From here to...well...it SEEMS like an eternity

[Onime No Kyo]

I think Yossarian should bring one along as well. You never know.....

[Cap Mandrake]

At least 3 carriers headed Kwajelein. Hiryu has now taken a total of 9 bombs from SBD's, A-20's and B-17's (from Johnston). She is likely swimming with the fishes, but we can't be sure. 3 CV's have no battle damage and are essentially unchalanged..this is a bad thing.

[Terminus]

USS Babelfish... They just keep comin'...[:D][&o]

[Cap Mandrake]

[quote][font="Courier New"]Dec. 9....More of the same today. A half-dozen RAAF Wirraways were operating from the field today. From the looks of things, they didn't accomplish much. The planes themselves, but certainly not the pilots, seem to lack enthusiasm. The Wirraways appear to be carrying the daily mail shipment for Eastern Malaysia as the lumber skyward. It is quite a disheartening contrast to the Zero. Perhaps if the RAAF could spare some of the beautiful Brewsters we would have a chance of stoppig the Jap attacks. FSMV has made it only about 6 miles into the bush by shuttling in on lorries. The roads, such as they are, have turned into a machinery-eating bog. The Sultan of Kalentan gaves all the chaps of KVF custom hand towels with his Royal colors. A nice gesture, but a few Bren guns would have been nice. The boys have found them useful in swatting away flies, but I do confess, if not for the vivid colors, I might have misplaced mine several times already[/font]

[Onime No Kyo]

Mr. Dent is a terrible speller (assuming this is hand-written). [;)]
 
LOL @ "beautiful Brewsters"

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

Mr. Dent is a terrible speller (assuming this is hand-written). [;)]

LOL @ "beautiful Brewsters"

Strangely enough, Brewsters might actually beat Zeros under the right conditions: high altitude. Apparently, the A6M2 was barely controllable at 20000 feet (tended to stall out) even though it was rated to 30000+ feet. The Brewster was noted to have much better performance than the Hurricane above 20000 feet (per a fly off documented in Bloody Shambles vol 2).

However, it would probably take about a week for the Brewster to CLIMB to high altitude... [X(] [8|] [:'(]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

Mr. Dent is a terrible speller (assuming this is hand-written). [;)]

LOL @ "beautiful Brewsters"

The poor guy is on duty at a Bofors battery, with a 1901 Underwood on his lap (n.b, Matrix, please don't lock this thread.....the 1901 Underwood is a typewriter).

In regard to the Brewster, at first glance it appears to be the result of an early experimentation with LSD, but it kind of grows on you (as far as a radial engine fighter can grow on you). [:)]

Of course, he may be injecting a bit of sentimentality in his assessment of of the Brewsters chances with the Zero.

[Cap Mandrake]

The 1901 Underwood, rivaling even the Brewster

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

The 1901 Underwood, rivaling even the Brewster

Little known fact is that the Underwood* shot down more Zeros than the Brewster! [X(] [:'(]

*when used in its AA role.

[mlees]

I'm sure that when dropped from 32,000 feet, the Underwood would make a considerable dent in a building, too.

[Cap Mandrake]

[font="Courier New"]Dec 10...I think the RAF is giving up on the Khota Bahru aerodrome. They are having trouble keeping it operational. The Wirraways flew off to Mersing this morning. There is word that advancing Japanese troops in Siam are rounding up the ethnic Chinese, whom they apparently fear as troublemakers. This has only served to increase anxiety and anger among the ethnic Chinese here in Malaysia. This is going to be a nasty business. I have no confidence that Commonwealth nationals will fare any better should they fall into Japanese hands. Many of the Colonials here are angry with the British government for failing to provide an adequate defence of Malaysia. Where is the Prince of Wales?

Access to Johore is still cut, but a second brigade has been moved to try to stop the two Jap divisions about 50 miles West of Kuantan.[/font]

[Cap Mandrake]

The bugler that knows the retreat call is getting a lot of work these days.

[scott64]

How do you detail your maps? [8D]

[Onime No Kyo]

Are the civillians clammoring at the Singapore docks yet, Mandrake?
 
I'm guessing Mr. Dent's story will be a short one. Unless he's devised some clever way of being able to backstroke to Australia.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: scott1964

How do you detail your maps? [8D]

Scott;

Howdy bro. You missed the signing ceremony on the Missouri. The fish eggs were great. [:)]

The maps on this thread are good ol' MSPaint. My free trial on PSP ran out. [:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

Are the civillians clammoring at the Singapore docks yet, Mandrake?

I'm guessing Mr. Dent's story will be a short one. Unless he's devised some clever way of being able to backstroke to Australia.

Well...there is always hitchhiking [8D]

[Onime No Kyo]

I suppose he could ask the next passing IJN troop convoy to give him a lift. But I heard that the IJN is terrible with dirrections. Guys tend to end up in Burma, where the only work availible is some railroad or other.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

I suppose he could ask the next passing IJN troop convoy to give him a lift. But I heard that the IJN is terrible with dirrections. Guys tend to end up in Burma, where the only work availible is some railroad or other.

Maybe the 12th Vogon Expeditionary Force will show up. I hope Mr. Dent's diary keeps going...but indeed..it doesn't look good.

[font="Courier New"]Dec 11...This morning brings more bad news. Japanese tanks have reportedly crossed the Siam/Malay border. Accordingly, the FMSV brigade has been recalled to Khota Bahru. They already appear beaten men. Three days in the jungle appear to have tempered their war spirit. I don't think the inconstancy of decisions have served us well either. In contrast, the 8th Indian retain their discipline. That is the difference of professional soldiering, I imagine. They seem unconcerned that we are almost certain to be surrounded. Perhaps they are uninformed. We are now ordered to move South and try to break out. Captain Thisthlethwaite could not bear to look us in the eyes when he relayed the order. In a nod to the dire situation for civilians, he has allowed those that wish to stay behind with family members to leave the unit. Most of the Colonials have chosen to try to escape, however poor the chances rather than risk internment or a POW camp. Our plan, such as it is, is for KVF to guard the civilians and skirt W and NW around Kuantan while 8th Indian and FMSV engage the Japs. Edith is preparing a supply of tinned beef and dry noodles and a months worth of quinine for the trip. God help us.

At dawn today, a half dozen Dutch transports got out some of the RAF ground support troops. This was unannonced as hundreds of desperate people swarmed the airfield upon their approach. If fell upon us to hold them back. This was a most distasteful duty.[/font]

[Onime No Kyo]

Does command of 127 men warrant a Captain's billet? Or is he an honorry Captain like those Southern "Cuhnels"?[:D]

[okonumiyaki]

Yes, 127 men would be a below strength company, and either Captain or Major. British Army ranks tend to be one lower than US at bn level (e.g. commander of a battalion in UK is a Lt Col, vs a US Major)