Sink 'Em All - Godefroy(A) vs Chicago227(J) - no Chicago227 please

[godefroycz]

My first game against a human opponent started well and since I want to have some comparison, my second game has just started. I don't want to do a comprehensive AAR this time, but focus on just one aspect of the game. I think history connoisseurs will know what it's about by the title.

FOW ON
Advanced weather ON
PDU ON
Historical First turn OFF
Allied damage control ON
Surprise ON
Realistic R&D ON
Reliable USN torps OFF
No unit withdrawals OFF
Reinforcements Fixed
Auto subs OFF
Turn cicle 1 day

HR turn 1
- no carrier hunting
- allied may move taskforces that are already out, no creation of new allied task force
- allied may not move or change settings of allied planes, no moving LCU, China is excluded
- 15 hex limit for invasion range
- only carriers can attack ports

HR in general
- 4E's may not naval bomb below 10k feet patrol are excluded
- max fighter altitude limit 30k
- must pay the PP to cross border with a restricted unit, Thai units can move into Mayala/Burma
- Canada and USA troops may move between each other if restricted, restricted British/Indian troops may move into Burma/Thai/Malaya
- troops can be unloaded only in dots/bases (same for para)
- para units can attack just one target at the time – if the para unit split, it must be rebuilt in one base first before another attack.
- US aircraft carriers limited to 3 CVs in a TF and a maximum of 2 TFs per hex. So a total of up to 600 planes per hex.
- no strategic bombing from/to China until 1944
- no submarine invasion

[godefroycz]

Sink 'Em All: Submarine Warfare in the Pacific, the book written and published in 1951 by Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, the U.S. Navy commander of the Pacific submarine fleet during World War II. And since almost everyone writes a classic AAR about the course of the fights, this book inspired me to do something a little different. I'm just going to focus on sub combat.

The allied player usually berates the initial powerlessness of the submarines, but the reality may have been worse. Not only were the torpedoes really very bad, but there was also a great shortage of them. For example, the fleet stationed at Fremantle received 30 torpedoes per month, and since one submarine usually carried 24 torpedoes, it was possible to arm one submarine with ammunition in month. Thus, submarines arriving from patrols handed over torpedoes to submarines that were taking off for action. In this regard, the game is kind to us.

Another aspect is the quality of crews and commanders trained in peacetime. All this presents us with many problems that I will have to deal with. From my experience, I do not yet see a direct correlation between the quality of the captain and crew and the performance of the submarine. It often happens to me that a submarine with a very bad captain gets a hit three days in a row, and on the other hand, an excellent captain fires all the torpedoes and there is no hit. So I will follow it closely and we will see how the underwater war will develop.

[BBfanboy]

In my observations, crew experience was the biggest factor in getting hits (even if they didn't explode). High naval skill helped the commander get a shot. High leadership increased the rate of experience gain. High aggression helped the commander save his torpedoes by surfacing to get in a gun duel - and the good guys didn't always win!

[godefroycz]

December 7, 1941

Early this morning, the United States was maliciously attacked by Imperial Japan. We are at war. The submarine fleet suffered the worst as the Kido Butai attacked Manila Harbor. 19 submarines were sunk and another 7 heavily damaged. So AAR ended before it started

Dutch submarines achieved at least a symbolic success when they torpedoed and sank two Japanese ships in the Gulf of Siam.

Fushimi Maru

Submarine attack near Kompong Trach at 55,73

Japanese Ships
xAK Fushimi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

xAK Fushimi Maru is sighted by SS KXVII
SS KXVII launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Fushimi Maru

Submarine attack near Kota Bharu at 52,75

Japanese Ships
DMS W-2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Isonami
xAK Ayatosan Maru
DD Ayanami
DD Shikinami
PB Tatsumiya Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXI, hits 3

SS KXI launches 4 torpedoes at DMS W-2

[godefroycz]

The submarine forces in the Pacific currently consists of 47 submarines spread over a huge area. Moreover, most of the submarines are docked and only a few boats patrol the sea. The first task will be to get them to sea. The second is to concentrate them in areas where the first Japanese attacks can be assumed. My idea is that at least half should be in patrol areas. The rest then on the way to/from patrol or in port for repairs and improvements. Unfortunately, part of the fleet consists of old S-class boats. Since I have a shortage of PP, I will not interfere with submarine command yet, and every commander will get a chance.

The submarines will be divided into four fleets, each with its own home base. It is likely that we will build one or more forward bases for each fleet to refuel and, if there are enough AS ships, to resupply ammo.

1st Submarine Fleet - Dutch Harbor (6 submarines)
2nd Submarine Fleet - Pearl Harbor (12 submarines)
3rd Submarine Fleet - Brisbane (4 submarines)
4th Submarine Fleet - Surabaya (25 submarines)

Originally, I still had the 5th Fleet ready in Manila, but there were three serviceable submarines left in the entire Philippines area and they were therefore assigned to the 4th Fleet. Due to the presence of KB, it is not even expected that the port of Manila could function.

I'm trying to move the subs damaged in Manila, although most have flooding over 90. Sink or swim. The other submarines need to be moved from the ports and from the West Coast to the combat zone. So I don't expect much success in December.

[godefroycz]

December 8, 1941

Trying to salvage damaged submarines from Manila. Despite the best efforts of the crews, USS Sturgeon and USS Tarpon sank to the bottom of the harbor. On USS Permit, flooding decreased from 92 to 88. The main goal for me is Kido Butai. But with only three subs, there's no way I could get close to her. It is currently located among the islands of the central Philippines.

No attack today

[godefroycz]

December 9, 1941

O20 spotted a small convoy in the patrol area off Cam Ranh Bay and attacked the transport destroyer APD Fuji. Unfortunately, all the torpedoes missed. Two hours later, LCDR Snippe sighted the transport ship xAP Brazil Maru sailing alone. Unfortunately, even now the attack is not successful. This is a great pity, as the ship was without an escort.

Submarine attack near Cam Ranh Bay at 64,73

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
xAK Syoka Maru
PB Heiei Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS O20

SS O20 launches 4 torpedoes at APD Fuji

Submarine attack near Cam Ranh Bay at 64,73

Japanese Ships
xAP Brazil Maru

Allied Ships
SS O20

xAP Brazil Maru is sighted by SS O20
SS O20 launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Brazil Maru

[godefroycz]

December 10, 1941

This game will be completely different from my game with Deaniks. The Japanese are rolling through SRA with the support of KB and baby KB. Everything that floats on the water, is in the harbor or at the airfield is mercilessly destroyed. The only hidden threat is my submarines, but they aren't very effective yet.

K X reports three DDs in Makassar Strait but no attack, TF too fast. K VIII and K IX sail from Surabaya after repairs. Enemy aircraft carriers are approaching... Unfortunately, the K VII, which has been here since the beginning of the war in dry dock, must remain in the port.

Panic gripped the Allied command...

[godefroycz]

December 11, 1941

KXI, still patrolling near Kota Bharu, spotted a small freighter bringing troops in the morning. The submarine fired two torpedoes, both hit, and the ship sank within 15 minutes with the soldiers on board.

Submarine attack near Kota Bharu at 52,75

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kashi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXI

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

xAKL Kashi Maru is sighted by SS KXI
SS KXI launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Kashi Maru

LCDR deBack, who had been sailing all day in the direction of the destroyers he had sighted the previous day, was rewarded for his perseverance, and shortly before dark a Japanese aircraft carrier began to approach him.
The submarine fired two torpedoes and one of them hit Hiryu in the rear half of the hull. I hope the ship is damaged enough to have to sail away for repairs. No other aircraft carriers are seen and it looks like the Kido Butai has split into several parts.

Sub attack near Balikpapan at 65,100

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 1
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Urakaze
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS KX

SS KX launches 2 torpedoes at CV Hiryu

As intelligence reports that the 4th Division is about to land at Banjoewangi, Java, I am moving several submarines in that direction.

[godefroycz]

December 12, 1941

Submarines report only an empty sea. No enemy or attack. I can't get the damaged subs out to sea. They are constantly anchored in the port, some have even moved to the dock. This is bad as the enemy is advancing…

December 13, 1941

Today is a slightly busier day, but without any success. The Dutch KXVII attacked the cargo ship Ryoyo Maru from the Gulf of Siam, but all torpedoes missed. The USS Porpoise off Luzon was also unsuccessful. Here, too, all the torpedoes missed. And thirdly, in the same area, a patrolling S-36 missed APD Tade.
USS Triton attacked AMC Kinryu Maru near Bikini. One torpedo hit but did not explode. And to top it off, Kido Butai has attacked an empty port in Surabaya and the only catch is the KVII at the dock. This is very unfortunate, because tomorrow the submarine could leave.

[godefroycz]

December 14, 1941

I can't even do what should be simple. O19 attacked DD Nowaki which was badly damaged yesterday off Singkawang. The torpedoes missed.

Submarine attack near Terempa at 56,84

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19

DD Nowaki is sighted by SS O19
SS O19 launches 4 torpedoes

USS Porpoise is back in action, hitting SC Ch-16, but the torpedo did not explode. The submarine then had to quickly submerge before the enraged escort. Additionally, the USS Permit hiding in Batangas Bay is damaged again. The Japanese began to land here. Flooding is 92 and I don't expect a good ending.
As intelligence reports an invasion fleet headed for Palembang, I move the submarines off the coast of Malaya, where there is no longer a chance for interesting prey.

Night Naval bombardment of Batangas at 79,78

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Atago
CA Takao
CL Jintsu
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Asashio

Allied Ships
SS Permit, hits 2, heavy damage

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 13
Port hits 18
Port fuel hits 6
Port supply hits 1

[godefroycz]

December 15, 1941

Today the enemy captured Batangas and since the USS Permit had a flooding of 92, the crew sank the submarine off the coast. USS S-39 is very active between Formosa and Luzon. She first attacked the PB Kyo Maru#13 and the ship broke apart after being hit. A few hours later, a group of destroyers arrived, but DD Yudachi avoided the torpedoes fired.

Sub attack near Hengchun at 82,68

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #13, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC Ch 5
DMS W-11
xAK Oigawa Maru
xAK Bunzan Maru
PB Kyo Maru #12
SC Ch 18
SC Ch 17
SC Ch 16

Allied Ships
SS S-39

SS S-39 launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kyo Maru #13

I use older submarines for laying mines. The USS Narwhal laid mines off Midway and the USS Doplhin off Wake Atoll, which is still in my hands as the first invasion was repulsed by the defenders.

[godefroycz]

December 16, 1941

The only interesting combat event today. KB stayed for several days in the vicinity of Batavia. I moved several submarines into the area and the KXIV fired a salvo of torpedoes at the Japanese carrier shortly after dawn. One of them hit. The aircraft carrier is among the sunken, but even the biggest optimist doesn't believe that. If two large Japanese aircraft carriers were damaged and had to go to the shipyard for repairs, that would be a great result for the first ten days of the war..

Sub attack near Billiton at 52,92

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Torpedo hits 1
BB Kirishima
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Shiranui
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS KXIV, hits 1

[godefroycz]

December 17, 1941

Submarine O16 again attempted to approach Kido Butai but was driven below the surface. USS S-39 still attacks escort ships today. In the afternoon, he launches two torpedoes at the destroyer Yamagumo.

December 18, 1941

The relentless S-39 attacks another ship. This time it is xAK Kosei Maru and one torpedo hit the target.

Sub attack near Hengchun at 82,68

Japanese Ships
xAK Kosei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PB Kyo Maru #2
xAK Konan Maru
PB Shonan Maru #17
PB Shonan Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS S-39

SS S-39 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kosei Maru

As the Kido Butai begin to withdraw from the area, presumably to Hong Kong to resupply and rearm, I move the submarines further out to sea from Java. Intelligence has not reported anything suspicious for several days, and I do not expect that the enemy will want to land directly on Java without the support of aircraft carriers.

[godefroycz]

December 19 - 20, 1941

I'm afraid I picked the wrong topic for AAR. Today I lose another submarine, this time to a plane attack from Kido Butai. It operates west of Luzon and the planes take off mainly on anti-submarine missions. USS S-39 is lost and USS Porpoise is damaged and headed for repairs. This leaves the only submarine in the Philippines area. This is scary.
The first four submarines arrived in Dutch Harbor and, after a brief stop for minor repairs and refueling, will deploy to the approaches to the Aleutians.

USS S-39
- 41-12-07 – 4th fleet, LCDR Alford W. (Naval 69, Aggression 60), crew 51/53
- 41-12-15 - attack on DD Yudachi at 82,68 – miss
- 41-12-15 - attack on PB Kyo Maru#13 at 82,68 – hit by 1 torpedo – sunk
- 41-12-17 - attack on DD Yamagumo at 82,68 – miss
- 41-12-18 - attack on xAK Kosei Maru at 82,68 – hit by 1 torpedo – damaged
- 41-12-20 – sunk by aircraft near Luzon

[godefroycz]

Summary December 1941

Sorry, but the game is moving so fast that I can't keep up with AAR. In addition, the situation with the submarine fleet is not happy and unfortunately there would not be much to write home about. So it looks like it's going to flip to a classic AAR for us.



Naval War
The Japanese started the war campaign really hard. The Kido Butai struck the fleet in Manila and sank most of the ships, including the submarine fleet. The Kido Butai sailed through the DEI and anything that wasn't fast enough was sunk. I was thus forced, at least temporarily, to withdraw all ships to Australia. Ports in Balikpapan, Surabaya, Batavia and Palembang were destroyed.
For that reason, there were practically no level battles. CL Boise was badly damaged by aircraft from the carriers on the first day, but Kapinan managed to maneuver carefully around the north coast of Borneo as far as Singkawang, where she badly damaged the destroyer Nowaki in a small skirmish.
A Japanese surface TF ventured in pursuit of freighters as far as the west coast of Australia. So I sent three level TFs to try to drive him off. Losses on both sides are similar. The Allies lost a light cruiser and three destroyers. The Japanese lost four destroyers and several heavy cruisers were damaged. Unfortunately, Force Z couldn't catch him anymore. So Force Z moved to Java, where he dispersed the Japanese invasion fleet. Unfortunately, it took half a day to destroy the entire 4th division on the decks.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Carnarvon at 47,133, Range 15,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Kako, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Oboro, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yuzuki, Shell hits 22, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Alden, Shell hits 1
DD Barker, Shell hits 1
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Edsall, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Parrott, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Whipple, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Stewart, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Day Time Surface Combat, near Banjoewangi at 57,107, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Goyo Maru, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Hitati Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
xAK Akagisan Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Sinsyu Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Kasagi Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Terukawa Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Syohei Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK London Maru, Shell hits 42, and is sunk
xAK Syozui Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAK Sensan Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Taikei Maru, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
LSD Akitsu Maru, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Asama Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAP Buenos Aires Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAP Huzi Maru, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
PB Kinsyo Maru #2, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
E Uruyame, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DMS Taneko, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Katsutade, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 3
BC Repulse
CL Danae, Shell hits 1
CL Dragon
CL Durban, Shell hits 2
DD Vampire
DD Tenedos
DD Electra
DD Express

I try to take advantage of the fact that the Japanese have the main forces in the SRA and use aircraft carriers. Aircraft from the USS Enterprise attacked and destroyed the convoy near Tarawa. Unfortunately, even a quick move didn't prevent the capture of Rabaul and I only sank a few empty ships. The USS Lexington first picked up the planes at Wake and as I did not expect the enemy to dare to attack here I moved elsewhere. I thus missed the opportunity to destroy the invasion fleet. But in the end, Wake defended himself.

I decided to try a different tactic than in the previous game. Since I can't deploy my aircraft carriers against the Kido Butai, even if they operate together, I'll keep each with its escort and attack where the Japanese aircraft won't be. The attacks will be weaker, but I can be in more places. We'll see how it works.



Akagi is just wishful thinking

Air War
The absolute supremacy of Japanese aircraft over Burma, Malaysia and the Philippines does not allow any major operations. I limit myself there to smaller skirmishes, when I managed to catch Japanese bombers without an escort several times. Otherwise, the main losses were caused by the Japanese themselves with too bold air raids on Manila and Singapore. Of course, I tried to attack the Japanese invasion forces, but the quality of the planes and crews is very bad. So my best bomber is the P-35As, which hit several transport ships in Lingayen Gulf. I withdrew all P-40s and B-17s from the Philippines. They would bleed unnecessarily here.

Another place where I try to unsettle the enemy a bit is China. Two AVG squadrons moved to China, where they try to attack mainly Japanese air raids at irregular intervals. Most of the escort is Ki-27 and we can handle that. I am gradually transferring the Chinese squadrons and sending them to India for training. I don't want to use up valuable supplies.


Correct there are about 514 Japanese aircraft ???




Burma & Malaya
Nothing special here. The Japanese land all along the coast of Malaya from Singor to Mersing. I managed to withdraw absolutely all units to the safety of Singapore. Only the three units retreating from Kota Bhar will fight and blockade central Malaya. There is no enemy in Burma yet. The Japanese are intensively bombing Rangoon and I expect some para-drops. I have decided not to fight for southern Burma, and will only build defenses around Mandalay. But I'm starting the main fortification work in Myitkina. I'm hoping the Air Force will help me defend here.

DEI
Japanese aircraft carriers cruised through the DEI, sinking everything in their path. The Japanese then land only on Borneo in Singkawang, Kuching and Miri, and also on Sorong Island. After 14 days, the expected landing in Palembang came, but the first wave is very weak and the majority consists only of the rear units. The opponent probably didn't count on the fact that my transport and floatplanes would work like bees. The defense is already around 500 and I hope to increase it even more.
In the second half of the month, the Japanese continue to land along the entire coast of Borneo, in three places in Java and also on the southern tip of Sumatra. The Allies, on the other hand, landed the British 18th Division at the last moment, which should significantly strengthen the defense of Palembang. The Japanese must bleed here.



Philippines
Nothing surprising here either. After the crushing blow of Kido Butai, the Japanese land all along the coast of Luzon from north to south. The main bases have been bombed by at least a hundred planes every day since the first days. Since I need to build a fortification at Clark Field, I try a little psychological game. I'm sending P-35A fighters to Manila and from there on a mission against Japanese transports. About 5 ships are damaged, but above all, from then on, the Japanese concentrate only on Manila for more than a week, and at Clark Field a fortification is quickly built to the size of 3. All troops withdraw to Clark Field and Bataan. I am waiting in Manila for a new division to be formed and on December 20th I will clear Manila as well.
The rest of the islands are quiet. The uninhabited islands come under Japanese control gradually and automatically. The Japanese occupy Davao, which I leave to them and gradually withdraw everything to Cagayan.



Pacific
As the Kido Butai is deployed in the SRA there is little Japanese activity in the Pacific. Rabaul, Shortland and Tulagi are occupied, as well as Baker Island and Canton Island. Wake Atoll was successfully defended. I expect the situation to change as Kido Butai was last reported off Formosa. I don't know what that means yet, but if the Japanese wanted to deploy her in a southerly direction, I would assume she would sail to Truk.
So there is the possibility of some activity in the north and if I was paranoid enough, an additional attack on Pearl Harbor. But the survey is active in Hawaii, Midway and Johnston Island, and I suppose I would be warned in time. The North Pacific is under submarine surveillance. I can't do more yet.

China
I'm watching some Japanese moves, but it's too early for any big ground battles. But the air force is very active and unfortunately so numerous that even my Flying Tigers cannot stop it. In the north I register an attempt by tank units to bypass my positions and the 29th division is trying to open a road to the north. So far unsuccessful.



On the Sian front, I managed to delay the enemy and retreat towards the city, where I will try to build a defense. I see the largest number of units advancing on Changsha so far. The survey reports 16 units.
In the south, there is still a little groping. First I have to find out the center of gravity of the Japanese attack. I'll stick to the basic idea of lane blocking and cruising to make supply difficult if he gets around me. Changsha, Sian and Kweiyang never leave.




Sub War
As I mentioned at the beginning, on the first day Kido Butai attacked the port of Manila. This is a total disaster for my submarines. Nineteen submarines are sunk directly in the raid, five more sunk as a result of damage over the next few days. I will not mention their names here. The USS Porpoise miraculously survived the raid and, together with USS S-36 and USS S-39, which were at sea, are now the only submarines in the Philippines and Formosa area. Another four submarines are damaged and trying to get to Australia for repairs.
As expected, Dutch submarines claim the most success. They manage to damage two large aircraft carriers and several cargo ships are sunk. Unfortunately, my losses continue. S-39 is sunk by planes from Kido Butai, USS Porpoise is damaged in the same area. So I withdraw the last submarine from the Philippines and concentrate on DEI.

[BBfanboy]

About the 514 Japanese air losses: the total for both sides adds up to 814 (300+514) in the left hand columns, but at the top of the chart in the middle column showing the loss total for all types the figure is 603. That suggest over 200 losses are a FOW over-estimate.

[godefroycz]

The first picture shows only Japanese planes, so I assume the difference is 603 - 514, and 514 is the actual value factored into the points.
The second picture of allies is correctly 300 vs 300 because there is no FOW

But I'm also satisfied with 514. It's 214 more than I have in the first month. That's not bad.

[DesertWolf101]

Yes, the number is 514. The correct number for lost aircraft is always on the right side of the air losses screen. This includes the number of aircraft lost for the day (meaning the Japanese air losses for that day were inflated by 3 as they are reported as 49 in the broken down list instead of the real 46 on the right side total).

Want to know how many 4E aircraft the Allies lost? Subtract the Allied number on the right side of the air losses screen from the number on the main intel screen. This is because the air losses on the main intel screen counts points (4E heavy bombers are the only ones that count double) while the air losses screen counts airframes.

You are doing very well in the air btw, usually the Japanese should be significantly ahead at this stage of the air war.

[godefroycz]

January 1, 1942

In this game, the opponent uses air force really heavily. Kweilin is bombarded by nearly a hundred Nell and Betty planes. Yesterday, AVG operated from there. Today he is at another airfield shooting down planes near Changsha. I have to be constantly on the move or I would be destroyed on the ground. Clark Field, Palembang and Surabaya are also bombed.
What I feared is here. The Japanese are landing reinforcements in Palembang, namely the 38th Division. I hope the defenses will hold until the British 18th Division arrives. The second nuisance comes from Paotow, where the Japanese 29th Division has forced the Chinese to retreat, opening up the northern route to China. There is no way to close this breakthrough, but I had no plans to defend northern China. I'll withdraw the air force and leave it to its own devices. The Japanese also occupied the abandoned Nanning and Wuchow.

Air losses (J:A) - 19:4