Gensui jdsrae (J) vs SolInvictus (A). IJ War Council room

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Evoken

I really love these detailed graphics you make [&o]

I will second that - I revisited some recently to remind myself of historic IJ HQ allocations. Much easier to reference than Google!

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

The George “fighter bomber” worked!

The virtues of fighter aircraft on LowNav is fairly new to me too, glad to see someone else is having success (and with pilots that aren't best suited for it as well). Makes me feel justified in training LowNav as a core fighter pilot skill now!

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

Franks on LRCAP over Chittagong contribute to a 101 to 25 score in the air today.
55x P47s shot down for 11 Franks.

What's your CAP settings?

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

What's your CAP settings?

Here's a look at the settings for 11th Sentai, the best Sentai in the IJAAF.
Pilots with fatigue <10 probably didn't fly yesterday.

There were 5x Frank Sentai with the same orders: 1st, 11th, 31st, 47th and 87th.
The risk of this setting is that none of the fighters are on local CAP, so the Allies could bomb the home airfield, but they haven't been doing that yet so it is a calculated risk.
Orders for these 5x Sentai will change to local CAP30% range 0 for today to give most of the pilots a "rest" and let the mechanics work on the other 70% of the aircraft. Franks with battle damage can take up to 2 weeks to get back in action, unless the magic railway mechanics are used.

I might be able to find a substitute 5 other Frank Sentai to provide LRCAP70% range 0 to share the workload, but after the losses today the Allies might go for a different target, like one of the fighter airfields.

[RangerJoe]

You can sort your pilots by fatigue and then put the most fatigued pilots into Group Reserve to rest them.

Put a percentage of aircraft on rest if you want to make sure that some get repairs.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

You can sort your pilots by fatigue and then put the most fatigued pilots into Group Reserve to rest them.

Put a percentage of aircraft on rest if you want to make sure that some get repairs.

I’m happy to leave those decisions to the local commanders.
Setting 0 rest means up to the full unit might scramble, which I prefer on the front line air bases.
It doesn’t seem right to have some pilots lounging around at the bar while bombs fall on them!

[rustysi]

Those repair times are estimates. I find having excess AS squads at a base will help get those planes back in the air more quickly.

[jdsrae]

A Rangoon based Betty strike finally launches with some Emily, all carrying torps.
HMS Sussex is hit by one and HMS Valiant by four!
No sinking sounds heard but Valiant has to be in trouble.

5x Betty pilots and 1x Emily pilot were KIA.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 14, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 8
Wellington B.X x 16
Liberator B.III: 4 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
Wellington GR.XIII x 6
Wellington GR.XIII: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 5
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 8
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ramree Island at 53,48 – there are multiple ASW Divisions of 3-4 DDs hunting for submarines on the South Arakan coast, mostly between Rangoon and Remree Island. The Fubuki IIs will soon become CL escorts with Mutsuki and Minekaze class DDs taking over this ASW operation. They aren’t getting many hits but their agility makes it hard for the subs to hit them and they are making the subs use their torpedoes.
DD Shiokaze
DD Yakaze
SS Trespasser launches 2 torpedoes at DD Shiokaze
Trespasser diving deep ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Ramree Island at 52,49
DD Yakaze
SS O21 is located by DD Yakaze
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 17th Division, at 60,40 (Imphal) – unescorted bombers test Imphal but run into the veteran 11th Sentai and friends on local CAP.
Ki-84r Frank x 13
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
31st Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th Division, at 55,41 (Chittagong)
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8
A-20G Havoc x 11
P-38J Lightning x 6
A-20G Havoc: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 17th Division, at 60,40 (Imphal)
Ki-84r Frank x 8
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 5
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cuttack at 48,41
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 19
H8K2 Emily x 5
G4M1 Betty: 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak
H8K2 Emily: 2 damaged
5 x H8K2 Emily launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
17 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
Allied Ships
CA Sussex, Torpedo hits 1
BB Valiant, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Queen Elizabeth
DD Quilliam
CA Suffolk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Batavia at 49,97
SC CHa-37
SC CHa-38
Allied Ships
SS Paddle, hits 4
Captain of SS Paddle elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Paddle bottoming out ....
SC CHa-38 attacking submerged sub ....
SC CHa-38 is out of ASW ammo

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 14, 44
Task Force 262 lays defensive minefield at Chittagong ( 55 , 41) and sets course for Rangoon
Repairs completed on DD Yunagi at Truk, ship returned to service
SS Tullibee is reported HIT
SS Stonehenge is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Port Moresby
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Majuro
WO Kado K. of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 9
2LT Okamoto S. of 31st Sentai is credited with kill number 3
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Manus
an Allied SS is reported HIT
SS Whale is reported HIT
SS Stonehenge is reported HIT
SS Stonehenge is reported HIT
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Maloelap
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
10 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 4th South Seas Gsn from Nauru Island
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 1st Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 2nd Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
Keijo expands fortifications to size 5
Bangkok expands fortifications to size 6
Eureka expands port to size 3
Mandalay expands fortifications to size 5
Hughenden expands airfield to size 5
Mussau Island expands port to size 2
Tsuyung expands airfield to size 4
Aircraft B7A2 Grace advances R&D – to 5/44
Previous report of sinking of SS Tambor incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Ryuho-1 on CVL Ryuho converting to size 22 from 18 – only recently realised that the 31 capacity minus 9 for Jills left 22 spots available for A6M8s. That is now fixed with an additional “shotai” added to Ryuho-1.
E W-30 arrives at Tokyo
AO Sunosaki arrives at Maizuru
TK Ichiyo Maru arrives at Maizuru
MTB G-541 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
SC CHa-74 arrives at Ominato
221 Ku S-1 arrives at Kanoya – assigned to 27th Air Flotilla and sent to Hakodate to train up some rookie fighter pilots in NEAF. These pilots will learn how to fly in George-2s.
71st I.F.Chutai arrives at Medan – it arrives attached to 3rd Air Army, so it has been issued Frank-R and takes rookie pilots to train up.

[jdsrae]

The RN task force shown here bombarded Chittagong to little effect and was spotted moving West back towards Madras, then this contact with HMS Sussex that was damaged from 1x Betty torp yesterday.
A Betty strike from Rangoon “failed to find the target due to range or weather” but I-173 scores 1 hit from 4 torps launched.
Glug glug sounds heard, but it could have been any of the four Allied ships on this list.
Are 2x torps enough to sink a RN CA?

BC Renown is still on the sunk ships list due to 2x mines from 11 Jan 44, but there are still big question marks over that one.




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 15, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rangoon at 53,55
DD Hakaze
DD Akikaze
SS Clyde launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hakaze
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Chittagong at 55,41
SSX Ha-39, hits 8, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Suffolk
CL Newcastle
DD Isaac Sweers
DE Encounter
DE Arrow
DD Quilliam
SSX Ha-39 is sighted by escort
DD Quilliam attacking submerged sub ....
SSX Ha-39 forced to surface!
DD Quilliam firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41
BB Queen Elizabeth
CA Suffolk
CL Newcastle
Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port hits 7
BB Queen Elizabeth firing at Chittagong
CA Suffolk firing at 8th Division
CL Newcastle firing at 36th Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Batavia at 49,97
SC CHa-37
SC CHa-39
SS Paddle is sighted by escort
Paddle bottoming out ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cuttack at 45,43
SS I-173, hits 2
Allied Ships
CA Sussex, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Queensborough
SS I-173 launches 4 torpedoes at CA Sussex
I-173 diving deep ....
DD Queensborough attacking submerged sub ....
DD Queensborough is out of ASW ammo

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 15, 44
Repairs completed on CA Maya at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Kinugawa Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Asakaze Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Huzikawa Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Mogamigawa Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Shinanogawa Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Tenyo Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Keisyo Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Koei Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Johore Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Nitisan Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Nozima Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Onoe Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Yamagiri Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Yamabiko Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Kumagawa Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Yamakaze Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Yamazato Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Yamazuki Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Yodogawa Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Noto Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Nissyu Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Kosei Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Kyusyu Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Yokohama Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Zenyo Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Kotoku Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on CA Chikuma at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on CA Tone at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on CL Oi at Truk, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Uzuki at Singapore, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Akatsuki at Singapore, ship returned to service
SS Stonehenge is reported HIT
SS Billfish is reported HIT
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Manus
SS Cabrilla is reported HIT
AMc Rampur is reported HIT
a KXIV Class class SS is reported HIT
SS O24 is reported HIT
SS O21 is reported HIT
SS O24 is reported HIT
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Maloelap
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Kavieng
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
11 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 4th South Seas Gsn from Nauru Island
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 1st Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 2nd Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
Repairs completed on DD Wakazuki at Truk, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Urakaze at Truk, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Mutsuki at Singapore, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Hibiki at Singapore, ship returned to service
Borzya expands airfield to size 8
Ace pilot Azusa G. of 85th Sentai is promoted to 1LT
Ace pilot Miyauchi S. of 85th Sentai is promoted to 1LT
11th RGC Ind. Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Hengyang – most of these Chinese collaborationist garrison troops don’t need to take the extra replacements available from these TOE upgrades, but if some of them fill out they will allow more regular IJA Brigades to move forward to Burma. All of them will be allowed to take replacements just so that they are ready and trained up to 50ish experience for the potential mainland battles ahead.
12th RGC Ind. Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Liuchow
1st RGC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to RGC Route Brigade at Chaochow
2nd RGC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to RGC Route Brigade at Kukong
3rd RGC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to RGC Route Brigade at Wuchow
4th RGC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to RGC Route Brigade at Kweilin
5th RGC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to RGC Route Brigade at Nanning
8th RGC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to RGC Route Brigade at Hwainan
9th RGC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to RGC Route Brigade at Pengpu
1st NCPC Infantry Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Paoting
2nd NCPC Infantry Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Taiyuan
3rd NCPC Infantry Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Tsiaotso
4th NCPC Infantry Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Anyang
5th NCPC Infantry Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Kaifeng
6th NCPC Infantry Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Kaifeng
7th NCPC Infantry Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Suchow
8th NCPC Infantry Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Suchow
1st NCPC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Weihsien
24th NCPC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Paoting
102nd NCPC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Kweisui
105th NCPC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Tangshan
CA Sussex is reported to have been sunk near Cuttack on Jan 15, 1944
Loss of SSX Ha-39 on Jan 15, 1944 is admitted

[jdsrae]

Lots of TOE upgrades in China prompted a check of what units I had failed to set to Rest/Training.
The 29th Div Cavalry Regt can trade in their horses, a few HMG squads and AT guns for Type 95 Light Tanks.
It feels like a good thing to swap horses for tanks seeing as it is Jan 1944.

[jdsrae]

Two of the Naval District HQ Base Forces can also upgrade their TOE.
Lots of additional 12.7cm DP guns will come in handy once the B-29s start visiting these hexes.
The extra aviation support at Yokosuka will also be useful.

151 days until all the JAAF Base Forces and JAAF AF Bns can upgrade their TOEs, mostly taking more AA guns into each.
More AA guns that will cost supply to create and will burn more when they fire, but should keep chipping away at the Allied bomber force.

[jdsrae]

Allied ships were spotted on the direct path back to Pearl Harbour so I-41 was set to patrol the route.
USS Frankford was already blowing smoke so may have been damaged in one of the recent duels with a Naval Fortress.
Sinking sounds were heard.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 16, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Aogashima at 112,66
DD Asashio
CA Chikuma – this is CA Division 6 moving south to Truk, now spotted by the Allies.
CA Tone
DD Arashio
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo
Allied Ships
SS Bowfin, hits 6, heavy damage
SS Bowfin launches 2 torpedoes at DD Asashio
Bowfin diving deep ....
DD Asagumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Asagumo is out of ASW ammo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Johnston Island at 160,107
SS I-41
Allied Ships
DD Frankford, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Frankford is sighted by SS I-41
SS I-41 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Frankford
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 15
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 6
Wellington GR.XIII x 8
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
Wellington GR.XIII: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 15
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 12
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 15
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 20
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 13
Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 6
PV-1 Ventura: 2 damaged
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 11
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 4
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
4 x Liberator B.III bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 10
Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 4
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 9
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 7
PV-1 Ventura: 3 damaged
7 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 6
Liberator B.III: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Bassein at 52,51
DD Ushio
DD Yugiri
DD Akebono
Allied Ships
SS O21, hits 3
SS O21 is located by DD Ushio
O21 diving deep ....
DD Akebono attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akebono is out of ASW ammo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lunga at 114,139
SS I-181, hits 3
Allied Ships – some action in the Solomons with some big AKAs spotted.
CL Honolulu
DD Gansevoort
AKA Procyon
AKA Oberon
AKA Alcyon
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hammann
DD Hughes
SS I-181 is sighted by escort
I-181 diving deep ....
DD Russell attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hammann attacking submerged sub ....

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 16, 44
Previous report of sinking of DD Fanning incorrect. Ship sighted and engaged at 160, 107
Repairs completed on TK Jinei Maru at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Yayoi at Singapore, ship returned to service
SS I-43 terminates patrol and enters Truk for repairs
SS Pogy is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over 20th Division
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Kavieng
an Allied AM is reported HIT
a Grampus class SS is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
SS Billfish is reported HIT
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
10 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 63rd Naval Guard Unit from Tarawa
18 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 1st Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 2nd Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
Ace pilot Eto T. of 85th Sentai is promoted to 2LT
26th Sentai converting to Ki-84r Frank – at Rangoon
Previous report of sinking of SS O21 incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
101st NCPC Route Brigade's TOE was upgraded to NCPC Infantry Brigade at Kalgan
Yokosuka Naval Base Force's TOE was upgraded to IJN Yokosuk Naval 4 Base Force at Yokohama/Yokosuka
Kure Naval Base Force's TOE was upgraded to IJN Kure Naval Base Force at Hiroshima/Kure
DD Frankford is reported to have been sunk near Johnston Island on Jan 16, 1944
ML G-206 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka

[jdsrae]

The Allied CIC has given me a heads up that he'll be travelling a bit in late Aug, so "plenty of time to plan the Soviet invasion"!

The IJA commitment to the Burma/India theatre means that the Allies committed multiple Armies to counter it.
With those large Allied Armies now advancing, most of those IJA troops will be needed to defend (or conduct delay operations) against them.

IGHQ will trust in the Japan-Soviet non-aggression pact holding, but will have to start making serious plans in early 1945 to defend against the Soviet Manchurian offensive.

Found this image on the interweb which sums up what I am expecting will happen in this virtual war too:

[jdsrae]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 17, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Ramree Island at 53,50
DD Sagiri
SS O24 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Sagiri
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Clark Field at 78,76
SC Ch 32
SS Jack is sighted by escort
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub vs Sub: SS I-182 attacking SS Searaven at 93,141 - near Cairns
SS I-182
Allied Ships
SS Searaven
SS I-182 launches 4 torpedoes at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 21
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 17
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 5
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 3
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 2
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7
Airbase hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Bassein at 52,51
DD Akebono
DD Yugiri
DD Ushio
Allied Ships
SS O24, hits 12, heavy damage
SS O24 is located by DD Akebono
DD Ushio attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Manus at 103,119
xAK Utide Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Unkai Maru #6
PB Santos Maru
SS Balao launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Utide Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115
N1K2-J George x 33
N1K2-J George: 2 damaged
33 x N1K2-J George bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
Allied Ships
DE Baron, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Acree, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AKA Libra, Shell hits 11, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CAP engaged:
VMF-311 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 28
N1K2-J George: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged – this hurt, the morning raid must have alerted the radar operators who managed to scramble some defenders to meet the afternoon raid. These Georges have 70+ experience pilots who are knocking on the door of earning their CV wings, but a few went KIA and MIA today.
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
AKA Virgo
CAP engaged:
VMF-114 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
VMF-311 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
VMF-422 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 17, 44
Repairs completed on DD Akigumo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Naganami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on SS I-28 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on SS I-17 at Truk, ship returned to service
SS Puffer is reported HIT
a Gar class SS is reported HIT
SS Balao is reported HIT
SS Balao is reported HIT
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Maloelap
a Elco 80ft PT class PT is reported HIT
a Grampus class SS is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
a KXIV Class class SS is reported HIT
SS Balao is reported HIT
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
10 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 63rd Naval Guard Unit from Tarawa
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 1st Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
5 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
Repairs completed on DD Makinami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Makigumo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on CL Naka at Singapore, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on CL Sendai at Singapore, ship returned to service
Akita expands airfield to size 5
Finschhafen expands fortifications to size 3
Aircraft J1N1-Sa Irving advances R&D – to 6/44 +2/day, so they will start production some time in Apr 1944. There are 81x Irving-S in the pool from building them at 30/month. That seems to be about the right number with a few size 18 J1N1 units due to arrive within the next few months.
Ace pilot Iwaya G. of 64th Sentai is promoted to 1LT
DE Acree is reported to have been sunk near Kwajalein Island on Jan 17, 1944

[jdsrae]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 18, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rangoon at 53,55
DD Tachikaze
DD Hokaze
Allied Ships
SS Clyde, hits 1
SS Clyde is located by DD Tachikaze
Clyde bottoming out ....
DD Tachikaze attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 10
Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 6
PV-1 Ventura: 5 damaged
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 10
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 5
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 9
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 5
Liberator B.III: 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 2
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 6
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 8
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 4
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 5
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 6
Liberator B.III: 2 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 93,140
SS I-182, hits 2
Allied Ships
AM Horsham
AM Freemantle
AM Stawell
AM Lithgow
SS I-182 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Horsham
I-182 diving deep ....
AM Lithgow attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Siquijor at 77,87
TK Yozan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB AnsyuMaru
SS Darter launches 2 torpedoes at TK Yozan Maru
Darter diving deep ....
PB AnsyuMaru attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Bassein at 52,51
xAKL Kuramasan Maru – still running some supply from Rangoon to Chittagong in small xAKL task forces with PB escorts. The Allies haven’t tried naval attacks in this theatre yet, perhaps too worried about Franks being on CAP.
xAKL Hachirogata Maru
PB Rokko Maru
SS Trespasser is sighted by escort
Trespasser diving deep ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Siquijor at 77,87
PB AnsyuMaru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SS Darter launches 2 torpedoes
Darter diving deep ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cooktown at 93,138
SS I-184
Allied Ships
AM Freemantle
AM Horsham
AM Stawell
AM Lithgow
Captain of SS I-184 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
I-184 diving deep ....
AM Lithgow attacking submerged sub ....
AM Lithgow is out of ASW ammo

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 18, 44
Repairs completed on DD Takanami at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Yugumo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Tanker TF 10 aborts mission and returns to Tarakan – an interesting message. This CS task force still has a full tanker and PB escort but turns back to Tarakan rather than proceeding on to Manila to unload.
a 'U' 1941 Long Hull class SS is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
SS Stonehenge is reported HIT
SS Balao is reported HIT
a 'U' 1941 Long Hull class SS is reported HIT
a 'U' 1941 Long Hull class SS is reported HIT
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Majuro
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
12 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 63rd Naval Guard Unit from Tarawa
6 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Kure 5th SNLF from Vella Lavella
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 12th JNAF AF Unit from Vella Lavella
TK Yozan Maru sinks at sea
Repairs completed on DD Kazegumo at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Kumamoto expands airfield to size 8
Kirin expands fortifications to size 4
Molokai expands airfield to size 6
Vizagapatnam expands airfield to size 6
Kukong expands fortifications to size 4
Ace pilot Matsunaga J. of Chitose-1 is promoted to PO1
Ace pilot Saito N. of 64th Sentai is promoted to 2LT
Ace pilot Inoue D. of 42nd I.F.Chutai is promoted to 1LT
Previous report of sinking of SS Hackleback incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Loss of xAK Sydney Maru #2 on Jul 18, 1943 is admitted
Loss of PB AnsyuMaru on Jan 18, 1944 is admitted
TK Medan Maru arrives at Hiroshima/Kure
xAP Saipan Maru arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo – this is the last xAP from the production queue. They haven’t been used very often, spending most of the war sitting in port at Tokyo in between moving the odd large unit south to the Marianas or Singapore.
AM Shepparton is reported to have been sunk near Palm Island on Aug 31, 1943

[jdsrae]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 19, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Clark Field at 78,76
SC Ch 31
SC Ch 32
SS Jack launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 31
Jack diving deep ....
SC Ch 32 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 32 is out of ASW ammo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 197 encounters mine field at Cox's Bazar (54,43)
PB Fukeui Maru #7
PB Atsu Maru
3 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Ramree Island at 52,49
DD Nagatsuki
DD Yuzuki
Allied Ships
SS Trespasser, hits 6
SS Trespasser is located by DD Nagatsuki
DD Yuzuki attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 6
Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 11
Wellington B.X: 4 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 3
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 7
Liberator B.III: 5 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 6
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 6
PV-1 Ventura: 4 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
Wellington GR.XIII x 6
Wellington GR.XIII: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 6
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kirakira at 114,141
SS RO-109
Allied Ships
xAK Age, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS RO-109 launches 2 torpedoes

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 19, 44
Repairs completed on CL Yahagi at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Shimakaze at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on SS I-43 at Truk, ship returned to service
SS Capelin is reported HIT
a Balao class SS is reported HIT
a KXIV Class class SS is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
SS Billfish is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Woodlark Island – the Allies will see that Woodlark has been abandoned by the IJN, so they may be tempted to try and establish a few more footholds around PNG.
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Manus
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Rabaul
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
11 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 63rd Naval Guard Unit from Tarawa
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 4th Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
Repairs completed on CL Jintsu at Singapore, ship returned to service
Ketoi-jima expands airfield to size 1
Madang expands fortifications to size 5
Comilla expands airfield to size 5
Previous report of sinking of SS Parche incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
29th Division's TOE was upgraded to IJA B-Type Inf+TK Division at Singapore – HQ Southern Army had to train south from Bangkok to get within 18 hex range of Singapore to make this TOE upgrade happen.
DE Harold C. Thomas is reported to have been sunk near Wotje on Oct 20, 1943
MTB G-542 arrives at Kobe
ML G-207 arrives at Shimizu
MTB G-12 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
xAK Age is reported to have been sunk near Kirakira on Jan 19, 1944

[jdsrae]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 20, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Miyako-jima at 92,66
E Kunashiri, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage – sunk. The surface search radar didn’t help spot the sub before it launched torps, but at least the Escort did its job and screened the tankers. They are empty and moving back to Singapore to fill up.
E Shimushu
AMC Asaka Maru
TK Toa Maru
TK Teiyo Maru
TK Kuroshio Maru
E Ishigaki
Allied Ships
SS Pargo, hits 4
SS Pargo launches 2 torpedoes at E Kunashiri
Pargo diving deep ....
E Ishigaki attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 12
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 6
Liberator GR.III x 5
Wellington GR.XIII x 11
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
Wellington GR.XIII: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 12
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 9
Liberator GR.III x 12
Liberator B.III: 5 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 12
Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 9
5 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 12
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
B-24D1 Liberator: 7 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 2
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 93,139
SS I-184, hits 2 – all the near misses from the last two days sum to moderate damage, so despite not launching torps it needs to return to port for repairs.
Allied Ships
AM Lithgow
AM Freemantle
AM Stawell
Captain of SS I-184 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
I-184 diving deep ....
AM Stawell attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aogashima at 112,65
AD Kashiwara Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage – was loading some supply before moving one hex NE to Hachijo-jima. Now on fire, major flood damage and 200ish supply points still on board to feed the flames. She’s probably a goner…
SS Grenadier launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Cairns at 93,140
SS I-182
Allied Ships
AM Lithgow
AM Freemantle
AM Stawell
SS I-182 is located by AM Lithgow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near San Francisco at 216,74
SS I-6, hits 5
Allied Ships
TK Mission Purisima
DD Monaghan
SS I-6 is sighted by escort
DD Monaghan attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Chittagong at 55,41
PB Rokko Maru
SS Sea Rover is sighted by escort
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Amami Oshima at 98,63
E Kamome
TK Yamaoka Maru
TK Amagi Maru #2
E Sarushima
E Nasami
Allied Ships
SS Sealion, hits 1
SS Sealion is sighted by escort – no surface search radars in this task force as the Escorts are Natsushima class. They have average skippers and crew experience average about 45, but they still manage to spot the sub before it attacks.
E Nasami attacking submerged sub ....

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 20, 44
Repairs completed on SS RO-104 at Manila, ship returned to service
an Allied SS is reported HIT
SS Tullibee is reported HIT
SS Balao is reported HIT
SS Balao is reported HIT
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Mili
F-5A Lightning sighted over Imphal
SS Whale is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Imphal - the Allied recon units are starting to look a little deeper behind the front line…
F-5A Lightning sighted over Dimapur
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
12 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 63rd Naval Guard Unit from Tarawa
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 4th Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
Nagpur expands airfield to size 4
85th Sentai converting to Ki-84r Frank – at Rangoon, upgrading from Tojo IIc
Previous report of sinking of SS Cod incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Loss of E Kunashiri on Jan 20, 1944 is admitted
Loss of SS I-157 on Oct 20, 1943 is admitted
LST T-103 arrives at Niigata

[jdsrae]

ADM Kato and the VADMs of the Combined Fleet congratulate CDR Kaseda on his appointment to command at Truk.
His mission is to get the ARD safely to Guam, effectively relocating the main support base for the 2x Submarine Squadrons allocated to 4th Fleet and the 1x Sub Sqn allocated to SEAF to Guam.
An AM Div under the command of LCDR Ikehama will escort the ARD as they move slowly north. What are the chances that they will make it?!

[jdsrae]

Here's a look at the plan for the IJA Generals.

GENs are needed for six Area Armies that start with LGENs in command; the 5th, 6th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 18th.
There are only 4x spare GENs on the reserve list, two of them semi-retired Prince Field Marshals and the Prime Minister, Tojo.
The two old Princes will take command of an Area Army each in Japan; the 5th and 13th.
GEN Kawabe is currently commanding 3rd Army (Corps) so he will be replaced and return to Japan to command Central Army, as he historically commanded 15th Area Army.
GEN Nishio retired in 1943 IRL, but in this game he will be ordered back to China as a subordinate 6th Area Army commander.
GEN Tojo will be replaced by a civilian Prime Minister and will be ordered South to command 14th Area Army. GEN Yamashita stays as a LGEN in this game.
LGEN Nakamura historically retained command of 18th Area Army when it was created from the 39th Army so it will be lowest priority for a GEN.

There is an excess of good Air HQ Generals on the reserve list that will be used to replace Air Army and Air Div commanders as those units arrive.

[jdsrae]

The Allies found a gap in the flimsy night fighter screen over Imphal...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 21, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 13
Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12
PV-1 Ventura: 5 damaged
Airbase hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 13
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 5
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 13
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 19
B-24J Liberator x 4
Liberator GR.III: 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Japanese aircraft
no flights – the Nick-C “night fighters” based at Imphal are providing LRCAP over Silchar leaving their home base unprotected… That will be fixed tomorrow but more NF are needed.
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 19
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 13
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 10
Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 6
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 5
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 4
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 5
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 5
Liberator B.III: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 3
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 5
Liberator B.III: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 3 destroyed on ground
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kuala Lumpur at 48,77
TK Risshun Maru
TK Tsushima Maru
E Tomozuru
E Hatsukari
Allied Ships
SS KXVII, hits 5
SS KXVII is sighted by escort
KXVII bottoming out ....
E Hatsukari attacking submerged sub ....

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 21, 44
SS Balao is reported HIT
SS Lancetfish is reported HIT
a Triton class SS is reported HIT
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Majuro
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard AD Kashiwara Maru
an Allied AM is reported HIT
SS Lancetfish is reported HIT
SS Billfish is reported HIT
an Allied SS is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Buna
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Majuro
F-5A Lightning sighted over Imphal
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
12 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 63rd Naval Guard Unit from Tarawa
18 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 4th Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard SS I-182
Denpasar expands fortifications to size 4
Prachuap Khiri Khan expands fortifications to size 4
Ace pilot Hashiguchi M. of 1st Sentai is promoted to CPT
Ace pilot Ryuzaki R. of 16th Sentai is promoted to 2LT

The crew of AD Kashiwara put the fires out, or maybe they burnt themselves out.

[jdsrae]

With the Allies concentrating on night bombing on the India-Burma border, 5th Sentai has just been bought out to 3rd Air Army and will fly south.
It will upgrade to Nick-D night fighters once it arrives at Bangkok.
There are only 21x Nick-D in the pool and it is now obvious to IGHQ that only making 1/day won’t cut it, as more than that will be shot down each night.

I’m going to adjust the pre-war plan and “invest” a bit more supply and HI points to expand the Nick-D factories from 30 to 60/month which will need another 60 engines/month to go in them. That will push the demand for Mitsubishi Ha-31 engines up to 360/month.

Depending on losses, 5th Sentai might still have to rotate in and out of the front line.
The Ki-102b Randy FB should start production in mid-late 1944 to add to the Nick-C for use as an auxiliary Night Fighter. It is currently 60% of the way to 9/44 at +2/day with engine bonus.
The Ki-102c Randy NF should start production in Q1 1945, by which time there will be a lot more Allied night bombing going on.

[jdsrae]

Reports of fuel cargo burning!



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 22, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Cairns at 93,139
SS I-184, hits 4
Allied Ships
AM Freemantle
AM Stawell
SS I-184 is sighted by escort
AM Stawell attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Johnston Island at 167,107
SS I-41
Allied Ships
TK Caribou, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Caribou is sighted by SS I-41
SS I-41 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 12
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 29
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Dimapur , at 62,38
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 6
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 12
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 23
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 11
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 6
Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 9
A-20G Havoc: 4 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 4
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 11
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 11
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 11
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8
Airbase supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 9
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wotje at 135,115
SS RO-61, hits 8
Allied Ships
SC PC-1083
SC PC-1085
RO-61 bottoming out ....
SC PC-1083 attacking submerged sub ....
SC PC-1083 is out of ASW ammo

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 22, 44
Repairs completed on E W-23 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service – now they have surface search radars
Repairs completed on E W-24 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E W-25 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E W-33 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E W-27 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E W-28 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E W-29 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E W-1 at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E W-13 at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E W-16 at Manila, ship returned to service
F-5A Lightning sighted over Rossel Island
F-5A Lightning sighted over Dimapur
SS Apogon is reported HIT
AMc Rampur is reported HIT
SS Balao is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Buna
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Manus
3 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd South Seas Gsn from Makin
17 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 3rd Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
19 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 4th Raiding Regiment from Kalemyo
Mussau Island expands airfield to size 3
Kalemyo expands fortifications to size 4
Sambalpur expands airfield to size 4
Aircraft N1K5-J George advances R&D – to 4/44 up to +16/day with engine bonus, but there are only 506 engines in the pool so not sure whether the George or the Frances will get the bonus each day.
Aircraft P1Y2 Frances advances R&D – to 3/44 up to +6/day with engine bonus
TK Caribou is reported to have been sunk near Johnston Island on Jan 22, 1944
LST-20 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Aug 29, 1943