3 September 1942
Lex and Sara replenished, Amoy liberated, Burma heating up?
SouthPAC
Well south of Fiji, an unescorted cargo ship was attacked by a surfaced enemy submarine, which scored two torpedo hits and sent it promptly to the bottom. I think this was probably a ship I put on a continuous resource delivery route from Fiji to New Zealand on December 8th and forgot about. It's a little weird that there is an enemy sub this far to the south here, there really isn't anything going on here.
Japan
USS Grunion made two attack attempts on an escorted resource convoy near Toyohara. It was driven off the first time, but the second time managed to hit an AKL with a detonating torpedo.
China
At Chengchow, Japan's problem with Navy pilots continued as an group of 3 Lancers took on a formation of 20 Zeroes and came away with 5 kills without losses. A 3 on 3 battle broke out later, with our P-43s coming away with 2 more kills without loss. In the afternoon, apparently better-trained Oscars showed up and took out 2 of our Lancers.
Also near Chengchow, we pursued the enemy end-around force and engaged them again. They retreated back to the east side of the river where they belong.
On the east coast, we succeeded in liberating Amoy.
An enemy army--not very large looking--is proceeding west towards a line of inland bases. We're harassing it with bombers but at this time I don't consider it a threat.
Burma and Thailand
The force that sallied from Bangkok tried to attack our army in the mountains and got absolutely spanked, 6703 to 163. I'm going to take advantage and counterattack, hopefully their disruption from this beatdown overcomes the terrain defensive bonus.
We routed yet another blocking force from the road to Raheng. They retreated to the east and I'm going after them.
Paratroopers are landing fairly far north now, all the way at Akyab, near India. I suppose I'll need to reinforce that area with troops from Madras. I'm essentially playing whack-a-mole with these landings all over. The fight at Toungoo (north along the rail line from Rangoon) is the most serious; we're both sending bombers up there to try to tip the scales. It'll be several days before reserve troops from Rangoon arrive.
Malaya
We gave Johore our best shot but were held off, taking 850 casualties and not putting a dent in their Level 4 forts. Going to have to accept the L on this one, they're ordered to pull back. I suppose Singapore will fall pretty shortly after now that they know how bad the supply situation is. Still, falling in September instead of February is pretty good.
CENTPAC
I had some good fortune today, as it appears the enemy did not spot the Avenger yesterday and the KB stayed near Canton. Halsey's CVBG is fully refueled and leaving the area. Hopefully the replenishment group and the transports are able to clear the area as well.
I suppose, if he wanted to, he could camp out at Canton and make sure I can't reinforce or resupply my marines. I think what I might do is organize some standby relief for them and then invade Midway. If he leaves, the relief will land and finish the job. If not I still get Midway. I just have to make sure the Midway force is big enough that it basically can't lose.
Reinforcements
SS Sunfish arrives at Mare Island
3rd FG/7th FS CAF arrives at Chungking (Vanguard fighters, going to be a training squadron for now because I don't have enough reserve Chinese pilots to use them on the front line-they'd just get killed and I'd lose good aircraft)
V US Bomber Cmnd arrives at Charters Towers (Air HQ - very valuable, these guys may end up in PM or Milne)