Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Wed Mar 13, 2013 10:19 pm**

Have you considered just pulling as many Chinese troops as possible back to a defensive position due east (true) from Kunming?  By holding the hex marked A (2 hexes east of Kunming), the hex marked A to the SE and the mountain/road hex to the NE of A, you would be in a superb position to hold Kunming indefinitely, create a large airhead there and fly supplies into China "over the hump".  Once you kick the Empire out of northern Burma, you might even find supply could be drawn into China.  It would also be a difficult position to outflank.  Of course, you could make it harder to outflank byu extending the line into the mountain/woods hexes to the north and south.
 
I really think you will buy more time by doing this or some close variation of it than fighting the Empire where you are.  Fighting him in the open and in broken terrain really plays into his hands and gives his AF much easier targets.
 
Just a thought.

Posted: **Wed Mar 13, 2013 10:50 pm**

Sort of, meaning yes pull back in that direction as far as necessary but haven't considered specifically sending units to Mengtze. I will if I have to, but so far there has been no sign of Imperial troops going overland to Mengtze. Kunming and the two hexes to the east (game map) already have a bunch of combat troops to make sure the path of withdrawal remains open.

Posted: **Thu Mar 14, 2013 3:21 pm**

1943 April 13

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

The Chungking plain is more or less an Imperials' hunting ground. And as more of them have appeared they have begun fortifying positions to keep open their lines of supply.

Ground combat at 75,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24015 troops, 285 guns, 186 vehicles, Assault Value = 763

Defending force 41131 troops, 203 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1155

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

Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
36th/B Division
32nd/A Division
8th Recon Regiment
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
104th/C Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
12th Army
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
91st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
21st Group Army

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

Ground combat at 76,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 768 troops, 0 guns, 142 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Defending force 34277 troops, 103 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1081

Japanese adjusted assault: 69

Allied adjusted defense: 469

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
75th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 360 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 673

Defending force 41276 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 985

Assaulting units:
19th/A Division
1st Recon Battalion
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
53rd Infantry Brigade
19th/B Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
72nd Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
5th War Area
8th War Area
22nd Group Army
8th Chinese Base Force

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

Ground combat at 81,42 (near Ankang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8363 troops, 70 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 244

Defending force 1094 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Japanese adjusted assault: 197

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 28 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
518 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
36th/A Division
34th/A Division

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps

The attacks go well in Burma but the Empire is not rolling over there. They continue to maneuver and air strikes impede the infantry on the plain.

Ground combat at 56,44 (near Cox's Bazar)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32138 troops, 444 guns, 572 vehicles, Assault Value = 623

Defending force 3200 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Allied adjusted assault: 270

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 67 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
453 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
7th Australian Division

Defending units:
16th Infantry Regiment

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

Ground combat at 56,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22523 troops, 234 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 781

Defending force 9957 troops, 72 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 203

Allied adjusted assault: 529

Japanese adjusted defense: 217

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
559 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
40th Inf Group Brigade
21st/B Division

There will be three attacks in Burma tomorrow, as both of the above assaults will be repeated plus the three divisions SE Akyab will make their first attack in the hex they just attained. The armor is still two or three days from the road, so the party must start without them.

None of the southern Solomons invasion forces are known to be sighted. Tomorrow the likelihood of them being sighted is quite high as they will be much closer to their objectives. The Makin forces, not quite all at Tarawa yet, have also not been sighted. But the Horn Island invasion fleet at Portland Roads has been seen.

Shortlands is scouting as 38% damaged to the airfield, and housing 44 fighters, 4 bombers, and 6 auxiliary types. Tomorrow B-24 will flay against Shortlands from Ndeni, Vanua Lava, Cooktown, and Portland Roads. One squadron each of B-17 and LB-30 will fly against Munda from Luganville. Weather forecast for the region is clear.

Back to Burma for today's pic. It looks to me like the Empire means to make a fight of it. Most of the units that crossed the China border show no sign of pulling out, and recently units have shipped into Burma. SigInt shows a lone garrison Bn at Ramree Island. Force Z is moving to Madras as a jump off point for a bombardment coincident with the dropping of either one or two LRP units on that target. Both are fully prepped, but air transport is fickle. I will probably try to drop both. No date set. I want to hit Ramree before the Empire's defenses are pushed back that far, so it opens a credible threat.

Posted: **Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:29 pm**

1943 April 14

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

A day of tooth and nail fighting. Remarkably, none of it was in China.

The night opened with a daring IJN raid on Portland Roads!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 91,132, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 1
CL Danae, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Starling, Shell hits 1, on fire

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 71% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Somerville, James F crosses the 'T'
DD Shinonome engages CL Danae at 7,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages CL Danae at 7,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages CL Danae at 7,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Akatsuki at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages CL Danae at 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Inazuma at 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Hibiki at 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Shinonome at 6,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Inazuma at 6,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DE Starling at 6,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Akatsuki at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Hibiki at 9,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 9,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DE Starling at 9,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages CL Danae at 10,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Inazuma at 10,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DE Starling at 10,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Akatsuki at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Hibiki at 11,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DE Starling at 11,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Akatsuki at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Hibiki at 13,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 13,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Hibiki at 13,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 13,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Hibiki at 13,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 13,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DE Starling at 13,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Akatsuki at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DE Starling at 9,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 9,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Inazuma at 10,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 12,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 12,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 91,132, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki
DD Inazuma
DD Shinonome

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
DD Stuart

Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 82% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 12,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Inazuma at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Shinonome at 9,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Akatsuki at 9,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Stuart at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 8,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Shinonome at 8,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Stuart at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Inazuma at 10,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stuart at 12,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Akatsuki at 12,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Akatsuki at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 91,132, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1
DD Shinonome

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
DD Stuart, Shell hits 3, on fire

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 16,000 yards
Takeuchi, Hajime crosses the 'T'
CA Australia engages DD Shinonome at 16,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Stuart at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stuart at 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stuart at 6,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stuart at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stuart at 8,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Stuart at 8,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Akatsuki at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 12,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Akatsuki at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Inazuma at 13,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Akatsuki at 13,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stuart at 16,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Stuart at 16,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Akatsuki at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 19,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Stuart at 19,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 22,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Inazuma at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Inazuma at 24,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 25,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Akatsuki at 25,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Akatsuki at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 28,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Inazuma at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 27,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Inazuma at 27,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 91,132, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 3
DE Starling, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 20,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Inazuma at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 14,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 14,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 12,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 11,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 11,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 11,000 yards
Takeuchi, Hajime orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 9,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 9,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Akatsuki at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DE Starling at 10,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Inazuma at 11,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 11,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Akatsuki at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 13,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DE Starling at 13,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DE Starling at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 16,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Starling at 16,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Akatsuki at 16,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 16,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Inazuma at 16,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Akatsuki at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DE Starling at 18,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Inazuma at 18,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Akatsuki at 18,000 yards
Showers, H.A. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Shinonome at 19,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Akatsuki at 19,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 91,132, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
DD Stuart, on fire

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 25,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Inazuma at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Shinonome at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Shinonome at 19,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Inazuma at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 16,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Stuart at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 14,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Inazuma at 14,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 11,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Akatsuki at 11,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stuart at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Akatsuki at 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Akatsuki at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 12,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Shinonome at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Shinonome at 16,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Akatsuki at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Shinonome at 22,000 yards
Massive explosion on DD Akatsuki
CA Australia engages DD Akatsuki at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Akatsuki at 25,000 yards
Swales F. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 30,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Akatsuki at 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 91,132, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AM Wallaroo
CM Bungaree

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 27,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 91,132, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AM Strahan
xAKL Sjobris
xAKL Karuah
xAKL Kindur
xAKL Mulubinda

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 27,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

The Allies were ready, although sheer audacity combined with skill bagged the IJN a CL. The lone surviving raider saw the sun rise, but not much else.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 95,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1/A with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 24000
Raid is overhead

Akatsuki dead in the water ...

The skies over Shortlands, and to a much lesser extent Munda, were the scene of fierce battles.

Morning Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
251 Ku S-1 Det B with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 29
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
5th Sentai/A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
5th Sentai/C with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
251 Ku S-1 Det B with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes
5th Sentai/A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
5th Sentai/C with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
251 Ku S-1 Det B with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes
251 Ku S-1 Det B with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
253 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 12 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
5th Sentai/C with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 30
B-24D1 Liberator x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 30

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

The air losses for the day are attached below. Shortlands scouts as 97% airfield damage.

The IJA bitterly contested the skies over Burma and made strikes on the Allied formations penetrating deepest onto the plain. One squadron of P-40K was roughed up when the other two (from another base) tasked to sweep the same area did not make the trip. Still, the bombers that came later made it through virtually unmolested.

Ground combat at 55,46 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36241 troops, 547 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 1053

Defending force 17418 troops, 118 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 387

Allied adjusted assault: 342

Japanese adjusted defense: 439

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
911 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 20 (3 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1126 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 150 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
14th Indian Division
9th Australian Division

Defending units:
47th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
15th Army

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

Ground combat at 56,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22363 troops, 234 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 757

Defending force 9513 troops, 70 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Allied adjusted assault: 378

Japanese adjusted defense: 67

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
641 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
520 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
40th Inf Group Brigade
21st/B Division

The Australian 6th and 7th Divisions (at GR:56,44) made their attack into abandoned positions, finding that their quarry had made it down the road earlier in the day. The three divisions at GR:55,46 are in good enough shape, although they will rest before attacking again. The armor should be on-hand when they are ready. The last unit trapped at GR:56,44 made it one hex SW, to GR:55,45 and are still solidly trapped. The 27th ID will stop moving and commence attacking them while the other, fresh units from the rear continue moving through.

Another surprise on the day, none of the southern Solomons TFs report being sighted. Tomorrow they will all be on station and will land troops the day after, so tomorrow is D-1.

But at Makin tomorrow is D-Day. three separate TFs will make their own way to land a Bn each, plus an additional one to land some supplies. LRCAP from Tarawa has been assigned to the slowest troop carrying TF presuming that it will be on station the longest.

The invasion of Horn Island is set back a bit while the cruisers head to Townsville to rearm and replacement destroyers move up from Sydney. Both of the original destroyers need work.

Posted: **Fri Mar 15, 2013 3:04 pm**

1943 April 15

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:
Makin

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Makin

On the ground in China today was just some Imperial playing on the plain.

Ground combat at 77,44 (near Chungking)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6750 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 211

Defending force 4862 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Japanese adjusted assault: 316

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 24 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
992 casualties reported
Squads: 96 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 75 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
71st Chinese Corps

The shifting of the eastern side of the defensive line (south of Chungking) completed today. The shifting of the western side of that line will complete tomorrow, closing the center gap.

Both ground attacks went well in Burma and are on their way toward wiping out the Empire's minions on the scene. Some Blenheims were caught without escort near Akyab and 7 were shot down.

Ground combat at 55,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12407 troops, 290 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 315

Defending force 2728 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 202

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 67 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
542 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
27th Infantry Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
2/2 AIF Pioneer Battalion
2/9th Field Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
2/1 AIF Pioneer Battalion
2/1st Med Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
16th Infantry Regiment

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

Ground combat at 56,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21934 troops, 233 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 695

Defending force 9113 troops, 69 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Allied adjusted assault: 579

Japanese adjusted defense: 43

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
525 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
40th Inf Group Brigade
21st/B Division

The three divisions at GR:55,46 have disruption in the 10 to 12% range and will attack tomorrow. The armor will only make the road tomorrow and then take another two days to reach them, so I am deciding to attack before the enemy units can make the more favorable jungle-rough terrain in the next hex (versus jungle in the present hex). Tomorrow Force Z will make Madras and refuel. That would make the soonest para-drop on Ramree Island 3 days after that.

I fouled things up at Makin, but my loyal electronic troops took care of business. I neglected to notice that the landing craft TF was still loading supplies, and hence did not leave Tarawa. To make matters worse, much worse, that was the 'slowest TF' which had all the LRCAP assigned to it. As fortune would have it, there was no Imperial air activity and the landed ground forces were more than adequate to deal with the defenders. The constant bombing by a B-25 group for an extended period paid off.

Ground combat at Makin (136,125)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1656 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 78

Defending force 254 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 61

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 61 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Makin !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
326 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Marine Raider Bn /8
2nd Marine Raider Bn /8

Defending units:
51st Naval Guard Unit

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

51st Naval Guard Unit Wiped Out at Makin by attrition!!!

Washington and Massachusetts are back in service, and North Carolina is expected to complete refit tomorrow. The three will leave Pearl harbor together for the South Pacific.

One B-24 group was mistakenly left with orders to attack Shortlands. They did so without loss but are pretty wasted today. Carrier planes from the fleet hit merchants at Shortlands. They achieved this (consolidated).

xAK Yamahuzi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Nansin Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamahuzi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Sealion was hit rather hard prowling into the waters at Shortlands and will head back to Brisbane for repairs. The transports have orders to make for the three targets. None of those three targets have been reconnoitered from the air in some time. So, two B-24 groups will over-fly Thousand Ships Bay to attack any ground units they spot, while five groups do the same at Russell Islands. Two 4EB squadrons will hit Tulagi as it has repaired to the point of hosting fighters, even though none are believed present.

Here is a look at the area. It does appear that we achieved tactical surprise.

Posted: **Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:52 pm**

1943 April 16

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Russell Islands
Tassafaronga
Thousand Ships Bay

Some dope in charge of a combat unit - who could not read a map - took the wrong road and crossed a river to boot.

Ground combat at 80,42 (near Kienko)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9058 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 282

Defending force 615 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 271

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 271 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
679 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
60th Infantry Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at 75,45 (near Chungking)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1145 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Defending force 8190 troops, 64 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 260

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 203

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), supply(-)

Allied ground losses:
314 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Chinese/B Corps

Defending units:
41st/B Division
41st/C Division

At least the attacker's adjusted AV was doubled due to the shock attack modifier.

the attacks in Burma went well. The unit facing the 27th ID was destroyed, so the 27th will move on.

Ground combat at 55,46 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35464 troops, 548 guns, 274 vehicles, Assault Value = 947

Defending force 13484 troops, 119 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 340

Allied adjusted assault: 513

Japanese adjusted defense: 513

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
888 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (9 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
519 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 127 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled

Assaulting units:
14th Indian Division
Americal Infantry Division
9th Australian Division

Defending units:
47th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division

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

Ground combat at 55,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12412 troops, 290 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 498

Defending force 2326 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Allied adjusted assault: 104

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 104 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3256 casualties reported
Squads: 105 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 174 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
27th Infantry Division
2/10th Armoured Regiment
3rd Cavalry Regiment
2/2 AIF Pioneer Battalion
2/1 AIF Pioneer Battalion
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
16th Infantry Regiment

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

Ground combat at 56,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21729 troops, 233 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 666

Defending force 8218 troops, 68 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 75

Allied adjusted assault: 200

Japanese adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
816 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
40th Inf Group Brigade
21st/B Division

The Americal Division is up to 26% disruption and will rest while the other two divisions continue attacking. Americal is also down to 120 AV, including 68 infantry squads on the line and 203 disabled. Three armored units have made the road across from Akyab, it should take them a further two days on the road to get to the current battle to their SW. The Imperial unit at Shwebo is pulling out, heading SW to Mandalay. The two Rgt 92mi NE of Shwebo are heading into the jungle toward Lashio.

D-Day for Ramree Island airborne assault is in three days (tomorrow is D-2).Force Z needs two days to get into position for bombardment, and the assignment air transport groups are feverishly repairing planes that have been worn to the bones hauling supplies into China.

All three invasion targets are undefended by the Empire, and so will be occupied tomorrow. All troops landed today and only some supplies remain to unload. The sole opposition came from an IJN motor torpedo boat group, which was fended off - and then pursued! - by a CA/DD TF guarding The Slot. Five of them are reported sunk.

Here is a look at Burma. SigInt keeps popping up on regiments moving to Rangoon by ship. Our subs are doing their best, but when they get hits those seem to be on ships outbound or perhaps on supply laden ships.

Posted: **Sun Mar 17, 2013 3:13 pm**

1943 April 17

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:
Russell Islands

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Tassafaronga
Thousand Ships Bay

The non-map reading unit in China was punished.

Ground combat at 75,45 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4095 troops, 32 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 260

Defending force 920 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 7

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
378 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st/B Division
41st/C Division

Defending units:
4th Chinese/B Corps

In Burma, the Imperial units on the road made good their withdrawal so the pursuit is on. The two trapped units in the jungle are being battered day after day.

Ground combat at 56,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21567 troops, 233 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 643

Defending force 7656 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Allied adjusted assault: 198

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 28 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1207 casualties reported
Squads: 44 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
40th Inf Group Brigade
21st/B Division

One or two of the two Imperial units at Mandalay are now seen moving SW, possibly signaling an overall withdrawal from the city in the face of the Allies pouring onto the plain. Meanwhile the 150th RAC Rgt from the NE and the 22nd East African Bde from the W will both arrive at Shwebo tomorrow. The 29th British Bde should cross the river tomorrow and wind up 1 hex NE Magwe. They are under heavy air attack almost every day and so might not make the 4 miles remaining. Force Z will make its jump off point (to bombard Ramree Island) tomorrow, and rain is predicted to hide them.

I neglected to set the troops at the invasion locations to attack (all locations undefended anyway) and only Russell Islands was occupied. Problem fixed for tomorrow. All unloading has finished and the transports will be withdrawing by moving westward before heading south in an attempt to avoid the IJN subs that have moved to intercept position. The mine layers will do their work at Russell Islands and in the (shallow) open ocean of The Slot.

The warships will move to positions ESE of Rossel Island (several hundred miles to the west, so avoid the subs) to cover the withdrawal. On the chance that Kongo is still in port there trying to pump out, Wasp, Enterprise, and Saratoga will launch strikes at Shortlands port. A number of B-24 squadrons from Ndeni, Portland Roads, and Cooktown will also hit Shortlands' port. Other 4EB will hit Tulagi airfield again as it is possibly open to fighter traffic.

So D-Day Ramree Island is the day after tomorrow. The same day, there will also be airborne operations at Kusaie Island (1st Fiji Commando Bn, provided they unload at Nauru timely), Buka (1st USMC Para Bn, currently at Kirakira), and Green Island (3rd USMC Para Bn, currently at Rennell Island). The 1st and 3rd USMC Bns will fly to their targets aboard the huge 4-engine PB2Y-3 Coronado flying boats.

Lunga is now scouting as having only 2 units, 680 troops, and 9 guns and will be invaded quickly. Scouting will refine those numbers in coming days, but the forces prepared for Lunga are overwhelming.

Here is an overview map.

Posted: **Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:01 pm**

1943 April 18

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:
Tassafaronga
Thousand Ships Bay

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

More of the same in China. We have, at least, cut off the Imperial units in Chengtu.

Ground combat at 79,43 (near Kienko)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5007 troops, 41 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Defending force 112 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 135

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 135 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
15th/B Division

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps

An escape route was opened for the two trapped units, whereupon they (and their rescuers) were retreated with heavy losses.

Ground combat at 56,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21560 troops, 233 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 643

Defending force 8144 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60

Allied adjusted assault: 121

Japanese adjusted defense: 31

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3037 casualties reported
Squads: 97 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (12 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
I./143rd Infantry Battalion
40th Inf Group Brigade
21st/B Division

2nd British Division will catch up to them either tomorrow or the day after. Together with heavy air support they could make attacks on the weakened formations. Our forces have reached Shwebo and will attack tomorrow. Probably the Imperial unit will make it away, across the river, in time.

Found at Shortlands harbor was one very, very, very sad-faced AG. The harbor is now empty.

The four jumps for tomorrow are on. Clear weather for the three objectives in the Pacific (Kusaie island, Green Island, and Buka) and rain for Ramree Island.

Here is the ruckus in Burma.

Posted: **Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:06 pm**

What is Admiral Wa doing w/ the IJA LCUs in China in the above Burma map?  Are they still trying to drive into China?  Even if they left now, I really think they have no chance to escape toward Rangoon.  It looks like you are going to cashier a bunch of IJA units in northern Burma and those just over the Chinese border.  Nice work.

Posted: **Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:55 am**

1943 April 19

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:
Shwebo
Kusaie Island
Buka
Green Island
Ramree Island

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

There was no ground combat in China.

The skies over Burma were hotly contested, with total losses on the day being:
28 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo
11 x P-40E Warhawk
8 x A6M5 Zero
4 x Ki-49-IIa Helen
3 x P-40K Warhawk
2 x C-47 Skytrain
2 x B-24D1 Liberator
2 Sea Hurricane Ib
1 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick
1 x H6K4-L Mavis
1 x D4Y1 Judy
1 x P-38G lightning

Some of those come from operations elsewhere, such as LRCAP of Lunga to try and catch flying boats. As you can see, with little exception the bombers got through on both sides.

At the end of the day the Allies attacked at five different bases, only one of which was known to be expected. The attack at Ramree island was supported by both naval bombardment and massed bomber strikes. The attack at Shwebo was both supported by bomber strikes and opposed by bomber strikes.

Night Naval bombardment of Ramree Island at 54,48

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BC Repulse

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 5

BB Prince of Wales firing at 79th Garrison Battalion
Walrus II acting as spotter for BC Repulse
BC Repulse firing at Ramree Island

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

Ground combat at Shwebo (59,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5060 troops, 88 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 178

Defending force 574 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Allied adjusted assault: 41

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 41 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Shwebo !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
377 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
150th RAC Regiment
22nd (East African) Brigade
120th RAF Base Force
21st Light AA Regiment
121st RAF Base Force

Defending units:
2nd Raiding Regiment

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

Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 118 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

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

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kusaie Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Fiji Commando Bn /1

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

Ground combat at Buka (109,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 276 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

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

Allied adjusted assault: 19

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Buka !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Parachute Bn /1

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

Ground combat at Green Island (108,127)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 252 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

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

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Green Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
3rd USMC Parachute Bn /1

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

Ground combat at Ramree Island (54,48)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1001 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 83

Defending force 675 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Allied adjusted assault: 60

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ramree Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
272 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
111th LRP Bde /1
77th LRP Bde /1

Defending units:
79th Garrison Battalion

All in all, the day's airborne operations went splendidly. The large flying boats that brought the USMC paras to Green Island and Buka have been stood down due to those bases' proximity to Rabaul's aerodrome. Hundreds of supplies were captured at Green Island and an adequate amount at Buka. Kusaie Island is barren and supplies will be brought in by air even after the rest of the unit is delivered (an APD TF is being dispatched as well). Ramree Island has enough supply for now, but as significant portions of those large units must still be transported, the airlift will continue.

Elsewhere in Burma, the 2nd British Division has caught up with the units it was chasing (which includes those retreated from the jungle in combat yesterday) and will attack tomorrow. They will be aided by all available bombers. Almost certainly they will be opposed the same way.

Scouting continues to confirm almost no troops left at Lunga, in consequence only one regiment tasked for that target will make the assault. Tulagi continues to show >15,000 troops, so P-38 LRCAP is switching to Tulagi. As soon as Lunga is an operating Allied base we can cement the capture/containment of those troops at Tulagi.

It looks like two or three days until Russell Islands air strip is ready. When that happens the engineers will switch over to port construction until some basic unloading facilities are completed, then work on maxing out the airfield.

Here is a look at the overview map.

Posted: **Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:21 am**

ORIGINAL: princep01

What is Admiral Wa doing w/ the IJA LCUs in China in the above Burma map? Are they still trying to drive into China? Even if they left now, I really think they have no chance to escape toward Rangoon. It looks like you are going to cashier a bunch of IJA units in northern Burma and those just over the Chinese border. Nice work.

Those units have been stalemated for quite some time. The one 2 hexes straight north of Paoshan is actually on its way out. It got as far as 1 more hex to the east, then discovered that its way was already blocked and started back.

I do figure that some units will be trapped up along the Chinese border, albeit they can move down the interior road. I wonder if Walter has decided to leave a stout contingent in place simply to block the supply route to China. A decent strategy to be sure.

I'm throwing lots of stuff into Burma - possibly more than I can well supply now during the monsoon - in the hopes of just plain smashing as many Imperial formations as possible. 2nd British Division (see last entry) is ready to attack with only 6% disruption, which would be fantastic if it holds. I expect air attacks on them but I don't know how many groups will be committed there. All 4EB, all B-25, all Wellington, and all Vengeance will strike units in that hex aided by several fighter groups making sweeps. It's just possible that 2nd British could hammer the weakened, already retreated units there.

In two turns the armor on the road near Akyab will catch up with the withdrawing Imperial units, and the infantry the day after. They're getting a free run while the bombers shifted first to Ramree Island and now the units on the plain near Magwe, but we might get one attack in.

As far as trapped units go, there are three Bde/Rgt at and near Katha. I could have attacked them but decided to simply hold them out of the action while more Allied troops make it onto the plain. There is also a Rgt at Myitkyina that I would like to cut off (see pic), but they can flee down the road if Walter makes that decision quickly enough.

Kalemyo is one massive, over stacked traffic jam. There is a division plus three armored units moving through there, along with well over a dozen other units.

Lastly, I wanted to keep things quiet on the seas in the area until Force Z made its possibly crucial bombardment. This turn a TF of several old CA/CL with 2 x DD for ASW is leaving Colombo to move toward the Port Blair - Sabang gap. They will attempt to raid troop convoys bound for Rangoon.

Posted: **Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:45 am**

Looking good.  Solomons, Gilberts and Burma showing more and more "Irish" colors (green).  Excellent progress.  I really like what you are doing in Burma and taking Ramee Is could produce even more trapped IJA units unless he reacts swiftly.  At the least, it will force him out of the Irrawady Valley without you having to do a lot of shooting.
 
It is very possible he will consolidate those guys in northern Burma and keep them as a blocking force to interdict the Burma Trail.  You'll have to root the out with the bayonet more than likely.  Oh well.
 
Nice job with the paras.

Posted: **Thu Mar 21, 2013 2:46 am**

ORIGINAL: princep01

Looking good. Solomons, Gilberts and Burma showing more and more "Irish" colors (green). Excellent progress. I really like what you are doing in Burma and taking Ramee Is could produce even more trapped IJA units unless he reacts swiftly. At the least, it will force him out of the Irrawady Valley without you having to do a lot of shooting.

It is very possible he will consolidate those guys in northern Burma and keep them as a blocking force to interdict the Burma Trail. You'll have to root the out with the bayonet more than likely. Oh well.

Nice job with the paras.

Thanks. I haven't fully decided how to deal with the blockers on the Burma Road (providing Wa goes that route), but my instinct is too just hold the road open if I can and let them rot. But either way, keep pushing south and see how far I can outrun the defensive preparations. He's still got quite a potent KB so most of that will be land-based, but every bit I can get quickly and 'more cheaply' in terms of combat power expended the better off I will be.

Posted: **Thu Mar 21, 2013 4:26 pm**

1943 April 20

The Empire captured:
Tienshui

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

The Empire seized a base in the wake of withdrawing Chinese forces. Two other attacks seemed to go well enough for the Allies.

Ground combat at 76,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17202 troops, 130 guns, 259 vehicles, Assault Value = 591

Defending force 42418 troops, 195 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1259

Japanese adjusted assault: 59

Allied adjusted defense: 727

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 12

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

Japanese ground losses:
577 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 83 (3 destroyed, 80 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
389 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
35th Division
15th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
22nd/B Division

Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
16th Group Army
Lusu War Area
35th Group Army

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

Ground combat at Tienshui (81,38)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19898 troops, 134 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 507

Defending force 232 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 309

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 309 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tienshui !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
331 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
59th Infantry Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
138th Infantry Regiment
32nd/C Division

Defending units:
5th New Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at 78,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 768 troops, 0 guns, 145 vehicles, Assault Value = 986

Defending force 36083 troops, 151 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 780

Japanese adjusted assault: 59

Allied adjusted defense: 1873

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 31

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 41 (1 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
233 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
39th Division
37th Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
14th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
13th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
13th Group Army

In Burma the 2nd British Division performed fantastically well!

Ground combat at 57,46 (near Magwe)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13865 troops, 231 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 425

Defending force 10407 troops, 91 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 168

Allied adjusted assault: 299

Japanese adjusted defense: 79

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3696 casualties reported
Squads: 157 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 126 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 23 (21 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Allied ground losses:
191 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd British Division

Defending units:
40th Inf Group Brigade
I./143rd Infantry Battalion
78th Infantry Regiment
21st/B Division

The 2nd will now move east to cross the river, then south into Magwe (100% prep). The 29th British Bde (prepped for Taung Gyi) is already across the river and moving on Meiktila, but will change direction to Magwe when the 2nd is across. The 150th RAC Rgt (tanks) is prepped for Mandalay and is moving west from Shwebo to cross the river behind the 29th. All three will assault Magwe. By the time that is finished there should be more forces out of the jungle. The mass of 4EB and 2EB with sweepers running interference will switch back to the units on the road between Akyab and Prome. The armor has caught the slowest of those units (3 units, 20,680 troops, 111 guns, 86 AFV), and the infantry should catch up tomorrow.

Here is the map of Burma.

Posted: **Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:21 pm**

1943 April 21

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:
Wessel Islands

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

There was no ground combat at all today. In China the noose continues to tighten via the aerial beatings and the creeping advance of the Empire's forces.

Over Burma our USA 25th Fighter Squadron - flying the lowly P-400 and operating out of tiny Shwebo airstrip with barely enough gas available to get off the ground - scored a major victory over IJN and IJA bombers caught without escort as they tried to harry the 29th British Brigade. Total losses on the day:

Code: Select all

 ID	Model		Type			Day	A2A	Flk	Gnd	Ops	Tot	A2A	Flk	Gnd	Ops
 673	G4M1 Betty	Level Bomber		18	15	0	0	3	492	181	54	12	245
 612	A6M5 Zero	Fighter			11	10	0	0	1	124	57	0	28	39
 769	Ki-44-IIa Tojo	Fighter			4	0	0	0	4	580	401	0	27	152
 794	Ki-49-IIa Helen	Level Bomber		4	3	0	0	1	166	23	22	0	121
 311	C-47 Skytrain	Transport		3	0	0	0	3	270	0	0	0	270
 424	F4F-3P Wildcat	Fighter			1	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	3
 487	SBD-3 Dauntless	Dive Bomber		1	0	0	0	1	153	63	17	0	73
 775	Ki-45 KAIa Nick	Fighter-Bomber		1	1	0	0	0	108	73	4	1	30

Most Zeros were also lost over Burma, to sweeping Kittihawk and P-40 groups, and a few over Port Moresby.

Morning Air attack on 29th British Brigade, at 58,46 , near Meiktila

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 20

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
51st FG/25th FS with P-400 Airacobra (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 29th British Brigade, at 58,46 , near Meiktila

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
51st FG/25th FS with P-400 Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 29th British Brigade, at 58,46 , near Meiktila

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
51st FG/25th FS with P-400 Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 29th British Brigade, at 58,46 , near Meiktila

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 30
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

The pursuing Allied forces on the coast road in Burma will attack tomorrow. The 754th Tank Bn, the 2/10th Armoured Rgt, the 3rd Cavalry Rgt, the 14th Indian Division, and the 9th Australian Division. About as mixed a group of Allies as you can get!

A well coordinated raid hit Kwajalein's port, destroying several of the hated SSX.

Morning Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 29

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-4, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AS Jingei, Bomb hits 2, on fire
SSX Ha-6, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AS Yasukuni Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMc Shonan Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG Daido Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SSX Ha-3, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AD Shintoku Maru, Bomb hits 1
SSX Ha-5, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

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

Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

D-Day for Lunga will be in 3 days. The 2nd Marine Rgt will go in along with the 1st Amphibious Tractor Engineer Bn. Now 560 troops scout on the island, and the 2nd Marines should be able to clear the base quickly for follow on support troops. Russell Islands airfield has expended to "100%", and so should be size 1 after tomorrow.

Here is the Intel screen.

Posted: **Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:17 pm**

That attack by the 2d Brit Div in Burma was undoubtedly helped along by this: Defender: op mode(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:  A four point modifier to the dice roll always helps:).
 
Those IJA units are really practically helpless at this point.  If you can catch them, they are toast!  In all of Burma it appears the situation has gone from dangerous to deadly for the IJA.  They are clearly on the run.  Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war!!
 
I can scarcely think of anything other than direct intervention that will help China more than recapturing Rangoon and clearly the supply road to China.  Good luck in the pursuit. 

Posted: **Fri Mar 22, 2013 5:30 am**

You had problems with the SSX? I have found them to be very ineffective!

Posted: **Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:59 pm**

At least two, but possibly as many as four game starts I've had them hit battleships in Pearl Harbor. On at least one occasion - and in that game it also occurred on a restart after a couple of turns (different opponent) - the single hit from an SSX actually sank the battleship outright! Walter has used them to make attacks on (IIRC) Suva and Auckland. Auckland several times, actually. Maybe Sydney too, I forget*.

* Must keep ASW and AM forces on guard at ports!

Posted: **Fri Mar 22, 2013 1:02 pm**

ORIGINAL: witpqs

At least two, but possibly as many as four game starts I've had them hit battleships in Pearl Harbor. On at least one occasion - and in that game it also occurred on a restart after a couple of turns (different opponent) - the single hit from an SSX actually sank the battleship outright! Walter has used them to make attacks on (IIRC) Suva and Auckland. Auckland several times, actually. Maybe Sydney too, I forget*.

* Must keep ASW and AM forces on guard at ports!

Wow, we certainly have had to very different experiences! [:)] Erik will probably correct me if I´m wrong but I think he has still to hit something with them.

Posted: **Fri Mar 22, 2013 1:44 pm**

ORIGINAL: princep01

That attack by the 2d Brit Div in Burma was undoubtedly helped along by this: Defender: op mode(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: A four point modifier to the dice roll always helps:).

Those IJA units are really practically helpless at this point. If you can catch them, they are toast! In all of Burma it appears the situation has gone from dangerous to deadly for the IJA. They are clearly on the run. Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war!!

I can scarcely think of anything other than direct intervention that will help China more than recapturing Rangoon and clearly the supply road to China. Good luck in the pursuit.

Yes! That was the point of the massed bomber attacks. But also in looking at the results, the 2nd kept a very high percentage of unadjusted AV in final AV. Certainly some of that due to the decreased firepower of the opposition, but I think mostly it was due to the units being solid (experience, morale, leadership, etc) and not heavily bombed. The Imperial op mode (-) surprised me, as so many different bomber groups hit them. There must have been one unit out of the four that escaped attention.

The problem is indeed catching them, as most of Burma is now a footrace. I'm loath to have the 2nd attack across the river into Magwe because there is at least one good unit there and I'm not sure what it is. Even a good Rgt could hold well enough to blunt the 2nd. I want to keep it sharp because it takes so long to get other units through the jungle. The first of the divisions won't be on the plain for at least two weeks, with some brigades making it sooner.

I assume that lower Burma will be tougher. Those two Indian divisions that were battering the trapped regiments (until those escaped into the sights of the 2nd) are prepping for Toungoo. That base will be key. Another key is the fresh division that's been helping to hold the line of retreat down the coast road. If our attack goes in before they move out, the tanks just might make the difference. Retreating that unit will open things up a bit more.

Rangoon? I'm not sure what forces he will have in place after Toungoo, or even at Toungoo for that matter. Support units are already part way through the jungle to get air bases running (Shwebo is already up), but... The real limiting factor might turn out to be supply, just as the scenario designers intended. It's monsoon season, and we do not have adequate control of the seas to send troops and supplies past Ramree Island (even to Ramree Island is risky).

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