RHSEBO Test 11A vs Chicken of the Sea: Continuing Actions

[el cid again]

18 Dec (Hawaii) 19 Dec (Tokyo/Manila)

The night turn began with minesweeping at Legaspi by a MSW force.

Next - six small AS units (PC, SC and MSW) attacked and hit I-5 near Victoria BC. 2 hits were scored.

I-7 at Colombo spotted a strongly escorted MLE - but failed to score - and in turn was missed by all six ASW units.

A landing craft TF landed troops at Molokai - 2 of the three units taking 11 hits from CD guns - which fired 78 shots. 275 Japanese casualties and 4 guns lost.

DD Suzukaze found a mine field at Davao

An ASW force discovered mines at Soerabaja

[el cid again]

The day turn began with a port raid on Singapore - aimed at ships in port: 28 Ki-21s and 7 Ki-49s out of Soc Trang (these latter not yet an operational type)- escorted by 42 Zeros. They met 8 Buffalos on CAP - shooting down 2 before the rest bugged out. 4 bombers were lost.
17 hits were scored on 6 AKs and 1 more on a PC unit. 1 AK was set on fire and 1 took 2 hits without a fire - all the rest were on fire with heavy damage (but some may have started the turn damaged already).

17 Ki-21s hit Hinzada Burma - but scored only 1 port hit - and missed ships in port entirely.

47 Zeros swept Manila - met 17 P-40s - and shot down 11 of them. 4 Zeros were lost in intense air combat.

8 ROCAF IL-4s caused 10 casualties and 1 vehicle lost to the 15th Tank Regiment in North China. 3 SB-2s failed to harm the 2nd Yobeiki Regiment in South China.

A JAAF strike caused 15 casualties to the 47th Guerilla Regiment. Another caused 40 casualties and 1 gun lost to the 65th Field Army. A strong attack caused 106 casualties and 3 guns lost to the Hopei 49th Field Army. 9 Ki-51s failed to harm the Hong Kong Fortress - but 1 was lost in the attack.

2 JAAF attacks on the Philippine 41st Division at Lucena caused 2 and 31 casualties respectively. This position will be attacked in force tomorrow.

An attack in Malaya on the ISF No 4 Forward Air Station caused 61 casualties.

3 B-18s missed an AP at sea SW of Hawaii. 3 more plus 5 A-20s missed a CL and 2 transports in the same area. 4 A-20s missed CL Mikuma at Lahaina - ran into 10 Me-109s and 2 Petes on CAP - and lost one of the 3 P-40Bs flying escort with them. Then 3 more A-20s missed an AP SW of Hawaii - these generally being ships retiring from Lahaina having discharged their cargos.

KB sank an MSW unit far East of Hawaii in a strong attack which scored 3 bomb and 3 torpedo hits before no target could be found any more.
Both the KB and the CVL force (Ni Butai or Two Force) are in this area - as is a tanker TF - hunting ships running from Hawaii - and gradually turning South where recon shows more targets to be still headed due East.

USS Shark torpedoed - and no doubt sank - AP Tsunushima Maru in the South China Sea - with 2 fish and 6 shell hits.

Landings at Midway were opposed by 345 CD shots - these scoring 24 hits on 3 APs and a PC unit. 205 Japanese casualties. An additional invasion TF will land tomorrow. Allied bombardment caused a further 26 casualties.

A shock attack on a Chinese Guerilla Regiment by 22 000 Japanese troops achieved 2138:1 odds - and the unit surrendered - 572 casualties and 2 guns lost.

24 000 Japanese attacked 13 000 Allies at Taiping Malaya- capturing the location on the first assault (in spite of the presence of a supply sink).
11 Japanese casualties, 7033 Allied casualties, 2 guns lost, 1042 vehicles lost.

In the Solomans, undefended Buin was captured. So was lightly defended Tulagi: 2 Japanese casualties to 232 Allied casualties and 2 guns lost.

A brigade drove the Hopei 49th Field Army back to Puching in an attack SW of Shanghai.
44 Japanese casualties and 2 guns lost to 20 Allied casualties. 4:1 odds.

Undefended Hinzada Burma fell to airborne assault. This cuts the LOC feeding supplies to Rangoon - and also messes up its retreat path - but it is not yet isolated from the main rail line.

An Allied bombardment attack on Molokai was ineffective. It revealed 2601 Allied troops facing 3450 Japanese already landed - with more to follow.

3059 Japanese did an automatic shock attack on Midway - found 3250 defenders - and failed to capture the island: 404 Japanese casualties and 12 guns lost to 6 Allied casualties - this will be the Wake Island defense of this war no doubt. More troops of the reserve regiment assigned will repeat this process tomorrow.

[el cid again]

19 Dec (Hawaii) 20 Dec (Tokyo/Manila)

The night turn began with continuing landings at Midway - and encountering a minefield there. CD Guns fired 12 shots - far less than the previous night - and scored no hits - neither did the minefield. The Allies lost 1 casualties and 1 gun (to shells from ships???) while the landing Japanesee had 8 casualties. Naval bombardment by CA Takao, CL Naka and 2 DD caused 85 casualties, 3 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost, 12 other hits. 6 more CD shots fired but no damage from them.

SS Permit missed a MSW unit at Jolo.

[el cid again]

Next came a return to bloody combat at Midway. AK Encyu Maru hit a mine and was heavily damaged with 22 casuaties and 2 guns lost for embarked troops. 152 CD shots were fired, resulting in 7 hits on AK Umegawa Maru and DE Asago - the AK being badly hurt with 113 more casualties. The Allies lost 34 casualties (in counter landing operations?).

A small group from the Nanyo Detachment landed on New Ireland to mop up the K Force which retreated from Kavieng. 39 Japanese casualties in the landings.

Landing craft from Lahaina hit the beach again at Molokai - facing mines and 32 CD shots. These latter achieved 4 hits. There were 27 casualties and 2 guns lost to the invading Japanese unit.

SS Sturgeon shelled, torpedoed and sank AK Toyo Maru, causing 17 troop casualties and 2 guns lost. This in the waters South of Japan.

I-122 shelled, torpedoed and probably sank AP Speelman South of Singapore.

Allied sub chasers encountered mines at Muntok, Banka Island

[el cid again]

The day turn began with a sweep by 25 Ki-43s of Rangoon - no CAP encountered.

19 Ki-21s raided Meiktila Burma - causing 1 runway nit. No CAP encountered - but photos showed 11 fighters on the ground.

3 Ki-49s and 2 Bettys raided Singapore - escorted by 56 Zeros. AK Joan Moller was hit by one 800 kg bomb. 11 Buffalos on CAP of which 6 destroyed. All the Ki-49s were damaged.

43 Zeros swept Manila - 5 P-40s on CAP of which 4 were shot down - 1 Zero lost

3 ROCAF SB-2s failed to harm the 2nd Yobieki Regiment.

3 Kp=48s caused 6 casualties to the ROC 23rd Field Army. 9 more caused 6 casualties to the ROC 9th Field Army (the unit later is renamed 99th - so its designation is 9/99th). 6 Ki-51s failed to harm the Hong Kong Fortress - but 3 were damaged.

3 attacks on the Philippine 41st Division at Lucena caused 0, 13 and 8 casualties, and 1 gun lost.

3 B-18s missed an AP near Hawaii. 3 more put a bomb into AP Fukko Maru - retiring after discharging cargo at Lahaina.

The CVE force missed AK Parcita when a single Kate and 10 Me-109s attacked her (the Me's had bombs).

KB bombed, torpedoed and sank DM Sicard far East of Hawaii. It is hunting 2 BB in the area.

2 Vildebeeste missed an AP near Singora - 1 was lost in the effort.

18 Kates from the CVL force torpedoed DD Allen - East of Hawaii.

USS Perch shelled and torpedoed AK Hakonesan Maru in the South China Sea.

Midway went back to shelling again - fired 12 CD shots and scored 1 hit each on 2 DD of the force tormenting it. 30 Allied casualties and 3 guns lost and 4 other hits when those ships bombarded again.

The rail junction NW of Kuantan Malaya fell on the first assault by 29 000 Japanese - the 5000 defenders retreating into Kuantan itself. We will follow them there to capture the forward airfield.

26 000 Japanese attacked half that number of Allies at HK - failed to achieve odds but did reduce fortifications to Level 2. 434 Japanese casualties and 18 guns lost to 145 Allied casualties and 4 guns lost.

31 000 Japanese attacked 12 000 Filipinos (mainly the 41st Division) at Lucena - driving them back to Manila. 7:1 odds. 130 Japanese casualties and 4 guns lost to 187 Filipino casualties and 8 guns lost.

Almost 5 000 Japanese attacked 3 000 Americans at Midway - failed to capture it - and took 242 casualties, 8 guns lost and 4 vehicles lost to 14 US casualties and 2 guns lost. This is going to be a long remembered battle by the Americans - the defenders did well vs a regiment. Allied bombardment was not effective (spending too much time shelling ships I guess).

3800 Japanese attacked 3900 Americans at Molokai - failed to achieve odds or capture it - 87 casualties, 6 guns lost and 1 vehicle to 125 US casualties and 5 guns lost. The high Allied casualty count indicates a position about to fall.

550 Japanese failed to defeat 300 Americans at Jolo - we have diverted an SNLF to back them up. 14 casualties suffered.

[el cid again]

20 Dec (Hawaii) 21 Dec (Tokyo/Manila)

The enemy says he controls the weather God's - and it seems to be true: naval units escaping Eastward from Hawaii were almost completely protected by bad weather from two carrier forces in persuit. These include apparently two battleships - at least USS California.

The night turn began with detection of mines at Davao - a MSW force which completed clearing mines at Legaspi was diverted to Divao later in the day. During the night AO Notoro hit a mine later in the night and was badly damaged.

CA Takao led a bombardment of Midway - and took a hit from one of the 5 CD shots fired in defense. 61 Allied casualties, 3 guns lost, 3 runway hits.

CD guns and mines defended Molokai from continuing landings by landing craft based at Lahaina. 45 Japanese casualties followed by a further 60 from the beach defenses. Another small landing craft force loaded another party to keep this up tomorrow. We will keep landing troops until the defense is overwhelmed. Major units are landing at Lahaina - where there is air cover - only landing craft move troops forward from there.

[el cid again]

The day turn began with a raid on Rangoon by 25 Ki-43s - but there was no CAP to fight.

15 Ki-21s raided Meiktila Burma - met 18 fighters of 2 types on CAP - and 3 were shot down P-40s were also shot down, and 1 more damaged.
16 airfield related hits.

3 Ki-49s put a bomb into AK Hermion at Singapore. Escorted by 50 Zeros and 2 Bettys on recon, 8 Buffalos were on CAP - of which 4 were shot doewn. All 3 Ki-49s were damaged.

5 Blenheims attacked the 54th Division in Malaya - without effect. 2 Catalinas flew recon. No losses.
6 ROCAF SB-2s were equally unsuccessful attacking the 1st Reserve Regiment on the Indochina border. 5 more caused 9 casualties to the same unit.

A JAAF raid caused 42 casualties to the Kwangtung 65th Field Army in China. 7 Ki-51s raided HK - without effect - and one was lost in the effort. This series of raids suck supplies out of HK when it fires its AAA.

9 Kates based at Rabaul caused 6 casualties to the K force on New Ireland.

9 Ki-41s put 3 bombs into AK Parcita in the NE of Borneo.
9 Ki-48s put 2 bombs into TK Mei Hsia in the same area.

Well East of Hawaii the Ni Butai (CVL force) put 2 torpedoes into DD Bagley - sinking her. This was the only success for the carrier forces - due to bad weather.

41 Zeros swept Manila - met 5 P-40s on CAP - and shot down 4 of them.

2 B-17s missed an AP at Johnston Island.

11 Vildebeeste missed 3 ships off Malaya.

3 B-18s missed an AP at Lahaina. Escorted by 2 P-40s, they met 23 fighters of 3 types on CAP. 1 fighter and 1 bomber were shot down, and 1 Me-109 was damaged.
6 B-17s - unescorted - put a bomb each into DE Kuretake and AK Hinko Maru - at Lahaina. Theyu met the same 23 fighters on CAP - and shot down 1 Ki-44 - and damaged 2 Me-109s.
3 B-18s missed BB Kongo at Lahaina. 1 was lost to the CAP - but they shot down 1 Me-109.

13 Bettys attacked Force Z at Pontianak. 3 were shot down and no damage done. HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Exeter were very effective with AAA.

4 IJN DD engaged USS Triton at sea - and hit her once with depth charges. This somewhere East of the Philippines.

[el cid again]

Ground combat at Nauru Island caused 20 Allied casualties and 3 vehicles lost.

Ground assault at Pakhoi achieved 3:1 odds but failed to take the position. 75 Japanese casualties and 4 guns lost.
24 Allied casualties and 2 guns lost. The fortifications were reduced to Level 2.

Allied bombardment at Midway caused 7 casualties and 1 vehicle lost to Japanese forces.
Allied bombardment at Molokai was ineffective.

Airborne assault captured undefended Prome Burma.

Ground attack at Jolo was ineffective - no casualties to either side. These are both support units.

Ground combat at New Ireland resulted in K Force retreating - but it caused 18 Japanese casualties for none of its own. Truly a special forces unit!!!

[el cid again]

21 Dec 1941 (Hawaii) 22 Dec (Tokyo/Manila)

The night turn began when USS Snapper missed AO Ayazoyo Maru South of Mindinao.

I-170 missed an undisclosed target (probably PT boats) at Molokai

USS Pickeral missed an AK Koei Maru in the South China Sea near Indochina.

It seems clear - subs are not guaranteed successes when they attack!

Landing craft continued landings at Molokai - where they were opposed by mines, PT boats and CD guns - which fired 16 shots - scoring a remarkably good 4 hits on an LCM unit. 77 Japanese casualties.

USS Pickeral shelled, torpedoed and probably fatally damaged AP Muro Maru near Saigon

Ro-27 torpedoed and sank AK Joan Moller near Sinkap Island

A PC unit detected mines at Muntok, Banka Island

Ro-41 put 2 shells into AK Van der Bosch at Singapore

[el cid again]

The day turn began with a raid on Mandalay - where the AVG sprang a trap. 20 Bettys, 23 Zeros and 2 Ki-46 recon planes challenged 19 AVG P-40Bs - but failed to penetrate to the target. Only 1 P-40 was damaged, but 4 Zeros and 6 bombers were shot down.

59 Ki-21s and 32 Zeros raided Singapore - met 8 Buffalos on CAP - and shot down 7 of them. 1 Vildebeest was destroyed on the ground, 1 LCP took a bomb hit, 4 casualties, 29 other hits. 5 Sally's lost to AAA.

6 ROCAF SB-2s failed to harm the 2nd Reserve Regiment near the Indochina frontier. 7 more were able to inflict 18 casualties.

A JAAF attack on the Kwangtung 65th Field Army caused 18 casualties. Another lost 3 Ki-51s in a raid on HK - which did no damage.

2 air strikes on the Philippine Army 12th Battalion caused 40 and 13 casualties respectively

A JAAF strike on the ISF No 4 Forward Air Station in Malaya caused 57 casualties and 1 gun lost. Another caused 12 more casualties.

3 B-17s raided Lahaina - and were shot down by 30 fighters of 3 types on CAP
3 B-18s missed an AP at Lahaina - escorted by 2 P-40s - they met the same CAP - one B-18 was lost. 1 Me-109 was damaged.
3 A-20s missed BB Yamashiro SW of Oahu. She is retiring with modest damage to repair back up.

6 Ki-48s and 15 Nells attacked and sank AK Parcita near Mindinao. 43 casualties and 1 gun lost.

Half of the KB - it was split to insure weather did not prevent flight operations - put 2 torpedoes and 8 bombs into BB California - sinking her.
Also 2 torpedoes into DD Ward - her escort - sinking her as well. A follow up strike failed to find any target to hit.
Later in the same area DD Dale was hit by 3 torpedoes and sunk. A two ship TF - both reported as CA - remains in the area - about to exit into a shipping channel.

6 Nells missed an AK at Zamboanga.

7 A-20s put a bomb into AP Awata Maru near Johnston Island - and missed AP Kinjosan Maru. 3 more missed an AK SW of Oahu.

2 B-17s failed to attack an unidentified ship - because 4 Me-109s drove them off - at sea near Lahaina. Apparently area CAP can rove out of hex.
2 B-18s - escorted by 2 P-40Bs - did something similar at Lahaina - failed to penetrate vs 17 Petes and 3 Ki-44s on CAP. However, 1 Pete was lost. 1 B-18 was damaged.

9 Bettys put 7 bombs into Lematang near Toloekbetoeng Sumatra.

An unplanned landing occurred at Maasin Leyte Island - 57 casualties

The 48th Brigade attacked with 10,000 men at Baguio. 8600 defenders stopped them cold. 1926 Japanese casualteis, 97 guns lost, 2 vehicles lost to 11 Allied casualties and 2 guns lost. Baguio is mountains. I ordered artillery and engineers down the Naguilion Road from San Fernando - a route I know personally - to back up the division. Other troops are converging on San Fernando - in case we need to by pass Baguio.

An attack on Pakhoi South China achieved 1:1 odds - reduced fortifications to 1 - caused 22 Japanese casualties and 2 guns lost to 48 Chinese casualties and 2 guns lost. This is good performance by a reserve regiment with support only from a mountain gun regiment vs a field army and a guerilla regiment. Even so - there were less than 6000 defenders - and almost 7000 Japanese attackers - these are weak Chinese formations. Other Chinese units seem to be fleeing rather than coming in to support - so the entire coast will fall soon.

Allied bombardment at Midway caused 2 casualties and revealed 2132 Japanese on the ground facing 4400 Americans.

A regimental combat team of a division attacked 3 Philippine battalions at Laoag. All three surrendered. 258:1 odds. 37 Japanese casualties and 1 gun lost vs 668 Philippine casualties and 14 guns lost.

Allied bombardment at Molokai was ineffective.

Thai air and ground units have finally entered the map - as have a minority of RTN ships. These are mainly being used to secure Thai (or Thai claimed) positions - but one bomber unit is going to participate in an attack on Kuantan, Malaya (with all 9 of its bombers) tomorrow.

[el cid again]

22 December 1941 (Hawaii) 23 Dec (Tokyo/Manila)

Yesterday - for the first time - the Allies won the air exchange rate - due to a lopsided victory over Mandalay - in which the AVG - without losing a plane - shot down ten Zeros and bombers. Today - Zeros swept Mandalay - with what should have been an altitude advantage - only to find the AVG still is top dog - again not one was lost. This seems unlikely to be a statistical fluke: the AVG advantage seems to work IF the Allies engage when in high morale state and at a place where numbers are not overwhelming.

The night turn began with SS Pickeral missing an AP in the South China Sea.

A PC unit detected sub laid Type 88 mines at Palembang.

I-170 missed an unidentified target at PH.

USS Sturgeon missed an AO in the Nanyo (South Sea islands = Carolines) area.

CA Takao led a bombardment at Midway - 37 casualties, 1 runway hit, 1 port supply hit.

Coast guns nominally opposed landings at Molokai - but failed to shoot - 2 Japanese casualties. Later they fired 31 shots, scored 3 hits on an LCVP unit, and caused 56 casualties to the continuing landings.

2 Fast transport TFs landed much of the 144th Regimental Combat Team (Nanyo Detachment) on New Ireland - 44 and 147 Japanese casualties suffered.

6 DD attacked and hit USS Trusty in the middle of the Southern South China Sea.

S-38 torpedoed AK Kosho Maru at Jolo.

Ro-27 torpedoed and sank AK Hermion South of Singapore.

[el cid again]

12 Zeros swept Mandalay - met 22 AVG P-40s on CAP - and 5 were shot down. NO casualties to the AVG - for the second day in a row of victories - a total of 9 Zeros and 6 Sallys being shot down for no losses by them.

30 Zeros swept Kuala Lumpur - 11 Buffalos on CAP - 1 shot down (for no Japanese losses).

48 Zeros swept Manila - 8 P-40s on CAP - 6 shot down (for 2 Zero losses).

The First Tank Brigade lost 28 casualties and 1 vehicle to a strike by 11 Blenheims (escorted by 5 Buffalos). 2 fighters lost to 4 Oscars on CAP.

21 Kates, 26 Ki-51s and 3 Ki-48s on recon attacked the Indian Army 22nd Brigade in Malaya - causing 78 casualties and 3 guns lost.
22 Ki-48s followed up immediately, causing 6 more casualties and 1 gun lost.

10 Kates out of Rabaul caused 7 casualties to K Force on New Ireland.

20 Bettys caused 38 casualties and 3 vehicles lost to the Nauru Industry Fortress (e.g. supply sink).

9 Ki-48s caused 17 casualties to the US 24th Division on Molokai. He has moved in infantry reinforcements - clever - they will be hard to drive out of mountainous terrain there.

14 bombers (of 2 types) escorted by 7 fighters (of 2 types) hit a major empty TF leaving Lahaina for Johnston Island. 17 Petes on CAP.
1 Pete lost. 1 A-20 Boston lost. 4 ships attacked and missed.

6 Ki-21s out of Brunei put 6 bombs into AK Parcita West of Borneo.

DD Shaw was torpedoed and sunk by the CVL force (Ni Butai) near the Eastern Pacific map exit channel.

4 Ki-48s out of Davao put 10 bombs into AK Saioe at Jolo.

3 A-20 Bostons put 2 bombs into DE Hokaze SW of Hawaii. 4 Petes were on CAP but ineffective.

3 B-18s missed CL Nagara at Lahaina. 15 Me-109s, 3 Ki-44s and 1 Pete on CAP accomplished little.

2 B-18s missed an AP SW of Hawaii. 4 A-20s missed an AP a different AP in the same area immediately thereafter - these bringing along 6 fighters of 2 types as escort.

3 B-25s and 5 SB-2s missed an AK at Hankow/Wuhan in Central China. 9 Ki-27s on CAP - 1 was shot down. 1 B-25 damaged.

KB put 14 torpedoes and 6 bombs into 5 ships in the exit channel for the Eastern Pacific - DDs King and Crane, APs Barnett and Harris, and PG Navajo. 138 immediate casualties and 11 guns lost - these APs were taking troops FROM Hawaii to Panama (intermediate to the South Pacific probably). All but DD Crane sank by the end of the turn. This is the end of the run - aside from being at the map edge - we lack the fuel to continue - and need to replace plane losses and repair system damage on some ships. Apparently only one DD escaped - and she might flood out.

I-170 missed another unspecified target near PH - the second today.

The Nanyo Detachment attacked K Force on New Ireland - and it is listed as retreating - but it didn't show up at its retreat hex - and it is reported at 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles - so it may have been wiped out by the air strike today.

25 000 Japanese attacked 13 500 Allies at HK - achieved no odds - reduced fortifications to 1 - causing 716 Japanese casualties, 19 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost to 12 Allied casualties, 1 gun lost and 1 vehicle lost. HK is doing fairly well.

14 500 Japanese captured Maubon/Lemon Bay from 6 000 Filipinos: 76 Japanese casualties and 1 gun lost to 34 Filipinos lost. 8:1 odds.

12 000 Japanese captured Kuantan Malaya from 14 000 Allies. 39 Japanese casualties, 7524 Allied casualties and 906 vehicles lost. 2 units also retreated, one surrendered. The supply sink was not a significant factor.

A minimal force of 6808 Japanese - units were still moving in - captured Pakhoi South China from 5870 defenders - 4:1 odds - 16 Japanese casualties and 1 gun lost to 37 Chinese casualties.

6294 Japanese failed to capture Molokai - from 4129 defenders - but they moved in infantry and this is mountains - so it is a proper result. 110 Japanese casualties and 4 guns lost vs 123 Allied casualties, 5 guns lost and 3 vehicles lost: this implies a poor supply/morale state (high Allied losses for 0:1 odds) - and the location will fall soon. Major forces have landed at Lahaina - so reinforcement can go on as long as required. Elements of 2 divisions are already landing on the lower islands - and part of one of them is here at Molokai.

Undefended Maasin Leyte fell to 140 troops accidentally landed yesterday.

Allied bombardment at Molokai was ineffective.

[el cid again]

23 Dec 1941 (Hawaii Time) 24 Dec (Christmas Eve in Tokyo and Manila)

The night turn began with continuing landings at Jolo - this time by a SNLF. 162 casualties to beach defenses.
USN sub S-38 torpedoed AK Tyotoku Maru. Still later 9 more casualties were suffered from beach defenses.

DE Sanae missed USN sub Tautog near Hawaii. Twice in a row.

Continuing landings at Molokai drew 38 CD shots - including 4 hits on 3 Company, 26th Shipping Transportation Regiment - resulting in 21 casualties to troops. 4 more shots fired at a different LC TF - but no hits. However, 21 casualties were inflicted by beach defenses.

An Allied PC unit detected mines at Muntok, Banka Island.

USN PT 39/40 & 41 encountered mines at Zamboanga - laid by DM during the night - these scored one hit.

[el cid again]

The day turn began with city bombing of Puching China - to take out resources. One hit. A larger attack scored 13 hits - but cost 2 bombers destroyed. A third attack scored 3 more resource hits. There are five Field Armies at this location - and others feeding off it - so reducing their only source of supply will make them easier to deal with.

6 Ki-48s failed to do damage at Chengchow - 3 Hawks also failed to harm them.

[el cid again]

ORIGINAL: el cid again

The day turn began with city bombing of Puching China - to take out resources. One hit. A larger attack scored 13 hits - but cost 2 bombers destroyed. A third attack scored 3 more resource hits. There are five Field Armies at this location - and others feeding off it - so reducing their only source of supply will make them easier to deal with.

6 Ki-48s failed to do damage at Chengchow - 3 Hawks also failed to harm them.

20 Ki-43s swept Kuala Lumput - met 8 Buffalos on CAP - and shot 2 down - damaging a third. 26 Zeros followed up immediately, engaging the remaining 6 - shooting 3 more down.

Next 24 Ki-43s swept Jahore Bahru - met 10 Buffalos on CAP - and shot 7 down - without loss.

44 Zeros swept Manila - but there was no CAP. Recon says there are no aircraft at all on Luzon.

18 ROC SB-2s showed up in Malaya! They attacked the 13th Division and 13th Tank Regiment - inflicting 39 casualties - 5 guns lost - 1 vehicle lost.

24 Ki-21s and 7 Ki-49s out of Kwajalein attacked Nauru Island - causing 58 casualties and 6 vehicles lost.

7 Ki-48s failed to harm a regimental combat team of the US 24th Division on Molokai.

A single Kate out of Brunei torpedoed AK Parcita at Tarakan - it was escorted by 5 Zeros - they met a dozen fighters of two types on CAP - but there were no air casualties. Parcita - already damaged - sank shortly thereafter.

3 B-25s failed to do any damage at Hanyang/Wuhan.

5 AS units hit USN sub S-38 at Jolo - unusually 3 hits. The same 5 ships (CLAA Yasoshima and 4 DD) then engaged USN Asiatic Fleet LCM unit - hitting it 3 times - then 13 more times - so it is almost certainly doomed. Then the same 5 ships bombarded - causing 37 casualties and 21 other hits. In spite of this - ground combat failed to achieve odds - and the Japanese lost 429 casualties and 10 guns for trying. The just landed SNLF has but one SNLF squad - and is unable to make a deliberate attack. In spite of that, it will bombard - and the base support unit - which still has infantry - will do a deliberate attack - supported by both air and naval bombardment. The weak support unit defending must be in awful shape and cannot sustain this for long. Even so, the eventual victory will be truly phyrric - this shows why one should defend valuable points - even if no strong defense is possible - the cost of taking them sometimes will be high.

In spite of air bombardment, a general attack at Nauru also failed. 14 Allied casualties indicates a weak defense. A new land unit has arrived and will land through the night and day tomorrow - and we will attack again.

An Allied shock attack at Ichang China failed -- 59 Japanese casualties and 2 guns lost to 317 Chinese casualties and 29 guns lost. We will bomb the presumably disorganized unit tomorrow.

Allied bombardment at Molokai was ineffective.

For the second time - recon failed at Moulmein - and airborne went in vs strong opposition - and failed. 14 Japanese casualties to 12 Allied casualties and 1 gun lost. He says he moves his units around to fool the recon.

Two Japanese AKs were scuttled rather than allowing them to flood out (costing twice as many VPs). Many Japanese damaged ships are being saved - but sometimes it is impossible. A stronger landing force will hit Molokai tomorrow - it should fall in two days. Kona should also be attacked about then - by an SNLF marching overland to retake a town it already took once. It was lost to AI - just in time for units to retreat to it from Hilo. Oahu is black - shows only 2 ships in port - and seems to have almost no aircraft. He writes that it is useless - and the Japanese strategic objective in the Central Pacific is achieved. The rest of a second infantry division is loading or departing Johnston Island - the best division in the army is already at Lahaina - and the Imperial Guards Brigade is spread out from Molokai to Hilo - taking advance bases. There is also an SNLF on the big Island - and a naval landing party on a tiny island which is a Dole Pineapple Plantation (Lanai). Air units are no longer being demoralized - and supplies are building up nicely. Even so - it will be some time before it is possible to reduce Oahu with its monsterous 117 CD guns. A third division (the historical number planned) is en route to Johnston Island - as are 3 battleships (to replace 4 which withdrew to repair system damage - 2 are at Truk - 2 more near Johnston en route to Truk). Midway is invested but needs reinforcement to be taken. KB is retiring to refuel - rebuild air groups - and some ships need to get system damage repaired.

[el cid again]

24 Dec 1941 (Hawaii Time) 25 Dec 1941 (Tokyo/Manila Time)

Note that there is now no chance Hong Kong will fall on "Black Christmas" - although it shows every sign of falling soon. It is unusual for HK to hold out as long as history - doubly so when more than historical forces are committed to its reduction - but it happened here. HK has lost all its ships and planes, its fortifications have been reduced, and it is in the black (bad logistics) - and it may fall on Dec 26 (Tokyo/Hong Kong Time) - but it didn't fall by Dec 25 (local time).

The night turn began with landings on Nauru Island - which has not fallen to a small party. 228 casualties.

There was a brief night battle between CLAA Yasoshima, 3 DD and the Philippine Army LCVP unit at Zamboanga. The unit took 30 hits - and 167 casualties were suffered to troop cargo - but it was not sunk - as we will see later. The small SAG then went on to bombard Zamboanga - causing 9 hits.

There were also landings on Molokai - and CD guns fired 169 shots - scoring 7 hits on two transports - both set on fire - and one heavily damaged. 335 casualties and 3 guns lost. A different TF of landing craft also suffered 36 casualties in landings at the same location. A third small TF similarly suffered 13 casualties at Molokai.

[el cid again]

The day turn began with a strategic air strike on Puching - 3 resource hits. Two similar attacks on Chengchow caused 3 resource hits each.

Several sweeps of Kuala Lumpur came up empty - a former major air base appears entirely evacuated - nothing is on CAP.

6 Blenheims failed to harm the 54th Division in Central Malaya. 3 more failed to harm a Machine Cannon unit in the same hex.

2 ROCAF striked on the 18th Independent Mixed Brigade in China caused 0 and 24 casualties and 1 gun lost.
Another failed to harm the 1st Yobeiki Regiment in South China.

A JAAF strike on the 88th Field Army caused 38 casualties and 3 guns lost.
Another on the 9th Group Army caused 46 casualties.

6 Ki-48s caused 9 casualties to the ISF No 2 Base Force in Central Malaya. A larger strike by 26 Kates, 27 Ki-51s, 10 Ju-88s and 3 Ki-48 recon variants caused 33 more casualties to the same unit. 1 Ki-48 and 1 Ju-88 destroyed. 2 Ki-51s damaged. A third strike by 6 Nells was ineffective.

7 Bettys caused 7 casualties to the 2nd Burma Brigade at Moulmein.

12 Ki-51s caused 59 casualties and 2 guns lost to the Philippine Scouts 88th Field Artillery Regiment. 2 bombers lost.
11 Ki-48s followed up, causing a further 13 casualties and 2 guns lost to the same unit. 1 bomber lost.
9 Ki-48s caused 7 casualties to the Philippine Constabulary 51st Brigade. 1 bomber lost.
All these attacks at Maubon Bay.

7 Ki-48s caused 17 casualties and 1 gun lost to a regimental combat team of the US 24th Division on Molokai.

8 Ki-48s causes 1 casualty and 1 gun lost to the Philippine Constabulary 3rd Regiment at Jolo.
14 Ki-21s followed up immediately, causing 24 more casualties and 1 gun lost to the same unit.

CA Aoba put 3 eight inch shells into AK Induna Star NE of Borneo at long range. These caused fires and heavy damage.

CLAA Yasoshima and her 3 escorts again shelled Zamboanga - causing 10 more hits.

Ground combat at Jolo failed to achieve odds (again) - 34 Japanese casualties and 2 guns lost. 1328 Japanese face 1860 Allies - these latter having a real combat unit in their ranks - we learne from bombing reports above. Part of the unit was no doubt lost at sea when we got the landing craft group.

Ground combat failed at Molokai (again). 5500 Japanese face 4300 Allies - and again - a real combat unit has landed to back up the support troops. 75 Japanese casualties and 2 guns lost. 121 Allied casualties, 7 guns lost and 1 vehicle lost. This ratio indicates the position is in a bad way and will fall soon. More troops are inbound from Lahaina or on ships landing already in the hex. This is a mountain hex and hard to take.

A first attack at Pucheng China failed - it is bright yellow for mysterious reasons (It cannot possibly feed all the troops present). 728 casualties and 22 guns lost for Japan, 126 casualties and 3 guns lost for China. More troops are moving in. Another unit will isolate Pucheng.

A first attack at Baguio failed. Here it is a combination of mountains and units. This is what should happen if the Allies don't Sir Robin. 341 casaulties, 12 guns lost and 1 vehicle lost to 19 Allied casualties and 1 gun lost.

A first attack at Kuala Lumpur failed - 0:1 odds - 143 Japanese casualties and 11 guns lost. 176 Allied casualties, 7 guns lost and 1 vehicle lost. This indicates a weak position

Undefended Udan Thani fell. So did undefended Magwe Burma.

Allied bombardment at Molokai was ineffective.

Nauru Island failed to fall- but all the casualties were Allies - a very weak position. 15 casualties, 1 vehicle lost.

KB is withdrawing onto tankers to refuel.

Rangoon appears abandoned - and we will explore wether or not it is ?

Moulmein is so badly flanked we expect it to be evacuated any day.

Malaya is split wide open and we think KL may be abandoned with a minimal fight - it is already flanked.

Manila is invested with troops - and not generating any supply.

The East West rail line in China is wholly controlled - and we are reducing Puching.

We should be able to gain control of the Big Island and of Molokai in a day or two.

[el cid again]

Dec 25 1941 (Hawaii) Dec 26 (Tokyo/Manila)

The night turn began with continuing landings at Molokai. 15 CD shots fired - AK Soya Maru hit - 47 casualties.
USN sub Narwhal shelled and torpedoed Sumire Maru - so badly she had to be scuttled - but she did manage to land her troops.
Later mines were encountered - but missed - and Soya Maru took another hit from CD guns (which fired 5 shots) - probably 155 mm.
Later still 4 shots were fired and 38 casualties suffered to beach defenses.

I-4 was attacked and missed by a PC unit near the US West Coast.

DE Shiokaze - alone - detected, localized, attacked and hit twice USN sub Porpoise - a very unusual attack for this period. This near Mindinao.

Japanese troops began landings at Butuan Mindinao - where Allied air support troops from Cagayan retreated and are stranded. 22 casualties.

[el cid again]

The day turn began with an air strike on Pucheng by 32 Ki-48s - scoring 8 resource hits.
21 more scored 9 resource hits.

17 Ki-43s swept Kuala Lumpur - but there were no longer any aircraft present. This was followed by recon, another sweep by 18 Ki-43s,
a recon by a Betty, and then by a sweep by 30 Zeros.

14 ROCAF SB-2s caused 27 casualties and 1 vehicle lost to the 18th Independent Mixed Brigade in China.

9 Blenheims made an ineffective strike on the 18th Division in Malaya
9 more caused 36 casualties and 1 gun lost to the same unit.

A JAAF strike caused 8 casualties to the Manchu 67th Field Army.
Another caused 30 to the 9th Field Army.

12 Betty's caused 4 casualties and 1 gun lost to the 2nd Burma Brigade in Burma.

6 Ki-48s caused 38 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Indian Army 45th Brigade in Malaya.

3 Ki-49s and 4 Ki-49s caused 11 casualties to the USAAF 117th Base Force on Molokia.
Later they attacked a regimental combat team of the US Army 24th Division in the same hex, but without effect.

27 Ki-51s and 9 Ju-88s attacked the Indian Army 9th Division Field Artillery Unit causing 69 casualties, 2 guns lost and 2 vehicles lost.

9 Ki-51s caused 19 casualties to the Philippine Constabularly 51st Brigade.
12 Ki-48s caused 51 casualties and 1 gun lost to the same unit.
Later 9 Ki-48s caused 52 more casualties to the same unit.
Later still 9 Ki-21s caused 30 casualties to the same unit.

[el cid again]

A combined arms force (infantry, artillery, armor, HQ and AAA) of 27 000 Japanese attacked 7300 Allies in central Malaya, achieved 4:1 odds, and the Allies retreated - flanking the Kuala Lumpur position. 312 Japanese casualties, 15 guns lost, 2 vehicles lost. 69 Allied casualties, 1 gun lost, 1 vehicle lost.

A ground assault by 900 Japanese on Jolo failed to achieve anything. The 1700 Allied support troops and infantry - who may be suffering from lack of supplies and disruption - also failed to inflict any casualties.

A ground assault on Nauru Island achieved 1:1 odds for the first time - and inflicted 41 casualties and 4 vehicles lost. 12 Japanese casualties. This ratio implies it will fall soon.

40 000 Japanese attacked and captured HK. 269 casualties, 6 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost. 17,099 Allied casualties, 124 guns lost, 1549 vehicles lost.

32 000 Japanese troops attacked 23 000 Allies at Chengchow - achieved 1:1 odds - and reduced fortifications to zero. 949 Japanese casualties, 34 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost. 411 Allied casualties, 10 guns lost.

A Japanese bombardment attack at Kuala Lumpur caused 12 casualties.

Allied bombardment at Molokai was ineffective.

A Japanese ground attack by a small battalion at Moulmein unexpectedly ran into a brigade - and failed. 6 Japanese casualties, 7 Allied casualties. This is remarkable since the Allies had six times as many troops and 48 times more guns.