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Nothing much to report. We've taken Singkawang which will soon rain Nettie death on anything moving through the Java Sea. Preparations continue for the next ops in Sumatra and Java.

The IJN continues to press through the DEI in good form.

Bases are now being setup to support the PM op in short order.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 27, 41
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Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G3M2 Nell x 39
      G4M1 Betty x 69
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      DD Thanet, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
      SS Permit, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
 
 
 
Repair Shipyard hits 3
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 1
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      21 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
      15 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
       9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
       7 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               City Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
       6 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      32 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
       4 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
               City Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
      11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
       3 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 30th Chinese Corps, at 85,48
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-27b Nate x 6
      Ki-30 Ann x 9
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      15 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 8th Indian Brigade, at 50,77
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 49
      Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      19 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      18 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 86th Chinese Corps, at 85,56
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-Ic Sally x 10
      Ki-27b Nate x 6
      Ki-51 Sonia x 3
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      10 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
       3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
 
Also attacking 3rd New Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...
Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 70th Chinese Corps, at 85,56
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-27b Nate x 6
      Ki-51 Sonia x 8
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Division, at 85,45 (Nanyang)
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
 
Allied aircraft
      DB-3M x 6
 
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
      45 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       3 x DB-3M bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb
       3 x DB-3M bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 56,88
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 8
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      139WH-3 x 3
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      139WH-3: 1 destroyed
 
 
 
CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
      2 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 78,102
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes
 
 
Allied aircraft
      Do-24K-1 x 2
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Do-24K-1: 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      xAK Tosei Maru
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       2 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet *
               Naval Attack:  2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 1st Hyderabad Battalion, at 50,77
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 16
      Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 14
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      22 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      16 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Manado at 75,99
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
 
Allied aircraft
      Do-24K-1 x 2
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Do-24K-1: 2 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Umikaze
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       2 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet
               Naval Attack:  4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kota Bharu  at 54,74
 
Japanese Ships
      xAK Ayatosan Maru
      AK Sakura Maru
      PB Tatsumiya Maru
      SC Ch 9
 
Allied Ships
      SS KXVII
 
 
 
SS KXVII launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Ayatosan Maru
KXVII bottoming out ....
PB Tatsumiya Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
SC Ch 9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Manado
 
Japanese Ships
      E Kiku
      E Hishu
      xAP Palau Maru
      AV Sanuki Maru
      DD Yanagi
 
 
 
E Kiku fired at enemy troops
E Hishu fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Manado
 
TF 44 troops unloading over beach at Manado, 75,99
 
Japanese ground losses:
      22 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
 
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of Sasebo 1st SNLF /2
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of Sasebo 1st SNLF /3
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Manado
 
Japanese Ships
      TB Kamo
      PC Kaki
      PB Kyo Maru #11
      PB Kyo Maru #2
      xAK Yamakuni Maru
 
 
 
TB Kamo fired at enemy troops
PC Kaki fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #11 fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #2 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Manado
 
TF 143 troops unloading over beach at Manado, 75,99
 
Japanese ground losses:
      Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
 
 
 
7.7mm T99 AAMG accidentally lost during unload of 5th Naval Const Bn
Engineer Vehicle dropped into water during unload of 5th Naval Const Bn
7.7mm T99 AAMG damaged beyond repair during unload of 5th Naval Const Bn
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Air Flotilla
8 Aviation Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 21st Air Flotilla
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 83,53
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 11619 troops, 104 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 376
 
Defending force 7359 troops, 83 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 180
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 327
 
Allied adjusted defense: 109
 
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      129 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      2628 casualties reported
         Squads: 81 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 126 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
      Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 3
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    39th Division
 
Defending units:
    72nd Chinese Corps
    78th Chinese Corps
    30th Group Army
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 87,46
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 11219 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 396
 
Defending force 9658 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 241
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 288
 
Allied adjusted defense: 34
 
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      72 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      4519 casualties reported
         Squads: 128 destroyed, 11 disabled
         Non Combat: 161 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
      Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 1
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    14th Ind.Mixed Brigade
    1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
 
Defending units:
    13th Chinese Corps
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Iba (78,75)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 3111 troops, 8 guns, 257 vehicles, Assault Value = 177
 
Defending force 94 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 123
 
Allied adjusted defense: 1
 
Japanese assault odds: 123 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Iba !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), morale(-)
 experience(-)
Attacker:
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      138 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Units retreated 1
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    16th Recon Regiment
    48th Recon Regiment
    4th Tank Regiment
    7th Tank Regiment
 
Defending units:
    1st PI Base Force
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Atimonan (80,79)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 596 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
 
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 23
 
Allied adjusted defense: 1
 
Japanese assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 0)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Atimonan !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    I./33rd Inf Regt
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Ternate (78,102)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 2255 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 92
 
Defending force 80 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 66
 
Allied adjusted defense: 1
 
Japanese assault odds: 66 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ternate !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      8 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      88 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units destroyed 1
 
 
Assaulting units:
    Bandasan SNLF
    III/66th Naval Guard Unit
    Sasebo 2nd SNLF
 
Defending units:
    Ternate Det. Base Force
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Manado (75,99)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 3717 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 201
 
Defending force 965 troops, 0 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 33
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 88
 
Allied adjusted defense: 57
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      23 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      147 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    16th Naval Guard Unit
    15th Naval Guard Unit
    Sasebo 1st SNLF /1
    2nd Naval Const Bn /1
    5th Naval Const Bn /1
    8th JNAF Coy
    6th JNAF Coy
    21st Air Flotilla /1
 
Defending units:
    Manado Garrison Battalion
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)
 
Allied Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 521 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 29
 
Defending force 1038 troops, 26 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 8
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    Wake USN CPNAB
    1st Marine Defense Battalion
 
Defending units:
    Maizuru 2nd SNLF
    61st Naval Guard Unit
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 28, 41

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Invasion Support action off Manado
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
 
3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Japanese Ships
      E Kiku
      E Hishu
      xAP Palau Maru
 
 
 
E Kiku fired at enemy troops
E Hishu fired at enemy troops
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Manado
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
 
3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Japanese Ships
      PC Kaki
      PB Kyo Maru #11
      PB Kyo Maru #2
      xAK Yamakuni Maru
 
 
 
PC Kaki fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #11 fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #2 fired at enemy troops
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G3M2 Nell x 39
      G4M1 Betty x 69
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40E Warhawk x 3
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged
      G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
 
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      9 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 2
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      15 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
      24 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
      15 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
       9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
      32 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
       4 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
       3 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
       6 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
 
CAP engaged:
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
      3 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 25000
      Raid is overhead
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 81
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      P-35A x 1
      P-40B Warhawk x 4
      P-40E Warhawk x 8
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
      P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      27 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
      20 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
       9 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
       9 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
       9 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
       3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
 
CAP engaged:
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      3 plane(s) intercepting now.
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 25000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      8 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
      Raid is overhead
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 6
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Hyderabad Battalion, at 50,77
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 43
      Ki-27b Nate x 21
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      37 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      22 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
       6 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
Also attacking 8th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Hyderabad Battalion ...
Also attacking 8th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Hyderabad Battalion ...
Also attacking 8th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Hyderabad Battalion ...
Also attacking 8th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Hyderabad Battalion ...
Also attacking 8th Indian Brigade ...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 30th Chinese Corps, at 85,48
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-27b Nate x 6
      Ki-30 Ann x 9
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      21 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Hyderabad Battalion, at 50,77
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 42
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      46 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      11 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Manado at 75,99
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
 
Allied aircraft
      Do-24K-1 x 2
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Do-24K-1: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      CL Nagara
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       2 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet
               Naval Attack:  4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 49,79 (Kuala Lumpur)
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
 
 
Allied aircraft
      Hudson I x 2
      Wirraway x 4
 
 
No Allied losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       4 x Wirraway bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
       2 x Hudson I bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Hyderabad Battalion, at 50,77
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 4
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       4 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 70th Chinese Corps, at 85,56
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-Ic Sally x 9
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 3rd New Chinese Corps, at 85,56
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-27b Nate x 12
      Ki-51 Sonia x 8
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 6th Division, at 85,45 (Nanyang)
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
 
 
Allied aircraft
      DB-3M x 6
 
 
No Allied losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       3 x DB-3M bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb
       3 x DB-3M bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Manado (75,99)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 3681 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 199
 
Defending force 865 troops, 0 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 29
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 86
 
Allied adjusted defense: 7
 
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      17 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      355 casualties reported
         Squads: 11 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 1
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    Sasebo 1st SNLF
    15th Naval Guard Unit
    16th Naval Guard Unit
    2nd Naval Construction Battalion
    6th JNAF Coy
    21st Air Flotilla
    8th JNAF Coy
    5th Naval Construction Battalion
 
Defending units:
    Manado Garrison Battalion
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)
 
Allied Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 521 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 29
 
Defending force 1078 troops, 26 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 9
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    Wake USN CPNAB
    1st Marine Defense Battalion
 
Defending units:
    Maizuru 2nd SNLF
    61st Naval Guard Unit
 
 
 

Summary from my point of view:

1. Thanks to my partner for posting the full combat report in my absence.

2. Malaya: Malacca falls today. The Imperial army host is moving towards this hex whilest some blocking forces hold back stragglers at Temuloh. They'll be liquidated soon. Singapore will be besieged by late January.

A note to other JFBs out there: The IJAAF can be very effectively employed against ground targets fleeing the Malay peninsula. Malacca is a particularly nasty little deathtrap due to its clear terrain and lack of city defensive / protection bonus. Today's IJAAF bombers caused 500 ground casualties and the defending units 'evaporated' from losses. Evaporating enemies make for easier troop movements.

Daily Oscar fighter sweeps continue to whittle down the Buffalo-heavy air contingent over Singapore, achieving between a 2:1 and 3:1 ratio.

3. Borneo: Kuching and Singawang are being developed. Large numbers of transport (>60) aircraft at the former, a Netty / zero aerodrome at the latter. The Kuching contingent will airdrop two SNLF airborne battalions at Oosthaven two turns from now. Base forces and add-on ground troops will reinforce the captured hex and fill in the air support.

Allied submarines have been very effective in interdicting supplies and troop units just north of Borneo, in spite of TF escort. Three SC-based ASW TFs are enroute to discourage this continued activity.

4. Sumatra: The Allies are effecting a "Fortress Palembang" style siege. They have evacuated southern Sumatra and probably dumped a bunch of engineers in Palembang to help damage the oil facilities when the time comes to capture them. Assault forces (the IJA division from Hong Kong 36th ID ++) are enroute to follow up on the Oosthaven airborne capture.

5. Java: Allies have stacked Batavia's airfield with ~150 aircraft, evenly split between fighters, bombers and "auxiliaries"-likely transport a/c shuttling troops between Palembang and Java. Plans are being developed to sweep these fields before the main Sumatra assault. Batavia also has sizeable surface fleet presence-including multiple DDs and CLs. These should be attritted before Java or Oosthaven landings commence.

KB will likely be in theatre to support these landings.

6. The Celebes: Kendari falls.

7. Philippines:
Luzon: Troops arrived simultaneously at Manila and Clark on January 2. Clark was bombarded, Manila deliberately attacked. Manila falls on January 4, with the remaining 29,000 troops retreating to Batangas, the hex immediately SW of Manila on Luzon. The rupture of LOC between Clark and Manila by simultaneous troop movements ensured that the only uncontested hex was the nominally Allied owned Batangas.

IJA artillery units move into Clark on January 5-6. Their tubes will be added to the assault forces already in place.

IJAAF bombers immediately take advangage of the Allied rabble in an open hex (Batangas) and commence ground attack from San Jose.

IJA troops from S. Luzon as well as Manila will converge on Batangas in the next two days to liquidate this pocket.

Mindanao: Mixed land forces (IJA and IJN) land on Davao and capture it. Allies have retreated to Cagayan because, presumably, of the broken and rougher defensive terrain. Our plan is to nibble around the edges of Mindanao and starve 'em out up North. Davao will make a good training base for ground attack aircraft soon.

8. China:Interesting developments. An IJA Division moves on the path immediately West of Loyang, cutting off this way out of the city for Chinese defenders. On January 2, IJA elements assault and capture an undefended Loyang. Defenders had moved immediately west before the assault could materialize in earnest, unfortunately. Other IJA units are detailed to join the sole IJA division holding back the 80,000 screaming Chinese in this open hex. IJAA bombers also help disrupt movement of these Chinese troops and slow them down in an open hex.

Nearby IJA units join the lone defending IJA division on January 5-6.

Upshot: The 80,000 Chinese defenders of Loyang are cut off from the trail systems West of Loyang. They stilll have an overcountry route of egress (due North, into forested hex, across a river), but it will likely take 6-8 days for them to make this movement. Perhaps 10 days with continued bombardment. I'm ordering a regiment from Loyang to beat them across the river. If they do so and claim this LOC, I'll liquidate the pocket in situ with available forces in place.

Nanyang fell to assault on January 3-4. Survivors pushed back on the trail system North (leads to Sian). I had hoped to surround the city and kill / capture all defenders, but elected to capture it now and redistribute IJA forces in the immediate area. Why?

Three pockets of approximately 80,000, 30,000 and 27,000 Chinese are in open terrain near Sinyang. The largest sits astride the Sinyang-Chengchow railroad. One mauled a small IJA armored unit near Hanyang. With the fall of Nanyang, these troops have no identifiable LOC to supply and are in an ideal situation to be cut off and destroyed in detail. IJA bombers are ground attacking to sow disruption and supply denial.

IJA forces from Nanyang, Loyang and Chenchow are enroute to the central plains area now to assist.

9. I'll let my partner discuss other IJN-predominating activities underway.

I guess then that our division of labor is no longer considered OPSEC. [:'(] No problem with that.

I'll post some maps tonight with the happenings.

Well, I kinda let this slide due to busy-ness, but since our well-diapered opponents seem to have resurrected their AAR, I will now bring this one back to life.

Let us bring you up to date. Malaya is now conquered, as are most of Luzon (excluding Bataan), Mindanao, Celebes and the rest of the DEI. Borneo is ours except for the British stuff up north which has nothing of value. Cleanup crews are actually on the way to take care of most of these backwater, undefended based in the Philippines, DEI and Borneo.

The major event so far in the game was a devastating massacre of our mini-KB near Wake by most of the Allied CVs plus LBA. Errors were made on our part causing this, so we have to live with our mistakes. We did manage to sink one enemy CV and torp 3 more with subs, so they aren't really in top shape, while KB is untouched. We have now finally conquered Wake, but I'll have to take a huge mea culpa on doing so poorly at taking this place. It seems to be a pattern with me, as I've been roundly spanked in all my Witp games in my attempts to take this lonely outpost.

Currently we are in the midst of Operation Irwin, the conquest of northwestern Oz. This is obviously simply to preclude/delay Allied buildup here. I, for one, do not expect us to hold it much past the end of 42. But they will still have to either walk across the desert or face large numbers of well-stocked Betty bases in Timor to take it back.

Broome, Derby, and Wyndham have already been taken by seaborne assault. We are landing at Darwin this turn with literally most of the Combined Fleet in tow. KB is heading in for a massive airfield attack and we have two BB bombardment groups escorting the invasion forces. 3 crack divs plus numerous support units are landing. CAs have been placed into all the amphib TFs to mitigate CDs.

Pretty much every Zero I own is involved in this op, plus a goodly contingent of Oscars from the IJA. All the Allies have brought to the party are a bunch of ground units in Darwin, plus most of their B17 population. We have damaged a great many of those and I fully expect to destroy huge numbers of them on the ground this turn with surface bombardment and KB's airstrike.

I'm being very ginger with my KB airstrike. Normally I would put all the Vals and Kates at 9k so that they will level bomb and not face as much flak damage. Unfortunately, I must keep them configured for optimum Naval Attack in case of either surface incursions or an appearance by the undamaged Allied carriers. I don't expect the latter, though the Brit CVs have indeed shown up down towards Port Hedland already. We devastated his TB unit though, and he narrowly escaped catching some fish from our Betties at Koepang. Subs are now crawling the area as well, so this would be a somewhat suicidal adventure were he to return.

Don't really expect the US CVs to show up as I can't see any scenario in which it is worth the risk. They will take Darwin back. No doubt about it. I expect them to try to cause as much damage as possible without risking major assets.

We expect the turn tonight and will update this AAR shortly thereafter.

Nice to see that you've resurrected this one, brother Brush-hat. [:)]

One must be able to see both sides of any story. It is my duty. [:D]

ETA: BC Repulse showed up off Broome / Derby, ate 5 TTs for its trouble and sunk. The Brit carriers tarried off the West further, out of Betty range.

Elsewhere:

Burma has been largely evacuated by the Allies. On their heels, three RTA divisions liberated Rangoon. One blocked egress from Prome to the NW and another headed up North a few hexes. These RTA divisions are restricted by house rules to operating within 3 hexes of the Thai border. Additional IJA regular combat IRs and support are en route.

China has gone well. The main thrusts across the N. Central plain were successful, pushing the Chinese from here. A massive ~8,000 AV force is advancing on Sian via two pincher movements-one to the South and another to the East.

Soerbaja has been invested for some time. Batavia fell with some 25,000 defenders liquidated in situ. Other minor bases have been cleaned up over the last month. Soerbaja ought to be just about it for the Dutchies.

Other than the N. Australia gambit brother brushhat mentioned, our next 'adventure' will be Ceylon and NE India. The vast majority of non-Australia-bound troops are prepping for a variety of Indian / Ceylon goals right now.

Amphibious Assault at Manado

TF 143 troops unloading over beach at Manado, 75,99

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



7.7mm T99 AAMG accidentally lost during unload of 5th Naval Const Bn
Engineer Vehicle dropped into water during unload of 5th Naval Const Bn
7.7mm T99 AAMG damaged beyond repair during unload of 5th Naval Const Bn
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Air Flotilla
8 Aviation Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 21st Air Flotilla

Who was the beachmaster, Godzilla? Tell him to stop picking up the Engineer Vehicles.

We have banned reptiles from our quartermastery and substituted cetaceans. They tote more and poop less.

Unfortunately, they appear to be subject to random fainting spells, thus the dumped wagon. The good thing is, our engineering 'vehicles' are barely able to engineer a good breakfast. We'll have no consequences to our actual construction abilities. [:'(]

KB managed to get over to Darwin and pound the airfield substantially. BBs Mutsu and Nagato add to the carnage with an effective nightime bombardment. 54 runway damage, some 35 B17s destroyed on the field along with a few other miscellaneous airframes. KB Vals, due to their settings, suffered significant losses-35 were lost. Kates had negligible losses, but put a substantial hurt on the airfield by themselves. A6M2 LRCAP of TFs in the area applied a signficant hurting to SB2U-3 vindicator DB and Wildebeest TB sorties, effectively eliminating them.

Amphibious TFs unload at Darwin. Some damage to several xAKs, but not enough to stem the invasion. Allied bombardment efforts reveal a substantial Allied force buildup in Darwin:

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 31490 troops, 385 guns, 420 vehicles, Assault Value = 1339

Defending force 8366 troops, 268 guns, 63 vehicles, Assault Value = 212


Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2/4 MG Battalion
2nd Australian Division
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment
55th British Brigade
Emery Point Fortress
Sparrow Battalion
Lark Battalion
53rd British Brigade
3rd Australian Division
54th British Brigade
Gull Battalion
2/8th Armoured Regiment
19th Australian Regiment
251st Recce Battalion
6th Heavy AA Regiment
Cebu USN Base Force
35th Light AA Regiment
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Manila USAAF Base Force
48th Light AA Regiment
109th RN Base Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
803rd EAB /1
Celebes Base Force
Northern Territory
Timor Base Force
2 ML-KNIL Aviation /1
Bataan USN Base Force
Australia Command
2nd RAN Base Force
85th British AT Gun Regiment
Balikpapan Base Force
Cagayan USAAF Base Force /1

Defending units:
65th Brigade
1st RF Gun Bn /1
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Bn /2
3rd Mortar Bn /1
3rd Medium FA Rgt /2
18th Mtn Gun Rgt /1
3rd Ind. Mtn Gun Rgt /1
18th Medium FA Rgt /1
56th FA Rgt /1
5th Mortar Bn /1

Two full IJA infantry divisions unload tomorrow, so I'll feel better about resisting any attempts at a shock attack to thrown the landed IJ units off the beachhead. Still, we may have to dip into the Java forces to force the issue at Darwin.

In China:
Pinchers advance on Sian from the East (see combat report below) and the South. The Southern pincher (~3000 AV) is held up by some 28 units in the forest just South of the city. Since he's separating his forces, I'm OK with that. The Eastern force (~4500 AV) advanced across the river to the hex immediately East of the city, triggering a shock attack on the 2 Chinese "corps" and HQ unit defending the hex. The result is ugly:

Ground combat at 84,41

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 115176 troops, 938 guns, 369 vehicles, Assault Value = 4272

Defending force 12020 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 349

Japanese adjusted assault: 3196

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 1598 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
593 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Allied ground losses:
13861 casualties reported
Squads: 519 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 740 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 27 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th Tank Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
37th Division
12th Tank Regiment
116th Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
40th Division
35th Division
110th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
1st Army
1st Mortar Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
8th Group Army

These forces will move on Sian next turn. Two small armored recon units will move to the North and Northeast of Sian to cut off these routes of egress from the city. Again, the goal is to kill as many Chinese units in place as possible rather than have them squeeze out of the trap.

Wow, quite a buildup at Darwin.

There is one British Div and one Australian Div plus some understrength armor and lots of evacuated aviation and naval support units at Darwin.

Are you sure you brought enough Wee Jap Dobbers?

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

There is one British Div and one Australian Div plus some understrength armor and lots of evacuated aviation and naval support units at Darwin.

Are you sure you brought enough Wee Jap Dobbers?

On the ground now, no. Next turn two full strength IJ IDs unload, which will give us at least parity. We should have enough to hold the beachhead then. We may need more to force the issue at Darwin though.

In the immortal words of the zombies in "Living Dead 2": "BRAINS!!! SEND MORE COPS!!!"

Aye, it'll be a slog. We have some hole cards though. We can isolate it by taking Katherine, and I have plans in the works for that. We have two more BB bombardment forces ready to go at Darwin. One will hit this turn and another next. In addition, KB will send in the Kates for another airfield attack before retiring to replenish.

The Val thing is unfortunate, but I couldn't justify not being prepared for naval attack. That meant the Vals dive bombed a flak-heavy base and you see the consequences.

The only real hitters they have are the two divs. With our divs unloading this turn, we should get most of them on land before any attempt to clear the beach occurs. We have some advantages in that the Japanese do not retreat easily, even with heavy losses. With all the artillery we have there (we massively outnumber him in this), we should cause massive damage to any shock attack.

The bad news is that any reinforcements we bring in will probably suffer serious disruption due to the end of the landing bonus for IJ forces. We'll see how that plays out.

Bottom line is that as long as we are contesting it, Darwin is not going to be building up to be a dagger pointed at the heart of the DEI. This is the goal.

ORIGINAL: Mynok


Aye, it'll be a slog. We have some hole cards though. We can isolate it by taking Katherine, and I have plans in the works for that. We have two more BB bombardment forces ready to go at Darwin. One will hit this turn and another next. In addition, KB will send in the Kates for another airfield attack before retiring to replenish.

The Val thing is unfortunate, but I couldn't justify not being prepared for naval attack. That meant the Vals dive bombed a flak-heavy base and you see the consequences.

The only real hitters they have are the two divs. With our divs unloading this turn, we should get most of them on land before any attempt to clear the beach occurs. We have some advantages in that the Japanese do not retreat easily, even with heavy losses. With all the artillery we have there (we massively outnumber him in this), we should cause massive damage to any shock attack.

The bad news is that any reinforcements we bring in will probably suffer serious disruption due to the end of the landing bonus for IJ forces. We'll see how that plays out.

Bottom line is that as long as we are contesting it, Darwin is not going to be building up to be a dagger pointed at the heart of the DEI. This is the goal.

After sleeping on this last night, I realize this gives us some opportunities early in this game. The purpose of the IJA is to:

1. Fix the enemy in place
2. Destroy him in place
3. Capture territory
4. Hold said territory

The Allies will be in a disadvantage for first line combatants for the majority of the rest of 1942. Certainly they're not in a position to fight a pitched battle at the end of their logistical supply line under Jap air cover in March 1942. They're unlikely to commit their carriers to this effort, so these guys at Darwin are largely on their own.

Accomplishing goals one and two will be easier with the Allied forward defense of Darwin. Our goals there now should be:

1. Don't lose the beachhead.
2. Hold in place and reinforce until the LOC retreat paths can be blocked.
3. Liquidate Darwin and bag the lot of 'em.

This may take a bit longer than previously envisioned, but I'm not overly worried about the net impact on our strategic picture. This gives us a *different* opportunity to destroy his forces than previously envisioned, not a lesser opportunity.

Please see map below for current situation around Darwin. Oh, by the way, anyone remember how to turn hex sides off for prettier screenies?

Major fighting at Darwin and approaches. Several CL/DD SCTFs in the area help, but still xAKs damaged or sunk by annoying PT TFs in the area. But the body of troops gets through mostly intact.

By March 28, The 21st and 4th IJA IDs have landed largely intact.

65th Brigade, with heavy artillery support, holds the line while the two IDs disembark. They pay with very high casualties. The two IDs are comparatively unruffled. Below is the action from the second day of fighting.

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 42083 troops, 542 guns, 743 vehicles, Assault Value = 1058

Defending force 30597 troops, 486 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 936

Allied adjusted assault: 865

Japanese adjusted defense: 476

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1985 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 111 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 134 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (8 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3085 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 202 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 339 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 43 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 115 (43 destroyed, 72 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
2/4 MG Battalion
53rd British Brigade
Sparrow Battalion
Gull Battalion
2/8th Armoured Regiment
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment
55th British Brigade
3rd Australian Division
2nd Australian Division
54th British Brigade
19th Australian Regiment
Lark Battalion
Emery Point Fortress
251st Recce Battalion
109th RN Base Force
Northern Territory
2nd RAN Base Force
48th Light AA Regiment
85th British AT Gun Regiment
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Manila USAAF Base Force
803rd EAB /1
Timor Base Force
Cebu USN Base Force
Australia Command
6th Heavy AA Regiment
Celebes Base Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Bataan USN Base Force
35th Light AA Regiment
2 ML-KNIL Aviation /1
Balikpapan Base Force
Cagayan USAAF Base Force /1

Defending units:
65th Brigade
21st Division
4th Division
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
56th Field Artillery Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Interesting. Replay showed several smaller Allied LCUs brought to "zero" effective strength. The two Australian "Divisions" are the only sizeable combat units with meaningful combat strength at this point. I count (squads destroyed / disrupted) Allied 146/420; Japanese 8/236. The Allies also lost (destroyed / disabled) 60/207 vehicles over these two days. I figure Allied assault strength at approximately 452 (+/- 5%), IJA strength at 814.

All is not well for the Japanese ashore, however. Supply is sufficient for defense, but not a prolonged offense.

Our quandry:

1. Shock attack whilest the Allies are signficantly disrupted from their own failed attacks over two days. I like the combat bonus from this, but shudder at the supply useage.
2. Deliberate attack. Unlikely to dislodge the Allies in one day, but may eat into valuable supplies.
3. Stand fast until supply can be brought in. Then option 1 or 2 above.
4. Stand fast until supply AND additional LCUs can be brought in. Then option 1 or 2 above.

Potential reinforcements for Darwin are currently at Soerbaja. A shock attack there tomorrow will certainly result in the liquidation of the remaining Dutch on Java. These units could then be ported into Darwin for support of the offensive.

What say the peanut gallery?

Back to the war:

Another KB strike damages Darwin a/f to 100%. Curiously, no previously damaged aircraft are destroyed on the damaged field. Yes, Veronica, it looks like the Allies used the magical, mystical uber-rail movement to spontaneously crate up damaged aircraft from Darwin and rail them to Katherine. Some 17F and 45B units are currently there. We need to smash Katherine a/f now to destroy the damaged airframes that are 'safe' from the destruction at Darwin. Our opponent has some 16,000 troops there now.

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
What say the peanut gallery?

Shock attack sounds a bit reckless. You dont know the fort levels, but presumably there are fortifications in place. You are highly unlikely to dislodge fortified defenders with higher unadjusted AV than you, you also do not know the supply situation there, but you should assume that he has supply and will recover disruption and fatigue.

Then, consider the consequences of a catastrophic faliure of some die rolls in your shock attack. Add to that the fact that the allies have substantial firepower in their units. You could easily look at 4-5k losses, crippling your forces and putting them in grave risk of destruction.

Slow but steady does the trick. You are in no hurry right now.

I agree. If you get those two divisions ashore he will hardly dislodge you with the forces he has available. From what I understand of the situation at sea, you should have an easier time getting supplies ashore meaning you will win a drawn out battle. Unless you're on some sort of time schedule, I'd go for option 3, followed by 2.

ETA; ... and that concludes the vote by the Swedish jury (I believe) [;)][:D]