War in the Pacific AAR Thread - ML vs JFranzen

Molon Labe · 01-26-22, 11:51 AM

14 November 1942
Rangoon airbase disabled; Pisanuloke captured; more troops coming ashore on Babar

Battle of Rangoon
Today started with an overnight bombardment of Rangoon by a bunch of destroyers that was surprisingly effective. Runway damage is so severe that we had 0 planes on CAP today despite having about 15 fighters in working condition. The absence of those fighters in the air probably contributed to significant losses of transport aircraft flying in the reinforcing special forces unit--16 transports shot down by enemy fighters.

Rangoon was swept by 53 Oscars and 9 Zeroes (are the carriers back? I still don't see them), but no joy due to my runways being disabled. The Sallies (over 100) worked on our troops at Rangoon, causing serious disruption even if casualties were light.

We lost a Beaufighter trying to attack the Hyuga. I wish I could order them only to attack unarmored ships. The B-24 raids included 6 recently arrived British aircraft this time. We had 2 B-24s shot down while the gunners got 3 Oscars and a Nick.

Enemy land forces including the Imperial Guards and 3 tank regiments attacked Rangoon, but fortunately they aren't attacking effectively. Forts are holding at Level 4, casualties 600 to 300 favoring us.

In spite of heavy bombing of the enemy force, Pisanuloke was overrun today, with the total loss of the 2nd Burma Battalion. Now we get to see if they go for Raheng directly or try to sever the supply lines. I believe that I'll eventually have the stronger forces in this immediate area and will be able to counterattack effectively.

All enemy paratroopers around Mandalay have been eliminated. The only enemy units behind the frontlines now are those that retreated from Akyab.

Banda Sea
The enemy continues to unload elements of the two partial divisions on Babar. We're going to get seriously outnumbered very quickly. For now, our air raids are keeping the enemy pinned down.

We shot down 6 Oscars while escorting our bombers to intervene in the landings. 2 Hudsons were shot down by flak attempting to bomb enemy ships. Beaufighters had the only hits, one bomb on a cargo ship that was unloading troops, plus a bomb hit + cannon rounds hitting a destroyer and setting it on fire.

The enemy attempted a shock attack, costing them 102 casualties to our 157. We're holding but the numbers are concerning.

I'm flying in more B-17s to Darwin, along with a B-26 squadron (EDIT: make that two; pulling some Hudsons out to make room) that is very well-trained in naval attack missions that I hope might be able to make effective level bombing attacks against the transports. I'm also sending a 2nd PT squadron to attack, but to make sure they hit at night, I'm going to try to delay their arrival until the day after tomorrow.

Solomons Area
The S-44 scored 2 torpedo hits on a PB near Ontong Java, sinking it. It was depth charged by a SC in retaliation, but not very accurately; no damage sustained and the SC used up all its depth charges.

At Rossel, we shot down 3 Oscars and lost a P-40. The P-38s took the day off for rest and repairs.

Japan
USS Runner sank an AKL near Kyushu in a daytime submerged torpedo attack.

Refits and Reinforcements
VMF-222 arrives at San Diego (restricted, 2/18 F4Fs. Likely going to be purchased with PP and deployed at some point. Corsairs start rolling out in 1/1943 so the USMC fighter squadrons are about to go up in value in a big way)
45th USN Naval Construction Battalion arrives at Port Hueneme
BB Warspite begins refit while under repair at Pearl Harbor
DD Russell taken out of commission to begin refit at Pearl Harbor
DD Morris taken out of commission to begin refit at Pearl Harbor
DD Sterett beginning refit in shipyard at Pearl Harbor

01-26-22, 11:51 AM	#22
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	14 November 1942 Rangoon airbase disabled; Pisanuloke captured; more troops coming ashore on Babar Battle of Rangoon Today started with an overnight bombardment of Rangoon by a bunch of destroyers that was surprisingly effective. Runway damage is so severe that we had 0 planes on CAP today despite having about 15 fighters in working condition. The absence of those fighters in the air probably contributed to significant losses of transport aircraft flying in the reinforcing special forces unit--16 transports shot down by enemy fighters. Rangoon was swept by 53 Oscars and 9 Zeroes (are the carriers back? I still don't see them), but no joy due to my runways being disabled. The Sallies (over 100) worked on our troops at Rangoon, causing serious disruption even if casualties were light. We lost a Beaufighter trying to attack the Hyuga. I wish I could order them only to attack unarmored ships. The B-24 raids included 6 recently arrived British aircraft this time. We had 2 B-24s shot down while the gunners got 3 Oscars and a Nick. Enemy land forces including the Imperial Guards and 3 tank regiments attacked Rangoon, but fortunately they aren't attacking effectively. Forts are holding at Level 4, casualties 600 to 300 favoring us. In spite of heavy bombing of the enemy force, Pisanuloke was overrun today, with the total loss of the 2nd Burma Battalion. Now we get to see if they go for Raheng directly or try to sever the supply lines. I believe that I'll eventually have the stronger forces in this immediate area and will be able to counterattack effectively. All enemy paratroopers around Mandalay have been eliminated. The only enemy units behind the frontlines now are those that retreated from Akyab. Banda Sea The enemy continues to unload elements of the two partial divisions on Babar. We're going to get seriously outnumbered very quickly. For now, our air raids are keeping the enemy pinned down. We shot down 6 Oscars while escorting our bombers to intervene in the landings. 2 Hudsons were shot down by flak attempting to bomb enemy ships. Beaufighters had the only hits, one bomb on a cargo ship that was unloading troops, plus a bomb hit + cannon rounds hitting a destroyer and setting it on fire. The enemy attempted a shock attack, costing them 102 casualties to our 157. We're holding but the numbers are concerning. I'm flying in more B-17s to Darwin, along with a B-26 squadron (EDIT: make that two; pulling some Hudsons out to make room) that is very well-trained in naval attack missions that I hope might be able to make effective level bombing attacks against the transports. I'm also sending a 2nd PT squadron to attack, but to make sure they hit at night, I'm going to try to delay their arrival until the day after tomorrow. Solomons Area The S-44 scored 2 torpedo hits on a PB near Ontong Java, sinking it. It was depth charged by a SC in retaliation, but not very accurately; no damage sustained and the SC used up all its depth charges. At Rossel, we shot down 3 Oscars and lost a P-40. The P-38s took the day off for rest and repairs. Japan USS Runner sank an AKL near Kyushu in a daytime submerged torpedo attack. Refits and Reinforcements VMF-222 arrives at San Diego (restricted, 2/18 F4Fs. Likely going to be purchased with PP and deployed at some point. Corsairs start rolling out in 1/1943 so the USMC fighter squadrons are about to go up in value in a big way) 45th USN Naval Construction Battalion arrives at Port Hueneme BB Warspite begins refit while under repair at Pearl Harbor DD Russell taken out of commission to begin refit at Pearl Harbor DD Morris taken out of commission to begin refit at Pearl Harbor DD Sterett beginning refit in shipyard at Pearl Harbor __________________ Last edited by Molon Labe; 01-26-22 at 01:50 PM.