Letters from a Prime Minister

[1275psi]

From
Prime Minister of Australia
to
The President

Sir,

In reply to your letter of yesterday, I wish to
reiterate the position of my government.
We agree that the Pacific Theatre should be broken into Commands,
South West, South and central
We would ask you to reconsider the boundaries between South West and South pacific
1/We feel that South West Pacific should include all of the Solomon Chain, and PNG.
Both of these areas already are under ANZAC Administration, and as you know
we have invested heavily in a chain of coast watchers in these areas.
2/ Currently the only forces (other than the artillery in New Zealand) are ANZAC.
3/ We are reinforcing Port Moresby with everything we have.

There is, I am afraid, little chance of this Government accepting at this time an American Commander
in this area, we feel strongly that an Australian Commander should be appointed.

On a different issue, your Offer of the 32nd division is greatly appreciated, however
considering the invasion fears currently held for Pearl harbour, and Winstons
promises of "considerable forces", you may be better served retaining it
Australia will see it through, I am confident.

The time is dark, yet our vigour still burns bright

Yours

Frank Ford

[1275psi]

December 14th

The Japanese Carriers reveal themselves again, prowling well to the east and North of Pearl harbour,
sinking several hapless cargo ships.

Cagayan is invaded
Wake holds on
Mac, still confident, hurries the bulk of the Philippine Army towards San Fernardo.

Here, and in Malaya, two Armies advance, confident that 'the little yellow barsteds"
will soon be thrown back into the sea.
A terrible delusion.

[1275psi]

Dec 15th

This is truly a black day for the Allies

Hong Kong falls
Cagayan falls

But worse, far worse, with Mac Aurthurs army almost entirely at San fernardo,
the Japanese land the 21st Division at Iba, fair in his rear.


As one marine of the 4th regiment (still moving north as the news arrives) sums up
to his Buddies
"We have been well and truly bent over boys"

"Stand by to receive!"

[1275psi]

Dec 16th
The disaster continues
Undetected, until the landings begin, Japanese troops storm ashore at mersing

100 sallies pound Singapore, and cruisers Danae, Mauritious, Dragon and Durbin are
all torpedoed by a single fish each leaving the Port after replenishment.

The landing effectively means Malaya Army will quickly be sundered from Singapore, even with
Australian Brigades racing south by train.

In the Phillipines, the Japanese attack at San fernardo, and bounce against the bulk of
the allied Army
2 tank regiments are effectively ruined.

Mac orders a counter attack..........

[1275psi]

From
Winston
to
Frank

My dear friend. The Situation in Malaya may appear dark, however we must
continue to place faith in our Army there

I have already ordered that Georgetown is to become a fortress, and if
all goes bad, this to be the final redoubt.
I am, as promised, sending reinforcements to you. Battleships, carriers are enroute,
and a fine division, the 18th will be in theatre soon.

I do not think it will be needed by you, an insertion into Java may be the best use for it.

Again I thank you for your offer of 1st corp for Burma's defence, we are digging in near Rangoon
and expect a stirling defence.

I will keep you informed of developments
Winston

[PaxMondo]

Dear oh Sear ... I fear Winston's "stirling" reputation may get a bit tarnished! [:D]

[BBfanboy]

To be sure - this is a Stirling ....

[BBfanboy]

And this is .925 sterling silver ....




Sorry for the double posts and pic size - I tried to put them side by side in PAINT.NET but couldn't figure out how ...

[Simonsez]

The engine cowlings on a Stirling were actually made of .925 sterling? Who knew?!!!??!?

[Simonsez]

Next you'll tell me those bombs were made of .999 18K gold......

[zuluhour]

Obviously, the Prime Minister is oblivious to the moral of the army.

[1275psi]

OK, OK, after all these years

No, I cannot spell............

still

[1275psi]

Dec 16th
Even in war, even from the decks of an old cow like the Westralia, the great barrier reef
is an awesome sight

Time and again Jeffery finds himself distracted from his work, a desultory attack
on the endless rust, staring endlessly at the passing vistage.

Under this blazing sun, the waters are brilliant blue, the reef an endless march of breakers.

'Hey Ford!'
The yell snaps him back into the world
Below him, on the poop deck, three of the men from the other stern bofor
"Yeah, what ?!"
"Is it true you are the Prime Ministers Son?"
Jeffery scowls
'NO!"......angrily he turns away, and resumes the attack on the rust

With not a little vigour

[1275psi]

From
The speaker of the house
to
The leader of the opposition

Tony

Well, Frank has definitely ruled against forming a war cabinet
A pity, I know.
Brooke Popham has, as you may have heard, already lost Malaya for all
intent and purposes.
The effect when the Australian public hears of the fate of 8th division
is going to be terrible........if, of course, they hear of it.

I continue to hear rumours of all available troops being sent towards Port Moresby
Isn't this a terrible risk?

I understand the theory, Admiral John 3rd ( who would have thought such a name in
a Japanese Admiral!!) has a reputation of flinging "just enough, just in time" all
over a battlefield , and of real aggression...and such a move may well "catch him out"
but, the war is not even a month old and he has caught us with our pants down twice, Mersing, and Iba

I dread the same happening to Port Moresby, especially in the light of our
total lack of air power

Anyway, I know all seems gloom, the public, at least has taken great heart in the licks
ABDA Naval has given so far, and maybe we should too
I know you are going to the Station to count your sheep for Christmas, enjoy the counting!

Jim

[1275psi]

From
ABDA
to
Malaya Army

In strictest confidence:

Agree: Singapore was/is always going to fall, only time to take this happen
is variable.
Japanese would have expected to kill your Army as it defended Singapore

Georgetown is as good a base as Singapore for supply support in this situation

Agreed, the Malaya campaign will not be completed until your Army has been lost, thus
I fully support your plans to "run amuck" up North, then to retire to George town

Plans for units to "take to the hills" also fully supported

A grim situation, but the main plan remains in place.

To fight for as long as we can


Brooke-Popham

[1275psi]

0001 hrs
December 17th

'This is the Captain speaking"

'An enemy landing is taking place at a beach called Mersing, only a short way from
Singapore"

Throughout a mighty ship, a silence falls

"I intend to take Prince of Wales to there, and to take to the enemy with our main Rifles"

Below, all around them, a battleship begins to tremble as 36000 tons begins to build up speed

"Subsequently, we will go to action stations at 0200 hours.....the best of luck to you all"

[1275psi]

From
ABDA
to
Eastern Fleet

The aerial and sea borne reinforcement of Kuching is all but complete.
Our forces have stopped enemy regiment at Palembang stone cold, but further
enemy troops cannot be far behind

First elements of the Indian brigades are now approaching Oostenhaven

Admiral Doorman has expressed to me that no ship or man will be spared in
defence of Java

We MUST back him to the hilt.

You are to extend every effort, up to and including placing your battleship
at risk to
A: Slow or disrupt any landings Palembang
B: facilitate the landings of the Indians at Oostenhaven

I have directed 18th division, (just departed Cape town) to Oostenhaven

Finally...the Americans have given us the P40e's from the Phillipines, they are now enroute

I must emphasise, if we can get the Indians into Palembang, the LONG Term effects on
the Japanese will be enormous.
The cost must be paid


ABDA

[1275psi]

Light cruiser De Ruyter and 5 dutch destroyers reach mersing before the POW, and sink the last two
unloading ships. But the majority escape northwards

But two whole divisions, the 18th, the 5th, are ashore

POW turns about, and fades westwards again.

Thanet, Thracian are now, in turn, caught at Singa's by the sallies, still over 100 strong


Near Midway, CL St Loius is surprised and sunk by 4 Furataka class CA's, riddled by torpedoes.
Midway takes her turn at being invaded.

[kaleun]

Wow! This is really a free for all

[1275psi]

December 18th

On little things wars are often decided

At loang, phillipines, the allies have attacked, been beaten
The Japanese, reinforced, have counter attacked, and bounced.....badly

Mac Arthurs orders were to strike back.........yesterday.
But somewhere something went adrift.
A day is plenty of time to re group, re gather, re organise.
Now the Phillipine army attacks again, a full 18000 men against the 48th Division.
The issue is close, Oh so close, a few more allied squads, or just a few extra disorganised
Japanese ones.........

A bloody draw.......





The enemy invade Midway
Clarke field falls to the 21st division
Wake goes silent.