Spence vs Dixon - The first year scenario

[Mike Dixon]

Harmony between the people of Japan, China and Manchukuo

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 22nd June 1942

Burma

The enemy air attacks from East India were successfully repelled. Several airstirkes on Asansol reaped a rich reward, dozens of Hurricanes were destroyed as well as at least twenty of the enemies latest machine - the Spitfire Vb type fighter. A large number of Liberators were also destroyed on the ground. By the 22nd all enemy air activity had ceased and the operation was closed.


China

On the 21st a further enemy breakout attempt near Kweilin was rebuffed. The three enemy enclaves of Kweilin, Wuchow and Hengchow are now isolated and formations are on their way to invest the cities. On the 22nd a further advance was made on the Kweiyang/Changsha road. A large Chinese blocking force was routed by several infantry divisions.


Order of the golden Kite (2nd Class), to be presented to Captain Kinzo Nakagawa for the sinking of USN Cuttlefish:-

[Mike Dixon]

Certain death awaits in the Pacific!

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 24th June 1942


Burma

Enemy air activity was spotted near Dacca and an airstrike was launched on the 24th. Many Hurricanes and heavy type bomber, the Wellington III were destroyed.

[spence]

DATELINE CALCUTTA - 3 July 1942

After more than a week of little but reconnaisance flights over India a force of nearly 130 Japanese aircraft raided Asanol aerodromes. In fierce air battles near the city nearly 40 Japanese fighter aircraft (including several new model Zeros) were shot down. Another 10 enemy bombers were also brought down by Allied fighters and anti-aircraft defenses. Although several bombs exploded in the vicinity of the aerodromes operations continue normally and such damage as occurred was quickly repaired. Allied aircraft losses were reported to be relatively light.

DATELINE CHUNGKING - 3 July 1942

A Japanese drive on the city of Yunan in Southwestern China was repulsed with heavy enemy losses. A battalion of Japanese troops attempted to cross the river there and were virtually wiped out in their little rubber boats.

In other news from the front Pilot Lieutenant Chen Li Wo was recognized as China's leading ace with 5 'kills' of Japanese aircraft. In recent action near Kweiyang Lt Wo brought down two enemy bombers in a single sortie. Flying an admittedly obsolescent Russian I-16 Lt Wo is reported to have downed the second bomber by chewing up the enemy aircraft's tail controls with his propellor after killing the enemy gunner with machine gun fire.

[Mike Dixon]

Imperial General Headquarters (Daihonei) - Tokyo

Sitrep to July 2nd 1942


Aleutians

On the 2nd July a small Naval detachment landed on Attu Island in the Aleutians. Although not formally part of the outer defensive perimeter, this island is a useful bargaining chip in potential peace talks with the American warlords.


Asansol

Also on the 2nd July 1942, a large scale air attack was made on Asansol in India. The raid was a success, with many British and Yankee planes destroyed. It is now though unlikely that the enemy will use this base in future for terror bomber raids.


1st Class Private Tsukiji and Sasaki in Attu. Note the barren wilderness, intelligence believe a secret American base was in preparation in the mountains, to be used to terrorise the Home Isles:-

[Mike Dixon]

This translation of 1st Class Private Tsukiji's diary (letter form) during the occupation of Attu.


[font="Tahoma"]After leaving a harbor in Japan on June 23rd, 17th year of Showa (1942), correspondence is delayed or else they are sinking to the bottom of the sea before reaching the mainland. The octopus are probably reading and laughing right this moment. Well, where am I located at the present time?
Landed in Paramushiro, Northern Kurile Islands, on June 25th. Departed for the hostile land of the Aleutian Island on the 26th of June, 17th year of Showa (1942).

Landed at Attu Island of the Aleutians on the 2nd of July. There was a foot of snow on the Island without trees, but the island is isolated and rocky. I wondered it I would have to spend the winter here. The climate is similar to that of Tohoku District with a little more snow. The snow doesn't seem to melt, and the deepest place is about 12 foot deep.

I am to defend this island and construct an air port, and make it an advance base of Japan. It never gets dark here. ????????? in the 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon of the 1st company. Sototate is in the same squad and we are working like brother; sleeping in the same blanket and eating the same rice.

Sasaki is also in the same company, so please don't worry. Don't know when we will return, but will probably be the end of this year or March or April of next year.

I was promoted to 1st Class Private, thus making three 2-star privates. Octopus are reading my letters. Please send me a watch, a pocket watch, if I'm not asking too much. There is no ink either. Please send me a safety razor. Living in isolation is an extreme hardship and there are a great deal of shortages. Also send some thread and needles. There is a shortage of cigarettes among my buddies, if you can spare some, please do so. Received your package, and it came just in time to help me out of my shortages.

I shall end my letter now. Please take care of yourself. My regards to everybody.

To all ------

From Tsukiji
[/font]

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 9th July 1942

China

Several attempts to break through to Sian were rebuffed. On each occasion (6th and 9th July) a large column of Chinese troops heading out from Chungking, were routed by a fair inferior number of friendly forces.


Outer defense perimeter

On American independence day, the final piece of the outer defence perimeter was slotted into place. After a brief fight, Tongatapu Island, roughly five hundreds miles east of Suva, was captured and a large enemy force was captured.


Lautem

On the 6th, several waves of enemy fighter and bombers were destroyed to no friendly loss. The wreckage of many A-20B Boston's and Kittyhawks lie strewn around the harbour.


Burma/India

On the 7th an entire squadron of Hurricane or Spitfire type aircraft were destroyed after being jumped by 64th (fighter) Sentai. The enemy aircraft were attempting to attack the 6th Tank Regiment but were no match for our A6M2 fighters.


64th Sentai pilots:-

[spence]

DATELINE CALCUTTA - 12 July 1942
Aerial skirmishing has been the order of the day along the Indian-Burmese border for most of the past week.
Several Japanese reconnaisance aircraft have been downed by RAF and American fighters. Several bombing raids by Wellingtons on the Japanese base at Akyab have destroyed numerous enemy aircraft on the ground. Enemy air activity has mostly been confined to northeastern Burma where Japanese aircraft have engaged in indiscriminate bombing and strafing of Chinese villages along the border.

[spence]

DATELINE CHUNGKING - 14 July 1942
Hero pilots of the Chinese Air Force today intercepted a large enemy formation of aircraft engaged in strafing and bombing refugee columns to the south of the city of Kweinyang. Lt Chen You, who previously brought down a Japanese twin engine bomber by chewing off its tail section with his propellor, brought down two of the fearsome Zero fighters. Today's action makes Lt Chen the highest ranking ace with 5 "kills" to his credit. Three additional Zero type fighters and 3 Ki-43 type land fighters were brought down by Lt Chen's comrades. One of the latter crash landed within a few hundred meters of a group of peasants and the pilot was captured. The pilot was subsequently dismembered by the refugees before the arrival of Chinese soldiers at the scene.

[spence]

DATELINE ANCHORAGE - 15 July 1942

In a brief surface action by US Navy forces a Japanese torpedo boat was sunk near the island of Kiska in the Aleutians yesterday. Another enemy torpedo boat was reported to have been heavily damaged. Meanwhile American and Canadian bombers have struck the island repeatedly in recent days inflicting heavy damage on the Japanese base there.

[spence]

DATELINE CALCUTTA - 16 July 1942

American heavy bombers and British Wellingtons fought their way through a strong enemy fighter defense and conducted several large scale air attacks on the Japanese base at Mandalay in Burma over the last few days. The airbase there was heavily damaged and at least 20 enemy fighters were shot down or destroyed on the ground.

[spence]

DATELINE CALCUTTA - 17 July 1942
 
A Japanese naval force containing at least two Kongo Class battleships attempted to bombard the port of Chandpur during the early morning hours but was beaten off by motor torpedo boats and shore batteries.  Two motor torpedo boats were sunk but several of the enemy ships were damaged.  At least two heavy caliber shells struck one of the Japanese battleships.  The enemy bombardment was perfunctory and caused no damage to military installations though several score of native workers were killed when shells struck a residential area.
 
Daylight brought a heavy enemy air attack on the city.  Two score enemy bombers and at least 50 fighters were met over the city by dozens of Allied fighters.  Losses on both sides were severe with more than 35 Japanese fighters and 10 bombers brought down for the loss 25 Allied fighters. 
 
Undaunted by enemy attacks on their bases Allied heavy bombers pounded the Japanese aerodrome at Pagan.  The field was left in ruins and many enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. 
 
 

[spence]

DATELINE CALCUTTA - 18 July 1942

For the second time in as many nights Japanese ships again attempted an early morning bombardment of Chandpur. However they were driven off by llight Allied naval forces and no shells fell near the city.


BELOW: THE GOOD JAP, THE DEAD JAP




A Japanese fighter tries to flee back to its Burmese base moments before it explodes. Notice the flames sprouting up near the end of its left wing and the debris flying off near the cockpit. Gun camera photo released by HQ, RAF Chandpur of enemy aircraft shot down yesterday.

[spence]

DATELINE SYDNEY - 19 July 1942

HQ, RAAF Sydney announced today that Australian and Dutch aircraft attacked an enemy naval force near the eastern end of Timor yesterday sinking a large gunboat. After sustaining several bomb hits the ship was seen to capsize and begin to sink. One of our aircraft took this dramatic photo of Japanese crewman struggling in the water alongside the wreck and clambering onto the exposed bottom of the doomed ship.

BELOW: MORE GOOD JAPS



In other war news American heavy bombers fought their way through clouds of Japanese fighters yesterday to strike enemy shipping in harbor at Port Moresby on New Guinea. At least seven heavy bomb hits were observed on a Japanese cruiser of the Naka Class leaving it burning furiously and settling by the stern. Several hits were also observed on a Japanese destroyer and a number of merchantmen. One bomber was lost over the target and another crash-landed North of Cooktown during its return but the crew was rescued unhurt. American air gunners claimed two Japanese fighters definitely shot down and another 5 probably shot down.

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 14th July 1942


Burma

Several enemy daylight attacks ended in disaster for the colonial powers. On the 10th at Akyab, over a dozen Wellingtons were shot down whilst on the 13th, a new type of enemy bomber, the B-24D Liberator, was given a rough reception at Mandalay.


Lautem

On the 12th a large enemy force was destroyed as they attempted to attack the BB Haruna. In the same area, a contraband runner, believed to be the AK Bordvik, was sunk by G4M1 aircraft.


Kiska Island (Aleutians)

On the 14th a large enemy TF, including PT boats, was routed near the Island. Enemy PT-122 was sunk by gunfire and mines and PT-39 soon fled the area. A large enemy airstrike hit the Island the same day. The American warlords appear to have particular interest in this small and strategically insignificant piece of land. Naval intelligence believe that an internal power struggle is ongoing and that hawks, led by General Spencer, are trying to achieve a morale boosting victory to shore up crumbling support in an increasingly war weary America.


Artists impression of PT Gyoraitei in action at Kiska Island:-

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 17th July 1942


Port Moresby

In response to previous terror sub minelaying, security at all major ports has been stepped up. This paid dividends on the 15th July, when wreckage of SS Seadragon was washed ashore. The enemy vessel appeared to have hit a defensive mine.


Burma

Further enemy air attacks were repulsed on Mandalay and Pagan, with a heavy toll of enemy aircraft. On the 17th July, a successful airstrike on Chandpur was undertaken, scores of the latest enemy war machines were destroyed, both in the air and on the ground. Earlier in the day, Chandpur had been 'softened' up by elements of 3rd Fleet. BB's Hiei and Kongo bombarded military targets in the city, though minor interference was noted from enemy PT boats. Intelligence sources indicate that the Indian population are in a state of near revolt and are looking to the Japanese and the Emperor to free them from Churchill's henchmen. Ongoing land operations on the Burma/Inida border are expected to land heavy blows on the colonial occupying forces shortly.

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 20th July 1942

Chandpur, India

Remnants of the enemy's PT flotilla were mopped up over several days. Several CA TF's including the Myoko and Nachi also bombarded the enemy airfields succesfully. A number of enemy airstrikes on the said vessels were failures. Devastating air strikes were launced on Chandpur and adjoining Dacca over several days. By the 20th July, observers on the ground indicate that the enemy are withdrawing their terror bombers to the relative safety of the Indian sub continent. Once again the enemies campaign of terror and intimidation has been thwarted, by the glorious Imperial Japanese Navy and airforce. Palace sources indicate that the Emperor is pleased and may ask his ministers to make further representations to the enemy warlords, to obtain an armistice to stop their senseless slaughter. Further unrest in major Indian cities has also been noted.


China

Substantial gains were made in an exploratory attack on Wuchow on the 18th July. An number of enemy enclaves are now surrounded and are expected to fall in the next few weeks. Once these strongpoints have been reduced, a full scale drive on Chungking may ensue.


Kiska Island

Further American air attacks failed to hit anything of note. On the 20th July, in one of the decisive Naval battles of the Patriotic greater East Asian co-prosperity sphere defensive war, a large scale invasion was thwarted by the guns of the 17th Coastal battery. Many enemy vessels were sunk as they floundered in the carefully constructed minefields offshore. Desperate pleas for help were recorded from sinking U.S. Navy vessels. In what has been described as a 'Turkey Shoot', hundreds of hits were recorded on some vessels. Upto four BB's were then engaged and the American force soon retreated with at least one ship heavily damaged.


972 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Canso, Shell hits 112, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bayfield, Shell hits 119, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bellechasse, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ungava, Shell hits 87, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Outarde, Shell hits 48, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Nipigon, Shell hits 50, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Rail, Shell hits 73, on fire, heavy damage


CL Nashville, Shell hits 9
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 3
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 22
BB New Mexico
BB West Virginia
BB Colorado, Shell hits 6

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 24th July 1942

Dacca, India

A large concentration of enemy aircraft was located at Dacca by recon planes. Several devastating airstikes were made on the airfield, resulting in the destruction of a large number of enemy aircraft. By the 24th, enemy air attacks on friendly airfields in Burma, had been reduced to negligible proportions, thus the operation has been declared a success.


Kiska Isalnd

Further enemy airstrikes caused little damage. The American war machine appear obsessed with this insignificant and lightly held, Aleutian island. Naval Intelligence believe that the American public are being misled by Roosevelt and cohorts, and that the grim news of disasters in the pacific are being witheld. Therefore any military success is being wildy over hyped, to quell dissedent elements on the home front. Several light Naval units are heading towards Kiska from Japan, to help retain the Island.

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 27th July 1942


Kiska Island

Several American PT boats met their demise on the seas near the Island. From the wreckage, PT boats 124 and 126 are no longer in the enemy inventory.


China

On the 26th and 27th respectively, Ichang and Wuchow fell to the Imperial Japanese army. The enemy position in China is now extremely perilious and many other cities are predicted to fall in due course. The bag of prisoners was counted at over one hundred thousand. These blows will have weakened the enemies will to continue the war, and Foreign Office sources indicate that the positions of Roosevelt and General Spencer have been severely undermined by the recent catastrophies outlined in these news bulletins.


Bay of Bengal

Several BB's, including the WWI relic, the Warspite were seen near Akyab. The enemies intention are unclear but it is evident that their position is untenable as found by the CL Dragon, which was torpedoed by SS I-8 on the 27th.


Pago Pago

An attempted U.S. invasion was thwarted on the 25th. A Betty on recon patrol spotted a vast armada 300 hundred miles out to sea, including CV's, BB's and AP's. Local defence forces were put on full alert but the enemy decided to reverse course to Pearl, presumably at full speed. The strength of local forces on the outer defense perimeter meant the KB could continue with R&R activities, without having to leave harbour.


Zero's awaiting the enemy at Pago Pago