Late War AAR as Japan - Advancing on the Home Islands

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Late War AAR as Japan - Advancing on the Home Islands - 4/11/2020 9:26:24 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

April 1945 Update at the bottom, fall of the Philippines, invasion of Iwo Jima and more CV combat.
March 1945 Update at the bottom, including a CV battle, Allied CV sweeps in the South China Sea, multiple invasions, surface combats, and Japanese PT boat operations.
February 1945 Update at the bottom, including Battle of Moulmein and interesting ASW combat.
January 1945 Update at the bottom, including detailed look at B-29 missions and effects.

I�ve been playing a WITP game as the Japanese against the inimitable David Herlocker for 10+ years. My strategy from the beginning was to fight the �long war�: get to 1945 in good economic shape, with an intact carrier fleet and reasonable defensive perimeter, where I could use the better late-war Japanese aircraft to mount a viable defense of the Home Islands. If I could get into 1946, I would be assured at least a Draw and maybe better if I could make 1945/46 expensive for the Allies. (Feel free to LOL at the �long war� strategy. I certainly have on occasion, but it seemed like a reasonable idea at the time!) Having arrived at 1 January 1945, I thought some might find an AAR on this situation of interest. My intent is to update it at the end of each game month going forward and, of course, questions are welcome.

Game: Scenario 1 with one day turns, all game options on except no PDU and no Reliable USN Torpedo (i.e., historical). Also, due to the database we started with, Okha devices will never appear.

Getting to 1945: the Japanese Empire expanded at about the historical rate to a little beyond the historical perimeter. The Allies fell back in good order and were cautious. The Japanese took Port Moresby and all of Burma and DEI. In China, the Japanese established and still hold a line from Yenan through Nanyang, Ichang, Changsha, Kweilin, Nanning and Hanoi. Some resources and fuel are moving through China to Korea, but not much oil. I was willing to seek early victory if an opportunity presented itself. In an effort to draw the Allies out and create that opportunity, the Empire invaded New Caledonia. After successfully landing in the north, the invasion forces marched south but ultimately stalled just outside the city of Noumea. This effectively ended the Japanese expansion.

The Allied road back was largely historical, but with very little island hopping � just grinding it out. (The Allies even invaded Truk, where the Japanese put up a long and stalwart defense.) In Burma, the Allies broke the Mandalay-Magwe defensive line due to poor Japanese leadership (i.e., me!), ultimately resulting in a significant encirclement around Toungoo to the south. �Fortress Rangoon� turned out to be a bust, falling at the end of November 1944. Port Blair was occupied by the Japanese, but retaken by the Allies in August 1944.

The Japanese �Midway event� took place on 2 October 1943 just northeast of Truk. Allied carriers moved forward behind a weather front and caught the Japanese off guard. We replayed the turn a number of times with slightly different parameters, but the result was largely the same. The Allies simply had greater numbers and the F6F-3 outclassed the A6M5 Zero in the air � as did the Allied DBs and TBs in key areas. Bottom line: the Japanese should not have loitered there.

Economically, I successfully implemented convoy operations, covered by growing ASW coverage along the convoy routes, between Singapore and Fukuoka. The first instance of a lack of oil in the Home Islands was mid-1943 (IIRC). Oil and resources are still making their way to the Home Islands, with intermittent lack of oil at times.

Summary: good execution on the Japanese economy consistent with the plan (more below), terrible execution at keeping an intact carrier fleet and reasonable defensive perimeter everywhere except Burma. I now realize the Allies have �helped� considerably due to their relatively rapid retreat in early 1942 and cautious road back.

1 January 1945 SITREP (Turn 1122):
In the central Pacific, the Allies control Marcus Island, the Marianas (the last holdout, Tinian, was declared secure on 12 Dec 44), and all of the islands south and the east, including Babeldaub, Peliliu and Talaud-eilanden.

In the Dutch East Indies, the Allies have made a slow but steady advance from the west, moving up New Guinea, taking Timor, Ceram Island, the Moluccas and almost all islands in the chain to the southeast of Java. (The closest Allied base to Soerabaja is Denpasar.) The Philippines are still entirely occupied by the Japanese.

In Burma, the Allies advanced from Rangoon and are now camped across the river just north of Moulmein. B-29s can and have hit Cam Ranh Bay, Saigon, Bangkok, and even Singapore, focusing primarily on airfields and ports in this theater.

In the Home Islands, the first B-29 raid took place on 24 Dec 44 and devastated Tokyo, destroying over 35% of heavy industry and damaging most other economic activities in an around Tokyo. Overall, the Japanese have had some success against the B-29s, albeit intermittently. Allied B-29 losses are ~330 with 130 attributed to air-to-air combat, and narrowly out-pacing B-29 Ops losses. Extensive pilot training activities continue.

Victory Points: The VP ratio is currently a draw: 1.135 in favor of the Allies (the fall of Rangoon changed this dramatically). A Tracker screenshot is included so you can see the breakdown. As a result of Japanese air strategy, victory points related to Japanese air losses have been relatively low.

Air war: air units are generally at full strength with good pilots (target average of 70 Exp, 70 Air, 70 Defense in front line units). I accelerated the Ki-84a Frank to 43/12 and have built over 2,500, and the Ki-84b Frank to 44/11 producing about 160. I expect the Ki-84r Frank 45/2. My key Navy land-based Navy fighter is the George, having produced almost 1,400. Naturally, these aircraft account for most of Japanese fighter losses: almost 2,100 Franks and a little over 1,200 Georges. CVs are equipped with the A6M5c, as are front-line Navy fighter units that don�t operate the George, but I use them sparingly.
I have 70/70/70 fighter pools totaling ~300 for the Navy and ~200 for the Army.

Kamikazes have not been activated.

The current situation is the result of a defined and well-executed strategy: do not allow good pilots to be killed in marginal aircraft, or good aircraft to be lost due to marginal pilots. By definition, this will limit where you can contest Allied air superiority, especially mid-war and in conjunction with my aircraft building strategy (see below).

Naval war: The IJN has lost 8 CVs and 6 CVLs, 4 BBs and 14 CAs. The Allies have lost to 2 CVs, 7 CVEs, 5 BBs (all in 1941) and 3 CAs.

I�ve (re)assembled a very modest carrier fleet of 5 CVs (Kasagi, Katsuragi, Shinano, Taiho and Unryu). They can theoretically put up about 310 aircraft. I expect to get the Hiyo back from a long repair period, adding another 53 carrier-based aircraft.

Cargo and tanker shipping losses have been modest � so much so that I�ve actually halted production of large cargo ships and tankers because I don�t need them.

I�ve used 4-ship ASW TFs, and proactively given them good leadership. The IJA and IJN conduct extensive ASW operations, especially along the convoy routes. Results have been good: an estimated 110 Allied submarines sunk and many more damaged.

Ground war: not much to say. I�ve produced enough vehicles and armaments to likely last the duration of the war. Virtually every Japanese defensive position has fortifications, CD units are in good locations, and I�ve worked to set up good combat planning and command relationships. I�m not sure what went wrong at Rangoon; hoping for better results at Moulmein.

Economy: I�ve included a Tracker screenshot with a summary of key economic variables. I have a reserve of 3.6M heavy industry, 4.6M supply units and 4.6M fuel units. The most important factor getting here has been air strategy and aircraft building strategy. The Allies have not pressed as hard as they might so, despite a very �conservative� aircraft building program, I�ve rarely been in a situation without enough aircraft to fill front-line units.

There are many aircraft that will not be built for various reasons: marginal aircraft, engine requirements, not enough units flying the aircraft to make a difference (with PDU on), upgrade issues, withdrawal issues, etc. Examples:

1) Never built the A6M5b. I accelerated the A6M5c (which is the one I wanted anyway, with its armor) to 44/6 � the same arrival date as the A6M5b. There were some issues keeping air units filled out with aircraft, but manageable.

2) Won�t build the Karyu/Kikka aircraft with jet engines due to the �5� service level. Once the Allies target an airfield, the Japanese have enough trouble repairing aircraft with service levels of 1-3.

2a) In the Home Islands and Java, it�s nice to be able to evacuate even damaged aircraft to another airfield via rail.

3) Built just enough Oscars and Sonias to keep units fully equipped for training with a small pool for operational losses.

4) Won�t build any of the many marginal Japanese kamikaze aircraft. Most come with enough aircraft to immediately use as training units. When the kamikazes fly, I want them to do serious damage! So, IJA Kamikazes will be the Ki-115 Tsurugi (already building the Ki-115a model in 44/12) with the first Ki-9 Spruce unit to which it upgrades arriving in mid-March 1945 and a total buildout of over 200 aircraft � admittedly in small, 10 aircraft units. (I�m hoping for great results with the Tsurugi. The a model has a max speed of 342 mph and a 1764 unit bomb load, versus 149 mph and 221 unit bomb load for the Ki-9.) For the IJN, trying to do the same thing with the Toka/K5Y1 Willow, although it�s more difficult because the Toka isn�t scheduled to arrive until 45/12.

That�s it for now. Dave is willing to provide Allied commentary if someone can recommend a best practice to do that (separate thread?). Again, questions welcome.

Kurt

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< Message edited by kbullard -- 3/1/2021 12:05:17 AM >

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RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 4/12/2020 5:48:15 AM

guctony

Posts: 669
Joined: 6/27/2009
Status: offline

What is the status of your fortress and airbases in in Japan how many is up to level 9. and also in Marinas islands. Where is he attacking with B29. How many of your pilots are over 70 in ASW. and which plane you find it most efficient for ASW work. I have pretty much same strategy in my mind for my game.

_____________________________

"Unless a nation's life faces peril, war is murder."
"Sovereignty is not given, it is taken."
"After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."
Mustafa Kemal

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RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 4/12/2020 9:10:24 AM

PaxMondo

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Joined: 6/6/2008
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PDU OFF and you have lost that many George? I'm surprised as not that many air groups can fly the George. How are you managing those few groups to support such a high tempo? Or did I read your OP incorrectly, and this is PDU ON?

_____________________________

Pax

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Post #: 3

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 4/14/2020 10:53:07 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

quote:

What is the status of your fortress and airbases in in Japan how many is up to level 9. and also in Marinas islands.

Forts: I focused on building forts outside the Home Islands initially, believing I had more time (and supplies) for the Home Islands. So, while I have Level 9 forts at Manila and two cities in China, the highest fort in Japan is 7, and there are 13 cities at fort level 6 or 7. I continue to expand most, especially where there's no Coastal Defense Units. My experience is that the "big" CDUs will prevent naval invasions if they're still supplied. It's also unclear if building past level 6 makes sense for locations that cannot naturally go to 9.

Forts in the Marianas:
- Guam: 8
- Saipan: 7
- Tinian: 6
- Pagan: 4
- Ulithi: 4
- Yap: 4

Lesson learned was that it takes a steady stream of supplies and you have to start early because, once the Allies isolate the Marianas and start bombing with 4Es, your Engineers are busy repairing things and you don't want to use remaining supplies for fort construction.

Airbases: I have 3 Level 10 airbases in Japan, and another 22 between level 6 and 8. You get lots of planes late in the war and it's devastating when a crowded airfield gets bombed. So, I'm dispersing aircraft, especially training squadrons, among many airfields. Also, technically, the largest airfield the Japanese need is level 4 for its largest aircraft.

quote:

Where is he attacking with B29.

Somewhat to my surprise, he used them mostly in Burma in 1944. Once he took Rangoon, he used them to hit "deep" targets like Singapore, Saigon, Cam Ranh Bay and Bangkok airfields and ports. Also to my surprise, he has not used them to target Oil, so I'm still producing Oil. The challenge now is getting the Oil to Japan.

The first raid on the Home Islands was 24 Dec 44 targeting Heavy Industry in Tokyo. The next wasn't until 1945 (more later).

quote:

How many of your pilots are over 70 in ASW. and which plane you find it most efficient for ASW work.

The short answer is not enough. Early in the war, I used even Jakes and Petes to train fighter pilots. I've been trying to catch up, but only have 4 ASW units with 70+ experience and another 20 with experience of 60-69. I use Navy Jakes and Petes for land-based ASW (Petes only at choke points). I consciously trained and use the Army Ki-48 IIb/IIc Lily aircraft for ASW and have been generally pleased with the results (although only one SS kill with the 100kg bomb they carry).

What I learned, though, is that you can generally make up for the lack of ASW quality with quantity. When I'm training DBs, TBs and even Navy LBs, I'll train and have them fly ASW missions to gain experience. LBs like the Betty are good because of their long range.

Kurt

< Message edited by kbullard -- 4/15/2020 9:40:10 PM >

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RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 4/14/2020 11:08:52 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

quote:

PDU OFF and you have lost that many George? I'm surprised as not that many air groups can fly the George. How are you managing those few groups to support such a high tempo? Or did I read your OP incorrectly, and this is PDU ON?

PDU is definitely off. The countless hours I spent in Tracker yielded the following comments in my "Aircraft Build Strategy" notes for our starting database (it may have changed):

"There are four N1K1-J reinforcement units (2x36+2*27=126 a/c). Four A6M2 units (3x27+36=117 a/c) arrive about the time the N1K1-J begins production, eligible for upgrade. So TBO = 243 a/c; however, three units ((2x27)+36=90 a/c) are withdrawn on 7/10/44, and one other unit (341 Ku S-2 with 27 a/c) on 4/20/45. ... There appears to be little value accelerating George production, as you can�t get the units faster without PDU enabled."

Ultimately, I accelerated the N1K1-J George from 43/9 to 43/7 so that I could start building and immediately fill and begin using the George units. I've been flying them hard for 15 months, losing about 80 per month to get to 1,200. I also checked: about 25% of George losses were on the ground; some of them probably did very little flying.

Kurt

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 5

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 4/15/2020 9:38:51 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

quote:

I accelerated the N1K1-J George from 43/9 to 43/7 so that I could start building and immediately fill and begin using the George units. I've been flying them hard for 15 months, losing about 80 per month to get to 1,200. I also checked: about 25% of George losses were on the ground; some of them probably did very little flying.

One other indication of George activity: kills. I checked them in late December and the numbers for the top three units are as follows:

- S-301: 306 kills
- S-401: 302 kills
- S-402: 204 kills

I've had a lot of success flying CAP at 3,000 feet. With good Japanese unit leadership, they stay low, the Allies usually come down to their altitude and the Japanese perform reasonably well. Allied bombers are typically bombing below 10,000 and at least a few Georges can attack the bombers even if they're unescorted.

Kurt

(in reply to kbullard)

Post #: 6

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 4/25/2020 2:26:05 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

January 1945

Victory Points: changed .05, from 1.135 to 1.185, so still a draw. A Tracker VP shot for the month is included below. The larger (triple digit) VP changes are due to fires resulting from B-29 missions or, on 12 January, the capture of Davao on Mindanao.

Significant Battles: the Allies continued to be very deliberate (and slower than expected) in 1945, with limited operations:

1. Moulmein: the Allies crossed into the hex just east of Moulmein, flanking the city. I�ve been preparing for a long time, having a level 6 fort, stockpiled supplies, and 3 full-strength divisions plus artillery and HQs�with almost all units and HQs (including Southern Army at Bangkok) 100% prepped for Moulmein. Time to make a stand!

2. Mindanao: Japanese ground forces at Davao had been softened up by 4-engine bombers for a couple of weeks. The Allies came ashore and, after 4 days fighting, took the city on 12 January. By the end of the month, the Allies controlled Davao, Cotabato, Malaybalay and everything south.

3. Palembang: the Allies moved a big Allied CV, USS Franklin, to the Indian Ocean. In conjunction with British CVs, they attacked the port at Palembang, but not the Refinery or Oil (still full production at 900). The Japanese lost 3 medium-sized TKs and an AO, plus other TKs and escorts damaged; however, there are still plenty of TKs to move fuel and oil.

4. Manila: The Allies raided the port at Manila from a CV task force in the Philippine Sea with 79 TBM-3 Avengers and 92 Corsairs in two waves. (I don�t think Allied dive bombers flew due to a planning problem.) The raid was unexpected, so the Japanese air defense was a large number of A6M5c Zeros, KAIa Nicks and IIIa Oscars with a mix of good and average pilots. Nevertheless, results were excellent for the Empire: over 30 TBMs destroyed in the air and almost 20 more damaged, plus many ships damaged but only one small AKL destroyed. For the day, Japanese air losses were only 31 versus 84 for the Allies.

Trends and Summaries:

5. Submarine war: lots of ASW combat, primarily off the Home Islands and the Philippines. A total of 20 Allied subs were reported sunk. That�s not completely accurate, of course, but many were damaged sufficiently to necessitate a journey back to a repair facility. Meanwhile, I�ve been conserving the Japanese submarines and only lost 2 during the month.

6. Air war: the Allies upped the tempo of air operations at places like Soerabaja, Bangkok, and Nakhon Ratchasima, where I defended with Franks and Georges. As a result, the Japanese lost 958 aircraft during the month, an average of almost 32 aircraft/day and 25% higher than December. Allied losses were 1,222 aircraft for the month, or over 40 aircraft/day, and about 25% higher than the Japanese. Good Japanese pilots in good aircraft continue to match up well against the Allies in the air. George and Frank losses were excessive, though, and will somewhat limit fighter operations in February.

7. B-29 Operations: see next post.

I know the Allies are preparing for major naval operations in the Central Pacific, the Philippines and possibly Java.

Kurt

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< Message edited by kbullard -- 4/25/2020 3:00:16 PM >

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RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 4/25/2020 2:40:58 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

B-29 Operations in January 1945

The Allies flew B-29 missions on 13 days during January. All missions are summarized by date in the graphic attached.

General Observations:

1. The B-29s flew mostly night missions, but always from low altitude: 5,000-7,000 feet.

2. Their targets were usually beyond the range of other Allied 4Es.

3. The Allies flew the B-29-1�s in the East out of Burma against Nakhon Rachasima, Singapore, Saigon and Sabang. Targets were airfields and mining the ports at Singapore and Saigon.

4. The Allies flew the B-29-25�s out of the Marianas against the Home Islands, targeting Iwo Jima, Tokyo (again), Kochi, Iwaki, Nagoya and Hiroshima/Kure. Targets were the Cities at Tokyo, Nagoya and Hiroshima. At other targets, they bombed airfields and ports, plus mining at Hiroshima.

5. There was a significant change in the reported breakdown of the ~40 B-29�s lost during the month: almost all were downed by flak! This makes some sense given that missions against key cities in the Home Islands had radar units and significant AAA units. Due to fog-of-war, the number of B-29 operational losses actually went down by 1 the end of the month!

Effects (most also apply to B-24 and other 4E missions):

1. The mining was an annoyance and required me to move minesweepers to the area, but did not, to my knowledge, cause any ship losses.

2. The airfield bombings were always effective shutting down the airfield, and often resulted in many Japanese ground aircraft losses. On islands like Iwo Jima, the bombing was devastating and took weeks (and more supplies) to repair. At targets like Bangkok, I could move the flyable and damaged aircraft to another airfield connected by rail immediately.

3. The port bombings were only effective sinking smaller ships like AKLs. One BB was repairing at Hiroshima but suffered only minor damage due to use of only 500lb bombs. Medium sized transports and other ships (e.g., CVL Nisshin) were damaged, often heavily, but not sunk.

4. The City attacks were the most effective at generating VPs, but the impact of damage varied widely depending on the specific infrastructure targeted. Damage to Resources, Manpower and even Light Industry is largely irrelevant and not worth repairing. Damage to Heavy Industry, Aircraft factories and Engine factories was more serious, but many times not worth repairing due to the supply required and other factors; for example, an Aircraft factory producing (or not) an older model or minor damage to an Engine factory or Heavy Industry.

My key takeaway was that, despite the impression created by the VPs produced, cities like Tokyo need to be hit multiple times to have a significant impact on the overall Japanese economy.

Kurt

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< Message edited by kbullard -- 4/25/2020 3:01:24 PM >

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RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 5/11/2020 9:40:36 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

TRENDS

- VPs increased by .01, from 1.185 to 1.195 in favor of the Allies (still a draw)
- B-29 Operations:
-- 15 targets in February: 8 Cities (Hamamatsu and Yokohama (twice) in the Home Islands), 4 Airfields (causing extensive ground aircarft losses) and 2 Ports (Fukuoka, hit twice, and Keijo)
--- Three City targets were undefended (Anshan, Haiphong and Chinnampo) and destroyed mostly Resource centers, which I can afford to lose
--- The port attack on Keijo (during the day) was very effective, sinking 5 ships, including 2 CVEs, and damaged many more "hiding" there.
-- B-29 losses were primarily inflicted by AAA/Flak. Put up significant CAP (George and night fighters) with good and very good pilots against a night attack on Yokohoma, but lost almost 60 Japanese aircraft. Probably created one or two B-29 "Aces".
-- Total B-29 losses reported as 426.
- Produced over 300 Ki-84r Frank in February! Current production is just short of 500/month. I have over 3,600 Ha-45 engines and the number is growing.
- Total Frank losses (all models) are now over 2,600. Total George losses are ~1550
- Pace of Japanese air losses dropped 33% to an average of ~21 per day. Average Allied air losses were ~42 per day .
- 27 Feb was the best Japanese day in the air in 1944/45: 148 Allied air VPs due to a misguided low-level (100') ground attack at Bangkok where there was CAP and significant AAA.

BATTLE OF MOULMEIN

By mid-February, the Allies had slogged through the jungle and completed the encirclement of Moulmein. The Japanese evacuated Engineering units and were entrenched with good supply due to stockpiling. Then, a single Allied Division moved into Moulmein too early, so the Japanese attacked attached immediately and successfully.

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 16, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39109 troops, 523 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 1363

Defending force 11602 troops, 252 guns, 141 vehicles, Assault Value = 405

Japanese adjusted assault: 2963

Allied adjusted defense: 1113

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1034 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2684 casualties reported
Squads: 89 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 121 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 39 (14 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 38 (17 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
19th Division
30th Division
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Army
5th Mortar Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
26th Indian Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days later the huge Allied force to the north crossed the river, necessitating a Shock attack. I considered the results good for the Empire.

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 18, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 142828 troops, 2646 guns, 3094 vehicles, Assault Value = 5620

Defending force 42548 troops, 523 guns, 283 vehicles, Assault Value = 1276

Allied adjusted assault: 4245

Japanese adjusted defense: 8143

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1914 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 357 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 102 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 57 disabled
Guns lost 92 (19 destroyed, 73 disabled)
Vehicles lost 44 (14 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
10851 casualties reported
Squads: 97 destroyed, 1157 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 198 disabled
Engineers: 32 destroyed, 301 disabled
Guns lost 149 (22 destroyed, 127 disabled)
Vehicles lost 137 (15 destroyed, 122 disabled)

Assaulting units:
254th Armoured Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
364th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
38th Infantry Division
18th British Division
Provisionl Tank Brigade
23rd Chindit Brigade
255th Indian Tank Brigade
31st Infantry Division
111th Chindit Brigade
16th Chindit Brigade
2/2 AIF Pioneer Battalion
268th Motorised Brigade
19th Motorised Division
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
44th Indian Brigade
48th Gurkha Brigade
20th Indian Division
6th Australian Division
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
72nd British Brigade
16th Indian Brigade
14th Army Engineer Battalion
11th (East African) Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
9th Australian Division
5th Field Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
XV Indian Corps
IV Corps RIASC Base Force
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
15th USN Naval Construction Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
32nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
III Indian Corps
6th Medium Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
18th SP Field Artillery Regiment
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
33rd Division
19th Division
30th Division
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Army
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I started moving a division from Rahaeng due west to try and open up a supply/retreat route for the forces at Moulmein through the damaged unit that had retreated.

The Allies continued air bombing, interspersed with occasional artillery bombardments, which did minor damage and sometimes resulted in fewer Japanese losses, while reorganizing. This resulted in subsequent Deliberate attacks every 2-3 days beginning on 24 Feb. All the combat modifiers were in favor of the Japanese except, eventually, disruption.

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 24, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 203513 troops, 3984 guns, 3905 vehicles, Assault Value = 8489

Defending force 38791 troops, 517 guns, 275 vehicles, Assault Value = 950

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied adjusted assault: 4344

Japanese adjusted defense: 1883

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
6326 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 488 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 56 disabled
Guns lost 115 (26 destroyed, 89 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (7 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
4053 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 641 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 102 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 257 disabled
Guns lost 119 (6 destroyed, 113 disabled)
Vehicles lost 56 (5 destroyed, 51 disabled)

Assaulting units:
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
13th Indian Brigade
48th Gurkha Brigade
20th Indian Division
11th Indian Division
23rd Chindit Brigade
254th Armoured Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
29th British Brigade
364th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
38th Infantry Division
11th (East African) Division
26th Indian Division
25th Indian Division
7th Indian Division
6th Australian Division
18th British Division
7th Australian Division
14th Army Engineer Battalion
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
XV Corps Engineer Battalion
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
2nd British Division
72nd British Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/2 AIF Pioneer Battalion
16th Indian Brigade
Provisionl Tank Brigade
255th Indian Tank Brigade
Gardner's Horse Regiment
31st Infantry Division
5th Indian Division
44th Indian Brigade
111th Chindit Brigade
16th Chindit Brigade
19th Motorised Division
9th Australian Division
2/11th Field Regiment
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
15th USN Naval Construction Regiment
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
5th Field Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
2nd Indian AA Bde
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
20th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
6th Medium Regiment
43rd Cavalry Engineer Regiment
32nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
18th SP Field Artillery Regiment
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
XV Indian Corps
IV Corps RIASC Base Force
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
19th Division
33rd Division
30th Division
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
25th Army
15th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 27, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 230752 troops, 4428 guns, 4382 vehicles, Assault Value = 8097

Defending force 34888 troops, 501 guns, 271 vehicles, Assault Value = 579

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 4890

Japanese adjusted defense: 1681

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
6176 casualties reported
Squads: 301 destroyed, 148 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 186 disabled
Engineers: 44 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 82 (58 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (4 destroyed, 33 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5425 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 496 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 110 disabled
Engineers: 30 destroyed, 108 disabled
Guns lost 139 (7 destroyed, 132 disabled)
Vehicles lost 63 (7 destroyed, 56 disabled)

Assaulting units:
44th Indian Brigade
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
26th Indian Division
5th Indian Division
11th (East African) Division
XV Corps Engineer Battalion
29th British Brigade
38th Infantry Division
2nd British Division
254th Armoured Brigade
6th Australian Division
364th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
Provisionl Tank Brigade
14th Army Engineer Battalion
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
72nd British Brigade
23rd Chindit Brigade
2/2 AIF Pioneer Battalion
13th Indian Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
20th Indian Division
25th Indian Division
31st Infantry Division
Gardner's Horse Regiment
19th Motorised Division
11th Indian Division
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
7th Australian Division
268th Motorised Brigade
18th British Division
255th Indian Tank Brigade
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
48th Gurkha Brigade
111th Chindit Brigade
16th Chindit Brigade
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
7th Indian Division
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
16th Indian Brigade
9th Australian Division
2/9th Field Regiment
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
20th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
18th SP Field Artillery Regiment
5th Field Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
IV Corps RIASC Base Force
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
15th USN Naval Construction Regiment
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
32nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
43rd Cavalry Engineer Regiment
2nd Indian AA Bde
XV Indian Corps
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
III Indian Corps
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
33rd Division
19th Division
30th Division
15th Army
25th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clear that the weight of the Allied assault and fort reduction will eventually win out. The only questions are when and at what cost.

GREAT ASW BATTLE

I'm always fascinated when various game elements combine to produce an unexcepted and exciting result. That was the case on 12 Feb 45 when the Japanese tried to move the rebuilt Wake Coastal Defense Battalion, being held in reserve, to Manila for deployment at Bataan. That way, taking Manila by land would not immediately open the harbor.

I used a small but fast TF of 2 DDs plus an AMC and an AK, hoping to get in out quickly. Standard IJN policy to use two ships so that the lost of one would not result in the loss of the unit.

The Combat Report is below, but it doesn't quite tell the whole story. The AMC took two torpedoes immediately as the night sub attack started. The DDs responded with a barrage of depth charges, ultimately getting 21 hits, including 3 reported direct hits by Type 2 depth charges. When the Allied sub, reported as the Pilotfish, surfaced with heavy damage, I expected my DDs to quickly dispatch it. Alas, the AK mounted guns and opened fired first! Despite the damage, the Pilotfish got off a salvo of torpedos, FOUR of which hit the AK. Both the the AMC and the AK were sunk.

It was a painful loss for the Japanese, but I discovered the DDs had rescued survivors! They arrived in Manila and offloaded 9 Support squads, so I could rebuild the unit.

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 12, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Clark Field at 78,76

Japanese Ships
AMC Kiyosumi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hamakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
AK Tosan Maru, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pilotfish, hits 21, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

SS Pilotfish launches 4 torpedoes at AMC Kiyosumi Maru
DD Hamakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hamakaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hamakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hamakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hamakaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hamakaze is out of ASW ammo
SS Pilotfish forced to surface!
DD Tokitsukaze firing on surfaced sub ....
AMC Kiyosumi Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
AK Tosan Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Tokitsukaze firing on surfaced sub ....
AK Tosan Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Tokitsukaze firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(in reply to kbullard)

Post #: 9

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 5/16/2020 1:18:43 PM

Bif1961

Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline

But what about their guns? The guns will have to come through the supply chain if there are any that would fit the unit's TO&E.

(in reply to kbullard)

Post #: 10

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 5/21/2020 12:35:05 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

quote:

But what about their guns? The guns will have to come through the supply chain if there are any that would fit the unit's TO&E.

I was concerned about that, too. Manila is well-supplied, though, and there were apparently a handful of "20cm 41YT CD Guns" in the warehouses there. Much to my surprise, half the TO&E appeared on the first allocation of replacements. It probably helped that I've built a large Armament pool. Even in Feb 45, I probably have enough to fully equip units into 1946.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 11

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 8/1/2020 11:32:11 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

TRENDS

- VPs
-- increased by .09, from 1.195 to 1.285 in favor of the Allies (now an Allied minor victory for the first time)
-- I expected this to happen eventually, but am concerned about the rate of change. The Allies will get an automatic victory near the end of 1945 with 2 times the Japanese VP total unless I can lower the "per month" rate of change.

- B-29 Operations
-- 24 targets in March: 20 cities (Anshan, Hamamatsu, Heijo, Keijo and Tsu hit multiple days); 2 airfields and 4 ports. This was up from an average of 16 in Jan/Feb.
-- The Tokyo raid on 18 March was interesting. The Allies got intelligence that the number of Japanese fighters near Tokyo was significantly reduced, so they launched a daylight raid. But nothing had changed! During the attack, there were 7 banzai attacks against B-29s, which the Japanese will take any day of the week. The Allies lost 20+ B-29s that day, which is unsustainable.
-- I remain concerned about B-29 attacks, but their cumulative impact continues to be primarily on targets like manpower and resources. The only thing I've rebuilt are a couple of lightly damaged aircraft factories.

- 4 Engine Bombers
-- Most Allied 4Es, as well as some B-25H and J11 missions, fly UNescorted. Discovered that the B-25H and B-25J11 are essentially flying anti-aircraft batteries.

- Air Losses
-- monthly Japanese air losses were the highest in 1945, at a little over 1400, and over 45% higher than the January total. Allied monthly air losses were also the highest, at almost 1,300, but only 6% higher than January.

- Air Production: have built over 800 of the Ki-84r Frank and have 14 units flying it.

- Industry
-- While oil is no longer flowing to the Home Islands via tankers, some is getting to Fusan through China. Tracker tells me I have a 25 day supply of oil in the Home Islands to feed refineries and almost a 300 day supply of fuel to feed Heavy Industry. The Allies seem to think fuel is a problem *now*, but I don't believe it will be a problem until later in 1945.
-- I have 450 days of Resources to feed Heavy and Light Industry in the Home Islands.
-- I have a little under 4 million units of supply, dropping by 5-10K daily. While that's theoretically enough for well over a year, it's (increasingly) not in the right places or not accessible. There are modest shortages in China and Manchukuo, and occasionally Thailand and Malaya.

KEY COMBAT, INVASIONS AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

- Moulmein
-- Moulmein changed hands on 1 March, and was declared secure by the Allies on 6 March.
-- I understand the Indian divisions did most of the dying on the Allied side.
- Post-Moulmein
-- After a brief recovery period, the Allies moved south out of Moulmein with the British and Australian divisions. The Japanese moved out of Tavoy just before the Allies entered, and it changed hands on 31 March. The Allies also advanced east, to a position just east of Rahaeng. Rahaeng is well fortified and now hosts a full Japanese division.

- In early March, the Allies pounded the airfields at Soerabaja and in and around Manila (e.g., Clark Field). This obviously restricted air operations in these areas for most of the month.

- Multiple Invasions during the Month

-- 2 March - Christmas Island IO. This was tactically ill-advised. It's just the right distance for the IJN to operate out of Batavia and aircraft to operate out of multiple bases on Java and Sumatra. I've executed several surface and bombardment missions, sinking many transports (some still unloading) and, if not unsupplied, the island has minimal supplies. Particularly proud of these two attacks (the second on 30 March):

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 09, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Christmas Island IO at 45,104, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
DD Akishimo
DD Ikazuchi
DD Ayanami
DD Asagiri
DD Sagiri
DD Oboro, Shell hits 1
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
AP William Ward Burrows, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAP Etolin, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
AK Triangulum, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Bootes, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Dunnatar Castle, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
LSI(L) Empire Pride, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
LSI(L) Glenartney, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
LSI(L) Glenorchy, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Katoomba, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Merkur, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 30, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Christmas Island IO at 45,104, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akishimo
DD Michishio
DD Isonami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
xAP Cape Newenham, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Ima, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Beltana, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Momba, Shell hits 50, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Zannis Cambanis, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 34 (21 destroyed, 13 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 12 March - Samarinda (northeast of Balikpapan). Despite the invasion, the Allies have not moved on Balikpapan by the end of the month. The oil and fuel at Balikpapan had been inaccessible for a couple of months, so this doesn't change much.

- 16 March - Batangas, (southwest of Manila). This was a surprise and undefended, bypassing Cebu and the other defended bases in mid-latitude Philippines. For reasons that were not initially clear, the landing was botched, with something like 2,000 squads (!) and almost 1,500 vehicles disabled:

quote:

Amphibious Assault at Batangas (79,78)

TF 242 troops unloading over beach at Batangas, 79,78

Allied ground losses:
3766 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 788 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 762 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 500 (0 destroyed, 500 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1497 (5 destroyed, 1492 disabled)

I learned later that this force had landed with minimal preparation. It will be some time before these units are ready for combat, and the Allies have reportedly brought in reserve divisions to keep the momentum of the advance on Manila. The Allies now control all of the bases south of Manila *except* Naga and Legaspi. Legaspi is a strongpoint, occupied by the 109th Division plus a CD unit, and very well fortified and supplied.

- 22 March - Aparri (northern tip of Luzon). The Allies came ashore in good order against minimal opposition. The IJA 105th Division had been defending Aparri, but pulled out when Allied 4Es showed interest in the base. Given the terrain, the 105th would have been rendered combat ineffective in a short time at that location. The Allies moved south and took Vigan, while a separate forced moved up the center of Luzon and now occupies the hex northeast of Cabanatuan and due east of Langayen. I suspect the Allies are unsure how to proceed with the 105th Div just to the northeast at San Fernando.

- Kamaikazes
-- Kamikazes were activated by the invasion of Batangas. Still figuring out what I want to do with kamikazes, but do have several training units flying Ki-115a Tsurugi. Have not yet converted a unit to kamikaze.
-- Also, while there have been a number of bomber pilots "willing to die for the Emperor", a B7A2 Grace finally connected on 25 March, reportedly on the CVE Takanis Bay:

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B7A2 Grace x 17

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Takanis Bay, Bomb hits 1, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy fires
CVE Prince William
DD Roe
CVE Admiralty Island
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- CV Battle
The Allies operated 4-5 CV task forces in support of the invasion locations (including Christmas Island) and in the Java Sea. With my reconstituted Japanese CV fleet, I wanted to challenge the TF in the Java Sea because I could count on support from ground-based air forces on Java (note the small number of Jacks and Franks that participated in the battle below). As I suspected, the Allies knew Japanese CVs were operating in the area, but were unclear on the exact size and strength. It was composed of CVs Shinano, Kasagi, Taiho, Katsuragi, Unryu and Hiyo, with about 375 aircraft. (The Hiyo, severely damaged in the late 1943 CV battle, had just completed its rebuild at the end of Jan 1945.)

The setup was exactly what I wanted: Japanese CVs in hex 50,97 (two hexes NE of Batavia) with the Allies 3 hexes to the east at 53,97. If Japanese CVs were damaged, their aircraft could divert to Batavia, as could damaged ships. The Japanese struck first:

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,97

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 67
B7A2 Grace x 85
D4Y3 Judy x 107

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 54
F6F-5 Hellcat x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 13 destroyed
B7A2 Grace: 9 destroyed, 18 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 5 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 7 destroyed, 18 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 7 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise
CA Salt Lake City, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CLAA Atlanta
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CLAA San Diego
CA Shropshire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Allied strike, the Japanese BBs absorbed a number of attacks.

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 50,97

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 90
J2M5 Jack x 6
N1K1 Rex x 20

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 83
F6F-5 Hellcat x 56
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 27
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 69
TBM-3 Avenger x 91

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 3 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 7 damaged
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 4 destroyed, 31 damaged
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 4 destroyed by flak
TBM-3 Avenger: 12 destroyed, 26 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 3 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 2
CV Kasagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei
CV Katsuragi, Torpedo hits 1
CV Unryu
CV Taiho, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Shinano, Bomb hits 3
BB Musashi
DD Kaede
CA Suzuya
DD Hinoki
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Japanese also struck first in the afternoon, but a different Allied TF with CVLs.

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,97

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 34
B7A2 Grace x 43
D4Y3 Judy x 54

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 46
F6F-5 Hellcat x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 11 destroyed
B7A2 Grace: 11 destroyed, 13 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 3 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 10 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1
CV Hancock
DD Hickox, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Monterey, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CLAA Oakland, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Princeton, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
CA Australia, Torpedo hits 1

Fuel storage explosion on CVL Monterey
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Cabot
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Cabot
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Princeton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Allied afternoon strike was bigger than mine but, again, the Japanese BBs absorbed much of the damage.

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 50,97

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 54
J2M5 Jack x 5
N1K1 Rex x 13
Ki-84r Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 69
F6F-5 Hellcat x 44
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 22
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 52
TBM-3 Avenger x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 7 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 6 destroyed, 19 damaged
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
TBM-3 Avenger: 7 destroyed, 26 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Ashigara
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Hiyo, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Katsuragi
CV Unryu
CV Shinano
CV Kasagi
BB Musashi
BB Hiei
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Significant damage to key Japanese ships:
-- CV Taiho: ended the turn with 63 Sys, 80 Flt (41 Maj), 17 Eng and 47 Fire. It would sink the next morning. (The Taiho has always been a "glass-jawed" ship for me.)
-- CV Hiyo: ended the turn with 63 Sys, 75 Flt (48 Maj), 58 Eng and 14 Fire. It took two days, but the Hiyo made it to Batavia, docked and extinguished the fires. Still hope to get it repaired.
-- CV Shinano: took 3 bombs hits but, with its armored deck, suffered only 23 Sys, 5 Flt and 2 Eng. It's repairing at Singapore and I expect it to be back in action by mid-April.
-- CV Katsuragi: ended the turn with 9 Sys, 27 Flt (12 Maj). Hope to repair after the Shinano.
-- BB Nagato: ended the turn with 26 Sys, 62 Flt (39 Maj) and 53 Eng. Also hope to repair, eventually.

It was the bloodiest day in the air of 1945: 235 VPs for Japanese air lost and 183 for Allied air lost.

I went looking, hard, for damaged ships and conducted a number of small attacks out of Java and Makassar, which the Japanese still control. I've been told the "BB Indiana" was sunk, but Tracker tells me it was actually the older BB Calfornia. The CVL Monterey is reported as sunk in Tracker on 18 March. On 26 March, a bombardment TF lead by Musashi went into Bandjermasin and discovered CVLs docked there. I've been told the Cabot was sunk at Bandjermasin (see below).

All-in-all, not a terrible exchange, especially if I can get the Hiyo back. Equally important, I think it will give the Allies pause when they see a Japanese CV TF in the area.

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Bandjermasin at 60,99

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBM-5 Mariner: 1 damaged
PBM-5 Mariner: 1 destroyed on ground
TBM-3 Avenger: 12 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground
F6F-5 Hellcat: 15 damaged
F6F-5 Hellcat: 5 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi

Allied Ships
CVL Monterey, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 13

BB Musashi firing at Bandjermasin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Purge of the South Seas
-- As a result of the IJN convoy system and effective land-based ASW and naval search, Japanese convoys were still moving routinely between Singapore and Fukuoka. In response, the Allies sent multiple CV TFs into the South China Sea and Java Sea in the last 11 days of March. The Japanese were expecting this type of move, but the Allies kept coming and supplemented the naval activity with 4E bomber attacks on ports. There was no place to hide, at sea or in port. Lost many, many transports, but the Allies have not attacked Singapore due to the strong figher coverage.

- Japanese PT Boat Attacks
-- Considerable success with Japanese PT boats operating out of Manila and going to Batangas, especially the 38 knot PTs when the TF leader has good inspiration and related skills. This is true even in situations where the transports are protected by DDs. Notable examples below, with many of the damaged ships in port at Batangas:

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Surigao at 81,88, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-1016
MTB G-1018
MTB G-1019

Allied Ships
APD Cofer
APD Knudson
AK Boulder Victory
LSM-11, Shell hits 2
LSM-13
LCI-624
LCI-783
LCI-989
xAK Agwimonte
xAK Cape Romain, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Cape Greig
xAK Overseas Rose, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
AP Gen. A.E.Anderson

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 39 disabled
Vehicles lost 43 (19 destroyed, 24 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-1005
MTB G-1012
MTB G-1020

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio
CVE Manila Bay
CVE Kalinin Bay
CA Houston
CL Gambia
DD Zellars
DD Boyd
DD Gatling
DD Marshall
DD Picking
DD Porterfield
xAP Maui, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Cape San Juan
xAP Cape Victory, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Kota Baroe, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
4814 casualties reported
Squads: 66 destroyed, 112 disabled
Non Combat: 115 destroyed, 241 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 24 (22 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (19 destroyed, 7 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Surigao at 81,88, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-1016
MTB G-1018
MTB G-1019

Allied Ships
APD Cofer
APD Knudson
AK Boulder Victory
LSM-11, Shell hits 2
LSM-13
LCI-624
LCI-783
LCI-989
xAK Agwimonte
xAK Cape Romain, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Cape Greig
xAK Overseas Rose, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
AP Gen. A.E.Anderson

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 39 disabled
Vehicles lost 43 (19 destroyed, 24 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Batangas at 79,78, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-881
MTB G-883
MTB G-885, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-889, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Maddox
DD Mansfield
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Philip
AP President Monroe, Shell hits 2
AP Adm. W.S.Benson, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS

On 18 March, two Japanese PTs attacked a huge Allied transport TF. The base results were very modest (see below), but the APA George Clymer turned into some kind of floating pinball! It had *eight* collisions with other Allied ships in the TF, sustained heavy damage, and is reportedly in port at Batangas.

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 18, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-461
MTB G-462

Allied Ships
xAP Maui, Shell hits 1
xAP Cape San Juan
xAP Cape Victory, Shell hits 1
xAP Kota Baroe, Torpedo hits 1

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

AKA Alshain collides with APA George Clymer at 79 , 78
AKA Athene collides with APA George Clymer at 79 , 78
AKA Cyrene collides with APA George Clymer at 79 , 78
AKA Aquarius collides with APA George Clymer at 79 , 78
AP Adm. W.S.Benson collides with APA George Clymer at 79 , 78
APA Henderson collides with APA George Clymer at 79 , 78
AKA Capricornus collides with APA George Clymer at 79 , 78
APA Henderson collides with APA George Clymer at 79 , 78
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My last name is Bullard. The DD Bullard (no known relation to Rear Admiral William H. G. Bullard) made an appearance earlier in the war (it was commissioned 9 April 1943). It has since been involved in 3 battles off Christmas Island, including this one. Kinda cool.

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Christmas Island IO at 45,104, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Bullard, Shell hits 1
DD Charrette, Shell hits 1
APA Neshoba, Shell hits 12, heavy fires
APA Tazewell, Shell hits 5, on fire
AK Matar, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underwayIt made
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, the Allied CVs in the Java Sea executed an attack on Batavia, which was well-defended by good Japanese aircraft flown by good pilots. It was a big Japanese victory, with the air VP differential being almost 100 points in favor of Japan.

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 49,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M5 Jack x 22
Ki-84b Frank x 30
Ki-84r Frank x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 59
F6F-5 Hellcat x 65
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 14
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 3 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 13 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 8 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akishimo
DD Michishio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

< Message edited by kbullard -- 8/1/2020 11:37:15 PM >

(in reply to kbullard)

Post #: 12

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 8/1/2020 11:48:53 PM

RangerJoe

Posts: 13450
Joined: 11/16/2015
From: My Mother, although my Father had some small part.
Status: offline

It looks good to me.

_____________________________

Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!

�Illegitemus non carborundum est (�Don�t let the bastards grind you down�).�
― Julia Child

(in reply to kbullard)

Post #: 13

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 8/4/2020 3:14:57 PM

Bif1961

Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline

When Japanese carriers are this effective this late in the ware you have been doing something right.

(in reply to RangerJoe)

Post #: 14

RE: Late War AAR as Japan (No Herlockers Please!) - 2/28/2021 10:32:06 PM

kbullard

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2002
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline

TRENDS

- VPs
-- Increased by .152, from 1.285 to 1.437 in favor of the Allies
- Another month with a horrible VP trend that will end the war in 1945 if not checked; however, it was caused primarily by the fall of Manila. Without that turn, the monthly change is only .05, which I can live with.

- B-29 Operations
-- 27 targets in April, but only 7 unique targets. Iwo Jima airfield and ground units were struck on 11 days starting 12 April to support the landing force. Minimal damage from fires following bombing of Home Island targets on only three days.
-- I learned the Allies are transitioning to the B-29B, which has minimal defensive armament but greater speed and range. I think this is a great development for the Empire. I'm hoping I can put up additional late-war aircraft like the Ki-100 Tony to at least damage the B-29B without getting shot down, and thus reducing B-29 sortie rates.
-- Speaking of which, Tracker tells me I've shot down ~600 B-29s, and my opponent has indicated that he's having trouble keeping B-29 units filled. That's great news in the long run.

- Air Losses
-- Japanese losses were DOWN 30%, to less than 1,000 in April, while Allied losses were UP almost 35%, to well over 1700 in April.
-- There were 6 days in April when Allied air VP losses were >100, while Japanese losses were <100, but only one day where the reverse was true. Reasons vary; on 1 April, it was heavy B-29 losses during a day attack on Shimuzu. On 20 April, it was a CV strikes at Singapore protected by land-based fighters. And there were heavy Allied air losses during CV port strike attempting to finish IJN ships holed up in Batavia.
-- I executed my first Kamikaze strike on 14 April, with a unit of Ki-67 Ib Peggy aircraft. No hits, but it was long range, there was no escort and my expectations were low. I wanted to give the Allies some sense of how far the Japanese can reach, if necessary.

- Ground war: most of the Philippines changes hands, and the Allies land on Iwo-jima! More below.

- Industry
-- Oil and fuel continues to trickle into the Home Islands. As Light and Heavy Industry has been damaged , however, my consumption of Resources and Fuel (along with the supply generated by their use) are declining. I have enough Resources to support remaining Light Industry through March 1946, and enough Fuel to support remaining Heavy Industry through 1945.
-- I'm not repairing anything, except 2-3 aircraft factories producing or doing R&D on key aircraft such as the Grace or the Shinden.
-- Supply continues to decline, but at an acceptable rate. Currently, I think I have and am producing enough Supply to last through the end of March 1946.

KEY COMBAT, INVASIONS AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

- Frontlines
-- Minimal changes in Burma or Thailand; the Allies took Mergui.
-- No change in China
-- Thankfully, because China is waaaay at the bottom of the Supply priority list...
-- Allies took Sampit on SW Borneo, and the three bases west of Bruei on the NW coast.
- Philippines
-- Manila ground attacks begin 3 April, and the city falls 3 days later with units retreating NW. Disappointed in Japanese Army performance at a Level 9 fort, but they were certainly damaged by the Allied 4E bombers.
-- Clark Field attacked on 13 April, and also falls 3 days later.
-- Fortress Bataan: I had high expectations in the jungle, and a CD unit to prevent easy transit to Manila. Ground combat started on 20 April, the Japanese lost control of the base 4 days later on 24 April, and the area was declared secure by 28 April.
-- The last remaining outpost in the Philippines is Fortress Legaspi, which also has a CD unit and is still well-supplied (Over 60,000 on 1 May.)

- Iwo-jima
-- The Americans come ashore on 13 April and, despite intensive Allied bombing, the Japanese ground units acquitted themselves well, inflicting over 9,000 casualties. See the Combat Report below.
-- I think the Allies made a tactical mistake, landing with 36,000 troops, which exceeds the islands capacity of 30,000 and causes exceptional (double?) supply consumption.
-- The Allies can make only Bombardment attacks (supplementing the continuing air attacks) for the next 10 days. The next Ground Attack doesn't take place until 23 April, producing a 2-1 attack that reduces the fort from 6 to 4.
-- Iwo-jima changes hands 3 days later, on 26 April, and declared secure the next day when the remaining Japanese forces are wiped out.
-- In retrospect, I should have gotten more supplies to Iwo Jima sooner. Consumed considerable

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 13, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Iwo-jima (108,77)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 36225 troops, 636 guns, 766 vehicles, Assault Value = 1483

Defending force 14670 troops, 229 guns, 106 vehicles, Assault Value = 314

Allied adjusted assault: 67

Japanese adjusted defense: 399

Allied assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1863 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 171 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 134 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 75 disabled
Guns lost 53 (6 destroyed, 47 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (3 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
9085 casualties reported
Squads: 158 destroyed, 532 disabled
Non Combat: 100 destroyed, 160 disabled
Engineers: 213 destroyed, 201 disabled
Guns lost 173 (36 destroyed, 137 disabled)
Vehicles lost 179 (60 destroyed, 119 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
37th Infantry Div /9
43rd Infantry Div /1
32nd Infantry Div /8
XIV Corps Combat Engr Rgt /1
231st USN Base Force
Tenth US Army /3

Defending units:
1st Ind.Mixed Regiment
34th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Det. 3rd Special Base Force
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
14th Base Force
25th Air Flotilla
19th Army
30th JAAF Base Force

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 14, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Iwo-jima (108,77)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 30181 troops, 620 guns, 650 vehicles, Assault Value = 655

Defending force 11590 troops, 220 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 109

Allied adjusted assault: 102

Japanese adjusted defense: 47

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 6)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
1562 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 52 (8 destroyed, 44 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2593 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 201 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 88 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 43 (17 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (5 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
37th Infantry Division
32nd Infantry Division
XIV Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
Tenth US Army
231st USN Base Force

Defending units:
34th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Regiment
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
19th Army
Det. 3rd Special Base Force
14th Base Force
25th Air Flotilla
30th JAAF Base Force

- Naval combat with MTBs!
-- I was able to sortie MTBs to Iwo-jima out of Chichi-jima, with excellent results. On the night 13 April (i.e., the day the invasion of Iwo-jima started):

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 13, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Iwo-jima at 108,77, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-237
MTB G-239, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-351, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-353, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CVE Sitkoh Bay, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CVE Makassar Strait
BB Pennsylvania
BB California
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 1
DD Lardner
DD Lang
...

-- Then, two days later on 15 April, Grace bombers flying off a small CVL task force (to avoid detection) ambushed an Allied TF retreating from Iwo-Jima. A CVE again reported as the Sitkoh Bay was attacked again. (Due to commander error, the Grace's flew with bombs instead of torpedoes.)

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 15, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 109,78

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2a Jill x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2a Jill: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Sitkoh Bay, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Cushing
LSM(R)-189, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Herald of Morning, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Cummings

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B6N2a Jill bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Sangamon class CVE
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LSM(R)-189
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APA Herald of Morning

-

- The CVE Sitkoh base has not, however, been reported sunk.

- CV Combat
-- Having mostly repaired and recovered from the CV battles in the Java Sea in mid-March, I returned a CV TF to a position off Batavia with two objectives. First, I wanted to engage the Allied CV TF in the area covered by a stronger force of land-based Frank fighters. Second, and related, I hoped to clear the Java Sea of Allied TFs so I could get the damaged CV Hiyo to Singapore.

-- Results were mixed. The Japanese land-based aircraft made only minor contributions, but the Allied attacks were of only limited effectiveness: a torpedo hit on the CV Shinano and a single bomb hit on CV Unryu (with minimal damage from a reported "Ammo storage explosion"). The TF pulled into Batavia, while the Kasagi and Katsuragi retreated to Singapore.

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 11, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 49,97

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 67
N1K2-J George x 7
Ki-84r Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 36
F6F-5 Hellcat x 16
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 43
TBM-3 Avenger x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 3 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 8 destroyed, 6 damaged
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 2 destroyed by flak
TBM-3 Avenger: 15 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 2 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CV Kasagi
CV Shinano, Torpedo hits 1
CV Unryu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Isokaze
CL Agano
CA Suzuya
DD Shiranui

-- The Allied CV TF returned on 17 Apr to attack the port at Batavia. Most of the hits, however, seemed to be the smaller 500lb bombs from the Avengers that did no damage to the Nagato (at Batavia since mid-March] or the Shinano with its armored deck. Incremental damage to the Hiyo was minimal.

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 17, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 21
J2M5 Jack x 11
Ki-84r Frank x 8

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 35
F6F-5 Hellcat x 62
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 53
TBM-3 Avenger x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 11 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 3
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Shinano, Bomb hits 4

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
17 x TBM-3 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x TBM-3 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-602 Hikotai with J2M5 Jack (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 4000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Unryu-1 with A6M5c Zero (6 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 4000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 4000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

-- Ultimately, both the Unryu and the Shinano would sneak back to Singapore by traveling up the west coast of Sumatra, rounding Sabang, and then making way to Singapore. Very aggressive Japanese ASW operations helped!

-- After repairing severe damage from the CV clash around Truk island in 1943, the Hiyo was again operational in late October 1944. It was damaged in the original CV battle off Batavia in mid-March 1945 and entered Batavia with 64 Sys, 71 Flt (48 major) and 58 Eng (35 major) damage. It sortied on 24 April with 60 Sys, 50 Flt (all major) and 55 Eng (still 35 major) as the Allies were now keenly aware of its presence. Unfortunately, it started taking on water quickly and sank later that day off Merak.

-- I was able to further validate the tactic of protecting CVs by keeping them in port, but not docked, with strong land-based CAP. Allied carrier-based aircraft inadvertently conducted a long-range strike on my CV TF at Singapore. As shown below, a force ov over 100 Allied DBs and TBs but with only 30 escorts got trounced by Japanese CAP of 110 Franks+ and 80+ A6M5c and George. There were only three actual attacks by single aircraft, none of which hit anything.

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 20, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 50,84

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 67
N1K1 Rex x 20
Ki-84r Frank x 117

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 30
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 83
TBM-3 Avenger x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 3 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 2 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 3 destroyed
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 46 destroyed
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
TBM-3 Avenger: 10 destroyed
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Kasagi
BB Yamato
CV Katsuragi

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBM-3 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x TBM-3 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

< Message edited by kbullard -- 3/1/2021 12:08:13 AM >

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 15

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