FORBIDDEN TO EMEK
South Pacific, end of january 1942
Since the capture of Lae and the unsuccessful A-24 Dauntless raid, no other enemy reaction.
Other objectives has been chosen to be captured now, the KB been here in that moment.
(in red:
we will take profit of the presence of the KB in this sector to catch Milne Bay and Shortlands
in orange:
KB and bombardment fleet)
Amboina's invasion
After the return of CVE and CVL at Palau, the Amboina's operation (rich in oil) can start.
(in red:
3 Daitai of Ki-21 Sally are used to close Kendari's airfield
in yellow:
invasion fleet
in purple:
naval protection
in orange:
aeronaval protection
in red:
naval bombardment raid
in green:
no enemy naval units detected from some weeks)
Singapore's sector
Just before the invasion of Palembang, we decide to catch the small air base of Jambi, at the west.
The 27, a small para operation is launched but failed because of undetected allied ground unit at Jambi.
The operation is launched again the following day but this time, this is a big one.
During all day, 150 transport planes are used to paradrop one reg and one bn on Jambi.
The attack is supported by air strike of 120 dive bombers coming from Singapore.
And this is the success. Dutch troops are pulled out Jambi.
For the japanese, this is the first time they success in such an operation.
(on yellow:
Jambi's operation: it is a success
in red:
the rally of the transport fleet at Singapore is over
in orange:
minesweepers)
A couple of days before, a successful naval bombardment on Palembang allows us to discover a mine field.
1 DD hits but safely managed to reach home at Singapore.
So, we decided to send 2 MSW to clear the waters here, as there is nearly no risk of enemy plane interception.
All enemy airfield around are too badly damaged.
Thailand
The 21th et 33th division of 15th Japanese Army just unloaded at Bangkok after about a 15 days trip from Shanghai.
Their order of march is the following: direction Rahaeng, and Moulmein and Rangoon.
The invasion of Burma is launched.
China
What is stressful with Emek is that he is completely unpredictable.
The reaction of the Allied fighter groups in China are interesting:
the 25 (in the previous post), jap raid on Changcha intercepted by enemy fighters coming from Chungking,
the 26, nothing above Changcha and plenty of fighters above Chungking (just in case i would have the idea to strike Chungking empty previouly)
the 27, about 100 allied fighters above Changcha but this time they are coming from Hengchow (just in case i would have the strange idea to strike Changcha empty previously)
the 28, all enemy fighters in CAP above Hengchow (just in case i would have the bad idea to strike Hengchow empty previously)
...
and what did i do during this time ... nothing ... i just watch. [:'(]
3 days without any jap raid on China, it is unexpected for the Allies
because this is the only way i found to counter Emek:
being as unpredictable as he is.
However, there are the war requirements and in China, i want to close Changcha, Hengchow, Kweilin and
Liuchow airfields. That's because those airfields could be dangerous later if Emek uses them with 4E bombers
and try to strike naval traffic between Philippines and China.
So, the 29, an other raid is planned on Changcha from Amoy.
This raid may be helped by a sweep from Nangchang.
(in dark purple:
our troops should cross the river during the 29
in red:
raid for the 29
in light blue:
chinese airfield to close)
And finally, as we are speaking, our courageous troops in China are ready to cross the Yellow river
in the south of Kaifeng, in the back of the Chinese army which besiege Sinyang.
For now, we didn't notice any enemy retreat. [:D]
