Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

This post is a test to see if embedding the .txt attachment will display it correctly.

Nope - didn't work.

[BBfanboy]

Thanks for the update. I had forgotten about that battle back in November.
OK, then! I have to guess that he overestimated how much two CVEs could achieve against allied AA in 1943.
Rotsa Ruck teaching him a tough lesson!

[princep01]

It is rather difficult to see what Admiral Wa was intent on doing with that force in the Bay of Bengal.  As a pure raider force, the CVEs could have taken a goodly toll on merchant shipping plying the area, but, as was pointed out, to what end?  True, destruction of a troop convoy would have been rewarding, but the chances of catching one there is fairly slim.  Further, it really could not defend itself had a few British CVs been available in the area and was at hazard if caught by a substantial cruiser force.  So, it is hard to see what the unscrutable one was up to given the picture we could see.
 
However, as a mind game, I guess it has some value to send such raiding forces deep into Indian country.  Admiral Wa did it in the Pacific with the CVLs that came to a grissly end and we have seen other raiders pop up even as far off as the West Coast.  So, based on past events in this game, it seems very much in character.  In the end, I suspect that was all it was....a raiding force intent on doing more psychological than physical damage. 

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: princep01

It is rather difficult to see what Admiral Wa was intent on doing with that force in the Bay of Bengal.  As a pure raider force, the CVEs could have taken a goodly toll on merchant shipping plying the area, but, as was pointed out, to what end?  True, destruction of a troop convoy would have been rewarding, but the chances of catching one there is fairly slim.  Further, it really could not defend itself had a few British CVs been available in the area and was at hazard if caught by a substantial cruiser force.  So, it is hard to see what the unscrutable one was up to given the picture we could see.

However, as a mind game, I guess it has some value to send such raiding forces deep into Indian country.  Admiral Wa did it in the Pacific with the CVLs that came to a grissly end and we have seen other raiders pop up even as far off as the West Coast.  So, based on past events in this game, it seems very much in character.  In the end, I suspect that was all it was....a raiding force intent on doing more psychological than physical damage. 

Right! The psychological damage from seeing all those fine Vals shot down, leaving any surviving pilots with a 1600 mile swim is awful ..... Oh wait! They're Japanese, aren't they?[:D]

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Right! The psychological damage from seeing all those fine Vals shot down, leaving any surviving pilots with a 1600 mile swim is awful ..... Oh wait! They're Japanese, aren't they?[:D]

Now that is just evil! [:D]

[witpqs]

1943 February 01

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Arorae

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Arorae

Little action in China, one ground bombardment and the usual aerial beatings.

In the Burma theater our diversionary advance both continues and has drawn fire!

Morning Air attack on 22nd (East African) Brigade, at 59,41 , near Imphal

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 17

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40K Warhawk (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 268th Motorised Brigade ...
Also attacking 22nd (East African) Brigade ...

That could have been merely a recon attack.

Arorae was captured without drama, and no Imperial reaction has been seen by search. The 2 x AVD will move in tonight. A squadron of PBY are moving and will begin search operations the day after.

The aerial assault on Tulagi went badly, owing mostly to the weather scrubbing almost all squadrons. 5 x B-17D were lost, but only 1 crew is MIA.

Morning Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
5th Sentai/A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
5th Sentai/C with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

The softening up of the Imperial troops across the river continues on our part. The USN carrier and surface TFs are heading back to Suva and Pago Pago to replenish. After that, the invasion forces for the Gilberts will load up. Based on sightings of our subs, there is the possibility of Imperials Carrier(s) north or northeast of Rabaul. Our ASW groups pounded one IJN sub and hit another near Christmas Island. What is presumed to be the former looks to be heading home.

The Imperial carriers in the Indian Ocean have well and truly vanished. We shall keep looking. Force Z will head to Colombo to refuel and stand by in case a quick intercept run is required. I don't want all forces low on fuel at the same time. Weather is a major factor, there having been raid and more predicted. Here is the escape route coverage.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

[The Imperial carriers in the Indian Ocean have well and truly vanished. We shall keep looking. Force Z will head to Colombo to refuel and stand by in case a quick intercept run is required. I don't want all forces low on fuel at the same time. Weather is a major factor, there having been raid and more predicted. Here is the escape route coverage.

You are playing in clouds of insect poison? No wonder they call it Advanced Weather Effects! Now if you could just get that in the malarial zones ...

[witpqs]

[:D]

I suppose there were air raids!

[witpqs]

1943 February 02

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A little action in China. The result of the first attack, near Patung, was good news as this point is important to hold for as long as possible. The unit that was just retreated way up north in the 'Chinese Outback' is now on the road whereas its pursuers are not. They will run as fast as they can to get south and cut the supply route!

Ground combat at 80,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32538 troops, 265 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 930

Defending force 35886 troops, 202 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 656

Japanese adjusted assault: 424

Allied adjusted defense: 1327

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
1699 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 160 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Allied ground losses:
946 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
15th/C Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th/B Division
110th Division
13th/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
13th Group Army


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

Ground combat at 84,27 (near Kiuchuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 672 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Defending force 481 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Japanese adjusted assault: 24

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ching An Tui Brigade

Defending units:
34th Separate Brigade

Also, two IJA units have made the plain 92mi east of Chungking. They are moving east to attack the Chinese troops in the rough terrain, holding against a lone IJA unit. Reinforcement is dispatched from Chunking, and the Chinese Air Force will begin making attacks from Chengtu. Chiang Kai-Shek has been sacked in favor of a commander whom it is hoped will rally troops more quickly.

No sign of Imperial carriers in the IO.

Imperial bombers and fighters in multiple bombing runs and sweeps crossed the Indian frontier to hit our advancing troops. We lost some fighters but generally our boys held their own.

The skies over Tulagi also saw bitter struggles. No 4EB were lost today, but only a little damage done to the airfield. Several enemy taken by the P-38 sweep that arrived after all the bombers. The heavies bombers must rest, probably for two days. Another B-24D squadron has arrived on the scene, so the party will be a little bigger next time.

Recon of Tarawa shows a CV in port (I figure seaplane support is more likely), fighters-bombers-auxiliary as 32-21-23, 4 ground units of 5,820 troops and 15 guns.

[witpqs]

1943 February 03

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In China the strong, dug-in troops were routed just as easily as the already battered troops ENE of Sian. Other units are rushing to fill the gap.

Ground combat at 85,39 (near Sian)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 10425 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 315

Defending force 13691 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Japanese adjusted assault: 118

Allied adjusted defense: 57

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), morale(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1219 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 89 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
5622 casualties reported
Squads: 255 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 162 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
19th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
23rd Chinese Corps
2nd War Area
12th Chinese Base Force

Hector still floats, but her escort is Winchester for ASW. The USN dive bombers training (already well trained) at Palmyra are detailed to 100% narrow corridor ASW duty in hopes of suppressing the shark. Hopefully, the hits that SC-751 put on target taken together with the hits made near Christmas Island will render I-3 unable to find Hector. Hector was headed to Canton Island to serve as a forward emergency repair station. Hector's crew is very green, but otherwise she might actually make it to Palmyra, which is a size 5 port. She then could be pumped out and escorted to Pearl Harbor.

Sub attack near Palmyra at 168,135

Japanese Ships
SS I-3, hits 12, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AR Hector, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC-751

Massive explosion on AR Hector
SS I-3 launches 2 torpedoes at AR Hector
I-3 diving deep ....
SC-751 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-751 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-751 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-751 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-751 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-751 is out of ASW ammo
SC-751 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

No signs of the Imperium in the IO.

The IJA won the air war over the Burma-India border but the USA won same over the South Pacific and over Port Moresby. There are no fighters now seen at Tulagi, so they must be covering from Munda.

[witpqs]

1943 February 04

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In China two of the three IJA units in Kungchang pulled out in time to block encirclement. Our bombers just would not fly the past two days despite orders. Japan rules the skies over China. Those two Imperial units on the plain of Chungking are moving to cut supply to the troops to their east.

Hector made it to Palmyra and will commence pumping out and shoring up. Successes for two subs.

Sub attack near Etorofu at 128,56

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tsukikawa Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Halibut

SS Halibut attacking on the surface
Ross, P.H. decides to submerge SS Halibut due to damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Manus at 103,118

Japanese Ships
AO Erimo, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Shiretoko
AO Notoro
AO Hayamoto
E Shimushu

Allied Ships
SS Triton, hits 1

SS Triton launches 6 torpedoes at AO Erimo
Triton diving deep ....
E Shimushu attacking submerged sub ....
E Shimushu fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Shimushu fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Shimushu fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Shimushu fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

A TF of IJN destroyers - possibly with a light cruiser - turned up 80nm from Ndeni. USMC fliers responded.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,142

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 9

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

Japanese Ships
DD Makinami
DD Samidare
DD Kiyonami

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,142

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
SBD-2 Dauntless x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kiyonami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Makinami

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,142

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
SBD-2 Dauntless x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Samidare, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Either the IJN carriers in the IO slipped out of the coverage net, they scuttled, or they have engaged their cloaking devices. The air attacks on Ndeni, Milne bay and the troops on the Burma border all went well. Horn Island has been under almost constant aerial bombardment. Tulagi airfield scouts as 33% damaged.

The fleet carriers have replenished as have their air groups. The escort carriers have replenished and so have their squadrons. Some had to be put ashore to requisition replacement aircraft from a finicky supply sergeant and will reembark tomorrow. The invasion forces for Tarawa and Abemama begin loading tonight, a process which will certainly take two days, maybe three for stragglers. We are not taking the extra time for the 40th ID to upgrade to '43 standard squads and instead will trust in gunfire and aerial support. The troops on both objectives will be put ashore with enough supply to last through major contingencies. Base forces and engineers are also embarking in separate TFs to be put ashore as soon as each objective is taken. Abemama, which is believed unoccupied, should be seized the first day with base building and base force landings commencing the second day. As far as gunfire support goes, the heavy cruisers, slow battleships, and fast battleships will all be available in addition to cruisers in company of the transports. Due back on line in 7 days, there is a slight possibility that Enterprise might attend the festivities.

The air battles over the Burma frontier turned decidedly in our favor today, with victories over sweeping Imperial fighters and the smashing of a bomber formation. A nice little haul!

[witpqs]

I forgot to mention - the ground losses for Tojo and Emily were at Tulagi. I love bagging long range search planes!

[princep01]

Yep, I agree re the 4 engine recon planes.  One goes down and that's 4 hard earned IJ aerial engines gone.  Don't know why that is such a rush, but I agree it is!

[witpqs]

Well for me it's the search aspect rather than the production aspect. Search is sooo important most of the time in this game. And especially those big search planes of the Empire have long range. I know that whacking a bunch of them takes a bite out of search in that area for a little while.

Probably no turn until tomorrow.

[witpqs]

1943 February 05

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Chinese Air Force flew today!

Morning Air attack on 17th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 78,45 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB-III x 14

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
3 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
3 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
2 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
3 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 41st Division ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th Indpt Infantry Regiment, at 81,36 (Kungchang)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 3

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-29A Hudson bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 41st Division, at 78,45 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB-III x 2

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Perhaps an opportunity at Kungchang created by the movement of IJA forces to hold open their supply line.

Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13171 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 712

Defending force 3829 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Assaulting units:
1st Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
6th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Our troops at Kungchang will make a deliberate attack tomorrow. In two days another unit will arrive, further over stacking the base. All troops are eating their socks anyway, so supply will not be impacted.

The Tarawa assault force has completed loading at Suva and will proceed to an area north of Savii. The assault force for Abemama and the base forces for both objectives are loading supplies at Pago Pago and will meet the Tarawa assault force at sea. The fleet carriers will linger a bit at Suva in hopes of repairing some systems damage. All of the USMC air groups are back aboard their escort carriers at Pago Pago. Enterprise is expected ready in six days. Three destroyers are on hand to escort her but more might be available by then.

Two IJN subs are seen near Ndeni and another near Arorae. There is a TF of 4 ships but otherwise unknown composition at Ocean Island heading SE. The heavy cruisers, which refueled at sea south of the Ellice Islands, will head through the area a couple of hundred nm west of Arorae. They will be in position to receive orders to intercede if a move on Arorae is evident, but will endeavor to remain far enough away from Tarawa to avoid air strikes.

No sign of the IJN in the IO. Here is the situation in central China.

[witpqs]

1943 February 06

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The attack at Kungchang was a dead end even in spite of both Chinese and US Air Forces' intervention.

Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27482 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 711

Defending force 3830 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Allied adjusted assault: 144

Japanese adjusted defense: 631

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
220 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
858 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
6th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment

An IJA unit has made it to the hex just west of Kweiyang, ahead of our would-be blocking unit.

It looks like one more day for the last base force TF for Tarawa to finish loading supplies. All other amphibious TFs have put to sea. Recon puts Tarawa with 4 x LCU, 6,700 troops, 88 guns, and no AFV. Here is the SigInt for Tarawa.

Code: Select all

 Date       Type Actor                                    Optional #1        Optional #2               Action                       Target Name          T-Hex  
 1942-02-15 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-03-02 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-03-11 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-03-12 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-03-16 -    53rd Naval Guard Unit                    -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-03-21 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-03-24 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-06-30 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-07-01 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-07-05 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-08-03 -    13th Air Flotilla                        -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-08-04 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-08-13 -    53rd Naval Guard Unit                    -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-08-22 -    13th Air Flotilla                        -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-08-30 -    13th Air Flotilla                        -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-09-14 -    53rd Naval Guard Unit                    -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-09-17 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-09-20 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-10-10 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-10-18 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-10-22 -    13th Air Flotilla                        -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-10-27 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-11-13 -    13th Air Flotilla                        -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-11-28 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1942-12-08 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1943-01-28 -    Radio transmissions                      -                  -                         detected at                  Tarawa               136,128 
 1943-02-02 -    7th JNAF Coy                             -                  -                         is located at                Tarawa               136,128 
 

The SigInt is also attached in case it does not display properly inside the post.

[BBfanboy]

Looks like Tarawa does not have much opposition. Hope you can get there before he gets a wiff of the amphib force.

[witpqs]

That's the two-edged sword of recon - he now knows I'm reconnoitering Tarawa. I am still doing so with Abemama and Tabiteuea also, but those don't seem to go in with as much regularity as they are PBY units moonlighting after their regular shifts are over. I just got one of the big PBY 4Y or-whatever-exactly-is-the-definition units up and running. They're just waiting for a little better weather to make a couple of hops to the area. No air bases in range for them with a big enough runway to support them scouting the Gilberts and Marshalls. For now they can help get a solid look at Munda and Shortlands.

[princep01]

Under current conditions, reconning Tarawa is quite natural and I am sure Admiral Wa knows it will likely be a target.  If you are reconning other nearby islands, that will leave him wondering just where you are coming.  But, for any IJ admiral, it is just a matter of time for the Gilberts and Tarawa is often the prime target.
 
What would worry me is the fact that he may actually have 6K guys there and how long he has been fortifying the place.  It sure doesn't look like a pushover to me.  In fact, I might be inclined to nabbed the smaller nearby islands and build some fighter bases there BEFORE landing on Tarawa.  In fact, I might just by-pass the place altogether, build those fighter bases into bomber size bases and use Tarawa as a bomber training island.....and move on to the Marshall Is as soon as I could neutralize the AF on Tarawa.
 
Regarding your Gilberts expedition.  Other than tough fighting on land, I don't see how he can mount much naval opposition,  Maybe some LBA hazards though.  I'm anxious to see how it goes.
 
In my game, I grabbed Tarawa back in June, 42 when KB was off galavanting about in the Indian Ocean.  He had not occupied it heavily and it was barely even fortified, so I had an easy time of it.  Just one of those lucky opportunitstic things the Allies can do early on if the IJN is off playing far away. 

[GreyJoy]

Tarawa can field 20,000 men, not just 6,000... Makin 15,000 if i'm not mistaken.
Tabiutea is the best target, cause you can land up to 40,000 men without any stacking problem and can built up pretty well.
While Tarawa can be fortified by the japs, i don't think a balanced japanese defence can base more than a Naval Guard unit at Tabiutea (considering that Japan needs to fortify Tarawa, Makin, Jaluit, Kwalajein, Roi-Namur, Kusiae etc. etc...)