Higashi no kaze ame - Bluebook Jap vs Todd Allied

[Blind Sniper]

Makes sense, another newbie queston: is the chance to see an aircraft one month earlier depend on the availability date?
I mean, researching a 43/10 model has the chance raised whereas researching a 45/5 model has the chance lowered, or is it non influential?

[Bluebook]

ORIGINAL: Blind Sniper

Makes sense, another newbie queston: is the chance to see an aircraft one month earlier depend on the availability date?
I mean, researching a 43/10 model has the chance raised whereas researching a 45/5 model has the chance lowered, or is it non influential?

I think the chance is the same regardless of arrival date.

[sval062]

I think 3 months earlier is the maximum [;)]

[Bluebook]

Really?

[Blind Sniper]

ORIGINAL: sval

I think 3 months earlier is the maximum [;)]

Do you mean three months is the max that you can anticipate or is worth to try to get a model earlier just three months before the availability date?

[tocaff]

OK, I couldn't help but look at this because it says no Todd.  [:D]

[sval062]

IIRC from WITP, you were not able to advance more than 3 months any R&D planes.
And also:
- a R&D factory begins to produce when all repairs are over
- The repairs are not made 1 point/ turn but are checked randomly instead (it functions like that I guess in AE as some of my R&D factories are not repaired at all since the beginning).

--> It has no sense to expand a R&D factory to 100 in the beginning since you will have to wait until the last 100th point to be repaired before any production can occur (and it could be loooooong).

This was made to prevent to invest in 45 R&D planes in 41, being able to actually have it before 43 models. [;)]

[sval062]

ORIGINAL: sval

IIRC from WITP, you were not able to advance more than 3 months any R&D planes.
And also:
- a R&D factory begins to produce when all repairs are over
- The repairs are not made 1 point/ turn but are checked randomly instead (it functions like that I guess in AE as some of my R&D factories are not repaired at all since the beginning in my game).

--> It has no sense to expand a R&D factory to 100 in the beginning since you will have to wait until the last 100th point to be repaired before any production can occur (and it could be loooooong).

This was made to prevent to invest in 45 R&D planes in 41, being able to actually have it before 43 models. [;)]

[Blind Sniper]

IIRC from WITP, you were not able to advance more than 3 months any R&D planes.
And also:
- a R&D factory begins to produce when all repairs are over
- The repairs are not made 1 point/ turn but are checked randomly instead (it functions like that I guess in AE as some of my R&D factories are not repaired at all since the beginning).

Very interesting, thanks!

--> It has no sense to expand a R&D factory to 100 in the beginning since you will have to wait until the last 100th point to be repaired before any production can occur (and it could be loooooong).

Unless you want to research late models, turnoff the production and wait the last mounths.

[Bluebook]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 23, 41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Manado

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Shinwa Maru, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko



75mm CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Shinwa Maru at 12,000 yards
CA Myoko fires to suppress enemy troops at 12,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Miri

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinsei Maru
xAK India Maru
AMC Saigon Maru


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


109th RN Base Force firing at xAK Sinsei Maru
xAK Sinsei Maru firing at enemy troops
xAK India Maru firing at enemy troops
AMC Saigon Maru firing at enemy troops
xAK Sinsei Maru firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Miri

TF 113 troops unloading over beach at Miri, 64,87

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of II./4th Infantry Bn /2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21



Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 1


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
21 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 23000 feet

The defence of Manilla is not as impressive as it once was.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-4 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 33

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

The Sallys are much more effective against the Manilla airfields than the Bettys and Nells

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 6th Indian Brigade, at 49,73 (Alor Star)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 53
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged



Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 6th Indian Brigade, at 49,73 (Alor Star)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 20
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 15th Indian Brigade, at 49,73 (Alor Star)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7



No Japanese losses


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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 15th Indian Brigade, at 49,73 (Alor Star)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 29
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7



No Japanese losses


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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 15th Indian Brigade, at 49,73 (Alor Star)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 13



No Japanese losses


We are expecting to attack Alor Star in a day or two. The attacks are meant to soften up the defenders. As usual, the army bombers are more effective than the navy bombers.


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

Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3283 troops, 19 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Defending force 1985 troops, 3 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Japanese adjusted assault: 224

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 74 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1972 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 63 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
8th Tank Regiment
Sasebo 2nd SNLF

Defending units:
Manado Garrison Battalion
Manado Base Force

And with that, the last stepping stone before Kendari falls. The invasion fleet at Palau are ordered to embark the troops and head out to sea. The invasion should take place in a week or so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Lingayen (79,75)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 31986 troops, 268 guns, 425 vehicles, Assault Value = 905

Defending force 5918 troops, 148 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 173

Japanese adjusted assault: 1408

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 352 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
5299 casualties reported
Squads: 274 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 227 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 62 (61 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Tanaka Detachment
48th Recon Regiment
Kanno Detachment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
65th Brigade
48th Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
21st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion

Everything is going according to schedule on Luzon. Next stop, Clark Airfield. When that base falls, the USAAF in the PI should be gone as a fighting force. Manilla airfield is in bad condition due to my airstrikes, and with Clark gone, there is no good base for the USAAF.


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

Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3943 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 151

Defending force 1361 troops, 4 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Japanese adjusted assault: 115

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tavoy !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
599 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
55th Cavalry Regiment

Defending units:
6th Burma Rifles Battalion
108th RAF Base Force

Our first progress in Burma, with the fall of Tavoy, we can start basing aircraft here and work our way up the coast towards Rangoon.

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

Ground combat at Pontianak (56,90)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1407 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Defending force 372 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 72

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pontianak !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
I./143rd Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
Pontianak Base Force

With the fall of Pontianak, the entire northwestern coast of Borneo is in Japanese hands.

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

Ground combat at Wewak (96,119)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 385 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 15

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wewak !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)



Assaulting units:
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy


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

Ground combat at Aparri (82,73)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1788 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 31

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 31 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Aparri !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)



Assaulting units:
Sasebo 1st SNLF

Mopping up of empty bases in New Guniea and northern Luzon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 24, 41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 6th Indian Brigade, at 49,73 (Alor Star)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 78
G4M1 Betty x 25
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged



Allied ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 109th RAF Base Force, at 49,73 (Alor Star)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 6th Indian Brigade, at 49,73 (Alor Star)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 40
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-51 Sonia x 22



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
151 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

These attacks will continue until the base is taken.

[Bluebook]

A sneak peak from the upcoming combat report...

[bklooste]

Are there ANY historical cases of subs torpedoing other subs ? Wouldn't it just go underneath.

Ben

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

Are there ANY historical cases of subs torpedoing other subs ? Wouldn't it just go underneath.

Ben

I think several U-Boats were sunk this way. Have a look on uboat.net

[krupp_88mm]

most of the time especially early in the war subs travel around on the surface, torpedoing them is jsut the same as torpedoing any other ship if their caught unawares .. teh cahllenging part is they have a very shallow draft and if torpedoes have impact detonators it would be very challenging to hit one.. however if your torpedoes have magnetic detonators just set torp depth about 2 meters under the subs keel and should be an easy shot as long as they hadn't spotted you first and you were a little ahead f thier path to give you a lead in the engagement... i guess this is a good question what type of detonators did jap torps have? magnetic or impact?

[Bluebook]

ORIGINAL: krupp_88mm

most of the time especially early in the war subs travel around on the surface, torpedoing them is jsut the same as torpedoing any other ship if their caught unawares .. teh cahllenging part is they have a very shallow draft and if torpedoes have impact detonators it would be very challenging to hit one.. however if your torpedoes have magnetic detonators just set torp depth about 2 meters under the subs keel and should be an easy shot as long as they hadn't spotted you first and you were a little ahead f thier path to give you a lead in the engagement... i guess this is a good question what type of detonators did jap torps have? magnetic or impact?

I think it was possible to change running depth for torpedoes, and therefore it should not be a problem to hit a submarine with impact detonators despite shallow draft. I know there are several examples of submarines hitting other submarines with torpedoes. One example would be the USS Corvina that was sunk by torpedoes from I-176 off Truk in 1943

[krupp_88mm]

I think it was possible to change running depth for torpedoes, and therefore it should not be a problem to hit a submarine with impact detonators despite shallow draft. I know there are several examples of submarines hitting other submarines with torpedoes. One example would be the USS Corvina that was sunk by torpedoes from I-176 off Truk in 1943

of course you can change the depth on the torpedoes.. its very important.. you need to have shipping charts to show you the depths of the kels of ships you attack ... the problem with submarines it the 'sweet spot' to hit is only about 2 meters wide  very difficult to get the depth right.. to high will not work you cant run torpedoes on the surface they have to have some depth.. to shallow and if they hit the subs hull at a 30-45 degree angle or greater there is achance the impact detonators wont work and the torps will just glance off the keel.. the only relianble shot with a impact detonator is under 30 degre angle which is very hard to achieve under normal circumstances.. it becasomes much harder with subs

[Bluebook]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 25, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub vs Sub: SS I-158 attacking SS KX at 51,95 - near Toboali

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
SS KX, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



SS I-158 launches 8 torpedoes at 3,000 yards

The unfortunate Dutch sub should sink after taking a single torpedo hit. I-158 launched all her 8 torpedoes to take out the short-range submarine. Which is all and well, since we have made the war against allied submarines one of our top priorities.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st /101st PA Battalion, at 79,92

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 19



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Bettys pounding on the retreating PI-unit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 108th RAF Base Force, at 53,61

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23
Ki-32 Mary x 4



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
282 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 108th RAF Base Force, at 53,61

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 32
Ki-32 Mary x 3



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Two strikes against retreating brits from Tavoy. Again, the losses inflicted on retreating units are much more severe than those in defensive positions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Lucena , at 79,79

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 1


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses


Aircraft Attacking:
21 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 23000 feet


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 51st PA Infantry Division, at 79,79 (Lucena)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 28



Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged



Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 51st PA Infantry Division, at 79,79 (Lucena)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

This annoys me somewhat. The Zero sweep goes in and finds only one P40 on CAP. The P40 is damaged and withdraws from combat. Then when the bombers go in, another set of P40s appear and shoot down several of my aircraft.

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

Ground combat at Alor Star (49,73)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 15052 troops, 114 guns, 174 vehicles, Assault Value = 480

Defending force 5457 troops, 57 guns, 33 vehicles, Assault Value = 153

Japanese adjusted assault: 672

Allied adjusted defense: 9 <--- wow

Japanese assault odds: 74 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Alor Star !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
690 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1433 casualties reported
Squads: 69 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 150 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 52 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (30 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
5th Engineer Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
25th Army
5th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
6th Indian Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
109th RAF Base Force
137/155th Field Regiment


Look at that adjusted defence for the allies. It seems my bombers do a great job at softening up the defences.

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

Ground combat at Lucena (79,79)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5572 troops, 30 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 600

Defending force 3804 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Japanese adjusted assault: 274

Allied adjusted defense: 10

Japanese assault odds: 27 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lucena !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2746 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 58 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 16 (16 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
21st Division
16th Recon Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
51st PA Infantry Division

Also in the Phillipines we make great progress. The allied defenders simply melt away.

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

Ground combat at Miri (64,87)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2624 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 85

Defending force 368 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 88

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 88 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Miri !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
357 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
I./4th Infantry Battalion
II./4th Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
107th RN Base Force
109th RN Base Force


And with that, the oil fields of northern Borneo are in our hands.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 26, 41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Hollandia

TF 133 troops unloading over beach at Hollandia, 93,116

Mopping up in the New Guniea region.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cam Ranh Bay at 64,72

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37



Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses
B-17s from Clark attack the KB which is refuelling at Cam Rahn Bay. Impressive recon on the USAAF-behalf there.

[Bluebook]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 27, 41

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 58,88

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

As you can see, the fleet is assembling off Kuching. The CAP from Kuching is reinforced by Zeros from KB.

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

Ground combat at 51,76

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4242 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 381

Defending force 713 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Japanese adjusted assault: 107

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 107 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
375 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
8th Indian Brigade

8th Indian Brigade has pretty much ceased to be a fighting formation. They are easily brushed aside by advancing infantry heading south from Kota Bharu.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Hollandia (93,116)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 385 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 9

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hollandia !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)



Assaulting units:
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy


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

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1758 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 60

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 60 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Shortlands !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:



Assaulting units:
52nd Naval Guard Unit

More empty bases fall to our troops.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 28, 41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Indian Brigade, at 50,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M2 Nell x 84



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
286 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Indian Brigade, at 50,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 21



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
187 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Indian Brigade, at 50,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 15



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied troops retreating south from Alor Star are attacked by our bombers.

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

Ground combat at Tuguegarao (82,74)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1788 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 83

Defending force 632 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Japanese adjusted assault: 40

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tuguegarao !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 1st SNLF
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy

Defending units:
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion

And with that, the last base on northern Luzon falls to our forces.

[Bluebook]

Today we suffered our first major setbacks. I ventured with my CVE-taskforce too close to the Lae-invasion site and we paid a heavy price for that. Then, the invasion of Java went off to a disasterous start when one invasion TF went in too soon, for some reason, 8 TFs had their orders cancelled, and a single TF went on as planned. As a result, several cargo ships went in completely unescorted and without aircover.

Losses were disasterous this turn. Very very annoying since one TF was lost due to carelessness and one because of an order-screwup.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 29, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Manado at 75,99

Japanese Ships
xAP Katori Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-39



xAP Katori Maru is sighted by SS S-39
SS S-39 launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Katori Maru

Lucky...the xAPs are worth their weight in gold, and it would have hurt to loose one to a pesky submarine while unloading.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kendari at 70,106

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Haguro


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Runway hits 4
Port hits 5

CA Nachi firing at Kendari
CA Haguro firing at Kendari


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Lae

TF 20 troops unloading over beach at Lae, 99,126



8 Naval Support troops lost overboard during unload of 15th Base Force /5
15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 15th Base Force /10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kendari

TF 107 troops unloading over beach at Kendari, 70,106

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



7.7mm T99 AAMG lost overboard during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF
13.2mm T93 AAMG lost overboard during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF
15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Ind. Engr Rgt
8 Engineers lost in surf during unload of 1st Ind. Engr Rgt
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 3rd Base Force
13.2mm T93 AAMG dropped into water during unload of 3rd Base Force
8 Engineers accidentally lost during unload of 3rd Base Force
8 Engineers lost overboard during unload of 3rd Base Force
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 3rd Base Force
8 Naval Support troops lost in surf during unload of 3rd Base Force


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Lae

TF 129 troops unloading over beach at Lae, 99,126



8 Engineers lost in surf during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /3
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /7

Apparently we continue in the finest traditions of the Imperial Navy and simply throw the army troops over the sides of the ship when we reach the invasion beaches. If anyone wonders if the historical army-navy animosity is coded in the game...look no further.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Indian Brigade, at 50,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 75
G4M1 Betty x 27



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

My airunits are causing real damage to the Malaya defenders.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 80,101

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3



Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Manado at 75,99

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2



Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Neikai Maru

In the lower NEI, Zeros based at Menadao manage to keep the Dutch and Australian bombers off my transport ships.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 1



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 26


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CS Chitose
CS Mizuho



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Taiyo-1 with A5M4 Claude (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Taiyo

I thought the Claudes would be enough to cover the Lae landings. Unfortunately this proved to be completely wrong. Instead of finding ourselves attacked by Hudsons, we were hit hard by A-24s from Port Moresby. To make things even worse, our CAP only manages to put a single fighter into the air. The CAP is completely ineffective, and all the dive bombers make it through. Taiyo is hit hard. And sinks later in the afternoon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gull Battalion, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5M1 Mabel x 8
B5N1 Kate x 9



Japanese aircraft losses
B5M1 Mabel: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Bombers from Taiyo hit Port Moresby in a completely pointless attack. I am surprised to see the lack of CAP over the base.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 24


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Umikaze
CS Mizuho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Suzukaze



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Taiyo

A second strike hit the crippled taskforce. CS Chitose is lost.


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

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 32087 troops, 268 guns, 429 vehicles, Assault Value = 912

Defending force 14317 troops, 240 guns, 442 vehicles, Assault Value = 350

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 964

Allied adjusted defense: 676

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
681 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 37 (4 destroyed, 33 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2011 casualties reported
Squads: 155 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 106 destroyed, 87 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 131 (22 destroyed, 109 disabled)


Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
Kanno Detachment
48th Engineer Regiment
Tanaka Detachment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
65th Brigade
2nd Tank Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
14th PS Engineer Regiment
Subic Bay Defenses
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Far East USAAF
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
North Luzon Force
1st USMC AA Battalion

Our spearhead on Luzon has reached Clark. The base should fall tomorrow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 30, 41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Manado at 75,99

Japanese Ships
xAP Katori Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-39



xAP Katori Maru is sighted by SS S-39
SS S-39 launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Katori Maru

S-39 is foiled again. The Katori Maru seems to be a lucky ship.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 137/155th Field Regiment, at 50,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 45
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 9



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled) <-- !!
Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled) !!


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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 52,96

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokusho Maru
xAK Kuritake Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Seisyo Maru
xAK Victoria Maru
xAK Kusuyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

For some reason, all the other ships in all the other invasion TFs had their orders cancelled or were delayed for whatever reason. The result is that this TF went ahead completely alone and unescorted. They were supposed to be under the protective umbrella of the entire KB, instead they were alone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 52,96

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-339D x 8
CW-22 Falcon x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Hikosan Maru
xAK Victoria Maru

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 52,96

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
L-212 x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Zuiko Maru
xAK Seisyo Maru

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x L-212 bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Only the poor performance of the Dutch pilots prevent this from being an enven greater disaster.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes


Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 24


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Kazan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Kunitu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Ryunan Maru
xAKL Tateyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Yae Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CL Kashima

Over at Lae, the slaughter continues. The empty AKs are hit by the Port Moresby dive bombers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 52,96

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Zuiko Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

Imagine if the Dutch pilots had been able to hit anything...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 52,96

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 21


Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Kusuyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Zuiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Victoria Maru
xAK Gokoku Maru #2

Japanese ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kusuyama Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 52,96

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9
B-339D x 8
CW-22 Falcon x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Kusuyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Konzan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Ryujo Maru
xAK Victoria Maru
xAK Gokoku Maru #2

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
8 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kusuyama Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 52,96

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
L-212 x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Gokoku Maru #2
xAK Ryujo Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x L-212 bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Poor AKs... this proves to be a very costly misstake. After the turn I looked at what had happened. All my escort TFs were ordered to follow the main invasion TF, TF92. Unfortunately TF92 were still in port trying to load more supplies (I had forgotten to click the "load troops only" button). Since the base did not have enough supplies to load the ships, they remained in port. This TF was heading to another invasion site, and went ahead alone and without the cover of Akagis and Kagas Zeros who were tasked to provide aircover.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 19


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Eizan Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kunitu Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tatuharu Maru
xAK Ryunan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kunitu Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Eizan Maru

Sigh...

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

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 31515 troops, 268 guns, 426 vehicles, Assault Value = 879

Defending force 10328 troops, 225 guns, 417 vehicles, Assault Value = 231

Japanese adjusted assault: 632

Allied adjusted defense: 97

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
712 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (0 destroyed, 15 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2460 casualties reported
Squads: 79 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 414 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 62 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 100 (93 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 306 (303 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 12
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
Tanaka Detachment
Kanno Detachment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
65th Brigade
48th Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
48th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Subic Bay Defenses
21st PA Infantry Division
14th PS Engineer Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
11th PA Infantry Division
192nd Tank Battalion
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
Far East USAAF
North Luzon Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
1st USMC AA Battalion

Some good news though...with the fall of Clark, Manilla is just one hex away. Some of the US units retreated to Bataan instead of Manilla aswell...a very good thing for me.

[Bluebook]

Some revenge this turn. Allied bombers attack my taskforces at Lae and Java again, but this time, they run head-first into a wall of Zeros on LRCAP. Over 40 allied aircraft are lost today.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 31, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kalidjati

TF 94 troops unloading over beach at Kalidjati, 50,99



15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of III./124th Infantry Bn /2...

The battered invasion TF makes it to the target and throws the pesky army units off the side of the ships

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ketapang at 55,92

Japanese Ships
xAK Zuiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



xAK Zuiko Maru is sighted by SS O19...
SS O19 launches 4 torpedoes...

One of the rare sucessful submarine attacks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cavite USN Base Force, at 79,77 (Manila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G4M1 Betty x 18



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

USAAF makes a rare appearance over Manila.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cavite USN Base Force, at 79,77 (Manila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 24



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 1st PA Infantry Division ......
Also attacking Cavite USN Base Force ......
Also attacking 1st PA Infantry Division ......
Also attacking Cavite USN Base Force ......

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 6th Indian Brigade, at 50,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 21



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12



Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 31
B-339D x 8
CW-22 Falcon x 9
L-212 x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-339D: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Gokoku Maru #2
xAK Seisyo Maru
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Hikosan Maru
xAK Hokusho Maru
xAK Victoria Maru



CAP engaged:
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead

Zeros take a heavy toll from the attacking aircraft. The bombers are ineffective...as usual. Dont expect too much from your Dutch pilots.

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

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 2
A6M2 Zero x 8



Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Hakone Maru
xAP Horai Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson I bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A5M4 Claude (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead

CAP manage to protect the valuable ships of the Kendari-invasion.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 3 destroyed



CAP engaged:
Okamoto Det with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead
13th Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

The Zeros from Rabaul take a heavy toll on the dive bombers. The allied morale crumbles and the pilots abort their mission before reaching the ships.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 50,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 2



Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)


The RAF manages to sneak in an airstrike on an advancing armored unit, taking a heavy toll.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
B-339D x 3
CW-22 Falcon x 9
L-212 x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 2 destroyed
CW-22 Falcon: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
L-212: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Seisyo Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
1 x L-212 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Hiryu and Soryu LRCAP manage to shoot down several bombers and the ones leaking through are ineffective.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3



Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 18


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryujo Maru
xAK Gokoku Maru #2
xAK Hokusho Maru
xAK Hikosan Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead

Shokaku Zeros join the fray. Still no hits from the Dutch aircrews.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3



Allied aircraft
L-212 x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
L-212: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Gokoku Maru #2
xAK Koyu Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x L-212 bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead

More bombers, the Japanese CAP is now getting too spread out because of all the attacks. Zeroes from Zuikaku join the fray and claims one shot down bomber.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 15


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 3 destroyed

The afternoon strike meet the same fate as the morning strike. Good job by our Zeros.

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

Ground combat at 50,74

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3488 troops, 2 guns, 251 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Defending force 735 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 224

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 224 to 1

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


Allied ground losses:
547 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:...
1st Tank Regiment...
5th Recon Regiment...
14th Tank Regiment...
...
Defending units:...
6th Indian Brigade...
15th Indian Brigade...

The retreating Indian brigades fail to delay our armored spearhead north of Taiping.

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

Ground combat at Lae (99,126)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8164 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 165

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 81

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 81 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lae !!!

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

Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8180 troops, 72 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Defending force 1001 troops, 14 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 97

Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
752 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:...
4th Engineer Co ...
1st Engineer Co ...
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment...
Kure 2nd SNLF ...
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment...
3rd Base Force...
...
Defending units:...
Kendari Garrison Battalion...
Kendari Base Force...

Kendari and Lae falls. With that, the full extent of the Japanese advance in the south is reached. What remains now are some mopping up action among the islands and bases on New Guniea.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 01, 42

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed

The morale of this allied airunit is now in shambles, they turn back almost immideately. It is a good sign, and I hope the pilots who gained valuable experience in the attacks on Taiyo and Chitose are lost in these attacks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Banggi at 69,85

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hidaka Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Hidaka Maru...

A lucky hit from B-17s stationed at Cagayan obliterate this hapless xAKL off Jesseltown. The ship sinks immideately.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10



Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 16
CW-22 Falcon x 15
L-212 x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
L-212: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Hikosan Maru
xAK Victoria Maru
xAK Hokusho Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Ryujo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Gokoku Maru #2


CAP engaged:
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Hokusho Maru...

The Zeros from Shokau and Hiryu are overwhelmed by the large number of bombers. Some get through and manage to score some hits on the now empty transports. The Zeros take a heavy toll however.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4



Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Hikosan Maru

Shokaku and Zuikaku Zeros manage to shoot down two bombers, and the remaining ones miss.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed


I believe this is the last we will see of this A-24 unit in a while. 10 A-24s are shot down during these two days. Several more must be damaged and the morale of the pilots are in shambles. They did manage to sink a CVE and a CS though, and that is a very heavy price to pay for us. It annoys me alot to lose the ships to a stupid rookie misstake like that. Although I find some comfort in the fact that the CVE and the CS are not exactly vital to the Japanese defence in 43-44.