Act III - DBB-C Uncivil Engineer (J) vs. christopher 1963 (A)

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 12 - 15, 1943

On the 12th Nells from Battambang bombed the Allied ground unit at Prachuap Khiri Khan, while B-24s bombed the Japanese ground units and base; neither did much damage. An unsuccessful Japanese deliberate attack followed -

Ground combat at Prachuap Khiri Khan (54,64)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13424 troops, 186 guns, 499 vehicles, Assault Value = 481
Defending force 3494 troops, 66 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 116
Japanese adjusted assault: 247
Allied adjusted defense: 223
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Allied ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Division
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
8th Field Construction Battalion
27th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
18th Australian Brigade

Meanwhile at Ambon the last Japanese unit (21 Div/B) was destroyed.

On the 13th the Allies landed troops at Wewak and captured Wau. The Japanese stepped up the attack in Thailand and forced the Aussie unit back -

Ground combat at Prachuap Khiri Khan (54,64)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 13296 troops, 186 guns, 499 vehicles, Assault Value = 469
Defending force 3385 troops, 66 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 100
Japanese adjusted assault: 613
Allied adjusted defense: 87
Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
308 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1250 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 28 (8 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (7 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
8th Field Construction Battalion
27th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
18th Australian Brigade

Ki-61-Id Tony R&D advanced to Dec '43.

On the 14th LRCAP at Alor Star shot down 6 B-25 (I'll take any good news I can find!) -

Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 15

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged

-----

Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 8 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Betties flying from Singapore attacked BB Massachusetts near Georgetown unsuccessfully -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Georgetown at 48,73

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts

On the 15th the Allies landed troops at Donggala. An ASW task force at Balikpapan was attacked by carrier aircraft and the defending George squadron did fairly well -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kagero
SC Ch 38, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Manazuru
SC Ch 36, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

-----

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kagero
E Manazuru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

The recently reconstituted Akagi fighters resized to 72 on CV Zuikaku at Tokyo. They will train to defend Saipan from the airbase there.

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 16 - 17, 1943

On the 16th the Allies captured Donggala without a fight. They also bombarded Balikpapan, Victoria Point, and Kendari (and probably other places not in my notes).

Ha-43 engine R&D advanced to Nov '44.

On the 17th the Allies also bombarded Bikini atoll and assaulted Kendari.

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 18 - 19, 1943

On the 18th the Allies captured Wewak.

CVL Ryujo's fighters respawned, boarded CV Zuikaku, and increased to 72 in number (although it will take 2 weeks to fill out the unit).

Ki-44-IIc Tojo R&D advanced to Jun '43 (this is the armored version of the Tojo).

On the 19th the Allies captured Chumphon from the mighty 18th JNAF -

Ground combat at Chumphon (52,66)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3723 troops, 65 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 128
Defending force 1067 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Allied adjusted assault: 58
Japanese adjusted defense: 3
Allied assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Chumphon !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th Australian Brigade

Defending units:
18th JNAF AF Unit

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 20 - 22, 1943

On the 21st CV Kaga's torpedo bombers respawned, boarded CV Zuikaku, and resized to 72.

The Allies captured Kendari and Lae.

Ki-84a Frank R&D advanced to Jul '43

On the 22nd the Allies assaulted Kolaka and attacked at Victoria Point -

Ground combat at Victoria Point (51,66)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 6313 troops, 130 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 212
Defending force 1990 troops, 55 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 35
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Allied adjusted assault: 85
Japanese adjusted defense: 19
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Shouldn't a 4 to 1 attack reduce the forts by 3?

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

Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th Australian Brigade
14th Canadian Brigade
2/2nd Pion Bn /3

Defending units:
5th Recon Regiment
21st Fld AA Gun Co
5th Field Artillery Regiment
41st JAAF AF Bn

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 23 - 24, 1943

On the 23rd the Allies assaulted and captured Bikini atoll. Victoria Point was also captured after several days of reinforcements landing there. CV Junyo's dive bombers respawned at Tokyo.

On the 24th the Allies captured Kolaka and Nadzab and landed troops on lightly defended Makassar. CV Hiyo's fighters boarded CV Zuikaku and resized to 72.

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 25 - 27, 1943

The 2nd Guards Division (formerly the Imperial Guards Division) conducted a shock attack near Prachuap Khiri Khan to try to reopen the rail line. It failed -

Ground combat at 54,63 (near Prachuap Khiri Khan)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 10683 troops, 103 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 320
Defending force 4067 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135
Japanese adjusted assault: 432
Allied adjusted defense: 405
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
568 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Guards Division

Defending units:
111th LRP Brigade
3rd (Special Force) Division

On the 26th a small fast transport TF with supplies for Eniwetok was wiped out by a light cruiser TF -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Eniwetok at 127,108, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Numakaze, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PB Hakkaisan Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
PB Aso Maru #7

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL St. Louis
DD McCook
DD Ralph Talbot
DD John D. Edwards

Rood, G. crosses the 'T'
Massive explosion on DD Numakaze

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Eniwetok at 126,109, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze, on fire
PB Hakkaisan Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Aso Maru #7, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL St. Louis
DD McCook
DD Ralph Talbot
DD John D. Edwards

Rood, G. crosses the 'T'
-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Eniwetok at 126,108, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 21, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL St. Louis
DD McCook
DD Ralph Talbot
DD John D. Edwards

SS Balao was sunk at Chichi-jima. That's the first US sub sunk in a long time!

The Allies assaulted vacant Palopo and captured lightly defended Makassar.

A6M5c Zero R&D advanced to Aug '43. This is the first armored Zero.

On the 27th CV Junyo's respawned dive bombers (Judy) boarded CV Zuikaku and resized to 72.

Tanaka's battleship TF sortied from Saipan yesterday toward Eniwetok and after the destruction of the fast transport TF sought payback. The Allied CL TF was 8 hexes away, but the Japanese TF could only make 7 hexes at flank speed, so stayed with 7 to avoid getting caught too far south during daylight. It worked -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Eniwetok at 124,108, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Nagato, Shell hits 5
BB Ise, Shell hits 3
CA Haguro
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2
CL Oyodo
CLAA Tatsuta
DD Akizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Ikazuchi
DD Ayanami
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD McCook, Shell hits 1
DD Ralph Talbot
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 39% moonlight: 12,000 yards
...
Rood, G. orders Allied TF to disengage

-----

Day Time Surface Combat, near Eniwetok at 124,108, Range 29,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 3 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Nagato, Shell hits 3
BB Ise
CA Haguro
CA Aoba
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 2
CLAA Tatsuta
DD Akizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 1
DD Ayanami
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD McCook, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
...
Rood, G. orders Allied TF to disengage (but Tanaka is relentless)
...
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
Magazine explodes on CL Marblehead
Range closes to 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

The Allies captured Madang.

RADM Tanaka's TF after the battle -

[Uncivil Engineer]

Here's a summary of most of the Allied operations in the South Pacific/Papua New Guinea for April and May 1943. Where dates are not shown they are either not known (my notes are sometimes incomplete), the base flipped, or the base was captured before April.



Note the delays between assault and capture at many bases. Wewak, for example, was defended by a lone construction unit that was easily defeated when finally attacked. Rabaul should have been bypassed, but he's spent a month building up an attack force to capture a base that is unusable to Japan.

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 28 - 30, 1943

On the 28th B6N2a Jill R&D advanced to Aug '44 and D4Y3 Judy R&D advanced to Nov '43.

On the 29th the respawned Jills of CV Shoho boarded CV Zuikaku and resized to 72. The Allies attacked at Prachuap Khiri Khan (southwest of Bangkok) -

Ground combat at Prachuap Khiri Khan (54,64)

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 6975 troops, 89 guns, 211 vehicles, Assault Value = 588
Defending force 7109 troops, 74 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 168
Allied adjusted assault: 214
Japanese adjusted defense: 235
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
726 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
386 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
21st Australian Brigade
111th LRP Brigade
16th Australian Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
50th Indian Para Brigade
Aus I Corps
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
8th Field Construction Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
27th JAAF AF Bn

On the 30th J1N1-S Irving night fighters began production at 60 per month.

The last Japanese defenders at Makassar (48 Div/C) were wiped out by attrition.

Ki-84a Frank R&D advanced to Jun '43 (2 days to go!)

[Uncivil Engineer]

Here's a summary of the Allied operations in the Dutch East Indies for April and May 1943 -

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 31 - Jun 15, 1943

Just the highlights -

May 31 - Lily dive bombers hit CL Helena (I think this is the first occurrence of an Army bomber getting a hit on a ship, other than a sub).

Jun 1 - Ki-44-IIc Tojo began production at 60 per month and Ki-84a Frank began production at 210 per month.

Jun 2 - the Allies captured Prachuap-Khiri-Khan.

Jun 3 - CV Junyo's respawned Zeroes boarded CV Zuikaku and resized to 72 aircraft. Saipan's airfield reached level 6.

Jun 4 - BB Hiei arrived at Hiroshima with damage requiring 36 days in the shipyard.

Jun 7 - the Allies captured Manokwari.

Jun 10 - the Allies captured Eniwetok and Salamaua.

Jun 11 - the Allies attacked and reduced the forts at Rabaul.

Jun 12 - the Allies captured Rabaul (after about a month, netting 374 VP).

Jun 14 - the Allies captured vacant Mataram. D4Y3 Judy R&D advanced to Oct '43.

Jun 15 - the Allies captured vacant Jolo. Ki-61-Id Tony R&D advanced to Nov '43.

The VP ratio stands at 35820 Allies vs. 30519 Japan, or 1.17

Edit to add: As I said back in September (real time), if the Allies can take Palembang by the middle of '43 all is lost. It's now the middle of '43 and they are nowhere near Palembang. They have yet to invade either Sumatra, Java, or Malaya but just (Jun 17) landed a unit adjacent to Sabang. I'm fairly certain the Allies have the troops available to invade and capture (relatively easily) whichever of these they decide on. The Japanese are still pulling fuel and oil out of Palembang (along with some resources) and resources out of Batavia. Soerabaja, Balikpapan, and Tarakan have been shut down as they are all too close to Allied naval units. Mindanao is also ripe for the taking, but it's not worth anything VP-wise. IMO, the Allies best move currently is the invasion of Malaya at either Alor Star or Georgetown followed by a drive on Singapore. That would net some VP and shutdown Palembang. Let's see what he does!

[Uncivil Engineer]

I'm planning a raid!

With the respawn of carrier aircraft over the last month the Japanese now have about 540 land-based aircraft (and 2 carriers) to conduct a major strike against British and American shipping operating off the Burma/Thailand/Malaya/
Sumatra coasts. By last count there is 459 aviation support in that area, so it will be a fly in, strike, fly out 3 day mission. In order to avoid attacking useless targets, like the small ships at Tavoy, Mergui, and Victoria Point, search missions will be directed toward Phuket and Sabang. Attack ranges will also be limited to ensure fighter cover.

The available aircraft are:
Ryujo's Zeroes - 72
Hiyo's Zeroes - 72
Akagi's Zeroes - 72
Hiyo's Judys - 63
Kaga's Jills - 72
Shoho's Jills - 72
755's Nells - 36
705's Nells - 36
753's Betties - 45
and CVs Soryu and Zuikaku with full complement. The carriers will remain east of the Malay peninsula so a surface engagement is not possible.

Air HQ (and thus torpedoes) are (or will be) at Kota Bharu, Battambang, Phnom Penh, and Saigon. Some of these have command ranges that will allow torpedo bombers to be flown from other bases, as well.

Seventy two Zeroes will fly sweeps against Phuket and Sabang (the Japanese still control Sabang, so the sweep may be against the adjacent hex where Allied troops have landed). Then the rest of the herd will fly naval attack against whatever's in range (and detected). Many of the fighters have already relocated from bases on Honshu to Takao. The current turn is Jun 19. It will likely take a week to get the carriers in position, so we'll plan to move the land-based bombers into position on Jun 26 and strike on Jun 27.

Stay tuned.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 20, 1943

I've accelerated part of the raid. There are some small(ish) ships at Mergui, including an AO and AMC (per previous search). Today's strike has Akagi's Zeroes at Bangkok flying LRCAP over Mergui and Ryujo's Zeroes and Kaga's Jills at Battambang flying escort and naval attack (with torpedoes). Search has been restricted so that only the shipping at Mergui gets detected (Sabang will be detected, as well, but is too far away to be reached from Bangkok and Battambang). The 705 squadron of Nells at Saigon might also participate, but without torpedoes. 21 Air HQ is enroute to Saigon (3 days out) and 22 Air HQ is enroute to Phnom Penh (10+ days out). An air HQ is at Kota Bharu (for future use against Sabang/Phuket).

Results will be posted here when I get the turn back.

[GrosserKreuzer]

Since I see that you have increased the size of the carrier squadrons, is their a reason why you chose to increase them to 72? Is that a "perfect size" in some way I have not figured out yet or is their a different reason? I would usually increase them to their maximum size (and Zuikaku could increase the squadron size further).

[Uncivil Engineer]

Since I see that you have increased the size of the carrier squadrons, is their a reason why you chose to increase them to 72? Is that a "perfect size" in some way I have not figured out yet or is their a different reason? I would usually increase them to their maximum size (and Zuikaku could increase the squadron size further).

72 is the aircraft "size" for Zuikaku. It can carry a few more and still operate. I haven't tried to resize the squadrons bigger then that. The resized squadrons will be used as land-based units since their carriers have been sunk. I've had to split them into 3 sub-units of 24 to get them to actually conduct missions, cause most bases can't accommodate 72 planes. One of the sub-units trains while the others fly, and then they rotate.

So, if it's not 72, what is the maximum size?

[JanSako]

The maximum size is the carrier size.
I usually use Akagi to get to 81, then split the squadrons into 3x27 which is a common enough size for IJN.

As Allies, I use 90 for some Navy & Marine training units. Using the whole unit in attack roles would be gamey IMO, and I understand there can be some issues with the engine if one does that.

[GrosserKreuzer]

The maximum size is actually 115% of the carrier size (rounded down). This means Akagi can increase the squadron size up to 93 aircraft (splitting into 3 x 31), a 72 carrier can go to 82 and so on. 115% is also the maximum for launching (combat) missions.

I know the game says somthing like "choose a squadron size between 1 and 72" when on a size 72 carrier, but this seems not to be relevant. You can actually enter seemingly any value, but more than 1.15 times the size will not work.

I found out about this by entering a wrong value (I think 82 on Akagi) and then looked in the manual + did some tests and this behavior seems consistent.

I thought I was stupid for not realizing this immediately, but maybe this really is not common knowledge.

[Uncivil Engineer]

The maximum size is actually 115% of the carrier size (rounded down). This means Akagi can increase the squadron size up to 93 aircraft (splitting into 3 x 31), a 72 carrier can go to 82 and so on. 115% is also the maximum for launching (combat) missions.

I know the game says somthing like "choose a squadron size between 1 and 72" when on a size 72 carrier, but this seems not to be relevant. You can actually enter seemingly any value, but more than 1.15 times the size will not work.

I found out about this by entering a wrong value (I think 82 on Akagi) and then looked in the manual + did some tests and this behavior seems consistent.

I thought I was stupid for not realizing this immediately, but maybe this really is not common knowledge.

Thanks for the info. I knew a carrier could operate over the limit, but I thought it was 5%, not 15%.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 20 - 24, 1943

On the 20th none of the "raid" air units flew - probably because they just arrived at the launch airfields.

On the 21st none of the raid air units flew because of clouds over Mergui - no ships were detected. Remember, I have restricted search so that only a specific location will get detection. On this date the Allies landed troops at Samarinda and Densapar. The former is defended by a construction battalion and some AA; the later is vacant.

On the 22nd A6M5c Zero R&D advanced to July '43 (next month ). Densapar flipped. The raid was switched to Chumphon airfield and ground units, but did not fly.

On the 23rd unescorted Nells and escorted Jills flew their missions against Chumphon but didn't really accomplish anything. The 72-strong A6M5 squadron at Bangkok flew a sweep but flew after all the other missions . Mitchell bombers hit Miri (from Jolo) for the first time. Extra shipping there will leave and in the future tankers will not disband in port. The Allies landed troops at Digos on Mindanao. Samarinda was captured easily by the Allies.

On the 24th the raid target was switched to shipping at Phuket. Several sorties flew and sank 2 AM and an AMc. Hardly worth the effort.

[Uncivil Engineer]

We're on hold for a week while the Allied commander takes a trip to Hawai'i.

[Uncivil Engineer]

This will wrap it up -

Jun 25 - Jills attacked transports at Victoria Point and sank 2 but suffered heavy loss.

Jun 26 - the Allies landed troops northwest of Hollandia; Jills attacked shipping at Sabang and again had heavy losses. George LRCAP over Medan downed 3 Blenheim bombers and 6 Wellingtons. The 21 Rgt was destroyed at Sabang.

Jun 27 - At Sabang, RO-109 attacked on the surface and sank an xAKL; I-28 put a torpedo in a tanker.

Jun 28 - Our 2 remaining CVs attacked shipping at Victoria Point, with poor results.

Jul 1 - Tojo IIa production was upgraded to IIb, then IIc without damage. CV Enterprise was sighted near Balabac, but the sub torpedo missed.

Jul 3 - the Allies landed troops at Puerto Princessa and captured Cotabato.

Jul 4 - our BB TF sortied from Manila, but missed it's target. The Allied CVs attacked Manila. The Allies assaulted Langsa.

Jul 5 - the Allies assaulted Banjermasin. Manila port was bombed damaging more Japanese ships. Ha-43 engine research advanced to Oct '44.

Jul 6 - Bandjoewangi flipped, gifting the Allies a toehold on Java (without invading). The Allies captured Namatanai.

Jul 7 - Bandjermasin flipped. The Allies assaulted vacant Balabac.

Jul 8 - Balabac flipped. The Allies assaulted vacant Pamekasan.

Jul 9 - The Allies walked into vacant Oroquieta. Jills flying from Manila sank 2 xAK at Puerto Princessa (no CAP) and put 2 torpedoes in BB Indiana nearby. The Allies captured vacant Pamekasan and Satawal (near Truk). Judy 3 research advanced to Sep '43.

Jul 10 - Banggi flipped. The Allies assaulted Tarakan and a hex between Madioen and Malang on Java. The Allied CVs sank 4 empty small tankers bound for Singapore. VPs stand at 37603 for Allies and 31080 for Japan.

Jul 11 - The Allies assaulted vacant Taytay.

Jul 12 - Taytay flipped. SS I-1 put 3 torpedoes in BB Massachusetts near Langsa and sank the battleship before being mauled by the escort and sunk herself. The Allied CVs attacked a tanker TF in the South China Sea sinking 11, including 8 big tankers. The last Japanese unit at Namatanai was wiped out.

Jul 13 - a Japanese sub sank a xAP at Tarakan. The Allied CVs attacked the port at Kompong Trach, sinking more Japanese shipping. The Allies assaulted San Jose, Tjepoe, Sandakan, and Sampit.

Japanese forces are incapable of defending. With Palembang essentially shut down, oil will run out in about 30 days; fuel will run out in about 90 days, shutting down everything. Although the airplane inventory appears robust, there is insufficient supply to repair damaged aircraft and replenish depleted squadrons. I congratulated the Allied commander on his Decisive Victory and surrendered.