ウエークでBB霧島が触雷

昭和17年12月5日、意を決してウエーク島のヘクスに踏み込んだ、BB武蔵・榛名・霧島の追撃部隊ですが、会敵できず空振りに終わってしまいました。連合軍TFは西南西に移動していて、うまく逃げられてしまいました。ウエーク島のヘクスには危惧されたPTボートはいませんでしたが、機雷が敷設してありました。BB霧島が触雷してSys 5, Flt 17(6), Eng 19(15)のダメージです。戦艦なのでさずがに機雷一つで沈むことはありませんでしたが、この修理には2ヶ月くらいかかるんじゃないかと思います。昼のフェーズになって、空母からではなくウエーク島からだと思いますが、F4F-4 Wildcat 37機の護衛でSBD-3 Dauntless 9機の空襲がありました。BB榛名に1000ポンド爆弾が一発命中しましたが、大した被害はありませんでした。

昨日のエントリーでも書きましたが、わたしはかなりPTボートが気になっていて、トラックからPTボート対策に駆逐艦3隻を増援してありました。その駆逐艦がウエーク島の南方沖まで達したところでSBD-3 Dauntless 14機に空襲されてしまいました。これには護衛の戦闘機がついていなかったんですが、おそらく米空母からきたものと思われます。連合軍の軽巡・駆逐艦には日本の艦爆の爆弾がちっともあたらないのに、日本の駆逐艦は簡単にあてられてしまう印象があります。今日もDD満潮に1000ポンド爆弾が2発命中して、Sys 62, Flt 25(14), Eng 17(5), Fire 65と大破炎上中です。これは助かりそうもありませんが、1000ポンド爆弾が2発命中してまだ浮いている駆逐艦をつくった設計者や造船所は偉いと思うべきなんでしょう。

戦艦3隻の追撃部隊の運用ですが、連合軍TFを追いかけても会敵できない可能性も充分にあるので、このままウエーク島を艦砲射撃させようと思います。もともとの日本側の作戦は、ウエーク島の飛行場を空母で空襲して、その後に随伴してきた戦艦を艦砲射撃TFに編成してしっかり破壊するというものでした。そこに予期せぬ連合軍の空母の出現で2日ほどどたばたしましたが、当初の目論見通り、戦艦の主砲で叩きたいと思います。でも、これから来る夜のフェーズがmoonlight 0%で、今夜こそPTボートが召喚されるのではないか、また触雷するのではととても心配です。でもここにいて、何もせずに帰港するわけにもいかないですよね。

日本の戦艦をうまくまくことに成功した連合軍TFですが、このままハワイまで逃亡させたくはまりません。日本機動部隊はここ2日連続して空襲を行わず、また連合軍索敵機に接触されてもいません。もしかすると帰途にあると思っていてくれているかも知れませんし、サプライズも狙って機動部隊に追いかけさせることにしました。連合軍TFは昨日から今日にかけて4ヘクスしか移動していません。これからの24時間でもそう遠くまでは移動できないでしょうから、追いついいて空襲してくれることを期待しています。明日は一回目の大詔奉戴日ですが、士気振作のためにも良い報報せがあるといいのですが。

よい報せといえば、Sunk Shipのリストに今日付けでCV Enterpriseの名前が載せられていました。ウエーク島のはるか北東で沈んだということですか本当でしょうか？？2日前に予想した通り、日本の機動部隊からの空襲を避けて最高速度で北東に待避していたのでしょうが、沈んだというのは信じ難い気がします。ところで、こういった沈没の報告は何を意味しているのでしょう。これまで聴取できていた電信の呼び出し符号かなにかがある日を境にぱったりと傍受できなくなったので沈没と判断した、雰囲気作りのためにそんな状況をシミュレートしているのかも知れません。

現在のオーストラリア北西部の状況ですが、ダーウィンとPort Hedlandはまだ確保しています。蘭印の安全確保のためにダーウィンをなるべく長く保持したいと考え、ダーウィン周辺をあちこち爆撃して飛行場の整備を妨害しています。今日は内陸のTennant Creekにゼロ戦(A6M2 Zero)15機の護衛で百式重爆(Ki-49-IIa Helen)21機が向かいましたが、Kittyhawk IA 14機とP-39D Airacobra 5機のCAPに待ち伏せされていました。13ヘクスの遠距離を飛んでの爆撃行ということもあったでしょうが、ゼロ戦2機と百式重爆13機損失という大敗を喫してしまいました。待ち伏せに弱いのは仕方がありませんが、前線の飛行隊でゼロ戦21型を今でも使用しているのはここだけなので、せめて機種転換はしようかと思います。

中国戦線では、一昨日、昨日に続いて、今日も柳州での戦闘がありました。中国軍も疲れてきたようで、オッズ比は5対1と昨日より、有利に勝利できました。しかしdestroyedになるdeviceの数はやはり日本側の方が多く、中国軍がいったん休息をとってから攻撃を再開したら、もう踏みとどまれない気がします。もともとここはサプライの補給状況が悪かったので、diabeldになったdeviceの回復やdestroyedになったdeviceの補充をあまり期待できない場所です。しかも、広東から柳州へ続く2本の道路の短い方の途中のヘクスに、今日中国軍部隊が進出きました。ここを押さえられるとさらにサプライの状況が悪化するでしょう。もしこのヘクスの支配権を奪われる、柳州の部隊は敗北したときに撤退できる場所がなく殲滅されてしまうことになりますが、なんとなくそうなりそうな予感。ここ2日ほどは、どこもかしこも旗色悪し。

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 05, 42

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ASW attack near Cam Ranh Bay  at 65,71

Japanese Ships

      TB Kasasagi

      TB Hayabusa

Allied Ships

      SS O23

SS O23 is located by TB Kasasagi

O23 diving deep ....

TB Hayabusa attacking submerged sub ....

TB Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...

TB Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...

TB Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...

TB Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...

Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Toyohara  at 125,47

Japanese Ships

      SC CHa-19

      xAKL Yoshinogawa Maru

      xAKL Nissyo Maru

      xAKL Miiko Maru

      xAKL Hinko Maru

      SC CHa-32

Allied Ships

      SS S-47

SS S-47 launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-19

S-47 diving deep ....

SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...

SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...

SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...

SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...

SC CHa-32 attacking submerged sub ....

Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Truk  at 114,104

Japanese Ships

      AK Brisbane Maru

      AK Hawaii Maru

      DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships

      SS Sculpin

SS Sculpin launches 2 torpedoes at AK Brisbane Maru

Sculpin diving deep ....

DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...

DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...

DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...

DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...

DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...

Escort abandons search for sub

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TF 3 encounters mine field at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Ships

      BB Kirishima, Mine hits 1

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 136,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft

      F4F-4 Wildcat x 37

      SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

Allied aircraft losses

      SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships

      BB Kirishima

      BB Musashi

      BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:

       4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

       5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 10th Chinese Corps, at 74,55 (Liuchow)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 34

      Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21

      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:

      352 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled

         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

      25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

      29 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

       5 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 4th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 71st Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 27th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 10th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 4th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 71st Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 27th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 10th Chinese Corps ...

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45 

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6

      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 54

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 3

Airbase supply hits 2

Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:

      21 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 12000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

      24 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 12000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

       9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 12000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 54th Chinese Corps, at 74,55 (Liuchow)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:

      121 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

      25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 30th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 54th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 30th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 54th Chinese Corps ...

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Morning Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137 

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A6M2 Zero x 15

      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21

Allied aircraft

      Kittyhawk IA x 14

      P-39D Airacobra x 5

Japanese aircraft losses

      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:

      10 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet * 

               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:

No.24 Sqn RAAF Det with P-39D Airacobra (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      1 plane(s) intercepting now.

      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.

      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (3 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      3 plane(s) intercepting now.

      Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.

      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

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Morning Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 74,55 (Liuchow)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 20

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:

      119 casualties reported

         Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

      20 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45 

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:

      7 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:

      15 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 12000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45 

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:

      27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 12000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143 

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft

      B-26B Marauder x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:

       9 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 3000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143 

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft

      B-26 Marauder x 10

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:

      10 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 136,101

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft

      SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

Allied aircraft losses

      SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships

      DD Michishio, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage

      DD Arashio

Aircraft Attacking:

       2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

       8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

       4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 2/6th Armoured Regiment, at 69,131 , near Wyndham

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A6M2 Zero x 24

      G4M1 Betty x 27

Japanese aircraft losses

      G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:

      Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:

      27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet

               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52 

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16

      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 14

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 3

Airbase supply hits 1

Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:

      14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52 

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 6

      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 19

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2

Airbase supply hits 2

Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:

      19 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

       6 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52 

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 12

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 3

Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:

      12 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Maizuru 3rd SNLF, at 57,129 (Port Hedland)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft

      A-29 Hudson x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:

      17 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

       4 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 7000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 61973 troops, 605 guns, 246 vehicles, Assault Value = 2184

Defending force 165658 troops, 651 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4954

Japanese ground losses:

      21 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:

      81 casualties reported

         Squads: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:

    36th Division

    70th Division

    110th Division

    35th Division

    32nd Division

    2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

    3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

    10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

    20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

    Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment

    6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

    12th Army

    11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:

    17th Chinese Corps

    82nd Chinese Corps

    57th Chinese Corps

    61st Chinese Corps

    34th Chinese Corps

    77th Chinese Corps

    92nd Chinese Corps

    91st Chinese Corps

    41st Chinese Corps

    47th Chinese Corps

    76th Chinese Corps

    1st Chinese Corps

    23rd Chinese Corps

    16th Chinese Corps

    33rd Chinese Corps

    19th Chinese Corps

    3rd Chinese Corps

    36th Chinese Corps

    90th Chinese Corps

    4th Chinese Cavalry Corps

    2nd War Area 

    6th Group Army

    8th Group Army

    7th Group Army

    Red Chinese Army

    22nd Group Army

    5th War Area 

    34th Group Army

    4th Group Army

    19th Chinese Base Force

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Ground combat at Liuchow (74,55)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 236309 troops, 1565 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6594

Defending force 45860 troops, 465 guns, 677 vehicles, Assault Value = 1170

Allied adjusted assault: 331 

Japanese adjusted defense: 1655 

Allied assault odds: 1 to 5 

Combat modifiers

Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), supply(-)

Attacker: disruption(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:

      4554 casualties reported

         Squads: 225 destroyed, 87 disabled

         Non Combat: 72 destroyed, 113 disabled

         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled

      Guns lost 54 (17 destroyed, 37 disabled)

      Vehicles lost 50 (41 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:

      6313 casualties reported

         Squads: 65 destroyed, 604 disabled

         Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 71 disabled

         Engineers: 3 destroyed, 38 disabled

      Guns lost 48 (4 destroyed, 44 disabled)

Assaulting units:

    80th Chinese Corps

    56th Chinese Corps

    4th Chinese Corps

    84th Chinese Corps

    14th Chinese Corps

    60th Chinese Corps

    11th Chinese Corps

    30th Chinese Corps

    65th Chinese Corps

    98th Chinese Corps

    10th Chinese Corps

    13th Chinese Corps

    9th Chinese Corps

    89th Chinese Corps

    7th Chinese Corps

    74th Chinese Corps

    85th Chinese Corps

    26th Chinese Corps

    27th Chinese Corps

    54th Chinese Corps

    95th Chinese Corps

    81st Chinese Corps

    25th Chinese Corps

    79th Chinese Corps

    71st Chinese Corps

    2nd Prov Chinese Corps

    62nd Chinese Corps

    46th Chinese Corps

    55th Chinese Corps

    3rd Prov Chinese Corps

    7th Chinese Base Force

    14th Group Army

    2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps

    13th Chinese Base Force

    7th Artillery Regiment

    31st Group Army

    1st War Area 

    3rd Group Army

    23rd Group Army

    17th Group Army

    41st AA Regiment

    15th Group Army

    1st Artillery Regiment

    Lusu War Area 

    49th AA Regiment

    15th Chinese Corps

    1st Group Army

    19th Group Army

    2nd Group Army

    29th Group Army

    21st Group Army

    18th Artillery Regiment

    4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

    22nd Artillery Regiment

    32nd Group Army

    57th AT Gun Regiment

    3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment

    39th Group Army

    7th Construction Regiment

    56th AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:

    12th Tank Regiment

    102nd Infantry Regiment

    19th Ind.Mixed Brigade

    6th Division

    1st Ind.Inf.Group 

    116th Division

    66th Infantry Regiment

    1st Tank Division

    87th Infantry Regiment

    23rd Army

    67th Ind.Infantry Battalion

    68th Ind.Infantry Battalion