Summary
The second phase of Operation ICHIGO was a bold gamble by the Japanese that, if it worked, would pay off in a big way with the American bases in the north being rolled up like an old rug, if it didn’t it would be a major defeat. The key was speed and surprise. In the beginning it worked splendidly, the American vehicle base V36 was captured easily by highly aggressive commando units supported by light tanks. This was to be used as a springboard for attacking and capturing the major American base left in the north, A35. Unfortunately, for the Japanese, by the time the Japanese reassembled a striking force, the Americans were alert to the plan and counter-attacked, as well as attacking their old base at A36. Japanese light armor suffered terrible losses; it was all the IJA could do to hold on to their prize. American A20 Havoc attack bombers arrived over A36 in time to catch a large group of Japanese Ki-67 bombers assembling for an attack. The A20s, supported by P-51s made quick and bloody work of the Japanese attack force, many of them never got off of the ground. This took the starch out of the Japanese northern battle plan, and Phase 2 of Operation ICHIGO.
The American follow-up plan was simple in it’s brutality: hit the Japanese bases, over and over again. This showed in the log scores: 71 kills, 114 objects, 27 deaths.
The Japanese cannot afford more victories of this sort. This also showed in the log scores: 55 kills, 57 objects, 47 deaths.
Results, Frame 1 Operation ICHIGO
American
V36 was captured early in the frame.
V50
A few stray Japanese Ki-61 fighter-bombers attacked but only lightly damaged the base, the VH was down and one fuel depot was burned.
A35
Light damage was sustained from Japanese bombers, but to no lasting effect.
A60
The Japanese attacked this southern base yet again, this time the Ki-67s didn’t miss their mark. Just barely 70% of the structures were destroyed, allowing the IJA to occupy the base.
Japanese
V36
The Japanese success in capturing this base was a hollow victory, the Americans destroyed it in retaliatory attacks.
A32
The Japanese main base in the north was totally destroyed, not a stick remained standing, not a drop of fuel went unburnt, not a round of ammo was left unexploded.
A51
The new Japanese base was attacked repeatedly by A20 Havocs, with some success on fuel and ammo stores, however, a spirited defense by the AA Corp kept damage to a manageable level.
A32
This Japanese base also caught the brunt of American fury, B-26 bombers and P-47 fighter-bombers totally destroyed it.
