Downfall 1942

[joegrundman]

Summer 42

Battle of El Alamein


British and Commonwealth forces in Egypt, with heavy air support overwhelm a strong Italian held sector in Egypt. Allied losses were light, the Italian losses in the area were very heavy.

[joegrundman]

Summer 42

Torch Landings at Oran



The Americans led an invasion of the beaches at Oran against much more determined Vichy French resistance than expected. Massive naval bombardment failed to dislodge the French defenders resulting in a beach assault in the face of heavy machine gun fire.

But the beachhead and port-city of Oran is now under the control of the Allies.

US mech inf eliminated, british slow battleship damaged in the assault

[joegrundman]

Summer 42

Trapped Russian soldiers break out in desperate actions



Desperate fighting as isolated pockets fight their way through German defenses. Many losses on both sides.

Germany loses a 5o6 and a 3-3 in the breakouts

[joegrundman]

Summer 1942

Liberty Ship Production in Full Swing


American shipyards are putting out Liberty Ships at an incredible rate in a concerted attempt to win back the Atlantic from the U-boats.

Atlantic coast shipyards now at capacity 11, putting out up to 6 transport factors per turn

[joegrundman]

summer 42

Supply Run to Port Moresby comes under Japanese attack



USS Tennessee in happier days

Allied air cover based out of Cairns managed to fight off Japanese attacking air, but a japanese submarine lurking near the port fired a salvo of torpedoes at the BB3 USS Tennesee, getting three hits, and sinking the battleship.

[joegrundman]

summer 42

US Submarines take fight to the enemy



American submarines begin to make their mark as the first Japanese transport factor is lost in strategic warfare

[joegrundman]

summer 42

Invasion of Santa Cruz





First Amphibious assault by US Marines wins victory against Japan, but reveals the tenacious nature of the adversary they face.

The defenders contested every inch of the island, with barely any Japanese surrendering. Almost all were killed, and the only prisoners were from those knocked unconscious in battle. An equivalent number of US troops were casualties one way or another.

The news of this battle was closely followed stateside and the US marines that won the first ground battle against Japan are hailed as heroes.
1-2 infantry eliminated, 1aaf lost for the japanese 1-2 infantry.

[joegrundman]

Fall 1942

Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands



Acting on intelligence reports, US Task Force 3 raced to protect Santa Cruz from a Japanese attempt to reconquer the island.

One of the slow Japanese invasion fleets, heavily escorted with battleships, was spotted by US planes based in Efate at much the same time as the US fleet was spotted by Japanese planes flying from Guadalcanal.

The Americans launched a carrier strike, but Japanese planes from Guadalcanal were flying air cover over the Task Force. There were losses on both sides, but about 2/3 of the US force got through the air cover. Anti-aircraft fire caused further losses to the US planes, but finally they zeroed in on the Battleship Nagato, sister ship of the Mutsu that was sunk earlier in the year in the Gilberts, and after a concentrated attack of dive bombers and torpedo bombers, the battleship was eventually overwhelmed and capsized.



As night fell, the fleets came within gunfire range. The battleship USS N.Carolina duelled with the Fuso and Yamashiro while the Hyuga supported the Japanese cruisers in action against the American cruisers.

Both sides took hits, each losing CA2, the US also getting CA2 damaged

But the events are not over. US submarines took shots at the invasion fleet, sinking a troop transport and losing an infantry factor.

And for the US, a shell damaged the boiler room of USS N.Carolina, reducing her top speed to 10 knots. As she was departing the scene of the battle, a Japanese submarine hit her with a salvo of torpedoes which led to a catastrophic explosion and sinking



But with the loss of the North Carolina and fears of the location of Japanese Task Force 1, the US fleet returns to Noumea

[joegrundman]

Fall 1942

Re-invasion of Santa Cruz



Despite the loss of the troop ship, the Japanese invasion force, having scared off the American fleet, landed. With ground support provided from Task Force 1 and heavy shore bombardment, the American positions near the beach were soon overrun. After a tough two week campaign, the Americans were pushed into the mountains in the south-west while the Japanese took control of all key installations. At present the American forces, having suffered heavy casualties are hanging on in the mountains, being kept supplied by submarines and air drops, hoping for reinforcements to land.

[joegrundman]

Fall 1942

Battleship Musashi enters service with IJN



Japan's second BB5, the Musashi, sister ship of Yamato, enters service

[joegrundman]

Fall 42

Red Air Force Improving



with industrial production of aircraft, newer airframes, and better training, the Red Air Force is now a tougher opponent for the Germans.

In latest combat in southern Russia, it is reported that German aircraft losses exceeded Soviet losses for the first time

[joegrundman]

Fall 1942

Fall of Moscow



Massive air and ground assault captures Moscow after a month of hard fighting and bitter resistance. Much of the city was destroyed.

Russians and Germans both lose two 3-3 infantry

[joegrundman]

Fall 1942
Wehrmacht crosses Volga at Saratov, north of Stalingrad



A bridgehead was established by Fallshcirmjaeger with heavy air support and very quickly the town of Saratov was captured by armored units and the bridgehead made secure

[joegrundman]

Fall 1942

Wehrmacht crosses the Don, south of Stalingrad, after taking very heavy casualties



South of Stalingrad a second assault crossed the Don river, threatening the encirclement of Stalingrad and the security of the Caucasus oil region.

The Russian defenders were very determined and inflicted severe casualties on Germany before losing control of their positions.

Russia loses 3 infantry, Germany loses 9.

[joegrundman]

Fall 1942
U-boats still inflicting "terrible losses" says Churchill



While the Happy Times are over, the U-boats are still causing terrible problems for the allies

allies lose 6 transports for 1 uboat, 6 more inverted. only 9 transports for use, but this is an improvement!

Allies attribute new ASW techniques and equipment to the general increase of success in crossing the Atlantic and say that even newer systems will enter service soon