April 19th 1942. Saratoga Torpedoed!
USS Saratoga was hit by a torpedo off Johnston Island south of the Hawaiian chain. No further information is available.
April 21st 1942. Makassar invasion force wiped out!
The invasion force at Makassar was finally destroyed by the Dutch defenders.
“We are committed to the defense of the Dutch East Indies as it is also the defense of Australia, said Prime Minister John Curtin in an address to parliament yesterday. An unnamed number of Australian forces have been ordered to Makassar .
COMPAC issued the following report yesterday:
The 19th and 21st Infantry regiments are now en-route from Pearl Harbor to Luganville to form the 24th infantry division assigned to the defense of Espiritu Santo. Also the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine regiments are en route to Espiritu Santo where they will reform into the 1st Marine Division. While contributing to the defense of Luganville and the life line to Australia, the main purpose of 1st Marine is to initiate offensive operations against the Japanese Empire as soon as possible.
Scott versus Kaleun. Major Victory!
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Major battle in the IO
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
April 22nd 1942.
A new attack on Singapore failed yesterday. Enemy losses are in the mid nine thousand; unfortunately allied losses were two thousand and there was a significant degradation in the fortifications as a result of the enemy engineers.
April 24th 1942.
Yesterday the enemy attacked yet again allied positions in the embattled city of Singapore. The attack was repelled and around 6000 losses amongst the enemy are claimed. Allied losses again numbered in the two thousand. The enemy attacks are wearing down the determined men that have held the city for so long. Every day that the enemy is delayed shortens the war and allows for reinforcements to be shipped and flown in to the next line of defense.
A new attack on Singapore failed yesterday. Enemy losses are in the mid nine thousand; unfortunately allied losses were two thousand and there was a significant degradation in the fortifications as a result of the enemy engineers.
April 24th 1942.
Yesterday the enemy attacked yet again allied positions in the embattled city of Singapore. The attack was repelled and around 6000 losses amongst the enemy are claimed. Allied losses again numbered in the two thousand. The enemy attacks are wearing down the determined men that have held the city for so long. Every day that the enemy is delayed shortens the war and allows for reinforcements to be shipped and flown in to the next line of defense.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
April 28 42 Enemy carriers advancing into Banda Sea.
After a few days’ pause, war resumes as a strong enemy carrier force is sighted entering the Banda Sea. Nearby, in Taliaboe, SSKXVIII torpedoed and sank an enemy mechant ship, xAKL Kanaiyama Maru. Apparently it was carrying troops per the submarine’s captain. The convoy was large enough that most of these troops were rescued but it is an ill omen for the Dutch defenders at Kendari, Menado and Ambon as the Japanese are launching a second wave and, this time, they are bringing the A team to bat.
After a few days’ pause, war resumes as a strong enemy carrier force is sighted entering the Banda Sea. Nearby, in Taliaboe, SSKXVIII torpedoed and sank an enemy mechant ship, xAKL Kanaiyama Maru. Apparently it was carrying troops per the submarine’s captain. The convoy was large enough that most of these troops were rescued but it is an ill omen for the Dutch defenders at Kendari, Menado and Ambon as the Japanese are launching a second wave and, this time, they are bringing the A team to bat.
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- enemyccar..advance.jpg (69.93 KiB) Viewed 528 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
The screen capture sucks. For a while, I'd set the resolution of my screen capture thingy too low and it took me a while to figure it out.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
April 29th 42. Let the little ships come forth.
When the large, multimillion dollar ships that were once thought to rule the waves fail to prove their promise, it is the little ones that must take over the task. Lexington, Enterprise, Indomitable, Hermes, all were tried and found wanting and now rest, under the cold, unfeeling waves.
Yesterday, a small, insignificant Dutch submarine, with an inauspicious name: SS K XIII was patrolling the western entrance to the Ceram Sea.
In the tropical night it located an enemy force. The enemy saw her first and launched a vicious depth charge attack that the plucky submarine evaded. After the battle wagons passed en route to their destination, the submarine surfaced and reported the contact:
“Large battleship and cruiser taskforce heading W out of Ceram Sea.”
Almost immediately, a lookout called: “Contact bearing 090!” The captain pulled his binoculars to his eyes and could not believe what he saw.
Feverishly, he ordered a change of course, battle stations torpedo! He read off the bearings, the angle on the bow, the distances, and finally, he fired off a full salvo.
CV Kaga took two of the torpedoes on its broadside. The Dutch submarine dove beneath the waves to avoid the Japanese destroyers that pounced on her like a swarm of angry hornets.
Hours later, the Dutch submarine surfaced among a sea of debris. Dutch Naval intelligence, as well as allied intelligence confirm the loss of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s carrier Kaga.
When the large, multimillion dollar ships that were once thought to rule the waves fail to prove their promise, it is the little ones that must take over the task. Lexington, Enterprise, Indomitable, Hermes, all were tried and found wanting and now rest, under the cold, unfeeling waves.
Yesterday, a small, insignificant Dutch submarine, with an inauspicious name: SS K XIII was patrolling the western entrance to the Ceram Sea.
In the tropical night it located an enemy force. The enemy saw her first and launched a vicious depth charge attack that the plucky submarine evaded. After the battle wagons passed en route to their destination, the submarine surfaced and reported the contact:
“Large battleship and cruiser taskforce heading W out of Ceram Sea.”
Almost immediately, a lookout called: “Contact bearing 090!” The captain pulled his binoculars to his eyes and could not believe what he saw.
Feverishly, he ordered a change of course, battle stations torpedo! He read off the bearings, the angle on the bow, the distances, and finally, he fired off a full salvo.
CV Kaga took two of the torpedoes on its broadside. The Dutch submarine dove beneath the waves to avoid the Japanese destroyers that pounced on her like a swarm of angry hornets.
Hours later, the Dutch submarine surfaced among a sea of debris. Dutch Naval intelligence, as well as allied intelligence confirm the loss of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s carrier Kaga.
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- Kagagoesdown.jpg (91.62 KiB) Viewed 528 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
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thegreatwent
- Posts: 3011
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2004 3:42 am
- Location: Denver, CO
RE: Major battle in the IO
Woot K XIII. I've found those and the old "S" class pig boats to be heroes early in the war.
RE: Major battle in the IO
April 30th 1942: Bataan falls.
It had to happen eventually, and it happened yesterday. The Japanese launched a massive attack on the Bataan peninsula and were finally able to overrun the garrison.
“What next?” we asked Adm. Nimitz in a rare interview.
“We assume the IJA will now move their troops back to Manila, to rest and refit. From there they will be used either in the DEI or for a drive into Burma. They could conceivably be used to launch an assault south towards Timor or the Solomons. We’ll be ready when they do.”
In a related event, the Japanese have landed in Kendari where they met the determined resistance of the Dutch Kendari garrison reinforced by two Australian Pioneer battalions, the 2/1 and 2/2 AIF. The invading forces have been identified as the 144th Infantry regiment of the IJA.
It had to happen eventually, and it happened yesterday. The Japanese launched a massive attack on the Bataan peninsula and were finally able to overrun the garrison.
“What next?” we asked Adm. Nimitz in a rare interview.
“We assume the IJA will now move their troops back to Manila, to rest and refit. From there they will be used either in the DEI or for a drive into Burma. They could conceivably be used to launch an assault south towards Timor or the Solomons. We’ll be ready when they do.”
In a related event, the Japanese have landed in Kendari where they met the determined resistance of the Dutch Kendari garrison reinforced by two Australian Pioneer battalions, the 2/1 and 2/2 AIF. The invading forces have been identified as the 144th Infantry regiment of the IJA.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 3rd 1942.
Japanese forces continue to wear down the defenses at Singapore after another attack where they suffered about six thousand casualties versus two thousand for the allies. The fortifications however continue to be degraded by the constant pounding and the action of the enemy engineers.
May 6th 1942 It’s a matter of Time.
Another massive assault on the Gibraltar of the East was repelled by the allied defenders. Losses were higher for the good guys this time with three thousand casualties reported. The enemy’s losses are estimated at five thousand. Most of the deep fortifications have been reduced to rubble and are now little better than foxholes. The beleaguered city cannot hold out for much longer.
May 8th 1942
Enemy attacks on Kendari continue to be repelled by the Dutch/Australian defenders.
There has been no action in Singapore, aside from sporadic harassing fire since the assault on the 5th. The Japanese attackers must be as battle weary and worn out as the defenders.
May 9th 1942
We have been informed that last night’s attack on Kendari reduced the fortifications to rubble. We fear that a new assault might force the defenders to withdraw from the town and harbor making the task of supplying them much more difficult, if not impossible.
Japanese forces continue to wear down the defenses at Singapore after another attack where they suffered about six thousand casualties versus two thousand for the allies. The fortifications however continue to be degraded by the constant pounding and the action of the enemy engineers.
May 6th 1942 It’s a matter of Time.
Another massive assault on the Gibraltar of the East was repelled by the allied defenders. Losses were higher for the good guys this time with three thousand casualties reported. The enemy’s losses are estimated at five thousand. Most of the deep fortifications have been reduced to rubble and are now little better than foxholes. The beleaguered city cannot hold out for much longer.
May 8th 1942
Enemy attacks on Kendari continue to be repelled by the Dutch/Australian defenders.
There has been no action in Singapore, aside from sporadic harassing fire since the assault on the 5th. The Japanese attackers must be as battle weary and worn out as the defenders.
May 9th 1942
We have been informed that last night’s attack on Kendari reduced the fortifications to rubble. We fear that a new assault might force the defenders to withdraw from the town and harbor making the task of supplying them much more difficult, if not impossible.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 11th 1942. The War of the Impossible.
That’s what we could call the developing drama that is the defense of the Dutch East Indies and the fortress city of Singapore. On one hand, the Dutch-Australian defenders at Kendari, their hasty fortifications destroyed, withstand assault after assault by the numerically superior enemy, and do not yield.
On the other, in Singapore, the defenders dig in the rubble as fast as the Japanese engineers blow them out of it. Japan launched yet another all out assault on the garrison at a cost of more than 5000 casualties. The defenders lost around 1600.
Persistent, tenacious defense against impossible odds is the theme of this war so far.
May 13th 1942. Invasion force off Kendari.
A new invasion force appeared yesterday off the cratered beaches of the Dutch harbor of Kendari.
Japanese reinforcements stormed ashore as a flight of 8 Blenheim IV bombers raced in at 5000 feet. The fast bombers scored two hits on one of the ships unloading at the beach, later identified as xAK Kosei Maru. Two Dutch submarines are also reported to have tried to tangle with the invaders with no success.
As of now, Kendari still holds.
May 14th 1942. Naval Battle at Kendari.
Every now and then, when conditions are right, the allied forces strike a blow at the enemy. Picking the right time is important.
In essence, it’s all a matter of timing for both sides. Japan needs time to seize the oil and resources it craves, before its own reserves run out and its war economy grinds to a halt, before time runs out.
The allies need time too. Time to put forces in place and to build bastions that can withstand the enemy assault and then turn it back. The fierce resistance of the defenders at Bataan first and Singapore second has tied up the enemy’s sorely needed forces.
Time for a small, almost token reinforcement at Kendari that has, however, caused the enemy assault to stall, that has required reinforcements to be brought to bear; troops that were, surely, destined to go somewhere else.
At Makassar, they were thwarted. At Kendari they stalled.
Yesterday night, the allied navies showed that they, too, can be daring. Under cover of night, a force of nine destroyers led by the USN Paul Jones and including USS Pope, Dutch Tjerk Heddes, and RN’s Decoy, Encounter, Fortune, Isis, Nestor and Nizam dashed in, surprising and attacking the enemy invasion task force. The enemy's many light escorts prevented a rout by sacrificing themselves to protect the merchants. Even so, the results were very one sided:
DMS W-9, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DMS W-15, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DMS W-20, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PB Kyo Maru #11, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PB Shonan Maru #1, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PB Shonan Maru #2, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
SC Ch 6, Shell hits 1, on fire
SC Ch 10, Shell hits 2
xAK Kosei Maru, on fire.
xAK Yamagiku Maru, Shell hits 4
xAK Yuzan Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
xAK Toyokawa Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Kosin Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Aki Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Soyo Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Ueizuru Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Yasuteru Maru, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Chuko Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire
The enemy finally was able to escape with 16 intact merchants.
There was a price to be paid for this raid however.
By dawn, the allied destroyers were withdrawing, at full speed, back to their base when the alarm broke out.
Enemy aircraft, 13 dive bombers, and 24 Zero fighters were sighted. The bombers screamed their way on to the allied ships that put up a wall of AA fire and weaved this way and that on the blue sea. 4 Val bombers were damaged, but one small bomb hit USS Pope. The carrier aircraft were assumed to be operating at extreme range since the bombs were identified as the small 60 Kg ones and not the larger, 250Kg ordnance these dive bombers usually carry.
Blenheim bombers attacked Kendari in the afternoon but did not hit anything. They did confirm the heavy damage and fire on the xAK Kosei Maru.
That’s what we could call the developing drama that is the defense of the Dutch East Indies and the fortress city of Singapore. On one hand, the Dutch-Australian defenders at Kendari, their hasty fortifications destroyed, withstand assault after assault by the numerically superior enemy, and do not yield.
On the other, in Singapore, the defenders dig in the rubble as fast as the Japanese engineers blow them out of it. Japan launched yet another all out assault on the garrison at a cost of more than 5000 casualties. The defenders lost around 1600.
Persistent, tenacious defense against impossible odds is the theme of this war so far.
May 13th 1942. Invasion force off Kendari.
A new invasion force appeared yesterday off the cratered beaches of the Dutch harbor of Kendari.
Japanese reinforcements stormed ashore as a flight of 8 Blenheim IV bombers raced in at 5000 feet. The fast bombers scored two hits on one of the ships unloading at the beach, later identified as xAK Kosei Maru. Two Dutch submarines are also reported to have tried to tangle with the invaders with no success.
As of now, Kendari still holds.
May 14th 1942. Naval Battle at Kendari.
Every now and then, when conditions are right, the allied forces strike a blow at the enemy. Picking the right time is important.
In essence, it’s all a matter of timing for both sides. Japan needs time to seize the oil and resources it craves, before its own reserves run out and its war economy grinds to a halt, before time runs out.
The allies need time too. Time to put forces in place and to build bastions that can withstand the enemy assault and then turn it back. The fierce resistance of the defenders at Bataan first and Singapore second has tied up the enemy’s sorely needed forces.
Time for a small, almost token reinforcement at Kendari that has, however, caused the enemy assault to stall, that has required reinforcements to be brought to bear; troops that were, surely, destined to go somewhere else.
At Makassar, they were thwarted. At Kendari they stalled.
Yesterday night, the allied navies showed that they, too, can be daring. Under cover of night, a force of nine destroyers led by the USN Paul Jones and including USS Pope, Dutch Tjerk Heddes, and RN’s Decoy, Encounter, Fortune, Isis, Nestor and Nizam dashed in, surprising and attacking the enemy invasion task force. The enemy's many light escorts prevented a rout by sacrificing themselves to protect the merchants. Even so, the results were very one sided:
DMS W-9, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DMS W-15, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DMS W-20, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PB Kyo Maru #11, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PB Shonan Maru #1, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PB Shonan Maru #2, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
SC Ch 6, Shell hits 1, on fire
SC Ch 10, Shell hits 2
xAK Kosei Maru, on fire.
xAK Yamagiku Maru, Shell hits 4
xAK Yuzan Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
xAK Toyokawa Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Kosin Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Aki Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Soyo Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Ueizuru Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Yasuteru Maru, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Chuko Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire
The enemy finally was able to escape with 16 intact merchants.
There was a price to be paid for this raid however.
By dawn, the allied destroyers were withdrawing, at full speed, back to their base when the alarm broke out.
Enemy aircraft, 13 dive bombers, and 24 Zero fighters were sighted. The bombers screamed their way on to the allied ships that put up a wall of AA fire and weaved this way and that on the blue sea. 4 Val bombers were damaged, but one small bomb hit USS Pope. The carrier aircraft were assumed to be operating at extreme range since the bombs were identified as the small 60 Kg ones and not the larger, 250Kg ordnance these dive bombers usually carry.
Blenheim bombers attacked Kendari in the afternoon but did not hit anything. They did confirm the heavy damage and fire on the xAK Kosei Maru.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 15th 1942. Successes, and worries.
Yesterday was a good day for the RAF:
9 Swordfish based on Timor attacked an enemy transport task force just north of Lomblen. The biplanes scored three hits, two on AK Keisho Maru and one on AK Azuma Maru. Intelligence from a nearby submarine reported that the ships were carrying troops. 4 Blenheim bombers attacked next dropping their eggs from 5000 feet but the heavy smoke pouring from Azuma Maru did not allow the pilots to evaluate the results of their attack.
Later in the day, near the island of Taliaboe, 4 Hudson I patrol bombers attacked and hit xAK Tsuyama Maru with one 250Kg bomb.
Here is where the worries come in. This particular task force had an escort of Zero fighters that could only have come from a carrier task force lurking nearby. The size of that task force remains undetermined.
Back to Lomblen: 6 Blenheims paid a visit to the Japanese task force. Azuma Maru, on fire was still afloat and was hit again by one bomb.
When the 9 Swordfish returned for the evening raid, they again scored three hits, one on xAK Shirogane Maru and two on xAK Tenzan Maru. A different flight of Blenheims attacked soon after. They documented the fires consuming Keisho Maru, but missed her and her consort xAK Takaoka Maru.
It was not a totally one sided fight though as, in the afternoon, 23 carrier dive bombers escorted by Zero and Claude fighters attacked AVP Poolster near Makassar. Hit by four 250Kg bombs, the ship foundered shortly afterwards.
In Singapore, a new enemy assault was repelled with 3000 losses on the allied side and about 2000 on the Japanese side. It appears that the defenders, exhausted, are not going to hang in there much longer.
In Kendari, a reinforced enemy consisting of
Kimura Det
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
24th Infantry Regiment
Sasebo 8th SNLF
144th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion, and the 1st Naval Construction Battalion, attacked the defending garrison. The Kendari Garrison Batallion, Base force and the Australian 2/1 AIF Pioneer bn, 2/2 AIF Pioneer, and the 17th Australian brigade repelled the attacked with losses of about 400 men on both sides.
Immediately after the attack, the defenders counterattacked. Though the Japanese were not driven back, they suffered an additional 200 losses at a cost of only 70 casualties on our side.
Yesterday was a good day for the RAF:
9 Swordfish based on Timor attacked an enemy transport task force just north of Lomblen. The biplanes scored three hits, two on AK Keisho Maru and one on AK Azuma Maru. Intelligence from a nearby submarine reported that the ships were carrying troops. 4 Blenheim bombers attacked next dropping their eggs from 5000 feet but the heavy smoke pouring from Azuma Maru did not allow the pilots to evaluate the results of their attack.
Later in the day, near the island of Taliaboe, 4 Hudson I patrol bombers attacked and hit xAK Tsuyama Maru with one 250Kg bomb.
Here is where the worries come in. This particular task force had an escort of Zero fighters that could only have come from a carrier task force lurking nearby. The size of that task force remains undetermined.
Back to Lomblen: 6 Blenheims paid a visit to the Japanese task force. Azuma Maru, on fire was still afloat and was hit again by one bomb.
When the 9 Swordfish returned for the evening raid, they again scored three hits, one on xAK Shirogane Maru and two on xAK Tenzan Maru. A different flight of Blenheims attacked soon after. They documented the fires consuming Keisho Maru, but missed her and her consort xAK Takaoka Maru.
It was not a totally one sided fight though as, in the afternoon, 23 carrier dive bombers escorted by Zero and Claude fighters attacked AVP Poolster near Makassar. Hit by four 250Kg bombs, the ship foundered shortly afterwards.
In Singapore, a new enemy assault was repelled with 3000 losses on the allied side and about 2000 on the Japanese side. It appears that the defenders, exhausted, are not going to hang in there much longer.
In Kendari, a reinforced enemy consisting of
Kimura Det
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
24th Infantry Regiment
Sasebo 8th SNLF
144th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion, and the 1st Naval Construction Battalion, attacked the defending garrison. The Kendari Garrison Batallion, Base force and the Australian 2/1 AIF Pioneer bn, 2/2 AIF Pioneer, and the 17th Australian brigade repelled the attacked with losses of about 400 men on both sides.
Immediately after the attack, the defenders counterattacked. Though the Japanese were not driven back, they suffered an additional 200 losses at a cost of only 70 casualties on our side.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 16th 1942 Short lived victory.
The Japanese carriers make an ominous appearance. To start the day, Japanese forces land at Madjene.
At Koepang, under an overcast sky, a Japanese task force unloads its cargo at Koepang. 8 Swordfish, 2 Albacores and 8 Blenheims try to repeat yesterday’s feats. They encounter 32 Zeros and 2 Claudes on CAP. Only the Blenheims get through but fail to hit xAK Shinko Maru.
Clear skies reign over Lautem where an allied task force unloads its cargo feverishly. 13 Kate torpedo bombers and 26 Val dive bombers barrel in. DD Hotspur sinks from a single torpedo hit. xAP Neleus takes three bomb impacts as does xAKL Legazpi. DD Peary catches fire from a single bomb hit.
6 Blenheims attempt to attack the enemy at Koepang, but after 4 losses to the Zero CAP, they have to return.
The naval strike aircraft return to Lautem and now, light cruiser Hobart takes 6 bomb hits, DD John D. Edwards takes 1, as does DD Edsall. xAKL Lepus sinks under one torpedo hit, and DD Peary sinks under one further bomb strike.
xAKL Latouche takes 2 bomb hits, xAP Hong Siang takes 9 bombs. Only xAKL Kanlaon II escapes unscathed. Worse than these figures are the losses among the reinforcements shipped to Lautem: 1352 casualties. 45 Infantry squads destroyed, 28 support squads destroyed, 13 Engineers, 31 guns and 21 vehicles.
In Singapore, a shock attack reduces the minimal fortifications to rubble and in Kendari, the enemy assault finally takes the town. The raid by the allied destroyers too little, too late.
The defenders retreat and head NW.
The Japanese carriers make an ominous appearance. To start the day, Japanese forces land at Madjene.
At Koepang, under an overcast sky, a Japanese task force unloads its cargo at Koepang. 8 Swordfish, 2 Albacores and 8 Blenheims try to repeat yesterday’s feats. They encounter 32 Zeros and 2 Claudes on CAP. Only the Blenheims get through but fail to hit xAK Shinko Maru.
Clear skies reign over Lautem where an allied task force unloads its cargo feverishly. 13 Kate torpedo bombers and 26 Val dive bombers barrel in. DD Hotspur sinks from a single torpedo hit. xAP Neleus takes three bomb impacts as does xAKL Legazpi. DD Peary catches fire from a single bomb hit.
6 Blenheims attempt to attack the enemy at Koepang, but after 4 losses to the Zero CAP, they have to return.
The naval strike aircraft return to Lautem and now, light cruiser Hobart takes 6 bomb hits, DD John D. Edwards takes 1, as does DD Edsall. xAKL Lepus sinks under one torpedo hit, and DD Peary sinks under one further bomb strike.
xAKL Latouche takes 2 bomb hits, xAP Hong Siang takes 9 bombs. Only xAKL Kanlaon II escapes unscathed. Worse than these figures are the losses among the reinforcements shipped to Lautem: 1352 casualties. 45 Infantry squads destroyed, 28 support squads destroyed, 13 Engineers, 31 guns and 21 vehicles.
In Singapore, a shock attack reduces the minimal fortifications to rubble and in Kendari, the enemy assault finally takes the town. The raid by the allied destroyers too little, too late.
The defenders retreat and head NW.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 17 42 Koepang.
After the fall of Kendari, the focus of battle now shifts to the island of Timor. At Koepang, the Japanese continue to land troops and supplies hindered, somewhat by the RAF and RAAF fliers. These heroic pilots cause greater havoc on the enemy than their scanty numbers and obsolete equipment would herald.
2 Blenheim and 3 Swordfish attacked the enemy task force at Koepang. They evaded the enemy fighter cover and scored a hit on xAK Yamadori Maru. The Dutch were not so lucky. Their raid with two Dornier aircraft resulted in one destroyed and one damaged beyond repair for no hits.
Meanwhile, enemy Val dive bombers sunk the troop transport xAP Ekma after 13 bomb hits. It was unfortunately loaded with troops. Many of them were rescued, sans equipment. Torpedo bombers attacked the same convoy sinking DD John D Edwards and xAKL Kanlaeon II by torpedo.
Singapore still holds.
After the fall of Kendari, the focus of battle now shifts to the island of Timor. At Koepang, the Japanese continue to land troops and supplies hindered, somewhat by the RAF and RAAF fliers. These heroic pilots cause greater havoc on the enemy than their scanty numbers and obsolete equipment would herald.
2 Blenheim and 3 Swordfish attacked the enemy task force at Koepang. They evaded the enemy fighter cover and scored a hit on xAK Yamadori Maru. The Dutch were not so lucky. Their raid with two Dornier aircraft resulted in one destroyed and one damaged beyond repair for no hits.
Meanwhile, enemy Val dive bombers sunk the troop transport xAP Ekma after 13 bomb hits. It was unfortunately loaded with troops. Many of them were rescued, sans equipment. Torpedo bombers attacked the same convoy sinking DD John D Edwards and xAKL Kanlaeon II by torpedo.
Singapore still holds.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 18th 1942. Is Timor the line in the sand?
The Japanese keep reinforcing their beach head at Koepang in the island of Timor. To date, they have landed the 33rd Division, 7th Tank regiment and the 86th Naval Guards. Opposing them are the Timor Garrison battalion, the Dili detachment, 19th Australian Brigade, the Koepang base force, 2/9th Field regiment and 6th heavy AA regiment.
Up to now, with the exception of Macassar, Japanese landings always ended up with the invader eventually taking the besieged port. There is something about this one though that may be different.
For one, allied air has scored more hits. For another, there is a spirit of determination felt around allied high command that seems to indicate that this is far enough. That the allies will retreat no further.
We hope the Japanese get the memo.
At Meiktila, the Imperial guards division launched an attack on the defenders: 1st Gloucerstershire, 12th, 9th, and 3rd Burma Rifles bn, 2nd King Own YLI bn and 104th RAF base force.
The defenders held their ground.
The Japanese keep reinforcing their beach head at Koepang in the island of Timor. To date, they have landed the 33rd Division, 7th Tank regiment and the 86th Naval Guards. Opposing them are the Timor Garrison battalion, the Dili detachment, 19th Australian Brigade, the Koepang base force, 2/9th Field regiment and 6th heavy AA regiment.
Up to now, with the exception of Macassar, Japanese landings always ended up with the invader eventually taking the besieged port. There is something about this one though that may be different.
For one, allied air has scored more hits. For another, there is a spirit of determination felt around allied high command that seems to indicate that this is far enough. That the allies will retreat no further.
We hope the Japanese get the memo.
At Meiktila, the Imperial guards division launched an attack on the defenders: 1st Gloucerstershire, 12th, 9th, and 3rd Burma Rifles bn, 2nd King Own YLI bn and 104th RAF base force.
The defenders held their ground.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 19 1942.
Sometimes failed attacks are useful, if only for reconnaissance purposes. Yesterday, two Dutch 139WH-3 bombers attacked the Japanese Battleship Hyuga. They missed, and even had they scored, the bomb damage would not have been significant given the heavy armor plate that coats the decks of the enemy capital ship. However, all is not lost as two enemy carriers were identified: CVL Zuiho and CVE Hosho.
Three Hudsons attacked the light carrier later in the day but failed to score any hits. The enemy continued to land supplies and troops at Koepang.
In Burma, the Imperial Guards finally captured Meitkila.
May 20 1942
Hudsons again attacked CVL Zuiho yesterday with no success, while the Dutch bombers attacked BB Fuso without scoring any hits either.
The allied defenders at Koepang tried a counterattack on the Japanese invaders but failed to push them back into the sea.
May 21 1942
The Dutch submarines are proving very reliable ship killers; much more than the US boats with their unreliable ordnance. SS KXVIII reports sinking a Japanese merchant identified as xAK Tatsuho Maru, hit by two torpedoes.
Sometimes failed attacks are useful, if only for reconnaissance purposes. Yesterday, two Dutch 139WH-3 bombers attacked the Japanese Battleship Hyuga. They missed, and even had they scored, the bomb damage would not have been significant given the heavy armor plate that coats the decks of the enemy capital ship. However, all is not lost as two enemy carriers were identified: CVL Zuiho and CVE Hosho.
Three Hudsons attacked the light carrier later in the day but failed to score any hits. The enemy continued to land supplies and troops at Koepang.
In Burma, the Imperial Guards finally captured Meitkila.
May 20 1942
Hudsons again attacked CVL Zuiho yesterday with no success, while the Dutch bombers attacked BB Fuso without scoring any hits either.
The allied defenders at Koepang tried a counterattack on the Japanese invaders but failed to push them back into the sea.
May 21 1942
The Dutch submarines are proving very reliable ship killers; much more than the US boats with their unreliable ordnance. SS KXVIII reports sinking a Japanese merchant identified as xAK Tatsuho Maru, hit by two torpedoes.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
.May 24 1942. The Dutch East Indies heat up.
On the 21st, enemy battleships shelled Batavia. The enemy continues to land supplies at Koepang hindered slightly by allied aircraft. Yesterday, a Dutch Dornier 24K-1 hit transport xAK Maya Maru, reported as heavily damaged.
b]May 25, 42[/b]
Battleship Mutsu, and heavy cruisers Kako and Furutaka bombard Koepang in support of the invasion force. The capital ships escaped damage by a weak allied air attack later in the day.
In Burma, the Japanese continue to advance towards Meitkila, faced with the allied fighting retreat towards Scwhebo.
May 26th 42. Japanese carrier hit!
Near Semarang, yesterday, an allied force of 13 139WH3, 11 B-339D and 5 Hudsons boldly attacked a Japanese carrier task force. The enemy CAP, surprised, was only able to put up two Claudes and ten Zero fighters. The unescorted bombers got through, losing only two 139s and two B-339s and this time, they scored! CV Shokaku took a hit on the flight deck. I bet that rattled the enemy admiral’s cage.
The allied bombers returned in the evening but were unable to score.
May 28th 1942
Sporadic attacks on the enemy carrier force that still prowls in the Java sea have been uncoordinated and the piecemeal approach has been unable to penetrate the CAP put up by the Japanese.
Yesterday in Singapore, the Japanese launched an all out attack. The defenders had managed to rebuild their fortifications to a third level and were able to resist causing 5400 casualties to the enemy for allied losses of 1100. The damage to the fortifications reduced them to second degree, but it is thought that the enemy will take a while to test them again.
On the 21st, enemy battleships shelled Batavia. The enemy continues to land supplies at Koepang hindered slightly by allied aircraft. Yesterday, a Dutch Dornier 24K-1 hit transport xAK Maya Maru, reported as heavily damaged.
b]May 25, 42[/b]
Battleship Mutsu, and heavy cruisers Kako and Furutaka bombard Koepang in support of the invasion force. The capital ships escaped damage by a weak allied air attack later in the day.
In Burma, the Japanese continue to advance towards Meitkila, faced with the allied fighting retreat towards Scwhebo.
May 26th 42. Japanese carrier hit!
Near Semarang, yesterday, an allied force of 13 139WH3, 11 B-339D and 5 Hudsons boldly attacked a Japanese carrier task force. The enemy CAP, surprised, was only able to put up two Claudes and ten Zero fighters. The unescorted bombers got through, losing only two 139s and two B-339s and this time, they scored! CV Shokaku took a hit on the flight deck. I bet that rattled the enemy admiral’s cage.
The allied bombers returned in the evening but were unable to score.
May 28th 1942
Sporadic attacks on the enemy carrier force that still prowls in the Java sea have been uncoordinated and the piecemeal approach has been unable to penetrate the CAP put up by the Japanese.
Yesterday in Singapore, the Japanese launched an all out attack. The defenders had managed to rebuild their fortifications to a third level and were able to resist causing 5400 casualties to the enemy for allied losses of 1100. The damage to the fortifications reduced them to second degree, but it is thought that the enemy will take a while to test them again.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 29 1942
Japanese forces capture Pare Pare and Kolaka while allied defenders repel yet another all out attack on the island fortress of Singapore. This however was not done without significant losses as the defenders suffered 1848 casualties for 675 on the Japanese side. An allied unit as yet unidentified was lost in the battle.
May 31st 1942
The Japanese, determined to capture Koepang bring yet another task force of reinforcement and supplies to the beleaguered port. Allied air attacks prove ineffective in the face of carrier aircraft defending the enemy task forces. Semarang was also invaded by enemy forces.
Japanese forces capture Pare Pare and Kolaka while allied defenders repel yet another all out attack on the island fortress of Singapore. This however was not done without significant losses as the defenders suffered 1848 casualties for 675 on the Japanese side. An allied unit as yet unidentified was lost in the battle.
May 31st 1942
The Japanese, determined to capture Koepang bring yet another task force of reinforcement and supplies to the beleaguered port. Allied air attacks prove ineffective in the face of carrier aircraft defending the enemy task forces. Semarang was also invaded by enemy forces.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
May 31st 1942 EXTRA! Lautern Invaded!
Late breaking news. The BBC announced this evening that Japanese forces have landed at Lautern, on the Eastern end of Timor. The island is now beset on both sides.
Elements of the Kimura Detachment and the 148 Infantry Regiment have landed and established a beachhead at Lautern. The defenders include the 16th Australian Brigade, the 2nd RAN base force and the 2nd KNIL AA Battalion.
“Timor shall hold,” said Prime Minister Curtin in a rare interview given to the BBC.
Late breaking news. The BBC announced this evening that Japanese forces have landed at Lautern, on the Eastern end of Timor. The island is now beset on both sides.
Elements of the Kimura Detachment and the 148 Infantry Regiment have landed and established a beachhead at Lautern. The defenders include the 16th Australian Brigade, the 2nd RAN base force and the 2nd KNIL AA Battalion.
“Timor shall hold,” said Prime Minister Curtin in a rare interview given to the BBC.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
Edited for dates
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
Edited for dates!
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
-
Smoky Stoker
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:34 pm
RE: Major battle in the IO
i checked my calendars, and all of them say June comes after May.
"Leveling large cities has a tendency to alienate the affections of the inhabitants and does not create an atmosphere of international good will after the war." -Rear Admiral Daniel V. Gallery