The Battle Under: The Allies Fight Back

[tocaff]

April 6, 1945 Ulithi

Intel

295872 men are based at Osaka/Kobe.
Yokosuka Reserve Coastal Artillery Regiment is located at Tokyo.
8th Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
9th Division is located at Mutanchiang.
131st IJN Base Force is located at Palembang.
109th IJA Base Force is located at Yenen.
1st Guards Mixed Brigade is located at Tokyo.
44th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Soerabaja.
61st Division is located at Tokyo.
35th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Krung Thep.
57th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Kanazawa.
6172 men are based at Taipei.
15th AA Regiment is located at Nagoya.
2nd AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
Chinhae Bay Fortress is located at Pusan.
Ankei SNLF is located at Changsha.
2nd Division is located at Ominato.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Hue vacant
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Victoria Point 7 LCUs 17680/76/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 9740/23/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 86960/845/13
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 1 X SS, 1 X AP, 13 LCUs 88300/617/6
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Clark Field 5 LCUs 10780/57/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Samarinda vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Aparri 1 LCU

Combat

The SS S-30 hit a TK with 2 torpedoes that sank it 20 miles SE of Belitung.

The AK Allegan was struck by a torpedo 17 miles SE of Tori Shima. The small convoy's escorts then found and clobbered the Japanese sub though no kill was awarded.

At Pescadores 2 X PC found and started clearing a minefield.

At Buin the 140th IJN Base Force was hit by 48 X B-25J for very light casualties.

Toyohara was bombed by 53 X B-24D, 5 X A-26B (5 damaged) and 2 X P-51D. The port was lightly damaged, there were many fuel and secondary explosions explosions, while personnel losses were placed at moderate.

Near Wakkanai 2 Japanese AKs were attacked by 7 X B-24D, 5 X A-26B and 13 X P-51D. One was hit by 6 bombs and the other absorbed 4 shell hits and 2 bombs. Both ships died.

96 miles SW of Osaka 7 X PB4Y tried to attack the IJN warships. 4 were destroyed by the CAP of 4 X Jack, 7 X Zeke, 7 X Oscar and 6 X Randy. The others turned away and never dropped anything as they couldn't get near the ships. 4 Zekes and 3 Randys were damaged in the engagement.

At Naga continued artillery exchanges saw the Allies take very light losses while the Japanese sustained very heavy casualties.

The SS Whale is expected at Shikka by tomorrow morning.

The loading of men and material for Operation Noose is now in full swing and the assault ships are expected to sail within the next 2 days.

The Palawan is loading crated B-25Js that she'll be transporting as part of Operation Noose. Red and the rest of the crew have no idea where this will take them. They figure that it's a fairly long way off and some base in the middle of nowhere otherwise why not fly the planes there? The main topic of discussion at last night's meal was why the Japanese don't give up the fight. “It's pretty clear that they're getting thumped and thrown back everywhere that there's a fight,” one of the crew said. The guys want to get on with leading normal lives.

Phil is as happy as the pig in s*$¨. He's standing on the bridge of the DD Douglas Fox which is the flag ship for 6 DDs in an ASW TF and it's all his. His destroyers are sailing with 2 CVTFs that are the advance muscle for Operation Noose. He owes Admiral Landy big time for this. As he was trying to sleep last night he was second guessing himself as to if he was up to this or not. Finally he decided that he's been preparing for this and more his entire naval career. Now he's well rested and raring to go.

Reports flow in over his desk and Bill wonders why he feels like his command is a big steel, floating desk. He got off some letters to Sandy this morning and he expects that'll be it for a while as this Operation Noose gets under way.

Sarajevo fell to Yugoslav partisans.

Konigsberg was assaulted today.

The fight for Vienna began.

Victory Points Allied 58780 Japanese 40536

[tocaff]

April 7, 1945 Naga

Intel

81st Division is located at Tokyo.
145th Division is located at Kitakyushu.
216th Division is located at Nagasaki.
6170 men are based at Taipei.
Kitachishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
1st Mixed Brigade is located at Mutanchiang.
34th Road Construction Battalion is located at Kweilin.
Kitachishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
11th AA Regiment is located at Osaka/Kobe.
28th Division is located at Changchun.
33853 men are based at Hamamatsu.
29547 men are based at Tsitsihar.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Bandou vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Samarinda vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 85440/923/12
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 1 X SS, 1 X AP, 13 LCUs 87600/628/7
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Clark Field 5 LCUs 11320/71/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Hanoi 13 bombers, 3 LCUs 4000/19/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Saigon 3 X AP, 1 X TK, 3 X CA, 12 X DE, 1 LCU 4560/18/0

Combat

SS Finback, about 88 miles E of Camranh Bay, attacked and hit a lone AK with a torpedo.

Toyohara was bombed by 88 X B-29, 18 X P-51D, 32 XP-47D and 23 X P-38J for heavy manpower damage. Later 56 X B-24D, 6 X A-26B (1 downed), 18 X P-51D, 29 X P-47D and 15 X P-38J hit the port for moderate damage, there were many secondary explosions including a pair of fuel eruptions and troop losses were very light.

Balikpapan underwent a fighter sweep made by 24 X P-51D and a raid by 31 X B-24J and 130 X P-38J. The CAP of 21 X Zeke and 16 X Tony was wiped out. A P-38J was damaged in the furball and the AA fire damaged a Liberator. The port was lightly damaged, there were a few secondary explosions and personnel losses were light.

At Naga the IJA 16th Division was hit by 66 X B-24D, 38 X B-17E, 38 X B-25J (1 downed, 21 damaged) and 18 X P-38J for heavy casualties. Artillery exchanges produced heavy Japanese losses and no Allied casualties.

At Buin the140th IJN Base Force saw 36 Mitchells fail to harm the unit.

Stalin asks about the repositioning of units and he's told that air units are a problem as more support units are needed and he's told that they won't be arriving in the area until the end of May.

The Lucky 11 will fly tomorrow as a scheduled maximum effort against the aircraft engine factories at Shimuzu. All of the B-29s located in the Marianas will take part in the raid. Gil has a nagging feeling about this mission and he's scared. He keeps this to himself and he writes to his family and Elaine before trying to go to sleep.

Jay spent another day huddled in his hole, but at least the Japanese threw very little at his unit's area and even that was off target. Now he understands why his father told him to join the Navy like his brother did. The last time he heard from home they said that his brother had gained 10 pounds and that his ship even had ice cream. Some would be great to have now in this sweltering heat. Some of the guys have cut the sleeves of their uniforms shorter or even completely off. Nobody seems to care as there's plenty more important stuff to worry about.

The US 1st Army took Gottingen, 25 miles NE of Kassel.

The US 9th Army captured Hameln and Eisenach.

The Germans evacuated the last of their troops from Sarajero.

Victory Points Allied 58872 Japanese 40664

[tocaff]

April 8, 1945 Guam

Intel

33rd Army is located at Bangkok.
14291 men are based at Saipan.
5th AA Regiment is located at Gumma.
303rd Division is located at Kagoshima.
Elements of the 18th Mixed Brigade are located at Haichow.
63rd Division is located at Chengting.
125th Division is located at Tokyo.
8 men are based at Okayama.
273088 men are based at Ominato.
Sasebo 1st SNLF is planning for an attack on Legaspi.
5th Engineer Regiment is located at Changkufeng.
1st Mortar Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
107th Division is located at Changchun.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Canton 10 bombers, 38 aux, 3 LCUs 19800/130/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 30 LCUs
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Songkhia 1 LCU 0/8/115
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Jesselton 1 LCU 2180/30/2
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Brunei 1 X CA, 1 X DD, 5 X PT, 16 fighters, 40 bombers, 36 aux, 2 LCUs 18520/235/2
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 85520/855/10
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Samarinda vacant

Combat

Shimuzu was bombed by 100 X B-29 and the Mitsubishi engine factory was heavily damaged. Later 129 X B-29 did light damage to the Nakajima engine factory. Another strike of 242 X B-29 did very heavy damage to the Mitsubishi engine factory.

Asahigawa was hit by 88 X B-29, 53 X B-24D, 31 X P-47D and 26 X P-38J for moderate damage to the Mitsubishi engine factory.

Homan was struck by 78 X B-25J (2 damaged) and 20 X P-40N. The airfield was moderately damaged, there were some secondary explosions, 2 X Theresa and 2 X Ida were destroyed and casualties were very light.

Bangkok was bashed by 153 X Liberator VI and 27 X B-24J for moderate airfield damage, very heavy damage to the port, a fuel tank blew up, there were a great number of secondary explosions and personnel losses were very heavy.

At Tavoy the IJA 37th Division was hit by 12 X Mosquito FB.VI (1 damaged) and 18 X Thunderbolt II for light casualties. The IJA 37th Division was visited by 35 X Mosquito FB.VI, 42 X B-25J (2 damaged) and 9 X Spitfire VIII who dished out heavy troop losses.

At Naga the IJA 16th Division had moderately heavy casualties from 25 X B-24D, 6 X B-17E, 12 X B-25J (1 downed, 2 damaged) and 5 X P-38J. The 130th IJNAF Base Force had very heavy losses from 44 X B-24D, 18 X B-17E, 28 X B-25J (5 damaged) and 13 X P-38J. Japanese artillery failed to do any harm and the Allied barrages inflicted very heavy losses on the Japanese.

The SS Finback, 73 miles E of Camranh Bay, hit a lone AK with a torpedo that did heavy damage and started a fire.

The mission to Shimuzu was long and mercifully uneventful. Gil is pooped despite napping fitfully on the flight. Gil has heard that the Army Air Corps constantly was raising the number of missions required before you could rotate out and he wonders if the same will be true here. He figures that with Germany collapsing soon there will be plenty more planes to level Japan with.

Scuttlebutt has it that the 2nd Marine Division isn't going to get that much time to rest. Some new operation is in the offing and the 2nd will be a part of it. Slim tries to take some comfort in knowing that scuttlebutt is rarely right about anything, but you never know.

Jay is sick and tired of being shelled, wet, tired and everything else this miserable existence has pressed on him. He wants to write a letter, but a sudden shower has popped up each time he has tried, destroying his efforts. Everyone's morale is dropping. The guys are even starting to wonder out loud if anybody running this war knows what they're doing. Jay's heard that there's about 500,000 Japanese troops on this island and he feels like they're all trying to kill him.

Gene leaves the building after the meeting finally ended. He can't believe that the only thing that they can agree on is disagreement. Finally he suggested that maybe they all needed some time to think and that rest would be a good thing. Tomorrow the man from his old job will be speaking to them and Gene expects to hear lots of questions.

The British reached Hiblesheim.

The US 7th Army took Pforzheim.

Victory Points Allied 59256 Japanese 40687

[tocaff]

April 9, 1945 Saipan

Intel

2504 men are based at Ikitsuki.
7253 men are based at Hanoi.
4th Army is located at Harbin.
24th Division is located at Harbin.
Elements of the 10th Ind. Brigade are located at Hengchow.
Kembu Force is located at Kadina.
37810 men are based at Nagasaki.
Kitachishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
67th Construction Battalion is located at Gumma.
51st Construction Battalion is located at Changchun.
1837 men are based at Hungnam.
87919 men are based at Pescadores.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Saigon 12 X AP, 2 X AK, 10 X DE, 3 X CA, 21 fighters, 21 bombers, 32 aux, 1 LCU 7600/31/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Alor Star 30 bombers, 18 aux, 5 LCUs 24620/199/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Malacca vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 84580/914/8
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 1 X SS, 1 X AP, 13 LCUs 81880/602/7

Combat

The SS Archerfish, 26 miles SE of Shanghai, was mercilessly pounded by 3 PCs who sank the sub.

The SS Besugo, 258 miles E of Shanghai, hit an AK with 2 torpedoes setting it on fire with heavy damage. Troops were observed going into the water.

Asahigawa was attacked by 65 X B-29, 55 X B-24D, 13 X P-51D and 25 X P-38J. 4 X Rufe, 6 X Zeke, 7 X Tojo, 8 X Frank and 7 X Tony tried to stop the Allied planes and a furball with the bomber's escorts resulted. The Japanese lost 4 Rufes, 4 Zekes, 6 Tojos, 2 Franks (4 damaged) and 7 Tonys. 2 Mustangs (2 damaged) and 3 Lightnings (1 damaged) were lost and the AA fire damaged 5 B-29s and 4 B-24Ds. The Mitsubishi engine factory took light damage.

At Buin the 140th IJN Base Force was hit by 48 X B-25J who never got to drop their bombs due to low, dense cloud cover.

The Japanese ships near Balikpapan were being protected by 11 X Zeke and 9 X Tony when and attack was made by 24 X B-24J, 16 X PB4Y, 12 X P-51D, and 101 X P-38J. The Allied fighters turned away the Japanese interceptors downing 11 Zekes and 8 Tonys while 2 Lightnings were damaged. The bombers had a free run and they scored repeatedly.
PC Conan Maru #6 1 bomb hit, on fire
TK Mitu Maru 2 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
TK Goyo Maru 2 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
PC Shonan Maru #6 3 bomb hits, sunk
PG Tosho Maru 2 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage

At Naga the Japanese artillery was ineffectual and the Allied guns inflicted very heavy casualties on the Japanese.

More ships sailed today for Operation Noose and even more are scheduled for the next day or two.

The Lucky 11 have survived another mission and Gil happily drops from the plane's belly. He lands funny and twists his ankle and has to be helped to a waiting truck to get back to their hut. The guys tease him that he won't be getting a Purple Heart or even out of flight duty as he'll heal by the next mission. Gil has no intention of letting them down and not flying with his crew.

Slim sips on a beer with his back to a palm tree. This is the life, he thinks. He's still in a tattered uniform, but who cares as long as he's alive. The unit has been drawing replacements, but slowly and instead of only getting volunteers the Marine Corps has draftees now. Always new guys to break in before they get killed, he thinks to himself as he gets up to go and talk to them.

Pete waits while his tea brews and reads the newspaper. All of the news from Europe astounds him and he wonders why the Germans don't pack it in. The Japanese are a whole different beast.

The Russians declared that Konigsberg was secured today.

Victory Points Allied 59332 Japanese 40613

[tocaff]

April 10, 1945 Saipan

Intel

4th Air Army is located at Tokyo.
188503 men are based at Truk.
15th AA Regiment is located at Niigata.
51st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Soerabaja.
86th Division is located at Akita.
79012 men are based at Tori Shima.
2nd Engineer Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
3rd FF Construction Battalion is located at Anshan.
4th Construction Battalion is located at Mukden.
9th Engineer Regiment is located at Changkufeng.
500952 men are based at Hiroshima/Kure.
3rd Reserve AA Regiment is located at Matsue.
21st Reserve Engineer Regiment is located at Shimuzu.
37169 men are based at Niigata.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Haiphong 1 X AG, 1 X AP
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Kompong Trach vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 86560/854/14
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Batan Island 2 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Brunei 1 X CA, 1 X DD, 5 X PT, 2 LCUs

Combat

The SS KXII found a burning PC 33 miles S of Balikpapan and just departed the scene. The sub's skipper was heard to say that it was a waste of time and effort to make an attack. In the twilight the sub stumbled onto a lone TK 49 miles SW of Balikpapan and hit it with a torpedo that sent it to the bottom.

The SS Pike, 24 miles NW of Miri, hit an AK with 2 torpedoes that did in the ship. The escorts then proceeded to take their revenge and the sub is no more.

Asahigawa was attacked by 70 X B-29, 14 X P-51D and 35 X P-38J and the Mitsubishi engine factory took moderate damage.

At Naga the airfield was struck by 47 X B-24J (1 damaged) for moderate damage, there were many secondary explosions and casualties were moderate. The IJA 16th Division was jumped by Allied planes and had moderate losses. The IJA 103rd Division had moderately heavy casualties from an air raid. The trading of artillery barrages didn't harm the Allies, but the Japanese sustained very heavy losses.

At Buin 46 Mitchells tried and failed to harm the 140th IJN Base Force.

The weather for tomorrow is iffy, but if it holds then the Lucky 11 will be over Japan once again. This isn't to good for morale as the guys feel that they deserve more rest between missions that have them in the air for up to about 14 hours. The guys have taken to calling Gil “Gil the Gimp” or just Gimpy as he's limping around on his bad ankle. It's blown up like a balloon and purple, but when he visited the doc he was told that “It'll heal” and that's that. It's sore, but Gil figures he'll manage and if worse comes to worse the guys will hep him into and out of the plane, but they won't go anywhere without him.

Sam has noticed some white lines high in the sky from time to time and he asked around about them. Finally one of the AAC guys told him all about contrails, what causes them and that it's probably the bombers flying out of the Marianas going to or from Japan. Sam feels like the war has passed him by and he ponders that for a while. Finally he decides that the boredom is better than the combat and he'll be content to stay here, safely he hopes.

Jay peered out of his hole as bombs rained down on the Japanese positions to his unit's front. He wonders what is more awful, the bombs or the artillery and after discussing it with another member of his squad who he shares the hole with they decide that there's no difference. The only difference is if it falls on you or them.

Churchill announced that the British Empire casualty figure to date as 306,984 KIA. The total casualties are 1,126,802. Merchant Navy 34,161,KIA and POW. Civilian 59,793 KIA, 84,749 WIA.

Canadian troops took Deventer.

The British moved into Wildenhausen.

The American 9th Army is now in Hanover.

The RAF hit Kiel today and the Admiral Scheer was sunk.

The US 8 AF hit Berlin with 1,232 bombers.

The Allied freed 40,000 at Bergen-Belsen.

Victory Points Allied 59448 Japanese 40733

[tocaff]

April 11, 1945 Cotabato

Intel

4th AA Regiment is located at Gumma.
48th Construction Battalion is located at Kratie.
114th Division is located at Wuhan.
59th Ind. Mixed Brigade is planning for an attack on Hailar.
Elements of the 1st Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Paotang.
12160 men are based at Niigata.
22nd Heavy AA Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
Elements of the 32nd Division are located at Swatow.
Ryojun Fortress is located at Port Arthur.
222nd Division is located at Sendai.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Luang Prabang 1 LCU 2000/0/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tarakan vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 86240/864/14
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Sakashima 1 LCU
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Buin 1 LCU
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Camranh Bay 12 bombers, 5 aux, 5 LCUs 19240/170/4

Combat

The SS Dace hit a TK with 3 torpedoes about 198 miles E of Singapore that ripped the ship apart, making it an inferno. The PG and 2 PCs frantically searched for the sub in vain. Later in the day the Dace attacked another TK, striking it twice with fish that did heavy damage and triggered a fire. The PG and 2 PCs escorting the victim then attacked the sub. With light systems damage and moderate flooding the sub will now seek a friendly port.

An air attack on Shimuzu was made by 140 X B-29, but 4 X Zeke, 20 X Frank and 23 X Tony tried to thwart them. A Zeke. 16 Franks and 18 Tonys were damaged and 2 Franks and 2 Tonys were destroyed as the Japanese fighters and AA fire combined to claim 14 B-29 shot down and 44 took damage. The Nakajima engine plant was moderately damaged. Another raid appeared comprised of 137 X B-29 and 2 X Zeke, 9 X Frank and 10 X Tony attacked them. 2 Franks and 2 Tonys were disposed of while a Zeke, 3 Franks and 3 Tonys were damaged. The big silver birds had a plane splashed and 11 others damaged by the fighters and flak. The heavy industry was moderately damaged.

The Mitsubishi engine factory at Asahigawa was hit by 71 X B-29, 47 X B-24D, 13 X P-51D and 37 X P-38J for light damage.

Victoria Point was raided by 31 X B-24J (7 damaged) and the airfield was lightly hit and there were a couple of secondary explosions.

Tavoy was visited by 154 X Liberator VI who mined the harbor. The IJA 37th Division had negligible casualties from an air attack by 3 X Mosquito FB.VI, 15 X B-25J (12 damaged) and 3 X Thunderbolt II. The IJA 31st Division had moderate losses from 2 air attacks. The IJA 128th Ind. Mixed Brigade took negligible casualties from Allied planes.

Naga's airstrip was lightly damaged and there were very light personnel losses from an air attack. The IJA 16th Division escaped harm due to cloud cover despite the Allied planes best efforts. The IJA 103rd Division sustained moderate casualties from an air raid. The daily exchanges of artillery barrages inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese and the Allied troops escaped unscathed.

A PG was clobbered with 3 torpedo hits care of the SS S-32 79 miles SE of Banjarmasin. The only trace of the craft once the smoke cleared was some floating debris.

The SS O24, 22 miles W of Banjarmasin, hit a lone TK with a torpedo causing a fire.

The Yorktown will sail tonight and Chris will be off on the second CAP flight launched tomorrow morning. They are part of Operation Noose and more ships have yet to depart. Chris wonders where this cruise will take them, but he figures with each operation they'll just continue to get closer and closer to Japan itself. He's heard some rumors that and air group on one of the carriers is now flying Corsairs instead of Dive Bombers.

An exhausted crew climbed out of Jake's Jalopy. This was the bloodiest mission that they've flown to date. Gil visited Ham's position and he saw the plane across from them in the box blow up. The crew never had a chance to get out. Gil spent the rest of the mission sitting at his position staring at Elaine's picture.

A shower, shave and a hot meal were the highlights of Slim's day today. Somewhere in between the luxuries he managed to let the new lads feel his wrath. They were lucky he was in a good mood because when he saw how they had left their weapons he was ready to kill them. Instead he just chewed their heads off. He wonders how many times these kids need to be told that to live they need to kill and the Japanese won't be looking to make it easy for them.

The US 3rd Army is in Weimar.

The British control Celle.

The US 9th Army entered Essen, Bochun and Goslar.

The US 7th Army reached Schweinfurt.

The Soviets reached the center of Vienna.

Victory Points Allied 59709 Japanese 40791

[tocaff]

April 12, 1945 Warm Springs

Intel

11th Air Fleet is planning for an attack on Davao.
40756 men are based at Arshaan.
4653 men are based at Wakkanai.
5th AF Construction Battalion is located at Singapore.
4292 men are based at Kyoto.
3967 men are based at Osumi.
Tsushima Fortress is located at Masan.
31st Road Construction Battalion is located at Changchun.
29537 men are based at Tsitsihar.
Kaosing Fortress is located at Takao.
Arshan Garrison Regiment is planning for an attack on Arshaan.
44th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Kadina.
4th Air Army is located at Tokyo.
63 aircraft are based at Arshaan.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Taan 1 LCU 1940/9/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 30 LCUs
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 10940/20/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tarakan 1 LCU 600/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 85400/851/9
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Sakashima vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Buin 3 LCUs

Combat

The SS Kete attacked an unprotected AK at dawn about 75 miles SE of Saigon. The sub scored 6 shell and 3 torpedo hits wrecking the vessel which went down quickly.

Tokyo was swept by 63 X P-51D who were opposed by 63 X Zeke, 24 X George, 67 X Frank and 33 X Tony. In the battle there was a constant stream of planes tumbling from the sky as 33 Zekes, 10 Georges (2 damaged), 50 Franks and 24 Tonys were splashed. The toll on the Mustangs was 17 aircraft destroyed and 9 damaged.

Tavoy's harbor was mined by 150 X Liberator VI. I now know that this is a bug as I thought. I ordered this action for Bangkok and this was the result, twice. The IJA 31st Division had light losses and 3 Mosquito FB.Vs were damaged in the attack. The IJA 128th Ind. Mixed Brigade had light casualties from an air raid.

At Naga the airstrip was lightly damaged, there were some secondary explosions seen and casualties were light from 24 X B-24J (1 damaged). Today's artillery exchanges inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese and nothing to the Allies.

Chris suffered the indignation of a wave off when he was returning to the carrier. Now he's taking a ribbing from the other pilots in the squadron. He quietly takes it as it's all in good fun that allows for the blowing off of steam. The squadron exec calls for quiet and then informs the pilots of the President's death and the room stays silent.

Elaine was sitting in her living room with her mother, father and sister listening to the radio when the program was interrupted for a special announcement. President Roosevelt died today. They all looked at one another in shock. “He's been our President since 1933 and now he's gone,” Elaine says to nobody in particular.

Dave stares into space after hearing of Roosevelt’s death over the radio. He wonders what this Harry Truman guy is like and thinks that the middle of a war is no time to change leadership, even if things are going well. Sandy just sits there with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Pete tells Sandy about the deceased President and how he took over during the Great Depression and instituted programs to get America back on it's feet again through creating jobs for people. He also mentioned that FDR was either loved or hated with very little in between.

Gene was working in his cubbyhole that's called an office when a coworker stopped in to tell him of the President's death. It seems to Gene that FDR was the boss forever and now he's gone.

The US 9th Army crossed the Elbe, taking Brunswick.

The US 3rd Army took Efurt.

French troops now control Baden-Baden.

American troops entered Buchenwald C Camp.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died today from a massive cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs, Georgia. Vice President Harry S Truman was sworn in as the 33rd President of the United States of America.

Victory Points Allied 59958 Japanese 40718

[tocaff]

April 13, 1945 Legaspi

Intel

16043 men are based at Kitakyushu.
13 men are based at Taichu.
7th Tank Regiment is located at Singapore.
2nd Base Force is located at Soerabaja.
15th Army is located at Pisanuloke.
1st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Tokyo.
41st Division is located at Nanning.
53rd Heavy AA Battalion is located at Mutanchiang.
22nd Aviation Unit is located at Brunei.
125th Division is located at Tokyo.
31st AA Regiment is located at Sapporo.
16th Aviation Rgt is located at Wuhan.
26th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Palembang.
29th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Camranh Bay.
84322 men are based at Naha.
Kitachishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kai Island 5 LCUs 840/0/0
OS2U-3 Kingfisher takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 83420/812/10
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Buin 6 LCUs 460/0/0

Combat

The SS Redfish penetrated the screen of 6 C PG and 1 X PC to attack a TK 139 miles NE of Kuching. The target was struck by 3 torpedoes that caused catastrophic damage and raging fires. The Redfish then slipped away undetected as the tanker broke up and disappeared.

The SS Kete, 153 miles S of Saigon, found a lone AK and hit it with a torpedo that did heavy damage and a fire to break out.

The SS O16, 77 miles E of Singapore, hit an AK with 2 fish for heavy damage and fires. Then the 4 PCs escorting the sub's victim attacked.

At Naga the trading of artillery shellings left the Japanese with very heavy casualties and the Allies untouched.

To date the Flying Deuces, as a unit, have 55 kills. Stick still has none. The Japanese have shown no interest in Legaspi and don't fly in the Naga area either. VMF-452 has drawn the assignment of providing a LRCAP for Ed's Old Gals at they will bombard Naga tomorrow. Stick will be flying a routine CAP patrol in the afternoon. He's still shocked at Roosevelt's passing yesterday and all the guys wonder what Truman is like.

Slim looks at himself in a mirror and can't believe how much better he looks already. Today he actually got a haircut and of course he's clean shaven too. The 2nd Marine Division is supposed to be brought back up to full strength, but he has a nagging suspicion that they'll be needed again before that happens as the scuttlebutt continues about some new operation that's in full swing now. The talk among the lads is still about the President's death.

A local truce was declared so that the British could take over the Belsen C camp.

Victory Points Allied 59980 Japanese 40726




Norma Jeane Mortenson Hard At Work For Victory

[tocaff]

April 14, 1945 Naga

Intel

92135 men are based at Sapporo.
8th Division is located at Harbin.
5th AF Construction Battalion is located at Singapore.
15th Engineer Regiment is located at Amboina.
334533 men are based at Kagoshima.
13th Naval Construction Battalion is located at Naha.
56th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Tarakan.
140th IJA Base Force is located at Ominato.
248079 men are based at Takao.
122699 men are based at Camranh Bay.
53rd Division is located at Osaka/Kobe.
21st AA Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
53rd Division is located at Osaka/Kobe.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Hanoi 19 bombers, 3 LCUs 5920/17/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kiungahan vacant
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Krung Thep 8 LCUs 34700/369/1
OS2U-3 Kingfisher takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 84480/879/7
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Sakashima 1 LCU
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 1 fighter,6 aux, 6 LCUs 2380/5/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Buin 5 LCUs 320/0/0

Combat

The SS Kete hit an AK with 2 torpedoes 219 miles S of Saigon that did extensive damage and caused fires. The 2 PGs and PC escorting the victim failed to locate their tormentor. Later in the day the sub found 2 TKs being escorted by 6 PGs and a PC. A TK ate 3 fish, which killed it. The escorts gave the sub what for, but Kete managed to escape before any real damage was done.

The Old Gals conducted a naval bombardment of Naga that inflicted extremely light damage to the airstrip, light port damage, a couple of fuel explosions were seen and very heavy casualties. The IJA 16th Division had moderate losses from an air raid. The 130th IJNAF Base Force was bombed and had very heavy casualties. The artillery exchanges did no harm to the Allied forces, but the Japanese had very heavy losses.

The Allied troops unloading over beach at Kai Island took extremely heavy losses.

262 miles E of Johore Bharu the SS Trenchant attacked a TK under escort by a PG and 2 PCs. She hit her target with 2 torpedoes doing very heavy damage and triggered fires.

Shimuzu was bombed by 204 X B-29 who did extremely heavy damage to the heavy industry facilities there.

Nagoya was swept by 71 X P-51D who pounced on 14 X Frank and splashed them all before they could react to the slashing attack.

Sapporo was raided by 83 X B-29 (2 damaged), 60 X B-24D (2 damaged), 9 X P-51D (1 damaged) and 48 X P-38J. 5 X Zeke were aloft and got brushed aside by the Allied fighters who downed 3 of them. The heavy industry was heavily damaged in the attack.

Nanning was struck by 65 X B-25J and 72 X P-38J who fought their way through 3 X Zeke and 6 X Tojo who put up enough of a fight to all be shot down. 2 Lightnings were destroyed by the Japanese fighters and 3 Mitchells were downed by the AA fire (17 damaged). The airfield took moderate damage, there were a couple of secondary explosions reported, 2 Peggys and 4 Helens were burning and personnel losses were very heavy.

Bangkok was visited by 159 X Liberator VI and the flak claimed 1 while damaging 34 others. The port was extremely heavily damaged, there were a great number of secondary explosions many of which were fuel and casualties were very heavy.

73 miles E of Pamakasan the SS S-32 hit a TK with 2 torpedoes that did heavy damage and left the ship burning. The 10 PCs then jumped all over the sub, pounding her unmercifully resulting in the sub's demise.

Gene can't believe that these meetings are getting nowhere. He feels like if there are 10 people in the meeting then there are 11 opinions. All of this and not more than a few of the people take what his ex crewman says seriously. “Hey! What's wrong with you people?” says Gene. “You wanted to hear what this man had to say and then you don't listen? You're narrow minded and if you don't open up you'll never come up with anything new.” With disgust he gets up and says, “Come on and I'll buy you a beer” to the man from the yard and the two of them leave the meeting room in disgust.

Sam gave Frankie a bath and then he towels the dog as dry as he can. Frankie hated being washed, but he smelled awful. Suddenly the sky darkens and the rain comes and almost instantly Frankie is soaked again. Sam shrugs and mutters something about at least being clean as he trudges through the mud to the mess hall. The dog tags along and by the time they arrive Frankie is filthy once again. Sam has a feeling that no matter what he does or doesn't do nothing matters.

Jay heard the rumble and then what must have been the impacts of very large shells hitting what he hoped were Japanese positions. While that was going on he was trying to bale out his hole with his helmet. It's hopeless as it just keeps raining lately. He thinks that if he stays in the hole he'll drown and if he gets out a sniper will get him. “Damned if I do and damned if I don't,” he mutters.

The French forces made their final attack on the trapped Germans in Bordeaux.

British troops moved into Bremen.

The US 3rd Army took Gera and Bayreuth.

The Canadians now control the Netherlands with the remaining Germans trapped in the Atlantic Wall fortifications.

Victory Points Allied 60280 Japanese 40759

[tocaff]

April 15, 1945 Naga

Intel

14th Army is located at Victoria Point.
Maizuru Fortress is located at Maizuru.
53rd Heavy AA Battalion is located at Mutanchiang.
86th Division is located at Sapporo.
36th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Victoria Point.
Iki Fortress is located at Ikitsuki.
1st AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
6th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Wonsan.
31st Army is located at Manila.
16th Mixed Brigade is located at Soerabaja.
144th Division is located at Osaka/Kobe.
84th Division is located at Osaka/Kobe.
Elements of the 5th Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Peking.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Taan 1 LCU 1740/4/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 8 LCUs 68700/677/8
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bandou vacant
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Lautem 1 LCU 40/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 84880/804/6
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Sakashima 1 LCU
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 6 LCUs 4820/17/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Buin 5 LCUs 400/0/0

Combat

The Allied troops landing at Kai Island took heavy casualties.

The SS Trenchant, 13 miles W of Singapore, attacked a lone TK and hit it with a torpedo that caused the tanker to sink.

Nagoya was swept by 71 X P-51D who found 5 X Frank aloft. All of the Franks were splashed, a Mustang was lost and another took damage.

Sapporo was bombed by 115 X B-29 (2 damaged), 49 X B-24D (6 damaged) and 8 X P-51D. 2 Zekes were up and they ran, but the Mustangs destroyed 1 of them. The flak was moderate, but inaccurate and the oil production facilities were very heavily damaged.

Bangkok's airfield was lightly damaged, the port sustained extremely heavy damage, there were a great many secondary explosions of which many were fuel stocks and personnel losses were very heavy. Out of the 124 X Liberator VI and 20 X B-24J 1 of the former was shot down (25 damaged) and of the later a Liberator was damaged.

Balikpapan underwent a fighter sweep made by 24 X P-51D. 15 X Zeke and 6 X Tony engaged the attackers and lost 8 Zekes and 2 Tonys. A Mustang was lost in the fight.

Naga was hit by Allied aircraft for light damage to the airfield, some secondary explosions and light casualties. Another attack saw 5 Mitchells damaged by AA fire as they hit the port for light damage, many secondary explosions (most of which were fuel) and moderate losses. The IJA 103rd Division had moderate casualties from an air raid and a Liberator was damaged. The Japanese sustained heavy losses from Allied artillery while their attempts to harm the Allied troops failed once again.

At Toyohara the Karafuto Mixed Brigade was attacked by 14 X A-26B (4 damaged) and 42 X P-38J for moderate troop losses.

At Tavoy the IJA 31st Division had moderately heavy casualties and a Mosquito was damaged. The IJA 128th Ind. Mixed Brigade had moderately heavy losses and they knocked down a Mosquito and damaged 2 others.

The Chinese troops involved in Operation Noose got their marching orders and tonight they started to move towards their designated areas. Washington has been hounding Chungking to get the show on the road and the Chinese have been stubborn about moving out of their defensive positions.

London has promised Washington that they will start an offensive now that they have amassed adequate warships to protect operations from the IJN.

Jim joined Sam and they shared a couple of warm beers while they watched the Mustangs come and go. Jim still has no idea as to when his outfit will ship out or where they'll go to. Sam remarks that almost anywhere would be better than here.

Stick watched in horror as one of his pals flipped over on landing and the plane erupted in flames. The pilot never escaped. Stick can't believe the madness going on all around him. The crazy part is that he goes out on patrols and hardly ever even sees the enemy. Who will ever believe him when he gets home.

Victory Points Allied 60435 Japanese 40882

[tocaff]

April 16, 1945 Kai Island

Intel

Shimbu Force is located at Kadina.
15451 men are based at Hakodate.
18th Reserve Coastal Artillery Regiment is located at Toyama.
19th Division is planning for an attack on Mishan.
Peng Hu Fortress is located at Pescadores.
1st Division is located at Harbin.
Kembu Force is located at Kadina.
5085 men are based at Wonsan.
245 aircraft are based at Tsitsihar.
Camranh Bay Base Force is located at Camranh Bay.
68th Division is located at Sian.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Songkhia 1 LCU 0/3/60
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 5060/3/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 84360/813/12
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 1 X SS, 9 LCUs 13260/27/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 7 aux, 6 LCUs 5560/20/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Camranh Bay 33 bombers, 4 aux, 5 LCUs 10900/66/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Saigon 6 X AP, 4 X DE, 8 fighters, 13 bombers, 16 aux, 1 LCU 4160/15/0

Combat

A Helen attacked the SS Shark 89 miles SE of Banjarmasin and the sub reported being hit. The sub has moderate systems damage and heavy flooding.

The SS Flier stumbled into a lone AK about 77 miles NE of Taipei and as the sun began to rise she hit her target with the deck gun 3 times and a torpedo struck home. The AK was sinking as the sub moved off. Later the Flier hit an AK with 3 torpedoes that vaporized the vessel.

The SS O24 attacked an AK and 2 MSWs 84 miles NE of Batavia, hitting the AK with 2 fish that set the ship on fire and did heavy damage. The sub quietly made her exit from the scene undetected.

The SS Croaker, 91 miles SE of Singapore, hit a TK with a torpedo that did heavy damage to the ship. The screening vessels, 1 PG and 6 PCs desperately searched for the sub in vain. Later the Croaker attacked a TK 19 miles E of Sinkep Island, hitting it with 2 torpedoes that triggered a fire and did heavy damage. The PG and 6 PCs in attendance found and pounded the sub for light systems damage and moderately heavy flooding.

The SS Trenchant was about 23 miles E of Singapore when it tried and failed to attack a solitary TK.

Balikpapan was swept by 23 X P-51D and of the 5 X Zeke and 3 X Tony that were in the air only a Tony survived.

Artillery exchanges at Naga produced negligible Allied casualties and very heavy Japanese personnel losses.

The Allied assault at Kai Island carried the day. The Japanese units disintegrated and the island has been declared as secured.

President Truman has been briefed on Operation Noose and he stared at his military advisers and said, “Do you really believe that this will work and that the Japanese won't respond with a huge force?”

PM Curtin has made good on his word that given the ships to carry his boys they would push the Japanese away from Australia. Plans are already in full swing for the attack on Timor.

Tomorrow the Lucky 11 will be part of a raid scheduled to hit the factories at Hamamatsu. A fighter sweep out of Tori Shima is supposed to clear the sky of Japanese fighters. The guys talk it over and they all agree that either the fighters won't show or once they leave the Jap fighters will be all over them. “..and then there's always the flak,” says Brownie.

Phil's DDs are constantly on the lookout for enemy subs and they've prosecuted some false contacts already. As the sun was going down Phil caught sight of one of the new fast BBs and he wonders if it's Bill's ship. There are so many ships of so many different types involved in Noose that he's amazed. He thinks that only a few years ago the Japanese had them on the run and now they’re being crushed.

The US 1st Army moved into Solingen and Wuppertal.

Hitler issued his last order to the Eastern Front. “He who gives orders to retreat...is to be shot on the spot.”

The Russians started the final offensive towards Berlin.

The German liner Goya was torpedoed by a Russian sub. 6,500 wounded soldiers and refugees were killed in the attack.

Victory Points Allied 60477 Japanese 40892

[tocaff]

April 17, 1945 Cagayan

Intel

Kembu Force is located at Kadina.
31st Road Construction Battalion is located at Changchun.
30881 men are based at Toyohara.
1st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Tokyo.
56th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Harbin.
144th IJN Base Force is located at Manila.
8th Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
7th Tank Regiment is located at Singapore.
110th IJA Base Force is located at Haichow.
140th Division is located at Tokyo.
209th Division is located at Kanazawa.
24548 men are based at Seoul.
58th Construction Battalion is located at Takamatsu.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Alor Star 15 bombers, 9 aux, 5 LCUs 13180/130/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Georgetown 38 bombers, 57 aux, 5 LCUs 14080/6/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kuala Lumpur vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 6 fighters, 6 aux, 6 LCUs 5480/23/0

Combat

The SS Shad, 15 miles N of Muntok, tried to attack a heavily escorted TK and failed. The bright side was that she was never harmed.

Hamamatsu had 27 X Zeke in the air when 63 X P-51D arrived on a sweep. In a brief battle 19 Zekes were shot down and a Mustang was damaged. Shortly after, just as the plan called for, 131 X B-29 and 33 X P-51D arrived on the scene. There were no Japanese planes aloft and AA fire damaged a B-29. The heavy industrial complex took very heavy damage. Another strike of 142 X B-29 arrived and the flak damaged 3 of them as they added very heavy damage to the same target.

Asahigawa was hit by 37 X B-24D, 12 X P-51D and 23 X P-47D and they caused light heavy industry damage.

Hakodate's heavy industry was targeted by 116 X B-29 (4 damaged by flak), 2 X P-51D and 47 X P-38J. There were 33 X Tony up and 22 of them were splashed by the escorts. The target was moderately damaged.

At Gili Gili the South Seas Det. was jumped by 16 X A-26B and 9 X Spitfire VIII for moderate casualties. The IJA 21st Division was attacked by 39 X A-26B and 5 X Kittyhawk III with the unit sustaining moderate losses.

At Naga the Japanese had heavy casualties and the Allies none due to artillery barrages being exchanged throughout the day.

“Come on lads, on your feet. We've got some trucks waiting to take us to Dadjangas where we'll wait for whatever the Corps has in store for us,” says Slim. He's surprised that there's actually transport for them as the Doggies usually get it and the Marines walk.

Chris is amazed at the number of ships below him that stretch further than he can see. Quickly he snaps himself back to the here and now. There's no quicker way to get killed than to stop looking around and flying level for any length of time.

Phil watches the bridge watch quietly going about their business as he drinking a hot mug of coffee. He loves being at sea and there's something about destroyers. He thinks of Bill who went from tin cans to a cruiser and now a battleship. He shakes his head and wonders if the next stop for Bill will be a desk. He knows that there's no avoiding those assignments, but old sea dogs don't like it. He laughs to himself at the thought of being old, but looking around at these kids does make him feel old.

The Red Army was stalled at the Seelow Heights, 2 miles W of the Oder River.

The Soviets took Wilhelmsburg.

Victory Points Allied 61422 Japanese 40905

[tocaff]

April 18, 1945 North Of Vigan

Intel

3237 men are based at Anshan.
50491 men are based at Kadina.
24th AA Regiment is located at Nagasaki.
10th Division is planning for an attack on Heiho.
28th Division is located at Changchun.
55th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Lamon Bay.
44th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Kadina.
Elements of the 22nd Division are located at Wenchow.
25th Division is located at Harbin.
22nd Engineer Regiment is planning for an attack on Mishan.
73rd Division is located at Nagoya.
Ryojun Base Force is located at Port Arthur.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Krung Thep 8 LCUs 37880/362/5
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Khota Bharu vacant
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Malacca vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 3 fighters, 6 aux, 6 LCUs 5180/17/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 9 LCUs 8160/26/0

Combat

The SS Pompano tried to attack a lone TK about 88 miles E of Singapore, but failed to get into a favorable position.

106 miles S of Tori Shima an Allied ASW TF found and prosecuted a sub contact. A large number of hits were claimed and a kill was awarded after an oil slick and debris appeared.

Hamamatsu was swept by 67 X P-51D who pounced on 8 X Zeke. The Zekes fled, but not before losing 4 planes. A Mustang was damaged. Shortly thereafter the main event arrived as 239 X B-29 (1 damaged) and 40 X P-51D attacked the heavy industry doing extremely heavy damage to it.

Nanning was raided by 77 X B-25J Mitchell (3 downed, 28 damaged), 25 X P-38J and 72 X P-40N. The airfield was moderately damaged, there were many secondary explosions claimed, 3 Peggys and 3 Helens were destroyed and casualties were placed at very heavy.

Tavoy was bombed by 145 X Liberator VI (2 damaged), 48 X B-24J (2 damaged), 12 X Thunderbolt II and 9 X Spitfire VIII for very heavy damage to the airfield, light damage to the port, a large number of secondary explosions were seen (many of which were fuel) and personnel losses were heavy. The 31st Division was hit twice by Allied aircraft for heavy casualties. The IJA 128th Ind. Mixed Brigade was also struck two times and the unit sustained heavy losses. 1 X Mosquito FB.VI and 30 X B-25J were damaged in the attacks.

Balikpapan was raided by 27 X B-24J and 88 X P-38J who were opposed by 12 X Zeke and 11 X Tony. All of the Japanese fighters were splashed at the cost of a damaged Lightning. 3 of the Liberators were damaged by the AA fire as they made their bomb runs. The airfield was lightly damaged, there were a few secondary explosions, a Tony was burning at it's revetment and casualties were light.

Kendari was hit by 11 X B-25J (8 damaged) and 46 X P-38J for negligible damage to the airstrip.

At Gili Gili the South Seas Det. had moderate losses from 15 X A-26B and 9 X Spitfire VIII. The IJA 21st Division was jumped by 34 X A-26B and 3 X Kittyhawk III for heavy casualties.

At Naga the IJA 103rd Division was pounced on by 11 X B-25J and 16 X P-38J and they inflicted light casualties on the unit. The daily artillery exchanges resulted in very heavy Japanese casualties and no losses for the Allies.

Japanese planes attacked the Allied ships 152 miles NW of Vigan. 13 X Betty challenged the CAP of 282 X F6F, 21 X F4U-1D, 172 X FM-2 and 10 X F4F-4 with the predictable results of all of them being shot down while 12 Hellcats were damaged.

Chris' flight was vectored in on the Japanese planes, but by the time they arrived the Japs were already in the drink. He's content with the knowledge that the ships below are safe, for now.

Phil is troubled as there are reports coming in of Japanese subs in the invasion force's path. He knows that there are plenty of alert escorts, but his is the only dedicated ASW TF. Maybe the carrier's planes will spot and attack the subs to drive them under so they can't get into attack positions. He never felt the weight of command so heavy on him when it was just his destroyer to worry about or working on Ed's staff.

The Oder defenses were breached by the Russians.

The Ruhr pocket was finally eliminated and 317,000 POWs were taken.

The US 9th Army took Magdeburg.

The US 1st Army entered Dusseldorf.

The US 3rd Army took Nurnberg and crossed into Czechoslovakia.

Victory Points Allied 61747 (2172 strategic) Japanese 40831

[tocaff]

April 19, 1945 Hong Kong

Intel

187989 men are based at Truk.
41st Division is planning for an attack on Chungking.
231st Division is located at Matsue.
6th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Wonsan.
14th Division is planning for an attack on Hailar.
73rd Division is located at Nagoya.
Mongol Army is located at Sasebo.
9th Ind. Brigade is located at Changsha.
68th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Naha.
138th IJA Base Force is located at Truk.
49th Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Hailar.
7th AF Construction Battalion is located at Soerabaja.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 30 LCUs
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Mersing vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 9 LCUs 6980/27/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Victoria Point 6 LCUs 880/42/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 84800/796/6

Combat

The SS Blueback attacked and hit an AK 12 miles S of Wenchow with a torpedo and then made good her escape despite the 4 PGs hunting her. The target was burning.

About 79 miles N of the Bonin Group an Allied ASW TF attacked a Japanese sub and claimed hitting it. Later another contact 98 miles SE of Tori Shima was attacked, but no hits were claimed.

The SS Redfish, 35 miles E of Kuantan, attacked an AK being escorted by a PG. The sub hit it's target with a torpedo and then glided away. In the late afternoon the Redfish attacked 2 AKs and a PG hitting 1 AK with 2 fish which set it on fire. The sub departed undetected.

Hakodate was under a CAP of 10 X Tony when 121 X B-29, 61 X B-24D, 13 X P-51D and 48 X P-38J bored in. 6 Tonys were killed and the rest ran while the AA fire damaged 6 B-29s and a B-24D. The heavy industry was moderately damaged.

Balikpapan's port was attacked by 28 X B-24J and 65 X P -38J. The Lightnings fought off 5 X Zeke and 3 X Tony destroying all but 1 of the Tonys while 3 Liberators were damaged by flak. The port was lightly damaged, there were a couple of secondary explosions and casualties were light. The Tony was still in the air when another strike of 27 X B-24J arrived. The fighter fled and ground fire damaged a bomber as they hit 3 vessels.
PC Iki 7 bomb hits, sunk
PC PC-26 2 bomb hits, on fire
TK Chiyoda Maru 7 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage

At Toyohara the Karafuto Mixed Brigade was struck by 9 X A-26B Invader (1 downed, 2 damaged) and 2 X P-51D for very light losses.

At Gili Gili the IJA 21st Division was jumped by 44 X A-26B and 4 X Kittyhawk III resulting in moderate casualties for the unit.

At Tavoy the IJA 31st Division had no harm done to it by 12 X Mosquito FB.VI (2 damaged) and 9 X Thunderbolt II.

Near Hong Kong 56 X SB2C (1 downed, 11 damaged) and 18 X TBM (6 damaged) attacked 6 DDs with the following results.
DD Hakaze 2 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tachikaze 1 bomb hit, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki 6 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Usugumo 3 bomb hits, sunk
DD Shinonome 5 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
Another strike made up of 102 X SBD (2 downed, 2 damaged), 80 X SB2C (2 damaged), 131 X TBF (1 downed, 17 damaged), 148 X TBM (4 downed, 15 damaged), 196 X F6F, 15 X F4U-1D, 134 X FM-2 and 8 X F4F-4 attacked a BB, 2 CAs, 1 CL and 3 DDs resulting in.
BB Nagato 18 bomb hits, 6 torpedo hits, sunk
CA Myoko 11 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako 3 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kiso 1 torpedo hit, on fire
Later in the day another attack was made on the shipping by 82 X SBD, 118 X SB2C, 106 X TBF, 120 X TBM (5 damaged), 154 X F6F, 12 X F4U-1D, 96 X FM-2 and 8 X F4F-4 who hit 2 CAs, 1 CL and 4 DDs.
CL Kiso 10 bomb hits, 1 torpedo hits, sunk
CA Kako 1 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko 2 torpedo hits, sunk

At Naga artillery fire was traded and the Allies had no harm done to them while the Japanese had heavy casualties.

Operation Noose closes on Hong Kong and landings will commence on the 21st. It is hoped that the Japanese don’t get troops there before that as they must surely know where the invasion force is headed.

Chris flew escort on a raid against the ships in the Hong Kong area and had a ringside seat to the lopsided attack. The Japanese had no planes in the air, not that it would’ve been any help to them, he thought. With so many burning ships below he wonders how pilots can pick out their targets through all of the smoke.

Gene is still getting heat for his being so abrupt the other day. He laces into the man dressing him down and finally says, “If all you people are going to do is reject every idea out there without at least giving something a try then how the hell are you ever going to come up with something new? Think about that while I clean out my desk. I'm going to see if they'll take me back at the yard in New York because this is a waste of my time.” He stalked out of the office and a short time later the phone on his desk rings. He answers and after listening hangs up and goes home wondering what tomorrow will bring because based on the call the big bass is pulling him in on the carpet.

The guys somehow managed to get a small cake to celebrate Gil's birthday. He turned 23 today and all he can think of is will he make it to 24? He was disappointed to get no mail today, but it's no big thing as he knows that there are people in the States thinking of him.

The truck bounces down the rut filled road and has to pull over frequently for vehicles headed in the opposite direction, though most of the traffic is flowing towards Dadjangas. Slim wonders what is going on because it appears that it's big and very important. So much for bringing the division back up to strength.

The Seelow Heights defense was broken by the Red Army.

British troops reached the Elbe and attacked Bremen.

The US 1st Army took Leipzig.

Goebbels told Germany that despite the problems they would still win the war.

Victory Points Allied 62236 (2340 Strategic) Japanese 40958

[tocaff]

April 20, 1945 Hong Kong

Intel

14th Area Army is planning for an attack on Eniwetok.
1501 men are based at Kratie.
23rd Engineer Regiment is located at Pisanuloke.
70th Division is located at Nanchang.
8th Area Army is located at Dobodura.
Ominato Base Force is located at Ominato.
28th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Soerabaja.
142nd IJA Base Force is located at Paramushiro Jima.
1st Mixed Brigade is located at Mutanchiang.
46th Division is planning for an attack on Eniwetok.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Nanning 39 bombers, 27 LCUs
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Luang Prabang 1 LCU 1080/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 85200/903/5
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 1 X SS, 9 LCUs 8720/34/0

Combat

At Gili Gili the South Seas Det. was attacked by 35 X A-26B and 4 X Kittyhawk III with the unit taking heavy casualties. Then the IJA 21st Division was visited by 10 X A-26B Invader and 9 X Spitfire VIII resulting in moderate Japanese losses.

At Naga the IJA 16th Division was hit by 18 X B-25J (1 damaged) and 15 X P-38J for extremely light casualties. The 39th Road Construction Battalion was the target of 20 X B-25J (3 damaged) and 32 X P-38J and it sustained moderate losses. The artillery exchanges went on for most of the day and the Allies had extremely light losses while the Japanese had very heavy casualties.

Hong Kong was raided by 91 X SBD (4 damaged), 126 X SB2C, 133 X TBF (1 damaged) and 194 X (2 damaged). The airfield was heavily damaged, the port was heavily damaged, there were a great many secondary explosions some of which were fuel, casualties were moderate and ships in the harbor were hit.
AK Akagi Maru 10 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
SS RO-61 21 bomb hits, sunk
DD Tachikaze 12 bomb hits, sunk
AK Bangkok Maru 5 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Reikai Maru 6 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hakaze 11 bomb hits, 1 torpedo hit, sunk
DD Shirayuki 9 bomb hits, 1 torpedo hit, sunk
SS I-41 13 bomb hits, sunk
AK Kinugasa Maru 7 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shinonome 11 bomb hits, sunk

The Japanese ships near Balikpapan were attacked by 22 X B-24J who were met by 3 X Zeke and 6 X Tony. In their half hearted attack 2 Zekes were damaged and a Tony was shot down with 4 others taking damage. Between the fighters and the AA fire 5 bombers were damaged.
AK Mino Maru 1 bomb hit
PC Shinnan 4 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
Another strike appeared and it was made up of 37 X PB4Y and 101 X P-38J. 3 Zekes and 2 Tonys were up and they ran with a Tony surviving. A Lightning was splashed and 2 bombers were damaged by AA fire. The ships were then dealt with.
TK Kikusui Maru 3 bomb hits, on fire
TK Marifu Maru, 2 bomb hits, on fire
PC Ikuna 2 bomb hits, on fire
TK Ogura Maru #1 5 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
PC PC-26 3 bomb hits, sunk
TK Ayagiri Maru 2 bomb hits, on fire
PC Shimushu 1 bomb hit, on fire

The SS Blueback was about 19 miles SE of Shanghai when she attacked an AP and hit it with a torpedo that caused heavy damage and fires.

The troops will hit the beach to take Hong Kong tomorrow, hopefully before the Japanese can reinforce the garrison.

Ed sits in his office looking at the report on the fuel supply at Cagayan. He's thinking that he told everybody so 2 months ago. Now he will try and make it last until the promised tanker convoy is sent from Ulithi. Of course there's no word on when that will happen. He slams his fist down on the desk and mutters something about how the devil is he supposed to run his ships without fuel.

Gil unhappily listens to the briefing and knows that tomorrow will be a rough day as they're supposed to return to Hamamatsu. “Well at least they didn't spoil your Birthday,” says Gel.

Chris feels so tired after escorting the raid on Hong Kong. Once again there were no Japanese planes in the air which he finds very strange. How can they just let their ships get pounded like this? Where are they? It's a major base and yet they offer no resistance. Tomorrow they'll be busy covering the fleet and the landings.

The shelling of Berlin by the Russian heavy artillery started today.

The British Home Secretary announced that 60,585 civilians are dead and 86,175 seriously injured from air attacks since the start of the war.

The US 5th Army reached the Po River.

The US 7th Army took Nuremburg today.

Victory Points Allied 62320 (2340 Strategic) Japanese 40969

[tocaff]

April 21, 1945 Hong Kong

Intel

10th Area Army is located at Chengting.
10th Mortar Battalion is located at Harbin.
Arshan Garrison Regiment is planning for an attack on Arshaan.
35th Construction Battalion is located at Harbin.
7th AA Regiment is located at Gumma.
26th Aviation Unit is located at Truk.
Kure 3rd SNLF is located at Ominato.
159th IJNAF Base Force is located at Tokyo.
140th IJA Base Force is located at Ominato.
14th Army is located at Victoria Point.
13779 men are based at Matsuyama.
58th Construction Battalion is located at Takamatsu.
Nakajo-wan Fortress is located at Kadina.
Yongfung Bay Fortress is located at Wonsan.
14th Ind. Brigade is located at Wuhan.
1st Aviation Rgt is located at Georgetown.
27th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Batavia.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Wuchow 1 LCU 2840/46/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 29 aux, 30 LCUs
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Krung Thep 8 LCUs 19440/163/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 85820/861/10
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 78 fighters, 73 aux, 9 LCUs 33440/33/0

Combat

A Helldiver attacked a sub near Hong Kong claiming a hit. After many other attacks a Seagull reported an oil slick. Later another Helldiver attacked a sub in the same area and claimed a hit. A Kingfisher attacked a sub in the late afternoon claiming a hit. Another Kingfisher reported seeing an oil slick.

A Helldiver attacked a sub 37 miles SE of Hong Kong and claimed a hit. A couple of TBFs reported attacking and hitting a sub in the same area.

Allied troops unloading over beach at Hong Kong took extremely heavy casualties. 8 X DE, 2 X APD, 2 X LST and 4 X LCI were hit at least once each. The ships returned fire and the Japanese had moderate losses. A sub put 2 fish into an LCI, sinking it and the DEs countered with an attack of their own in which they claimed multiple hits. What was thought to have been another sub hit a DD with a torpedo that caused heavy damage and fires to erupt. The other DDs in the ASW TF then attacked the sub and claimed multiple hits. The unloading Allied ships were attacked by 4 X Zeke, 18 X George, 2 X Jack and 5 X Sonia. The CAP of 93 X F6F and 36 X FM-2 gave them a warm reception by destroying them all before they got close to the ships. 5 Hellcats were destroyed in the battle. An attack made by 97 X SBD (2 damaged), 132 X SB2C (2 damaged), 107 X TBF (1 damaged), 180 X TBM, 14 X F4U-1D, 149 X F6F, 101 X FM-2 and 7 X F4F-4 did heavy damage to the airfield, moderate damage to the port, many secondary explosions were reported a few of which were fuel, inflicted heavy casualties and caught the following ships in the port.
AK Bangkok Maru 9 bomb hits, sunk
AK Akagi Maru 14 bomb hits, sunk
AK Kinugasa Maru 5 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Reikai Maru 14 bomb hits, sunk
Japanese artillery accounted for light Allied troop losses. Late in the day an LST was scuttled.

2 IJN subs were accounted for as sunk in the area of Hong Kong and surrounding waters.

The SS S-34, 193 miles SW of Balikpapan, hit a TK with a torpedo setting the ship on fire. The 7 PCs escorting the tanker then proceeded to pound and sink the sub.

Hamamatsu was bombed by 144 X B-29 and the Japanese sent 9 X Zeke to stop them. In an attack that really wasn't pressed home a Zeke was splashed and 3 others were damaged. Flak damaged 10 of the big silver birds who caused very heavy damage to the heavy industrial capacity at the target.

Tavoy underwent an air raid from 60 X Liberator VI (2 damaged), 12 X B-24J, 17 X Thunderbolt II and 10 X Spitfire XIV who did heavy damage to the airfield, triggered many secondary explosions one of which was fuel and moderate casualties.

Manila was hit by 48 X B-17E (1 damaged), 96 X B-24D (3 damaged) and 21 X P-38J for moderate airfield damage, heavy damage to the port, many secondary explosions some of which were fuel, an AK was hit by 5 bombs and was listing and burning and personnel losses were heavy.

At Gili Gili the IJA 21st Division was struck by 48 X A-26B, 4 X Kittyhawk III and 9 X Spitfire VIII for light casualties.

At Naga the IJA 103rd Division was pounded by 31 X B-25J and 53 X P-38J for moderate losses. Artillery exchanges resulted in no Allied casualties and very heavy Japanese losses. The Allied assault resulted in virtually no ground taken though the Japanese had very heavy casualties and the attackers had extremely heavy losses.

Balikpapan had 3 X Tony up and an Allied raid of 26 X B-24J (2 damaged) and 24 X P-51D arrived. The Tonys were shot down and the port was lightly damaged and a fuel tank blew up.

An attack was made on the Allied ships 28 miles SE of Hong Kong by 3 X Zeke, 16 X George and 4 X Sonia only to run afoul of the CAP of 20 X F4U-1D, 214 X F6F, 147 X FM-2 and 10 X F4F-4. All of the Japanese planes were destroyed long before they could pose a threat to the ships.

Tomorrow the troops ashore at Hong Kong will make a general assault on the Japanese positions despite no unit having been completely unloaded as of now.

After spending a couple of hours in the dispensary Phil is in bad shape as he's lost a lot of blood and is unconscious. The impact of the torpedo hitting the DD threw him into the bulkhead with tremendous force. He was immediately attended to by a pharmacist’s mate who said that he needed to be treated by a doctor with access to proper hospital facilities. A radio call is made and they are ordered to make for a nearby carrier.

Chris is beat. He flew two CAP missions and though the Japanese threw planes at the fleet he never saw any, which is OK with him. Tomorrow promises to be a busy day and if there are air strikes flown he's assigned as escort to the first strike.

Gil and the rest of the Lucky 11 are dead tired after another mission over Japan. Gil loves Jake's Jalopy because it's always bringing him home. He thinks that it's funny that he thinks of Saipan as home. Before turning in for the night he writes to Elaine.

The Poles took Bologna along with the 34th US Division.

Field Marshal Model committed suicide today.

French forces took Stuttjart along with 28,000 POWs.

The US 1st Army rolled into Dessau.

The US 9th Army moved into Blankenburg.

Victory Points Allied 62551 (2436 Strategic) Japanese 40994

[tocaff]

April 22, 1945 Hong Kong

Intel

77 aircraft are based at Changchun.
Yokosuka Base Force is located at Tokyo.
Yokosuka 4th SNLF is located at Pakhoi.
6th Ind. Brigade is located at Sian.
3rd Air Army is located at Rabaul.
93146 men are based at Sapporo.
53rd Division is located at Osaka/Kobe.
2nd AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
18th Reserve Coastal Artillery Regiment is located at Toyama.
12th Ind. Brigade is located at Ichang.
Ryojun Fortress is located at Port Arthur.
33rd Special Base Force is located at Kagoshima.
Elements of the 1st Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Shanghai.
Southern Area Army is located at Manila.
4th Air Division is located at Malang.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 85480/845/18
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 94 fighters, 98 aux, 9 LCUs 36760/37/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Canton 17 fighters, 6 bombers, 14 aux, 2 LCUs 3380/20/0
OS2U-3 Kingfisher takes recon photos of Hong Kong 1 X DE, 1 X AK, 3 LCUs 19040/135/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 8 LCUs 77160/753/13

Combat

The coastal Guns at Hong Kong continued their fire against the Allied troops coming ashore and the ships disgorging them. The casualties were heavy and an LCI took a shell hit and was burning. An IJN sub tried to attack some unloading AKs, but the escorts detected and attacked it. A large number of hits were claimed. Night time surface combat erupted between the IJN and USN DDs with bloody results for the following ships.
Japanese ships
DD Kiyonami 5 shell hits, 2 torpedo hits, sunk
DD Asashimo 29 shell hits, 2 torpedo hits, sunk
DD Oshio 12 shell hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio 8 shell hits, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Ault 1 shell hit
DD Compton 4 shell hits, on fire
DD Douglas Fox 14 shell hits, 1 torpedo hit, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bearss 3 shell hits
Another nighttime engagement between DDs occurred nearby and the following ships took the brunt of the action.
Japanese ships
DD Teruzuki 1 shell hits, on fire
DD Akigumo 5 shell hits, on fire
DD Makigumo 5 shell hits, on fire
DD Takanami 1 shell hits, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Compton 1 shell hits, 1 torpedo hit, on fire, heavy damage
DD Douglas Fox 2 shell hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bearss 1 shell hit
DD Bell 5 shell hit
The 37th USA Division was jumped by 9 X Helen and 8 X Peggy for very light losses and then the Allied fighters caught the Japanese planes. 77 X F6F and 35 X FM-2 downed 7 Helens and 6 Peggys for 7 Hellcats and 3 Wildcats being damaged. A short time later 5 X Zeke, 3 X George and 18 X Judy attacked the Allied shipping, but they had the misfortune to be contested by 87 X F6F and 35 X FM-2. 4 Zekes, 3 Georges and 15 Judys were blasted from the sky at a cost of 3 Hellcats shot down (1 damaged) and 3 Wildcats destroyed (1 damaged). 3 Judys dropped their bombs on the APD John Q. Roberts, but missed. Then 3 Judys arrived and were destroyed by 96 Hellcats and 32 Wildcats. Japanese artillery did no harm to the Allied troops who assaulted the Japanese positions. Some ground was taken as the Japanese fell back having had very heavy losses inflicted on them. The attackers sustained very heavy casualties too though it was thought that the Japanese lost many more men in the fight. A TBF Avenger spotted the DD Oshio near Hong Kong and reported a hit. A short time later another TBF made the same claim. About an hour later yet another TBF also claimed to have hit the Oshio.

About 21 miles SE of Banjarmasin the SS S-38 located and attacked a lone TK hitting it with a torpedo that did heavy damage and started fires.

The SS Blueback, 28 miles SE of Shanghai, attacked an unescorted AP and scored a hit with a torpedo that set the ship on fire. The sub continued her patrol and was rewarded with another lone AP which she hit with a fish, starting a fire.

The SS Bream, 94 miles N of Niigata, was attacked by 4 IJN DDs, but the sub dove under the depth charges and made good her escape.

Naga was raided by 84 X B-24D (1 downed), 36 X B-17E and 21 X P-38J for moderate damage to the airstrip, light damage to the port, a very large number of secondary explosions were seen of which there were a few fuel eruptions and personnel losses were placed at heavy. The 85 X B-24J (1 damaged) arrived and added heavy damage to the airfield, some secondary explosions were reported and casualties were moderate. The IJA 16th Division was hit by 6 X B-24J, 7 X B-25J (2 damaged) and 24 X P-38J for moderate troop losses. The IJA 103rd Division was hit by 27 X B-24J (1 damaged), 5 X B-25J (1 damaged) and 32 X P-38J for moderate casualties. Artillery barrages were exchanged and the Allied forces had no casualties while the Japanese absorbed heavy casualties.

25 miles E of Kuantan the SS Pompano attacked an AK and PG. She hit the AK with a torpedo that started a fire and departed undetected.

General Marshall has informed the President that the Chinese are dragging their feet and as a result the Japanese appear to be unaware of their movement. This is leaving the assault force out on a limb as it is suspected that massive Japanese reinforcements are heading to Hong Kong. “We suspect that the enemy will start arriving in substantial numbers within the next couple of days,” he said. Additional troops are readying to be sent to Hong Kong, but it will take time. An armored formation already at sea. The Chinese were supposed to attack Japanese positions drawing off forces that could be thrown at the landing force, but that part of the plan has gone up in smoke.

Chris flew a CAP mission, but he wasn't involved in any of the action today. Controllers kept a very tight reign on the Fighters today as the general fear is that being so close to major Japanese bases attacks can arrive from many different points on the compass.

Elaine got a couple of letters from Gil today and as usual he said little about where and what he was doing, but did tell her about the guys.

The US 1st and 9th Armies cleared the Harz Mountains.

The US 7th Army captured a bridge over the Danube.

Hitler decided to stay in his bunker in Berlin.

Victory Points Allied 62625 (2436 Strategic) Japanese 41033

[tocaff]

April 23, 1945 Hong Kong

Intel

75 ships are based at Sasebo.
71st Division is located at Changkufeng.
1st Guards Division is located at Sapporo.
Elements of the 18th Mixed Brigade are located at Anking.
12315 men are based at Pisanuloke.
Maizuru 2nd SNLF is located at Tokyo.
3rd Heavy AA Battalion is planning for an attack on Hailar.
1st Aviation Rgt is located at Georgetown.
Tsushima Fortress is located at Masan.
42nd AA Regiment is located at Harbin.
7th Ind. Brigade is located at Changsha.
139th IJN Base Force is located at Kagoshima.
142nd Division is located at Hakodate.
6th Army is located at Changchun.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Canton 23 fighters, 6 bombers, 43 aux, 7 LCUs 6640/47/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 8 LCUs 75540/752/14
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Krung Thep 8 LCUs 53480/506/4
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 83 fighters, 94 aux, 9 LCUs 36160/31/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 84340/836/6

Combat

A Dauntless spotted the DD Oshio 18 miles S of Swatow and claimed a hit. Later the Oshio was swarmed by Allied planes and she took 3 bomb hits which killed her.

The SS S-31 tied to attack a TK being escorted by 7 X PC 20 miles N of Pamakasan, but she never managed to penetrate the screen. A short time later the S-31 was about 28 miles E of Soerabaja when 3 PCs nailed down her position and gave her what for, sinking her. Nearby the SS Grayling was attacked by 5 X MSW and 5 X PC who dished out a murderous pounding. She will now head for the nearest port with heavy systems damage and very heavy flooding. There are sincere doubts as to how far they can take their boat, but even the most optimistic of them doubt that they will reach a safe haven.

A naval bombardment of Hong Kong caused moderate damage to the airfield, heavy damage to the port, many secondary explosions some of which some were fuel and extremely heavy casualties. A Japanese artillery barrage inflicted negligible losses on the Allied troops who assaulted the Japanese positions, taking more ground. The Japanese had extremely heavy casualties and the Allies had very heavy losses.

Hamamatsu was bombed by 116 X B-29 who fought their way through 14 X Zeke, who made a weak effort to attack them. A Zeke was shot down and 4 others took damage while AA fire damaged 5 bombers. The Nakajima engine works took heavy damage.

Akita was raided by 143 X B-29 and flak damaged 2 of them. The oil production facilities were heavily damaged.

Sapporo was visited by 56 X B-24D and 65 X P-38J who destroyed all 5 of the Zekes that were in the air while a single Lightning was damaged. Ground fire damaged 4 Liberators and the oil facilities were lightly damaged.

Nanning was attacked by 72 X B-25J and 57 X P-38J. The airfield was heavily damaged, there were some secondary explosions observed, 11 X Peggy, 8 X Helen, 3 X Zeke, 1 X Oscar, 1 X Topsy and 1 X Nick were destroyed and personnel losses were heavy.

Bangkok had 36 X Zeke, 22 X George and 24 X Tony in the air to meet 157 X Liberator VI and 47 X B-24J. The Allied escorts were nowhere to be found as the Japanese pressed home their attacks and 24 Liberator VI (94 damaged) and 3 X B-24J (27 damaged) were the toll. The bombers didn't go without a fight as 12 Zekes (12 damaged), 7 Georges (8 damaged) and 6 Tonys (13 damaged) were knocked down. The airfield was heavily damaged, the port took moderate damage, there were a great many secondary explosions reported many of which were fuel, 16 Topsys and 3 Tabbys were destroyed and troop losses were very heavy.

Naga was pelted by 33 X B-17E and 81 X B-24D (1 damaged) for moderate airfield damage, moderate port damage, many secondary explosions were claimed and casualties were placed at moderate. Another raid by 73 X B-24J added heavy airfield damage, some more secondary explosions and light personnel losses. Artillery exchanges did no harm to the Allied forces while the Japanese absorbed heavy casualties.

At Gili Gili the South Seas Det. Was hit by 35 X A-26B and 6 X Kittyhawk III for heavy casualties. The IJA 21st Division was jumped by 18 X A-26B and 8 X Spitfire VIII for negligible losses.

At Tavoy the IJA 37th Division was struck by 34 X Mosquito FB.VI (1 damaged), 36 X B-25J (1downed, 2 damaged) and 9 X Spitfire VIII for heavy casualties. The IJA 31st Division had heavy losses from an attack made by 3 X Mosquito FB.VI, 20 X B-25J (12 damaged) and 3 X Thunderbolt II. The IJA 128th Ind. Mixed Brigade was pounced on by 10 X Mosquito FB.VI (1 damaged), 27 X B-25J (11 damaged) and 9 X Thunderbolt II that resulted in moderate casualties.

The DD Compton was about 95 miles NW of Vigan when she was attacked by 20 X Betty. The ships managed to knock down 11 of them, but 4 others dove into the beleaguered destroyer sinking her. Then 9 X Betty and 9 X Frances attacked the DE John C. Butler. 3 Bettys and a Frances were shot down , but 1 Kamikaze managed to strike the ship. The Butler has very heavy systems damage, moderate flooding and moderate fires and she's all alone in deep stuff.

The SS S-38, 23 miles S of Banjarmasin, attacked a TK and struck it with 2 torpedoes sinking it.

Chris was supposed to get today off for rest, but due to the needs of the Navy he found himself sitting in his cockpit awaiting his turn to launch for a CAP patrol. He's tired, but so is everybody else in the squadron and tired pilots make mistakes. He snaps out of his thoughts as the plane in front of him begins to roll down the deck.

Sandy took a hike this afternoon and when she got home her legs ached and she was pooped. I'll need plenty more time on the trails, she thought to herself as she begins to ready dinner. Dave told her that he'd be working late today as there was lots of work at the garage and a shipment of some parts that needed installation.

“The assaults have gone reasonably well, but it appears that the Japanese have reinforced the garrison with at least 1 division with more set to arrive shortly and who knows what will follow,” says General Marshall. Admiral King has already gone on record that he can't keep his ships on station to much longer as the original plan called for a fast grab of the base. Truman rubs his temples and says that if the assault force can't do the job and reinforcements will take to long to arrive then they should be embarked to save their skins. “The Chinese actually staged an air raid of Nanning as the plans called for, but the weather delayed it and their troops are moving like a one legged man in molasses,” adds General Marshall. China is a bottomless pit for arms and supplies, but everyone wants to know what is being done with it all.

Frankfurt fell to the Allies today.

Goring notified Hitler that he will take over as Hitler's Deputy. Hitler ordered him to resign and be arrested.

Himmler began secret negotiations for separate peace in the West with Count Bernadotte of the Swedish Red Cross.

Victory Points Allied 63114 (2989 Strategic) Japanese 41120

[tocaff]

April 24, 1945 Hong Kong

Intel

North China Area Army is located at 43,40.
6th Army is planning for an attack on Hailar.
35th Construction Battalion is located at Harbin.
15055 men are based at Hanoi.
78988 men are based at Tori Shima.
47th Division is located at Naha.
155th IJN Base Force is located at Singapore.
4th Construction Battalion is located at Mukden.
31st Road Construction Battalion is located at Changchun.
34th Construction Battalion is located at Harbin.
109th IJA Base Force is located at Yenen.
13140 men are based at Takamatsu.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Canton 57 fighters, 61 bombers, 63 aux, 15 LCUs 21960/204/0
OS2U-3 Kingfisher takes recon photos of Hong Kong 8 LCUs 59900/625/8
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 8 LCUs 74780/746/16
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Bandou vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 85600/829/4
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 99 fighters, 88 aux, 9 LCUs 29360/38/0

Combat

The SS S-38, 88 miles N of Pamakasan, hit a lone AK with a torpedo that caused heavy damage and started fires.

A USN ASW TF pounded an IJN sub 17 miles SE of Tori Shima, claiming multiple hits. A kill was awarded.

The SS Crevalle made a dawn surface attack on a lone AP 32 miles SE of Shanghai. She hit her target 5 times with the deck gun and 4 torpedoes tore open the side of the ship like a can opener sending the ship to the bottom like a rock. The Crevalle later had the good fortune to fine an MLE and 3 DDs so she dutifully put 2 fish into the MLE for heavy damage and roaring flames and slipped away.

At Nagoya 196 X B-29 encountered 16 X Frank who never really tried to stop the bombers. 2 of the Franks were damaged and the AA fire downed a pair of Superforts and damaged 13 others. The Mitsubishi engine factory took moderate damage. 10 X Frank were aloft when the late arriving fighter sweep of 43 X P-51D arrived and they were all dispatched at the cost of a single Mustang lost.

Nanning had a CAP of 17 X Frank up when an inbound raid of 69 X B-25J and 58 X P-38J appeared. All of the Franks were shot down at a cost of 2 Lightnings lost and 3 more damaged. The airfield was heavily damaged, there were a pair of secondary explosions, 6 Helens, 2 Oscars, 3 Zekes, 1 Tony, 2 Topsys and 3 Peggys were burned out wrecks and casualties were moderately light.

Bangkok was swept by 72 X P-38J, but the Japanese planes were nowhere to be found.

70 X P-38J swept Balikpapan and they found 11 X Zeke and 5 X Tony so at the cost of 1 Lightning lost all of the Japanese planes were blasted from the sky.

Clark Field was swept by 24 X P-38J and 10 X Zeke, 4 X Jack, 4 X Irving, 6 X Tojo, 40 X Tony and 20 X Frank gave them the fight they were looking for. The Japanese lost 5 Zekes, 1 Jack, 2 Irvings, 19 Tonys and 5 Franks (2 damaged) while the Allies had 5 Lightnings shot down and 3 damaged.

At Gili Gili the South Seas Det. Took moderate losses from 31 X A-26B and 5 X Kittyhawk III. The IJA 21st Division was hit by 22 X A-26B and 9 X Spitfire VIII for light casualties. The IJA 31st Division was jumped by 15 X Mosquito FB.VI (3 damaged) and had extremely light losses as a result.

At Hong Kong the IJA 51st Division sustained heavy casualties from 23 X SBD, 26 X TBF (1 damaged), 126 X TBM (1 downed, 7 damaged), 15 X F4U-1D, 154 X F6F, 55 X FM-2 and 6 X F4F-4. Another air attack of 74 X SBD, 107 X SB2C, 15 X TBF, 14 X F4U-1D, 144 X F6F, 51 X FM-2 and 6 X F4F-4 hit the airfield for moderately heavy damage, the port was lightly hit, there were some secondary explosions triggered and personnel losses were moderate. A day long exchange of artillery barrages resulted in negligible Allied casualties and moderate Japanese losses.

At Tavoy the IJA 37th Division had moderate losses from 46 X Mosquito FB.VI, 34 X B-25J (4 damaged) and 8 X Spitfire VIII.

At Naga the IJA 16th Division was struck by 48 X B-24J(1 damaged), 36 X B-25J (4 damaged) and 54 X P-38J for moderate casualties. Artillery exchanges saw the Japanese take heavy losses and the Allies none.

About 23 miles NE of San Marcelino 6 X Zeke, 8 X George, 7 X Tony and 5 X Frank escorted 6 X Betty and 12 X Helen who attacked the DE John C. Butler. 8 Helens were lost in the attack, but 7 Kamikazes hit their target, sinking it.

The SS Gabilan, 101 miles NW of the Amami Group, tried to attack 4 PCs, but they were alert and put the sub through the wringer. Her patrol is over and the struggle to survive the moderate systems damage and heavy flooding has begun.

The SS Grayling lost her fight of survival today as her crew scuttled their boat.

Under the cover of a cloud of aircraft the Allied troops were pulled out of Hong Kong. It's being referred to as the American Dunkirk.

“Mr. President I am happy to inform you that all of the Americans and Australians along with their equipment have been picked up. Unfortunately we left the Japanese massive amounts of supplies,” said Admiral King. Harry Truman is not a happy camper and he's letting everybody know. He questions the second phase of Operation Noose and not only orders it proceeding, but suggests the forces pulled out of Hong Kong be utilized in it also. “I don't want to show up with to little ever again,” Harry said.

“No kidding, a sweep? That's great! We're finally going to really hit the Japs with our killing machines,” says one of the pilots after being informed of tomorrow's mission. Stick just sat there and wonders if he'll be able to kick the curse.

Phil is being kept heavily sedated and he was supposed to be transferred to a ship bound for Pearl Harbor after a stop at Ulithi, but all available shipping was utilized to pull the troops out of Hong Kong. For now Phil will remain on the carrier.

The British took Ferrara.

The US 5th Army is now in Spezia and Modern.

The British and Canadians entered Bremen.

The US 1st Army liberated the Dachau C Camp.

The US 7th Army crossed the Danube and took Ulm.

Victory Points Allied 63409 (2992 Strategic) Japanese 41158

[tocaff]

April 25, 1945 Washington DC

Intel

24th AA Regiment is located at Nagasaki.
Najin Fortress is located at Changkufeng.
5th Engineer Regiment is located at Changkufeng.
49th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Kadina.
16th Naval Guard Unit is located at Hengchow.
16084 men are based at Kitakyushu.
46th Road Construction Battalion is located at Changkufeng.
1834 men are based at Hungnam.
6th Reserve Tank Regiment is located at Osaka/Kobe.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Bangkok 21 aux, 30 LCUs
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 9460/16/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Alor Star 24 bombers, 26 aux, 5 LCUs 18020/143/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Naga 8 LCUs 85600/841/6
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 2 X AP, 1 X SS, 91 fighters, 78 aux, 9 LCUs 26140/36/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Bataan 3 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Lamon Bay 2 LCUs 6220/60/0

Combat

About 38 miles NW of Okinawa the SS Plaice attacked an unescorted AK and fed it 2 fish causing it to sink.

Allied escorts detected and prosecuted an attack on an IJN sub trying to work itself into a position to attack the replenishment TF 26 miles SE of Hong Kong. Some hits were claimed. A trio of Allied DDs were attacked by a sub nearby and the DD McCall was hit by a torpedo. The other 2 DDs attacked the sub, claiming some hits and after losing contact stood by their stricken sister.

The SS Blueback, 30 miles SE of Shanghai, hit a lone AP with 2 torpedoes sending it to the bottom.

The SS Gurnard tracked and attacked an AK all by it's lonesome 102 miles SE of Camranh Bay, hitting it with a torpedo that caused a fire to break out.

At Osaka/Kobe 57 X P-51D dove into a gaggle of 45 X Zeke, 54 X George, 12 X Jack, 18 X Zero, 10 X Oscar and 6 X Randy. It was a bloody furball that ensued as planes fell like Autumn leaves. 34 Zekes, 42 Georges, 6 Jacks, 13 Zeros, 10 Oscars and 4 Randys were shot down. The Allies lost 6 Mustangs and 3 were damaged. A short time later 134 X B-29 came a calling and there were 12 X George, 6 X Jack, 11 X Zeke and 2 X Randy on hand to repel them. The Japanese fighters attacked the bombers and a George (7 damaged) and a Jack (4 damaged) were downed and 6 Zekes were also damaged. The bombers then faced the flak and the combined toll was 3 big silver birds lost and 23 damaged. The Nakajima engine works were hit for moderate damage in the raid.

Ominato was under a CAP of 3 X Rufe, 6 X Zero, 6 X Tojo, 14 X Frank and 8 X Tony when an inbound fighter sweep of 24 X P-51D jumped them. 3 Rufes, a Zero, 4 Tojos, 3 Franks and 2 Tonys were splashed and a Mustang was shot down in the fight.

Manila was swept by 30 X F4U-1D who found 22 X Zeke, 18 X George, 18 X Jack, 15 X Irving and 24 X Frank aloft. The Allies lost 3 Corsairs to the Japanese 11 Zekes, 3 Georges, 4 Jacks (1 damaged), 10 Irvings and 8 Franks destroyed.

At Naga the IJA 16th Division was jumped by 18 X B-24J (1 damaged), 9 X B-25J (3 damaged) and 16 X P-38J resulting in light casualties. The IJA 103rd Division had moderate losses from 8 X B-24J (1 damaged), 18 X B-25J (3 damaged) and 33 X P-38J. Japanese artillery made noise and accomplished nothing while the Allied barrages inflicted heavy casualties.

The DD Charles Ausburne, 241 miles NW of Vigan, was attacked by 14 X Betty and 10 X Frances who dove through the AA fire from the twisting and turning ship that damaged 2 Bettys and a Frances. No further damage was done to the already suffering ship as the bombs all missed.

The DE Abercrombie and the LCI-583 were attacked by 9 X George, 3 X Betty and 9 X Helen 238 miles NW of San Marcelino. 9 Helens will never return home, but the DE took 6 Kamikaze hits from them. The Bettys dropped torpedoes that all missed. The DE went down quickly.

84 miles NW of San Marcelino 3 X Betty attacked the LCI-218 who managed to damage 1 of her attackers. The Bettys dropped their fish and they all struck home vaporizing the LCI.

The DE Traw, 79 miles W of San Marcelino, managed to evade the 3 X Bettys' torpedoes that were dropped on her, but the nearby LCI-981 wasn't so lucky as 3 X Helen dove into her and they all struck home, killing the vessel.

151 miles S of Hong Kong 3 X Betty attacked the Allied TF and died as the CAP of 117 F6Fs (1 damaged) easily handled them. Then 2 Bettys ran into the CAP and all they managed to do was damage a Hellcat as they were splashed by the Allied fighters.

The Lucky 11 have survived another mission and they wearily trudge back to their quarters after the debriefing. Most of them just drop onto their cots and from all of the snoring you'd think it was a saw mill hard at work. Gil puts pen to paper and tells Elaine how much he misses her and that when the war ends they should get married.

Phil's condition is fair physically, but the doctors are concerned about the blow he took to the head. There's not much they can do for him at this point in time and they plan on transferring him to a hospital ship at the first chance that they get.

Stick was involved in air combat, like he wanted, and he survived intact. He managed to fire his guns in anger, but still has no kill to claim. His flight leader returned home and at the debriefing credited Stick with saving his hide by forcing a Frank that was on his tail to break off. Stick beams with the praise, but inwardly he bemoans his golden opportunity having escaped him. He knows that he did the right thing by maintaining his position as a wing man, but knows that if he broke off and pursued the Frank he'd have gotten him. The quality of the Japanese pilots is alarmingly poor. There are some excellent ones, but for the most part they are targets not killers.

Harry Truman can't believe that no sooner than he had assumed the Presidency that Operation Noose got off to a disastrous start. Not again on my watch he promises himself as he directs his advisers to lay out all plans that are close to moving from planning to active be presented for reviewed by him. Next time we bring the kitchen sink and more and never trust anything to the Chinese.

The last of the German troops pulled out of Finland and moved into Norway.

British troops rolled into Parma.

U-boats sank 5 Allied supply ships in the English Channel today.

The US 3rd Army crossed the Danube.

The RAF attacked the Eagles Nest and the SS barracks at Berchtesgarten.

The US 9th Army and the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front met on the Elbe at Torgau, 100 miles SW of Berlin.

The San Francisco Conference started today to discuss the founding of the United Nations.

Victory Points Allied 63668 (2930 Strategic) Japanese 41097