オーストラリア北西のBroomeとDerbyの奪回に成功

昭和17年12月28日、ハワイ・シアトル航路上でI-176がASW TFのDE Crosby(VP 5, tonnage 1190)を撃沈しました。昨夜、I-176はこのASW TFの DE Gilmerに目撃され潜航しました。その後のフェーズでみごと襲撃に成功し、撃沈することができました。前日このTFは3ヘクス北東にいたので、この辺を行ったり来たりしてパトロールしているようです。12月3日のウエーク島沖海戦でダメージを受けた米軍艦船がいったんパールハーバーに戻り、その後、本格的な修理のために西海岸に戻るかなと思ってはっているのですが、連合軍側もそれはお見通しのようです。今日のオペレーショナルリポートには

CV Yorktown is reported to have been sunk near Wake Island on Dec 03, 1942DE Crosby is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 28, 1942xAK Nisqually is reported to have been sunk near Christmas Island on Jan 28, 1942

と、このDE Crosbyの沈没だけではなく、昭和17年1月にSS I-9が雷撃したxAK Nisquallyの沈没報告と、昭和17年12月3日のウエーク島沖海戦で爆弾3発と魚雷1本が命中したCVヨークタウンの沈没報告が載せられていました。輸送船の方はTorpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damageだったのでこの沈没報告に間違いはないでしょう。でもCVヨークタウンの方はどうなんでしょう。Trackerで沈没場所を確認すると、海戦時に連合軍TFのいたヘクスです。たしかにヨークタウンは海戦の当日、heavy fires,  heavy damage、Fuel storage explosion on CV Yorktownとコンバットリポートに報告されていました。でも空母が沈んだのなら当然あってしかるべき、艦載機のground lossがなかったんですよね。戦闘機はウエーク島に向かったにしても、艦爆や艦攻は他の空母に緊急着陸したということかな？この沈没報告を安易に信用すると、あとで

Previous report of sinking of CV Yorktown incorrect.  Intelligence reports ship is still in service

なんて報告でがっかりさせられちゃいますから、話半分に割り引いて聞いておくことにします。さて、オーストラリア北西岸への上陸作戦ですが、BroomeとDerbyの奪回に成功しました。上陸した部隊を搭載していた船団は万が一の被害を避けるため、いったんダーウィンに向かわせました。Wyndhamにも今日上陸したので、明日には奪回できる予定です。上陸をしたのは3ヶ所とも横須賀第2特別陸戦隊です。これら3ヶ所の根拠地に駐屯させておいても仕方がないので、ほとぼりが冷めた頃に撤収するための輸送船を送る予定です。

先日、"Torpedoes fail to detonate"は「不発」ではなく「はずれ」というエントリーで、連合軍の潜水艦が日本の駆逐艦を攻撃した時には「不発」の表示が、日本の潜水艦が連合軍の駆逐艦を攻撃した時には「はずれ」の表示が目立つと書きました。これは本当にそう実感しているのですが、まれには連合軍の潜水艦の魚雷にも単なる「はずれ」があるのを目撃しました。

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 28, 42
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ASW attack near Truk  at 114,109

Japanese Ships
      DD Kishinami
      DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
      SS Blackfish

SS Blackfish launches 2 torpedoes at DD Kishinami
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kasumi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kasumi is out of ASW ammo
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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ASW attack near Pearl Harbor  at 184,99

Japanese Ships
      SS I-176

Allied Ships
      DE Gilmer

SS I-176 is sighted by escort
DE Gilmer fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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ASW attack near Pearl Harbor  at 184,99

Japanese Ships
      SS I-176, hits 1

Allied Ships
      DE Crosby, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      DE Humphreys
      DE Gilmer

SS I-176 launches 4 torpedoes at DE Crosby
I-176 diving deep ....
DE Gilmer attacking submerged sub ....
DE Gilmer cannot reach attack position over SS I-176
DE Gilmer attacking submerged sub ....
DE Gilmer loses contact with SS I-176
DE Gilmer cannot establish contact with SS I-176
DE Gilmer fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Gilmer fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Gilmer fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Saipan  at 107,91

Japanese Ships
      DD Yamakaze
      DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
      SS Albacore

SS Albacore launches 4 torpedoes at DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Amphibious Assault at Wyndham (70,127)

TF 316 troops unloading over beach at Wyndham, 70,127

Japanese ground losses:
      205 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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ASW attack near Georgetown  at 48,76

Japanese Ships
      E Hachijo
      TB Hatsukari

Allied Ships
      SS O23

SS O23 is located by E Hachijo
O23 bottoming out ....
TB Hatsukari attacking submerged sub ....
TB Hatsukari is out of ASW ammo
TB Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Morning Air attack on 26th Chinese Corps, at 74,55 (Liuchow)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
      Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 10
      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 90

Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
      273 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 42 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
      25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      20 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      20 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 74th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 4th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 10th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 9th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 71st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 14th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 26th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 74th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 4th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 26th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 74th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 4th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 9th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 71st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 26th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 74th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 26th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 74th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 4th Chinese Corps ...

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Morning Air attack on Nanyang , at 85,45 

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
      23 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42 

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
      Blenheim IV x 13
      Blenheim VD x 16
      Hudson IIIa x 12
      Wellington Ic x 13

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 60

Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
      16 x Blenheim VD bombing from 7000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
      10 x Wellington Ic bombing from 7000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
       5 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 7000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
      12 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 7000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 26th Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking Myitkyina  ...
Also attacking 26th Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking Myitkyina  ...

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Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42 

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
      Vengeance I x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       4 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42 

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
      Vengeance I x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
      8 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
       3 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       4 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       9 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42 

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
      Blenheim IV x 8

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Nanyang , at 85,45 

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 14

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 14

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 Nanyang , at 85,45 

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
      21 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 3rd Motor Brigade, at 72,128 , near Wyndham

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
      51 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
      12 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Nanyang , at 85,45 

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
      18 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 Nanyang , at 85,45 

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 7

No Japanese losses

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
       7 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 14th Naval Guard Unit, at 100,126 (Finschhafen)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
      Hudson III (LR) x 9
      Kittyhawk IA x 16
      Bolingbroke IV x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
      8 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x Bolingbroke IV bombing from 7000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       9 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 7000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 14th Naval Guard Unit, at 100,126 (Finschhafen)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
      Mitchell II x 5

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
       5 x Mitchell II bombing from 7000 feet
               Ground Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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ASW attack near Saipan  at 107,91

Japanese Ships
      DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
      SS Albacore

SS Albacore is sighted by escort
Albacore diving deep ....
DD Suzukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Suzukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Suzukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Suzukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Suzukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 61926 troops, 605 guns, 246 vehicles, Assault Value = 2180

Defending force 132953 troops, 523 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3904

Japanese ground losses:
      32 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
      156 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
    35th Division
    36th Division
    70th Division
    110th Division
    32nd Division
    3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    12th Army
    2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
    Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
    10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
    91st Chinese Corps
    33rd Chinese Corps
    16th Chinese Corps
    82nd Chinese Corps
    47th Chinese Corps
    92nd Chinese Corps
    41st Chinese Corps
    17th Chinese Corps
    3rd Chinese Corps
    34th Chinese Corps
    90th Chinese Corps
    1st Chinese Corps
    36th Chinese Corps
    77th Chinese Corps
    23rd Chinese Corps
    4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
    22nd Group Army
    34th Group Army
    4th Group Army
    Red Chinese Army
    8th Group Army
    7th Group Army
    5th War Area 
    6th Group Army
    2nd War Area 
    19th Chinese Base Force

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Ground combat at 81,56 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1104 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Defending force 7488 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Japanese adjusted assault: 20 

Allied adjusted defense: 63 

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), morale(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
      15 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
      30 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
    8th NCPC Infantry Brigade

Defending units:
    28th Chinese Corps
    7th War Area 
    63rd Chinese Corps
    12th Group Army
    70th Chinese Corps
    86th Chinese Corps

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Ground combat at Derby (64,127)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 378 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 5 

Allied adjusted defense: 1 

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0) 

Japanese forces CAPTURE Derby !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
    Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /3