INTERROGATION REPORT, PO1 TANAKI, NAVIGATOR, G2/KANOYA DAITAI
COLLECTED ON 25 DECEMBER, 1941
------------------
(Subject was part of the crew of a G3M Nell Bomber that was shotdown over Singapore on Christmas morning, 25 December 1941. Subject was severely wounded and his resistance was broken by withholding of pain medication after which he gave this statement)
...this was the second time that we conducted a 100 bomber raid on Singapore and was in response to the continued bombing of our transports off Malaya. This time we tried coming in at a higher altitude but the result was the same, we were bounced by dozens of allied fighters. Their machine guns shredded our aircraft and our bombers started spirally out of the sky or turned back trailing smoke. The anti-aircraft fire was murderous, even at the altitude that we came in and more aircraft were blown. One of the flak bursts hit beneath our nose and tore the bottom of our aircraft. We jettisoned our bomb load but it was to no avail...the last thing I remembered after we lost altitude was cutting through the smoke and seeing trees strike our wings to our left and right and then darkness.
(Historical Note: The Christmas Raid on Singapore consisted on 126 aircraft of which 13 were destroyed and 54 were damaged.)
Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 8th, 1941
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 26rd, 1941
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
26 December - The Chinese Offensive at Nanchang continued with a 24 hour artillery bombardment on Japanese positions on the 25th followed by a resumption of the attack on the 26th. The 30th Division arrived as reinforcements on the 25th and the Japanese improved their positions outside the city of Nanchang and when the attack resumed, the Japanese lines held unlike on the 24th of December. The Japanese suffered light casualties but inflicted 1700 casualties on the Chinese. Japanese landings continued throughout the Phillipines with Japanese troops relanding at Legaspi (the abandoned he position on 12 December due to an American counterattack against the beachhead) and Japanese forces continued their general advance down the Malaysian penisula with the western thrust taking the abandoned Taiping and the thrust originating from Khota Baru reaching 60 miles to the southwest.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
26 December - The Chinese Offensive at Nanchang continued with a 24 hour artillery bombardment on Japanese positions on the 25th followed by a resumption of the attack on the 26th. The 30th Division arrived as reinforcements on the 25th and the Japanese improved their positions outside the city of Nanchang and when the attack resumed, the Japanese lines held unlike on the 24th of December. The Japanese suffered light casualties but inflicted 1700 casualties on the Chinese. Japanese landings continued throughout the Phillipines with Japanese troops relanding at Legaspi (the abandoned he position on 12 December due to an American counterattack against the beachhead) and Japanese forces continued their general advance down the Malaysian penisula with the western thrust taking the abandoned Taiping and the thrust originating from Khota Baru reaching 60 miles to the southwest.
-
Rob Brennan UK
- Posts: 3685
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 8:36 pm
- Location: London UK
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 26rd, 1941
Love the format Riva Ridge, great way to write an AAR and a very enjoyable read, keep it up
sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit 
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 26rd, 1941
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
27-28 December - Combined Fleet HQ coordinated with 11th Air Fleet HQ and various other Commanders in the Phillipines theater in response to the Allied Air Attacks in the PI. The Allied Air Attacks scored hits on a dozen cargo ships, transports, and destroyers supporting the invasion and Fleet determined that the losses were too high. Combined Fleet HQ directed a shift in focus from attacks against allied shipping operating in the PI and towards surppresion of the various airfields in the PI that were supporting the attack. Attacks against the Allied airbases at Iioloio and Cagayan resulted in disruption of those airfields and Combined Fleet also directed that Surface units begin operating in force in the central PI area and conduct bombardment attacks to continue the pressure.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
27-28 December - Combined Fleet HQ coordinated with 11th Air Fleet HQ and various other Commanders in the Phillipines theater in response to the Allied Air Attacks in the PI. The Allied Air Attacks scored hits on a dozen cargo ships, transports, and destroyers supporting the invasion and Fleet determined that the losses were too high. Combined Fleet HQ directed a shift in focus from attacks against allied shipping operating in the PI and towards surppresion of the various airfields in the PI that were supporting the attack. Attacks against the Allied airbases at Iioloio and Cagayan resulted in disruption of those airfields and Combined Fleet also directed that Surface units begin operating in force in the central PI area and conduct bombardment attacks to continue the pressure.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 30th, 1941
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
30 December - The Pacific saw several significant battles and events that later proved to have long ranging implications. In the Malaysian theater, the Japanese Combined Fleet HQ ordered the withdraw of most of their front-line units from forward airbases in the range of massed Allied bombers after several bombing raids in the past week that wrecked havoc on their airbases and resulted in approximately thirty-five aircraft destroyed on the ground and the failure of several large air-raids on Singapore with heavy losses. The Japanese ground forces still advanced rapidly down the peninsula with the 5th Division taking Kuala Lumpur. In the Phillipines Theater, the Combined Fleet HQ strategy of reduction of allied airbases continued with a Japanese TF headed by the BB Kongo bombarding Iiloio, destroying three cargo ships and inflicting significant damage on the airfield.
Rabual was the scene of a devastating sortie by Allied Cruisers against the invasion force of Rabual. The Cruisers attacked the invasion fleet at night-time and sunk or destroyed three Japanese minsweepers and four Destroyers for very litttle damaged inflicted upon their forces. The positive thing for the Japanese were that they had already managed to get three-quarters of their reinforcements onto the beachhead but the remnants of the invasion fleet fled back to Truk in tatters. This disaster was balanced out by a particularly successful two-day Japanese submarine offensive that resulted in the sinking or severe damage against six Allied Destroyers and Patrol Craft.
The final significant event of the day was a daring Japanese raid against Johnston Island by a fast attack force by the CVL Zuiho. The Zuiho approached undetected and launched a ten bomber raid against American ASW forces sinking one destroyer and damaging another. The approach of the Zuiho was the closest approach of a Japanese surface force since Pearl Harbor and it caused severe consternation at Allied Naval HQ upon the CINC being informed.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
30 December - The Pacific saw several significant battles and events that later proved to have long ranging implications. In the Malaysian theater, the Japanese Combined Fleet HQ ordered the withdraw of most of their front-line units from forward airbases in the range of massed Allied bombers after several bombing raids in the past week that wrecked havoc on their airbases and resulted in approximately thirty-five aircraft destroyed on the ground and the failure of several large air-raids on Singapore with heavy losses. The Japanese ground forces still advanced rapidly down the peninsula with the 5th Division taking Kuala Lumpur. In the Phillipines Theater, the Combined Fleet HQ strategy of reduction of allied airbases continued with a Japanese TF headed by the BB Kongo bombarding Iiloio, destroying three cargo ships and inflicting significant damage on the airfield.
Rabual was the scene of a devastating sortie by Allied Cruisers against the invasion force of Rabual. The Cruisers attacked the invasion fleet at night-time and sunk or destroyed three Japanese minsweepers and four Destroyers for very litttle damaged inflicted upon their forces. The positive thing for the Japanese were that they had already managed to get three-quarters of their reinforcements onto the beachhead but the remnants of the invasion fleet fled back to Truk in tatters. This disaster was balanced out by a particularly successful two-day Japanese submarine offensive that resulted in the sinking or severe damage against six Allied Destroyers and Patrol Craft.
The final significant event of the day was a daring Japanese raid against Johnston Island by a fast attack force by the CVL Zuiho. The Zuiho approached undetected and launched a ten bomber raid against American ASW forces sinking one destroyer and damaging another. The approach of the Zuiho was the closest approach of a Japanese surface force since Pearl Harbor and it caused severe consternation at Allied Naval HQ upon the CINC being informed.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 30th, 1941
LOG OF CPT UMEYO, CVE HONSHO
31 DECEMBER 1941
------------------
We had just passed Jolo Island the previous evening and by morning we were in the Celebes Sea. It had been a good three days as our torpedo bombers had sunk three cargo ships, one per day. We were a day out from Davao when the first of four waves of Australian bombers attacked our task force. They avoided the precious troop transports and focused on my vessel and though our fighters battled bravely, they were too few in numbers and bombs started dropping around us. Luckily only one found it's mark and it caused moderate damage to my vessel. We were able to recover our aircraft with no losses but I fear we will need at least a month of repair yard time to get back into action.
31 DECEMBER 1941
------------------
We had just passed Jolo Island the previous evening and by morning we were in the Celebes Sea. It had been a good three days as our torpedo bombers had sunk three cargo ships, one per day. We were a day out from Davao when the first of four waves of Australian bombers attacked our task force. They avoided the precious troop transports and focused on my vessel and though our fighters battled bravely, they were too few in numbers and bombs started dropping around us. Luckily only one found it's mark and it caused moderate damage to my vessel. We were able to recover our aircraft with no losses but I fear we will need at least a month of repair yard time to get back into action.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 31th, 1941
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
APPENDIX A - Statistical Analysis
--------------------------
Allied Sorties to Date: 60999
Japanese Sorties to Date: 42683
Allied Aircraft Lost to Date: 332
Japanese Aircraft Lost to Date: 291
Allied Ships Sunk: 87
DD: 16
AP: 6
AK: 27
TK/AO: 2
SS: 1
Patrol (including MSW): 22
PT: 19
AUX: 2
Japanese Ships Sunk: 37
DD: 11
AP: 3
AK: 4
TK/AO: 1
SS: 6
Patrol (including MSW): 11
AUX: 1
APPENDIX A - Statistical Analysis
--------------------------
Allied Sorties to Date: 60999
Japanese Sorties to Date: 42683
Allied Aircraft Lost to Date: 332
Japanese Aircraft Lost to Date: 291
Allied Ships Sunk: 87
DD: 16
AP: 6
AK: 27
TK/AO: 2
SS: 1
Patrol (including MSW): 22
PT: 19
AUX: 2
Japanese Ships Sunk: 37
DD: 11
AP: 3
AK: 4
TK/AO: 1
SS: 6
Patrol (including MSW): 11
AUX: 1
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 31th, 1941
PERSONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL MFUNE, DEFENSE AIDE TO PRIME MINISTER TOJO
01 JANUARY 1942
------------------
The new year sees us at war with the greatest nations in the world and so far when have been successful, though there is this nagging feeling that we have not moved as rapidly as we would have liked and the enemy is more stout than we might have thought. In northern China, our counter-insurgent program has been succesful and Chinese raiders have been cleared from our rear areas, but in central and southern China, then Chinese are pressing hard at Nanchang though our Commanders assure us that they have matters well in hand. In the South Pacific, we have advanced steadily with our forces landed at Rabual and reducing the fortifications there and our naval forces extended out to Wake Island and Tarawa. However, in our two decisive theaters of operation, the Phillipines and Malaysia, we have suffered setbacks. British and Australian Bombers out of Malaysia have made airfields and the waters off Malaysia extremely dangerous places to operate and we have had to scale back the size of air forces operating in the area. Our land offensive has picked up momentum but we yet to reach the main defensive line near Singapore. In the Phillipines, we have finally ended the pesky attacks by American, Australian, and Dutch bombers that were taking a toll on our naval craft but the ground offensive is proceeding slowly. Our initial projections have the Phillipines completely secure by 01 March but are not in Manilla. General Tojo is exceedingly displeased with the state of things and I expect some tense times ahead for our commanders.
01 JANUARY 1942
------------------
The new year sees us at war with the greatest nations in the world and so far when have been successful, though there is this nagging feeling that we have not moved as rapidly as we would have liked and the enemy is more stout than we might have thought. In northern China, our counter-insurgent program has been succesful and Chinese raiders have been cleared from our rear areas, but in central and southern China, then Chinese are pressing hard at Nanchang though our Commanders assure us that they have matters well in hand. In the South Pacific, we have advanced steadily with our forces landed at Rabual and reducing the fortifications there and our naval forces extended out to Wake Island and Tarawa. However, in our two decisive theaters of operation, the Phillipines and Malaysia, we have suffered setbacks. British and Australian Bombers out of Malaysia have made airfields and the waters off Malaysia extremely dangerous places to operate and we have had to scale back the size of air forces operating in the area. Our land offensive has picked up momentum but we yet to reach the main defensive line near Singapore. In the Phillipines, we have finally ended the pesky attacks by American, Australian, and Dutch bombers that were taking a toll on our naval craft but the ground offensive is proceeding slowly. Our initial projections have the Phillipines completely secure by 01 March but are not in Manilla. General Tojo is exceedingly displeased with the state of things and I expect some tense times ahead for our commanders.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 31th, 1941
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
03 January - The war expanded into Burma with a massive air attack directed against Rangoon that put the runway out of commisson and resulted in the loss of seven British fighters. The allieds responded in kind with another very large bomber raid launched from their fortress at Singapore against front-line troops. That Japanese concession of the air over Malaysia saw several unmolested strikes by Allied bombers including large formations of B-17s. The Japanese conquest of the Phillipines continued with naval landings at San Jose and the continued advance of Japanese columns from the north that reached just north of Clark Field which were preceded by massed attacks by level and dive bombers against forward positions.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
03 January - The war expanded into Burma with a massive air attack directed against Rangoon that put the runway out of commisson and resulted in the loss of seven British fighters. The allieds responded in kind with another very large bomber raid launched from their fortress at Singapore against front-line troops. That Japanese concession of the air over Malaysia saw several unmolested strikes by Allied bombers including large formations of B-17s. The Japanese conquest of the Phillipines continued with naval landings at San Jose and the continued advance of Japanese columns from the north that reached just north of Clark Field which were preceded by massed attacks by level and dive bombers against forward positions.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 31th, 1941
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
05 January: Today saw the first large surface engagement of the war when a Japanese TF consisting of the Battleship Mutsu, Cruiser Tone, Light Cruisers Abukuma and Kiso, and four Destroyers were met by an allied TF consisting of the heavy cruisers Indianapolis, Pensecola, Australia, Louisville, Canberra, and the light cruisers Perth, Leander, Achilles, and five Destroyers. The engangement was a classic gun duel and although torpedoes were launched by the Japanese, they did not strike any of the opposing cruisers. The big guns of the Mutsu were telling with one hit blowing up the magazine of the Leander and sending her to the bottom in four minutes and also scoring eight sixteen inch hits on the Indianapolis, effectively wrecking her through she was still afloat at the end of the engagement. Despite the heavier shells of the Mutsu, the volume of fire from the allied cruisers were the truly decisive factor in this fight and three of the four Japanese destroyers were heavily damaged by the cruiser fire. Both Japanese light cruisers suffered moderate to heavy damage and were knocked out of the fight and would require several months of repair. The Japanese Commander, CPT Kogure of the Mutsu, decided to concede the waters around Rabaul and turned back north to Truk.
Elsewhere, the news was better for the Japanese with the Japanese Army taking Kuantuan in Malaysia and Lingayan in the Phillipines. Japanese Naval Infantry also landed on Baker Island in the South Pacific. The Japanese Navy blockaded Mandaro in the Dutch East Indies, chasing away allied shipping and bombarding the port and airfield in retaliation for the Australian Martin Bombers that had recently damaged the CVE Honsho a few days earlier.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
05 January: Today saw the first large surface engagement of the war when a Japanese TF consisting of the Battleship Mutsu, Cruiser Tone, Light Cruisers Abukuma and Kiso, and four Destroyers were met by an allied TF consisting of the heavy cruisers Indianapolis, Pensecola, Australia, Louisville, Canberra, and the light cruisers Perth, Leander, Achilles, and five Destroyers. The engangement was a classic gun duel and although torpedoes were launched by the Japanese, they did not strike any of the opposing cruisers. The big guns of the Mutsu were telling with one hit blowing up the magazine of the Leander and sending her to the bottom in four minutes and also scoring eight sixteen inch hits on the Indianapolis, effectively wrecking her through she was still afloat at the end of the engagement. Despite the heavier shells of the Mutsu, the volume of fire from the allied cruisers were the truly decisive factor in this fight and three of the four Japanese destroyers were heavily damaged by the cruiser fire. Both Japanese light cruisers suffered moderate to heavy damage and were knocked out of the fight and would require several months of repair. The Japanese Commander, CPT Kogure of the Mutsu, decided to concede the waters around Rabaul and turned back north to Truk.
Elsewhere, the news was better for the Japanese with the Japanese Army taking Kuantuan in Malaysia and Lingayan in the Phillipines. Japanese Naval Infantry also landed on Baker Island in the South Pacific. The Japanese Navy blockaded Mandaro in the Dutch East Indies, chasing away allied shipping and bombarding the port and airfield in retaliation for the Australian Martin Bombers that had recently damaged the CVE Honsho a few days earlier.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
Carnage at Khota Baru
TELEGRAPH MESSAGE FROM CPT UEDO, SUPERINTENDENT KHOTA BARU AIRFIELD, 7th AVIATION REGIMENT
DATE: 06 JANUARY 1942
--------------------------
MASSIVE AIR RAID STRUCK AIRFIELD...SURPRISE COMPLETE...100(+) B17 BOMBERS...ANTI-AIRCRAFT INEFFECTIVE...
1000 CASUALTIES WITH ANTI-AIRCRAFT AND GROUND CREWS HEAVILY ATTRITED...MINIMAL AIRCRAFT DESTROYED ON GROUND...
AIRFIELD INCREASINGLY UNTENABLE...PLEASE ADVISE...KHOTA BARU OUT
DATE: 06 JANUARY 1942
--------------------------
MASSIVE AIR RAID STRUCK AIRFIELD...SURPRISE COMPLETE...100(+) B17 BOMBERS...ANTI-AIRCRAFT INEFFECTIVE...
1000 CASUALTIES WITH ANTI-AIRCRAFT AND GROUND CREWS HEAVILY ATTRITED...MINIMAL AIRCRAFT DESTROYED ON GROUND...
AIRFIELD INCREASINGLY UNTENABLE...PLEASE ADVISE...KHOTA BARU OUT
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
Bloody 07 January 1942
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
07 January - The intensity of fighting rose today with several devastating battles. The first was a nasty battle involving a Task Force of Japanese Commerce Raiders that sailed the northern route and began to harrass traffic on the San Franciso to Pearl Harbor route. The Americans responded by sending a heavy presence to the eastern Pacific including an aircraft carrier. This response caught up with the commerce raiders just as they dispersed to attack allied shipping. American Aircraft destroyed or heavily damaged three of the commerce raiders (converted APs) but one of them evaded the net and caught up with one of the large convoys, sinking two of the escorts (a minesweeper and a patrol craft) and heavily damaging three cargo ships. While this battle was transpiring, a Japanese Carrier TF sailed south of Midway and surprised one of the American ASW task forces around Laysen Island, sinking three Destroyers and demolishing three more.
Japanese transports began to land the first troops on Mandoro and the float planes from the escorting tenders spotted an allied TF just to the south of the Port consisting of cruisers and the Battleship Revenge. The float planes attacked the TF and landed several small bombs for little effect on the Revenge and her escorts and the Japanese Battleships and Cruisers raced south to face the Revenge as the transports abandoned the beachhead after landing the initial wave. Japanese naval infantry also landed on Brunei and secured the oil fields after finding that the Dutch had already abandoned the port. Japanese submarines began to pick up some survivors from the Cruiser Indianopis, which sank the previous night after the losing engagement with the Battleship Mutsu.
Finally, the Japanese launched another large air-raid against the airfield at Rangoon, destroying several fighters and causing severe damage to the facilities, but the massed bombers at Singapore took a heavy toll against the Japanese rear area troops at Khota Baru as well as the front-line units rapidly advancing on Singapore.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
07 January - The intensity of fighting rose today with several devastating battles. The first was a nasty battle involving a Task Force of Japanese Commerce Raiders that sailed the northern route and began to harrass traffic on the San Franciso to Pearl Harbor route. The Americans responded by sending a heavy presence to the eastern Pacific including an aircraft carrier. This response caught up with the commerce raiders just as they dispersed to attack allied shipping. American Aircraft destroyed or heavily damaged three of the commerce raiders (converted APs) but one of them evaded the net and caught up with one of the large convoys, sinking two of the escorts (a minesweeper and a patrol craft) and heavily damaging three cargo ships. While this battle was transpiring, a Japanese Carrier TF sailed south of Midway and surprised one of the American ASW task forces around Laysen Island, sinking three Destroyers and demolishing three more.
Japanese transports began to land the first troops on Mandoro and the float planes from the escorting tenders spotted an allied TF just to the south of the Port consisting of cruisers and the Battleship Revenge. The float planes attacked the TF and landed several small bombs for little effect on the Revenge and her escorts and the Japanese Battleships and Cruisers raced south to face the Revenge as the transports abandoned the beachhead after landing the initial wave. Japanese naval infantry also landed on Brunei and secured the oil fields after finding that the Dutch had already abandoned the port. Japanese submarines began to pick up some survivors from the Cruiser Indianopis, which sank the previous night after the losing engagement with the Battleship Mutsu.
Finally, the Japanese launched another large air-raid against the airfield at Rangoon, destroying several fighters and causing severe damage to the facilities, but the massed bombers at Singapore took a heavy toll against the Japanese rear area troops at Khota Baru as well as the front-line units rapidly advancing on Singapore.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Bloody 07 January 1942
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
08-10 January: The Japanese advance continued with another Commerce Raider attack east of Pearl Harbor on the 8th of January that resulted in the loss of two American escorts and three cargo ships, however, one of the Japanese Commerce Raiders were confirmed sunk on the 8th. The Allied Task Force headed by the Revenge retreated from the Mandoro landing when a escort of Japanese Battleships and Cruisers, backed by level bombers from Davao and a Japanese Carrier TF (Ryujo), sortied to meet the Revenge. The Revenge managed to escape back into the heart of the Dutch East Indies and the Japanese elected not to follow. The Mandaro garrison fled after a short engagement with the Japanese Naval Infantry troops. The Allieds did score a blow when a Dutch submarine torpedoed the Battleship Yamashiro, which suffered moderate damage to her hull and was forced to sail back to Palau for repairs. On 08 January, the Japanese landed on Baker Island in the central pacific and the Japanese reinforced their forces at Rabual in order to break the stalemate at the beach-head. In Malaysia, the first elements of the Japanese Army reached the main defensive line for the Allies at Johore Baru and the 5th Division launched a series of combined arms attacks on the 09-10 January that resulted in 1800 Japanese Casualties for 500 Commonwealth. The Japanese resumed bombing of Singapore, except the new attacks were conducted at extremely high altitudes which alleviated the severe losses that the Japanese were taking on previous raids but did result in only a few hits on the runway and one aircraft destroyed on the ground. Japanese Bomber pilots reported the presence of several transports and cargo vessels though it was undetermined if they were landing fresh troops and supplies or were evacuating troops in the face of the determined Japanese advance.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
08-10 January: The Japanese advance continued with another Commerce Raider attack east of Pearl Harbor on the 8th of January that resulted in the loss of two American escorts and three cargo ships, however, one of the Japanese Commerce Raiders were confirmed sunk on the 8th. The Allied Task Force headed by the Revenge retreated from the Mandoro landing when a escort of Japanese Battleships and Cruisers, backed by level bombers from Davao and a Japanese Carrier TF (Ryujo), sortied to meet the Revenge. The Revenge managed to escape back into the heart of the Dutch East Indies and the Japanese elected not to follow. The Mandaro garrison fled after a short engagement with the Japanese Naval Infantry troops. The Allieds did score a blow when a Dutch submarine torpedoed the Battleship Yamashiro, which suffered moderate damage to her hull and was forced to sail back to Palau for repairs. On 08 January, the Japanese landed on Baker Island in the central pacific and the Japanese reinforced their forces at Rabual in order to break the stalemate at the beach-head. In Malaysia, the first elements of the Japanese Army reached the main defensive line for the Allies at Johore Baru and the 5th Division launched a series of combined arms attacks on the 09-10 January that resulted in 1800 Japanese Casualties for 500 Commonwealth. The Japanese resumed bombing of Singapore, except the new attacks were conducted at extremely high altitudes which alleviated the severe losses that the Japanese were taking on previous raids but did result in only a few hits on the runway and one aircraft destroyed on the ground. Japanese Bomber pilots reported the presence of several transports and cargo vessels though it was undetermined if they were landing fresh troops and supplies or were evacuating troops in the face of the determined Japanese advance.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: 11-12 January 1942
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
11-12 January - The US Carriers made their first appearance of the war in the Central Pacific theater when two carriers ambushed a Japanese supply convoy bringing supplies to the Japanese Naval Infantry at Baker Island. Three transports and their supplies were sunk but a second Japanese troop convoy sixty kilometers away managed to escape the ambush. Still, Baker Island was effectively isolated at this point. On 11 January, Japanese Naval Infantry landed at Miri unopposed by Dutch torpedo bombers managed to torpedo a Japanese Heavy Cruiser, sending it north out of the fight.
There were two significant Japanese ground advances with Rabual being heavily reinforced during 07-11 January timeframe despite an Allied Cruiser/Destroyer sortie that demolished two cargo ships. Japanese forces conducted their assault on the evening of the 11th and unlike previous days, the resistance quickly crumbled and the Japanese routed the Australian forces, sending them back towards Gasmata. The airfield facilities were taken relatively intact and the Japanese were able to quickly put it back into operation. The other action was the Japanese Army assault on Clark Field. The Phillipine Forces had responsibility for the defense of the facility and despite having roughly the same numbers of the assaulting force, the Japanese outclassed their opponents and quickly sent their adversaries retreating towards Manilla.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
11-12 January - The US Carriers made their first appearance of the war in the Central Pacific theater when two carriers ambushed a Japanese supply convoy bringing supplies to the Japanese Naval Infantry at Baker Island. Three transports and their supplies were sunk but a second Japanese troop convoy sixty kilometers away managed to escape the ambush. Still, Baker Island was effectively isolated at this point. On 11 January, Japanese Naval Infantry landed at Miri unopposed by Dutch torpedo bombers managed to torpedo a Japanese Heavy Cruiser, sending it north out of the fight.
There were two significant Japanese ground advances with Rabual being heavily reinforced during 07-11 January timeframe despite an Allied Cruiser/Destroyer sortie that demolished two cargo ships. Japanese forces conducted their assault on the evening of the 11th and unlike previous days, the resistance quickly crumbled and the Japanese routed the Australian forces, sending them back towards Gasmata. The airfield facilities were taken relatively intact and the Japanese were able to quickly put it back into operation. The other action was the Japanese Army assault on Clark Field. The Phillipine Forces had responsibility for the defense of the facility and despite having roughly the same numbers of the assaulting force, the Japanese outclassed their opponents and quickly sent their adversaries retreating towards Manilla.
RE: 11-12 January 1942
More! More!
What happened to the aar?
jw
What happened to the aar?
jw
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: 11-12 January 1942
PERSONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL MFUNE, DEFENSE AIDE TO PRIME MINISTER TOJO
12-23 January 1942
------------------
The past two weeks have been ones of punch and counterpunch with our adversaries slowly being rolled back but not without incurring some losses upon our forces. The situation in China is certainly moving in our favor as the northern areas have been cleared of Chinese forces with minmal losses. In central China, we have checked the Chinese at Nanchang and we have recently launched an offensive from Vietnam into southern China. It is a small offensive, barely 20,000 men, but it has already pushed the Chinese off the border and we are currently advancing on Pakhoi. In the Phillipines, we are nearing victory with the only significant Allied forces left on Luzon are at Manilla and Lamon Bay. We are starting to reduce the enemy at Manilla from our forward airfield at Clark Field and we expect to have Luzon completely under control within the next 30 days. In the southern Phillipines, we are advancing on Cagayan from Davao.
I wish the same could be said for the Malaysian theater. Our forces have rapidly advanced towards Malaysia and are currently at Johore Baru, but we are unable to advance further. We have lost 6000 soldiers attacking the entrenchments at Johore Baru and we are unable to provide air cover because the Allies have massed almost their entire fleet of level bombers at Singapore and bases at Sumatra. Every base we have in Malaysia gets destroyed everytime we move aircraft into them. In the Dutch East Indies, we have taken Miri and Brunei and our bombers are now attacking shipping in the area from those bases. Our forces have also taken Rabual and we are currently preparing for another big surge in that area to start consoldating the area under our control. The last area of significance is the central Pacific. We have taken Wake Island, Tarawa, and Baker Island and we are currently planning our next move. The American Carriers have been active in this region and we already lost one convoy in the area to their raids, which makes it all the more important to get our early warning patrol aircraft operating in the area.
We are not terribly disappointed by our situation, especially now that we are starting our offensive into DEI, but the matter of Singapore is causing many sleepless nights. The waters of the area are dangerous and though we have not lost any major vessels, we have several ships in drydock at this point with significant damage to include one escort carrier, three battleships, three heavy cruisers, and seven light cruisers. We expect to have more damaged in the course of future actions.
12-23 January 1942
------------------
The past two weeks have been ones of punch and counterpunch with our adversaries slowly being rolled back but not without incurring some losses upon our forces. The situation in China is certainly moving in our favor as the northern areas have been cleared of Chinese forces with minmal losses. In central China, we have checked the Chinese at Nanchang and we have recently launched an offensive from Vietnam into southern China. It is a small offensive, barely 20,000 men, but it has already pushed the Chinese off the border and we are currently advancing on Pakhoi. In the Phillipines, we are nearing victory with the only significant Allied forces left on Luzon are at Manilla and Lamon Bay. We are starting to reduce the enemy at Manilla from our forward airfield at Clark Field and we expect to have Luzon completely under control within the next 30 days. In the southern Phillipines, we are advancing on Cagayan from Davao.
I wish the same could be said for the Malaysian theater. Our forces have rapidly advanced towards Malaysia and are currently at Johore Baru, but we are unable to advance further. We have lost 6000 soldiers attacking the entrenchments at Johore Baru and we are unable to provide air cover because the Allies have massed almost their entire fleet of level bombers at Singapore and bases at Sumatra. Every base we have in Malaysia gets destroyed everytime we move aircraft into them. In the Dutch East Indies, we have taken Miri and Brunei and our bombers are now attacking shipping in the area from those bases. Our forces have also taken Rabual and we are currently preparing for another big surge in that area to start consoldating the area under our control. The last area of significance is the central Pacific. We have taken Wake Island, Tarawa, and Baker Island and we are currently planning our next move. The American Carriers have been active in this region and we already lost one convoy in the area to their raids, which makes it all the more important to get our early warning patrol aircraft operating in the area.
We are not terribly disappointed by our situation, especially now that we are starting our offensive into DEI, but the matter of Singapore is causing many sleepless nights. The waters of the area are dangerous and though we have not lost any major vessels, we have several ships in drydock at this point with significant damage to include one escort carrier, three battleships, three heavy cruisers, and seven light cruisers. We expect to have more damaged in the course of future actions.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: 11-12 January 1942
FLASH TRAFFIC, CDR YOKOTA, SUBMARINE I-26
DATE: 23 JANUARY 1942
--------------------------
In PATROL PATTERN OFF PANAMA. SITED AMERICAN BATTLESHIP 'IDAHO'. CONFIRMED TWO TORPEDOES IMPACTING ON 'IDAHO'. DISPOSITION OF 'IDAHO' UNKNOWNED. STRONGLY SUSPECT HEAVY DAMAGE INFLICTED ON BATTLESHIP. PATROL CONTINUING.
DATE: 23 JANUARY 1942
--------------------------
In PATROL PATTERN OFF PANAMA. SITED AMERICAN BATTLESHIP 'IDAHO'. CONFIRMED TWO TORPEDOES IMPACTING ON 'IDAHO'. DISPOSITION OF 'IDAHO' UNKNOWNED. STRONGLY SUSPECT HEAVY DAMAGE INFLICTED ON BATTLESHIP. PATROL CONTINUING.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: 23 January
For all that were following this AAR, sorry about the 1 week delay in posting. Last week was INCREDIBLY busy week. Managed one turn a day with my opponent, but was not up the AAR writing.
Status of my Game: My opponent (TKillerich) is a good opponent and I recommend him. So far, his style has been very conservative except for Rabual area in which he was quite a bit more aggressive. Really, right now, he is doing everything he can to slow my advance and suck me into long ground battles at Singapore and Manilla. I am feeling good about my advance though I am going to try to pick up the pace.
Status of my Game: My opponent (TKillerich) is a good opponent and I recommend him. So far, his style has been very conservative except for Rabual area in which he was quite a bit more aggressive. Really, right now, he is doing everything he can to slow my advance and suck me into long ground battles at Singapore and Manilla. I am feeling good about my advance though I am going to try to pick up the pace.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 31th, 1941
DIARY OF CPT AKIRA, CDR, G1/KANOYA DAITAI
24 JANUARY 1941
------------------
It had been over a month since we last attacked Singapore. We had lost over 50 bombers attempting to raid that location and command had no desire to destroy our bomber fleet in futile attacks. All that changed when air reconaissance indicated that there was a British Fleet docking there. We attacked with 150 bombers (Nells and Bettys) and were met by thirty fighters. We lost 10 bombers in combat and another 19 from the flak with every aircraft on the mission taking some measure of damage. Still, we were able to complete our attack. I observed the Battleship 'Prince of Wales' take a bomb and torpedo hit and the Battlecruiser 'Repulse' took a torpedo hit as well. Two other cruisers took bomb hits and were on fire as we turned back. I am glad that we were able to inflict damage on the British Fleet but I fear that it will take several days to fully recover from the effects of this attack.
24 JANUARY 1941
------------------
It had been over a month since we last attacked Singapore. We had lost over 50 bombers attempting to raid that location and command had no desire to destroy our bomber fleet in futile attacks. All that changed when air reconaissance indicated that there was a British Fleet docking there. We attacked with 150 bombers (Nells and Bettys) and were met by thirty fighters. We lost 10 bombers in combat and another 19 from the flak with every aircraft on the mission taking some measure of damage. Still, we were able to complete our attack. I observed the Battleship 'Prince of Wales' take a bomb and torpedo hit and the Battlecruiser 'Repulse' took a torpedo hit as well. Two other cruisers took bomb hits and were on fire as we turned back. I am glad that we were able to inflict damage on the British Fleet but I fear that it will take several days to fully recover from the effects of this attack.
-
Riva Ridge
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:47 am
RE: Black Sea, Red Sands: Dec 31th, 1941
THE COMPLETE CHRONOLOGY OF THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR - United States Naval Press (1971)
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
24-28 January - The battle in the Pacific intensifies as the Japanese begin their offensive operations into the DEI. The Japanese took several bases in the Celebes and then began to move Level Bombers into the area in order to attack Allied shipping. This strategy was successful until 26 January when a squadron of A-24 Dauntless dive-bombers attacked a Carrier TF consisting of the Ryujo and escorts. The Japanese CAP shot down two of the attacking bombers but the rest of the dive bombers landed several bomb hits on the carrier, causing severe damage that resulted in the vessel sinking the next day. The Japanese Escorts (three cruisers and four destroyers) sprinted to Ambonia and shelled the airfield, destroying several aircraft on the ground and cratering the runway. It remained to be seen if the destruction of the first carrier of the war resulted in a battle pause for the Japanese.
The second most significant activity was the beginning of the final offensive on Luzon in the Phillipines. The final two allied enclaves were Lamon Bay and Manilla. The Japanese Plan called for two Divisions to attack Lamon Bay and One Division augmented with the 65th BDE and Japanese Armor and Artillery to begin the reduction of Manilla. Two more Divisons were expected to join the attack once they disembarked at Lingayan. The Lamon Bay offensive began on the 25th and it quickly overwelmed the Allied defenses. By the evening of the 26th, the American Commander of the 31st RCT surrendered the Lamon Bay forces resulting in 13,000 Allied POWs. The Manilla Offensive began favorable with the Japanese forces breaching into the City outskirts but soon ran into the main Phillipine line which was augmented by US Marines and Armor. The Japanese were rebuffed and they spent the last two nights in fruitless frontal attacks against Phillipine troops that they thought were inferior. The Phillipine lines stay intact and the Japanese lost over 8,000 troops dead or wounded in a two day period. The Japanese Commander suspended the offensive and vowed not to restart until the Lamon Bay and Lingayan Divisions were able to join.
Chapter 14 - Japan Attacks
--------------------------
24-28 January - The battle in the Pacific intensifies as the Japanese begin their offensive operations into the DEI. The Japanese took several bases in the Celebes and then began to move Level Bombers into the area in order to attack Allied shipping. This strategy was successful until 26 January when a squadron of A-24 Dauntless dive-bombers attacked a Carrier TF consisting of the Ryujo and escorts. The Japanese CAP shot down two of the attacking bombers but the rest of the dive bombers landed several bomb hits on the carrier, causing severe damage that resulted in the vessel sinking the next day. The Japanese Escorts (three cruisers and four destroyers) sprinted to Ambonia and shelled the airfield, destroying several aircraft on the ground and cratering the runway. It remained to be seen if the destruction of the first carrier of the war resulted in a battle pause for the Japanese.
The second most significant activity was the beginning of the final offensive on Luzon in the Phillipines. The final two allied enclaves were Lamon Bay and Manilla. The Japanese Plan called for two Divisions to attack Lamon Bay and One Division augmented with the 65th BDE and Japanese Armor and Artillery to begin the reduction of Manilla. Two more Divisons were expected to join the attack once they disembarked at Lingayan. The Lamon Bay offensive began on the 25th and it quickly overwelmed the Allied defenses. By the evening of the 26th, the American Commander of the 31st RCT surrendered the Lamon Bay forces resulting in 13,000 Allied POWs. The Manilla Offensive began favorable with the Japanese forces breaching into the City outskirts but soon ran into the main Phillipine line which was augmented by US Marines and Armor. The Japanese were rebuffed and they spent the last two nights in fruitless frontal attacks against Phillipine troops that they thought were inferior. The Phillipine lines stay intact and the Japanese lost over 8,000 troops dead or wounded in a two day period. The Japanese Commander suspended the offensive and vowed not to restart until the Lamon Bay and Lingayan Divisions were able to join.