Central Pacific
Aircraft Carrier raid had started. Two separate TF’s CV Enterprise’s under VADM Halsey and CV Lexington commanded by VADM Brown showed in force near Maloelap Island. At first no enemy ships were detected and carrier air force bombed enemy base. At second day recon detected few small transports, but weather was too poor to prepare successful attack. Both TF’s moved west to find more valuable targets
By 12th and 13th more naval targets were detected and air attack commenced. Unfortunately there was no targets of real value.
On 12th Australia Command informed CINCPAC that Japanese carriers decreased it’s activity over Asutralian Targets and by 14th they confirmed, that they had no enemy contact since day before.
Based on that CINCPAC decided to withdraw carriers to southeast. There is no real reason to risk them and mission was successful. Japanese carriers group left Australian coast and ships.
Afternoon Air attack on Maloelap , at 136,117
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
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Afternoon Air attack on Maloelap , at 136,117
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
TBD-1 Devastator x 12
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 15
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ebon at 132,124
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAK Aratama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Katsura Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Tenposan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kusaie Island at 127,121
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAK Aratama Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Toyotsu Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kaito Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kusaie Island at 125,118
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAK Ryunan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Eizan Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Kazan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kusaie Island at 123,121
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAK Kamikaze Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tenyo Maru, Bomb hits 12, and is sunk
PB Nagata Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
On 12th of December, admiral Kimmel decided, that part of his battleship force should me moved closer to Australia.
BB’s Maryland, Pennsylvania and Arizona, supported by CA Minneapolis and CA San Francisco moved out of Pearl Harbor without incident. Unfortunately 120 miles south of Hawaii’s I-172 discovered US fleet and attacked USS Maryland. One torpedo hit. Damage is minor, but it was decide that ship will go to San Francisco for repairs. Rest of the fleet will continue their mission.
Australia Command
11th December brought to Australian fleets continuous attacks and bigger loses by the hand of Japanese pilots.
But on 12th attacks decreased and by 13th no enemy presence was recorded.
There is big hope, that Kido Butai is leaving the zone.
Good news is, that after days of hunting and many bomb hits CA Canberra survived in Melbourne port. Ship will need serious repairs but hopes are high.
On other news several Japanese invasion was lunched on North Guinea Sector. Enemy was stopped at Kavieng. Japanese soldiers were held back by Australian garrison, but HQ expects that their will surrender in day or maybe two.
USAFFE
Japanese soldiers captured Davao on Mindanao Island.
At Luzon they are moving from two sides. Air war brings big losses to Japanese Naval bombers, but it is clear that new Zero squadron appeared and will sweep remaining allied fighters.
Additionally two squadrons from Manila will be withdrawn south to DEI and later to Australia.
B-17’s from Luzon bases, stared Miri Strategic bombing. RAF from Tarakan supports US pilots with neede recon to increase bombing targeting.
Borneo
Japan continue invasion on northern bases. Every available transport plane is being diverted to rescue engineers from encircled bases.
Malaya
Light Carrier force leaved Mersing and moved East. Their mission might be replenishment in home bases, but also there is possibility that they will try to support invasion on unknown Allied base on Luzon.
On the way Japanese Light Carrier group met convoy with supplies from Hong-Kong. It was decided to load supplies on Hong-Kong and move it undetected to Manila. Mission could be success but unfortunately enemy decided to withdraw his light carriers. Now British convoy is being bombed.
Enemy also after cutting supply lines to Singapore discovered plans to use George Town as evacuation port for northern troops. Using sweep mission of Zero and Nate fighters and over 100 army bombers he destroyed port and airfield. Only way out for now is by Float Plane. Last ship with evacuated troops was sunk by submarine north west from George Town. There was no survivors.
Summary
Malaya is lost, but also Philippines, but they will hold longer. Only good news is that KB left Australian Coast and also big losses of naval bombers.
Intelligence claims that prewar numbers for Betty bomber pool is 20 and he lost 53 already. Nell reserves should be in better shape pool was 76 and losses are 45 planes, so pool is not depleted yet.
Also US Army can praise it’s first official ace in World War II. 2LT Irvin B.S. gained 5th kill over Manila in his P-40E Warhawk.
; Julia Child
and long range PBY torpedo planes are for. [:D]
