Summary of Operations 3/13/43

Summary of Operations 3/13/43 (Full Version)

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wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/13/43 (6/28/2008 7:11:27 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/13/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 65 days. Central Pacific: U.S. subs reporting light Jap air patrols near Kwajalein and Canton Is - G4M Betty, E13A1 Jake, B6N2 Jill (almost definately land-based). Several Jap TF's detected by U.S. subs operating S of the Japanese home islands (probable ASW TF's). AAR of one contact with Jap ASW TF follows. It is noteworthy that contacts between U.S. subs and Jap ASW TF's in many cases are U.S. subs attacking ships in the Jap ASW TF. While attacking Jap DD's, PC's, MSW's do not put large numbers into the Allied VP column, sinking or severely damaging these ships does cut into Pillager's future capability to counter Allied mines and sub attacks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 67,48 Japanese Ships DD Namikaze DD Hasu DD Tsuga DD Kuri DD Numakaze Allied Ships SS Sunfish, hits 1 (minor damage, remaining on patrol) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Game question for readers... I've noticed two damaged Allied subs (one British, the other a U.S. S-class) that never repaired completely when brought into a shipyard, even when left there for a considerable period of time (longer than the time required to repair other damaged subs in the same shipyards). What I noticed about each of the subs were two things - (1) both subs repaired to system damage 1, they would not repair to system damage 0; and (2) both subs appeared to have torpedo tube damage that remained unrepaired even when the subs were brought to large shipyards (San Francisco & Aden). Anyone else encounter running into something like this? U.S. carriers have sortied in response to (see below). I am considering a second raid on Kwajalein (44 Jap ships detected at anchor), though several other targets under consideration as well. Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Auckland, otherwise quiet. Allied shipping moving westbound to Australia still being held up at Wellington. Australia: Jap carrier air strike (port attack) against Brisbane, AAR and situation map follow. Appears that all of the KB and at least some smaller Jap carriers were involved. Given the results of this attack, Pillager did not get a big return on his investment (at least yet).

Micke II -> RE: Summary of Operations 3/13/43 (6/28/2008 8:00:33 PM)
quote: Game question for readers... I've noticed two damaged Allied subs (one British, the other a U.S. S-class) that never repaired completely when brought into a shipyard, even when left there for a considerable period of time (longer than the time required to repair other damaged subs in the same shipyards). What I noticed about each of the subs were two things - (1) both subs repaired to system damage 1, they would not repair to system damage 0; and (2) both subs appeared to have torpedo tube damage that remained unrepaired even when the subs were brought to large shipyards (San Francisco & Aden). Anyone else encounter running into something like this? I have encountered exactly the same problem. It's a bug reported in a previous thread. See Castor Troy's post on this subject in: http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=696344&mpage=2&key= It's seems the torpedo tube is operational despite the screen showing the contrary.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/13/43 (6/29/2008 3:38:11 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/13/43, part deux. There appears to be some kind of technical problem, either on my end or in the Matrix site (?), that isn't letting me post screen prints even though they are half the maximum (750K) size that can be uploaded. Many of the screen prints I posted earlier are no longer visible either. We'll continue with reports for now and post any screen prints later once the issue is resolved. Australia: Jap carrier air strike (port attack) against Brisbane, AAR follow (I do have a situation map, will post it later). Appears that all of the KB and at least some smaller Jap carriers were involved. Given the results of this attack, Pillager did not get a big return on his investment (at least yet). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Brisbane , at 45,119 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 87 D4Y Judy x 204 A6M3a Zero x 29 B5N2 Kate x 208 B6N2 Jill x 26 Allied aircraft Boomerang II x 10 Japanese aircraft losses D4Y Judy: 1 destroyed, 26 damaged A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses Boomerang II: 10 destroyed Allied Ships (both sunk) AK Matafele, Bomb hits 15, on fire, heavy damage AK Gnair, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage Allied ground losses: 170 casualties reported Guns lost 6 Vehicles lost 2 Port hits 87 Port fuel hits 8 Port supply hits 17 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 8 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 9 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 28 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 21 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 28 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 21 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 24 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 24 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 28 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 20 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 27 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 21 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 19 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 18 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 18 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 13 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 8 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Port damage 28 reported at Brisbane, airfield and LCU's remain intact. Multiple KB TF's are located NE of Brisbane, cannot determine direction of movement. Jap carriers identified from attacking air groups include the following - Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Junyo, Zuiho, Hosho, Ryuho. Pretty much everybody except the Hiyo. Allied and Japanese air forces in NW Australia again trade air strikes. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 13 A6M3a Zero x 18 Allied aircraft A-20G Havoc x 16 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 4 damaged A6M3a Zero: 3 damaged Allied aircraft losses A-20G Havoc: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged Runway hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 10000 feet 2 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 15 Ki-49 Helen x 14 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed C-47 Dakota: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 66 casualties reported Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 18 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Detected status of Jap base in Daly Waters - airfield damage 2, 50 aircraft (23 fighters), 11 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Darwin reporting Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 1 Jap TF (-1 from last report), 2 Jap LCU's. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting fighters on CAP, 1 Jap TF (+1 from last report), 1 disbanded ship in port, 7 Jap LCU's. DEI: Busy day for SS Halibut, AAR's follow. Light Jap air patrols reported by Allied subs operating in the area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 34,64 Japanese Ships AK Johore Maru Allied Ships SS Halibut -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 34,64 Japanese Ships TK Nisshin Maru #2, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (confirmed sunk) Allied Ships SS Halibut -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sigint report for 3/13 includes entry indicating Jap 137 IJN Base Force located at Bali. 137 Base Force is new to the known Japanese OOB as no previous report on this unit. India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong. RAF dive bombers hit Jap airfield at Myitkyina - first Allied air attack on Myitkyina since its capture by the Japs. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28 Allied aircraft Vengeance I x 16 Allied aircraft losses Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged Japanese ground losses: 52 casualties reported Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 3 Aircraft Attacking: 15 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap air strikes on Imphal base and Allied LCU's in Imphal, also Chinese divisions withdrawing towards Imphal and in position N of Lashio. No significant damage or casualties in any of these attacks. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 3 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 16 Ki-49 Helen x 37 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 3 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 12 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 36th LAA Regiment , at 34,26 (located in Imphal) Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6 Ki-48-II Lily x 31 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 14 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 32810 feet 17 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 32810 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 22nd New Chinese Division, at 36,30 (N of Lashio) Japanese aircraft Ki-51 Sonia x 27 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 7 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 27 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 93rd Chinese Division, at 35,27 (withdrawing towards Imphal) Japanese aircraft Ki-51 Sonia x 11 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 11 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hudson I recon over Rangoon reports 2 Jap TF's, 365 aircraft (111 fighters, 89 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). Jap ASW (both surface and air) active off Rangoon - AAR follows. Jap air patrols off Rangoon include G4M Betty, Ki-21 Sally, F1M2 Pete, Ki-49 Helen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 29,34 Japanese Ships DD Kiji DD Sagi DD Kikuzuki DD Michishio Allied Ships SS O24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap "minesweeping" operations underway in Rangoon. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 29 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33) Japanese Ships PC Shonon Maru #15 PC Toshi Maru #3 TK Kaijo Maru #2, Mine hits 1 (no report of sinking) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Pakhoi, Chengtu. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/14/43 (6/29/2008 7:31:46 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/14/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 64 days. Central Pacific: U.S. submarines near Kwajalein and Canton Is report light Jap air patrols - G4M Betty in both locations. U.S. carrier TF's at sea west of Johnston Is, probable target Kwajalein or Canton Is area (whichever proves to be the most target-rich environment). As long as Pillager has the KB operating off Australia, time to have my own party... Carriers can expect to encounter G4M's though probably not in large numbers. Pillager has G4M squadrons widely scattered and G4M's are detected operating in practically all theaters. U.S. subs operating off Japanese home islands report very light Jap air patrols. SS Pogy scores one last hit before returning to base (out of torpedoes) for replenishment. AAR follows. More U.S. subs have left Pearl Harbor and are enroute to patrol area S of the Jap home islands. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 68,47 Japanese Ships AK Shinshu Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking) Allied Ships SS Pogy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Auckland, otherwise quiet. Australia: KB launches air strike (port attack) against Rockhampton. AAR follows, still cannot post a situation map. Port damage 37 reported in Rockhampton, airfield and LCU's intact. No Allied ships damaged or sunk. The few Allied ships based in Rockhampton (PC's and MSW's) departed on 3/13. Two additional Jap carriers identified in the KB group off Australia - CVL Shoho (air group identified in the attack) and CVE Unyo (spotted by Hudson I flying naval search). KB task force group spotted SE of Rockhampton (still within striking range of Brisbane). One KB task force reported moving NE, appears that other KB TF's could be set to follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Rockhampton , at 47,113 Japanese aircraft D4Y Judy x 170 A6M3a Zero x 5 B5N2 Kate x 176 B6N2 Jill x 25 Japanese aircraft losses D4Y Judy: 1 destroyed, 28 damaged B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged B6N2 Jill: 3 damaged Allied ground losses: 80 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Port hits 45 Port fuel hits 9 Port supply hits 16 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 8 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 9 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 28 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 27 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 23 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 27 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 19 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 26 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 20 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 12 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 18 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 10 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 11 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 7 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports fighters on CAP, no Jap TF's (-1 from last report), 1 disbanded ship in port, 7 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Darwin reporting 1 Jap TF, 15 aircraft (8 bombers), 2 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M3a fighters on CAP, 1 Jap TF, 95 aircraft (12 fighters, 35 bombers), 5 LCU's. SS Harder departing Perth for patrol in the DEI is heading to Exmouth to engage the Jap TF if it can catch it leaving Exmouth. SS Harder detected one G4M Betty on air patrol (probably based in Exmouth). DEI: Light Japanese air patrols reported by Allied subs - variety of plane types including G4M Betty, Ki-21 Sally, Ki-48 Lily, Ki-49 Helen, J1N1 Irving. SS Halibut attacks Jap ASW TF in Macassar Straits, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 34,64 Japanese Ships MSW Seki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (confirmed sunk) PC Ch 21 PC Ch 2 PG Heijo Maru MSW Mejima Maru Allied Ships SS Halibut -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Imphal. No major ground or air combat activity to report. Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - no Jap TF's, 334 aircraft (90 fighters, 85 bombers). Dutch submarine O-24 in action off Rangoon, AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 29,34 Japanese Ships TK Kaijo Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (no report of sinking) Allied Ships SS O24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 29,34 Japanese Ships DD Kiji DD Sagi DD Kikuzuki DD Michishio Allied Ships SS O24, hits 1, on fire (direct hit, moderate damage, returning to base for repairs) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Tuyun, Chengtu. Otherwise quiet. Entry in Sigint report for 3/14 indicates Jap 2 Independent Brigade has split into sub-units, Sigint entry reporting "B" sub-unit of 2 Independent Brig is in Tatung.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/15/43 (6/30/2008 3:35:19 AM)
Summary of Operations 3/15/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 63 days. Central Pacific: U.S. submarines near Kwajalein and Canton Is continue reporting light Jap air patrols - G4M Betty in both locations. 56 ships detected disbanded in port at Kwajalein. SS Catchalot near Kwajalein engaged Jap ASW TF, a Jap MSW torpedoed and confirmed sunk. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 82,85 Japanese Ships MSW Wa 19, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PC Ch 14 PC Ch 11 PC Ch 5 PC Ch 4 MSW Kaiyo Maru #3 MSW Kaiyo Maru #1 MSW Hinode Maru #18 MSW Hinode Maru #17 MSW Asahi Maru No. 2 APD Patrol Boat No. 38 Allied Ships SS Cachalot -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. subs operating south of Japanese home islands reporting contacts with several Jap ASW TF's. AAR's of these contacts follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 64,46 Japanese Ships DD Nagatsuki DD Hatsuharu DD Yudachi DD Harusame Allied Ships SS Tunny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 68,47 Japanese Ships DD Hasu DD Oite DD Kamikaze DD Hatakaze DD Kisaragi DD Ushio Allied Ships SS Pogy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. South Pacific: Quiet. Jap recon flight over Auckland. Australia: KB task forces moving northward. BB's Yamato, Kongo. and Hiei spotted in these TF's by various Hudson I naval search flights from coastal bases in NE Australia. Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting fighters on CAP, 1 ship disbanded in port, 7 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon flights over Exmouth and Darwin report no detected activity or change in Jap forces at either location. U.S. submarine Harder reaches Exmouth and torpedoes Jap AK leaving that base. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 11,85 Japanese Ships AK Nichizui Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking) Allied Ships SS Harder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal and Chittagong. Several Jap air bombing raids against Imphal base and Allied LCU's located at Imphal, no significant damage or casualties. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20 Ki-49 Helen x 65 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 3 damaged Runway hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 16 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 12 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 30510 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 36th LAA Regiment , at 34,26 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7 Ki-48-II Lily x 9 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 32810 feet 5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 32810 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on No. 222 RAF Base Force, at 34,26 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8 Ki-48-II Lily x 26 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 32810 feet 11 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 32810 feet 3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 32810 feet 4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 32810 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hudson I recon over Rangoon reports 1 Jap TF, 349 aircraft (108 fighters, 80 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Pakhoi, Liuchow, Chengtu. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/16/43 (7/1/2008 1:55:44 AM)
Summary of Operations 3/16/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 62 days. Central Pacific: Jap air patrols (G4M Betty) active at Canton Is. No Jap air patrols or surface ASW activity near Kwajalein. E14Y1 Glen floatplane operating from a Jap submarine spotted U.S. carrier TF's SSW of Wake Island (the Jap sub was also detected nearby). A second, unidentified 1-ship Jap TF (probably a sub) also detected in the same area. Pillager may have had a screen of floatplane-equipped subs deployed mid way between Johnston Is and the Marshalls to detect incoming U.S. naval attacks. Not surprisingly, the number of Japanese ships detected at anchor in Kwajalein quickly decreased from 56 to zero. However, the line of U.S. subs arranged surrounding Kwajalein from NW to W to S of the island should encounter some of the escaping Japanese ships. U.S. carrier TF's have turned NW to launch a quick strike at Wake Is (now that Kwajalein is no longer a worthwhile target). I'm not expecting to find a whole lot at Wake, just give it a work-over as long as it's nearby. After that... U.S. submarines operating off Japanese home islands encountering light Jap air patrols (G5M Liz, Ki-49 Helens), also at least one Jap surface ASW TF operating in this area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 65,46 (two attacks occurred) Japanese Ships DD Tsuga DD Namikaze DD Mutsuki DD Kuri DD Minazuki DD Numakaze DD Mochizuki DD Uzuki DD Akizuki Allied Ships SS Sawfish, hits 1 (both attacks combined, Sawfish moderately damaged, heading for Adak Is) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Auckland, otherwise quiet. Sigint report of 3/16 includes two entries indicating new Jap LCU's in the South Pacific - 30 Special Base Force at Wallis Is and 140 IJN Base Force at Upolu. No previous report on either Jap unit, both new to Japanese OOB. Australia: KB continues moving northward along the east coast of Australia, now located ESE of Townsville. Multiple naval air strikes launched against Allied ships that were pushed northward after the initial KB attack on Brisbane - these ships split into 1-2 ship TF's and kept at sea to maximize their (however slim) possiblity of evading attack and also force the KB to expend more of its available carrier ops. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 47,105 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 14 D4Y Judy x 7 A6M3a Zero x 5 B6N2 Jill x 9 Japanese aircraft losses B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged Allied Ships TK Utacarbon, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 1 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 7 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 47,105 Japanese aircraft B6N2 Jill x 9 No Japanese losses Allied Ships TK Utacarbon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk) Aircraft Attacking: 1 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No other combat activity reported in Australia. Except for one Jap TF arriving in Darwin, Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Darwin and Exmouth all reporting no detected activity or change in Jap forces. DEI: Quiet - no reported activity. Entry from Sigint report for 3/16 indicates HQ Jap 4th Air Division now located in Soerabaja. This HQ is a new unit in the Jap OOB (no prior report). India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal and Chittagong. Japanese air bombing raids on Imphal base and Allied LCU's located in Imphal. Light damage and casualties reported. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 4 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 5 Ki-49 Helen x 56 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 75 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 destroyed Ki-49 Helen: 8 destroyed, 40 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 4 destroyed, 49 damaged Allied ground losses: 12 casualties reported Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 8 Aircraft Attacking: 12 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 20000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on No. 222 RAF Base Force, at 34,26 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 17 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 6 Ki-48-II Lily x 17 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 71 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 damaged Ki-48-II Lily: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 9 destroyed, 24 damaged (actual destroyed count less) Allied ground losses: 12 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 6 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 20000 feet 10 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 20000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RAF and USAAF 2E bombers strike Jap airfield at Meiktila. No significant damage to Meiktila base or aircraft losses reported. Two RAF fighter squadrons have upgraded aircraft from Hurricane II to Spitfire V. Hudson I recon over Rangoon reporting 2 Jap TF's (+1 from last report), 2 ships disbanded in port, 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). Jap minesweeping operations at Rangoon, one DD hit and damaged. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 238 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33) Japanese Ships DD Kiji, Mine hits 1, on fire DD Kikuzuki DD Sagi DD Michishio -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Liuchow, Tuyun, Chengtu. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/17/43 (7/2/2008 12:17:00 AM)
Summary of Operations 3/17/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 61 days. A bit hard figuring out exactly what did or did not happen this game turn, lots of "synch bug" activity. Central Pacific: U.S. subs report no Jap air patrols near Kwajalein or Canton Is. SS Cuttlefish in action against a Jap ASW TF, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 79,84 Japanese Ships APD Patrol Boat No. 32, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (confirmed sunk) MSW Seki Maru #3 MSW Rikusen Maru DD Hokaze DD Yukaze APD Akikaze APD Hakaze DD Yamagumo Allied Ships SS Cuttlefish, hits 1 (no damage reported) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S carrier TF's moving NW towards Wake Is - did not move not close enough to Wake to launch air strikes, but close enough to draw a strike from Japanese air units on Wake. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 90,74 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 24 G4M1 Betty x 22 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 212 Japanese aircraft losses (one A6M3a Zero escaped, all other planes "splashed" along with their pilots) A6M3a Zero: 23 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 22 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 19 damaged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. submarines off Japanese home islands report no enemy air activity. SS Sunfish moderately damaged (44 system, 35 float) in action vs Jap ASW TF. AAR follows. Sunfish now moving at 11 kts to base at Adak Is. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 68,47 Japanese Ships DD Hasu DD Oite DD Hatakaze DD Kamikaze DD Kisaragi DD Ushio Allied Ships SS Sunfish, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (one direct hit) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Norfolk Is and Auckland. Otherwise quiet. Westbound shipping between U.S. and Australia continues to be held up in Wellington. Australia: KB continues activity along Australian east coast - now located off Townsville. Numerous Jap carrier air strikes on dispersed Allied ships, carrier planes supported by G4M Betty squadron based at Portland Roads. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 46,105 Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 18 Allied aircraft Wirraway x 9 No Japanese losses No Allied losses Allied Ships (both sunk) MSW Gladstone, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage MSW Bowen, Torpedo hits 2, 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, near Townsville at 46,105 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 93 A6M3a Zero x 33 B6N2 Jill x 16 Allied aircraft Wirraway x 9 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses Wirraway: 9 destroyed Allied Ships MSW Toowoomba, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (severe damage) AS Janssens, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (sunk) Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 48,108 Japanese aircraft D4Y Judy x 28 B5N2 Kate x 17 No Japanese losses Allied Ships PC Gemma, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk) Aircraft Attacking: 1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 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 9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 46,105 Japanese aircraft D4Y Judy x 24 B5N2 Kate x 17 No Japanese losses Allied Ships (both sunk) MSW Gympie, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage MSW Rockhampton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 6 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 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 9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 47,109 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 67 A6M3a Zero x 27 B5N2 Kate x 19 B6N2 Jill x 7 No Japanese losses Allied Ships (both sunk) MSW Wollongong, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Tamworth, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet 1 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 47,109 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 4 D4Y Judy x 25 No Japanese losses Allied Ships MSW Whyalla, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 7 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 46,105 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 9 (operating from Portland Roads base) Allied aircraft Wirraway x 12 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged Allied Ships MSW Gladstone MSW Bowen Aircraft Attacking: 1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 46,105 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 6 (operating from Portland Roads base) Allied aircraft Wirraway x 12 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged Allied aircraft losses Wirraway: 1 damaged Allied Ships MSW Rockhampton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. Other than KB strikes, no other combat activity reported in Australia. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting fighters on CAP, 1 ship disbanded in port, 7 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Darwin reports one unidentified Jap TF in Darwin, 2 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M3a fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU's. AK Nichisui Maru reported and confirmed sunk N of Exmouth. Nichisui Maru torpedoed while leaving Exmouth by U.S. sub Harder on 3/15. DEI: SS Grunion in action against Jap ASW TF off Soerabaja. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 24,67 Japanese Ships PC Takunan Maru #5 PC Showa Maru #5 PC Showa Maru #3 MSW Toshi Maru #2 MSW Rokko Maru MSW Musashi Maru MSW Hinode Maru #20 MSW Choun Maru #21 MSW Choun Maru #18 Allied Ships SS Grunion, hits 2 (no damage reported) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 24,67 Japanese Ships MSW Hinode Maru #20 PC Takunan Maru #5 PC Showa Maru #5 PC Showa Maru #3 MSW Toshi Maru #2 MSW Rokko Maru MSW Musashi Maru MSW Choun Maru #21 MSW Choun Maru #18 Allied Ships SS Grunion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong. Otherwise quiet. Hudson I recon over Rangoon reporting 2 Jap TF's, 5 ships disbanded in port (+3 from last report), 347 aircraft (108 fighters, 80 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). China: Jap recon flights over Pakhoi, Chungking, Tuyun. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/17/43 (7/2/2008 12:25:27 AM)
I'll try posting situation maps of the KB carrier action off Australia - starting with 3/13 situation map. [image]local://upfiles/18646/A6F46B73EFB447BC9772083033EF13D7.jpg[/image]

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/17/43 (7/2/2008 12:26:47 AM)
3/14 Situation Map... [image]local://upfiles/18646/4EFAB59C5E144E009708075ACE966E91.jpg[/image]

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/17/43 (7/2/2008 12:28:17 AM)
3/15 Situation Map... [image]local://upfiles/18646/82B2238830D247EC966BB85797B89E25.jpg[/image]

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/17/43 (7/2/2008 12:29:23 AM)
3/17 Situation Map.... [image]local://upfiles/18646/83016CA4B9D743A290F7B1278FA64427.jpg[/image]

wneumann -> RE: Summary of Operations 3/17/43 (7/2/2008 12:37:37 AM)
Looks like I can post screen prints again, though many of my old ones disappeared. Had to re-built my avatar in here too.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/18/43 (7/4/2008 12:56:30 AM)
Summary of Operations 3/18/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 60 days. Taking first look at 4/43 ship upgrades. Many U.S. ships of all types involved, most ship enhancements in this upgrade appear to increase AA and ASW, add radar. Central Pacific: U.S. carrier TF's retiring back to Pearl Harbor, no worthwhile targets. Many escort ships in the carrier TF's are in the 4/43 upgrade - increases in AA firepower particularly welcome. Plans to upgrade ships in the carrier TF's are now being looked at. Light air patrol and surface ASW activity continues to be reported by U.S. subs patrolling near Kwajalein and Canton Is. Two subs enroute to Pago Pago. SS Bass reports contact with one Jap AK at Gardner Is, also Jap ASW TF. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 79,82 Japanese Ships PC Kyo Maru #6 MSW Tama Maru No. 2 MSW Shonan Maru #8 MSW Shonan Maru #7 Allied Ships SS S-39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Light Jap air patrols reported by U.S. subs operating off Japanese home islands - include Ki-49 Helen, G5M Liz, F1M2 Pete, E13A1 Jake. Several contacts between U.S. subs and Jap surface ASW, AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 68,48 Japanese Ships PG Shinko Maru #5 PG Choan Maru #2 PG Chiyo Maru PG Uji PG Saga Allied Ships SS Grampus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 65,48 Japanese Ships DD Numakaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking) DD Tsuga DD Kuri DD Namikaze DD Mochizuki DD Minazuki DD Uzuki DD Mutsuki DD Akizuki Allied Ships SS Sawfish -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Penhryn. South Pacific: Four small AK sailing from Wellington arrived at Rarotonga, unloaded 600 supply. Several LCU from the U.S. and Panama City are being designated for future occupation and build up of Rarotonga base. Jap recon flights over Norfolk Is, Rarotonga, and Auckland. Quiet elsewhere. Australia: Jap carrier TF's located directly off Townsville, now attacking Cairns. AAR and situation map follows. KB task forces appear to continue moving northward. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Cairns , at 48,102 Japanese aircraft D4Y Judy x 193 A6M3a Zero x 1 B5N2 Kate x 188 B6N2 Jill x 16 Japanese aircraft losses D4Y Judy: 1 destroyed, 32 damaged B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged Allied Ships AK Tunni, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage (sunk) Allied ground losses: 258 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Port hits 41 Port supply hits 37 Aircraft Attacking: 1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 1 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 8 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 27 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 20 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 28 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 11 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 24 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 24 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 16 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 27 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 18 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 25 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 20 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 18 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 18 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 11 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 11 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 7 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [image]local://upfiles/18646/23266242C4F445838777E4386B5888B6.jpg[/image] No air or ground combat reported elsewhere in Australia. Hudson I recon flights over Darwin and Exmouth both report no activity or change in Jap forces. A6M3a fighters on CAP reported over Exmouth. Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. DEI: U.S. submarine Grenadier off Singkep attacked and hit by G5M Liz. SS Grenadier moderately damaged (34 system, 16 float) and returning to base for repair. Sigint report entry for 3/18 indicating 133 IJA Base Force now located in Batavia. New LCU in Japanese OOB, no previous report on this unit. India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Imphal. RAF and USAAF bombers strike airfield facilities in Rangoon and at Myitkyina. AAR's of both actions follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 13 Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 31 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 11 Allied aircraft Liberator III x 74 B-24D Liberator x 83 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 4 destroyed, 24 damaged Ki-61-Ib Tony: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged G3M Nell: 4 destroyed Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Liberator III: 33 damaged B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 77 damaged Japanese ground losses: 1081 casualties reported Guns lost 14 Airbase hits 14 Airbase supply hits 16 Runway hits 90 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 8 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 4 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 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator 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 3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 2 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28 Allied aircraft Blenheim IV x 10 B-25C Mitchell x 10 No Allied losses Runway hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Tuyun, Chengtu. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/19/43 (7/4/2008 4:38:02 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/19/43. Synch bug has become quite active, up to now both Pillager's (I've been receiving these with each turn) and my AAR reports have matched each other pretty well. No longer the case. Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 59 days. First set of orders being issued to disperse ships due for 4/43 upgrade. I am looking at completing upgrades to DD's first with the object of completing as many of these as quickly as possible. Of individual DD's included in the 4/43 ship upgrade, approx 25 are at U.S. west coast bases, one is at Pearl Harbor, the remainder serving as escorts with the carrier TF's. Movement orders to disperse the U.S. west coast DD's to all available shipyards (Vancouver to San Diego) is underway. 4/43 upgrades of older U.S. BB classes will be done more gradually. For these ships, the 4/43 upgrade mainly increases AA fire capability, radar in some instances. While this upgrade is valuable, it is a lower priority as older U.S. BB's are not actively involved in operations as of this time. Another priority item in the 4/43 upgrade is upgrading of newer U.S. BB's (Washington, South Dakota class) and some cruisers (Portland, Wichita, Cleveland classes). All these receive extensive increases in AA capability, particularly important as these ships are all operating as carrier escorts. CV Wasp is also in the 4/43 upgrade. Central Pacific: Light Jap air patrols reported by U.S. subs operating near Kwajalein and Canton Is, no contacts with Jap surface ASW. Appears that some Japanese ships are returning to Kwajalein, cannot determine exact numbers or identify ship types. SS Bass at Gardner Is reporting one contact with Jap AK. Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. U.S. subs off Japanese home islands report light Jap air patrols (G5M Liz, Ki-49 Helen). SS Sawfish attacked twice by Jap ASW TF, SS Scamp torpedoes Jap AK. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 66,47 Japanese Ships AK Chile Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (confirmed sunk) Allied Ships SS Scamp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 65,48 (same Jap TF in both attacks) Japanese Ships DD Tsuga DD Kuri DD Namikaze DD Mochizuki DD Minazuki DD Uzuki DD Mutsuki DD Akizuki Allied Ships SS Sawfish, hits 2 (no damage) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Rarotonga, Auckland. Otherwise quiet. Northward movement of the KB is allowing westbound Allied shipping from the U.S. to Australia held up in Wellington to be cleared to proceed between NZ and Sydney. Australia: KB task forces strike Cairns, AAR follows. Cairns reports port damage = 58. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Cairns , at 48,102 Japanese aircraft D4Y Judy x 165 A6M3a Zero x 2 B5N2 Kate x 183 B6N2 Jill x 17 Japanese aircraft losses D4Y Judy: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged Allied ground losses: 183 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Port hits 17 Port supply hits 16 Aircraft Attacking: 1 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 8 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 26 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 20 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 22 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 16 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 24 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 16 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 21 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 17 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 19 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 16 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 17 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 18 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 11 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 10 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 11 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 7 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet 9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 13000 feet 1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet 1 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 13000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight and fighter sweep over Tennant Creek. Allied fighter squadrons were stood down this turn to recover damaged aircraft and rest pilots. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 25 A6M3a Zero x 80 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 3 No Japanese losses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Darwin, and Exmouth all report no change in Jap forces or significant activity. U.S. sub Scorpion enroute from Perth to patrol in the DEI reported contact with G4M Betty flying patrol near Exmouth. DEI: No activity to report. India/Burma: Jap recon flight over Chittagong. Two Japanese air attacks on Imphal, AAR's follow. Actual Allied aircraft losses differed considerably from that shown in the AAR's below - very few planes actually destroyed, though about 15 pilots were put out of action. Reported status of Imphal base - airfield service damage 20, runway damage 16. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 33 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 40 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 21 Ki-48-II Lily x 46 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 43 Hurricane IID/IV x 17 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 10 destroyed, 13 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 damaged Ki-48-II Lily: 9 destroyed, 28 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 25 destroyed Hurricane IID/IV: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged Allied ground losses: 25 casualties reported Airbase hits 7 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 14 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet 7 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet 5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet 2 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 2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 22 A6M3a Zero x 15 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 17 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 24 Ki-49 Helen x 55 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 8 Hurricane IID/IV x 8 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged Ki-61-Ib Tony: 5 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 35 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 18 destroyed Hurricane IID/IV: 17 destroyed Allied ground losses: 37 casualties reported Airbase hits 8 Airbase supply hits 13 Runway hits 51 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 9 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-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hudson I recon over Rangoon reports 2 Jap TF's (+1 from last report), 2 ships disbanded in port, airfield damage 32, 141 aircraft (38 fighters, 46 bombers), heavy industry 44(149), 9 Jap LCU's. China: Jap recon flights over Chungking and Pakhoi. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/20/43 (7/5/2008 11:59:09 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/20/43. Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 58 days. Central Pacific: Light Jap air patrols (G4M Betty) reported by U.S. subs near Kwajalein, no Jap activity detected around Canton Is. Two U.S. subs reach Pago Pago, report Jap air patrols (G3M Nell, land-based B5N2 Kates). SS Skipjack detected Jap minefield in Pago Pago base hex. Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. U.S. submarines operating off Japanese home islands report Jap air patrol activity (G5M Liz, Ki-49 Helen, E13A1 & F1M2 floatplanes). AAR's of several actions in this area follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 65,46 Japanese Ships AP Yamato Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (no report of sinking) Allied Ships SS Sawfish -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 61,46 Japanese Ships AK Meisan Maru PC Ch 9 PC Kyo Maru #11 MSW Togo Maru MSW Ranzan Maru DD Umikaze DD Amatsukaze DD Kiyonami Allied Ships SS Tuna, hits 2, on fire (damage 21 system, 34 float - returning to base for repair) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Rarotonga and Auckland, otherwise quiet. Regular shipping traffic between Wellington and bases on the east coast of Australia (mainly Sydney) has resumed. Australia: KB task forces continue moving northward, no Jap carrier air attacks on Allied ships or bases. Jap recon flight and fighter sweep over Tennant Creek. Allied fighters squadrons remain stood down to recover damaged planes and rest pilots. No combat or casualties reported. Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Darwin, and Exmouth all report no detected Jap activity or change in Jap forces. India/Burma: No Jap recon flights reported. RAF Vengeance DB's strike Jap airfield at Myitkyina, Jap bombers continue ground strike air attacks on Chinese LCU's withdrawing from Myitkyina towards Imphal. Light damage and casualties in both attacks. Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - 1 Jap TF, 2 disbanded ships in port, 134 aircraft (27 fighters, 61 bombers), airfield damage 47, 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). Current situation map of Burma and NE India follows. [image]local://upfiles/18646/7E8EEE4A6C2F47C58DA15455EDA0583A.jpg[/image] China: No activity to report.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/21/43 (7/6/2008 12:23:39 AM)
Summary of Operations 3/21/43. Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 57 days. Central Pacific: U.S. subs reporting Jap air patrols near Kwajalein, Canton Is, Pago Pago. This area otherwise quiet. Several actions reported by U.S. submarines operating off Japanese home islands. SS Tunny attacked by two Jap ASW TF's, SS Grunnion in action vs a third Jap ASW TF. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 66,46 Japanese Ships DD Hasu DD Oite DD Hatakaze DD Kamikaze DD Kisaragi DD Ushio Allied Ships SS Tunny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 66,46 Japanese Ships DD Hasu DD Oite DD Hatakaze DD Kamikaze DD Kisaragi DD Ushio Allied Ships SS Tunny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 66,46 Japanese Ships DD Hasu DD Oite DD Hatakaze DD Kamikaze DD Kisaragi DD Ushio Allied Ships SS Tunny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 25,66 Japanese Ships MSW Rokko Maru PC Takunan Maru #5 PC Showa Maru #5 PC Showa Maru #3 MSW Toshi Maru #2 MSW Musashi Maru MSW Hinode Maru #20 MSW Choun Maru #21 MSW Choun Maru #18 Allied Ships SS Grunion, hits 4 (no reported damage) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 25,66 Japanese Ships MSW Choun Maru #18, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking) PC Takunan Maru #5 PC Showa Maru #5 PC Showa Maru #3 MSW Toshi Maru #2 MSW Rokko Maru MSW Musashi Maru MSW Hinode Maru #20 MSW Choun Maru #21 Allied Ships SS Grunion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Auckland and Rarotonga. Otherwise quiet. Australia: Two KB TF's spotted off Portland Roads still moving NW, contact lost with other KB TF's. No Jap carrier air attacks on Allied ships or bases. Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek, also fighter sweep (I'll pass up the opportunity, thank you). AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 26 A6M3a Zero x 62 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 29 No Japanese losses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Exmouth, Darwin again report no detected Jap activity or change in Jap forces. India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal and Chittagong. Jap air bombing attacks on Chinese divisions withdrawing to Imphal and in position N of Lashio. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 22nd New Chinese Division, at 36,30 (in position N of Lashio) Japanese aircraft Ki-51 Sonia x 27 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 27 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 96th Chinese Division, at 35,27 (withdrawing to Imphal) Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 35 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 3 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 23 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 20 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 15 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - 1 Jap TF, 2 disbanded ships in port, 130 aircraft (28 fighters, 51 bombers), airfield damage 44, 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). China: Jap recon flights over Pakhoi, Chungking, Sining. Current situation map of China follows. [image]local://upfiles/18646/51B0679B82C94B05B79CBD508FAFE755.jpg[/image]

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/22/43 (7/7/2008 12:01:16 AM)
Summary of Operations 3/22/43. Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 56 days. Central Pacific: U.S. subs near Kwajalein reporting increased Jap air patrols - include G4M Betty, carrier aircraft (B6N2 Jill & D4Y Judy), E13A1 Jake. Light Jap air patrol activity near Canton Is and Pago Pago. SS Sailfish torpedoes Jap AK near Kwajalein, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 80,82 Japanese Ships AK Asuka Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking) Allied Ships SS Sailfish, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. submarines off Japanese home islands in action against Jap ASW TF's. AAR's follow. Light Jap air patrols (F1M2 Pete & E13A1 Jake float planes). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 65,46 Japanese Ships DD Hasu DD Oite DD Hatakaze DD Kamikaze DD Kisaragi DD Ushio Allied Ships SS Sawfish -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 66,47 Japanese Ships DD Mochizuki DD Mutsuki DD Uzuki DD Minazuki DD Namikaze DD Numakaze Allied Ships SS Scamp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 66,47 Japanese Ships DD Mutsuki DD Uzuki DD Minazuki DD Numakaze DD Mochizuki Allied Ships SS Scamp, hits 3, on fire (19 system/80 float damage, heading to Adak Is) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 65,46 Japanese Ships DD Oite DD Hasu DD Hatakaze DD Kamikaze DD Kisaragi DD Ushio Allied Ships SS Sawfish, hits 4, on fire (45 system/80 float damage, heading to Adak Is) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Rarotonga and Auckland, otherwise quiet. Australia: Contact lost with KB task forces off NE Australia. Jap recon flight and airfield bombing strike against Tennant Creek. AAR follows. Reported damage at Tennant Creek - airfield service damage 10, runway damage 0. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 25 A6M3a Zero x 70 J1N1-R Irving x 3 Ki-49 Helen x 20 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses J1N1-R Irving: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed A-20G Havoc: 3 destroyed B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 129 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 31 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allied recon flights over Port Moresby and Exmouth both report no detected activity or change in Jap forces. Hudson I recon over Darwin reports Jap TF now in Darwin, 2 Jap LCU's. DEI: No activity to report. Two U.S. subs currently deployed in the Java Sea, no detected Jap air patrols or ship movements. India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong, Dimapur. Light Jap air bombing attack on Chinese divisions withdrawing towards Imphal - light casualties. Walrus float plane flying patrol from Colombo spots unidentified Jap submarine near southern tip of India (hex 8,22), Bombay may be a possible destination of this sub. British ASW TF's formed at Colombo and Bombay - both TF's sent to pursue and attack this contact. F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 1 Jap TF, 1 disbanded ship in port, 136 aircraft (37 fighters, 49 bombers), airfield damage 36, 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). China: Jap recon flights over Liuchow, Chungking, Tuyun, Chengtu. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Game Question (7/7/2008 9:14:52 PM)
View of the Big Picture #12 � Allied Fighter Aircraft A number of factors have combined to result in a situation where most front-line Allied fighter squadrons will need to be withdrawn to rear-area bases and kept out of combat except in critical situations. The premise for this decision is keeping a Allied fighter strength as a �force in being� and at least available for critical situations is perhaps preferable to leaving Allied fighter squadrons in the front lines and fighting to the last plane. Factors contributing to this problem include (and maybe not limited to) the following. 1) Player Defined Upgrades OFF � Pillager and I agreed on it, can�t change it in any event. I don�t consider this the biggest factor, though it does eliminate the flexibility of doing �backward� upgrades to older plane types or possible �lateral� upgrades to plane types with larger numbers of planes available in the replacement pool. As shown in the table below, a number of potential �non-gamey� aircraft upgrades exist which are not possible with defined upgrades turned off. Another effect of turning player defined upgrades off is some plane types in the replacement pool (notably P-39Q and FM2 Wildcats) are totally unavailable as there are no squadrons that either use or can be upgraded to use these plane types. 2) Do Not Upgrade setting on Air Units � This factor is certainly my mistake and is perhaps the biggest single factor leading to this situation. Until several months ago, no Allied air units were set to �Do Not Upgrade� with the result that planes were quietly drawn from the replacement pool for air units that were automatically upgrading. The effect of the "Do Not Upgrade" factor is most apparent in the shortage of available P-40E aircraft. 3) Combat attrition - Self explanatory. This factor is the major cause for the shortage of available Hurricane II aircraft, P-40E fighters to a lesser extent. My estimate is the present situation with Allied fighter air strength and replacement plane shortages could easily continue through late 1943, possibly into early 1944. The following table includes figures on the main Allied fighter plane types currently in use or available as of 3/23/43. [image]local://upfiles/18646/69ACE88F7A424F15A3AB5C7A819437B4.jpg[/image] Note: Land-based Martlet fighters are surviving aircraft from sunken British CV Illustrious and CVL Hermes. As the situation with Allied fighter deployment and strength varies considerably by area and theater, the discussion will cover present situation and possible solutions for each area or theater individually. Any comments, questions, suggestions from readers is most welcome. 1) USN and USMC (both carrier and land-based): This is the one area where there is no problem. Ample reserves of both F4F-4 and F4U-1 fighters exist in the replacement pool. There are a number of land-based F4F squadrons (mostly in training) that are upgradable to F4U-1�s � squadrons in training will keep their F4F�s until they enter front line service or otherwise necessary. Having FM2 Wildcats available would be nice, though probably not necessary when all is said and done. 2) USAAF (Eastern and North Pacific): Most fighter squadrons are based in Hawaii with several squadrons in Alaska, Midway, and the Line Islands. This area is where the �Do Not Upgrade� setting (or lack thereof) sent a large number of available P-40E fighters out of the replacement pool to �auto-upgrade� squadrons. Ten P-40E equipped fighter squadrons (240 planes) are based in Pearl Harbor, nearly all with pilot experience levels in the mid-50�s, and all in training. The Pearl Harbor P-40E squadrons are supported by 5 or 6 land-based F4F and F4U fighter squadrons. The two front-line P-38G squadrons are in this area (one on Palmyra, the other at Adak). Fighter squadrons based in Alaska and the Line Islands operate a variety of plane types. Many fighter squadrons based in the Line Islands are land-based USN or USMC equipped with either F4F-4 or F4U-1. With the lack of combat in the Eastern and North Pacific areas (due to U.S. and Japanese bases being out of range from each other), nearly all USAAF and land-based USN/USMC fighter squadrons in this area are heavily in training � pilot experience levels range from the mid-50�s to high-60�s. 3) USAAF (U.S. West Coast and Panama), RCAF (in Canada): These areas include nearly all the �rear area� fighter planes and squadrons shown in the table above. All fighter squadrons in these areas are in training, most with pilot experience levels in the high-50�s closing in on 60. Until I caught this, the �Do Not Upgrade� setting was sending P-38F�s and G�s from the replacement pool into training squadrons. There are a number of P-39D squadrons (11 of them) that all upgrade to P-38G�s � these squadrons are keeping their P-39�s while training and not planned to upgrade until leaving the U.S. for front-line service. Three squadrons with P-40E�s are also training in the U.S. RCAF fighter squadrons still in Canada include three Kittyhawk I, two Hurricane II, and one Hurricane IID/IV. One additional RCAF Kittyhawk squadron transferred to North Pacific command and now based on Adak. 4) Australia (USAAF and RAAF): The core of front-line Allied fighter strength in this area includes four USAAF P-40E squadrons and six RAAF fighter squadrons (two Hurricane II, four Kittyhawk I). Most front-line Allied fighter squadrons are based at Tennant Creek opposing Jap air forces in NW Australia. Shortages of P-40E and Hurricane II replacement planes will very likely ground these squadrons. If so, the Kittyhawk I squadrons will be grounded as well as these squadrons alone are numerically no match for Pillager�s air strength over Australia. RAAF fighter squadrons equipped with Wirraways and Boomerangs, along with several Dutch squadrons (none upgraded from their original equipment) are based at coastal bases in South Australia and along the Australian east coast. All these squadrons are in training and more likely to be cannon fodder than contribute significantly in active combat. 5) India (USAAF, AVG and RAF): This is the area where the shortage of both Hurricane II and P-40E planes has the greatest effect on Allied fighter combat capability, nearly all the front line Hurricane fighter squadrons are engaged over this area. The RAF Hurricane II squadrons along with the AVG squadrons (all AVG squadrons flying the P-40E) represent 80-90% of available Allied fighter strength over Burma and India. It is here where Allied fighter squadrons will have to be grounded as replacement pools do not keep up with combat attrition. There are several Hurricane IID/IV squadrons and two squadrons recently upgraded from Hurricane II�s to Spitfire V. Like the Kittyhawk squadrons in Australia, the Hurricane IID/IV and Spitfire V squadrons will also have to be grounded as these squadrons alone are numerically no match for what Pillager has to throw at them. There are several RAF fighter squadrons that can still upgrade from Hurricane II to Spitfire V, but unfortunately not enough Spitfire V planes available to upgrade without creating a shortage of Spitfire V's for the converted squadrons, plus the upgrades would not free enough Hurricane II�s into the replacement pools to solve the problem long term. Solutions� a) Ground all front line P-40E and Hurricane II squadrons in combat areas (India and NW Australia) until sufficient numbers of replacement aircraft return to the pool and/or until squadrons equipped with Hurricane II or P-40E can be upgraded to other plane types - This action would likely require the grounding of Allied fighter squadrons in combat areas equipped with plane types (other than Hurricane II or P-40E) as well, these other squadrons alone being at a serious numeric disadvantage vs Japanese air strength opposing them. It is estimated that grounding fighter squadrons would have to be done for a minimum 2-3 months, possibly until late 1943 or even the start of 1944 Nearly all USAAF and AVG P-40E equipped fighter squadrons upgrade to P-40N (available 4/43, replacement rate 75, no known production quantity). A consideration here is upgrades will compete for available planes with a significant number of P-40N equipped fighter squadrons entering the game as reinforcements. Hurricane II squadrons upgrade to a variety of plane types including Spitfire V (now available, replacement rate 30), Spitfire VIII (available 10/43, replacement rate 50), and Thunderbolt II (available 9/43, replacement rate 40). None of the replacement plane types for the Hurricane II have a known production quantity. Competition for available planes between upgrading Hurricane II squadrons and new Spitfire V or VIII or Thunderbolt II equpped fighter squadrons entering the game as reinforcements is also a factor. b) Bring up P-38F and G equipped squadrons now training at U.S. bases - This option could be useful particularly in Australia. Transporting P-38 squadrons by ship to Australia would take a significant amount of time (required as Pillager has the main historical route of communication from the U.S. to Australia cut off and no other means exist to transfer squadrons from island to island by air). Experience levels of these squadrons would be relatively low, high 50�s maybe 60 at the most. On the bright side, PP�s to transfer the squadrons are readily available, relatively larger numbers of P-38F and G exist in the replacement pool, and can also upgrade a number of P-39D squadrons to P-38�s. c) I don�t see either air unit withdraw or disband as a viable option. Neither of these actions put planes back into the replacement pool, not to mention the possibility that doing air unit withdraw or disband results in creating other unforeseen problems later. d) Any solution will have to ensure that sufficient fighter planes are in the replacement pools to equip new squadrons entering the game as reinforcements, allow for plane upgrades, replace combat losses to maintain existing squadrons at strength, and allow a modest flow of planes to increase replacement pools. One way or another, Jap fighters will be ruling the air over nearly all theaters for at least the short term. My options are to either keep Allied fighter squadrons in combat until reduced to nothing (losing both planes and pilots), or bite the bullet now. The first option is suicidal and accomplishes only more long-term damage, the second option equally unpleasant but at least I save planes, pilots and live to fight another day. Either way I'm giving up something to Pillager, my thought is the less the better.

Alfred -> RE: Game Question (7/8/2008 8:31:57 AM)
It has been a while since I have looked at this mod, so I may not be correct in what follows. 1. Check your upgrade paths for your Dutch and Chinese airforce. I am pretty certain that the the Chinese fighters will upgrade to the P-40N, and the Dutch might also so upgrade. 2. I would definitely start moving some of your Hawaian and continental USA fighters to the frontline in Australia. Although their experience level is not very high, you will find it very difficult and time consuming to get their experience up much further without them engaging in some combat. Consequently I would throw them into the front lines in Australia to provide 90% CAP and thus quickly gain experience shooting down enemy bombers. By operating over their own bases, you significantly increase the chances of recovering downed pilots. 3. Unless you plan to use your P-38G unit at Adek this summer in offensive operations, I think it would be better employed in Australia. 4. Use your P-38G more aggressively and away from the rear training areas because you have adequate airframes in reserve. IIRC you get a new Lightning model reasonably soon but more importantly, you want to exploit the flight characteristics of the P-38G now in this window of opportunity before the new IJN models of August/September 1943 arrive. 5. The KB raid along the east Australian coast is likely to be repeated soon. As the enemy appears to be concentrating on sending out unescorted Kates and Judys, there is an opportunity for your Boomerangs to make a surprise ambush - they could be relocated from your southern bases to the east coast. Reinforce the ambush base with AA units and even if the KB starts to escort its bombers, you may inflict some surprise air losses on the KB. Remember, to get pilot experience above the mid 60s, you really need to expose them to combat, preferably against unescorted enemy bombers. Alfred

wneumann -> RE: Game Question (7/8/2008 3:35:21 PM)
Appreciate your input, Alfred. Just to respond or add to some of your points... 1) Chinese fighter squadrons do upgrade to the P-40N, the Dutch squadrons (if I'm correct) to the Kittyhawk III. As of now, the first priority for upgrade to P-40N's will go to the three AVG squadrons in NE India followed closely by the four USAAF fighter squadrons operating in NW Australia. These squadrons are the most combat experienced squadrons flying P-40E's, and the upgrade of these 7 squadrons releases a total of (up to) 168 P-40E's into the replacement pool. The good news on this point is that the P-40N is available in a matter of days (though I have no P-40N planes in the pool to start with). With the P-40N's replacement rate of 75 per month, it will take an estimated 1.5 months to upgrade the AVG squadrons and another 1.5 - 2 months to upgrade the USAAF squadrons in Australia. This estimate includes for allowing extra replacement P-40N planes in the replacement pool to cover combat losses after conversion. As a side note... two to three Hurricane II fighter squadrons will also upgrade to Spitfire V's during the 3 to 3.5 month time frame that I stated above. 2) Moving fighter squadrons from the continental U.S. to Australia (starting with P-38 squadrons, then P-40E) can be started rather quickly. Sending them to Australia in large numbers would be quite useful for pilot training. Pillager is also operating relatively large numbers of Jap fighters (mostly A6M3 variants) over NW Australia which would result in some amount of attrition. 3) Fighters are at a premium in the North Pacific - with Adak now being a large base (not much smaller than Pearl when fully built up), the P-38 squadron is needed there for CAP. Also remember that Pillager sent a KB raid to the Aleutians as well. 4) Think most of this was covered in point #2. 5) Pillager is welcome to send the KB back to Australia... His first raid trapped and sank a handful of ships, otherwise hit a largely empty bag. He mainly inflicted port damage which was quickly repaired. Next time the KB is running off Australia, I could have several interesting ideas of my own elsewhere that are ready to go by then. 6) Your most valuable point... getting pilot experience > 60.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/23/43 (7/8/2008 3:59:50 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/23/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 55 days. Central Pacific: Heavy Jap air patrols (G4M Betty, B6N2 Jill, D4Y Judy) reported by U.S. subs near Kwajalein. Relatively quiet in the Canton Is area and near Pago Pago. No reported contacts or action by U.S. subs near the Japanese home islands. South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Auckland and Rarotonga. Otherwise quiet. Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. Jap bombing raids on airfield facilities in Tennant Creek and Cooktown. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft (98 fighters total, this is more fighter sweep than bombing attack) A6M3 Zero x 25 A6M3a Zero x 73 J1N1-R Irving x 3 Ki-49 Helen x 15 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses J1N1-R Irving: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged Allied aircraft losses C-47 Dakota: 3 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 71 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 2 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 7 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Cooktown , at 48,100 Japanese aircraft (Jap planes flying in this raid were launched from Portland Roads) A6M3a Zero x 8 Ki-49 Helen x 17 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk I x 3 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 7 damaged Allied aircraft losses Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied ground losses: 12 casualties reported Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 12 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allied recon flights over Exmouth and Port Moresby both report fighters on CAP, otherwise no detected activity or change in Jap forces. F-5A recon over Darwin reporting one Jap TF now in Darwin, Ki-61 fighters on CAP, still 2 Jap LCU's. British TK Alcides transporting oil from Aden to Australia torpedoed by Jap submarine I-11 outside Perth. TK Alcides severely damaged and oil cargo lost. India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Imphal, Dimapur. USAAF and RAF 2E bombers strike airfield and heavy industry in Rangoon. Jap bombing raid (city strike) on Chittagong. AAR's of both actions follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33 Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 4 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9 Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 16 Allied aircraft Blenheim IV x 50 B-25C Mitchell x 21 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 4 damaged Allied aircraft losses Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 22 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged Japanese ground losses: 19 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Heavy Industry hits 4 Airbase hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 12 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 11 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Chittagong , at 31,25 Japanese aircraft Ki-61-Ib Tony x 5 Ki-48-II Lily x 23 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-48-II Lily: 3 destroyed, 17 damaged Manpower hits 12 (no actual damage) Aircraft Attacking: 18 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Light Jap bombing raids continue against Chinese divisions now withdrawing into Allied lines near Imphal, no significant casualties. F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 1 Jap TF (includes a BB?), 1 disbanded ship in port, 121 aircraft (18 fighters, 60 bombers), airfield damage 38, 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Chengtu, Liuchow. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/24/43 (7/8/2008 11:12:36 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/24/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 54 days. Central Pacific: U.S. submarines near Kwajalain continue reporting heavy Jap air patrol activity (G4M Betty, B6N2 Jill, D4Y Judy). SS Salmon at Pago Pago reports contact with Jap ASW TF - AAR follows. No activity reported in the Canton Is area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Pago Pago at 96,113 Japanese Ships DD Kuretake DD Karukaya DD Fuyo DD Sanae Allied Ships SS Salmon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. subs operating off Japanese home islands reporting very light Jap air patrols, one contact with Jap ASW TF. AAR of contact with Jap ASW TF follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 66,48 Japanese Ships DD Mochizuki DD Numakaze DD Minazuki DD Uzuki DD Mutsuki Allied Ships SS Tunny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Rarotonga and Auckland, otherwise quiet. Australia: Jap recon flight and bombing raid over Tennant Creek, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 26 A6M3a Zero x 66 J1N1-R Irving x 2 Ki-49 Helen x 15 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses J1N1-R Irving: 2 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed C-47 Dakota: 3 destroyed A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 15 casualties reported Airbase hits 7 Runway hits 23 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No contact with KB or other Jap TF's off NE Australia coast. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting A6M3a fighters on CAP, 7 Jap LCU's, no Japanese TF or ships at anchor. F-5A recon over Darwin reports Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap TF's (+1 from last report), 38 aircraft (15 fighters), 2 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M3a fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU's. British TK Alcides torpedoed 3/23 off Perth sinks outside Perth. Japanese sub I-11 attacked off Perth by small Australian ASW TF, two hits reported, no significant damage. DEI: A number of U.S. submarines still operating in this area, no contacts or attacks to report. Very light Jap air patrol activity (one Ki-21 Sally detected). India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong, Dimapur. Large Japanese air raid on Chittagong, heavy Hurricane II plane losses decimating the replacement aircraft pool. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Chittagong , at 31,25 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 13 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 91 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 67 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 36 Ki-49 Helen x 60 Ki-48-II Lily x 28 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 89 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 28 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 17 destroyed, 33 damaged Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 38 damaged Ki-48-II Lily: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 34 destroyed, 21 damaged (destroyed plane count fairly accurate, a number of pilots also lost) Allied ground losses: 62 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Airbase hits 27 Airbase supply hits 7 Runway hits 102 Aircraft Attacking: 21 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 21 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 7 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 9 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 13 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 12 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 14 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 3 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 2 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 2 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 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RAF Vengence I dive bombers strike Jap airfield in Myitkyina. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28 Japanese aircraft Ki-61-Ib Tony x 11 Allied aircraft Vengeance I x 16 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses Vengeance I: 13 damaged Japanese ground losses: 43 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 5 Aircraft Attacking: 14 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 1 Jap TF, 1 disbanded ship in port, 119 aircraft (65 fighters, 54 bombers), airfield damage 30, no other significant activity or change. Allied subs off Rangoon reporting some Jap air patrol activity (Ki-21 Sally, Ki-49 Helen). Dutch sub O-19 attacked and hit by Ki-49 Helen, no damage. China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Chengtu, Tuyun. Otherwise continues quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/25/43 (7/9/2008 10:00:57 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/25/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 53 days. Central Pacific: U.S. submarines near Kwajalain again reporting heavy Jap air patrol activity byG4M Betty, B6N2 Jill, D4Y Judy. SS Saury north of Kwajalein attacked and hit by a D4Y Judy, no damage reported. SS Cuttlefish torpedoes CA Myoko west of Kwajalein. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 79,84 Japanese Ships CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 2, on fire (probable heavy damage, no report of sinking) DD Samidare DD Shigure DD Makinami DD Kazegumo DD Akigumo DD Hatsuzuki Allied Ships SS Cuttlefish -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Light Jap air patrols reported at Pago Pago, no detected Jap activity near Canton Is. South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Auckland, Rarotonga. Otherwise quiet. I do agree with Alfred's statement of several days ago in reference to Pillager sending the KB southward again for another raid. My "gut" opinion, however, points the KB's next target to the shipping route along the southern map edge between Wellington (NZ) and Panama City/Papaete. Recent Jap recon flights over Rarotonga could possibly be a clue. Given the relatively target-poor environment the KB encountered along the Australian east coast, it would not be a surprise Pillager is looking for a more fertile location to conduct his next endeavour if he heads southward again. My guess is that the KB will appear closer to (somewhere east of) New Zealand, timing of this raid is very uncertain. Australia: Jap recon flights over Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. Japanese air strike against airfield in Tennant Creek. Once again, this attack is very heavy in fighters with only a small number of bombers. AAR follows. Reported status of Tennant Creek base - airfield service damage 1, runway damage 0. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 26 A6M3a Zero x 65 J1N1-R Irving x 2 Ki-49 Helen x 13 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses J1N1-R Irving: 2 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed C-47 Dakota: 2 destroyed A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 11 casualties reported Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 13 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting A6M3a & Ki-45 fighters on CAP, 7 Jap LCU's. No detected Jap TF's or ships anchored in port. F-5A recon over Darwin reports no Jap TF's (-2 from last report), 2 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M3 fighters on CAP, 62 aircraft (3 fighters, 24 bombers), 4 Jap LCU (-1 from last report). Hudson I naval search patrol again reports Jap sub (probably I-11) remains off Perth. Allied ASW TF sent to the hex location. DEI: Light Jap air patrols (Ki-21 Sally) reported, no attacks. Reports of several U.S. sub contacts with enemy ships, AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 34,64 (Makassar Straits) Japanese Ships TK Tonan Maru #3 Allied Ships SS Harder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 22,54 (near Palembang) Japanese Ships ML Tsurushima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (no report of sinking) Allied Ships SS Grunion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India/Burma: Jap bombing attack and a fighter sweep against Chittagong airfield facilities - heavy damage reported. AAR of the bombing raid follows. Reported status at Chittagong base - airfield service damage 43, runway damage 55. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Chittagong , at 31,25 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 15 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 14 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 12 Ki-49 Helen x 47 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 9 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 22 damaged Allied ground losses: 23 casualties reported Airbase hits 7 Airbase supply hits 4 Runway hits 32 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 10 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet 10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 7 x Ki-49 Helen 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-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nearly all Allied fighter squadrons are now pulled back to rear area bases due (directly or indirectly) to shortage of P-40E and Hurricane II fighter planes in the replacement pools. This pullback is in effect for front-line squadrons operating in India and NW Australia. F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 1 Jap TF, 1 disbanded ship in port, airfield damage 29, 183 aircraft (50 fighters, 41 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 44(149). China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Liuchow. Otherwise quiet.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/26/43 (7/11/2008 1:11:20 AM)
Summary of Operations 3/26/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 52 days. Japanese Home Islands: Sigint report for 3/26 includes entry indicating Jap 7 Coastal Gun Rgt now located at Toyohara - this LCU a new unit in the Japanese OOB. Central Pacific: Continued heavy Jap air patrol activity reported by U.S. subs near Kwajalein - plane contacts include G4M Betty, B6N2 Jill, D4Y Judy , E13A1 Jake, F1M2 Pete. No activity reported at Pago Pago or the Canton Is area. Entry from Sigint report for 3/26 indicates Yokosuka Coastal Artillery Rgt now on Tinian. Previous known location of Yokosuka Coast Artillery was Tokyo as of 12/5/42. South Pacific: Jap recon flights near Rarotonga, Auckland. Otherwise quiet. U.S. sub Skipjack sunk in engagement with Japanese ASW TF at Suva. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Suva at 83,117 Japanese Ships DD Fuyo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking) DD Karukaya DD Sanae DD Kuretake Allied Ships SS Skipjack, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (2 direct hits, sunk) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Australia: Jap recon flights over Alice Creek, Tennant Creek base, also over Allied LCU's positioned outside Tennant Creek. Another Jap air strike on Tennant Creek similar to bombing raids over the last two days. AAR of this attack follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 23 A6M3a Zero x 60 J1N1-R Irving x 2 Ki-49 Helen x 17 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses J1N1-R Irving: 2 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 13 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed C-47 Dakota: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 20 casualties reported Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 10 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting no activity or detected change in Jap forces. F-5A recon over Darwin reports Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 25 aircraft (10 fighters), 2 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M3a fighters on CAP. 41 aircraft (4 fighters, 13 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's. Japanese sub I-11 remains off Perth, shadowed by Hudson I naval search plane. G4M Betty spots U.S. sub Halibut at sea N of Geraldton. DEI: Actions in Macassar Straits and near Palembang between Jap ASW TF's and U.S. subs. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 22,54 (near Palembang) Japanese Ships AO Nihon Maru PC Ch 13 PG Kongosan Maru PG Keijo Maru DD Hiyodori DD Kasasagi DD Ayanami Allied Ships SS Grunion, hits 5 (one direct hit, damage 33 system/29 float, returning to base) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 34,64 (Makassar Straits, between Balikpapan & Tarakan) Japanese Ships PC Ch 1 PG Hong Kong Maru MSW Mejima Maru Allied Ships SS Harder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong, Dimapur. RAF and USAAF Liberators bomb heavy industry facilties in Rangoon. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 12 A6M3a Zero x 6 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20 Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 11 Allied aircraft Liberator III x 71 B-24D Liberator x 71 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 12 damaged A6M3a Zero: 3 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 11 damaged Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 3 damaged Allied aircraft losses (all planes returned to base, none destroyed) Liberator III: 1 destroyed, 43 damaged B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 62 damaged Heavy Industry hits 11 Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 6 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 6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 4 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 4 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 10000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator 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 4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 2 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet 3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet 2 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 2 Jap TF's (+1 from last report), 2 disbanded ships in port (+1 from last report), airfield damage 43, 144 aircraft (37 fighters, 47 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 41(152). Dutch submarine O-21 attacked by Jap surface ASW off Rangoon, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 29,34 Japanese Ships DD Shinonome DD Fubuki DD Ariake DD Oshio Allied Ships SS O21, hits 2, on fire (1 direct hit, system damage 23, returning to base) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Chengtu, Tuyun. Japanese ground assualt near Kweilin. AAR and situation map follow. It should be noted that Jap 3rd Tank Division is a new formation, no previous report on this unit. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 43,37 Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 20569 troops, 88 guns, 320 vehicles, Assault Value = 474 3rd Tank Division, 13 Tank Rgt Defending force 341 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12 27th Chinese Guerilla Corps Japanese max assault: 519 - adjusted assault: 1031 Allied max defense: 9 - adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 1031 to 1 Allied ground losses: 135 casualties reported Defeated Allied Units Retreating! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Movement of Jap LCU's (2 detected) from Changsha towards the front lines. Chinese bombers dispatched to identify and attack these LCU's. [image]local://upfiles/18646/928DC3A68A68419798D432DCB66B9BE6.jpg[/image]

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/27/43 (7/12/2008 6:12:17 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/27/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 51 days. Central Pacific: Continued heavy Jap air patrol activity reported by U.S. subs near Kwajalein - plane contacts include the same aircraft types. Two actions near Kwajalein - SS Spearfish attacked by a Jap ASW TF, SS Cuttlefish attacks another Jap ASW TF. AAR's of both actions follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 78,83 Japanese Ships PC Ch 14 PC Ch 11 PC Ch 5 PC Ch 4 MSW Kaiyo Maru #3 MSW Kaiyo Maru #1 MSW Hinode Maru #18 MSW Hinode Maru #17 MSW Asahi Maru No. 2 APD Patrol Boat No. 38 Allied Ships SS Spearfish, hits 6 (light damage, remaining on patrol) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 79,84 Japanese Ships DD Kazegumo DD Kuroshio DD Kagero DD Makinami DD Akigumo DD Hatsuzuki Allied Ships SS Cuttlefish -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G3M Nell air patrol detected at Pago Pago, no activity reported in the Canton Is area. No recent Jap recon flights over Penhryn Is. U.S. subs off Japanese home islands report light Jap air patrols (G5N Liz, E13A1 Jake). SS Amberjack reports two contacts with a Jap ASW TF (both actions identical, no hits or damage on either side) - AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 63,46 Japanese Ships PC Ch 12 PC Ch 10 PC Ch 7 DD Chidori DD Arashi Allied Ships SS Amberjack -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Auckland and Rarotonga. Pillager continues to have some interest in watching Rarotonga. Otherwise quiet. Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. Conditions back to normal along Australian east coast. No significant combat activity to report. Several USAAF bomber squadrons (2E and 4E) now arriving in Sydney from the U.S. More USAAF air squadrons (some bombers plus a large contingent of P-38F & G fighters) have departed the U.S. for Australia in recent days - estimated arrival in late 4/43. Japanese sub I-11 remains off Perth, attacked again by Allied ASW TF (no hits reported). Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports no detected Jap TF's or ships in port, 73 aircraft (36 fighters, 7 bombers), 7 Jap LCU's. F-5A recon over Darwin reports Ki-61 fighters on CAP, one Jap TF in Darwin (+1 from last report), 2 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M3a fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU's. DEI: Allied subs reporting light Jap air patrols. U.S sub Harder torpedoes Jap TK off Balikpapan, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 32,64 Japanese Ships TK Ceram Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking) PC Ch 21 PC Ch 2 PG Heijo Maru Allied Ships SS Harder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Dimapur, Imphal. The four Chinese divisions withdrawing from Myitkyina have all reached Kohima. Each Chinese division is at approx 60% TOE strength with roughly 2/3 of elements on strength disrupted. All four Chinese divisions are continuing their overland movement to rear area bases in NE India to recover disrupted elements and draw replacements. Two unidentified Jap LCU's detected outside (N of) Mandalay along the rail line between Mandalay and Myitkyina. Several RAF Blenheim squadrons were ordered to attack and identify the Jap LCU's. RAF Vengeance DB's bomb airfield in Myitkyina, Jap bombers strike airfield facilities in Dimapur (light damage reported). AAR's of both actions follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28 Japanese aircraft Ki-61-Ib Tony x 9 Allied aircraft Vengeance I x 16 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Vengeance I: 8 damaged Japanese ground losses: 15 casualties reported Airbase hits 2 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 7 Aircraft Attacking: 14 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Dimapur , at 35,25 Japanese aircraft Ki-61-Ib Tony x 3 Ki-51 Sonia x 27 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 11 Aircraft Attacking: 24 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 1 Jap TF (-1 from last report), no ships remaining anchored in port (-2 from last report), airfield damage 37, 180 aircraft (62 fighters, 49 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 41(152). Pillager appears to be making no attempt to repair heavy industry facilities in Rangoon, only limited activity to repair airfield damage. Dutch sub O-19 has made several trips into Rangoon to lay mines, no detected Jap activity to sweep this minefield. China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Chengtu, Tuyun. No new attacks by Japanese ground forces. Bombers making Jap air strike on Kweilin operating from undetermined base in Indochina (possibly Hanoi), AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Kweilin , at 42,37 Japanese aircraft G5N Liz x 19 No Japanese losses Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 3 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet 9 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two unidentified Jap LCU's moving forward into the front lines near Changsha. Chinese bombers have been dispatched to attack and identify the Jap LCU's.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/27/43 (7/12/2008 6:39:37 PM)
A footnote referring back to my game question of several weeks ago. quote: Two damaged Allied subs (one British, the other a U.S. S-class) that never repaired completely when brought into a shipyard, even when left there for a considerable period of time (longer than the time required to repair other damaged subs in the same shipyards). What I noticed about each of the subs were two things - (1) both subs repaired to system damage 1, they would not repair to system damage 0; and (2) both subs appeared to have torpedo tube damage that remained unrepaired even when the subs were brought to large shipyards (San Francisco & Aden). The damaged U.S. S-class sub referred to in the above question remains in a U.S. west coast shipyard. I have a second submarine (SS Narwhal) in a U.S. west coast shipyard also with system damage 1 and unrepared torpedo tube damage. Both SS Narwhal and the S-class sub are upgradable in 4/43 and remain disbanded in their respective shipyards to receive the 4/43 upgrade. Could be interesting to see what the 4/43 upgrade on the two subs does as far as whether or not the torpedo tube damage is removed.... I will post any results of this "experiment" as it becomes known. The British submarine with torpedo tube damage I referred to in the original question returned to active service and has been sent on a new combat patrol with the damaged (forward) torpedo tubes. I will also note and post any significant info on how the British sub performs as becomes known.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/28/43 (7/13/2008 2:59:17 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/28/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 50 days. Very quiet day overall. Central Pacific: No combat actions reported by U.S. subs. Decreased Jap air patrol activity near Kwajalain and Pago Pago report decreased Jap air patrol activity. Light Jap air patrols (Ki-49 Helen) reported by U.S. subs operating off Japanese home islands. Canton Is area remains quiet. South Pacific: Japanese DD Fuyo now confirmed sunk after action on 3/26 with SS Skipjack at Suva. Jap recon flights over Auckland and Rarotonga. Otherwise quiet. Australia: Jap recon flights over Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. No combat activity to report. F-5A recon over Darwin reports no detected activity or change in Jap forces. Allied recon over Port Moresby and Exmouth did not fly due to weather. DEI: U.S. sub Scorpion near Batavia reporting Jap air patrols (Ki-21 Sally, Ki-49 Helen), also engaged Jap ASW TF. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 22,59 Japanese Ships AK Shogen Maru PG Shotoku Maru MSW Wa 20 Allied Ships SS Scorpion, hits 2 (no damage) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Dimapur. RAF Blenheims attacked unidentified Jap LCU's reported (on 3/27) outside Mandalay - no Allied planes lost, light Jap casualties. One of the Jap LCU's identified as 53 Construction Bn. Previous reported location of 53 Bn was Myitkyina. Appears that 53 Bn and the second Jap LCU moving with it left Myitkyina and heading southward. F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting no detected Jap TF's, airfield damage 27, 191 aircraft (64 fighters, 49 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 41(152). Jap TF detected and sweeping mines in Rangoon, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 238 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33) Japanese Ships DD Ariake DD Oshio DD Shinonome DD Fubuki -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Jap recon flight over Chungking. Otherwise quiet (for now). Sigint report for 3/28 includes entry indicating Jap 20 Engineer Rgt is preparing for attack on Liuchow. Several Chinese INF corps moving to reinforce Liuchow. Also movement of Chinese ground units in and around Kweilin to reinforce left flank of Chinese forces defending Kweilin and Liuchow. I'm suspecting Pillager could be intending to cut off Chinese LCU's in Kweilin along with a planned attack on Liuchow.

wneumann -> RE: Summary of Operations 3/28/43 (7/13/2008 10:11:29 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/29/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 49 days. Central Pacific: U.S. subs near Kwajalein report heavy Jap air patrol activity (many G4M Betty & E13A1 Jake). Light Jap air activity near Pago Pago. No activity reported in the Canton Is area. SS Cuttlefish mixes it up with Jap ASW TF, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW and Sub attacks at 79,81 (NNW of Kwajalein) Japanese Ships DD Kuroshio DD Kagero DD Makinami DD Kazegumo DD Akigumo DD Hatsuzuki Allied Ships SS Cuttlefish, hits 3 (total both actions) (system damage 20/float damage 4, retiring to base) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. subs operating near Japanese home islands reporting light Jap air activity. Several contacts between U.S. subs and Jap ASW TF's south of Kyushu. SS Grampus also hit by F1M2 Pete in an air attack. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attacks at 62,46 (attacked twice) Japanese Ships DD Hayabusa DD Yugiri DD Asagiri DD Nenohi DD Shiratsuyu DD Onami DD Yugumo DD Niizuki Allied Ships SS Tunny, hits 4 (total both attacks), on fire (minimal damage, remains on patrol) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attacks at 67,47 (attacked twice) Japanese Ships DD Numakaze DD Namikaze DD Mochizuki DD Minazuki DD Uzuki DD Mutsuki Allied Ships SS Grampus , hits 2 (total both attacks) (damage incl F1M2 Pete attack - system damage 17/no float, retiring to base) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub and ASW attacks at 64,49 (off Chichi Jima) Japanese Ships DD Hasu DD Oite DD Hatakaze DD Kamikaze DD Kisaragi DD Ushio Allied Ships SS Albacore hits 6 (total both attacks) (system damage 10/no float damage, retiring to base) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Pacific: No Jap recon flights. All sectors quiet. Australia: No combat or detected Jap activity. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports fighters on CAP (A6M3a & Ki-45), 7 Jap LCU's. F-5A recon over Darwin reporting 24 aircraft (13 fighters), 2 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M3a fighters on CAP, 90 aircraft (8 fighters, 17 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's. DEI: Allied subs reporting light Jap air activity (Ki-21 Sally, Ki-48 Lily, Ki-49 Helen). Several sub actions reported, AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 23,54 (near Palembang) Japanese Ships AK Hokusui Maru PG Unkai Maru #1 PG Tosho Maru MSW Kongo Maru #2 Allied Ships SS KXVI -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 23,57 (off Pontianek) Japanese Ships AG AG-2061, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk) Allied Ships SS Scorpion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 22,54 (near Palembang, two attacks) Japanese Ships DD Asakaze PG Seikai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (no report of sinking) PG Nagata Maru PG Kure Maru #5 PG Kantori Maru PG Kamitsu Maru PG Ikunta Maru DD Uranami DD Usugumo DD Oyashio Allied Ships SS Herring, hits 2, on fire (system damage 12/float damage 10, retiring to base) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Entry in Sigint report of 3/29 reporting 134 IJNAF Base Force now located at Madioen (Java, near Soerabaja). No previous report on 134 Base Force, new LCU to Japanese OOB. India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Imphal, Dimapur. No reported combat. F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 2 Jap TF's (+2 from last report), 159 aircraft (51 fighters, 49 bombers), airfield damage 39, 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 41(152). Jap minesweeping ops continue in Rangoon, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 97 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33) Japanese Ships PG Eiko Maru PG Kiso Maru -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two unidentified Jap submarines detected off India. One Jap sub located off Trivandium heading NW, the second Jap sub located SE of Colombo (heading unknown). China: Jap recon flight over Chungking. Jap bombing raid on Kweilin, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Kweilin , at 42,37 Japanese aircraft G5N Liz x 19 (flying from Indochina, appear to be based in Hanoi) No Japanese losses Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 10 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet 9 x G5N Liz bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chinese bombers attack Jap LCU detected entering front lines W of Changsha - LCU identified as 15 Field Artillery Rgt. No Chinese plane losses or reported Jap casualties in the attack.

wneumann -> RE: Summary of Operations 3/28/43 (7/15/2008 12:44:06 AM)
Summary of Operations 3/30/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 48 days. North Pacific: Sigint report for 3/30 includes entry indicating Ankei SNLF now located at Etorofu (Kurile Is). Previous reported location of Ankei SNLF was Tientsin (China) on 9/1/42. Central Pacific: Reports of continued heavy Jap air patrols from U.S. subs operating near Kwajalein - most plane contacts G4M Betty & E13A1 Jake (numbers of E13A1 Jakes increasing), also small numbers of other plane types. E13A1 Jake float planes operating in large numbers could indicate Jap cruisers and/or CS(s) returning to Kwajalein base. SS Cachalot SSE of Kwajalein attacked by Jap ASW TF, also hit in air attack from D4Y Judy. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 82,85 Japanese Ships DD Isonami DD Samidare DD Shigure DD Arare DD Minegumo Allied Ships SS Cachalot, hits 2 (34 system/85 float damage, retiring to base) Damage figures above include D4Y Judy air attack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lighter Jap air patrol activity (G5N Liz, Ki-49 Helen) near Japanese home islands. SS Tunny torpedoes Jap AK south of Osaka/Kobe, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 64,46 Japanese Ships AK Genoa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (no report of sinking) Allied Ships SS Tunny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. subs at Canton Is and Pago Pago reporting no detected activity. Entry in Sigint report of 3/30 indicating 6th Mongolian Cavalry Division now located on Majuro. Previous location of 6th Div at Linhsi on 1/8/43. This report makes a total of 4-5 Japanese divisions that have been transferred from the Kwantung Army to garrison various Pacific island bases. South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Rarotonga and Auckland. Otherwise quiet. Australia: Jap recon and air bombing attack on Tennant Creek. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 21 A6M3a Zero x 56 J1N1-R Irving x 2 Ki-49 Helen x 30 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses J1N1-R Irving: 2 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 21 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed A-20G Havoc: 5 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 46 casualties reported Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 18 Aircraft Attacking: 26 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Orders and LCU movement to create a network of rear-area air bases in north Australia now underway. Planned rear-area bases will be located in Alice Springs and Cloncurry. These bases will support Allied air operations from Tennant Creek (recover damaged planes and rest pilots between combat missions) and provide transit bases for air units transferring between Tennant Creek and Townsville or bases in southern Australia. Alice Springs is already an operational air base, Cloncurry is currently vacant. Additional air base LCU's are being sent to increase capacity of Alice Springs and create an operational air base in Cloncurry (airfield size is sufficient at Cloncurry, aviation support is needed). Both these bases will allow Allied air units operating from Tennant Creek to rest pilots and recover damaged aircraft outside the range of Jap attacks. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M3a fighters on CAP, 78 aircraft (12 fighters, 21 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's. F-5A recon over Darwin reports Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 58 aircraft (26 fighters), 2 Jap LCU's. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports fighters on CAP, no detected activity or change in Jap forces. Contact lost with Japanese sub I-11 operating off Perth. DEI: No combat activity to report. Very light Jap air patrols. India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Imphal, Dimapur. No combat activity reported. F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 5 Jap TF's (+3 from last report), 1 ship disbanded in port (+1 from last report), airfield damage 47, 187 aircraft (61 fighters, 49 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 41(152). Several Jap TF's sweeping mines in Rangoon, AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 174 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33) Japanese Ships PC Sonan Maru #5, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking) PG Kogyoku Maru DD Inazuma PG Shinko Maru #1 DD Kawakaze -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 17 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33) Japanese Ships DD Sagi DD Michishio -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Nanning, Liuchow. Light Jap air attacks against various locations in southern China, no significant damage or casualties reported.

wneumann -> Summary of Operations 3/31/43 (7/16/2008 10:38:29 PM)
Summary of Operations 3/31/43 Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 47 days. Central Pacific: U.S. subs near Kwajalein report continuing Jap air patrols, though slightly diminished in volume compared to the last few game turns. Plane types still mostly G4M Betty and E13A1 Jake. SS Spearfish and SS Cachalot engaging Jap ASW TF's near Kwajalein, AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 83,85 Japanese Ships DD Isonami DD Samidare DD Shigure DD Arare DD Minegumo Allied Ships SS Cachalot, hits 1, heavy damage (no additional damage in this action, retiring to base after damage in combat on 3/30) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 78,80 (NW of Kwajalein) Japanese Ships DD Kuroshio DD Kagero DD Kazegumo DD Akigumo DD Hatsuzuki Allied Ships SS Spearfish, hits 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 78,80 Japanese Ships DD Kazegumo DD Kagero DD Akigumo DD Hatsuzuki Allied Ships SS Spearfish, hits 1 (retiring to base, total damage from both attacks - 12 system, no float) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two unidentified Japanese subs detected - one W of Palmyra, one W of Johnston Is. Light Jap air patrol activity near Pago Pago, no detected Jap activity in the Canton Is area. U.S. subs operating off Japanese home islands report light Jap air patrols, also in several actions. AAR's follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 61,46 (two attacks by same Jap TF, S of Hiroshima/Kure) Japanese Ships DD Hayabusa DD Yugiri DD Asagiri DD Nenohi DD Shiratsuyu DD Onami DD Yugumo DD Niizuki Allied Ships SS Guardfish, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (combined result of both ASW attacks, reported sunk) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 68,47 (three attacks by same Jap TF, SE of Tokyo) Japanese Ships DD Minazuki DD Mochizuki DD Uzuki DD Mutsuki Allied Ships SS Runner, hits 3, on fire (combined result of all ASW attacks, 11 system damage/48 float damage, retiring to base) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 65,47 (NE of Tori Shima) Japanese Ships DD Hibiki MSW Noshiro Maru #2 MSW Kyo Maru #5 MSW Kyo Maru #3 MSW Kyo Maru #1 DD Sazanami Allied Ships SS Amberjack -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Auckland, otherwise quiet. Entry in Sigint report for 3/31 indicates HQ Jap 9th Fleet is located at Noumea. No previous report on 9th Fleet HQ, new LCU in Japanese OOB. Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. Otherwise quiet. Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting fighters on CAP, no detected activity or change in Jap forces. F-5A recon over Darwin reports Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 59 aircraft (24 fighters), 2 Jap LCU's. Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M3a fighters on CAP, no detected activity or change in Jap forces. DEI: Light Jap air patrols (Ki-48 Lily, KI-49 Helen) reported near Palembang. Dutch sub K-XVI engaged by Jap surface ASW TF off Singkep, AAR of this action follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 23,54 Japanese Ships PG Nagata Maru PG Kure Maru #5 PG Kantori Maru PG Kamitsu Maru PG Ikunta Maru DD Asakaze DD Uranami DD Usugumo DD Oyashio Allied Ships SS KXVI, hits 1, on fire (one direct hit, system damage 35/float damage 85, retiring to base) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: Sigint report of 3/31 includes entry indicating HQ Jap 3rd Fleet now located in Manila. Previous location of 3rd Fleet HQ was Takao as of 10/6/42. India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong, Dimapur. RAF and USAAF 2E bombers strike Magwe airfield. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 23 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12 Ki-61-Ib Tony x 11 Allied aircraft Blenheim IV x 46 B-25C Mitchell x 29 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 damaged Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged Allied aircraft losses Blenheim IV: 5 destroyed, 34 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 7 destroyed, 15 damaged Japanese ground losses: 53 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 19 Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 8 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 10 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet 2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 3 Jap TF's (-2 from last report), 2 disbanded ships in port (+1 from last report), airfield damage 37, 203 aircraft (51 fighters, 49 bombers), 10 Jap LCU's (+1 from last report), heavy industry 41(152). China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Nanning, Chengtu. Bombardment attack by Japanese ground forces west of Hengchow, AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 44,36 Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 24082 troops, 166 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1484 6th, 32nd & 34th Infantry Divisions, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt, 1 Mortar Bn Defending force 25997 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 847 2nd New, 38th, 44th & 45th Chinese Corps Allied ground losses: 60 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous known locations of Jap LCU's participating in this action - 32nd & 34th Divisions from Changsha, 6th Division and the two artillery LCU's from Hengchow.

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