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Treespider has made a mod off of Scenario 28 (DBB). The mod is primarily aimed at the economy, and you can (and should) read Treespider's thread in the Scenario Design sub-forum. A couple of the high points are that the mod gives the IJ merchant fleet more to do. In AE so far IJ has an enormous surplus of merchant ships, so in this context that should be reduced to the point where if I succeed in sinking enough of them it will make a difference. Second, the amount of supply build up in India has been greatly reduced, the idea being to put more realistic constraints on Allied offensives through Burma or otherwise originating from India. Third, the amount of supply available for export from North America has been made to ramp up over an extended period. The desire is to sharply limit supply available to the Allies during the early months of the war thus, again, imposing more realistic constraints. You will notice a bunch of other changes as well, so hop on over to Treespider's mod thread to read up on them.

Attached as a text file are the HR's and settings for those who are interested. This is a test drive of his mod so we might change whatever needs it mid-stream.

We are also using the Beta Patch. [:)]

First turn orders have been exchanged, so Treespider will run the 1941-12-07 turn as soon as he can.

In addition to the usual first & second turns time investment on both sides, we found a bug in the Beta and got over that with the able help of MichaelM.

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1941-12-07

The first turn saw ineffective enemy midget sub attacks on Pearl Harbor, followed up by an air raid with mixed success. The anti-shipping attacks were pretty successful with 2 x BB sunk outright and all the rest damaged for a roughly average result. The airbase attacks seem to get substantially less results than average. Only 11 Catalinas lost at PH compared to well over 30 in most attacks that I recall. A similar number of P-40's were lost. 18 Kates hit Lahaina, no doubt reducing the US aircraft losses at Pearl. DD Ward was attacked by aircraft while on ASW duty in the exclusion zone.

Midway was bombarded, and the 2 DD force is still present at the atoll. What's more, an enemy AO group is sighted very close by. Does this mean that Midway is soon to suffer invasion?

Clark Field's and Manila's airfield were both damaged extensively with Clark being virtually shut down. Aircraft losses were modest. Cagayan's airfield was hit by Kates with Claudes circling overhead.

Hong Kong, Alor Star, Georgetown, and Kuantan all saw sweeps, base raids, and attacks on troops, as did numerous Chinese ground units.

Kota Bharu and Batan Island were invaded, with Batan Island seized by the end of the day. Notably, there were no landings in the Philippines. There is one unidentified TF ESE of Mindinao that could be an invasion force. No invasion forces sighted in the South China Sea save for the force already at Kuantan.

• Tenatively, 46 Indian Bde, 48 Gurkha Bde, 44 Indian Bde, 45 Indian Bde, along with 18 UK Div (251 Recce Bn, 53 UK Bde, 54 UK Bde, 55 UK Bde) are being detailed to Burma.
• USN Asiatic forces are gathering at Balikpapan and will form force Y.
• Dutch surface forces are gathering at Soerabaja and will form force D.
• Force Z is proceeding to the eastern DEI.
• The Philipping/DEI exodus is underway. Forces at Manila are loading fuel and will leave in staggered fashion to confound enemy schedules.
• Forces in Malaya are making for Singapore will all speed. As sufficient forces are gathered in Singapore, some will be transferred to Palembang.

Below is a composite of some first turn results. There were a few more plane losses that scrolled off the page, all singletons.

1941-12-08

Kweiteh and T'ai-shan fell today.

Kota Bharu held off the initial enemy assault, but took several times the enemy's casualties. Several British MTB's were sunk outside of Hong Kong while opening a pathway for fleeing merchants. They succeeded, as none of those merchants were attacked. Manila and Clark airfields were pounded heavily, and it looks as though an invasion force might be headed for northern Luzon.

The KB is moving west from Hawaii, apparently with a surface combat TF in company.

A small KB is seen keeing its distance to the east of Mindinao.

1941-12-09

Aparri, Vigan, Ocean Island, and Nauru were all invaded today. Chien-yang, Ocean Island, and Nauru all fell today. KB hit Johnston Island, Clark and Manila again took heavy attacks. Aerial mayem was also spread around Malaya and China, although Allied attempts to participate were rebuffed. Fires still burn at Pearl Harbor (39 left). In spite of the smoke drifting across the runways, two B-17 groups flew missions against the enemy KB but were unable to locate the force at such long range.

Allied troops at Kota Bharu withstood yet another assault despite heavy casualties. Bravo! Davao was bombarded by an IJN cruiser force, sinking one of two xAKL's present.

In a major surprise, CV Enterprise TF smashed an enemy invasion convoy while on its way to a position for transferring fighters from Wake Island.

@GR 149,113
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Kinryu Maru
DD Oite
AMC Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PB Hakkaisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
1767 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 33 (33 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

@GR150,112
Japanese Ships
DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Mutsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kisaragi
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Reported as lost:
CL Tenryu (1000 lb SAP Bomb at 150,112)
CL Tatsuta (1000 lb SAP Bomb at 150,112)
CL Yubari (1000 lb SAP Bomb at 149,113)
DD Mutsuki (1000 lb SAP Bomb at 150,112)
AMC Kongo Maru (22.4in Mk 13 Torp. at 149,113)

It seems clear that EHQ decided to seize Johnston Island. Going along with that, certainly Midway is a target, and possibly the Line Islands. Maybe even Hawaii. Of course the immediate problem is for CV Enterprise and consorts to escape.

An invasion force is bearing down on Davao, although the small KB is out of contact (probably due to weather). Several TF's are seen in the South China Sea, coming and going to Kota Bharu and nearby enemy bases. One TF, of unknown composition, is about 200 miles off Brunei, heading also unknown.

A TF is about 40 miles from Kavieng, obviously EHQ wants to interfere with redeployments.

Where shall Enterprise run?

Where shall Enterprise run?

A pressing question. Do you have any bases to the south with fuel and search planes? You want to keep track of the KB.

You are between a rock and a hard place with the Enterprise. Your opponent will do one of two things:

1. Run toward Midway to protect his AO's and potential invasion TF there

or

2. Run hard at the Enterprise in hopes of sinking such a juicy target early in the war

Either would be a good strategy. If he does #1 running south or east will get you to safety. If he does #2, running north or less so south will get you to safety. Seems to me that your best move would be to sprint south and hope he runs towards Midway

SW at Full or Mission speed depending on fuel. Head to Solomons/Sydney.

KB is 17 hexes away so needs to make up 9 hexes, thats two turns with him on full speed you on mission if you make it a straight chase. KB ain't going to fancy chasing you to Sydney. Biggest threat to Big E is KB. Sometimes you can outhink yourself, just head away as fast as you can.

1941-12-10

Aparri, Vigan, Kota Bharu, and Fou-liang all fell today. I messed up orders and a unit crossed the river into Ichang in move mode. Lots of diablements but very little permanent.

Davao and Miri are invaded, with several other TF's showing up in and at the eastern entrance to the Celebes Sea. They include the small KB, ENE of Talaud-eilanden. This is where we want them but we need more time to get forces into position.

Enterprise was not pursued, and ended up 1 hex NE of Tarawa. The big news is that the invasion convoy that Enterprise & friends broke up was small fry. KB is closely guarding what seems to be a larger collection of invasion assets. Most alarmingly, scouts sighted an AD. Having along such a support ship clearly indicates that EHQ intends to establish a forward base with staying power. While he could be taking the sea-lifted hordes intended for multiple locations to the SE and consolidating them under KB's protection, there is one conclusion that GGHQ must presume and act on:

Target Hawaii!!!

1941-12-11

Teng-hsien, Davao, Miri, Victoria Point, Kavieng all fell today. Aitape on northern New Guinea was invaded. Dadjangas and Cotabato on Mindinao were invaded, so Mindinao is now under a three pronged offensive.

The landings at Cotabato went slightly awry for the IJN when uninvited guests made an appearance:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Cotabato at 78,90, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Saiko Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
PB Showa Maru #3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PB Showa Maru #5, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Shinanogawa Maru, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yasukawa Maru, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
xAK Hasuna Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury, Shell hits 1
DD Pope

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
...

17 Petes and 4 Jakes show as ground losses. [:)]


No troop casualties were reported, so perhaps our boys destroyed vital supplies.

In addition to the ship carnage just mentioned, this was a turn of subs. IJN subs got 3, but so did Allied subs. Perhaps even more, but only 3 known due to FOW.

Hong Kong withstood an attack in splendid fashion, although with somewhat heavy casualties:

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19933 troops, 289 guns, 181 vehicles, Assault Value = 542

Defending force 8136 troops, 132 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 234

Japanese adjusted assault: 113

Allied adjusted defense: 877

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 7 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1103 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 76 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled


Allied ground losses:
640 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

The small KB is ENE of Manado and moving SW through the now working patrol zones of at least 3 subs. Other greeters are moving into position.

The landings at Cotabato went slightly awry for the IJN when uninvited guests made an appearance:

Nice work! Apparently those four-stackers have some fight left in them!

Thanks! [:)]

"React" setting with a Patrol zone definitely works.

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1941-12-12

Aitape, Cotabato, and Dadjangas. Brunei, Baler (a dot base on the east coast of Luzon), and Shortlands were invaded. Two RAN cruisers will seek the enemy at Shortlands tomorrow.

The joint USN Philippine PT squadron operating in the vicinity of Iba was largely eliminated by several IJN task forces, one of which went on to bombard Iba. The enemy fighter sweeps over Luzon have been murder, and even worse when coupled with the heavy bombing campaign. CLark, Manila, and Bataan airfields are all in ruins. Even still, the last B-17 made it out this turn. The Catalinas are already out. It seems likely that Iba will be invaded tomorrow, perhaps the PT actions pushed back the timetable by a day?

Johnston Island was reconned in both the AM and PM phases toaday, and a sub made contact with an enemy TF a couple of hundred miles WNW of Johnston. So, Johnston is still a target, and we must still assume that Hawaii is a target. No contacts in range of Midway, and Wake Island has had a peaceful war to date.

In the Celebes Sea a train of tankers fleeing from Luzon has been taken under air attack by two small KB's. They dance amongst the subs!

1941-12-13

Tang-Shan, Tang-ho, Tuguearao, Baler, Alor Star, Brunei, and Shortlands fell today. Iba was invaded. Cotabato is an active air base and Kates flying with bombs wrecked havoc on Allied ships fleeing east of Mindinao.

Johnston Island continues to be reconoiterred by air. The fickle nature of naval search really adds to this game. Both small KBs have disappeared (in the Celebes Sea) despite good search coverage, likely due to weather.

Enemy air attacks and sweeps over Luzon are most effective, so over the next week I will pull out what fighter units I can. The investment of Mindinao could make that tricky.

In China maneuvering continues, with the changes there really slowing down the IJA juggernaut of other scenarios. Preparations in Burma show progress. The withdrawal to Singapore goes extremely well. EHQ seized Alor Star with 2 armored units, but that is the only enemy rgound action seen in Malaya since the capture of Khota Baru. The DEI prepares as best it can. Hong Kong held off another enemy attack.

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19314 troops, 289 guns, 181 vehicles, Assault Value = 504

Defending force 7704 troops, 132 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Japanese adjusted assault: 177

Allied adjusted defense: 701

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
628 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled


Allied ground losses:
402 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
38th Division
66th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
1st Middlesex Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force

Here is a map of Luzon showing the enemy axes of advance.

Looks like the defenders at Hong Kong are being worn down. Is anyone building forts in Singapore?

Captain - Sorry for being tardy on your question!

The answer was yes, forts were/are being built in Singapore. But, alas, that was in an alternate universe and those guys are now on there own. The vagaries of the quasi-dimensional string-thingied quantum mechanical multi-verse! Treespider has made some adjustments to the scenario of things noted during our short run. Such is the way with test drives, so we are now restarting and have a chance to do even better. Only 7 days lost, which actually seems pretty good to me. Treespider clearly had his ducks quacking quite nicely in harmony when he released the initial version of the scenario.

He sent me turn 1 earlier today and I will work through that as quickly as possible.

Turn 1 is sent.

Treespider refined the set up in China. His aim is to make the China theater better mirror IRL as to the difficulty of making headway there.

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1941-12-06

On-map Intel shows that he might be reinforcing Ichang with other troops moving towards Changsha. So, I am moving troops in what hopefully will seem a 'regular' fashion, but putting them in position to pounce on Sinyang. Chinese troops early game are doubly weak because of low morale. But if I can concentrate a sufficient preponderance of them with surprise, then perhaps we can throw off EHQ's early strategy.

IJA forces in the north are also seen moving west near the Mongolian border, perhaps signalling an offensive against the northern supply route.

Some signals Intel suggests naval activity near Indochina. The rest of the Pacific is quiet, which should give us the time we need to complete activation of forces in the Philippines and fortification of isolated island outposts.

1941-12-07

Laoag, Vigan, and Kweiteh fell today. Laoag and Vigan were both seized from the air by elements of the Yokosuka 1st SNLF. Davao, Naga, and Kota Bharu were all invaded from the sea.

There were air attacks all over China. Luzon was hit hard (Clark = 207 runway hits), as were bases in Malaya. Singapore received special treatment:

Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 72
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed, 19 damaged
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 8 destroyed on ground
Vildebeest III: 8 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 29
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 275

A number of strikes from Malayan bases were flown anyway, one hitting home:
AK Sasako Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Sub action at Pearl Harbor from various reports:

Midget Submarine detected within harbor at Pearl Harbor!!!


Midget Sub attack inside harbor of Pearl Harbor!!!

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-14, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 1
PC Taney

PC Taney loses contact with SSX Ha-14


SSX Ha-14 vanishes at Pearl Harbor, leaving generations to wonder what became of her
Observers report floating object near beach at Pearl Harbor
Observers report object partially submerged in channel at Pearl Harbor

SS KXVII took down xAK Aobasan Maru near Patani in revenge.

KB showed up off Lihue and launched a raid of 18 Vals plus escort at Lahaina. They made 2 port hits and put 2 bombs in TK Gulfland. Her damage looks survivable but the fires are not (92).

Pearl Harbor was hit next:

Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 132 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 77
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 108



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 9 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 2 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 9 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 4 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 4 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 7, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 4
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 5
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ARD YFD-2, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Castor, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DM Gamble, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1, on fire


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


Repair Shipyard hits 3
Manpower hits 6
Fires 3768
Airbase hits 43
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 121
Port hits 15

Training flight from VMF-211 has been caught up in attack

Luzon is invaded from the north and the south. Mindinao from the south. Malaya from the north. Midway was bombarded, and there is an unidentified TF 200 miles NW heading straight for Midway. KB is 40 miles NW of Lihue, positioned for a quick move to the west.

Here is a snap shot of the damaged ships at Pearl Harbor:

Here is a snap shot of the damaged ships at Pearl Harbor:

Doesn't look as bad as the historical result. I wouldn't be surprised if the KB stayed for at least another day to get more licks in. What's the damage to the planes and airfields in Hawaii?

104 fighters ready, 29 not ready but a number of them are estimated 1 day to repair. Heavy bombers 5-14 with some at 1 day. Medium bombers 35-17 some at 1 day. Dive bombers 12-2. I've already transferred some search aircraft out but there are plenty ready. There will be no problem finding KB.

Here's the base, with 1,322 fires still burning:

1941-12-08

Davao and Naga fell today. Aparri was invaded.

Second Pearl Harbor Air Raid! I do not have the turn yet, only the replay, so the actual condition of most ships damaged is unknown. DMS Boggs and DD Dewey did sink. In return there were numerous strikes on KB by PH based air, but KB's ships escaped damage. Those raids cost a number of USA fighters along with some bombers lost. In one raid B-18's made runs on two carriers. The heavies did not fly, and the range was too great for the SBD-1 dive bombers. The PH raid itself was quite damaging:

Afternoon Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 133 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
B5N2 Kate x 90
D3A1 Val x 94

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-36A Mohawk x 12
P-40B Warhawk x 17
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 5 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2
DD Allen, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 2
DD Phelps, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Raleigh, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dewey, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DMS Boggs, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
BB California, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1
DD Chew, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Farragut, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Repair Shipyard hits 1
Manpower hits 1
Fires 1058
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 2

AV Wright, setting up shop on Lihue to support PBY search despite the close enemy presence, was blasted by one severe bomb hit from a string of 15 Vals.

Luzon and Malaya again saw heavy sir raids as did Chinese ground forces. RN DD's Scout and Thanet were caught and sunk by CA Chokai as were freighters traveling separately. Chokai seems to carry a lot of ammunition! Allied air from Manado (Dutch mediums) and Cagayan (USA fighters) attacked IJN ships at Davao and succeeded in making machine gun hits.

sKB sailed straight into the middle of the Celebes Sea, braving two encounters with fleeing merchants. The little beast then launched attacks on Allied shipping, dispatching xAK James Lykes and AG Gold Star. There are a large number of ships fleeing Manila headed straight for their own rendezvous. Allied naval forces will respond accordingly.

The enemy has finished landing 56th Infantry Regiment, 12th Engineer Regiment, and 5th JAAF AF Coy at Kota Bharu, but they only bombarded for no effect and are just modestly superior to defending forces in combat power. Experience and other factors might be quite different. This disposition does raise the question of how EHQ will proceed in Malaya. There are major forces coming in through IJ friendly ports north of Kota Bharu, so my money in on a walk down the west (southern) side of the peninsula.

The position of KB and it's fleet oilers is alarming. This indicates that the KB intends to stay in the area for an extended period. The good news is that the KB has a finite number of sorties. The bad news is that the KB intends to stay in the area.

USN carriers are being given courses to allow the offload of aircraft to Hawaii. Fast surface forces will blanket the area around the KB and oilers with the notion that refueling uses many ops points and limits movement. They should be able to find targets!

So far, the KB has lost fewer planes in the two days of raids plus defending the KB than the KB did in real life. Losses of US aircraft at Pearl are probably also still less than historical, but much more than the KB. Any attrition of KB's aircraft, and certainly of KB itself by surface forces, will be very important in thwarting whatever plans it is that EHQ is executing.