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December 14, 1944 Cotobato

Intel

50th Construction Battalion is located at Kyoto.
29th Division is located at Tsitsihar.
35th Construction Battalion is located at Tsitsihar.
8th Hvy Field Artillery Regiment is planning for an attack on Broome.
77th Division is located at Sapporo.
1st Air Division is planning for an attack on Chungking.
13th Division is planning for an attack on Chungking.
2nd Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
49th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Mukden.
2nd Area Army is located at Soerabaja.
9842 men are based at Kanazawa.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Victoria Point 8 fighters, 10 bombers, 21 aux, 7 LCUs 17800/102/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Brunei 4 X AK
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Amboina 28 bombers, 31 aux, 5 LCUs 11140/37/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Davao 12 LCUs 28520/175/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 77 fighters, 68 bombers, 4 LCUs 17560/38/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Cotabato 9 LCUs 122240/1230/6
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Maloelap 1 LCU
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tassafaronga 3 LCUs 300/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 76 fighters, 34 bombers, 90 aux, 31 LCUs

Combat

The SS Crevalle, 75 miles NE of Marcus Island, tried to attack a lone AP, but failed.

An Allied TF located and attacked an IJN sub 38 miles W of Cotabato, There were a couple of hits claimed. Later, what was suspected to have been the same sub was attacked again, but there were no hits scored. In the afternoon another sub, the same one was suspected, was attacked and clobbered for many hits. No kill was given though.

Cotabato was pounded by the Old Gals for very light airfield damage, a few secondary explosions and extremely heavy casualties. The IJA 18th Division was hit by 22 X B-24J and 28 X P-38J for light losses. The IJA 56th Division was jumped by 23 X B-24D, 67 X B-24J and 17 X P-51D and had heavy casualties as a result. While all of that was going on 23 X SB2C, 12 X TBF, 69 X TBM, 29 X F6F and 6 X FM-2 did very light damage to the port and airstrip and scored a secondary explosions. An Allied assault on the Japanese defenses further reduced the fortifications as a little ground was gained. Both sides sustained extremely heavy casualties.

Andaman Island was attacked by 49 X B-25J (2 damaged) and 47 X Mosquito FB.VI (1 damaged). The port had light damage, there were some secondary explosions seen and troop losses were extremely light. Then 131 X B-29 arrived and the AA fire damaged 3 of them. The airfield was very heavily damaged, there were a great number of secondary explosions observed, 2 X Frances were destroyed and casualties were moderate.

Davao was raided by 5 X SB2C (2 damaged), 6 X TBM-3d and 15 X P-47D who did negligible damage to the airstrip, a secondary explosion was claimed and personnel losses were moderate.

Lunga was bombed by 39 X B-24J and sustained heavy damage to the port and there were many secondary explosions reported.

The 5th New Chinese Corps was hit by 11 X Peggy who were off target with their bombs.

The 25th Indian Division, 19 miles N of Krung Thep was attacked by 11 X Peggy who were intercepted by 5 X Thunderbolt II. 5 of the Japanese planes suffered damage and the LCU took very light losses.

Gil finally feels almost human once again. He never thought that sitting on his rear end would be so tiring, but those long missions are killers. He'd hate to actually have to fly the plane.

Bill sits in the Captain's chair on the bridge of the Missouri as the ship glides beneath the Golden Gate Bridge along with a CLAA. They will join with some waiting DDs and then make for Pearl Harbor. He expects to ultimately be based out of Ulithi, but things in war time have a way of changing unexpectedly and rapidly. Still, it's good to be back at sea.

Slim tightens the bandage on his arm and wonders how many more times he's going to get wounded. The attack left all of the troops spent, but they did push the Japanese back some more. The feeling among the lads is that one more push and the Japanese will be dislodged from their positions. What really worries Slim is that they won't surrender, but will fight on when there is no reason to do so. “I just heard some scuttlebutt that more armor and infantry is headed our way to help kill these bums off,” says one of the lads. Slim just answers that he hopes it's true. He returns to his thoughts about being hit twice in two attacks. He thinks about bad things that come in threes. What kind of luck does he have to have been wounded in each arm, but not bad enough to at least get some time off the line. The lads are happy to have him around and it dawns on him that they actually rely on him.

FDR signed a law creating the ranks of General of the Army and Fleet Admiral so Americans will now have the rank equal to Field Marshal. Over the course of the next week Marshall, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Arnold, Leahy, King and Nimitz will be promoted. Later Halsey and Bradley will be promoted.

Victory Points Allied 47731 Japanese 36541

FDR signed a law creating the ranks of General of the Army and Fleet Admiral so Americans will now have the rank equal to Field Marshal. Over the course of the next week Marshall, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Arnold, Leahy, King and Nimitz will be promoted.

IIRC we have the five-star rank because Marshall exclaimed, "I'll be damned if I'll have people calling me Marshal Marshall. Nope, we'll just have five-star generals."

The creation of the new rank removed the problem of technically being outranked by some British brass.

December 15, 1944 Cotabato

Intel

33280 men are based at Paramushiro Jima.
7th Division is located at Sapporo.
12th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Nagoya.
12th Aviation Rgt is located at Singapore.
7207 men are based at Hanoi.
Hiroshima Base Force is located at Hiroshima/Kure.
10th Construction Battalion is located at Tsitsihar.
21st Mixed Brigade is planning for an attack on Wyndham.
65th Construction Battalion is located at Kagoshima.
Radio transmissions detected at Ulithi.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Nanning 51 fighters, 39 bombers, 66 aux, 32 LCUs
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 5180/12/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tarakan 1 X AP, 1 X DE, 1 LCU
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Davao 12 LCUs 30620/157/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 86 fighters, 84 aux, 4 LCUs 18780/38/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Cotabato vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tassafaronga 3 LCUs 900/0/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Andaman Island 2 LCUs 7380/35/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Amboina 32 bombers, 35 aux, 5 LCUs 16740/43/0

Combat

A naval bombardment of Cotabato was conducted by the Old Gals and resulted in very light damage to the already trashed airstrip and heavy casualties. A second division of the Old Gals was busily at work doing light damage to the airfield, light damage to the port, some secondary explosions were observed and troop losses were heavy. In the meantime 28 X SB2C, 50 X TBF, 91 X TBM, 42 X F6F and 2 X FM-2 were also on the job. They contributed very light damage to the airstrip, light damage to the port, a secondary explosion was claimed and Japanese personnel losses were placed at very light.

Tokyo was swept by 51 X P-51D who encountered 44 X Zeke, 6 X Jack, 25 X Tony, 34 X Frank and 6 X Randy. In the wild melee that occurred 19 Zekes (1 damaged), 3 Jacks, 17 Tonys, 7 Franks (1 damaged) and 5 Randys were shot down at the cost of 6 Mustangs lost.

Andaman Island was raided by 48 X Mosquito FB.VI of which ground fire damaged 1. No bombs were dropped on target as it was obscured by cloud cover.

Davao was hit by 3 X SB2C (3 damaged), 8 X TBM-3d (1 damaged) and 13 X P-47D. The Allied planes did negligible damage to the airfield and caused moderately light casualties.

The 5th New Chinese Corps escaped without a scratch from the attack made by 13 Peggys.

The 3rd Indian Division, 20 miles N of Krung Thep was attacked by 8 X Peggy. There were 5 X Thunderbolt II on patrol who intercepted the raid and downed all of the Japanese planes while having any of their number take damage. The Indian unit had no losses.

Japanese flights in and out of Paramushiro Jima were intercepted by P-47Ds.

The Japanese have evacuated Cotabato and are moving towards Cagayan. Tomorrow the Allied troops will begin the process of making the base at Cotobato theirs. There is extensive damage to the port and airstrip that must be repaired before it will be of any value.

Sam is told by a Sea Bee, over a warm beer, that work on the island's defenses are nearing completion and that the airstrip will get the sole attention of the Sea Bees soon. Sam takes a little comfort in knowing this, but he still has a gut feeling about the Japanese attacking them.

Bill is amazed at how a ship this large can be so fast. Ship design has come a long way in a short time, he thinks. He also is itching to get her armament into action against the Japanese.

Phil sits in an office at Dadjangas looking out of a window through which he can see the harbor. Some of the Old Gals have returned and the rest of them will berth in the morning. He's been handed the responsibility of the logistics and he nervously keeps tabs on the fuel stocks on hand. The old BBs are thirsty behemoths and have a large appetite for ordinance with them being so busy. The real problem will be that the trip to Cagayan is longer than the run to Cotabato was. He longs for a ship to command.

Victory Points Allied 47805 Japanese 36562

December 16, 1944 Mindanao

Intel

7196 men are based at Hanoi.
6th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Wonsan.
56th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Harbin.
40th Construction Battalion is located at Changchun.
46th Road Construction Battalion is located at Changkufeng.
8th Area Army is located at Dobodura.
1490 men are based at Kratie.
12679 men are based at Pisanuloke.
184394 men are based at Truk.
Iki Fortress is located at Ikitsuki.
2nd Area Army is located at Soerabaja.
10th Area Army is located at Chengting.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Hanoi 7 bombers, 3 LCUs 4540/17/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 127 fighters, 132 aux, 31 LCUs
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 2480/11/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kai Island 6 LCUs 5740/1/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Davao vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 43 fighters, 42 aux, 4 LCUs 16840/29/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Lunga 4 LCUs

Combat

The SS Lagarto, 22 miles E of Takao, was attacked by 5 DDs. Other than rattled nerves the damage was negligible so the patrol continues.

The SS Blower attacked an AP 141 miles N of Marcus Island striking it with 3 torpedoes, setting it ablaze and doing severe damage to the vessel.

Victoria Point was under a CAP of 9 X Frank when 21 X P-51D jumped them. The Franks ran and 1 was killed at no cost to the Allied planes.

Koepang was bombed by 46 X B-24D (1 downed, 6 damaged) and 41 X B-24J (2 damaged). The airfield took moderately heavy damage, there were a large number of secondary explosions reported and casualties were negligible.

Lautem was attacked by 142 X B-25J, 12 X P-40N and 22 Kittyhawk III who did heavy damage to the airstrip and caused some secondary explosions.

Cagayan was swept by 48 X F4U-1 who ran into 27 X Zeke, 6 X George, 27 X Jack and 12 X Frank. The furball saw 14 Corsairs lost and 3 others take damage. The Japanese had 12 Zekes (1 damaged), 1 George, 17 Jacks and 6 Franks get shot down. A short time later a reduced CAP of 15 Zekes, 5 Georges and 10 Jacks tried to stop an attack made by 42 X B-24D (1 downed, 4 damaged), 80 X B-24J (3 downed, 3 damaged) and 22 X P-51D (1 downed, 2 damaged). The Japanese fighters never penetrated the Mustangs on escort duty, but the flak was heavy and accurate as it took a toll on the bombers. The Japanese fighters suffered 7 Zekes (1 damaged), 1 George (1 damaged) and 12 Jacks destroyed. The airfield was very heavily damaged, there were a large number of secondary explosions seen and personnel losses were thought to have been moderate. At almost the same time 2 X SB2C, 29 X TBF and 6 X F6F tried to do some harm, but their efforts were thwarted by cloud cover.

The 5th New Chinese Corps, still frozen in place, was hit by 18 Peggys who did no harm.

An Allied attack took Cotabato.

Japanese flights to and from Paramushiro were intercepted by Thunderbolts.

Troops on Mindanao are on the move. An RCT is advancing on Davao with engineer units to follow while the bulk of the force is advancing towards Cagayan, close on the heels of the Japanese forces heading there.

Bill lies in his bunk waiting for sleep to come. He's thinking of the O'Bannon and her manners at sea in comparison with the Helena and then comparing those two with the Missouri that he now calls home. He loves ships and remembers the traits of each and every one he's served on. Slowly his thoughts drift to Sandy and he sighs, looking at the growing pile of letters to mail as soon as he gets the chance.

Slim and his lads are walking along the road towards their next battle when Army vehicles roll by to the hoots and barking of the Marines. Slim thinks that it's good that the Army should go into battle first before he even arrives. As the walk along the company CO comes up along side of him and says that they're going to Cagayan and that the Japanese will be bottled up there with nowhere to run to. “That's great, they don't surrender anyway and now we're going to make them fight even harder with nowhere to retreat to.” The CO looks at Slim, but only says that he'll see him later and then leaves.

John Doe asks Pete if they'll be hosting a Christmas party. Before Pete can answer Sylvia answers that of course they will. John says that he'd like to volunteer some turkeys to the cause. The offer is gratefully appreciated and accepted.

Victory Points Allied 47881 Japanese 36567

December 17, 1944 Guam

Intel

Kembu Force is located at Kadina.
6th Naval Construction Battalion is located at Georgetown.
Hainan Base Force is located at Kiungahan.
2nd Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
11th Tank Regiment is located at Mishan.
114th Division is located at Wuhan.
111th Division is located at Mutanchiang.
62nd Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Nanking.
29146 men are based at Shimuzu.
4923 men are based at Niigata.
53rd Aviation Unit is located at Tokyo.
Elements of the 4th Ind. Brigade are planning for an attack on Chungking.
1st Air Division is planning for an attack on Chungking.
Radio transmissions detected at Prince Rupert.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Camranh Bay 1 X AP, 2 X AK, 1 X AG, 3 aux, 2 LCUs 500/36/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Victoria Point 12 bombers, 25 aux, 7 LCUs 10760/94/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tarakan 1 X AP, 1 X DE, 2 LCUs
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Dili vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Davao vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 4 LCUs 16380/33/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 42720/100/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Lunga 4 LCUs

Combat

Panggoe is occupied by the Allies

Bangkok underwent a fighter sweep made by 122 X P-38J who dove out of the sun into the 28 X Zeke, 9 X George, 14 X Jack, 3 X Oscar, 3 X Tony, 6 X Frank and 2 X Randy. The Lightnings lost 5 planes and had another 6 take damage in the fight. They destroyed all of the Japanese planes except for 1 Zeke flown by a highly skilled and extremely lucky pilot.

Krung Thep was raided by 33 X B-25J, 27 X Thunderbolt II and 16 X Spitfire VIII who ran into 18 X Zeke and 11 X Frank. The Allied fighter escorts down 17 Zekes and 3 Franks (1 damaged) while having a Spitfire VIII shot down. The AA fire damaged 12 Mitchells as they did light damage to the airfield and inflicted very light casualties on the Japanese.

Davao was bombed by 160 X B-29 who caused heavy damage to the airfield, moderate port damage, a fuel tank blew up and there were some secondary explosions seen. A command screw up didn't reassign this mission to a different target as Allied commanders knew that the Japanese had vacated the base.

Cagayan was swept by 17 X P-38J and 20 X P-47D, but the Japanese had no planes in the air. Then 32 X B-24J, 48 X PB4Y and 45 X P-38J and attacked the airfield administering heavy damage to it, triggering many secondary explosions, destroying 5 Zekes, 9 Franks, 2 Georges and 5 Jacks and personnel losses were placed at moderate. A single B-24J was damaged by the flak.

Gili Gili was attacked by 35 X B-24J and 10 X Spitfire VIII who caused light damage to the port, a few secondary explosions were observed and negligible casualties.

Rabaul was bombed by 46 X B-17E and 91 X B-24D. The airfield was heavily damaged, the port took moderately light damage and troop losses were moderate.

Tokyo was swept by 53 X P-51D who were opposed by 28 X Zeke, 15 X Jack, 6 X Tony, 64 X Frank and 5 X Randy. Planes rained down from the sky in flames as 15 Zekes, 6 Jacks (1 damaged), 5 Tonys, 37 Franks and 3 Randys were shot down. The Allies lost 4 Mustangs and 3 more were damaged.

Flights to and from Paramushiro Jima were again intercepted by marauding Jugs.

“We did what? Tell me that this is a joke,” says Gil to one of the guys who works in the 500th BG office. The man repeats that they bombed a vacant base and that two other groups lost three aircrews. “We fight the war and the Japanese try to kill us while our brass tries to help the Japanese. What a way to run a war.” With that Gil thanks the guy for the info and he leaves the mess hall and heads back to the Lucky 11's hut. When he arrives he spreads the word and between the curses and moans the guys vent their anger at having been put at risk for no reason.

Slim looks at the lads and decides that the 2nd Marine Division could scare the Japanese to death with they way they look. If that wasn’t enough the smell would. Their uniforms are stained and torn. The men are filthy and in exhausted. After a few more hours of walking they are told that they will be getting hot chow and will be able to draw ammo. Food is good, more ammo means trouble ahead.

Sandy sits at the window staring out at the freshly fallen snow. It looks beautiful. She misses Bill and wonders why she hasn't heard anything from him yet other than a couple of letters.

Victory Points Allied 48088 Japanese 36595

December 18, 1944 Washington DC

Intel

1st Fleet is located at Manila.
106025 men are based at Tsitsihar.
Canton Base Force is located at Canton.
3rd Cavarly Brigade is located at Mishan.
7th Engineer Regiment is located at Mishan.
18th Army is located at Dobodura.
8173 men are based at Hakodate.
19069 men are based at Shikka.
22nd AA Regiment is located at Osaka/Kobe.
Chichijima Fortress is located at Niigata.
1st AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Saigon 5 X AP, 4 X DE, 14 bombers, 8 aux, 1 LCU 4720/23/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 33 LCUs
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tarakan 2 LCUs 540/0/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Dili vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Davao vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 32 bombers, 4 LCUs 18020/37/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 43860/95/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tassafaronga 3 LCUs

Combat

4 USN MSWs encountered a minefield at Cotabato and immediately set to clearing it.

Nanning was swept by 63 X P-38J who jumped 11 X Zeke, 18 X Jack, 32 X Tojo, 13 X Nick and 9 X Tony. Though losses were heavy for both sides Allied commanders were pleased with the results. The Japanese lost 7 Zekes, 15 Jacks, 19 Tojos, 11 Nicks and 6 Tonys to 7 Lightnings downed and 4 others damaged.

Tavoy was bombed by 43 X B-29 (2 damaged), 46 X Mosquito FB.VI (3 damaged) and 22 X Thunderbolt II. The airfield took moderately heavy damage, the port light damage, there were some secondary explosions claimed and casualties were listed at moderate. Then another strike of 129 X B-29 (3 damaged) arrived and plastered the airstrip to the tune of very heavy damage, many secondary explosions were seen and personnel losses were very light.

Krung Thep was hit by 132 X Liberator VI (1 downed, 3 damaged), 64 X B-25J and 44 X B-24J. Damage to the airfield was very heavy, a huge number of secondary explosions were triggered and casualties were very heavy.

Cagayan was swept by 18 X P-38J and 21 X P-47D, but there were no Japanese planes in the air.

Gili Gili was attacked by 28 X B-24J and 10 X Spitfire VIII who did moderate damage to the airstrip, caused a secondary explosion and inflicted moderate troop losses on the Japanese.

Lunga's port was lightly hit by 54 X B-24J. There were a few secondary explosions observed and casualties were placed at moderate.

The 5th New Chinese Corps was ineffectually attacked by 9 Peggys. Nearby the 6th Chinese Air Base Force was struck by 11 X Peggy to no effect.

Ed reads the reports and notes that minefields off of Cotabato are being cleared. He silently curses them and gives thanks that none of his bombardment runs had the misfortune to run into any of the damned things. Next up is Cagayan and a new set logistical problems and the possibility of mines. He sighs and puts the papers down, rubs his eyes and announces that he's going for a walk, telling Phil to join him.

Frank watches as the O'Bannon refuels at Ulithi. She is scheduled to escort some CVEs to Pearl. He hopes that his ship is replaced by a DE and that O'Bannon can remain forward, where the action is. Later in the day his TF is broken up and Frank watches some CVEs sail with a DD and some DEs to the East and he is wearing a smile. Now let's see what new orders get issued, he thinks.

FDR told his aides that today the PTO could wait as he needed information from Europe and the surprise German offensive that caught the Allies with their pants down. “We were so certain that the Germans were to weak to mount any kind of offensive and this happened,” FDR said as he opened the meeting.

Dave sits over a cup of coffee reading the paper and silently wonders what's going on with Bill. He's afraid of upsetting Sandy so he never mentions him unless she starts the conversation. Sandy is sitting at the table playing with the food left in her plate.

Yesterday the Allies rushed reinforcements to the Ardennes as on the 16th Operation Wacht am Rhein (The Battle of the Bulge) began. Today the German attack began to bog down.

Victory Points Allied 48165 Japanese 36510

December 19, 1944 Mindanao

Intel

1st Army is planning for an attack on Chungking.
56th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Tarakan.
4th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Kagoshima.
40th Construction Battalion is located at Changchun.
34th Construction Battalion is located at Tsitsihar.
86th Division is located at Nagaoka.
Soya Fortress is located at Wakkanai.
20th Engineer Regiment is located at Canton.
116th IJN Base Force is located at Pusan.
2938 men are based at Nagato.
1705 men are based at Fushan.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 9 LCUs 96940/988/27
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Alor Star 17 bombers, 12 aux, 17420/125/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 43440/91/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Sandakan vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 1420/3/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 29 bombers, 12 LCUs 17340/35/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Legaspi 1 LCU
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tassafaronga 3 LCUs

Combat

Victoria Point was targeted by 125 X Liberator VI (1 downed, 3 damaged), 42 X B-24J, 62 X B-25J (1 damaged), 45 X Mosquito FB.VI (1 downed, 1 damaged), 24 X P-51D and 32 X Thunderbolt II. The airfield took severe damage, there were a great many secondary explosions reported, 5 X Betty, 4 X Myrt, 1 X Irving and 1 X Dinah were destroyed and casualties were heavy.

Andaman Island was raided by 4 X B-29 and 2 X Thunderbolt II. The airstrip was very lightly damaged, a secondary explosion was claimed and personnel losses were extremely light.

The 1st BAF AA Regiment, 21 miles N of Krung Thep, was being snooped on by a Dinah when 5 X Thunderbolt II appeared and drove it off. Shortly thereafter a Peggy appeared and it too was sent scurrying home. In the after noon another Peggy arrived only to be sent packing by some Thunderbolt IIs.

The 6th Chinese Air Base Force was struck by 15 X Peggy who managed to dump their loads off target.

Sandy got a letter today and now she knows that Bill is back on sea duty. She's happy for him that he avoided a desk job, but now she'll be worried as he heads into harm's way. When she tells Dave he nods and somberly says that a prayer for him couldn't hurt. That took Sandy by surprised as it would be an understatement to say that Dave wasn't religious.

Gene and his crew are busy as the number of ships crossing the oceans is staggering and they have mechanical breakdowns, accidents and simple wear and tear. The ship that they are working on has a damaged hull from a battering delivered by an Atlantic storm. They inspect the popped seams and figure it as a simple welding job until they see how badly some of the hull plates are rusted away. Gene speaks to his boss and tells him that the ship is almost ready for scrap. His boss tells him that if there are plates around that he can use then he should replace the worst ones and that'll do for now.

Slim and his lads continue the walk towards Cagayan. They're so tired that when a break is called they just drop at the side of the road and fall asleep. Slim wishes that he could catch a few winks himself, but then who is going to wake them up?

9,000 Americans surrendered in Schnee Eifel.

Victory Points Allied 48217 Japanese 36613

December 20, 1944 Brisbane

Intel

12th Army is located at Nanning.
19th Army is located at Manila.
19960 men are based at Eniwetok.
57th Construction Battalion is located at Maizuru.
64th Construction Battalion is located at Nagasaki.
Chichijima Fortress is located at Niigata.
1st AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
44626 men are based at Harbin.
25th AA Regiment is located at Osaka/Kobe.
Kaosing Fortress is located at Takao.
39th Division is located at Sining.
28th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Kai Island.
17th Army is located at Clark Field.
38th Construction Battalion is located at Toyohara.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Luang Prabang 1 LCU 1460/2/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Bandou vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Sandakan vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 4500/24/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Lautem 1 LCU 800/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 36 bombers, 13 LCUs 106060/930/7
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Legaspi 1 LCU
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 13140/11/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 44520/92/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 3 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Lunga 4 LCUs 6120/28/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tulagi 5 LCUs

Combat

A PBM Mariner spotted an MSW near Okayama and reported a hit.

The SS Thornback was on patrol about 19 miles NW of the Amami Group when she found an AK being escorted by 2 PGs and a PC. They offered themselves up to a perfect firing solution and 2 torpedoes struck home on the freighter causing heavy damage and fires. A few hours later the sub administered the coup de grace on the hapless AK, which had been left by the escorts, with another torpedo causing it to sink.

Victoria Point was swept by 21 X P-51D. After milling around for a while the fighters returned to base empty handed.

Gili Gili was raided by 11 X A-20G and 10 X Spitfire VIII, but the canopy of clouds saved the Japanese from harm.

Rabaul was bombed by 47 X B-17E, 92 X B-24D and 46 X B-24J. The airfield was heavily damaged, the port took moderately heavy damage, there were many secondary explosions seen and casualties were moderately heavy.

The IJA 56th Division, 13 miles W of Cagayan, was jumped by 18 X SB2C, 74 X TBM and 6 X F6F. The unit sustained heavy losses.

The IJA 24th Ind. Mixed Brigade, at Cagayan, was attacked by 17 X TBM-3d and 17 X P-47D, 5 of the Avengers took damage and the Japanese casualties were very light.

The 5th New Chinese Corps was hit by 12 X Peggy. Once more the Japanese bombed already destroyed material.

Stick keeps flying and never does anything but burn up av gas. Now he'll be sitting out tomorrow's activities as he's up for a breather. “You guys are sure to run into more Japanese than you can count as Stick won't be with you,” jokes one of the guys.

Slim is out on his feet, but he can't collapse now as the lads are as tired as he is and he leads them. Speaking of feet his are killing him and his legs feel like lead. Pick 'em up and put 'em down, one after the other he tells himself. He's willing himself to continue. Finally a halt is called and they are told to fall out, dig their holes and rest. Slim starts digging after he finds a good spot. After digging for a while he hits rock and can't go any deeper. Cursing his bad luck he moves to another spot and starts all over again. After 15 minutes or so he hits rock again. Muttering enough profanities to make a sailor blush he moves once again, but this time a couple of the lads tell him they'll dig a fighting hole for him while he checks up on the rest of the platoon.

Pete and Sylvia have finalized their plans for the Christmas party when Milt and Jac stop by for a nip. They discuss the plans and Jac asks who'll be watching Pearl. Sylvia blushes and admits that she forgot that detail. “I'll ask one of the hotel staff. I'm sure we'll work it out. Thanks for reminding me mom.”

Victory Points Allied 48243 Japanese 36513

December 21, 1944 Washington DC

Intel

105952 men are based at Tsitsihar.
31st AA Regiment is located at Sapporo.
4th Mortar Battalion is located at Nanning.
12th Construction Battalion is located at Batan Island.
55th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Clark Field.
75706 men are based at Mutanchiang.
Najin Fortress is located at Changkufeng.
23rd Tank Regiment is located at Chiamussu.
29141 men are based at Shimuzu.
7th AA Regiment is located at Gumma.
61st Division is located at Tokyo.
71st Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Balikpapan.
Kembu Force is located at Kadina.
211610 men are based at Masan.
Radio transmissions detected at Ulithi.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 9800/24/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Jesselton vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Samarinda vacant
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 10440/33/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 24 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga 1 LCU
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 7 LCUs 760/4/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 15 LCUs 25580/28/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 44120/81/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Lunga 4 LCUs 7940/31/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tulagi 5 LCUs 180/0/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Saigon 6 X AP, 3 X DE, 8 fighters, 11 bombers, 8 aux, 1 LCU 4740/19/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 4 LCUs

Combat

The SS Cod near Catanduanes was attacked by a Betty and reported being hit. She will now make her way back to base with moderate systems damage and moderate flooding. As long as the pumps function she should make it safely.

Koepang was attacked by 45 X B-24D (1 downed, 4 damaged) and 48 X B-24J (2 damaged). The airfield was moderately damaged, the port took moderate damage, the were many secondary explosions and Japanese casualties were thought to have been very light.

Cagayan was hit by 25 X B-24J (2 damaged) and 61 x P-38J. The Lightnings milled around with nothing to do as the Liberators did moderate damage to the airfield, triggered a few secondary explosions, destroyed 3 Judys, 4 Franks and 2 Graces and inflicted moderate personnel losses. Within minutes another strike hit the Japanese consisting of 38 X B-24D, 84 X B-24J (1 damaged) and 23 X P-51D. The airstrip was heavily damaged, the port was moderately damaged, there were a huge number of secondary explosions seen, 13 Franks, 5 Judys and 5 Graces were trashed and casualties were moderately heavy. Later 29 X SB2C (1 damaged), 12 X TBF (1 damaged), 3 X TBM, 25 X F4U-1 and 8 X F6F added very light airfield damage, some secondary explosions and a Grace and a Judy were destroyed.

At Gili Gili the South Seas Det. escaped harm thanks to cloud cover as 3 X A-20G and 3 X Spitfire VIII jumped it.

The IJA 16th Mixed Brigade, 16 miles S of Cagayan, was hammered by 29 X SB2C (4 damaged), 63 X TBM (1 downed, 1 damaged), 14 X TBM-3d, 13 X P-38J and 5 X F6F for very heavy losses. Then the 1st Coastal Gun Regiment, nearby, was attacked by 3 X SB2C, 11 X TBM (1 damaged) and 1 X F6F. The unit had moderate casualties. Japanese transport planes were intercepted by Allied fighters.

The 141st IJN Base Force, at Tassaforanga, was hit by 8 X TBM and 7 X FM-2, but had no harm done to it.

The 5th New Chinese Corps was attacked by 12 X Peggy who dropped off target.

On Kai Island the IJA 16th Mixed Brigade was struck by 81 X B-25J and 11 X Kittyhawk III for heavy losses.

Lunga was bombed by 52 X SB2C and 17 X F6F for light damage to the port and a few secondary explosions.

Tulagi escaped the wrath of 36 X TBF and 16 X F6F thanks to low lying clouds.

An ASW attack 28 miles SE of Tassaforanga was made by Allied ships on a Japanese sub, but no hits were claimed.

The Flying Deuces flew into their new home of Cotabato today and tomorrow they'll be flying Stick's favorite missions, CAP. Stick will join the squadron tomorrow as he and a few other pilots were getting some badly needed rest.

“Landings are scheduled for tomorrow at Tulagi, Lunga, Tassaforanga and Davao and Operation Blizzard is proceeding as planned,” says the naval Captain ending his briefing. FDR nods his approval. As the meeting breaks up Franklin lets Admiral King and General Marshall know that he would like a word with them. Later in the Oval Office the three men talk and Roosevelt makes his concerns known about Operation Blizzard. King assures him that the Navy will throw adequate assets into the operation to insure success as far as the naval angle is concerned. Marshall admits that the Army is stretched thin in the PTO and that replacements for the bloody fighting at Mindanao are in short supply. He goes on to say that the Army has the machines, but needs men. “Operation Blizzard has lots of muscle, but I'd be happier with a division of infantry and some armored formations added to the roster,” Marshall closes. The men agree that all operations will have to make do with what they are planned to have and that depending on how things progress in the future some added muscle can be allocated elsewhere.

Stalin asks if all is moving along as planned and his generals reply to the affirmative, as if anything else would be acceptable. “Units are at or near full strength, pilot training continues and upgrades to some older plane types have been released and as more become available additional units will get the newer plane types,” the Major states. Stalin invites all of the assembled officers to join him in a toast to the victory over all who oppose us.

Victory Points Allied 48320 Japanese 36630

December 22, 1944 Mindanao

Intel

25th Air Flotilla is located at Tokyo.
6825 men are based at Inch'on.
64th Construction Battalion is located at Nagasaki.
7th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Hailar.
11th Army is planning for an attack on Chungking.
5th AA Regiment is located at Gumma.
10th Construction Battalion is located at Tsitsihar.
16th Aviation Rgt is located at Wuhan.
211628 men are based at Masan.
10556 men are based at Etorofo Jima.
18809 men are based at Marcus Island.
31st AA Regiment is located at Sapporo.
2nd Reserve AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Phnom Penh vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Jesselton vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Samarinda vacant
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 10400/34/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 24 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga 2 LCUs
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 7 LCUs 8720/28/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 39380/38/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 42760/84/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 6 LCUs
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 73 fighters, 96 aux, 34 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Lunga 4 LCUs 22640/74/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Tulagi 5 LCUs 2460/0/0

Combat

Allied troops hit the beaches at Lunga as scheduled taking extremely heavy losses. An MSW was hit a couple of times by the coastal artillery. Japanese casualties have been extremely light. 56 X B-24J did heavy damage to the port and caused many secondary explosions. A raid by 51 X SB2C and 17 X F6F accounted for light port damage and a secondary explosion. A Japanese bombardment and the Allied response inflicted moderate losses on the Japanese. No harm was done to the Allied forces.

Troops hit the beach at Tulagi and they had extremely heavy losses. An attack by 36 X TBF and 16 X F6F did light damage to the port.

At Tassafaronga the invading Allied troops absorbed extremely heavy casualties. The 141st IJN Base Force was hit by 8 X TBM and 7 X FM-2, but ordinance fell off target.

Davao was invaded by Allied troops who had very heavy losses.

The SS Sturgeon, 32 miles SW of Swatow, tried and failed to attack a TK under escort by a PG and 2 PCs.

Victoria Point was bombed by 60 X B-29 (1 downed, 4 damaged) who administered light damage to the airfield, moderate damage to the port, many secondary explosions were reported, a Dinah and a Myrt were destroyed and casualties were thought to have been moderate.

Andaman Island was raided by 31 X B-29 and 12 X Thunderbolt II. AA fire damaged 2 of the big birds and all of the bombs failed to do any harm.

Gili Gili was struck by 48 X B-17E, 48 X B-24D, 47 X B-24J and 5 X Spitfire VIII. The airstrip was moderately damaged as was the port and there were some secondary explosions seen.

Rabaul was visited by 31 X B-24D who didn't do any damage to the already devastated facilities, but they did trigger a couple of secondary explosions.

The Kure 1st SNLF, on Kai Island, drew the attention of 93 X B-25J and 11 X Kittyhawk III resulting in very heavy troop losses.

The South Seas Det., at Gili Gili, had moderate casualties from an attack made by 8 X A-20G and 7 X Spitfire VIII.

At Cagayan the IJA 18th Division was jumped by 11 X TBM (1 destroyed, 5 damaged) and 2 X F6F. Personnel losses were very light. The IJA 56th Division was the target of 22 X TBF (12 damaged) and 4 F6F. Casualties were light. The IJA 24th Ind. Mixed Brigade got the attention of 29 X TBM (1 downed, 8 damaged) and 4 X F6F. The unit had moderately heavy casualties. A strike of 50 X SB2C (3 damaged), 15 X TBF, 6 X TBM, 30 X F4U-1 and 11 X F6F caused light port damage, moderately light damage to the airstrip, a Judy and a Grace were destroyed and personnel losses were heavy. Another attack was made by 22 X PB4Y (6 damaged) and 5 X P-38J that added light damage to the port and a secondary explosion was claimed. Transport flights in and out were intercepted by roaming Allied fighters.

The SS Sabalo, patrolling 317 miles NW of Marcus Island, stumbled across an AP loaded with troops thanks to an alert radar operator. The target absorbed 3 torpedo hits causing severe damage, fires and many men were seen going into the water. The AP went down a short time later.

Tired, aching, filthy and battered is a good description of Slim and the lads as the Allied troops continue their advance towards Cagayan. They follow the Japanese, but are moving at a snail's pace which is OK with Slim. Today they actually spent the better part of the day resting and even had some hot chow.

Gene eyes the hull plates that they are supposed to use for this job and laughs to himself as he wonders what hulk they scavenged these from. With a shrug he tells his crew that they should make them fit and finish up so somebody can slap some primer and paint on their work. The guys mention that the bottom of the barrel has been hit this time.

Ships all over the Pacific, from the US to the Marianas are gathering for the rash of operations that will stretch the Allied capabilities to the maximum.

Stalin ponders offering the Japanese a nonaggression treaty in return for what? What would Tokyo be willing to do to secure such a treaty? Would they even trust me? All of these musings as he stares at situation reports and a map of Europe.

The Chinese are demanding better planes than the P-40Ns that Washington ships to them. The word is that better planes would be wasted on inferior pilots so a plan is being hatched to ship active USAAC formations to China to help them out.

The British called up 250,000 troops to fill out the ranks of the line units.

General McAuliffe replied “Nuts!” to a German surrender ultimatum.

The US and Britain formally recognized Tito's Yugoslavia.

Victory Points Allied 48367 Japanese 36652

December 23, 1944 Davao

Intel

26898 men are based at Bonin.
68th Construction Battalion is located at Hamamatsu.
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Tsitsihar.
5815 men are based at Aomori.
24th AA Regiment is located at Nagasaki.
2nd Mixed Regiment is located at Hangchow.
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Tsitsihar.
22nd Engineer Regiment is located at Mishan.
3rd Fleet is located at Soerabaja.
Maloelop Base Force is located at Maloelap.
6th Construction Battalion is located at Tsitsihar.
36th Construction Battalion is located at Georgetown.
1st Army is located at Sian.
Iki Fortress is located at Ikitsuki.
Radio transmissions detected at Vancouver.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Victoria Point 2 bombers, 3 aux, 7 LCUs 23520/122/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Songkhia 1 LCU 0/5/127
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Balikpapan 2 X TK, 4 X AP, 6 LCUs 4280/13/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 11300/35/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 25 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila many ships, 21 fighters, 13 bombers, 47 aux, 14 LCUs 8480/42/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Roxas 1 X CA
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 7 LCUs 12060/35/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 40300/34/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 X LCUs 43100/89/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs

Combat

Allied troops continued to come ashore at Lunga taking moderate casualties. 51 X SB2C and 16 X F6F did light damage to the port and inflicted very light troop losses. Artillery fire resulted in moderate Japanese casualties.

Over at Tulagi troops landing took heavy losses. 36 X TBF and 16 X F6F did light damage to the port and triggered a secondary explosion. The Japanese had very light casualties from Allied artillery.

At the same time at Tassafaronga casualties were very heavy as the landings continued. The 141st IJN Base Force was missed by 8 X TBM and 7 X FM-2.

Allied troops stormed ashore at Torokina taking heavy losses.

Tokyo was swept by 52 X P-51D and they mixed it up with 46 X Zeke, 10 X Jack, 66 X Frank, 5 X Tony and 4 X Randy. Losses were heavy as 10 Mustangs went down and 5 more limped towards home. The Japanese suffered horrendously as 23 Zekes, 8 Jacks, 31 Franks (2 damaged), a Tony and 3 Randys were shot down.

Tavoy was bombed by 127 X Liberator VI (2 damaged), 46 X B-24J (1 damaged) and 25 X Thunderbolt II. The airfield was very heavily damaged, there were many secondary explosions and personnel losses were moderate.

Cagayan was swept by 5 X P-38J who had become detached from their assigned mission. They failed to find any Japanese planes and left for home. A short time later 29 X B-24J (4 damaged) and 63 X P-38J arrived and the airfield was moderately damaged, a couple of secondary explosions were seen, a Judy was destroyed and casualties were placed at heavy. More Allied bombers arrived and the 41 X B-24D, 84 X B-24J (5 damaged), 23 X P-51D and 11 X F4U-1D added light damage to the port, a huge number of secondary explosions were observed and casualties were very heavy. The IJA 56th Division was attacked by 19 X B-25J (2 downed, 8 damaged), 3 X P-47D and 13 X P-38J for moderate losses. The IJA 100th Division was struck by 40 X B-25J (1 downed, 14 damaged) and 11 X P-47D for heavy casualties. Later 50 X SB2C (1 downed, 3 damaged), 15 X TBF (1 damaged), 6 X TBM, 17 X P-38J, 14 X P-47D, 24 X F4U-1 and 8 X F6F came calling and they did very light damage to the port and added heavy casualties to the Japanese troops.

The South Seas Det., at Gili Gili, was hit for moderate casualties by 9 X A-20G and 10 X Spitfire VIII.

The IJA 28th Ind. Mixed Brigade, on Kai Island, was jumped by 32 X B-25J and 2 X Kittyhawk III. The unit had heavy troop losses. The IJA 16th Mixed Brigade was hit by 83 X B-25J and 10 X Kittyhawk III, but escaped harm due to cloud cover.

The 1st BAF AA Regiment, 22 miles N of Krung Thep was being spied on by a Dinah when 5 Thunderbolt IIs arrived and chased it away. The a Peggy arrived and it too was driven off.

The SS Cuttlefish, 175 miles E of Wenchow, tracked a pair of TKs being escorted by 6 PCs and a PG. She managed to penetrate the screen and hit a TK with a pair of fish causing fires and heavy damage.

Allied forces attacked and captured Davao.

Japanese transports flying into and out of Cagayan were intercepted by Allied fighters.

Stick has been assigned to fly LRCAP over Cagayan tomorrow and he's heard that there are Japanese flights around there. Maybe he can finally tally a kill. He has a devil of a time relaxing enough to fall asleep as the anticipation of air combat consumes him.

After spending a couple of days at Pearl Bill is glad to be getting underway, bound for Ulithi. The Mighty Mo and her escorts are a welcomed screen for the flow of convoys into and out of Pearl Harbor.

Gil sits on his cot writing a letter to Elaine. It's hard to tell her anything as it'll just get blacked out so he sticks to things like how much he misses her and being Stateside. He tells her about the guys, careful not to mention the word crew. He sighs and finishes the letter and turns in for the night.

Slim slings his rifle and tells the lads to get off of their butts and that it's time to resume their lovely stroll through the picturesque countryside of Mindanao. Of course they get up and start moving, but only with the grumbling that is always pervasive in the ranks. As they move along an armored unit passes them and the lads cheer them even though it's Army. They love having tanks around to help settle some of combat's vexing problems. Slim wonders when they'll reach the Japanese defensive line and he figures there'll be hell to pay when they do.

Victory Points Allied 48469 Japanese 36544

December 24, 1944 Guadalcanal

Intel

1700 men are based at Fushan.
274677 men are based at Kagoshima.
13th Tank Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
12th AA Regiment is located at Peking.
1st Reserve Tank Regiment is located at Kitakyushu.
42nd AA Regiment is located at Harbin.
48th Division is located at Bangkok.
86th Division is located at Nagaoka.
144th IJN Base Force is located at Manila.
6th Army is located at Hailar.
16th Army is located at Rabaul.
87732 men are based at Pescadores.
Kaosing Fortress is located at Takao.
29th Division is located at Tsitsihar.
35th Division is located at Nanning.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 11440/24/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Bandou vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Balikpapan 10 X AP, 32 fighters, 30 aux, 6 LCUs 10860/91/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 11480/43/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 25 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Clark Field 6 LCUs 4900/29/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Roxas 1 X CA
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 7 LCUs 13200/50/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 43120/38/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 42740/100/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs 240/0/0

Combat

Troops landing at Lunga sustained negligible casualties. 52 XSB2C and 16 X F6F did light damage to the port, triggered a secondary explosion and there were negligible troop losses. Allied artillery caused negligible casualties. The Allied attack took heavy losses as did the Japanese defenders with the base now under new ownership as the Japanese retreated into the jungle when their line was breached.

The landings at Tulagi had very light losses. 36 X TBF and 17 X F6F did light port damage and caused a secondary explosion. Allied forces attacked and took the base. Allied forces had heavy losses and the Japanese had moderate casualties.

Near Tassafaronga the AK Clarence Darrow, while unloading, got hit by a torpedo. The sub was severely pounded by the escorts patrolling the area, but no kill was awarded. Troops landing had very light casualties. The 141st IJN Base Force was struck by 8 X TBM and 7 X FM-2 for extremely light casualties. The Allied assault swept the defenders aside and the base is now in Allied hands. The Japanese forces were wiped out. At virtually no cost to the attackers.

About 23 miles W of Bataan an IJN AR was hit by a fish launched by the SS Pike. The target caught fire and the sub made good her escape despite the best efforts of the DD, PG and numerous MSWs hunting her. After reloading her forward tubes the Pike attacked a PC and a torpedo slammed into it doing heavy damage and causing fires to erupt.

An IJN DD encountered a mine field at Pescadores.

The SS Grayback, 28 miles E of Taytay, caught a lone ML and ravaged it with 3 torpedo hits. The vessel was destroyed in a huge fireball.

Nanning was swept by 62 X P-38J who engaged 16 X Zeke, 10 X Jack, 1 X Oscar, 29 X Tojo , 13 X Nick and 12 X Tony. In the swirling mayhem 9 Zekes, 6 Jacks, an Oscar, 21 Tojos, 8 Nicks and 10 Tonys were destroyed at the cost of 4 Lightnings lost and 5 others damaged.

42 X B-24D hit Gili Gili for light airfield damage, a couple of secondary explosions and very light personnel losses. The South Seas Det. was attacked by 45 X B-17E, 35 X B-24D, 42 X B-24J, 12 X A-20G and 9 X Spitfire VIII for very heavy casualties.

The IJA 18th Division, at Cagayan, was raided by 24 X B-25J (7 damaged), 12 X TBM (1 downed, 6 damaged), 14 X 23 X P-38J, 14 X P-47D, 18 X F6F and 1 X FM-2 for moderately heavy losses. The IJA 56th Division was the target for 36 X TBM (11 damaged), 3 X F6F and 12 X FM-2. Troop losses were light. The IJA 24th Ind. Mixed Brigade was jumped by 12 X TBM (8 damaged), 1 X F6F and 5 X FM-2. The unit had light casualties. Later 26 X SB2C (17 damaged), 17 X P-38J, 13 X P-47D, 25 X F4U-1 and 17 X F6F caused very light Japanese casualties.

The 6th Chinese Air Base Force, with virtually nothing left to attack, was bombed by 12 Peggys for no tangible results.

An IJN ML near Manila was under a protective canopy of 4 X George and 14 X Frank when 28 X SB2C, 18 X TBM (1 damaged) and 42 X F6F (3 destroyed) attacked it. 2 Georges and 6 Franks were shot down and the ship was hit by 2 torpedoes and a bomb. Recon reports credited the ship as a kill.

Bangkok was swept by 85 X P-38J who tangled with 30 X Zeke, 7 X George, 13 X Jack, 3 X Oscar, 3 X Tony, 6 X Frank and 3 X Randy. A Jack was the sole surviving Japanese plane and the Allies lost 8 Lightnings and had another 4 take damage.

Balikpapan's port was raided by 46 X PB4Y and the AA fire downed 1 and damaged 5 of them. The port was lightly damaged, a couple of fuel explosions and a few secondary eruptions were seen. Personnel losses were light.

3 IJN MLs were 21 miles S of Manila when they were attacked by 26 X SBD (1 damaged), 28 X SB2C, 9 X TBF, 16 X TBM and 22 X F6F. They were left burning hulks from torpedo and bomb hits. Later 18 X TBM and 16 X F6F arrived to mop up, but there was nothing to attack as wreckage of the 3 vessels was all there was to be found.

The SS Thornback, 87 miles NW of the Amami Group, attacked a heavily escorted AK, hitting it with 2 torpedoes that did heavy damage and caused a fire to break out. The escorts put her through the wringer and now with light systems damage and moderate flooding she will seek a friendly port for repairs.

Marine raiders took Torokina with virtually no resistance.

Slim wearily walks along in a stupor as some trucks roar past them carrying Army troops. The lads, in true Marine fashion bark and give the passing convoy the finger. We always do more with less, thinks Slim, and our casualties are higher. He misses talking to Gunny and is feeling the weight of being bumped up to a platoon sergeant. His thoughts turn to Jack and he wonders what ever became of him. With a sigh he wonders how bad it'll be at Cagayan, knowing that the Japanese will make it a living hell.

The Flying Deuces intercepted transports into and out of Cagayan. Of course Stick never fired his guns except for a check firing. His CO is watching him because he's afraid that Stick is a candidate for a serious case of depression. The only thing going for him is that there are other pilots in the squadron who also have a goose egg for a kill tally.

Pete and Sylvia greeted their guests and all had a wonderful time at the party held in the hotel's dining room. Milt got drunk as a lord and as usual was the life of the party. Jac and Sylvia alternated with frequent departures to check in on Pearl and they also gave the woman caring for the baby a break so that she could go and eat some of the abundant food. John Doe outdid himself with the things that he provided and Pete couldn't thank him enough.

The U-486 sank the SS Leopoldville in the English Channel with the loss of 763 men of the US 66 Infantry Division.

Victory Points Allied 48671 Japanese 36564

December 25, 1944 Mindanao

Intel

274681 men are based at Kagoshima.
12679 men are based at Pisanuloke.
Najin Fortress is located at Changkufeng.
19th Engineer Regiment is located at Ichang.
32750 men are based at Paramushiro Jima.
1st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Tokyo.
28th Division is located at Hailar.
125th IJNAF Base Force is located at Laoag.
Shobu Force is located at Singapore.
Shimonoseki Fortress is located at Nagato.
3rd Heavy AA Battalion is located at Hailar.
21st Mixed Brigade is planning for an attack on Wyndham.
12th Construction Battalion is located at Batan Island.
24th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Cagayan.
2nd Army is located at Legaspi.
Radio transmissions detected at Eniwetok.

Recon

PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Balikpapan 27 fighters, 37 aux, 6 LCUs 15560/160/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Amboina 24 bombers, 16 aux, 4 LCUs 10160/41/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 25 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Lamon Bay vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Roxas 1 X CA
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 7 LCUs 13080/58/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 44040/49/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 11 LCUs 43180/93/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs 60/2/0

Combat

Allied troops landed at Buka taking heavy casualties.

Nanning was swept by 47 X P-38J who attacked the 6 X Zeke, 6 X Jack, 11 X Tojo, 7 X Nick and 2 X Tony that were flying. 6 Zekes, 4 Jacks, 6 Tojos, 2 Nicks and a Tony fell to the Lightnings who lost a plane and had another damaged in the fight.

At Cagayan the IJA 56th Division was attacked by 24 X TBM (7 damaged), 19 X F6F and 6 X FM-2. The Japanese unit had very light losses. Another strike made up of 17 X B-24J (2 damaged) and 61 X P-38J then took over and added light casualties to the same unit. Later it was the turn of the IJA 102nd Division to be attacked as 20 X B-25J, 36 X TBM (1 downed, (9 damaged), 14 X P-47D, 26 X P-38J, 3 X F6F and 15 X FM-2 caused moderate losses. In the afternoon 21 X SB2C (11 damaged), 17 X P-38J, 12 X P-47D, 25 X F4U-1, 17 X F6F and 1 X FM-2 did light damage to the port. Allied fighters intercepted some transport planes.

The IJA 16th Mixed Brigade, on Kai Island, was struck by 96 X B-25J and 11 X Kittyhawk III for no casualties as low lying clouds covered the troops.

The 5th New Chinese Corps had light personnel losses from 9 X Peggy.

Balikpapan was being protected by 6 X Tojo and 9 X Tony when 15 X SB2C (1 damaged), 14 X TBF, 5 X TBM (1 damaged) and 10 X F6F appeared. 2 Tojos and 6 Tonys were shot down by the Hellcats and the port was lightly damaged, there were some secondary explosions (on of which was a fuel tank) and casualties were light.

At Tulagi an Allied attack squeezed the Japanese into a tighter corner while both sides had heavy troop losses.

At Lunga the Allied attack compressed the Japanese held area and both sides absorbed heavy casualties.

The regiment stopped their march and the lads not only got a hot meal, it was a Christmas dinner. Slim was amazed that the Marines actually managed to get some Turkey and other goodies forward for them. Still he wonders how much longer they have before they run into Japanese troops with nowhere to go.

Stick's mission was scrubbed due to the lousy weather today so he relaxed and managed to buy some beer from the Sea Bees who are working on the base. Of course no sooner had he finished one of them the clouds broke and the mission was back on. Stick was replaced on the roster as he had been drinking. “Just my luck that I can't even have a beer without it coming back to bite me,” he grouses.

Sandy and Dave braved a heavy snow to get home from a friend's house where they had eaten a holiday meal. The going was slow as the road was treacherous, but after a long drive a tired Dave pulled the truck into the garage and then they hoofed it to the house.

The German 2nd Pz Division was stopped 4 miles from the Meuse.

Victory Points Allied 48735 Japanese 36691

December 26, 1944 Off Of Pinrang

Intel

5th Army is located at Tsitsihar.
4861 men are based at Wonsan.
27684 men are based at Changchun.
101 aircraft are based at Mutanchiang.
6656 men are based at Saigon.
72536 men are based at Tori Shima.
40th Division is located at Nanning.
1st Mortar Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
6th Field Artillery Regiment is located at Sian.
62nd Division is located at Nanning.
28th NLF is located at Bangkok.
140th IJA Base Force is located at Ominato.
Southern Area Army is located at Naga.
Iki Fortress is located at Ikitsuki.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 34 LCUs
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Singapore many ships, 25 fighters, 40 bombers, 48 aux, 19 LCUs 34920/207/121
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 16120/163/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Amboina 30 bombers, 30 aux, 5 LCUs 16380/41/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 25 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Bataan vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Roxas 1 X CA, 1 X DE
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 16 fighters, 14 aux, 7 LCUs 14420/45/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 46200/28/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 11 LCUs 47200/102/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs 1320/0/0

Combat

The SS Lamprey, 99 miles E Taipei, scored a torpedo hit on a lone AP.

A night time surface combat occurred about 74 miles NW of Pinrang. It was a totally lopsided affair that the Allies never saw coming. The Japanese struck with 3 X BB, 2 X CA and 6 X DD catching a CVTF totally unprepared. The Allied ships were 2 X CV, 1 X CVL, 1 X BB, 1 X CA, 1 X CL, 1 X CLAA and 6 X DD. The following were the results.
Japanese ships
BB 2 shell hits, on fire
CA 2 shell
DD 11 X hell hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD H1 shell hits, 2 torpedo hits, sunk
DD 1 shell hit
DD 9 shell hits, 1 torpedo hit, sunk
DD 1 shell hit, on fire
Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill 21 shell hits,on fire, heavy damage
BB Iowa 63 shell hits, sunk
CA Boston 16 shell hits, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Juneau 4 shell hits, 2 torpedo hits, sunk
CL Columbia 19 shell hits, 2 torpedo hits, on fire
DD Fullam 3 shell hits, 2 torpedo hits, sunk
DD Gatling 17 Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hutchins 26 shell hits, 3 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Knapp 32 shell hits, 3 torpedo hits, sunk
DD McDermut 6 shell hits, on fire
DD Miller 4 shell hits, 1 torpedo hit, sunk

The Japanese ships 121 W of Pinrang were attacked by 6 X SB2C (3 destroyed), 9 X TBF (2 downed, 5 damaged) and 25 X F6F (10 downed, 3 damaged). The Japanese CAP of 75 X Zeke lost 28 planes and had another damaged. A CV was struck by a bomb and was burning and a CVL suffered a bomb hit.

The Allied ships 98 miles W of Pinrang were under a CAP of 38 X F6F and the Japanese struck with 62 X Grace, 12 X Jill, 68 X Judy and 55 X Zeke. The Allies lost 8 Hellcats and 2 damaged while the fighters and flak accounted for 13 Graces (22 damaged), 3 Jills (3 damaged), 3 Judys (4 damaged) and 39 Zekes destroyed. The following damage was done to the Allied force.
CVL Bataan 6 bomb hits, 2 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
CV Randolph 8 bomb hits, 4 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
Another strike of 14 X Grace, 14 X Judy and 2 X Zeke appeared and 14 X F6F tried to fend them off. 2 Graces (1 damaged), 3 Judys and 2 Zekes were shot down and the CVL Bataan took a torpedo hit. Another strike of 2 X Betty, 36 X Frances, 8 X Sally, 14 X Helen and 13 X Peggy encountered 30 Hellcats. 1 X Betty, 5 X Frances (2 damaged), 5 X Helen (3 damaged), 4 X Peggy (4 damaged) and 5 X Sally damaged were the Japanese price paid as 4 F6F were damaged. The CV Bunker Hill took 4 bomb hits and a torpedo hit. In the late afternoon 67 X Judy, 6 X Jill, 46 X Grace and 27 X Zeke found the shattered CVL Bataan and sealed her fate with 8 bomb hits and a torpedo hit. More Japanese planes returned to the scene, but failed to find any targets. The CA Boston was scuttled later in the day as there was no hope for her with a broken keel. The fate of the 3 surviving ships is in serious doubt. The CL Columbia has heavy systems damage, moderate flooding and some fires burning. The DD Gatling has heavy systems damage, heavy flooding and moderate fires burning. The DD McDermut has moderate systems damage, light flooding and some fires burning.
Tavoy was hit by 44 X B-25J (6 damaged) and 12 X Spitfire VIII for moderate port damage, some secondary explosions and light casualties. Then 33 X B-24J (1 downed, 4 damaged), 3 X Thunderbolt II and 9 X Spitfire VIII arrived adding light port damage, some more secondary explosions and light personnel losses.

Andaman Island was struck by 43 X B-29 (3 damaged) and 12 X Thunderbolt II for heavy airfield damage, a secondary explosion and very light casualties.

Krung Thep got bashed by 129 X Liberator VI (3 damaged) and 22 X Thunderbolt II. The airstrip took heavy damage, there were a great many secondary explosions and casualties were moderate.

The IJA 65th Brigade, at Lunga, was hit by 50 X SB2C, 36 X TBF and 16 X F6F for moderate losses. An Allied attack resulted in heavy Allied losses and extremely heavy Japanese casualties.

The IJA 18th Division, at Cagayan, was jumped by 12 X TBM (2 downed, 1 damaged), 1 X F6F and 2 X FM-2 for light casualties. The IJA 56th Division was the target of 24 X B-25J (2 damaged), 23 X TBM (3 downed, 5 damaged), 13 X P-47D, 27 X P-38J, 19 X F6 and 3 X FM-2. The unit had moderate losses. Then the IJA 102nd Division was attacked by 24 X TBM (5 damaged), 2 X F6F and 7 X FM-2 for light casualties. Later 18 X SB2C (12 damaged), 16 X P-38J, 11 X P-47D, 26 X F4U-1, and 17 X F6F caused moderate troop losses. The LRCAP intercepted some Topsys.

The 5th New Chinese Corps escaped harm from 8 X Peggy.

The SS Corvina, 109 SE of Taipei, hit a solitary AP with a pair of fish sinking it. This was an already damaged vessel, possibly attacked earlier in the day by the Lamprey.

The SS Trout, 17 miles N of Kragen, was hammered by 5 DDs. She will try for Darwin having heavy systems damage and heavy flooding.

At Tulagi the Allies had light casualties and the Japanese very heavy losses from an Allied assault.

Buka fell to the Allied attack.

The Navy's brass is asking many questions and a full investigation is going to be made as to why a CVTF that had explicit orders blatantly disregarded them and met with utter destruction. The TF had a commander who wasn't aggressive and the the react was set to 0.

Ed is fuming that his Old Gals are just sitting in port with no orders and the IJN is out there and beating up on the USN. That just isn't supposed to happen at this stage of the war. As he sits in his office Phil enters and Ed tells him to “Pull up a seat. Never underestimate the strength of your enemy because he's sure as hell going to sink his fangs into you as soon as you give him the chance.” Phil nods in agreement and hands the new orders to Ed who reads them and literally jumps out of his seat and says, “Time to assemble a TF and protect the flank.”

O'Bannon sets sail as part of the escort for 3 X BB. They are headed for Morotai and then from there anything is possible. Frank marvels at the sight of the huge ships as they plough through the swells that toss his ship. He wouldn't trade the O'Bannon for one of those behemoths as he's a tin can driver through and through.

Stick spotted a Topsy and was just about to dive on it when another flight of Corsairs blasted it from the sky. “Dammit it all to hell,” he mutters to himself, “I'll never get a kill at this rate. Upon returning to base the guys are relating the downing of some helpless transports in great detail and Stick quietly listens with great envy.

Eight French Gestapo leaders were executed in Paris.

Bastogne was relieved today.

Victory Points Allies 48899 Japanese 38047

The CV Bunker Hill took 4 bomb hits and a torpedo hit. In the late afternoon 67 X Judy, 6 X Jill, 46 X Grace and 27 X Zeke found the shattered CVL Bataan and sealed her fate with 8 bomb hits and a torpedo hit. More Japanese planes returned to the scene, but failed to find any targets. The CA Boston was scuttled later in the day as there was no hope for her with a broken keel. The fate of the 3 surviving ships is in serious doubt. The CL Columbia has heavy systems damage, moderate flooding and some fires burning. The DD Gatling has heavy systems damage, heavy flooding and moderate fires burning. The DD McDermut has moderate systems damage, light flooding and some fires burning.

The implication is that the Bunker Hill has gone down. An Iowa class and an Essex class sunk. Not supposed to happen in December 1944!

Sadly the IJN still has fangs as Steve has managed to keep it away from the USN except a couple of mid ocean intercepts at night. Hats off to Steve being able to pull this off and damn to CO of the TF for going into harm's way against orders.

December 27, 1944 Washington DC

Intel

4919 men are based at Niigata.
3378 men are based at Akita.
31st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Aomori.
47th Road Construction Battalion is located at Changkufeng.
57th Ind.Mixed Brigade is located at Kanazawa.
139th IJN Base Force is located at Kendari.
1st Reserve AA Regiment is located at Kyoto.
1st Mortar Regiment is located at Sasebo.
1st AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Tsitsihar.
34th Road Construction Battalion is located at Kweilin.
5th Army is located at Tsitsihar.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kendari 48 fighters, 135 bombers, 138 aux, 7 LCUs 21180/67/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Bataan vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 45440/28/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 6 LCUs 6020/0/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 11 LCUs 41400/98/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs 1340/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Luang Prabang vacant
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Saigon 6 X AP, 3 X DE, 11 bombers, 14 aux, 1 LCU 4580/21/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 25 LCUs

Combat

Allied troops hit the beach at Green Island taking heavy casualties. The attack took the island.

Victoria Point was blasted by 131 X B-29 (16 damaged) for extremely heavy damage to the airfield, some secondary explosions were seen, a Dinah was destroyed and personnel losses were heavy.

Tavoy was raided by 44 X B-25J (1 downed, 3 damaged) and 10 X Spitfire VIII. The port took light damage, there were a few secondary explosions and extremely light casualties were inflicted by the attackers. Then another strike made up of 42 X B-24J (1 damaged), 30 X B-29 (2 damaged), 11 X Thunderbolt II and 12 X Spitfire VIII did light damage to the airstrip, light damage to the port, there were many secondary explosions observed and troop losses were negligible.

Krung Thep had the attention of 130 X Liberator VI (1 damaged) and 11Thunderbolt II. The airfield was moderately damaged, there were many secondary explosions triggered and casualties were heavy.

Gili Gili was overwhelmed by 42 X B-17E, 48 X B-24D, 44 X B-24J and 12 X Spitfire VIII. The airstip took moderate damage, light port damage, some secondary explosions and extremely light casualties.

Rabaul was struck by 44 X B-24D and 42 X B-24J for moderate airfield damage, light port damage, a few secondary explosions were claimed and personnel losses were heavy.

The IJA 65th Brigade, at Lunga, was hit by 51 X SB2C, 36 X TBF and 16 X F6F for heavy casualties. The Allied attack squeezed the Japanese into a shrinking perimeter and inflicted extremely heavy losses on them. Allied casualties were heavy.

The 118th IJNAF Base Force, on Andaman Island, was jumped by 32 X Mosquito FB.VI, 48 X B-25J (4 damaged) and 8 X Thunderbolt II. The unit sustained very heavy losses.

The 1st BAF AA Regiment, 20 miles N of Krung Thep damaged a snooping Dinah.

The CL Columbia, 93 miles S of Balikpapan, was blasted by 5 torpedoes delivered by 8 X Jill (1 downed, 6 damaged), 9 X Grace (7 damaged) and 3 X Zeke. A follow on attack force of 12 X Grace, 11 X Judy and 3 X Zeke found nothing to do as the Columbia rests in her watery grave.

The Allied TF about 184 miles E of Tarakan was bombed by 14 X Helen who were jumped by 5 X P-38J. 6 Helens were shot down and 2 more were damaged. A Lightning took some damage, but Ed's Old Gals were unharmed. Later 5 X Helen appeared and 4 X P-38J went to work knocking 2 down and damaging another. Once again no ships were harmed.

The SS Cuttlefish, 28 miles N of Ishieak, was pounded by 1 X DD, 8 X PC and 5 X MSW. She now heads back home with moderate systems damage and moderate flooding for temporary repairs. She will need a proper repair yard before her next patrol.

On Tulagi another Allied attack caused moderate Japanese losses and light Allied casualties as the pocket got smaller.

Slim marches along the side of the road as Army trucks laden with troops and supplies rumble by. As usual the lads show their affection by barking and making obscene gestures. When the armor rolls by nobody makes fun because the tanks are loved by all. Slim thinks that this march must be the most drawn out affair he's ever witnessed. If the Corps was running this show they'd have already assaulted the Japanese at Cagayan instead of pussy footing around.

Admiral King Quietly lookins at an ashen faced FDR as Franklin crumples the paper handed to him. The loss of the ships was a disaster of the first magnitude. “I thought that we would manage the war in a way to minimize our losses? What the hell was that commander thinking of as he went out on an unauthorized jaunt?” Admiral King shrugs and says that if he wasn't already dead that he would wring his neck.

The Red Army took Gran, cutting off Budapest and trapping 5 German divisions.

Victory Points Allied 48939 Japanese 38271

December 28, 1944 Mindanao

Intel

53rd Air Flotilla is located at Tokyo.
15934 men are based at Nagaoka.
19th Division is located at Mishan.
11th Ind. Brigade is located at Ichang.
7th Mixed Brigade is located at Mutanchiang.
13 aircraft are based at Hanoi.
50971 men are based at Kadina.
28th Division is located at Hailar.
7th Engineer Regiment is located at Mishan.
72nd Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Tokyo.
107th IJA Base Force is located at Pusan.
3rd AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
8th Engineer Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
32nd Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Manila.
Yokosuka 4th SNLF is located at Pakhoi.
Tone Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Changkufeng.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Siemrem Reap vacant
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Andaman Island 2 LCUs 6900/25/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 6820/13/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Bataan vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 44880/29/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 8 LCUs 5800/0/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 42680/87/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs 1100/0/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kendari 48 fighters, 145 bombers, 161 aux, 7 LCUs 20920/61/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Waingapu 1 LCU 1100/6/0

Combat

The DD McDermut, 77 miles SE of Balikpapan, was limping towards safety when suddenly the night erupted as an IJN TF consisting of 1 X CA, 2 X CL and 5 X DD clobbered her with 5 shell hits and a torpedo. The USN tin can quickly succumbed to her mortal wounds and the survivors looked for debris to cling to in the inky black sea.

The DD Gatling, 82 miles SE of Balikpapan, was slowly steaming along when her quiet night was illuminated and 1 X BB, 3 X CL and 3 X DD blasted her with 8 shell hits, sinking her.

Tavoy was raided by 31 X B-29, 31 X B-24J (1 damaged), 12 X Thunderbolt II and 12 X Spitfire VIII. The airstrip took moderate damage, so did the port, there were many secondary explosions reported and casualties were extremely light.

Krung Thep was struck by 122 X Liberator VI (2 damaged) and 15 X Thunderbolt II. A single Zeke was in the air and ran for it's life into the heavy cloud cover to make good it's escape. The airfield was very heavily damaged, a large number of secondary explosions were claimed and personnel losses were moderate.

Gili Gili's heavily damaged facilities were blasted by 45 X B-17E, 80 X B-24D, 80 X B-24J and 12 X Spitfire VIII. The airfield was very heavily hit, the port took moderate damage, there were many secondary explosions and casualties were moderate.

The IJA 65th Brigade, at Lunga suffered heavy losses due to an attack made by 50 X SB2C, 36 X TBF and 17 X F6F.

The 118th IJNAF Base Force, on Andaman Island, had moderately heavy casualties at the hands of 33 X Mosquito FB.VI (1 damaged), 33 X B-25J (3 damaged) and 9 X Thunderbolt II. An Allied attack on the Japanese positions forced them to pull back even more with extremely heavy casualties. The Allied troops had heavy losses.

The 5th New Chinese Corps had no worries despite 12 X Peggy bombing it as there are only a few men left there.

The SS Plunger, 20 miles NW of Macassar, tried and failed to attack 3 DDs.

On Tulagi another Allied attack caused moderate losses for both sides. Little ground was gained.

The SS Cod is now tied up alongside an AS at Palau and repairs are underway to make her able to sail for a proper repair yard.

Japanese transport flights over Cagayan were intercepted.

Stick reads a letter from home and his mother mentioned that his cousin, who is a fighter pilot in Europe, is now an ace. He mutters an obscenity under his breath as he crumples the letter. After regaining his composure he finishes reading the letter and then heads off to see if any of the guys wants to join him as he's heading off to buy some beer from the Sea Bees.

Gil reads that the weather in Pittsburgh is cold and that Elaine misses him. After finishing that letter he starts reading another from one of his sisters. She tells him that his father's health has become worse and Gil wonders if this is just a ploy for his father to avoid working.

Bill can't believe the amount of paperwork that crosses his desk and then he sighs and thinks the bigger the ship the more it takes to run it. He's heard that one of the Mo's sisters, the Iowa, was lost the other day and that reminds him that nothing is unsinkable.

Ed awaits word on the Japanese ships being spotted, but he knows that they are long gone and even if they weren't his Old Gals are to slow to give chase. At least the Japanese know that they're out and that ought to deter any further forays by the IJN for now at least.

Victory Points Allied 48952 Japanese 38309

December 29, 1944 The Solomons

Intel

35th Army is located at Manila.
4th Air Division is located at Malang.
87780 men are based at Pescadores.
7th Construction Battalion is located at Sining.
35th Division is planning for an attack on Kweiyang.
4299 men are based at Kyoto.
82 aircraft are based at Changchun.
15th Tank Regiment is located at Nanning.
3rd FF Construction Battalion is located at Anshan.
55th Construction Battalion is located at 41,39.
4th Air Army is located at Tokyo.
1st Amphibious Brigade is planning for an attack on Wake Island.
6th Field Artillery Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
31st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Aomori.
3rd Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
Radio transmissions detected at Prince Rupert.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Ubon vacant
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Alor Star 12 bombers, 14 aux, 5 LCUs 16420/116/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 3 X AP, 1 X AK, 1 X SS, 1 X MLE, 3 X CA, 16 LCUs 10100/33/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 45340/34/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 8 LCUs 18500/0/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 42460/89/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs 1500/2/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Andaman Island 2 LCUs 7220/27/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Amboina 25 bombers, 37 aux, 5 LCUs 15840/51/0

Combat

The SS Ling, 86 miles S of Swatow, tried to penetrate an AK's screen of 1 X PG and 6 X MSW, but failed and was subjected to an attack herself. She suffered no apparent damage, but as an act of prudence her skipper decided to end the patrol a few days earlier than planned.

The SS O19, 20 miles E of Palembang, was spotted by a plane and a short time later 4 X PG appeared and rattled the crew's nerves a bit and no damage was done to the boat.

The SS Gato, 71 miles SE of Singapore, was attacked by 5 X DD. She managed to slip away only to be reacquired and attacked again later in the day. The Gato's skipper got fed up with the attackers and turned hunter, hitting a DD with a torpedo. For her efforts the remaining DDs renewed their attack. The cumulative damage absorbed in today's actions have ended the sub's patrol and her skipper decides to head for Darwin with moderate systems damage and light flooding.

Victoria Point was raided by 16 X B-29 (5 damaged), 45 X P-47D and 3 X Thunderbolt II who caused light damage to the airfield, a secondary explosion was seen and casualties were moderate.

Tavoy was hit by 27 X B-25J (2 damaged) and 112 X Spitfire VII. Port damage was light, there were some secondary explosions and personnel losses were very light. The next strike made by Allied aircraft was made up of 15 X B-24J (1 damaged) and 11 X Spitfire VIII. They did light damage to the airfield, a secondary explosion was claimed and casualties were placed at light.

Bangkok air cover today was 29 X Zeke, 6 X George, 12 X Jack, 14 X Oscar, 9 X Frank and 3 X Randy. Suddenly 133 X P-38J tore into the Japanese fighters. The Allies lost 6 Lightnings and another 3 took some damage. The Japanese had all of their planes get destroyed.

Krung Thep was struck by 127 X Liberator VI (6 damaged) and 15 X Thunderbolt II. The airstrip was moderately damaged, there were many secondary explosions and troop losses were thought to have been heavy.

Kwajalein's port was lightly damaged by 35 X PB4Y. There were some secondary explosions including a fuel tank. Another 35 X PB4Y arrived an hour later and added light damage to the port, another blown fuel storage tank and some more secondary explosions.

The IJA 21st Division, at Gili Gili, was attacked by 8 X A-29G and 10 X Spitfire VIII. There was no harm done.

On Andaman Island the 118th IJNAF Base Force had very heavy casualties from 36 X B-25J (2 damaged), 42 X Mosquito FB.VI and 18 X Thunderbolt II.

The 5th New Chinese Corps reported being attacked by 12 X Peggy. The few remaining Chinese enjoyed the show as more destroyed material was bombed yet again.

The Allied attack at Tulagi inflicted extremely heavy losses on the Japanese while the Allied force took moderate casualties.

On Lunga the Allied attack caused extremely heavy Japanese casualties and the pocket shrunk even more. The attacking units suffered moderate casualties.

Japanese transports over Cagayan continued being intercepted today. Stick watched as another flight from his squadron splashed 3 Topsys. Thoughts of his cousin being an ace haunt him.

Gene listens to the big boss having a fit. He's screaming at Gene's boss and Gene wonders what the problem is that warrants this tirade. Then Gene's boss says, “OK smart guy you tell the home office that and let the chips fall where they may. You are the big cheese here and that means this is your responsibility. If it would make you feel better after you speak to your boss I'll quit.” With that he says, “Come on Gene let's go.” The two of them leave and by the end of the day they haven't heard another peep about whatever it was.

Slim tells the lads to fall out and dig their holes. “Make 'em deep because we'll be here a while. The Japanese are waiting for us just over that little hill so we'll be on our toes, right?” Everyone nods and the new guys have a scared look in their eyes. Slim has spread the green kids in with the vets and told them to listen and learn, but most of all remember your training. They had nodded and went off to dig with a vengeance.

Chris sits in his cabin writing a letter to his folks. He doesn't mention that he feels very stressed by flying combat missions and carrier landings are even worse. What he does say is that he's OK and all is well.

Victory Points Allied 49107 Japanese 38327

December 30, 1944 Mindanao

Intel

4919 men are based at Niigata.
4831 men are based at Wonsan.
23rd Tank Regiment is located at Chiamussu.
16th AA Regiment is located at Bangkok.
115th Division is located at Peking.
61st Air Flotilla is located at Tokyo.
Shobu Force is located at Singapore.
35 aircraft are based at Rahaeng.
53rd Division is located at Osaka/Kobe.
12th Construction Battalion is located at Batan Island.
55th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Clark Field.
17th Army is located at Clark Field.
Kwajalein Base Force is located at Kwajalein.
20th Engineer Regiment is located at Canton.
43rd Construction Battalion is located at Malang.
57th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Kanazawa.
Shimbu Force is located at Kadina.
Radio transmissions detected at Vancouver.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Shikka 2 X AP, 8 fighters, 11 aux, 1 LCU 1860/10/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 54 fighters, 18 bombers, 52 aux, 10 LCUs 64240/768/18
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Ubon vacant
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Alor Star 22 bombers, 15 aux, 5 LCUs 29200/258/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Amboina 31 bombers, 34 aux, 5 LCUs 19880/46/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 25 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of San Jose vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 44260/26/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 8 LCUs 29180/12/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 42860/93/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs 2220/1/0

Combat

In the air over Nanning 12 X Zeke, 2 X Jack, 10 X Oscar, 16 X Tojo, 11 X Nick and 7 X Tony were milling about when 60 X P-38J ripped into them. The battle didn't last long as the Japanese survivors ran for the thunder clouds forming in the area. 9 Zekes, a Jack, 10 Oscars, 6 Tojos, 8 Nicks and 7 Tonys were shot down at the cost of 6 Lightnings destroyed and 4 damaged.

Tavoy was bombed by 31 X B-25J (3 downed, 4 damaged) and 12 X Spitfire VIII. The port had light damage, there were a few secondary explosions and casualties were negligible. The next strike was delivered by 15 X B-29 (3 damaged), 60 X P-47D and 13 X Spitfire VIII who did moderate damage to the airfield, saw a secondary explosion and once again personnel losses were negligible.

Krung Thep was hit by 123 X Liberator VI (1 damaged), 33 X B-24J and 35 X Thunderbolt II for very heavy airstrip damage, a very large number of secondary explosions were claimed and casualties were moderate. A short time later the incredible roar of 121 X B-29 was heard. 2 of the huge bombers took damage from the AA fire as they pounded the airfield for extremely heavy damage, some secondary explosions and moderately heavy troop losses.

Cagayan was attacked by 26 X B-24J (1 downed, 2 damaged) and 110 X P-38J who intercepted some Japanese transports. The airfield was moderately hit, there were some secondary explosions noted and casualties were heavy. Another raid of 95 X B-24J (6 damaged), 47 B-24D (1 downed, 3 damaged) and 24 X P-51D added to the mayhem. The airstrip had very heavy damage, there were a very large number of secondary explosions and personnel losses were very heavy.

Kwajalein's port was bombed by 30 X PB4Y who did light damage to it.

The South Seas Det., at Gili Gili, had light casualties from an attack made by 9 X A-20G and 10 X Spitfire.

The IJA 23rd Mixed Brigade, at Lunga, was attacked by 50 X SB2C, 36 X TBF and 17 X F6F. The unit sustained very heavy casualties.

The 118th IJNAF Base Force, on Andaman Island, was subjected to a bombing by 46 X Mosquito FB.VI (2 damaged), 42 X B-25J (4 damaged) and 2 X Thunderbolt II. Japanese losses were moderate.

The 1st BAF AA Regiment, 21 miles N of Krung Thep, witnessed a Dinah being driven off by 5 Thunderbolt IIs. Later the fighters did the same to a Peggy.

On Tulagi the Japanese were compressed even further by an Allied assault. The Allies had very light losses while the Japanese suffered extremely heavy casualties.

Lunga was the scene of an Allied attack that squeezed the Japanese perimeter into a smaller area. Allied losses were extremely light and the Japanese casualties were extremely heavy.

Bill's little TF draws nearer to the Marianas, which they will pass to the south of on the way to Ulithi. Arrival at Ulithi means that the USN's forward base will be the point where he'll be back in the war as he expects that the Mighty Mo will get orders and sally forth shortly after arrival.

Gene stops in his boss' office and is shocked to find him packing up his stuff. “Don't worry,” the man says, “I'm only moving to a larger office as the yard boss has been transferred out of here. I need somebody to take over my old job and was wondering if you have any suggestions as to who would be a good fit.” Gene shrugs and said that he didn't know, but probably one of the senior work crew men would be good for the slot.

Slim has been told to be ready to move out as the Japanese have pulled back some more and that the 2nd Marine Division will be moving up along with plenty of other company. Slim looks out of his hole and grins at the sight of the Sherman tanks parked nearby. Having all of this armor around gives him a secure feeling and it's nice to outnumber the enemy too. He figures that the Japanese must be in a sorry state and with the air and seas under Allied control their chance of escape is somewhere between nil and slim.

Victory Points Allied 49191 Japanese 38349

December 31, 1944 Brisbane

Intel

2494 men are based at Ikitsuki.
52802 men are based at Sendai.
6th Division is planning for an attack on Chungking.
3rd FF Construction Battalion is located at Anshan.
31st Army is located at Manila.
2nd Engineer Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
130th IJN Base Force is planning for an attack on Darwin.
132nd IJA Base Force is located at Bangkok.
414038 men are based at Tokyo.
23rd Division is located at Tsitsihar.
1st Parachute Regiment is located at Bangkok.
4th Air Army is located at Tokyo.
9111 men are based at Gumma.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Lautem 1 LCU 800/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Cagayan 25 LCUs
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of San Jose vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Truk 1 X SS, 15 LCUs 45160/33/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 8 LCUs 33720/8/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul 12 LCUs 42620/77/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Buin 7 LCUs 1600/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Krung Thep 8 LCUs 76000/740/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Georgetown 35 bombers, 28 aux, 5 LCUs 6220/5/0

Combat

The SS O16 was attacked by 5 DDs about 27 miles SE of Sinkep Island.

Nanning was swept by 51 X P-38J who surprised 2 X Zeke, 1 X Jack, 11 X Oscar, 12 X Tojo and 8 X Nick. All of the Zekes, 11 Oscars, 7 Tojos and 5 Nicks were dispatched to their ancestors while 2 Lightnings were shot down and another was damaged.

Cagayan was under a LRCAP of 9 X F4U-1 who nailed some transports. The IJA 56th Division had moderate losses from an attack made by 25 X B-25J (6 damaged), 4 X P-47D and 16 X P-38J. Then the IJA 24th Ind. Mixed Brigade was hit by 24 X B-25J (3 downed, 7 damaged), 13 X P-47D and 9 X P-38J for heavy casualties.

Kwajalein was bombed by 35 X PB4Y who did light damage to the port caused some secondary explosions, two of which were fuel tanks and there were very light casualties.

At Gili Gili the South Seas Det. Had light losses from 8 X A-20G and 10 X Spitfire VIII.

At Lunga the 23rd Mixed Brigade was jumped by 50 X SB2C, 36 X TBF and 17XF6F for very heavy casualties. Later an Allied assault on the remaining Japanese who had extremely heavy casualties at an extremely low cost to themselves. This ended organized resistance on Guadalcanal.

Tokyo was swept by 64 X P-51D who were met by 27 X Zeke, 3 X Jack, 30 X Frank, 21 X Tony and 1 X Randy. The Japanese put up a stiff fight but only managed to down 4 Mustangs and damage 5 others. 11 Zekes, 2 Jacks, 23 Franks, 6 Tonys and the Randy were shot down.

On Tulagi the Japanese were brutalized by the Allied attack with extremely heavy losses while the Allies barely had any.

New Year's Eve and all Sam has to show for it is a warm beer by his side and the loss of a month's pay, not that there's much to do on Tori Shima. The guys have laid in a decent supply of beer and one of them even managed to lay his hands on a bottle of Scotch. The night promises to be an enjoyable diversion from the routine as the poker game goes on.

Slim busily encourages the lads to dig deeper as their lives could depend on it. He knows that the unexpected should be prepared for if you have thoughts of surviving this carnage.

Pete is busily taking care of his customers and Milt is busily getting bombed. Sylvia flits in and out of the pub to check in on Pearl and Jac, as usual, is there to help her out.

Phil stands staring at the stars and wonders what lays ahead for him. He longs to get back in command of a ship.

Sandy sits at home listening to the radio as her mood is low since she misses Bill even more on holidays.

Elaine joined her sister and their friends for a night out to celebrate the New Year. Her mood is tempered with thoughts of Gil.

Gil is bored and watches a crap game going on outside of the next hut. The guys have managed to latch onto some booze, but when offered some Gil declines and just goes for a walk thinking thoughts of home, his sick father and Elaine.

The Germans launched Operation “Nordwind”, an offensive towards Strasbourg.

Allied merchant shipping lost to U-boats in 1944 is 251 ships, 978,892 gross tons. The Germans lost 252 U-boats over the same time period.

Victory Points Allied 49422 Japanese 38371