modrow
Posts: 1100
Joined: 8/27/2006
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Gentlemen,
A further aspect I would like to comment on is the fall of Koepang on January 24, 1942, which I had reinforced with one of the British Brigades in order to present another unexpected speed bump. It turns out that whereas I did force my opponent to commit additional forces twice during the siege it appears quite doubtful that this was a really good investment - it took Rattovolante only about 10 days to conquer the base (though admittedly he did provide heavy support with naval bombardments.
I had expected that the British brigade with quite complete TOE located there could last longer. I will once again try to illustrate a development of events in a theatre/at a location, which is rarely found in most AARs but which I consider to have the potential of providing interesting information.
January 14:
1) Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116
Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CA Nachi
Allied Ships
xAK Ping Wo, Shell hits 1, on fire
Allied ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 21
Port fuel hits 1
2) Morning Air attack on Timor Garrison Battalion, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 9
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
January 15:
1)Pre-Invasion action off Koepang
8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CA Nachi
DD Sawakaze
DD Minekaze
DD Kamikaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Kuroshio
Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
2) Amphibious Assault at Koepang
TF 20 troops unloading over beach at Koepang, 68,116
Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /5
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 65th Bde /5
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /5
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /5
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /5
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /1
70mm T92 Howitzer accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /1
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 65th Bde
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde /3
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 65th Bde /4
3) Invasion Support action off Koepang
9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CA Nachi
DD Fuyo
DD Yakaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Minekaze
DD Asakaze
DD Yukikaze
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
4) Invasion Support action off Koepang
5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft
5) Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)
Allied Bombardment attack (triggered by invasion, 1st wave)
Attacking force 2887 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 196
Defending force 6669 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 244
Assaulting units:
Timor Garrison Battalion
Dili Detachment
55th British Brigade
Den Passer Base Force
107th RN Base Force /2
102nd RN Base Force /1
100th RN Base Force
Manado Base Force /2
Koepang Base Force
Kendari Base Force /1
Asiatic Fleet /4
Mataram Base Force /1
Defending units:
65th Bde /2
January 16:
1) Morning Air attack on Asiatic Fleet , at 68,116 (Koepang)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
G3M2 Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 15
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
January 17:
1) Invasion Support action off Koepang
8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
SC Ch 20
CA Atago
Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
SC Ch 20 firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft
2) Invasion Support action off Koepang
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft
4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
SC Ch 20
SC Ch 20 firing at enemy troops
3) Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Tone
Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
4) Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)
Allied Bombardment attack (triggered by 2nd wave of invasion)
Attacking force 2918 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 197
Defending force 7354 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 273
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
Timor Garrison Battalion
Dili Detachment
55th British Brigade
Koepang Base Force
Kendari Base Force /1
107th RN Base Force /2
Manado Base Force /2
Asiatic Fleet /4
Den Passer Base Force
Mataram Base Force
102nd RN Base Force /1
Defending units:
65th Brigade
Yokosuka 4th SNLF /2
January 18:
1) Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116
Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Kongo
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CL Kiso
CL Kinu
Allied ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 30
January 19:
1) Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4
B-17E Fortress x 6
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
January 20:
1) Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116
Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CL Yura
CL Natori
CL Nagara
Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
2) Pre-Invasion action off Koepang here comes the 3rd wave
5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Namikaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Wakaba
PB Kaisho Maru
PB Seikai Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Amphibious Assault at Koepang
TF 50 troops unloading over beach at Koepang, 68,116
Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
7.7mm T99 AAMG dropped into water during unload of 24th Infantry Rgt
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 24th Infantry Rgt /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 24th Infantry Rgt /4
4) Invasion Support action off Koepang
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft
4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze
DD Minegumo
PB Kaisho Maru
PB Seikai Maru
5) Afternoon Air attack on 24th Infantry Regiment, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4
B-17E Fortress x 5
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
6) Invasion Support action off Koepang
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft
2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PB Kaisho Maru
PB Seikai Maru
7) Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3575 troops, 40 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 199 an interesting observation here is that in spite of all those naval bombardments my AV was still climbing
Defending force 10618 troops, 61 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 392
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Assaulting units:
Dili Detachment
Timor Garrison Battalion
55th British Brigade
Asiatic Fleet /4
Mataram Base Force
Koepang Base Force
107th RN Base Force /2
Kendari Base Force /1
Defending units:
65th Brigade
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
24th Infantry Rgt /1
January 21:
1) Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4
No Allied losses
2) Pre-Invasion action off Koepang and yet another piecemeal landing
7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Asagao
DD Sanae
3) Amphibious Assault at Koepang
TF 63 troops unloading over beach at Koepang, 68,116
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
7.7mm T99 AAMG damaged beyond repair during unload of Yokosuka 4th SNLF /1
4) Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11415 troops, 73 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 412
Defending force 3979 troops, 50 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 198
Japanese adjusted assault: 201
Allied adjusted defense: 127
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)
Interestingly, this first 1:1 attack breaks my back. Japanese troops suffer a reduction of their AV by a factor of >2, the Allied about 1.5; the British core unit of my defence had exp of about 45 when the attack came in and was 30ish prepped for Koepang, plus was upgraded to 25 pounders (artillery often causes a significant part of the losses in many cases according to my observations) - still the Japanese are hardly touched and the Allied take heavy losses.
Japanese ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1030 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Assaulting units:
24th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
Defending units:
Dili Detachment
Timor Garrison Battalion
55th British Brigade
Koepang Base Force
Asiatic Fleet /4
Kendari Base Force /1
107th RN Base Force /2
Mataram Base Force /1
5) Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2883 troops, 41 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 140
Defending force 11073 troops, 73 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 388
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
January 22:
1) Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
No Allied losses
2) Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 14000 feet *
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
January 23:
1) Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116
Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
BB Kongo
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CL Kitakami
CL Kiso
CL Kinu
Allied ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Runway hits 16
2) Morning Air attack on 24th Infantry Regiment, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
3) Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11146 troops, 73 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 392
Note that Japanese AV increased by 4 between the end of January 21 and the beginning of January 23 for fatigued troops at an enemy base
Defending force 3139 troops, 50 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 129
Japanese adjusted assault: 191
Allied adjusted defense: 77
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Still better total AV adjustment factors for me - but the losses don't show any negative effect of the negative adjustment for the Japanese troops
Japanese ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
676 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
24th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
Defending units:
Dili Detachment
Timor Garrison Battalion
55th British Brigade
Koepang Base Force
Asiatic Fleet /4
January 24:
1) Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2
No Allied losses
2) Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 2
No Allied losses
3) Afternoon Air attack on Koepang Base Force, at 68,116 (Koepang)
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 47
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
4) Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11011 troops, 73 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 383
Defending force 2480 troops, 50 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 92
Japanese adjusted assault: 169
Allied adjusted defense: 45
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Koepang !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)
Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
871 casualties reported
Squads: 48 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 41 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4
Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
24th Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
Defending units:
Timor Garrison Battalion
Dili Detachment
55th British Brigade
Koepang Base Force
The end... Note that the final AV of the Japanese was 29 lower than the 1st value, almost exclusively disabled units. Assuming that they do not recover more quickly than before when owning the base, in two weeks those units, which do not seem to be drastically affected and still seem to be ready for action anyway will be as fit for the next jump as they were before the action. Question is, was it worth putting the Brigade there. I think it was, but mainly for a psychological reason: My opponent may take the need to reinforce his troops several times as a hint to use more troops for each jump for a few jumps, which will slow him down.
Thanks for your interest
Hartwig
< Message edited by hartwig.modrow -- 3/25/2010 12:14:11 AM >
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Event log for fall of Koepang - 
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