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Grotius bombs at 6000 feet. I bomb at 11000.

Thanks for the response. The Air to Air losses for fighter vs bomber seem to be light so I thought maybe the bombers were coming in at extremely high altitude.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/02/42

A very positive day for the forces of the rising sun.

The Production Front
Though the news from Malaya was very, very good today, the news on the production front may have even been better in the long run. I found out that ships for which you are not currently expending build points do not cost 3xdurability to accelerate. They only cost 1xdurability! That means those Unryus I accelerated, rather than eating up 408 build points right now are only using up 136. That is a savings of 272 naval shipyard points! Well, since I now have a surplus of 305 naval ship points per turn, and that is currently growing by 5 a turn, I decided to go ahead and accelerate the Yamato once again. Very good news since I may only have to spend a very tiny bit more on naval shipyard expansion.

Malaya
My shock attack at Johore Bharu worked out better than I could have dreamed. Perhaps my prepatory airstrike helped. 39 to 1 odds! Interestingly, I had persue set to on. So what should happen? The tanks ended up in Singapore this same turn where they were bombarded by the 27 units reported to be defending that base. After reading Oleg's thread, I almost decided to high tail it back out of there. But I can't really tell if the hexside b/w Johore Bharu and Singapore is a river on AB's map. It is marked in white, which means both land and naval movement. But that doesn't tell me if it is also classed as a river. When my three tank regiments arrived they were automatically bombarded by the defenders as if it were a river hexside. Another indication that it may be a river hexside is the high disruption on my tank units compared to the units still at Johore Bharu. I guess I will just have to find out the hard way; 3 divisions, one brigade and 2 engineer regiments should arrive there tomorrow. For one thing, they need to come to the aid of those 3 tank regiments that rushed ahead into the city. [;)] Besides, if it is a river, they are going to have to shock attack at some point. Might as well do it now and get it over with.

The airbase and port at Johore Bharu are in perfect shape, perhaps due to the presence of all those engineers. At any rate, a large contingent of Sallys flew in along with an Oscar Sentai. I was tempted to set them to attack Palembang this turn. Grotius's B-17s flew from that base against Kuching again today, which probably means they will be resting tomorrow, making them nice, fat, juicy targets sitting beside the tarmac. But I just didn't like the fatigue level of the Oscars and didn't see any way to get Zeros there this turn without having them suffer from even higher fatigue. So I let it be for one turn. Next turn, though, I plan on flattening that airfield.

Day Air attack on 27th Australian Brigade, at Johore Bharu
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 109

Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 105167 troops, 1062 guns, 372 vehicles
Defending force 11326 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese assault odds: 39 to 1 (fort level 3) [X(]
Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru base !!! [8D]

Japanese ground losses:
788 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1447 casualties reported [8D][8D]
Guns lost 27

Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 11081 troops, 134 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 5115 troops, 0 guns, 342 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Borneo
Even without the capture of Johore Bharu, things are definitely turning around at Kuching. The newly arrived engineers are getting the airbase into shape and my planes are repairing well. So tomorrow I decided that the Nells are going back to Palembang. This time, though, I put them on airfield attack as their primary mission. That way they won't be on the runway should his Martins from Batavia fly again (though I am not sure they will, since they have been taking a beating).

Day Air attack on Kuching , at 27,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 7
Hudson I x 3
B-17C Fortress x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Banda Sea
[:@]For some reason my slow BB TF did not bombard Lautern. Did I forget to change their mission to bombardment? Well, so much for my feint, though from Grotius's spotting reports, he may still think I am heading in that direction. At any rate, I am going to land at Kendari the day after tomorrow. Timing this out and getting the approriate forces to the right place and issuing the right orders took some time to consider. My main concern was the fact that I need aircover at Kendari because he might fly torp bombers into that base or into Macassar which is in range of Kendari. So here is the plan:
I have 3 datais of Zeros at Menado and 2 datais of Nells.
Tomorrow, the Nells will airfield attack Macassar with an escort of one datai of Zeros.
At the same time, a bombardment TF set to Patrol/do not retire will bombard Kendari tonight and tomorrow.
One datai of Zeros will LRCAP Kendari tomorrow.
The invasion TF will be one hex out from Kendari.
Tomorrow night the invasion TF will comence landings.
The following day, the Zero datai that was resting on day one will provide LRCAP while the datai that was providing LRCAP the day before rests.
Also in support of this operation will be the slow BB TF which will sortie into Kendari harbor tomorrow night in case Grotius sends surface forces to interfere.

The Philippines
Disruption for the forces at Clark Field is down into the 40's now. I suppose that is still rather high. But I am going to try another deliberate attack tomorrow anyway. I outnumber him 4 to 1. Maybe he moved some units out of there to Manila? I haven't been keeping close track of which units are there. In fact, when I saw the numbers, I was almost sure that he was going to try a shock attack at Manila. But the numbers there still look to be about even. One difference between this time and last (besides the new generals [8|]) is that I am going to have 3 Sentais of Sallys flying ground attack (hopefully [&o]). I hope he doesn't chose to bring his P-40s back to Manila this turn, since the Sallys only have an escort of Nates.

Boac was captured this turn.

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 43937 troops, 505 guns, 6 vehicles
Defending force 56530 troops, 537 guns, 109 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported

Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 9887 troops, 197 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 54680 troops, 510 guns, 148 vehicles

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 80689 troops, 961 guns, 31 vehicles
Defending force 23342 troops, 214 guns, 101 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 19973 troops, 210 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 96359 troops, 961 guns, 204 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported

China
Aside from some minor ground attack missions by each side, the new out of China was the arrival of most of my attack force at Yenan. I still have one more division that I can throw into this attack. I wasn't sure whether they should do that, though or play the part of reserve, since Grotius has 3 corps sitting north of Yenan that may try to come down the road into my rear. I would also like to see my encirclement movements more fully developed before launching a deliberate attack. So I will wait a bit and continue to bombard.

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 46286 troops, 642 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 59147 troops, 434 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
235 casualties reported

Ground combat at Yenen
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 50317 troops, 422 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 103101 troops, 1260 guns, 150 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

SOPAC
Canton Island was captured after an almost painless landing. A Mavis Chutai has now moved in and I am sure that Grotius's convoys are being diverted well to the south, which is all I really want out of this base. I am not going to defend it very virgorously. If he wants it he can have it. I will only put enough stuff in to make sure that he really wants it: a CD unit, a Zero datai (eventually, not right now) as a means to discourage carrier raids on the cheap, a patrol unit, and a naval guard force. Maybe also a Val chutai/datai. I will build it up to a size airfield, fly in some Nells and make their presence known (probably through some recon flights) and then fly them back out.

Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100
Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa

Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported

Runway hits 7
Port fuel hits 1

Ground combat at Canton Island
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 4742 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 191 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 171 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Canton Island base !!!

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
832 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/03/42

Well it turns out that the hexside between Johore Bharu and Singapore is not a river on AB's map. Too bad for Grotius. [:D]

Borneo
The battle over Kuching, which has almost achieved the status of a ritual, is about to come to an end. The Sallys at Johore Bharu are rested to a reasonable extent and will, weather permitting, stage an Alpha strike on Palembang, which is where Grotius has based his B-17s. One thing to note about today's attack is the much larger number of Nells that flew against Palembang. Airbase service damage at Kuching is almost down to zero now. Only a few of my planes are damaged. Another factor in that is that I no longer have the Nells set to naval attack as their primary mission, so they are not there in the morning when Grotius's bombers arrive. (Tactics tip: you can chose to strike in the morning or afternoon by switching between naval primary and airfield primary. Used offensively, you can time your strike to catch your enemy's bombers on the field. Used defensively, you can make sure your own bombers are not sitting ducks.) Tomorrow, rather than go after Palembang the Nells are going to hit Singapore. It is about time I hit the runway there again to keep his fortification efforts stymied. They are going without escort since Grotius only has patrol planes there (at least he did when I sent him the turn). The Zeros are going to be used for a sweep against Palembang to cull the CAP there before the Sallys arrive. The Sallys will have an Oscar escort.

Over at Tarakan I set up a fast transport TF of 3 DDs and loaded part of the 4th mixed regiment onto it. They are headed for Samarinda. This is more a diversion than anything else, designed to focus Grotius's attention on the Makassar strait and away from Timor. It is possible this TF may run into his PT's based at Balikpapan. Hopefully, an added benefit of this mission will be to destroy some of these buggers before I do eventually go after Balikpapan itself.

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 30
C5M Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
Brewster 339D x 1
Buffalo I x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 7

Day Air attack on Kuching , at 27,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft these are from Palmebang
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 2
B-17C Fortress x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged
B-17C Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Day Air attack on Kuching , at 27,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft these are from Batavia
Martin 139 x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported

Runway hits 8

Malaya
Forces are still streaming down from from Kota Bharu to join the battle at Singapore. Until they all get there, I will content myself with bombardments and airfield attack.

Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 33017 troops, 394 guns, 8 vehicles
Defending force 102069 troops, 959 guns, 362 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
221 casualties reported
Guns lost 18

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Banda Sea
It turns out my feint toward Lautem may have had some impact: Grotius moved his planes out of that base. He did not have any torp bombers at Makassar, though he may be moving some in this turn. I doubt my LRCAP will make much of a dent in his attacks. I can only hope my ships are agile enough to avoid getting hit. My airfield attack against Makassar yieled meager results. Interestingly, Grotius is using P-40's based at Makassar in a naval attack role.

Regardless of the threat from the air, I am leaving my surface TF that bombarded last night in place to cover the invasion force which will be landing tonight. Grotius has not interfered with any of my landings with surface forces yet. I think he is overly spooked by my Nells/Betties. At some point I would think that would change. Now would be an ideal time for Force Z to show up. I am not going to bombard again until tomorrow night to avoid trashing the runway any more than absolutely necessary. I need that runway up and running in a hurry!

Actually, right now would be an ideal time, (for Grotius, not for me, [;)]) for his carriers to show up in the Banda Sea. I have so much shipping there right now preparing for the descent on Timor that it scares me to think about how little air cover I have. [X(] Fortunately, KB-2 will be in place in two days. The landings on Timor should begin in about 5 days.

Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
BB Kirishima
CL Yura
CL Abukuma
BB Hiei

Allied ground losses:
468 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 14
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 6
Port supply hits 7

Day Air attack on Macassar , at 30,70
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
G3M Nell x 42

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 1

Runway hits 1

Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed

The Phillipines
My deliberate attack at Clark produced another fiasco. The d@mn Sallys didn't fly ground attack for some reason. [:@] Disruption is back up into the 70's. I am going back to bombarding until the 4th mixed brigade arrives in about 5 days. At least the forts dropped a level this time.

5 units are now reported as being in Bataan. Reenforcements? Units moving out of Clark? I am working on the assumption that he is moving his base forces to Bataan to build fortifications. So I am sending the Sallys there this turn to hit the airfield. Assuming, of course, they will fly. [8|] I think I should be more careful about keeping track of who is located where. Grotius may be moving units around on me.

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 93160 troops, 968 guns, 208 vehicles
Defending force 23265 troops, 218 guns, 102 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese ground losses:
1829 casualties reported
Guns lost 52
Vehicles lost 12

Allied ground losses:
489 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 4
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 19127 troops, 173 guns, 3 vehicles
Defending force 93876 troops, 888 guns, 189 vehicles

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44085 troops, 510 guns, 6 vehicles
Defending force 56839 troops, 542 guns, 114 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 9954 troops, 199 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 54848 troops, 515 guns, 150 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

China
Recon shows that Grotius has stripped his interior bases almost bare! And he no longer has units guarding the border with Indochina. Unless he fixes that quick, he is going to pay. I am bring a paratrooper unit back from Malaya to Canton. And I have two large (AV > 100) naval guard units at Hanoi that can make a thrust northwards. He now has 47 units at Changsa. Perhaps he is thinking about launching an offensive. Well let him. Maybe I can catch him off-balance.

In the north, my encriclement movements are progressing. I have now trapped the 5 units sitting in the forest next to Homan. I am sure they are out of supply and, if the movement rules work as advertised, they can only retreat deeper into that forest. This will free up several of my brigades for a descent on Sian. He seems to be stripping Sian to reenforce Yenan. Great! I will continue to bombard there while units move into place for an attack on Sian and other units continue encirclement movements.

Homan airfield reached size 4 today. The Sallys based there are now going to hit the resources at Sian to deprive him of supply. Then they will switch to airfield attacks to further dent his supply and halt fortification efforts.

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 97652 troops, 1262 guns, 11 vehicles
Defending force 68212 troops, 507 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Ground combat at Yenen
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 50378 troops, 424 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 103252 troops, 1262 guns, 151 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported

Solomons
An SNLF at Rabual is being loaded onto transport to caputure Buin. I want this base as an airfield for my eventual thrust down to Lunga. I am willing to venture this operation because it is fairly close to Rabaul and can be covered by LRCAP from that base. Base forces are arriving at Truk tomorrow for trans-shipment to the Admiralties/Solomons.

SOPAC
Howland Island was occupied today. DDs are fast transporting elements of the 62 naval guard unit from Canton to Sydney and Gardner Islands. KB-1 continues to hover around the area in case Grotius should try for an ambush. It would actually be better if I split it up into two car divs to better guard my forces in the area. I am relying too heavily on my patrol planes spotting him. But the problem with splitting into two would be the increased risk of being outnumbered in any carrier battle. Too many irons in the fire at once. But I guess you have to take some risks.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/04/42

The invasion of Kendari began. Other than than, just bombardments and air attacks.

The Philippines
I guess the units that showed up at Bataan were reenforcements. Kinda stinks. Oh well. Disruption is down into the 50's for my troops at Clark. The 4th mixed brigade should arrive in about 4 days. Sallys struck Bataan airfield today. We go after Manila tomorrow. The P-40s have left the Philippines altogether. He has almost no aircraft left on the islands except for PBYs at Manila.

Day Air attack on Bataan , at 42,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 34
Ki-21 Sally x 71

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 22

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 78736 troops, 897 guns, 20 vehicles
Defending force 27997 troops, 251 guns, 100 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
357 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 19133 troops, 168 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 94070 troops, 897 guns, 188 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44176 troops, 510 guns, 6 vehicles
Defending force 57163 troops, 546 guns, 116 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 9974 troops, 201 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 54954 troops, 514 guns, 151 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Borneo
Grotius may be ready to throw in the towel at Kuching. No attack today from his side. My attack cratered the runway nicely, but I didn't hit much on the ground. My guess is that he has moved his B-17s out in expectation of a raid from Johore Bharu. My guess would be that they have moved to Batavia.

I learned something new about the game today: sweeps only come before the bombing attack if the strikes are coming from the same base. So my sweep of Palembang took place after the Sallys and Oscars had made their attack. Doh!

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 97

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 5
Brewster 339D x 1
Buffalo I x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 40

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
C5M Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed

Malaya
Even bombing at 16000 feet the flak at Singapore is quite heavy. The Nells will not be returning. [:-] Instead, the Sallys will hit Singapore tomorrow. I need to make sure that field is shut down since I have transports at Kuantan right now loading up the brigade that captured that base. They will next be dropped on the hex in between Mersing and Kuantan to mop up the former defenders of Kuantan. Then they will be reloaded and sent around Singapore and up the Malacca strait to invade northern Sumatra.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 4

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 83915 troops, 1012 guns, 27 vehicles
Defending force 66107 troops, 552 guns, 21 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
644 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 32980 troops, 395 guns, 8 vehicles
Defending force 107434 troops, 1012 guns, 365 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported

The Banda Sea
Troops landed at Kendari. AV=95. Seems rather light. I will bombard again tonight to soften up the defenders some more before my shock attack tomorrow. I don't like it, since it will damage the airfield more, but better a cratered airfield than a failed assault. Still not much air opposition from Grotius.

Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Assuming the assualt works, Operation Shortcake will be launched in 3 days and complete my drive to isolate Java from the east.


China
My city attack against Sian went well. Destroyed about half the resources there. Going to switch over to airfield attacks now. Recon continues to confirm that Grotius's southern front is extremely weak.

Day Air attack on Sian , at 47,29
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-21 Sally x 87
Ki-15 Babs x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed

Resources hits 12

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 97893 troops, 1261 guns, 12 vehicles
Defending force 68111 troops, 509 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Ground combat at Yenen
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 42097 troops, 353 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 103453 troops, 1261 guns, 153 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

SOPAC
Gardner and Sydney Islands occupied. All naval forces should begin retirement from the Canton area tomorrow.

Solomons
Supplies loading for the invasion of Buin. A base force is also heading for that base from Truk.

Burma
2 divisions, an HQ and a Tank regiment are in the hex south of Moulmein. They have sitting there for a while waiting for another division to catch up and maybe recover some fatigue from their march, if that is even possible in a malaria hex. Grotius final took some action against them by staging a small ground attack against them. This really drove up their supply needs; they are all in the red. I have been having trouble keeping them supplied, so I now have a bunch of Topsy's airlifting supply. I guess supply don't travel up that trail very well. And a lot of it gets lost on the way, so better to fly as much in as possible rather than rely on the overland route.

While Operation Shortcake is meant to isolate Java from the east, Operation Twinkie will complete the isolation of Java from the West. Operation Twinkie will commence as soon as the 23 mixed brigade has finished mopping up the stragglers from Kuantan.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/05/42

Stage 1 operations are nearing a climax.

Banda Sea
Kendari was captured with the help of another naval bombardment. Grotius's torp bombers finally made an appearance. Only 3 showed up with no escort; perhaps because they sensed they didn't need one? They smacked an AP pretty good--50 float damage--for the cost of one plane lost to flak. If they come back tomorrow they are going to be in for a nasty reception. 2 datais of Zeros flew in to provide CAP. Fortunately, the runway is not in that bad shape--only 29 damage. Hopefully the engineers unloading now will have it in even better shape by tomorrow. Recon and naval search assets also flew in. Time to take a good look at what Grotius has at Timor. 2 datais of Nells also flew in to prepare for operation Shortcake.

With the capture of Kendari the LOC to Timor is now clear. KB-2 refueled at Ambiona and is now sailing for Timor while the invasion forces edge closer. My concerns about a hostile carrier presence are now much relieved with the arrival of KB-2. After the completion of Shortcake, I am going to tak KB-2 on a tour of the Indian Ocean. I am going to go around the south side of the Maylay barrier and round Northern Sumatra where KB-2 will be employed to support the capture of Port Blair on the Adaman Islands. Hopefully, in transit will find some juicy targets.

Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
BB Kirishima
CL Yura
BB Hiei

Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 8
Port supply hits 2
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Allied aircraft
T.IVa x 3

Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Kokuryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Ground combat at Kendari
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 4052 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 726 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Malaya
The 38th division is still two days away from Singapore. Until then continued bombardments and air attacks. The 23 independent brigade will offload tonight to mop up the stragglers from Kuantan. Once that is done it is off to Northern Sumatra.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 22
Ki-21 Sally x 114

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 58
Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 84153 troops, 1018 guns, 26 vehicles
Defending force 66094 troops, 561 guns, 21 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
276 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 33352 troops, 397 guns, 8 vehicles
Defending force 107782 troops, 1018 guns, 365 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported

The Philippines
The 4th mixed brigade will begin unloading at Lingayen in the morning. I estimate 2 to 3 days before it reaches Clark Field. The Sallys will hit Clark tomorrow to interfere with fortification efforts.

Clean up operations on Mindanao are proceding. Only Buantan remains in allied hands now.

San Jose was captured today.

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 79085 troops, 903 guns, 22 vehicles
Defending force 29124 troops, 266 guns, 102 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
233 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 15992 troops, 168 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 94488 troops, 903 guns, 190 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 80

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
251 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 11
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44175 troops, 511 guns, 6 vehicles
Defending force 57185 troops, 542 guns, 117 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 9974 troops, 197 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 54943 troops, 515 guns, 152 vehicles
Day Air attack on 110th USAAF Base Force south of Buantan
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 11

Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Ground combat south of Buantan
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 1533 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 461 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

China
Encirclement operations continue at Yenan.

Day Air attack on Yenen , at 50,28
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-21 Sally x 89

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed A2A

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged lost on the ground

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 31
Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 97905 troops, 1260 guns, 12 vehicles
Defending force 67876 troops, 506 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
319 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Ground combat at Yenen
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 42178 troops, 354 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 103465 troops, 1260 guns, 153 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

SOPAC
Abemama was captured today. Operations at Canton Island are just about complete. KB-1 is retiring to Kwajalein. For now we will confine ourselved to building up this area, particularly the Gilberts. Long range, I am considering an invasion of Fiji. That will have to wait until the Solomons and New Guinea are secured.

Solomons
An SNLF and a base force are proceding to Buin.

Production
One of the naval shipyards at Hakodate was expanded from 15 to 30.

Looking good Cap. As per norm great maps

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/06/42

Speedy,
Thanks. I think that using green for the allies is not working; it is hard to see. I am going to switch to using blue for the allies. More maps to follow once Malaya and the Philippines are conquered.

The undersea war
Sub warfare has greatly subsided since the opening days of the war. There have been a few contacts here and there, but no hits on either side. Grotius has a mass of subs around Canton Island. I have a gazillion search planes in the area so I am getting lots of spotting. Naval forces are now retiring from the scene now; KB-1 has already passed through his picket line. So hopefully all those subs of his will come up empty. I was rather fortunate in that the Shoho avoided getting smacked. This combat took place out in the middle of nowhere, about 300 miles southwest of Iwo Jima. A chance encounter? Anyway, he knows I have the Shoho now, and he can probably guess that it is headed for the DEI.

ASW attack at 57,56
Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Samidare
CVL Shoho

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

Borneo
Borneo was the scene of today's major action. Recon revealed last turn that the number of bombers at Balikpapan had increased to 26. I was afraid he might have brought B-17s there to have a go at Tarakan's oil installations. To preempt that, I decided to strike Balikpapan while his bombers were on the ground. In the morning I flew a sweep out of Tarakan to reduce his CAP. The actual airfield attack took place in the afternoon. The sweep went well--I didn't lose any planes in exchange for some hits on Grotius's CAP. The afternoon wasn't quite as good from an A2A view point--4 Zeros were shot down. [:(] They were all lost to just one, or maybe two P-40s. Maybe Grotius has a budding ace on his hands! [;)] That is, if he is still alive. [:'(] This may have been the result of going in at low atlitude--the Nells struck the field at 6000 feet to maximize their effectiveness. That seemed to work since I netted a bunch of planes on the field. Turns out they were torp bombers, not B-17s. Obviously Grotius is focused on the Makassar strait!

I gave him further reason to focus on that axis: elements of the 4th mixed brigade were fast transported into Samarinda yesterday and captured that base today.

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
Brewster 339D x 4
P-26A x 2
P-35A x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 2 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 4 destroyed
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
G3M Nell x 37

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 4
Brewster 339D x 2
P-26A x 1
P-35A x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M Nell: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 3 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 3 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 5 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 25

What a motley collection of fighters:


The Philippines
The 4th mixed brigade is almost completely unloaded at Lingayen. Another couple days and it should be at Clark. I am going to switch the Sallys over to ground attacks to start softening up his ground pounders.

Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 34
Ki-21 Sally x 75

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23
Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 79112 troops, 895 guns, 26 vehicles
Defending force 29177 troops, 272 guns, 102 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
233 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 16053 troops, 174 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 94639 troops, 895 guns, 198 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44239 troops, 516 guns, 6 vehicles
Defending force 57372 troops, 545 guns, 117 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 10005 troops, 198 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 54992 troops, 521 guns, 153 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

China
Grotius moved elements of the AVG to Sian. I figured he would. I am going to take another whack at Wuchow in a few days. I really need to get some Zeros into this theater so I can gain air supperiority.

Bombardments continue to be exchanged at Yenan. I probably have enough force on hand, or will in a couple of days when another division arrived to beat him. But first I want to see if I can cut off his retreat route to Sian.

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 98146 troops, 1264 guns, 12 vehicles
Defending force 67622 troops, 501 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Ground combat at Yenen
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 25258 troops, 216 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 103726 troops, 1264 guns, 154 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Malaya
I am still waiting on additional forces to arrive in Singapore before launching an assualt. As in the Philippines, the Sallys are now going to be switched over to ground attacks to soften up his gound troops.

The 23rd mixed brigade took it on the chin unloading today. 950 casualties! But I just couldn't see trying to walk into that jungle; it would take too much time. I want to deal with these stragglers quick and move on to Sumatra.

Coastal Guns at hex 23,49 firing, at TF 51
TF 51 troops unloading over beach at 23,49
19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 16

Japanese ground losses:
696 casualties reported
Coastal Guns at hex 23,49 firing, at TF 51
TF 51 troops unloading over beach at 23,49
10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese ground losses:
243 casualties reported
Ground combat at 23,49
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2119 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 12560 troops, 126 guns, 0 vehicles with 6 to 1 troop ratio, this should not be a problem

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 117

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 17
Port supply hits 4
Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 84334 troops, 1024 guns, 26 vehicles
Defending force 66556 troops, 576 guns, 21 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
319 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 33695 troops, 401 guns, 8 vehicles
Defending force 108051 troops, 1024 guns, 365 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Banda Sea
D-Day for Shortcake in 2 days. Airstrikes on Koepang will be launched tomorrow from Kendari and KB-2. All Grotius has their at the moment are some Hudson's on naval search. Just to be safe, however, I am going to hit the airfield hard.

Here is picture of my projected encirclement of Yenan:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/07/42

The invasion of Timor begins. Singapore's days are numbered. Clark will be next.

Banda Sea
Grotius is all set to defend Makassar when the real target is Timor. After today's action he will know that Timor is the target. Several solid airstrikes on Koepang (although I did lose one Kate to flak. [:(]) 5 Blenheims were destroyed on the field. Were they on the way out of the theater? The runway is reported at 29 damage. That is going to go even higher as a BB TF hits Koepang tonight. Invasions of Dili and Lautem comence tomorrow, Koepang the day after.

Grotius brought in more torp bombers to Makassar, but my CAP dealt with them fairly effectively. The Nells that hit Koepang today are going after Makassar tomorrow. Even if Grotius had scored on my shipping at Kendari, most of the troops were offloaded so it would not have made much of an impression.

Day Air attack on Koepang , at 29,77
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
E13A1 Jake x 7 these are flying off a CS. Not sure why they flew in the morning since they are set to naval attack as their primary mission

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 1

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 2

Now the afternoon action begins
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 29,77
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 78
E13A1 Jake x 6

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed [:(]

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 22

Day Air attack on Koepang , at 29,77
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 42 from Kendari
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 1

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,77
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21 port attack from Ambiona, I would rather have the runway mostly intact
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 9
T.IVa x 8
P-40B Tomahawk x 2

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 5 destroyed Grotius's escort is badly mauled
T.IVa: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Kikuryu Maru
MSW W.7

Borneo
Has Grotius given up Kuching? No action in this theater. I am bringing in supplies to Brunei to at least partially repair the oil facilities. Another tanker TF is loading up more stolen oil there right now, as is another tanker TF at Tarakan. I am stealing the stuff right out from underneath Grotius's nose. Perhaps that is silly, endangering my tankers by potentially exposing them to LBA, but every ton I get away with makes me smile. Kinda like being a cat burgler. [:D] Also, that first shipment to Indochina ensured that the factories there will have enough to run on for a few more weeks. I had almost run my stock there down to zero.

Malaya
I was sorely tempted to begin deliberat attacks today since the 38th division arrived. But there are still 4 more artillery units 15 miles out and an engineering regiment 90 miles away by rail. Patience, grasshopper. The Sallys will continue their ground attacks to further reduce his combat effectiveness.

I was surprised that even though the 23 mixed brigade got 4 to 1 odds on the stragglers in the jungle north of Mersing, they did not surrender. I will have to go check the manual again concerning surrender conditions. I hope this won't take very long. I want to hurry up and capture the bases on northern Sumatra to completely my encirclement of Java.

Day Air attack on 8th Indian Brigade, at Singapore
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on Singapore Fortress, at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged ouch! My Sallys are suffering quite badly from flak

Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 85431 troops, 1055 guns, 28 vehicles
Defending force 66410 troops, 582 guns, 20 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
295 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 33723 troops, 401 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 139155 troops, 1310 guns, 383 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Ground combat at 23,49
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 12449 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2673 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
187 casualties reported that's it???[&:]
Guns lost 5
Ground combat at 23,49
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1884 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 12394 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported did a breech lock explode [:D]

The Philippines
This is more or less the same story as in Malaya: waiting for reenforcements to arrive. The 4th mixed brigade began marching to Clark today. They may be there tomorrow. Interestingly, Grotius has flown the last AC out of the Philippines. I wonder why? Perhaps he thinks his position will colapse shortly? Eating up supply? Just got enough PPs to move them? Well, anyway, I won't have anymore of those damnable snoopers around keep tabs on my shipping.

Day Air attack on 1st PA Division, at Clark Field
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 34
Ki-21 Sally x 45

Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on 2nd PA Division, at Clark Field
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 17

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 79330 troops, 904 guns, 26 vehicles
Defending force 28934 troops, 271 guns, 103 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 16065 troops, 178 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 94926 troops, 904 guns, 201 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44238 troops, 519 guns, 6 vehicles
Defending force 57738 troops, 552 guns, 122 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 10025 troops, 199 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 55025 troops, 524 guns, 153 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

China
Just as I moved into the hex next to Sian, Grotius moved out. [:D] Great. I didn't have to shock attack. Grotius is obviously trying to protect his retreat route out of Yenan. But now the supply line between there are Sian is cut. I wonder if he will try to bug out of Yenan now. I was sorely tempted to attack this turn now that the trap has sprung. But another division is only 1 mile from joining up with the rest of my forces at Yenan, so I wait.

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 98254 troops, 1268 guns, 12 vehicles
Defending force 58877 troops, 431 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
293 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Ground combat at Yenen
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 33554 troops, 287 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 103854 troops, 1268 guns, 154 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Burma
Grotius has been atttacking my units south of Moulmein on and off. I have 2 divisions, an armored regiment and an HQ there. I have another division just about to arrive, while the Burma are HQ is a good ways away yet. I will be shifting significant air assets into this theater soon to support my drive into Burma. In perparation for that I have been building Bangkok's airfield to size 5 and I just moved a base force into Rahaeng to support a fighter group. I will not attack, however, until Singapore falls and I can bring additional reenforcements in by sea. Port Blair will be occupied in conjunction with any such move and KB-2 will be used as part of my naval support.

Day Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, south of Moulmein
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6
Blenheim I x 4

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Cap,

What height are your Sallies bombing Sing from? Maybe raise them to 12K or 15K feet to avoid as much flak?

Steven

Generally I fly at 11,000 feet. At Manila/Clark I have been flying at 15,000. At Singapore I can't remember if it is 11 or 15k. The Sallys still die in droves. You put that much allied flak in a hex and Jap planes are going to die. [;)] (Flying against the Japs you might as well fly at 1000 feet even against Tokyo. [8|])

Agreed [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/08/42

Ok, we are finally going to stop this silly exchanging of bombardments and I am going on the attack. Banzai!!!!

The undersea war
The big surprise today was nailing a TK about 5 or 6 hexes from SF and getting away! [&o] Actually, I was hoping for much bigger fish than a TK. The subs stationed near SF (far enough away where they have not been spotted by his patrol planes) were waiting for some of the BBs damaged at PH to show up. Looks like that won't happen now. Grotius will be sure to divert them to Seattle or San Diego. Just about time to go home, I guess. One of my subs was spotted by a Seagull, however. So there is some substantial prey in the area.

Sub attack at 139,55
Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
TK Admiral Chase, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [8D]
PG Charleston
TK H. M. Storey
TK Emidio
AK Utahan
AK Tennessean
AK Aroostook
AP St. Mihel
MSW Bobolink look at all the escorts
DM Preble
DMS Wasmuth
DMS Perry
DD King
DD Perkins

Banda Sea
Operation Shortcake proceeds on schedule. I got some very nice pre-invasion bombardments. I am not going to need any more, though the Kates from the CVLs and the Jakes will continue attacking Koepang airport for practice. Landings commenced at Dilli and Lautem today. They should both be captured tomorrow. Landings at Koepang will commence tomorrow.

At Makassar, Grotius moved out his torp bombers. He noted that he will be happy when the Zero bonus is gone. Wait until I tell him about the Tony and Tojo bonuses. [;)][:'(]

Naval bombardment of Koepang, at 29,77
Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CL Yura
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei

Allied ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 28
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 9
Port supply hits 12
Naval bombardment of Lautem, at 33,77
Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato

Allied ground losses:
895 casualties reported Is this the nuclear option? [;)]
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 36
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 18
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 29,77
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N Kate x 35
E13A1 Jake x 6

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
Day Air attack on Macassar , at 30,70
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
G3M Nell x 44
C5M Babs x 4

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 3 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32

The Philippines
The 4th mixed brigade is still 15 miles out from Clark. Have to wait another day before attacking. [:(] Disruption is down into the 20's now.

Puerto Princesa was captured today.

Day Air attack on 57th PS Regimental Combat Team, at Clark Field
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 33
Ki-21 Sally x 16

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Day Air attack on 4th Marines Regiment, at Clark Field
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 21

Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 79568 troops, 915 guns, 25 vehicles
Defending force 28846 troops, 273 guns, 100 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 15972 troops, 169 guns, 3 vehicles
Defending force 95268 troops, 915 guns, 201 vehicles

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44311 troops, 517 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 58182 troops, 553 guns, 124 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 10025 troops, 197 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 55154 troops, 522 guns, 154 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Malaya
The attacks against Singapore begin tomorrow. Another engineer regiment is still 30 miles from Singapore, but I already have 3 there. Not sure what to expect. I vastly outnumber him. I am thinking this may go fast. Grotius is continuing to send in supplies by sub. He claims that supply is not a problem and that he is just doing this because he has a bunch of excess supply at Palembang. Yeah, right. [8|][;)]

The stragglers north of Mersing still refuse to give up. I just read the manual. It says you have to get odds that are "high enough" for a unit to enter into the surrender routine. Wonder what those odds are? I guess 17-1 ain't enough.

Ground combat at 23,49
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 12302 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2400 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported die already!![:@]

Day Air attack on 12th Indian Brigade, at Singapore
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
Ki-21 Sally x 70

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged BTW, I am bombing at 15000 feet. [:(]

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 110898 troops, 1398 guns, 42 vehicles
Defending force 66279 troops, 579 guns, 20 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
1181 casualties reported [X(][X(][X(]
Guns lost 9
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 33661 troops, 393 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 141861 troops, 1398 guns, 383 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported [:'(]

China
Very interesting. A chinese corp showed up in the hex I occupied last turn. It must have already been on the way. He may be able to kick it out of there if he sends more troops there. But then he would have to take troops from elsewhere making some other hex vulnerable.

Meanwhile, the rollover indicates there are now 5 units in the mountains north of Yenan. Last turn it was 3. Can this be right? I used my recon planes to check if anyone else was around. Maybe I missed a hex? I am going to recon this turn to see what the story is. I have one division just south of them as a blocking force. That may not be enough. I have a reserve brigade that I am sending in that direction just in case.

Both of these developments suggest that it would be nice to finish off the battle of Yenan quickly. [;)] With the arrival of another division I begin deliberate attacks tomorow. Lets see what happens.

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 98361 troops, 1270 guns, 10 vehicles
Defending force 49957 troops, 362 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Ground combat at Yenen
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 33577 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 122975 troops, 1523 guns, 154 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2

Burma
Still not much. Air units are resting up before transferring into this theater.

Day Air attack on 55th Division, south of Moulmein
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 5
Blenheim I x 7

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 damaged

Solomons
My TF heading to Buin was spotted by Hudsons. I am concerned about the possibility of his carriers showing up. I diverted them east out of the Coral Sea to come at Buin from the east in order to make it harder for him to spot them. This also provides me with a better escape route should I need it.

An airfield symbol showed up at Efate. A base force there? An AV? There is no airfield symbol at Noumea. How quickly will Grotius build up this area and with what? Will he first try to secure his SLOC through Pago-Pago and Fiji? Grotius does not seem like the type to try to advance too soon. (Personally, I think allied players that try to reenforce Lunga and PM in the first months of the war are asking for a major defeat.)

And where the hell are his carriers? [:D] Hopefully, he will start asking himself that question about my carriers in a turn or two as well. For you info, dear reader, KB-1 is heading back to Kwajalein at the moment.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/09/42

The undersea war
The Admiral Chase, which ate one torp yesterday, ate 2 more today and sank. Again, the I boat got away! I've pressed my luck far enough. The I boats are heading back to Kwajalein.

Sub attack at 140,53
Japanese Ships
SS I-173

Allied Ships
TK Admiral Chase, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Charleston
DD King

The Banda Sea
Dilli and Lautem were captured. I thought I would show the Lautem AAR since it shows just what my BB bombardment accomplished yesterday. Obviously, the defenders were still reeling from the 14 inch shells that rained down on them like a tropical storm. Koepang will be captured tomorrow and that will wrap up Operation Shortcake and the drive on Timor. Time to start the drive on Java! [:D]

Day Air attack on Koepang , at 29,77 practice
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 7

Runway hits 2

Day Air attack on Koepang , at 29,77 more practice
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N Kate x 29
E13A1 Jake x 6

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Ground combat at Lautem
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 12192 troops, 145 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 162 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles This is what a nuclear bombardment does. [:D]
Japanese assault odds: 111 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lautem base !!!

Allied ground losses:
1027 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

The Philippines
My ground attack against Clark Field did not fly. It didn't fly against Singapore either, where it would have been even more helpful. I hope the planes fly tomorrow; the 4th mixed brigade has arrived at Clark and I am launching a deliberate attack. I have no idea why they didn't fly since there were no clouds over their base.

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 79783 troops, 924 guns, 25 vehicles
Defending force 28857 troops, 270 guns, 100 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 15948 troops, 164 guns, 3 vehicles
Defending force 105971 troops, 1047 guns, 203 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44285 troops, 522 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 58364 troops, 556 guns, 125 vehicles
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 10038 troops, 197 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 55158 troops, 527 guns, 155 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Malaya
My first attack at Singapore reduced the fortifications to 5 but sent disruption into the 70's. It would have been nice if the Sally's had flown this turn. For the next two turns I am going to bombard while the Sally's work over the port. I may bring in my BBs for a bombardment. At least my casualties were not that much worse that Grotius's.

The stragglers north of Mersing still won't surrender. I am shock attacking next turn.

Ground combat north of Mersing
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 12304 troops, 111 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2305 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported [X(][8|][:(]

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 131272 troops, 1404 guns, 383 vehicles
Defending force 65580 troops, 586 guns, 20 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese ground losses:
3799 casualties reported
Guns lost 151
Vehicles lost 22

Allied ground losses:
3074 casualties reported
Guns lost 68
Vehicles lost 1
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 32695 troops, 348 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 136128 troops, 1214 guns, 353 vehicles

China
It would appear that Grotius is going to abandon Yenan. He did not bombard me this turn. I just realized that after having finished the turn. I would love to shock attack him before he gets away, but disruption is in the 70's. I will bombard next turn and attack again the turn after if he is still there. The question is, can he come down the road to Sian faster than I can get reenforcements into the hex next to Sian? One division is 15 miles away, while a brigade is about 22 miles away. If he gets there before my reenforcements, then the brigade that is sitting there is toast.

Another nasty furball over Wuchow. His I-16s did pretty well against my Oscars; he shot down 10 of them. But the Oscars gave a little better than they took. My guess is that he will bring in the AVG to supplement the Chinese.

Grotius also seems to be moving to garrison his rear bases better. My recon efforts seem to have made him aware of his vulnerability to a paradrop.

Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 35
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-21 Sally x 68

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 6
I-16c x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 5 destroyed
I-16c: 17 destroyed

Resources hits 10

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 119357 troops, 1522 guns, 151 vehicles
Defending force 49831 troops, 357 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese ground losses:
2599 casualties reported
Guns lost 97
Vehicles lost 9

Allied ground losses:
1438 casualties reported
Guns lost 19

Solomons
Buin will be invaded tomorrow. I just discovered my Mavis's at Rabaul were not set to naval search. Doh! I put them on naval search this turn, obviously. Watch them turn up the entire US navy about to pounce on my little invasion force. [8|]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/10/42

Operation Shortcake completed. Time to think about a new opertion: Lemon Drop.

DEI
With the capture of Koepang, the drive to isolate Java from the east is complete. Planning is underway for the drive on Java itself.

The major action in this theater was a series of air raids on Balikpapan designed to thin out his fighter force. 2 sweeps were launched in the morning from Kuching and Tarakan. This was followed up by an afternoon bombing raid from Kendari. For the loss of one Zero, and one Nell (lost to flak I believe), Grotius suffered 12 planes lost air to air. One thing to note about this small offensive is that it was made possible by Grotius's recent passivity. Had he been hitting Tarakan, Kuching, and Kendari with air attacks (either all together or on a rotating basis) I would not have been able to launch this offensive--the Zeros would have been too fatigued from, and too busy, flying CAP to do this. (Notice that in each attack, a full Datai of Zeros was committed to the attack. In otherwords, no one was flying CAP back at their base. [;)]) My suggestion to allied players would be to press your opponent to keep him from launching these kinds of uber-attacks. Losses be damned. Since defense doesn't seem to work for the allies at this stage, might as well die on the offense.

Morning Sweeps
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27 From Tarakan
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 3
CW-21B Demon x 2
Brewster 339D x 2
P-26A x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 2 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26 from Kuching

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 1
P-26A x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Afternoon bombing raid
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
G3M Nell x 46

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 5
CW-21B Demon x 1
P-26A x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 4 destroyed
P-26A: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20

The shock attack at Koepang netted some planes on the runway, including a Brewster. [&:]
Ground combat at Koepang
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 7338 troops, 54 guns, 10 vehicles
Defending force 970 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese assault odds: 49 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Koepang base !!!

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
1379 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Malaya
Disruption for my units at Singapore in the 50's. Should be in the 30's tomorrow. I will launch another assualt then. I grow impatient. [;)] The Sallys will hit his airfield tomorrow just to keep him honest, lest he thinks about trying to ambush me with some fighters. My slow BB force is heading to Saigon from Timor now. If Singapore is still holding out when they get there, then I will use them to bombard the place.

The stragglers north of Mersing still refuse to surrender. I am becoming rather frustrated with this. I may just give up and let them rot in the jungle. I will shock attack again tomorrow and the next day if needed, but that is it. Transports will arrive to pick up the 23 ind brigade tomorrow night and then it is off to northern Sumatra whether they have surrendered or not. I will deal with these guys after Singapore falls.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 112
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged flak is still nasty

Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 3

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 106685 troops, 1216 guns, 30 vehicles
Defending force 62078 troops, 501 guns, 19 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
454 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 31527 troops, 339 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 136585 troops, 1216 guns, 357 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Ground combat north of Mersing
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 12408 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2315 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 29 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported [:(]
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported [:@]
Guns lost 1

The Philippines
The addition of the 4th mixed brigade did the trick. Perhaps the fact that the Sallys finally flew a ground support mission on the day I attacked may have helped as well. [8|] One to One odds, disruption not too bad, allied losses higher than my own, and the forts are down to level two. My guess would be that Grotius will now retreat rather than face the possibility of a route. I would love to shock attack him to catch him before he can extricate himself, but the fort level is still too high. I will deliberate attack next turn and if he is still there the turn after, shock attack.

Day Air attack on 2nd PA Division, at 43,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 102651 troops, 1044 guns, 205 vehicles
Defending force 28726 troops, 262 guns, 101 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
1074 casualties reported
Guns lost 24
Vehicles lost 13

Allied ground losses:
1323 casualties reported
Guns lost 46
Vehicles lost 1
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 14760 troops, 114 guns, 1 vehicles
Defending force 103824 troops, 987 guns, 191 vehicles

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44361 troops, 521 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 58675 troops, 560 guns, 128 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 10044 troops, 197 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 55196 troops, 526 guns, 155 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

China
Not much. Although I believe Grotius is abandoning Yenan, he didn't move out his planes from the airfield there yet. Still no answering bombardment, though. Disruption still in the 50s, though, so I will bombard again.

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 113577 troops, 1403 guns, 3 vehicles
Defending force 48137 troops, 326 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
379 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Solomons
Grotius guessed that I was going for Buin and had a sub waiting for me there. But my DDs come through and sink him! Perhaps the fact that Tanaka is the comander of the TF had something to do with it?

Sub attack near Buin at 64,95
Japanese Ships
DD Yayoi
DD Yuzuki
DD Shigure
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Yamagumo

Allied Ships
SS Triton, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

More on operation Lemon Drop in a later post.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/11/42

The emperor is pleased. [8D]

The Philippines
For the second day in a row, the Sallys flew in support of my ground attack. They are flying at 6000 feet and not taking any casualties.
For the second day in a row, combat at Clark Field was favorable. Indeed, although our casualties were higher than the allies, we achieved 2 to 1 odds and reduced to the fort level to 1. We will shock attack tomorrow. I wish to force Grotius into a retreat before he can withdraw in good order. If, and this is an if, we can achieve 3 to 1 odds we will capture Clark, force his units to retreat, and maybe even divide his forces between Bataan and Manila. We can then concentrate most of our force against Manila while a small portion of our forces contain the Bataan holdouts. If this is achieved, it will lead to the rapid conclusion of the Luzon campaign. Manila's forts can be no more than 2 at best and we should outnumber him at least 2 or 3 to 1.
Let us hope the Sallys fly again tomorrow.

Day Air attack on 2nd PA Division, at 43,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 14

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on 4th Marines Regiment, at 43,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 44

Allied ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 100592 troops, 989 guns, 194 vehicles
Defending force 26684 troops, 191 guns, 99 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Japanese ground losses:
1464 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Vehicles lost 7

Allied ground losses:
1296 casualties reported
Guns lost 42
Vehicles lost 3
Ground combat at Clark Field
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 11141 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 102101 troops, 935 guns, 187 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44462 troops, 519 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 58953 troops, 566 guns, 132 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 10147 troops, 202 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 55315 troops, 524 guns, 155 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Malaya
Disruption of my units at Singapore is in the 20's. We deliberate attack again tomorrow. My bombardments are causing large numbers of casualties due to the number of tubes I have brought along. Hopefully, the Sallys will lend a hand, though they continue to take casualties due to the concentrated AAA at Singapore.

The stragglers north of Mersing refuse to surrender. I am giving up on them for now. A TF will load up the 23 ind brigade tomorrow so that I can get on with operation Twinkie. Maybe they will surprise me and surrender after tomorrow's parting shot.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
Ki-21 Sally x 111
Ki-15 Babs x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 65

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 106987 troops, 1225 guns, 30 vehicles
Defending force 62232 troops, 508 guns, 17 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
1003 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 31791 troops, 343 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 141845 troops, 1225 guns, 360 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Ground combat north of Mersing
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 12261 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2225 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 31 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

China
My forces will deliberate attack again tomorrow at Yenan. I don't even know if Grotius will still be there. He looks to be moving units to reenforce Sian.

A regiment of paratroopers arrived in Canton today. But Grotius has moved to better garrison his bases. I shall have to find alternative employment for them. Perhaps they can be used for the invasion of Java.

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 113820 troops, 1408 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 47587 troops, 328 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
435 casualties reported

Solomons
Buin was captured. Small SNLF units are on the way to Kanvieng and Admiralty Islands.

Burma
The Burma campaign is ready commence. Tomorrow we will strike the airfield at Rangoon with about 80 Sally's. I hope to catch some bombers he has been using against my troops south of Moulmein on the ground by launching an afternoon raid. In the morning Zeros will sweep Rangoon to cull his CAP of Buffalos. After several days of softening up Rangoon and Moulmein, 3 divisions, an HQ and a tank regiment will march on Moulmein where he appears to have 3 brigades currently.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/12/42

Banzai!! Banzai!! Banzai!!

The Philippines
Those stupid Sallys didn't fly again. Didn't matter though. Clark Field is mine! [8D] The defenders retreated to Bataan. His forces on Luzon are now split between Manila and Bataan. [&o] One of my divisions (the most beat up) will march into Bataan to lay seige while the rest of my forces march to Manila. The Sallys at least will perform airfield attacks [8|] to keep him from building forts.

Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 99282 troops, 936 guns, 190 vehicles
Defending force 25274 troops, 149 guns, 96 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
2558 casualties reported
Guns lost 53
Vehicles lost 13

Allied ground losses:
544 casualties reported
Guns lost 34
Vehicles lost 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating! [8D]

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 44502 troops, 519 guns, 8 vehicles
Defending force 59092 troops, 568 guns, 136 vehicles
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 10159 troops, 202 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 55395 troops, 524 guns, 157 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

China
Grotius was bugging out of Yenan. But I still caught several units that weren't fast enough and forced them into a route. [8D] Now it is on to Sian.

Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 116258 troops, 1416 guns, 144 vehicles
Defending force 20438 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Yenen base !!!

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 6 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
687 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
557 casualties reported
Guns lost 28

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Malaya
Another attack at Singapore. Forts are down to 4. At least the Sallys flew in support. Disruption in the 70's. Will be another 2 days before I can attack again.

The idiots north of Mersing still refuse to surrender. The 23 mixed brigade is being loaded on transports now for action in North Sumatra. I will let those stragglers stew in the jungle a bit before coming back to them after Singapore falls.

Ground combat north of Mersing
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 12233 troops, 103 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2125 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 39 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
3 casualties reported [8|]

Day Air attack on 15th Indian Brigade, at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 69
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Day Air attack on Singapore Fortress, at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 19
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 131546 troops, 1239 guns, 363 vehicles
Defending force 61880 troops, 513 guns, 20 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese ground losses:
2152 casualties reported
Guns lost 58
Vehicles lost 6

Allied ground losses:
1524 casualties reported
Guns lost 93
Vehicles lost 1
Ground combat at Singapore
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 30230 troops, 272 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 139329 troops, 1148 guns, 355 vehicles

Burma
The air campaign over Burma has begun. Not a very rousing start. My Sweep came up empty; his Buffalos decided to provide CAP over Moulmein rather than Rangoon. My Bombers didn't turn up much either. I am going to stand down 1 day for rest. Bangkok is a little too far for continuous action on the part of my fighters. The Zeros are going to move to Rahaeng from whence they can do daily sweeps over Rangoon. Meanwhile, I have two Oscar senatais at Bangkok that can take turns providing escort. I plan on rotating targets between Moulmein and Rangoon for a while. I am not sure that I can attack until I get supply sent up by ship. Trying to push supply up that trail has not been working well. I tried flying in supply from Bangkok. That didn't seem to make much of a dent, and now I need the runway space for my bombers. Note to Andrew Brown: I wonder if one of those trail hexes shouldn't be a road?

Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 25
Ki-21 Sally x 67
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 1

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Blenheim I: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 17

DEI
Sandakan in northern Borneo was captured today for the sake of completeness. Troops should invade Macassar in two days. After that comes operation Lemon Drop. (more on that later)

The Undersea War
Crap, KB-1 was sighted by a sub in between Kwajalein and Truk. Well, I hope that will still keep him guessing about the future deployment of KB-1. Currently it is headed to the DEI for participation in Lemon Drop.

ASW attack at 75,82
Japanese Ships
DD Oboro
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Natsushio
DD Kuroshio
CV Soryu

Allied Ships
SS Gudgeon

Overall, a very good turn.

IGH Operational Order No. 55
Code Name: Lemon Drop

Operation Summary:
Through massive air and naval attacks the Imperial Japanese Navy in cooperation with the Imperial Japanese Army shall destroy enemy air forces and facilities on Java; degrade the enemy's ability supply his air and ground forces; and secure airbases necessary to support an invasion of Java.

Background:
Java must be taken to secure our mastery over the Southern Resource Area. From Java enemy long range bombers can attack and destroy most of the oil producing facilities in the Dutch East Indies. Intelligence indicates, however, that the enemy may be building up his air forces on the island of Java to fend off such an invasion. We currently have no air fields of adequate size close enough to Java to counter this threat to our invasion forces, or to support such forces once they land. We must expect that enemy airbases on the island of Java itself will be defended with enough force to prevent us from rapidly employing them for use by our own air forces. Therefore, we must secure airfield(s) close to Java from which level bombers can fly in support of our invasion forces.

Additionally, pre-war intelligence indicates that the enemy will be able to more than adequately supply his forces from resources available on the island of Java itself. A blockade of Java will have relatively little effect on his ability to supply his ground and air forces. Therefore, we must attack and destroy centers of production which will prove useful to the enemy in supplying and equipping his combat formations. Destroying such facilities, of course, will mean that they will not be available to us once they have been captured. The Imperial Economics Ministry indicates, however, that these resources can be obtained from other locations and that the facilities on Java are not 100 percent vital to the continued functioning of our economy.

Naval Forces to be Employed:
KB 1, Vice Admiral Nagumo commanding
CVs Hiryu, Soryu, Shikaku, Zuikaku, CS Chitose, 2 CA, 9 DD
KB 2, Rear Admiral Yamada commanding
CVs Kaga, Akagi CVLs Shoho, Ryujo, Zuiho, CS Chiyoda, 2 CL, 7 DD
(note CVL Shoho will be transferred to KB 1 upon completion of Lemon Drop)
Bat Div 1, Rear Admiral Immamura commanding
BBs Nagato, Mutsu, Fuso, Yamashiro, Ise, Hyuga, 7 DD
Bat Div 2, Rear Admiral Miwa commanding
BBs Hei, Kirishima, Kongo, 4 CA, 8 DD
Transport Groups 1 & 2 consisting of APs, AKs, CL Kashii, CS Mizuiho, DDs, MSWs, and PCs

Ground Forces to be Employed
4th mixed regiment
Sasebo 2 nd SNLF
7 engineer battalions, 1 aviation regiment, 1 special base force, 23rd air flotilla

Tasks and Objectives:
4th mixed regiment will secure Banjarmasin. Intelligence shows that this base can most rapidly be built to a level where it will support level bombers. In order to rapidly expand the airfield, 7 engineering battalions will be landed after the area has been secured. To support air operations, an aviation regiment and the HQ for the 23rd air flotilla will also be landed once the area has been secured.

Once 4th mixed regiment has secured Banjarmasin, it will march on Balikpapan to secure the oil fields and refineries there.

Sasebo 2nd SNLF will capture the town of Sampit. After the area has been secured, aviation support crews will be landed to support air operations. Sampit will be used to stage reconnaissance aircraft and fighters. Sampit will provide a base from which we will be able to reconnoiter the western half of Java

KB 1 & 2 will operate in tandem, providing each other with mutual support and protection from enemy air attacks. They will also provide aerial defense for the other naval forces participating in this operation. Their bombers will be used to strike all airfields on Java from which the enemy can launch attack aircraft. They will also attack vital production centers at Sorebaya and Batavia.

Bat Div's 1 & 2 will operate in conjunction with KB 1 & 2. They will bombard major enemy ports and air installations located along the coast, in particular those at Sorebaya and Batavia. Due to the danger of mines and enemy coastal batteries, they will operate at a safe distance from shore which will preclude the destroyers from participating in the bombardments.

Prior to the appearance of surface naval forces in the Java Sea, land based air forces, principally Zero fighters operating from Makassar, will be used to sweep enemy air bases with the objective of engaging and destroying enemy fighter aircraft.

Prerequisites:
Makassar must first be secured. This will occur within 3 days.
Combat and support forces must arrive at the staging area (Kendari). This should take place in about 7 days.
Operation Twinkie must be completed in order to cut off escape routes should the enemy attempt to evacuate his air forces from the Java theater. It is our intention to completely annihilate these forces so they cannot be used in other theaters.

Projected D-Day should take place in about 1 week. It would be best to launch this operation while the enemy is still suffering from the shock of our new super-fighter. We feel that in another few weeks this shock will begin to fade as it has already somewhat since the start of the new year.

Opertional Map: