Defending the empire 1943, the allies attack - a Jap AAR

[Hortlund]

This will be a Japanese AAR using Nikmod 9.2.

Yes, the version with the modified japanese production. Right now Im waiting for someone to accept my "looking for opponent"-post, so I thought Id start out by looking at just what exactly the Japanese production looks like here.

If you are my opponent, or want to become my opponent, please do not read further.

Since this is a test of sorts to see how the mod works, Im going to go over my starting position, and my considerations for the Japanese side. That way, we can all see where I screwed up, and then we can ridicule me if it was my fault (or perhaps see if the mod needs to be changed).


Anyway, here is the starting industry for imperial Japan.

Tokyo
(12)x0 Ki-43-IIa Oscar -rd
(0)x 5 L1N1 Thora
(0)x32 Ki-54 Hickory
(0)x29 Ki-36 Ida

(0)x180 Nakajima
(0)x120 Hitachi
(0)x20 Ishikawajma
(0)x10 Nissan

Shimuzu
(0)x50 Mitzubishi
(0)x70 Nakajima
(0)x7 Nissan

Hamamatsu
(0)x70 Mitzubishi
(0)x74 Nakajima
(0)x9 Nissan

Gumma
(32)x0 Ki-84-Ia Frank -rd
(0)x13 Ki-49 Helen
(4)x0 Ki-44-IIb Tojo -rd
(35)x62 Ki-43-Ic Oscar
(0)x5 MC-21 Sally
(0)x65 A6M2 Zero
(0)x14 A6M2-N Rufe
(12)x0 A6M5 Zeke -rd
(1)x0 C6N Myrt -rd
(0)x5 L3Y Tina
(0)x20 G3M Nell
(2)x0 J1N1-S Irving -rd
(1)x0 J1N1-R Irving -rd
(7)x0 P1Y Frances

(0)x36 Nakajima

Matsuyama
(0)x80 Mitzubishi

Nagoya
(0)x45 Ki-51 Sonia
(0)x30 Ki-21 Sally
(0)x31 Ki-46-II Dinah
(0)x10 Ki-57-II Topsy
(2)x0 J2M3 Jack -rd
(6)x0 B6N Jill -rd
(0)x33 D3A Val
(10)x0 D4Y Judy -rd
(0)x26 G4M1 Betty

(0)x85 Mitzubishi
(0)x40 Kawasaki
(0)x20 Aichi


Osaka
(10)x0 N1K1-J George -rd
(0)x5 E7K2 Alf
(0)x8 H6K4 Mavis
(0)x2 H6K4-L Mavis
(3)x0 Ki-45 KAIb Nick -rd
(6)x0 Ki-67 Peggy -rd

(0)x10 Kawasaki


Nagasaki
(0)x4 C5M Babs
(0)x4 E14Y1 Glen
(0)x10 L2D2 Tabby


Nagaoka
(0)x80 Mitzubishi


Toyama
(1)x0 Ki-46-III KAI Dinah -rd
(2)x0 Ki-46-III Dinah -rd

(0)x60 Mitzubishi


Kanazawa
(0)x40 Mitzubishi

Kyoto
(3)x0 Ki-61-Ia -rd
(4)x0 Ki-45 KAIa Nick -rd
(0)x40 Ki-48 Lily

(0)x80 Mitzubishi


Maizuru
(0)x40 Kawasaki


Okayama
(0)x45 A6M2 Zero
(7)x1 A6M3 Zero -rd
(3)x0 A5M5c Zero -rd
(2)x0 G4M2 Betty -rd
(1)x0 G4Mwe Betty -rd


Hiroshima
(0)x20 B5N Kate

(0)x60 Mitzubishi


Kitakyushu
(0)x31 E13A1 Jake

(0)x10 Kawasaki


Sasebo
(1)x0 B7A Grace -rd
(0)x23 F1N2 Pete


Matsue
(0)x80 Mitzubishi


Niigata
(0)x20 Mitzubishi


Hakodate
(0)x10 Kawasaki


Ashigawa
(0)x80 Mitzubishi


Toyohara
(0)x80 Mitzubishi


And that concludes the production figures. Here are some numbers.

[Bombur]

Will you play with PDU on?

[Rob Brennan UK]

I tried nik mod a while back V5 iirc and the flak was horrible , made dive bombers utterly obsolete on ground attack/AF/Port missions also if your japan keep the bombers high. just my 2p

good luck and i look forward to your AAR

[Hortlund]

PDU is indeed on. And I agree Rob, that nikmod makes the game completely different. In stock, no one fears AAA.

[Hortlund]

I have just completed the setup and sent it to my esteemed opponent.

I'll go over some of my considerations here.

This will be a lightning-fast initial advance. I have played the allied side alot, so I know where he is vunerable and where he is strong. I also know what can happen if you fail to pry the door open to Java fast enough.

Initial attacks will be at Kuching, on Mindanao and at Kendari. My objective is to have fully operational japanese airbases here tomorrow.

I will also strike deep into the central pacific. I want to capture Johnson Island, Palmyra, Canton Island and Pago-Pago before he can reinforce them. The first strike will fall at Johnson and Tarawa. Under the protection of the KB, I will then move on Canton and Palmyra.

In the south, I will attack Guadalcanal today, and Luganville and Noumea inside three days.

Today I will use paras at Lingayen and Cagayan in order to secure these bases as fast as possible. Paras will also be transported to Bangkok in order to prepare for paradrops tomorrow.

I dont want to do too drastic changes to my production, instead I want to gradually switch production from one model to another. I also need to look at what airunits will come as reinforcements, I dont want to miss any because I cancelled production (case in point, the worthless Hickory).

Changes to production made:
Tokyo
L1N1 factory changed to building Zeros instead, factory is now (3)x0.
Ki-36 Ida factory changed to building Zeros instead, factory is now (19)x0
Islahwana engines converted to Nakajima (20)x0
Nissan engines converted to Nakajima (10)x0

Gumma
MC-21 converted to L2D2 and expanded to (6)x0
Nell production halted


Nagoya
Ki-51 Sonia converted to Ki-49 Helen
Mizubishi engines converted to Nakajima


Osaka
Expanded H6K2-L Mavis production to 4
Halted H6K2 Mavis to wait for Emily

Nagasaki
Halted Glen

Sasebo
F1M2 Pete converted to Zero (15)x0

Maizuru
Kawasaki engines converted to Nakajima

Kyoto
Ki-48 Lily changed to Ki-49 Helen (26)x0
Mizubishi engines converted to Nakajima

Nagoya
Mizubishi engines converted to Nakajima

[Rob Brennan UK]

why not hit davao directly using the 65th ?? bde in palau as its 100% prepped iirc.

just my 2p . oh and jolo is a good target too

[Bombur]

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

I tried nik mod a while back V5 iirc and the flak was horrible , made dive bombers utterly obsolete on ground attack/AF/Port missions also if your japan keep the bombers high. just my 2p

good luck and i look forward to your AAR

-Flak losses are really heavy in NM v5.3, but it´s not that bad, except for the DB you mentioned. It greatly decreases the effect of Uber level bombers for allied and also forces the Japanese to bomb at higher levels. Overall bomber losses to A2A are small, so it´s not bad to have powerful flak. I´m making an experience with NM v5.3 and, among other things, I increased DB and TB dur by 20% in order to make them useful against land targets. Don´t know if it will work. I´m a big fan of NM v5.x, btw[:D]

[Hortlund]

If I land directly into Davao, I'll have to land directly on the PA division there. I think its better to land beside it and march in. My unit is still 100 prepped.

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/07/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 26,45

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
CA Atago
BB Haruna

Allied Ships
SS KXII

Lucky break. The Duch submarine fired its torpedos at Kongo, but missed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 43,49

Japanese Ships
DD Wakatake
DD Yakaze
BB Hyuga

Allied Ships
SS S-36


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 29,54

Japanese Ships
AK Kinugawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.6
MSW Ranzan Maru
PG Eiko Maru
PG Eifuku Maru
PG Uji
PG Saga
PG Hashidate

Allied Ships
SS O19, hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Ship managed to make it to Kuching, should survive long enough to unload
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1164 encounters mine field at Kragen (22,63)

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Mine hits 1

I mined Kragen, because I want to prevent future bombardment runs on my paratroopers there (they will land there in two days). I managed to score a lucky hit on the duch CL.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 43
Ki-30 Ann x 37
Ki-51 Sonia x 21
Ki-15 Babs x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 6 damaged

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 34

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
16 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Georgetown , at 23,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21
Ki-30 Ann x 19
Ki-32 Mary x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 18
Ki-21 Sally x 13
Ki-48 Lily x 23
Ki-15 Babs x 3

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-32 Mary: 3 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 4 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 37

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
16 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 144

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 6 destroyed, 39 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 7 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 5 destroyed
Swordfish: 3 destroyed


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

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 48

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
15 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
20 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
17 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
8 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
5 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet

I brought in the two datais from Tokyo to get a meaner punch at Singapore. Did not do too much though. Cost me heavy in damaged aircraft though, all the participating Datais are at ~70 percent strenght today

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 87
G3M Nell x 34
G4M1 Betty x 26
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2
P-35A x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 8 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 3 destroyed
P-35A: 3 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 6 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
276 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 89

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
26 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
5 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 112,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 76
D3A Val x 133
B5N Kate x 143

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
P-26A x 3
P-36A Mohawk x 4
P-40B Tomahawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 damaged
D3A Val: 1 destroyed, 58 damaged
B5N Kate: 6 destroyed, 34 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
P-26A: 5 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 10 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 25 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 11 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 4 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Manini, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AO Ramapo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Bagley, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Blue, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Helena, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Cummings, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
99 casualties reported

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 98

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
25 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
15 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
26 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
16 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
18 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
26 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
26 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

Crap-attack on PH. Only one of my Kate datais used their torpedoes. I expect all the USN BBs to survive. Really bad day for the KB

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 118th USAAF Base Force, at 42,59

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
I diverted two Bettys to clear the way for my paras at Cagayan..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 102,74


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 17
TBD Devastator x 15


Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kisaragi

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Unfortunately, the USN CV did not run as far south as I had hoped, and they managed to spot the TF heading for Johnson Island. Bad. The CVs are two hexes off Johnson, and I have three more TFs heading this way. KB wont be in the area until tomorrow, which means the USN will have a field day here if they decide to stick around. Could be bad. On the other hand, if he stays, I will probably catch him tomorrow with the KB....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 33,64

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
DD Barker
DD Parrott
DD Paul Jones

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

WTF...how on earth can they ALL miss.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kragen at 22,63

Japanese Ships
SS I-156

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

More bad luck for Tromp as I-156 sends her below the waves.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Dutch Harbor, at 103,36

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Uzuki
CA Kako
CA Furutaka

Allied Ships
MSW Oriole, Shell hits 3, on fire


Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported

Runway hits 9
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3
Prepping for invasion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Cagayan, at 42,59


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Inazuma
DD Ikazuchi

Allied Ships
AK Magallanes, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Luzon, Shell hits 4, on fire


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 13
Prepping for invasion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Cotabato, at 41,60

Japanese Ships
DD Samidare
DD Yudachi
DD Harusame
DD Murasame
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo
CL Naka


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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 7

Prepping for invasion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yukikaze

Allied Ships
AP Van Imhoff, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Bengalen, Shell hits 5, on fire
AK Belawan, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Liran, Shell hits 2, on fire


Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Prepping for invasion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Cagayan, at 42,59

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Nagatsuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Minazuki
DD Satsuki
CL Natori

Allied Ships
AK Luzon, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AK Magallanes, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Cagayan, at 42,59


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Matsukaze
DD Asakaze
CL Kuma
CA Ashigara
CA Maya

Allied Ships
AK Luzon, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Magallanes, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3



Invasions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 16 troops unloading over beach at Tarawa, 85,91

Coastal Guns at Kuching, 28,56, firing at TF 49
TF 49 troops unloading over beach at Kuching, 28,56

TF 62 troops unloading over beach at Guam, 62,66

TF 82 troops unloading over beach at Amboina, 39,73

Coastal Guns at Khota Bharu, 24,45, firing at TF 85
TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Khota Bharu, 24,45
TF 86 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 67,97

TF 89 troops unloading over beach at Legaspi, 44,55

TF 90 troops unloading over beach at Batan Island, 47,47

TF 95 troops unloading over beach at Apamama, 86,92

Coastal Guns at Brunei, 32,57, firing at TF 111
TF 111 troops unloading over beach at Brunei, 32,57

TF 112 troops unloading over beach at Miri, 31,57

TF 115 troops unloading over beach at Cotabato, 41,60

TF 125 troops unloading over beach at Aparri, 46,49

TF 137 troops unloading over beach at Johnston Island, 102,74

TF 139 troops unloading over beach at Munda, 64,95

TF 143 troops unloading over beach at Morotai, 43,68

TF 144 troops unloading over beach at Wasile, 41,69

Coastal Guns at Menado, 39,67, firing at TF 145
TF 145 troops unloading over beach at Menado, 39,67

TF 167 troops unloading over beach at Kendari, 33,71


Combat
Ground combat at Apamama

Japanese Shock attack


Japanese forces CAPTURE Apamama base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Batan Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1766 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Defending force 612 troops, 5 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batan Island base !!!

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


Ground combat at Tarawa

Japanese Shock attack
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tarawa base !!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johnston Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 706 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 802 troops, 6 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 44 - adjusted assault: 2

Allied max defense: 1 - adjusted defense: 4

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


Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Bad luck with the rolls this time. Ive got reinforcements on the way though, should take it in a few days.


Here comes the paras
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cagayan

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 271 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Defending force 410 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 22 - adjusted assault: 13

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cagayan base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 8 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 195 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

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

Japanese max assault: 22 - adjusted assault: 13

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen base !!!





And finally, todays losses in aircraft.

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: Bombur


-Flak losses are really heavy in NM v5.3, but it´s not that bad, except for the DB you mentioned. It greatly decreases the effect of Uber level bombers for allied and also forces the Japanese to bomb at higher levels. Overall bomber losses to A2A are small, so it´s not bad to have powerful flak. I´m making an experience with NM v5.3 and, among other things, I increased DB and TB dur by 20% in order to make them useful against land targets. Don´t know if it will work. I´m a big fan of NM v5.x, btw[:D]

flak losses, particularily naval flak losses will be less due to having corrected a serious error as well as having reduced IJN naval flak. Japanese army DB's and USN naval 1E aircraft were made more evasive to flak and IJN Flak reduced overall to better represent their lack of ring defense.

Flak overall of course will still be far more dangerous in quantity vs. stock and won't be able to be ignored. However the SRA in 41/early 42 is designed to be light so Japan gets it's "happy time" of light losses and can be more aggressive.

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/08/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 44,55


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shinonome
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

USN tries to disrupt my landings at Legaspi, but the Long Lance carries the day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
MSW W.15, Shell hits 5, on fire
MSW W.16, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW W.19, Shell hits 1
PC Shonan Maru #17, Shell hits 1
PC Takunan Maru #5
PC Ch 13
PC Ch 14
PC Ch 15, Shell hits 4
PC Ch 16
PC Ch 17
PC Ch 18
PC Ch 32
AP Anzan Maru
AP Arizona Maru
AP Matsukawa Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Ozan Maru
AP Waura Maru

Allied Ships
PT PT-34
PT PT-35
PT PT-41

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
MSW W.7, Shell hits 5
MSW W.8, Shell hits 4, on fire
MSW W.9, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW W.10, Shell hits 1
MSW W.17
MSW W.18, Shell hits 1
PC Kyo Maru #2
PC Kyo Maru #11
PC Kyo Maru #12
PC Kyo Maru #13
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Shonan Maru #2
PC Ch 1
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 3
AP Burisuben Maru
AP Hawaii Maru
AP Oigawa Maru
AP Sanko Maru
AP Shinko Maru
AK Takao Maru

Allied Ships
PT PT-31
PT PT-32, Shell hits 1
PT PT-33, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

And on the other side of the Phillipines, allied PTs wreak havoc among the lightly armored escorts for the 35th brigade, during its landing operation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
CL Yura
CL Kinu, Shell hits 1
DD Mikazuki
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
DD Barker
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stewart

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu
DD Mikazuki
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Barker
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stewart, Shell hits 1, on fire

Imperial Navy clears the way to Balikpapan. We are now ready to land.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Johnston Island at 102,74

Japanese Ships
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Oite
AP Chifuku Maru

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
DD Dunlap
DD Fanning
Thank goodness, he chose to move his CVs away, and instead he detached a CA with two DDs to disrupt the invasion of Johnson. Good, tomorrow I have KB on the scene, and the landing operations can continue as planned.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Menado at 39,67

Japanese Ships
AP Miyadono Maru, Shell hits 3
AP Nichiran Maru
AP Nissho Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Boise

Grr, I hate the Boise

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 41,52

Japanese Ships
DD Kuri
DD Tsuga
DD Hasu
DD Hiyodori

Allied Ships
AK Compagnia Filipinas
AK Corregidor, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ethel Edwards, Shell hits 3, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 41,52

Japanese Ships
DD Kuri
DD Tsuga
DD Hasu
DD Hiyodori

Allied Ships
AP President Madison, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 41,52

Japanese Ships
DD Kuri
DD Tsuga
DD Hasu
DD Hiyodori

Allied Ships
AS Holland, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 41,52

Japanese Ships
DD Kuri
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hasu
DD Hiyodori

Allied Ships
AS Otus, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 41,52

Japanese Ships
DD Kuri, Shell hits 1
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hasu
DD Hiyodori

Allied Ships
MSW Quail
MSW Lark, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW Whippoorwill, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

I managed to intercept the units fleeing from Manilla. Some excellent results here, most of them should sink.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 145,57

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
AS Fulton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

One of my fleet boats get lucky off San Fransisco

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 31

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
5 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
G3M Nell x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
7 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 38,63

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
B5N Kate x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Montanes, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mauban, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Taurus, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Si Kiang, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

More intercepts off Manilla. Ive brought two CVs here, one CVE and one CVL/CVE-TF.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 20,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Danae
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
Sallys based at Songkhia catch him off guard. Looks like he is evacuating Singapore. Good.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

No Japanese losses

Looks like he is doing a Sir Robin in the PI too. I think that is good and it benefits my side more than his.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,55

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Dos Hermanos, Bomb hits 1
AK Escalante R, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Pope
DD Peary, Bomb hits 1
DD Pillsbury, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
1 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Gertrude Kellogg, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

More PI-intercepts.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 20,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Vampire
CL Danae

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet

More running away from Singapore.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,54

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AVD Heron, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Boac at 43,54

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AO Trinity, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Boac at 43,54

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
AO Pecos, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

I manage to sink more of his valuable ships. Lucky break for me.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
DD Asagao, Shell hits 1
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Peary, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Pillsbury, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Pope, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

He tries to move in on my landings at Legaspi, but we can see how superior the early IJN is compared to the early USN.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
AK Si Kiang, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
DD Asagao, Shell hits 1
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Pope, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
DD Asagao, Shell hits 1
DD Fuyo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
TK Mindanao, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
TK Gertrude Kellogg, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

More intercepts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Amboina at 39,73

Japanese Ships
PG Edo Maru, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
PG Saiko Maru, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
AP Africa Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
AP Astuga Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AP Atsuta Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Boise

Sight...Boise again. Truly a nightmare. Luckily those transports were all empty.
---------------------]----------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo, on fire
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
DD Pope, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Morotai at 43,68

Japanese Ships
AP Kyuma Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Mikage Maru #20, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
AVD William B. Preston, Shell hits 4, on fire

Heh, this one made me smile. The USN DD was beaten up by two IJN APs

Japanese forces CAPTURE Legaspi base !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Menado base !!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Amboina

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2588 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 79

Defending force 1923 troops, 15 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Japanese max assault: 164 - adjusted assault: 22

Allied max defense: 38 - adjusted defense: 13

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Grr. I wanted that base for my further expansion south. Will have to take Kendari instead as base.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lunga base !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari base !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cotabato base !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Munda base !!!

Japanese forces CAPTURE Brunei base !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Aparri base !!!

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wasile base !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Morotai base !!!


Japanese forces CAPTURE Miri base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 274 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Defending force 744 troops, 5 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 14 - adjusted assault: 7

Allied max defense: 1 - adjusted defense: 7

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Huh...where the heck did these guys come from?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Andaman Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 212 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

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

Japanese max assault: 10 - adjusted assault: 7

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Andaman Island base !!!

More paras, more victories.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johnston Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1317 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Defending force 800 troops, 2 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 22 - adjusted assault: 1

Allied max defense: 1 - adjusted defense: 3

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


Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Im going to have to wait for the reinforcements here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sabang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 71 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

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

Japanese max assault: 6 - adjusted assault: 3

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sabang base !!!

And some more paras.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuching

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13338 troops, 161 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 319

Defending force 1838 troops, 8 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Japanese max assault: 334 - adjusted assault: 12

Allied max defense: 36 - adjusted defense: 31

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


Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

This really puts a dent in my plans to take Java fast. Very annoying.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Khota Bharu

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 15411 troops, 254 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 404

Defending force 6963 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Japanese max assault: 446 - adjusted assault: 91

Allied max defense: 135 - adjusted defense: 73

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Amazingly Khota Bharu survives yet another day.

[Bombur]

flak losses, particularily naval flak losses will be less due to having corrected a serious error as well as having reduced IJN naval flak. Japanese army DB's and USN naval 1E aircraft were made more evasive to flak and IJN Flak reduced overall to better represent their lack of ring defense.

Flak overall of course will still be far more dangerous in quantity vs. stock and won't be able to be ignored. However the SRA in 41/early 42 is designed to be light so Japan gets it's "happy time" of light losses and can be more aggressive.

-What is that serious error?
-Nik, I noticed that naval losses for allied were already light for the allied in 5.x. In my epic CV battle vs. mapr (me allied), I lost only 3 bombers to enemy flak, while the enemy lost abot 80. In our 2nd battle in NM v5.0 losses were about 15 for allied and more than 100 for Japan. Correct me if I´m wrong, but you decreased naval flak for both sides, didn´t you??

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: Bombur

-What is that serious error?

IIRC, one of the Japanese land based DP flak guns was accidently augmented twice over which made it a super gun. You may recall that carrier raid I did on one of your island bases in one of our old PBEM games that resulted in 60 SBD's shot down by AA. That was why so many DB's were lost.

-Nik, I noticed that naval losses for allied were already light for the allied in 5.x. In my epic CV battle vs. mapr (me allied), I lost only 3 bombers to enemy flak, while the enemy lost abot 80. In our 2nd battle in NM v5.0 losses were about 15 for allied and more than 100 for Japan. Correct me if I´m wrong, but you decreased naval flak for both sides, didn´t you??

overall naval flak was returned to stock standard after playtesting showed it enhanced flak too much, especially mid-late war. I realized it after we had a big carrier battle late 42 which resulted in something like 200 bombers shot down vs. US TF's. IJN TF flak was reduced to 75% effectiveness to stock and in 9.2 USN 1E tactical bombers (SBD, TBF etc) were made more evasive to flak. Historically Japanese TF flak was not very effective. USN flak wasn't too effective at start either but rapidly improved with the debut of 20mm/40mm weapons and later, proximity fused shells.

[Bombur]

IIRC, one of the Japanese land based DP flak guns was accidently augmented twice over which made it a super gun. You may recall that carrier raid I did on one of your island bases in one of our old PBEM games that resulted in 60 SBD's shot down by AA. That was why so many DB's were lost.

-Right, but it still was v4.x. It was already fixed in v5.0

overall naval flak was returned to stock standard after playtesting showed it enhanced flak too much, especially mid-late war. I realized it after we had a big carrier battle late 42 which resulted in something like 200 bombers shot down vs. US TF's. IJN TF flak was reduced to 75% effectiveness to stock and in 9.2 USN 1E tactical bombers (SBD, TBF etc) were made more evasive to flak. Historically Japanese TF flak was not very effective. USN flak wasn't too effective at start either but rapidly improved with the debut of 20mm/40mm weapons and later, proximity fused shells.

-Yes, that is the battle I mentioned. Allied losses, however, were only 15 bombers. How did you make 1E bombers more evasive to flak? Increased cruise speed? My guess is that reduction in flak will mostly benefit the Japanese player, but it´s possible the allied one will get more hits due to less damage...

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: Bombur

IIRC, one of the Japanese land based DP flak guns was accidently augmented twice over which made it a super gun. You may recall that carrier raid I did on one of your island bases in one of our old PBEM games that resulted in 60 SBD's shot down by AA. That was why so many DB's were lost.

-Right, but it still was v4.x. It was already fixed in v5.0

Correct. (5.0) Some players though have been complaining of too heavy flak losses and the flak tweaks have been in place (in various forms) since i believe, 3.0 so felt i should mention its not quite so bad for DB's anymore.

-Yes, that is the battle I mentioned. Allied losses, however, were only 15 bombers. How did you make 1E bombers more evasive to flak? Increased cruise speed? My guess is that reduction in flak will mostly benefit the Japanese player, but it´s possible the allied one will get more hits due to less damage...

15 bombers shot down was still pretty heavy for a 1942 TF. Granted you had something like 4 BB's and 4 CA's + all the CV's all in one TF but other tests i ran using more historical TF compositions still showed USN 1E's almost as vulneable to flak as Japanese bombers so I made some changes. As mentioned, on the US TF side, I shot down an amazing total of 200 bombers by AA. That was way too extreme for the time period so i restored stock TF levels. (and later reduced further IJN TF flak. Yes, increasing cruise speed increases bomber evasiveness to flak.

[Hortlund]

Today, we make some progress.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/09/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Kuching, 28,56, firing at TF 127
TF 127 troops unloading over beach at Kuching, 28,56


59 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Kari
AK Assam
AK Kinugawa Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
DD Kasasagi, Shell hits 1
PG Saga
PG Hashidate
AP Zenyo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Kashii

Japanese ground losses:
933 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported


I was planning to have these two brigades wait on their ships until Kuching fell, and then unload into the port to avoid these losses. However, the rapid advance in this area requires me to be able to airlift parts of one of these brigades tomorrow (to Kragen). Therefore I am forced to unload them now, and take these losses.

There are currently 3 brigades at Kuching. One (or rathter parts of one) will be airlifted to various locations on Java, and the other two will land directly into Batavia in three or four days.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 41,55

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
AK Elcano, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Escalante R, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
DD Chidori, Shell hits 1
DD Manazuru
DD Hatsukari
DD Tomozuru

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thanet
DD Thracian

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
DD Chidori, Shell hits 2
DD Manazuru
DD Hatsukari
DD Tomozuru

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thanet, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Thracian

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
DD Chidori, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Manazuru, Shell hits 3
DD Hatsukari, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Tomozuru

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thanet, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Thracian

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
PG Aso Maru
PG Kamitsu Maru
PC Ch 4, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 5, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thanet, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Thracian

The Hong Kong destroyers went to disrupt the landings in the Phillipines. While they managed to inflict some losses, the overall effect is neglible, and they will probably not survive the run back to Singapore.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
AP Oigawa Maru
PC Ch 3
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
PC Shonan Maru #2
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Kyo Maru #13
PC Kyo Maru #12
PC Kyo Maru #11
PC Kyo Maru #2
MSW W.18
MSW W.17
MSW W.10
MSW W.9
MSW W.8, on fire
MSW W.7

Allied Ships
SS S-36, hits 3, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kuching, at 28,56 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Wakatake
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yakaze
CL Oi
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
500 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 2

Runway hits 10
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2

The delay at Kuching forced me to keep the BBs here for another day. They are now enroute to Saigon to rearm, and then they will go to Batavia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Balikpapan, at 31,64

Japanese Ships
DD Sanae
DD Kuretake
DD Mikazuki
CL Kinu
CL Yura
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso

Allied Ships
AD Black Hawk, Shell hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3

These BBs are far away from resupply-areas. One of our houserules is that no rearming in a port smaller than 4. They will hover in the area to soak up bombs, and as a precaution incase Force Z arrives.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

Allied Ships
ML Prins van Oranje, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Good, one less pesky ML

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 33
Ki-30 Ann x 37
Ki-51 Sonia x 24
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 5 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
21 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet

These attacks are aimed at preventing him from building up fort levels at Changsa.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Cagayan at 42,59


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-35A x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsushima
DD Hatsuharu

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-35A attacking at 100 feet
3 x P-26A attacking at 100 feet

He rebased these guys to Jolo. Smart way to gain some experience, and maybe get a lucky hit. I dont have any forces currently targeting Jolo, so I guess he will be allowed to stick around for a while.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Roxas at 42,55

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Taurus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 48,58

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Manatawny, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,54

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Elcano, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Masbate Island at 44,56

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Si Kiang, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,56

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 4
G4M1 Betty x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Mindanao, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 36,54

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Sagoland, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 36,54

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Capillo, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Princess of Negros, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Anakan, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 15000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 15000 feet

Lots of mopping up from the great Manilla-escape. Good for my aircrews who will get experience. I have Nells and Betties based at Legaspi, Songkhia and Kendari. That pretty much shuts down the entire NEI and PI-theaters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 107,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 70
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Ward, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 107,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Allen, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Odd.

He is attempting to reinforce Johnston Island with a fast transport TF from Pearl Harbor. He cannot possibly have spotted the KB last turn, since this mission is a suicide mission. I have KB hovering just off Johnston in case his CVs want to try to interfere with my landings there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 41,55

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Dos Hermanos, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 38,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Compagnia Filipinas, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ethel Edwards, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,54

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PG Asheville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tulsa, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manila at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Thracian

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 15000 feet

More mopping up in the PI-area. His losses are mounting. But on the other hand, all those units are a write-off from the start.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Amboina

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2293 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Defending force 1896 troops, 14 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Japanese max assault: 118 - adjusted assault: 49

Allied max defense: 37 - adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Amboina base !!!

Ok, another base captured. I wont use this one for my airunits since Ive got a better base at Kendari.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johnston Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3401 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 112

Defending force 770 troops, 3 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 190 - adjusted assault: 25

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 25 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Johnston Island base !!!

Finally Johnston falls. Today I'll be flying in Nells and Zeros from Kawajelein. That means Ive got Pearl Harbor in Nell-range. Im going to have the KB hang around in this area one more day, and then move on Palmyra.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuching

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuching base !!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Balikpapan

Japanese forces CAPTURE Balikpapan base !!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tarakan

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tarakan base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Khota Bharu
Japanese forces CAPTURE Khota Bharu base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Guam

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 805 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Japanese forces CAPTURE Guam base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 43,40

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52986 troops, 372 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1668

Defending force 18087 troops, 210 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 381

Allied max assault: 1736 - adjusted assault: 1939

Japanese max defense: 414 - adjusted defense: 275

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
257 casualties reported
Guns lost 12


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

This is the hex next to Canton. Is he really trying to attack Canton while Im busy with one division at Hong Kong? Well, he is more than welcome to try, if he does indeed attack Canton, I will divert one of my divisions heading to Malaya, and land behind his back. That way I should be able to capture all these Chinese units, I think hes attacking with 5 corps.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 274 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Defending force 744 troops, 5 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 18 - adjusted assault: 7

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 7

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Oh well, I'll give them one more day, and if they havent taken Akyab by then, I'll have to reinforce them. I cant use the L3Y's today, because they are heading to Kuching in order to drop the paras at Kragen tomorrow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Taung Gyi

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

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

Japanese max assault: 0 - adjusted assault: 0

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Taung Gyi base !!!

Good, he left the base like I suspected. Tomorrow I'll start flying in parts of the Imperial Guards Division. The capture of this base makes any plans for a defensive stand around Rangoon for the allied player a suicide. Burma should now fall as soon as my units arrive.

I currently have three divisions and five tank regiments tasked for the Burma-campaign. This means I can release one of the divisions for other missions.

I have not yet decided whether to try to take India in this game. This opens up that possibility. Events in the NEI will decide. Right now Im considering an attack on Ceylon. If things go well in the southern pacific I might try for Ceylon.

The way things are going now, it seems I will have to make a choise in a month or so. Do I attack New Zeeland or Ceylon?





Now with the fall of Kuching, I can finally move on Java. I have the para-capable Yokosuka-unit there, and tomorrow they will drop on Kragen.

To gain an early foothold on Kragen is important because it will break the spirit of the allied commander. If I have a base ON Java already on day 4, he will probably decide that resistance is futile in the area, and evacuate, instead of trying to hold and reinforce.

One problem is that I have not spotted Force Z yet. To me that indicates two possibilities. Either it is hiding in the Batavia/Soerebaja-area, or it is heading to Ceylon. I really hope he has decided to withdraw Z, because then I wont have to have BB-cover for my larger landings. That means that I can divert some of my BBs to the southern pacific, where I think things will heat up in couple of weeks.

[Hortlund]

December 10th 1941

Business as usual today. Im just going to highlight some stuff, and then discuss my options instead.

-----------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13
Vildebeest IV x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 7 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 2 damaged

Japanese ships
AP Hokusho Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet

The Imperial Army Airforce has a pretty impressive defensive CAP over the invasion fleet.

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

Ground combat at Changsa

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 46724 troops, 464 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 962

Defending force 61435 troops, 402 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1687

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 956 - adjusted assault: 293

Allied max defence: 1832 - adjusted defense: 918

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

Japanese ground losses:
2033 casualties reported
Guns lost 43
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1473 casualties reported
Guns lost 30

I wanted to probe his defenses here. I managed to sink his fort level to 2. Constant attacks on the airfield should ensure that this fort level will not rise anymore again. Looks like I can take this base pretty early, so instead of a northern push towards Sian, Im going for the decapitating strike here at Changsa. I'll do the southern push instead of the northern push.

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Alor Star base ! ! !

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kragen base ! ! !

Excellent, we now have a foothold on Java.

[Hortlund]

Now for a look on the Japanese economy on december 10th.

Totals:
Manpower: 788
Industry: 13 230
Resources: 13 786
Oil: 1 562
Naval Shipyard: 1 174
Merchant Shipyard: 1 000
Shipyard Repair: 535
Armament: 501
Vehicles: 90
Aircraft Engines: 1 256
Aircraft Assembly: 538 + (2-rd)

Engine production (needed=red, in pool=blue)

Mitsubishi (0)x655 409 150
Nakajima (265)x375 258 115
Hitachi (0)x120 93 4
Kawasaki (0)x70 0 11

Aichi (0)x20 0 3
Nissan (0)x16 0 5


POOLS
(green=in pool, red=used so far, blue=production rate)

Note that I have not listed ALL aircraft here. Just those that are somewhat relevant to the current economic considerations.

Fighters
A6M2 Zero 10 - 57 - 116
Ki-43-Ic Oscar 15 - 60 - 66

Bombers
Ki-21 Sally 383 - 21 - 30
Ki-48 Lily 165 - 6 - 0
G3M Nell 122 - 1 - 20
G4M1 Betty 101 - 0 - 26
B5N Kate 126 - 16 - 20
D3A Val 65 - 8 - 33
Ki-32 Mary 270 - 0 - 0
Ki-30 Ann 200 - 0 - 0
Ki-51 Sonia152 - 0 - 0


Transports:
L3Y Tina 2 - 5 - 5
L2D2 Tabby 6 - 0 - 13
Ki-57-II Topsy 1 - 7 - 10
Ki-54 Hickory30 - 0 - 32
L1N1 Thora 103 - 7 - 0
Ki-59 Theresa 5 - 6 - 0
H6K2-L Mavis 0 - 2 - 4


Recon:
Ki-36 Ida 48 - 0 - 29
Ki-46-II Dinah 9 - 13 - 31
C5M Babs 7 - 3 - 4
H6K4 Mavis 27 - 3 - 8


Future arrivals of consideration here
T2/1021st Datai arrives in 773 days and requires 36 x L1N1 Thora
108th Transport Sentai arrives in 387 days and requires 36 x Ki-54 Hickory

There are 4 Datais arriving that all require Ki-48 Lilys, all in all 27x4 aircraft.
There are 2 Datais arriving that all require 36 Ki-51 Sonias, all in all 2x36 aircraft.


Notes:
Ive switched from Ki-48 Lily to Ki-49 Helen

I have 30 Hickorys, there will be one unit arriving that wants the Hickory. Once that number is met, I will switch to L2D2 Tabby. I will also completely halt the production of Hitachi engines once these Hickorys are built. The only aircraft using these engines are those that I dont really want to build anymore (Ki-54 Hickory, Ki-59 Theresa, Ki-36 Ida, Ki-32 Mary)

I will immideately halt production of the worthless Ida. Factory is switched to research on the Tojo instead.

As we can see from these numbers, there are some aircraft that need more attention. I will keep a closer look at these figures in the future. But I dont think I need to change anything right now, since it is too early to see real trends. Ive done lots of one-time upgrades and reinforcements that tilt the picture somewhat.

[Hortlund]

Some decisive surface action this turn.

first, at Guadalcanal, the Australian light cruiser Adelaide tries to intercept my invasion fleet but finds two Japanese heavy cruisers instead.

---------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga, 67,97

Japanese ships
CA Haguro
CA Nachio, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio

Allied ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

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



second, at Luganville, the USN probes my invasion force. He probably spotted me coming, and sent in the CA to see if he could catch me off guard.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 72,107

Japanese ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 9, on fire

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

And another round

-----------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 72,107

Japanese ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

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

The surface combat seems to have been a draw. My ships shot their torpedos too early at or around 20 000. All the shell hits are 8-inchers. It is doubtful whether Myoko will survive. She is at 75 sys, 32 flt and 42 fires. Usually that spells doom for a Japanese ship.

I will have to reinforce down here now. I only have two CAs and a DD left as surface protection. Closest ship after that is CL Kirishima at Rabaul. Im sending CA's Maya and Ashigara together with CL Kuma and two destroyers to the area, they should arrive in a couple of days.


Todays captures:
Luganville
Akyab
Amchitka
Moulmein

Burma
Ive got 300 men at Taung Gyi, 225 at Akyab and 150 at Moulmein. These bases are secure for now, they can be thrown out by a determined allied counterattack, but I doubt he will try to fight here. I would be very surprised if his units are not retreating north as fast as they can.

55th Division is one hex from Tavoy, and Imperial Guards are two hexes from Raheng. Rangoon should fall within a week, and Mandalay before the end of January.

I have re-routed the 33rd Infantry division from Burma to China. The 33rd is currently marching from Indochina to Bangkok, but instead Im marching it to Hanoi, it will then take part in the offensive in southern China. The reason is because I dont see any reason to keep the pressure up in Burma. I will capture all the bases up to the Akyab-Mandalay-Myitkynia line, and then hold. If I want to do any more offensives in that area, they will be by sea and not by land anyway. Ive got 55th Division and the Imperial Guards in the area together with 4 tank regiments, and that is plenty enough. In fact Im probably going to divert two of the tank regiments to China too.

Netherlands East Indies
Kragen is being constantly reinforced by my transports from Kuching. Right now Ive got a little over 600 men there from 2nd Yokusuka SNLF and 35th Brigade; 31 assault factors all in all. This will double over the next two days. I will see then if I need to fly in more troops, or if my transports can be used for other tasks.

21st and 23rd Mixed Brigades have finished embarking their ships at Kuching, and will depart for Batavia today. BBs Kongo and Haruna have replenished their ammunition at Saigon, and will provide bombardment the day before the invasion.

The invasion fleet consists of 29 transports escorted by the heavy cruiser Chokai, light cruisers Kashii and Isuzu, 5 destroyers 6 minesweepers, 7 gunboats and 2 patrol craft.

I am also moving the 18th Division from Malaya to Sumatra. Instead of having the 18th division march all the way from Khota Bharu to Kuantan and then over to Malacca, Im re-embarking it on ships and moving it down south. Currently Im planning on using it to invade Palembang, but I am also considering an invasion at Johore Bharu or Malacca.

I am still undecided. On the one hand, I would like to secure Palembang as soon as possible, on the other hand it might come in handy in the battle for Malaya. In Malaya right now I have the 5th Division and an engineer regiment. But Ive got the 21st Division coming in by ship, they are currently around Saigon.

My idea here is that two divisions is more than enough for the drive down Malaya to Johore Bharu, and then I can bring in the 18th as reinforcements before the final assault on Singapore. Instead of having the 18th on a long march during the period, I might aswell use it in combat operations elsewhere.

I dont know where he is planning his naval defensive stand in the NEI though. I would not want to run into the Prince of Wales here. Therefore Im sending BBs Nagato, Ise and Huyga to Palembang as bombardment force and surface combat protection. This way Ive got BB cover for all my invasions in the NEI.

Ive also got BBs Fuso and Yamashiro at Macassar. They are covering tomorrows landing of elements of 48th division (the guys that captured Kendari). 48th will first secure Maccasar and then re-embark and move on Timor. As soon as the 48th have landed safely at Macassar, I will move Fuso and Yamashiro up to Batavia.

Phillipines
Tomorrow the 56th Brigade will arrive at Davao. To coordinate with that, Im dropping paras on Butuan and Dadjangas today. These are the same guys that captured Cagayan on the first day of the war. They will now use the worthless L1N1 Thora-transports to help mopping up on Mindanao.

I will capture Naga today, since he evacuated the city. Ive got 8 artillery units, an engineer unit and the 4th division coming in towards Manilla from the south, this should be enough to rubble the city.

In the north Ive got two tank regiments, 65th Brigade, a naval guard unit and half of 48th division at Lingayen. Everyone except the 48th will move on Clark in order to tie down his forces there. The 48th will move to Vigan and then clear all the bases east of Clark.

Note the very small forces I have in this area. This is in order to free up two divisions for operations in the central and south pacific. Basically I just want to tie him down here, if possible force him to retreat back into Bataan. Then hold him in place, pound him with artillery and air, and then in a couple of months (when operations have ceased in the NEI and Burma) bring in a couple of divisions to finish him off.

Central and south pacific

South Seas Detachment should begin unloading at Rabaul tomorrow. These guys are coming in completely unescorted, a calculated risk that I feel I can take now because of the lack of allied surface warships in the area. Some Betties from Truk will do some ground attacks on the allied forces.

Guadalcanal and Luganville are already in my hands, and I will commence fortification of these bases immideately. Ive got transports heading for Koumac and Efate and all of the New Hebrides should be in my hands within a week.

In a bold move, Im sending the Maizuru 2nd SNLF directly to Tongatapu Island (between Suva and Pago-Pago). Im counting on them having the element of surprise. I want this base as a wedge between Samoa and Fiji.

Johnston Island has fallen and troops from here are being sent to Palmyra, Christmas Island and French Frigate shoal. An annoying bug is that one of my transports heading for French Frigate Shoal have been sitting in the same hex for two days now. Im trying to send them to another hex instead to "unlock" them.

The KB is between Palmyra and Johnston, just to keep an eye on things.

Two divisions are enroute to Truk. One of these will be used to take Port Moresby, the other will be tasked with taking Midway and Wake.

Northern Front
Im going to take all bases up to Cold Bay. I dont think its necessary to take Kodiak, usually that place will be too well defended for it to be worth it. Ive got a BB and two CAs off Dutch Harbor to prevent any attempts at reinforcing here.

[Hortlund]

A closer look at Burma. Moulmein fell today (I'll post the AAR later) and Ive flown in roughly 100 bombers to shut down Rangoon.

My recon tells me there are over 10 000 enemy troops at Rangoon. Does that mean he is planning to make a stand there? It would be great if it were true, they would be no match for my two divisions.

Im going to use my tank regiments to bypass Rangoon and move north towards Mandalay, while the infantry divisions will clear out Rangoon.



He could be setting up a trap for me at Moulmein. If he does an amphib assault from Rangoon to Moulmein today, he will capture alot of aircraft of mine. Therefore Im flying in a huge chunk of 3rd mixed regiment to Moulmein today. Ive got several transport wings based at Bangkok, and all of them are on troop transport duty today.

I could live with such a loss, the majority of my bombers at Moulmein are worthless army dive bombers. The only thing that would hurt is the Nell squadron I sent there.