Allied Counter Offensive---June 1943---“Singapore before ‘44” in Feb '44 currently

Allied Counter Offensive---June 1943---“Singapore before ‘44” in Feb '44 currently (Full Version)

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tabpub -> Allied Counter Offensive---June 1943---“Singapore before ‘44” in Feb '44 currently (8/1/2006 11:00:51 AM)
Allied Counter Offensive June 1943 “Singapore before ‘44” The beginning of June 1943 has the Allied forces at the crux of war versus the Japanese Empire. From Rangoon, thru Darwin, Noumea and Pearl Harbor, the forces of the United Nations stand ready to begin the assault on the fortress perimeter of Japan. The campaign to date has been one of careful probes vs. most of the Japanese lines. Several have come to naught, being caught by the reaction of the IJN/IJA forces. An attempt to seize Thursday Island has now turned into a 3 month long draw, as both sides have about 2 divisions worth of troops here now. A further attempt to secretly build up a base at Rossel Island in the Lousiades ended in failure. The base was built to level 1/1 and fort 7; but, maintaining supply there under IJN attack proved fruitless and after the loss of 4 cruisers to IJN carrier strikes the base was abandoned. Further east, the Gilberts proved to be relatively easy, with 2 divisions taking Tarawa while single Raider battalions proved to be enough to occupy the empty atolls of Apamamma and Makin. Further plans to move up into the Marshalls in the near future are nearing their start dates; all that needs to be found is the landing craft and the temporary use of some carrier support. Finally, in the west is the centerpiece of the Allied attack to date, Burma. Back in the beginning of the year a plan to force the enemy off the line of the Irrawaddy near Mandalay was put into effect. Combining 6 Chinese Divisions moving from Lashio with the support of 2 armored brigades to flank the position from ‘north’ and 2 English and 1 Indian Division moving from Akyab directly for Rangoon with heavy air support succeeded beyond the planners’ dreams. Getting wind of the movements and being able to read a map, the Japanese realized that they were threatened with getting tied down on the frontier with troops that had better air support and supplies, not to mention firepower. They skillfully withdrew down the country toward Rangoon and the Thai border, with the Anglo-Indian forces carefully following. Now, carefully following does not mean slow, and an infantry brigade and sundry support units totaling some 25-30000 men were locked up in Rangoon by the Allied advance. In a 2 week battle, they were eliminated at little cost to the attackers, who outnumbered them significantly. Those divisions are now resting, prior to their relief of the forces guarding the Salween Line that the IJA has occupied. Recon indicates about 180000 men along the crossable stretch of the river between Moulmein and Raehang. Air bombardment is underway and the plan for forcing this position is being formulated. Flanking it will be difficult, as Tavoy has a considerable garrison on the Bay side and the other is mountain jungle highlands. In China, a stalemate reigns over the northern 2/3rds of the country, from Chengting to Wuchow. But, over the last 3 month, forces of the southern armies have moved on and taken Nanning from the Japanese who retreated without a fight to Pakhoi. This force was ejected from Pakhoi by the attack of a single Chinese corps just over 50 days later, leading to the presumption that they were out of supply. In a series of attacks over the next 1-2 weeks, all the Japanese forces were eliminated except for the remnants of the 104th IJ division. Southern Group is confident that in another week the 6 corps arrayed against the 104th will destroy it. Then, after consolidating the position, the next moves for Southern Group will begin. With General Chennault in command of the 14th AF and more American fighters and ground support troops on the way, perhaps we can take the fight to the IJA strongholds after gaining control of the airspace over our own cities for the first time in 2 years. I will be keeping a short daily report just covering high points for the day, with a weekly/bi-weekly appreciation of the situations in the war. This should keep the reader interested but not drown them in information of marginal value. Of course, all are welcome to field comments and questions; they will be responded to if the situation seems fit all that security stuff. This should provide people with a good counter point to the “Herb vs. Tabpub” thread that is my counterpart’s version of the war. EDITOR’S NOTE----- I started this while on vacation and forgot to post it to the board. During that time, a couple of things have changed. 1. The Southern Chinese Army has finished off the Pakhoi campaign with the elimination of the Japanese 104th Division. That army is now regrouping and building defenses to hold this position against any counterattack. 2. Due to some Japanese maneuvering in the Homan – Kaifeng area, the Homan Area Army had tried to interfere by moving on Kaifeng. 2 Corps were cut off as the Japanese forces doubled back on them and separated them from the main body. They are now frozen about Kaifeng and having difficulty trying to escape; it looks like they might be forced to hold out there for some time, as the Homan forces don’t have the numbers to break the IJA line on the RR. 3. South Pacific has landed 2 RCT’s on Rennell Island over the last week with 2 small BF’s; Pacific Carrier Force has been in support and has been under attack from land based fighters and bombers. So far, the edge has been in favor of the Carrier Force; though, most of the losses were in the fighter groups. Since the transport groups had landed all the troops and over 30k tons of supply, permission was given for them to retire, along with the Carrier Force, to the south. The Carrier Force had lost about 40-50% of its fighters, CVL INDEPENDENCE was seriously damaged by multiple bomb hits by dive bombers and was deemed to be threatened by further air attacks; additionally, the probability of enemy carriers arriving was high. The Force has fallen back on its support group and at least one carrier has replenished its fighter wing with new F4F’s from the CVE’s. The Force continues to replenish and head off toward friendly bases in the New Caledonia chain. They plan to return in the near future to cover the Rennell area reinforcement convoy that is due in the area soon. 4. Another operation is underway, destination unreleased to the press at this time; indications are that it is a major operation. 5. During the early stages of Rennell, the modern BB WASHINGTON was torpedoed by LB bombers; she is now in port. One division of prewar BBs has been shifted from CenPac to replace her in the line. Determination of repair port for WASHINGTON has not been made as of this date. She is about Ľ damaged; the question is whether Australian repair yards can handle her or if she needs to head back to the CONUS for repair. She does need to have her AA suite upgraded, so CONUS looks like the more likely choice. 6. The results for the air battles over Rennell area will be published in the next report. ---------END------

tabpub -> RE: Allied Counter Offensive---June 1943---“Singapore before ‘44” (8/1/2006 11:35:05 AM)
The initial attack against the Fleet as it moves on Rennell Island; the defending fighters take about 15% losses, but none of the attackers make it through: 06/07/43 Day Air attack on TF at 67,100 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 20 G4M1 Betty x 7 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 24 Ki-49 Helen x 18 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 275 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 20 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 24 destroyed Ki-49 Helen: 18 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 23 destroyed, 18 damaged The carrier air is a little busy and the defending Lightnings from Nidni can not perform miracles, but none of the freighters are in dire straits: 06/11/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 66,99 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 14 A6M3a Zero x 77 B5N Kate x 22 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 18 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 9 destroyed A6M3a Zero: 47 destroyed B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 14 destroyed Allied Ships AP Harris AK Eridanus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AK Ganymede, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AK Aludra AK City of Rayville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Henry T. Allen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet An attack on a covering force is repulsed: 06/11/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 66,99 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 5 A6M3a Zero x 41 B5N Kate x 10 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 10 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed A6M3a Zero: 18 destroyed, 1 damaged B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 7 destroyed Allied Ships CA Northampton Aircraft Attacking: 1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Now we see what is keeping the carrier air busy; ˝ of the fighters are assigned to escorting the day’s offensive operations, so only 4 squadrons worth are slated to CAP; the enemy fighters acquit themselves well, but Yorktown is nimble: 06/11/43 Day Air attack on TF at 65,99 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 23 A6M3a Zero x 79 Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 120 Japanese aircraft losses D3A Val: 13 destroyed A6M3a Zero: 68 destroyed Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 10 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 44 destroyed, 18 damaged Allied Ships CV Yorktown Aircraft Attacking: 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet This group of Zero pilots really clears the way well, thank God it was only some old Sonias this time, Essex is not hurt by their ordinance: 06/11/43 Day Air attack on TF at 65,99 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 60 Ki-51 Sonia x 21 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 76 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 19 destroyed, 1 damaged Ki-51 Sonia: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 53 destroyed Allied Ships CV Essex, Bomb hits 4 BB Massachusetts Aircraft Attacking: 2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet 3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet 8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet This group of Zeroes also does well and the Sonias hurt the *Independence* pretty well; she can not continue flight ops and is detached that night to base: 06/11/43 Day Air attack on TF at 65,99 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 40 Ki-51 Sonia x 20 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 89 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 30 destroyed Ki-51 Sonia: 10 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 23 destroyed, 12 damaged Allied Ships BB Massachusetts CVL Independence, Bomb hits 5, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet Synopsis of the offensive missions during the 11th, 2 ML, 1 PG and 2 AP sunk off various southern Solomons islands; combined air strikes from carriers and 4E bombers from Luganville severely damage the Munda AF complex. Losses during air strikes – 6 planes. Enemy losses – 40 to 60 planes.

tabpub -> RE: Allied Counter Offensive---June 1943---“Singapore before ‘44” (8/2/2006 1:05:40 AM)
June 13, 1943 Daily report: SS Scorpion torpedoes fuel carrying AK of Tsingtao; reports massive fire and is pursuing her SS Sawfish, returning to Pearl, diverts to Bacolod PI on report of AK unloading there. Engages on surface, torpedoing her 3 times and leaving her in a sinking condition. Sawfish returns to PH course. SS Triton attempts to torpedo IJN DD north of Rennell Island; no hits, no damage from DC attacks; disengages south. 2 BG from Cooktown hit the South Seas Det. at Port Morseby today; ground fire negligible, but only minimal damage to target. Mission ordered to go again tomorrow. 80 FighterBombers hit the 55th Divison at Moulmein from Rangoon; 1 Beaufighter lost over target to flak; fighters claim a platoons' worth of casualties inflicted. 2 CAF B25 sqd spot shipping in Tonkin Gulf; strike and leave one PG sinking condition. Finally, the "hot spot" of the current day, Rennell Island. Here is the unedited view of the fighting there; pretty much IJ dominated for today: 06/13/43 Naval bombardment of Rennell Island, at 66,99 Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses PBY Catalina: 4 destroyed Japanese Ships DD Mikazuki CA Kako CA Furutaka CA Kinugasa CA Aoba BB Kirishima BB Hiei BB Kongo Allied ground losses: 1608 casualties reported Guns lost 33 Vehicles lost 11 Airbase hits 16 Airbase supply hits 12 ============================================= 06/13/43 Naval bombardment of Rennell Island, at 66,99 Japanese Ships DD Kuretake DD Hatsuharu CA Maya CA Atago CA Takao BB Nagato Allied ground losses: 39 casualties reported Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 5 ============================================= 06/13/43 Coastal Guns at Rennell Island, 66,99, firing at TF 11 ============================================= 06/13/43 TF 11 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99) TF 11 troops unloading over beach at Rennell Island, 66,99 36 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships CA Kumano, Shell hits 1 CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1 Japanese ground losses: 539 casualties reported Guns lost 2 ============================================= 06/13/43 Coastal Guns at Rennell Island, 66,99, firing at TF 145 ============================================= 06/13/43 TF 145 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99) TF 145 troops unloading over beach at Rennell Island, 66,99 27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships DD Namikaze DD Shiokaze Japanese ground losses: 266 casualties reported ============================================= 06/13/43 Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 1 No Japanese losses ============================================= 06/13/43 Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99 Japanese aircraft H8K Emily x 1 No Japanese losses ============================================= 06/13/43 Day Air attack on 24th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 66,99 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 25 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 31 Ki-21 Sally x 19 Ki-49 Helen x 20 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 30 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Aircraft Attacking: 19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 7000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet 11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet ============================================= 06/13/43 Day Air attack on 147th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 66,99 Japanese aircraft H8K Emily x 2 Ki-49 Helen x 12 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 47 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet ============================================= 06/13/43 Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99 Japanese aircraft H8K Emily x 1 No Japanese losses ============================================= 06/13/43 Ground combat at Rennell Island Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 11904 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 325 Defending force 3171 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 92 Japanese ground losses: 32 casualties reported Guns lost 1 ============================================= 06/13/43 Ground combat at Rennell Island Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 3117 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 89 Defending force 15905 troops, 136 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 325 Japanese max assault: 78 - adjusted assault: 12 Allied max defense: 186 - adjusted defense: 103 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese ground losses: 666 casualties reported Guns lost 18 Allied ground losses: 14 casualties reported

tabpub -> RE: Allied Counter Offensive---June 1943---“Singapore before ‘44” (8/4/2006 6:25:12 AM)
Daily report: 06/14/43 Naval bombardment of Rennell Island, at 66,99 Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses PBY Catalina: 3 destroyed Japanese Ships DD Asagiri DD Kagero CA Chikuma CA Tone BB Musashi Allied ground losses: 634 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Airbase hits 7 Airbase supply hits 3 ============================================= 06/14/43 Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99 Japanese aircraft H8K Emily x 1 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 8 No Japanese losses No Allied losses ============================================= 06/14/43 Day Air attack on 24th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 66,99 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 21 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 8 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed Aircraft Attacking: 16 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet ============================================= 06/14/43 Day Air attack on 147th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 66,99 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 31 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 8 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged Allied ground losses: 10 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 19 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet ============================================= 06/14/43 Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 1 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 5 No Japanese losses No Allied losses ============================================= 06/14/43 Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99 Japanese aircraft H8K Emily x 1 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 5 No Japanese losses No Allied losses ============================================= Rennell reports supplies all right, but damage to airbase facilities under construction is severe. Elsewhere, 80+ Liberators hit Port Moresby and the South Seas Det. again for some 100 casualties; on the Burma front, ground attack a/c from Rangoon hit the 55th Division. One Beaufighter is lost for 150 ground troops, 3 guns and a vehicle claimed. Hanoi bombed overnight, but damage is negligible by the 13 Liberator VI's on the mission. Rumor around the water cooler here in the SoPac correspondents room has a major event coming up in the next week or so; where and when is still buried in secrecy.

tabpub -> June 15, 1943 (8/4/2006 12:16:17 PM)
The weather was bad today, almost across the globe... 3 sub contacts; only one success. Rasher hits a loaded AP N of Palawan with 2 torpedoes; she is settling at last view, 2 of the 6 escorts attack, but merely shake the boat. Just over 1/2 a group of Liberators attack thru the clouds at Milne Bay; 1/3 are hit by flak but report good pattern on target. Recon will assess tomorrow morning. 40 Tojos show up over Rennell, but no one is there to play with them; The Lightnings are resting from their duties with the awful weather system moving in. 2 Squadrons of Mitchells from Pagan hit the empty Moulmein airdrome; one is shot down by flak as they get good results (claim 60 hits) on the strip; 9 hits each in the hangers and supply areas. A Japanese Division with support elements attacks the 2 cut-off Corps at Kaifeng: Ground combat at Kaifeng Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 27402 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 686 Defending force 20969 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 641 Japanese max assault: 595 - adjusted assault: 34 Allied max defense: 668 - adjusted defense: 480 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 1640 casualties reported Guns lost 57 Allied ground losses: 150 casualties reported Guns lost 4 The Chinese 105 batteries have good results on the counterbattery shoot and MG's cut down the attackers in the open and they retreat. Now, if I could only get a couple of battalions of these to my Chinese, we could take back Peking!! [image]local://upfiles/9730/2B4450B544614905BC1B750870268029.jpg[/image]

Capt. Harlock -> RE: June 15, 1943 (8/4/2006 10:18:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: tabpub A Japanese Division with support elements attacks the 2 cut-off Corps at Kaifeng: Ground combat at Kaifeng Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 27402 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 686 Defending force 20969 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 641 Japanese max assault: 595 - adjusted assault: 34 Allied max defense: 668 - adjusted defense: 480 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 1640 casualties reported Guns lost 57 Allied ground losses: 150 casualties reported Guns lost 4 The Chinese 105 batteries have good results on the counterbattery shoot and MG's cut down the attackers in the open and they retreat. Once again, the Chinese never fight better than when they're surrounded!

tabpub -> RE: June 15, 1943 (8/5/2006 12:31:01 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock quote: ORIGINAL: tabpub A Japanese Division with support elements attacks the 2 cut-off Corps at Kaifeng: Ground combat at Kaifeng Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 27402 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 686 Defending force 20969 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 641 Japanese max assault: 595 - adjusted assault: 34 Allied max defense: 668 - adjusted defense: 480 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 1640 casualties reported Guns lost 57 Allied ground losses: 150 casualties reported Guns lost 4 The Chinese 105 batteries have good results on the counterbattery shoot and MG's cut down the attackers in the open and they retreat. Once again, the Chinese never fight better than when they're surrounded! Bah. That is an old saw that players throw around to cast blame; reducing combat ready formations takes time. And please take a look at the adjusted values again; I doubt that the attacker's assault value was degraded due to the defenders status. It was a hasty attack that was evidently ill prepared no doubt; that, and that the defenders were fully supplied and low on disruption. And finally, as I said, they are cut-off, not surrounded; they have an out hole to the SE, though based on the supply requirements, they are surrounded, granted. [image]local://upfiles/9730/3841601F993844E88CE5147CC85EB6F4.jpg[/image]

tabpub -> June 16 & 17, 1943 (8/5/2006 8:02:34 AM)
Daily Log: Over the last two days, Allied Air groups out of Darwin contested the air over Dili. While hitting the base hard, losses were in the 10 % range for these battle hardened crews and they were stood down after 2 days operations. Brewster's in escort role proved inadequate against the IJ opposition. 06/17/43 Day Air attack on Dili , at 31,77 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 10 A6M3a Zero x 5 Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15 Allied aircraft Brewster 339D x 16 B-25J Mitchell x 57 B-17E Fortress x 13 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 3 damaged Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged Allied aircraft losses Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed B-25J Mitchell: 7 destroyed, 9 damaged B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 30 ============================================= 06/16/43 Day Air attack on Dili , at 31,77 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 17 A6M3a Zero x 5 Allied aircraft F-5A Lightning x 5 B-25J Mitchell x 128 B-17E Fortress x 12 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged A6M3a Zero: 3 damaged Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 31 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 11 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 39 Also, over two days, a TK and AK were claimed as sunk, off Vietnam and the Bonins respectively. B17s strike 2 ships off Buna with 5 bombs Munda is struck by Libs out of Luganville again; one is shot down to 5 ground claims and good hits on the field. Airbase hits 7 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 48

Capt. Harlock -> RE: June 16 & 17, 1943 (8/5/2006 10:02:25 PM)
quote: Brewster's in escort role proved inadequate against the IJ opposition. Brewster 339D's?? In June '43?! Something must be wrong with Allied aircraft production. (Though I note the Lightnings have appeared.)

tabpub -> RE: June 16 & 17, 1943 (8/6/2006 12:56:01 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock quote: Brewster's in escort role proved inadequate against the IJ opposition. Brewster 339D's?? In June '43?! Something must be wrong with Allied aircraft production. (Though I note the Lightnings have appeared.) 1st; it's a Dutch unit 2nd; what month does the Kittyhawk III come out..ah, July 43. 3rd; PDU did not exist at the incept date of this game. Now, I will be back tomorrow with about a 4 day update, as we were flying along yesterday.

tabpub -> 18-20 June 1943 (8/6/2006 10:09:49 PM)
20 June 1942 Weekend Log: Moving East to West along the fighting front; there has been a lot of action all over the place. We start with the Rennell Island fighting: 06/18/43 ASW attack at 67,101 Japanese Ships SS I-174, hits 4, heavy damage Allied Ships DD Flusser DD Gillespie DD Gansevoort DD Nicholson DD Waller DD Radford CVE Sangamon 06/20/43 ASW attack at 67,100 Japanese Ships SS RO-62, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships DD Meade DD Caldwell DD Farenholt DD Buchanan DD Aaron Ward CL Helena ============================================= 06/19/43 ASW attack at 67,100 Japanese Ships SS RO-62, hits 2 Allied Ships DD Cushing DD Cummings DD Fanning DD Dunlap DD Saufley ============================================= 06/19/43 ASW attack at 67,100 Japanese Ships SS RO-62, hits 10 Allied Ships DD Stanly DD Pringle DD Hutchins DD Cony DD Converse DD Bennett ============================================= 06/18/43 ASW attack at 67,100 Japanese Ships SS RO-63, hits 8, on fire Allied Ships AK Sage Brush AP St. Mihel APD Brooks APD Stringham DD Hull DD Patterson DD Morris DD Walke DD O'Brien 06/20/43 Night Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 66,99 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 11 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged Allied Ships DD Strong AK Admiral Y. Williams DD Philip ============================================= 06/19/43 Night Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 66,99 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 9 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged Japanese Ships SS RO-62 Allied Ships AK Grumium AK Caelum DD Taylor ============================================= 06/19/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 66,99 Japanese Ships AG AG-5052, Shell hits 4, and is sunk AG AG-5069, Shell hits 3, and is sunk AG AG-5070, Shell hits 3, and is sunk AG AG-5088, Shell hits 7, and is sunk Allied Ships CA Portland CA Indianapolis CA Minneapolis DD Sims DD Hammann DD Bagley DD Mugford DD Jarvis DD Case DD Farragut ============================================= 06/18/43 TF 1122 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99) Allied Ships DD Helm, Mine hits 1, on fire ============================================= 06/18/43 Sub attack near Rennell Island at 66,99 Japanese Ships AG AG-5090, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS S-46 ============================================= 06/18/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 66,99 Japanese Ships AG AG-5048, Shell hits 1, and is sunk AG AG-5049, Shell hits 6, and is sunk AG AG-5050, Shell hits 12, and is sunk AG AG-5051, Shell hits 2, and is sunk AG AG-5052 AG AG-5067, Shell hits 2, and is sunk AG AG-5069 AG AG-5070 AG AG-5087, Shell hits 3, and is sunk AG AG-5088 AG AG-5089, Shell hits 5, and is sunk AG AG-5090, Shell hits 4, and is sunk AG AG-5091, Shell hits 1, and is sunk Allied Ships CA Portland CA Indianapolis DD Sims DD Hammann DD Bagley DD Helm, on fire DD Mugford DD Jarvis DD Case DD Farragut ============================================= 06/18/43 TF 1036 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99) Allied Ships APD Stringham DD Patterson ============================================= 06/18/43 TF 1059 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99) Allied Ships DD LaVallette DD Dunlap DD DeHaven ============================================= 06/18/43 TF 1006 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99) Allied Ships DD Farenholt CA Minneapolis, Mine hits 1 ============================================= 06/18/43 TF 1010 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99) Allied Ships DD Strong ============================================= 06/18/43 TF 1014 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99) Allied Ships DD Shaw 06/18/43 Day Air attack on Munda , at 64,95 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7 Allied aircraft PB4Y Liberator x 61 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 10 casualties reported Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 28 ============================================= 06/18/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 66 SBD Dauntless x 17 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged Japanese Ships AK Korei Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage The end result in this sector is a bunch of sunken barges, a couple of sunken (presumed) subs and a mined CA that is only slightly damaged, as the flooding was fixed in no time at all. Oh, and supplies and engineers landing on Rennell…. Near New Guinea, things go more the way of the IJ, as they use their carrier mobility to setup a little situation in their favor at PM: 06/18/43 TF 145 encounters mine field at Goodenough island (56,93) Japanese Ships DD Yukaze DD Numakaze, Mine hits 1, on fire DD Shiokaze 06/20/43 Sub attack at 54,94 Japanese Ships AP Hakuyo Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Sailfish Japanese ground losses: 81 casualties reported Guns lost 2 06/20/43 Day Air attack on TF at 52,96 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 9 Ki-48 Lily x 47 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-48 Lily: 10 destroyed, 27 damaged Allied Ships CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 1 DD Dewey, Bomb hits 1 CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1 CL St. Louis CA Louisville 06/20/43 Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 35 A6M3 Zero x 6 A6M5 Zeke x 12 A6M3a Zero x 158 Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 53 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed A6M3a Zero: 30 destroyed, 1 damaged Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 41 destroyed ============================================= 06/20/43 Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 26 A6M3 Zero x 6 A6M5 Zeke x 11 A6M3a Zero x 130 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 48 PB4Y Liberator x 8 B-24D Liberator x 32 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed, 47 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hudson I: 45 destroyed PB4Y Liberator: 8 destroyed B-24D Liberator: 7 destroyed, 14 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 2 x Hudson I bombing at 20000 feet 1 x Hudson I bombing at 20000 feet ============================================= 06/20/43 Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 12 A6M3 Zero x 3 A6M5 Zeke x 5 A6M3a Zero x 61 Allied aircraft F-5A Lightning x 1 B-17E Fortress x 72 B-24D Liberator x 38 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged A6M5 Zeke: 4 damaged A6M3a Zero: 14 destroyed, 33 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 17 destroyed, 38 damaged B-24D Liberator: 10 destroyed, 18 damaged Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 5 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet ============================================= 06/20/43 Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 12 A6M3 Zero x 3 A6M5 Zeke x 5 A6M3a Zero x 55 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 27 B-24D Liberator x 23 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged A6M5 Zeke: 4 damaged A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed, 13 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged B-24D Liberator: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged ============================================= 06/19/43 Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 10 A6M3a Zero x 48 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 44 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed A6M3a Zero: 18 destroyed, 1 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged ============================================= 06/19/43 Day Air attack on South Seas Det. , at 53,91 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 21 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 25 PB4Y Liberator x 11 B-24D Liberator x 38 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hudson I: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged PB4Y Liberator: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged Japanese ground losses: 108 casualties reported Guns lost 2 ============================================= 06/18/43 Day Air attack on South Seas Det. , at 53,91 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 12 Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 69 P-38G Lightning x 51 PB4Y Liberator x 11 B-24D Liberator x 31 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 8 destroyed Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 10 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 183 casualties reported Guns lost 7 Aircraft Attacking: Hudson I bombing at 4000 feet PB4Y Liberator bombing at 20000 feet B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet The losses on the 20th are painful, especially in the Hudsons. Other than that, the losses were not that bad; Hudsons will have to be relegated back to 2nd line duty for the current fighting for now, what is left of them. In China, the IJA bombs the cutoff corps at Kaifeng; the Americans from Chunking attempt to relieve some of the pressure and wallop a Base Force: 06/20/43 Day Air attack on 119th IJN Base Force, at 51,32 Allied aircraft P-40N Warhawk x 17 B-25J Mitchell x 25 B-24D Liberator x 48 Allied aircraft losses B-25J Mitchell: 5 damaged B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 313 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Aircraft Attacking: 16 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet 9 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet 47 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet ============================================= 06/20/43 Day Air attack on 54th Chinese Corps, at 51,32 Japanese aircraft Ki-49 Helen x 15 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 41 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Aircraft Attacking: 15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet ============================================= 06/19/43 Day Air attack on 54th Chinese Corps, at 51,32 Japanese aircraft Ki-49 Helen x 20 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 84 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Aircraft Attacking: 20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet Meantime, in gaps of the weather fronts, the Burma air campaign steps up a bit: 06/20/43 Day Air attack on 55th/A Division, at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 52 Spitfire Vb x 17 Beaufighter VIC x 33 F-5A Lightning x 1 Allied aircraft losses Hurricane II: 3 damaged Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged Beaufighter VIC: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 127 casualties reported Guns lost 3 ============================================= 06/19/43 TF 1230 encounters mine field at Moulmein (29,35) Allied Ships MSW Eland Dubois MSW Pieter de Bitter MSW Agra ============================================= 06/19/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 17 B-25C Mitchell x 42 Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 12 Aircraft Attacking: 42 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 9000 feet ============================================= 06/19/43 Day Air attack on 55th/B Division, at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 56 Spitfire Vb x 20 Beaufighter VIC x 37 F-5A Lightning x 1 Allied aircraft losses Hurricane II: 1 damaged Beaufighter VIC: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 79 casualties reported Guns lost 1 ============================================= 06/19/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 16 B-25J Mitchell x 55 Allied aircraft losses B-25J Mitchell: 5 damaged Japanese ground losses: 16 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 31 Aircraft Attacking: 55 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet ============================================= 06/18/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 20 B-25C Mitchell x 48 Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 7 damaged Airbase hits 13 Airbase supply hits 7 Runway hits 70 Aircraft Attacking: 48 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 9000 feet ============================================= 06/18/43 Day Air attack on 55th/B Division, at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 41 Spitfire Vb x 22 Beaufighter VIC x 35 F-5A Lightning x 1 Allied aircraft losses Hurricane II: 1 destroyed Beaufighter VIC: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 157 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Vehicles lost 1 Finally, 2 ships are torpedoed in the Malay/Borneo area; neither severely though. The losses in the Port Moresby area have led to the cancellation of the landing that was scheduled there in 3-4 days. The presence of the carrier air precludes us getting any air superiority there for the moment. Another group of P38 has arrived (the 475th) and it will try to assist in clearing the air over the landing site. Meantime, different options are being taken under consideration: as in continued reinforcement of Rennell, or other operations against the Solomons. As can be seen, the IJN carrier air still has quite the punch right now, so we are trying to operate away from it for the current time. The landing strip on Rennell is about 2 days away from completion.

tabpub -> Update thru 23 June 1943 (8/11/2006 9:27:15 AM)
06/23/43 Some of the high(low)lights of the last few days: On the Burma front: A lot of these units are low experience units that have been rebuilt from the massive ’42 battles in this front and that were disbanded back then. 06/23/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 94 Spitfire Vb x 38 Beaufighter VIC x 51 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 16 Allied aircraft losses Hurricane II: 2 damaged Spitfire Vb: 2 damaged Beaufighter VIC: 3 damaged Beaufighter Mk 21: 3 damaged Japanese ground losses: 60 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 23 Airbase supply hits 7 Runway hits 77 ============================================= 06/21/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 18 B-25C Mitchell x 30 Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged Japanese ground losses: 35 casualties reported Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 12 Runway hits 41 Aircraft Attacking: 29 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 9000 feet In Northern China, the ChiComs withdraw toward Yenen from Chengting due to increasing IJA pressure on other fronts and the fact that this was a vulnerable position to flanking maneuvers. 06/21/43 Ground combat at Chengting Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 15910 troops, 182 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 329 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 8 Japanese max assault: 309 - adjusted assault: 620 Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 620 to 1 (fort level 8) Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengting base !!! Meantime, near Port Moresby, Allied bombers get handled roughly by a combination of land and carrier fighters. Data on this was lost, but the losses in bombers were not good, about 50+ and the groups morale were hurt severely. This has caused the postponement of the operation that was to have landed 2 divisions there in less than 4 days. They had just set sail, but returned to Australia upon this news. The IJN also sent some freighters to PM to reinforce it, prompting some surface actions to attempt to sink them. The covering Jap forces were hurt, but the transports landed successfully. No Allied surface units were lost, but some were damaged fairly severely. 06/22/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91 Japanese Ships DD Harusame, Shell hits 10, and is sunk DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 7, and is sunk Allied Ships CA Australia CA Canberra CL Leander CL Achilles CL Perth DD Voyager DD Arunta, on fire, heavy damage (hit a mine on the way in) DD Scout DD Thanet DD Thracian ============================================= 06/22/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91 Japanese Ships AG AG-5142 AG AG-5143, Shell hits 3, and is sunk AG AG-5161 AG AG-5163 AG AG-5164, Shell hits 5, and is sunk AG AG-2051, Shell hits 22, and is sunk Allied Ships CA Australia CA Canberra CL Leander CL Achilles CL Perth DD Voyager DD Arunta, on fire, heavy damage DD Scout DD Thanet DD Thracian ============================================= 06/21/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91 Japanese Ships CL Naka, Shell hits 3 DD Harusame DD Ariake DD Kikuzuki DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Otori DD Sagi, Shell hits 1, on fire Allied Ships CA Northampton CA Louisville CLAA San Juan CL St. Louis CL Phoenix, Shell hits 2 DD Laffey DD Anderson DD Porter DMS Trevor ============================================= 06/21/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91 Japanese Ships CL Naka, Shell hits 3, on fire DD Harusame, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Ariake, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage DD Otori DD Sagi, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships CA Northampton, Shell hits 3 CA Louisville CLAA San Juan CL St. Louis CL Phoenix DD Laffey DD Anderson DD Porter, Shell hits 2 (later hit by Jake bombers, set afire, but will make port) DMS Trevor ============================================= 06/21/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91 Japanese Ships AG AG-5142 AG AG-5143 AG AG-5160, Shell hits 5, and is sunk AG AG-5161 AG AG-5163 AG AG-5164 AG AG-5165, Shell hits 4, and is sunk AG AG-2049, Shell hits 7, and is sunk AG AG-2050, Shell hits 7, and is sunk AG AG-2051 AG AG-2053, Shell hits 5, and is sunk Allied Ships CA Northampton CA Louisville CLAA San Juan CL St. Louis CL Phoenix DD Laffey DD Anderson DD Porter, on fire DMS Trevor Rennell Island is quiet….too quiet. One RCT attempts to eject the IJA visitors, fails and regroups. More supplies landed, AF is up to 1 as of this date, fighter planes are based here now, and 3 PT flights cover the transport groups. The carrier and covering forces are 120 miles SE of the island. 06/21/43 Ground combat at Rennell Island Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 5885 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 353 Defending force 2274 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43 Allied max assault: 140 - adjusted assault: 48 Japanese max defense: 34 - adjusted defense: 25 Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 115 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Allied ground losses: 129 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Elsewhere, Maeolap in the Marshalls is ineffectively bombed from the Gilberts and the SS Amberjack is ambushed off Tokyo by a subhunter group and sunk in one massive attack. ---END---

Ron Saueracker -> RE: June 16 & 17, 1943 (8/11/2006 3:15:42 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock quote: Brewster's in escort role proved inadequate against the IJ opposition. Brewster 339D's?? In June '43?! Something must be wrong with Allied aircraft production. (Though I note the Lightnings have appeared.) Yep...Kittyhawk IIIs (P-40 Ks) are not available until Aug 43 for some strange reason.

tabpub -> RE: Update thru 23 June 1943 (8/14/2006 12:25:35 PM)
June 27, 1943 EYES ONLY Theater HQ and above 4 day synopsis. June 24, 1943: 5 Squadrons of Privateers hit Lunga; losing one a/c for minor damage to the runway. Dutch O19 torpedoes two freighters off Bankha, in the straits. June 25, 1943: Seadragon torpedoes an AP off Merauke, NG. Sealion engages AP on surface 60 SE of Seadragon’s contact; breaks off after inconclusive engagement. Japanese AP hits a mine in the Jomard Passage. 55 bombers (Mitchells and PB4Ys) hit Maolap for very light damage. 40 bombers (Hudson’s, B17&24’s) hit small convoy from PM; 3 ships hit, 2 left in sinking condition. First known usage of the new 2000 LB GP bomb in action. Japanese submarines attempt to get some shots at the carrier task forces: ASW attack at 67,101 Japanese Ships SS I-121 Allied Ships DD Smith DD Shaw DD McCall DD Henley DD Russell DD Hughes CA Pensacola CV Wasp ASW attack at 68,102 Japanese Ships SS I-2, hits 6, on fire Allied Ships DD Cushing DD Cummings ASW attack at 68,102 Japanese Ships SS I-121, hits 2 Allied Ships DD Flusser DD Gillespie DD Gansevoort DD Nicholson DD Waller DD Radford ASW attack at 68,102 Japanese Ships SS I-121, hits 4 Allied Ships DD Flusser DD Gillespie DD Gansevoort DD Nicholson DD Waller DD Radford ASW attack at 68,102 Japanese Ships SS I-121, hits 8 Allied Ships DD Meade DD Caldwell DD Farenholt DD Buchanan DD Aaron Ward ASW attack at 68,102 Japanese Ships SS I-2, hits 4, heavy damage Allied Ships DD Smith DD Shaw DD McCall June 26, 1943: Gudgeon attacks Nagato class BB W of Munda; torpedoes track to target but no detonation recorded. Gudgeon attacked 3 times by DD’s escorting BB’s Kirishima and Kongo just SW of Munda. Dutch O23 hit by severe ASW attack; 1/3rd flooded, returning to port; location of attack of Bankha, the Japanese were probably looking for O19 that passed through here 2 days ago. 50 bombers hit Maloelap from high altitude, no losses, light damage. Lunga Point AF is hit by 3 separate bombardments, totaling 4 modern BB and 4 cruisers; no apparent hits on the airfield. Coastal artillery present, their fire is brisk, but ineffective; counterfire estimates 20 pieces knocked out. DD Flusser strikes 2 mines, breaks formation to return south down by the bow, sunk later in the day by airstrike. The air strikes on Lunga go as follows: Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 1 A6M3a Zero x 24 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15 Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 21 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 1 A6M3a Zero x 23 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13 Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 15 F-5A Lightning x 4 PB4Y Liberator x 65 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed, 14 damaged Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed Ki-51 Sonia: 18 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 8 destroyed PB4Y Liberator: 6 destroyed, 23 damaged Japanese ground losses: 41 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 44 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships PT PT-23 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 18 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6 Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9 Allied aircraft TBF Avenger x 120 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged Ki-51 Sonia: 8 destroyed A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses TBF Avenger: 58 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese ground losses: 11 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 12 The night fighting around Rennell was really confused; we have not been able to assess it very well, at best, it was a draw for us. Losses were: 8 PT boats 3 DD (Walke, Morris, Patterson) Another PT was scuttled in the morning and 2 DD were limping home at under 20 knots. The 5 DD involved were the largest warship committed on the Allied side. Japanese losses: Cruiser Aoba sank the next morning from 3 torpedo hits 2 DD were hit by torpedoes and were in trouble. BB Hiei was hit by torpedo, but not reported to lose any headway. Only one group of cruisers bombarded our lines and were not effective. Air combat over Rennell: Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 13 A6M3 Zero x 5 A6M3a Zero x 39 H8K Emily x 1 Ki-21 Sally x 55 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 5 F4U-1 Corsair x 15 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed A6M3a Zero: 22 destroyed Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 20 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed F4U-1 Corsair: 7 damaged Allied ground losses: 26 casualties reported Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 2 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 6 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 F4U-1 Corsair x 15 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged Allied Ships DM Sicard DD Kennison June 27, 1943 SS Saury gets a shot at a CVL Ryuho just north of Rennell, but misses. Several others in the area are repressed by the Imperial DD’s. A squadron of F4F over Vanikolo shot down 8 of 9 Betties going after shipping there. The Vanikolo TBF squadron strikes 2 ships 300 miles north. Report 3 hits on a Nisshin CS and 2 hits on a DD. Bombs were used due to distance flown. 25 Vals and Kates try to reach the Fleet carriers 180 miles NNW of Vanikolo; 18 shot down, rest turn back. 8 escorted Vals get 2 bomb hits on DD Litchfield as she escorts freighters 60 miles west of carrier group. Massive strike of 140 fighters and 170 various bombers, mainly Vals hit freighters and transports 120 miles NW of carriers. 5 Freighters left sinking/badly damaged for the loss of one Val. A follow up strike of 23 Vals escorted by 100+ fighters gets intercepted by now unengaged CAP from carriers; 16 F4F lost for 20 Zero types. 3 damaged freighters hit again. Finally, CVL Shoho spotted 120 miles East of Rennell, just SW of Irau. Massive deck strike vectored, but she is the only apparent target, results are expected: Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 110 SBD Dauntless x 66 TBF Avenger x 32 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged TBF Avenger: 4 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage A couple of followup strikes watch her turn turtle and sink. Analysis If it were not for the unfortunate loss of the Avengers over Lunga due to over optimism over the bombing/shelling of Lunga AF earlier, I would hold this period as a Allied success. As it is, we seem to be attriting them well, and the battleline spent the 27th rearming in Luganville, and should be ready to oppose any further landing bombardments. Air group morale, other than one Avenger squadron, is all high, and the reserves of Corsairs and Lightnings in the theater are plentiful. SW PAC promises that they are ready again to provide diversion and should be ready for landings in NG in 2 weeks. Cent Pac is merely waiting for shipping for Phase 2 operations in Marshalls; while the Brits are ready for the preliminaries of their offensive. ADM Nimitz hopes to have the IJN looking at 4-5 thrust lines within the next 3 months at the outside. Even the Chinese think that they can provide a minor effort in that time frame, given more American air support and supplies.

tabpub -> thru July 3, 1943 (8/21/2006 7:39:04 AM)
Situation Report thru July 4 A really quiet period. More engineers land at Rennell, which is now a lvl 2 AF. No Japanese attacks of any import and very few moves by the Allied forces. Other than the sub attacks below, the only action is over Moulmein; where 200+ tactical a/c hit the airstrip there every day, weather permitting. Other than sporadic flak, there is no opposition to the raids. Plans are laid in for the rest of the month, promising action on at least 2 new areas. 07/03/43 Sub attack at 37,53 Japanese Ships AK Kenryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PG Saiko Maru MSW Tama Maru #3 MSW Sonobe Maru MSW Shonan Maru #8 MSW Keinan Maru MSW Choun Maru #6 Allied Ships SS Hoe 07/03/43 Sub attack at 44,85 Japanese Ships AK Momoyama Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Grunion 07/02/43 Sub attack near Singapore at 23,50 Japanese Ships AP Choko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage MSW Rikusen Maru MSW Kaiyo Maru #3 MSW Bisan Maru MSW Mejima Maru MSW W.5 MSW W.19 Allied Ships SS Trident, hits 2 07/03/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 93 Spitfire Vb x 47 Beaufighter VIC x 48 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 16 Allied aircraft losses Beaufighter VIC: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 10 casualties reported Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 56 ============================================= 07/02/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 97 Spitfire Vb x 51 Beaufighter VIC x 47 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15 Allied aircraft losses Hurricane II: 9 damaged Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Beaufighter VIC: 1 damaged Airbase hits 2 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 63 ============================================= 07/01/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 97 Spitfire Vb x 49 Beaufighter VIC x 49 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15 Allied aircraft losses Hurricane II: 6 damaged Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 damaged Airbase hits 10 Airbase supply hits 4 Runway hits 54 ============================================= 06/30/43 Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35 Allied aircraft Hurricane II x 98 Spitfire Vb x 46 Beaufighter VIC x 48 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 16 Allied aircraft losses Hurricane II: 1 damaged Spitfire Vb: 2 damaged Beaufighter VIC: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 10 casualties reported Airbase hits 14 Airbase supply hits 16 Runway hits 57

tabpub -> American Submarine campaign to date: (8/21/2006 8:58:25 AM)
has sunk over 160 enemy ships via torpedo alone Nimitz is quite pleased, as a former submariner: [image]local://upfiles/9730/731E8BB3DB5D4CA096CD057239E10D93.jpg[/image]

tabpub -> SEAC fighting on the Salween River line!! (10/18/2006 12:58:44 AM)
Situation through August 24, 1943 You might have noticed a lack of reporting during the last month or so; was just a bit too busy to update this thread. From west to east, I will recapitulate the overall status of the war so far. Arrow references are on the attached map below. Andaman Islands: On July 30th, the 44th Indian Brigade landed here and in 2 weeks eliminated the defenders. Support troops have the AF to level 2 and working on level 3 Moulmein-Raehang area: With the fall of the Andamans, the offensive on the Salween front began on Aug 18; first with the crossing of 3 Armored Brigades at the middle of the line versus 1 mixed infantry regiment that was defeated during the crossing (red arrow). The Armored Brigades then split, with 2 heading for Moulmein and one for Raehang (yellow arrows). Additionally, 2 Indian infantry divisions were landed at Moulmein under the cover of the RN battleline, which has been providing fire support based out of Rangoon (blue arrow): 08/18/43 Naval bombardment of Moulmein, at 29,35 Allied Ships DD Rocket DD Rapid DD Isis DD Hotspur DD Ralph Talbot DD Blue CL Glasgow CL Kenya CL Dragon CA Hawkins CA Dorsetshire BC Repulse BB Ramilles BB Valiant BB Prince of Wales Japanese ground losses: 608 casualties reported Guns lost 12 Vehicles lost 14 Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 8 Port hits 2 Port supply hits 6 The battleline has been repeating this fire support mission every other day since this opening bombardment. Little to no counterfire is being reported by the landing forces now. The Moulmein defenders mass about 1550 AV; the landing/flanking forces are at 1000+ and growing with additional landing troops; should have enough to start real attacks in 5-7 days. The English carrier force 4CV, 1CVL is providing support for the landing and cover against possible naval interference (which is deemed unlikely, but possible). And finally, an Indian Division river assaults Raehang on the 22nd; this is in concert with the move of an Armored Brigade from the west. The assault is costly, but serves the purpose to pin the Raehang defenders in place as much as possible; preventing their movement to the west to cutoff the Moulmein attackers (fuchsia arrow). Two Indian Divisions are moving via the red/yellow route; one each to Moulmein and Raehang; additionally, 2 British Divisions and a reinforced Brigade are reinforcing the landing at Moulmein over the next week, with additional Corps and Artillery support (blue arrow). All of this is being done under the umbrella of the Rangoon based air assets, which number over 400 planes; evenly split amongst fighters, fighter-bombers, and level bombers. Addition support in the form of a B25C group at Taung Gyi and 5 Lib VI squadrons from Mandalay are available. All air assets are mainly devoted to ground strikes, weather permitting. My next installment will cover the Chinese (with a little American air support aiding them) re-conquest of Tonkin (that’s North Vietnam if you didn’t already know that) which occurred concurrently with the British attacks. [image]local://upfiles/9730/B3796113F0BA412C8D84AF564A39099D.jpg[/image]

tabpub -> Chinese occupy Tonkin...and other things (10/27/2006 2:49:01 PM)
August 31, 1943 As was mentioned before, the Chinese Southern command moved even further south after securing Nanning and Pakhoi and eliminating a Japanese Division earlier in the year. They prepped 5 corps and and supporting HQs for the move south under the umbrella of American and Chinese air groups. One B25 BG operated out of Taung Gyi with a sqd of P38 for escort and a Spit sqd for local defense. Kunming was home to a B24 group and a P40 group; and Kunming had another group of B24's, a group of American B25s and several squadrons of American and Chinese P40N's, with 3-4 more Chinese Mitchell squadrons operating there from time to time. These forces struck at the airfields and ports around the Hanoi/Haiphong area until the IJAAF quit fighting in the air; they then switched to the ground forces as the Chinese hit the border. The rumored Viet self defense force did not show up ( I know that I wouldn't have, as the lack of IJA ground forces in the area would have just meant their destruction also). In a concerted attack, the Chinese Corps' forced the river and literally blew the IJA defenders back into Haiphong. Haiphong was quickly invested and the resistance there eliminated in a matter of days. Here are some excerpts from the CR's August 18th, the assault on Hanoi: 08/18/43 Ground combat at Hanoi Allied Shock attack Attacking force 65506 troops, 360 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1671 Defending force 4982 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134 The final odds were 108 to 1. Five days later, Haiphong: 08/23/43 Ground combat at Haiphong Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 31771 troops, 209 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 988 Defending force 821 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11 Allied max assault: 252 - adjusted assault: 116 Japanese max defense: 5 - adjusted defense: 1 Allied assault odds: 116 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 362 casualties reported Allied ground losses: 6 casualties reported The Chinese have called a halt to their advance; A to fix the massive damage that the bombing campaign wrought to the area, B to root out resistance and place a civil government in charge (the American OSS has nominated a little known person that goes by the nom de guerre of Ho Chi Minh as a suitable candidate; Chiang has promised him autonomy and has promised that the French will not be alllowed back after the war.), and C...they didn't expect it to go so well and have no reserves ready to use for the area. It will be up to SEAC to spread the war in Indochina for the near future. Meanwhile, over the last week, the Gilbert/Marshalls area has now stepped into the limelight. You might remember that at the beginning of this report, that the Gilberts had been secured by June; Mili and Majuro in the Marshalls were occupied in regimental strength and built up under the air cover of Tarawa/Makin. The only significant Japanese bases in the central/northern Marshalls are Maeolap, Kwajalein, and Eniweitok. Bombers from Mili and Majuro visited Maeolap nearly ever day, with 4 old BBs lending their weight for the prior 2 weeks. Just recently though, they switched to Kwajalein over the last week, which was also hit by carrier air yesterday. My sources have it that the Divisions that took Tarawa are hitting the beach at Kwaj tomorrow; they are anticipating light losses as they are fully prepared and the enemy resistance appears slacked by the air and naval attacks, as the last bombardment today showed only a few guns firing. This and other engagements to come soon; the behemoth is fully roused from it's slumber and is starting to take strides to the front. Though, it will not be that easy as it seems; the IJN is still unbeaten and has increased it's carrier decks markedly over the last 5-6 months, as several new carriers have been observed operating in the NG area during that period. The question now is when and where will it commit to battle......?

tabpub -> Kwajalein landing and Moulmein falls!!!! (10/28/2006 11:45:38 PM)
September 1, 1943 2nd Marine Div and 25th Inf. Div hit the beaches in the Kwajalein Atoll; enemy gunfire on the approach and landings is scattered and ineffective: Coastal Guns at Kwajalein, 79,79, firing at TF 1133 TF 1133 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79 679 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships SC SC-643, Shell hits 6 DD Boyd, Shell hits 4, on fire AK West Camargo DD Schroeder, Shell hits 3 AK Admiral Cole, Shell hits 3, on fire DD Charles Ausburne, Shell hits 6 AK Kentuckian, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Braine LCI LCI-327, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage LCI LCI-221, Shell hits 2, on fire LCI LCI-219 LCI LCI-218 LCI LCI-85, Shell hits 2 BB Colorado LCI LCI-84, Shell hits 3 LST LST-450, Shell hits 2, on fire LST LST-447, Shell hits 4, on fire LST LST-31, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage LST LST-23 APD Kane DE Steele, Shell hits 2 Japanese ground losses: 157 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Allied ground losses: 2513 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Vehicles lost 1 Coastal Guns at Kwajalein, 79,79, firing at TF 1133 TF 1133 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79 157 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships DD Charles Ausburne, Shell hits 1 AK Honomu, Shell hits 6, on fire DD Boyd, Shell hits 2 AK Panaman, Shell hits 3 BB Colorado, Shell hits 1 AP Pierce, Shell hits 3, on fire Japanese ground losses: 48 casualties reported Allied ground losses: 892 casualties reported Guns lost 1 The initial battle for the lodgments goes well; enough troops were landed by small craft to give a good account of themselves. ADM Brown on Colorado is confident that as more support elements and ammo land from the transports that the defenders will be ejected from their positions in 2 days further action, as the remaining assault troops should be ashore by then; additional artillery and a TD battalion will land over the next 2 days also: Ground combat at Kwajalein Allied Shock attack Attacking force 24251 troops, 295 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 696 Defending force 8242 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31 Allied max assault: 612 - adjusted assault: 166 Japanese max defense: 69 - adjusted defense: 84 Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 9) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 8 Japanese ground losses: 358 casualties reported Guns lost 15 Allied ground losses: 228 casualties reported Guns lost 9 Vehicles lost 1 Meantime, in Burma, the IJA has abandoned the Moulmein position before the Anglo-Indian attack could go in: Ground combat at Moulmein Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 67654 troops, 609 guns, 981 vehicles, Assault Value = 1676 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 8 Allied max assault: 1492 - adjusted assault: 3334 Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1 Allied assault odds: 3334 to 1 (fort level 8) Allied forces CAPTURE Moulmein base !!! Mountbatten and Auchinleck are now conferring on the next objective for the campaign. Louis wants to press on to Tavoy immediately, but Claude wants to tidy up the Rahaeng situation to provide another forward airbase. A probe there by the Indian 254th Armoured Brigade didn’t gain any significant ground against the defenders, but the losses were light; one Stuart, one Humber. One engineer fell into a fire that was heating some tea for the command staff and was burned to death. The other losses reported below are all either wounded or damaged vehicles: Ground combat at Rahaeng Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 27942 troops, 123 guns, 475 vehicles, Assault Value = 367 Defending force 26807 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 468 Allied max assault: 270 - adjusted assault: 18 Japanese max defense: 409 - adjusted defense: 1531 Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9) Japanese ground losses: 29 casualties reported Allied ground losses: 558 casualties reported Guns lost 17 Vehicles lost 9 There is more infantry scheduled to come up to support this attack, but they are coming overland to avoid the debilitating cross river attacks for now. They will take at least a week to arrive. Engineers and base troops from Rangoon will arrive at Moulmein tomorrow or so to start repairing the airstrips for the English tactical air forces. Expect that several of the Indian Divisions used in the Moulmein attack will retire to home to recruit and re-supply themselves. On the sub front, there have been several interesting actions over the last 2 days. Dutch subs off the Pontiniak-Kuching area have encountered a large tanker convoy rounding the Borneo corner; two were damaged by the large escort with no success, but the O21 got a lick in for the team: Sub attack at 25,55 Japanese Ships TK Kaijo Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PC Fumi Maru #3 PG Tosho Maru PG Tatsumiya Maru PG Santo Maru PG Chiyo Maru MSW Tamozono Maru #1 PG Takunan Maru #10 PG Takunan Maru #3 MSW Hanata Maru #6 DD Yugure Allied Ships SS O21, hits 4 In the Philippine Sea, Puffer has had a running 3 day battle with a Palau bound convoy out of Osaka. Unfortunately, there are no other subs in the immediate area to join in on the fun and Puffer is about out of fish…..: 08/30/43 Sub attack at 60,51 Japanese Ships AK Malta Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Karachi Maru MSW W.4 MSW Choun Maru #21 MSW Wa 103 DD Yakaze Allied Ships SS Puffer =============================== 08/31/43 Sub attack at 58,56 Japanese Ships AK Azumasan Maru MSW W.4 MSW Choun Maru #21 MSW Wa 103 DD Yakaze Allied Ships SS Puffer ============================= 09/01/43 Sub attack at 57,58 Japanese Ships AK Yamabato Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire MSW W.4 MSW Choun Maru #21 MSW Wa 103 DD Tomozuru DD Yakaze Allied Ships SS Puffer ============================================= 09/01/43 ASW attack at 57,58 Japanese Ships AK Azumasan Maru MSW W.4 MSW Choun Maru #21 MSW Wa 103 DD Yakaze Allied Ships SS Puffer, hits 1 Mainly, sub action has been down for the last month, as boats are cycling thru the repair yards or busy supporting the Marshalls area. There are about 10-15 boats covering the Kwajalein landing by picketing the approaches. -----END-----

tabpub -> Kwajalein secured; Massive Jap shipping losses reported!!! (11/3/2006 11:28:08 AM)
September 6, 1943 Press Release CincPac HQ Pearl Harbor Gentlemen, ADM Nimitz is not available for this briefing as he is currently in the Marshall Islands overseeing the operations there. Kwajalein falls quiet; the last resistance was ended today. The assault divisions are at 80% effectiveness, mainly wounded; total losses were insignificant. It appeared that the IJN had deployed much in the way of defenders here. Eniwetok appears to be held in about the same depth. The planning for this atoll is under way and it should be attacked in the next 3-4 weeks barring major changes. In the interim, the new sub plans start to bear fruit, including a capital ship: 09/04/43 Snook dukes it out on the surface with a freighter off Tarakan. Sub attack at 34,62 Japanese Ships AK Tenkai Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Snook, hits 1 09/05/43 Balao gets another tanker near Okinawa. Sub attack at 54,47 Japanese Ships TK Kuremente Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Balao 09/05/43 Steelhead scores in the South China Sea. Sub attack at 36,45 Japanese Ships AP Waura Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire PC Ch 9 PC Ch 8 PG Edo Maru PG Chosa Maru PG Akitsu Maru MSW Banshu Maru #18 MSW W.3 Allied Ships SS Steelhead 09/05/43 Skate finds paydirt off Tori Shima. She has broadcast speed and heading of this group to her sisters in the area. Hope to see more contacts from this attack. Sub attack at 65,49 Japanese Ships CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Skate In the SWPac area, Thursday Island AF makes being a swabbie in the Solomon Sea something you don’t really want to be this past few days. There is a P38 group, 3 various fighter squadrons for local defense and a Beaufighter squadron and a Mitchell group operating out of here. The IJA must want to get something in/out of this area; I am betting it wants to get out. The whole Solomons/NG area seems light in the way of air forces now; they must be concentrating out of air range. A P38 sweep of Wewak earlier netted a nice ratio against the defending TOJO’s, which has probably shown the writing on the wall to the IJAAF. As the strikes from Thursday mount, even the mainland BG(H) start to get in on the action. After these 5 days of intensive operations, most of the front line groups are returned to the mainland, replaced by fresh units. I don’t think that the IJ merchant fleet can take much more of this pounding; they will have to abandon the men in NG or commit an awful lot of air units to the area: 09/01/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 10 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 13 B-25C Mitchell x 42 Allied aircraft losses Hudson I: 1 damaged Japanese Ships AK Kinkasan Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Tosan Maru, Shell hits 24 AK Terukawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire PG Shoei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Muroran Maru PC Ch 16 PG Daido Maru AK Tokiwa Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Glasgow Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage PG Kaikei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AK Kiso Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Katuragi Maru Aircraft Attacking: Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet B-25C Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet ============================================= 09/01/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 42 Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged Japanese Ships AK Glasgow Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PG Kaikei Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage DD Murasame AK Tokiwa Maru, on fire PG Shoei Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet ============================================= 09/01/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Allied aircraft Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Hokkai Maru, Shell hits 8 Aircraft Attacking: Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet ============================================= 09/01/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Allied aircraft PB4Y Liberator x 4 B-24D Liberator x 13 Allied aircraft losses B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged Japanese Ships DD Murasame, Bomb hits 1 AK Glasgow Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage PG Daido Maru AK Kiso Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: Liberator bombing at 8000 feet 09/03/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87 Allied aircraft Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AG AG-5030, Shell hits 8 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet 09/03/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 6 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15 P-38G Lightning x 56 B-25C Mitchell x 18 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 13 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged Japanese Ships AK Toyama Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire AK Terukawa Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AK Tokiwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PG Daido Maru AK Tosan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Katuragi Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet B-25C Mitchell bombing at 3000 feet ============================================= 09/03/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 Allied aircraft PB4Y Liberator x 10 No Japanese losses No Allied losses Japanese Ships PG Kaikei Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Murasame, heavy damage PC Ch 16, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: PB4Y Liberator bombing at 8000 feet ============================================= 09/03/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9 Allied aircraft Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3 P-38G Lightning x 24 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 damaged P-38G Lightning: 3 damaged Japanese Ships AK Katuragi Maru, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet ============================================= 09/04/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 10 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 13 P-38G Lightning x 47 B-25C Mitchell x 31 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Katuragi Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AK Tosan Maru, Shell hits 4 AK Terukawa Maru, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage AK Toyama Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage PG Kaikei Maru, heavy damage PG Shoei Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DD Murasame, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PC Ch 16, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet 4 x Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 3000 feet ============================================= 09/04/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 43 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Terukawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PG Shoei Maru, on fire, heavy damage AK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AK Tokiwa Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AK Toyama Maru, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage DD Murasame, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage PG Daido Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet ============================================= 09/04/43 Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90 Japanese aircraft no flights Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 45 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged Airbase hits 2 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 22 Aircraft Attacking: 21 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 24 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet ============================================= 09/04/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 12 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4 P-38G Lightning x 34 B-25C Mitchell x 36 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Tokiwa Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage AK Tosan Maru AK Terukawa Maru, on fire, heavy damage PG Shoei Maru, on fire, heavy damage MSW W.7, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Murasame, on fire, heavy damage AK Muroran Maru, on fire, heavy damage PC Ch 16, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet B-25C Mitchell bombing at 3000 feet ============================================= 09/04/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90 Allied aircraft PB4Y Liberator x 7 B-24D Liberator x 53 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Terukawa Maru, on fire, heavy damage MSW W.7, on fire, heavy damage AK Katuragi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PG Daido Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PC Ch 16, on fire, heavy damage AK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AK Tokiwa Maru, on fire, heavy damage DD Murasame, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet PB4Y Liberator bombing at 8000 feet ============================================= 09/05/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 11 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 5 P-38G Lightning x 27 Allied aircraft losses Hudson I: 1 damaged Japanese Ships AK Tone Maru AP Saipan Maru AP Taibun Maru AP Teia Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Senkai Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire Aircraft Attacking: Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet ============================================= 09/05/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 13 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Tone Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Saipan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire AP Senkai Maru, on fire Aircraft Attacking: B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet ============================================= 09/05/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 11 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4 P-38G Lightning x 25 Allied aircraft losses Hudson I: 1 damaged Japanese Ships AP Teia Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire AP Senkai Maru, on fire AK Tone Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Taibun Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet ============================================= 09/05/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 62 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AP Teia Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage AP Taibun Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage AP Senkai Maru, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage AP Saipan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet ============================================= 09/05/43 Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87 Allied aircraft Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AG AG-5032, Shell hits 4, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet Not to be outdone in amount of sorties, North Australian Command starts a series of counter AF operations in the Timor area; over this period, Lautem AF is reduced to mud by approximately 150 medium bombers: 09/01/43 Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk III x 12 A-20B Boston x 12 A-20G Havoc x 11 B-25J Mitchell x 124 No Allied losses Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 5 Runway hits 24 Aircraft Attacking: All bombing at 10000 feet 09/03/43 Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk III x 2 P-40B Tomahawk x 57 A-20B Boston x 9 A-20G Havoc x 11 B-25J Mitchell x 101 No Allied losses Airbase hits 11 Airbase supply hits 4 Runway hits 38 Aircraft Attacking: All bombing at 10000 feet ============================================= 09/04/43 Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk III x 10 P-40B Tomahawk x 61 A-20B Boston x 9 A-20G Havoc x 9 B-25J Mitchell x 78 No Allied losses Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 33 Aircraft Attacking: All bombing at 10000 feet ============================================= 09/05/43 Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk III x 12 P-40B Tomahawk x 58 A-20B Boston x 9 A-20G Havoc x 11 B-25J Mitchell x 102 No Allied losses Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 89 Aircraft Attacking: All bombing at 10000 feet ============================================= In other theaters, scattered bombing of targets in the Tavoy, Burma area are reported as causing minor Japanese casualties. Lunga, Solomons is getting attention from tactical air out of Rennell Island, with the occasional strike by Privateers from Luganville. No air opposition is reported in either area. Operation JEHOVAH is underway. Once it has landed and is established, expect OLD FARTHING to ensue; target date for completion of both is 3-4 weeks. If you have any questions, see the Information Officer on your way out of the briefing. Editor’s note: I tried to truncate the CR reports as much as possible for readability.

tabpub -> Jap Carriers transiting Java Sea;Allied invasion groups spotted. (11/5/2006 8:06:48 AM)
September 8, 1943 A quick synopsis of the 6th thru the 8th: Starting in the East, it’s Burma too look at first. 3 Japanese units advanced on the Burma Field Force that was screening Moulmein on the Tavoy road. It has been ordered to retire to Moulmein immediately. Naval and air assets hit Tavoy for light losses; Raehang is still just a holding action. I may have forgotten to mention that about a week ago, the 50th Indian Paras landed on Luang Prabang, which was ungarrisoned. In the interim, the whole brigade has been landed, along with most of a Chindit Brigade and a Chinese Division. The personnel from an EAB has been landed also. As future units arrive, they will press south to stretch the IJA defenses in Indochina. 09/06/43 Naval bombardment of Tavoy, at 28,37 Allied Ships DD Isaac Sweers DD Vendetta DD Vampire CL Dauntless CA Hawkins BB Prince of Wales Japanese ground losses: 235 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Vehicles lost 1 Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 3 Port supply hits 6 ============================================= 09/06/43 Day Air attack on 31st Division, at 28,37 Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged Japanese ground losses: 23 casualties reported Guns lost 1 120 miles south of Hanoi, a Chinese Corps has pushed a IJNLF down the road away from the capital. Over Canton, between a P40 sweep and a squadron sized raid of B25’s, escorted by other P40’s, 16 Tony’s were claimed to 2 friendly losses, both P40’s. 3 Betties try to sneak into Thursday Island to attack shipping there; they are shot down miles from the harbor by some of the 80 planes that were on patrol that day. The reason for the large number of fighters was partially due to the few offensive strikes that day. 2 AP’s are left in a sinking condition at Lae by 2 air strikes, one of which was from Australia. Over the 6th and 7th, over 100+ Liberators in total strike the Gili AF for a total of over 80 runway hits. Over 3 days, over 150 bomber sorties are flown from Luganville and Rennell versus the wharfs at Lunga. At last report, the damage there is approaching over 60%. Also, about 3-4 barges were sunk or heavily damaged by a combination of P39’s and PT’s over this period. Over in the Marshalls, Maloelap is the target for some small air strikes and a bombardment over the 3 day period for training. Sub actions: September 6th: Pompano on a minelaying mission, torpedoes and sinks a ML in Surabaya. Tullibee torpedoes a TK 120 west of Kagoshima; it is reported to have sunk 2 days later. September 7th: Shark missed an AK off Banjarmasin, and then avoids a large group of DD’s. September 8th: Shark, still off Banjarmasin, sights CV Soryu, fires a spread but misses as the carrier zigged out of the pattern. Plunger, off Pontiniak, missed the CVE Unyo and Kaiyo in 2 separate engagements. Finback, just south of Tokyo, intercepts the damaged CA Kumano. No apparent escorts; she is hit by 3 torpedoes and rapidly sinks, just in view of Tokyo Bay. Operation JEHOVAH has been spotted; it is 300 miles south of Lunga, which is it’s destination. We will see what the IJN response is soon.

tabpub -> Huge fight- Darwin; recap Sept-Oct '43 (12/22/2006 12:16:27 AM)
Ed. Note: Gah, it’s been far too long on my updates here. Dear reader(s) please forgive me, if you are still with me. Anytime you feel that an update is due, please feel free to bump this thread to knock me on the head and get it going again. Of course, something major has happened, prompting me to get back in the swing of things. I shall endeavor to catch everyone up the current situation on a area by area basis. October 23, 1943 Except for a minor setback in the Northern Australian Defense Area (NADA), the war is proceeding pretty much the Allied way to date. The NADA situation shall be covered last, as it is the current “hotspot”. Marshalls: Originally, was planning to hit the Eniwetok Atoll one month after the fall of Kwajalein, but have not done so as of yet. I have been waiting for new construction carriers to support this operation, as the Fleet Carrier Force (FCF) is busy in the Southern Pacific area of operations. Two divisions (3rd Mar, and 33rd ID) will be fully ready for the landing planned for 3 weeks from this date. Additionally, the 2nd Marines will be ready to reinforce if necessary, but this is not anticipated. 24th and 25th ID’s are preparing for Ponape Atoll; the date for this has not been set as it is highly dependent on the Eniwetok operation and the availability of support from the main fleet, as this is mighty close to Truk Atoll for my taste. Solomons: Let’s see, the 1st MD and the Americal ID landed here around the middle of September; after a buildup of materiel and bombardments, they attacked continually for approximately one week, forcing the defenders inland. In the meantime, an RCT was landed at Tassaforanga as a blocking force, trapping the Lunga defenders in place. A fresh division, the 37th ID was landed; while the 1st MD and Americal were gradually shipped out. The 37th committed to the cleanup of Lunga on the 29th of September; the final battle took place on the 4th of October. That night, a Japanese naval force showed up in the roadstead (the Fleet Carriers had long departed, and most surface ships were away refitting): 10/04/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97 Japanese Ships BB Haruna BB Hiei DD Hayanami DD Kisaragi DD Tsuga, Shell hits 1 Allied Ships PT PT-24 PT PT-27, Shell hits 2, and is sunk PT PT-30 PT PT-48 ============================================= 10/04/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97 Japanese Ships BB Haruna BB Hiei DD Hayanami DD Kisaragi DD Tsuga Allied Ships PT PT-281 PT PT-335 PT PT-340, Shell hits 2 PT PT-342 ============================================= 10/04/43 Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97 Japanese Ships BB Haruna BB Hiei, Shell hits 6 DD Hayanami DD Kisaragi DD Tsuga Allied Ships PG Warrego, Shell hits 8, and is sunk PC Tiger, Shell hits 8, and is sunk SC SC-646, Shell hits 2, and is sunk AK Henry S Grove AK Sagadahoc AK San Anselmo AK Admiral Wiley, Shell hits 4, on fire AK Shooting Star, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage AK Harpoon AK Timber Rush ============================================= The light surface forces did their job; neither AK ended up sinking, though the Shooting Star is still beached in Lunga, she might be back in the war in ’45… Lunga has just turned to a size 7 AF; there are significant light bomber, fighter and 4 squadrons of PBYJ’s working out of here now. The Privateers visit Rabaul every other 3rd day, weather permitting; currently, there is very little IJAAF opposition in the area. Papua/New Guinea: The more clever (or obtuse) among you might have surmised that Operation OLD FARTHING was targeted here….NEW GUINEA…OLD FARTHING…<I should shoot myself….>…. Anyhow, the timeline here was: September 25th: Initial landings at Milne Bay, consisting the assault elements of the 32nd and 41st ID’s. A few light landing craft and MSW’s were hit by coastal fire and one AP was severely mined; total losses were quite acceptable though. The prepatory air and naval bombardments (from B17/24’s from Australia, carrier air from the Fleet Carrier Force south of Milne Bay and 5 old BBs in two task forces) had suppressed the defenders fairly well. Almost 800 AV was in place the 1st day. September 26th: landings continue; AV over 850, the Japanese merely bombard, as they don’t have enough strength to counterattack. September 27th: the first attack goes in from the beachheads; with most of the Divisions in place and supporting armor and artillery ready, Gen. Eichelberger of I Corps is ready to attack. 09/27/43 Ground combat at Gili Gili Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 37089 troops, 484 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 875 Defending force 19217 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 338 Allied max assault: 774 - adjusted assault: 1670 Japanese max defense: 233 - adjusted defense: 233 Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 9) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 8 Japanese ground losses: 188 casualties reported Guns lost 8 Allied ground losses: 229 casualties reported Guns lost 14 Note the preparation of 100 on all attack units, the presence of the Corps HQ and SWPac in Cairns seems to help significantly; a base AV of 875 is lowered to a 774 max assault for disruption, etc. and then adjusted to 1670 for the additional factors listed above. The weak divisional equivalent the Japanese have in place is no match, even behind full fortifications. September 28th: 09/28/43 Ground combat at Gili Gili Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 38639 troops, 473 guns, 99 vehicles, Assault Value = 851 Defending force 19050 troops, 117 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 332 Allied max assault: 796 - adjusted assault: 2229 Japanese max defense: 252 - adjusted defense: 389 Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 8) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 7 Japanese ground losses: 73 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Allied ground losses: 175 casualties reported Guns lost 7 The grinding continues; some scattered Betty attacks come in, scoring single torpedo hits on a Aussie CL and an AK. The carriers had neglected to put up a proper cap over the beaches, as they were busy supporting bomb runs on the defenders. September 30th: Eichelberger feels that the situation calls for an all out effort. Strangely, circumstances don’t work out; this attack is not much stronger than the prior normal attack and doesn’t reduce the fortifications as predicted. Back to the planning at HQ I guess. 09/30/43 Ground combat at Gili Gili Allied Shock attack Attacking force 38504 troops, 467 guns, 100 vehicles, Assault Value = 825 Defending force 18723 troops, 107 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 319 Allied max assault: 1450 - adjusted assault: 2280 Japanese max defense: 258 - adjusted defense: 309 Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 7) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 6 Japanese ground losses: 296 casualties reported Guns lost 7 Allied ground losses: 423 casualties reported Guns lost 19 October 1st: Eichelberger had left for a conference at SWPac and forgot to change posture of the attack; another poor effort at all out attack again, with a low adjusted AV. The 8000 fresh troops indicated in the total are engineers landing in anticipation of the fall of the air complex. 10/01/43 Ground combat at Gili Gili Allied Shock attack Attacking force 46494 troops, 540 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 859 Defending force 18244 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 307 Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5 Allied max assault: 1487 - adjusted assault: 1311 Japanese max defense: 232 - adjusted defense: 441 Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 5) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5 Japanese ground losses: 331 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Allied ground losses: 587 casualties reported Guns lost 19 Vehicles lost 1 October 2nd: The assaults finally crack the Jap position, splitting the defenders into pockets; their continued resistance is futile. 10/02/43 Ground combat at Gili Gili Allied Shock attack Attacking force 43115 troops, 480 guns, 112 vehicles, Assault Value = 798 Defending force 17825 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 299 Allied max assault: 880 - adjusted assault: 1264 Japanese max defense: 213 - adjusted defense: 241 Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 5) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0 Japanese ground losses: 86 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Allied ground losses: 362 casualties reported Guns lost 11 Vehicles lost 2 October 3rd: The battle is over. A final deliberate attack pushes the defenders entirely out of the area and on the path to their bastion at Port Moresby. 10/03/43 Ground combat at Gili Gili Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 37870 troops, 452 guns, 116 vehicles, Assault Value = 776 Defending force 17609 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 289 Allied max assault: 592 - adjusted assault: 1501 Japanese max defense: 221 - adjusted defense: 163 Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0) Allied forces CAPTURE Gili Gili base !!! Japanese ground losses: 175 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Allied ground losses: 175 casualties reported Guns lost 7 Vehicles lost 1 Defeated Japanese Units Retreating! Over the course of the next 3 weeks, the base has been repaired and expanded to level 5 AF/3 Port. Air units operating from here have been interdicting movement of troops from PM to Buna as they march overland. The assault divisions have been moved out to Australia, a garrison of 1st CavDiv has moved in. When the campaign for Milne Bay seemed well in hand, the FCF decided to take a spin thru the Solomon Sea, visiting Rabaul and the Shortlands: 09/30/43 Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88 Japanese aircraft no flights Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 SBD Dauntless x 223 TBF Avenger x 139 TBM Avenger x 12 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed E7K2 Alf: 2 destroyed Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed G4M2 Betty: 10 destroyed B5N Kate: 2 destroyed Ki-57-II Topsy: 6 destroyed L2D2 Tabby: 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses SBD Dauntless: 12 damaged TBF Avenger: 14 damaged TBM Avenger: 3 damaged Japanese Ships AP Heito Maru, Bomb hits 1 Japanese ground losses: 599 casualties reported Guns lost 10 Airbase hits 22 Airbase supply hits 7 Runway hits 113 Port hits 17 Port supply hits 2 10/01/43 Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 22 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 35 F6F Hellcat x 66 SBD Dauntless x 123 TBF Avenger x 96 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 27 destroyed Ki-57-II Topsy: 6 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged F6F Hellcat: 1 damaged SBD Dauntless: 5 damaged TBF Avenger: 5 damaged Japanese Ships MSW Wa 10, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage SS I-7, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: 43 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 12 Airbase supply hits 6 Runway hits 57 Port hits 2 Port fuel hits 4 Port supply hits 4 These attacks allow the land based air from Lunga/Rennell and Milne Bay to have the run of the park for the rest of the month; they strike where and when they wish to date. IJ flak is about the only opposition for them for now, which is still quite heavy over the Shortlands. Finally, as of today, Oct 22nd, the 6th ID has landed at Dobradura against no opposition. Future plans for this area consist of more landings up the coastline, with the end result of cutting off the forces in the PM area from succor. They can wither there for the duration, passed up by the offensive; the airfield there is not needed for our purpose and attacking the large forces there would be an excersise in needlessness. Burma: The operation to split the defenders by attacking between Moulmein and Raehang was successful. The Japanese abandoned Moulmein under heavy Anglo air and naval attack, before the ground forces there could come to good grips with them. Meantime, heavy Jap reinforcements reached Raehang just as the Indian/Chinese attack went in, blunting it severely. The IJA then counterattacked, but the Allied troops held on to their positions, behind a rain of artillery shells and MG bullets. 09/29/43 Ground combat at Rahaeng Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 167944 troops, 1524 guns, 733 vehicles, Assault Value = 3448 Defending force 63924 troops, 295 guns, 469 vehicles, Assault Value = 962 Japanese max assault: 3268 - adjusted assault: 1623 Allied max defense: 872 - adjusted defense: 2287 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 3087 casualties reported Guns lost 184 Vehicles lost 23 Allied ground losses: 1203 casualties reported Guns lost 23 Despite a vast preponderance of forces (almost 3-1 in troops, 5-1 in tubes and even 2-1 in tracks) the Indian and Chinese forces hold. I think that several things contribute to this: 1. Again, almost total prep for the target on all ground units (can’t say for the IJA). 2. Presence of the Corps HQ prepped for town 3. Command HQ in range and prepped for Raehang (again, can’t say what the IJA have for 2 and 3) 4. The artillery and tanks present for the allies are generally superior and outrange their Jap counterparts; ergo, the attackers heavy gun and vehicle losses. This was the last IJA attack here; to date, all that has been happening here is a siege. About 1/3rd of the IJA forces have pulled out to reserve apparently, while the Allied forces hold in place rebuilding and awaiting fresh troops which are promised….. Supplies in Rangoon are nearly 1,000,000; so I feel the tide will turn in the next month. Allied air from Rangoon/Moulmein has been hitting Bangkok facilities; hopefully this will impair the flow of supplies to the front. The last exchange of artillery yesterday: 10/22/43 Ground combat at Rahaeng Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 85713 troops, 901 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 1783 Defending force 72300 troops, 434 guns, 472 vehicles, Assault Value = 1422 Allied ground losses: 202 casualties reported Guns lost 5 ============================================= 10/22/43 Ground combat at Rahaeng Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 65771 troops, 426 guns, 472 vehicles, Assault Value = 1419 Defending force 99173 troops, 928 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 1783 Japanese ground losses: 27 casualties reported While the IJA seems to have the upper hand, the AV’s from prior days would indicate not; IJA AV is virtually stagnant, at 1783 up from 1747 on October 5th; while Allied AV is at 1422, up from 1054 on October 5th. Only part of that gain is represented by a fresh Chinese division that arrived recently; most of it is the fact that we gain about 10 AV a day in repaired units. Also, on the coast, the Burma Corps is moving on Tavoy with 2 Indian Divisions and a tank brigade; contact with the IJA lines is imminent. Additional units are in reserve, preparing to reinforce as necessary. The reason that this move on the coast was delayed so long was the presence of most of the Imperial Fleet off Malaya during the last week of September thru the first week of October. They were apparently there to support a reinforcing convoy of troops to Victoria Point. After some futile strikes with long range planes against the massed fleet, the bombers were instructed to stay in fighter range and protect the Rangoon/Moulmein area only. The IJN bombarded Andaman Island, but the losses were not severe. The Royal Navy held back covering Ceylon, as this was thought to be a possible target for a IJA/IJN attack. A small IJN force (1 CL and 5 DD) tried to bombard Trincomalee; 2 of the DD were riddled by coastal fire from the naval guns ashore, they were sunk the next day by air strikes from Columbo. Vietnam: It’s a standoff here; Chinese units stiffened with some Chindit commandos hold the North; IJA forces hold Hue to the south. One attempt was made by the IJA to advance on Hanoi; it was halted 60 miles SW of the city. With their communications threatened by a Chinese Corps from inland, they retreated back to Hue on the coastal road. China: Huge offensives up and down the line during this period. Initially, the IJA was trying for Changsha, but their initial attack went poorly: 09/25/43 Ground combat at Changsha Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 243950 troops, 2675 guns, 565 vehicles, Assault Value = 5068 Defending force 94948 troops, 477 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2230 Japanese max assault: 4856 - adjusted assault: 539 Allied max defense: 2423 - adjusted defense: 2185 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9) Japanese ground losses: 7907 casualties reported Guns lost 189 Vehicles lost 11 Allied ground losses: 2371 casualties reported Guns lost 34 Spare Chinese units then started working their flanks, almost cutting them off from Wuhan, but they were able to retreat there. In the meantime, Chinese units moved on Hsyinyang from Ichang; Kaifeng from Homan; Chengting from Yenen Area and Canton from Wuchow. All were able to invest the defenders, but at Hsyinyang and Kaifeng the IJA was in just sufficient force to prevent successful attacks; after some long periods of bombardment, the Chinese withdrew to their starting cities. Chengting is still under siege, last reported AV was 3178 – 2955 in the Chinese favor, but with the withdrawal of the Kaifeng attack, is doubtful that we will have time to build up favorable prep time before the IJA gets reinforced. However, in the south, the Canton offensive looks promising: the last AV report was 4911-2636 with one more Chinese corps ready to enter the battle soon. Additionally, the force is nearing all units having 50 prep, with ˝ having 100 prep for Canton. Allied air in the area is plentiful and is starting ground strike runs to soften the target. Taking this city would be a major coup for the Chinese. Also, forcing the defenders back into Hong Kong would severely hurt the IJA, as they would have to rely on seaborne supply to maintain them; thus, exposing shipping to LBA attacks unless they choose to fight for air control with the 14th and Chinese Air Forces, which number some 600 planes in China. Sub warfare: See my post in the War Room, covers pretty much the totals and such so far. Will try to keep a sub diary from now on and post some results as time goes by. Northern Australia Defense Area (NADA): Finally, to the current hotspot. I would sure recommend Herbies companion thread for a blow by blow account here, I am sure that he’s going over it. Let me give some background: Darwin is pretty much the backwater area of the war for me. It and the other NADA cities are held by obsolete Australian and Dutch units with a smattering of medium bomber groups. During the last few months, as barges became available, I would build some in Darwin (ending up with around 40). They would help ferry troops to Temimbar Island which is being slowly built as a forward AF. In the future, they would be used to land troops in a possible offensive in the Timor area. Some AK and AP were being slowly assembled there also; a handful or so of each. Now, other than the some 30 PT based in Darwin/Temimbar area, there were only 3 old Flushdeckers and one Australian DD for the defense of Darwin. Putting any significant ships in Darwin would just be asking for their demise in the face of a Jap offensive, as is what happened, as you will see. First, my LB bombers sortie; we didn’t know at the time that what appears to be most of his fleet was there: 10/19/43 Day Air attack on TF at 34,80 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 30 A6M5 Zeke x 151 A6M3a Zero x 70 Allied aircraft Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3 Beaufort V-IX x 4 A-20G Havoc x 3 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zeke: 6 damaged A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses Beaufighter Mk 21: 3 destroyed Beaufort V-IX: 4 destroyed A-20G Havoc: 3 destroyed ============================================= 10/19/43 Day Air attack on TF at 34,80 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 30 A6M5 Zeke x 151 A6M3a Zero x 69 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk III x 7 Beaufort V-IX x 27 P-40B Tomahawk x 54 A-20G Havoc x 60 B-25J Mitchell x 47 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged A6M5 Zeke: 17 destroyed, 44 damaged A6M3a Zero: 14 destroyed, 18 damaged Allied aircraft losses Kittyhawk III: 7 destroyed Beaufort V-IX: 27 destroyed P-40B Tomahawk: 41 destroyed A-20G Havoc: 29 destroyed, 2 damaged B-25J Mitchell: 18 destroyed, 11 damaged I was glad when the morale finally failed and the bombers came back. Then, the carriers struck at Darwin: 10/19/43 Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 19 A6M5 Zeke x 171 A6M3a Zero x 64 B5N Kate x 142 B6N Jill x 42 Allied aircraft Spitfire Vb x 10 Kittyhawk III x 4 Beaufighter Mk 21 x 2 P-40B Tomahawk x 11 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged A6M3a Zero: 14 destroyed B5N Kate: 11 destroyed, 50 damaged B6N Jill: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged Allied aircraft losses Spitfire Vb: 10 destroyed Kittyhawk III: 4 destroyed Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 destroyed P-40B Tomahawk: 11 destroyed Allied Ships LCT LCT-362, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-172, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-376, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-175, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-478, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage TK Empire Steel, Torpedo hits 1, on fire LCT LCT-363, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-171, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-370, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Cairns, Bomb hits 1, on fire LCT LCT-180, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Latrobe, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-378, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-173, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-471, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-375, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-377, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-170, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Fuller, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-361, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-477, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AK City of Manchester, Bomb hits 1 LCT LCT-365, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP W.A. Holbrook, Torpedo hits 1, on fire LCT LCT-178, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AK Sudabar, Bomb hits 1 LCT LCT-474, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-177, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-364, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-373, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LCT LCT-176, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MLE Poelau Tello, Bomb hits 1 AK Gandara, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Vitorlock, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied ground losses: 105 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Vehicles lost 1 Port hits 5 Port fuel hits 2 The small cap there does what it can; but, mainly just a bunch of sunk barges….whee. That night, a bombardment group of Mutsu and about 6-7 DD try to enter the bay. The 4 DD and 6 groups of 4 PT each oppose them. I won’t post the details; the summary is that 2 DD were sunk, one severely damaged (99/90), and 8 PT sunk on the Allied side. On the IJN, 4 DD were torpedoed by PT, 1 by DD torpedo and 1 “heavily damaged” by first DD and then PT gunfire alone. Mutsu and one DD remain, but do not bombard. As day dawns, the first air strikes start coming in; with the losses in the prior day, the fighters only cover Darwin. Additionally, a P40E group that was on Temimbar comes to Darwin and a veteran P38-J group that was in SWPac reserve was now there. The first strike was from Lautem as I recall: Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 47 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 66 Allied aircraft Spitfire Vb x 18 P-40B Tomahawk x 13 P-40E Warhawk x 48 P-38J Lightning x 60 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 34 destroyed Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 55 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Spitfire Vb: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged P-38J Lightning: 6 damaged The defending fighters outnumber the escort and maul them. The Japanese carriers launch vs. the port, but mislay their escorts; it turns into the Darwin ‘Roo Shoot: Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 46 D4Y Judy x 157 B5N Kate x 132 B6N Jill x 30 Allied aircraft Spitfire Vb x 12 P-40B Tomahawk x 12 P-40E Warhawk x 36 P-38J Lightning x 49 Japanese aircraft losses D3A Val: 45 destroyed D4Y Judy: 116 destroyed B5N Kate: 116 destroyed B6N Jill: 28 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged P-38J Lightning: 3 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 1 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet That’s right 300+ naval bombers downed; I almost threw up watching it myself, it was a train wreck. Three unescorted Betty strikes come in next; a total of about 100 are downed for one hit on a LCT….. Finally, the last strike is from his carriers again, this time with escort as they bomb what is left of the DD’s: Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 22 A6M5 Zeke x 79 D4Y Judy x 36 A6M3a Zero x 27 Allied aircraft Spitfire Vb x 12 P-40B Tomahawk x 12 P-40E Warhawk x 35 P-38J Lightning x 49 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 11 destroyed A6M5 Zeke: 38 destroyed, 3 damaged D4Y Judy: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged A6M3a Zero: 20 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Spitfire Vb: 12 destroyed P-40B Tomahawk: 10 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 27 destroyed P-38J Lightning: 17 destroyed, 8 damaged Allied Ships DD Lawrence DD Warramunga, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Air to air is about even, as he bulls thru the defenders. October 21st That night, the PT groups reform and load and another surface action group comes in, in addition to Mutsu with her lone DD. When the smoke clears 2 PT’s and the DD Lawrence are sunk; while Mutsu’s lone DD is torpedoed and sunk by PT’s. No bombardment again, and the surface group (Yubari and about 5-6 DD) is only 60 miles out at day break; they get strafed and bombed severely, with the CL and 2 DD severely hit. The first strike of the day is telling, knocking aside the fighters and hitting some 30 ships in harbor, about 1/3 to ˝ LCT’s: A6M5 Zeke x 310 D4Y Judy x 72 A6M3a Zero x 67 B5N Kate x 80 Allied aircraft Spitfire Vb x 4 P-40B Tomahawk x 3 P-40E Warhawk x 10 P-38J Lightning x 11 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zeke: 43 destroyed, 1 damaged D4Y Judy: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 31 damaged Allied aircraft losses Spitfire Vb: 4 destroyed P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 10 destroyed P-38J Lightning: 11 destroyed After this 11 Betties come in with no CAP opposition and get 3 hits in the shipping: October 22nd: The PT’s regroup again, into 3 6 boat packs; ships again come into the bay; 3 Beuforts and 6 A20’s night attack; one Beaufort claims a torpedo hit on the MUSASHI, but she is not slowed. 3 PT are sunk for one torpedo hit on a DD; the force of 8 BB, 6 CA, and 9 DD enter the bay and bombard; under 10 planes lost and about 2400 casualties, neglible hits on the fields. An airstrike similar to yesterdays, meets similar CAP and similar results: Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 23 A6M5 Zeke x 202 A6M3a Zero x 13 B5N Kate x 76 Allied aircraft F4U-1 Corsair x 4 Spitfire Vb x 4 P-40B Tomahawk x 5 P-40E Warhawk x 7 P-38J Lightning x 12 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed A6M5 Zeke: 49 destroyed, 2 damaged A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 24 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4U-1 Corsair: 4 destroyed Spitfire Vb: 4 destroyed P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed P-38J Lightning: 12 destroyed This strike hits about 16 ships, then 14 Betties come in with the cap down and score 4 more, though on prior stricken ships. All in all, I am not displeased. Yes, he has shown that he can do what he will in this area; but, I was aware that he could do this….didn’t think he would….but that’s why I didn’t commit significant combatant shipping here. It would have been dead…. I don’t know how long he wishes to take these losses to churn up some supply shipping, but I am content with the situation. I believe that his air losses will hurt him far more in the long run than my loss of some landing craft, support vessels, PT’s and 4 DD. The fragmentation of his port strike that one day was a backbreaker to future offensive carrier ops for quite some time, in my opinion. While I have lost quite a few planes, pilot losses are lower as we are mainly over our land; and, let’s face it, I have the reserves to deal with it. You might ask where my fleet is; it’s mainly in Eastern Australian ports for repair and refit. Too far away to have much hope of intervention here and I have my own plans for it that are not going to be affected by his actions here. Timor and the rest of the DEI will just have to be pushed back another 3 months in the big picture or so.

tabpub -> Early '44; Canton China and Rabaul Fall (6/20/2007 4:20:08 AM)
February 4, 1944 This war continues to grind on, with the Allied forces making significant gains over the last 5 months of fighting; while there haven’t been any huge fights, as both sides are content to avoid large entanglements for the moment. Burma-Thailand: After Moulmein, the Japanese retired to Tavoy, with the Anglo-Indian army following them; there was prolonged fighting there, but the Japanese evidently were feeling a bit constrained by something, perhaps a lack of supply, as they withdrew in January to the south. The British pursued cautiously, fearing a counterstroke against their lead elements. The Japanese army split, with approximately even numbers falling back to Songkhia and Bangkok respectively. Meanwhile, in Raehang, the Japanese endeavored to counterattack using reinforcements that arrived from Bangkok; this attack failed, partially due to an Indian Division that arrived in the proverbial nick of time (as in the day of the attack). 01/13/44 Ground combat at Rahaeng Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 176377 troops, 1923 guns, 755 vehicles, Assault Value = 3986 Defending force 86761 troops, 555 guns, 465 vehicles, Assault Value = 1830 Japanese max assault: 5890 - adjusted assault: 2592 Allied max defense: 1884 - adjusted defense: 4525 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 9708 casualties reported Guns lost 303 Vehicles lost 45 Allied ground losses: 1106 casualties reported Guns lost 40 Following this failed attack, the Japanese units beat a retreat to Krung Thep, just outsided Bangkok. Allied paratroopers endeavored to cut them off, but were rudely met by a couple of Japanese Divisions upon landing. The Indian paras are now rebuilding back in Rangoon….. 01/15/44 Ground combat at Krung Thep Allied Shock attack Attacking force 2700 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 84 Defending force 61611 troops, 566 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 1319 Allied max assault: 72 - adjusted assault: 0 Japanese max defense: 802 - adjusted defense: 1853 Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9) Allied ground losses: 323 casualties reported Guns lost 8 So, at this time, the Japanese hold Songkhia on the Malay Peninsula, Bangkok and Krung Thep. The Anglo-Indian forces are currently content to hold in place for now; taking on replacements, airfield building at Tavoy and Victoria Point and waiting for some new divisions to reach the theater. A few days ago, Chinese forces from Tonkin crossed the Mekong River and are pressing on the northern Thai town of Pisanuloke; Japanese reinforcements heading north from Bangkok suffer some ground strikes from Mossie FB’s; it appears to be a infantry Brigade and a Tank Regiment that are heading that way. 01/30/44 Ground combat at 33,37 Allied Shock attack Attacking force 46529 troops, 287 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1308 Defending force 3568 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 54 Allied max assault: 1178 - adjusted assault: 953 Japanese max defense: 47 - adjusted defense: 7 Allied assault odds: 136 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 313 casualties reported Guns lost 6 Allied ground losses: 115 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Defeated Japanese Units Retreating! China: The IJ tried to relieve the siege of Canton by landing at Pakhoi and dropping paras between Wuchow and Canton. They were driven off by reserve Chinese units that had been resting from the Canton siege. Upon the failure of this counter move, the Japanese evidently felt exposed in Canton and withdrew in to Hong Kong defenses. In Central China, the Nationalists have moved into the outskirts of Wuhan, Nanchang and Hsyinyang. The Japanese have yet to counterattack them, so it is presumed that they are in some difficulty regarding their supplies. For now, the Chinese are content to merely engage them in place, as they don’t feel that they are strong enough at the moment to eject the IJA from these locations. North China lines remain at Chengting and outside of Tatung. There is sporadic fighting in the Tatung area, where neither side seems to have the superiority of #’s to win an offensive. North Pacific: Aleutian Islands are fully built up and garrisoned. First airstrike launched on Parashimo Jima from Attu by B24’s. Mainly just a “knock on the door”; there are some thoughts of a future move on the northern Kuriles, but not in a serious manner for now. Central Pacific: Well, over this time, CenPac has taken Eniwetok, Kusaie and Ponape. The last resistance on Ponape has been reduced on the 31st of January. During this time, the Fleet Carriers struck at Truk before the initial landings at Ponape, rendering the AF useless while the landings were underway. It had been rumored that the IJN would show up for any Ponape landing, but this did not come into being Solomons: During the last 4 months, Munda, Torokina and Green Island have fallen to the SouthPac forces. AF there have all been built up; Rabaul, Shortlands, Kaveing and Admiralty Islands are struck by bombers almost daily. It appears that there isn’t much defending Rabaul, so I Amph Corps is embarking at the time of this writing for that destination. 3 Divisions are slated for this effort; capture of this location will provide a valuable anchorage and AF complex for future operations. New Guinea: Since the last report in October, the SWPac forces moved on Buna and Lae, taking both relatively easily. This isolated Port Moresby from the rest of the Japanese positions on New Guinea. Moresby was then subjected to severe bombing attacks, rendering it virtually uninhabitable to the IJA; who then tried to march over the Owen Stanleys toward Buna. After detecting this, these forces were bombed on the road mercilessly; when they arrived in Buna, a relatively small force was able to counterattack them and push them into the jungle NW of Buna. In the meantime, an Australian Division landed at PM and took it, pushing those defenders up the trail toward Salamaua. Brigade size garrisons are in position, which should be sufficient to hold these bases versus these remnant units that the IJA has in the bush. Two Divisions, the 32nd and 41st landed at Madang on January 17, 1944; they expected to face a IJ base force, instead they found the remnants of the Imperial Guard Division there. This division had been one of two that had gone “missing” from the IJA roster in 1942, which resulted in the treaty of Blacktown; which designated two American divisions (7th & 40th) to be frozen and not deployed to the Pacific War. The following shows the progress versus this unit, which the IJA cannot contact or move: Initial attack by 1 division 1 day after landings: 01/17/44 Ground combat at Madang Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 31474 troops, 373 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 887 Defending force 25237 troops, 259 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37 Allied max assault: 376 - adjusted assault: 111 Japanese max defense: 358 - adjusted defense: 1179 Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9) Japanese ground losses: 30 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Allied ground losses: 248 casualties reported Guns lost 13 A bombardment attack the next day; note that the AV only reflects the base unit there: 01/18/44 Ground combat at Madang Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 17556 troops, 236 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 877 Defending force 25129 troops, 256 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36 Japanese ground losses: 2 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Allied ground losses: 16 casualties reported Guns lost 1 3 days later, and the situation is not improving; thought is given to just pulling out and giving up. Air attacks do not apparently affect the ghost; when they target it, the flight path shows planes flying from NG to Rangoon, where the IG Division was when it “disappeared”…. 01/21/44 Ground combat at Madang Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 39660 troops, 423 guns, 240 vehicles, Assault Value = 898 Defending force 24888 troops, 249 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 32 Allied max assault: 818 - adjusted assault: 879 Japanese max defense: 301 - adjusted defense: 2465 Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9) Japanese ground losses: 235 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Allied ground losses: 97 casualties reported Guns lost 11 Vehicles lost 2 Air forces are re-targeted against the AF at Madang in an attempt to reduce overall supply in area as the only possible way to reduce the defenders. Over a week of this seems to have some effect, that and the time allows the attackers to mend their damages: 02/01/44 Ground combat at Madang Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 42843 troops, 480 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 943 Defending force 24454 troops, 244 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27 Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 8 Allied max assault: 954 - adjusted assault: 2455 Japanese max defense: 242 - adjusted defense: 2285 Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 8) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 8 Japanese ground losses: 289 casualties reported Guns lost 7 Allied ground losses: 232 casualties reported Guns lost 6 Vehicles lost 1 The continuation of the assault shows even more gains; it appears that we have the upper hand on this situation. But, the assault shows some weariness and the infantry require some time to catch their breath until the next attacks. 02/02/44 Ground combat at Madang Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 41066 troops, 445 guns, 256 vehicles, Assault Value = 922 Defending force 24002 troops, 230 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19 Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 7 Allied max assault: 912 - adjusted assault: 1744 Japanese max defense: 213 - adjusted defense: 1083 Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 7) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 7 Japanese ground losses: 203 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Allied ground losses: 92 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Vehicles lost 4 The next target for SWPac are the Admiralties; after they are taken, SouPac will assume operational control of the NG operations and all SWPac forces, land and air will move to the next theater; Southern DEI. Southern DEI: On January 25, the Australians detected that Japanese units were moving out of Lautem, Timor. Acting on the belief that the Japanese were retiring, the Darwin Defense Brigade was mobilized and landed there on that date, via LCT’s. This was an error; the Japanese were merely adjusting their dispositions and within 2 days, a bombardment force including 2 BB hit the base. Additionally, air strikes from various bases hit the defenders; though, with a large cost to the attackers. Several more bombardments occurred over the next 2 week, with continuous air combat; landings were made early in February. The Japanese carriers were in the area, providing cover for this; the American carriers were still off supporting operations in the Solomons. The end result was that before the American Fleet could come up to assist, the Japanese were able to overwhelm the defenders and take Lautem on the 7th of February. The Darwin Brigade was captured in it’s entirety. Even with this loss, the campaign was viewed as not a total loss; the Japanese lost an inordinate amount of planes, lost more merchants, light craft and some DD’s and one of the American subs, BANG, was able to hit HIRYU with one torpedo as it moved past Menado, Celebes after the battle. OVERALL SITUATION: Will follow with a overall map to illustrate later; but, in the meantime this is the plan for future operations. SEAC will continue to work toward a two edged purpose; one is to hold the ground forces against it in place while waging attrition air attacks against ground and air targets. Bases to support future moves down the Malay Peninsula will be captured in the next month or so; this, along with the improvement of Victoria Point and Tavoy, will allow the projection of air power against the Singapore area. CHINACOM will continue to pressure the Peking front in the Tatung/Chengting area. For the time, the Central front around Wuhan will merely be held in place; while the Southern front will explore the possibility of forcing Hong Kong. It is unlikely to work initially, but as the air is currently controlled by American air units and the resources in Hong Kong are severely damaged, I am confident that eventually, the defenders there will be weakened enough to allow an assault to succeed. In the meantime, two groups of Liberators should suffice to close the South China Sea to Japanese shipping for the current time. NORPAC will hold and plan for Northern Kurile commitment; but this is dependent on overall situation and the availability of forces being sent to support it. CENPAC and SOUPAC are to be combined operationally after the taking of the final CENPAC objective ---Truk. Some 4-5 Divisions and sufficient shipping are ready for this; it waits on SOUPAC achieving its next goals. SOUPAC will take Rabaul, Admiralties, Kavieng and possibly Emiraus prior to Truk landings. All do not seem held by significant forces and should be achievable. After this, SOUPAC will take over the NG campaign from SWPAC and move down the coast in chunks toward the western end. (Note---on Feb 5th 3 divisions landed at Rabaul; on the 9th, it fell. It was only held by some AAA and rear echelon troops) SWPAC will pull out of the NG campaign and shift to the DEI theatre. Australian troops will make the initial landings, properly supported this time. American units will then leapfrog over these landings deeper into the Japanese perimeter. If everything goes well, in 6-7 months, we will have airbases that, in combination with Chinese/Malay bases, will provide coverage over most of the Southern area. These will either be able to attack Japanese shipping, or provide information to subs in the area. Superforts come on the scene in 2 months; their usage and bases is indeterminate.

tabpub -> Feb 44 strategic map (6/20/2007 5:06:05 AM)
.. [image]local://upfiles/9730/4F134E363BE645859863C4E1ED09BA13.jpg[/image]

tabpub -> Solomons area reported "Secure" (7/5/2007 1:14:56 AM)
February 26, 1944 Burma Thailand: Over the last 3 weeks, 3 Chinese Corps and 2 SEAC Chinese divisions have moved from the Vietnam border and marched on Pisanuloke. 2 Mosquito Squadrons provide ground support during this approach march. Upon arriving there, it took 3 days of attacks to force the defending 23rd Mixed Brigade and assorted support units to retreat. Base support elements are now flying in, with three SpitVb squadrons covering them. Elsewhere, medium and Lib VI squadrons continue to hit ground positions at Krung Thep. The SEAC command has around 5-6 divisions in the rear waiting to be employed in future operations. One of them is enroute to Sabang to gain a lodgment there There were 5 Torpedoings and 2 minings of Japanese shipping in the Java-Sumatra-Malaya waters during these 3 weeks. Beaufighters from VPoint report strafing and bombing some minor shipping off Kuantan during the period. China: Scattered bombing of various Japanese ground units, mainly in the northern area. An attack on Tatung was repulsed; losses of 1500 Chinese to 100 Japanese were estimated. There is no corps or command HQ here; the troops will hold until some can be found for the area, and bombing of units and infrastructure will be stepped up before any future attempt is made. The only shipping seen in the area has been near Formosa, at Taipei. Liberators are mining the port at night starting on the 25th. Subs have been seen entering Hong Kong; it is unknown whether they are bringing in supplies or removing troops at this time. It is at least two weeks away from any attempted push on HK. Any attempt will have to wait for sufficient bombers to be available for support. 2 FG (P40 and P38) are slated for deployment here in the next 2 weeks; a new BG(m) is arriving in under 50 days. There are still 1 BG(H) and 2 BG(M) operating in SEAC, one or more of them might be re-deployed to this area for support in the interim. North Pacific: No activity of note; though, potential assault RCT’s are moved to forward positions in the Kiska/Attu area in order to be ready to move if the occasion warrants. Central Pacific: The forces are gathering for the Truk operation; some are still coming in from PH and should arrive in about 10 days. By then, airbases in the Northern Solomons should be fully operational and ready to support this . Solomons: Other than bombing the Shortlands group, this campaign is over. With the occupation of Rabaul, Admiralties, Kaivieng the domination of the area is complete. New Guinea: Madang is not operational, waiting for base forces to be found to work there. Meanwhile, the shifting of SWPac forces to the west begins. Southern DEI: Awaiting future troop and plane reinforcements; additionally, there are landing and support craft heading this way. After the CenPac operation is done, this area will be the next to be activated. Three sweeps by P38’s from Tenimbar to Kendari on the 15th , 16th and the 23rd claimed 103 Jacks, Tonies and Tojos for the loss of 13 Lightnings in air to air combat. Overall situation: Subs have been having some success off Eastern Borneo along the Balikpapan-Tarakan area and the Celebes; more assets will be assigned there. Little shipping spotted in South China or East China Seas. About 10-12 subs are working in 3 groups from Kwajalein mining the Marianas, which have gotten 2 hits so far. In the HI-Philippine-Marianas triangle, we have done 4 torpedoings so far. Superforts arrive on the West Coast in 7 weeks; figure that it will take some 2 weeks to deploy forward before employment. Unsure as of yet what the first basing will be. Bases are ready in Northern Australia, Rangoon, and China. Tenative plans are to work them up out of Australia in support of operations there. Then a redeployment to operate from Rangoon or China will be considered.

Speedysteve -> RE: Solomons area reported "Secure" (7/5/2007 1:51:19 AM)
Real interesting read Tabpub. Any thoughts you can divulge on sub attacks over the previous period (bearing in mind the conversation we've had on this)?

tabpub -> RE: Solomons area reported "Secure" (7/5/2007 7:09:49 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Speedy Real interesting read Tabpub. Any thoughts you can divulge on sub attacks over the previous period (bearing in mind the conversation we've had on this)? How about this. I will say that finding the buggers after '43 gets tougher and tougher. That, and you are busy duckng ASW groups with the damnable Type 2's.... [image]local://upfiles/9730/68244384DCF641A5BC92440C686554F8.jpg[/image]

tabpub -> Landing at Sabang; CENPAC on the move.. (7/23/2007 12:02:26 PM)
March 17, 1944 Plans that were set in motion 2 weeks ago start to develop; other situations are confusing…..I hope to go to a more daily reporting soon as this and other areas pick up now in ’44. SEAC: Landings at Sabang begin on the 3rd of March. Light opposition from scattered air attacks, some suiciders and submarines are the only Japanese seen. No major fleet units, nor concerted air attacks. They seem to be using transport air to re-supply/reinforce, so attacks against Malay airstrips are stepped up. Results are generally good, except one day when some newly filled out FB units are jumped by some very good George fighters for a 2-1 loss rate against us. Next day, two veteran Spit VIII squadrons straighten things out again. First attack at Sabang by 3 Commonwealth brigades, directed by the XV Indian Corps on the 5th: 03/05/44 Ground combat at Sabang Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 16619 troops, 137 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 362 Defending force 16643 troops, 126 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 289 Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 8 Allied max assault: 353 - adjusted assault: 262 Japanese max defense: 176 - adjusted defense: 503 Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8) Japanese ground losses: 305 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Allied ground losses: 499 casualties reported Guns lost 9 Next attack launched on the after the 251st UK Brigade arrives to reinforce the effort: 03/15/44 Ground combat at Sabang Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 21732 troops, 196 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 466 Defending force 13607 troops, 81 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 243 Allied max assault: 479 - adjusted assault: 344 Japanese max defense: 134 - adjusted defense: 617 Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8) Japanese ground losses: 341 casualties reported Guns lost 13 Vehicles lost 1 Allied ground losses: 397 casualties reported Guns lost 12 This looks like a siege situation here. The Commonwealth units don’t have enough firepower to carry this position right now. Either more infantry or armor will have to be found for here. Air operations from Andaman Island are inhibited by really bad weather lately; hope that improves also. At Krung Thep, the IJA is detected as leaving to Bangkok; air attacks are ordered there to support the crossing of the 254th Indian Tank Brigade and 4 Chinese Divisions led by the Indian III Corps. Weather has inhibited this also, crossings should be achieved tomorrow or the next day. 2 B24 groups from China have flown in to Moulmein to assist these ground attacks. Pisanuloke now has 80000 men there; mainly in the form of 4 Chinese Corps and two Chindit Brigades, led by Stilwell and his NCAC command. Bangkok will be the next target for this command, but only after intensive bombardment and preparations. China: Y’Force HQ is shipped into Northern China by transport planes and is moving to Tatung. Sporadic bombardments and testing attacks occur down the front; no weakness is found yet. Hong Kong is curious; I don’t know if they are moving in supplies or troops out yet. A squadron each of Catalina I and Mariners operate from Canton now, taking some of the naval search role from the land based bombers. New Guinea: Madang is operational now, and is ready to support the next move here in NG. DEI: The 475th FG shows it is as good as the 8th; shooting down 25 Jacks and Tonies for the loss of 1 plane over Kendari. This paves the way for the 380th BG to plaster the port from 12,000 ft; hitting 5 transports and a sub. It is believed that the sub and 2 of the ships were sunk, the rest heavily damaged. Transports, landing craft, and fresh troops approach North Australia. Sub operations: The efficacy of his new PC types are forcing me to patrol away from major bases for the time being. Too small an area for him to conduct offensive ASW operations in . Concentrating on the fronts and Philippine Sea areas. Central Pacific: The current hotspot, 3 division set sail from Kwajalein some days ago; they are now some 200 miles from the atoll. Will rendezvous with sweeps, escort carriers and bombardment groups tomorrow and then wait for favorable weather to land the landing force. Operation is covered by damn near the whole fleet. 3 more divisions are ready to embark and land if this force is insufficient. Here is the picture: [image]local://upfiles/9730/13136393DCBF465C9FFB0575D05B64F3.jpg[/image]

tabpub -> Krung Thep falls; air attacks stepped up on Truk (7/24/2007 10:14:30 AM)
The invasion force for Truk is finally grouped together; air strikes are ordered to soften up the defenses for the landing. The results are disappointing, as most of the attack aircraft seem to gravitate toward an anti-air unit. The final attack spots an infantry division. More attacks are scheduled and I hope that they target this unit. More bombardment is scheduled and 4 transport groups idle on the tarmac at Rabaul. If the weather clears (currently overcast) about 2 regiments worth of paras can join the attack in two days. The fleet carriers are in reserve covering the landing. It is not planned to use their planes versus ground targets unless absolutely necessary. 03/17/44 Day Air attack on Truk AA Battalion, at 63,78 FM-2 Wildcat x 36 F6F Hellcat x 9 TBM Avenger x 63 SB2C Helldiver x 32 B-25J Mitchell x 69 PB4Y Liberator x 32 PB4Y Liberator x 22 B-24D Liberator x 29 B-24J Liberator x 31 B-24D Liberator x 36 B-24J Liberator x 32 Allied aircraft losses FM-2 Wildcat: 1 damaged TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 15 damaged B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged PB4Y Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged Japanese ground losses: 14 casualties reported 28 casualties reported 70 casualties reported Guns lost 6 63 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 63,78 Allied aircraft PB4Y Liberator x 6 B-24D Liberator x 7 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 4 casualties reported Guns lost 1 03/17/44 Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78 Allied aircraft F6F Hellcat x 7 TBM Avenger x 55 Allied aircraft losses TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged Japanese ground losses: 115 casualties reported Port hits 3 Port supply hits 2 03/17/44 Naval bombardment of Truk, at 63,78 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships CL St. Louis CL Houston BB New Mexico, Shell hits 4 BB Idaho Japanese ground losses: 958 casualties reported Guns lost 13 Airbase hits 4 Runway hits 23 Port hits 10 Port fuel hits 3 Port supply hits 1 ============================================ Meanwhile, to the far west, a Spitfire squadron continues to show the flag over Malaya. All the other bomb groups are busy plastering Krung Thep; hundreds of sorties before the Indian III Corps crosses the river there. The remnants that are left there for the Japanese retire to Bangkok, their last bastion. The units at Sabang content themselves with shelling the defenses. The fleet retires on Andaman. 03/17/44 Day Air attack on Songkhia , at 24,43 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8 Allied aircraft Spitfire Vb x 15 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed In China, an attack is planned on the Hsyinyang position in two days. It appears weak. A map will display the situation there in next post. Planning for Hong Kong is in advanced stage. Though, this will have to wait for the American air groups to return from Burma-Thailand before assaulting the position. Additionally, 3 armor units are to be prepped and moved there before the attacks.

tabpub -> General Confusion in Command (7/25/2007 1:12:41 AM)
Bah….I say bah….you’ll understand at the end….bah…. 18 March Bangkok AF bombed by approximately 100+ bombers; 5-10 planes reported destroyed on the ground, 1 FB lost to flak. FB’s are being removed from this mission soon; too vulnerable to the light flak over Bangkok. Songkhia AF attacked by bombers flying over 20K feet; scattered hits on AF. Prior sweep of 13 Spit Vb’s shoot down 6 of 7 Zeke’s that rise to oppose them. Mainly a morale building effort for the bomb groups here. Sabang ground troops are bombed by both sides; Beaufighters from Andaman and Sallies from the Malay. Allies lose 50 men, the IJA loses 70. Troops in trenches hurl insults between the bombing and shelling. Brit Liberators from Tavoy put two bombs on an AP off Camranh Bay, leaving her listing. This is believed to be one of some ships that were attacked by China based B24’s some days ago. Off Dili, Timor Darwin-based P40N’s strike shipping again for the 2nd day; 2 ships struck, with one listing and burning. 60 miles E of Legaspi, PI----SS Runner is not ordered off its patrol here after being sighted the day before; 6 new PC’s converge on her and sink her. She is able to surface before that and the captain and some crew make it to shore, hoping to link up with Filipino guerrillas. Chengting, China--- Northern China Army launches attack to test the Jap lines here; they are knocked back, losing 7k casualties to the IJA 1k. 60 miles to the east, IJA forces numbering about 24,000 attack the Chinese 40th Corps blocking the rail; they are thrown back, losing 300 to 100 men. Truk, Caroline Islands --- bah. Well, something got messed up and all 3 of the landing divisions are found 180 miles E of where they were supposed to be….must have clicked off the DoNotRetire button by mistake on the lead group and they all started back to the Marshalls….gah… And the worse thing is that the weather was fine, partly cloudy, and the assault paratroopers were all set to go…well, tomorrow is it, barring future messups. 4 BB and 4 CL in 2 separate bombardments cause about 2000 casualties, silence around 20 guns. Only Idaho takes 1 shell hit of no import. 3-4 minesweeping groups are working the waters without finding anything yet. Ground strikes hit the base forces today and then find the 48th Divisions position; light damage to both sides; mainly just keeping their heads down. 3 Betties from Woleai AF show up at dusk, sneaking by the Hellcats without loss (there were only 6 F6F up, as the CVE’s had wandered off). BB Arizona is targeted, but avoids them. These aren’t the Betty crews that we saw 2 years ago. Combined sorties and effects on Truk targets below: ======================================== Day Air attack on Truk Base Force, at 63,78 Allied aircraft F6F Hellcat x 6 TBF Avenger x 16 TBM Avenger x 16 SB2C Helldiver x 23 PB4Y Liberator x 11 B-24D Liberator x 6 B-24J Liberator x 3 Allied aircraft losses TBF Avenger: 2 damaged TBM Avenger: 4 damaged SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 21 casualties reported 8 casualties reported 18 casualties reported Guns lost 1 ============================================= Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 63,78 Allied aircraft FM-2 Wildcat x 32 TBM Avenger x 61 B-25J Mitchell x 57 PB4Y Liberator x 29 PB4Y Liberator x 13 B-24D Liberator x 31 B-24J Liberator x 30 B-24J Liberator x 40 Allied aircraft losses FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged TBM Avenger: 2 damaged B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 23 casualties reported 49 casualties reported Guns lost 4 55 casualties reported Guns lost 1 2 casualties reported Guns lost 1 working on the China map....

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