Messenges December 24th 1941:
From: LTJG Zubal, Manilla PT Squad, aboard PT-35
To: ADM Hart, Asiatic Fleet, Manilla
Concerning: Naval Combat
Sir,
We have made contact with a Japanese invasion fleet. We were unable to do them any harm and lost two PT boats
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From: BGEN Parker, South Luzon Force, Manilla
To: GEN MacArthur, USAFFE, Clark Field
Concerning: Japanese Attacks
Sir,
Japanese troops have pushed us back to Manilla. Batangas has fallen. We are retreating to Bataan Peninsula as you have ordered.
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From: MGEN Wainwright, North Luzon Force, Clark Field
To: GEN MacArthur, USAFFE, Clark Field
Concerning: Japanese Attacks
Sir,
Japanese troops have taken Cabanaluany.
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From: CPT Van Straalen, Kendari Garrison Battalion, near Kendari
To: LGEN Ter Poorten, KNIL, Batavia
Concerning: Japanese attacks
Sir,
Japanese troops have pushed us out of Kendari.
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From: CPT Shield, Chrismas Island USN CPAB, Christmas Island
To: ADM Kimmel. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor
Concerning: Japanese Carriers
Sir,
We have picked up a distress call of convoy 283. It was sunk by Japanse carrier based aircraft between Christmas Island and the West Coast. We expect there were two or three carriers, but this is not confirmed. 4 AKs and one AP were sunk.
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From: VADM Halsey, 2nd Carrier Strike Force, near Kupang
To: ADM Hart, Asiatic Fleet, Manilla
Concerning: Naval Attack
Sir,
We have attacked a Japanese invasion task force of the coast of Kendari. At least one was sunk and a more than 10 ships were heavily damaged. We expect a lot of them to sink before they reach save harbors. We are retreating to Australia as a Japanese carrier task force is nearby.
