RHS Test 13A: 30 December Report

[el cid again]

11 December Afternoon Air Turn

The afternoon air turn began with recon of the ROC 4th War Area HQ by a Ki-48.

31 Zeros swept Manila - in company with a Ki-48 recon plane. 8 P-40Es on CAP. 3 P-40s lost. The low loss rate was due to very high altitude settings - none bugged out. Morale of Allied fighters has not yet recovered from the first day disaster.

Beleaguered Ro-30 - near the fleeting Asiatic Fleet auxilary force (and also Force Z reinforced) - was detected, attacked and hit again by DD Express, Electra and Pope. USS Pope scored both hits on her of the day. Since she was set on fire in the earlier attack - I assume Ro-30 is out of action for a while - and might be in danger.

[el cid again]

11 December Ground Combat

18 000 Japanese near Canton attacked 12 000 Chinese - driving them back down the rail line. 6:1 odds. 97 Japanese casualties, 4 guns lost. 66 Chinese casualties, 2 guns lost. The loss ratio is acceptable. The draining of units and supplies away from Hong Kong is on mission. And we will keep this up - and also shut down supply production in Canton - as the position is being flanked and in due course a Field Army will enter the city via back trails. This is part of a general strategy of complicating enemy situations in China.

Directly related is the attack by 44 000 Japanese on the 14 000 defenders of Hong Kong. Regretfully they managed to reduce fortifications for the first time - to Level 4 - but it isn't too bad. No odds. 287 Japanese casualties, 15 guns lost, 2 vehicles lost. 305 Allied casualties, 7 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost.

6400 Japanese attacked the Chinese Guerilla Regiment one hex East of Hanoi. 14:1 odds. The guerillas retreated. 26 Japanese casualties, 1 gun lost. Only 2 Chinese casualties - which will regenerate automatically. He had to fight for his own rail line - and it cost supplies and replacements to do so. We will attempt to reengage in the same hex too - starting an endless cycle of frustrating battles of attrition - and threatening Hanoi if he doesn't fight in force here.

Except for the potential threat posed by the strong naval forces in the Central Pacific - up to 2.5 divisions are at sea supported by 6 CV, 5 CVL, 4 BB and 1 BC - this is a good day for the Allies so early in the war. We need time to consolodate, rebuild morale, move in reinforcements and build defensive positions - and we are getting it.

[el cid again]

12 December 1941 (Hawaii) 13 December (Far East)

General comment: It is almost clear the strong enemy forces that moved into the Central Pacific area have retired. We have many recon planes out - including long range B-24s and B-17s - and find no trace of them. Tentative moves to send things to Pearl Harbor have been augmented: many damaged ships and many support ships have turned around and are headed back. Long range bombers have transferred in - and infrastructures damaged in early days have been repaired. Garrisons and supplies on the lower islands have been built up to the point - and this continues - it will be far more difficult to take them. For the first time supplies have routed toward Midway. And some of the many ships that left the US West Coast to build up the SLOC have diverted to Hawaii or to points farther West along the SLOC. The assembled carrier force - now three carriers strong - was only one hex from the first of three AOs when it turned around and headed to PH - while all three tankers diverted to points farther along the SLOC - and changed home base from San Francisco to PH.
The problem "Where is the KB?" remains - and wherever these strong forces appear - we are going to have a crisis: but it appears it won't be a crisis for Hawaii itself - or if it is - we will be better able to manage it than had the attacks been pressed.

The night turn began with somewhat damaged RN DD Vendetta detecting - and partly clearing - a minefield at Batavia - where she went to repair back up (she starts with system damage).

Unspecified naval units attacked and missed I-10 in the Eastern Java Sea.

A river task force unloaded troops at Stoeng Trang (Cambodia). This is a good idea - or the location would become the base for a VC battalion later in the war. Now the unit will appear at Kunming and have a long march to reach Indochina.

I-123 boldly sailed into Soerabaja and missed AK Kiangsu with torpedoes - but scored 2 shell hits on her. Being at a repair port, she may survive.

Ro-24 also missed AK Mapia with torpedoes - but got a shell hit - on AK Mapia - in the Eastern Java Sea along the coast of Borneo.

[el cid again]

12 December Day Turn

The AM Air Turn began with a sweep of Nanning Central China by 7 Zeros. This is the advance base of the ROCAF - and it has two small and elite elements - one ROCAF and the French Volunteer Squadron - both six planes strong - in addition to the highest morale bomber unit. In this uneven fight the P-36s lost only one aircraft - and their morale soared - since only 3 planes had engaged the 7 attackers. This was achieved by an altitude advantage - and the fact the units had fair morale to begin with.

The ROC 35th Field Army in North China was attacked, but not harmed, by 7 Ki-27s
It was attacked again by 14 Ki-30s, which inflicted 9 casualties.
The ROC 50th Guerilla Regiment in East China suffered 23 casualties and 1 gun lost from 27 Ki-33s (Army Claudes) - one of which was shot down by AAMG.
6 Ki-48s inflicted 19 casualties on the ROC 84th Field Army in North China.
15 Ki-32s inflicted 16 casualties on the ROC 81st Field Army in North China.
19 Ki-30s and 15 Ki-51s inflicted 23 casualties and 1 gun lost on the Szechuan 90th Field Army in Central China. 1 Ki-51 damaged by AAMG fire.
10 Ki-48s inflicted 11 casualties on the Szechuan 91st Field Army nearby.
All this air activity is directed at just a few of the many ROC units engaged in challenging Japanese LOC or defended locations in China. The Red Army is also moving to contact, but has not yet engaged in a general way. The casualty rates are very acceptable - and are made up by supplies except where units are isolated from them. The cost in supplies to mount these attacks is excessive and we hope to divert forces to China - otherwise to prevent diversion of forces from China - and we actually expect to retake China gradually. This is sort of a Vince Lombardy theory of defense: the defense is expected to move the ball toward our goal line.

In Malaya the morning turn began with 27 Ki-51s escorted by 20 Ki-43s attacking the Indian Army 8th Brigade (reinforced) at Alor Star. 77 casualties and 1 gun lost - no enemy air casualties.
15 Ki-21s and 32 Ki-48s attacked the Indian Army 6th Brigade, causing 50 casualties and 1 gun lost - at Kota Bahru.
10 Ju-88s inflicted 40 casualties on the Indian Army 28th Ghurkha Brigade, also at Kota Bahru.
Tomorrow we are going to enter the air battle in support of the strong forward defense at Kota with an air strike on the enemy unit (singular) which has entered the hex. The enemy has not yet entered the Alor Star hex.

In the Philippines the morning turn began with a sweep of Manila by 32 Zeros in company with 1 Ki-46 recon plane.
6 demoralized P-40E on CAP. 1 P-40 lost, the rest bugged out (wisely IMHO).
3 Claudes missed an unidentified ship (PT boat unit) at Vigan/Benguid in Northern Luzon. This was a strafing attack.
6 more followed up and scored 8 shell hits on PT-42/43/44 unit. These are 20 mm hits because in EOS family scenarios Claudes are armed with 20 mm guns. [This was done to prove the weapon IRL - so it is possible]

I-7 - operating near Ceylon in the Indian Ocean - sank laden AK Indora with 2 torpedoes and 6 shells. I-7 and I-8 are both fitted with a twin 5.5 inch mounting forward.

I-123 torpedoed and shelled and sank AK Balewan at Soerabaja. Natrually this submarines attacks caused a major ASW effort to be mounted tomorrow. She was not spotted on the way in.

An unspceified unit attacked Ro-27 at Singapore - and missed.

4 USN DD attacked and missed I-14 at Christmas Island. This is the Pacific Christmas Island - there is another one in the Indian Ocean. IRL the place is called Karimitai - but English speakers prefer Christmas - which is somewhat close.

Legaspi was the site of a second battle - it was undefended when taken - where 18 000 Japanese ejected a tiny understrength US Armored battalion. But the battle prevented them advancing - and means supplies were generated all along the SE arm of Luzon - and infantry had time to move up to establish a firmer forward defense. 31 Japanese casualties, 1 gun lost. 56 Allied casualties, 6 vehicles lost.

27 000 Japanese troops ejected a weak 10 000 man Field Army from Hangchow. This is already the second battle of Hangchow - and it isn't over with. Two more Field Armies - previously ejected - are on the verge of reentering the city.
This prevents supply and resource generation, prevents Japanese troops advancing along the primary rail LOC, and consumes supplies of the enemy. It also prevents the supplies from Shanghai reaching points farther West which are under pressure and need them. He can supply by river - or starve. 796 Japanese casualties and 28 guns lost, 147 Chinese casualties and 6 guns lost = a very acceptable exchange rate for such a weak, out of supply unit.

Undefended (but unfriendly) Raeing Thailand was secured by IJA.

[el cid again]

13 December 1941 (Hawaii) 14 December (Far East)

The headline remains unchanged for cause: we have no trace of Kiddo Butai, Main Body or the advance or follow up invasion forces which ventured East from the Mandates and Japan. This powerful force is dangerous and no doubt will create a problem somewhere in due course. BUT we seem to have defeated the attack on Hawaii itself - at least for the moment. IF he comes back - it will be much stronger. But I don't think he will come back. For which reason the tentative moves of the pervious two days were more strongly enhansed: many more damaged units and support units and transports are diverting or reversing to go to Pearl Harbor. Other ships are radically moving their objectives farther West. More heavy bombers are transferring in - and some of those already at Hawaii are moving on Southwestward - to eventually join the fight for the SLOC (if it is attacked) or Australia's approaches. The carriers are now heading for Oahu to refuel and repair ships with 1 system damage point back to zero - and reform air groups. When a fourth joins them - they will move on to a new operating base being set up on Samoa - and then probably to Brisbane when it is viable in fuel terms. There is no battle fleet - so the carriers are the fleet - until four damaged ships work up at Bremerton (two of which need another week even to get there). Chicken of the Sea writes his air groups were decimated by AA fire from the BB - so probably he is going to a major base to rearm with more planes.

The night turn began with two IJN MSW units detecting and sweeping sub laid mines at Bako. This continued peroidically throught the night and day. We sent three subs to lay them at one time.

USS Kingfisher was the first MSW to reach Canton Island - half a dozen more units are en route - and it detected and began clearing mines - which are likely numerous from a big minelayer.

RN DD Express detected mines at Palembang - laid by sub no doubt.

The highlight of the turn was an attack at Aparri by a single PT Unit - 39/40/41 - which shelled (with .50 cals) and torpedoed (twice) and sank AK Bokuyo Maru. The large force had only two escorts - and they seem never to have found the target. The PT unit escaped unharmed. During the day it was discovered and strafed by Claudes - and took 4 20 mm hits. This is probably the last of the PT actions by the last surviving unit in the Philippines - I scuttled the rest - but even if it is - the force aquitted itself very well.

Ancient CA Iwate and Izumo bombarded coastal Ningpo China - causing 21 Allied casualties.

DD Matsukaze detected and cleared two mines at Aparri. Too late - AK Hokko Maru hit one of them.

PG USS Isabel tailed many USN ships into Palembang - many others diverted toward Batavia. She detected mines - but didn't hit any.
Two RN MSW units detected and cleared mines there - but too late. AK Soochow hit one and was set on fire. 24 casualties to Allied troop cargo.

I-8 scored one of the few dramatic successes of the day for the Japanese - at sea - possibly aided by her search plane - about 6 - 8 hexes from the tip of India. AK Empire Oryx - loaded with supplies bound for Melbourne - took two fish and sank.

The day turn began with 18 Ki-27s causing 2 casualties and 1 gun lost to Chinese 4th War Area HQ.
9 Ki-48s followed up and caused 16 more.

7 ROCAF SB-2s attacked Hangyang Wuhan - in the heart of China - for mysterious reasons (it was not the target intended).
No damage.

99 Zeros escorted about 110 Japanese bombers into Manila. 6 demoralized P-40s resisted - but these had an altitude advantage. Only 1 was lost. One PBY-5 was destroyed on the ground. 31 Allied casualties, 1 gun lost, 18 other hits. 2 Nells were shot down by AA fire.

6 ROCAF SB-2s - roaming again - struck but failed to harm the IJA 34th Division in China.
6 IL-4s - set for naval search only - repeated the feat. I wonder why bombers are changing missions?

7 Ki-27s failed to harm the ROC 34th Field Field Army.
41 Ki-32s did better - causing 39 casualties and 1 gun lost.

14 Ki-48s - probably with Uji biological bombs - and 30 Ki-36s caused 76 casualties and 2 guns lost to the ROC 88th Field Army.
10 Ki-48s and 40 Ki-51s caused 25 casualties and 1 gun lost to the ROC 62nd Field Army.
6 Ki-48s caused 15 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Szechuan 20th Field Army.

10 Ju-88s escorted by 13 Ki-41s did no harm to the Indian Army 9th Field Artillery Regiment in Northern Malaya at Alor Star.

18 Ki-48s escorted by 33 Zeros caused 4 casualties to the Philippine Scouts 88th Field Artillery Regiment on Luzon.
13 Bettys caused 6 casualties, 1 gun lost and 1 vehicle lost to the same unit.

9 Nells escorted by 9 Zeros out of Wake Island caught AO Robert L Barnes and her escort MSW Penguin which had escaped from Wake. The tanker took 4 torpedoes and the minesweeper one as well. Both set on fire with heavy damage but not immediately sunk.
Later in the day a dozen more Nells (covered by 8 Zeros) put another torpedo into each ship - sinking them both.

13 A-20 Bostons - flying out of Baguio City - put 2 250 pound bombs each into AP Eiko Maru and AP Gyoko Maru - also missing AP Sangritsu Maru and DD Yugiri. They were joined by 6 P-400 attempting to strafe - but they were not yet high in morale and achieved nothing.

USN Sub S-38 put a torpedo into AK Kenyo Maru at Aparri.

A single IJA division ground bombardment at Kota Bahru was ineffective.

35 000 IJA troops attacked a Chinese guerilla regiment of 533 - achieved 6:1 odds - and forced it to retreat. This liberated the unit from static status - so it can move to bloc LOC. 158 Japanese casualties, 7 guns lost. 82 Chinese casualties, 5 guns lost. This is a very acceptable casualty exchange rate for such a force ratio.

The Hopei Militia Regiment retreated yesterday - onto the position of another guerilla regiment - and both were attacked today - not far from Tsinan in East China. 7803 Japanese troops achieved an astonishing 14:1 odds - forcing both to retreat (one unit had been static until now). 40 Japanese casualties, 1 gun lost. 178 Chinese causalties, 5 guns lost. Not a good exchange rate - but the Chinese will rebuild automatically even if the enemy is in the hex. They will try to move in different directions.

Undefended Stroeng Trang Cambodia was secured by IJA.

[el cid again]

Looks like the mystery remains - and my estimate is KB retired on Kwajalein or Truk to refuel, replace aircraft losses, and repair back small system damage on any ships that have it.

14 December 1941 (Hawaii) 15 December (Far East)

The night turn began with 3 IJN MSW units clearing mines at Bako - well two MSW units and a PC unit.

I-3 missed AP President Filmore in the Eastern Pacific. She was surely laden with some sort of cargo. It was a lucky thing, finding her - but there are so many ships in this area - odds are good some will be detected. There is no ASW patrol of any sort in the area yet - well except a single PC headed originally for Christmas - now for Oahu.

Ancient IJN cruisers (pre dreadnaught era protected cruisers) Iwate and Izumo caused 18 casualties at Hangchow near Shanghai. This was the start of a long hard day for the tip of the spear of the ROC Army. They have no supplies, no air support, and are being hit by sea, air and land. But they are consuming supplies and preventing supplies going down the rail line to where the real battle is - inland.

I-13 missed AK Haleakala at Pago Pago with torpedos, but but a shell into her.

I-171 missed AO Sepulga NE of Hawaii.

Two Allied PC units detected mines at Batavia - but didn't hit any.

I-6 missed TK Hermes in the South China Sea.

Unspecified units detected I-6 but failed to localize and engage - probably due to lack of ASW weapons.

The day turn began with a ROCAF attack on Hangyang/Wuhan by 9 SB-2s. They put a bomb into tiny PG Kotaka - the only IJN gunboat designed to operate in the upper Yangtze Gorge area. She was set on fire - and there was one port hit.

45 Ki-48s caused 98 casualties and guns lost to the ROC 47th Guerilla Regiment in Central China.

35 Claudes caused 1 casualty to the ROC 50th Guerilla Regiment in East China.

21 Ki-48s and 29 Ki-36s - some with Uji BW bombs - caused 73 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Szechuan 20th Field Army near Shanghai at Hangchow. This was a follow up to the naval bombardment by night.

30 Ki-48s and 18 Ki-21s - escorted by 10 Zeros - caused 47 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Indian Army 8th Brigade in Northern Malaya.

6 A-20s - covered by 16 fighters of 3 types - attacked CLAA Tenryu at Aparri. 18 Ki-27s on CAP - one was shot down. Two Allied fighters were damaged - pretty good. The bombers put one 250 pound bomb into Tenryu.

7 Kates - likely from the CVE force at Legaspi - put two 250 kg bombs into the Hong Kong Junk Group at Manila. It is amazing it survived to cross the South China Sea - and it might be able to repair up. Junk groups are not easy to sink if they get help from a port. 8 Zeros were escorting. We withdrew all fighters from Manila today - in favor of Baguio City.

Ro-30 missed AK Mapia with torpedoes - but got 2 shell hits - on the Northern coast of Java.

16888 Japanese troops attacked 24658 Allies at Kota Bahru. 1:1 odds. Fort Level 1. Fortifications reduced to 0.
469 Japanese casualties, 25 guns lost, 3 vehicles lost. 46 Allied casualties, 2 guns lost. Attrition in our favor here. But it won't last. We did our job - bought time to build forts farther back - and supplies for operations in Malaya.

43000 Japanese attacked 8114 Chinese in two badly understrength Field Armies at Hangchow - driving them back (again).
41:1 odds. 184 Japanese casualties, 10 guns lost. 316 Chinese casualties, 22 guns lost. Bad attrition - but that isn't a problem in China. The mission is being achieved - he is tied up - he is consuming supplies - and he is unable to use the main rail line to feed units farther West.

6000 Japanese attacked a Guerilla Regiment with only 624 men - 23:1 odds - 47 Allied casualties, 1 gun lost. The regiment retreated - and is now mobile. This in Central China. The guerillas are supposed to tie up troops and block LOC - and cause some attrition. They do it very well - and they regenerate even without sources of supply - and regenerate better with sources of supply. This is an RHS feature I didn't expect to work - but it does.

25 000 Japanese attacked 32 000 Alies at Alor Star. 1:1 odds Fort Level 0. 98 Japanese casualties, 10 guns lost. 121 Allied casualties, 6 guns lost. Planned Allied air support was unable to fly due to weather - but the position held - and the air support plan will remain in place for tomorrow. IF it works - we have both LRCAP over the hex to hurt his air strikes and ground attacks of our own. These with high morale units.

[el cid again]

14 December 1941 (Hawaii) 15 December (Far East)

The night turn began with continuing IJN mineclearing at Bako by 2 MSW units and a PC unit.
In spite of this AK Amaho Maru hit a mine and sank.

Ancient IJN CA Idzumo and Iwate shelled Hangchow without effect.

Ro-26 missed and AK and Ro-30 missed a TK in the Java Sea.

4 Allied MSW units cleared mines at Canton Island.

I-171 torpedoed AO Sepulga NE of Oahu - 2 hits.

9 SB-2s failed to harm the ship in port at Hangyang Wuhan (a gunboat).

The day turn began with 42 Zeros out of Takao sweeping Baguio. 23 US and Philippine fighters of 3 types on CAP. 1 Zero and 9 Allied fighters lost.

8 Ki-30s caused 21 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Red 47th Guerilla Regiment.
50 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 69 casualties and 2 guns lost to the Manchu 52nd Field Army.
35 Claudes caused 13 casualties and 1 gun lost to the ROC 50th Guerilla Regiment.
18 Ki-32s caused 7 casualties to the ROC 92nd Field Army.
3 Ki-48s failed to harm the ROC 64th Field Army.
48 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 78 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Szechuan 20th Field Army.
9 Ki-48s failed to harm the same unit.

8 Kates covered by 8 Zeros went downtown to Manila and put 4 bombs into the ROC Hong Kong Junk Group.

5 A-20s covered by 16 Allied fighters of 3 types missed AK Arizona Maru and CLAA Tenryu at Aparri. 18 Ki-27s on CAP and AAA caused 1 P-40E lost, 1 P-400 and 2 A-20s damaged.

I-171 put a fish into AK Antares near Hawaii.

I-174 put two fish into AP Rangatira near Noumea - sinking her. The ship was laden and there were 43 casualties, 1 gun lost.

I-13 attacked an ASW TF at Pago Pago - missed - and was hit in turn by the 3 USN DM.

Ro-29 torpedoed and sank AK La Floricita near Tabaoli, Banka Island.

17 000 IJA troops attacked 24 000 Japanese at Alor Star. 1:1 odds, Fort Level 1. Fortifications reduced to 0.
243 Japanese casualties, 11 guns lost, 2 vehicles lost. 127 Allied casualties, 4 guns lost.

42 000 Japanese attacked 8 000 Allies at Hangchow. 323:1 odds. The Allied unit retreated. 315 Japanese casualties, 11 guns lost. 259 Chinese casualties, 20 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost.

6 000 Japanese attacked a Chinese Guerilla Regiment with 737 troops. 8:1 odds. 2 Japanese casualties, 1 gun lost. 6 Allied casualties, 1 gun lost.

25 000 Japanese attacked 32 000 Allies at Alor Star. 1:1 odds.
151 Japanese casualties, 14 guns lost. 111 Allied casualties, 8 guns lost.

[el cid again]

15 December 1941 (Hawaii) 16 December (Far East)

The night turn began with the sinking of AP Rangatira, damaged on a previous turn, from flooding out. There were 96 casualties to troop cargo.

Japanese minesweepers continued mineclearing at Bako.

4 IJN ASW units of mixed types detected, engaged and missed Dutch KXIII in the Gulf of Thailand.

Near Hawaii, I-4 put two fish into AO Brazos.

Near Nauru Island I-20 messed up the plans to defend the island with K Force (from Kavieng). She sank AK Fingal in two attacks - and all the troops went down with her. Although armed for ASW ancient CL Adelaide failed to harm the submarine. There were 53 troop casualties in the first attack.

4 Allied MSW units continued mine clearing at Canton island. There were 8 casualties from unspecified causes.




The day turn began with an attack on the ROC 4th War Area near Canton. 20 Ki-27s caused 13 casualties.

58 Japanese bombers of 3 types caused 36 hits to Clark. He must think this is where the air strikes come from - but it is abandoned - so it won't repair back up. The strikes are coming out of Baguio City with light bombers that don't need a big airfield.
24 Bettys arrived late and caused 35 more hits to the same location.

5 ROCAF B-10s and 6 SB-2s failed to harm the IJA 34th Division.

27 Allied bombers of 2 types caused 21 casualties and 1 gun lost to the IJA 18th Division at Alor Star.

12 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 21 casualties and 1 gun lost to the ROC 23rd Field Army.
22 Ki-48s caused 12 casualties and 1 gun lost to the ROC Manchu Advance Corps.
36 Claudes caused 12 casualties to the ROC 50th Guerilla Regiment. 1 aircraft lost.
20 Ki-30s caused 53 casualties to the ROC 84th Field Army. 1 aircraft lost.
51 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 143 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Szechuan 20th Field Army. Some of them used Uji BW bombs.
21 Ki-48s caused 108 casualties and 3 guns lost to the Szechuan 90th Field Army. 3 P-36 Mohawk on LRCAP damaged one bomber.
17 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 8 casualties to the Szechuan 91st Field Army.

27 Ki-51s caused 93 casualties and 3 guns lost to the Indian Army 8th Brigade in Northern Malaya.
29 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 65 more casualties and 1 gun lost to the same unit.
19 Ki-21s caused 18 more casualties to the same unit.
28 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 22 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Indian Army 9th Division Field Artillery Regiment in the same location. 3 Buffalos on LRCAP were damaged in combat by 12 Zeros.

6 Ki-48s caused 16 casualties and 2 vehicles lost to the Philippine Scouts 88th Field Artillery Regiment in the Ilagan valley.
4 more caused 18 casualties to the Philippine Constabulary 51st Brigade in the same location.

3 A-20s out of Baguio City failed to harm a PC unit near Cam Rahn Bay - a long flight. 8 Petes on CAP were not effective.
9 more A-20s from the same place put a bomb into AP Aki Maru - missed another AP and also an AK - at Aparri. 10 P-43s and 9 P-400s escorted. 13 Ki-27s on CAP. 1 P-400 lost, 1 damaged.
4 more missed DD Harusame in the same location. Covered by 12 P-43s and 9 P-400s, 1 of each was lost. 18 Ki-27s on CAP of which two lost.
Finally 4 more missed DD Sagiri East of Luzon. Capt Takhishi Hara no doubt was relieved.

Dutch sub KXIII missed AP Tatuta Maru at Singora. 3 ASW units missed her in turn.

I-20 made her second successful attack of the day on the AK Fingal - finally sinking her with 64 more troop casualties.
RAN CL Adelaide was still ineffective.

17 000 IJA troops attacked 24 000 Allies at Kota Bahru. 0:1 odds. 229 Japanese casualties, 10 guns lost. 76 Allied casualties, 3 guns lost.

44 000 IJA troops attacked 14,000 Allies at Hong Kong. 0:1 Odds Fort Level 4. 343 Japanese casualties, 17 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost. 313 Allied casualties, 8 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost.

25 000 IJA troops attacked 32 000 Allies at Alor Star. 0:1 odds. 76 Japanese casualties, 4 guns lost. 207 Allied casualties, 6 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost. This loss ratio indicates the troops are no longer effective and should withdraw to recover.

Undefended Shortlands was captured by JNAF airborne assault.

[el cid again]

16 Dec 1941 (Hawaii) 17 Dec (Far East)

The night turn began with Ro-41 hitting a mine at Pontianak Borneo.

An IJN MSW unit cleared mines at Takao Formosa.

I-10 torpedoed AK Van Outhoum in the Java Sea.

I-169 torpedoed DMS Southard near Canton Island. 3 Allied units counterattacked but missed.

Two RN destroyers detected, attacked and missed Ro-29 at Tabaoli Banka Island.

The morning Air Turn began with a bombing of Hanyang/Wuhan by a fighter detachment port bombing which was escorted by elite
French and mercinary fighter detachments: 5 Hawk 75 P-36, 6 Mohawk IV P-36, 4 I-16 escorting 2 B-25s vs 12 Ki-27s. No losses.
1 port supply hit.

14 B-17s of two types raided Johnston Island. 6 Zeros on CAP. 1 Zero lost, 1 damaged; 1 Nell destroyed on the ground. 3 B-17s damaged. 6 Japanese casualties, 1 gun lost, 10 other hits.

9 Dutch Martin 139 (B-10s) failed to harm the IJA 54th Division (reinforced) in Malaya.

A JAAF attack on the Manchu Advance Corps in China caused 11 Chinese casualties and 1 gun lost. 2 ROCAF P-36 on CAP. 2 Ki-51s lost, 2 damaged.
A second raid found only 1 P-36 still on CAP - it was not effective. 7 more casualties and 2 more guns lost.
Another caused 4 casualties to the ROC 25th Field Army.
Another caused 28 casualties and 4 guns lost to the ROC 92nd field Army. 2 ROCAF P-36 on CAP damaged 1 Ki-48 bomber.
Another caused 10 casualties to the Hong Kong Fortess unit.

21 Ki-48s and 20 Ki-21s caused 43 casualties and 2 guns lost to the Indian Army 28th Gurkha Brigade in Malaya.
22 Ki-48s and 18 Ki-21s caused 20 casualties, 2 guns lost and 1 vehicle lost to the Australian Army 27th Brigade (reinforced) in Malaya.
21 more Ki-21s caused 8 more casualties to the same unit.
16 more caused 2 casualties to the Indian Army 9th Division - also in Malaya.

19 Bettys failed to hit targets at Brunei - but 1 was lost and another damaged.

AP Aki Maru took 1 bomb hit in a small raid at Aparri: 11 A-20s escorted by 21 fighters of 3 types faced 34 Japanese fighters of 2 types. 2 Japanese fighters lost, 1 damaged. 6 Allied bombers and 11 Allied fighters destroyed. Target set on fire.

3 A-20s escorted by 4 Philippine Air Force P-43s missed DD Yudachi at Takao.

25 Bettys and Nells attacked 5 ROC river ships at Chunking. 7 torpedo hits on 4 vessels, 1 missed entirely. These four sank later.

Ground assault at Hangchow near Shanghai drove back a weak ROC Field Army: 134:1 odds - 213 Japanese casualties, 15 guns lost,
455 Chinese casualties and 8 guns lost. All three leading ROC Field Armies are too weak to repeat this process - so they will rest. Meanwhile other field armies marched into Nanking and a major city on the Yangtze - distracting him and cutting his road LOC. Now both road and rail LOC are cut to units inland. Still other units farther north isolated his forward positions.

Japanese ground bombardment at Alor Star caused 15 Allied casualties.

Undefended Tavoy Burma was captured.

All looked well until I got to Fiji. Seems there is a force of 9 APs NW of the island. Almost nothing has reached the area - and there is almost n fuel or supplies - a level 2 airfield - and about 4 DD in the immediate area to support a brigade defending. We transferred in RNZAF Hudsons and dispatched the entire force fit to fight from Oahu. KB may be nearby. Fiji is likely to be lost.

[el cid again]

17 December 1941 (Hawaii) 18 Dec (Far East)

The night turn began with an Allied MSW unit clearing mines at Batavia.

I-14 torpedoed and sank AVD McFarland near Phoenix Island. The AVD had left to evade a detected IJN submarine - only to be sunk by I-14!

CL Kiso and 5 DD attacked and missed Dutch sub KXVI near Borneo.

The air raid on the port of Wuhan was repeated with 2 B-25s, 5 P-36 Hawk 75, 5 P-36 Mowhawk IV, and 9 I-16s. Still 12 Ki-27 on CAP. 2 P-36 damaged. No hits.

20 Bettys hit Baguio. 1 lost, 5 damaged. 3 P-40 on CAP. 1 lost, 1 damaged. 10 Allied casualties, 11 other hits.

The ROC 35th Field Army lost 27 casualties and 2 guns lost in a JAAF strike.
It lost 22 more in another strike.
The ROC 25th Field Army lost 20 casualties to another.
The ROC 84th Field Army lost 14 casualties and 1 gun lost in another.
The ROC 81st Field Army lost 58 casualties and 2 guns lost in another.
The Szechuan 20th Field Army lost 12 casualties and 1 gun lost in another. 1 Ki-36 shot down.
The Szechuan 90th Field Army lost 10 more. 2 bombers lost, 1 damaged.
Another on the ROC 91st Field Army was ineffective.
Another on the ROC 9th Field Army caused 59 casualties and 2 guns lost.
Another caused 24 casialties to the 52nd Guerilla Regiment.
Another caused 31 casualties to the Hong Kong Fortress. 2 bombers lost.
Yet another failed to harm the same unit.
All these air strikes in China hasten the using up of his supply stocks.

27 Ki-21s and 24 Ki-48s escorted by 12 Zeros caused 75 casualties and 2 guns lost to the Indian Army's 28th Gurkha Brigade.

6 A-20s missed CLAA Tenryu at Aparri. 13 Allied fighters escorted - 1 was lost. 16 Ki-27s on CAP. Ineffective.

I-135 torpedoed DM Van Ness near the Southern Tip of Celebes.

41,000 IJA troops at Anking along the Yangtze attacked 15 000 Chinese - driving them out of the city. 476 Japanese casualties, 18 guns lost.
372 Chinese casualties 9 guns lost.

6000 IJA troops (an SNLF) attacked a Chiense Guerilla Regiment in a rural area of central China - forcing it to retreat (and probably become mobile). 2 Japanese casualties, 22 Chinese casualties.

13 000 IJA troops attacked another Chinese Guerilla Regiment at Suchow in the rice plains of East China - driving it from the city. 12 Japanese casualties, 267 Chinese casualties and 1 gun lost. This unit is one of three cutting LOC in the area - and meanwhile Field Armies are investing now isolated Kaifeng. Similarly - all IJA troops in the Wuhan / Yangtze area are isolated - depending on local or riverborne supply.

Japanese ground bombardment at Hong Kong backfired: 33 Japanese casualties, 3 guns lost, 7 Chinese casualties.

Undefended Victoria Point Burma fell to a motorized regiment that had apparently crossed the Isthmus of Kra by trail.

Japanese ground bombardment at Kota Bahru was ineffective.
Japanese ground bombardment at Alor Star Malaya caused 20 Allied casualties.
Both towns evacuated by mobile brigades that need a respite - but both towns must still be assaulted - buying time for the retreating units to regain squads and morale.

More Japanese ships detected near Fiji - but no air strikes went in from the only air base able to launch even a limited attack (possibly due to weather). Japanese cruisers - and Jake floatplanes - were spotted - but no sign of the Kiddo Butai itself (yet).

Still more Japanese ships detected West of Canton Island - headed SW - as ALL THREE detected Japanese transports are headed SW. Lots of fun with political advisors - Australia forced me to divide up a division and not send one part of it -
and policy about what units to risk - what positions to defend - etc. I recommend coalition playing at the political level - adding a new dimension to the complications commanders must deal with.

[el cid again]

Doing the Allied turn I discovered HMAS Adelaide had been sunk - by KB - and the "transport TF" NW of Samoa is really the KB - now showing as 7 CA and 3 BB vice 10 AP - but since it launched Kates and Vals - 6 of those CA are probably CV.

[el cid again]

18 December 1941 (Hawaii) 19 Dec (Far East)

The night turn began with 4 ASW units detecting and clearing mines (again) at Batavia. We need to set the MSW to working again.

USN sub Sculpin attacked AP Ayo Maru at Canton - but torpedoes failed to detonate. 6 escorts counterattacked - scoring one hit.

I-14 did better at Christmas Island (Pacific Ocean). She put 2 fish into AK Walter Lukenbach. Remarkably, she didn't sink - but wether she can make Pearl or not is in doubt. This was the first transport to reach Christmas from CONUS - and it was not ideal that she cannot unload most of her cargo. Nor does it bode well for the other inbound transports. We can do little - other than intensively patrol with aircraft.

Force Z ran in on Singora Thailand - and got clean kills on CLAA Yubari, MSW W.23 & W.24, and PC CH-11 & Ch-12. 59 Heavy, medium and light hits total. 2 hits on CA Northumberland. This was the first action I have seen for Surrey and Northumberland - and they did rather well. Chicken of the Sea writes he didn't see them coming in. They had air cover from 3 different bases - to insure it would be adequate.

TF91 landed troops on Batan Island - 18 Japanese casualties.

TF93 landed troops at Nandi, Fiji. 1469 casualties (with no opposition) indicates a major landing force. 4 units landed. Later 59 more casualties - indicating the bulk got ashore. But he didn't land on the defended point - so we have time before there is a fight.

USN DD Peary hit a mine at Soerabaja - on fire - heavy damage. Once again - we need to sweep sub laid mines here too.

Ro-43 shelled and torpedoed AK Forafric in the near SE Borneo. She may well not make port.

I-170 torpedoed and missed AP President Garfield - North of Oahu bound for Midway - with two other supply laden APs. Hope he has not figured out the course of the TF.

The day turn began with a strike on Nanchang, Central China. Expensive - one B-25 lost - 2 B-10s lost - 2 more damaged. 12 Ki-27s on CAP. No damage to targets. 6 B-10s were escorted by 12 Hawks and Mohawks and accompanied by 3 B-25 on recon.

10 Hudsons and 11 B-10s out of Rangoon, in company with 4 Vildebeeste on recon and 29 P-40B of the AVG, raided Tavoy Burma. 1 Betty destroyed on the ground. 8 other airfield related hits. 1 B-10 damaged.

41 JAAF bombers of 2 types raided Baguio with 5 Ki-46 recon planes and 75 Zeros in escort. 8 P-400 on CAP. 3 A-20, 2 P-40E, 2 P-43 and 1 P-400 destroyed on the ground, 8 P-400 shot down, 53 Alliedasualies, 1 gun lost, 2 vehicles lot, 64 other hits. 1 Zero shot down, 4 bombers damaged.

32 B-17s of two types out of Oahu raided Johnston Island. 9 Zeros on CAP: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged. 4 Nells destroyed on the ground. 26 airfield related hits. 4 B-17s destroyed, 3 damaged.

6 Ki-30s caused 10 casualties to the ROC 34th Field Army in North China. 2 Mohawk IV on CAP were ineffective.
11 more caused 22 casualties to the Manchu Advance Corps - in spite of the same CAP.
Then 36 Ki-48s caused 122 casualties and 4 guns lost to the same unit - with the same CAP.
5 more caused 40 casualties and 2 guns lost to the ROC 34th Field Army - but no CAP covered them.
8 Ki-48s and 8 Ki-32s caused 10 casualties to the ROC 25th Field Army.
22 Ki-48s caused 112 more casualties and 2 guns lost to the same unit.
16 Ki-48s caused 37 casualties to the ROC 84th Field Army.
Only 3 Ki-32s caused 10 casualties to the ROC 81st Field Army.
29 Ki-36s caused 15 casualties to the Szechuan 20th Field Army.
8 Ki-51s failed to harm the elite Hopei Militia Regiment.
All these attacks suck supplies and prevent transfer of air units to other theaters = our intent. Chinese troops regenerate easily. The key is to get him to attack - ground and air - without losing bases to his attacks. So far - we are.

50 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 70 casualties, 2 guns lost, and 1 vehicle lost to the Indian Army 8th Brigade (reinforced) in Malaya at Kota Bahru.
He then only did a ground bombardment - and it was not effective. KB will last another day.
Similarly, only a ground bombardment at Alor Star - same effect. There is NO defense at Alor Star except the supply sink - which we are using to buy time for troops to regenerate morale at Georgetown. The ground bombardment at Alor Star was also not effective.

Undefended Batan Island fell to ground assault. No casualties, but 3 P-40Es destroyed on the ground.

Aparri was shock attacked by a Philippine Army battalion crossing a river - bad idea. 67 casualties, 2 guns lost, and immediate retreat. The unit must retire to Baguio the long way and rebuild. 34119 troops were defending Aparri - only 272 were in the "assault."

[el cid again]

19 December 1941 (Hawaii) 20 December (Far East) Night Turn

The night turn began with TF93 continuing landings at Nandi, Fiji. These landings continued throughout the night, also involving TF 8, on into the predawn and day time phases. 8 casualties in the first wave. Later 219 and 28 casualties were suffered.

TF 7 landed troops at Savaii (Samoa). These landings too continued - the first wave suffering 335 casualties, the second 65 more. Once again - he has landed where there is no opposition whatever - and where poor LOC mean it will take some time to reach the actual base area. This has the merit of being very Japanese.

USN submarine Trout had bad luck with faulty torpedoes. She had a wonderful detection of a rare MLE (Nankai) at Saipan. She was counterattacked by CL Yura and 2 DD - and took one hit in the first action. She tried again - and fared even worse - taking 2 hits - with the torpedoes still failing. So the MLE survived - but at least we know where his minelayers will go to rearm.

The day turn began with 6 ROCAF B-10s attacking Nanchang. They had a B-25 recon ship with them, and 12 Hawk and Mohawk fighters in the French and International contingents - the best in China. 14 Ki-27s on CAP. 1 shot down. 1 Hawk shot down, 1 damaged, 1 resource hit scored. Running air units out of a semi-isolated base (it can get some supplies from adjacent towns - and it can be supplied by river ships) is probably bad in terms of supply availability to the ground troops - the hex has many field armies in it - generates no supplies - and needs to feed its troops. Feeding air units at the same time is unwise IMHO.

23 Bettys and 11 Ki-48s struck Hong Kong airfields. 2 bombers lost, 1 damaged by AAA. 17 airfield related hits scored. This is strange targeting - there are no air units at Hong Kong - and the airfield is not much of a threat - having no source of supply.

68 JAAF twin engine bombers of 2 types raided Georgetown. 30 Allied casualties, 2 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost. 28 airbase related hits. Again - there are no air units present - so this is only wasting effort to damage an airfield he could capture in tact. He must worry about surprise momentary return of air units - which indeed might happen - but not likely now he is nearby. This may be a reaction to the use of forward airfields to cover Force Z.

3 Ki-48s (only 3) caused 9 casualties and 1 gun lost to the ROC 34th Field Army.
15 Ki-32s caused 31 casualties to the Manchu Advance Corps. These are effective raids - the norm being about 1 casualty per bomber.
Case in point: 6 more Ki-48s caused 7 casualties to the same unit.
45 Ki-30s caused 70 casualties to the ROC 52nd Guerilla Regiment.
9 Ki-51s caused 10 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Hopei Militia Regiment.

50 JNAF and JAAF fighters failed to harm the Philippine 3rd Battalion, 12th Regiment - probably because nobody was left to hit. It is at a tiny fraction of strength and has no heavy weapons.

5 Hudsons missed CA Kinugasa and Furutaka at Brunei. 8 Petes on CAP were ineffective. 1 bomber lost, 1 damaged. These bombers came from Balikpapan.
5 B-10s from Brunei itself missed BB Nagato at Miri. 3 were damaged.
In the afternoon 3 remaining B-10s missed AK Akegane Maru at Brunei. The Petes were still ineffective - because of the altitude of the approach re their altitude.

8 Blenheims out of Malaya missed an AK and an AP in the Gulf of Thailand. 3 were destroyed by AAA. Very effective AAA.

DD Electra - on ASW patrol to surpress submarines at Singapore - to cover the return of Force Z - detected, localized, attacked and missed Ro-32. But it might have caused enough ops points to screw up Ro-34 getting a shot at the incoming heavy ships - which was the primary mission of Electra.

Dutch sub KXV at Brunei attacked and missed an AK and an AP - 4 escorts counterattacked - also missing in turn.
Then CD guns at Brunei fired 88 shots - scoring 9 hits on 4 ships - missing a 5th altogether. AP Nichira Maru set on fire.
437 Japanese casualties, 1 gun lost, 23 Allied casualties to counterbattery fire.

TF 123 landed troops at undefended Tulagi: 36 casualties. We evacuated it two weeks ago.

Shock attack by 30,000 IJA troops captured Kota Bahru - at 2:1 odds. 1059 Japanese casualties, 35 guns lost, 14 vehicles lost. 7476 Allied casualties, 7 guns lost, 470 vehicles lost - most of this in the static unit - a composite base force and supply sink. Note the sink did not save the position. The other Allied units retreated - as planned - and we have HQ support one hex back - plus fresh troops.

IJA captured undefended Nandi Fiji captured by deliberate attack.

44000 Japanese troops attacked 14000 Allies at Hong Kong - reducing fortifications to Level 3. 211 Japanese casualties, 8 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost. 393 Allied casualties, 14 guns lost, 4 vehicles lost.

1754 Japanese (an SNLF??) in China attacked two Guerilla Regiments with 993 men. No odds, but 16 Allied casualties and 1 gun lost. The Allies held the position on a RR LOC.

25 000 Japanese captured Alor Star from the static unit - 12982 Allied casualties and 1627 vehicles lost - because this unit has a medium supply sink. Note the sink neither delayed the capture nor caused any casualties for the Japanese - although it did some facility damage. Even medium sized sinks are wholly tamed.

Allied ground bombardment at Brunei was ineffective.

Allied bombers at Noumea failed to strike - although we brought B-17s forward to that end.

Allied ships remain inbound for Tahiti and Auckland - and a composite (RN, RAN, RNZN, FFN and USN) force is now moving forward to Auckland. CS Albatross is coming in to support. All five Allied CVs are inbound - in 3 different packages.

[Bogo Mil]

Afaik airfield attack is the best way to suppress and destroy AAA guns. Thus it's usually a good idea to do a few heavy airfield attacks first if you're going to do an extended bombing campaign against the garrision. A damaged aircfield stops all fort construction, too.

[el cid again]

ORIGINAL: Bogo Mil

Afaik airfield attack is the best way to suppress and destroy AAA guns. Thus it's usually a good idea to do a few heavy airfield attacks first if you're going to do an extended bombing campaign against the garrision. A damaged aircfield stops all fort construction, too.

As the Japanese I love to use ports and airfields immediately the day after landing - so I pull my punches if it is reasonable to do that - to capture them for immediate use. Up front the Allies often has lots of ships running - and getting forward bases permits kills that will never be that easy again. A ship lost at the start never does anything - she is lost for possibly years of service. And a ship damaged at the start is out of service during the one period the Allies need every ship they have - returning only later - when they have far less need for it. But - yes - any air attack consumes supplies - first by causing AAA fire - then by repairing ANY damage done by it. No matter what it hits - it costs supply points to fix it- and except for some infrastructure or industry- you cannot set most things not to repair - so they will eat supplies coming back.

[el cid again]

19 December 1941 (Hawaii) 20 Dec (Far East) Morning Turn

The morning air turn began with 34 Kates out of Okinawa causing 1 runway hit at Wenchow on the China coast.

14 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 10 runway hits at Hong Kong.
2 Ki-21s caused 2 more airbase related hits at the same place.
Later 28 Ki-51s caused 6 more casualties. 2 destroyed, 1 damaged by AAA fire.

17 Bettys caused 1 runway hit at Clark. 2 were damaged by AA fire. No CAP. [We have left Clark in an unusable state - so it won't be instantly usable when it falls.]

16 Bettys - likely from Maleolap - caused 3 runway hits at Johnston Island. There is essentially nothing there - but we flew planes yesterday from there - and he does not know that.

30 JAAF bombers of 2 types as well as 16 Ki-47s (Army Kates) caused 97 casualties and 2 guns lost to the ROC 85th Field Army. This included 25kg biological warfare Uji bombs. 2 bombers lost, 2 damaged by AAMG fire.
15 JAAF bombers of 2 types caused 60 casualties to the Shansi 15th Field Army. This attack too probably included Uji bw bombs.
16 Ki-32s caused 9 casualties to the Hopei Militia Regiment in East China.

17 JNAF bombers of 2 types out of Saipan caused 9 casualties and 1 vehicle lost to the Guam Insular Force.

The Allied carrier TF near Canton Island sent 32 SBDs against damaged Okinoshima. The ship took 9 more 1,000 pound bomb hits before sinking (in addition to 3 yesterday). Only 4 F4F-3s escorted them.

4 A-20s missed AP Hakone Maru at Legaspi.
1 more missed CLAA Yasoshima near Aparri.

[el cid again]

19 December 1941 (Hawaii) 20 December (Far East) PM Air Turn

The PM turn began with another attack out of Okinawa by 6 Ki-47 Kates at Wenchow - causing no harm.

32 Zeros swept Hong Kong - but met no CAP. I really think he fears air strikes from Wehchow and Hong Kong.

52 Bettys and Nells and 29 Ki-21s attacked Kota Bahru - 16 Zeros in escort - No CAP. 23 airbase related hits.

64 Zeros swept Clark - he has not yet figured out it is not a functional air base.

19 Ki-48s caused 1 runway hit at Legaspi. 42 Zeros escorted them. There is NOTHING at Legaspi - and no way to get it there - so he is just attacking airfields on principle - and damaging them just before he could use them.

19 Kates from Kiddo Butai - the only "airfield" he has in the Central Pacific - raided Pearl Harbor - escorted by 42 Zeros. Armed with 250 kg bombs only, they scored 6 hits total on 3 BB and one more on an AK. This was a long air battle. Although only modest opposition - thoroughly demoralized - existed - it was not bad for the Allies in the air: 31 fighters of 3 types - all obsolescent - got 2 Zeros and 2 kates - and AA damaged 2 more kates. 14 fighters lost, 1 more damaged. None of the battleships is in serious trouble - although yesterday's air strikes had damaged them all.

18 Kates and 26 Me-109s from Ni Butai (Two Force = CVLs) got 3 bomb and 2 torpedo hits on AP President Johnson at Molokai. She was offloading troops from Hilo and could not disband into port. Only 2 P-40s on CAP. No air losses to either side.
8 Kate stragglers put 2 bombs into AK Mercury at the same location. The 2 P-40s were again ineffective.

Late in the Afternoon USN sub S-39 torpedoed AK Matsukawa Maru at Naga - missed another AK - and was missed in turn by 4 ASW units which counterattacked.
She was attacked and missed again by the same 4 units still later in the afternoon.

Ro-45 shelled and torpedoed AK Tarakan in the Celebes Sea.

2 USN PT units ran in on Lahaina and engaged 4 AKs and 6 APs. They should have run in during the night - but a target TF reacted away from them - and this was a reengagement - likey against another TF. They failed to score in spite of a good leader and 1000 yard range: 5 HMG hits on a MSW unit - starting a fire - 1 insignificant hit on a PT unit in reply.

I-9 torpedoed and sank ML Kung Wo in the Malacca Strait.

Ro-50 torpedoed AK Vyner Brooke in the Java Sea.

I-155 torpedoed and sank laden AO Kruithof inbound for Darwin with Dutch fuel.

13 000 IJA troops captured Lahaina from 734 defenders - not many infantry had made it to the island. 11:1 odds. 27 Japanese casualties, 2 guns lost. Only 19 Allied casualties.

Undefended (evacuated) Hilo Hawaii was captured by 7774 Japanese troops. 244 Allied casualties and 3 guns lost - all of them in damaged squads. Everything useful had left the island for Molokai. The CD units had done the damage they were going to do two days ago.

Undefended Legaspi captured by Japan.

Undefended Kona captured by Japan.

4490 IJA troops failed to achieve odds or capture Rabaul vs 1707 defenders. 126 Japanese casualties, 4 guns lost. 7 Allied casualties, 4 guns lost.

Japanese ground bombardment at Nanchang Central China caused 7 Chinese casualties.

6200 IJA troops attacked on the RR West of Hangchow - 7100 Chinese stopped them cold. 212 Japanese casualties, 8 guns lost. 27 Chinese casualties, 1 gun lost.

IJA ground bombardment at Kaifeng Central China (inland on the same RR LOC) was ineffective.

212 000 Japanese at Yanku Northern China ejected 9000 Chinese - 477 Japanese casualties, 13 guns lost, 485 Chinese casualties, 32 guns lost. 14:1 odds achieved.
This is fine by me - we disrupted supply production at Yanku - sucked supplies for his attack - and we will just go back and make him do it again - contributing to the overall supply sink which we intend to make China become.

36 000 Japanese attacked 14 000 Allies at Hong Kong. 1:1 odds, Fort Level 4. Fortifications reduced to 3. 301 Japanese casualties, 11 guns lost. 27 Allied casualties, 1 vehicle lost. We have invested Canton - and it no longer generates supplies, HI points, engines or aircraft. If he does not ship in supplies he may run out of steam in Hong Kong.

25 000 Japanese did even worse at Naga on Luzon. 5471 Filipinos stopped them cold. A Philippine Scout Regiment (elite) backed by artillery and Philippine reservists - had managed to get Fort Level 1. 1:1 odds. 291 Japanese casualties, 13 guns lost, 4 vehicles lost. 100 Allied casualties, 2 guns lost. Note there is NO supply sink at Naga - this is a pure military vs military battle.

Undefended Miri captured by Japan.

Undefended Kavieng captured by Japan. K Force is en route to Nahru Island - where it gets lots of support and supplies.

Undefended Gasmata captured by Japan.

Undefended Samo Beach on New Ireland captured by Japan.

Allied ground bombardment at Kota Bahru, Naga and Davao was ineffective.

[el cid again]

19 Dec 1941 Comments

We have a very broad incursion into the South Pacific. There are now six forces identified. Two each of transports at Fiji and Samoa - landing tens of thousands of men - not some SNLF or even CSNLF or brigade. Four units landed on the first day on Fiji- three units on the first day at Samoa.

There is a carrier TF about the location of Wallis Island - North of Samoa - SE of Canton.

There is a strange TF - "2 CA" - farther East - nearer to Canton. It might be the CVL force. The KB is showing as entirely BB and CA - but the number of Kates with torpedoes that hit HMAS Adelaide positively identifies it as KB. Only one ship in the CVL force even has torpedo bombers - the rest have Kates armed only with 250 kg bombs.

All the ships near Tongatapu are at risk - as are many others. We are diverting even diverted ships.
To Christmas and Tahiti. Christmas will come up first. Supplies are landing - a Marine Defense Force and Army AAA unit and fuel next. I diverted an AD in that direction - it is able to rearm destroyers sooner - and it is at risk to the KB where it is. Then an Army regiment of infantry. A USMC fighter unit and a USMC dive bomber unit also are headed at Christmas. I diverted the carriers to Christmas - to optimize air groups and stay out of the way of KB. I intend to engage anything BUT the KB with these 3 ships. A fourth ship is bound for Tahiti by a southern route. Samoa is going to be taken - and Tongatapu maybe as well. I will not base planes there to keep it off the radar. We can not even land the few hundred tons of supplies that should have arrived tomorrow - or we will lose the ships. And some of the Samoan Marines are unable to reach the island either - so they are headed at Tahiti too. Just as well - it has no defense yet.

Three regiments are bound for Tahiti - a regiment of artillery and one of AAA - and some patrol planes. What we need is a base force - haven't figured that out yet - but I think we need to air transfer from a nearby island if we can. It is going to take a month to build this into a sound base - and I am leaving empty ships there in case we decide to evacuate everything in sight - even supplies. There is no fuel.

The position in the West is better - due to Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia - and a contest of Fiji is more feasible soon than Samoa or other islands will be. His threat is farther East than we understood - Fiji is the western edge of the incursion. Looks like maybe New Caledonia and New Zealand are not objectives. Tahiti itself might be - too soon to say. He is deep in the South Pacific and still coming.

[el cid again]

More 19 Dec 1941 Comments

Landings are expected today at Tulagi and Nauru Island.

We have sent ten new major warships toward the South Pacific - in three groups. One - a North Carolina class battleship and three cruisers - was bound for Hawaii - but has diverted to Christmas - where the carriers are now also headed. Three more cruisers left Panama yesterday. Three more cruisers left New Orleans today. All of these are Wichita type CA or Brooklyn type CL - and most or all are additional units built during the run up to the war (1 each per year). Another oiler and four WWI era DD left Hawaiian waters for Christmas today. The bulk of USN heavy units in PTO are either damaged or headed to the South Pacific. The exceptions are few: Two modern cruisers and an ancient Omaha CL at Kodiak, Alaska - another Omaha at Panama City.

We have decided there is no great threat to Hawaii itself - and one of the divisions there is now planning to invade Johnston Island. The lead element of a Regimental Combat Team is only 30 miles from Kona - another element is offloading at Hilo - and the third element is embarking at Oahu to reinforce on the only undamaged cargo ships available.

We have decided to commit a rare Army engineer regiment to Christmas - and it began flying out on C-87s - the unit is still working them up - only 7 of 16 are yet flying. In a day or two it will move by fast transport to Papeete - and meanwhile it will help the aviation engineers build a better port at Christmas.

We are going to reallocate base forces - within 24 hours - so one can move to Tahiti. There is no way to fly - so they will go by fast ship once they get as close as possible.

A USMC para battalion will depart San Diego tomorrow - and it will be available to exploit targets of opportunity. We have Coronados, Catalinas, C-47 and C-87 transports (as well as short range stuff) in small numbers (typically 1 unit each - except there are many Catalina units with 2 different performance categories - less payload more range - more payload less range. )

We are sending everything that can lift - the limit is not political points or even units at this point - but sealift (or rarely airlift). At some point we may run into pp limits or competative requirements - but that is not waht is happening now. We hope that sending everything available is enough to generate political support in Allied countries - and we are willing to risk these forces. Lot more are coming - we are coming to fight.

[el cid again]

20 December 1941 (Hawaii) 21 December (Far East)
That is, Hong Kong falls four days ahead of history - with no evidence the supply sink caused even one day of delay.
Otherwise - the Allies should be pleased: no disasters - and Yamato got torpedoed.

The night turn began with continuing landings at Savaii Samoa. 52 Japanese casualties. 12 more in the pre dawn landing phase.

TF 46 continud laqndings at Brunei. 40 CD shots fired. 4 hits - 3 on a PC unit and 1 on a DE. An AP was targeted but missed. 32 Japanese and 4 Allied casualties.

A large IJN SAG led by CA Takao, Chokai and Maya, including two gigantic CLs Suzuya and Kumano plus 6 DD encountered and sank tiny AK Balus just East of the Solomans. This is the first sign we have seen of a major TF on the West side of the Japanese incursion into the South Seas. A small TF was spotted at Tulagi yesterday.

The Western Main Body - BB Nagato, Mutsu and Yamato - plus CL Kiso - bombarded Brunei. 228 Allied casualties, 3 guns lost, 7 vehicles lost, 43 other hits. Good - he is wreaking the infrastructure and eating supplies which othewise he could use.
4 IJN DD attacked Dutch sub KXV at Brunei - but missed.

TF 13 continued landings at Davao. 74 CD shots fired by a weak Philippine Army 101st Division - there is no CD unit as such in the hex. Even so - one hit was scored on DD Minazuki. CL Isuzu was fired on and missed. 261 Japanese casualties, 2 Allied casualties. Nice ratio.
37 more shots fired in the pre dawn landing phase. No hits. 6 Allied casualties from counterbattery fire. Still - the overall casualty ratio is unusually good for this situation.

Two IJN MSW units detected and cleared mines at Takao, Formosa.

The AM air turn began with a strange air encounter over Nanchang Central China. A heavily escorted recon mission, it was a de facto sweep - 2 B-25C being accompanied by 11 Hawk and Mohawk fighters from the French and International ROC squadrons - and 21 P-40Bs of the AVG third squadron. These were met in the air by only 12 Ki-27s. NO airraft were lost in the fighter vs fighter phase. BUT the two recon bombers killed one and damaged another Ki-27. As I said - strange.
3 B-10s arrived late to the battle and caused 2 casualties and 1 gun lost to the IJA 34th (Draft) "B" Division - this in spite of still 12 Ki-27s on CAP.

The micro Allied air offensive out of Rangoon against Tavoy Burma was amplified today by extra bombers:
12 Hudsons and 12 B-10s - with 3 Vildebeeste along for photo recon - and no less than 37 AVG P-40s - destroyed one Betty on the ground (consistent with previous raids) and scored 13 other airfield related hits. 2 Hudsons were damaged.
There were 6 Zeros on CAP - but the fighter vs fighter action - in spite of numbers and quality - resulted in no damage to either side.

9 B-17s out of Oahu (with 3 more on recon) caused 18 casualties and 1 gun lost to defenders of Johnston Island. Also 5 runway hits. 1 B-17 damaged.

9 B-18s and 8 SB2U-2s caused 24 casualties to the IJN 6th SNLF at Kona, the Big Island - the first raid on this unit/location. We may be able to start ground assault tomorrow or the next day.

4 Ki-51s caused 13 casualties and 1 gun lost to the ROC 35th Field Army.
10 Ki-51s caused 27 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Manchu 53rd Field Army.
30 Ki-36s caused 14 casualties to the Szechuan 20th Field Army.
48 Ki-32s caused 38 casualties and 3 guns lost to the ROC 51st Guerilla Regiment in East China.
14 Ki-30s caused 8 casualties and 1 more gun lost to the same unit.
9 Ki-30s and 40 Ki-51s caused 6 casualties to the Hong Kong Fortress unit. 8 Claudes escorted them.
2 Ki-51s lost, 3 damaged.

27 Ki-51s and 18 Ki-43 fighters caused 29 casualties to the Indian Army 6th Brigade in Northern Malaya.
1 Ki-51 damaged.
52 JAAF twin engine bombers of two types caused 32 casualties to the Indian Army 15th Brigade in the same area.
1 Ki-21 lost, 1 damaged. Odd - since the Ki-48 should be easier to hurt.
12 Ju-88s escorted by 2 Ki-43s caused 9 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Australian 27th AIF Brigade in the same area.
1 Ju-88 destroyed.
16 Ki-21s then caused 13 casualties and 1 gun lost to the same unit. It is waiting just South of Kota Bahru - with the Malay Army HQ - as the next line of defense when KB falls.

16 Bettys and 9 Ki-21s attacked the Philippine Army 21st Division on Luzon - causing 8 casualties.
11 Ki-48s (with 22 Zeros in escort) caused 17 casualties, 1 gun lost and 1 vehicle lost to the Philippine Scouts 88th Field Artillery Regiment.
9 Ki-48s caused 23 casualties, 2 guns lost and 2 vehicle lost to the Philippine Constabulary 51st Brigade.
27 Ki-27s as fighter bombers escorted by 18 Zeros caused 16 casualties to the 3rd Battalion, 12th Regiment, Philippine Army.

13 Ki-21s and 6 Bettys caused 4 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Brunei Fortress unit.
Dutch sub KXV then put a torpedo into IJN Yamato at the same location. 5 DD and CL Kiso counterattacked but missed.

I-21 shelled, torpedoed and sank AK Valentijn near Samoa.

Japanese ground bombardment of Brunei was ineffective.

Japanese shock attack captured Hong Kong - 10:1 odds. 699 Japanese casualties, 22 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost. 15085 Allied casualties, 64 guns lost, 1235 vehicles lost. This was a bit early and in spite of Fort Level 3.

IJA ground bombardment of an ROC Guerilla Regiment was ineffective.

Undefended Tulagi was captured by Japan. It had been evacuated in favor of Nahru Island.

Undefended Savaii Samoa was captured by Japan. This revealed no major combat units present.

Allied ground bombardment at Davao and at Brunei was ineffective.