Spirits of Tsushima - DesertWolf101 (J) vs Encircled (A)

[DesertWolf101]

Indian Ocean

The enemy carriers pulled back this turn.

Damaged CL Sumatra was successfully hunted down by Japanese submarines and put under.

Makassar is captured by Japanese troops.

China

Japanese attack at Changteh reduces forts from 3 to 2.

Head Scratching Moment

This game is so vast that we are always learning new things. Today Japanese troops arriving at Soerabaja were bombed by the Dutch. This is nothing abnormal of course, except that the bombings were preceded by a number of sweeps by fighters. Now my understanding is (was?) that you cannot sweep your own base, but clearly the case here is different. Maybe you can sweep your base if an enemy unit is present? Anyone know for certain?

[DesertWolf101]

Intrigued by what happened, I did pretty extensive tests to see if one can normally sweep ones own bases. Long story short, it doesn't work. I tried sweeping bases that are empty, bases that are full, and sweeping ones base from the same hex. None of the sweeps flew. This is basically in keeping with my previous understanding.

And yet....:

Morning Air attack on 21st/A Division, at 56,104 (Soerabaja)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
75A-7 Hawk x 8

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x 75A-7 Hawk sweeping at 15000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 143rd Infantry Regiment, at 56,104 (Soerabaja)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 8
P-40B Warhawk x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x CW-21B Demon sweeping at 15000 feet
6 x P-40B Warhawk sweeping at 15000 feet


I have no choice but to conclude that this is some sort of bug as I can't replicate it during tests. Oh well .... quirks eh?

[DesertWolf101]

China

An action packed day in China.

1) The Chinese attempt a rather desperate attack on my forces on the Ankang road in an attempt to cut my supply lines. They did send in the Chinese bombers in support and they outnumbered my forces 2 to 1, but that wasn't enough. 110 Chinese squads were disabled/destroyed for 8 Japanese.
2) The Japanese mount another attack at Changteh, achieving 1 to 1 odds and knocking down forts once more, this time to level 1. It's looking good here, and I should be able to take the base and push on soon.
3) The Japanese mount their first attack on Sian and take the base despite level 3 fortifications. A big victory here that will hopefully allow a rapid drive northwards towards Lanchow and westwards to link up with the Japanese on the Ankang road.

Ground combat at Sian (83,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 56831 troops, 539 guns, 310 vehicles, Assault Value = 2014

Defending force 33240 troops, 262 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 916

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 2240

Allied adjusted defense: 331

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sian !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2675 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 176 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled

Allied ground losses:
14910 casualties reported
Squads: 490 destroyed, 192 disabled
Non Combat: 273 destroyed, 89 disabled
Engineers: 75 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 76 (54 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Units retreated 13

[DesertWolf101]

SRA

Tjepoe on Java was taken with its oil intact, which proved an irresistible attraction to the remaining Dutch bombers on the Island. I anticipated this possibility however and had Zeros on LRCAP (there was no supply in the base to fly CAP from there). Some 25 Dutch 139WH-3 bombers and approximately 10 of their fighters were shot down for no hits on the oil, but I did lose 10 Zeros when the LRCAP was hit by sweeps towards the end while exhausted and low.

Second Phase

I am a bit behind schedule due to Allied submarine interference and some refuelling issues, but I am now ready for second phase operations. 4 Japanese Infantry Divisions of the first wave are embarked and departing the area around Singapore this turn. Allied subs with working torpedoes are prowling around the chokepoints and could complicate matters, but hopefully I will be out in the open sea soon enough.

[DesertWolf101]

Haven't had time to update the AAR but Encircled and I still went through a few busy turns.

North Pacific

The Americans are keeping the pressure up here but nothing that can't be handled so far. All of the action is focused on Cold Bay which is being targeted by USAAF bombers and occasional USN Navy destroyer bombardments. On the 29th I flew in 15 Zeros to ambush the American bombers, but had a bit of bad luck. Usually B-26 medium bombers fly in first from Kodiak followed by B-17Es from Anchorage. Today though it appears that the B-26s were stood down due to weather and the Zeros met only the B-17s. They shot the bombers up pretty well but none were lost (even to Ops). In return I lost 3 Zeros shot down.

Central and South Pacific

Pretty quiet here, mostly just dot base occupation duty by Japanese fast transports. I suspect Encircled will try something here before long though.

SRA

Japanese troops land on and take Tarakan without too much trouble. Ample support was provided by Japanese heavy cruisers to adequately deal with the garrison's dangerous coastal defense guns.

Medan was taken, effectively ending organized Dutch resistance in Sumatra.

Christmas Island the Cocos Islands are secured by Japanese fast transport task forces.

Encircled finally ordered some B-17E strikes on Ambon (where my damaged CVL is repairing), and these couldn't have come at a worse time for me given that I was in the process of moving some of the fighter squadrons around. Luckily there were still some Claudes up in the air and they did excellent work knocking out one or two of the bombers (ops damage) and preventing them from scoring any hits.

The first assault on Soerabaja goes in on the 28th of January. Japanese disablements are notable and disruption is high, but forts are knocked down to level 2 and considerable damage is inflicted on the Dutch as well.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43331 troops, 434 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 1605

Defending force 35761 troops, 443 guns, 132 vehicles, Assault Value = 858

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 643

Allied adjusted defense: 745

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
3607 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 285 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3086 casualties reported
Squads: 110 destroyed, 141 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 35 disabled
Guns lost 103 (6 destroyed, 97 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)


Burma

The KB, heavy covering force, and assault transports left Singapore a few days ago and passed north through the Strait of Malacca. They were chased by more than a dozen allied submarines the whole way but have managed to evade them thus far. The force is now located south of Rangoon.

In Burma the Japanese assault continues at a slow pace given combination of malaria zone, significant Allied presence bolstered by the presence of the 17th Indian Division at Tuang Gyi, and my desire to not take Magwe just yet.

China

A number of attacks have gone in against the Chinese blocking position one hex east of Kienko. I haven't broken through here yet but I am feeling quite confident I will be able to in another two to three attacks. I will then shock attack across the river into Kienko which will be nasty, but will also mean that the Japanese will have reached the Chungking plain.

The Chinese defenses at Changteh were reinforced and provided longer resistance than anticipated, but the Japanese are quickly wearing them down. Every assault here now leads to more Chinese losses than Japanese ones and I suspect the base will be under my control in one or two more attacks.

Enemy at the Gates.jpg (408.28 KiB) Viewed 911 times

[DesertWolf101]

Tense and decisive times in the Pacific

India/Indian Ocean

The India invasion force is within striking distance of its target. I dropped small portions of some of my paratrooper units to scout bases beyond my recon and to interrupt rail (at Vizagapatnam and Cuttack) and found that Wirraway has set up his defences in the area. Recon also shows me he has poised his airpower to intercept any landing between Chittagong and Calcutta with close to 200 fighters and 100 bombers.

SRA

B-17Ds from Clark airfield attempted to raid Formosa but were met by Zero CAP which knocked out three of them. This is not the first time the heavy bombers have harassed me from Clark, and have occasionally achieved minor if somewhat annoying damage to auxiliary ships (mostly minefield tenders) and some industry.

Japan captures Miri and Bengkalis - no damage to the oil except the damage that Miri starts the war with.

China

A big victory for the Empire on the 31st of January - the Chinese blocking position east of Kienko has been defeated and the Japanese now have a clear avenue into the Chunking plain.

Ground combat at 79,41 (near Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19235 troops, 102 guns, 1006 vehicles, Assault Value = 962

Defending force 24059 troops, 172 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 187

Japanese adjusted assault: 568

Allied adjusted defense: 181

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
10163 casualties reported
Squads: 639 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 326 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 27 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 56 (38 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Units retreated 8

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


Tomorrow will be an interesting and action packed turn.

[DesertWolf101]

India

The Japanese successfully land four infantry divisions plus headquarters, artillery, and other support units at Vizagapatnam. The Allies positioned a relatively stout defense here, including two Indian coastal artillery regiments, but powerful IJN covering fire spearheaded by four battleships protected all landing ships and inflicted considerable damage to the shore defenses. During the air phase, the KB delivered a powerful air attack on the defenders inflicting significant losses. This is what the Allies have in the hex:

44th Cavalry Regiment
50th Tank Brigade
1st Somerset LI Battalion
23rd Indian Division
19th Indian/C Division
1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

The RAF sends 16 Blenheim IV bombers to bomb my paratroopers at Cuttack but lose ten of their number to Zero fighters on LRCAP.

SRA

It's more than 95% moonlight at the moment which allows for unrestricted night bombing. B-17E bombers from Darwin attempt to attack Ambon once again, this time at night, but have their aim thrown off by Claudes on night CAP.

The Japanese attack Soerabaja for the second time. More progress is made here, and now forts are down to 1 (although I suspect they will make it back to 2 before long):

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38641 troops, 395 guns, 147 vehicles, Assault Value = 1390

Defending force 33136 troops, 438 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 656

Japanese adjusted assault: 632

Allied adjusted defense: 595

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1843 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 165 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2415 casualties reported
Squads: 107 destroyed, 98 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 107 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 40 (3 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

China

Japanese forces finally conquer Changteh:

Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39372 troops, 506 guns, 216 vehicles, Assault Value = 1044

Defending force 21468 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134

Japanese adjusted assault: 669

Allied adjusted defense: 233

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Changteh !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
314 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
8859 casualties reported
Squads: 401 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 181 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 91 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 63 (63 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Further to the north, Japanese forces are looking to break through Kungchang towards Lanchow before Chinese reinforcements arrive in the area back from their initial starting position near Paotow to the East.

The situation in India - The Allies are scrambling their troops in Bengal/Assam and some 50 ships were surprised by the operation and are now sitting under the protection of ~165 Allied fighters at Calcutta.

D-Day India.jpg (200.81 KiB) Viewed 859 times

[DesertWolf101]

India

I decided to go after the Allied fighters on Calcutta. Betty bombers struck at night, faced no opposition, and destroyed a P-40B on the ground. The lack of opposition was explained away during the day when a coordinating sweep of 130 Zeros from the KB met no resistance - the Allied fighters had moved out.

The newly landed Japanese force attack the enemy defenses at Vizagapatnam with great success:

Ground combat at Vizagapatnam (42,37)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 48386 troops, 536 guns, 192 vehicles, Assault Value = 1676

Defending force 9438 troops, 164 guns, 250 vehicles, Assault Value = 328

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1085

Allied adjusted defense: 22

Japanese assault odds: 49 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Vizagapatnam !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
314 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Units pursuing 1

Allied ground losses:
4482 casualties reported
Squads: 136 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 302 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 89 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 123 (104 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 213 (210 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

SRA

Encircled is heavily using the plethora of small islands around the SRA to hide aviation tenders and sustain good naval search over the region. Today I took a bite out of his naval search however when I deduced one of his search positions from the pattern by which my various ship traffic was being spotted. Without sending recon to confirm my suspicions (in order to not forewarn Encircled) I dropped some paratroopers on Serasan island and destroyed 4 Dutch floatplanes.

[DesertWolf101]

Indian Ocean

Commander Nagahama of the I-I66 keenly observed through the periscope the mass of Allied ships streaming past Diamond Harbour. The almost full moon offered him good visibility as he counted the ships only to quickly give up as he realized there were dozens of ships of all sizes. As he ordered action stations, Nagahama could clearly see that there was no attempt by the mass of ships to organize into convoys. They were all sailing independently.

I-166 and I-153, serving as the forward picket in front of Calcutta, quickly sank three British xAKs before being surpassed by the mass of ships. The Allied vessels spread in all directions, the warships speeding ahead with the slower cargo ships and auxiliaries lagging behind. CL Jintsu and an escorting destroyer were the only Japanese warships close to the action and they waded in to pick off a couple of KVs before the air action started.

The KB had moved to the east and had found itself just south of the mass of ships, with the faster British light cruisers having pushed ahead at flank speed past it. The sheer number of single ship task forces played havoc on the KB's air attack planning, resulting in highly inefficient strikes going out whereby a single small ship would be hit by 25 Vals while other bigger ships would be harassed by just a few Kates or dive-bombers. Torpedo armed Betty bombers from Burma encountered the same issues, at one time sending up 30 Betties after 4 HDMLs. Still, there were some notable successes. In particular, both CL Ceres and CL Dauntless were hammered and sunk.

I have always strived to avoid using non-combatant single ship task forces anywhere near the frontline as it causes some serious issues with targeting as just happened. Same thing with PT boats which I always group together in at least 6 or more (when I can). But to be fair to my esteemed opponent avoiding the use of single cargo ships was not one of the rules we discussed and it is not exactly historically inaccurate so I won't complain or anything of that sort. What's good for the goose is good for the gander however, and I have plenty of devious ideas on how to use single ships if it ever comes to that.

SRA

The 144th Infantry Regiment lands on Samarinda, and Brunei is captured. Attempting to wrap up the conquest of the Dutch East Indies as soon as possible, with Soerabaja and Luzon being the only remaining enemy groupings offering any meaningful resistance.

[DesertWolf101]

SRA

Samarainda and Djambi are captured almost completely intact.

Japanese forces land in southern Luzon and begin marching on Manila from the south. The plan is to eventually link up with Japanese forces marching in from northern Luzon.

Another attack at Soerabaja does some decent damage but fails to knock down forts due to a weak adjusted AV.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37945 troops, 370 guns, 147 vehicles, Assault Value = 1260

Defending force 31303 troops, 435 guns, 130 vehicles, Assault Value = 577

Japanese adjusted assault: 343

Allied adjusted defense: 496

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2100 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 161 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2308 casualties reported
Squads: 79 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 121 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 45 (7 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Vehicles lost 68 (51 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Burma

Japanese forces capture Taung Gyi and march into Meiktila and Magwe. The former has the 17th Indian Division present and the latter is abandoned.

Indian Ocean

Imperial troops maul the already battered Indian forces at Cocanda:

Ground combat at Cocanada (41,37)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4894 troops, 114 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 1246

Defending force 3747 troops, 57 guns, 55 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Japanese adjusted assault: 113

Allied adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cocanada !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units pursuing 9

Allied ground losses:
1095 casualties reported
Squads: 69 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 128 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (30 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 42 (42 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4

I detached a large number of destroyers and cruisers and set them to attack the escaping enemy ships. The result was a long series of messy and confused intercepts all over the Bay of Bengal. All together, some 20 enemy ships were eventually sunk, most of them small xAKs or xAKLs but also including a few PGs, a DE, an AG, and an AKE. The KB ended its movement in an ideal position to launch strikes at the enemy ships but dismal weather grounded its aircraft throughout the day. About half the enemy ships remain, the vast bulk of which are now corralled against the coast close to the Japanese landing zones at Vizagapatam.

War in the Pacific - Admiral Edition (1.8.11.26b) 6_09_2022 6_59_39 PM (2).png (701.32 KiB) Viewed 753 times

[DesertWolf101]

Indian Ocean

A disappointing day in the air over the Indian Ocean that started with the loss of 19 Betties over Rangoon to a CAP trap.

The KB steamed west and ended up just east of Ceylon near Jaffna. Weather once more interfered however and prevented the KB from launching strikes at remaining Allied shipping fleeing west towards Madras (of which another half a dozen were sunk by Japanese destroyers during naval phases). The KB instead launched Vals against a bunch of Allied warships at Jaffna which Wirraway had placed under a decent CAP of fighters. This battle resulted in 15 Vals and 4 Zeros lost for 8 P-39Ds destroyed, with only one 250kg bomb hit on a Clemson class destroyer.

The KB also had secondary targets and in the afternoon launched port strikes against Colombo and Cochin. The strike on Colombo gave good intel and found the port largely empty. Two xAKs were likely sunk and one was damaged. The strike on Cochin found it largely empty as well and the Dutch O20 submarine was hit with both a 800kg and a 250kg bomb.

Interestingly, the KB is reported as being two hexes away from what is identified as Allied heavy cruisers at Jaffna - FOW or the real deal? The Val strikes only found destroyers so I am not sure. There is the possibility of real danger here as the KB has used up ops points to refuel its destroyer escorts so will have a slow start taking off. I guess we will find out next turn.

SRA

Japanese paratroopers land on Billiton and once more torch a bunch of Allies seaplanes, this time 7 American SOC-1 Seagulls. This also helps soften the blow a bit from all the air losses over the Indian Ocean today. For the day the Japanese have lost 44 aircraft to the Allied 17. In the campaign thus far the Japanese have lost 712 to 1125 Allied aircraft - it's been bloody.

Burma

The 124th Infantry Regiment lands at Akyab. The 17th Indian Division and other Commonwealth forces abandon Meiktila and withdraw to Mandalay.

China

A good day in China. Japanese forces drive back the Chinese from Kungchang and look to have solid prospects for seizing Lanchow within a week or so. The main Japanese spearhead army also carried out the risky river crossing into Kienko with great results:

Ground combat at Kienko (78,41)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 19301 troops, 102 guns, 1005 vehicles, Assault Value = 993

Defending force 31686 troops, 243 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1000

Japanese adjusted assault: 1038

Allied adjusted defense: 797

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 96 (3 destroyed, 93 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3706 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 383 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 76 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)

War in the Pacific - Admiral Edition (1.8.11.26b) 7_09_2022 4_45_19 PM (2).png (1.57 MiB) Viewed 679 times

[godefroycz]

Incredible performance. I think China is completely crushed within three months. The opponent may try to retreat to Chunking, where it will be completely surrounded and blocked, and some forces may hold Kunming or the mountainous terrain. China is out.

[DesertWolf101]

Incredible performance. I think China is completely crushed within three months. The opponent may try to retreat to Chunking, where it will be completely surrounded and blocked, and some forces may hold Kunming or the mountainous terrain. China is out.

Thanks mate. Securing China early creates a lot of openings for the Japanese.

[DesertWolf101]

Indian Ocean

With the support of heavy bombing from the IJAAF the 124th Infantry Regiment seizes Akyab and routs part of the 7th Indian Division and the B squadron of the 3rd Hussars Regiment, and destroys the 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment.

The Allies launch concerted air attacks against the Vizagapatnam airfield in an attempt to isolate my invasion force. The 11th Sentai with Oscars was on CAP duty and met the attacks. The first to come in was a squadron of P-38Es marking their debut in the war. The Lightnings shoot down four Oscars for no loss. The 11th Sentai took its revenge however when it savaged a Blenheim IV squadron and damaged another Hudson IIIa equipped one. The Japanese fighter pilots also tangled with a wave of Hurricanes against which they achieved approximately equal kills/losses. Finally, B-17Es came in and by then the Oscars were spent, which allowed the beasts to proceed unmolested and damage the runway.

Burma

Meiktila is taken, the Japanese continue pushing north towards Mandalay.

SRA

A fighter sweep over Soerabaja knocks out 6 Dutch fighters for the loss of one Oscar.

[DesertWolf101]

India

The Japanese catch up with the routed Indian forces near Bezwada and complete the destruction of enemy army, including the 23rd Indian Division.

More air combat over Vizagapatnam airfield on the 8th of February. The Japanese lose 13 Zeros for 3 P-38Es and 1 Hurricane IIa. Those Lightnings are tough and I can see during the air combat phase that Encircled has put his very best pilots in them.

Burma

Magwe is secured but 50 of its oil wells are damaged. These will be repaired as soon as I can get enough supply forward.

China

Not long before I push my way through here:

Ground combat at Kienko (78,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19279 troops, 102 guns, 1002 vehicles, Assault Value = 979

Defending force 28998 troops, 227 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 699

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 760

Allied adjusted defense: 341

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
333 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 92 (7 destroyed, 85 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2558 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 278 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 40 (3 destroyed, 37 disabled)

[DesertWolf101]

Fell behind on updating this AAR but will try to catch up.

India

More fleeing Allied merchant ships, around ten of them, are sunk in the Bay of Bengal by roving Japanese warships. All Allied ships are in single ship task forces.

The KB was intercepted by DD Paul Jones whose captain and crew bravely charged in and launched torpedoes at CV Akagi (missed) before being ripped apart by 36cm gunfire from the escorting battleships. The KB then turned into the wind and launched a full deck strike to successfully close down Madras's airfields. Vals on naval attack duty also sunk CM Abdiel off the coast of Madras.

Philippines

A Japanese convoy escorted by CVE Taiyo moved in to disembark the Guards Mixed Brigade on Luzon. Encircled spotted the convoy and did the smart thing, sending in multiple waves of PT boats that were reformed in Manila. For the loss of 6 PT boats, the Allies moderately damaged CVE Taiyo with a torpedo and sunk a Toho class xAK and and a Torpedo boat. The Guards Mixed Brigade was disembarked without loss.

SRA

Japanese troops land on Balikpapan.

Burma

Meiktila is captured by the Japanese.

China

Good success in China. Japanese forces push back the roadblock in front of Lanchow and capture Kienko:

Ground combat at Kienko (78,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18856 troops, 102 guns, 995 vehicles, Assault Value = 902

Defending force 26592 troops, 223 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 476

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 366

Allied adjusted defense: 167

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kienko !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
9183 casualties reported
Squads: 500 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 635 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 83 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 83 (68 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Units retreated 7
Units destroyed 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

[DesertWolf101]

North Pacific

Submarine I-2 damages DD Aylwin with a torpedo on the 10th but is heavily damaged by other American destroyers the next day.

(Note: IJN submarines have also sunk several allied merchant ships across the Pacific/Indian Ocean over the last ten days. I don't usually note these incidents unless something particularly noteworthy emerges such as sinking valuable cargo or hitting an important ship).

South Pacific

An enemy destroyer was spotted scouting around Nouema so I sent two Katori class training cruisers to intercept it. The enemy destroyer (DD Phelps) took the early advantage and hit CL Katori with a torpedo from 10,000 yards, triggering a magazine explosion that vaporized the hapless Japanese warship. CL Kashima however quickly avenged its sister ship to sink DD Phelps with several accurate hits.

Indian Ocean

The KB moved north and dispatched its Kate bombers to strike Warangal airfield where Encircled briefly moved his bombers to create space for his fighters at Hyderabad:

Morning Air attack on Warangal , at 40,33

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53
B5N2 Kate x 88

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 7 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed on ground
B-26 Marauder: 6 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground
Lysander II: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 12 damaged

The next day, the KB sent another full deck strike to pound the 7th Armoured Brigade that was moving south to threaten my position at Bezwada.

SRA

Balikpapan is captured with 66 oil wells damaged. Another attack goes in against Soerabaja. Hopefully not too many attacks left to take the position.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38168 troops, 369 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 1279

Defending force 30671 troops, 428 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 515

Japanese adjusted assault: 445

Allied adjusted defense: 419

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2316 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 121 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 23 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1981 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 115 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 101 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 45 (23 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 64 (57 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

China

The siege of Kweiling began with the first two attacks knocking down forts from 3 to 1. Japanese armor surges forward from Kienko and chases down Chinese Corps that are fleeing towards Chungking.

Ground combat at 78,42 (near Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6094 troops, 0 guns, 892 vehicles, Assault Value = 482

Defending force 11775 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 91

Japanese adjusted assault: 362

Allied adjusted defense: 12

Japanese assault odds: 30 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), morale(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units pursuing 3

Allied ground losses:
3074 casualties reported
Squads: 417 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 381 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 38 (28 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 4
Units destroyed 1

[DesertWolf101]

East Pacific

Japanese heavy cruisers on one of my very deep scouting/raiding missions chase down and sink six American xAKs west of Los Angeles.

South Pacific

DD Worden attempted a hit and run raid on Noumea but encountered two Japanese light cruisers and two destroyers. The Japanese ships severely damaged DD Worden which was subsequently sunk by a torpedo from IJN Nell bombers during the air phase.

India

On both the 12th and the 13th the KB continued striking the 7th Armored Brigade, severely damaging it in the process. Cuttack is captured by the 18th Division while a paradrop seizes Bellary.

SRA

Sizable air battles took place over Soerabaja and Clark airfield on the 12th of February as the Allies decide to send up their fighters to challenge the Japanese. For the day, 42 Allied aircraft were lost for 13 Japanese ones.

A disappointing result in the first Japanese attack on Manila. Barely missed 1 to 1 odds at 1125 to 1131 with approximately 300 disabled squads/vehicles on the Japanese side for 160 Allied.

Burma

Mandalay is taken by Japanese forces.

China

Another 800 Chinese squads/devices are reported destroyed on the 13th of February as Japanese tanks drive back retreating Chinese forces into Chungking and push back other Chinese Corps around Sian.

[DesertWolf101]

SIGINT suggest the Allies are preparing something big in the Pacific.

Bay of Bengal

Extensive Japanese night and day naval search pays off when I go after CL Emerald that was scouting just beyond Betty torpedo bomber range. Heavy cruisers Nachi and Takao (and escorting destroyers) approach the British cruiser unseen and engage her during the night and day phases until they sink her.

I also pull back the KB from the Indian coast towards Madras which gets the KB within range of four American Clemson class destroyers that looked to be positioning to dart in against my transports. All four destroyers were sunk by Val and Kate bombers.

South Pacific

The Allies land a small force on vacant Norfolk Island.

China

Japanese troops capture Tienshui. Encircled reinforces Kweilin with more Chinese troops.

SRA

Japanese forces capture Bandjermasin and Soerabaja. Dutch resistance has effectively collapsed.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37424 troops, 369 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 1223

Defending force 29688 troops, 408 guns, 53 vehicles, Assault Value = 455

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 693

Allied adjusted defense: 345

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Soerabaja !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 2 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
CW-22 Falcon: 6 destroyed
PBY-5 Catalina: 3 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1540 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 207 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
25648 casualties reported
Squads: 840 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3144 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 201 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 554 (554 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 64 (64 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 24

Air battles took battle over Soerabaja today (and some over Bellary in India). The Japanese do very well in these:

Air Losses.jpg (103.6 KiB) Viewed 547 times

[DesertWolf101]

India

The biggest event of the day was a determined effort by the Allies to sweep the air clear of Japanese fighters over Vizagapatnam. The air battle here is critical since I am focusing my resources on building up this base as the main disembarkation point for further waves of reinforcements and Encircled for his part is seeking to close down the airbase which would allow him to bomb my convoys. I can only put 100 fighters here without over stacking (size 2 airfield) while Encircled has about three times that number in fighters alone of which approximately 20 are P-38Es. The other issue is that Japan still does not have any radar at this stage which really hampers my early warning as I have to rely only on sound detectors.

Today went very well for the Japanese, with the Empire shooting down twice the aircraft it lost. As the Japanese were fighting over their base, only 7 pilots were killed and 4 were wounded. I think I had a bit of luck here as I suspect things could have been different if his P-38Es and B-17Es had flown.

War in the Pacific - Admiral Edition (1.8.11.26b) 17_09_2022 2_10_10 PM (2).png (389.73 KiB) Viewed 526 times