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11th-16th February 1942


Java

Dutch try to defend island but it is impossible task. Dutch navy and airforce was wiped out.



Burma

Air war over Rangoon ended with Japanese victory. Fighter squadrons withdrew north. IJA is still holding at Pegu. They are waiting for reinforcements from Chiang Mai.
Australian troops landed at Port Blair. Commonwealth will try to hold this base as frontier outpost.

Australia Command

Heavy fights over Brisbane. Japanese bombers attacked airbase but P-40 fighters shot down lots of enemy bombers. Unfortunately sweeping Zeros and Oscars gain upper hand over US pilots in next few days. With air superiority nothing was able to stop Japanese from sinking damaged ships in Brisbane port and closing Brisbane airport. On 16th February additional naval bombardment damaged and destroyed few remaining planes. Once again carriers near coast of Australia were detected.
Only good news is that 7th Armoured Brigade arrived to support Brisbane garrison.

Night Naval bombardment of Brisbane at 96,160

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 4 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 9 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
BB Haruna
CA Chokai

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Fires 6
Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 23
Port fuel hits 1

BB Yamashiro firing at 7th Armoured Brigade
BB Mutsu firing at Brisbane
BB Haruna firing at Brisbane
CA Chokai firing at Brisbane

4th Aus Cav Brigade like in classical westerns arrived in last moment to Bundaberg and repel attack against RAN Base Force. Japanese 61st Naval Guard Unit is holding position, but Australians expects that they will surrender soon.

ORIGINAL: Runnersan

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I think that the "Line of Death" as far as special Allied reinforcements for Australia is one hex south of Brisbane. If you can somehow push even just one small Japanese unit there, it will pay off.

Will be hard. I got bad feeling that he will move to the Line of Death when he will complete his conquest of DEI. Then He will activate my additional units and wait near Cape Town entry point with carriers. Thats my little nightmare...

The units from Cape Town can go to Aden with very little on map movement. Send them from Cape Town to Aden, thence to Karachi. That gives you a decent force to move into Burma to support China.

For Java, just move to the one base in the mountains that is not along a coast. Disband your air units so you don't lose them, they should show up in Aden. If nothing else, even with the very limited Dutch pool of aircraft and pilots, those can perform security and searches in the rear areas.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Runnersan

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I think that the "Line of Death" as far as special Allied reinforcements for Australia is one hex south of Brisbane. If you can somehow push even just one small Japanese unit there, it will pay off.

Will be hard. I got bad feeling that he will move to the Line of Death when he will complete his conquest of DEI. Then He will activate my additional units and wait near Cape Town entry point with carriers. Thats my little nightmare...

The units from Cape Town can go to Aden with very little on map movement. Send them from Cape Town to Aden, thence to Karachi. That gives you a decent force to move into Burma to support China.

For Java, just move to the one base in the mountains that is not along a coast. Disband your air units so you don't lose them, they should show up in Aden. If nothing else, even with the very limited Dutch pool of aircraft and pilots, those can perform security and searches in the rear areas.

I think that route Cape Town ->Aden is blocked... Or maybe it's blocked for naval units, not land... I must check that.

Cape Town to a hex in the upper corner, thence to Aden. That is not blocked. Make sure that you hold that Omani island, Socotra . . .

Or Scrodra, or something like that, as per Greyjoy . . . [;)]

17th-20th February 1942

Australia Command

It looks like main Japanese thrust will be directed against Northern Australia. Two divisions moved north to Bowen. I Asutralian Corps is there, but in Allied HQ opinion enemy will not try to attack base. He will only block main Australian and British forces, while Japanese 21st Division will move West and then North to Charters Towers. It is also possible that when allied troops will move out of Townsville to reinforce Charters Towers, reserve regiments from Rabaul and Port Moresby will try to invade Townsville or Cairns.

round combat at Bowen (93,147)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12395 troops, 98 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 728

Defending force 23694 troops, 231 guns, 258 vehicles, Assault Value = 800

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

Assaulting units:
4th Division
38th Division

Defending units:
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/11th Armoured Car Regiment
14th Australian Brigade
3rd Motor Brigade
6th Australian Brigade
18th British Division
I Australian Corps
Bowen RAN Base Force

To counter this tactics Allied HQ will try to move 7th Armoured Tank Brigade to Bundaberg to help 4th Aus Cav Brigade to finish off Japanese naval guards unit and then both units will try to move North to Rockhampton in hope that enemy will redirect 21st Division back to Rockhampton..
Additional 16th Australian Brigade is moving from Perth to East. Unit will be used as reserve force in this operation.

Also citizens of of Toowomba just few miles northwest from Brisbane reported about increasing recon activity. Intelligence detected that at least 2 units of Japanese parachute infantry were moved to Rabaul, so US Tank Batalion was redirected to Toowomba to protect railway and slow down enemy advance.

Allied HQ expects that in 5 days US division sized units will arrive to Melbourne. HQ will use this units to support advance against Rockhampton.

Enemy carriers after harrasing Brisbane port tried to move to Sydney and then Melbourne. They met prepared CAP over Sydney and at least 30 carrier based bombers were shot down.

Afternoon Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 92 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
B5N2 Kate x 20
D3A1 Val x 12

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

On next day enemy used sweep attack against Sydney defenders and this time 15 P-40s were lost. No ship at port was harmed.

Southwest Pacific

US engineers are preparing airbase chain from Fiji to New Zealand and then to Australia. Unfortunately enemy captured Norfolk Island and it will be bigger problem for Allies.

Also US Navy reports that one of the submarines hit enemy AK ship. Reports show that at least 40 Nate fighters were detected on board.

Keep some units in strategic mode on the railroads for rapid reinforcement. Especially armour against paratroopers who don't take the base on the day that they drop in.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Keep some units in strategic mode on the railroads for rapid reinforcement. Especially armour against paratroopers who don't take the base on the day that they drop in.

That is the plan. I'm afraid that I'm too slow... And I miss the moment when Rockhampton will be easy to capture... I know that lots of transports are arriving there. Lot's of my subs there, but they torpedoes are some kind of joke. I had surface battle when my sub launched 5 dud torps.

Runnersan: I just caught up to the present in your AAR. The carrier battle was quite interesting. I'd say it wasn't too bad of an outcome if it knocks a couple of his CVs out for a few months.

It looks like you anticipated the move into Oz quite well (albeit getting hit at Sydney on December 7 made his intentions look fairly obvious), what with the British units present. I'd be worried about letting him cut off your forces to the north, though. How's your supply at Bowen and Townsville?

For some ideas on fighting in Oz, you should check Lowpe's current AAR if you aren't already.

Good luck!

Cheers,
CB

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

It looks like you anticipated the move into Oz quite well (albeit getting hit at Sydney on December 7 made his intentions look fairly obvious), what with the British units present. I'd be worried about letting him cut off your forces to the north, though. How's your supply at Bowen and Townsville?

Lack of supplies in the north is one of my biggest concerns. Before invasion I increased Townsville supplies demand, but it is possible that they would end before I will be able to reconnect with southern Australia. I will try to send supply to Normanton.

There is continuous risk that Japan will try to create second foothold. To be honest... If Japan will send troops from Java or Malaya I will not be able to hold Townsville.

You might want to keep Port Augusta, Sydney and Melbourne secure from a second invasion. Like Ranger Joe said above, it's good to have some forces on strategic movement ready to respond. To me, nothing north of Brisbane is crucial to hold.

Cheers,
CB

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

You might want to keep Port Augusta, Sydney and Melbourne secure from a second invasion. Like Ranger Joe said above, it's good to have some forces on strategic movement ready to respond. To me, nothing north of Brisbane is crucial to hold.

Cheers,
CB

I deployed australian regiment in Port Augusta I hope that they will have no unexpected visitors.

21st-26th February 1942


Java

Batavia and Bandeong are still in Dutch hands. Airbases are operational and harrasing enemy troops with bombing missions. Rest of island is owned by Japan.

Sumatra

Eastern bases Sibolga and Padang are owned by Dutch. Two supply convoys were dispatched to help allied soldiers stationed there.



Burma

It’s clear that Japanese troops will try to bypass Rangoon. They moved from Pegu to the North and attacked Toungoo. British troops are no match to Japanese guard regiment and they are equal in strenght only on paper.

Seeing that there is big possibility of cutting off troops in Rangoon, part of British and Indian units will march north.




Australia Command

27th-28th February 1942


Burma

Japanese troops captured Tuangoo and moving north. Allied airforce will not intervene until enemy will move on open terrain north of this base.



Australia Command

Enemy bombarded allied positions at Bowen

Night Naval bombardment of Bowen at 93,147

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
CA Ashigara
CA Myoko
CL Tatsuta
CL Yura
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi
DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki
DD Hatsukaze
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio

Allied ground losses:
219 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Port hits 1

In spite of this. No offensive moves against base by land forces.

At Perth at least 4 submarines detected. Intelligence claims that 20th Infantry Division is moving against Perth. It is known that they are on the ships so they might arrive soon. Additional Australian troops will be send there.

South Pacific

Once again Japanese carriers showed up near New Zealand. This time they bombed empty convoy but there was also P-40s squadron protecting convoy. 9 Zeros and 3 Vals were shot down. 4 P-40s didn’t returned to base.


End of month summary


Ship losses



Air losses




Air Aces



Silent War Aces



1. I-162 14195

2. I-156 10290

3. Seadragon 9105 Up

4. I-124 8370 down

5. I-18 8150 down

6. I-17 6590 Down

7. I-168 6350 Down

8. I-166 6100 

9. RO-64 6070 

10. I-25 6030 

If he over crowds airbases don't forget about night bombing to spread out his CAP to day and night and less for sweeps and escorting of his bombers. Japan has weak AAA so, unless he already bought some out from the HI and sent them to Burma you can bomb at lower altitude at night and increase your effectiveness, even with light bombers.

Pull out of Rangoon, it is not worth losing units. You might want to consider putting at least one bomber unit on night city attack with the range to hit Rangoon right after its capture.

Consider moving the Burma base forces into southern China, they also have some AAA capability. Also consider moving the one Burmese AAA unit there as well. Move in AT units into China, fly them in if you have to. They should help blunt the Japanese armour attacks.

Consider putting just small battalions at the Burmese bases with air bases. When the Japanese move in, fly out the battalion. The Japanese will still lose a turn shifting to combat mode and will not be able to advance.

If you have not yet bought out the buyable Chinese units, do so and get them moving to India. With enough supplies there, they can take reinforcements and get rather large. You are better off using those to spearhead your moves out of India with support from Allied armour and artillery than using the Indian forces. You can also buy out the Chinese air units as well so they don't get destroyed on the ground. That is not as important now since the can fly faster over the mountains than your troops can move.

The only replacements for the Chinese infantry and cavalry units right now should be support squads. That will help their disabled squads repair and be more effective.

Move some Chinese units into blocking positions on the main roads and minor roads, let them dig in. Try for at least 2X defensive terrain but 3X is better. They will be tough to dislodge, taking Japanese time, casualties, and supplies to do so.

If Chinese units get trashed taking lots of destroyed devices, then consider dividing them and use those to cut supply lines. If you keep them in good defensive terrain, they have a better change against Japanese bombers.

Joe

PS Your AAR is easier to read than your opponents. I gave up on trying to read his AAR.

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

If he over crowds airbases don't forget about night bombing to spread out his CAP to day and night and less for sweeps and escorting of his bombers. Japan has weak AAA so, unless he already bought some out from the HI and sent them to Burma you can bomb at lower altitude at night and increase your effectiveness, even with light bombers.

That's the plan. For now my pilots are training.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Pull out of Rangoon, it is not worth losing units. You might want to consider putting at least one bomber unit on night city attack with the range to hit Rangoon right after its capture.

Consider moving the Burma base forces into southern China, they also have some AAA capability. Also consider moving the one Burmese AAA unit there as well. Move in AT units into China, fly them in if you have to. They should help blunt the Japanese armour attacks.

Consider putting just small battalions at the Burmese bases with air bases. When the Japanese move in, fly out the battalion. The Japanese will still lose a turn shifting to combat mode and will not be able to advance.

If you have not yet bought out the buyable Chinese units, do so and get them moving to India. With enough supplies there, they can take reinforcements and get rather large. You are better off using those to spearhead your moves out of India with support from Allied armour and artillery than using the Indian forces. You can also buy out the Chinese air units as well so they don't get destroyed on the ground. That is not as important now since the can fly faster over the mountains than your troops can move.

The only replacements for the Chinese infantry and cavalry units right now should be support squads. That will help their disabled squads repair and be more effective.

Move some Chinese units into blocking positions on the main roads and minor roads, let them dig in. Try for at least 2X defensive terrain but 3X is better. They will be tough to dislodge, taking Japanese time, casualties, and supplies to do so.

If Chinese units get trashed taking lots of destroyed devices, then consider dividing them and use those to cut supply lines. If you keep them in good defensive terrain, they have a better change against Japanese bombers.

Joe

PS Your AAR is easier to read than your opponents. I gave up on trying to read his AAR.

I will try with AT units. I used politcal points to buy 2 division from China but it will take some time until they will arrive. I'm afraid that I have to use my political points very cautious. I'm trying to get enough to buy US Infantry Division and ship it to Australia.

1st-6th March 1942


Burma

More support arrived to Port Blair. British and Indian troops are evacuating Rangoon. High sweep activity over Burma air bases.

Sumatra

Japanese decided to finish conquest of Sumatra. Unfortunately they synchronized with arrival of supply convoys to Padang and Sibolga. Transport AKL’s were sunk. Padang base was captured. Royal Navy just before Japanese detection decided to conduct naval patrol along western coast of Sumatra. British carrier with escort ships was send there. It will not save transports but with little luck will hit few Japanese attackers.


Australia Command

Allied bombers are attacking 21st Division moving north to Charters Towers. 7th Armored Tank Brigade captured important town on crossroads cutting off best supply line to 21st Division. British troops will try block other supply lines that might help Japanese.

Japanese troops invaded norther Australia. Broome captured. Supply convoys for Darwin and Broome in danger.

Big TF with Battleships detected. Big question is this long awaited invasion of Perth or maybe just carrier force raid. Light surface ship squadron that had orders to attack Broome transports will be withdrawn because air danger risk.

Two additional fighter squadrons were send to Perth to prepare CAP.



South Pacific

Operation Bridge

After conquest of New Caledonia biggest problem for Allied HQ is, how to safely transport troops and planes to invaded Australia. Obvious answer was through New Zealand and Perth. With incoming invasion of Perth, New Zealand route becomes primary route for allied transports. In february-march 1942 few convoys with troops arrived to Pago Pago concentration point. There, HQ decided to create chain of air bases to transport squadrons from Fiji to New Zealand.
Tongatapu and Raul Island were selected to this task and transport with construction and base forces were sent there. Additionally HQ sent, to Raul Island, one New Zealand infantry battalion to provide protection and avoid fate of Norfolk island where US base force was eliminated and island captured by small Japanese forces.

Rest of ships were divided into 5 transport Task Forces. One with squadron of P-40s to provide CAP for New Zealand. 3 TF’s with at least 7 squadrons of bombers and fighters. And another one with engineer and base force troops.

All ships were close to each other and were moving close to southern shores of New Zealand. Then they changed course to north, to Hobart. After one day, all TF’s were put on high alert. Enemy Carrier raid was detected. Loosing 7 squadrons of planes and troops was unacceptable for Allied HQ.

TF with land forces moved on full speed to Dunedin to start unloading there. From Wellington single ship was dispatched north to lure enemy east, as far from convoys as it was possible. Also in Wellington small supply convoy was preparing, so HQ ordered newly arrived P-40’s squadron to provided fighter cover.

Plane transport TF’s were in other situation. One with US Marine Fighter squadrons was close to Hobart, so fighter cover moved from Sydney was able to protect it. But far worst situation was for 2 other convoys in the middle of ocean between New Zealand and Tasmania. Full speed west. That was their orders.

Enemy didn’t catch decoy but moved close to New Zealand and attacked protected by P-40s supply convoy.
P-40’s were able to inflict minor losses, but at least 2 protected ships were sunk. Then IJN moved west. They catch in their range troop transports that were unloading in Dunedin. Fortunately most of the troops were already on land when bombers arrived and damaged or sunk most of the convoy ships.

That was crucial moment.
If Japanese commander decide to move west he will catch convoys with planes. If he will move northeast, allied forces will be safe.

Next day came and Carrier force was not detected. This could mean anything. Convoy Ships moved north to Australia along western coast of Tasmania. Next day… No carriers. First ships arrived to Australia.

This time Allies were lucky… Enemy was very close from great victory…

7th-15th March 1942

Australia Command

As was expected using her naval invasion superiority Imperial Japanese Navy prepared attacks on Port Hedland and Perth Region.
Port Hedland fall into enemies hands quickly, but Perth is not so easy to capture.
Supported by carriers enemy prepared sweep mission against Perth defenders. But IJN didn’t expected Marine dive bombers in base.
CA Kinguasa from transport escort TF was hit by three bombs and is on fire (heavy fires).
Also one transport was hit by bombs.

Allied HQ had big problems with identification where enemy will land. At first HQ believed that enemy will invade Perth directly, but on next day transport and support TF’s were seen moving towards Geralton, north of Perth. One australian infantry brigade was sent there to support base defenders, but on next day shocked air recon detected all TF’s to the south of Perth at Busselton. That is probably real invasion target. If enemy will use more than one division to invade region, there will be no force in western Australia to stop him.

Also IJN airplanes began attacks on Darwin. CAP created by US Army and Marines didn’t stopped enemy from bombing port. Submarine support infrastructure (AS ship) was destroyed. Fortunately air battles against Japan are no more one sided as it was before, many Zero planes were shot down. In total numbers losses were equal.

On eastern coast after lots of land maneuvers Japanese troops surrounded Bowen. Japanese 21st Division was divided into parts and blocked positions to the west and southwest of Bowen. 1st Tank regiment blocked road from Townsville. Allied forces will try to break through 1st Tank Regiment. 7th Armour Tank Brigade supported by Australian Infantry brigade and allied air force will try to open supply lines to Bowen.

Java
Batavia and Bandoeng are still in Dutch hands.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22072 troops, 201 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 682

Defending force 17350 troops, 292 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 497

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 416

Allied adjusted defense: 397

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1617 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 92 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 36 disabled
Guns lost 23 (8 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
418 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 18 (3 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (5 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Assaulting units:
III/81st Naval Guard Unit
2nd Engineer Regiment
I./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Recon Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
5th Amphibious Brigade
Yokosuka Assault SNLF
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd KNIL Regiment
Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
4th KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
Andir ML Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
3/2nd Avn Sup Afd
Tjilitap KM Base Force
7th Avn Sup Afd

Malaya

Rangoon was attacked by enemy and was captured.

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17536 troops, 134 guns, 96 vehicles, Assault Value = 529

Defending force 5875 troops, 76 guns, 25 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 245

Allied adjusted defense: 107

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Rangoon !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
587 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2890 casualties reported
Squads: 78 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 84 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 34 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 30 (27 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (23 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
55th Infantry Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment

Defending units:
Rangoon BAF Battalion
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
16th Indian Brigade
103rd RN Base Force

Most of troops were evacuated north behind airstrikes line. Troops will slowly abandon Burma and move to India.

But to slowdown enemy, defense positions were prepared in Meliktla. Japanese 14th Tank Regiment tried to chase down Allied troops but when it moved to clear terrain heavy air bombardment started. After few days of bombing allied counterattack heavily shattered Japanese tank regiment.

Ground combat at Meiktila (58,47)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11709 troops, 67 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 363

Defending force 198 troops, 0 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Allied adjusted assault: 278

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

Allied assault odds: 139 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Burma Rifles Battalion
3rd Burma Rifles Battalion
Mandalay BMP Battalion
10th Burma Rifles Battalion
BFF Brigade
1st Burma Division
104th RAF Base Force
107th RAF Base Force

Defending units:
14th Tank Regiment

Before fall of Rangoon I informed about carrier raid against detected Japanese convoy. Unfortunately Royal Navy detected convoy on the way home probably empty. 3 ships were sunk.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Victoria Point at 49,65

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 17
Fulmar II x 8

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Boston Maru, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Kinryu Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Sikisan Maru
xAK Kinsyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

Massive explosion on xAK Kinsyo Maru
Massive explosion on xAK Kinsyo Maru

16th-20th March 1942


Burma

Allied bombers bombed Burmese oil fields. Japan brought fighters in big hurry to protect precious oil.
Troops successfully moved north to Indian border, but there are lots of voices about staying longer in Burma. It is possible that Japan put all her effort into Australia and battle of Burma might be longer and might bring more casualties to Japan.

Java

Japanese troops made first deliberate attacks against Bandoeng. Both attacks were repulsed with heavy Japanese losses. Mechanized brigade from Batavia moved south towards empty Japanese bases on the east coast of Java because almost all units are blocking Bandoeng.

17th March attack

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20745 troops, 194 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 591

Defending force 16908 troops, 290 guns, 126 vehicles, Assault Value = 445

Japanese adjusted assault: 238

Allied adjusted defense: 1012

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2148 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 40 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 26 (4 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
598 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 28 (2 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (14 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Engineer Regiment
5th Amphibious Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
I./4th Infantry Battalion
91st Naval Guard Unit
2nd Recon Regiment
Yokosuka Assault SNLF
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
III/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
1st KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
2nd KNIL Regiment
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Roodenburg Battalion
3/2nd Avn Sup Afd
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Andir ML Base Force
Tjilitap KM Base Force
7th Avn Sup Afd

19th March Attack.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18839 troops, 191 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 506

Defending force 16684 troops, 290 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 419

Japanese adjusted assault: 193

Allied adjusted defense: 397

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1808 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 170 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
493 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (9 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Amphibious Brigade
2nd Recon Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit
I./4th Infantry Battalion
Yokosuka Assault SNLF
2nd Engineer Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
III/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
1st KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Regiment
Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Roodenburg Battalion
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Andir ML Base Force
3/2nd Avn Sup Afd
Tjilitap KM Base Force
7th Avn Sup Afd

Australia Command – North

Allied transports made effort to get to Darwin with supplies. Enemies detected them and attacked with surface ships. 2 ships sunk and 2 ships arrived to Darwin.

Also air battle over Darwin is raging. It seems that IJN figther squadrons are weaker and need operational break. Unfortunately also allied squadrons are depleted.

Australia Command – West

Two divisions landed just south of Perth. Allied troops can muster 3 brigades in this zone and so they decided to weaken Perth defense and strengthen Kalgoorlie, crucial train depot that connects eastern and western Australia. There are lots of question in Allied HQ. To protect Kalgoorie or defend Perth at all cost and loose contact with eastern part of country?



Australia Command – East

B-17’s air strike was conducted against Rockhampton port. Three bombs hit CVE Hosho docked there.

7th Armoured Tank Brigade open northern route to Bowen. Enemy tank brigade retreated.
On 16th of March Japanese troops attacked Bowen and were repulsed.

Ground combat at Bowen (93,147)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30725 troops, 330 guns, 213 vehicles, Assault Value = 932

Defending force 23377 troops, 237 guns, 257 vehicles, Assault Value = 781

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 443

Allied adjusted defense: 2159

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2708 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 255 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
188 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 74 (17 destroyed, 57 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Guards Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Regiment
4th Division
38th Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2/11th Armoured Car Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
14th Australian Brigade
3rd Motor Brigade
6th Australian Brigade
18th British Division
I Australian Corps
Bowen RAN Base Force

Once again they attacked on 19th march and once again lost.

Ground combat at Bowen (93,147)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25506 troops, 309 guns, 213 vehicles, Assault Value = 750

Defending force 23124 troops, 235 guns, 247 vehicles, Assault Value = 726

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 384

Allied adjusted defense: 989

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
673 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 90 (90 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 21 (10 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
Guards Mixed Brigade
4th Division
38th Division
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/11th Armoured Car Regiment
3rd Motor Brigade
6th Australian Brigade
14th Australian Brigade
18th British Division
I Australian Corps
Bowen RAN Base Force

In the same time they once again captured Emerlad, city west of Rockhampton. US Tank battalion will try to recapture this position.

Over Brisbane dozens of fighters were damaged or destroyed. Enemy is very aggressive in this zone with his sweep missions. Once again allied fighters were pulled back to Sydney.



South Pacific

Once again CV raid against trade routes between New Zealand and Tasmania. This time big convoy returning to New Zealand was captured. Allied fighters moved to Hobart to protect hidden there transports and surface fleet.
To add more, enemy also raids from Perth, so he is trying to get convoys from eastern and western side of Australia.
There is big tanker convoy and 3 large supply convoys on the way, so Allied HQ hopes that enemy will withdraw any time soon. Especially important is fuel convoy. Lack of fuel in Sydney and other eastern bases is serious.