Small japanese invasions of the NE coast of New Guinea had resulted in the establishing of foward bases in that area, of more concern was a long reached probe that had captured an undefended Efate, 280 KMS NW of Noumea. Of more pressing concern was the Jap advance down the Malaysian peninsular. Having being holed up in Kota Bharu for a week the jap divisions were battling rearguards on the way to Singapore.
The ABDA command had asked for some help when last week a strong CV supported TF attacked and captured Amboina. Surface units engaged and damaged several CL's and DD's but at great cost to the RNN, 4 of its destroyers went to the bottom to a very effective jap torpdeo attack. US reports had started to come in quick and fast since 7th December. They reported large concentrations of jap subs around PH and the West Coast for a few days but these seemed to have scattered after some effective ASW work by destroyers of the US Navy. Indeed the jap SS I-3 was confirmed sunk at Palmyra by an ASW TF.
The Captain delviering the briefing held up a copy of the San Francisco Post with the headline ACE! blazend on its front page. Apparently the first 'ace' of the war had been decorated by the Bronze Star. FO A.Brors had downed 3 jap planes in his first sortie, one of them a Zero, while his unit, 17th Fighter Squadron, was stationed at Manila. When asked about his exploits he simply replied, "guess i was lucky," the Press was having none of that, "you're a hero son,'" they extolled.
"What about our forces Captain?" inquired General Percival, also present in the briefing in his capacity of CiC.
"Well sir, our rear guard units our doing well in slowing the Japs, and RAN cruisers have bombarded the Japs at Efate confirming hits on the port and surrounding warehouses. Similary the CL Adelaide was able to damage and drive off some transports involved in the recent fighting at Kavieng. Closer to home sir, a large Jap invasion force has started disembarking at Kuching. However he hasnt come of lightly. We recevied the first reports last night and patrol flights confirm several jap ships billowing smoke after receving hits from the coastal guns of the 2409 Sarawak force."
"SS Trusty was also able to make two sweeps at a jap AO convoy. Its first attack resulted in nothing, but a pre-dawn strike resulted in the torpedoing of a jap oiler, that judging from the smoke billowing from its cargo holds, must have been full. Commander Arbuthnott of the Trusty had a visual confirmation of this."
"More gratifying was the news from 36 Squadron, recently moved from Singapore and flying the antiquated VildebeestIV. Its pilots sank two torpedoes into the BB Mutsu that was supporting the Kuching landings," at this there was raptuous cheers and applause, "the Mutusu was left smoking and on fire listing to port. Sir this completes todays briefing."
At that the air raid sirens sounded and General Percival ordered everyone to their shelters.
