RE: Summary of Operations 11/9/42 (Full Version)

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wneumann -> RE: Summary of Operations 11/9/42 (2/2/2008 11:27:53 PM)

Summary of Operations 11/10/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 188 days. A generally slow day at the office, though I'm not complaining. Moving on to current events ...

Central Pacific: Jap carrier planes at Kwajalein stayed on their decks today, though the normal contacts between U.S. subs in the Kwajalein area and E13A1 Jake scout planes on patrol continue.

U.S. subs at Pago Pago reporting flights of Jap E13A1 Jakes on patrol along with a few E8N Daves and B5N2 Kates. Japanese AP detected at Pago Pago by U.S. sub Greenling - Greenling attacked, no hits reported. No Jap flights detected from U.S. subs at Canton Is.

Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. Quiet elsewhere.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight (H8K Emily) over Norfolk Is. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: U.S. A-20 bombers strike Jap airfield at Daly Waters. AAR follows. Reported status of Jap base at Daly Waters - 98 aircraft (47 fighters, no bombers), no report of airfield damage to the base.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M3 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 6 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
9 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
5 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
1 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet

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F-5A recon flight over Darwin reports 3 Jap TF (one TF a sub?), 4 ships disbanded in port (no change), 27 aircraft (11 bombers), 2 Jap LCU's (no change).

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M2 & A6M3 fighters on CAP, otherwise no detected change in Jap forces. No recon flight occurred over Exmouth.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal and Dimapur. Jap night bombing raid on Calcutta (3 B5N Liz) - no hits or damage reported, exact target of this attack could not be determined from AAR. Jap bombing raid on Chittagong, AAR follows. No sweeps or bombing attacks by Allied air forces this game turn.

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Day Air attack on Chittagong , at 31,25

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-21-II Sally x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 34
Ki-48-II Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 14 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 5 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 45

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet

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F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF's 3 disbanded ships in port (no change), 200 aircraft (103 fighters, 68 bombers), no detected port or airfield damage on Rangoon base, 9 Jap LCU's (no change).

Unidentified Jap submarine remains at Akyab. Dutch sub K-X in Rangoon reporting multiple ASW attacks by Jap air and surface naval forces (five DD's) - no hits or damage on the K-X.


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking and Tuyun. Japanese ground forces bombarding in hex 44,35 and at Kanhsien - no casualties reported.





wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/11/42 (2/2/2008 11:47:44 PM)

Summary of Operations 11/11/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 187 days. Again a slow day at the office...

Central Pacific: Jap carrier planes at Kwajalein are quiet again. U.S. subs around Kwajalein still reporting contacts with numerous E13A1 Jake and F1M2 Pete scout planes and several Ki-49 Helen on patrol.

Normal Jap air patrol activity (E13A1 Jakes, some E8N Daves and B5N2 Kates) reported by U.S. subs at Pago Pago. U.S. subs also reporting contacts with G4M Betty aircraft at Canton Is and in the Kwajalein area.

Jap recon flights continue at Penhryn Is. Quiet elsewhere.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is, all other sectors quiet.


Australia: No Allied or Japanese air attacks. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby - no detected change in Jap forces reported.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 2 Jap TF (-1 from last report, one TF a sub?), 5 ships disbanded in port (+1 from last report), 2 Jap LCU's (no change), 30 aircraft (20 bombers).


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal and Dimapur. Unidentified Jap sub remains at Akyab.

Jap bombing attack on airfield facilities in Chittagong, AAR follows. No Allied sweeps or bombing attacks this game turn - squadrons are stood down repairing aircraft & resting pilots.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chittagong , at 31,25

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 13
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 4
Ki-21-II Sally x 13
Ki-49 Helen x 24
Ki-48-II Lily x 52

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 6 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 4 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 8 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 75

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet

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

F-5A recon reports from Rangoon one Jap TF, 5 ships disbanded in port (+2 from last report), 8 Jap LCU's (-1 from last report), 307 aircraft (102 fighters, 63 bombers), no detected airfield or port damage to Rangoon base.


China: Jap recon flights continue over Tuyun and Chungking. Japanese ground forces bombard hex 44,35 and Kanhsien. New ground bombardment attack by Jap forces in hex 45,34. AAR's for all follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 45,34 (new combat action)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 60006 troops, 284 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1605
35th, 69th & 116th Infantry Divisions; 11 Independent Brigade, 18 Mixed Brigade
Defending force 27295 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 898
26th, 39th, 77th, 87th & 94th Chinese Corps; HQ 22 Group Army

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1128 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1540
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 51028 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1635
25th, 29th, 42nd, 49th, 58th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 852 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 84
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 4740 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 161
63rd Chinese Corps





wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/12/42 (2/3/2008 12:06:21 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/12/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 186 days.

North Pacific: This came in on the Ops Report for 11/12... E14Y1 Glen sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 91,35 (Attu Is) Speed 8 Moving West. E14Y1 scout planes are carried aboard I-class subs. Pillager has turned some attention to the Aleutians.

U.S. forces occupying Attu include 201 RCT and 13th Seabee Bn with 21K supply on hand. Current level of base construction on Attu is level 4 airfield (construction paused to concentrate on port & fortifications), level 2 port, level 2 fortifications.

Similar U.S. garrisons are present at other major islands in the Aleutians (except Kiska) with base construction underway at each of these locations. Situation map follows.



[image]local://upfiles/18646/D3FF174EDA934E1FB8CBA27D59B0AFE2.jpg[/image]




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/12/42 (2/3/2008 12:29:48 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/12/42 part deux

Central Pacific: Jap carrier planes at Kwajalein still quiet. U.S. subs around Kwajalein reporting contacts with patrolling Jap aircraft (mainly E13A1 Jake, several Ki-49 Helen).

E13A1 Jake, some E8N Dave. and B5N2 Kate aircraft patrols reported by U.S. subs at Pago Pago.

Jap recon flights continue over Penhryn Is.


South Pacific: No change. Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is. All other sectors quiet.


Australia: U.S. B-17 bombers hit Jap airfield facilites in Daly Waters, AAR follows. Reported status of Jap base in Daly Waters - airfield damage 15, 48 aircraft (20 fighters, no bombers).

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 3 Jap TF (one TF a sub?), 34 aircraft (20 bombers), 4 disbanded ships in port (-1 from last report), 2 Jap LCU's (no change).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 13
B-17D Fortress x 22
B-17E Fortress x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 13 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
355 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet

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

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M2 and A6M3 fighters on CAP, no detected change in Jap forces.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong and Dimapur. RAF Liberator III bombers attack Jap airfield facilities in Rangoon. Jap bombing attack on Imphal. AAR's of both actions follow.

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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 23
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 23

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 5 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 5 destroyed, 37 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
5 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 12
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 6
Ki-48-II Lily x 48

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-II Lily: 26 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet

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F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 2 Jap TF's, airfield damage 1, 3 ships disbanded in port (-2 from last report), 285 aircraft (94 fighters, 66 bombers), 8 Jap LCU's (no change).


China: Jap recon flights over Pakhoi and Chungking. Jap ground bombardment at hex 44,35. Shock attack launched by Japanese ground forces against Kanhsien. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1104 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1538
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 50905 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1632
25th, 28th, 29th, 42nd, 49th, 58th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7071 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 4731 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 162
63rd Chinese Corps

Japanese max assault: 154 - adjusted assault: 85
Allied max defense: 150 - adjusted defense: 23
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
232 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported





wneumann -> View of the Big Picture #5 (2/3/2008 1:57:13 AM)

View of the Big Picture #5 - Allied Submarine Warfare and Operations

Current state of Allied sub operations:

Until now, submarines have carried a significant part of the overall Allied naval offensive capability, including mine and torpedo attacks on Japanese ships. Allied subs have also carried nearly all of the long range patrol activity that has been done into Japanese-controlled territory.

The only Allied subs now capable of launching effective torpedo attacks include British and Dutch subs, and the older U.S. "S" class submarines.

Nearly all U.S. submarines are operating in the Central Pacific theater with two U.S. subs (both "S" class) now operating in the South Pacific from bases in Australia.

U.S. "S" class subs have been the only ones capable of effective torpedo attacks to date. Half the "S" class submarines remain afloat (11 now in service, 11 sunk in combat to date).

As of 11/12/42, 70 modern U.S. submarines are in service (54 at sea or in front-line bases, 11 now completing 10/42 ship upgrade, 5 repairing combat damage). So far in the campaign, only five modern U.S. submarines have been sunk in combat from Japanese attack. With the high dud torpedo rate on these submarines, combat activity by modern U.S. subs has been limited to long range scouting activity in Japanese-controlled areas (mainly the Central Pacific). Nearly all modern U.S. subs have finished ship upgrades through 10/42.

U.S. submarine Argonaut is in service and operational - it has not been upgraded and retains its minelaying capability.

Nine Dutch submarines remain in service (8 have been sunk in combat). Two short-range (3500 mi) "K" class subs are fully operational and based with U.S. forces in the Line Islands. The other seven Dutch subs (3 "O", 4 "K" class) are operating in the Southeast Asia theater, most of these now in shipyards repairing combat damage.

Three British subs are in service (none sunk), all of these operating in Southeast Asia.



Projected plans for Allied sub operations:

With the completion of 10/42 ship upgrades and anticipated torpedo dud rate improvements in 1943, all the modern U.S. subs will for the first time be capable of effective torpedo attack on enemy ships. This expands the scope of operations for these subs from being limited to only scouting up to full combat patrol ability (scouting plus attacks on Japanese ships).

Deployment of U.S. submarines will also expand beyond the Central Pacific theater starting in early 1943, this development being helped as more and more U.S. subs enter the game as reinforcements. Future theaters of operation in the near term for U.S. subs beyond the Central Pacific include...

1) Japanese transport routes between oil and resource centers in southern areas (DEI) and the Japanese home islands.
2) Supply & communication to Jap forces in Burma via the Malacca Straits.
3) Supply & communication to Jap forces in NW Australia via Darwin.
4) Supply & communication to Jap forces at forward bases in the Central and South Pacific.
5) Exit points from the Japanese home islands.
6) Support of U.S. carrier operations - scouting, screening, and attack KB task forces.

To accomplish this, movement of U.S. subs across the Pacific to Australia has already started. 7 modern U.S. subs (all completed 10/42 upgrade) are now enroute, others will follow. Many U.S. subs entering as reinforcements at Panama City will be diverted to Australia as they come in. U.S. sub Argonaut is also transferring to Australia to begin minelaying operations in support of this move.

Projected bases for these subs will be at Indian Ocean ports - including Perth (built to port size 8 allowing submarine ops from there) and Colombo. From these bases U.S. subs will begin attacking objectives #1 thru #3 listed above.

This move also supports efforts by British and Dutch subs in the Southeast Asia theater which until now have been severely restricted by the small number of operational submarines available.




Alfred -> RE: View of the Big Picture #5 (2/4/2008 11:49:42 AM)

I'm not convinced that the Malacca Straits provides a healthy hunting ground for the deployment of Allied subs. 

(1)  there is no sea room to relocate subs,

(2)  it is shallow coastal waters, and

(3)  there are too many adjacent AF to base Jap air units on ASW.

The net result is that the DL of your subs in the Malacca Straits will probably consistently be high.

Alfred 




wneumann -> RE: View of the Big Picture #5 (2/6/2008 6:51:54 AM)

Alfred,

I completely agree with what you've stated re: the Malacca Straits. Many of the British and Dutch subs I sent to patrol there were attacked, most of those subs returning home with damage from hits.

However, the Malacca Straits and its approaches from the west lie directly along the Japanese shipping route to Rangoon. This route has some importance to Pillager as a line of supply for his operations in Burma.

A steadily escalating air campaign is now being fought over Burma (mostly) and adjacent border areas of NE India. Going into 11/42, the Allied and Japanese air forces each have 300+ aircraft involved in the air war over Burma. It appears I have drawn much of the Japanese air strength (especially IJA air units) from various parts of Southeast Asia (and possibly beyond) into Burma and succeeding in keeping it tied down there. The air war in Burma has begun to reduce Japanese air patrols over the Straits of Malacca and adjacent sea areas.

While I have no information in any detail on Pillager's supply situation in Burma, keeping 300+ Japanese planes in the air (not to mention reparing damaged aircraft and replacing losses) has to be taking up a sizeable portion of his supply efforts in Southeast Asia. Any measure adding to Japanese supply difficulties in Burma makes the air war (and any possible land campaign from there) that much more difficult for Jap forces.

Putting a torpedo into a Jap AK trying to get supplies to Rangoon helps the cause, regardless of the risk factor in and around the Malacca Straits.

U.S. subs operating from Perth, Colombo, and other bases along the Indian Ocean would be entering the DEI from the west (via the Malacca Straits from Colombo) and south (from Perth across the Indian Ocean) to attack Jap shipping carrying oil and resource cargo from centers in the DEI (Palembang, Java, Borneo, ...) to the Japanese home islands. Perth and Colombo are the closest Allied controlled bases to the DEI capable of supporting submarine ops.



[image]local://upfiles/18646/5B7DE609E24B41DFA6C6835550BAEBE5.jpg[/image]




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/13/42 (2/6/2008 5:48:55 PM)

Summary of Operations 11/13/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 185 days. A mostly quiet day at the office...


North Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine (possibly I-class based on E14Y1 Glen sighting from 11/12) detected at Attu Is.

Central Pacific: Still no detected patrol activity from Jap carrier planes. U.S. submarines at Pago Pago and in the Kwajalein area reporting contacts with mainly E13A1 Jake scout planes, a few Ki-49 Helens around Kwajalein, a few B5N2 Kates and F1M2 Petes at Pago Pago.

Reports also indicating G4M Betty bombers are operating in small numbers from Kwajalein, Pago Pago, and Canton Is. A small number of G3M Nells flying from Pago Pago as well.

Jap recon flights (H8K Emily) again over Penhryn Is. No other activity around Penhryn.


South Pacific: Jap recon over Norfolk Is. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: Mostly quiet. No bombing attacks or fighter sweeps by either Allied or Japanese air forces.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports same A6M2 & A6M3 fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU's (no change), no Jap TF or ships disbanded in port at Port Moresby. A similar report from Hudson I recon over Exmouth - same A6M2 fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU's (no change from last recon on 11/9).

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 1 Jap TF, 9 disbanded ships in port (+5 from last report), 2 Jap LCU's (no change), 25 aircraft (17 bombers).

Detected status of Japanese base in Daly Waters - airfield damage 15, 12 Jap LCU's (increase from last report), 59 aircraft (42 fighters).


India/Burma: No Japanese recon flights or air attacks reported at Allied bases. Bombing attack by U.S. B-25's against Jap base in Magwe - AAR follows.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF, 4 disbanded ships in port (+1 from last report), 8 Jap LCU's (no change), 307 aircraft (96 fighters, 70 bombers), no detected port or airfield damage. Unidentified Jap submarine remains on patrol in Akyab.

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Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 14

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 27 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet

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


China: Jap recon flight over Tuyun. Shock attacks by Japanese ground forces in hex 45,34 (W of Ichang) and against Kanhsien. Ground bombardment by Jap ground forces in hex 44,35. AAR's for all follow.

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Ground combat at 45,34

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 67388 troops, 298 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1598
35th, 69th & 116th Infantry Divisions; 11 Independent Brigade, 18 Mixed Brigade
Defending force 26931 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 886
26th, 39th, 77th, 87th & 94th Chinese Corps; HQ 22 Group Army

Japanese max assault: 3048 - adjusted assault: 776
Allied max defense: 846 - adjusted defense: 34
Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
1988 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
316 casualties reported

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1124 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1539
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 50912 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1623
25th, 29th, 42nd, 49th, 58th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6892 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 68
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 4720 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 161
63rd Chinese Corps

Japanese max assault: 126 - adjusted assault: 30
Allied max defense: 146 - adjusted defense: 23
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
596 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported





wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/14/42 (2/6/2008 6:07:06 PM)

Summary of Operations 11/14/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 184 days. Another mostly quiet day at the office...

North Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine remains at Attu Is.


Central Pacific: Still no detected patrol activity from Jap carrier planes. U.S. submarines reporting the same Jap air patrol search patterns - mainly E13A1 Jake scout planes at Pago Pago and the Kwajalein area, a few Ki-49 Helens also around Kwajalein, a few B5N2 Kates and F1M2 Petes at Pago Pago.

Jap recon flights again over Penhryn Is, otherwise no activity there.


South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: Mostly quiet. Again no bombing attacks or fighter sweeps by either Allied or Japanese air forces.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby and Hudson I recon over Exmouth both return with the same reports as 11/13.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports no Jap TF, 9 disbanded ships in port (no change), 2 Jap LCU's (no change), 28 aircraft (15 bombers).


Burma/India: Jap recon flights resume - over Imphal, Dimapur, Chittagong. Night air attack by Jap G5N Liz bombers on Allied base in Calcutta. AAR follows.

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

Night Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23

Japanese aircraft
G5N Liz x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G5N Liz: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet

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Unidentified Japanese sub detected patrolling at Port Blair (Andaman Is), Jap sub remains at Akyab.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF's, 3 disbanded ships in port (-1 from last report), 334 aircraft (107 fighters, 84 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's (+1 from last report).

Dutch sub K-X on patrol in Rangoon under multiple surface naval and air ASW attacks. K-X was hit 9 times, took moderate damage. The K-X is returning to base for repairs and expected to make it.


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking and Pakhoi. Ground bombardment attacks by Jap forces against Kanhsien and hex 44,35 - no significant casualties reported.





wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/14/42 (2/8/2008 1:12:48 AM)

Addition to 11/14/42 Operations Summary

India/Burma: RAF and AVG fighter squadrons launched a 100-plane sweep (from Imphal) against Jap airbase in Mandalay - AAR follows.  

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29
 
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 10
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 9
 
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 76
P-40E Warhawk x 24
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 4 destroyed, 26 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 damaged
 




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/15/42 (2/8/2008 1:31:22 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/15/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 183 days. Yet another quiet day at the front... Though from my perspective, boring is not entirely bad. Things are quietly going on behind the Allied lines.

North Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine remains at Attu Is.


Central Pacific: Central Pacific: U.S. subs reporting same Japanese air activity. Still no detected patrol activity from Jap carrier planes. Otherwise, mainly E13A1 Jake scout planes at Pago Pago and the Kwajalein area, a few Ki-49 Helens also around Kwajalein, a few B5N2 Kates and F1M2 Petes at Pago Pago.

Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: Continues to be quiet - no air or ground combat. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby and Hudson I recon over Exmouth both return with the same reports as 11/13 and 14. Detected status of Jap base at Daly Waters shows 11 Jap LCU's, no information on aircraft.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports no Jap TF, 8 disbanded ships in port (-1 from last report), 2 Jap LCU's (no change), 42 aircraft (20 bombers).


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong and Dimapur.

Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - 312 aircraft (84 fighters, 101 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's (no change), 5 ships disbanded in port (includes 1 BB, +2 from last report). F-5A recon did not fly over Rangoon.

A noble experiment... While not totally successful (not exactly a failure either), it could have some useful applications later.

After the 100-plane fighter sweep over Mandalay on 11/14, I set plans for Allied fighter activity over NE Indian bases on 11/15 based on the following premises... (1) Pillager would have observed that my fighter sweep originated from Imphal, (2) A Japanese air bombing raid would be immediately launched against the airbase in Imphal to catch Allied fighters that flew in the 11/14 sweep on the ground as they were recovering. Both these premises turned out to be correct.

Anticipating this... (1) the 6 or 7 fighter squadrons from the 11/14 sweep were quickly transferred out (by rail) to rear-area bases to recover beyond the range of Japanese attack, (2) a second contingent of fresh fighter squadrons were transferred in to Imphal and set on 90% CAP. Once this was done, all that remained was waiting for the Japs to arrive. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 9
Ki-48-II Lily x 44

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 13
Hurricane IID/IV x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 5 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 10 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged
Hurricane IID/IV: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet

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

Jap submarines detected on patrol at Akyab and Port Blair have departed those locations.


China: Jap ground forces bombard hex 44,35 - no casualties reported. Jap recon flight over Chungking.








Alfred -> RE: Summary of Operations 11/15/42 (2/8/2008 12:57:10 PM)

wneumann,

Further regarding the Malacca Straits.

If it is your intention to interdict oil/resources being shipped from Rangoon to Japan, it would be safer to merely transit the Malacca Straits en route to stationing the subs in the South China sea where they can also interdict convoys from Java and Borneo.

On the other hand, if you wish to interdict ship borne supplies to Rangoon, would not patrolling the Andaman sea achieve the same results but with greater safety.  In this later case, particularly as your screen shot shows you as still controlling Port Blair, couldn't you not also launch RV CV raids into the Bay of Bengal/Andaman sea to catch Jap AK running into Rangoon?  That way you would get some use out of CVL Hermes and encourage the overloading of Jap airbases which in turn could be hit by your CBI air.

I understand your reasoning and the benefits resulting from a succesful deployment, it is just that I am not convinced that stationing subs between Georgetown and Johore Bharu will result in a satisfactory return (bearing in mind the VP determination of the game).

Alfred




wneumann -> View of the Big Picture #5 (2/9/2008 2:52:46 AM)

Alfred,

See your point throughly on the Malacca Straits.

My intent with U.S. subs at this time is basing them at Colombo and having them pass through the Malacca Straits to attack Jap shipping routes, these subs probably concentrating on oil shipments from Palembang and to a lesser extent on shipping in general moving around the Singapore area. Other U.S. subs operating from Perth would come up from the south to target Jap oil and resource shipping from Java (particularly Soerabaja), also along the east side of Borneo (Balikpapan and Tarakan).

Jap shipping passing through the Malacca Straits to Burma has been infrequent, most of this appears to be moving supply and a few reinforcements into Burma. Jap naval and shipping activity has dropped off considerably since the defeat of the Jap naval bombardment force (with torpedo hits and damage to 4 BB's) off Diamond Harbor. I have seen very few Jap TK in or west of the Malacca Straits. My main interest in submarine warfare against Jap shipping off Southeast Asia is hitting supply and reinforcements going into Rangoon rather than anything (oil, resource) Pillager is trying to ship out of there.

Most of Pillager's air strength in Southeast Asia appears to be concentrated in Burma (200-300 aircraft reported regularly in Rangoon alone by recon flights) and heavily engaged in ongoing battles vs Allied air forces based in NE India. This development is leaving only a handful of Jap aircraft watching the Malacca Straits - the number and types of Jap aircraft now remaining there are not sufficient to pose a major threat to Allied subs moving through the Malacca Straits.

At this point, the only (non-suicidal) form of attack by sea I have on Rangoon is with submarines. RN carrier strength in Indian waters consists of CV Illustrious plus the Hermes. Pillager is confirmed to have both Nells and Betties (at least one squadron of each) based in Rangoon. These have not participated in the ongoing air battles over Burma and NE India, so it would seem Pillager has these aircraft set to execute naval air attack on any approaching Allied surface or carrier TF. My estimate is that the Nells and Betties based in Rangoon would be more than a match for anything the Royal Navy has on hand to send across against Rangoon.

Recently, my subs have encountered heavier Jap air and surface ASW attacks in and around Rangoon than anywhere else, including the Malacca Straits. Most of my damaged British and Dutch subs are taking hits from Jap ASW at Rangoon.

Any subs I now have patrolling the Malacca Straits are mainly there as a "picket" force, most of the few operational British and Dutch subs I have at any one time more profitably blockading Rangoon itself.

It might actually be to my advantage to keep Allied sub traffic in the Malacca Straits to a minimum - keep Pillager's attention in Southeast Asia fixed on Burma and the illusion of the Malacca Straits as a Japanese "safe haven". Until U.S. subs arrive and the fun begins.

While on the subject of this area... Port Blair is somewhat a concern. While the Andaman Is remain under Allied control, Port Blair is a "no mans' land" - for now, ungarrisoned and unreachable by Allied forces as long as 200-300 Jap aircraft are in Rangoon and capable of operating from there. Royal Navy surface or carrier forces currently available are too small to help and the Andaman Is beyond the range of any Allied land-based air. If I had anything in Port Blair, supplying it would be equally miserable. Though this situation could change come 1943.




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/16/42 (2/10/2008 12:11:49 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/16/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 182 days.

North Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine is still at Attu.


Central Pacific: U.S. subs at Pago Pago and around Kwajalein reporting air contacts with mostly E13A1 Jake and F1M2 Pete scout planes, also several contacts with Ki-49 in the Kwajalein area. Submarines detecting G3M Nell flying at Pago Pago, G4M Betty at Canton Is.

Still no sign of Japanese carrier aircraft actitivy.


South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: U.S. A-20 bombers strike Jap airfield in Daly Waters - AAR follows. Detected status of Jap base in Daly Waters - 11 Jap LCU's, 60 aircraft (33 fighters, no bombers), no detected airfield damage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7
A-20B Boston x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet

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

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby and Hudson I recon over Exmouth both report no detected change in Jap forces in either location, A6M2 CAP encountered over Exmouth.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 1 Jap TF, 8 disbanded ships in port (no change), 2 Jap LCU's (no change), 43 aircraft (25 bombers).


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong and Dimapur. Fighter sweep and a bombing attack by Japanese planes against Allied base at Imphal. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26 (fighter sweep)

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 14
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 29
P-40E Warhawk x 17
Hurricane IID/IV x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 damaged
Hurricane IID/IV: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26 (bombing attack)

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-21-II Sally x 26
Ki-49 Helen x 36
Ki-48-II Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 8
Hurricane IID/IV x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 21 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hurricane IID/IV: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 57

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet

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

RAF Blenheim bombers from several bases launch strikes on the Jap air base in Magwe. AAR's follow. Detected status of Jap base at Magwe - 41 aircraft (14 fighters, 18 bombers), no detected airfield damage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 19 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
7 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 29

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet

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

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF's, 2 ships disbanded in port (-1 from last report), 9 Jap LCU's (no change), 321 aircraft (72 fighters, 140 bombers).


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking and Tuyun. Japanese ground forces bombard in hex 44,35 - no report of casualties.





wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/17/42 (2/11/2008 3:56:32 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/17/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 181 days.

North Pacific: Japanese sub that had been at Attu no longer detected in this area.


Central Pacific: Still no detected flights of Japanese carrier aircraft by U.S. submarines - KB remains on "silent running" or it is no longer at Kwajalein. Otherwise, U.S. subs patrolling at Kwajalein, Pago Pago, and Canton Is continue reporting same pattern of contacts with Jap aircraft.

The number of E13A1 Jake and F1M2 Pete scout planes detected flying around Kwajalein would seem to indicate a substantial quantity of Japanese surface warships (battleships, cruisers), CS, and/or AV are located in Kwajalein base.

Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is - that area remains quiet otherwise.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is, otherwise quiet.


Australia: U.S. B-17 bombers hit Japanese base at Daly Waters. AAR follows. Detected status of Jap base in Daly Waters - airfield damage 10, 60 aircraft (31 fighters ? ), 12 Jap LCU's.

Japanese fighter sweep against Tennant Creek - fighters in this attack came from Daly Waters (these fighters obviously not included in the status report for Daly Waters shown above). AAR for this action also follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 24
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
522 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet

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

Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
A6M3 Zero x 18

No Japanese losses

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

Hudson I recon over Exmouth and Catalina I recon over Port Moresby report no detected change in Jap forces at either location. Both these recon flights did encounter Japanese fighter CAP (A6M2 over Exmouth, A6M2 & A6M3 over Port Moresby).

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 1 Jap TF, 8 ships disbanded in port (no change), 38 aircraft (21 bombers), 2 Jap LCU's (no change).

TK Norden arrived in Perth from Aden delivering 10K oil for use by Australian heavy industry.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong and Dimapur. Airbase at Rangoon hit by RAF and USAAF Liberators, Magwe airfield bombed by RAF Blenheims. AAR's for both follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed, 18 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
10 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 30
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 37
B-24D Liberator x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 24 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 12 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 2 destroyed
G5N Liz: 1 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 24 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 33 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
643 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet

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

Detected status of Jap base at Magwe - 7 Jap LCU's, 102 aircraft (27 fighters, 41 bombers), no report of detected airfield damage.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF's, 3 disbanded ships in port (+1 from last report), 258 aircraft (62 fighters, 103 bombers), airfield damage 9, 9 Jap LCU's (no change).

Japanese fighters launch a sweep against Allied air base in Imphal - AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 10
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

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


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Pakhoi, Tuyun.

Japanese ground forces continue bombardment at Kanhsien and hex 44,35. A new ground combat action involving Jap forces advancing from Hengchow is heating up at Kweilin. AAR's for all these follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1104 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1537
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 51060 troops, 126 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1621
25th, 29th, 42nd, 49th, 58th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (new action)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3340 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2413
26th, 36th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions; 13 Tank Rgt, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts, 1 Mortar Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 66151 troops, 203 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1713
4th, 21st, 23rd, 37th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps; 71 Chinese Div; HQ 1, 2, & 20 Group Armies

Allied ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 868 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 4459 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 150
63rd Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/18/42 (2/11/2008 4:17:27 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/18/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 180 days.


Central Pacific: U.S. subs at Kwajalein, Pago Pago, Canton Is report the same pattern of contacts with Japanese aircraft is continuing.

Jap recon flight (H8K Emily) again over Penhryn Is.


South Pacific: Same report... Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is, otherwise quiet.


Australia: Japanese fighter sweep again over Tennant Creek - no losses on either side. Allied fighters had been grounded to rest pilots and recover damaged aircraft.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth and Catalina I recon over Port Moresby both return with same report as 11/17. F-5A recon over Darwin reports 1 Jap TF, 8 ships disbanded in port (no change), 45 aircraft (31 bombers), 2 Jap LCU's (no change).


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Imphal, Dimapur. Japanese bombing attack against airfield in Dacca - AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Dacca , at 31,23

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-21-II Sally x 14
Ki-49 Helen x 32
Ki-48-II Lily x 10

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 28 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 49

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet

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

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF's, 2 ships disbanded in port (-1 from last report), 278 aircraft (58 fighters, 98 bombers), airfield damage 14, 9 Jap LCU's (no change). Believed possible that Pillager is using Rangoon as a "recovery base" to rest pilots and repair damaged planes - I've been doing a similar procedure with Allied air units using "recovery bases" in rear areas of India as far back as Bombay and Delhi. A slight difference is that Allied bombers can reach Pillager's "R & R camp" in Rangoon.


China: Jap recon over Nanning (new target). Bombardment attacks by Jap ground forces continue against Chinese positions in Kweilin, Kanhsien, and hex 44,37.

Japanese 27 Engineer Rgt was detected arriving in the front lines at Kweilin (three engineer regiments now included in Jap ground forces attacking there). Kweilin currently has level 8 fortifications.







wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/19/42 (2/14/2008 1:07:50 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/19/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 179 days. In unrelated news... Red Army launches counteroffensive across the Don, overwhelms Rumanian forces, spearheads threaten rear of 6th German Army in Stalingrad.

Central Pacific: U.S. subs at Pago Pago and around Kwajalein reporting air contacts with mostly E13A1 Jake and F1M2 Pete scout planes, also several contacts with Ki-49 in the Kwajalein area. Submarines detecting G3M Nell and B5N2 Kates flying at Pago Pago, G4M Betty at Canton Is. Kates flying patrol from Pago Pago believed likely to be land-based.

Jap recon flights again over Penhryn Is - no other activity in this area.


South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: B-17 bombers hit Jap airfield facilities in Daly Waters. Japanese fighter sweep over Tennant Creek. AAR's for both follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 24
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
522 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet

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

Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
A6M3 Zero x 18

No Japanese losses

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

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby and Hudson I recon over Exmouth both again report no detected change in Jap forces in either location, A6M2 CAP encountered over Exmouth, A6M2 & A6M3 fighters reported on CAP over Port Moresby.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports no Jap TF, 7 ships disbanded in port (-1 from last report), 43 aircraft (35 bombers), 2 Jap LCU's (no change).


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal and Dimapur. U.S. and RAF Liberators bomb Jap airbase in Rangoon, RAF Blenheim bombers attack Jap base at Magwe. Japanese fighter sweep over Imphal. AAR's for all three follow.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF's, 2 ships disbanded in port (no change), airfield damage 9, 264 aircraft (67 fighters, 100 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's (no change).

British submarine Truant on patrol at Rangoon attacked and heavily damaged in two Jap ASW air attacks (Ki-48 Lily & Ki-51 Sonia). Truant is returning to base for repairs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed, 18 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
10 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 30
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 37
B-24D Liberator x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 24 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 12 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 2 destroyed
G5N Liz: 1 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 24 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 33 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
643 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 10
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

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


China: Jap recon flights over Tuyun. Bombardment attacks by Japanese ground forces in Kweilin, Kanhsien, and hex 44,35.







wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/20/42 (2/15/2008 12:57:58 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/20/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 178 days. Overall, a very quiet day in the war.

Central Pacific: U.S. submarines at Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago all report the same pattern of Japanese air activity. Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is. Completely quiet elsewhere.


Australia: No Allied or Japanese air strikes. Hudson I recon over Exmouth encounters A6M2 fighters on CAP, reports no detected change in Jap forces. Recon mission on Port Moresby did not fly.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 2 Jap LCU's (no change), 7 ships disbanded in port (no change), 36 aircraft (23 fighters).

Entries in Sigint report for 11/20 show two Jap LCU'S (5 Engineer Rgt & 5 Mortar Bn) in Daly Waters. Most current estimates indicate a total of 11-12 Jap LCU's in Daly Waters.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Dimapur, and Imphal. No Allied or Japanese air strikes. Would seem that both Pillager and I are busy resting our pilots and recovering damaged aircraft.

British sub Truant attacked again by Jap ASW (B5N Liz) air patrol outside Rangoon while attempting to return to base. SS Truant received an additional hit in this attack and later sank.


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking. Bombardment attacks by Jap ground forces at Kanhsien and hex 44,35. Jap ground forces launch attack against Kweilin - attacking forces reinforced by Jap 22nd Division. AAR's for all three actions follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 119670 troops, 562 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 2837
22nd, 26th, 36th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions; 13 Tank Rgt; 2, 8 & 27 Engineer Rgts,
1 Mortar Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts
Defending force 58959 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1607
4th, 37th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps; 71 Chinese Div; HQ 1, 2, & 20 Group Armies

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 7
Japanese max assault: 145 - adjusted assault: 59
Allied max defense: 1647 - adjusted defense: 2869
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)

Japanese ground losses:
871 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
398 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1104 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1539
32nd, 34th & 39th Infantry Division, 15 Tank Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 50884 troops, 126 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1617
25th, 29th, 42nd, 49th, 58th & 88th Chinese Corps; HQ 3 War Area

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kanhsien

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 868 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 32
Shanghai SNLF, 20 Mixed Brigade/B, 19 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn
Defending force 4391 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 142
63rd Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/21/42 (2/16/2008 6:09:32 PM)

Summary of Operations 11/21/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 177 days. Another very quiet day.

Update on 10/42 U.S. ship upgrade - All CV, CA, CL, CLAA finished the upgrade. Nearly all DD and SS have completed the upgrade as well. Upgrading of the last DD's now in progress. A small number of subs in front-line service have yet to upgrade, these will be going into shipyards for upgrade shortly as they return from patrol.

Central Pacific: U.S. submarines at Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago continue reporting the same pattern of Japanese air activity.

The number of recent contacts with E13A1 Jake and F1M2 Pete scout planes around Kwajalein indicate a substantial number of Japanese surface warships (BB & CA) and possibly one or more CS could be based in Kwajalein. A "ring" of 4-5 U.S. subs have been patrolling the waters surrounding Kwajalein - these subs have not detected any movement by Jap TF's into or out of Kwajalein. The KB's carriers may or may not still be in Kwajalein.

Question for readers: Can a ship having float planes (FF, FP) based aboard it have these planes flying patrol missions (i.e. naval search, ASW patrol) while the ship is disbanded in a port, or does the ship have to be in a TF before it can fly its aircraft? The ship types in question here being BB, BC, CA, CL, CS, AV's.

Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is - otherwise quiet.


Australia: No air or ground combat to report.

Sigint entry for 11/21 reports Jap 14 Mortar Bn located in Daly Waters. Known Jap LCU's in Daly Waters includes - 2nd & 5th Divisions; 3, 5 & 14 Mortar Bns, 3 Mountain Gun Rgt, 18 Heavy FA Rgt, 5 Engineer Bn.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 2 Jap TF's, 7 disbanded ships in port (no change), 34 aircraft (27 bombers), 2 Jap LCU's (no change). With the types of aircraft reported in Darwin continuously changing, it appears that Pillager could be moving Jap air units through Darwin - though not possible to determine whether Pillager is moving planes into or out of NW Australia.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M2 & A6M3 fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU's (no change).

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, one unidentified Jap TF, 61 aircraft (6 fighters, 11 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's (no change).


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Dimapur, Chittagong. No air or ground combat to report.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 2 Jap TF's (-1 from last report), 265 aircraft (56 fighters, 81 bombers), 2 ships disbanded in port (no change), 9 Jap LCU's (no change).


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Pakhoi, and Tuyun. Ground bombardment attacks by Japanese forces in Kweilin, Kanhsien, and hex 44.35.




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/22/42 (2/17/2008 1:30:51 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/22/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 176 days. Think this goes down as the first time in this PBEM that Pillager and I completed two game turns in one day. On to the headlines...


Central Pacific: U.S. submarines at Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago still reporting the same pattern of Japanese air activity. Reported contacts are mostly with E13A1 Jake and F1M2 Pete scout planes, also several contacts in the Kwajalein area with Ki-49 Helens. G3M Nell and B5N2 Kates detected flying at Pago Pago, G4M Betty at Canton Is.

Jap recon again over Penhryn Is.


South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: U.S. B-17 bombers strike Daly Waters airfield. AAR follows. Detected status of Jap base at Daly Waters - 40 aircraft (27 fighters), airfield damage 14, 12 Jap LCU's.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
A6M3 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 24
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 18 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed, 21 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 24 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
229 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet

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

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 2 Jap TF's (one has a CV?), 7 disbanded ships in port (no change), 44 aircraft (32 bombers), 4 Jap LCU's (+2 from last report).

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M2 fighters on CAP, Jap TF still there, 130 aircraft (15 fighters, 35 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's. Entry from Sigint report of 11/22 indicates Jap 2 NLF is still at Exmouth.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M2 & A6M3 fighters on CAP, 86 aircraft (29 fighters, 16 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's (no change).



India/Burma: Jap recon flights reported over Chittagong and Imphal. Unidentified Japanese sub detected at Ramree Is near Akyab.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 2 Jap TF's, 3 ships disbanded in port (+1 from last report), 260 aircraft (66 fighters, 79 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's (no change).

** Japanese carrier raid in Arabian Sea ** Carrier planes from a Jap naval force reported in the Arabian Sea east of Bombay attacked and sank AK Martand. AK Martland was bound from Aden to Bombay carrying 4400 supply plus RAF 42 Squadron (12 Hurricane IID/IV fighter-bombers).

Identity of the attacking Jap air units indicated strikes were launched from CVL's Shoho and Ryuho. It should be noted that Ryuho and Shoho participated in the carrier action off Exmouth (NW Australia) on 5/1 - 5/5/42 against a British carrier TF with CV's Formidable & Indomitable (both British CV's were sunk). Both Shoho and Ryuho had been damaged (torpedo hits) in the action off Exmouth.

AAR's and situation map follow. A very significant detail I picked up on and included on the situation map below is the path followed by Japanese carrier aircraft as they flew the strike - readers playing CHS scenarios should carefully take note of this detail. Caveat emptor, kiddies...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 7,5

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
A6M3 Zero x 9
A6M3a Zero x 5
B5N2 Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Martand, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 7,5

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Martand, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

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




[image]local://upfiles/18646/415F1C97ABA14167B17B54AB1D04BF0B.jpg[/image]




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/22/42 (2/17/2008 1:32:50 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/22/42 (continued)

China: Jap recon flight over Chungking. Ground bombardment attack at Kanhsien by Jap forces.




Alfred -> RE: Summary of Operations 11/22/42 (2/17/2008 4:23:05 AM)

wneumann,

My Dutch CL floatplanes continue their naval search even when the TF has been disbanded.

Alfred




racndoc -> RE: Summary of Operations 11/9/42 (2/17/2008 12:13:58 PM)

wneumann.....

thanx for the warning on the IJN carrier ops in the Arabian Sea. If u read the designer notes by Andrew Brown on CHS, you see that the "ratrace" at Aden was not intended for combat ops. We have a houserule in our game that no Japanese air/naval units can enter any of the Aden "ratrace" hexes.

In addition, I have a line of picket ships 15 hexes east of Columbo for "early warning" duty.

Bad luck on losing the air group.

Looks like we both have our hands full with the major Jap invasions of Australia.




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/23/42 (2/17/2008 6:31:48 PM)

Summary of Operations 11/23/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 175 days.

Central Pacific: U.S. submarines at Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago still reporting the same pattern of Japanese air activity. Jap recon (H8K Emily) over Penhryn Is.


South Pacific: Jap recon (also H8K Emily) over Norfolk. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: U.S. A-20 bombers strike Daly Waters airfield. AAR follows. Detected status of Jap base at Daly Waters - 68 aircraft (37 fighters), airfield damage 16, 12 Jap LCU's.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
A6M3 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 72
A-20B Boston x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed, 14 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed, 34 damaged
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
167 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
9 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet

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

F-5A recon over Darwin reports no Jap TF's, 37 aircraft (27 bombers), 4 Jap LCU's (no change, but two new Jap LCU's in NW Australia landed last turn), 7 ships disbanded in port (no change).

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, one Jap TF (unidentified), 133 aircraft (17 fighters, 41 bombers), 4 Jap LCU's (-1 from last report).

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M2 & A6M3 fighters on CAP, 43 aircraft (19 bombers), 4 Jap LCU's.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Dimapur, Imphal, and Chittagong.

No contact with Baby KB TF's in the Arabian Sea east of Bombay. Allied shipping within or heading towards the Baby KB's last known position has been stopped or re-routed.

Weather conditions in this area over the last several game turns has been Heavy Precipitation (also the current weather conditions). The weather along with my naval air search coverage (they were looking for Japs in all the wrong places) both contributed to the Baby KB reaching its location undetected. Adjustments are being made or planned to correct this.

I'm also seeing where the Baby KB could possibly have taken a wide detour around Attu Atoll to evade naval air search flights from Colombo. Perhaps construction of a small base on Attu Atoll large enough to support naval air search patrols is a remedy - the most likely solution as the Royal Navy has no AV or AVD available.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 2 Jap TF's, 2 ships disbanded in port (no change), 250 aircraft (55 fighters, 82 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's (no change).

RAF Blenheims strike Jap airbase at Mandalay. AAR follows. Detected status of Jap base in Mandalay - airfield damage 4, 35 aircraft (15 bombers), 7 Jap LCU's.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 23
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 80

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 6 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 14 destroyed, 52 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
7 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 8000 feet

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


China: Jap recon flights over Pakhoi, Nanning, Tuyun and Chungking. Jap ground forces bombard Chinese forces in Kanhsien.




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/24/42 (2/18/2008 6:37:08 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/24/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 174 days.

Central Pacific: U.S. submarines at Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago continue reporting the same pattern of Japanese air activity. Otherwise quiet.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk, otherwise quiet.


Australia: No ground or air combat reported.

F-5A recon over Darwin reports 31 aircraft (24 bombers), 7 ships in port (no change), 2 Jap LCU's (-2 from last report). Two Japanese ground units detected moving southward from Darwin along the rail line to Katherine - identity of these Jap LCU's is unknown.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M2 fighters on CAP, 120 aircraft (18 fighters, 34 bombers).

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M3 fighters on CAP (no A6M2), 5 Jap LCU's (+1 from last report), 63 aircraft (8 fighters, 26 bombers).


India/Burma: Naval air search patrols now increased over the Arabian Sea - no contact with Baby KB TF's.

Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Imphal, Dimapur.

No Allied recon flight over Rangoon. Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - 4 Jap TF's, 9 Jap LCU's (no change), port damage 7, no airfield damage, 148 aircraft (33 fighters, 75 bombers).

RAF and U.S. Liberator bombers strike port facilities in Rangoon. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 20
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 32
B-24D Liberator x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 9 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 25 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 21 damaged

Japanese Ships
AR Suzuya Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (later confirmed sunk)
AP Arizona Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
520 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet

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


China: No Jap recon flights. Ground bombardment attack by Japanese forces in Kanhsien.

A curious piece of intelligence has appeared concerning movements of Japanese ground forces in China. This information also coincides with the fact that Japanese ground forces have not attacked at Kweilin or hex 44,35 over the last several game turns.

It's strange... Pillager is withdrawing Japanese LCU's from some areas of the front lines in China. The situation map below shows movement of Jap ground units back from the front lines at Kweilin and hex 44,35. Also shown are detected counts of Jap LCU's at Kweilin and hex 44,35 along with some adjacent hexes where LCU counts took place. Comparison of LCU counts in these hexes between 11/23 and 11/24/42 are included. Other surrounding hexes did not have any change in detected Jap LCU counts.

Jap ground units that Pillager is taking out of the front lines have to be going somewhere. What is not known as of now is where these LCU's are going, and what for...

Chinese ground forces in Kweilin have been ordered to launch a bombardment attack on 11/25 to determine identity of Jap LCU's remaining in the front lines at Kweilin.






[image]local://upfiles/18646/93EE39A651D7423BB5C7054B4C2BE04E.jpg[/image]




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/25/42 (2/19/2008 1:40:40 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/25/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 173 days. A very, very quiet day at the office.

Central Pacific: U.S. submarines at Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago continue reporting the same pattern of Japanese air activity. Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. Otherwise quiet.

South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: Again no report of ground or air attacks by either Japanese or Allied forces.

Recon flights over Darwin and Exmouth did not fly this game turn. Current detected status of the Jap base in Darwin - 41 aircraft (31 bombers), 2 Jap LCU's (no change), 9 disbanded ships in port (+2 from last report). Contact was lost with the two Jap LCU's detected moving southward from Darwin on 11/24.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby did fly - reporting A6M3 fighters on CAP (again no A6M2), 69 fighters (5 fighters, 28 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's (no change).


India/Burma: No Jap recon flights. Allied air strikes against Mandalay - RAF and AVG fighter sweep, U.S. B-25 bombers bomb airfield. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 76
P-40E Warhawk x 24

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 21

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet

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

Two Jap bombing raids against airfield facilities at Imphal. AAR's follow. Status of air base in Imphal after both raids - airfield service damage 31, runway damage 52. Operational aircraft in RAF and AVG fighter squadrons returning to Imphal after participating in the fighter sweep against Mandalay transferred to rear-area airfields. Damaged aircraft from these squadrons will follow once they recover to operational flying status.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 21
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 16
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 14
Ki-51 Sonia x 26
Ki-48-II Lily x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-48-II Lily: 2 destroyed, 23 damaged

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
11 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 17
G5N Liz x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 21
Ki-21-II Sally x 26
Ki-49 Helen x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
G5N Liz: 7 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 11 damaged

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 62

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
11 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet

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

Recon mission by F-5A over Rangoon did not fly this game turn. Current detected status of the Jap base in Rangoon - port damage 2, 156 aircraft (48 fighters, 30 bombers), one Jap TF (-3 from last report), 9 Jap LCU's (no change).

AK Fukoku Maru torpedoed and confirmed sunk by British SS Rover just west of the Malacca Straits off the Thailand coast.


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking and Pakhoi. Ground bombardment attack by Jap forces at Kanhsien.

Ground bombardment attack by Chinese forces at Kweilin was carried out as ordered (and stated in the 11/25 Operations Report). The combat phase replay of this attack confirmed Pillager had withdrawn some of the Japanese LCU's that participated in earlier ground attacks against Kweilin. AAR follows.

My initial theory on this movement of Jap ground units in China is that Pillager may be shifting these forces towards the coastal flank of the front between Nanning and Pakhoi. Recent Jap air recon activity in this area (refer to 11/25 China situation map) coincides with this theory.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 53421 troops, 210 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1605
4th, 37th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps; 71 Chinese Div; HQ 1, 2, & 20 Group Armies
Defending force 90233 troops, 381 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 1861
22nd, 36th, 40th & 110th Infantry Divisions; 13 Tank Rgt, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts

Japanese ground units withdrawn from the front lines at Kweilin since the most recent Jap ground attack on 11/20 include -26th & 41st Infantry Divisions, 27 Engineer Rgt, 1 Mortar Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts.

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

Another interesting intelligence tidbit from China - this entry from the 11/25/42 Sigint report.

1st Mixed Brigade is loaded on AP,Kashiwara Maru moving to Kwajalein.

It should be noted that 1 Mixed Brigade is assigned to the Kwantung Army (Manchuria). Last reported location of 1 Mixed Brigade had been Port Arthur on 11/10/42.




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/26/42 (2/20/2008 6:17:20 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/26/42

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 172 days.

Central Pacific: U.S. submarines at Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago continue reporting the same pattern of Japanese air activity. All other areas reporting quiet.


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is, otherwise quiet.


Australia: Again no report of ground or air attacks by either Japanese or Allied forces.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M2 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap TF's (one of them has a CV?), 5 Jap LCU's (no change).
F-5A recon over Darwin reports 31 aircraft (21 bombers), 2 Jap LCU's, 7 ships disbanded in port (-2 from last report).
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting A6M3 fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU, 78 aircraft (19 fighters, 18 bombers).

Entry in Sigint report for 11/26 states that Japanese 4th Division is now located at Singapore. The 4th Division was previously located in Broome - last reported there on 10/16/42.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong and Dimapur.

No Allied F-5A recon over Rangoon. Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - 1 Jap TF, 154 aircraft (52 fighters, 37 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's.

Another Jap bombing raid on the airfield in Imphal - Pillager is making a serious effort to disable this base. AAR follows. Current damage level at Imphal is airfield service damage 40, runway damage 60. There is sufficient quantities of supply on hand and engineers located at Imphal to repair damage to the base from Jap attacks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3 Zero x 26
G5N Liz x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
Ki-21-II Sally x 16
Ki-49 Helen x 40

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 5 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 63

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet

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

Several sightings of Baby KB task forces by Catalinas near Colombo, both TF's reported moving on a SE heading. Situation map follows.




[image]local://upfiles/18646/53596F619DC24C3A8BFC222034937DF3.jpg[/image]




wneumann -> Summary of Operations 11/26/42 (2/20/2008 6:31:05 AM)

Summary of Operations 11/26/42 part deux.

China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Nanning, Chengtu, Tuyun. Ground bombardment attack by Japanese forces at Kanhsien.

Movement orders have been issued to what will be a group of 6-8 Chinese corps forming in the Tuyun area (between Kweiyang and Nanning). This group of Chinese forces will be in position to counter either a possible shift of Japanese LCU's southward to attack Nanning, or a renewed Japanese ground attack along the original "main axis of advance" (from the Changsha/Hengchow area).

Both Tuyun and Nanning are already garrisoned by substantial Chinese forces - the new force is in addition to these garrisons, and is being positioned to reinforce the Chinese front at Nanning if required to do so.




Jim D Burns -> RE: Summary of Operations 11/24/42 (2/20/2008 7:03:24 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: wneumann
Jap ground units that Pillager is taking out of the front lines have to be going somewhere. What is not known as of now is where these LCU's are going, and what for...


If I had to guess I'd say he's pulling them back for a little rest and refit. Does Japan get a 1943 squad in this scenario? He may be preparing to upgrade a few select units in January to the latest and greatest equipment items, so he needs them at a base with supplies. Or he may just want to give his units time to recover disablements and prep for new bases.

Watch the SigInt closely over the next few weeks and see if you can identify any of the units from recent battles you've had at Kweilin that you know have pulled out and see where they are prepping for. If they are prepping for a new location he’s changing his axis of attack. If not he’s just resting I bet.

But given your current situation, it doesn’t make sense to change direction as the only way left to go with good communication lines is through Kweilin, or along the road north of Kweilin. Perhaps he’s massing for a strong flanking move to the north along that road and is pulling back there as well to ease your fears until he’s massed everything at Changsha.

That or perhaps he has supply problems and needs to get more troops massed in Changsha and Hengchow to help pull supply forward from his costal bases.

Jim




wneumann -> RE: Summary of Operations 11/24/42 (2/23/2008 6:16:41 PM)

Jim,

You made a lot of good points. Pillager has been keeping Japanese ground forces almost continuously in action in this part of China for some time - he captured Changsha, then immediately went for Hengchow, then Kweilin. Pillager also sent Jap forces along the road from Changsha to Kweiyang immediately after taking Changsha (these were held up at hex 44,35). The idea that Pillager is pulling Jap LCU's out of the front lines for "R and R" is a distinct possibility. It also has to recognized that Jap LCU's Pillager still has in the front lines are equally "tired".

The overall Japanese supply situation of China cannot be excluded either, though who knows?

Jap forces I detected Pillager pulling out of the front lines total 5-6 divisions plus tanks, engineers, and artillery - specific identity of most or all these units is known. All the Jap units in question were withdrawn from Kweilin or hex 44,35 (all the Jap LCU's engaged in hex 44,35 were withdrawn, essentially abandoning the hex).

What you said about the northern flank is a distinct possiblity, especially given the fact that the Ichang-Chungking road is the most direct Japanese axis of advance on Chungking from the current front lines. Also this part of the front has been relatively inactive lately.

However, the southern flank cannot be ignored either given the recent emphasis of Japanese air recon activity in this area. Pillager could be flying recon here for a number of reasons - including trying to find a weak part of the front lines, how many Chinese LCU's are in the south, etc.

My plans include monitoring Sigint reports, also ordering selected air and ground bombardment attacks by Chinese forces to determine numbers and exact identity of Jap LCU's at various locations.

Chinese reserves should be well set to reinforce either the northern or southern flanks. The group of Chinese corps I'm moving to Tuyun are positioned to move either S (towards Nanning) or SE (along the Kweiyang-Changsha road towards hex 44,35). The northern flank can be reinforced by a large pool of Chinese corps rebuilding and refitting in Chungking - these LCU's can be moved south as well.

All points along the current front lines (both north and south) are now held in strength by Chinese forces.

The only point where Chinese forces are now retreating is from the adjacent forest hex SW of Honan. This hex is occupied by three Chinese corps and is an exposed salient which is of little value in the current situation. Chinese corps in this hex are not in good supply (I am airlifiting supply to this hex which appears to be allowing the Chinese corps to move back) and can be easily cutoff by a Japanese attack.




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