Rising Sun over the Rockies - F.K. vs OSO - Wake captured by US

[FeurerKrieg]

November 16th, 1943
Wake is invaded! I'll get back to that in a minute.

Elsewhere in the war, Akyab was bombed again, and the airfield at Moulmein was expanded so more fighters can assist with defending Rangoon.

In the Coral Sea, near Rossel Island, our subchasers hit the SS S-31 with some depth charges and oil and bubbles were sighted in large quantities confirming a sub kill. However, east of Majuro, on the other side of the Pacific, the SS Steelhead managed to put a torpedo into DD Murakumo which was out looking for submarines.

[center]
An enemy sub goes under for good[/center]

Okay, so back to Wake Island. As I mentioned we are going for a passive defense at this point. Enemy ships proceeded to land without their customary bombardment, and our gunners managed to sink DMS Chandler while it was attempt to clear some mines. Given prior DMS losses, I think they are close to being out, but I believe the US builds more in 1944.

The mines did the heavy lifting today. In total, 1 LSD, 15 LCI, 24 LST, 10 AK, 7 AP, 1 DM, 1 DE, 2 APD and 2 CLAAs all struck at least one mine. CLAA San Diego hit 2 and CLAA Atlanta hit 1. Many of the ships hit multiple mines and several were confirmed sunk.

Confirmed sinkings during the assault:
12 LCI
9 LST
1 AK

I expect more will sink before making it back to Midway.

Many of the sinking ships took down soldiers and equipment with them. It is estimated that approximately 2,100 soldiers, 36 artillery pieces and 11 tanks were lost due to mines. Many more troops were lost or disorganized during the unloading.

During the day, American carrier dive bombers attacked our positions. However, when the enemy did attempt to push towards the airfield on the main island at Wake, they were held in check. Casualties amounted to about 2000 on each side in men, although the US suffered the loss of 19 more tanks. (0 to 1, forts held at 3)

[center]
Enemy carrier planes attack Wake[/center]

The defenders fought well, although it is unlikely they will be able to resist a second wave tomorrow. However, in the event that the enemy failed to bring more troops, some SNLF troops from nearby Eniwetok are going to flown in by transport to bolster the defenses at Wake.

[center]
Our troops hold during the initial assault[/center]

[FeurerKrieg]

November 17th, 1943
The invasion of Wake continues, but elsewhere...

Aykab is hit by Wellingtons and Blenheims.

PC Kanju is hit by the SS Cisco near Jaluit in the Marshall Islands. Farther to the east of the Marshall's, PC Kunashiri is hit by SS Harder and it sinks.

A major bombing effort against Hanoi comes in. The first wave consisted of 63 Liberator III, 23 B-24D and 51 B-24J, all of them escort by 39 P-38J. Our defending CAP made up of 15 Jacks and 43 Tojos did a decent job, taking out 20 of the P-38s, 5 of the Liberators, 3 B-24J and 1 B-24D. Another wave of 36 Liberator III and 15 B-17E came in, and two of the B-17Es were shot down. All the enemy bombers were aiming for resource centers.

[center]
Enemy bombers hit Hanoi.[/center]

Back to Wake!

Again, many enemy ships hit mines today. In all, 26 LST, 1 LSD, 6 APD, 5 AK, 5 AP and 2 CLAAs struck mines, although some of these were ships that had already struck mines yesterday. All told today, we confirmed the sinking of 3 AK, 3 APD, and 16 LST. Deaths from mines was reported as 449 men, 15 guns and 7 tanks.

We lost 11 Topsys that were shot down while trying to reach the airfield to unload elements of a SNLF unit to bolster the defends a bit. Most of the made it safely, and although there contribution helped, the enemy still made some progress today (1 to 1, forts 3 -> 2). Our troops are very worn out from just these two days of fighting and it unlikely they will be able to maintain their hold on the island much longer. There no additional reinforcements will be flown in and the organization elements of each unit present will be withdrawn by submarine.

Several submarines are at Wake and today the I-5 was hit. It looks to be in rough shape, but will try to make friendly port. The other 6 subs in the area will begin evacuating tomorrow.

[thegreatwent]

Nice action at Wake.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 18th, 1943
Major sweep at Chungking launched by our fighters as a new batch is introduced to the training routine before the last batch gets ready to head to the front lines of the Pacific. 19 J1N1-S Irvings, 103 A6M3a Zeros, 18 Oscars and 41 Nicks attacked 28 P-40Ns and 1 P-43A. All the enemy went down except for 1 P-40N. We lost 1 Irving, 1 Zero, 2 Oscars and 14 of the Nicks.

About 350 miles from Guam the AE Soya was reported sunk. That was our AE that had been hit at Wake. Also, the DD Murakumo sunk in port at Makin.

The enemy continues to unload and again hits several mines. Today fewer ships got hit, but they mostly took multiple hits. 5 AK, 3 AP, 1 APD, 1 LST and the CLAA Juneau were all damaged by mines today. An AK and AP both sunk right away - the AP had struck four mines. The Juneau hit 2 and was burning heavily. The LST-69, damaged previously was reported sunk today.

Two enemy minesweepers again tried to clear a path, but both were shelled heavily, one sinking immediately.

On the island itself, our troops lines lost cohesion for the most part and although several counterattacks were launched, casualties were high for us. We lost approximately 3 men for each US soldier killed. The base is highly likely to fall tomorrow. (3 to 1, forts 2 -> 1)

[FeurerKrieg]

November 19th, 1943
As expected Wake Island fall to the the Allies today. (3 to 1, forts 1 -> 0) However, more troops and supplies were continuing to unload and our mines continue to take a toll. 6 AK, 3 AP, 2 PC and 1 SC all struck mines today. 4 AP, 2 AK and 1 SC were all reported sunk and from just from the mines some 500 men and 1 tank were lost. Enemy CV planes also hit the island during the final attack. Some of our troops remain on the island and they will continue to harass the enemy for as long as possible.

[center]
Wake falls to the USMC[/center]

A bit south of the action at Wake, near Jaluit, a Judy managed to hit the SS Escolar.

The Allied bombers in Burma continued their regular attacks against Akyab.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 20th, 1943
Mines at Wake continue to inflict damage even after the island has been captured. Today 3 DM, 1 destroyer and 1 tanker all struck mines at Wake. 2 DMs, 1 LSD, 1 LST and DD Sigsbee were all reported sunk today.

Akyab was hit in Burma and in China we flew a large fighter sweep over Chungking. over 200 hundred Japanese fighters met 30 P-40N and 1 P-43A. 9 Japanese planes were lost (6 of those were Nicks) and all the enemy planes except 2 P-40Ns were shot down.

[center]
Sweep over Chungking[/center]

[1275psi]

Just a note of encouragement -Im still watching!
I think you do very well

[FeurerKrieg]

Thanks! I've been really busy lately so its been tough to keep up on the posts, but I intend to keep at it!

[FeurerKrieg]

November 21st, 1943
The calm starts to settle in as the battle for Wake Island winds down. One AK was reported sunk today. Also, LST-464 struck a mine at Wake and sunk.

West of Kwajalein, the SS Dragonet was hit by a Judy divebomber.

Akyab was again bombed.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 22nd, 1943
Another big sweep if flown over Chungking today. 13 P-40N's defend, 11 are shot down. We lose 1 J1N1-S Irving nightfighter.

Akyab is hit and at Wake LST-463 is reported sunk. Also at Wake land based airplanes flying at Wake are now assisting with the efforts of the Marines to finish off our troops there.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 23rd, 1943
At Wake the US Navy returns to help root out the Japanese. In the process, DD Bullard, Hale and Nicholson strike mines. AD Cascade also strikes a mine on its way to the port facilities there. PT-63 strikes a mine while on defensive patrol and sinks immediately. Also reported sunk today are APD Waters and AK Walter Luckenbach. The attack is fierce and two units, the 1st Base Force and 6th SNLF, are wiped out. They will be rebuilt at Osaka for the future defense of the Marianas. Also, at Midway, the I-123 is bombed by a Coronado while laying mines and sinks. Two of our four mine laying subs have now been sunk.

In China, 80 Nells bomb Chungking, but their fighter escort doesn't fly. 5 P-40N and 1 P-43 bring down 7 of the Nells, but the rest inflict moderate damage on the airbase there.

At Hanoi, 28 Liberator III, 16 B-17E and 2 B-24D Liberators try to bomb resource facilities. 10 Jacks and 35 Tojos attempt to slow them down and manage to shoot down 2 B-24D, 6 Liberator III, and 5 B-17E. The remaining bombers mostly miss their targets.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 24th, 1943
The minelaying sub I-123 did not die totally in vain yesterday, as today the APD Kilty struck one of the Type 88 mines that were placed at Midway. Also, at Wake, the DD Nicholson was reported sunk.

On Wake itself, more of our units were dissolved - the 7th Light AA, 2nd Coastal Defense Reg, 42nd Naval Guard and Sasebo 7th SNLF were all wiped out and are now being rebuilt at Osaka.

DD Mikazuki, while hunting submarines was herself struck by the SS Sunfish. Damage is moderate but the destroyer should survive.

The enemy returned to Hanoi again, this time with some escorts for the bombers. 35 P-38J and 57 Liberator IIIs attacked. They met 12 Jacks and 22 Tojos which managed to shoot down 8 of the P-38s and 2 Liberators while losing 3 Jack and 5 Tojos themselves. Again damage by the bombers was reasonably light. Our fighters will likely abandon this airbase, as continued fighting with P-38Js is not going to be good for our forces.

[center]
Attacks against our resources at Hanoi[/center]

[FeurerKrieg]

November 25th, 1943
A sweep over Chungking sees 3 P-40N and 1 P-43 go down, along with 4 A6M3a Zeros. Following that, Nells fly in and hit the airfield destroying 1 SB-2c on the ground.

Akyab is hit again.

In the South Pacific, our minelayer Yurijima is hit by the SS Scamp. Damage is heavy and the ship will likely sink tomorrow. In the Solomons, near Rossel Island, a Lily bomber hits the SS S-34.

On Wake, the 44th Naval Guard unit is wiped out. The 11th Ind. Mixed Regiment is all that is left.

[center]
US subs on the prowl[/center]

[FeurerKrieg]

November 26th, 1943
The minelayer Yurijima, hit yesterday by an enemy submarine, sunk today.

The last unit on Wake, the 11th Ind Mixed Reg, was wiped out today and will be rebuilt as well as most of the other units that were on the atoll.

Akyab it as usual and that is about all today.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 27th, 1943
Today was mostly submarine action. Our ASW groups attacked both the SS Tunny and the S-18. Several near misses occurred on the Tunny, but we scored two solid hits on the S-18, but no evidence of sinking was spotted.

The SS Amberjack attack one of our destroyers while it was also hunting.

Akyab hit as usual.
[center]

Enemy sub hit[/center]

[Durbik]

How many mines were there at Wake? They've seemed to work pretty well for you.

[FeurerKrieg]

I think there were about 11,000 mines at Wake. It was my most heavily mined location in the Empire at the point of invasion. Most of the other islands in the area have 5,000 - 10,000 so they aren't in bad shape either.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 28th, 1943
A couple quieter days.

Another ship, the DD Braine this time, hits one of the sub laid mines at Midway.

Two enemy subs are attacked by our ASW groups, but no kills are confirmed.

Akyab is attacked.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 29th, 1943
At Chungking, we fly a sweep and take out 2 P-40Ns while losing 1 Zero and 1 Irving night fighter.

Akyab is again hit.

[FeurerKrieg]

November 30th, 1943
A little bit of action to finish the month.

Two waves of bombers, escorted by P-38Js, hit Hanoi's resources. Our Jacks and Tojos put up a spirited defense. We lose 1 Jack and 11 Tojos, but take down 13 P-38Js, 4 Liberator IIIs, and 3 B-24D Liberators. Damage is moderate on the resources there.

[center]
Strong attack against Hanoi[/center]

Between Wake and Midway, the RO-63, hoping to catch some mine damaged ships returning to Midway, is pounded by two groups of subchasers and is sunk.

At Chungking, our Nells fly in after the sweep yesterday and destroy one SB-2c on the ground.

Another month finished! Stats coming soon!