The Battle Under: The Allies Fight Back

[tocaff]

February 8, 1945 Washington DC

Intel

8th Area Army is planning for an attack on Eniwetok.
Karafuto Mixed Brigade is located at Shikka.
20th Division is located at Changkufeng.
21st Special Base Force is located at Clark Field.
Elements of the 26th Division are located at Chengting.
24510 men are based at Kanazawa.
39th Division is located at Sining.
8th Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
11th Tank Regiment is located at Mishan.
158th IJN Base Force is located at Tokyo.
27185 men are based at Arshaan.
Tokyo Bay Fortress is located at Tokyo.
North Chishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
1st Reserve AA Regiment is located at Kyoto.

Recon

F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Luang Prabang 1 LCU 1640/2/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Kendari 7 LCUs 3460/18/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kai Island 5 LCUs 3440/2/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Amboina 5 LCUs 3700/6/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 14 LCUs 2860/19/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of San Marcelino vacant
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 8 LCUs 35340/11/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Johore Bahru vacant

Combat

The SS Sablefish, 81 miles SE of Shanghai, attacked a PG and a PC and hit the former with a torpedo causing fires and heavy damage. The PC unleashed a horrendous counter. Later in the afternoon the sub was attacked by 5 X PC, but she luckily escaped further damage. The sub has moderate systems damage and some minor flooding so she'll make for Saipan.

Kwajalein was attacked by 375 X B-29 who did very heavy damage to the airstrip, heavy damage to the port, some fuel was burning, there were a huge number of secondary explosions, 4 Thoras were destroyed and casualties were thought to have been very light. The 3rd South Seas Det. Was then bombed by 24 X PB4Y, 32 X SB2C and 3 X P-47D for moderate losses.

Majuro was hit by 33 X B-25J for light port damage and a couple of secondary explosions.

The Kure 2nd SNLF 22 miles N of Gasmata was struck by 6 X B-25J who dropped off target.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division underwent a few attacks by Allied aircraft resulting in heavy troop losses. The IJA 56th Division had moderate casualties from a few air raids. The IJA 102nd Division had moderately light losses from 14 PB4Ys. Heavy casualties were inflicted by Allied artillery.

At Buin the 140th IJN Base Force had light casualties from 36 X B-25J.

The SS Bullhead, 147 miles W of Sasebo, was pounced on by 2 X DD and 4 X PC and will be forever on patrol.

The TK Antietam continues her struggle to survive as she limps towards San Francisco. Her fires are almost out, but the flooding is still heavy.

FDR impatiently waits for all of the endless data to be spewed forth by the junior officers. When it finally ends he poses the question of, “When will the promised Japanese collapse on Mindanao finally happen? How can we proceed on Leyte before then? What about Operation Noose? All of this only raises more questions than it answers. The only promises I've been given lately that have been kept are those made by Stalin. Now who would ever have expected that?” The assembled officers squirm and Roosevelt ends with, “Come now gentlemen, I didn't mean to upset you so, just light fires to make things move along. Germany is all but done and I want Japan polished off as soon as possible.”

As Gene is preparing to leave the yard a man approaches him and asks if he's Gene. “That's me,” he replies, “And who do I have the honor of addressing and what's this about? You see I'm very tired from just putting in a double shift and I'd like to get home to rest.” The man apologizes to him and explains that he's from the Electric Boat Company and that he'd like to buy Gene a cup of coffee and talk to him about a job change. Gene agrees and they head off together.

Dave is up on the roof shoveling snow again and Sandy is busily brewing up a pot of coffee for him. She stares out of the window, not really seeing as she thinks of Bill and prays that he's OK.

General Karl Marthinsen, head of the State Police, was killed in his car in Oslo by the Resistance. In retaliation the Germans executed 29 people.

Through September 1944 British civilian casualties stood at 57,468 dead and 89,178 injured.

Paraguay declared war on Germany.

The Red Army broke through German lines N of Breslau.

Victory Points Allied 51712 Japanese 39135

[tocaff]

February 9, 1945 Tori Shima

Intel

19th Army is located at Manila.
16684 men are based at Kitakyushu.
26926 men are based at Bonin.
22nd Engineer Regiment is located at Mishan.
21st Mixed Brigade is planning for an attack on Wyndham.
48th Construction Battalion is located at Kratie.
6162 men are based at Taipei.
36418 men are based at Chiamussu.
6764 men are based at Inch'on.
51st Construction Battalion is located at Changchun.
12397 men are based at Pisanuloke.
13th Tank Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
20 ships are based at Nagoya.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Saigon 7 X AP, 15 fighters, 36 bombers, 20 aux, 1 LCU 6100/30/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 8380/21/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Kendari 7 LCUs 7640/36/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kai Island 5 LCUs 4120/2/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Amboina 5 LCUs 5280/19/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 18 LCUs 12660/51/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of San Marcelino vacant
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 8 LCUs 34420/11/0

Combat

The SS Aspro, 80 miles W of Tainan, attacked and hit an AK with a torpedo after penetrating the screen of a PG and 6 MSWs. Later in the day the Aspro torpedoed another AK, causing fires, and once again made good her escape despite the escorts efforts to find her.

The SS Raton, 22 miles E of Taipei, was forced to dive and then was depth charged by a PG and 5 PCs. Raton managed to give them the slip. Later on the Japanese vessels reacquired their prey, but failed to do further damage to the sub.

The SS Baya, 93 miles SW of Tainan, struck and unescorted AK with a torpedo doing heavy damage and a fire broke out.

The TK Fort Dearborn was hit by a torpedo about half of the way between Guam and Wake Island, Her escorts couldn't find the Japanese sub. She can only make about 8 knots and can't keep up with the convoy which leaves her behind to her own devices. The TK has moderate systems damage, moderate flooding, moderate fires and her cargo is flotsam. She will try for Guam as it's a little closer than Wake.

Tokyo was swept by 57 X P-51D and the Japanese tried to fight them off with 55 X Zeke, 63 X Frank and 28 X Tony. The Allies lost 10 Mustangs and another 4 were damaged in the battle while the Japanese had 27 Zeke (1 damaged), 42 Franks and 18 Tonys shot down.

Bangkok was bombed by 139 X Liberator VI (1 downed, 11 damaged), 35 X B-24J (11 damaged) and 45 X Mosquito FB.VI (4 damaged) who did moderate damage to the resources.

The Kure 2nd SNLF, 21 miles N of Gasmata, had light casualties from 6 X B-25J.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division was protected by low lying cloud cover from Allied bombers who dropped their loads harmlessly. The IJA 56th Division had very heavy losses from 3 air attacks. The IJA 102nd Division suffered an air raid and had very light casualties. Allied artillery caused heavy Japanese personnel losses.

At Buin the 140th IJN Base Force had moderate losses from 35 X B-25J.

The 3rd Indian Division, 23 miles N of Krung Thep, underwent a pair of air attacks that resulted in the unit having moderate casualties. Nearby the 44th Indian Division escaped damage from other Japanese planes. Later a Japanese Banzai charge across the river managed a toehold, but with extremely heavy Japanese losses while the Allied troops had negligible casualties.

Japanese flights around Paramushiro Jima were intercepted by Allied fighters.

The TK Antietam is expected to make it to SF within the next 2 to 3 days. Her fires are almost completely out except for a couple of smoldering spots.

London asked Washington once again for more help in the CBI, but it's falling on deaf ears. The reply was curt and suggested that simply sitting still instead of attacking won't accomplish anything other than tying down troops on both sides.

Stalin has put all of his troops on a higher alert status as he expects trouble with the Japanese once his plans are fully in motion.

Phil is going over fuel reports and worries about there being an ample supply to keep the Old Gals operating since an accelerated schedule for bombardments at Cagayan is in the pipeline. When he finally finishes all of the reports that needed his attention he heads back to his quarters as he's exhausted. Later he dreams of the Benham.

Sam watched lots of Mustangs taking off today and hours later he watched their return. In between he killed another boring day by playing with Frankie, cleaning his weapons and sharpening his knife. If he ever survives this war and gets home he'll never complain about being bored again.

British and Canadian forces moved into the Siegfried Line.

Elbing and Posen have been encircled.

Victory Points Allied 51822 Japanese 39270

[tocaff]

February 10, 1945 The Sulu Sea

Intel

4th Fleet is planning for an attack on Wake Island.
4651 men are based at Wakkanai.
5823 men are based at Pusan.
Yura Fortress is located at Takamatsu.
17th Reserve Coastal Artillery Regiment is located at Niigata.
87848 men are based at Pescadores.
1501 men are based at Kratie.
19367 men are based at Tinian.
Maizuru Fortress is located at Maizuru.
10th Mortar Battalion is located at Chiamussu.
Yura Fortress is located at Takamatsu.
147th IJA Base Force is planning for an attack on Madras.
Elements of the 9th Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Shanghai.
2nd AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
22nd Heavy AA Battalion is located at Changsha.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Krung Thep 9 LCUs 70600/643/5
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 11840/16/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 5340/27/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Kendari 7 LCUs 13760/77/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 10720/18/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Lautem 1 LCU 260/0/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Legaspi 2 LCUs 1380/0/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 47 fighters, 27 bombers, 52 aux, 17 LCUs 17600/66/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of San Jose vacant
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 2 X SS, 8 LCUs 33720/9/0

Combat

Zamboanga was occupied by the Allies.

The SS Aspro, 81 miles S of Swatow, was attacked by a few PCs. The sub will make for port with light systems damage and moderate flooding.

The SS Muskallunge, 28 miles NW of the Amami Group, attacked 5 PCs, hitting 1 with a torpedo that caused heavy damage and fires. The sub in turn was brutally attacked and sunk.

Bangkok had it's resources moderately damaged by 136 X Liberator VI and 32 X B-24J.

Rabaul was pasted by 92 X B-24D, 94 X B-24J and 24 X P-38J for moderately heavy airfield damage, moderate port damage, a few secondary explosions were reported and casualties were moderately heavy.

The Kure 2nd SNLF, about 20 miles from Gasmata was struck by 6 X B-25J for very light losses.

Near Cagayan the IJA 56th Division underwent a couple of air raids that resulted in heavy casualties. The IJA 24th Ind. Mixed Brigade had very heavy losses due to being bombed and strafed. Allied artillery barrages accounted for heavy Japanese casualties.

The IJA 34th Ind. Mixed Brigade, 23 miles N of Krung Thep, had very heavy heavy troop losses from a couple of attacks made by Allied planes.

The 149th IJN Base Force at Buin was hit by 48 X B-25J who inflicted moderately heavy losses on the unit. Nearby the 44th Indian Division was attacked by 13 X Peggy, 9 X Frank and 14 X Tony. The attack was intercepted by 5 X Thunderbolt II (1 damaged). A Frank and a Tony were shot down and the Allied unit took moderate losses. Shortly afterward the 44th Indian Division was jumped by 18 X Peggy for moderate casualties and 2 Thunderbolt IIs failed to intercept the attackers in time.

The Allied ships about 77 miles E of Puerto Princesa were attacked by 27 X Betty and 3 X Tony. The attackers were destroyed by the CAP of 134 X F6F of which 13 were damaged. Another strike of 28 X Betty, 8 X Tojo and 27 X Tony arrived only to be shredded by the CAP of 134 X F6F. All but 2 Tonys were shot down at the cost of 3 Hellcats destroyed and 19 damaged. Never the quitters 3 X Betty and 3 X Tony tried to attack, but the 62 Hellcats on CAP shot down all but 1 Tony and had 2 F6Fs damaged. A short time later 2 X Betty tried to hit the ships and died, damaging a Hellcat.

It was a wild day for Chris, but he didn't pad his kill total. Now he's exhausted from flying 2 CAP patrols. Though he was vectored to intercept incoming raids his flight never reached a point where they could join in the fights. Listening in on the radio only served to make him nervous when he heard that the Japanese kept throwing attacks at the ships. Nothing scares him more than having to ditch and if his sunk is sunk that possibility could become a reality. He not only doesn't know how to swim decently, but he afraid of the water.

Slim looks at his rag tag lads and sighs. So many of them have died and so many of the replacements are so green that he feels guilty sending them into the meat grinder. The worst part of it all is that now the Corps is getting draftees, not just volunteers.

Liegnitz fell to the Russians.

The Soviets attacked towards Neustett, but were halted by German counter thrusts.

The last defenders of Budapest tried to escape and were killed or captured.

The US 1st Army took the 7th Ruhr dam.

Victory Points Allied 51941 Japanese 39038

[tocaff]

February 11, 1945 Ulithi

Intel

3353 men are based at Akita.
211625 men are based at Masan.
75381 men are based at Sapporo.
Chichijima Fortress is located at Niigata.
67th Construction Battalion is located at Gumma.
42nd AA Regiment is located at Harbin.
7th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Hailar.
70th Division is located at Nanchang.
43rd Division is located at Legaspi.
71st Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Balikpapan.
5th Air Division is located at Manila.
14688 men are based at Matsuyama.
24464 men are based at Kanazawa.
64th Construction Battalion is located at Nagasaki.
11th Division is located at Mishan.
36th Construction Battalion is located at Georgetown.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Krung Thep 9 LCUs 84740/873/7
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 12560/27/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 5300/22/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 11520/27/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Lautem 1 LCU 420/0/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of San Jose vacant
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 1 X SS, 8 LCUs 33620/9/0

Combat

The SS Raton, 14 miles N of Okinawa, spotted and attacked an AK being screened by 3 DDs. She hit the vessel with a torpedo causing a fire to break out.

20 miles from Gasmata the Kure 2nd SNLF was hit by 6 X B-25J for moderate casualties.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division had moderate losses from an Allied air attack. The IJA 56th Division had light losses from an air raid. The IJA 102nd Division was blasted for heavy casualties by Allied planes. The Allied artillery chipped in for adding very heavy casualties to the day's toll.

At Krung Thep the IJA 49th Division was hit by 42 X B-25J (7 damaged), 9 X Mosquito FB.VI (1 downed, 1 damaged) and 9 X Thunderbolt II. Then the IJA 49th Division was then attacked by 29 X Mosquito FB.VI (9 damaged). Total losses were listed as heavy.

The 44th Indian Division, 20 miles N of Krung Thep, was jumped by 18 X Peggy and 10 X Thunderbolt II destroyed 4 and damaged 2 while the Indian unit had very light casualties.

An IJN sub was attacked about 98 miles SE of Puerto Princesa and some hits were claimed.

Japanese flights into and out of Paramushiro Jima were intercepted by Allied fighters.

The admiral ended the formal part of the meeting of the captains of the ships that make up his TF that leaves in the morning for Dadjangas. Then Bill and Frank are happily reunited for a while and Frank tells him that O'Bannon continues to be a good ship with an excellent crew, even though the Navy took some of their vets away from them and gave them green bodies more often than he'd like. He asks Bill what it's like being skipper of one of the new, fast BBs. Bill tells him that it keeps him busily burred in paperwork and they share the laugh.

Phil got promoted to the rank of captain today and Ed warmly congratulated him telling him that it's something that he deserves. “I know that your a sea dog at heart, like me,” said Ed. “That's why I'm going to let you escape this staff job soon, though I'll miss you, and place you where you'll do some good for the cause.”

The Yalta Conference ended today.

Victory Points Allied 51962 Japanese 39321




Yalta

[tocaff]

February 12, 1945 Cagayan

Intel

124 aircraft are based at Gumma.
32nd Heavy AA Battalion is located at Aomori.
77th Division is located at Sapporo.
Elements of the 2nd Ind. Brigade are located at Kaigan.
1st AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
11th Division is located at Mishan.
51st Air Flotilla is located at Ominato.
19363 men are based at Tinian.
45th Road Construction Battalion is located at Chiamussu.
56th Construction Battalion is located at Georgetown.
7th Aviation Rgt is located at Medan.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Hong Kong many ships, 1 fighter, 21 bombers, 17 aux, 1 LCU 2920/8/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 33 LCUs
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 13280/143/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 8 LCUs 33480/9/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 11800/23/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Lautem 1 LCU 460/0/0

Combat

The SS Guardfish was attacked, about 89 miles SW of Swatow, by a trio of PCs. A few hours later the Guardfish was reacquired by the Japanese and pounded again. The sub now has light systems damage and moderate flooding so she'll head to a port for repairs.

The SS Greenling was on patrol 78 miles SW of Hong Kong when she realized the dream and spotted a pair of CVEs and 3 DDs. She managed to obtain a favorable setup and hit a CVE, believed to have been the Taiho, with a torpedo. The sub then retired to reload her tubes.

The SS Sabalo, 19 miles N of Marcus Island, attacked an unescorted AK that was carrying troops. She scored a hit with her deck gun and 3 torpedoes slammed home. Many men were observed going into the water as the ship was on fire and listing to starboard. The target then turned turtle and disappeared.

The SS Triton, 99 miles SE of Camranh Bay, found 2 X TK and 5 X PC and though she tried her attack came to nothing.

The SS Ling, 15 miles NW of the Amami Group, was located and depth charged by 4 X PC resulting in the killing of another USN sub.*

21 miles from Gasmata the Kure 2nd SNLF was bombed by 6 X B-25J for light casualties.

Near Cagayan the IJA 24th Ind. Mixed Brigade had moderate losses from an Allied air attack. Allied artillery pounded the Japanese for heavy casualties.

The 44th Indian Division, 22 miles N of Krung Thep was hit by 11 X Peggy for moderate casualties. Then 5 Thunderbolt IIs appeared and chased the Japanese planes into the clouds.

The TK Fort Dearborn was unable to douse her fires and as a result the DD standing by took off the remainder of the crew as the stricken tanker was scuttled.

Palawan is making for Jolo along with 2 other AKs and their escorts. They have supplies for the base and then are ordered to return to Dadjangas ASAP. They were informed of heavy Japanese submarine activity to the north of Jolo, but that only makes Red uneasy. “Do they really think that the Japanese aren't trying to hide? It's the subs that aren't detected that scare me,” he mutters as he eats some lunch. Cookie eyes him and thinks that if anybody has the right to be afraid it's Red. Cookie has never let on that he's deathly afraid of going into the water as he has an awful fear of sharks.

The Flying Deuces had moved up to Cagayan and are adding their planes to the CAP duty to protect the shipping gathering there. Stick has renewed hope as his squadron is once again on the front lines.

Dave listened to the news on the radio and then said, “I don't trust those Russians a bit. We should get rid of the Nazis and rearm the Germans to fight with us against Stalin. Churchill is right and Roosevelt is to soft on them.” Sandy doesn't comment as she just wants the war to end so that Bill can come back to her. She pours coffee for Dave and calls him to the table for a piece of apple pie.

London, Moscow and Washington announced the Yalta agreements.

The Kriegsmarine evacuated 374,000 German refugees from East and West Prussia.

Peru declared war on Germany.

British and Canadian troops entered Cleve.

Victory Points Allied 51978 Japanese 39343

* I suppose that now history has been changed and my visit to the Ling never happened. She's moored on the Hackensack River in New Jersey and really needs funding to preserve her, like so many other proud vessels that are now museums.

[tocaff]

February 13, 1945 Cagayan

Intel

94th Division is located at Singapore.
23228 men are based at Nagaoka.
19359 men are based at Tinian.
2nd RF Gun Battalion is located at Nanning.
112th Division is located at Mishan.
6th Air Division is located at Kendari.
3342 men are based at Akita.
Maizuru Fortress is located at Maizuru.
Chinkai Base Force is located at Masan.
7578 men are based at Toyama.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Tabun-Nur 1 LCU 1320/11/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Shikka 1 X AP, 2 LCUs 8000/94/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Chiamussu 6 LCUs 23600/205/51
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 56 fighters, 24 bombers, 59 aux, 12 LCUs 70980/866/20
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Canton 10 bombers, 52 aux, 3 LCUs 19860/158/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Krung Thep 8 LCUs 72940/752/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tarakan 2 LCUs 660/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Koepang 3 LCUs 12080/28/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Lautem 1 LCU 760/0/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Kwajalein 8 LCUs 34700/7/0

Combat

The SS Guardfish was pounded by 5 X CP 97 miles SW of Swatow. The sub is making for port, but with moderate systems damage and heavy flooding combined with balky pumps the issue is in doubt.

The SS Corvina was hunted by 4 X PC 71 miles SW of Tainan, but she managed to evade them.

22 miles from Gasmata the Kure 2nd SNLF was hit by 7 Mitchells for moderate casualties.

The Kwajalein Base Force had heavy losses from 150 X B-29. The 2nd South Seas Det. Had moderate casualties from air an air attack. The 3rd South Seas Det. Had heavy losses from Allied aircraft.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division was hit twice by air attacks that inflicted heavy casualties. The IJA 56th Division was jumped four times by Allied planes and the unit took very heavy losses. The IJA 24th Ind. Mixed Brigade had heavy casualties from and air raid. The IJA 100th Division was pounded from on high for heavy losses. The IJA 102nd Division also had heavy casualties after being attacked by Allied planes. While all of this was going on Allied artillery lobbed shells at the Japanese and bashed them for heavy losses.

Japanese flights in the Paramushiro Jima area were intercepted by Allied fighters.

FDR is told that within the next 2 months 2 major operations will be in full swing and another in the advanced stages of readiness. The trip to and from Yalta seems to have taken a toll on Franklin's already fragile physical state.

Palawan is busily unloading, but the going is very slow as lighters must be used as only 1 ship can use the dock at a time and the facilities are less than adequate, at best. Red and Cookie are watching as another lighter moves towards shore. They both sigh with the realization that this process will take a very long time.

Slim assigns the replacements to each squad so they all get one. He feels bad for these new lads as they probably won't live out the month. Learning on the job is worse than hazardous here in the meat grinder of Cagayan.

Stick climbs down from his plane after another fruitless CAP mission. His squadron CO views it differently as the Flying Deuces mission is to control the skies over their base and they're doing that. He doesn't care is the Japanese never thrown a single aircraft at them.

Budapest fell to the Red Army.

Victory Points Allied 51987 Japanese 39369

[tocaff]

February 14, 1945 Kwajalein

Intel

16th Army is located at Rabaul.
25th AA Regiment is located at Osaka/Kobe.
1st Amphibious Brigade is located at Paramushiro Jima.
40th Construction Battalion is located at Changchun.
8th Division is located at Tsitsihar.
65th Division is located at Nanning.
259629 men are based at Sasebo.
31st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Aomori.
2nd Reserve AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
52nd Road Construction Battalion is located at Sining.
4th Construction Battalion is located at Mukden.
3055 men are based at Anshan.
11th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Osaka/Kobe.
21st Mixed Brigade is located at Manila.
111th IJNAF Base Force is located at Kanazawa.
102nd IJA Base Force is located at Harbin.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Wuchow 2 LCUs 21600/256/7
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 9 LCUs 54660/539/9
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Sandakan vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga 1 LCU

Combat

The SS Grunion was hunted by 5 X PC, 99 miles SE of Hong Kong, but she evaded her would be attackers and resumed her patrol. Later the sub was attacked by 3 X PG and 2 X PC. The Japanese lost the sub for a while, but they continued to hunt her and then reacquired her location. The sub will now curtail her patrol as she has light systems damage.

The SS Pollack, 76 miles S of Hong Kong, stalked 5 X PC and struck 1 with a torpedo causing it's death.

The SS Triton, 144 miles SE of Hue, attacked a lone AP at ravaged it with 3 torpedo hits. Troops were seen going into the water.

Near Cagayan the Old Gals conducted a naval bombardment that inflicted very heavy casualties on the Japanese. The IJA 18th Division was hit twice by Allied air for heavy losses. The IJA 56th Division also was hit twice for heavy casualties. The IJA24th Ind. Mixed Brigade was struck two times by Allied planes for heavy losses. The IJA 100th Division was raided and had moderate casualties. The IJA 102nd Division got hit in the morning and the afternoon and had heavy losses. Allied troops attacked the Japanese positions and drove them back with both sides having extremely heavy casualties, though the Japanese were thought to have lost 3 times as many men as the Allies did.

At Kwajalein the Japanese fired on the unloading ships and hit a number of them. The Allied troops going ashore had extremely heavy losses. 215 X B-29 blasted the Kwajalein Base Force for heavy casualties. The 2nd South Seas Det. was bombed and had moderately heavy losses. The Allied troops swept over the Japanese defenders, taking the base with both sides having extremely heavy casualties. A DE, 4 SCs and an LCI were sunk and now the damaged ships will return to port.

Ichang was attacked by 45 X B-25J and 3 X P-51D. A Tojo, 20 Franks and 11 Tonys pounced on the Allied planes destroying 2 Mitchells (8 damaged) and damaged a Mustang. The Tojo, 6 Franks (9 damaged) a Tony (6 damaged), 3 Nicks and a Dinah were lost between bullets and bombs. The airstrip was lightly damaged and there were some secondary explosions.

The Guardfish lost her battle for survival today as her crew scuttled the boat and took to some rafts to await pickup from another sub operating not to far away.

The Sea Bees are putting the finishing touches on their work at Tori Shima and most of them are just waiting for ships to pick them up. Sam looks out from his position overlooking the airfield and sees more Mustangs taking off. Some of the time the Mustang pilots have a bit of fun and buzz the Army's positions, scaring the hell out of the troops. They must be pretty bored being based here too.

Slim meets with the squad leaders and learns that all of the replacements are dead. He wonders if any of them will survive as he assigns men to procure food, water and munitions while the lads begin their routine of digging new fighting holes. His platoon is all but spent even though the Japanese seem to be crumbling he wonders how much more he can take. It's times like this that he misses Gunny the most because he could use the strength he drew from him. He finds it hard to try and fill Gunny's shoes and wonders how he ever got so much responsibility. I was happier when I was just one of the lads and could gripe all of the time, he thinks.

Elaine is feeling depressed today as it's Valentine's Day and she misses Gil. Sandy feels the same, but is handling it better. They are just a couple in a country full of women missing their men.

Breslau was encircled.

Dresden was hit by 800 RAF bombers.

Uruguay declared war on Germany.

British and Canadian troops reached the Rhine.

Victory Points Allied 52071 Japanese 39398

[Capt. Harlock]

The Allied troops swept over the Japanese defenders, taking the base

Somewhat behind schedule. [;)]

[tocaff]

Originally Kwajalein was to be bypassed, but I decided that it was an easy grab and that it might be dangerous to leave in Japanese hands.

February 15, 1945 Mindanao

Intel

72543 men are based at Tori Shima.
25th Engineer Regiment is located at Sendai.
13th Tank Regiment is located at Changsha.
21st AA Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
43rd Division is located at Legaspi.
5th Army is located at Tsitsihar.
14647 men are based at Matsuyama.
11th Tank Regiment is located at Mishan.
13th Aviation Rgt is located at Mukden.
7th Division is located at Sapporo.
Maizuru Fortress is located at Maizuru.
27th Division is planning for an attack on Kweiyang.
53rd Air Flotilla is located at Tokyo.
4th Air Army is located at Tokyo.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Nanning 32 LCUs
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 33 LCUs
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Kendari 5 LCUs 7180/41/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Manila 16 LCUs 20400/134/0

Combat

The Japanese troops near Cagayan were pounded by the Old Gals for heavy losses. The IJA 18th Division got hit from above a few times during the day with the unit sustaining very heavy casualties. The IJA 56th Division had moderate losses due to Allied air attacks on it. The IJA102nd Division had heavy casualties due to Allied planes striking it. Allied artillery inflicted very heavy losses on the Japanese with a relentless bombardment throughout the day.

A solitary AP, lumbering along 68 miles SE of Kiungahan, was attacked by the SS Greenling and hit by a torpedo causing fire and heavy damage. Troops were seen jumping into the water.

Ichang was being defended by 13 Franks and 7 Tonys when 62 X B-25J, 67 X P-38J and 24 X P-51D arrived. The fighting was fierce and when the attack was over the airfield had taken moderate damage, there were many secondary explosions observed, bombs and guns accounted for 17 Franks, 9 Tonys, 4 Nicks and 2 Dinah destroyed. 2 Lightnings were damaged in the attack.

The Kure 2nd SNLF 201 miles N of Gasmata was jumped by 7 X B-25J who missed their target.

On Kwajelein the 86th Naval Guard Unit had the good fortune of low lying clouds protecting it from Allied naval aircraft. Later, with the clouds breaking up planes from Eniwetok hit the unit for light casualties. Then the 2nd South Seas Det. was punished by USN planes followed by LBA for moderate losses.

The SS Grunion, 22 miles N of Aparri, hit a lone AK with a shell from her deck gun and 3 fish as the sun was setting. The AK was sinking and abandoned by her crew.

Ed is happy with the plans for his Old Gals to pound the Japanese at Cagayan and decides that he'll sail with the next bombardment TF just to keep his sea legs.

“Not that I'm depressed about it, but I've flown 88 combat missions to date and I still don't have a kill to show for it,” Stick says to the flight surgeon who giving him an exam. The doc nods and continues as Stick is one of many pilots that he'll be checking on today. He wants to tell the young man that he isn't a crying towel, but just lets the kid blow off some steam.

Palawan continues the painfully slow process of unloading at Jolo. Cookie and Red had a ringside seat yesterday watching the coming and going of Liberator bombers. With the use of the radio limited to just getting messages on rare occasions Red has little to do so he's taking time to teach Lucky new things. Cookie, on the other hand, always is busily dealing with the crew's hunger.

The Yorktown rides at anchor with many other warships at Dadjangas. The ship is fueled and ready to go as is the crew. Chris stands on the idle flight deck looking at so many other ships of all types and takes off jogging, working up a sweat. Running has become an obsession of his as it relieves stress and keeps him in shape. He knows that something big is afoot and that means flying, not running will be keeping him busy soon.

Operation Sonnenwende started today, but all of the German formations weren't ready.

Dresden was bombed by 400 US 8th Air Force bombers. Firestorms killed between 35 and 135,000 people.

Victory Points Allied 52154 Japanese 39423

[tocaff]

February 16, 1945 Cagayan

Intel

13105 men are based at Aomori.
54th Division is located at Kagoshima.
Yongfung Bay Fortress is located at Wonsan.
13852 men are based at Toyohara.
160th IJN Base Force is located at Tokyo.
113th IJA Base Force is located at Nanking.
116th IJA Base Force is located at Lanchow.
2nd Naval Construction Battalion is located at Vigan.
3rd Cavarly Brigade is located at Mishan.
49th Construction Battalion is located at Hailar.
71st Division is located at Changkufeng.
24508 men are based at Kanazawa.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Nanning 25 fighters, 34 bombers, 62 aux, 32 LCUs
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 33 LCUs
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 5640/23/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Amboina 1 aux, 5 LCUs 14600/33/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Guiuan vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 6 LCUs 4500/12/0

Combat

The SS Pollack, 16 miles N of Vigan, tried and failed to attack an AK that was all alone.

The SS Grampus scored a torpedo hit on a lone AK 168 miles N of Marcus Island, setting in on fire.

The Kure 2nd SNLF, 22 miles from Gasmata, was hit for light casualties by 7 X B-25J.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division was struck twice by Allied aircraft for heavy losses. The IJA 56th Division was jumped on 3 occasions today by planes and sustained heavy casualties. The IJA 100th Division was attacked by Allied air power and had heavy losses. Allied artillery inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese.

The SS Corvina attacked an AK being escorted by 2 PGs 141 miles NW of Batan Island, but missed her target.

On Kwajalein Allied forces squeezed the Japanese into a smaller pocket with their attack while dishing out extremely heavy losses on the defenders and they had heavy casualties.

Moscow and Tokyo have established contact about a nonaggression pact. Stalin wants to know what the Japanese would offer for such a treaty and the Japanese want to know the Soviets demands. Stalin decides to say nothing and put the pressure on Tokyo to make an initial offer. Meanwhile he informs Washington of these early proceedings and when told of it FDR grinned and said, “Uncle Joe would make a hell of a used car salesman. If he can get the bases we thought we'd have to fight for it would be great.”

Slim is cleaning his weapon when a couple of replacements appear. He tells one of the lads where to take them and to get them settled in. More meat for the grinder, he thinks.

Chris is reading an old copy of The Crescent News, the Defiance Ohio local newspaper. There's a story about him in it and now he knows why his girl sent it to him. He wonders why they never tried to contact him for the story. When the war ends, if he survives, maybe it'll be worth a free beer as he's a local hero.

Victory Points Allied 52183 Japanese 39433

[tocaff]

February 17, 1945 Moscow

Intel

11th AA Regiment is located at Osaka/Kobe.
South Seas Det. is planning for an attack on Townsville.
8th Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
16th Division is located at Manila.
Elements of the 7th Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Hsinyang.
10205 men are based at Matsue.
4716 men are based at Wonsan.
51st Road Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
Hunchun Garrison Regiment is located at Changkufeng.
7th Tank Regiment is located at Singapore.
Shobu Force is located at Singapore.

Recon

PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Samarinda vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 1 X AP, 6 LCUs 5920/18/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Kweilin 3 LCUs 8180/98/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Victoria Point 7 LCUs 8780/50/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga 2 LCUs
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Clark Field 76 fighters, 18 bombers, 108 aux, 8 LCUs 30020/237/0

Combat

The SS Baya was about 24 miles W of Batan Island when 5 X PC found and pounded her. Hours later the sub was hunted by 4 X PC who didn't manage to get a fix on her. With moderate systems damage and heavy flooding the sub will try for a safe haven.

The SS Pollack, 28 miles S of Batan Island, attacked and hit an AK with 2 torpedoes doing heavy damage and causing it to burn. The escorts, 4 X DD and 3 X PC then gave the sub what for, sinking her.

On Kwajalein he 86th Naval Guard Unit was attacked by 4 X PB4Y, 28 X SB2C and 17 X P-47D and the unit had light casualties. The 3rd South Seas Det. Was hit by 6 X PB4Y, 4 X SB2C and 2 X P-47D for light losses. An Allied attack inflicted extremely heavy losses on the Japanese who were compressed into an ever shrinking pocket. Allied casualties were heavy. Many of the Japanese units have all but ceased to exist as cohesive formations due to their losses.

Nanning was swept by 24 X P-51D and the Japanese had 3 X Zeke, 1 X Jack, 10 X Nick and 1 X Tony up. 4 Nicks made it to the clouds as all of the other Japanese planes were splashed.

An Allied bombardment of the Japanese positions near Cagayan caused heavy casualties.

Tokyo questioned Moscow as to what kind of territorial claims were being considered. Stalin said that they can wait a bit for a reply. “They think that we want all of Manchuria and Sakhalin Island, but the Kuriles hold interest too,” he announces to the assembled members of the Politburo. Then he added “Inform Washington that I believe they'll have an operational base close to Japan by the beginning of April.”

One of the other pilots is looking at Chris' newspaper and lets out a low whistle. He then turns to Chris and said, “Wow, we have a real live hero amongst us. Can I please have your autograph Mr. Hero?” The entire mess breaks up laughing and Chris scribbles on a napkin and tosses it to his pal.

One of the new guys asked Slim how to tell incoming from outgoing and all Sam could do was roll his eyes, smile and tell the lad that he'd learn within the next hour or so and to keep his head down. Slim wonders is he was ever this green and knows the answer is yes.

Victory Points Allied 52207 Japanese 39452

[tocaff]

February 18, 1945 New York

Intel

2nd Fleet is loaded on the AP Fukko Maru at Kendari.
91st Naval Guard Unit is located at Hanoi.
11th Army is planning for an attack on Chungking.
80010 men are based at Rahaeng.
6th Field Artillery Regiment is located at Sian.
28th Division is located at Hailar.
3rd FF Construction Battalion is located at Anshan.
Tone Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Changkufeng.
287637 men are based at Osaka/Kobe.
12333 men are based at Pisanuloke.
North Chishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
39th Division is planning for an attack on Chungking.
3rd Reserve AA Regiment is located at Matsue.
1st Mortar Regiment is located at Sasebo.

Recon

PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Samarinda vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Marcus Island 12 fighters, 12 aux, 6 LCUs 8280/27/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Clark Field 102 fighters, 24 bombers, 148 aux, 9 LCUs 43880/485/0

Combat

The SS Corvina hit an unescorted AK with a torpedo about 238 miles W of Tainan, starting fires and doing heavy damage.

At Pescadores an AP hit a mine that set it ablaze and troops went into the water.

The SS Hammerhead, 77 miles SE of Wenchow, underwent a violent and prolonged attack made by 4 X PC which killed the sub.

The SS Balao, 82 miles E of Wenchow, was trying to work itself into a position to attack 5 PCs, but they detected the sub and attacked it. The sub has moderate systems damage and moderate flooding so her patrol is over and she's now bound for a port for repairs.

The SS Triton attacked a pair of AKs under escort by 4 X PG 138 miles S of Kiungahan. A torpedo struck an AK doing heavy damage. Later the SS Triton attacked the other AK, hitting it with a fish. While the AK burned the 4 PGs tried hunting the sub in vain.

Tokyo was under an air umbrella supplied by 54 X Zeke, 41 X Frank and 33 X Tony when 65 X P-51D dove out of the sun and swept through the Japanese planes shooting down 34 Zekes, 29 Franks and 23 Tonys. The cost was 8 Mustangs lost and 2 damaged.

Bangkok was bombed by 144 X Liberator VI (2 downed, 22 damaged) and 46 X B-24J (1 downed, 6 damaged). The port was devastated, there were a great number of secondary explosions one of which was a fuel tank and casualties were very heavy.

The Kure 2nd SNLF, seemingly stuck about 21 miles from Gasmata, was hit by 6 X B-25J for moderate losses.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division had heavy casualties from a couple of air raids. The IJA 56th Division was hit a couple of time by Allied planes and as a result had very heavy losses. Allied artillery inflicted very heavy casualties on the Japanese.

On Kwajalein the 86th Naval Guard Unit was hit by 16 X TBM and 5 X FM-2 for moderate casualties. An Allied attack eliminated the Japanese presence with virtually nobody being harmed among the attackers.

On Andaman Island the 118th IJNAF Base Force had heavy losses from 34 X Mosquito FB.VI and 36 X B-25J (5 damaged). Later the 118th was struck by 15 X Mosquito FB.VI (1 damaged), 54 X B-25J (1 downed, 14 damaged) and 58 X P-38J who inflicted further heavy casualties.

The 3rd Indian Division, 23 miles N of Krung Thep, was attacked by 15 X Peggy who caused the unit to have light losses. 5 X Thunderbolt II appeared and damaged 3 of the Peggys as they ran for home.

Nanning was swept by 23 X P-51D and 3 X Zeke, 1 X Oscar and 6 X Nick tried give them a fight. A Zeke and 2 Nicks survived the lopsided fight and a Mustang was lost due to a midair collision with a Japanese plane.

The work at the yard is now mostly mechanical as damage to ships is now due to weather and the occasional collision. Gene decides that the future at the yard is not bright for him so he called Electric Boat and they immediately offered him a job. It should be interesting work as he'll be on a research team looking into new ways to do better welding. Tomorrow he'll submit his 2 week notice at the yard and then he'll break the news to his crew.

Sam spent the morning sound asleep after spending the night patrolling with his squad. When he wakes up he heads off for some chow and upon his return to his hut he sees a letter from home. There's nothing new there, they just wanted to say hello.

The silence between Moscow and Tokyo is deafening. Stalin is relishing the prospect of having Hitler as his prisoner so he really isn't concerned with the Japanese for the moment.

When Washington and London discussed the Nazis after the war Churchill quietly suggested that Stalin would make the problems disappear and nobody could ever accuse the UK and USA of complicity. Roosevelt was noncommittal about it, but did express the desire for trials for all war criminals as agreed upon earlier.

Operation Sonnenwende was stopped by the Red Army.

A German cruise liner was sunk by a Russian sub. Out of 8,800 passengers and crew only 1,000 survived.

Victory Points Allied 52313 Japanese 39479

[tocaff]

February 19, 1945 Tori Shima

Intel

23184 men are based at Nagaoka.
4321 men are based at Kyoto.
23rd Engineer Regiment is located at Inch'on.
23rd Engineer Regiment is located at Pisanuloke.
14th Army is located at Victoria Point.
50959 men are based at Kadina.
84404 men are based at Naha.
71 ships are based at Kitakyushu.
North Chishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
12th AA Regiment is located at Peking.
34th Road Construction Battalion is located at Kweilin.
12th Air Fleet is located at Hakodate.
57th Division is located at Arshaan.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Hengchow 2 LCUs 10180/122/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Luang Prabang 1 LCU 1560/3/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Legaspi 3 LCUs 21720/216/6
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga 2 LCUs

Combat

The SS Sailfish, 149 miles SW of Tainan, attacked 5 PCs, hitting 1 with 2 torpedoes, destroying it. Then the sub underwent a violent counter by the IJN vessels and she had her pressure hull cracked open like an eggshell. The Sailfish will be listed as overdue to report in and presumed destroyed in due time.

The SS Trigger attacked a lone AK, about 76 miles NW of Batan Island, hitting it 5 times with the deck gun and with 2 fish, killing the target.

Andaman Island was bombed by 132 X Liberator VI (6 damaged) and 35 X B-24J and the airstrip was moderately damaged, the port lightly, there were many secondary explosions and casualties were light. The 118th IJNAF Base Force was struck by 46 X Mosquito FB.VI and 55 X B-25J (8 damaged) for moderately heavy troop losses. Another attack on the 118th caused additional moderate casualties as 16 X Mosquito FB.VI (2 damaged), 28 X B-25J (1 downed, 7 damaged) and 44 X P-38J dumped on it.

Truk was pounded by 282 X B-29 with the airfield taking extremely heavy damage, the port was also extremely heavily hit, there were many secondary explosions two of which were fuel tanks and personnel losses were heavy.

The Kure 2nd SNLF, 22 miles from Gasmata, had very light casualties from an attack made by 6 X B-25J.

Near Cagayan the IJA 56th Division was bombed and had very heavy losses. The IJA 100th Division had heavy casualties after being jumped by Allied planes. The IJA 102nd Division also had heavy losses from Allied aircraft visiting it. Allied artillery was responsible for dishing out very heavy Japanese casualties.

The planners at the Pentagon are awaiting word from Moscow. The units, ships, supplies and fuel are all ready to go. It's a question of waiting to know where the destination will be. The original plan was to land on the northern end of the island and then move on Shikka, but now it's possible that they'll be able to unload at the docks in Shikka's port.

“Well we're almost done unloading here,” grumbles one of the crew as he wolfs down some meatloaf that Cookie made for dinner. The men are happy that there are finally fighters on a regular patrol of the base and that soon they'll be able to depart. Having to unload when standing offshore has been rough on the crew and the men are exhausted and unhappy.

Sam has noticed a marked reduction in the Japanese snoopers and wonders why. If they were going to attack there would be more, not less air activity. Unless of course they were up to misdirection. He tells his squad to be vigilant because they never know when the enemy will appear. It's tough to stay alert when they are bored to death. Sam figures that they'll probably get enough advance warning to be ready with a warm reception for any invasion force.

Jim gets off of the transport and is directed to the base operations hut. There he'll be assigned to his new unit. What he doesn't know yet is that the Sea Bees are virtually done with their work on Tori Shima and regardless of what unit he ends up with he'll just be waiting for transport elsewhere.

Victory Points Allied 52355 Japanese 39507

[tocaff]

February 20, 1945 Menado

Intel

47th Road Construction Battalion is located at Changkufeng.
112th Division is located at Mishan.
43rd Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Sapporo.
12156 men are based at Niigata.
7th Division is located at Sapporo.
54th Division is located at Kagoshima.
24470 men are based at Kanazawa.
2942 men are based at Nagato.
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Tsitsihar.
35th Construction Battalion is located at Tsitsihar.
Mongol Army is located at Sasebo.

Recon

Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Swatow 2 LCUs 6620/78/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke 4 LCUs 7960/27/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Legaspi 3 LCUs 21260/226/9
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Manila 6 X AP, 1 X CA, 38 fighters, 42 bombers, 52 aux, 18 LCUs 53340/392/7
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Balikpapan 6 LCUs 5800/19/0

Combat

The SS Golet attacked a lone AK 141 miles E of Camranh Bay, hitting it 3 times with her deck gun.

The SS Corvina, 133 miles SW of Tainan, was found and pounded by 4 PCs. The Corvina has light systems damage and will make for port and repairs.

Bangkok was raided by 16 X B-25J and AA fire claimed 2 of them while damaging 12 others. The airfield took very light damage, there was a secondary explosion and casualties were moderate.

On Andaman Island the 118th IJNAF Base Force had moderate losses from being hit by 13 X Mosquito FB.VI and 52 X P-38J.

21 miles N of Krung Thep the 3rd Indian Division was attacked by 21 X Peggy and 4 Thunderbolt IIs on LRCAP damaged 10 of them as the Peggys were departing. The unit had moderate casualties.

Allied artillery inflicted very heavy losses on the Japanese near Cagayan.

“One more day and we're out of here,” says Red to Cookie as they lean over the ship's rail and watch another craft heading towards shore laden with supplies. It's been tough on the crew and boring for Red. He almost feels guilty about being able to take it easy while everyone else is working their tails off. “I'm lucky, just like they say and when this war is over I'm never going to sea again,” he tells Cookie.

The O'Bannon sailed as part of the screen for a CVTF. They will be supporting landings on Luzon and it is expected that the Japanese will be throwing plenty of planes at them, maybe even the IJN will come out to contest the Allied plans. Frank knows that taking Manila and Clark will all but isolate Japan from it's supply of raw materials.

Gil got a letter from his sister wishing him a happy birthday and he's amazed that he has it in hand only one day late. One of the supply clerks told the guys the other day that they wouldn't believe the amount of stuff the ships are carrying all around the world. “The strange thing is that the people back home still have it pretty good too,” he said. Gil wonders if there's so much to go around then why are their planes so tired?

The RAF launched the first of 36 consecutive night raids on Berlin.

Victory Points Allied 52364 Japanese 39519

[tocaff]

February 21, 1945 Cagayan

Intel

North Chishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
Kwantung Defense Brigade is located at Changchun.
46th Road Construction Battalion is located at Changkufeng.
2498 men are based at Ikitsuki.
13021 men are based at Aomori.
8th Ind. Brigade is located at Nanning.
42nd Division is located at Sendai.
Kitachishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
21st Reserve Engineer Regiment is located at Shimuzu.
4th Construction Battalion is located at Mukden.
3rd Cavarly Brigade is located at Mishan.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Arshaan 2 LCUs 24820/308/6
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Tsitsihar 10 LCUs 27300/266/7
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 32 fighters, 8 bombers, 37 aux, 12 LCUs 36360/431/13
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Changkufeng 13 LCUs 26020/267/14
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Shikka 2 X AP, 5 fighters, 9 aux, 2 LCUs 7360/64/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Chiamussu 8 LCUs 23680/209/66
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Hanoi 26 fighters, 17 bombers, 19 aux, 3 LCUs 7260/21/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tarakan 2 LCUs 2580/50/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga 2 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wotje 1 LCU
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Krung Thep 8 LCUs 49160/518/6

Combat

6 IJN MSWs encountered a mine field at Pescadores and immediately commenced sweeping ops.

The SS Blackfish, 79 miles NW of Manila, attacked a solitary AK and hit it with 2 torpedoes sinking the vessel.

Nanning was swept by Mustangs as an air raid struck. A total of 77 X B-25J, 24 X P-51D and 49 X P-38J (2 downed, 4 damaged) took part in the attack. The Japanese had 11 X Zeke, 15 X Oscar, 23 X Tojo, 9 X Nick and 10 X Tony try and stop the Allied planes. An Oscar, 2 Tojos, a Nick and 2 Tonys survived the fight. The airfield took moderate damage, there were some secondary explosions seen, a Dinah, 3 Peggys, 4 Topsys and 7 Helens were trashed and casualties were very heavy.

Bangkok was pounded by 129 X Liberator VI (13 damaged) and 33 X B-24J (1 downed, 1 damaged) for moderate airfield damage, extremely heavy port damage, a large number of secondary explosions were claimed and personnel losses were very heavy.

An Allied attack on the Japanese positions near Cagayan cost the Japanese very heavy casualties and the Allied force had extremely heavy losses.

Japanese flights into and out of Paramushiro Jima were intercepted by Allied fighters.

The Palawan will reach Dadjangas early tomorrow morning, to the relief of the crew. Red and Cookie look forward to a chance to get ashore and let Lucky stretch his legs. The dog has been getting fat and Red put the entire crew, excepting Cookie, on notice that they are not to feed anything to the dog anymore. Cookie remarked that “Lucky is like a hungry shark in that he'll gobble anything and everything in sight.”

Chris sits through the briefing in the ready room and is impressed at the scope of the operation that they have embarked on. There won't be much time for boredom as he figures that the Japanese will have to contest the skies.

Slim wearily looks after the lads, making sure that they have food, water, ammunition and are digging deep. He finds that it's starting to be difficult even to do the simplest things. The fatigue is awful, the filth is everywhere and the stench is beyond description. An evening shower provided temporary relief and despite being told one of the new guys got out of his hold to escape drowning in his hole, or so he said as a corpsman had him taken to an aid station for a wound he received from a Japanese machine gunner. The lad was lucky to be alive, if one can call this living.

Guben fell to the Russians.

Victory Points Allied 52473 Japanese 39537

[tocaff]

February 22, 1945 Moscow

Intel

21st Air Flotilla is located at Rabaul.
38th Construction Battalion is located at Toyohara.
68th Construction Battalion is located at Hamamatsu.
Hiroshima Base Force is located at Hiroshima/Kure.
63rd Division is located at Chengting.
132nd IJA Base Force is located at Bangkok.
20th Army is located at Tsitsihar.
2nd RF Gun Battalion is planning for an attack on Kweiyang.
13th Aviation Rgt is located at Mukden.
Elements of the 4th Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Paotang.
49 ships are based at Okayama.
88817 men are based at Mishan.
52648 men are based at Harbin.
8th Area Army is located at Dobodura.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Arshaan 2 LCUs 27060/311/6
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Tsitsihar 14 LCUs 79700/800/21
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Shikka 2 X AP, 25 fighters, 25 aux, 2 LCUs 13460/107/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Chiamussu 8 LCUs 46980/458/151
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 74 fighters, 27 bombers, 79 aux, 12 LCUs 84140/991/16
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Changkufeng 13 LCUs 71680/664/26
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Haiphong 1 X SS, 1 X APD, 1 X AP, 1 X AG
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 9 LCUs 67800/692/17
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tarakan 2 LCUs 4380/59/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Naga 2 LCUs
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Victoria Point 7 LCUs 12340/43/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Manila 20 X AP, 82 fighters, 56 bombers, 85 aux, 18 LCUs 137060/1144/26
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Jaluit vacant

Combat

A PBM spotted an AP near Manila and reported a hit.

The SS Dentuda, 20 miles W of the Amami Group, was detected and futilely hunted by 4 X PC. A short while later the same PCs found and attacked the SS Blenny about 17 miles N of Okinawa. The Blenny is now making for Wake Island as she sustained light systems damage and a little flooding.

Tokyo was swept by 61 X P-51D who dove out of the clouds into a gaggle of 39 X Zeke, 1 X Jack, 26 X Frank, 25 X Tony and 10 X Randy. The toll was heavy as the Japanese lost 15 Zekes, a Jack, 19 Franks, 21 Tonys and 5 Randys while they shot down 8 Mustangs and damaged 2 others.

The skies over Manila were being protected by 19 X Zeke, 6 X George, 13 X Jack, 20 X Irving and 36 X Frank when an Allied strike package of 45 X B-17E, 88 X B-24D and 24 X P-38J arrived. Between the guns, AA fire and bombs the Japanese lost 7 Zekes (3 damaged), 4 Georges, a Jack (5 damaged), 2 Irvings, 11 Franks (14 damaged), 2 Graces and 4 Judys while the Allies had 3 B-17Es (15 damaged), 8 B-24Ds (29 damaged) and 5 Lightnings (1 damaged) get destroyed. The airfield was lightly damaged, the port was moderately hit, there were some secondary explosions reported and Japanese casualties were moderately heavy.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division had moderate losses due to an Allied air attack. The IJA 56th Division was struck 4 times by Allied planes for very heavy casualties. The IJA 24th Ind. Mixed Brigade had very heavy losses from Allied air power. The IJA 102nd Division was struck twice from on high for moderate casualties.

The 3rd Indian Division 21 miles N of Krung Thep was attacked by 15 X Peggy who ran into 7 X Thunderbolt II who were on a LRCAP. The Indian unit had negligible losses thanks to the fighters who had 2 planes damaged while they shot down 4 Peggys and damaged 7 others.

The SS Argonaut, 311 miles SE of Sendai, found and attacked a single AK. She struck the ship with 2 fish, sinking it and now the sub is proceeding towards her target with the deadly load of mines that she carries.

Stalin smiles as the cable is read to him. The Japanese are willing to withdraw from Arshaan, Hailar and Tsitsihar immediately. All land and air units are involved. The Japanese have proposed that the Soviets can have the bases no sooner than April 1st. Pending a positive response from Moscow the Japanese will also evacuate Chiamussu and Mishan. Stalin says, “See, we have conquered without shedding a drop of blood and the fools in Tokyo believe that this will save them from us as their fight is being lost on all fronts. We will tell them that enough troops will enter the areas evacuated to maintain order as previously stated by us, but that March 1st will be the date our units will move Also inform Tokyo that Mishan and Chiamussu should be withdrawn from by the same March 1st deadline along with Tabun-Nur and Shikka. Let's see what the response is and our plans remain in motion until I say otherwise. A toast to the Rodina is in order along with the demise of the German and Japanese dogs.”

Yorktown has been refueled and she sailed with her TF along with a couple of other CVTFs in what looks to be a major operation. Chris has been assigned a CAP mission for tomorrow so for today he relaxes and looks at the ships that stretch beyond the horizon.

Jim can't believe he's been told to take it easy and here he is sitting overlooking the airstrip with an Army guy named Sam, a dog named Frankie and a warm beer in hand. “You mean to tell me that the Navy is as screwed up as the Army?” Sam says as more of a statement than a question. Jim tells him that the Sea Bees are awaiting transport out of here and that he's arrived, but has nothing to do until then.

Yesterday Nurnberg was struck by over 1,000 US 8th AF bombers.

Operation Clarion was launched by the Allies. Over 10,000 air attacks will be made on German communications in central Germany.

The US 5th Army took the upper Reno Valley between Bologna and Florence.

Victory Points Allied 52592 Japanese 39466

[tocaff]

February 23, 1945 Moscow

Intel

52nd Division is located at Hamamatsu.
21st Reserve Engineer Regiment is located at Shimuzu.
51st Division is located at Wuchow.
21st Aviation Unit is located at Batan Island.
102nd IJA Base Force is located at Harbin.
229th Division is located at Nagoya.
Elements of the 4th Ind. Brigade are located at Sian.
14374 men are based at Nagasaki.
112th Division is located at Mishan.
57th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Kanazawa.
7561 men are based at Toyama.
Kitachishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Arshaan vacant
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Tsitsihar 5 LCUs 27380/292/22
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 65 fighters, 24 bombers, 87 aux, 12 LCUs 87540/992/14
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Changkufeng 13 LCUs 76900/752/20
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Shikka 2 X AP, 31 fighters, 27 aux, 2 LCUs 15340/153/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Chiamussu 8 LCUs 46780/481/154
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Victoria Point 7 LCUs 21300/122/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of San Jose vacant
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Majuro vacant
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 9 LCUs 82300/854/26
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tarakan 2 LCUs 5040/68/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Legaspi 3 LCUs 3480/15/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Maloelap 1 LCU

Combat

The SS Tuna was tracking 4 PCs when they located her about 129 miles SE of Wenchow and attacked. A port for repairs is the crew's goal now as the sub has moderate systems damage and heavy flooding.

Allied troops landed at Wotje taking very heavy casualties, but they captured the island.

The SS Triton attacked a lone AK just before dawn 132 miles NE of Camranh Bay. Her deck gun scored 4 hits and a torpedo slammed home leaving the target on fire and heavily damaged.

Andaman Island was bombed by 93 X Liberator VI (2 damaged). The port was lightly damaged, there were some secondary explosions and personnel losses were heavy. The 118th IJNAF Base Force was struck by 34 X Mosquito FB.VI and 26 X B-25J (7 damaged) for heavy casualties.

The Kure 2nd SNLF, 22 miles from Gasmata, was hit by 6 X B-25J for moderate casualties. A short time later 59 X B-24D and 64 X B-24J appeared overhead and inflicted additional light losses as most of the bombs fell harmlessly into the jungle.

The Mighty Mo sailed in the company of her sister the New Jersey, the Massachusetts, a couple of cruisers and 6 DDs. They will join with the CVTFs operating off the coast of Leyte.

The invasion force has sailed with hundreds of ships departing from Cagayan bound for Leyte.

The Helena sails before dawn from the Aleutians as part of a massive effort to secure a northern base to bomb Japan from.

Stalin listens as the cable from Tokyo is read to him. A smile is on his face as the Japanese have acceded to his demands and he says, “The Rodina has gained Arshaan, Hailar, Tsitsihar, Chiamussu, Mishan, Tabun-Nur and Shikka with the stroke of a pen.. Our recon flights have confirmed that the Japanese troops are already moving and we have spilled no blood to make these gains. I wonder how the Japanese will feel when the Americans are using Shikka to bomb their homeland? Be aware that this realignment allows the Japanese to consolidate their forces and shorten their defensive lines against us. Soon the Germans will be done and then these Japanese will feel the full strength of our armed forces.” He reaches for a bottle of Vodka and offers a toast to victory and then says, “Send a message to Washington that they may now proceed with their plans.”

Sam leads his squad on another patrol and suddenly there is firing ahead of them. Everybody hits the dirt and Sam hurries up to the point to discover what's going on. His man tells him that he thinks that it's a friendly patrol with a bad case of jitters firing on them. Sam bellows, “CEASE FIRE!” He then shouts out the password and then gets the countersign. With a sigh he feels the tension flowing from him. “Stay low and whatever you do don't get up with those Nervous Nellies liable to start shooting again.” After a period of about 5 minutes Sam confers with the other patrol's leader. They consult their maps and Sam says, “You're a bit out of your area. If you head back over that ridge you should be where you're supposed to be.” The corporal thanks him and the two patrols move off in their intended directions. Sam thinks that sometimes the boredom isn't so bad.

The US 9th Army attacked into Germany on the Roer.

Posen fell to the Russians.

Victory Points Allied 52613 Japanese 39573

[tocaff]

February 24, 1945 Manila Bay

Intel

22nd AA Regiment is located at Osaka/Kobe.
49th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Kadina.
119th Division is located at Tokyo.
25th AA Regiment is located at Osaka/Kobe.
35th Division is located at Nanning.
21st AA Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
3rd Mortar Battalion is located at Balikpapan.
3088 men are based at Anshan.
64th Construction Battalion is located at Nagasaki.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Tabun-Nur 1 LCU 1060/10/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Shikka 2 LCUs 18960/174/0
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Chiamussu 8 LCUs 48220/432/157
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mishan 9 LCUs 31720/315/195
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 69 fighters, 28 bombers, 86 aux, 12 LCUs 87980/987/15
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Harbin 15 fighters, 14 aux, 15 LCUs 240/16/0
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Haiphong 1 X SS, 1 X APD, 1 X AP, 1 X AG
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Victoria Point 7 LCUs 23200/113/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Tavoy 9 LCUs 94320/1020/27
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tarakan 2 LCUs
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Legaspi 3 LCUs 12360/124/5
OS2U-3 Kingfisher takes recon photos of Naga 1 LCU 4460/0/0
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of San Jose vacant
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Maloelap vacant
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Majuro vacant
Manila 18 X AP, 87 fighters, 69 bombers, 103 aux, 18 LCUs 140560/1145/25

Combat

Andaman Island was raided by 43 X Liberator VI (1 damaged) resulting in some secondary explosions and extremely light casualties. The 146th IJN Base Force was jumped by 32 X Mosquito FB.VI (2 damaged) and 33 X B-25J (2 damaged) and had moderately heavy personnel losses.

22 Miles from Gasmata the Kure 2nd SNLF was hit by 6 Mitchells, but the unit escaped without losses. Then 65 X B-24D and 72 X B-24J tried and failed to harm the Japanese unit.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division had very heavy casualties from 3 separate attacks made by Allied aircraft. The IJA 56th Division was struck twice for heavy troop losses. The IJA102nd Division also had heavy casualties from a couple of air attacks. The Allied artillery barrage continued as it dealt out very heavy losses on the Japanese.

A Dauntless spotted an AP near Manila and reported a hit. Then the Japanese ships were under a CAP of 40 X Zeke, 7 X George, 14 X Jack and 20 X Frank when 61 X SBD, 54 X SB2C, 18 X TBF, 72 X TBM and 99 X F6F made a thunderous appearance. The fighters whirled and swirled, doing their deadly dance and then the AA blossomed over the ships. A lone Jack lived to file his report while the USN suffered the loss of 12 Hellcats. A Dauntless, 2 Helldivers, a TBF, 6 TBMs and 3 F6Fs were damaged in the fighting. It was described as a target rich environment as the following report was filed.
Japanese Ships
AK San Francisco Maru 2 bomb hits, 2 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bugen Maru 2 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tokitsukaze 1 torpedo hit, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kenan Maru 5 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Saigon Maru 4 bomb hits, 1 torpedo hit, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arashio 2 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Reikai Maru 1 torpedo hit, on fire, heavy damage
AK Shinan Maru 2 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Takamisan Maru 1 torpedo hits, on fire
AK Sumatra Maru 6 bomb hits, 1 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayate 4 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
PC PC-28 2 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Seiki Maru 5 bomb hits, 2 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shimozuki 6 bomb hits, 2 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tainan Maru 3 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sakito Maru 3 torpedo hits, on fire, heavy damage
Another attack was made by 3 X PB4Y and 3 X P-38J who encountered the lone Jack who fled again. The AK Saigon Maru was struck by 3 bombs and was burning with heavy damage. A Jack was dealt with by another strike of 10 X PB4Y (1 damaged) and 6 X P-38J who hit the following ships:
AK Shinmei Maru 2 bomb hits, on fire
AK Kinugasa Maru 3 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
AK Nishi Maru 4 bomb hits, on fire, heavy damage
Many of the above listed ships no longer exist, but reports are conflicting and heavy smoke prevented accurate assessment of what was accomplished.

“You didn’t bother to find out what outfit they were from?” the captain asked Sam to which Same just shrugged and muttered something about not thinking of it at the time. Nobody is really doing their jobs properly as the boredom is destroying the unit.

FDR is beaming and he says that he can't believe that Moscow has actually managed to pry so much territory from the Japanese. “You would think that Tokyo learned their lessen about Stalin letting us use a Soviet base to attack from. Now the northern part of Japan will suffer from our bombers as our long overdue bombardment of Japan will commence soon.”

Stick had the day off and he just lazed around, wrote a couple of letters and then visited with the line mechanics. He still loves those guys, unlike so many of the pilots who take them for granted.

U-boats sunk 8 ships and 2 DDs in a convoy bound for Murmansk.

Victory Points Allied 52787 Japanese 39603

[tocaff]

February 25, 1945 Washington DC

Intel

Mongol Army is located at Sasebo.
158295 men are based at Harbin.
185266 men are based at Truk.
Shimonoseki Fortress is located at Nagato.
143rd IJA Base Force is located at Alor Star.
Elements of the 1st Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Shanghai.
17th Division is planning for an attack on Kweiyang.
50961 men are based at Kadina.
5th AF Construction Battalion is located at Singapore.
7th AF Construction Battalion is located at Soerabaja.
56th Ind. Mixed Brigade is located at Tarakan.

Recon

Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Fushan 1 LCU 1640/3/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Arshaan vacant
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mishan 3 LCUs 33900/305/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Shikka 2 LCUs 18740/194/0
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Chiamussu 2 LCUs 700/43/149
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 69 fighters, 25 bombers, 81 aux, 12 LCUs 88040/1013/19
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Legaspi 3 LCUs 16700/193/4
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Maloelap 1 LCU
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Majuro vacant
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Kendari 3 LCUs
OS2U-3 Kingfisher takes recon photos of Naga 2 LCUs 4460/0/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Manila 1 X AP, 5 X AK, 2 X DD, 1 X CA, 88 fighters, 67 bombers, 97 aux, 18 LCUs 136720/1155/29

Combat

Canton was swept by 21 X P-51D, but the Japanese had nothing in the air.

The Kure 2nd SNLF, 22 miles from Gasmata, was once again protected from an air attack by the jungle as 6 B-25Js dumped their loads harmlessly. Later in the day 58 X B-24D and 60 X B-24J achieved the same results.

The 3rd Indian Division, 21 miles N of Krung Thep, was raided by 9 X Peggy and took extremely light casualties. 7 Thunderbolt IIs who were on LRCAP duty destroyed 6 of the Peggys as they were returning home after dumping their bombs.

18 miles E of Toyohara the SS Bonefish, attacked an AK with no escorts. The target was pounded by the deck gun for no less than 10 hits and 2 torpedoes ripped open the AK's side. The Bonefish is now heading home with moderate flooding. The crew have confidence that they'll return safely and if they're lucky ride out the rest of the war while repairs are made back in the US.

Near Cagayan the Japanese absorbed heavy losses from the Allied artillery.

Men and material continue to assemble in preparation for Operation Noose.

FDR sent a message of congratulations to Stalin for his diplomatic coup. The message also promises to uphold the USA's side of the deal in return for the basing rights granted by Moscow. After the message was sent FDR wonders what the future holds dealing with a man like Stalin. “He's our ally now, but once Hitler is gone and Tokyo surrenders I wonder,” Franklin said to General Marshall.

Gene slept late and then his mother prepared him a breakfast that will tide him over until heel freezes over. Gene devoured the eggs, bacon and pancakes that were smothered in maple syrup and washed it all down with a couple of cups of coffee.

Slim tosses the empty can of mystery meat away and jokingly says that he'd kill for a burger and fries right now. Some of the lads get a chuckle out of that, but Slim said that he wasn't joking. “I'm going to end up hating the Japs because they're keeping me from leading a normal life.”

Ed confers with his staff and tells them that as long as the Old Gals are going to work over the Cagayan area fuel won't be a problem, but as soon as Leyte is the target it's going to be a monumental one. “There are plenty of other things going on and we're becoming a sideshow. Sideshows get what's left over and that won't keep us in business. I want you guys raising hell, pulling strings, whatever you can do to get us fuel.”

Turkey declared war on Germany today.

Victory Points Allied 52815 Japanese 39508

[tocaff]

February 26, 1945 Dadjangas

Intel

Arshan Garrison Regiment is located at Changchun.
14th Division is located at Harbin.
Kure 5th SNLF is located at Ominato.
72nd Division is located at Sendai.
5th Army is located at Harbin.
6th Air Division is located at Kendari.
34th Road Construction Battalion is located at Kweilin.
133rd IJA Base Force is located at Tokyo.
12362 men are based at Pisanuloke.
114th Division is located at Wuhan.
Elements of the 8th Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Yenen.
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF is located at Rabaul.
9th Ind. Brigade is located at Changsha.

Recon

Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Fushan 1 LCU 1820/1/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Arshaan vacant
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mishan vacant
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Shikka 2 LCUs 19900/177/0
Yak-9UF takes recon photos of Chiamussu vacant
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 75 fighters, 25 bombers, 81 aux, 16 LCUs 87380/1017/17
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Camranh Bay 2 X DE, 1 X AP, 1 X AK, 1 X AG, 9 bombers, 5 aux, 2 LCUs 4220/71/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Andaman Island 2 LCUs 7280/25/0
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Bangkok 33 LCUs
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Amboina 4 LCUs 4080/20/0
OS2U-3 Kingfisher takes recon photos of Naga 2 LCUs 7280/0/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Maloelap vacant
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Legaspi 3 LCUs 17580/171/6
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Manila 11 fighters, 71 bombers, 118 aux, 18 LCUs 137020/1190/25
PBM Mariner takes recon photos of Clark Field 8 LCUs 1180/8/0

Combat

The SS Growler, 19 miles S of Toyohara, tried to line up an attack on a lone AK. The target zigged where they thought it would zag and the golden opportunity slipped away.

The SS Dentuda, 27 miles NW of the Amami Group, tried to attack a DD and 4 PCs, but failed to achieve a favorable position.

Andaman Island was bombed by 70 X Liberator VI (2 damaged) who did light damage to the port, triggered a couple of secondary explosions and inflicted moderate casualties.

22 miles from Gasmata the Kure 2nd SNLF was attacked by 6 X B-25J, who failed to find their target.

Near Cagayan the IJA 18th Division absorbed 3 attacks from Allied planes who inflicted very heavy losses on the unit. The IJA 56th Division was struck twice by Allied air assets for heavy casualties. An air attack on the IJA 100th Division caused heavy losses. Allied shipping was the target for 8 X Betty who ran afoul of the Allied CAP. 15 X F4U-1D and 5 X P-38J did their deadly work and destroyed all of the Japanese planes before they were a real threat. 4 Corsairs and a Lightning were damaged. 3 more Bettys were destroyed a short time later by 2 Hellcats, 15 Corsairs and 10 Lightnings. Allied artillery pounded the Japanese positions for very heavy casualties.

The Allied TF 149 miles SE of Legaspi was attacked by 14 X Betty and the CAP of 41 X FM-2 and 62 X F6F destroyed them all while 6 Hellcats and 3 Wildcats took some damage.

The SS Shark, 33 miles W of Batan, attacked an unescorted AK. 2 torpedoes exploded ripping her side out and sinking her.

Chungking has promised that they will uphold their end of the plan by a massive movement of troops in support of Operation Noose. London has expressed concerns about US troops taking Hong Kong with Chinese support and Washington tried to ease their concerns by pointing out that there are Aussie troops involved too. FDR said to Admiral King and General Marshall that sometimes allies are bigger headaches than the enemy. Both King and Marshall agreed and after their meeting the two of them spoke about their concern for Roosevelt's condition. The strain of his position would be tough on a healthy man.

Red and Cookie wander around the port area with Lucky and manage to wangle a bottle of scotch from some guys who were busily pilfering some general's personal stock of goodies awaiting transport to his HQs. “Now if we can find some beer we can have ourselves a regular party,” said Cookie. About 15 minutes later they found some Sea Bees lounging around who were only to eager to sell them a 6 pack. “Now we're in business,” Red said and they plopped down under a tree and indulged themselves in some stress relief activity. Lucky managed to tree something while they proceeded to kill off their refreshments.

Stick's pals bagged some Bettys today and as usual he came up empty. He's flown 91 combat missions and has 0 kills. The bright spot is that he can claim that as a wing man his lead has never been harmed. He didn't say anything at the mess about how the other pilots quieted down about their kills when he joined them, but he's painfully aware that they're aware too so he cracked a joke or two to ease things a bit.

One of the guys in Jim's new unit is busy showing him how they make bracelets out of shrapnel and scrap metal. When Jim asked why the guy laughed and said, “For profit, why else. Look kid the grunts and Marines have all of the souvenirs and we trade with them. We also sell them the stuff they can't get, but we can. This war might be a lot of different things to different people depending on their jobs so we take advantage of our situation whenever and wherever we can.” Jim busily rolls that around in his head the rest of the day and then thinks of that guy he met the other day with the dog and a light bulb goes off in his skull.

The US 9th Army's attack stalls in the Hurtgen Forrest.

The Soviets were repulsed by the Germans near Prekuln.

Victory Points Allied 52883 Japanese 39624