Speedy vs Fabertong - time to smack back the Penguin

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Sumatra:

Usual period here. Troops slowly advancing from Swalohento. An air raid against Djambi caused minor damage to enemy positions and air losses were roughly even - 10ish each.

The enemy Bde south of Padang was routed on the 25th:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4198 troops, 88 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 128

Defending force 2177 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Allied adjusted assault: 118

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

Allied assault odds: 59 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
562 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 12 (5 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 1


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

------------------

Burma:

A fairly quiet few days in the frontlines near Prome and Toungoo. A few minor artillery duels but my host under XXXIII Indian Corps reached the enemy lines and launched scouting. A Green Light has been given for an attack tomorrow:

Ground combat at 56,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 81756 troops, 1501 guns, 1802 vehicles, Assault Value = 4043

Defending force 38235 troops, 412 guns, 439 vehicles, Assault Value = 1248

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
167 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

-------------------

Submarine Warfare:

6 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Guardfish sank AK Kotohira Maru near Legaspi on the 24th.

SS Cisco claimed AKL Ganges Maru near Daito Shoto.

SS Guardfish was in action again on the 25th sinking AK Karachi Maru.

SS Scamp sank TK Shoyo Maru near Takao on the 26th.

SS Flounder damaged CL Kashima with a torpedo near Chichi-jima.

SS Stonehenge heavily damaged AK Daido Maru near Ketapang.

SS Flounder scored again on the 26th sinking AK Canberra Maru.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Sumatra:

The advance continues.

The lone Jap Bde reeling from the west is now a shell of it's former self as the 28th (East African Bde) continues to punish it eastwards.

I'll soon be flying in further Fighters (P47D2's) into Swalohento as it's almost reached a level 6 AF.

An air raid on Djambi on the 29th met with scant results. Little damage was caused and 40ish enemy fighters caused the loss of 10 P47D25 and P38J for the loss of 4 Jap. Not happy with that. As such once the fighters are at Swalohento they'll begin to sweep Palembang and ultimately Singapore.

Screenshot below shows the situation.

----------------------

Burma:

Intense fighting rages north of Rangoon.

Allied troops assaulted Japanese positions SW of Toungoo on the 28th. Another disappointing effort:

Ground combat at 56,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 94017 troops, 1500 guns, 2636 vehicles, Assault Value = 4035

Defending force 40795 troops, 412 guns, 829 vehicles, Assault Value = 1466

Allied adjusted assault: 1598

Japanese adjusted defense: 2531

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2490 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 112 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 142 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 57 disabled
Guns lost 54 (5 destroyed, 49 disabled)
Vehicles lost 434 (186 destroyed, 248 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
6771 casualties reported
Squads: 144 destroyed, 469 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 158 disabled
Engineers: 27 destroyed, 190 disabled
Guns lost 129 (9 destroyed, 120 disabled)
Vehicles lost 98 (15 destroyed, 83 disabled)

The men were rested for 2 days and ordered to go in again on the 31st:

Ground combat at 56,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 89552 troops, 1496 guns, 2635 vehicles, Assault Value = 3454

Defending force 39009 troops, 410 guns, 707 vehicles, Assault Value = 1171

Allied adjusted assault: 1812

Japanese adjusted defense: 3397

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3630 casualties reported
Squads: 135 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 48 destroyed, 154 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 39 (22 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 172 (115 destroyed, 57 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3503 casualties reported
Squads: 114 destroyed, 320 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 157 disabled
Engineers: 25 destroyed, 106 disabled
Guns lost 76 (16 destroyed, 60 disabled)
Vehicles lost 228 (33 destroyed, 195 disabled)

This was a better result as more enemy troop squads were destroyed as were tanks. Recon identifies more enemy troops arriving from Pegu in the south though. I'll recon and bombard tomorrow and see how things look.

SE of Toungoo 1500 AV of Chinese are going to attack 38th IJA Division positions tomorrow (470 AV).

In the air battles have been intense. An Allied Bombing run against Japanese troops on the 28th was met with heavy enemy CAP (80ish fighters) which caused the loss of 25 Allied planes (Blenheim/Hurricane mainly).

Japanese raids on 30th and 31st also lost planes (20ish total to 5 Allied) over allied positions.

Supply is still an issue at Toungoo. A load is being flown in every day and Ramree Island is beginning to built up (level 1 AF so far). Once Toungoo has enough supply then Fighter Sweeps can begin to fly against Rangoon and Pegu.

-------------------------

Submarine warfare:

6 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Guardfish sank AK Manzyu Maru near Legaspi.

SS Dace claimed TK Akatsuki Maru sank in the middle of the South China Sea. A nice kill if so.

In return 2 of my subs were lost - SS Apogon by ASW vessels off Singapore and SS Narwhal by LBA near Sasebo.

Not a good few days.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A dramatic month on Burma. Central Burma was secured easily unopposed. The Japanese stop line was north of Rangoon and heavy battles have commenced but so far the enemy defences are holding.

Elsewhere it's been quiet as my Navy has moved to Sydney for a brief R&R. Transports will be heading to Auckland and Fiji tomorrow to embark troops for New Caledonia and New Hebrides.

In Sumatra troops are slowly marching eastwards to engage the enemy at Djambi.

As for reinforcements in April.....B-29-1's are a nice addition. A host of units have recently arrived at Aden. I'm debating whether to use them in Burma or Sumatra. On the sea CVE Saginaw Bay, Shamrock Bay, Shipley Bay and Sitkoh Bay, BB Richelieu, 13 x SS arrive.

------------------------------

Points:

Allies: +1238 points
Japanese: +333 points


Bases:

Allies: +9 (+357 points)
Japanese: -4 (-256 points)


Planes:

Allies: +373 lost
Japanese: +381 lost


Troops:

Allies: +188 lost
Japanese: +149 lost


Ships:

Allies: +3 (+28 points. 3 x SS).
Japanese: +41 (+306 points. Mainly sub kills).

-------------------------------

Sub Kills:

33 of 63 were successful = 52.38% success.

Dutch Boats:

PB - 5 (1 mine)
AK - 34
TK - 7
CM - 6 (+1)
DD - 4
TB - 1
DMS - 4 (1 mine)
E - 1
APD - 1
ACM - 1
AP - 1
AMC - 1

= 66 ships
-------------------------------

British Boats:

DD - 1 (1 mine)
AK - 6 (1 mine) (+1)
SC - 1
PB - 1
TK - 1
AO - 1
SS - 3 (2 mine)

= 14 ships

-------------------------------

Fleet Boats:

AK - 214 (+10)
SC - 14
AP - 9 (+1)
PB - 41 (+3)
TK - 56 (+5)
AKE - 1
CM - 6
ACM - 2
E - 10
APD - 2
DD - 4 (+1)
CL - 2 (Oi, Kashima)
AO - 5
PC - 1
AMC - 1
AV - 1
AM - 1 (1 mine)
SS - 1
DMS - 2 (+1)

= 373 ships
--------------------------------

S-Boats:

AK - 21
AP - 2
CM - 1
PB - 5
DMS - 1
SC - 5
TK - 3

= 38 ships

= 491 ships = 53.20% of reported sunk ships total.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

Frustration abound in Burma. The Japanese are holding firm.

The Chinese attacked SE of Toungoo on the 1st and failed miserably:

Ground combat at 57,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37831 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1500

Defending force 13176 troops, 152 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 469

Allied adjusted assault: 706

Japanese adjusted defense: 2830

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
382 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1209 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 304 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled


Assaulting units:
36th Chinese Division
56th Chinese Corps
22nd New Chinese Division
96th Chinese Division
2nd Reserve Division
200th Chinese Division
88th Chinese Division
71st Chinese/A Corps
11th Group Army

Defending units:
38th Division
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Commonwealth forces attacked SW of Toungoo, again, on the 2nd. The Japanese line appeared to be weakening (in active AV) despite my heavier losses. However, the Japanese had the interior lines of communication and bought up a further 600 AV worth of men from the Rangoon/Pegu area.

In short all areas are stalemated and there's little I can do to break through here now. Frustrating but c'est la vie. I have moved a few of the more battered units back to Prome and Toungoo for R&R and a few of the stronger divisions back in reserve. I'm thinking and mulling over what to do here now.

ADVICE?

Active strength levels:

SE of Prome = 2600 Allied vs 1400 Japanese AV
SW of Toungoo = 2800 Allied vs 1600 Japanese AV
SE of Toungoo = 1300 Chinese vs 500 Japanese AV (Recon indicates a further 3-400 Jap AV moving here too).

I'm building up the bases I have in Burma. It's taking time but these will allow me to get supply moving through Monsoon (from Ramree) and once Toungoo is above a level 2 AF I can base fighters here.

A screenshot is attached.

------------------------

Sumatra:

Slowly marching eastwards. Intense air battles.

------------------------

Air battles:

Intense air battles on an almost daily basis over Sumatra and Burma.

I'm sending frequent P47 sweeps over Palembang and raids against Djambi. A mixture of first line Jap fighters are present (120 reported at Palembang and 280 at Singapore).

Over Burma until I have Toungoo up and running I'm on the back foot and am mainly providing CAP against Jap raids and sweeps.

Daily air losses are between 30-40 Allied vs 50-70 Japanese.

------------------

Submarine Warfare:

4 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Pompon got things rolling on the 1st sinking AP Teiritsu Maru off Cam Ranh Bay with 2 torpedoes.

SS S-36 heavily damaged AK Kashiwara Maru with a torpedo off Palawan.

SS Sturgeon sank E Yaeyama off Davao on the 2nd.

SS Pollack heavily damaged AK Hague Maru off Peliliu with a torpedo.

SS Hammerhead blew up PB Shuko Maru #2 off Formosa on the 5th.

[BBfanboy]

Re: Burma, with that much AV defending forward he must be weak somewhere.
Any chance of an Amphib invasion of Port Blair [to interdict his sea approaches to Rangoon], or Moulmein [land and sea interdiction]?
Paradrop on Chang Mai to take the base, destroy aircraft based there and then get out of Dodge?
Land at Tavoy or Victoria Point and move on Bangkok?

[Speedysteve]

Hi BB. Unfortunately the necessary naval assets are in SoPac and will then operate in CentPac. Coupled to that there's no additional land forces in India/Burma (except a few other bde's) that are en route. I could divert assets but that would only take time and delay things. With that choice I have no choice but to leave Burma as is I feel.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

Same old status quo here. No more Allied attacks. Just recon and artillery. I'm waiting to see what Faber has in each location whilst I pull back a fair amount of force, leaving enough in each place to hold against ay Jap attacks. I'll then decide where to allocate the additional 2-2500 AV to hopefully achieve a breakthrough.

I cant wait for Toungoo to build up so I can allocate 100's of fighters here....Faber sweeps here every day with upto 100 fighters and I can only comfortably get 30-40 Spit VIII's in place so far. I lose about 2:1 ratio here.

-------------------------

Sumatra:

My troops have reached a point west of Djambi. Now it's time to decide whether to attack head on (Shock attack - not a likely option) or to head SE or south. At present I'm thinking SE then north into Djambi. Screenshot below.

A successful sweep was launched over Singapore from Padang on the 7th. About 100 x Hellcat, Corsair and P47D-25's took part at 30K feet. Over 200 enemy fighters were on CAP. Reports are promising with a reported 40 enemy planes shot down for 20 friendly.

-------------------------

SoPac:

It's almost time for the 'brief' operation down here. Phase 1 of this will launch within 10-14 days. Ships have left Sydney and are heading to Auckland and Fiji.....more detaisl to come in due course.

-------------------------

Submarine Warfare:

1 x dud/missed attack.

SS Sunfish damaged the oil laden TK Kikusui Maru with a torpedo off Balikpapan. Later on in the day she damaged AK Tensin Maru from a convoy.

SS Seal sank PB Bokuyo Maru off Denpasar with 2 torpedoes.

On the other side. SS Grayling was heavily damaged by ASW Vessels guarding Sapporo as she laid a minefield.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

No real action to note up here. I'm shuffling some of my strongest and weakest formations out of the front line. The Strongest to form a strong reinforcement force for one of the avenues of attack. The weakest to rest and replenish.

I launched an experimental all armour attack which failed miserably on the 8th:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69351 troops, 1386 guns, 2183 vehicles, Assault Value = 2876

Defending force 56911 troops, 599 guns, 412 vehicles, Assault Value = 1830

Allied adjusted assault: 335

Japanese adjusted defense: 4767

Allied assault odds: 1 to 14

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

Japanese ground losses:
482 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 14 (3 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3294 casualties reported
Squads: 105 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 111 disabled
Engineers: 42 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 37 (7 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Vehicles lost 127 (19 destroyed, 108 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Logically I'll try for one more massed push before the Monsoon starts.

Toungoo has now reached Level 2 AF's. Supply is still a slight issue in the area but I have over 350,000 tonnes worth of AK constantly shuffling back between Aden and the area.

33rd and 81st FG's have now reached Calcutta and I've swapped their P40N's for P38H's. They'll most likely deploy at Toungoo or Prome. Japanese air strength has increased in the area (about 220 fighters and 85 bombers in Rangoon, Pegu and Moulmein) Only using Spit VIII's and Hurri's has proved insufficient to gain any sort of Air Superiority. The low replacement rate of the Spit's is a prime reason for this.

-------------------------

Sumatra:

Fun and games are due to begin on the ground here soon.

Faber has moved 2 units in position south of Djambi. As such I've changed my route of advance to go south and then potentially east. I may just continue south though and go for Palembang.

The 28th (East African) Bde will clear the path tomorrow smashing their old foe aside.

I've started to make some inroads in the air as well. With an increased fighter presence at Sawalohento sweeps have started to take their toll on the Japanese over Palembang (recon indicates less than 95 fighters here now). The latest sweeps on the 10th for example reported 35 enemy destroyed for 17 friendly (10 x P47D2, 4 x P38J, 3 x P47D-25).

LBA from Padang made their presence felt on the Japanese defenders south of Djambi:

Morning Air attack on 36th Infantry Regiment, at 47,89 , near Djambi

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 6
N1K1-J George x 5
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 5



Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 60
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 44


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
236 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

---------------------------

SoPac:

Forces are beginning to embark at Auckland and Suva for phase 1 of the Southern Offensive. I'll detail this in a separate post.

---------------------------

Submarine Warfare:

Things are noticeably changing in this area. I always find it ironic that Allied subs become LESS of a threat from 44 onwards due to the improved number and quality of Japanese ASW vessels, the increased number of LBA and this is exacerbated by the shrinking size of the Japanese empire = more ASW assets to cover a smaller area. More analysis in my monthly report.

3 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Hammerhead reported sinking TK Arima Maru south of Formosa on the 10th.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

It's time for the next round of Allied invasions to recapture Allied Real Estate.

This is focussing on SoPac and comprises 3 phases. I expect Phase 1 to go very quickly and phases 2 and 3 a little less so. I'm aiming to have this wrapped up in 8 weeks though. The CV's are being used for air support and cover but they are needed for the main event in Julyish 1944 - the Mariana's. I'm waiting for another 2 more CV's to arrive though so I may as well use the forces I have in SoPac which, on land, are substantial due to the former invasion of Australia by Faber.

I also have 2 x BB Divisions on hand but the rest of the BB's are heading back to PH for upgrade and repair.

Another + point is the places I'll be capturing down here will relinquish some decent VP numbers back to me and will offer the opportunity to destroy enemy formations as they'll have nowhere to run.

-----------------

Phase 1:

This is being undertaken by LCU's stationed on New Zealand and Fiji.

The focus is the recapture of New Caledonia and the majority of the New Hebrides.

Recon has identified limited enemy forces in the area:

Noumea: 10,500 men (battered for over a year constantly by Allied air from Norfolk Island)
Efate: 2,500 men,
Tanna: 500 men
Espiritu Santo: 2,500 men

No enemy air force is reported in the area.

This should be a quick operation and then we move straight on to Phase 2!

Allocated forces for Phase 1:

New Caledonia (landing at Koumac):

Americal Division
Fiji Bde
8th USMC Rgt
2nd USMC Tk Bn
754th Tk Bn
3rd NZ Arm Sqn
ART Bn's

Luganville:

11th NZ Bde
14th NZ Bde
15th NZ Bde

Tanna (By Para drop in due course):

1st Fiji Commando Bn
2nd Fiji Commando Bn

Efate will be taken in the future after this operation. i.e. mop up

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

Faber's George's received a surprise when they swept over Toungoo today as the additional runway and further fighters meant the Japanese lost a few planes today (6 of them reported):

Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Extreme overcast

Raid detected at 128 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8



Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 14
P-40N5 Warhawk x 17
P-40N26 Warhawk x 22
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 23


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

A further re-supply convoy is leaving Ramree Island today. We're up to Level 1 Port Level 3 AF here now.

I've decided to route all of the recent B29 Sqn arrivals at Aden to Calcutta to start to blast Jap AF's in southern Burma. They embarking on AK's at present.

-----------------

Sumatra:

The decimated Japanese 34th Ind.Mixed Bde (SW of Djambi) was smashed out of the way by it's nemesis 28th (East African Bde) losing over 600 men in the process.

Intel reports 3rd Tank Division has also reached the scene south of Djambi.

Air raids by Havoc's from Padang against Jap troops around Djambi met resistance. Little damage was caused on the ground and air losses were about even for the day (20ish each).

-----------------

SoPac:

Operation Bluebell is underway as all troops have been embarked and ships will leave Suva, Auckland and Sydney today.

-----------------

Submarine Warfare:

SS Puffer claimed AK Daihachikyo Maru sunk near Balikpapan.

SS Haddock reported heavily damaging CL Agano with a torpedo hit SE of Formosa (intel reports it sunk but I doubt it!)

On the other side SS Seahorse was detected and sunk by convoy escorts west of Japan.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

A pretty quiet day here overall.

A small Sweeps by George's over Toungoo resulted in no losses either side.

I'm continuing to pull out a few battered units and to move around a few stronger ones from the frontline. The below Screenie shows the situation and relative Jap strengths on the 3 frontline hexes. I'm not expecting to breakthrough here easily, if at all, now due to the silly AV boosts the Jungle gives.

Once Ramree is built up to a level 4 AF (within 4 days) a Mitchell BG and P38H FG will occupy the base to launch raids against Rangoon and Pegu.

------------------------

Sumatra:

Quiet here too. An air raid on jap positions south of Djambi was not contested by the Japs and no enemy losses were reported.

-------------------------

SoPac:

No enemy forces seen/detected as yet.

-------------------------

Submarine Warfare:

3 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Hammerhead did well today. She tracked the damaged CL Agano towards Formosa and fired 4 fish. A dud hit! She fired 6 more and watched as 1 hit and Agano started sinking [8D]

SS Puffer heavily damaged AK Hohuku Maru with a torpedo east of Balikpapan.

A further attack on the same convoy saw Puffer sink AKL Kofuku Maru.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

Ramree Island is now up and running as a LBA Base. The final facilities were up and running on the 14th when 64 x B25's flew in with 64 x P38's. Bad weather prevented any sorties on the 15th but the 16th saw the P38's and 24 x P40N5's fly sweeps over Rangoon:

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 27
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 34
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 33



Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 65
P-38J Lightning x 22
P-40N5 Warhawk x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

My aim is to slowly obtain air control over Rangoon and Pegu. Then I can try to maintain regular bombing runs on enemy LCU's near Prome and Toungoo.

Static on the ground as troops continue to move behind the lines and a few troops are lost on either side due to artillery strikes.

---------------------

Sumatra:

My troops are about 10 miles away from reaching enemy positions south of Djambi. There's now 5 enemy units reported here so it's doubtful I'll make any progress here.

In the air control is slowly being gained over Palembang. Fighter sweeps over the past 5 days have caused a reported 70 enemy losses for 20 friendly. Recon shows only 35 enemy fighters on the ground at Palembang.

Singapore is still a bastion of enemy strength.

Daily air raids are launched by Havoc's over enemy positions south of Djambi. Few losses are caused though in the jungle.

----------------

SoPac:

All quiet and going smoothly down here. The screenshot shows the positions. Fuji Bde troops went ashore on the 16th to an empty Koumac. We'll take it tomorrow and unload the rest of the men and material to march to Noumea.

Recon shows no enemy planes within fighter range of New Caledonia.

Troops bound for Luganville will leave Auckland in the next day or 2.

---------------

Submarine Warfare:

4 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Lapon sank AK Argun Maru south of Mindanao on the 13th.

SS Batfish had a field day on the 15th ravishing a convoy SE of Formosa sinking AK Kurohime Maru over 2 attacks, sinking AK Hukusei Maru and heavily damaging AK Neikai Maru.

SS Blackfish claimed AK Ryoyo Maru sunk near Mindanao on the 16th.

On the other side SS Cabrilla was lost with all hands off Iwo Jima.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

No action here today.

The next re-supply convoy for Ramree (from Calcutta) will contain 8 x ENG Rgt from the US. They'll help building up Burma!

CV Indomitable is on it's way from Cape Town to Columbo. She'll join CVE Begum, CVL Unicorn and CVL Hermes to form a small CV TF.

-----------------------

Sumatra:

A Sweep over Singapore by 100 x P47D2's from Sawalohento netted 20 enemy planes for the loss of 7 friendlies.

A raid on Jap troops south of Djambi met over 20 x Franks on CAP (which seem to be based at Djambi). They shot down 4 friendlies. A raid is planned for Djambi's AF's tomorrow.

------------------------

SoPac:

Koumac is taken and the rest of the men will disembark tomorrow.

------------------------

Submarine Warfare:

1 x dud/missed attack.

SS Puffer damaged TK Ryuei Maru with a torpedo off Balikpapan.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma/Sumatra:

Very heavy air battles over Rangoon/Pegu in Burma and Djambi in Sumatra as Allied fighters attempt to gain control of the skies.

Losses were about even for the day:

Allied:

P47D-25 - 14
P40N5 - 12
P47D-2 - 10
P38H - 8
P40N26 - 6
P38J - 4
SpitVc - 4
Spit VIII - 2
F4UA - 1

= 61 planes

Jap:

KI-44IIB Tojo - 12
Ki84a Frank - 11
N1K1J George - 8
KI44IIC Tojo - 6
A6M5 - 6
A6M5b - 6
KI45 KAIc Nick - 5
Ki-61b Tony - 3
J2M2 Jack - 1

= 58 planes

The boys will go again for Djambi tomorrow escorting A20's to attempt to knock out the AF there.

Troops should reach south of Djambi tomorrow as well and the 5 Jap units there.

In Burma my boys will rest from Sweeping tomorrow. B25's at Ramree have been alerted for naval attack after a Sunderland spotted a Jap TF heading NW from Rangoon. What is that doing there I wonder (see screenshot)?

--------------------------

SoPac:

Still unloading at Koumac. Should be finished tomorrow. Once all material is ashore the men will march southwards to take Noumea.

--------------------------

Submarine Warfare:

SS Cisco heavily damaged AK Atago Maru with a torpedo in the middle of the Philippine Sea.

On the other side SS Salmon was moderately damaged by LBA near Sakhalin Island.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

No action here today.

Jap's are also moving their forces from the frontline. Probably re-organising them away from Prome towards Toungoo where I'm planning to re-mass my forces.

That 'strange' Jap TF is still at se loitering to the NW of Rangoon. I can only assume it's a CV TF. They're 7 hexes away from Ramree Island and just out of Allied fighter range for a strike.

Fighters at Toungoo are due to sweep Pegu tomorrow. A 3rd runway has just been constructed easing planes congestion there.

LBA at Prome is due to bomb Rangoon's AF tomorrow for the first time a while.

-------------------------

Sumatra:

The bombing raid on Djambi was roughly handled by 50 x Jap fighters on CAP. 8 x P47D-25 fell victim and only 1 plane was destroyed on the ground.

A follow up fighter sweep of Thuds and Lightnings gained revenge though claiming 27 enemy fighters for the loss of 3 friendlies.

My LCU's have trudged overland and have reached south of Djambi and 5 enemy units. I doubt I'll breakthrough here as force levels look even[:(] I'm bombarding tomorrow to find out the details.

-------------------------

Submarine Warfare:

SS Herring located the damaged Lima Class freighter AK Atago Maru near Daito Shoto and put her under with 3 torpedo hits.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

The Jap TF WNW of Rangoon has started to move ESE. No problem as there's no shipping in the area anyway!

Toungoo's fighters took to the skies to sweep the airspace over Pegu. The usual furious fight took place with 18 Friendlies being down to 29 enemies.

No fighting on land as were still shuffling forces around.

-----------------

Sumatra:

Now is crunch time in Sumatra. Recon and artillery found the following forces south of Djambi (see screenshot):

Ground combat at 47,89 (near Djambi)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 40446 troops, 902 guns, 596 vehicles, Assault Value = 1674

Defending force 15774 troops, 214 guns, 656 vehicles, Assault Value = 653

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 9 (6 destroyed, 3 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
28th (East African) Brigade
29th British Brigade
2nd British Division
81st (West African) Division
11th (East African) Division
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
22nd (East African) Brigade
23rd Chindit Brigade

Defending units:
31st Tankette Co
36th Infantry Regiment
3rd Tank Division
34th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Ind.Mixed Bde /1

I HOPE I can break though but they're in jungle so I'm doubtful. Faber is moving forces up from Palembang as well so time is of the essence.

We don't attack tomorrow. Instead I'm awaiting the use of 100 x B17/B24 that have flown into Siberoet today. They'll be ready for use on the 22nd. As such we attack then with full support from 4E and the Havoc's from Padang which will attack the enemy troops tomorrow as well.

So what do you think? Do you think I have a chance of succeeding in this land battle? Should I Deliberate or Shock attack?

-----------------------

SoPac:

All troops are shore at Koumac and the march to Noumea begins with 3 x ARM Rgt already on their way to La Foa.

We await a TF from Auckland and then we sail to Luganville to take there. That will conclude Phase 1 of Operation Snowbell.

-----------------------

Submarine Warfare:

No contacts.

[BBfanboy]

You have less than 3X the AV of his stack, you don't know how much fortification he has managed to build and he has tanks, while you do not. A shock attack would be very risky. I would DA first to see what forts are. You may have to bomb him for a few days before going all-in.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi BBfanboy - thanks for your thoughts. They've helped and you've made some good points. Accordingly I'm going to bomb the scum for several days in a row with my LBA and when the enemy reinforcements are nearing from Palembang I'll attempt a DA

----------------------

Burma:

A bad day in Burma as air raids from Ramree and Prome against Rangoon became fragmented and mauled by 80+ enemy CAP. Losses amounted to 80 planes over the day. Over half of them were P40's, Hurri's and Spit's. On the plus side Rangoon AF damage is reported at 50%.

Tomorrow a Sweep by upto 100 x P38 will fly from Ramree over Rangoon. Depending on how that goes I may launch a further bombing raid on the day after.

The first 2 x B29 Squadrons have been unloaded at Karachi. More will unload tomorrow and they'll head to Calcutta for their first missions.

----------------------

Sumatra:

No air raids were launched on the 21st due to bad weather. 100 x 4E are ordered to bomb enemy troops tomorrow along with the Havoc's. Fighters from Sawalohento will sweep the area all being well.

I'm starting to order forces to occupy other parts of Sumatra. Engineers are marching from Sawalohento to the NE and also to the south to occupy Benkolen. As an FYI a further massive convoy is at Cape Town carrying oodles of engineers, aviation support, AA and planes on it's way to Sumatra.

----------------------

Submarine Warfare:

SS Seadragon sank SC Ch 31 south of Mindanao with 2 torpedoes.

SS Blackfish located an enemy sub and reported sinking SS I-31 with a torpedo hit also south of Mindanao.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma/Sumatra:

Heavy air battles over the past 2 days have seen the loss of 90 Allied vs c.120 Jap planes. Recon seems to indicate a reduction in Jap aircraft numbers around:

Rangoon: 22 planes
Pegu: 83 planes
Palembang: 42 planes

I doubt very much I'm eating into, what is presumably, extensive Jap aircraft pools but nice to see active plane numbers are apparently dropping. As an example of the variety of plane losses per turn see the screenshot below.

No movement on the ground in Burma.

We've been bombing the Jap troop south of Djambi for 2 days in a row and as a reinforcement unit is nearing the frontlines from Palembang Im going for a deliberate attacks tomorrow. I'm not hopeful but we'll see.

I've been scouring around for any additional units I can use in Sumatra and have identified an Aussie Bde near Perth, 2 x Canadian Bde's, 2 x US (Sep) Rgt's and Filipino Rgt. It will take a few months for these all to arrive but they are welcome additions nonetheless.

------------------------

SoPac:

La Foa was entered on the 23rd. The Tankers are awaiting the infantry before advancing on 3 x Jap units in Noumea (2 x Nv. Gsn's and a BF).

------------------------

Submarine Warfare:

3 x dud/missed attacks.

The 23rd saw SS Grenadier sink E No.1 near Wakkanai.

E No.10 was sunk by SS Lancetfish NE of Formosa.

SS Guardfish heavily damaged AO Hayasui near Legaspi with a torpedo.

In return SS Lancetfish and Guardfish and are returning to port.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

More attritional air battles over Pegu and Moulmein.

Sweeps by P38's netted 20 enemy planes over Pegu for the loss of 8 friendly on the 24th.

The 25th saw a raid from Prome by B24's escorted by Corsairs, Hellcats and Spit's. Losses were about even (20ish planes each).

Slowly but surely I feel I'm wearing down the Japanese air assets in the region. The screenshot below shows the current recon of active enemy bases in the region.

Still moving troops around on the ground. I'm undecided where to push for in Burma. Faber has reinforced the frontlines south of Toungoo so may be not here.

As an addendum I've been very disappointed with the performance of F4U's in Sumatra and Corsair II's and Hellcat I's in Burma. P47D2/25 and P38H/J seem to perform much better.

----------------------

Sumatra:

The attack south of Djambi failed and primarily failed due to poor play on my part! I totally forgot to look at the supply levels of my troops. Idiot:

Ground combat at 47,89 (near Djambi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47717 troops, 1010 guns, 682 vehicles, Assault Value = 1685

Defending force 20239 troops, 267 guns, 668 vehicles, Assault Value = 804

Allied adjusted assault: 131

Japanese adjusted defense: 1067

Allied assault odds: 1 to 8

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1946 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 191 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 31 (7 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (7 destroyed, 27 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2518 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 56 disabled
Guns lost 45 (3 destroyed, 42 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Assaulting units:
29th British Brigade
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
2nd British Division
11th (East African) Division
28th (East African) Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
81st (West African) Division
23rd Chindit Brigade
76th Coast AA Regiment
608th Coast AA Regiment

Defending units:
36th Infantry Regiment
3rd Tank Division
34th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Amphibious Brigade
31st Tankette Co
32nd Ind.Mixed Bde /1

On the 'positive' side the modified Jap AV was not that high. AV levels are now done to 1428 vs 639 meaning I've lost 257 active AV and the Japs 165 AV. I will rest and await the arrival of a further unit in the next 10-14 days and we'll see then.

The Allies were not helped by the weather over the past 2 days and fierce thunderstorms prevented any air missions being launched.

----------------------

SoPac:

The advance armour units have reached the outskirts of Noumea. They'll await the infantry to arrive over the next 2 day and then assault the surrounded enemy forces.

The Luganville invasion forces are now 2 days out escorted by a CV TF.

----------------------

Submarine warfare:

0 dud/missed attacks!

SS Blackfish sank SC CHa-34 south of Mindanao on the 24th.

The 25th was a productive day.

SS Batfish sank SC CHa-12 SE of Fomosa.

SS Bluefish located the same convoy Batfish attacked and sank the fuel loaded AK Syokyu Maru with 2 torpedoes.

SS Snook sank E Wakamiya west of Luzon.

SS Haddock reported sinking TK Hakko Maru SE of Formosa.

On the other side SS Sterlet was sank with all hands west of Japan by ASW Vessels.

SS Truculent was damaged by ASW vessels near Batavia.