1943 March 22

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> 1943 March 22

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1943 March 22 - 2/12/2013 10:49:03 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 22

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

Heroics amid the doom in China.

quote:

Ground combat at 80,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31241 troops, 279 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 676

Defending force 20627 troops, 157 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Japanese adjusted assault: 443

Allied adjusted defense: 241

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
503 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th/C Division
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
17th/B Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th Division
13th/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 713

Defending force 49843 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1448

Assaulting units:
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
114th Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
3rd/B Division
104th/C Division
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd War Area
1st Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 76,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 457 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 405

Defending force 63410 troops, 235 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1808

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

Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
9th Division
32nd/A Division
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
73rd Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
65th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
32nd Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Cavalry Division
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
6th War Area
19th Group Army
9th War Area
32nd Group Army

quote:

Coastwatcher Report: CV Akagi reported in port at Shortlands

A large raid on Munda did well, except that the P-38 sweep ahead of it scored about even with the Tojos. The 4EB made up for that by leaving deadly craters in the runway that claimed more.

That SCTF bearing down on Nauru turned out to be a lone destroyer, which turned around rather than accept a daylight gunnery engagement at 30,000 yards with 4 x fast battleships and their escort! Nauru itself just received 200 defensive mines.

Lexington, Yorktown, and Hornet together with 5 x CL and 7 x DD are departing Pearl Harbor bound for the battle zone, Vice Admiral Wilson Brown commanding.

At least with all these Imperial units so deep inside China they are far from the coast where they can catch ocean-going transport to distant places.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 901

1943 March 23 - 2/13/2013 2:57:52 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 23

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

More thuggishness in China.

quote:

Ground combat at 72,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1524 troops, 0 guns, 275 vehicles, Assault Value = 597

Defending force 29549 troops, 198 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 801

Japanese adjusted assault: 83

Allied adjusted defense: 1041

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 12

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 47 (2 destroyed, 45 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
55th Infantry Brigade
104th/B Division

Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/A Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
6th Construction Regiment
1st Construction Regiment
4th Construction Regiment
14th Chinese Base Force

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

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 713

Defending force 49859 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1449

Assaulting units:
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
3rd/B Division
114th Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
8th Recon Regiment
104th/C Division
21st Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
21st Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 76,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 457 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 854

Defending force 46879 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1263

Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
3rd/A Division
32nd/A Division
9th Division
3rd/C Division
36th/B Division
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
65th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
6th War Area
19th Group Army
9th War Area
32nd Group Army

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

Ground combat at 73,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1128 troops, 0 guns, 207 vehicles, Assault Value = 489

Defending force 32150 troops, 224 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 900

Japanese adjusted assault: 73

Allied adjusted defense: 665

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 9

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 52 (2 destroyed, 50 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
10th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
66th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
30th Infantry Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
48th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps
56th AT Gun Regiment

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

Ground combat at 78,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 768 troops, 0 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 966

Defending force 31266 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 975

Japanese adjusted assault: 44

Allied adjusted defense: 1507

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 34

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

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Defending units:
69th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
4th Chinese/A Corps

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

Ground combat at 76,44 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4095 troops, 32 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

Defending force 1336 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Japanese adjusted assault: 61

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st/B Division

Defending units:
49th Chinese Division

We've been getting some sub torp hits on merchants lately, and today we had two. One near Ponape and one near Rangoon. No troop losses were noted, but we'll take what we can get. Sweeps over Milne Bay in conjunction with bombing raids went well netting more than a half-dozen Nicks and a few other fighters.

As interesting as China is right now, here is another look at the Nauru area. It seems as if the two healthy Kongos have come out to play. Weather tomorrow is predicted clear. One of the two USN CVE task forces has been spotted and will move NE to avoid compromising the DL of the other three TF in the Battle Fleet. The other CVE TF and the CV TF will move west, and the fast battleships will patrol in front of them. If the IJN BB force hits Nauru tonight and is back in the same position come daylight tomorrow, the USN carriers will be 6 hexes away. If they move away from a bombardment in another direction, they will get away.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 902

RE: 1943 March 20 - 2/13/2013 3:01:43 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

This is very interesting AAR and I have been following it closely. I think, apart from China, that Allies are in quite good shape for early 1943. Besides, now you start to get F6F Hellcats.

Thanks!

I can't wait to get the Hellcats. Can't wait to bust out onto some open terrain in Burma too, to bring some relief to China. It looks like - maybe - four more turns until the tip of the wedge has blocked those deepest Imperial units. Then the Australians will begin attacking them in concert with air strikes. They could retreat SW, but I figure that would just make that stack more vulnerable due to over stacking.

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Post #: 903

RE: 1943 March 20 - 2/13/2013 8:02:19 PM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
Status: offline

On a Hellcat related question: Do you play with any HR regarding max altitude?

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Post #: 904

RE: 1943 March 20 - 2/13/2013 8:23:38 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

On a Hellcat related question: Do you play with any HR regarding max altitude?

No, we don't. We both hold the opinion that high-altitude is a non-issue as far as it being borked or anything. High-altitude sweeps can be dealt with when you have the resources. When you don't - well, you don't! Put your pilots too high they suffer more fatigue. Bombers can't hit much when they are too high. And so on.

Most of my sweeps are being done at 20,000 ft. I suppose I could start putting the P-38 units higher, and certainly when I get P-47 and P-51 on line.

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Post #: 905

RE: 1943 March 20 - 2/13/2013 8:31:44 PM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
Status: offline

Erik and I have been using the "2nd best MVR band" HR. That is why I�m asking. The Hellcats get access to that HR by our HR and that made it even more a killer as I get the dive on all Jap fighters. On a side note I will never use that HR again...

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Post #: 906

RE: 1943 March 20 - 2/13/2013 9:11:34 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

I believe you will never use it again - there is already enough to remember and check in this game! Having to either memorize or periodically check the maneuver bands on fighters to avoid busting an HR would make my head explode.

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Post #: 907

1943 March 24 - 2/14/2013 9:02:12 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 24

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

China, the saga continues.

quote:

Ground combat at 78,44 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6750 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 338

Defending force 5615 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 193

Japanese adjusted assault: 210

Allied adjusted defense: 6

Japanese assault odds: 35 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2050 casualties reported
Squads: 105 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
96th Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 713

Defending force 49812 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1448

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
3rd/B Division
22nd/A Division
8th Recon Regiment
104th/C Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
91st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd War Area
20th Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 76,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 801 troops, 51 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 869

Defending force 46873 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1260

Assaulting units:
3rd/C Division
32nd/A Division
9th Division
3rd/A Division
5th Recon Regiment
36th/B Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
20th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
6th War Area
19th Group Army
9th War Area
32nd Group Army

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

Ground combat at 81,37 (near Kungchang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 450 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 421

Defending force 22459 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 616

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

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
9th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
1st War Area
7th Group Army
8th Group Army

A lot of noise... But none of our guys are above 10 in systems damage, no flotation damage in the lot. Massachusetts does have a cluster of 40mm AA out, and so will soon retire with the rest of the fast battleships when they head to Pearl for refit. One further bit of information about this battle - it took place in the USN fast BB's patrol hex. But during the orders phase the USN fast BBs are seen 6 hexes away. So they reacted (the full 6 hexes) to pursue the IJN force but were unable to catch them.

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 122,130, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 1
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington
BB Indiana
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 3
DD Barton, Shell hits 1
DD Gillespie, Shell hits 1
DD Kalk
DD Hammann
DD Mustin, Shell hits 1
DD Russell

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 89% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Massachusetts at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Indiana at 11,000 yards
DD Arashi engages BB Massachusetts at 11,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Mustin at 11,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Tokitsukaze at 11,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Kalk at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Gillespie at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Indiana engages BB Kirishima at 5,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Kawakaze at 5,000 yards
DD Gillespie engages DD Arashi at 5,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Gillespie at 5,000 yards
DD Arashi sunk by DD Mustin at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Massachusetts at 4,000 yards
DD Gillespie engages DD Kawakaze at 4,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB North Carolina at 4,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Mustin at 4,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Kawakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Kalk at 4,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Gillespie at 4,000 yards
Yamaguchi, Jihei orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Massachusetts at 3,000 yards
BB Massachusetts engages BB Haruna at 3,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Washington at 3,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB North Carolina at 3,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Kalk at 3,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Kawakaze at 3,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Hammann at 3,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Kalk at 3,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Gillespie at 3,000 yards
DD Barton engages DD Kawakaze at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Massachusetts at 6,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Massachusetts at 6,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Washington at 6,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Kalk at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Russell at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Mustin at 6,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Tokitsukaze at 6,000 yards
DD Kalk engages DD Yugumo at 6,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Barton at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Massachusetts at 10,000 yards
BB Massachusetts engages BB Haruna at 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Washington at 10,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Russell at 10,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Yugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Hammann at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Kalk at 10,000 yards
DD Gillespie engages DD Kawakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Barton engages DD Tokitsukaze at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB Massachusetts engages BB Kirishima at 13,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Indiana at 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Barton at 13,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB North Carolina at 13,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Kalk at 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Mustin at 13,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Yugumo at 13,000 yards
DD Kalk engages DD Kawakaze at 13,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Gillespie at 13,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Barton at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Hot SigInt: BB Karishima is moving to Rabaul. Gee, do ya think?

As far as I know all of the march '43 AP to APA conversion are complete with the batch that finished at Brisbane today. Escorts have been waiting for them and they will head to New Caledonia to await organization of the lower Solomons invasion.

Here is the central area of China. Keep your fingers crossed that there is much destruction of IJA forces in Burma to bleed off some pressure.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 908

RE: 1943 March 24 - 2/15/2013 2:20:10 AM

princep01

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline

Hummmm, I am surprised on two counts. First, why did Admiral Wa throw those BCs into a fight he knew would involve a superior USN naval presence? Second, I am shocked your advantage of 36 16" guns v 16 14" guns did not result in wholesale slaughter of the IJN TF. You were most unfortunate. Your force gained radar contact long before he spotted you. Crossing his T would have been likely but apparantly you did not get that advantage. Better luck next time, admiral!!

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Post #: 909

RE: 1943 March 24 - 2/15/2013 3:54:33 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

The outcome of the battle does not really surprise me, although I know it could have been very different.

I was fairly surprised by the decision to send them in, if it was for bombardment. But given that they came right at the BB TF in its patrol hex, I have a different theory. I suspect that they were not tasked to bombard Nauru. I think they were carrier hunting. The previous day the fast BBs defended against a surface threat from Kwajalein vector. So, either Admiral Wa (sorry, make that Devious Admiral Wa) had some whiff of carriers being south of Nauru or he just made an educated guess (and a good one) and sent in the hunters. With the battleships defending to the north-northeast, the hunters might just have gotten to their quarry.

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Post #: 910

RE: 1943 March 24 - 2/15/2013 12:50:13 PM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
Status: offline

It surprises me though!

I would have thought you would cream his TF!

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Post #: 911

RE: 1943 March 24 - 2/15/2013 2:41:40 PM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
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quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

It surprises me though!

I would have thought you would cream his TF!

I can see three things that may have ended the battle early:
- the Kongo class is two knots faster than the South Dakota class BBs
- the Japanese admiral likely had higher naval skills than the allied one [thus no crossing-the-T success]
- rainstorms that are heavy enough can hide ships, even from radar

_____________________________

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Post #: 912

RE: 1943 March 24 - 2/15/2013 3:04:10 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

The combat results don't surprise me because both history and RL seem to have plenty of examples of outcomes like that, which are either somewhat contrary to the expected outcome or mostly abortive. About the game sometimes players complain about what should have happened without even realizing that the game engine has done a really decent job of mirroring the chances of such things IRL. Not saying it's perfect or that all player complaints have been invalid, or even that I have never had any such complaints about outcomes. Just that, in the vein being discussed, RL seems to be very fickle and the game engine is pretty well in line with that.

IRL there are many trillions more variables than we can account for when we conceive of 'how things should go' in a given combat situation, so sometimes things go differently than we figure. To deal with that in our thinking we strive to remain open minded about possibilities actually occurring, we talk about 'chance', 'luck', 'fortune', whatever. In-game they use many random factors that they try to anchor in ways that give results mirroring RL. For example 'competent' commanders have a better chance of positively influencing an outcome than do 'incompetent' commanders, but only a better chance rather than a certainty.

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Post #: 913

RE: 1943 March 24 - 2/15/2013 3:10:39 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

It surprises me though!

I would have thought you would cream his TF!

I can see three things that may have ended the battle early:
- the Kongo class is two knots faster than the South Dakota class BBs
- the Japanese admiral likely had higher naval skills than the allied one [thus no crossing-the-T success]
- rainstorms that are heavy enough can hide ships, even from radar

Yeah, maybe all three of those contributed. Certainly the IJN TF commander should have and did want to disengage when it became apparent that the odds were heavily stacked the other way. And ships that choose to disengage typically get a big head start before the other side can come around to chase them at full speed. Even that is often confounded by evading torpedoes, either real or imagined.

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Post #: 914

1943 March 25 - 2/19/2013 4:58:32 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 25

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

The pressure in China,

quote:

Ground combat at 80,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29969 troops, 255 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 769

Defending force 20417 troops, 156 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Japanese adjusted assault: 667

Allied adjusted defense: 271

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
254 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
637 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
15th/C Division
17th/B Division
110th Division
13th/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps

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

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 713

Defending force 49844 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1449

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

Assaulting units:
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
3rd/B Division
8th Recon Regiment
22nd/A Division
104th/C Division
4th Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
1st Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 76,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 801 troops, 51 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 881

Defending force 46832 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1256

Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
9th Division
3rd/C Division
3rd/A Division
32nd/A Division
36th/B Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
20th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
6th War Area
19th Group Army
9th War Area
32nd Group Army

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

Ground combat at 81,37 (near Kungchang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 450 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 422

Defending force 22076 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 609

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
9th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
1st War Area
8th Group Army

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

Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4683 troops, 44 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 733

Defending force 7117 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Assaulting units:
102nd Infantry Regiment
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
59th Infantry Brigade
138th Infantry Regiment
19th/C Division

Defending units:
34th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
6th Chinese Base Force

One small favorable development, if the Empire even notices, our forces have flipped the only enemy controlled hex side into Chungking back to our side, cutting off the Imperial jackals defiling the city.

The situation in Burma is changing. The Imperial troops at Warazup are pulling out. Just over the border in China, the unit making a second (further) end-run around Paoshan has turned around and is heading back to Burma. That was a nice wasted trip for them, Chinese Army troops moving into position well ahead of them.

DAW's minions mined Nauru, but our boys are on the job and it was the mine sweepers that found it. Saratoga will be in position tomorrow to receive her air group from New Caledonia. There is a TF of unknown composition moving up the coast of New Guinea SE of Port Moresby. It's unclear if they are headed to that base or if they intend to take a shot at some landing craft we have moving up the coast of Australia. One problem is that the fast battleships have run away toward the Solomons! To try and reign them in the TF has been assigned React=0, Patrol is cancelled, and Remain on Station ordered for a rendezvous with the carriers.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 915

1943 March 26 - 2/19/2013 7:35:52 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 26

The Empire captured:
Kungchang

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

Some progress for the Empire in China. Those sturdy holdouts west of Patung frustrated the Emperor's boys greatly by holding in place through numerous 2 to 1 losses, and finally a shock attack dislodges them. Losses were heavy, but they disabled many, many Imperial squads while in place. On the Chungking plain a sizeable but totally disrupted Chinese Army unit is smashed aside. At this point we are trying to hold the roads onto the Chungking plain and continue maneuvering behind Imperial units to delay the inevitable.

quote:

Ground combat at 80,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 29876 troops, 255 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 758

Defending force 19890 troops, 155 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 68

Japanese adjusted assault: 1212

Allied adjusted defense: 208

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
606 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
6411 casualties reported
Squads: 196 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 348 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 33 (28 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th/B Division
110th Division
15th/C Division
58th Infantry Regiment
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
13th/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps

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

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 713

Defending force 49829 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1448

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
3rd/B Division
22nd/A Division
8th Recon Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
104th/C Division
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
1st Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
3rd War Area
20th Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 79,44 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5652 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 339

Defending force 12746 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 381

Japanese adjusted assault: 116

Allied adjusted defense: 20

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
3595 casualties reported
Squads: 116 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 146 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
80th Chinese Corps
Jingcha War Area

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

Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23530 troops, 172 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 733

Defending force 7075 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Japanese adjusted assault: 531

Allied adjusted defense: 22

Japanese assault odds: 24 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kungchang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3324 casualties reported
Squads: 120 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 125 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 23 (23 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
102nd Infantry Regiment
138th Infantry Regiment
59th Infantry Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
19th/C Division

Defending units:
34th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
6th Chinese Base Force

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

Ground combat at 76,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 801 troops, 51 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 891

Defending force 43336 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1147

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

Assaulting units:
32nd/A Division
9th Division
3rd/A Division
3rd/C Division
5th Recon Regiment
36th/B Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
9th War Area
6th War Area
19th Group Army
32nd Group Army

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

Ground combat at 81,37 (near Kungchang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 450 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

Defending force 21941 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 601

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
9th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
1st War Area
8th Group Army

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

Ground combat at 81,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

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

Defending force 1840 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Assaulting units:
15th/B Division

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps

Kitakami is holed!

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Gove at 85,129

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 14

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
DD Hibiki
DD Inazuma

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Gove at 85,129

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

For even a newer CL that is likely mortal injury. We have several subs patrolling west of her position. Saratoga now has mojo! The fast battleships have been recalled and will head for a refueling stop on their way to Pearl Harbor for refit and repairs. Long Island, the Bogue class CVE, and Wasp are all due for refit in April and will likely head for Sydney after the southern Solomons invasion.

In Burma our forces have reached Warazup and 7th Indian Bde and 2nd Burma Bde will attack a fleeing Imperial unit of unknown composition tomorrow. An Imperial unit is also pulling out of Myitkyina toward Bhamo. The 1st Burma Bde, tasked with cutting the road from Myitkyina to Katha, has been bombed and is making slower progress. The 29th British Bde has reached the edge of the jungle and met up with the tip of the Wedge. Simultaneously, an Imperial unit has moved into the adjacent hex (E), opening a hex side for that previously trapped IJA regiment to escape. The 29th will now move SE, behind that rescuer, and endeavor to trap them both.

Meanwhile the 23rd Indian and 17th Indian divisions are making good progress moving to the SW from the same position. Their mission is to cut off three Imperial units facing the two Australian divisions to the immediate west.

With all of the theaters heating up I am now feeling some conflict about which 4EB squadrons get filled out first. A 2-plane B-24 squadron at Karachi is upgraded to B-17E to take part in the upcoming battle for Burma. A second squadron there will have to wait for enough B-24D1 to become available as there are now 16 spare B-17E and 16 spare B-17F, enough to keep the present squadrons going for some time but too few to upgrade more groups. There are 5 x B-24D1 now so the wait should be less than a week.

Here is the situation in Burma.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by witpqs -- 2/20/2013 5:01:39 AM >

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 916

1943 March 27 - 2/20/2013 5:00:34 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 27

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

China:

quote:

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 713

Defending force 49831 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1448

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

Assaulting units:
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
3rd/B Division
104th/C Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
18th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 81,37 (near Kungchang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 450 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

Defending force 1267 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st War Area

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

Ground combat at 81,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5001 troops, 41 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Defending force 1832 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Japanese adjusted assault: 35

Allied adjusted defense: 103

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

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

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

Assaulting units:
15th/B Division

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at 82,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4401 troops, 34 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 419

Defending force 23169 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 722

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

Defending units:
55th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
33rd Group Army

More remains to be done at Warazup, but those units need to gain experience anyway (which Tracker shows they did not from this battle!). And one of them is equipped with meager Burma squads. These two units will rest to recover moderate disruption, then attack again presuming that the 55th is still there. Air support will not be available as higher priority tasks will keep it busy.

quote:

Ground combat at Warazup (63,41)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5097 troops, 10 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 214

Defending force 3882 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Allied adjusted assault: 129

Japanese adjusted defense: 161

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

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

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

Allied ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
75th Indian Brigade
2nd Burma Brigade

Defending units:
55th Infantry Regiment

It looks like about 4 more days before the main river crossing between Cox's Bazar and Akyab. The three infantry divisions will cross together, and maybe the armoured brigade too. That brigade withdraws in 6 days and has 7 miles to go. It was making 3 miles per day in move mode and I am hoping for 2 miles per day in combat mode. The infantry divisions are making 3 miles per day in combat mode and have 10 miles to go.

Meanwhile the 17th Indian Division, the farthest advanced of the actual tip of the wedge, might cut off the retreating IJA units to its west in as little as two days (see yesterday's map) of continued SW movement.

Of late our subs have been scoring, mostly unreported in the AAR. Here are a couple of successes.

quote:

Sub attack near Mergui at 50,62

Japanese Ships
xAK Kikukawa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Tonan Maru
E W-2

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII

SS KXVIII launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kikukawa Maru
KXVIII diving deep ....
E W-2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Wessel Islands at 83,125

Japanese Ships
xAK Osaka Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Porpoise

xAK Osaka Maru is sighted by SS Porpoise
SS Porpoise attacking on the surface

Note that one of those was very near Gove. Perhaps it was only a supply run into Horn Island.

After that TF SE of Port Moresby was seen at that port yesterday the Australians decided to visit their old base.

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 98,130, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Midori Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Yamakisan Maru, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PB Karimo Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
DD Stuart

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Reduced visibility due to Rain with 60% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 60% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Swales F. crosses the 'T'
CA Canberra engages xAK Yamakisan Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Yamakisan Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Midori Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Midori Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Yamakisan Maru at 2,000 yards
xAK Yamakisan Maru sunk by CA Canberra at 2,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Karimo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Stuart engages xAK Midori Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Karimo Maru at 3,000 yards
xAK Midori Maru sunk by CA Australia at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Karimo Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Karimo Maru at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
PB Karimo Maru sunk by CA Canberra at 3,000 yards
PB Karimo Maru sunk by CA Canberra at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

We lost 4 B-24 on the day, due mostly to stiffer IJA fighter resistance including lots of Nicks.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by witpqs -- 2/22/2013 4:20:15 AM >

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

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Post #: 917

RE: 1943 March 27 - 2/21/2013 2:23:31 AM

princep01

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline

Each time you post a theater map, the world looks a little less red:). It's good to hear the Allied torpedos and subs have improved to the level of causing the Imperials significant pain. Keep the pressure on him.

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 918

RE: 1943 March 27 - 2/21/2013 2:53:21 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

That I shall!

China is a sore point though. I figure I could do better on a second try, but the same is probably true of Walter, too.

Basically at this point I am trying to salvage what I can in China with two objectives. First, keep intact whatever forces I can, both for rebuilding and for holding as many Imperial blokes in place as possible. Second, keep the resistance up for as long as possible. I hate to do it, but I am now backing away from Tuyun both to preserve forces and prolong the resistance. The aim of prolonging the resistance is to keep the offensive minded Imperial forces engaged while the Allies make progress in Burma.

The Burma campaign is hoped to do three things: bring some relief to China; destroy Imperial formations; and push into Thailand and Malaysia. It's doubtful that this game will see the kind of breakout that our 2x2 game has in Burma, but I do have four additional excellent divisions in this contest that I lack in that one (there I have one Aussie div, here I have three plus two USA divs). I've also brought at least twice as many USA 4EB units to the theater.

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

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Post #: 919

1943 March 28 - 2/22/2013 4:02:55 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 28

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

Very minor action in China, a bit to our favor.

quote:

Ground combat at 79,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 594 troops, 17 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 712

Defending force 50099 troops, 270 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 975

Japanese adjusted assault: 17

Allied adjusted defense: 709

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 41

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

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
17th Tank Regiment
110th Division
15th/C Division
58th Infantry Regiment
13th/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
13th Group Army

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

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 713

Defending force 49799 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1448

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

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
3rd/B Division
8th Recon Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
104th/C Division
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
3rd War Area
20th Artillery Regiment

Recon of Kwajalein shows a lot of SSX in port. Extended duration recon of Makin shows 2,440 troops and 14 guns. In two more days we will have an AVD in place (soon followed by another) at Rennel Island to support a group of 12 x PBY. They will extend search coverage to close all gaps south of Rabaul and (with less reliability) even extend search beyond that base. In Burma it looks like three days, but perhaps only two, until that main river crossing near Akyab. The 17th Indian Division will be in its blocking position as early as tomorrow, but certainly by the day after. The attacks of the 6th and 7th Australian divisions will commence as soon as those two forces are in place, fully blocking retreat of the Imperial units they oppose.

Here is the Intel screen.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by witpqs -- 2/22/2013 4:19:53 AM >

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 920

1943 March 29 - 2/26/2013 4:27:52 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 29

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

A little progress by the Empire on the western flank in China. This was anticipated, though, so the next position up is already being strengthened.

quote:

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 566

Defending force 49835 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1445

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

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
22nd/A Division
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
104th/C Division
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
91st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
18th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 72,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8976 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 293

Defending force 7115 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Japanese adjusted assault: 194

Allied adjusted defense: 73

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2538 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 72 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Reserve Division
100th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps

It looks like the day after tomorrow is the big river crossing in Burma. The armored units just might go tomorrow (if it makes 3 miles), but that can't be helped at this stage. The 17th Indian will complete its encircling movement, the tip of the wedge. Warazup has been abandoned by the Empire, and will be occupied by friendly forces tomorrow. Also tomorrow the 150th RAC Rgt will emerge onto the plain 46mi NW Shwebo. Equipped with General Lee tanks they should form a nice thorn in Imperial maneuver attempts. The 268th Motorized Bde will join them one or two days later. Unfortunately there is an Imperial regiment moving in behind them to cut off their supply. That is actually not a problem, but the regiment will most likely smash into the AA unit and two base units that are following in the combat units' wake. I am hoping that after tomorrow that regiment will reverse its movement in light of the threat to both Shwebo and the rail line north, not to mention its own communications. The Imperial 14th Division has been picked up by SigInt at 55,47, 92mi SE Akyab. Either they are moving up the road to reinforce the jungle positions (too late I hope) of they are digging into another line of defense.

All of the (known) Imperial mines have been cleared from Nauru's waters. The carriers and their escorts are all heading to Saratoga's position, east of the New Hebrides. Transports are still repositioning for the upcoming Solomons operation.

Here is a look at China. The 23rd and 2nd will be headed off quite easily.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 921

1943 March 30 - 2/26/2013 10:09:59 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 30

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:
Warazup

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

China. The usual.

quote:

Ground combat at 78,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31958 troops, 241 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 1008

Defending force 44552 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1105

Japanese adjusted assault: 564

Allied adjusted defense: 1606

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2921 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 240 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 21 (2 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1287 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 118 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)

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

Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
18th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps

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

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1326 troops, 109 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 567

Defending force 41063 troops, 205 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1148

Assaulting units:
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
104th/C Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

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

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

Ground combat at 76,43 (near Chengtu)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4095 troops, 32 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

Defending force 57 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 63

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 63 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: leaders(-)

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
41st/C Division

Defending units:
22nd Chinese Corps

As hoped, those Imperial units moving as though to counter-attack in the Burma jungle have reversed their movement. Even better, no river crossing took place near Akyab, so all four units will cross tomorrow as all have 45 out of 46 miles traveled. Here is a look at the map there.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 922

1943 March 31 - 2/27/2013 4:26:03 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 March 31

The Empire captured:
Tuyun

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

China. The Imperial attacks west of Kweiyang went mostly in our favor, as did the one west of Patung.

quote:

Ground combat at 72,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16644 troops, 109 guns, 291 vehicles, Assault Value = 596

Defending force 42592 troops, 267 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1261

Japanese adjusted assault: 69

Allied adjusted defense: 957

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 13

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

Japanese ground losses:
884 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 100 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 59 (2 destroyed, 57 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
422 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
55th Infantry Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
104th/B Division

Defending units:
21st Chinese Cavalry Division
63rd Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/A Corps
4th Construction Regiment
1st Construction Regiment
6th Construction Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment

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

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17855 troops, 235 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 567

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

Japanese adjusted assault: 505

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 505 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tuyun !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
104th/C Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion

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

Ground combat at 79,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25895 troops, 221 guns, 88 vehicles, Assault Value = 735

Defending force 36659 troops, 156 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 846

Japanese adjusted assault: 526

Allied adjusted defense: 724

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1825 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 148 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
724 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
110th Division
15th/C Division
58th Infantry Regiment
17th Tank Regiment
13th/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

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

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

Ground combat at 73,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13900 troops, 96 guns, 205 vehicles, Assault Value = 488

Defending force 31977 troops, 217 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 873

Japanese adjusted assault: 63

Allied adjusted defense: 1163

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 18

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

Japanese ground losses:
886 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 31 (1 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
531 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
66th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
30th Infantry Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
50th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps
56th AT Gun Regiment

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

Ground combat at 82,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1434 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 472

Defending force 311 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 42

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 42 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th RGC Temp. Division
36th/A Division
34th/B Division
34th/C Division

Defending units:
3rd Construction Regiment

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

Ground combat at 81,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

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

Defending force 1737 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Japanese adjusted assault: 33

Allied adjusted defense: 25

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

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

Assaulting units:
15th/B Division

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps

The river crossing went well enough, netting 1 to 2 odds without major pain. The 7th Armoured fought and then withdrew out of theater - what timing! The USA 27th ID is worst off at 273 AV, which seems not bad at all. All three divisions must rest before commencing the assault.

quote:

Ground combat at 55,45 (near Akyab)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 38357 troops, 532 guns, 506 vehicles, Assault Value = 1295

Defending force 16093 troops, 124 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 507

Allied adjusted assault: 822

Japanese adjusted defense: 1291

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1103 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 101 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1837 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 163 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 38 (1 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Assaulting units:
27th Infantry Division
7th Armoured Brigade
Americal Infantry Division
14th Indian Division

Defending units:
47th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division

In the next hex over the two Australian divisions will begin attacking. The Imperial units there are moving and so should be without benefit of fortifications, although terrain is still in their favor.

South Dakota has finished repairs at Alameda and is leaving at once for CentPac/SoPac. A 4 x DD bombardment of Gove accomplished nothing. DAW HQ is probably bored.

Here is a look at the 'new' situation in Burma.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 923

1943 April 01 - 2/27/2013 11:38:36 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 April 01

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

The snake-grip of strangulation continues to tighten in China.

quote:

Ground combat at 75,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 801 troops, 51 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 372

Defending force 49747 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1441

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

Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
32nd/A Division
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
36th/B Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
12th Army
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
18th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 81,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Shock attack

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

Defending force 1709 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Japanese adjusted assault: 58

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
710 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th/B Division

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at 76,44 (near Chungking)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4095 troops, 32 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

Defending force 1131 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Japanese adjusted assault: 113

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 56 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
589 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st/B Division

Defending units:
49th Chinese Division
8th Construction Regiment

The Attack of the 6th and 7th Australian divisions went quite poorly, possibly owing to how long they have been sitting in the jungle suffering morale losses. They will recover and attack again, this time with more air support. The divisions to their right are also still recovering. The division + regiment there have changed movement to follow the road, a much faster withdrawal.

quote:

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

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33702 troops, 444 guns, 573 vehicles, Assault Value = 828

Defending force 15904 troops, 98 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 483

Allied adjusted assault: 211

Japanese adjusted defense: 1525

Allied assault odds: 1 to 7

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1433 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 143 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 50 (8 destroyed, 42 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
7th Australian Division

Defending units:
40th Inf Group Brigade
16th Infantry Regiment
21st/B Division

Another DD bombardment of Gove, again without effect. All the carriers have made their rendezvous and are refueling, which will take at least another day. Troops are shuttling between bases in preparation for invasion loading. The Empire ran search against Nauru today, which has not always been the case. Maybe when the carriers were near it was too dangerous for search planes to keep daily flights there?

Here is a look at China.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 924

1943 April 02 - 2/28/2013 5:59:47 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 April 02

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

Combat in China was mostly with us today. Not counting the air strikes, of course!

quote:

Ground combat at 72,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1458 troops, 0 guns, 271 vehicles, Assault Value = 492

Defending force 42254 troops, 266 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1223

Japanese adjusted assault: 21

Allied adjusted defense: 1191

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 56

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 126 (17 destroyed, 109 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
600 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Regiment
55th Infantry Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
104th/B Division

Defending units:
14th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Cavalry Division
8th New Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/A Corps
1st Construction Regiment
4th Construction Regiment
6th Construction Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment

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

Ground combat at 82,28 (near Kiuchuan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 672 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Defending force 2304 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Assaulting units:
1st Ching An Tui Brigade

Defending units:
9th Separate Brigade

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

Ground combat at 75,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1835 troops, 53 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 427

Defending force 41045 troops, 205 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1152

Japanese adjusted assault: 1

Allied adjusted defense: 1075

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1075

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

Japanese ground losses:
546 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 60 (13 destroyed, 47 disabled)
Vehicles lost 61 (10 destroyed, 51 disabled)

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

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

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

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

Ground combat at 75,43 (near Neikiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4152 troops, 34 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

Defending force 857 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 29

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

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

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

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st/A Division

Defending units:
60th Chinese Corps

There is an Imperial battle fleet bearing down on Nauru! Scouted as 10 ships, including 3 x CA and 4 x BB, they are 21 hexes (840nm) NNW of the USN carriers. The Imperial subs have disappeared from the waters north of Ndeni, and so might be covering the TF. The escort carriers could not make a dash in time, but the six fleet carriers could...

The map shows (selected hex) the maximum that the TF with Wasp could make at full speed. The other fleet carrier TF and the escorting heavy cruiser TF could make 2 hexes further. Shortlands has about 70 fighters but only about 6 bombers, plus a few search planes. Munda and Tulagi are closed from damage. A response by the USN carriers will not delay the Solomons operation (unless a disaster occurs) because the loading of troops onto suitable attack transports is the current limiting factor.

So is this a trap, with a bombardment TF as bait? Or is it a calculated risk by SAW HQ. Figuring that the Allied Battle Fleet is either dispersed or too far away to intervene? My guess is the latter.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 925

1943 April 03 - 2/28/2013 10:13:16 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1943 April 03

The Empire captured:

The Allies captured:

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:

There were Allied amphibious operations at:

Today's combat report is 1,884 lines long!

Some went our way and some the Empire's way in China.

quote:

Ground combat at 75,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3735 troops, 69 guns, 109 vehicles, Assault Value = 489

Defending force 41061 troops, 205 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1152

Japanese adjusted assault: 2

Allied adjusted defense: 1132

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 566

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

Japanese ground losses:
1033 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 92 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (6 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

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

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

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

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

Ground combat at 80,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9192 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 296

Defending force 7848 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 238

Japanese adjusted assault: 184

Allied adjusted defense: 76

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
544 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1109 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 77 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
60th Infantry Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
83rd Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps

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

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14601 troops, 125 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 450

Defending force 41137 troops, 175 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 955

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

Assaulting units:
53rd Infantry Brigade
1st Recon Battalion
19th/A Division
19th/B Division

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

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

Ground combat at 82,28 (near Kiuchuan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 672 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Defending force 2304 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Assaulting units:
1st Ching An Tui Brigade

Defending units:
9th Separate Brigade

In Burma it turns out that both the two Australian divisions in one hex and the two American plus one Indian division in the next hex are all ready to attack tomorrow. A tough day is expected. Hopefully a bright spot will be when allied tanks roll across the rail line above Shwebo, followed a day later my motorized infantry to reinforce them.

In the Pacific, the monster thundered in.

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 127,128, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Kazegumo

Allied Ships
AM Adroit, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AM Advent, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AM Dash, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
BB Hyuga engages AM Dash at 9,000 yards
AM Advent sunk by BB Yamato at 9,000 yards
AM Adroit sunk by BB Yamato at 9,000 yards
AM Dash sunk by BB Hyuga at 9,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 124 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (127,128)

Japanese Ships
DD Makigumo, Mine hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Nauru Island at 127,128

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 9 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 4 damaged
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 6 damaged
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato

Allied Ships
APD Rathburne, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 23

BB Mutsu firing at Nauru Island
BB Nagato firing at 43rd Infantry Division

Nauru is a splendid mess. Damage is AR:63, AS: 69, P:0. Going strictly by memory, supplies were reduced by in the range of 6,000 to 9,000 tons. With the port spared, the only ship hit was Rathburne and she is in decent shape. Rathburne will escort Formalhaut to Pearl Harbor where they both will undergo repairs. Formalhaut is the AK that was mauled during the invasion of Nauru and now stands at 0-76(76)-5(5)-0 damage.

Next came the USA 4EB spoiling strikes against Shortlands, aimed at reducing the danger to the USN ships hunting the monster.

quote:

Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 6 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 9 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

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

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
5th Sentai/A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead
251 Ku S-1 Det B with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead

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

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13

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

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
5th Sentai/A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 95 minutes
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
251 Ku S-1 Det B with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 78 minutes

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

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

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

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead

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

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

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

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 14

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

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes

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

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

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

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead

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

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

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

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

B-24s flew from Ndeni, Vanua Lava, and Cooktown. Judging from the number of aircraft that they caught on the ground I think their role was unanticipated. In the end only one strike of 4 bombers flew against the navy hunters, and there proved to be no CAP at all over their prey! All of the B-24s made it safely back to base. It should be noted that all flew with almost zero fatigue, undoubtedly a factor in such a long range mission.

Stay tuned for Part II...

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 926

1943 April 03 - 2/28/2013 10:14:19 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

Part II

Next came the price extracted for the carnage at Nauru.

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 120,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 121,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 65
SBD-3 Dauntless x 78
TBF-1 Avenger x 51

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
BB Yamato
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 1
DD Makigumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
16 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Mutsu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 121,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 121,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Makigumo, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Mutsu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 121,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 64
SBD-3 Dauntless x 74
TBF-1 Avenger x 49

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 7, on fire
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
DD Makigumo, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
24 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on DD Tokitsukaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tokitsukaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 121,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49
SBD-3 Dauntless x 73

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Ise, Bomb hits 3
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 4, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
26 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
21 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Fuso

The sunk ships tally for the day shows our 3 x AM, DD Makigumo and Tokitsukaze, and BB Nagato and Mutsu. From the combat reports it looks like the remaining 4 battleships all have damage to varying extents.

Not to be outdone, Trigger had a good day (actually night), torpedoing a tanker SW Kyushu.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 927

RE: 1943 April 03 - 3/1/2013 2:13:45 AM

princep01

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline

A heavy price to pay for bombarding a relatively isolated speck of coral in the middle of nowhere. The IJN cannot really afford to venture beyond its own air umbrella. I guess BBs are of little practical use once the IJN is no longer on the offensive, but this action seems a waste. Two 16" BBs gone along with others wrecked and maybe sunk before they find safe harbor. Nicely done, admiral.

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 928

RE: 1943 April 03 - 3/1/2013 3:48:23 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

A heavy price to pay for bombarding a relatively isolated speck of coral in the middle of nowhere.� The IJN cannot really afford to venture beyond its own air umbrella.� I guess BBs are of little practical use once the IJN is no longer on the offensive, but this action seems a waste.� Two 16" BBs gone along with others wrecked and maybe sunk before they find safe harbor.� Nicely done, admiral.

Thank you. Walter commented that they were meant to bombard the day before, but they only moved 3 hexes that turn.

Taking a chance, I sent the carriers in pursuit.