BATTLE LOG 19-31 January
19 January 1942
Singapore fell this day...
The Prime Minister was heard to utter: "It may well be the beginning of the end, or perhaps the end of the beginning... but in any case it's one less damned thing to worry about."
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In the central Pacific area, a particularly aggressive commander, Rear Admiral Connolly, has been placed in charge of a small flotilla based around CL Phoenix and a varying number of destroyers. This squadron has made great execution in the area north of Tarawa, with an estimated 20 troopships sunk.
Just one night's work:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 136,125, Range 6,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
xAK Ceylon Maru, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 1
DD Mustin
DD Russell
DD Jarvis
DD Dewey
DD Hull
DD Worden
And as dawn breaks...
Day Time Surface Combat, near Jaluit at 134,120, Range 20,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
xAKL Honan Maru, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
xAKL Kosho Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
xAKL Eiwa Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
xAKL Sakae Maru, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CL Phoenix
DD Mustin
DD Russell
DD Jarvis
DD Dewey
DD Hull
DD Worden
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The Congressional Medal of Honor has been awarded to Captain Voge, commander of the USN submarine Sailfish, for sinking the IJN cruiser Kinugasa on 9 January off Dadjanga, one of the high points of the allied effort so far.
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The intrusive cruiser squadron of Mogami and Ashigara are attacked by sea and air around Canton Island. Unfortunately the carrier groups have not received the order to approach dive bombing attacks at 10-12,000 feet and so the attack is not as efficient as it could be.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 153,142, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Mogami
DD Sanae
DD Fuyo
Allied Ships
DD Cummings, Shell hits 1
Morning Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 152,142
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
Morning Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 152,142
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
SBD-2 Dauntless x 36
TBD-1 Devastator x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 152,142
Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 152,142
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 11
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
TBD-1 Devastator x 15
Allied aircraft losses
TBD-1 Devastator: 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Fuyo
CA Ashigara, on fire
CA Mogami
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Enemy attacks at Clark field remain as bloody and inadequate as before, though air attacks are relentless across Luzon's resistance zone Manila-Clark-Bataan.
Japanese ground losses:
637 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 26 (2 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
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21 January 1942
CL Phoenix was damaged in a raid on Tarawa anchorage - at present held in a local shipyard waiting for the CV groups to arrive and give cover to a withdrawal effort. Commander Connolly of the CORSAIR FORCE also received the Medal of Honor for his many daring nighttime raids into the Marshalls.
CVs Enterprise and Lexington have attacked and damaged the cruiser squadron making incursions into the central Pacific zone, operating around Baker.
The enemy seem to work on a constant barrage of unescorted invasion forces in the Dutch East indies zone, with a cycle of rather predictable and repetitive incursions into the Central pacific Zone. As long as there's good spotter plane coverage of the area these can be rather easily handled.
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23 January 1942
Now that Singapore has fallen, two significant enemy movements have begun immediately, and immediate responses are called for.
Firstly the Battle of Java has started in earnest, with strong incursions to both west and east of Java. In Sumatra, Palembang has come under fierce attack. A light cruiser squadron appeared in the harbour and from the direction of Indochina a new carrier group has appeared, sinking eighteen merchant vessels in 48 hours. Now we can expect invasion and air assault in a matter of days. All forces are prepared and on high alert.
Meanwhile intelligence has given clear indications of an attack on Burma, specifically a landing by the Japanese at Moulmein. 15th Army elements are expected to arrive in the flotilla, including as well as land assault from Siam. Our defences are far away behind the river barrier at Pegu, but it's hoped that a combined bomber attack and seborne ambush can sink as much of the invasion force as possible. RN units from Colombo are mobilised as well as air units from Calcutta and Mandalay, ordered to concentrate in Rangoon.
The defence of Burma aand above all the attack on the seaborne forces is christened OPERATION WETWHISTLE - WET is the naval element coming in from Colombo and WHISTLE the air element from Rangoon.
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24 January 1942
The assault on Dutch East Indies is based around two mobile fleet units and a large number of unescorted troop convoys. If allied surface units can get past the air cover they can inflict great damage on the units and isolated destroyers are acting as raiders without suffering too badly.
It's now known what the groups are operating in the two zones, east and west. To the east, near Sorong, is a powerful group around carrier Ryujo
CVL Ryujo
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CA Haguro
CL Natori
CL Tatsuta
DD Fubuki
DD Usugumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Mikazuki
DD Oite
DD Hayate
DD Nokaze
DD Yugao
And in the Java Sea between Borneo and Sumatra is the more devastating carrier group with three carriers, though less protected by surface units.
CV Hiryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
DD Yamagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
DD Wakatake
This carrier group has inflicted tremendous damage on shipping that was ordered to take shelter in port but in the confusion has been caught scattered tyhrough the approaches to Oosthaven and Batavia. Seven freighters and three tankers amounting to 100,000 tons have been destroyed. In addition they have raided Batavia airfield and damaged it badly.
Finally the Dutch airforce made a gallant attempt against the carrier group, but suffered tremendous losses with no positive result. The attacking wave of 10 bombers and 15 escorts was completely overwhelmed by a disciplined CAP of 35 Zeros.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 10
B-339D x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 6 destroyed
139WH-3: 1 destroyed by flak
B-339D: 4 destroyed
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Meanwhile it's believed another carrier group is operating in the SW Pacific north of Rabaul, though the composition hasn't been identified yet.
At least in this sector the Canadian converted merchant cruisers have done great work sinking landing craft at Finschhafen
Japanese Ships
xAK Nako Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
Allied Ships
AMC Prince Henry
AMC Prince Robert
Japanese ground losses:
1524 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 104 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (7 destroyed, 13 disabled)
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In summary, five theatres are in varying degrees of intense conflict, from more to less intensity:
1. Java, with two carrier groups and multiple invasion forces. Great loss of shipping and intense pressure on Batavia airfield.
2. New Guinea with much less imposing invasion convoys but strongly supported by at least one carrier group.
3. The Philippines with resistance still going on in the Manila area (Cagayan in Davao island fell after a week of heroic resistance).
4. Tarawa-Makin-Jaluit-Mili with constant air-raids being resisted with good flak coverage and cruiser group incursions by the allies (temporarily suspended by the damage to cruiser USS Phoenix). A reinforcement raiding force named Buccaneer Force is en route. Also en route is a small invasion force for OPERATION UPSHOT the planned occupation of Makin.
5. Burma, with unknown forces, possibly several corps in strength, occupying Moulmein and forces amounting to at least as many converging by land from Siam and by sea from Malaya.
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27 January 1942
The Battle of Burma is well and truly joined.
The leading seaborne invasion element has been intercepted around Phuket Island and sunk with the loss of an entire enemy division. More are expected to follow. Intel has been key here, with indications of the convoys received immediately after the fall of Singapore just a week ago.
The enemy are moving astonishingly fast... but at the same time, remarkably carelessly, allowing troop convoys to arrive in the battle zone uncovered by either air or seaborne escorts.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Phuket at 48,68.
Japanese Ships
SC Ch 8, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Hokuroku Maru, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
xAK Sumanoura Maru, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Exeter
CL Mauritius
CL Glasgow
Japanese ground losses:
4356 casualties reported
Squads: 96 destroyed, 254 disabled
Non Combat: 137 destroyed, 171 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 42 (33 destroyed, 9 disabled)
At the same time as that seaborne invasion force comes the beginning of the land invasion, a major force at least one corps in strength assaults Pegu on the Pegu River where allied positions have ben prepared - two complete allied divisions.
Huge enemy losses are sustained, but even so they have gained a bridgehead on the western bank.
Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)
Attacking force 22242 troops, 211 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 813
Defending force 16235 troops, 201 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 613
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
2324 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 62 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
1229 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 253 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 29 (5 destroyed, 24 disabled)
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The US invasion force for OPERATION UPSHOT appears off Makin, two USMC assault battalions and a support force of engineers. Air support and naval bombardment is in place.
But the invasion is judged risky since an IJN force is already ashore, despite half of their number having been destroyed by seaborne raids and airstrikes from the Lexington carrier group.
Instead of going ashore to face superior numbers of an opponent in place, the invasion force is diverted to Funafuti to establish a new base there.
If the enemy force is weakened by interdiction and bombardment from Tarawa, the attempt may be made again in a month or so.
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28 January 1942
The Battle of Burma continues with extremely intense action. Counterattack plan OPERATION WETWHISTLE has been a rousing success.
The WET element sees RN surface units raid into Moulmein harbour...
Mines are laid:
TF 1049 encounters mine field at Moulmein (55,55)
Japanese Ships
xAK Taito Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Subs intrude:
Japanese Ships
xAK Akasisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Trusty
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
And destroyers and cruisers erupt into the port:
Japanese Ships
CM Shirataka, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Shanghai Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Kosei Maru, Shell hits 36, and is sunk
xAK Zuiko Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Encounter
DD Isis
Japanese ground losses:
6868 casualties reported
Squads: 85 destroyed, 217 disabled
Non Combat: 113 destroyed, 393 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 51 (49 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Japanese Ships
xAK Kensin Maru, Shell hits 50, and is sunk
xAK Magane Maru
Allied Ships
DD Encounter
DD Isis
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 32 (20 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Day Time Surface Combat, near Moulmein
Japanese Ships
xAK Magane Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Exeter
CL Mauritius
CL Glasgow
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 29 (5 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Japanese Ships
xAK Mikage Maru, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
xAK Yamamiya Maru, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Exeter
CL Mauritius
CL Glasgow
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 44 (26 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 47 (25 destroyed, 22 disabled)
The WHISTLE element of air attacks is mostly diverted to ground support against the attackers at Pegu as they attempt to cross the river into Burma...
Morning Air attack on 112th Infantry Regiment, at 55,53 (Pegu)
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Buffalo I x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
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30 January 1942
THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY 30 January-???
Traffic analysis and an examination of the enemy's rather predictable behaviour led us to believe that another carrier raid on Midway was due. Consequently carrier groups Saratoga and Yorktown (TF 164, Ramsey and TF 194, Fitch respectively) were dispatched to meet any expected incursion. Admiral Ramsey was in overall command of the combined group.
As it turned out, the attacking force was considerably bigger than expected, consisting of seperate groups of cruiser and carrier forces. Whereas in previous incursions only the CV Zuiho was present, this time a confirmed three carriers are present, meaning US Navy carrier forces are outnumbered.
As they approached with the cruiser force in the van, the following plan was hatched:
First, Ramsey detached all the surface units from the carrier groups except one destroyer escort each and the carriers withdrew to the southeast.
Second, the new cruiser unit was sent to Midway to ambush the oncoming force by night.
Third, it was hoped that having dealt with this cruiser force, the surface units would then be able to regroup with the carriers lurking offshore. At this point either a withdrawal or an advance to meet the carriers would take place, with discretion being the preferred choice initially unless circumstances proved especially favourable.
Well, the first phase turned out just as expected. The enemy cruiser squadron closed to Midway overnight on 30-31 January and was met by overwhelming force, the Japanese outnumbered three to one:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Midway Island at 158,91, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Yubari, Shell hits 2
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 2
DD Akikaze
Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Salt Lake City
CA Astoria, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Detroit, Shell hits 1
CL Concord
CL Helena
DD Walke, Shell hits 1
DD Bagley
DD Helm
DD Mugford
DD Smith
DD Downes
The USN cruiser force withdrew and the weakened Chokai was attacked in the morning by the airgroups from the carriers to the southeast, with the enemy carriers still out of range.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Midway Island at 157,91
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
TBD-1 Devastator x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Yubari, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Satsuki, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Akikaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chokai
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Yubari
Now (31 January) the Japanese carrier group is moving east to strike Midway and the US carrier force is to the southeast of the atoll at around 200 nm range. It is expected that Ramsey will retire and take the win, which rather amusingly has been claimed by "Orphan Annie" on Radio Tokyo as a great Japanese victory with "several American carriers, battleships, and numerous cruisers and destroyers sunk".
