History of a Spanish War: Fremen (JFB) vs Fletcher (AFB).

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM DOORMAN, ROYAL NETHERLAND NAVY EAST INDIES SQDRN. BATAVIA.
TO: ADM HART, TOMMY S., USN ASIATIC FLEET, CAVITE BAY. MANILA.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SUB ACTIVITIES.
DATE: DEC 14TH 1941


COLLECTED INCOMING DISASTER MESSAGES RECEIVED TODAY FROM ALLIED SHIPS ATTACKED BY ENEMY SUBMARINES:

1.- XAKL ELCANO, SUNK BY DECK GUN FIRE BY ENEMY SUB IDENTIFIED LIKE I-164 NEAR SOERABAJA.

2.- AVP BELLATRIX, TORPEDOED BY I-164 NEAR SOERABAJA, SUNK.

3.- XAK NICHOLAS VAN VONN TORPEDOED AND SUNK BY I-12E NEAR MUNTOK.

4.- XAKL CHENGTU SUNK BY I-121 NEAR SINGKAWANG.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: CDR BURHANS, USS S-40 CO, IN TRANSIT TO MANILA.
TO: READM WITHERS, JR., SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOUR
SUBJECT: DAMAGE REPORT
DATE: DEC 14TH 1941

ENEMY CONVOY ENGAGE NEAR VIGAN, WE HAVE BEEN SPOTTED BY ENEMY ESCORTS AND AFTER HEAVY DEPTH CHARGE ATTACK I COULD DISENGAGE. 6 NEAR MISSES.

DAMAGE REPORT:
48 SYSTEM DAMAGE
47 FLOOD DAMAGE (32 MAJOR)
1 ENGINE DAMAGE

HEADING TO MANILA FOR REPAIRS.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CDR. BARIL, T. LA TRIOMPHANT CO, NEAR FIDJI.
TO: ADM. KIMMEL, PACIFIC FLEET HQ, PEARL HARBOR.
SUBJET: ENEMY AMC ENGAGE AND SUNK.
DATE: DEC 14TH 1941.

I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT TWO ENEMY SHIPS HAVE BEEN SUNK IN MY PATROL AREA.

TWO ENEMY AMC HAVE BEEN SPOTTED THIS MORNING NEAR SUVA, AT 132,161 AT 21,000 YARDS. WE ENGAGE ENEMY AT 16,000 YARDS. AMC AIKOKU MARU AND AMC HOKOKU MARU SUNK AFTER HEAVY BLOW.

5 ENEMY SHELL HITS ON MY OWN SHIP.

DAMAGE REPORTING:
25 SYSTEM DAMAGE
19 FLOOD DAMAGE (6 MAJOR)
12 ENGINE DAMAGE

MAXIMUM SPEED: 11 KNOTS

I AM HEADING TO AUCKLAND TO BE UNDER REPAIRS.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR. MURPHY, USS TAMBOR CO, NEAR WAKE ISLAND.
TO: RADM WATHERS, JR., SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOR.
SUBJECT: ENEMY CARRIERS SPOTTED
DATE: DEC 14TH 1941.

HIGH PRIORITY /

TWO ENEMY CARRIERS SPOTTED NEAR TO WAKE, AT 135,99. 20 ENEMY SHIPS SIGHTED IN THE WAKE NEARBY AREA.
CONFIRMED, TWO ENEMY CARRIERS NEAR TO WAKE ISLAND. ONE OILER ESCORTED BY ONE DESTROYER IN A DISTANT TASK FORCE.
WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGE BY ENEMY DESTROYER. SEVERAL DEPTH CHARGE NEAR MISS.
MODERATE DAMAGE: 33 SYSTEM, 48 FLOOD (25 MAJOR), 1 ENGINE (1 MAJOR)
I AM RETURNING TO PEARL TO BE UNDER REPAIRS.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: MGEN STILWELL, CHINA THEATRE ADVISOR. CHUNGKING.
TO: STIMSOM, HENRY L., SECRETARY OF WAR, WASHINGTON DC.
SUBJECT: CHINESE SUPPORT TO ANACONDA PLAN.
DATE: DEC 14TH 1941.

CHINESE AUTORITHIES EXCITED TO SUPPORT OUR ANACONDA PLAN. SEVERAL AIR UNITS PUT UNDER OUR COMMAND TO BOMB ENEMY PORTS.

24 LEVEL BOMBERS (SB-III AND DB3 SOVIET BUILD) SUPPORTED BY 4 BRITISH FLOATPLANES (RECON OPS) HAVE BEGAN A EXTENSIVE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST ENEMY PORTS. 29 AV.SUPPORT SQUADS.

YESTERDAY AMOY PORT WAS RECON BY A29 FLIGHT FROM CHANGCHA. TOMORROW THIS PORT WILL BE STRIKE BY CHINESE BOMBERS DEPLOY AT WENCHOW.

TODAY NAHA AND FOOCHOW PORT WERE STRIKE BY CHINESE, AND BRITISH FLOATPLANES FLIGHT RECON ENEMY PORT AT SHANGAI.

C.A.P DETECTED AT NAHA, TAIHOKU AND SHANGAI.

CHIANK-KAI-CHEK AGREE TO SENT REINFORCEMENTS TO GARRISON WENCHOW. NOW, WITH 100TH CHINESE CORPS, 25TH GROUP ARMY HQ AND A CHINESE BASE FORCE. 4.149 TONS OF SUPPLIES IN CITY DUMPS.

FORTIFICATION LEVEL 2 + 4%

IT´S MANDATORY TO AVOID ENEMY CAPTURE WENCHOW. ANY SUPPORT WILL BE WELCOMED.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: MAJ.DEVEREAUX, 1ST USMC DEF. BATTALION. WAKE ISLAND.
TO: ADM. KIMMEL, CINCPAC, PEARL HARBOUR.
SUBJECT: WAKE UNDER HEAVY PREASSURE.
DATE: DEC 15TH 1941

HIGH PRIORITY MESSAGE /

FOLLOWING SHIPS CONFIRMED IN THE WAKE AREA:

CV HIRYU, CV SORYU, CV SHOKAKU, CV ZUIKAKU.
BB KIRISHIMA, BB HIEI
CA CHIKUMA, CA TONE
CL ABUKUMA.

KB IS IN THE WAKE NEARBY AREA. THIS MORNING ENEMY BLASTED WITH BATTLESHIPS GUNFIRE OUR POSITIONS. IN THE AFTERNOON MORE THAN 200 AIRCRAFTS HAVE STRIKE OUR DEFENSES. WE WAIT AN INMEDIATLY ASSAULT. NO SUPPLIES, NO AMMO.
WE HAD FIGHT TO THE END, AND JAPANESE PAID A HIGH PRICE FOR THIS GROUND.
THIS WILL BE OUR LAST MESSAGE.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CDR Davies, E.S., HMS THANET CO.
TO: VADM LAYTON, GEOFFREY. EASTERN ROYAL FLEET HQ. COLOMBO. CEYLAN
SUBJECT: ENEMY SUB ENGAGE.
DATE: DECEMBER 15TH 1941.

FOLLOWING THE PATH OF THE LATEST SHIP SUNK BY ENEMY SUBMARINE WE TAKE CONTACT WITH ENEMY NEAR BATAVIA AT 50,97.
SUBMARINE WAS SIGHTED AND SHE BOTTOMING OUT. WE PROCEED TO ATTACK ENEMY SUB WITH DEPTH CHARGE. 1 NEAR MISS CONFIRMED BEFORE LOST CONTACT WITH ENEMY.

WE WILL FOLLOW ON WITH OUR PATROL IN THIS AREA.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR HOLLEY, E.M. USS S-41 CO.
TO: RADM WITHERS, JR., SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, P.HARBOUR.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SHIP SUNK.
DATE: DEC 15TH 1941.


ENEMY SHIP SIGHTED IN THE NEARBY AREA OF CHINNAMPO, KOREA, IN OUR WAR PATROL AREA. TWO TORPEDOES LAUNCHED, 2 HITS, ENEMY SHIP IDENTIFIED LIKE LARGE AK EHIME MARU. CONFIRMED SUNK UNDER OUR OWN EYES.


END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: MCARTHUR, DOUGLAS. USAFFE HQ, MANILA. LUZON.
TO: MARSHALL, GEORCE C., CHIEF OF JOINT GENERAL STAFF. WASHINGTON DC.
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES SIT MAP REPORT.
DATE: DEC 15TH 1941.


DISASTER AT LINGAYEN AFTER 11ST AND 21ST DIVISION SURRENDER AFTER ENEMY ENGAGE.

38 P-40B/E READY FOR SERVICE WITH ANOTHER 14 FIGHTERS (P-35/P-26).

ALL B-17 FLYING FORTRESS AT CAGAYAN WILL BE TRANSFER TO AUSTRALIA FOLLOWING YOUR ORDERS. BOMBING ACTIVITIES AGAINST PALAOS PORT OR MIRI AIRFIELD SUSPENDED.

MANILA WILL FIGHT TO END. ANY GROUND WILL BE PAID BY JAPANESE WITH BLOOD. WE WILL FIGHT AND WILL BE READY FOR ANY OPPORTUNITY COUNTERSTRIKE.


END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: AM BROOKE-POPHAM, H.R., ABDA COMMAND. BATAVIA, JAVA ISLAND.
TO: GEN. MACARTHUR, DOUGLAS. USAFFE HQ, MANILA, LUZON.
SUBJECT: LGEN ARTHUR E. PERCIVAL RELEAVED.
DATE: DEC 15TH 1941.

UNDER DIRECT ORDERS FROM PRIME MINISTER LGEN ARTHUR E. PERCIVAL HAS BEEN RELEAVED BY GEN. ROBERT A. CASSELS IN THE HIGH COMMAND OF MALAYAN ARMY.
HE WILL BE MARTIAL COURTED AT LONDON UNDER HIGH TREASON CHARGES.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: ADM. KIMMEL, CINCPAC, PEARL HARBOUR.
TO: LGEN WYNTER, HENRY L, EASTERN COMMAND, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.
SUBJECT: HYPO
DATE: DECEMBER 15TH, 1941.

CONFIRMED BY HYPO, ENEMY 4TH DIVISION IS HEADING PORT MORESBY. YOU MUST ACCELERATE ALL YOUR REINFORCEMENTS TO THIS BASE. IT´S MANDATORY TO AVOID CAPTURE BY JAPANESE. NAVAL AND AIR REINFORCEMENTS ARE RUNNING FAST TO GET AUSTRALIAN EAST COAST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ENEMY AMPHIBIOUS TASK FORCE WITH NO LESS THAN 18 SHIPS. YOU MUST BE ALERTED. AIR NAVAL SEARCH MISSIONS WILL BE PRIORITY. NEXT 15 DAYS WILL BE CRITICAL.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR Rorschbach, USS DALE CO, DESFLO1.
TO: ADM KIMMEL, CINCPAC, USN PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOUR.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SUB ENGAGE.
DATE: DECEMBER 16TH 1941.

ENEMY SUBMARINE LOCATED BY USS WORDEN AT 179,104 NEAR TO LIHUE. USS AYLWIN FAILS TO FIND SUB AND ABANDONS SEARCH. MY OWN SHIP REACH ATTACK POSITION OVER ENEMY AND PROCEED TO DEPTH CHARGE ATTACK. NO HITS REPORTED.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR BURNSIDE J.R, USS SAURY CO, IN NORTHERN WATERS.
TO: RADM WITHERS, JR., SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOR.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SHIP SUNK
DATE: DEC 16TH 1941.

EARLY MORNING, ENEMY SHIP SPOTTED NEAR OMINATO, AT 119,55. IDENTIFIED SHIP LIKE XAK NISSEN MARU #3. 4 TORPEDOES MK.XIV LAUNCHE. 2 HITS, BUT ONLY ONE EXPLOSION. SUNK NOT CONFIRMED.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR. SMITH, C.C. USS SWORDFISH CO. NEAR DAITO SHOTO.
TO: RADM WITHERS, JR. SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOUR.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SHIP INTERCEPTED.
DATE: DEC 16TH 1941

AFTER INCOMING MESSAGE FROM HYPO REPORTING ENEMY TROOPS MOVING TO DAITO SHOTO (79TH INFANTRY REGIMENT) ABOARD SEVERAL FREIGHTERS, MY SHIP GET CONTACT IN THIS LOCATION WITH ENEMY XAK. GOOD POSITION TO ATTACK GET. 04 TORPEDOES MK.XIV LAUNCHED, SEVERAL HITS BUT ONLY ONE EXPLODES. ENEMY SHIP NOT SUNK, BUT CASUALTIES REPORTED FROM TROOPS ABOARD.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CDR NEWMAN, U., USN CAVITE BAY BASE FORCE.
TO: ADM HART, TOMMY S., USN ASIATIC FLEET CINC. MANILA
SUBJECT: KANLAON II DISASTER MESSAGE.
DATE: DEC 16TH 1941.

INCOMING MESSAGE FROM KANLAON II WITH PHILLIPINE TROOPS FROM CEBU ISLAND REPORTING THIS SHIP HAVE BEEN TORPEDOED BY ENEMY TWIN-ENGINE LEVEL BOMBERS.

XAKL LATOUCHE AT BATANGAS LOADING CEBU USN BASE FORCE TO MANILA BAY.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: ADM. KIMMEL, CINCPAC, USN PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOUR.
TO: RADM. SPRUANCE, RAYMOND A., USS ENTERPRISE, TASK FORCE 1.
SUBJECT: RENDEZVOUS WITH ALLIED FORCES.
DATE: DEC 16TH 1941.

HIGH PRIORITY MESSAGE /
SECRET DISPATCH NUMBER 02 /

YOUR ORDER IS HEADING TO SOUTH PACIFIC WATERS TO RENDEZVOUS WITH ALLIED NAVAL FORCES AND SUPPORT ANY NAVAL OPS TO AVOID PORT MORESBY FALLS IN JAPANESE HANDS.

HYPO INTERCEPTS SEVERAL ENEMY MESSAGE CONFIRMS JAPANESE AMPHIBIOUS TASK FORCE WITH 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION IS HEADING TO PORT MORESBY.

MAXIMUM PRIORITY IS SECURITY OF YOUR CARRIER.
SECOND PRIORITY INTERCEPT AND SUNK THIS TASK FORCES.

HIJMS SORYU, HIJMS HIRYU, HIJMS SHOKAKU AND HIJMS ZUIKAKU REPORTED NEARBY TO WAKE ISLAND.

HIJMS KAGA AND HIJMS AKAGI UNKNOWN.

JAPANESE BATTLEWAGONS, 2 REPORTED AT WAKE AND 4 MORE IN LUZON SUPPORTING LANDINGS.

CA MYOKO AT TERNATE SUPPORTING LANDINGS, 4 CRUISERS NEAR GUAM ISLAND, AND 2 MORE HEAVY CRUISERS NEAR WAKE, ANOTHER 2 HEAVYS ARE AT LUZON AREA, AND 2 MORE IN NORTH BORNEO WATERS.

ACKNOWLEDGE REQUEST /
END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LT. ADDINGTON, E., MOTOR-TORPEDO BOATS SQDRN, PAKHOI, CHINA.
TO: VADM LAYTON, GEOFFREY. RN EASTERN FLEET HQ, COLOMBO. CEYLAN.
SUBJECT: ENEMY CONVOY ENGAGE.
DATE: DEC 17TH 1941.

NIGHT TIME SURFACE COMBAT NEAR HAIPHONG. A BIG ENEMY CONVOY SPOTTED HEADING SOUTHEAST FROM HAIPHONG. POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO RAIN, WITH 0% MOONLIGHT. MAXIMUM VISIBILITY RANGE WAS 2,000 YDS. ABSOLUTE SURPRISE.

XAK ZUIKO MARU TORPEDOED (2 HITS) AND SUNK.
XAK KOYU MARU TORPEDOED (1 HIT), NOT SUNK.
ANOTHER 4 FREIGHTERS STRUCK BY SHELL HITS, THREE OF THEM WITH HEAVY FIRES ABOARD AFTER CARGO BURNING.

HONG KONG HAS FALLEN IN JAPANESE HANDS. WE WILL BASED AT PAKHOI. NO TORPEDO RESERVES.


LONG LIVE TO THE KING!
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR PIERCE, JR., USS ARGONAUT CO, NORTHERN WATERS.
TO: RADM WITHERS, JR., SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOUR.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SHIP SUNK.
DATE: DEC 17TH 1941.

NEAR HACHINOHE (119,57) ENEMY SHIP SPOTTED, IDENTIFIED LIKE XAK TOEI MARU. ATTACKING ON SURFACE WITH DECK GUN. 1 SHELL HIT. 2 TORPEDOES FIRED TO SINK HER. ENEMY SHIP SUNK UNDER MY OWN EYES.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR HURST, E.M, USS PERMIT CO, NORTHERN WATERS.
TO: RADM WITHERS, SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOUR.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SHIP ATTACKED AT SURFACE.
DATE: DEC 17TH 1941.

INTO OUR WAR PATROL AREA, SPOTTED AN ENEMY SHIP OFF OMINATO AT 120,56. OPEN FIRE AGAINST HER WITH DECK GUN, 3 SHELL HITS REPORTED. ENEMY SHIP NOT SUNK.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR CHAPPEL, L.H., USS SCULPIN, TSUSHIMA STRAITS.
TO: RADM WITHERS, JR., SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, PEARL HARBOUR.
SUBJECT: HIGH VALUE TARGET TORPEDOED.
DATE: DEC 17TH 1941.

HIGH VALUE TARGET SPOTTED INTO ENEMY CONVOY SAILING INTO TSUSHIMA STRAITS. FOUR MK.XXI TORPEDOES LAUNCHED AGAINST LARGE TK, IDENTIFIED LIKE TK HAKKO MARU. 2 HITS, BUT ONLY ONE EXPLOSION. NOT CONFIRMED SUNK, QUICK RETALIATION FROM ESCORTS. NO DAMAGE AFTER DEPTH CHARGE ATTACK. WE WILL PATROL UNTIL BINGO FUEL.

END //