarine at 112, 113 but is unable to close within attack range


What appears to be a small (2 ship) Jap transport TF has been spotted in Funafuti base hex by a Hudson III air patrol flying from Suva. A nearby US S-class sub from the picket line north of Suva is enroute to Funafuti for a closer look and possibly an attack.


South Pacific: Japanese surface naval force continues moving NW from Suva, current hex position 121, 147 NE of Luganville – probably returning to Truk.

Current damage levels in Suva are 13 airfield service, 18 airfield runway, 1 port. Most engineer LCU on Fiji are currently at Nadi engaged in completing the full expansion of base facilities there, several of these LCU are being moved to Suva to speed up repairs. Diversion of engineers from Nadi to Suva should not prove much of a problem – airfield expansion at Nadi is almost fully completed and should not be impacted, possibly some delay in later plans to fully expand the size 1 port in Nadi.

One small tidbit I encountered during this action (those who aren't aware of this already) – LBA fighter squadrons equipped with models of the P-38 Lightning have a considerable transfer range by air between bases when using drop tanks. With drop tanks turned on, it became possible for two P-38 fighter squadrons to easily transfer by air between Auckland and Suva. This worked with the P-38F & G models and likely would with other late-model US LBA fighters (notably advanced P-38 models also some P-47 & P-51 variants). The only step required to do this is turn on the drop tank selection in the air unit’s information display before proceeding with the transfer. Remember to turn off the air unit’s drop tanks after completing the transfer if you don’t want or need to keep the tanks on.


Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/09 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 13 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 57 aircraft (35 fighters, 22 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.

Detected status of oil refineries at Magwe remains at 14(287). This value probably reflects the actual damage level in Magwe and indicates (more or less) successful completion of this stage of Allied bombing to render Burma “useless” as a source of oil and fuel for the Japanese war economy.

Additional parts of a strategic bombing campaign against targets in Burma include

(1) Knocking out refinery facilties in Magwe and Rangoon.

(2) Attacking light industry facilities inside Burma. Destruction of light industry facilities at Rangoon would create some amount of difficulty with providing supply for Japanese forces located in Burma, this especially true if Pillager chooses to send large Jap LCU reinforcements to Burma from China after a fall of Chungking. Destroying light industry in Rangoon would eliminate the ability of Burma to generate its own supply for Japanese ground and air forces based within Burma – the result would require all supply needed for consumption in Burma to be transported in from outside sources. Japanese supply difficulties in Burma would affect Pillager’s ability to maintain large Jap ground and air forces in Burma, not to mention reduce the ability to launch Japanese offensive actions against India with ground or air forces from Burma.


China: Japanese ground bombardment at Chungking continues. AAR follows.

3 detected Japanese LCU in hexes adjacent to Chungking.

** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (no new arrivals)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 257951 troops, 2590 guns, 1332 vehicles, Assault Value = 8224
Defending force 540948 troops, 2994 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17338

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

Allied ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
40th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
110th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Infantry Brigade
13th Division
70th Division
35th Division
34th Division
36th Division
58th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division
41st Division
17th Division
22nd Division
39th Division
104th Division
37th Division
32nd Division
3rd Tank Division
116th Division
38th Division
1st Mortar Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
North China Area Army
23rd Army
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
12th Army
21st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
9th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
76th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
55th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
71st Chinese Corps
259th Brigade
47th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
97th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
19th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
14th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
56th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
1st War Area
57th AT Gun Regiment
4th Chinese Base Force
13th Chinese Base Force
9th Chinese Base Force
8th Construction Regiment
6th Construction Regiment
5th War Area
20th Chinese Base Force
58th Chinese Corps
17th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
38th Group Army
2nd Chinese Base Force
4th Group Army
36th Group Army
22nd Group Army
98th Chinese Corps
13th Group Army
33rd Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
China Command
21st Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
41st AA Regiment
27th Group Army
34th Chinese Corps
14th Construction Regiment
18th Group Army
10th Construction Regiment
24th Group Army
12th Construction Regiment
19th Group Army
11th Construction Regiment
3rd Group Army
CAF HQ
17th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
Jingcha War Area
3rd War Area
8th Group Army
5th Construction Regiment
18th Chinese Base Force
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
9th War Area
6th Group Army
1st Group Army
3rd Construction Regiment
11th Group Army
39th Group Army
26th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force
16th Construction Regiment
29th Group Army
23rd Group Army
32nd Group Army
1st Chinese Base Force
Central Reserve
20th Group Army
4th War Area
10th Chinese Base Force
7th War Area
Lusu War Area
5th Group Army
9th Group Army
2nd War Area
37th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force
31st Group Army
25th Group Army
13th Construction Regiment
17th Chinese Base Force
7th Group Army
2nd Construction Regiment
14th Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
34th Group Army
22nd Artillery Regiment
16th Chinese Base Force
7th Construction Regiment
7th Chinese Base Force
12th Group Army
49th AA Regiment

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

Another update from John--Guam falls to allied invasion May 16, 1944. The 7th Inf Div and the 24th Inf Div, with Armor support, engineers, AAA, and Arty support routed a 25,000 member garrison. Mopping up activities continue while two fighter squadrons (p-38s) and two bomber groups (b-25s) flew in from NG. These are pounding Saipan airfields to pulp. 14 carriers neutralized the airbases at Rota, Tinian, Saipan, and Pagan. A second invasion wave is approaching to hit Rota and Saipan. Intel has essentially no defenders at Rota and 50,000+ at Saipan. This is going to be interesting. Three Marine divisions are enroute to hit Saipan with one in reserve. I may keep the Guam lift around to reload the 7th and 24th if needed.

Magwe is being reduced by six divisions that moved via Akyab on the coast. The enemy 33rd division was routed and retreated to Prome (they were defending Akyab). The enemy has 75,000 troops in upper Burma (Mandalay and environs). Most are at Swebo where two Indian Divisions have been keeping them penned down. Now Merrill's Maruders have cut off the RR to Rangoon, trapping 35,000 at Shwebo and another 15,000 at Mandalay. Magwe is a goner and the city next to it towards China is even more vulnerable having a very small garrison in place and no help from elsewhere.

I am training the B-29 squadrons (seven of them thus far) at Madras in India. The India pipeline is filling up nicely with reinforcements pouring in from Aden. Moving the B-29s from Karachi, my main training base in India, was necessary to allow additional squadrons arriving via the middle east to have somewhere to deploy.

A major Reed has reached 30 kills, flying P-47s out of Akyab. Japan is taking serious air force casulties in Burma. We are not. Daily some 15 to 25 enemy planes are shot down to one of ours. Hardly seems fair, but war is war. I have about 35 80+ pilots in the area, all with 15 or more kills, most with 20+. About 15 of these guys are 90+. All the 90+ have 22 or more kills. About 10 of these pilots are British/Indian. None are Chinese, although they are flying missions in the area. The rest are USAAF. None of the navy or marine pilots have more than 15 kills, and only a few are 10+ (including Butch O'Hare whose count is 11). Pappy Boyington has no kills. Been in TRACOM the entire war. (Mainly because he is an ARMY pilot). Richard Bong, the actual flying ace of the USAAF has two kills. Just two, and he has been deployed for over a year. No action where he is (Darwin).

Munda and Pearl Harbor have been the staging bases for the invasion of the Marianas. The task force follow feature has worked very well. The old Battleships finally reappeared after repairs and refits, bombarding Guam prior to invasion.

All is well.

John

johnjohn,

Invasions in the Marianas are gonna be a bit tougher in this game. My intel already shows Pillager with Jap infantry divisions located on the larger islands (Guam and Saipan so far) - the divisions identified on these two islands transferred to the Marianas from the Kwantung Army. I'm considering it likely that Pillager will dispatch parts of the China army to the Pacific to augment Japanese defenses on major Pacific islands, this especially true in the event Pillager does not send najor parts of the China army to Burma or the DEI.

The task force follow feature has worked very well.

I used this feature with carrier TF's in the Palembang operation. The formation stayed together very nicely.

I have only a few fighter aces (all < 10 kills), most of them with the RAF or Tenth USAAF in India. Hasn't been enough air-to-air combat in this match so far to generate aces.

Summary of Operations 3/11/43

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/10 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk. Detected status of Truk shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port – both as expected. No other visible Japanese forces or activity.

Intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Ocean Is were reported in another 3/10 Sigint entry. Detected status of Ocean Is shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.

US patrol sub detected enters base hex at Funafuti to investigate contact reported there by Hudson III naval air search on 3/09. The contact in Funafuti appears to be two Japanese ships (likely composition one transport, the other ship the SC in the AAR below). Two similar actions (one night, one daylight) occurred. AAR of night action follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at Funafuti 138,147

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-9

Allied Ships
SS S-42

SS S-42 launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-9
S-42 bottoming out ....
SC CHa-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


South Pacific: Transport convoy WP-43 (22 ships) arrives in Auckland from the mainland US. Cargo aboard the convoy includes one LCU (8 USN Naval Construction Rgt), 72K supply and 103K fuel.

Sigint entries for 3/10 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Noumea and Woodlark Is. Detected status of Noumea shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there. Current detected port size at Noumea is 5(4), port size 2(5). Detected airfield size at Woodlark Island is 3(5), port size 2(2).

Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/10 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 2 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
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: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Australia: Transport convoy MX-14 (12 ships) arrives in Australia from Aden. Cargo aboard the convoy includes 9th Australian Division and 11K supply.


Philippines: Several consecutive days of heavy intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Manila have been reported in Sigint entries. Detected status of Manila shows unidentified Jap planes based there, also ship(s) in port. No other visible Japanese forces or activity.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 3 Jap TF in harbor (+2 from last report), 62 aircraft (38 fighters, 24 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground bombardment at Chungking continues. AAR follows.

3 detected Japanese LCU in hexes adjacent to Chungking.

** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (no new arrivals)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 232556 troops, 2353 guns, 1371 vehicles, Assault Value = 8304
Defending force 541145 troops, 2986 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17369
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese adjusted assault: 1735
Allied adjusted defense: 19205

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 11 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
16176 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 1750 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 180 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 139 disabled
Guns lost 129 (7 destroyed, 122 disabled)
Vehicles lost 65 (5 destroyed, 60 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
17077 casualties reported
Squads: 302 destroyed, 648 disabled
Non Combat: 99 destroyed, 578 disabled
Engineers: 54 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 238 (62 destroyed, 176 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units: (46 Jap LCU now in Chungking)
15th Tank Regiment
70th Division
32nd Division
104th Division
58th Division
13th Division
22nd Division
39th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th Division
15th Division
34th Division
59th Infantry Brigade
36th Division
26th Division
17th Division
37th Division
41st Division
40th Division
8th Armored Car Co
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
110th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
38th Division
12th Army
23rd Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
North China Area Army
11th Army
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
5th New Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
31st Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
37th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
26th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
59th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
259th Brigade
72nd Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
21st Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
93rd Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
9th Separate Brigade
38th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
19th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
7th War Area
10th Chinese Base Force
20th Chinese Base Force
7th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
37th Group Army
2nd Construction Regiment
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
22nd Artillery Regiment
Jingcha War Area
4th Group Army
2nd Chinese Base Force
18th Group Army
13th Group Army
34th Group Army
3rd Group Army
22nd Group Army
20th Group Army
36th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
39th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force
17th Construction Regiment
4th War Area
8th Group Army
Lusu War Area
32nd Group Army
12th Construction Regiment
38th Group Army
11th Group Army
13th Construction Regiment
9th War Area
11th Construction Regiment
6th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
25th Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
6th Chinese Base Force
57th AT Gun Regiment
3rd Construction Regiment
21st Group Army
58th Chinese Corps
CAF HQ
5th Group Army
5th Construction Regiment
31st Group Army
1st Chinese Base Force
11th Chinese Base Force
1st Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
33rd Group Army
China Command
17th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
15th Chinese Base Force
2nd War Area
13th Chinese Base Force
12th Group Army
8th Construction Regiment
7th Chinese Base Force
34th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
3rd War Area
29th Group Army
98th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Base Force
5th War Area
9th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
4th Chinese Base Force
Central Reserve
23rd Group Army
1st War Area
24th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
10th Construction Regiment
19th Group Army
7th Construction Regiment
27th Group Army
14th Group Army
49th AA Regiment

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

Summary of Operations 3/12/43

South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/11 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
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 Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Australia: Transport convoy EX-28 (28 transports, one AM) arrives in Australia from the Eastern US via Capetown. Cargo aboard the convoy includes 257 USAAF Base Force, one US Marine dive bomber air squadron, 95K supply and 13K fuel. The AM arriving with convoy EX-28 is intended to remain in Australia for future operations under SW or South Pacific theatre command.


DEI: It appears that Pillager may be upgrading Japanese defensive measures at Palembang. A Sigint entry for 3/11 reports 68 JAAF AF Bn is now located at Palembang, this LCU transferred here from the Japanese Home Islands. Last reported location of 68 JAAF Bn was Tokyo on 2/06/43 – difficult to determine exactly whether Pillager had dispatched 68 Bn to Palembang before or after the Palembang raid (I’m leaning toward before). In either case, Pillager is certainly improving Japanese capability to operate aircraft from Palembang at minimum, if not intending to actually reinforce Jap air forces based in Palembang.


Indian Ocean: A rather curious and unexpected encounter between a US patrol sub and a Japanese PB in mid-ocean. SS Gunnel is returning to base for refueling and does not have sufficient fuel remaining to investigate this contact further, no other available Allied subs in the immediate area. My estimate is that Pillager may have sent this PB out as a probe to see what the Allies have running around in this area and/or a possible recon of Cocos Is. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cocos Islands at 37,98 (NNW of Cocos Is)

Japanese Ships
PB Kaiun Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gunnel

SS Gunnel launches 2 torpedoes
Gunnel diving deep ....
PB Kaiun Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Kaiun Maru cannot reach attack position over SS Gunnel
PB Kaiun Maru loses contact with SS Gunnel
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 62 aircraft (35 fighters, 27 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


India: Jap submarine detected off Colombo at hex location 27, 49 (SW of Colombo). A Sigint entry for 3/11 identifies this sub as I-159 from intercepted radio transmissions.


China: No activity at Chungking this game turn.

Summary of Operations 3/13/43

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/12 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabiteuea. Detected status of Tabiteuea shows unidentified Japanese aircraft based there, also ship(s) in port. No other visible Japanese forces or activity. Though there hasn’t been a great deal of visible Japanese activity at Tabiteuea, known airfield and port sizes at Tabiteuea along with occasional intelligence data on known Jap LCU’s located on Tabiteuea is evidence Pillager has developed Tabitueua as an significant naval base for Japanese forces operating along the southeast corner of the Pacific outer perimeter.

Intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wotje were reported in another Sigint entry for 3/12. No visible Japanese forces or activity at Wotje.


South Pacific: A US patrol sub is now in the Solomons with the mission of operating as an intruder to enter Jap bases where coastwatcher reports indicate Japanese ship(s) are present – intent of these missions to (1) identify Japanese shipping that Pillager has operating in these bases, and (2) attack targets of opportunity that are found.

SS Triton is the first US sub with this assignment and entered Lunga base hex in response to coastwatcher entries in the 3/11 Operations report. Five Jap LB remain detected in Lunga. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack at Lunga 114,138

Japanese Ships
LB-105, Shell hits 1, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Triton

LB-105 is sighted by SS Triton
SS Triton attacking LB-105 on the surface

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack at Lunga 114,138

Japanese Ships
LB-157, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Triton

LB-157 is sighted by SS Triton
SS Triton attacking LB-157 on the surface

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

Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/12 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: CVL Chitose reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 8 Japanese ships at 109,131 near Shortlands, Speed 27, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 8 Japanese ships at 109,130 near Torokina, Speed 28, Moving Northwest
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 Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 8 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Andaman Sea: Allied sub patrols operating in the Andaman Sea report Jap air patrol activity. US sub Kingfish reports contact with Ki-21 Sally air patrol off Victoria Point. Dutch sub K-XVIII reporting contact with a Ki-49 Helen air patrol at the northern entrance of Malacca Straits between Sabang and Phuket.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF in harbor (-2 from last report), 77 aircraft (46 fighters, 31 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: No activity at Chungking this game turn.

Summary of Operations 3/14/43

Japanese Home Islands: US sub patrol operating due S of Tokyo intercepts Jap transport TF. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aogashima at 114,66 (S of Tokyo)

Japanese Ships
AK Tonan Maru
SC CHa-47
SC CHa-43
AK Mikage Maru
SC CHa-48

Allied Ships
SS Grampus

SS Grampus launches 2 torpedoes at AK Tonan Maru
Grampus diving deep ....
SC CHa-48 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/13 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is. Detected status of Baker Is shows unidentified Japanese aircraft based there, no other visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Airfield and port damage at Suva from the Japanese naval bombardment on 3/09 is fully repaired.

Dutch sub enters Rabaul on intruder mission, finds and attacks Japanese surface naval TF. Note at least three ships with the Jap TF in this action (indicated by ** below) were also in the bombardment action at Suva on 3/09 – this is likely the attack TF. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at Rabaul 106,125

Japanese Ships
CA Atago **
CA Kako **
DD Asashio
DD Hatsuharu
DD Arashio
DD Michishio **

Allied Ships
SS O24, hits 5 (system damage 8, float 10, no fire or engine – sub returning to base at 17 kts for repair)

SS O24 launches 4 torpedoes at CA Atago
DD Hatsuharu fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arashio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Michishio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arashio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hatsuharu fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

The main body of transport convoy WP-41 (19 transports, 2 CM, one APD) arrives in Wellington from the mainland US. Destination port of WP-41 had been diverted from Auckland due to its almost simultaneous arrival with convoy WP-43 in Auckland – the operating procedures I have in place giving emphasis on quick unloading and turn-around of transport TF and convoys arriving in forward theatres for a variety of reasons, security not the least of these. Cargo arriving aboard the main body of convoy WP-41 includes 87K supply and 48K fuel, no LCU or air units. The CM and APD arriving with convoy WP-41 are planned to remain in the South Pacific for employment in future operations.

US patrol sub remained in Lunga base hex – attacked and sank three more Jap LB in separate combat actions. AAR of the first action follows. While Jap LB are not exactly “big game”, these sinkings provide a small amount of disruption to Pillager’s defensive preparations at forward positions in the Solomons area, not to mention slowly eroding the Japanese barge pool. SS Triton now headed for Shortlands.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack at Lunga 114,138

Japanese Ships
LB-101, Shell hits 2, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Triton

LB-101 is sighted by SS Triton
SS Triton attacking LB-101 on the surface

(AAR’s of the other two actions identical to this one, the LB attacked in each confirmed sunk)

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


Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/13 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands (SS Triton now enroute to investigate/attack this contact)
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: AK Yamahuku Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown


Andaman Sea: US patrol sub in engagement with probable Jap surface ASW. SS Kingfish also reports contact with Ki-21 Sally air patrol. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Victoria Point at 50,64 (NW of Victoria Point)

Japanese Ships
DD Hakaze
PB Menado Maru

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish

SS Kingfish launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hakaze
Kingfish diving deep ....
DD Hakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 64 aircraft (38 fighters, 26 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: No activity at Chungking this game turn.

Summary of Operations 3/15/43

Japanese Home Islands: Jap transport TF intercepted south of Tokyo by SS Grampus on 3/14 is encountered by a second US patrol sub. From hex locations of the two contacts, this Jap TF appears to be moving on a more or less due S heading, possible destinations include Truk or the Marianas. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Chichi-jima at 114,71 (NE fo Chichi Jima)

Japanese Ships
AK Tonan Maru (one dud torpedo hit)
SC CHa-43
SC CHa-48

Allied Ships
SS Trout

SS Trout launches 2 torpedoes at AK Tonan Maru
SC CHa-48 attacking submerged sub ....
SC CHa-48 is out of ASW ammo
SC CHa-48 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Another group of 3 US subs now in the East China Sea – subs are dispersing to assigned patrol areas NW of Formosa, off Shanghai and SW of Korea (the latter patrol checking out Japanese ship traffic from Port Arthur).


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/14 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein. Detected status of Kwajalein shows unidentified Japanese aircraft based there, also ship(s) in port – both as expected. No other visible Japanese forces or activity.

Intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit reported in a second Sigint entry for 3/14. Detected status of Jaluit shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/14 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Efate. Detected status of Efate shows no visible Japanese forces or activity. No evidence of airfield or port construction observed at Efate – current airfield size 0(5), port size 1(2). Known Japanese LCU at Efate from available intelligence is one unit identified as 86 Naval Gd.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/14 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 3 Jap TF in harbor (+2 from last report), 69 aircraft (42 fighters, 27 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: No activity at Chungking this game turn.

Summary of Operations 3/16/43

Japanese Home Islands: US sub patrol intercepts Jap transport TF south of Shikoku, torpedoes large AK. AAR follows.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kochi at 105,63 (SW of Kobe)

Japanese Ships
AK Ginyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
PB Choun Maru #8

Allied Ships
SS Tautog

SS Tautog launches 2 torpedoes at AK Ginyo Maru
Tautog diving deep ....
PB Choun Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

East China Sea: US sub patrol now operating off the southern tip of the Korean peninsula reported contacts with two Jap TF’s at the same hex location, a large xAK from one of the TF was attacked. Both Jap TF are visible on-map and reported moving in opposite directions (one eastbound, one westbound). The westbound TF contains 5 ships, the eastbound TF appears as one ship moving alone. It appears likely the sub attack below was against the eastbound Jap TF. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Moppo at 98,54 (SW of Moppo)

Japanese Ships
xAK Daisin Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sumatra Maru
PB Tonon Maru

Allied Ships
SS Drum

SS Drum launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Daisin Maru
Drum bottoming out ....
PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/15 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Roi-Namur. Detected status of Roi-Namur shows unidentified Japanese aircraft based there, no other visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: The main body of transport convoy WP-42 (25 ships) arrived in Auckland this game turn from the mainland US. Cargo arriving with the main part of the convoy includes HQ XIII USAAF Fighter Command, 70K supply and 78K fuel.

A detachment of transport convoy WP-42 from the mainland US (convoy WP-42A, 8 ships) arrived at Suva this game turn. Cargo arriving in Suva aboard WP-42A includes 12 & 15 Marine Defense Bns and 10K supply.

A US sub patrol entered Shortlands base hex to identify and attack Jap shipping that had been spotted there by coastwatchers. While the sub failed to spot or attack any Japanese ships, it did provide a detected status of the base. Detected status of Shortlands is showing unidentified Jap aircraft based there, plus evidence of base construction activity. Current airfield size at Shortlands is 4(4), port size 3(3). Available intelligence data has two Jap LCU located in Shortlands – 13 JAAF AF Bn & 2 Independent SNLF Co.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/15 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Singapore: Heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Singapore reported in two 3/15 Sigint entries. Detected status of Singapore reports 107 Japanese ships in port, 40 aircraft (25 fighters, 13 bombers), 8 LCU.

Available intelligence data has 19 Jap LCU’s possibly or definitely located in Singapore – HQ Southern Fleet, HQ 25th Army, 18 JAAF Base Force, 17 JAAF AF Bn, 5th & Imperial Guards Infantry Divisions, 33 Infantry Rgt, 15 Garrison Unit, 2 & 3 Heavy Artillery Rgts, 9 Medium Field Arty Rgt, 1 & 4 Independent Heavy Arty Bns, 14 Independent Artillery Mortar Bn, 1 RF Gun Bn, 20 AA Regiment, 35 Field AA Bn, 9 Field AF Construction Bn, 47 Construction Co.

It should be noted it’s probable that not all the 19 Jap LCU’s listed above remain in Singapore at this time - this given the dates (game turns) on which some of the Jap LCU’s were reported to be in Singapore. Also, it has been known Singapore is a port-of-entry for Japanese LCU being transferred into Southeast Asia or Burma via sea transport from other theatres – it's very possible some of the Jap LCU listed above as reported in Singapore were detected on their arrival in Singapore during their transfer and continued their movement overland from Singapore.


Andaman Sea: Significant activity by Japanese naval search and/or ASW air patrols reported by Allied sub patrols throughout this sea area. Jap planes identified in these reports include Ki-21 Sally and Ki-49 Helen. Dutch submarine K-XVIII near the Malacca Straits attacked by several Jap air patrols and damaged (system damage 34, float 26, engine 2). SS K-XVIII is returning to base at 12 kts for repair.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor (-2 from last report), 60 aircraft (35 fighters, 25 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.

Detected status of Magwe shows current level of oil facilities at 18(283). This status report indicates Pillager has begun repairing bombing damage to oil production in Magwe, also that the overall Japanese supply situation in Burma appears adequate to support repair of the oil facilities.


China: No activity at Chungking this game turn.

Summary of Operations 3/17/43

Japanese Home Islands: US sub patrol engaged by Jap surface ASW between Amami Oshima and Kyushu. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tokara Retto at 99,62 (SW of Tokara Retto)

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback is located by DD Yuzuki
DD Harukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yuzuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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East China Sea: All three US subs sent to patrol this sea area in action. This is a relatively confined sea area with most of its sea hexes shallow water, placing US subs somewhat vulnerable to spotting and attack by Japanese ASW forces. Another factor is the distance of the East China Sea area from US sub bases (about as far as you can get from Pearl Harbor) – this distance reduces the time subs can operate in their patrol areas. On the other side of the coin… the East China Sea is a target-rich environment, a significant part of Japanese transport shipping to the Home Islands almost has to go through this sea area with little room for maneuver around US subs. Given the attack opportunities, my plans for submarine warfare include pursuing attacks in the East China Sea on at least a modest scale.

US sub patrol off the southern tip of Korea in several night actions against Jap merchant shipping. AAR’s follow.

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Submarine attack near Moppo at 99,53 (NW of Moppo)

Japanese Ships
xAK Koki Maru (one dud torpedo hit)

Allied Ships
SS Drum

xAK Koki Maru is sighted by SS Drum
SS Drum launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Koki Maru

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Submarine attack near Moppo at 99,53

Japanese Ships
xAK Hauraki Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Drum

xAK Hauraki Maru is sighted by SS Drum
SS Drum attacking on the surface

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US sub patrol off Shanghai attacked by Jap surface ASW. SS Flying Fish damaged in the ASW attack, returning to base at 13 kts. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Shanghai at 94,57 (E of Shanghai)

Japanese Ships
xAK Nagisan Maru
E W-23

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish, hits 2 (system damage 22, float 33, no fire or engine)

SS Flying Fish is sighted by escort
Flying Fish bottoming out ....
E W-23 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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US patrol sub operating in the strait between Formosa and the China coast sinks small Jap tanker. I suspected Pillager was possibly sending Jap merchant ship traffic through this sea passage rather than the main part of the Formosa Straits. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Taihoku at 87,62 (N of Pescadores)

Japanese Ships
TK Terukawa Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk, burning oil cargo)

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead, hits 1

TK Terukawa Maru is sighted by SS Steelhead
SS Steelhead attacking on the surface

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/16 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit. Detected status of Jaluit shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/16 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Efate. Detected status of Efate shows no visible Japanese forces or activity - current airfield size 0(5), port size 1(2).

Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/16 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 Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: CVL Mizuho reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Andaman Sea: US sub Kingfish on patrol off Mergui reports contact with probable Jap surface ASW TF (3 ships moving SW) at hex location 51, 62 (SW of Mergui). SS Kingfish also reports contact with Ki-21 Sally air patrol. No reported combat occurred.


Burma: USAAF bombers hit Magwe oil production facilities. Current detected status of Magwe base shows oil production at 19(282). AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed (Aircraft Losses display shows total of 2 A6M2 destroyed in air-to-air)
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed (Aircraft Losses display shows 2 additional Ki-44-IIa destroyed as operational losses)

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged (one additional B-24D crashed on landing at base)

Oil hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

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Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 63 aircraft (35 fighters, 28 bombers), 9 Jap LCU’s.


China: No activity at Chungking this game turn.

Summary of Operations 3/18/43

Japanese Home Islands: US sub patrol attacks Jap surface ASW between Amami Oshima and Kyushu. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Tokara Retto at 99,63 (N of Amami Oshima)

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-5
SC CHa-17

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-5
Grayback diving deep ....
SC CHa-17 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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East China Sea: US sub Grenadier attacked and damaged by Jap surface ASW west of Kyushu. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Fukue-jima at 98,59 (W of Kagoshima)

Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami
DD Harukaze
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier, hits 1 (system damage 16, float 7, returning to base at 19 kts for repair)

SS Grenadier is located by DD Sazanami
Grenadier diving deep ....
DD Harukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yuzuki attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Damaged US sub engages Jap transport then breaks off attack. AAR follows. SS Flying Fish is returning to base to repair damage from an attack by Jap ASW off Shanghai on 3/17.

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Submarine attack near Fukue-jima at 97,59 (W of Kyushu)

Japanese Ships
xAK Konzan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish

xAK Konzan Maru is sighted by SS Flying Fish
SS Flying Fish attacking on the surface
Parks, L.S. decides to submerge SS Flying Fish due to damage

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SS Grenadier and SS Flying Fish both report attacks by Ki-49 Helen air patrols.

Large Jap xAK torpedoed and sunk by US patrol sub in the strait between Formosa and the China coast. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Taihoku at 87,61 (N of Pescadores)

Japanese Ships
xAK Kuritake Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead

SS Steelhead attacking on the surface

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/17 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Marcus Is. Detected status of Marcus Is shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.

Heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk was reported in a second 3/17 Sigint entry. Detected status of Truk shows unidentified Jap planes based there, also ship(s) in port – as expected. No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Truk.


South Pacific: Jap submarine spots transport convoy WP-45 approaching Auckland, sub engaged by ASW escort. Convoy WP-45 is now within two days of arrival in Auckland. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Auckland at 122,185 (E of Auckland)

Japanese Ships
SS I-1, hits 2

Allied Ships
AM Penguin
TK William H. Berg
TK L. P. St. Clair
TK H. M. Storey
TK Connecticut
TK Camden
TK Manzanillo
TK Mobilgas
TK Deroche
TK William Sunoco
xAK Zachary Taylor
xAK William L. Garrison
xAK William Kent
xAK Thomas A. Edison
xAK Joseph Holt
xAK James Gordon Bennett
xAK George Taylor
DD Schley
DD John D. Edwards

SS I-1 is sighted by escort
DD Schley attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-1 eludes DD Schley by diving deep
DD John D. Edwards attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/17 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF in harbor (-2 from last report), 70 aircraft (49 fighters, 21 bombers), 10 Jap LCU’s (+1 from last report). The new Jap LCU arriving this game turn in Burma likely came via land movement from either Thailand or China.

Detected status of Magwe shows oil production at 19(282). The last Allied bombing raid may have done little or no additional damage.


China: No activity at Chungking this game turn.

Summary of Operations 3/19/43

This is easily the highest single day's activity by US submarines for the entire campaign to date. The four Japanese ships sunk (1 xAK, 3 xAKL) is the largest number of enemy sinkings by Allied subs for a single day in the campaign. It’s starting to appear parts of the East China Sea area and sea areas surrounding Okinawa are along a main movement route for Jap transport ships and convoys to and from the Home Islands.

Japanese Home Islands: Several actions by US sub patrol in straits north of Amami Oshima. AAR’s follow. SS Grayback also spots but does not attack a Jap TK moving east.

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Sub attack near Tokara Retto at 99,62 (N of Amami Oshima)

Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback launches 2 torpedoes at DD Harukaze
DD Harukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Submarine attack near Amami Oshima at 98,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Maya Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

xAK Maya Maru is sighted by SS Grayback
SS Grayback attacking xAK Maya Maru on the surface

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US sub patrol operating east of Okinawa intercepts Jap transport. AAR follows.

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Submarine attack near Okinoerabushima at 97,66 (NE of Okinawa)

Japanese Ships
xAKL Toten Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Barb

xAKL Toten Maru is sighted by SS Barb
SS Barb attacking on the surface

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East China Sea: US patrol subs in multiple actions off the southern tip of the Korean peninsula. AAR’s follow.

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Submarine attack near Moppo at 99,53 (WNW of Moppo)

Japanese Ships
xAK Kozan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Drum

xAK Kozan Maru is sighted by SS Drum
SS Drum launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kozan Maru

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Sub attack near Moppo at 99,53

Japanese Ships
xAK Manko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Drum

SS Drum launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Manko Maru

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Sub attack near Saishu To at 100,56 (adjacent hex SE of Saishu To)

Japanese Ships
xAKL Penang Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk after second attack)

Allied Ships
SS Tunny

xAKL Penang Maru is sighted by SS Tunny
SS Tunny launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Penang Maru

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Sub attack near Saishu To at 100,56

Japanese Ships
xAKL Penang Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tunny

SS Tunny launches 2 torpedoes

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US sub patrol north of Formosa intercepts small Jap transport TF, sinks one small ship. Remainder of the Jap TF (one xAKL still detected) moving southbound into the strait between Formosa and the China mainland. AAR follows.

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Submarine attack near Taihoku at 89,62 (N of Taihoku)

Japanese Ships
xAKL Muroran Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead

xAKL Muroran Maru is sighted by SS Steelhead
SS Steelhead attacking xAKL Muroran Maru on the surface

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 3/18 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Canton Is. Detected status of Canton Is shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, airfield size 2(0), port size 2(2). No other visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: A detachment of transport convoy WP-41 from the mainland US (convoy WP-41A, six xAK, three PC) arrived at Suva this game turn. Cargo arriving in Suva aboard WP-41A includes two LCU (HQ XIII Bomber Command, 138 USA Base Force) and 7600 supply. The 3 PC arriving with the convoy will be attached to South Pacific theatre command for employment on local ASW tasks within the theatre area.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 3/18 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
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


Southeast Asia: Sigint entry for 3/18 reports Jap 28th Infantry Division/A sub-unit is now located at Surat Thani in southern Thailand. 28 Division was previously located in Port Arthur on 10/15/42 and had not been divided into sub-units as of that date. From this Sigint report, it can be concluded that Pillager has likely transferred all of 28th Division from Kwantung Army to Southeast Asia and that “B” and “C” sub-units of 28 Division are either also at Surat Thani or elsewhere in Southeast Asia.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port (-9 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 72 aircraft (41 fighters, 31 bombers), 10 Jap LCU’s.


China: No activity at Chungking this game turn.

Magwe falls to India/Burma attack. Six divisions (all British) take Magwe in three day battle. Merrills Marauders cut off enemy retreat, 50,000 enemy trapped around Mandalay (with another enemy division bottled up outside of Katha). It looks as if the upper Burma occupation is about to be routed. Nine allied divisions are in area and enemy has no where to go. Base support rushing into Magwe so fighters can be brought in.

Guam secured. The 7th and 24th Infantry Divisions eliminated all enemy resistance on Guam. Second wave of invaders enroute to take Rota and Saipan. Tinian attack forces forming up at PH and Munda. Looks like this campaign will be successful.

Navy to execute various refits and upgrades to most major units including the carriers last half of 1944. New Guinea assaults have halted while Marianas campaign underway. Biak and on to Sorong planned for 2nd half of 1944.

B-29s still training in India. They are far from ready. Chinese Air Force is ready to assume offensive role in China, though China still struggling with supply issues outside of Chungking.

Reinforcements are pouring in now. Its like Christmas every day.

One thing I discovered with the Marshalls and Gilberts campaign. There are plenty of islands to utilize if one is willing to wait while engineers build them up. I avoided some nasty welcoming parties that way. Pillager will not be able to redeploy as quickly as you can hit him where he ain't.

I think your first priority is to take out the KB, even if you only get a part of it. You will have enough carriers to do that with before too long. And you can play the attrition game. Your carriers come back, theirs do not. Then it is just a matter of suppression, which your carriers can easily do to a land base. When your carriers are around the enemy cannot run in enough shipping to move divisions from island to island. Once enemy divisions are deployed, they are essentially stuck there. You don't have to attack them then, just take the next island and build it up. Eventually you will have them so suppressed that it won't matter what you do. I use enemy units isolated like that as training fodder for my bombers. They train up so much faster in combat.

Looks like a major bloodbath at Chungking. Maybe that will keep Pillager busy for awhile. Meanwhile, I like what you are doing to try and trap the enemy. One of these days one of those traps will pay big dividends.

John

johnjohn,

I think your first priority is to take out the KB, even if you only get a part of it.

It would be nice to get rid of the KB. Without the KB around, an Allied offensive in the Pacific is greatly simplified.

My thought at this point is to exercise some patience in dealing with the KB. Even intact, the KB is slowly losing its relevance as a dominant force as the campaign progresses farther into 1943. There is little need to go after the KB. It's only a matter of when Pillager will be in a situation where there's no choice but commit the KB. When Pillager does commit the KB, my intent is that this occurs under conditions that are as difficult and unfavorable as possible for the Japanese side. I intend to be awaiting the KB's arrival. Take out the other Japanese forces in the meantime. The KB loses much of its power once it becomes the last effective Japanese weapon left.