ANCHE LE FORMICHE NEL LORO PICCOLO … SI SVEGLIANO

29 novembre 1944

Con un fulmineo attacco, le forze alleate prendono possesso della base di Bangkok.

I giapponesi sono ancora massicciamente presenti in città e servirà ancora qualche giorno per ripulirla, ma la conquista della capitale Tailandese infonde morale ai comandi e alle truppe di tutto il teatro. lo sblocco di questo importante nodo, inoltre, assicurerà l'arrivo di rifornimenti sia in direzione della Cambogia/Vietnam, che nella ancor più importante direttrice che punta verso il sud della Malesia, verso l'importantissimo porto di Singapore, contro cui verrà lanciato il maggior numero di truppe britanniche, una volta che si libereranno dell'incarico di assicurare alle armi alleate il possesso di Bangkok.

Ground combat at Bangkok (56,62)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 62996 troops, 1166 guns, 1422 vehicles, Assault Value = 2092
Defending force 24220 troops, 313 guns, 718 vehicles, Assault Value = 452
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Allied adjusted assault: 2149
Japanese adjusted defense: 343
Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Bangkok !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
2171 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 351 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 142 (134 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 415 (415 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
520 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Assaulting units:
19th Indian Division
29th British Brigade
6th Australian Division
20th Indian Division
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
40th Infantry Division
26th Indian Division
6th Medium Regiment
8th Medium Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
2/13th Field Regiment
86th Medium Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
85th Medium Regiment
Defending units:
1st Tank Division
8th Division
Burma Area Army
17th JAAF Base Force
9th Air Division
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
70th Field AA Battalion
33rd Army
2nd RF Gun Battalion
101st AA Regiment
25th JNAF AF Unit

 

wow!

 

La sensazione è che siano rimasti senza carburante. Erano in ritirata dalla Birmania e sono rimasti nella sacca di Bankok per qualche settimana.
Poi i carri giapponesi non è che fossero molto performanti. Buoni da usare contro la fanteria, se non equipaggiata di armi anticarro e nel 44 le unità alleate ne avevano in abbondanza.

 

1 dicembre 1944

La Tailandia sta cadendo nelle mani alleate come una mela matura. Poche unità corazzate, lanciate verso nord e sud continuano ad incontrare solo deboli unità di genieri e avieri.

Cade Kompong Chhnang in Cambogia, 40 miglia a N della capitale Phnom Penh e la marcia delle due brigate corazzate verso Udon Thani sembra inarrestabile.

Ground combat at Kompong Chhnang (59,68)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 2856 troops, 18 guns, 282 vehicles, Assault Value = 209
Defending force 971 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Allied adjusted assault: 193
Japanese adjusted defense: 8
Allied assault odds: 24 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Kompong Chhnang !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
388 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
254th Armoured Brigade
Defending units:
52nd JNAF AF Unit
___________________________

Ground combat at 59,61 (near Nakhon Ratchasima)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 4195 troops, 64 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 255
Defending force 528 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6
Allied adjusted assault: 139
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 139 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
528 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 45 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
Provisionl Tank Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade

In malesia due divisioni britanniche sono arrivate ad insidiare Chumphon e Victoria Point.



Nel sudovest Pacifico lo stato maggiore del generale Macarthur sta studiando i piani dello sbarco a Naga, che dovrà essere il primo piede alleato nell'isola delle Filippine di Luzon.

 

5 dicembre 1944

Mentre fervono i preparativi per l'invasione a Naga, per la quale Macarthur ha ottenuto la 4^ divisione marines, attualmente di stanza a Rabaul, nel sudest asiatico gli alleati dilagano in Cambogia e verso sud, in Malesia, dove incontrano scarsa resistenza.
Anche la capitale Bangkok sarà presto liberata dalle ultime sacche di resistenza nemica.

Ground combat at Bangkok (56,62)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 62754 troops, 1173 guns, 1423 vehicles, Assault Value = 2044
Defending force 9804 troops, 107 guns, 150 vehicles, Assault Value = 21
Allied adjusted assault: 1935
Japanese adjusted defense: 9
Allied assault odds: 215 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
4514 casualties reported
Squads: 324 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 512 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 61 (61 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 80 (80 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4
Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
20th Indian Division
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
40th Infantry Division
29th British Brigade
19th Indian Division
6th Australian Division
26th Indian Division
86th Medium Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
8th Medium Regiment
85th Medium Regiment
Defending units:
8th Division
1st Tank Division
33rd Army
9th Air Division
25th JNAF AF Unit

Chumpong, in Malesia viene occupata e presto lo sarà anche Victoria Point, porto vitale per l'afflusso dei rifornimenti che dovranno alimentare l'avanzata verso meridione

Ground combat at Chumphon (52,66)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13963 troops, 288 guns, 219 vehicles, Assault Value = 494
Defending force 1071 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 50
Allied adjusted assault: 222
Japanese adjusted defense: 9
Allied assault odds: 24 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Chumphon !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
588 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2
Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
5th Indian Division
Defending units:
4th INA Nehru Regiment
2nd INA Gandhi Regiment

Anche l'avanzata verso Udon Thani prosegue travolgendo una malcapitata unità di genio giapponese

Ground combat at 60,61 (near Nakhon Ratchasima)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5470 troops, 64 guns, 347 vehicles, Assault Value = 258
Defending force 291 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4
Allied adjusted assault: 163
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 163 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
227 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
Provisionl Tank Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
Defending units:
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment

A far male, però sono le sortite dell'aviazione nemica, che approfittano della scarsa copertura aerea che hanno le truppe lanciate in un avanzata velocissima

Morning Air attack on 254th Armoured Brigade, at 59,68 (Kompong Chhnang)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 72
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 4 damaged
Allied ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (2 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-84a Frank bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
36 x Ki-84a Frank bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

 

6 dicembre 1944

Cessa ogni resistenza giapponese intorno a Bangkok.

Ground combat at Bangkok (56,62)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37443 troops, 711 guns, 769 vehicles, Assault Value = 2051
Defending force 4491 troops, 50 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Allied adjusted assault: 1504
Japanese adjusted defense: 3
Allied assault odds: 501 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
4578 casualties reported
Squads: 105 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 619 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 57 (57 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
20th Indian Division
6th Australian Division
29th British Brigade
40th Infantry Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
19th Indian Division
26th Indian Division
86th Medium Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
8th Medium Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
85th Medium Regiment
Defending units:
8th Division

 

9 dicembre 1944

Cade Udon Thani, in Cambogia. Si completa l'accerchiamento delle truppe giapponesi ancora presenti al confine tra Tailandia e Birmania.

Ground combat at Udon Thani (61,59)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5470 troops, 64 guns, 347 vehicles, Assault Value = 257
Defending force 1877 troops, 13 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 27
Allied adjusted assault: 226
Japanese adjusted defense: 5
Allied assault odds: 45 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Udon Thani !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), leaders(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1680 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 73 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 12 (7 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
Provisionl Tank Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
Defending units:
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
17th JAAF AF Bn

------
La situazione nel SE asiatico in uno snapshot:

 

10 dicembre 1944.
Dopo che nei giorni precedenti era stato avvistato un convoglio di petroliere in navigazione da Singapore verso NE e le CVE americane del sudovest pacifico di stanza a Manado erano state inviate nel Mar cinese meridionale per intercettarle, i giapponesi, avendo a loro volta avvistato il pericolo, avevano fatto rientrare nel porto di Saigon quel naviglio, nel tentativo di metterlo in salvo.
Ma i bombardieri alleati della base di Moulmein, in un massiccio bombardamento della città, colpiscono le navi nemiche.

Morning Air attack on Saigon , at 60,71
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 49
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 29
Liberator GR.VI x 9
B-24J Liberator x 25
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 2 damaged
Liberator B.VI: 1 destroyed by flak
Liberator GR.VI: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
TK Nihon Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK San Pedro Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Tatibana Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK San Luis Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Hakko Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK San Diego Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
E Kamo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Kasasagi, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
TK Ogura Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
E Kiji, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
TK Eiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
Repair Shipyard hits 1
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Liberator B.VI bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x Liberator B.VI bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x Liberator GR.VI bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
29th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Massive explosion on TK San Diego Maru
---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Saigon , at 60,71
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 49
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
E Kasasagi, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
E Otori, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Liberator B.VI bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
29th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (5 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (10 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (6 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Saigon , at 60,71
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 49
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 22
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
E Otori, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Ranzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet *
Port Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
29th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (5 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (10 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (10 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 13620 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Saigon , at 60,71
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 49
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
TK Ogura Maru #1, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
29th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (5 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (10 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (13 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 13620 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

Inizia nel Borneo una campagna aerea contro le raffinerie di Miri

Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 27
No Allied losses
Refinery hits 25
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9
No Allied losses
Refinery hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Nel sudovest Pacifico, McArtur sostituisce tutti i comandi delle truppe impegnate nella conquista di Davao, assegnando loro leaders con punteggi alti, oltre che nel fattore "land" anche in quello "amministration", per cercare di far recuperare più velocemente il valore di "fatigue" delle loro truppe, finora sempre molto alto e con livelli di decrescita troppo lunghi.

La flotta da bombardamento, nel frattempo, è stata inviata a Truk per rifornirsi completamente in vista del prossimo bombardamento navale del capoluogo dell'isola Filippina, che dovrà determinare il definitivo possesso di quell'importante porto.

 

15 dicembre 1944

Nel tentativo di non far scoprire ai giapponesi il traffico della flotta di corazzate da Manado a Truk per il rifornimento, I quattro gruppi di portaerei di squadra, ora all'ancora nella rada di Manado (Celebes), lanciano un attacco alla base di aerea di Babeldaob, da dove eventuali ricognitori nemici potrebbero individuare i continui trasferimenti.

All'alba del 15 dai ponti delle CV americane partono 4 squadriglie di bombardieri in picchiata e 8 squadriglie di caccia, 4 impegnate nella missione di sweep e 4 di scorta ai bombardieri.

La missione si rivela un successo specialmente per quanto riguarda gli scontri di superiorità tra i caccia

Morning Air attack on Babeldaob , at 90,97
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 106
Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 36
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x F6F-5 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet
CAP engaged:
S-304 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 9 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
S-302 Kokutai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 24 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 21 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
S-306 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 22 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Babeldaob , at 90,97
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 85
Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x F6F-5 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet
CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
19 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 34000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
S-304 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
S-306 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 40300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Babeldaob , at 90,97
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 57
Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 24
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 96
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 9 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 67
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
20 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
16 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
20 x F6F-5 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet
8 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
17 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 33000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
S-303 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 36000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
S-304 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 33490 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
S-306 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 34000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers

La base nemica risulta danneggiata per un 40% della sua capacità e le perdite subite, sostanzialmente sono accettabili.

 

una domanda: perché non usi le BB in bombardamento notturno? , fai secco AF di notte e di giorno con le cv pulisci aeroporto con aerei a terra?
poi con i 2E ogni giorno bombardi e fai scendere i supply e poi sbarchi in scioltezza?

 

Hai ragione, ma al momento le BB sono tutte impegnate nei bombardamenti di Davao, dove si concentrano tutti gli sforzi per conquistare il porto, l'unico in zona che sia in grado (se portato al max size) di rifornire completamente le grandi navi (tipo appunto le BB, che ora, per fare un bombardamento efficace devono rifornire a Truk.
Purtroppo è una questione di priorità, appunto. Una volta presa Davao la musica in questo settore cambierà.

 

già nel 44?

 

AKE non ne ho ... A Manado c'è un comando di flotta ... la V, credo, e il porto è pieno di AE, AD, AG cariche di supplies, ma non basta per rifornire completamente l'hells express: credo proprio ci voglia un porto size minimo 6.
Teniamo conto che in rada lì ci sono 16 CV, 9 CVL e un numero enorme di CVE, con relative scorte ... quel porto è decisamente insufficiente per supportare quell'enorme flotta.
Con le AE pochi turni fa ho provato a fare una TF replenish, carica di supplies e ho provato a rifornire in mare ... niente di fatto.
Ancora questa possibilità non è data.

 

17 dicembre 1944

A dimostrazione del fatto che servono porti grandi per rifornire le BB in modo che il loro bombardamento sia efficace, Ecco la TF dell'ammiraglio Lee presentarsi in rada a Davao, dopo aver rifornito a Truk:

Night Naval bombardment of Davao at 79,91
Allied Ships
BB Missouri
BB Wisconsin
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
BB South Dakota
BB Washington
BB North Carolina
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria
Japanese ground losses:
1218 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 50 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Manpower hits 2
Fires 6318
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 17
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 3
BB Missouri firing at Davao
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Wisconsin
BB Wisconsin firing at 10th Division
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB New Jersey
BB New Jersey firing at Davao
BB Iowa firing at Davao
BB Alabama firing at 10th Division
BB Massachusetts firing at 10th Division
BB Indiana firing at Davao
BB South Dakota firing at Davao
BB Washington firing at 10th Division
BB North Carolina firing at Davao
CA Minneapolis firing at 10th Division
CA Astoria firing at 10th Division
__________________________
Puntuale parte l'attacco terrestre, con le truppe che hanno risentito positivamente del maggior livello admin dei comandanti che hanno sostituito quelli precedenti (la fatigue scende più in fretta):

Ground combat at Davao (79,91)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 23359 troops, 450 guns, 519 vehicles, Assault Value = 812
Defending force 17642 troops, 210 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 347
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Allied adjusted assault: 1454
Japanese adjusted defense: 427
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
827 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 13 (8 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
711th Tank Battalion
38th Infantry Division
9th Australian Division
XXIV US Corps
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
178th Infantry Regiment
10th Division
II./90th Infantry Battalion
67th JNAF AF Unit
2nd Base Force
37th JNAF AF Unit
38th JNAF AF Unit
48th JNAF AF Unit
8th Fleet
131st Naval Construction Battalion
79th JAAF AF Bn
________________________
L'attacco prosciuga i supplies nell'esagono, occorrerà aspettare almeno un giorno per riprendere l'offensiva.

 

19 dicembre 1944

Nel mar cinese meridionale viene intercettato un convoglio carico di petrolio dagli avenger dei gruppi di CVE.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Quinhon at 70,70
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 217
F6F-5 Hellcat x 21
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 18
TBM-1C Avenger x 7
TBM-3 Avenger x 159
Allied aircraft losses
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAK Yamabiko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Kosin Maru, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Tamon Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Nitti Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Yodogawa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Asakaze Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Nako Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
PB Naruto Maru #3, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Toa Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Onoe Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Kozui Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Nichiyu Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Teikoku Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
PB Nanpo Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
PB Aso Maru #3, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
PB Nagata Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
[...]
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Tamon Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Naruto Maru #3
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Toa Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Teikoku Maru
Massive explosion on PB Nanpo Maru
_______________________________
Alle CVE è stato dato l'ordine di rientrare il più velocemente possibile a Manado, per evitare eventuali periolosi contrattacchi della KB.

A Davao sta per essere scritta la parola fine al periodo di occupazione giapponese; la sensazione è che al prossimo attacco la base sarà conquistata.

Ground combat at Davao (79,91)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 23285 troops, 450 guns, 519 vehicles, Assault Value = 802
Defending force 17062 troops, 201 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 311
Allied adjusted assault: 1263
Japanese adjusted defense: 505
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1056 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 14 (10 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Assaulting units:
711th Tank Battalion
38th Infantry Division
9th Australian Division
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XXIV US Corps
30th Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
10th Division
II./90th Infantry Battalion
38th JNAF AF Unit
8th Fleet
178th Infantry Regiment
131st Naval Construction Battalion
48th JNAF AF Unit
67th JNAF AF Unit
37th JNAF AF Unit
2nd Base Force
79th JAAF AF Bn

 

da cosa deduci fossero cariche di petrolio? dal fumo nero? cmq bel bottino!

 

Durante l'attacco, nel combat reply continuava ad apparire la scritta "Fuel cargo burning", ma io con l'inglese ci chiappo poco e posso aver capito fischi per fiaschi .. oltre tutto non credo che sulle AK possa essere imbarcato oil, a meno che i giapponesi non abbiano deroghe speciali a questa regola.

 

20 dicembre 1944

Dopo un assedio durato 84 giorni, la base di Davao è finalmente nelle mani alleate. Resta ancora da assicurare l'esagono come ormai è consuetudine, visto che vi rimangono parecchi giapponesi; il cessate il fuoco definitivo dovrebbe essere comunque questione di poco tempo.
Gia un reggimento di genio navale e un battaglione di sea bees sono in viaggio per raggiungere la città. Il loro compito sarà quello di rendere operativo il porto quanto prima possibile e in seguito ingrandirlo alla sua massima capacità.
Qui troveranno appoggio le flotte che verranno impegnate nell'operazione Iceberg (l'assalto a Iwo Jima).

Ground combat at Davao (79,91)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 23082 troops, 449 guns, 519 vehicles, Assault Value = 779
Defending force 16500 troops, 197 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 271
Allied adjusted assault: 893
Japanese adjusted defense: 265
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied forces CAPTURE Davao !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1291 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 83 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 77 (73 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 31 (31 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
428 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Assaulting units:
38th Infantry Division
711th Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
XXIV US Corps
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
10th Division
178th Infantry Regiment
67th JNAF AF Unit
8th Fleet
II./90th Infantry Battalion
2nd Base Force
37th JNAF AF Unit
48th JNAF AF Unit
131st Naval Construction Battalion
38th JNAF AF Unit
79th JAAF AF Bn
____________________

 

21 dicembre 1944

Con l'ordine di imbarco delle truppe a Cotabato (Mindanao NO), entra in fase esecutiva l'operazione "Bulleye", con la quale il generale MacArthur intende porre una seria minaccia a Manila, sbarcando nella parte sudorientale dell'isola filippina di Luzon, a Naga.



Anche se la ricognizione rivela uno scarso numero di difensori, nessuno si illude sul fatto che ci saranno da sudare le proverbiali sette camicie per strappare questo lembo di Filippine ai giapponesi e la mastodontica macchina che si è messa in moto è intesa a minimizzare quanto più possibile le perdite, puntando su quella che dovrebbe essere una schiacciante superiorità.

BULLEYE - (Invasione di Luzon)

I US CORPS - (MGEN Charles F. Thompson - L63/I65/Adm 75/Agg45/L71)

Divisioni di fanteria: 7, 24, 25, 31, 33, 38 e 4 marines.
8° Rgt genio combattente e due battaglioni di artiglieria (155 mm): 4 e 12 marines

VII US AMPH. FORCE (RADM Daniel E. Barbey)
160 navi tra trasporti (AKA, APA, LCI, LSD, LSV), scorte e sminatori (8DMS, 7AM) suddivise in tre TF. La prima (comandata dall'ammiraglio W. Brown e che dovrà scaricare a terra la prima ondata, forte di tre corazzate di vecchia generazione: Tennessee, Idaho e New York, per garantire continuo fuoco di soppressione e copertura durante gli assalti anfibi.

VII US FLEET
A disposizione i 4 gruppi di portaerei di squadra (16 CV, 9 CVL e scorte, 1918 aerei imbarcati), il gruppo di corazzate di nuova generazione per il bombardamento (10 BB, 2 CA, 7 CL, 6DD), un gruppo di portaerei CVE (7+ scorta) con soli caccia imbarcati per garantire la copertura aerea sopra le zone di sbarco.