Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 8th, 1941

[Riva Ridge]

(CHS 2.08 - Extended Map - + Nik Mod 8.0, Riva Ridge versus Tlkillerich)

TO: Director, General Staff - Imperial Japanese High Command
FROM: Intelligence Directorate
SUBJECT: Summary, 7th December Attacks Against British and American Forces, Pacific Ocean

Gentlemen, surprise was achieved and our attacks were successful! Reports are still coming in but it appears that we have dealt the Colonial powers a devastating blow and though we are only a single day into the war, we have sown the seeds today of an even greater victory. I shall summarize the action.

1. The first shots of the war were fired two hours before down south of Singapore when I21 torpedoed the British Destroyer 'Vampire' and sunk her while taking only minor damage from her companion destroyer.

2. Our fleet launched a glorious strike on Pearl Harbor, registering hits on 8 American Battleships and numerous secondary vessels for the loss of less than two dozen of our aircraft. Our Pilots reported six of the Battleships on fire and estimate that at least five of them will not be returning to service.

3. Imperial forces have opened their assault on the Malaysia with landings at Khota Baru and an aerial assault on Singapore. Imperial forces are now ashore and will expand the beach-head shortly with additional forces ready to moved into theater once that it is accomplished.

4. Imperial forces struck at the Phillipines and have come ashore at three points on Mindinado. Aerial bombardement from Formosa has crippled Clark Field and our bombers are already torpedoed and bombed several American cargo vessels in the waters around the islands.

5. Imperial Naval Forces have already seized Batan Island, Guam, and Wake Island. Despite the serious damage of one of our transports from shore batteries at Wake Island, Imperial Soldiers stormed the island and compelled the surrender of 3000 American Sailors and Marines.

6. Hong Kong was the one surprise. British forces appeared to be alert and their anti-aircraft took a heavy toll on our Dive Bombers. We lost 10 Ki-36's, a third of the squadron's strength. Imperial Army Forces have already invested part of the city and we will likely refrain from aerial bombardment and concentrate on reducing the fortress through artillery.

We shall keep you informed on our progress in this glorious fight.

[The Duke]

Game on!
 

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------

08 December - Japan continued it's string of successes on it's second day of the war by consoldiating it's beach-heads at Vigan, Aparri, and Legaspi.  Particularly daring was a dawn Paratrooper landing at Laong by the 1st Parachute Regiment, taking the key points in the Province within six hours.  The waters around the South China Sea were a death-trap for Allied Commerce as five cargo vessels were sunk with two Japanese Destroyers at the Hong Kong Blockade accounting for two sunk and another patrol gunboat damaged.  Also significant was the entry of the Dutch into the War with Dutch recon aircraft being spotted in the skies as far north as Manila.  Japanese Army Officials, embarrassed by the horrible losses taken by their obsolete unarmored Ki-36 Dive Bombers over Hong Kong ordered the accelerated fielding of the Ki-51 Sonia Dive Bombers as an armored upgrade and ordered the single factory to expand production of this aircraft. The day was not completely lost for the Allies as a daring low-level torpedo raid by Vilderbeast bombers out of Malaysia scored a torpedo hit on the Battleship Haruna off Khota Baru, causing it to leave the task force for a secure port.

[Riva Ridge]

DIARY OF LT KENJI MORIKAWA, 52nd Naval Guard
9 DECEMBER 1941
-----------------
 
Today, we saw our first combat action as we came ashore at Makin Atoll after three days aboard ship out from Kwajelein.  I have to admit that my first taste of combat was quite underwelming as we were totally unopposed coming on to the beach.  The atoll is a completely barren sliver of land in the middle of the Pacific and the only presence on the Island were a few civilian naturalist from some European country that I did not catch.  They were brought aboard our ships for the return voyage back to Kwajelin where I am sure Admirality will determine their proper disposition.  LCDR Haman from the Asanagi (DD), our transport to Makin, told us before he departed back to Kwajelein told me that wireless reports that our forces continue to attack and sunk 17 Allied Merchant and Naval vessels in the past three days without the loss of a single Imperial vessel.  It certainly seems that the war is alot more exciting for others in his Majesty's service than it has been for me to date. 

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
 
10 December - Japanese Advance continues in the Pacific as IJA 18th Division conducted their attack out of their beach-head.  18th Division successfully pushed Commonwealth forces out of the area after 12 hours of fighting at the cost of 1000 dead and wounded.  This action allowed follow-on forces the ability to land unhindered.  Today also saw the first confirmed sinking of a Japanese Warship when British PT Boats out of Hong Kong launched a daring raid across the Formosa Strait and sunk the MSW Chosun Maru during the early morning hours. 

[Naskra]

Welcome aboard, Riva Ridge.  I still hold a winning ticket on you.  (would not cash the blood money on Ruffian)

[Riva Ridge]

NOTES FROM VICE ADMIRAL TAKAHASHI, 3rd FLEET HQ, PHILLIPINES THEATER
11 DECEMBER 1941
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I-124 reports 1 Allied Cargo Ship bow down in water of Manilla Harbor...executed attack and sunk Cargo Ship entering harbor....Launched 56 A6M2 Raid over Manilla, met by 14 P40Es...Squadron Commanders report 10 P40Es downed for loss of one our fighters...Landed forces at Guinan and Lamon Bay...Strong Allied Counterattack at Legaspi, estimated 20,000(+) troops including Phillipine and American Infantry with very strong Armor contingent...Kure 1st SNLF fought bravely but were pushed back to beach-head...CPT Fujimara considering evacutation to offshore Transports...first crisis of the War...Will consult with subordinate Commanders this evening for decision.

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
 
12 December - Japanese forces remained active on the offensive though their was some slowdown of front-line combat after five days of continuous combat combined with bad weather across the western theaters of fighting.  Beachheads in Malaysia and Phillipines were reinforced with engineers and base forces but the Legaspi beach-head was fully evacuated after they were pushed back by a strong American led counterattack the previous day.  The first major attack on Hong-Kong was paused after two days after the loss of 800 casualties against the spirited British resistance.  General Tanaka of the 23rd Army ordered that the Hong Kong attack be reinforced by the 104th Infantry Division and the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade and for the attack to be resumed at that time. 

[Riva Ridge]

TAPE RECORDING OF SEAMAN SHINZO ABE, I-155 - Osaka Veterans Hospice, 1985
----------------

13 December - It is near impossible to describe just how invincible we felt in the beginning.  I remember 13 December, we rotated out with I-154 at Singkep as part of the Singapore screen when we spotted the enemy taskforce to the west.  We manuevered around and sunk two enemy combatants in a single day (later identified as two MSWs, one British and one Dutch), definitely the hunter becoming the hunted though we did suffer damage from the remaining ships in the Task Force.  All we know was that our bretheren were sinking ships from Manilla to Singapore with no loss.  It was months before we heard about the fury our submarines suffered further east in the first week of the war, the terrifying retribution the Americans were visiting on the only target they could strike after our Pearl Harbor strike.

(Historical Note:  In the first week of the war, Japanese submarines sank 2 Destroyers, 3 Cargo Ships (AK), 5 Minesweepers in the South China Sea. At this point, 5 Japanese submarines were significantly damaged with the Japanese ability to operate within 200 miles of Pearl Habor seriously compromised) 

[Riva Ridge]

LETTER TO BROTHER FROM ENS TAKAGI, CI_III DAITAI, ZUIHO 
14 DECEMBER 1941
------------------
 
We were four days out of Japan, in the middle of the Central Pacific north of Marcus Island when we were launched with a set of coordinates to the west.  I thought it was another exercise when clear against the blue was a single American ship! (Historical Note:  It was the USS President Harrison) It could have not been any easier as we landed four 250kg bombs into her side.  I cannot help to wonder why that ship was out here all alone.  Rumor is that there is a second ship out here and we plan to launch again at first light.

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
 
15 December - The 104th Infantry Division and 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade arrived the day prior and today and restarted the bombardment of the Hong Kong Garrison.  The most significant fighting today occured in the Phillipines with a 54 Nell Bomber Raid on Manilla Harbor at dawn resulting in 3 Cargo Ships, one Oiler, and one Repair Ship hit by bombs and torpedoes.  The Repair Ship (Dewey Dry Dock) later sunk.  The flak resistance was particularly vicious with four Nells downed and every other aircraft on the raid reporting damage.  The major action of the day was a long-range Betty Bomber strike on two American Crusiers, the Houston and the Boise off Dumageate.  The Houston took two torpedos and the Boise took three torpedoes and were both reported on fire.  These were the first major surface combatants off the war outside of Pearl Harbor that were damaged or sunk.  The Japanese also landed on Nauru Island uncontested and took it after only 30 minutes. 

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------

16 December - Japanese Forces opened a third front today in their attempted conquest of the Phillipine Islands.  Japanese task forces landed troops at both Puerto Princess and Taytay unopposed and quickly advanced off the beach-heads in preparation of taking the urban areas on the islands.  This conquest gave the Japanese a jumping off point for further attacks in the area.  The fighting in Hong Kong intensified for a second a second day as Japanese troops attempted to storm the garrison.  Japanese casualties amounted to a 1000 but they further reduced the fortifications of the garrison while retaining good order amongst their ranks.  Japanese Battleships and Cruisers arrived off Lamon Bay and began to shell Allied positions overlooking the Japanese beach-head.

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
 
17 December - Three days of combat at Hong Kong further intensified as Japanese Forces were repulsed in their assault after achieving a measure of success during the previous day.  Combat casualties were 2200 for the Japanese as General Tanaka of the 23rd Army order a resumption of high altitude bombing against the garrison in order to further reduce the city's defenses.  The Japanese also lost their first submarine of the war to American destroyers off Tarakan.

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------

18-19 December - The first major battle of the Phillipines Islands began at Lamon Bay on the evening of 16 December as Allied Artillery began to bombard the Japanese positions east of Lamon Bay followed by a Phillipine Assault on the 17th that was supported by US Tanks.  The Japanese fiercely resisted for 24 hours before being pushed back to the beach-head on the 18th.  They maintained good order and allowed the arrival of the first echelons of reinforcements from Japan which allowed the Japanese to retain their position on the 19th.  The Japanese Navy was hard pressed by Australian and British bombers around Khota Baru with several transports and cargo ships damaged, including the CL Kashii.  Japanese spirits were bolstered as the IJA began it's push out of Alor Star towards the lightly defended Georgetown sector.

[Riva Ridge]

REPORT OF CDR HASHIMOTO, CO 2ND SAESOBO SNLF  
20 DECEMBER 1941
------------------

...Our Task Force began it's landing with the Kure 2nd SNLF leading the assault ashore at Davao while my unit remained aboard if there was a need for a follow on assault to eliminate resistance.  The Kure 2nd SNLF received some minor fire from unknown local elements but by mid-morning, they had secured the port.  It was then that we came under intense air attack for the rest of the morning and afternoon.  Luckily for us, the bombers ignored the transports and concentrated on the Ryujo as they attempted to eliminate our carrier.  I am proud to report that they did not land a hit despite over four assaults but it did not seem like our fighters were able to destroy any of the attacking bombers (Historical note:  The Ryujo fighter wing was made up of older Claude fighters, a notoriously underpowered aircraft that was unable to contend with modern bombers and were only of minor utility during the opening stages of the war).  Later in the afternoon before going ashore, I noted that bombers from the Ryujo flew overhead armed with torpedoes and later learned that they attacked an allied cargo ship spotted to the north of us.

[Riva Ridge]

PERSONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL MFUNE, DEFENSE AIDE TO PRIME MINISTER TOJO 
20-21 DECEMBER 1941
------------------

News from the front has been sketchy for the last couple of days but nearest I can tell is that our forces have finally begun their push south in the Malay Penisula and have already invested Georgetown.  Simultaneously, the 51st Division has completed it's reinforcement of Lamon Bay which has had the effect of fixing the Americans and Phillipines to positions east of Manila which should faciliate our rapid advance from our northern beach-heads at Vigan and Aparri.  Finally, we have heard that the attack has resumed at Hong Kong and the first reports indicate that 23rd Army has put the reinforcements provided to good use.  We are still waiting for word on if the 'special' operation out of Truk has begun or not.

[jwxspoon]

Keep up the good work, I'm enjoying a nice, less detailed AAR.  Almost like listening to snippets of a story.
 
jw

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
 
23rd December - Today was one of the most active days of the young war with the most significant event being the capture of Hong Kong after 15 days of almost continuous combat.  23rd Army launched 50,000 troops against the garrison on 22 December and resistance quickly collapsed on the evening of the 22nd with the final advance to Hong Kong city center on the 23rd.  There was much damage to the city and the first atrocities of the war on the Japanese side occured as Japanese soldiers were widely reported to have shot fleeing and surrender British troops in frustration of their earlier repulsed attempts and close to 5,000 casualties suffered (Historical note:  Japanese Commanders were primarily concerned with capturing the vital shipyards and stocks of fuel and supplies, which was done successfully.  23rd Army quickly issued orders to restore order and good behavior on the evening of 23 December and there were some reports of punishment meted out to the worst offenders, something that was done at the earlier stages of the war).  Also significant was the the largest air to air battle of the war with 50 Zeroes and Oscars attacking a wide array of British, Australian, and Dutch fighters (roughly 45 in number) over Malaysia.  The air battle was short and violent with 1 Japanese fighter lost to 10 Allied fighters shot down and extensive damage to the Allied forces. 
 
Japanese Carriers resumed their first attack since Pearl Harbor with the beginning of Operation Southern Thrust, the start of Japanese operations south of Truk.  The Japanese carriers launched an extensive attack against Allied infrastructure at Port Moseby from the vicinity of Buna.  The Japanese strike suffered no losses and Australian casualties were very light but the runway and port were heavily damaged.  Near simultanous, the Japanese Battleships Kiel and Hirishima arrived off Rabual and promptly sunk a Cargo ship leaving Rabual. 
 
Japan also suffered their first naval defeat of the war when a Japanese surface force attempted to strike shipping in the Manilla area.  The Japanese TF, built around the cruiser Atago, suffered a navigational error that took them near the formidable defense batteries near Bataan.  The TF was engaged by 14" shore batteries with four Destroyers lost or critically damaged.  The Cruiser Atago suffered minor damage and promptly fled north away from the engagement area (Historical Note:  The Captain of the Atago was placed under arrest and was stripped of his rank by the order of the Combined Fleet HQ.  Oddly, he did not commit suicide and continued to serve in the naval infantry for the remainder of the war).

[Riva Ridge]

Thanks Spoon.  I am glad that you are enjoying it.  I thought telling the AAR in a story-like format would be cool yet give the reader a chance to understand what I am trying to do.  Comments on strategy are welcome.  Right now, I am happy where I am at going into January '42.  I am advancing steadily down the Malaysian penisula, putting good pressure on in the PI (though I would like to increase the pace there), and have multiple economy of force operations going on out of Truk and Kwajelein in order to get my opponent off-balance.  At this current pace, I project initial operations into DEI in mid-January with the DEI assault in full-swing my March 01.  My primary concern right now is to not 1) Decimate my Air Groups, 2) Lose 2-3 major surface combatants before 01 June (CA or higher), 3) Lose more than one carrier prior to 01 June, 4) Get in Major ground fight outside PI or Malaysia that ties up more than 3 Divisions for more than 2 weeks in a single engagement prior to 01 June (in other words, want to avoid having to commit more to China than what is already there).  I am confident about 1 and 3, 2 is within reach with some luck, and 4 is more dependant on my opponent than me.

[Riva Ridge]

THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR  - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------

24 December - The China Front heated up today but surprisingly, it was the Chinese that initated the combat with a massive attack launched against the Nanchang salient.  Over 70,000 Chinese troops attacked the entrenched position with a minimal artillery preparation and though the Japanese Commanders were aware of the build-up and had already started to move forces into the area to reinforce the salient and withdrew some of their aircraft from forward airfields, they were tactically surprised by the timing of the attack.  The Chinese overran Japanese forward positions as the Japanese began to prepare the forces for urban warfare in the vicinity of Nanchang.  The Chinese casualties for the first day of the assault were over 2600 men with the loss of roughly 80 guns but the Japanese lost 700 men.