Argentina vs. Slovakia (Aurorus against 821Bobo)

[Aurorus]

The Japanese land at Denpasar, just south of Java, and mop up actions continue around Lae.

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

Ground combat at Nadzab (98,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Defending force 215 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Japanese adjusted assault: 8

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nadzab !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
169 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
5th Indpt SNLF Coy

Defending units:
A Coy/NG Rifles
C Coy/NG Rifles

[Aurorus]

Feb. 14th.

In the straight of Malaysia, a little retribution for the recent allied sub kills.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Kuala Lumpur at 48,80

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
xAK Hinsang, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Hinsang is sighted by SS I-166
SS I-166 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Hinsang

[Aurorus]

The air war over Java continues with a sweep of Buitenzorg.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buitenzorg , at 48,99

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 3
B-339D x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

Den Passar falls, and the remnants of the PA continue to fight valiantly east of Manila.

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

Ground combat at 80,77 (near Manila)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7444 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 248

Defending force 6210 troops, 67 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Japanese adjusted assault: 145

Allied adjusted defense: 88

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
253 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
1st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
Manila USAAF Base Force
Asiatic Fleet
Cavite USN Base Force
1st PA Constabulary Regiment

[Aurorus]

Feb. 15th.

A slow day in the war generally. An allied sub finds a target in the Java Sea.

FTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 15, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Madjene at 64,101

Japanese Ships
xAK Tokiwa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Lima Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8

Allied Ships
SS S-37

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Another frustrating sub attack. Allied subs have managed 3 hits on ships in the past 2 weeks and everyone set me back substantially.

[Aurorus]

A Japanese bombardment of Wake with an amphibious TF nearby.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wake Island at 136,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

28 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
DD Urakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Shiranui
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 2
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

[Aurorus]

Feb. 16th

The air war over Java continues with another fighter sweep of Buitenzorg.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buitenzorg , at 48,99

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 38

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6
B-339D x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed
B-339D: 4 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

The U.S. pilots continue to improve and are now trading almost even with the Oscars.

[Aurorus]

More bombardment of Wake from the CAs followed up by an amphibious landing. The combat results are so poor for the Japanese as to be incomprehensible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Wake Island at 136,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba

Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2871 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 119

Defending force 1080 troops, 25 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Japanese adjusted assault: 6

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
847 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 65 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (5 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
84th Naval Guard Unit
52nd Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Wake USN CPNAB
1st Marine Defense Battalion

Apparently 5-1 against a disrupted, low experience enemy is insufficient, and 119 AV somehow magically transformed into 6, and 28 AV somehow managed to destroy or disrupt 69 squads. Just how many fire phases did these disrupted 28 squads receive exactly? The worst combat die roll that I have ever seen, and I scratch my head trying to figure out what went wrong here.

[Aurorus]

The remnants of the PA continue to hold out east of Manila, though the resistance is crumbling.

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

Ground combat at 80,77 (near Manila)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7269 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 231

Defending force 5867 troops, 60 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Japanese adjusted assault: 98

Allied adjusted defense: 70

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
41st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
Cavite USN Base Force
Asiatic Fleet
Manila USAAF Base Force
1st PA Constabulary Regiment

[Aurorus]

Ground Attacks from the entire 5th Air Force bomber command commence on Singapore. The flak losses are heavy, but the concentrated raids manage to disrupt a few ground units instead of focusing exclusively on the fortress. 172 bombers total flew against the city today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore Fortress, at 50,84 (Singapore)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 58
Ki-30 Ann x 20
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking Singapore Base Force ...
Also attacking 9th Indian Division ...
Also attacking Singapore Fortress ...
Also attacking Singapore Base Force ...
Also attacking 9th Indian Division ...
Also attacking Singapore Fortress ...
Also attacking Singapore Base Force ...
Also attacking 9th Indian Division ...
Also attacking Singapore Fortress ...
Also attacking 9th Indian Division ...
Also attacking Singapore Fortress ...
Also attacking Singapore Base Force ...
Also attacking 9th Indian Division ...
Also attacking Singapore Fortress ...
Also attacking Singapore Base Force ...
Also attacking 9th Indian Division ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore Fortress, at 50,84 (Singapore)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 5
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 7 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Australian Brigade, at 50,84 (Singapore)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

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

As the bombers strike the ground targets in Singapore, Japanese units take up positions opposite the city and prepare to try the river crossing.

[Aurorus]

Feb. 17th

More allied night-time raids over Rahaeng net another Oscar or two on the ground, and another heavy bombing raid over Singapore striking ground targets with the entire 5th air force as a prelude to the river crossing. AA losses are again significant.

On Luzon the remnants of the PA continue to hang on east of Manila.

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

Ground combat at 80,77 (near Manila)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7249 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 229

Defending force 5540 troops, 53 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Japanese adjusted assault: 97

Allied adjusted defense: 64

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
41st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
Cavite USN Base Force
Asiatic Fleet
Manila USAAF Base Force
1st PA Constabulary Regiment

[Aurorus]

Air raids across Java prove productive. A strike on the airfield and port at Soerabaja finds a Dutch sub in the repair yard.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 30
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
SS KXI, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 12000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Betties follow up the fighter sweep from the day before with a raid on the airfield at Buitenzorg.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buitenzorg , at 48,99

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 18 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
B-339D: 2 damaged
B-339D: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 42

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

[Aurorus]

Feb. 18th

Another Dutch sub gets revenge for his fallen brother at Soerabaja.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tjepoe at 55,101

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CS Mizuho
DD Suzukaze
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS KXIII, hits 4, heavy damage

Another raid by the entire 5th Air force on Singapore results in some ground casualties and 10 bombers lost to flak. In the Java Sea, Japanese fighter pilots exact revenge for the flak losses at Singapore as the Dutch air force flies what it can muster against Japanese CVs and an amphibious TF. Allied losses are heavy, and the Dutch air force is mostly destroyed in the battle.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Semarang at 53,102

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Semarang at 53,102

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6

No Japanese losses

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

Japanese Ships
LSD Shinshu Maru

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Semarang at 55,100

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 2
A6M2 Zero x 37

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 11
CW-21B Demon x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 6 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Semarang at 55,100

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 1
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 5
P-40B Warhawk x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed
139WH-3: 1 destroyed by flak
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Semarang at 55,100

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 1
A6M2 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6
75A-7 Hawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 3 destroyed
139WH-3: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku

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



The Japanese land at Semarang with the 65th Brigade, 16th Army, and 5th fleet. The idea behind invading at Semarang is to capture a good port immediately and split the island in two.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Semarang (53,102)

TF 283 troops unloading over beach at Semarang, 53,102

Japanese ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

8 Naval Support troops lost overboard during unload of 5th Fleet
8 Naval Support troops lost in surf during unload of 5th Fleet
8 Naval Support troops lost in surf during unload of 5th Fleet
8 Naval Support troops lost overboard during unload of 5th Fleet
8 Naval Support troops lost overboard during unload of 5th Fleet
8 Naval Support troops lost in surf during unload of 5th Fleet
8 Naval Support troops lost in surf during unload of 5th Fleet
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde
20 troops of a IJA HMG Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde /3

[Aurorus]

In Malaysia, following 3 days of ground strikes on Singapore, the Japanese cross the river in force.

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

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 44958 troops, 561 guns, 633 vehicles, Assault Value = 1660

Defending force 35999 troops, 454 guns, 305 vehicles, Assault Value = 895

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 3480

Allied adjusted defense: 1969

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2781 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 296 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 148 (107 destroyed, 41 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
847 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 178 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 78 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 60 (7 destroyed, 53 disabled)
Vehicles lost 69 (53 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
5th Division
8th Tank Regiment
18th Division
1st Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
25th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
3rd Cavalry Regiment
27th Australian Brigade
2nd Malay Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
11th Indian Division
2nd Loyal Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
2/17 Dogra Battalion
SSVF Brigade
1st Manchester Battalion
1st Malay Battalion
9th Indian Division
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Base Force
Singapore Fortress
Malayan Air Wing
112th RAF Base Force
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
AHQ Far East
Malaya Army
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd ISF Base Force
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
1st ISF Base Force
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
111th RAF Base Force

Heavy tank losses. The 14th Tank Regiment was completely destroyed in the battle. I am pleased now that I did not upgrade the tanks earlier... well... maybe pleased is not the right word to use in losing an entire tank regiment. The Japanese position in Singapore will be reinforced in the coming days with an enormous quantity of artillery and additional assault units.

[Aurorus]

The game has slowed a bit as Robert has some real life commitments, so few updates lately.

Feb. 19th was probably the slowest day of the war thus far. Another deliberate attack on the troops east of Manila, and they continue to hold on. Palembang fell and the Japanese gained access to the port. 3 convoys were nearby and began to make use of the port.

Feb. 20th brought a little more action.

Allied night-time raids on the airfield at Rahaeng continued on the 19th and the 20th. On the 20th, Warspite accompanied by Canberra and 3 CLs bombarded the Japanese position at Port Moreseby, but it appears they saved most of their shells in the event that Japanese ships appeared.

Submarine action around Semarang resulted in another Dutch sub hit and taking on water.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Semarang at 53,101

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
DD Maikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
SS O16, hits 3

A morning air attack on the mostly empty port at Soerabaja does find a U.S. sub trying to repair.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 28
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

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

Port hits 2

Bob has been moving the remnants of the Dutch air force around in an attempt to avoid airfield strikes. I guess correctly, however, and find some P-40s and transports at Bandoeng.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Bandoeng , at 50,100

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
L-212: 5 damaged
L-212: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 9 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16

He has been moving a few small cargo ships one at at time through the ports on the south of Java. I think he may be trying to pick up the more short-legged air groups for transport to Australia. Vals found one of the ships on the way in.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tjilatjap at 51,102

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A1 Val x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Elout, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

[Aurorus]

At Singapore, the Japanese moved large formations of heavy artillery into position following the river crossing. On the 20th, every big gun in the Japanese army opened up on the allied position at Singapore. The sound was deafening. Quite the barrage.

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

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 18472 troops, 494 guns, 593 vehicles, Assault Value = 1954

Defending force 34315 troops, 447 guns, 265 vehicles, Assault Value = 698

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

Allied ground losses:
486 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
33rd Division
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
18th Division
5th Division
55th Engineer Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
25th Army
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
2/17 Dogra Battalion
1st Manchester Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
11th Indian Division
1st Malay Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
2nd Malay Battalion
SSVF Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
9th Indian Division
Malayan Air Wing
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
Singapore Base Force
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
112th RAF Base Force
AHQ Far East
Singapore Fortress
Malaya Army
2nd ISF Base Force
III Indian Corps
1st ISF Base Force
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
111th RAF Base Force

I guess its obvious which units I bought out of Manchuria first, and I guess its obvious that I like artillery. Other than the 9th Heavy artillery, that is every one of them... every piece of heavy artillery in the Japanese military.

[PaxMondo]

pricey. arty is $$$$$

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

pricey. arty is $$$$$

Yes. That artillery was the price of a division in total, but it really helps reduce casualties overall, and I think buying the artillery out early pays dividends in the long run by helping to preserve the Japanese force pool and supply.

[Aurorus]

Feb. 21st

The Dutch subs continue their reign of terror. Near Camh Ran Bay, an intrepid Dutch sub commander maneuvers for a shot on an oiler after being spotted by the escorts earlier in the day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cam Ranh Bay at 64,74

Japanese Ships
AO Erimo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PB Kamitsu Maru
AO Shiretoko
PB Tonon Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #4

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

SS KXVII launches 4 torpedoes at AO Erimo
KXVII diving deep ....
PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Kinsyo Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kinsyo Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kinsyo Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kinsyo Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kinsyo Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...


PBs just do not get the job done for tanker escort. Unfortunately, I am still short of good SCs and DDs with good depth charges. The Mutukis just finished upgrading. The Minekazes will be going in for upgrades next, and they will eventually move into tanker escort duty now that the DEI operations are nearly completion and I have less need for small DDs that can move into and out of small ports.

[Aurorus]

Over Soerabaja, Japanese bombers get revenge for the oiler with a raid on the sub pens, which held 2 damaged subs trying to repair sufficiently to get under way again.

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Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
SS KXIII, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Jalajaran, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sailfish, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Port hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

[Aurorus]

The big guns reign fire and metal over Singapore again. Civilian casualties must be tremendous.

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Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7007 troops, 378 guns, 561 vehicles, Assault Value = 2413

Defending force 34174 troops, 444 guns, 264 vehicles, Assault Value = 684

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)