BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[PzB74]

At least they are easy to shoot down!-p)

Nearing the end of 41 and we're closing in on Manila and Singapore.
Will complete the occupation of Borneo and Celebes, then we will have to wait for Singapore to fall before we can move on to Java and Sumatra.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 29, 41

A few annoyances today; A destroyer hit a mine and sank at Mersing - then a DMS also hit mines and sank.
To top it all a sub got lost and entered a minefield in Singapore and sank [8|]

Sea

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 82 encounters mine field at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Ships
DD Asagiri, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval Gun Fire at Singapore - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese Ships
SS I-121, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 240 encounters mine field at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-11, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS W-6

40 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

We captured a Chinese base west of Shanghai as well as Batangas, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan

Ground combat at Chuhsien (88,56)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14413 troops, 118 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 497
Defending force 3508 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Japanese adjusted assault: 319
Allied adjusted defense: 70

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Chuhsien !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
1892 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 36 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
3rd War Area
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuantan (51,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2407 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 89
Defending force 414 troops, 4 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 28
Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuantan !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Engineer Regiment
II./143rd Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
1st ISF Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have increased our contingent of troops at Mersing;

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13870 troops, 162 guns, 48 vehicles, Assault Value = 568
Defending force 13976 troops, 92 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 443

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
27th Australian Brigade
5/14th Punjab Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
11th Indian Division
3rd Cavalry Regiment
12th Indian Brigade
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment

Defending units:
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
41st Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit
148th Infantry Rgt /2
84th JAAF AF Bn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only a weak enemy unit defended Kuala Lumpur and our paras chased them away, opening the road south and enabling the railroad up north!

Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur (49,79)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 280 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Defending force 319 troops, 25 guns, 33 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 6
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuala Lumpur !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 23 (23 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (16 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
-------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Tomorrow we march into Clark Field and occupies abandoned Manila.
Our main body has reached Kuala Lumpur and we're only a couple of short steps from Mersing and Singapore.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 30, 41

Sub Attacks

The Halstead is the last of the 3 ships that our Commerce Raider attacked!

Submarine attack near Hilo at 197,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-3

Allied Ships
xAK Admiral Halstead, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Admiral Halstead is sighted by SS I-3
SS I-3 launches 4 torpedoes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malaya Situation Map

[PzB74]

Last day of the year both in game and in RL
A Happy New Year to everyone! [8D]

We celebrated by capturing Manila!

When the light carrier Shoho arrives in a few days I'm considering to attach it to the Kido Butai together with the Zuiho and Ryujo. Maybe by wielding a truly powerful hammer can we achieve some substantial successes. I'm thinking about attaching one light carrier to each of the 3 Car Divs; Akagi / Kaga, Zuikaku / Shokaku and Soryu / Hiryu. Each group will then have a fast battleship, a heavy cruiser, a light cruiser and 3-4 destroyer escorts.

Another idea on the planning stage is how to deploy our subs;
When the subs go home to replenish I will gather them for a combined effort against different strategic areas and dispatch a couple of commerc raiders with them.

In preparation for the inevitable Allied bombing attacks from India / Burma I've also been releasing Triple 'A' units.
If we gather 12-15 of these in Bangkok and north towards Rangoon it should work as a deterent.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 31, 41

Sea

Sub attack near Oosthaven at 46,97

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
xAK Ho Kiang, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-155 launches 8 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy got a bunch of annoying little PT boats near Davao - tried to take em out!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tacloban at 81,85, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-32
PT-33
PT-34, Shell hits 1
PT-35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The annoying little string bags are back! They found a couple of transports and sank em both

Morning Air attack on TF, near Naga at 81,81

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Anzan Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 17 (8 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vildebeest III bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
G3M2 Nell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Sutlej
xAK Baroda, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Baroda caught transferring cargo ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Naga at 81,81

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Yuzan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vildebeest III bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Yuzan Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Continous action in China - a single Chink LCU unit moved back into Ichang and got expelled with heavy losses.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24856 troops, 213 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 910
Defending force 4915 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 168

Japanese adjusted assault: 481
Allied adjusted defense: 4
Japanese assault odds: 120 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
3440 casualties reported
Squads: 126 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 103 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th RGC Temp. Division
14th Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th Division
13th/C Division
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crossed a river and promptly removed this road block in China;

Ground combat at 87,46
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12511 troops, 112 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 467
Defending force 9706 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 250

Japanese adjusted assault: 379
Allied adjusted defense: 12
Japanese assault odds: 31 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
173 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
7642 casualties reported
Squads: 82 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 399 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
37th Division

Defending units:
13th Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 9th Inf Regiment got the honor of capturing Manila...

Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3669 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 60
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 60 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
9th Infantry Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Mersing we go onto the offensive again and achieves a 2-1 odds which removes the fortifications.

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17672 troops, 115 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 572
Defending force 14347 troops, 204 guns, 141 vehicles, Assault Value = 562

Japanese adjusted assault: 275
Allied adjusted defense: 115

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
714 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1589 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 112 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit
55th Infantry Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
84th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
27th Australian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
5/14th Punjab Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
11th Indian Division
12th Indian Brigade
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Davao Andy sent a PI Regiment to disrupt our movement north.
After 3 days of fighting it finally surrendered...

Ground combat at Davao (79,91)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5089 troops, 35 guns, 25 vehicles, Assault Value = 173
Defending force 868 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Japanese adjusted assault: 140
Allied adjusted defense: 4
Japanese assault odds: 35 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1629 casualties reported
Squads: 81 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 49 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 17 (15 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another base in north western Borneo;

Ground combat at Sambas (57,88)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1184 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
Defending force 1076 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Japanese adjusted assault: 35
Allied adjusted defense: 10
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sambas !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
395 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
III./124th Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
West Borneo KNIL Battalion
2/15 Punjab Battalion
Sambas Base Force
Singkawang Base Force
106th RN Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ny59giants]

I like to rearrange my CVs with KB being those with top speed over 30 and then Baby-KB gets the rest. 

[PzB74]

Yes, sometimes speed is important but a sound organization of the carriers can also be critical.
In the late war the US Navy usually operated 2 fleet carriers together with one light carrier and I like this approach.

On its own the Mini KB will be very exposed to enemy attacks unless I dispatch a heavy carrier or two to support it.

We're into 1942!

I've adjusted production, cancelled Nate production and put more focus on our key fighters; Oscars and Zero's.
Japan is producing a heap of old junk, but it takes some time to figure out exactly what to change.

The last think I will do is to decide which units to research; one army and one navy fighter should be advanced.
We need interceptors and next gen fighters asap!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 01, 42

Sub Attacks

We celebrate the New Year with a string of sub attacks!

Submarine attack near Lahaina at 187,103

Japanese Ships
SS I-9

Allied Ships
xAK Alcoa Prospector, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Alcoa Prospector is sighted by SS I-9
SS I-9 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lahaina at 187,103

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
xAK Alcoa Prospector, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Alcoa Prospector is sighted by SS I-171
SS I-171 launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Niihau at 174,112

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

Allied Ships
xAKL Lahaina, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS I-170 is sighted by xAKL Lahaina
SS I-170 launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Lahaina
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Nadi at 130,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-20

Allied Ships
AV Curtiss, Torpedo hits 1

AV Curtiss is sighted by SS I-20
SS I-20 launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Niihau at 173,112

Japanese Ships
SS I-174

Allied Ships
xAKL Nebraskan, Shell hits 48, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAKL Nebraskan is sighted by SS I-174
SS I-174 attacking xAKL Nebraskan on the surface
SS I-174 low on gun ammo, Asada T. breaks off surface engagement and submerges
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Enemy 4E's made their first appearence at Bangkok today - the wrecks of 4 B-17's littered the landscape after the attack and no friendly causalties were reported!

Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
15th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 30 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
15th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 30 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

No attack at Mersing; fatigue was high and I'm not sure it's a good idea to drive the Allies out of the base and allow them to regroup in Singapore. If we can keep them in Mersing for another week they'll be stuck there.

A single tank unit probed enemy defenses at Clark Field, the fixed Subic Bay defenses was the only opposition.
Need a little more firepower to remove this rear-guard though.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1882 troops, 174 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 1177
Defending force 479 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Japanese adjusted assault: 22
Allied adjusted defense: 28
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
38th Division
48th Engineer Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
65th Brigade
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Subic Bay Defenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

In China neither me or Andy want China to be a major theatre, but my sense of "Order" compells me to clean up the rear areas and secure lines of communication and create a more cohesive front.

But I will be opportunistic of course [:)]

[LoBaron]

PzB your AAR is a great read as expected. [:)]

Just to throw in my 2 cents on the escort theme:
It´s not totally clear from the combat reports but could it be that you use a different altitude setting for the fighters (maybe 1-2k higher)
than the bombers?
If this is true then thats the reason why they fly in unescorted.
The game coordinates raids on altitude settings, so if you want them to coordinate with a strike you have to set them to exactly the same altitude as
the bombers. 1000 feet more and the chances of un-coordinated attacks are severely reduced.

[PzB74]

Thx LoBaron!

I've put my bombers and fighters to 15k feet and the raids have been somewhat coordinated lately.
The entire issue about escorts, bombers and corresponding altitudes is a challenging one. The day 50 unescorted crack bombers go in against 50 CAP fighters you will hear a loud scream.... [8|]

I've released a regiment from China and is scrounging engineers and support units for the South Pacific.
An Air HQ is on the move towards Rabaul while I've had to ship the Claudes back to Formosa for upgrade. They absolutely refused to upgrade in Truk and Carolines and finally I had enough.

Support ships like AS, AKE, AD and AS are also moving into Truk and Rabaul.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 02, 42

Got a few peppers from escorts today, fortunately not serious but I've dispatched 3 subs from their patrol areas to return to Japan to refit.

Sub Attacks

Finished the Curtiss today, a nice kill!

Submarine attack near Nadi at 127,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
AV Curtiss, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

AV Curtiss is sighted by SS I-24
SS I-24 launches 8 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Johnston Island at 168,112

Japanese Ships
SS I-17, hits 1

Allied Ships
xAKL Kentuckian, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAKL Kentuckian is sighted by SS I-17
SS I-17 attacking on the surface
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Enemy fighters are back in force over Rangoon and we had to take out our broomsticks again!
The AVG put up a fierce fight though, both sides lost 12 fighters - 6 Zeroes and 3 AVG fighters among them.

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 15
Buffalo I x 5
P-43 Lancer x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
P-43 Lancer: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Oscars lack punch....that's very evident!

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 24

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 13
Buffalo I x 4
P-43 Lancer x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
P-43 Lancer: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just to annoy me the freakin' stringbags were back!
We got a few transports struggling to unload and I provided a CAP for them - to little avail[:@]
These buggers have sunk 5-6 ships by now.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Naga at 81,81

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Rakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vildebeest III bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Atimonan at 80,79

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kinkasan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vildebeest III bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Kinkasan Maru caught transferring cargo ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First bombing attack against Java!

Afternoon Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
PT TM-7, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-6, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 15000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The anti shipping strike got a few hits but we lost some escorts in the process as the CAP was still in place after our sweeps!

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G3M2 Nell x 11

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 10
Buffalo I x 2
P-43 Lancer x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
P-43 Lancer: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Marion Moller, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DE Sutlej
xAK Hoihow

Marion Moller caught transferring cargo ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

With the capture of Clark Field Luzon is cleared of Allied troops except for those on vacation in Bataan!
The plan is to gather our forces, bomb Bataan around the clock, bring in our artillery and let them have it for some time before even attempting a deliberate attack!

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14890 troops, 350 guns, 163 vehicles, Assault Value = 1282
Defending force 441 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 330
Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 82 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

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

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

Allied ground losses:
839 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 33 (30 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
20th Recon Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
65th Brigade
48th Engineer Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
38th Division
47th Infantry Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
22nd Recon Rgt /1
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Subic Bay Defenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy managed to march out parts of his Mersing garrison. Ok, so it's possible to continue marching out of a hex in AE.
In WitP troops would be disrupted by attacks / bombardments.

Tomorrow we launch our final? attack to capture Mersing - this will open the door into Singapore!

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14512 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 545
Defending force 8617 troops, 122 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 345

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

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

Assaulting units:
91st Naval Guard Unit
42nd Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
84th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
27th Australian Brigade
11th Indian Division
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We landed west of Davao and are now pushing north! Need to find those deadly stringbags :p)

Ground combat at Dadjangas (78,93)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 409 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Japanese adjusted assault: 9
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Dadjangas !!!

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

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

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy

Defending units:
2nd/101st PA Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleaning up....Manado garrison finally got trapped!

Ground combat at 74,100

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1458 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Defending force 302 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 17
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
724 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
16th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Manado Garrison Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Been trying to force my way into Malacca and the weak garrison - needed to land airborne reinforcements and bomb the guts out of the defenders before it succeded.

The airborne troops have been used to land in front of the advancing ground troops and speed up the general advance since the enemy is retreating into Singapore.

Ground combat at Malacca (49,81)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 335 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Defending force 375 troops, 4 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 19

Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /2
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1

Defending units:
112th RAF Base Force
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rangoon

Wonder what Andy is up to in Rangoon - putting things in or pulling resources and trops out?
Would suspect the latter!

[ny59giants]

Andy managed to march out parts of his Mersing garrison. Ok, so it's possible to continue marching out of a hex in AE.
In WitP troops would be disrupted by attacks / bombardments.

It is hex SIDE control, not hex control that matters (W key). [;)]

Consider converting a few AKs to AKE that have a high speed and high cargo capacity. Add them to your AO TF that follow KB and when away from a major base, pull into a small base and reload everything except torpedoes.

[PzB74]

Have to see and learn how AE works in practice, cause after 5 years with WitP it is difficult to foresee how things are working in AE! Thus Mersing proved a most useful excercise! [:)]

I have already dispatched an AKE to Rabaul - attaching one to the supply train is a good idea ny59!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 03, 42

Surface Combat

I've tried very hard to get rid of a squadron of PT boats north of Davao.
This is the 3rd attempt with surface ships and I've only sunk 1. Zeros have strafed them and Betties have bombed them, nothing helps :-\

Night Time Surface Combat, near Dinagat at 82,87, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-32
PT-33
PT-34
PT-35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chicago and her band has hiked all the way to my old student city of Brisbane!

ASW attack near Brisbane at 97,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-22

Allied Ships
DD Ellet
CA Chicago
DD Whipple
DD John D. Edwards
DD Dunlap

SS I-22 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Ellet
DD Whipple fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Dunlap fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Whipple fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Whipple fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Whipple fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Enemy tankers spotted near Palembang and with an Air HQ in Kuching the Betties delivered a deadly load!
- Have you noticed that each time a torpedo bomber attacks from the stern of bow they miss 99% of the time...
Not surprising but I would have taken another pass instead of launching from such a hopeless position.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Spirilla, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
TK Pleiodon
AM Toowoomba
TK British Judge

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The afternoon strike is more successful!

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
TK British Judge
TK Pinna, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Pleiodon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Herald, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20mm shells has little effect on PT boats....

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Butuan at 80,89

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PT Q-111, Shell hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M2 Zero attacking from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Mersing falls and we push the 11th Indian division south towards Johore Baru!

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17529 troops, 114 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 561
Defending force 6380 troops, 61 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 265

Japanese adjusted assault: 405

Allied adjusted defense: 25
Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mersing !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
500 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2476 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 107 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
84th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
11th Indian Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1354 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 49
Defending force 508 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 21
Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tavoy !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
260 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
55th Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
107th RAF Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Imperial 25th Army in Malaya

General Yamashita's 25th Army has gathered his best men for the coming battle;
With the troops in Mersing 100000 Imperial Storm Troopers are assembling at the gates of the
British Empire's Crown Jewel in the Far East - Singapore!

[PzB74]

Can anyone explain this little "mystery" drop in HI?

[ny59giants]

Every first of the month you pay a HI price for your pilot replacement pool. 

[PzB74]

All the things I don't know... [8|]

Invaded Balikpapan and Samarinda on Borneo today - that's were the vaulable oil fields and refinery are!
Also bombed Cagayen in attempt to eradict the infamous woodpeckers of Mindanao or wherever they're based... [:(]
Nailed 3 ancient Stearman's but that's not what I was after.

Within a week we will be in Johore Bahru, got a dinner appointment with the Sultan of Johore [8D]
Historically Japan invaded Johore on the last day of January 1942 - so we're slightly ahead of schedule.
Pretty sure Andy will withdraw accross the strait asap!

On Luzon we're marching on Bataan, that will be fun.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 04, 42

Surface Combat

Continous sub-asw battles with few hits...a bit pi$$ed when I-8 fired 6 torps on an ACM! - and MISSED!
Those fish were worth more than the target [:'(]

Sub attack near Lihue at 175,111

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
ACM Planter

SS I-8 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Light Carrier Shoho

The CVL Shoho has joined the fleet! [8D]
In RL she had the dubious honor of being the first Jap carrier to be sunk in the war during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
She was overwhelmed by attack planes from the Yorktown and Lexington and sank in minutes after being hit by numerous torpedoes and bombs.

[2ndACR]

UH, sorry Pzb, but that would be Lady Lex that was with Yorktown at Coral sea.........Good to see you back.

[PzB74]

It was late, it was very very late! [:D]
Sacrilege has been corrected!-)

Ok new turn loaded - sent the KB after Brisbane harbour this time.
Thought about pushing on to Sydney but could be spotted and I know US carriers were headed in this direction.

ORIGINAL: 2ndACR

UH, sorry Pzb, but that would be Lady Lex that was with Yorktown at Coral sea.........Good to see you back.

[PzB74]

Interesting turn; Got some easy pickings near Brisbane.
- The KB just replenished NW of New Caledonia and I wanted to see if I could catch the cruiser Houston and its party.
We spotted them on the southern tip of New Guinea some time ago. They're probably in Sidney.

I also kept the KB in this area as support for our operations around New Britain and Rabaul.
Hate it when US carriers cleans out an invasion TF!

Also like to take the KB for a swing in as many areas as possible, this makes Andy jumpy and forces him to disperse and re-reoute his convoys. It's important to slow down the Allied buildup of supplies, fuel and troops in this area.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 05, 42

Surface Combat

Ah, more sunken tonnage, me likes [8D]

Submarine attack near San Francisco at 205,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
TK Seirstad, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

TK Seirstad is sighted by SS I-5
SS I-5 launches 4 torpedoes at TK Seirstad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near San Francisco at 205,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
xAK Herstein, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Herstein is sighted by SS I-25
SS I-25 launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Herstein
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Francisco at 205,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
TK Seirstad, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-5 launches 4 torpedoes at TK Seirstad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Zero's from the KB swept Brisbane but found no one home.

Morning Air attack on Brisbane , at 96,160

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We didn't find much near Brisbane, but there was the annual minelaying congregation!
Unfortunately we didn't sink all the little buggers....

Morning Air attack on TF, near Brisbane at 97,162

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 22
D3A1 Val x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DM Preble
DM Breese, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DM Montgomery, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DM Pruitt, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DM Sicard

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DM Montgomery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Found another little convoy though;

Morning Air attack on TF, near Bundaberg at 97,153

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Lithgow
CM Bungaree, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Suva, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AM Mildura
AM Bunbury
TK Gulfdawn, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Brisbane at 97,160

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CM Rigel, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CM Rigel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Plenty battles like this in China as we try to clean up.

Ground combat at 86,47
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12458 troops, 112 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 466
Defending force 7494 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 168

Japanese adjusted assault: 478
Allied adjusted defense: 42

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3164 casualties reported
Squads: 88 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 149 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
37th Division

Defending units:
29th Chinese Corps
31st Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Samarinda (65,96)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2347 troops, 7 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 86
Defending force 529 troops, 17 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 36
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 36 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Samarinda !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
331 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Assaulting units:
2nd Engineer Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment

Defending units:
Samarinda KNIL Battalion
Samarinda Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 325 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 7
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kavieng !!!

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balikpapan defenders didn't give up right away. But with forts gone...

Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1468 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Defending force 1381 troops, 36 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Japanese adjusted assault: 20

Allied adjusted defense: 6

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 2nd SNLF

Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion
Balikpapan Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kido Butai visits Brisbane

[PzB74]

Going to rest and replenish our big ships and continue with mopping up operations in the Phillippines and Malaya.
Want to get some air power in place in the DEI before we continue operations there, much better to cover our invasions with LBA than using carriers.

In the south I want an early invasion of Port Moresby, but first we will consolidate around Rabaul and New Britain.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 06, 42

Sub Attacks

The IRON KNIGHT was also torpedoed by a Jap sub in RL and was recently found.

Submarine attack near San Francisco at 210,86

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
xAK Iron Knight, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Iron Knight is sighted by SS I-15
SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Iron Knight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Francisco at 210,86

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
xAK Iron Knight, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Kept the KB close to the coast as it moved north - only found minor pickings.


Morning Air attack on TF, near Rockhampton at 95,152

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
B5N2 Kate x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Lithgow
AM Bunbury
AM Mildura, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rockhampton at 95,152

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
B5N2 Kate x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Lithgow, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AM Bunbury

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Balikpapan falls - now we got the oil rich areas on Borneo.
In Miri half the oil and refinery facilities were damaged, I figure we're going to need some 450k supplies
to fix things up in Borneo :-\

Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1441 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58
Defending force 1298 troops, 36 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Japanese adjusted assault: 35
Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Balikpapan !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

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

Allied ground losses:
942 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 115 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 48 (48 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 2nd SNLF

Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion
Balikpapan Base Force
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[castor troy]

an early invasion of PM? It´s 6th Jan already, my opponent took PM with a full division at the end of December... [:D]

[PzB74]

Lots of things you can do early on, but I try to moderate my plans and e.g. not invade a base far far outside of our established front lines and air support.

To support a PM invasion I would therefore build up Rabaul, secure the surrounding bases and send in troops covered by carriers and LBA. - If I decide to invade Noumea this will only be done after PM has been secured and we have established a string of bases into the Solomons.

That's why it's important to prevent Allied build-up in the area - sinking their transports and inserting paranoia is just the perfect way to do it [;)]

[PzB74]

Our troops entered the suburbs of Johore Bharu today - the enemy is buggin' out.
We have also entered Moulmein on the way to Rangoon and our troops are now engaging the enemy on Bataan.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 07, 42

Surface Combat

A large troop ship, the Rangitata - a worthy prize!
Almost 17000 tons; also comes with a history, a New Zealand vessel.

Submarine attack near San Francisco at 213,80

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
xAP Rangitata, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAP Rangitata is sighted by SS I-25
SS I-25 launches 6 torpedoes at xAP Rangitata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Johnston Island at 158,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-17

Allied Ships
ACM Planter, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-17 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was the first of our ships hit (by a non dud) by enemy subs.

Sub attack near Balabac at 71,84

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hokuhi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Sunten Maru
PB Fuji Maru #4

Allied Ships
SS Shark

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

SS Shark launches 4 torpedoes at xAKL Hokuhi Maru
Shark diving deep ....
PB Fuji Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3357 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 274
Defending force 1746 troops, 4 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
15th Guards Regiment

Defending units:
Tenasserim BAF Battalion
3rd Burma Rifles Battalion
6th Burma Rifles Battalion
108th RAF Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------