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We stuck with Scen 1 after a bunch of the da babes stuff was ported over in the last patch. How are you going?

ORIGINAL: aoffen

We stuck with Scen 1 after a bunch of the da babes stuff was ported over in the last patch. How are you going?

We are both liking DaBabes much more than scenario 1 (and scenario two for most of my opponents experience). There are obvious differences between 1 and 2, so my opponent had to adjust to that which led to us restarting after reaching late February or early March. Now we're in early January (we both have AAR's running, "vicberg" is my opponent) and he's using a much more focused and disciplined approach to where he's invading and how much force he's using. Ouch! [:D] In 2 apparently that wasn't necessary as IJ rolls everywhere they go. In DB they still do, but they have to bring enough. That means that closer to IRL they have to concentrate force and they don't have enough to go everywhere at the same time (like they can in scenario 2).

I really like the refinements made in DB that I've seen so far. The pace of advance is slowed and you really have to watch your support. For example, in the DEI the Dutch have way less air support than in scenario 1. Even with the stuff incorporated into scenario 1, DB is still way closer to the mark because there is a bunch of reworking that they haven't pulled into #1 yet.

Jan 7 - 8

Jan 7

In the DEI my naval forces that scattered and ran take heavy casualties at the hands of mini KB and a cruiser force. Most of the AKL's get cleaned up as do a number of the minesweepers I sent out as decoys and an AD. Looks like I'll get a few AKLs a DD and an AS out so that some small compensation.

Off Oz KB has now pulled back and I presume is heading for Truk for resupply. My damaged Lexington is still limping back to Pearl at 16kts.

At Pt Blair the rather bold attempt to land the 45th Brigade is only a few hexes off the port but is again attacked by Betties who nail a PG and put a torp into a CL. No AP's hit so we should get the troops ashore even if we lose more ships.

In the Philipines a big attack at Clarke is again repulsed with heavy Japanese losses. Huzzah!!

He outnumbers me 2-1 now and has huge forces deployed - 3 Infantry Divs, 8 regiment or brigades sized infantry units, 3 tank regiments, 4 engineer regiments and 13 artillery units. That's the equivalent of about 6 divisions so they may fall but having so many forces deployed here is slowing him down in the DEI I am guessing.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69857 troops, 823 guns, 624 vehicles, Assault Value = 2328

Defending force 34140 troops, 523 guns, 450 vehicles, Assault Value = 1206

Japanese adjusted assault: 1805

Allied adjusted defense: 1729

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
6180 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 360 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 206 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 63 disabled
Vehicles lost 100 (23 destroyed, 77 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1680 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 102 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 63 (52 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
48th Recon Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
16th Recon Regiment
16th Engineer Regiment
21st Division
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
38th Division
Kanno Detachment
48th Engineer Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
Tanaka Detachment
20th Infantry Regiment
Sasebo 1st SNLF
14th Army
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
194th Tank Battalion
Subic Bay Defenses
21st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
4th Marine Regiment
51st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
41st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
192nd Tank Battalion
31st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
II Philippine Corps
I Philippine Corps
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force
USAFFE
PAF Aviation
Far East USAAF
Provisional GMC Grp

Jan 8

AS good turn for his subs claiming an AK and a DD.

At Pt Blair the troops get ashore at night but the next day the Betties strike and all 4 AP's are sunk over the course of the day. I think it was still worth it. They will have to put a big force ashore or risk Pt Blair surviving on their flank.

Elsewhere its a mopping up turn. More AKLs are hit on the west coast of Sumatra and the Japanese have now landed at Tarakan.

In Malaya, Mark is attacking with his cut off force at Malacca but its not really getting anywhere and the Japanese forces are moving up. Those guys are not long for the world. At JB he advances the remnants of an Australian brigade to Mersing which the Japanese seem to have left unoccupied. Might be a useful diversion.

In China Loyang falls and the retreat to the hills is in full swing. Interestingly the Japanese are pursuing on the road to Sian. Wonder if they plan attacking?

My training is strating to kick in and I now have about 6 float plane and bomber squadrons at 50 ASW and 6 fighter squadrons pushing 60 Air skill. Fighters will deploy soon as part of the Suva - Auckland - Noumea defence axis.

Rgds
Andrew

Have you got enough supplies ashore at Port Blair? If he bombs your supply stockpile into oblivion before he assaults it will come off much easier for him. Being a coastal base a long way from anything else- there's sod all you can do about keeping the airfield open against bombardment forces- especially if they have carrier support.
 
Will slow him down though.

17000 supply there so with some top up by subs they should be able to hang on for a while and take some punishment.

Jan 9 - 12

Ok some catch up here. Apologies for leaving it so long (assuming someone out there is reading this). Last few days have not been hugely eventful so we can get through this in one post i think.

Jan 9
In the DEI the pressure continues. A big raid on Soerabaja catches some subs repairing before their next patrol.

Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 139 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 48 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
G4M1 Betty x 18



Allied aircraft
B-339D x 6
CW-21B Demon x 5
75A-7 Hawk x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 3 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
SS O20, Bomb hits 1
SS Spearfish, Bomb hits 1
SS KXV, Bomb hits 1



Repair Shipyard hits 1
Manpower hits 1
Fires 141

My fighters perform as per their standard protocol in this battle. They don't even seem able to shoot down unescorted Betties.

Off the coast of WA one of the survivors of the great rush out of Soerabaja was the AS Otus. She took a torp off Carnarvon on the West Coast of Oz. Next turn she takes another but still limps into Perth a few days later with 40 float damage. Tough ship.

My sub mining mission to Truk arrived but stumbled into a minefield itself. SS Pompano took a hit but will hopefully make it back. Have sent it to Brisbane. The mines I laid only last a few days as he promptly sweeps them up.

In Malaya the 2 brigade force isolated in Malacca after his landing in Mersing gets hammered.

Ground combat at Malacca (49,81)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6884 troops, 52 guns, 130 vehicles, Assault Value = 374

Defending force 6630 troops, 53 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 184

Japanese adjusted assault: 116

Allied adjusted defense: 38

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
416 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Allied ground losses:
290 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
56th Recon Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Gurkha Brigade
1st Hyderabad Battalion
22nd Indian Brigade
223 Group RAF
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
1st ISF Base Force
2nd ISF Base Force


They hold well

Jan 10


Another big raid on Soerabaja nails the ships remaining in port there. The 3 damaged subs there are lost which is bad news for us.

Afternoon Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
G4M1 Betty x 20



Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1
CW-21B Demon x 3
75A-7 Hawk x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
SS O20, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
CM Krakatau, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Spearfish, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AMc Djombang, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS KXV, Bomb hits 6, heavy damage
AMc Merbabo, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Rindjani, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk


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


Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

Over in Malaya the Malacca pocket takes an even bigger this and this time folds.

Ground combat at Malacca (49,81)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9173 troops, 74 guns, 89 vehicles, Assault Value = 325

Defending force 6354 troops, 53 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Japanese adjusted assault: 294

Allied adjusted defense: 42

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
510 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units pursuing 2


Allied ground losses:
3831 casualties reported
Squads: 193 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 257 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 41 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 26 (26 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (28 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Gurkha Brigade
1st Hyderabad Battalion
22nd Indian Brigade
223 Group RAF
1st ISF Base Force
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
2nd ISF Base Force

They retreat north and still have some fighting ability so will still have to be mopped up.

Jan 11

The air campaign against Soerabja continues but there isn't much left in the port so they are pounding rubble now. Interesting an IJN sub wanders into our minefield there. Its been a super weapon that minefield.

A couple of our subs take ASW hits after failed attacks on their TF's. We are positioning Perth as the new base now Soerabaja is out of the game, so the subs head there.

Port Blair has been copping a lot of attention from Betties and Zeroes as well. Getting a brigade in there seems to have upset our Japanese friends and they are pounding the hell out of the place. Good result for us as it means they are not pounding other places and if we can cause them some serious distraction then the mission is accomplished.

Big result for the home side at Clarke in the PI. After 2 shock attacks did not succeed they try deliberate this time.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 67452 troops, 823 guns, 615 vehicles, Assault Value = 2167

Defending force 31987 troops, 490 guns, 401 vehicles, Assault Value = 1085

Japanese adjusted assault: 1875

Allied adjusted defense: 1177

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
3830 casualties reported
Squads: 124 destroyed, 237 disabled
Non Combat: 61 destroyed, 104 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 68 disabled
Vehicles lost 39 (6 destroyed, 33 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1532 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 116 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 139 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 55 (24 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Again we throw them back with almost 4,000 casualties including 124 dead squads. That's 3 unsuccessful attacks now with losses totalling over 12,000. Must be slowing them down some.

Jan 12

A Japanese TF appears off Palembang and starts sweeping mines. My shore batteries score a few hits but nothing that will stop him. Landing must be soon.

In Burma the Japanese have arrived at Pegu and an armoured units puts in a hasty attack. Not very effective but broadcasts their intent on an early move into Burma.

In China the Japanese put in a big attack in the hills north west of Nanyang and get a bloody nose. The terrain obviously helped and hopefully that might slow down his aspirations for a big push on Sian.

Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 48971 troops, 474 guns, 179 vehicles, Assault Value = 1664

Defending force 37711 troops, 218 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1053

Japanese adjusted assault: 1196

Allied adjusted defense: 1960

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
5110 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 425 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 187 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 57 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1107 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 97 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 143 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
13th Division
35th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Tank Regiment
34th Division
18th Ind.Mixed Brigade
138th Infantry Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
29th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
31st Group Army
5th War Area
22nd Group Army
4th Construction Regiment

That 4 days in a nutshell. Will follow up with some strategic commentary later tonight.
Regards
Andrew

Jan 13 - 15
We seem to be motoring along at the moment through a relative quiet patch. Well compared to KB blasting the entire South East corner of Australia for turn after turn its quiet anyway.

Jan 13

A quiet turn. Some action off Palembang as the Japanese minesweepers clear the port under fire from shore guns. A couple of hits scored but a I suspect nothing fatal.

Over at Tarakan the landings continue. A deliberate attack at the end of the day fails to take the place only achieving 1-29 odds. Either he was very unlucky or he has under specced his mission force.

Quite a bit of sub action. Numerous unsuccessful torpedoes strikes by us (4 in total for no explosions) and then in turn we lose an AK off San Francisco and a minesweeper off Suva. The convoy carrying the 8th Marine regiment is close to Suva now so the sub attacking on the AM's in the ASW TF is a worry. So far they are unspotted.

Otherwise just numerous Japanese air attacks all over the place which are in fact too numerous to even mention individually

Jan 14

After the losses to his subs last turn, looks like we either nailed or at least badly damaged I-122 off Ceylon for some payback.

ASW attack near Trivandrum at 25,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-122, hits 5, heavy damage

Allied Ships
KV Nigella
KV Hollyhock

At Tarakan he continues unloading. Not sure why he attacked last turn. Anyway we score single hits on two AK's and two CL's this time with shore battery fire. Hope it hurts.

The other good news is our transport TF got through unscathed to Suva and has started discharging the 8th Marines. At least we have something in theatre now. Much more is on the way but it is a good feeling to start.

On the ground, the action is in Burma. We finally counter attack the force that has flown into Toungoo. No joy as we only get 1-2 and don't even damage his forces. Don't think that road block is going anywhere now. Down near Rangoon, the Japanese blow our position at Pegu away. It was like we didn't exist.

Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4852 troops, 77 guns, 182 vehicles, Assault Value = 229

Defending force 2980 troops, 32 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 104

Japanese adjusted assault: 277

Allied adjusted defense: 15

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pegu !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1469 casualties reported
Squads: 52 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 66 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 3


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Mortar Bn /2

Defending units:
6th Burma Rifles Battalion
4/14th Punjab Battalion
Tenasserim BAF Battalion
4th Burma Rifles Battalion
16th Indian Brigade

Jan 15

At sea there is some more sub action. Two Jap subs are active off Suva, I-8 and RO-33. Unfortunately RO-33 takes a shot at our TF unloading at Suva. It misses and takes a couple of hits in return but that combat report will broadcast our position. All the 8th except its artillery is ashore now and the rest should only take a day or two. Engineers and Aircobras escorted by Carriers are following over the next few weeks.

More Jap air attacks than you can poke a stick at, but no real damage caused. Interesting things is the appearance of Tojo's in Burma. Tojo's in Jan 42?

In the islands, more shore battery hits at Tarakan. 2 on one of the AK's we hit last turn. That may actually hurt it. He also lands at Babo at the West end of New Guinea, Boela near Ambon and down at Lunga and Tulagi in the Solomons.

On the ground, another attack comes in at Tarakan achieving 1-1 this time. The losses are even at 300 odd but his are destroyed and mine are disabled so he is struggling to take the place it seems. First evidence he does not have an absolute abundance of troops.

The big question now is where does KB go next? It looks like it is re-arming in Truk. I figure they have 3 options. Another raid either to Australia or over to Fiji now they have seen we are reinforcing the area. I have sent a line of subs to patrol to the east of New Guinea to try and spot that if it comes. Second is to support the invasion of the DEI, although I am not sure they are ready for that until they clean up Singapore or the PI. Last is a raid to the Indian Ocean. This is quite possible as they seem to be going early into Burma. We are going to send reinforcements to Ceylon to guard against an attack there but its still early 42 so in effect they go where they please and do as they please. The trick for us is stay out their way better than we did off Melbourne.

ORIGINAL: aoffen

More Jap air attacks than you can poke a stick at, but no real damage caused. Interesting things is the appearance of Tojo's in Burma. Tojo's in Jan 42?

Japan starts with a prototype Tojo unit at Canton of 8 aircraft. There is no Tojo production as yet so there will be no replacements for losses to this unit.

Jan 16 through 20
The quiet before the storm.

Jan 16
At Sea
Our super weapons (VH Mk II mines score another hit at Paalembang, hitting a sub chaser that was escorting mine sweepers.

TF 151 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

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



DMS W-6 firing at Palembang Base Force
Palembang Base Force firing at DMS W-6
11 mines cleared

On the Ground
Our second attack at Toungoo in Burma is a dismal failure achieving only 1-19 odds. The writing is on the wall so I started the evacuation of all base forces from the Burma theatre via Myitkina then over the hills to Jorhat.

Jan 17
In the air he launches 17 air operations aimed at my troops and bases. None from me and virtually no air to air combat. Sigh.

On the Ground
His first big attack goes in at Johore Baru and achieves 3-1. Casualties aren't too bad we hold. I hope that's a sign of the future but I suspect not as our forts are reduced from 2 to 1 and the same again will clear us out.

In Burma and armoured unit is hitting the infantry force which Mark deployed in the forests north of Pegu. Its only a matter of time before he moves on Rangoon.

Elsewhere there are a lot of mopping up attacks in the DEI taking out various dot bases. In Suva the 2nd Marines is now ashore with all their equipment and supplies are continuing to unload. The follow up convoy is a week away with the engineers and the fighters are about to arrive at pearl Harbour for transhipment so are still 3 weeks away. I have moved some recon assets to Suva which, with my sub picket line I am hoping it will give me a heads up if KB is headed this way.

Jan 18
The expected follow up attack at JB comes and again they get 3-1 which is enough to throw us out of the position and the force retreats in good order to Singapore. The way this campaign has evolved though we have too many combat units behind his lines fighting a guerrilla campaign and not enough in Singapore defending the base. With the forces he has deployed I would say one or two attacks will be enough to capture the place. We will be lucky if we hold on till the end of the month. More likely it will be a week or less.

At Toungoo the cheeky bastard attacks us and has the bloody hide to throw us out of the place with airlifted troops. Bloody hell....the disgrace.

Another attack at Tarakan only gets 1-1 but more troops are landing.

Jan 19
At Sea we try a a PT attack on Denapssar which has no effect.

In the air, the usual parade of Japanese attacks, but this time we get a hit in with 22 B-17's from Calcutta hitting Pegu near Rangoon. Some Oscars intercept but no casualties to us. We will continue this series of raids until damage and maintenance forces a halt.

At Clarke he trys another attack. Only achieves 1-2 but our causalties are as bad as his this time.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 51105 troops, 705 guns, 451 vehicles, Assault Value = 1624

Defending force 31131 troops, 526 guns, 338 vehicles, Assault Value = 1004

Japanese adjusted assault: 1143

Allied adjusted defense: 1621

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2477 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 104 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 171 disabled
Engineers: 25 destroyed, 98 disabled


Allied ground losses:
2600 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 208 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 100 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Not happy about that. The fall back position at Bataan is only 20% away from getting to 4 forts so the position here is actually pretty good still. I can see us holding for quite a while. Due to what is suspect is an error he left a hexside open to the due east of Clarke. I take the chance and push an armoured battalion through into his rear. When I say battalion its actually only 9 Stuart tanks and a few GMC gun carriages but they will be a distraction to him. They capture the base east of Clarke and have turned north to Lingayan. He is chasing.

More mopping us in the DEI sees a bunch of bases in the Celebes, Timor, and the PI captured. He also attacks our guerrillas in Malaya and forces them deeper into the jungle. The biggest force left intact is an inf brigade which is headed for Kuantan.

Jan 20
Tarakan falls as the troops he brought in as a second wave finally attack. Took him a while to take the place which is good.

The B-17's hit Pegu again. I reckon we have one more shot before a rest and refit is required.

Still unloading supplies at Suva. Need to get engineers in a build the port up if I am to use it as a hub. Follow on convoys 3 or 4 days out.

Thats it for now.
Regards
Andrew

Jan 21 through 24
Winds are picking up.

Jan 21
At Sea
A Japanese TF turns up at Port Moresby and starts sweeping all my carefully laid mines. With my cruiser force having been annihilated during the KB Christmas raid I have no significant forces in the area to deploy. Only resistance is from some shore batteries which hit a DMS.

On the ground
He arrives in Singapore in force and shock attacks getting 1-1. That was quick. At least I bleed him a bit, but Singapore won't last long at this rate.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 36768 troops, 494 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 1174

Defending force 20771 troops, 293 guns, 107 vehicles, Assault Value = 295

Japanese adjusted assault: 650

Allied adjusted defense: 417

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
3390 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 204 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 250 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2259 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)


Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
56th Engineer Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
II./124th Infantry Battalion
24th Infantry Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Elsewhere its the usual littany of Japanese air attacks and mopping up ops.

Friendly ops are the contiuing B-17 raids in Burma at Pegu which aren't achieving much but must annoy him a bit and at Suva, where the 8th Marines convoy has finally finished unloading supplies and heads home. My earlier estimate for the follow on convoy was overly optimistic. Its going so slowly its still a week out. Hope KB doesn't come visiting again.

Jan 22
The action is at Port Moresby. His mine clearing ops continue but reports show 3 hits with a 6" shore battery on his DMS and a mine hit on the CA Furutaka all for the loss of 17 mines. Quite gratifying really.

At Suva our ASW TF of 4 minesweepers finds another sub operating off the port and play games with it.

At Denpassar another PT boat attack is rebuffed with the loss of a PT.

At Singapore a strange shock attack with only one unit is rebuffed.

In the PI our rampaging 9 tank raider unit moves into San Fernanado. I was hoping there might only be base forces here so we could scare him a bit but looks like he has a garrison too so it might be the end of our little escapade. Medals of Honour all round though.

Jan 23
The invasion force arrives and starts to unload at Port Moresby. looks like an inf regiment and a couple of naval guard units. Wonder if we can hold? Hmmmm.

Jan 24
Interesting combat report this turn. KB strikes Pt Moresby with 144 Kates. That tells me where he is focussed again. Not to the Bay of Bengal as I had hoped. Will have to keep a very watchful eye on these guys. If they head toward Suva we are going to have to run East as hard as we can. Do not want another repeat of Melbourne debacle.

His first attack goes in on Moresby. He doesn't have overwhelming force, but KB pounding them for a few turns will probably make the difference I guess.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9408 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 274

Defending force 5162 troops, 74 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Japanese adjusted assault: 155

Allied adjusted defense: 141

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
436 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
623 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Regiment
53rd Naval Guard Unit
61st Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force

Defending units:
49th Australian Battalion
Lark Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force
Rabaul Det. Base Force


At San Fernando in the PI our brave raider tank force meets a sticky situation. Counter attacked by 7 units including a tank regiment at 40-1 but no losses. Stick and run stick and run.

Ground combat at San Fernando (80,74)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 298 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 97

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 47 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 40

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 40 to 1

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

Assaulting units:
7th Tank Regiment
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
16th AA Regiment
21st Air Flotilla
11th JAAF Base Force
44th Field AA Battalion
18th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
194th Tank Battalion


In Burma, Prome (NW of Rangoon) fall so Rangoon is now isolated.

The brave B-17s from Calcutta are still pounding away, but a rest may now be in order.

Regards
Andrew

Jan 25 through 27
Cracking along at a grand old pace.

Jan 25
At sea KB continues its assault on Moresby hitting it with 144 Kates but not achieving much. His minesweepers though make significant progress sweeping the mines up clearing 40 in a turn. A surface TF appears off Balikpapan and despite me having laid hundreds of mines there too, they bombard the place without running into a single one. The place is pretty banged up but I am resigned to losing it as soon as he decides to apply some power there. My follow up TF at Suva is a few days out now. Getting close. KB please stay away.

In the air my B-17s strike Prome to good effect but thats probably it from them for a few turns. Morale is slumping and damaged aircraft mounting.

On the ground he shock attacks at Moresby and we hold. Dare I hope that we can fight him off?

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9089 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 251

Defending force 4719 troops, 74 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 109

Japanese adjusted assault: 144

Allied adjusted defense: 85

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
330 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
53rd Naval Guard Unit
144th Infantry Regiment
61st Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force

Defending units:
49th Australian Battalion
Lark Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force
Rabaul Det. Base Force

Jan 26
At sea a carrier TF suddenly appear 6 hexes off Perth. Luckily for me they get busted by an ASW patrol that was a few hexes north of Perth and shoot their bolt early. I suspect this is mini KB but it could be stronger.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Perth at 49,147

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 157 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 67 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N1 Kate x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Isis
DD Jupiter
DD Stewart, Bomb hits 1

Elsewhere another 60 mines cleared at Moresby and an AK lost to subs off Hawaii. I am trying use the auto convoy system to keep the isolated islands supplied but its tough with his subs out hunting. They all need escorts. My follow up TF 1 hex away from Suva now. aaaagh.

On the ground some big IJA attacks go in. First at Clarke where we hold them off again and give them plenty of hurt.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37760 troops, 579 guns, 529 vehicles, Assault Value = 1262

Defending force 30027 troops, 558 guns, 337 vehicles, Assault Value = 909

Japanese adjusted assault: 676

Allied adjusted defense: 1486

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
3817 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 311 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 214 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 74 (4 destroyed, 70 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1493 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 118 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1493 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 118 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Then at Singapore where we surprisingly hold on again and deal out a surprising amount of punishment. Singapore may yet hold until the end of the month despite all we have done to lose it!!

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35906 troops, 488 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 1208

Defending force 19413 troops, 280 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Japanese adjusted assault: 687

Allied adjusted defense: 377

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
2119 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 158 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 121 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1728 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 84 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 149 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 21 (3 destroyed, 18 disabled)

In Burma the Japanese are all over the central valley. Our main force is in Rangoon but not well dug in. They won't last long. The good news is we have our fall back line taking shape nicely. Chittagong and Calcutta are well defended and Colombo is building up too.

Finally at San Fernando in the PI our brave armoured raider meetis iyts end at the hands of the 7th Tank regiment. It was a bold venture.

Jan 27
At sea Moresby is hit by 3 CA's and 5 DD's bombarding. They are throwing the kitchen sink at the place. Looks like KB has pulled back to Rabaul. Hmmm. The forces I have in Perth scatter. Luckily the most valuable target was a tanker convoy that left the port a day before the CV's turned up. The weather is bad and I think they have a good chance of running east and getting away. He hits Perth itself and nails two few Dutch subs which were under repair there. By the looks of the aircraft numbers this is just mini KB. Maybe a distraction for what Big-Moma KB has planned for the east again.

Afternoon Air attack on Perth , at 49,147

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 137 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 59 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B4Y1 Jean x 10
B5N1 Kate x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAKL De Haan, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS KXVI, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS O16, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AS Otus, Bomb hits 1, on fire

The Suva convoy arrives. Huzzah. A fuel convoy and naval support and engineers are now close to Auckland, the first fighters are a week behind and the 2nd Marine reg is loading in Hawaii ready to head south as well. Things are starting to flow nicely now.

On the ground the Japanese arrive in Rangoon and bombard. He only has one division at this point so it may not be enough to blast us out yet.

At Moresby he shock attacks again. We hold again and inflict casualties this time - enough to perhaps slow him down. Our guys are weakening though. His losses are disabled whereas ours are destroyed. Not good for the long term prospects for the defence.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9008 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Defending force 4389 troops, 74 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 90

Japanese adjusted assault: 102

Allied adjusted defense: 65

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
522 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Allied ground losses:
326 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

I feel like we are finally in the game now as we see troops starting to flow. I have 2 regiments of the Americal division available in the US, with the 3rd about follow. Another fighter wing (P-40E's) is about ready to be despatched with air skill at 60 and a number of my squadrons which have been training for ASW since day 1 are also coming up on 60 skill. I will deploy a couple at that level and see how they go. I have also finally set up a Catalina screen covering the mid Pacific islands. Any raids into my convoy lines should hopefully at least be detected. Things are starting to look up....until KB comes visiting again anyway.

Regards
Andrew

There is no way to hold Port Moresby against a determined Jap effort in Jan 42 with the forces available--sorry...Well, there is one way: if you can get either the 6th or 7th Aus Divs there, but that is usually a race that you will lose against an experienced Jap player and has other consequences.

BTW, rented my Ashgrove house so I won't be back to Brisbane for a while. Still would like to have a beer when I get back into town. Continued Good Luck!


mike

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

There is no way to hold Port Moresby against a determined Jap effort in Jan 42 with the forces available--sorry...Well, there is one way: if you can get either the 6th or 7th Aus Divs there, but that is usually a race that you will lose against an experienced Jap player and has other consequences.

BTW, rented my Ashgrove house so I won't be back to Brisbane for a while. Still would like to have a beer when I get back into town. Continued Good Luck!


mike

Re Pt Moresby I am getting that feeling. Call me when you are in town. It would be good to meet up.
Rgds
Andrerw

Jan 28 and 29

Jan 28
At sea a big force of mineswepers arrive at Palembang and gets a hot welcome. We might even get a few of those.

TF 19 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DMS W-20
DMS W-5, Shell hits 2
DMS W-4, Shell hits 2, on fire
DMS W-3, Shell hits 1
TB Hayabusa
TB Kasasagi
TB Otori
E Saga
TB Kari, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

At Suva our follow up convoy is well under way to discharge and things there are looking good.

In the air, mini KB cleans up the unfortunate few who were not able to get away from the Perth area. We only lose 3 or 4 auxilliary ships in total so its a pretty good result really. The tankers are fleeing to Adelaide and seem to be unspotted, but based on his past performance he may well pursue all the way so we are setting up a welcome for him there. A massive raid hits Bataan this turn. I think he is targetting our supplies.

On the ground, he lands a force in Kuantan where one of our isolated brigades was holding out. In the attack the brigade collapses and surrenders with only 33 Japanese casualties. In Moresby another shock attack comes in. His casualties are heavy but we lose the 49th Bat destroyed. There are more ships approaching Moresby so I think he is bringing in reinforcements as our resistance must be frustrating him.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8573 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Defending force 4101 troops, 74 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Japanese adjusted assault: 106

Allied adjusted defense: 89

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1111 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
287 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Jan 29

At sea, it is a Japanese reinforcement convoy that arrives at Moresby. We get two sub attacks in but no joy. Subsequent intel shows a SNLF battalion landing to beef up the attack. Near Perth mini KB disappears. Is it coming across the Great Australian Bight in pursuit of my tankers is the big question. KB has alo vanished now but we spot torpedo planes over Suva and Pago Pago. I am hoping they are just long range recon patrols from Tarawa but I am concerned it may be KB. They can't have got there that fast but I am being paranoid. Have beefed up recon out of Pago Pago to cover the recon gap between Suva and the mid Pacific islands. If they are on the way, we need to spot these guys coming in before they get too close or it could be bad news. Suva discharge is almost complete but the next convoy has precious fighters and I do not want to even risk them.

In the air he seems to have 150+ bombers hitting Clarke and Bataan. Must be a push coming. Balikpapan is also starting to get attention.

On the ground, Moresby gets a rest but the first attack comes in at Rangoon and immediately achieves 2-1 although Japanese casualties are heavy.

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12902 troops, 159 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 439

Defending force 6329 troops, 78 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 622

Allied adjusted defense: 309

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1167 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Allied ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
33rd Division
15th Army
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
4/14th Punjab Battalion
Rangoon BAF Battalion
9/11th Sikh Battalion
4/8th Gurkha Battalion
2nd King Own YLI Battalion
16th Indian Brigade
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

I am having night sweats worrying about where KB might be headed. I need more time to get air assets into place, particularly fighters. Then we can start attriting the boys down a bit.

Regards
Andrew

Jan 30 and 31

Jan 30
At sea there is a flurry ASW attacks around Port Moresby. Multiple torpedo attacks deliver precisely zero result. I am not sure I have had any US torpedoes actually go off yet. I hit is taken an an S boat in return but only a few points of sys damage so we can ignore it.

In the air, the usual Japanese attacks come in on Singapore, Soerabaja, Clarke, Bataan, Moresby, Pt Blair. ho humm.

On the ground, the only major action is another attack at Rangoon. Achieves 2-1 but the IJA take 1100 casualties vs my 200. Forts down to 1. At Moresby more troops come ashore but he is resting before his next push.

In general I have to say my ground forces are doing a bit better than I gave them credit for.

Jan 31
Some action at sea this turn. I had a small convoy (2 AK's escorted by an AM) discharging supplies at Pago Pago as the first step in building it up as part of the air bridge between Hawaii and Australia. Last few turns they have been snooped by Japanese recon making me crap my pants that KB was nearby. Its not KB however, rather two armed merchant cruisers which turn up and nail the AM and one of the AK's

Night Time Surface Combat, near Pago Pago at 148,161, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru
AMC Hokoku Maru

Allied Ships
AM Bobolink, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Iron Knight, Shell hits 9, on fire
xAK Evi Livanos

Justice however is swift.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Upolu at 146,162

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 16
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Hokoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Looks like one is sunk and the other damaged, but the real pity is he knows I have 1 or 2 carriers there now. I have to be careful here as there is a lot at risk if KB does turn up. My 3 active carriers and a convoy loaded with my first operational fighter group are all in the area and losing that lot would REALLY hurt.

Elsewhere some more duelling at Moresby for little outcome and mini KB smacks Perth and Albany again. At least they aren't coming to Adelaide and my tankers all got away.

On the ground he comes at Rangoon again. This time its only 1-2 and another 750 IJA Casualties

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12264 troops, 160 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 393

Defending force 6067 troops, 77 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 228

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 150

Allied adjusted defense: 219

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
756 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
33rd Division
15th Army
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
Rangoon BAF Battalion
2nd King Own YLI Battalion
9/11th Sikh Battalion
4/8th Gurkha Battalion
4/14th Punjab Battalion
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
16th Indian Brigade
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

My biggest concern at the moment is KB, last spotted 3 or 4 days ago at Rabaul. I have recon out now covering the east coast of Australia and the approaches to Suva and we haven't spotted anything. There is a gap around Noumea which I haven't been able to fill yet, so that means they could either be coming to Auckland through that gap or not coming at all. I have a sub picket out covering that gap but its a lot of ocean and not many subs. You have to love this game don't you. The tension is great.

Rgds
Andrew

You don't know where his carriers are and but he knows where you'rs are........I'd be turning around and changing my route (run awaaaaaaaaaaaay)

Feb 1 thru 5
I have been away for a week at the beach and at the Avalon airshow so its been a while since an update. Lots have happened, most of it bad (but not all). Since there have been 5 turns since my last report, rather than do a turn by turn account will describe what has happened in each of the major theatres.

Firstly Singapore/Malaya
Basically things transpired as expected. On Feb 1 another big Japanese shock attack rolled in. This one achieved 6-1 odds and the garrison surrendered. We managed to hold into Feb which is about 2 weeks short of historical, but given the situation we got ourselves in with the landing at Mersing cutting off a significant proportion of the combat force it wasn't as bad an outcome as it might have been. We still had numerous units at larghe in the Malaya interior which the IJA had to clear up. Over the subsequent 4 days they took out the 22nd Ind Brig at Kuantan and a couple of rogue BF's. We still have the remnants of an Australian Brig astride their com lines one hex north of Johore Baru so that will take a few days more to clear up.

Dutch East Indies
Samarinda, next to Balikpapan, is taken on Feb 1 and Balik is hit bit by both air and naval bombardment. My big minefield there looks like it won't have much impact. Not much else to report other than constant air suppression of Soerabaja and increasing air activity over Palembang. With Singapore gone, the Japanese will be coming within a week or two I am guessing. Just depends how long it takes them to rest and recuperate before the next leap.

Phillipines
This is the real gut wrenching story. I was pretty happy with the way things were going at this stage. I had 1200AV in Clarke and about 300 in Bataan. Clarke was holding nicely. We had repelled 4 or 5 major Japanese attacks, inflicted serious losses and Bataan had got to 4 forts. My plan was to fall back on the Bataan and hold out for another month or more. On Feb 1 he shock attacked Clarke but also dropped a para fragment on Bataan. The Clarke combat was resolved first and even though the para fragment was wiped out subsequently its presence in Bataan at the time the Clarke combat was resolved meant no retreat was possible. He just scraped 3-1 at Clarke and the enitre force with no where to retreat surrendered.

[Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 74449 troops, 905 guns, 684 vehicles, Assault Value = 2477
Defending force 29487 troops, 585 guns, 337 vehicles, Assault Value = 870
Japanese adjusted assault: 3327
Allied adjusted defense: 1027
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
4081 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 147 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 164 disabled
Engineers: 37 destroyed, 37 disabled
Vehicles lost 77 (4 destroyed, 73 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
32649 casualties reported
Squads: 1605 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2125 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 128 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 550 (550 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 179 (179 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 22

I was pretty unhappy about this. I actually felt it was a bit gamey but when I asked what had happened, they had a pretty cogent defence prepared as to what they did and why it was acceptable. I actually think that shows they felt it was a bit gamey too and had some guilt issues. I had no idea this was even a risk so feel a bit hard done by but I guess that is war and my first real penalty for being in-experienced. I can do the same thing in return if thats the way we are going to play so I let it go without making a big deal about it. Needless to say our position in the PI is shattered. Bataan won't last long if he deploys his whole force against it so we have to plan on him having 3 or 4 divisions availble a month sooner than he would have otherwise. He still has to take out the DEI but given his aggressive move at Port Moresby I wouldn't be surprised if he uses these troops to come after Noumea or Suva or he may send them West into India or Ceylon. We have to plan accordingly.

Port Moresby
After losing Singapore and Clarke on Feb 1, he shock attacked PM on Feb 2 and by the slimmest of margins achieved 3-1 and forced us out. He had to bring in 3 naval guard units and an SNLF to reinforce the original infantry regiment before he could take it, so we fought hard but PM is lost now too. By this stage as you can imagine I was feeling a bit down and this turn was done on my birthday so many happy freakin returns.

New Zealand / Fiji area
I had developed an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach that KB were headed my way after I lost sight of them at Moresby. I decided to evacuate all the merchant ships form NZ and be extremely careful about the Carriers and convoys moving to Suva. From NZ, the short range units went back to Oz or Suva, long range to the US. I also set up my limited recon assets to scan the Fiji and Noumea areas. Sure enough on Feb 1 we pick up KB just passing Noumea headed south. Everyone was already headed out of harms way and had a couple of days head start but flank speed was ordered and the chickens scattered. On Feb 3 KB smashed a largely empty Auckland. 3 Clemson DD's in the process of converting to APD's couldn't get out in time so they were my only losses. The next day he travelled down the east coast of the North Island and on Feb 4 hit Auckland again and every other port in the area. No losses Feb 5 he dissappears (gulp) Looks like he is headed south so he may think that is where all my boats have gone. I have every available search plane hunting so hopefully we can pick him up again before he is in position too do much more damage. Meanwhile the Southern Ocean is about a good a place as any for KB. Suva is building up nicely and he has lost sight of my CV's. I think I am going to focus reinforcements here for a while rather than spread out to Noumea. His freed up units in the PI scare me and next time he lands at I place I am defending I want to kick him back into the sea, not fold up like a deck of cards.

Burma
On Feb 3 completing my nightmare 3 days, the IJA shock attacked Rangoon, achieved 4-1 and swept me out. The troops retreated into the swamp but as we had put absolutely nothing into Burma the force he has now is probably enough to clean the place out. He seems to have about 2 divisions of infantry, a couple of tank regiments and some other sundry units. Started evacuating all the Base forces. Mandalay also fell and he landed unopposed in Akyab. Our main defense line is Ledo to Chittagong and we may fight for Cox's Bazaar as an outpost. Still pretty weak though with only 1500 AV or there abouts in the area. Decided to send the 6th Australian division to Ceylon in case the PI forces head into this region.

China
It seems his main focus of attack is on Sian. We have seen a couple of sigint reports now of Attacks being planned for Sian and he has a big force on the road from Nayang to Sian (about 21 units). We are moving to basically put a bunch of units in the bad terrain between Nanyang and Sian to bog him down. Am also considering building on his northern and southern flank so if he pushes everything towards Sian we can try a Kursk assault on him. Hopefully with more success than the Germans had.

At Sea
My subs continue shooting blanks. Had one good turn where we got an AKL and an AK near Port Moresby but so far our tactic of concentrating subs in the forward area hasn't been very successful. Have sent the first boats from PH to the Japanese islands to deploy on the approaches to Osaka and Tokyo. Its such a loooong way though. Really need to build Midway up into a reasonable base.

So thats it. The disaster at Clarke has forced us to be a bit more conservative than we were planning to be. Noumea may be out of the defense network for a bit and we are going to build up in India on a line relatively far back.

Regards
Andrew

Personally I find the Clarke/Bataan move gamey because the para group wasn't enough to take the hex behind your main force- or even survive the first round of combat!

THis feels gamey to me as well. The right thing to do was (if they really wanted to use paratroops) to drop them at Clark itself hence forcing a retreat but cutting your units off like this doesn't feel right.
 
Just know you can return the favor many, many times more later in the war.
 
Bad sportmanship imho.
 
 

I'd put the para frag drop in the steaming pile category as well.