aztez (allies) vs grunt6971 (japan)

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MORE WONDERFUL NEWS FROM THE IMPERIAL ARMY: Imperial Headquarters in Tokyo reported that Clark Field and the city Naga on the big island of Luzon fell to Imperial Forces on 4/30/42. Japanese Army units are now bombarding the capital of Manila.

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ADDITIONAL NEWS FLASH: Headquarters for the China Expeditionary Forces reported that Chinese Army units have been routed from Homan, China and driven into the China countryside toward Chungking.

It is further reported that this action has trapped over 120,000 Chinese soldiers in Sian, China. Additionally, the Japanese 23rd Army has reduced all fortifications in and around Ichang, China, and have entered the outskirts of the city. Imperial Headquarters indicated that this further threatens to isolate Chinese forces trapped in Sian.

[6971grunt]

NEWS OF THE FALL OF BATAVIA AND SOERABAJA DELAYED BY MILITARY CENSORS: Imperial General Staff reported that for security reasons, the Mid-May, 1942 fall of Batavia and Soerabaja was delayed. Japanese forces captured over 50,000 Dutch and Militia forces in the fall of these two cities.

The suppression of DEI is now complete.

[6971grunt]

LASHIO, BURMA FALLS:

On May 22, 1942, Japanese paratroopers staged a daring daylight airborne assault on Lashio, Burma. The lighting air assault surprised the British garrison which was quickly driven from the city toward Mandalay.

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HUGE NAVAL VICTORY FOR IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY AS WELL AS A LARGE LAND LOSSES FOR UNITED STATES:

The last month and a half have been relatively quiet in the Eastern Pacific. However, in mid-June, 1942, Japanese submarine I-172 spotted a large United States convoy assembling in the French Frigate Shoals area. The Imperial Navy, sensing an offensive against either Johnston Island or Midway, assembled two carrier groups [consisting of 7 carriers] sending them to a position for interception in either case. The exact position has been classified as "secret".

On June 22, 1942, Rear Admiral Yamaguchi [overall commander of the carrier groups] received a report that the garrison at Laysan Island was under heavy naval and air bombardment. Scout planes from Midway confirmed the report and indicated that a large United State naval force was approaching the small garrison. Moving his carrier groups to a position 120 nautical miles northwest of Laysan Island, RAdm Yamaguchi launched a furious 4 day air assault on the American task force.

RAdm Yamaguchi's own scout planes confirmed that an amphibious assault was taking place against the small Japanese garrison occupying the island [the 42 Naval Guard and 130th Engineers - some 3,000 men total]. Furthermore, the garrison commander radioed that elements of the 1st Marine Divison and 125th RCT had commenced landings directly into the island defenses [see map below showing our defenses and shore battery positions. It also shows the main thrusts of the American landing forces and a feint intended to draw off our valiant defenders]. The garrison commander indicated that losses on both sides were heavy and his shore batteries of 5.5" and 4.7" guns were acquitting themselves quite well.

For four [4] days, the garrison on Laysan resisted the landings of the marines and soldiers of the United States. In the end, the garrison was wiped out to the man, but last reports of the garrison commander indicated that over 4,000 marines and soldiers littered the island.

During this four day assault, RAdm Yamaguchi's carriers inflicted a very heavy toll on the United States Navy's amphibious task force. Although the island garrison was overwhelmed after four days of heavy fighting, the US Navy lost 3 heavy cruisers [San Francisco, Astoria, Portland], one light cruiser [Raleigh], 10 destroyers [Fanning, Mahan, Drayton, Lamson, Porter, Flusser, Perkins, Balch, MacDonough, Schley], 2 APDs [Manley and Little], 6 APs [Barnett, Fuller, George F. Elliot, President Hayes, Heywood, President Madison] and 5 AKs [Mauna Loa, Aroostock, Canadian, Steel Exporter, Steel Voyager]. RAdm Yamaguchi reported no Japanese ships were damaged or sunk and that American carriers did not present themselves during this four day period. The Americans have reportedly abandoned Laysan Island two days after its capture.

American newspapers have expressed outrage at the volume of the losses, both in men and material, in the taking of this small atoll. They are reminding the American people of the high cost for taking French Frigate Shoals several months previous. It is being reported that Admiral Nimitz is being recalled to Washington D.C. to meet with Administration and Congressional leaders.