LoBaron + Robbrennan vs Offenceman, allied secret AAR

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

It seems to me that those combat reports are non-specific on many things. It might have been that only the road construction company was in movement mode trying to escape while the combat troops were more orderly.

You could well be right there. But cannot tell as Mike Isn't talking [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 9/10/11/12, 43

Not much of note going on anywhere right now. Allied airpower in Java keeps Batavia from building up while
the 2E bombers hit the troops in the south. Oddly 2 Jakes made a low level attack on Lae on the 11th. Both
shot down but this might show increased Japanese naval activity in the SW Pacific area. Recons have picked up
this ship formation moving SE .. what is it ?? very little actual info , maybe CV's ? or heavily escorted
transports to evacuate some of the more open islands ?

[LoBaron]

Recons have picked up
this ship formation moving SE .. what is it ?? very little actual info , maybe CV's ? or heavily escorted
transports to evacuate some of the more open islands ?

Yep, moving Lex II CVBG into a medium risky intercept position in case it turns out not to be KB supported,
Expect a small battle on turn 2 if it turns out to be without carriers. SAGs in the area have also been put on alert
and I am trying to keep Kavieng shut down.

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 17, 43

Apologies for the delayed updates , but both of us have been rather busy IRL and not much happened until this turn.
So we will carry on as best we can .. Japan has made some aggressive moves in the Pacific at last.

Basically both Marcus island and Attu island were hot for 2 days with mixed results for both sides , although I'd
say Japan got what it wanted in Marcus as the P40E unit has been slaughtered over 2 days despite being very active
vs unescorted bombers on the 17th , scoring many kills a zero sweep on the 18th basically killed the entire unit.
Only 1 pilot who did well on the 17th survived (ie has 4 kills , rest on nil) . Attu was defended by Corsairs but they
failed to get to the jills (from a CVE as a guess , just probing the Aleutians) .. CLAA Price Robert was hit by one
250kg bomb which penetrated the side and a torp that's really hurt her badly .

Japan also successfully hit Marcus island with 2 BB's , Haruna and consort .. while the defending PT boats were scattered to
the four winds and suffered 3 lost but they did spot the Mushahi and Yamato just waiting for next turn .. I'm thinking Japan
will try and retake the island very soon ..

Also japan hit marcus heavily from LBA with very limited success .. while jills sank 2 DD's and the Haruna sank the last one
on bombardment approach.

Morning Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 44,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 25


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 38500 feet *



Morning Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 123,85

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 19



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Reid, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Downes
DD Preston, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb


Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
DD Mikazuki
DD Matsukaze
DD Oite
DD Yunagi

Allied Ships
DD Downes, Shell hits 2, and is sunk


Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage YEAH RIGHT, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS.
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
DD Mikazuki
DD Matsukaze
DD Oite
DD Yunagi

Allied Ships
PT-142, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-146
PT-147
PT-152


Night Naval bombardment of Marcus Island at 123,85 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

40 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
DD Oite
DD Matsukaze
DD Mikazuki


Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (3 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Notice the bombardment hit the coastal defence guns ( all bar 1 disabled) and did not shoot up the runways
etc. odd but interesting .. must be a prelude to invasion IMO.

Morning Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 104 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 24



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PT-143, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AVD Coos Bay, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Preston, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT-145, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ACM Planter, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage


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


Naval bombardment of Marcus Island at 123,85 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 5 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Kinugasa
DD Uzuki
DD Yugiri
DD Ikazuchi
DD Akatsuki

Allied Ships
SS Tunny, hits 2, heavy fires
AS Canopus, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
AVD Coos Bay, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 8 (5 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 31
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 2

Looks like we have interesting times ahead ,, FYI Java .. Just mopping up the south and landed 3 more divs for Batavia siege ops.
America has accepted the return on the CV's but left the Commonwealth a couple of slow old BB's .. which I am very happy with . as once
the mines are cleared near Batavia , they will be invaluable for shelling the place to bits and also denying Japan free naval attacks
on the weaker east coast of java. Thats the plan anyway .. it never happens this way though [;)]

[Rob Brennan UK]

Hello once again, As predicted Japan did indeed invade Marcus island, and was utterly crushed by the US Marines
defending the Atoll. The landing forces were badly damaged by the CD guns and (I'm guessing) the artillery
intrinsic to the Marine defence units. The last 5 PT boats were annoying to the Yamato group but were all eventually
sunk by gunfire. I'm of the opinion that PT's are a bit too effective at pestering Japanese naval operations.
But we do have a house rule that only allows PT boats to be created in major ports and then 'shipped' to
destination with escorting AK's. So no magic PT boats next turn. However if Japan did not bring more than
we have seen so far the island is safe indeed for now.

In the Aleutians the CLAA was sunk by a japanese CA naval group and the island bombarded quite heavily. I doubt
this is a prelude to invasion as there is no point taking the place. Marcus however is a valuable sunb base for
the USA so is a decent target. Although with the loss of Java the Japanese focus on Marcus is a bit bewildering.

Following is a cut and paste of the entire combat report , I don't ordinarily do this but its in for detail
if anyone is interested, as there are a lot of small attacks , air raids etc that have occurred and it would
be remiss of me not to include Japans air attacks on Marcus. Japan did do the right things to take the place
but it was all (in my opinion) too rushed. Prolonged air raids and repeated Naval bombardments with CV support
while Japan knew the bulk of the US CV's were in Java would have been far more effective. As it is however
the landings have been butchered and several AP's are floating wrecks. Landing casualties are awful as a result.

One thing not in the reports are the large minefields the US has laid here. They seem utterly ineffective even
despite the loss of Japans DMS units , the last of which was dispatched by a US sub today.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 19, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 324 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DMS W-7, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



DMS W-7 firing at 12th Marine Defense Battalion
12th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DMS W-7
8 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 153,49, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CL Agano
CL Noshiro
DD Harusame
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
CLAA Prince Robert, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Poor visibility due to Rain with 53% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 53% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CLAA Prince Robert engages CL Noshiro at 6,000 yards
DD Ariake engages CLAA Prince Robert at 6,000 yards
DD Harusame engages CLAA Prince Robert at 6,000 yards
Ludlow A. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CLAA Prince Robert sunk by CL Noshiro at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 153,49, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CL Agano
CL Noshiro
DD Harusame
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
PT-38
PT-39
PT-40
PT-43
PT-44
PT-45, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Poor visibility due to Rain with 53% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 53% moonlight: 5,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
PT-45 sunk by CA Nachi at 2,000 yards
PT-43 engages DD Ariake at 2,000 yards
DD Harusame engages PT-43 at 2,000 yards
DD Ariake engages PT-43 at 2,000 yards
DD Harusame engages PT-40 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages PT-43 at 3,000 yards
CL Agano engages PT-40 at 3,000 yards
DD Ariake engages PT-43 at 3,000 yards
DD Harusame engages PT-38 at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Harusame engages PT-40 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages PT-43 at 9,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-40 at 9,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-38 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-43 at 12,000 yards
DD Ariake engages PT-43 at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT-146
PT-147
PT-152




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 53% moonlight: 9,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Japanese Mine Sweeping TF evades combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CL Kitakami
DD Shimakaze
DD Hibiki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
PT-146
PT-147
PT-152




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 53% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
DD Ayanami engages PT-152 at 12,000 yards
DD Uranami engages PT-152 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CL Kitakami
DD Shimakaze
DD Hibiki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
PT-64, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-148, Shell hits 1, and is sunk




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 53% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
BB Yamato engages PT-148 at 12,000 yards
DD Ayanami engages PT-148 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Uranami engages PT-148 at 10,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages PT-148 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
PT-148 sunk by DD Murakumo at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
PT-64 sunk by BB Yamato at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 122,85, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
DD Shirakumo
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
PT-146
PT-147, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-152




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 53% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages PT-152 at 12,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages PT-147 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages PT-146 at 10,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages PT-152 at 10,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages PT-146 at 10,000 yards
PT-147 sunk by DD Usugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-152 at 10,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages PT-146 at 10,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-152 at 10,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages PT-146 at 10,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages PT-146 at 10,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages PT-146 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-152 at 9,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages PT-146 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages PT-146 at 12,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages PT-146 at 12,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-146 at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 391 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami
DD Murakumo



3 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 391 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki



2 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CL Kitakami
DD Shimakaze
DD Hibiki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
PT-144




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 42% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CA Chokai engages PT-144 at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages PT-144 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Musashi engages PT-144 at 10,000 yards
CA Atago engages PT-144 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages PT-144 at 8,000 yards
CA Chokai engages PT-144 at 8,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages PT-144 at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages PT-144 at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Attu Island at 153,49

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 31 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 15 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 11 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 21 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CL Noshiro
CL Agano
DD Ariake
DD Harusame


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 77

CA Nachi firing at Attu Island
CL Noshiro firing at Attu Island
CL Agano firing at Attu Island
DD Ariake firing at Attu Island
DD Harusame firing at Attu Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CL Kitakami
DD Shimakaze
DD Hibiki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
PT-146, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-152, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 30,000 yards
Knight, H. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 25,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
PT-152 sunk by BB Musashi at 21,000 yards
Knight, H. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 17,000 yards
PT-146 sunk by DD Murakumo at 17,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 391 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Ships
DD Ayanami
DD Murakumo
DD Hibiki



4 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 391 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki



2 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 12
SB-III x 15
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11
Hurricane IId Trop x 10
Wellington B.X x 15
A-20G Havoc x 15
B-25D1 Mitchell x 42
B-25G Mitchell x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 29


Allied aircraft losses
SB-III: 1 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

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



Airbase hits 32
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 112

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB-III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
12 x SB-III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
12 x B-25D Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Banjoewangi , at 57,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 17


No Allied losses

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



Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Banjoewangi , at 57,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 41


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

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



Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 36

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-17F Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 36
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 55


No Allied losses

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



Airbase hits 35
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 146

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 54th Construction Battalion, at 57,107 (Banjoewangi)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-51A Mustang x 22


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-51A Mustang sweeping at 31350 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 26



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
26 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 37



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged



Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 57



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 84th Naval Guard Unit, at 57,107 (Banjoewangi)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 3
Liberator B.III x 6
Wellington B.X x 6
Beaufighter VIc x 14
Beaufort VIII x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 13th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 54th Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 84th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 13th Garrison Unit /1 ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Wotje , at 135,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged



Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Maloelap , at 136,117

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 140 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 15
A6M5 Zero x 37
B6N1 Jill x 83
D4Y1 Judy x 64



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 11 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
AS Canopus, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
18 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
19 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
13 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
12 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 105th USN Base Force ...
Also attacking Marcus Island ...
Also attacking 259th Coastal Artillery Battalion ...
Also attacking Marcus Island ...
Also attacking 12th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 14th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Marcus Island ...
Also attacking 12th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Marcus Island ...
Also attacking 12th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Marcus Island ...
Also attacking 14th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Marcus Island ...
Also attacking 14th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Marcus Island ...
Also attacking 12th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 105th USN Base Force ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

126 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Kashima, Shell hits 2
CL Katori, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Namikaze
DD Hakaze
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 1
xAP Takatiho Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Yukaze
xAP Kokuryu Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
LSD Nigitsu Maru
DD Umikaze

Japanese ground losses:
281 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


CL Kiso firing at 12th Marine Defense Battalion
12th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Kiso
CL Kashima firing at 12th Marine Defense Battalion
12th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Kashima
CL Katori firing at 14th Marine Defense Battalion
14th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Katori
DD Namikaze firing at 12th Marine Defense Battalion
12th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Namikaze
14th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Hakaze
DD Hakaze firing at 14th Marine Defense Battalion
DD Hatsuyuki firing at 12th Marine Defense Battalion
12th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Hatsuyuki
CL Kiso firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
CL Katori firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Kiso firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
CL Kiso firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
CL Katori firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
90mm M2 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Katori firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
155mm M1918 GPF Battery engaging xAP Kokuryu Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Katori firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
DD Namikaze fired at enemy guns
DD Hakaze fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Marcus Island (123,85)

TF 162 troops unloading over beach at Marcus Island, 123,85

Japanese ground losses:
806 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (0 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)



17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 2nd Amphibious Bde /4
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 2nd Amphibious Bde /5


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

Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2535 troops, 34 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 78

Defending force 4922 troops, 125 guns, 117 vehicles, Assault Value = 64

Japanese adjusted assault: 1

Allied adjusted defense: 35

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 35 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
838 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Assaulting units:
5th South Seas Det.
2nd Amphibious Bde /2

Defending units:
12th Marine Defense Battalion
14th Marine Defense Battalion
259th Coastal Artillery Battalion
105th USN Base Force
46th USN Naval Construction Battalion


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 20, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

101 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima
CL Katori, on fire
DD Namikaze
DD Hakaze
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Umikaze
xAP Takatiho Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fubuki
DD Yukaze
xAP Yoshino Maru
CL Kiso, on fire
LSD Nigitsu Maru

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled



12th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Katori
14th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Namikaze
DD Umikaze firing at 14th Marine Defense Battalion
14th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Umikaze
90mm M2 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
155mm M1918 GPF Battery engaging xAP Yoshino Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
155mm M1918 GPF Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
90mm M2 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
DD Namikaze fired at enemy guns
DD Hakaze fired at enemy guns
DD Hatsuyuki fired at enemy troops
DD Umikaze fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CL Kitakami
DD Shimakaze
DD Hibiki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
PT-144, Shell hits 2, and is sunk




Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 42% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Koma, T. crosses the 'T'
CA Atago engages PT-144 at 11,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages PT-144 at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Uranami engages PT-144 at 12,000 yards
CA Atago engages PT-144 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
PT-144 sunk by BB Musashi at 11,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Marcus Island at 121,82

Japanese Ships
DMS W-7, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Herring



DMS W-7 is sighted by SS Herring
SS Herring launches 6 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Marcus Island (123,85)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

43 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Takatiho Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kiso
DD Yukaze
xAP Kokuryu Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Oryoku Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
LSD Nigitsu Maru
DD Umikaze
DD Fubuki

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



90mm M2 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Yukaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 8,000 yards
CL Kiso firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
90mm M2 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 8,000 yards
155mm M1918 GPF Battery engaging xAP Kokuryu Maru at 8,000 yards
155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Oryoku Maru at 8,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Marcus Island (123,85)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

41 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Kokuryu Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kiso
xAP Takatiho Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
LSD Nigitsu Maru
DD Umikaze
DD Fubuki

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Kokuryu Maru at 9,000 yards
90mm M2 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Kokuryu Maru at 9,000 yards
155mm M1A1 GPF Battery engaging xAP Takatiho Maru at 9,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 40,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 17



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 38500 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Const Co , at 57,107 (Banjoewangi)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-51A Mustang x 22


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-51A Mustang sweeping at 31350 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 59



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak



Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
22 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 20



No Japanese losses



Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 86 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 27



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Preston, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 12
SB-III x 9
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11
Hurricane IId Trop x 3
Wellington B.X x 15
A-20G Havoc x 6
A-36 Mustang x 17
B-25D1 Mitchell x 43
B-25G Mitchell x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 29


No Allied losses



Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 32

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB-III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
6 x SB-III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
12 x B-25D Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
SB-III x 6
Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


No Allied losses



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SB-III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Banjoewangi , at 57,107

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 9
Beaufighter VIc x 2
Beaufort VIII x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 8


No Allied losses

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



Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 13th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 96th JAAF AF Bn /1 ...
Also attacking 84th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Banjoewangi ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 13th Garrison Unit , at 57,107 (Banjoewangi)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 3
Liberator B.III x 6
Wellington B.X x 6
Beaufighter VIc x 14
Beaufort VIII x 6
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 54th Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 15th Const Co ...
Also attacking 13th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 54th Construction Battalion ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Banjoewangi , at 57,107

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 13th Garrison Unit /1 ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Banjoewangi , at 57,107

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 3


No Allied losses

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



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 84th Naval Guard Unit ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-17F Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 36
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 55


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled



Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 68

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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


Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12
P-38G Lightning x 4


Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged



Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IId Trop x 7
A-20G Havoc x 9
B-25G Mitchell x 9


No Allied losses

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



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Banjoewangi , at 57,107

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16


No Allied losses

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



Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Banjoewangi , at 57,107

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Banjoewangi , at 57,107

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 32,350 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-51A Mustang x 3


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-51A Mustang sweeping at 31350 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 18
B-24J Liberator x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ic Tony: 1 destroyed on ground
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses



Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Maloelap , at 136,117

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4


No Allied losses



Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Marcus Island (123,85)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
LSD Nigitsu Maru
DD Umikaze
DD Fubuki

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



Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


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

Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2782 troops, 49 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Defending force 4893 troops, 125 guns, 117 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

Japanese adjusted assault: 12

Allied adjusted defense: 61

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: op mode(-), shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
2nd Amphibious Brigade
5th South Seas Det.

Defending units:
14th Marine Defense Battalion
105th USN Base Force
12th Marine Defense Battalion
259th Coastal Artillery Battalion
46th USN Naval Construction Battalion


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

Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1778 troops, 110 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Defending force 2988 troops, 53 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 34



Assaulting units:
12th Marine Defense Battalion
105th USN Base Force
14th Marine Defense Battalion
259th Coastal Artillery Battalion
46th USN Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Amphibious Brigade
5th South Seas Det.

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 23, 43

Last 4 days have seen Japan's attempt to take Marcus island fail miserably. The heavy support SC units and CV's all retired and now
just a few LBA try and hit the runways from high alt (14-18k) .. from that altitude only a very few runway hits are caused. Should
Time allow LoBaron might just rebuild the P40 unit and bushwhack a few bombers. That ofc depends on supply there and I haven't checked
personally.

The unloading AP's were hit by agressive US subs as a bonus as there were no escorts in the TF's and seemingly no ASW groups either.
2 AP's have been sunk so far and several badly damaged by CD guns.

Sub attack near Marcus Island at 123,85

Japanese Ships
xAP Yoshino Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Shad



xAP Yoshino Maru is sighted by SS Shad
SS Shad attacking on the surface

Morning Air attack on Marcus Island , at 123,85

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 12



No Japanese losses



Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Hopeless attack results .. OFC I do not know the pilots skill levels and they might well be naval attack specialists
hence the high alt to avoid flak casualties and piss poor accuracy. The runways are being cleared.

Meanwhile Batavia is being hit again , ports this time to stall fort building .. although I suspect level 6 are there
already. Supply levels there are most likely quite high too. The south of Java has now been liberated (see piccie) and
we captured 70k supply in the last base. This leads me to suspect large supply stocks in Batavia. The Commonwealth
attack forces are now approaching Batavia .. A full list next turn. Soerbaja is now fully operational and the port
being increased to a size 8. We have 2CL and 2 DD based here already and they are heading out on a surface raid
to Southern Borneo next turn.

Heavy allied naval search picked up a lot of Japanese Convoys and ASW groups just out of Torp bomber range but with
newer closer airfields the swordfish were forward located and sank 6 AKL's and 2 SC's for no loss.

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 16
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 30


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

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



Port hits 18
Port fuel hits 2



Pacific ops continued apace with US CV raid on Babeldaob .. Dive bombers attacked a SCTF but the intel has been
very mixed as to the results , apparently one CL was sunk. FOW methinks.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Babeldaob at 90,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22
SBD-5 Dauntless x 18


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CL Oyodo
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 1


The last of the japs in south Java :-


Ground combat at Banjoewangi (57,107)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6765 troops, 69 guns, 454 vehicles, Assault Value = 402

Defending force 790 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 135

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 135 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1058 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 58 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Assaulting units:
Barisan KNIL Regiment
255th Armoured Brigade
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
Guides Cavalry Regiment

Defending units:
13th Garrison Unit /1

[Rob Brennan UK]

Double post today as Thailand deserves a mention because of some odd events of late.

Japan left Moulmein ! .. with level 6 forts intact I'm amazed , BUT he has now shifted to a better linear defence
profile in the area. WE will continue to push south from Moulmein in 2 Axis .. one along the main coastal road and
also along the trails to Bangkok. Raheng etc .. we will try and contain/force him back by manoeuvre as best we can.

Check the boxed area .. I made a mistake in sending over the river a chindit unit and some light armour. the shock
attack was brutal but mostly caused disablements rather than losses thankfully. Also Japan did NOT counter attack
the following turn. She just shelled the allied troops. This has allowed us to regain some vital AV (assault value)
should the Japanese try and push us back. The Indian division at Chang Mai has been ordered from R&R to move south
and assist, but the terrain is horrible. The allied air was not used there today due to the high probability
of huge jap LRCAP from Raheng (large fighter base) .. WE have ordered the bombers in next turn at low level (7k)
with mixed escort and sweeps/LRCAP from the British and US fly-boys in Burma. This could end up being very very messy.

CHINA

The supply levels here have drastically improved since the capture of Rangoon. while the air bridge from Ledo
continues to fly in tons more. The North of China is still in the red but else where is hasn't looked this good
since game start.

NCAC Command has arrived and this is unrestricted , one large Corps is attached to it for now and this is
being massively rebuilt with new troops and prepped for Hanoi .. A second corps which i can change over to unrestricted
is on the way to chunking for the same treatment. IF we ever accumulate enough PP's for it. They seem to get gobbled up
every turn and hover about the 6-800 mark .. never enough to free up a div (Indian) which I would dearly love to get
into Sumatra from the North , OR the new Chinese plan. I suspect its All LoBarons fault [;)], tinkering with commanders
and freeing up units on the west coast .. Politically Churchill and Roosevelt need to have a good chat about this [;)]

Thats it for today , more soon

[LoBaron]

RL is too intense for maintaining an AAR on a regular schedule, but short news on the US side of things as of Dec 3rd, ´43:

The Japanese counterinvasion of Marcus Island has been stopped solid, the 7k troops stationed on the atoll are in great shape,
and the rebutted Japanese attackers are now forming a defensive perimeter below the coral reefs until their snorchels are stuffed...

Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3924 troops, 61 guns, 25 vehicles, Assault Value = 75

Defending force 5194 troops, 127 guns, 117 vehicles, Assault Value = 70

Japanese adjusted assault: 15

Allied adjusted defense: 186

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 12 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
864 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (5 destroyed, 10 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
2nd Amphibious Brigade
5th South Seas Det.

Defending units:
12th Marine Defense Battalion
14th Marine Defense Battalion
259th Coastal Artillery Battalion
105th USN Base Force
46th USN Naval Construction Battalion

[LoBaron]

Dec 13/14, 43

Again only a small update:

Captured Kwajalein Island, Roi-Namur and Namatanai. Only Kwajalein was still defended. Light damage from coast gun defenses
but no ships in danger.

Rob smashed his army against the fortess of Batavia for the first time, results were bloody. As expected it will take a bit to encourage a Japanese surrender there.
On the plus side forts dropped 2 levels to 4, and they wont grow back with the constant air attacks...

[LoBaron]

Just not to let this die down completely, small update.

around Dec 23, 43

Batavia has fallen and Rob is mopping up the last resistance nests there.

I had a couple of small-ish engagements in the area around Hollandia and Truk, Allied side involved were a small raider CV group and a SAG led by 2 old BBs.
On the killed list are 8-12xAK, 4-5xAP and their low value escorts.

Most kills go to the BB intercepting a Japanese evac run to Hollandia.
Although we sank lots of troops, Mike did not seem too unhappy about it, I suspect he simply either wanted them back, or at least away so he could
rebuy them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 93,116, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kensin Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
PB Kunitu Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PB Nagato Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PB Shinko Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Hokusho Maru, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Akigawa Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Eiji Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Sainan Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Tateishi Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 1
BB Mississippi
CA Northampton
DD Bennett
DD Brownson
DD Lang
DD Selfridge

Japanese ground losses:
2071 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 142 destroyed, 125 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 12 (10 destroyed, 2 disabled)

The CVs meanwhile did a lot of damage to xAP groups I spotted earlier:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 20



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 46
SBD-5 Dauntless x 25
TBF-1 Avenger x 41


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Huzi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Brazil Maru
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
xAP Argentina Maru
xAP Atsuta Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Gokoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kamo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

We now arrived in ´44, Java op is about to be completed and Rob is already making plans for his next moves to shut
down DEI oil. CW are advancing into Thailand, and my carriers are refitting for the big operations planned in ´44.

RL is too busy to keep this AAR alive on a regular basis, but I will drop by from time to time and summarise important
events.

[LoBaron]

Just to not let this die down completely:

It is now Jan 28, ´44.

Rob successfully runs mop up operations after the glorious conquest of Java, freeing the SE islands
Bima, Soemba and Flores, while I am doing the same in the S/SWPac cleaning Manus (already done) and Kavieng (ongoing).
Rabaul will be bypassed for now.

Mike still shows heavy interest in Marcus Island but gains nothing, last turn a counterattack by the far better equipped
crack Marines led to the Japanese moving back to the beaches again.

Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2022 troops, 108 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 68

Defending force 4068 troops, 60 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 99

Allied adjusted assault: 8

Japanese adjusted defense: 51

Allied assault odds: 1 to 6

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
746 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Assaulting units:
105th USN Base Force
259th Coastal Artillery Battalion
14th Marine Defense Battalion
12th Marine Defense Battalion
46th USN Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Amphibious Brigade
5th South Seas Det.

I think if I alternate between the 12th and 14th USMC Def Btls in offense operations I will clean the island without needing
reinforcements. Still thinking if its not better to simply let the 2nd Ampghib and the 5th South Seas rot there instead of giving
Mike the oportunity to rebuild em for somewhere else.

[LoBaron]

Ok, again a small update on our war. As usual no time for much, but I tried to summarize the overall situation as good as possible:

[LoBaron]

No time for nothing currently. Just a small update on the overall situation to not let this AAR die down completely.

Recent carrier losses are from two clashes in March (Battle of Torishima), a pure CV vs. CV engagement, and May (Battle of Okhotsk Sea) during the
invasion of the Kuriles.

[LoBaron]

Again, a small statusupdate. It is now September ´44.

The overall situation:

- Kuriles are secure, the air over Hokkaido is contested but eastern Hokkaido airspace belongs to the Allies.

- The obvious location for a landing on mainland Japan, Bihoro, is defended by at least 3 Divisions, with probably
1-2 more and support units on the way to reinforce. The estimate is that their combat power is reduced and their morale
low, the area is subject to heavy air attacks for 3 months now already. There is not much room for options anyway, any
amphib assault will go through Bihoro.

- This situation forces Japan to concentrate air and ground units NE and spread fighter cover throughout mainland Japan,
to fight off invasion attempts and to cover important inustrial targets.
There are about 120 B-29s and further 60 B-24s stationed in the Kuriles, capable of reaching as far as Hiroshima. It was
those B-29s that reportedly sank Yamato and heavily damaged Musashi when raiding Nigata.

- The CW forces expertly led by Rob Brennan advanced through northern Thailand, capturing Bangkok early summer. Singapore
fell 2 weeks ago, and now the CW spearheads already cross into southern China.

- In the south Mindanao, with small exceptions, is in US hands and preparations are ongoing to advance into the central
Philippines, while at the same time British and Australian advance rapidly in a pince movement around Borneo. Only Brunei
and North Borneo is still occupied territory.

[BBfanboy]

You bypassed the Marianas! Good for you!
I have always thought that they were just a bit too far away for effective B-29 ops [I tried out the Downfall scenario and was dismayed at the poor results of their bombing, fragmented attacks, high ops losses - all in part from the distance involved from the Marianas.

You have done rather well in limiting your CV losses to two!
And, I don't believe Yamato and Musashi would sink from 500 lb. bomb hits unless they got about 50 each on the same attack and burned up!

[LoBaron]

Yeah, I see the Marianas pretty similar as you do re: B-29 base.

But when advancing as the Allies it is an important target, although the islands lose much of their strategic value as soon as the Japanese have retreated from Guadalcanal/Admiralties/NG.

My take on the Allies has always been: Probe wherever contact with enemy forces is established, establish contact with enemy forces where it is not, be ready to advance everywhere, and then advance everywhere with the exception of the most dangerous strongholds. Those can be bypassed. If advancing do so at multiple axes at once, or in close succession.

By doing so you spread out the Japanese defensive efforts while maximing the advantage of Allied numerical superiority.


Marianas in our game was on the target list for spring ´44. As early as Fall ´43 Mike started to heavily reinforce the islands.

Basically, at one point he knew that I knew that he knew, that the Marianas were a target for imminent invasion - right after the Battle of Toroshima, which tilted the relative CV strenght much to the Allies favor. At this time there already were an estimated 400-450k Japanese troops spread along the island chain, air strenght was maybe 650-700 planes total.
That was a setup for massed slaughter with uncertain outcome, or a long attrition phase before the invasion with ressources that could be used otherwise. Would have been a bad choice to continue, more so if with other strategic options available anyway.

At this point I decided to shift full strenght to my previous secondary target, the Kuriles, while keeping a credible pressure up against the Marianas. Worked quite well. I did not lose as single ship to the initial invasion of the Kuriles.

They got a much better B-29 capable bases than the Marianas anyway. As the Japanese player I would assign highest priority to Kuriles defense buildup as early as Fall ´42.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
And, I don't believe Yamato and Musashi would sink from 500 lb. bomb hits unless they got about 50 each on the same attack and burned up!

Well...yes...I agree... [8D]

BB Musashi, Bomb hits 55, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 68, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 36, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 37, heavy fires

My take, Yamato is a goner and Musashi might make it, if she is VERY lucky.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
And, I don't believe Yamato and Musashi would sink from 500 lb. bomb hits unless they got about 50 each on the same attack and burned up!

Well...yes...I agree... [8D]

BB Musashi, Bomb hits 55, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 68, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 36, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 37, heavy fires

My take, Yamato is a goner and Musashi might make it, if she is VERY lucky.

Holy Smoke! Do your B-29s have laser guided bombs already! I did some port attacks with B-29s and usually got less than 10 hits on any one ship. But then there were 20+ ships in port too!

[LoBaron]

I think the Japanese helped by setting up smoke signals to designate the optimal attack run,
all major combatants had bulls eyes painted on the most vulnerable areas, and helpful souls picked
up those bombs initially missing their target, and dropped them again, using cranes.

No doubt that result is lacking realism, Yamato got hit by as many bombs as there were bombers.

Even so, the initial fault lay in the (lack of) defense, and the success was enhanced by practically everything being
optimally set up for the strike. (perfect coordination, clear weather, high DL, low alt, low fatigue, no CAP,..)

Pretty much a situation where an understandable although sloppy (the Superfortress´ range can be surprizing) mistake leads
to the worst consequences imaginable. I made a lot of errors in this campaign already, most went by undetected.

Luck is a treacherous, beautiful, beast.

[LoBaron]

The overall situation:

- Hokkaido is secure with Sapporo in Allied hands. The Japanese troops have retreated to Hakodate where they seem to make a final stand. Air superiority over Hokkaido is achieved, but this mostly is aided by the fact that the last offensive air operation of Japan dates more than one month back. XI Corps is moving into attack position, but it still might take a while to dislodge the roughly 100k troops crowded at Oshima peninsula.

- The airspace over northern Honshu is heavily guarded by Japanese fighters, but I don´t think it is a problem to remove the threat by full scale air attacks. At the time being the USAAF is tangling with the japanese fighters to keep em honest, but not much more. An invasion plan of Honshu is currently receiving the final polish, but timing is not critical and patience the key to minimize losses.

- Strategic bombing is executed by B-29 and B-24 units flying from bases in the Kuriles and from Toyohara. The key up to now is to avoid the most heavily guarded bases and attack where defenses are weakest. The sheer ammount of potential targets prevents Mike from covering everything except in case he accepts to be spread too thin. OTOH this obviousely means that the target is currently still dictated by the defense, and not by importance. Still I can live with that. Primary targets of opportunity are refineries and engine factories.

- Formosa has been conquered by British troops who currently finish mop up operations.

- Rob started an all out offense in China, gaining ground fast along the coastline while pinning down Japanese troops in central and northern China. Since Mike now has to defend Honshu against strategic air attacks, this makes the battles for air superiority easier as well, supported by the latest generation RAF fighters.

- On a smaller scale some central Phillippine islands have been grabbed by US troops to prepare for the invasion of Luzon in a few days. After major bases on Luzon have been secured this might lead to a simultaneous attack on Okinawa in synch with an invasion of northern Honshu, but this is not expected to happen before spring ´45.

- The US and British fleet carriers, supported by B-29 strikes, executed some very successful raids into the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, accounting for at least 3 of the remaining Japanese fleet carriers and damaging and sinking numbers of other vessels. Still, potentially the IJN can still pose a threat although this is greatly reduced by the fact that the NavS coverage of the remaining Japanese possessions is nearly complete. Surprize would be extremely hard to achieve, and this is a prerequisite for any Japanese success this late in the war.

- Last, as you might notice, the mission frequency of the Japanese air units has dropped significantly over the last 6 months. I think this already are measureas against unneccessary supply consumption, but I do not think that it already suggests any barrell bottom scratching. Not many missions make sense this late in the war for Japan, this might be reason enough to keep the units grounded. It has to be mentioned though that the Japanese air acts extremely defensive, again for good reason. Losses from attacks would be terrible against allied CAP. But not posing an offensive threat at all frees up Allied ressources for even more attacks, as less defensive work is required, so it is a tradoff.

[LoBaron]

A short update for christmas 44.

Only 2 months have passed since the last update, but the map has again changed a bit.

- Hokkaido is finally in Allied hands, 70000 Japanese are trapped at the southermost tip of Oshima Peninsula after they had to retreat from Hakodate. They will probably not last much longer.

- Iwo and Haha Jima are secured and Chichi Jima is now suppressed permanently. If there is still time the next moves will be against Aogashima and Miyake Island, right at Yokohamas´ front door.

- Luzon has been conquered by a US/CW pincer movement, the US landing at Atimonan area moving north, the CW troops landing at Vigan and sourroundings moving south. The last strongholds are Manila, Clark Field, and in the north, Aparri. About 150k Japanese troops are encircled in total.

- Formosa and the smaller islands at the doorsteps of Okinawa have been captured either by CW troops or para landings. Landings at Daito Shoto and Okinawa will follow soon by US troops.

- After an Ardennes-like offensive by Japanese units in China (compliment to Mike, very creative and bold move!) which was discovered in the last minute and stopped cold, Japanese troops in China are basically on the run. There might be some final defensive lines along the eastern coast, but it seems that the IJA in China has collapsed.

- An invasion plan of northern Honshu is ready, but this is 2-3 months in the future as it involves a large percentage of troops now tired and in need of R&R after the conquest of Hokkaido and the battle of Hakodate.

- Japan is under strategic bomber attack for more than 3 months now. The Allied plane pools are healthy and Mike constantly faces the choice between opposing the attacks and attrit his dwindling airforce, or gathering strenght to oppose the landings that might or might not come, and allow the Allies free attacks. Those decisions are tough. They are governed for a long time already by the material superoirity of the Allies.

I cannot emphasise enough how I respect the mental strenght required by Japanese players to fight it out until the bitter end. If the Allies lose badly the first years, so what? They come back so strong and with such material superiority that it is frightening. This applies to scen 2 as well. For Japan on the other hand it is a dead end. To battle on when you can see the final demise. That is when it shows how tough you really are.
(For the same reason I always had difficulties to empathize with, or respect, Allied players who whine about percieved inferiority in [insert random game aspect or number here], but then bloat about their skill and hasty advance when the simple weight of their forces crushes the Japanese troops in the end-game.)


That said, there are rumors of peace talks for some time now. So this might be the penultimate post about game progress, but who knows. Mike for sure is one of the tough guys. He might still battle on for a bit.

[LoBaron]

Today, after sending a couple of Allied CVEs into drydock with a few holes in the hull, the mighty Japanese empire layed down arms and asked for ceasefire.

Kudos to Mike, who cunningly and bravely fought on until this date for months in full knowledge that ´45 would bring Allied autovictory. It was a great journey against a capable player who overcame adverse circumstances (the game initially began as 2vs2 and ended 2vs1, with the Japanese having some initial disputes caused by different philosophies on how to run the empire) and developed into a dangerous opponent and great friend.

I will, and I hope Rob and Mike will join me, update this AAR with the final layout of the map and loss screens and other data to make it complete. Then it is time to wait for JWE to get his sensational stuff together and update the planes and DBB-C for out next war. But this is still some time in the future and a short cooldown phase is, I believe, apprechiated by everybody.