The end of the world as we know it?

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, at present this is very much an air war. Folowing our reverse at Moulmein our land and sea forces watch and wait, preparing for the next big show - and this time there will be no mistake about it. Meanwhile we manage to send more and more supplies into our burgeoning bases round the Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Celebes islands. The situation the Jap finds himself in is that despite a very large air presence at Singapore he has to choose each day which of the many bases he attacks, or which of his own bases he attempts to defend. We are losing some ships, but the supplies are getting through, and the effect of this upon his few remaining oil bases is telling. Palembang has long been wrecked, Balikpapan is also incapable of producing any oil, and Miri, Brunei and Tarakan are all now within attack range.

You will recall some 30 days ago the Japanese Carriers staged an audacious raid on San Francisco then made off past Midway Island. They disappeared into their dark seas and were not seen again. As the days wore on all allied forces were apprehensive as to where their next appearance might be. We now have the answer. Avoiding the range of our many land based bombers along the PNG coast they sneaked down to attempt to relieve the blockade of Truk. This island has been without supplies for months and the garrison (a large one) is obviously desperate for some succour. It is a measure of the desperation that they needed to use their carriers in this way. It also shows us that they have traversed the Pacific twice and had little port time so that all of their ships must be desperately ready for refits and some damage repairs. We await their next move, should they move within range they will get a very warm welcome.

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, it would appear the Japs have not taken kindly to our build up on the Celebes. It looks like a major fight is brewing here. The situation map shows our current knowledge, the engagement at Davao was very much an uneven one, but despite that and our Cruisers taking some damage the mighty battle fleet of the Japanese has been sent packing.

We also have some rumours of things happening elsewhere. We all know how difficult it is to get any sense out of our Soviet 'Allies' but there is a lot of increased air activity reported in their area, both by our Chinese bases, and by the Aleutian island bases. We wonder if things are moving there?

[Roger Neilson II]

Looks like the Japs moved too much down into China from Kwantung.... will Comrade Stalin take a chance?

[String]

Give the Jap a good thrashing

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, the situation around Davao is turning out to be possibly the largest engagement of the war to date. A second night saw the Jap battleships come back for more, running the gauntlet of our air attacks as they do. The resulting one sided fight was enough to dissuade them from pressing their attack on the Port. Surely they cannot continue without heading to Port for replenishment?

Their invasion forces also draw closer.... but we are exacting a penalty for every mile the come nearer.....

Air attack results:

AP Biyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Awajisan Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akatsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 1
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1
BB Ise, Bomb hits 2
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1

Some of these are direct hits with 1,000 lber bombs....

The defence of Menado is secure, we await the onslaught.

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, momentous battles are being fought away from our area. It would seem that the Jap has decided, at any cost, that he must maintain his thrust into the Celebes after his taking of Davao. Far from withdrawing, his main battle fleet has returned for a third night of action. This time they were met by a stronger force. Our ships paid heavily for their courage with five being sunk but they gave almost as good as they got, trading shot for shot and blunting yet again the Jap attempt to bombard and close down our airfield. as the battle raged the remnants of the Jap first invasion task force arrived off Menado... four once proud ships, now low in the water, belching fire and flames. They have disembarked their loads of troops north of their objective and we shall see what state they are in on the morning. Reports indicate that a second wave of invasion ships have turned back and are leaving our air control zone as fast as they can. A range of bombers were dispatched by the Jap to do the job his ships could not do. Over the airfield they were met by our allied pilots on combat air patrol. Initial debriefs suggest we lost 2 aircraft to dogfighting whereas the Japs lost 35 planes with another 20 limping home in damaged states - many may not make it.

Tomorrow our aircraft will operate again to ensure that not a toehold is established on the island.

In our own sector its business as usual, our plans are not yet quite ready for the next advance, but in the meantime we are pasting the jap bases in Burma with no reply from them.

Important news has reached us from China, the city of Kungchang has been under siege from the Japanese for almost a month. However a Chinese corps managed to slip round and cut their supply lines over a fortnight ago. Yesterday the Chinese emerged from their trenches and with one push drove the Japanese back. We estimate 60K of Japanese troops are now in retreat with no route back to a safe haven.

Gentlemen, it has been a good 24 hours.

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, as historians look back on this war they may well spend many hours arguing about who 'won' the battle at Menado. Indeed we feel the battle has not yet ended, but may well simply have moved to another phase. Looking back we may well ask why fight at Menado at all? How vitally important is it? Well from our perspective its a good place to annoy the enemy at Davao, and it must be surmised that the enemy got annoyed and decided to remove the inconvenient base. In order to land the Division tasked with this the Jap has had to throw a massive force at this place, and has paid a price for it. This is not to say we have not also, indeed looking at the 'score' to date we certainly have. However this is not the full picture, we have seen the battle line of the Imperial Japanese navy on four separate occasions, we have seen wave after wave of bombers, we have seen transport after transport attempt to land the invasion force. As of two nights ago we also saw the full Japanese carrier force arrive to subjugate our brave defenders. We are now aware that over 20K of troops have been landed, in what combat condition they are in remains to be seen. We are also aware that the Japanese battleships are on course for another attack, and the KB is hovering within strike distance. We must now leave the defenders to acquit themselves as best they can, they are well supplied, well fortified, and have significant air support to call upon. Our business is elsewhere!

As we draw a line under the Allied naval defence of the area we must make special mention of the BB Pennsylvania. This formed the flagship of the several reformed, and reformed again surface forces that sought to stop the landings. The crew put up a tremendous fight, at times out numbered five to one. You will see from the summary of action the toll that she helped to take, and the amount of punishment she took before finally slipping beneath the waves. In summary, a portion of the allied fleets, possibly 20% has stood and held almost the entire Japanese navy for four days.... and whilst this was happening were able to do what they will anywhere else on the map.... more of that later. For now we should salute the brave fallen and relfect upon what we have learned from this engagement.

Firstly the current state of damage reported:

Japan:

AP Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Anyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Anyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Banshu Maru #21, Bomb hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
AP Buyo Maru, bomb hits 3 Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Ceylon Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Giyu Maru, Shell hits 1 bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Izumo Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manila Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Miike Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 4, shell hits 5
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1 Shell hits 8
BB Hiei, Shell hits 17
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 4
BB Ise, Bomb hits 5, Shell hits 7
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1
BB Kongo, Shell hits 16, on fire
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1 Shell hits 1
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 5, shell hits 11 on fire
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 4, Shell hits 6
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 2 Shell hits 3
CA Chokai, Shell hits 2
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1 Shell hits 3
CA Kumano, Shell hits 2
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami, Shell hits 3
CA Nachi, Shell hits 3
CA Tone, Shell hits 4
CL Kiso, Shell hits 4
CL Tama, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akatsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 2
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW W.3, Shell hits 5, on fire
PC Ch 13, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 14, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 30, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Kure Maru #5, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PG Shinko Maru #3, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PG Takunan Maru #8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PC Ch 32, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 76, and is sunk
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 18 , Torpedo hits 1and is sunk
AP Kaika Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1 on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaisho Maru, Bomb hits 4 torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokutatsu Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Aki Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP Awajisan Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy damage Shell hits 46, and is sunk
AP Biyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage, sunk


Allied:

AK West Isleta, Bomb hits 1
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Australia, Bomb hits 8, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA Canberra, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
CA Houston, Shell hits 2
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Dragon, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CL Durban, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
DD Bagley, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Case, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Cummings, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Cushing, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Dewey, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kane, Shell hits 1
DD Le Triomphant, Shell hits 1
DD Litchfield, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Meredith, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monssen, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Peary, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Selfridge, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Smith, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Voyager, Shell hits 2, on fire
MSW Colac, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Maryborough, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Warrnambool, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DM Pruitt, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
DM Sicard, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 105, Bomb hits 63 torpedo hits 3 on fire, sunk
DD Walke, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
MSW Cairns, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Parrott, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Lawrence, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DD Grayson, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Gwin, Torpedo hits 1, sunk
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
DD Edsall, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Concord, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
CL Detroit, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 2, Shell hits 21 on fire, torpedo hits 1 heavy damage

What must be borne in mind here is that many of the Allied ships are within striking distance of repair facilities and the highly trained crews are using their damage control skills well. It is expected that very few of the damaged ships will not be back in action. The same cannot be said about the Japanese, where we know from intelligence that their damage control is much more rudimentary. We also know that many of the bomb hits were from 1,000lbers. we are realistic to know that their Battleships are mainly gong to have minor damage but this will still entail port time. We also know that the Kb has to venture dangerously close to our land based air now,, and one or two lucky hits and the picture changes. What must also be borne in mind is the air battles that have raged alongside this have resulted in a loss of 280 enemy planes in 9 days. Given the enemy's lack of oil - they only hold Brunei, Tarakan and Miri as working fields in the DEI, their industry and pilot training will be hard put to replace these soon.

Whilst this has been going on the war rumbles on, with some moves as yet too secret to reveal. In Burma Mytinkia, Mandalay, Pagan and Rangoon are now getting daily work overs by our bombers with no opposition form their planes. In the DEI our bases are strengthening and Sabang is cut off from any seaborne supplies now. In the islands round Kwajalein there are few opportunities for the Japs to move any supplies, troops or aircraft in as we tighten our grip with our bases on Majuro, Mili, Makin, Tarwa and Abemama. Look for more news soon of developments here.

In China there are three crucial areas developing, and following the relief of the siege of Kungchang our northern front has become mobile again.

We have, as yet, no news of the Russian situation.

[Mike Dixon]

Any more news?

Great AAR, it puts mine to shame.

Mike

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, a full week after the last debriefing, and you may all have been wondering why so quiet? Following the momentous battles round Menado what would come next? Well, in a few words, not a lot. I shall briefly deal with each area of operations and then move on – we have, as we all know, urgent preparations to make so let us not tarry.

In our own area it is with some annoyance that we find the Imperial Guard managed to claw themselves out of the jungle near Akyab and manage to re-establish a supply line back to Rangoon. The action merely holds back their demise we feel. At present heavy bombing raids from our bases in Burma and India are reducing the supply status of Mandalay, Rangoon, Mytkinia and Pagan At the same time yet another interdiction of the rail line to Mytkinia has been made and whilst the Jap will doubtless yet again despatch troops from there to reopen the line this constant pressure cannot be serving his troops well. At the same time Sabang is under constant air and sea siege, and forces are developing the Dutch base at Kuala which the Japs neglected to bother occupying earlier. It is to be admitted that they have a strong air presence at Singapore, where we have spotted at least 100+ fighters, bombers and even more transport planes. These do however have their hands full attempting to close down the airfields at Kuching, Singkawang, Benkolen, Padang, Batavia at the same time as trying to protect Palembang and stop us supplying our forces landed at Toboali.

In the DEI we have well defended and well supplied forces at Macassar, Kendari, Tomini, Amboina, Koepang and Lautern. We also have a veritable fortress city at Soerabaja. Menado is suffering daily raids by large Jap bomber formations from Davao and also periodic shore bombardments form mainly CA Tfs out of Davao. The Jap division landed at Menado has made no offensive moves which either means they were very heavily disrupted in their landings, or that they did not manage to land supplies to sustain an attack. Recent sailings of transport ships towards their forces have been sunk comprehensively by dive bombers out of Wasile. The ships damaged in the battles of Menado that were not sunk at the time have, in all but two cases, now made it to safe ports and are already undergoing repairs. At present we are sure the Jap Carriers are in Davao.

In the Marshalls a TF of CLs has appeared and is lodged at Kwajalein. Our bases on Majuro, Mili, Makin, Tarawa and Abemama are all building nicely and our plans for phase 2 of this area are well underway. We have seized the island of Kusaie, West of the Marshalls and this is forming a useful base for forward recon by our Catalinas.

Faced with the sudden threat of Russian intervention we note redeployments of Jap troops starting in China. This is not a good time to do so as Chinese forces have broken out of their defensive positions at Kungchang, Kweiyang and Sian and are bearing down upon Japanese positions.

Has the tide turned Gentlemen? I do not yet feel confident to state it has. We have witnessed the Jap has the ability to put up a spirited fight. However he is being stretched and his diminishing resources cannot be strong everywhere.

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, I am puzzled. I lay this before you and ask if you could ponder what is going on here? Perhaps it will exercise your brains. I am at a loss as to what is going on, but while we await the next big events it is worth some rumination.

as you will recall the Japs took Sabang with at least a Division several months ago. Since then we have made sporadic forays either with our bombers, with our surface ships, or with our carrier borne aircraft. At times there have been some Jap planes based there, but the enemy has not attempted to either supply the base or extend the base facilities. Over the last few days several unescorted ships have attempted to slip into the port and been sunk. two days ago a flotilla of destroyers ran up the straits and briefly berthed at Sabang then moved off again. In doing this they put themselves under the 'wings' of our carrier borne aircraft and you will see from the sitrep map the damage caused....

For the probable loss of at least three destroyers I am at a loss what the enemy has gained....

Time will, I am sure, enlighten me.

Dismissed gentlemen, but hold yourself in readiness for news over the next few days.....

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, our opponent made a major attempt to defeat the Chinese. This does not seem to have come off. Indeed Comrade Stalin briefly looked at the denuded forces on the Manchukuo front and was close to ordering an offensive - he still watches this area with interest. A while ago some clever outmaneuvering around Kungchang led to a situation where the Chinese forces achieved significant numerical advantage and pressed home an attack on several Japanese brigades and forcing them off the road and into the paddy fields. The force then pushed onwards and has pinned the retreating Japs and also thrown back a relief force moving from Yenen. This has lessened the pressure on our forces defending Sian - the enemy here had moved from Ichang along the road - this supply line has now been cut by Chinese forces moving overland as shown in the situation map. Yesterday a the force laying siege to Homan shock attacked with 460K troops and almost 4000 guns. They were repelled with some damage to our defences there, and it cost them 27K casualties and almost 10% of their guns. It looks like there are significant developments likely in the next few days and I will keep you informed as soon as they come into HQ here.

On our fronts there is nothing new to report, 'same old same old' as our American cousins might say.... the Jap destroyers have disappeared.

In the Marshall Islands the American bases have built well and yesterday there was a bombing run on Kwajalein airfield by B17s, Liberators and escorts from Majuro, Tarawa and Abemama. In total over 150 bombers pounded the airfield and recon pictures indicate that we caused at least 50% damage to the runways and caught 47 planes on the ground. At the same time air attacks were launched on the CL TF based at Kwajalein and the following confirmed damage has been observed:

CL Yura, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CL Kitakami, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Natori, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 2, on fire


It would seem at present our Allies are doing most of the fighting - but our time will come Gentlemen.

[marky]

[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, in our area the war rumbles on. The Japs look upwards in Burma and pray for rain to stop the incessant fall of bombs. In Sumatra there is continuous harrying of Jap forces at Palembang and Toboali. Just beyond their horizons things are mustering, events are moving.

Elsewhere there are developments. There have been no forays by Jap ships against Menado, the airfield has been fully restored, and yesterday we understand a first anti shipping mission took off and scored some success against coastal shipping near Dadjangas.

In China some five Japanese units day after day throw themselves in banzai attacks on pinning forces just south of the Yenen/Kungchang road. They are desperate to escape before their retreat route is cut off by forces moving along the road in pursuit of further forces retiring on Yenen.

On the 1st October American forces began landings on Maloelap in the Marshall islands. Landings continued under air attack during the day and into the evening of the 1st/2nd October. By 4 a.m. on the 2nd MGEN Beichtler judged his forces to be in sufficient strength to assault the enemy defences with the 37th USA Divn. A breach was made in their main line and our troops poured through at a rapid rate. By 8 a.m. all enemy resistance ceased, a Japanese defence force of approximately 5K troops was wiped out and although the airfield shows some signs of damage from our preliminary bombardments already Wildcats and Dauntless are operating out of the airfield covering the landing of supplies and support troops. One ship, the AP McCawley, was torpedoed during the landings and suffered moderate damage though it is expected she will be able to effect sufficient repairs to make it back to safe harbour and waiting repair ships. Air losses in defending the landing ships were reported to be heavy but even to both sides - a fact that satisfies us more than the enemy.

Gentlemen, with the capture of Maloelap we gather a large airfield is now in our hands, more of our troops have been blooded and shown to be equal to the task, and of the islands of the Marshall group only Wotje, Jaluit and Kwajalein are still in enemy hands. These three bases look to be lightly garrisoned, and all are dominated by our aircraft operating out of Maloelap, Mili, Majuro and others to the south.

[Roger Neilson II]

Well gentlemen, we continue to occupy a backwater here I feel. Not if you are one of the gallant crews of the ships braving the Jap airforce to get supplies into Kuala that is. They continue to take losses but the base is building nicely and soon will prove a major nuisance to the Jap hold of Sumatra. Elsewhere it is business as usual in our area. Increasingly ships from Miri and Brunei are being sunk by our planes from Kuching and Singkawang.

The situation at Menado has stabilised to the extent that the Japs seem to have stopped sending transports to try to supply their Division landed at this point - now very short of food we feel. Indeed yesterday over 50 Beauforts flew anti shipping sorties against enemy surface vessels operating out of Davao.

The main action swings back to the Marshalls where troops commanded by LGEN Gibson's 1 Amphib Corps began landing at Jaluit on the night of the 8/9th October. Spearheading this landing was the 43rd USA Divn, as yet untried in combat. Jap resistance was fierce and several small escorts were sunk, whilst some of the transports took several hits from shore batteries. However on the 11th the American flag was raised over the island and already work is underway to improve the harbour and create another landing strip. This now puts the last two Japanese held islands in the Marshalls under severe pressure. We are aware of a small base force dug in well at Wotje and there is an estimated 40K of troops dug in at Kwajalein. Neither force is going anywhere as our air supremacy assures that nothing will get in or out and we can demolish these bastions at our leisure. At one stage it did look like the Japanese carriers were going to attempt a counter move, but they were last observed heading northwards two days ago.

In China the japs have managed to re-establish a supply line to their forces south of Kweiyang but their units on the Sian/Chungking road are now cut off and being pressed severely. North of Lanchow two Mongolian cavalry divisions have been routed and are cut off and cowering in Sining. A large Chinese force has pressed along the road between Kungchang and Yenen and is expected to arrive at that city within a day or so.

[Roger Neilson II]

It is, as you are well aware, gentlemen, now very quiet. Someone is up to something and only a few of us know what that is. In our area the remnants of a Japanese engineer unit managed to pull themselves back from our forces near Akyab, they follow their routed comrades in the Imperial Guard, heading back towards Rangoon we assume. Much of what we are busy executing relies on patience and organisation so the roll call of places taken and enemies destroyed will wait a while. As we wait we must consider that almost every day now a tanker attempting to pull oil from Miri and Brunei for the Japanese war effort is sunk by Beauforts from Kuching. We are also aware that over the last week the bases of Mandalay, Pagan and Lashio have been pummeled by our bombers.

In the Marshalls Wotje has now been taken from the Japs and their main base at Kwajalein is ringed by our forces who are currently making life very unpleasant for the garrison of 40K troops.

In China the enemy is suffering significant discomfiture now. The current situation map shows just the problems the enemy HQ is facing. Sining was retaken from the enemy on the 17th.

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, we have our own plans developing nicely, but today I have to announce the beginning of what looks like a major effort by the Jap. They have not provided us with the code name for their little efforts, but we have given it the title Operation NoGo. Most of this operation seems to involve us though the southern portion is joint action that uses the co-operation of our American Allies.

For those who wish a brief recap…..

Throughout the month we have been tightening the noose round the oil areas of Borneo. In particular Beauforts from Kuching have been regularly sinking shipping at Brunei and Miri. Initial landings at Toboali have recently been reinforced at some cost in ships. The great battles at Menado left a Jap division clinging to the beaches and unable to be resupplied. Tarakan has recently been flattened by air raids so that no planes can operate out of there.

It would seem the Jap has had enough and wants to punish us. In a well co-ordinated plan we observed TFs approaching Kuching, Toboali and Menado with, we assume, the intention of reinforcing these forces and taking Kuching. Their forces have been severely mauled, it remains to be seen whether there is a day 2 to this action. The track record of the Jap is that he keeps coming so we may well be in for just the opening of what could be a very bloody few days. In order to follow best the developments we have designated the relative task forces as on the map attached and will deal with each in turn.

TF A : Presumed destination Toboali.

This was attacked over several hours by Beauforts, Mitchells and Hudsons from Kuching, Singkawang and Batavia, escorted by P40Bs. Positive identification was made of the ships and the battle damage assessments are as follows:

AP Aiyo Maru
AP Azuchi Maru
AP Choko Maru
AP Daaban Maru
AP Hakka Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Hakutetsu Maru #13, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikawa Maru
AP Horai Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaihei Maru
AP Kaiko Maru
AP Kamishima Maru
AP Kashima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Keisyo Maru
AP Kofuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Kureha Maru #3
AP Kyosei Maru
AP Mikage Maru #2
AP Mizuho Maru
AP Monji Maru
AP Montevideo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Nissen Maru #2, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nissho Maru
AP Nitta Maru
AP Nitta Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Oi
MSW Asahi Maru #2
MSW Ataka Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bisan Maru
MSW Wa 9, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

TF B: Presumed destination Kuching

Beauforts engaging from Kuching….

AP Meiu Maru
AP Aiyo Maru
AP Kakyu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mikage Maru #2


TF C: Presumed destination Kuching

Beauforts engaging from Kuching….


AP Sangetsu Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Oyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AP Ryujo Maru
MSW Kyo Maru #3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy

TF D: No indication of destination as yet. B17s and Liberators engaging from Batavia.

PG Heijo Maru
AK Okitu Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Tetsuzan Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kenkon Maru
PG Koei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Teiyo Maru
AK Matsutan Maru

TF E: Presumed destination Menado…..

Dauntless’, Beauforts, Hurricanes engaging from Menado and Wasile.

AP Sakido Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
MSW Shanan Maru #16, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Takunan Maru #10
AP Sasago Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
MSW Shawa Maru #10, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sanura Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Sanfuku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Santos Maru
MSW Takasago Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryoyu Maru #21, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

In total we estimate over 17 of these ships have since sunk, many with troops packed into them.

You may wonder why there is little or no activity from the Japanese air forces. Perhaps if I ask Capt. Smithers to explain……..

A bespectacled, bottle lensed man shuffles forwards, looking as if he would be happier talking to himself in a small monastic cell. Capt Smithers is part of the General’s Intel team. His particular job is analysis and prediction…..

He speaks quietly, slowly and without any emotion, he is probably better suited to some dusty library corner of some academic institution.

‘Gentlemen (he takes his cue from the General), we have been making careful data notes on all Japan’s air losses that we can confirm. We can comfortably state, within these walls that we have since the war started, lost 3,721 aircraft. Whilst this is regrettable we can also announce that our opponents have lost 3,730. In a period of six weeks since the battles for Menado began we can clearly see that the Japanese air forces have lost over 1,200 planes, a loss rate of 200 per week… that’s, let me see, 28.57 per day, which means every hour the enemy has lost 1.19 planes – but of course if you assume that there are only 12 hours actual flying time that means…..’

‘Thank you Smithers that will be all’ interjects the General, stifling a yawn….. Ok Gentlemen, when next we meet I will doubtless have more to tell you, though I think Smithers may well not attend the next briefing.

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, the battle is maintained, and grows more strong!

Overnight our Dutch and Australian forces at Toboali launched an attack on the weakened tank regiment that was defending the Japanese base forces. These penetrated the enemy line and caused significant damage to the lightly armoured Japanese tanks, many of whom seemed to be out of fuel. The remnants of their forces are retreating to Muntok.

Approaching Toboali a large TF is intercepted and their losses are:

AP Kashima Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Katori Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AP Katsura Maru
AP Kembu Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kenzan Maru
AP Kimishima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kiyama Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AP Kiyoshima Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Kofuku Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire
AP Konan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Koshin Maru
AP Koshu Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Meigen Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Meisho Maru
AP Meiu Maru
AP Mexico Maru
AP Mikage Maru #2
AP Minowa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mitsu Maru #3
AP Miyadono Maru
AP Montevideo Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nissen Maru #2, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nissho Maru
AP Nitta Maru, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AP Otake Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Asahi Maru #2
MSW Wa 9, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Unkai Maru #1
PG Unkai Maru #1
PG Unkai Maru #1

At Kuching beach:

AP Oyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Seki Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryuyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1
MSW Kyo Maru #1
AP Ryujo Maru
AP Ryoyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

North of Kuching:

AP Meiu Maru
AP Aiyo Maru
AP Kakyu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mikage Maru #2

Close to Menado:

MSW Shintohoku Maru
PC Showa Maru #5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sakido Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryoyu Maru #21, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sasago Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Showa Maru #5

The KB has appeared and launched an attack on Kuching:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A Val x 54
B5N Kate x 36
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 31
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
26 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
18 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
18 x B5N Kate bombing at 9000 feet

Our aircraft had moved back to other airfields anticipating such a move.

Tomorrow we shall see if the enemy still has stomach for a fight, and how well the Japanese carriers operate with torpedoes in them………

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, unexpectedly the Jap Carriers moved south and hit Batavia and the surrounding area taking a heavy toll of our transport shipping there. At the same time we hit heavily other transports of his and the situation is finely balanced. The landings at Kuching proved too strong for our defenders and they are retiring in good order to Singkawang. There are reports of a large surface combat Tf approaching Macassar and several battleships have been observed heading down past Toboali. The weather in the are seems to be worsening, who this wil benefit is anyone's guess at present.

A very complex set of actions is detailed below:

CL Kashii
CL Oi
DD Yukaze
DD Wakatake
DD Fuyo
DD Kari
DD Kiji

Allied Ships
AO Brazos, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Admiral Gove, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Day Air attack on TF, near Belitung Island at 23,58


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 8
Beaufort V-IX x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 10
LB-30 Liberator x 32


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Konan Maru, on fire
AP Aiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Minowa Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kofuku Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Daaban Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kembu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Buenos Aires Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Otake Maru, on fire
AP Hiyoshi Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kiyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF at 23,56


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6
Beaufort V-IX x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 16


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Kashii, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Wakatake
DD Kari
DD Kiji

Day Air attack on TF at 23,62

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Tennyson, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Bay, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Lake, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
D3A Val x 82
B5N Kate x 95

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 17 destroyed
D3A Val: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 12 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 15 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Empire Spey, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PT PT-40
AK Empire Southey, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Moonrise, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Pintail, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Lightning, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Empire Hazlitt
AK Bintoehan, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Hatterlock
AK Poelau Bras, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Elcano, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Indora, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Baxter, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Needwood, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Confidence, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Gareth, Torpedo hits 1
AK Empire Cameron, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Day Air attack on TF at 29,67


Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 20
B-26B Marauder x 45


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 5 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 16 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 1
CA Kumano
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 2
DD Akigumo
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 1
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu
CL Sendai
CA Kinugasa
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Day Air attack on TF at 27,54


Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 15


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 21, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinwa Maru
AP Shinkoku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tokuho Maru #5

Day Air attack on TF at 23,62

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 70
B5N Kate x 89

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Taw, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Nile, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Bell, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Foam, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Derwent, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF at 23,62

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Tennyson, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Bay, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Lake, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, I appear to have underestimated the Jap’s determination and audacity! What I assumed was a move to strengthen Toboali is turning into a major operation – what we might call Operation Kitchen Sink I feel.

A new day, and with it an unfolding drama of epic proportions:

A large force of Japanese surface ships approaches Macassar harbour in the night, we do not think they expected the welcome they got

Allied Ships

BB Arizona, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 2
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 1
CA Chester, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Chicago, Shell hits 3
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 6
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 2
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 5
CL Hobart
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Brooks, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
DD Gilmer, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kennison, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Phelps, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tucker, Shell hits 1


CA Furutaka, Shell hits 3
CA Kako, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 8, on fire
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
CA Kumano, Shell hits 7
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2
CL Sendai, Shell hits 1
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Harusame
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Makigumo
DD Murasame, Shell hits11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Naganami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Otori
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yudachi
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 3, on fire


At the same time a Jap surface force arrived at Batavia and finished off most of the damaged shipping left there. This was opposed by some PT boats but with no discernible effect. The TF here comprised:

CL Oi
DD Yukaze
DD Wakatake
DD Fuyo
DD Kari
DD Kiji

As light appeared and our first air patrols were able to fly a large BB TF was spotted heading in the direction of Batavia. Planes were sent to deal with this force:

Allied aircraft sent to attack

Hudson I x 29
Beaufort V-IX x 13
P-40B Tomahawk x 5
B-25C Mitchell x 46
B-17E Fortress x 11
LB-30 Liberator x 43
Brewster 339D x 5
B-17E Fortress x 42
B-24D Liberator x 20

Attack effects:

BB Fuso
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
BB Kirishima
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 10, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 4
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Tone

As these major engagements were underway there was also a continued ‘cull’ of troopships clearly seen to be moving to Singkawang and Batavia.

Poor weather conditions meant that the KB was neither in operation, nor attacked by us, we assume they are still lurking south of Toboali and with a break in the weather there will be renewed attacks from them.

The next couple of days will be crucial in our area. Briefings will be as needed to keep on top of the developing situation. Dismissed gentlemen.

[Roger Neilson II]

Gentlemen, we are approaching the climax of the battle I feel. Last night the enemy began landing troops at Singkawang. It remains in the balance whether we can hold this base or not. At the same time major moves on Batavia took place.

Japan’s battle fleet sailed to Batavia and sunk any remaining shipping there – there was not much. Some PTs attempted to attack them but to no avail. The fleet then steamed back north-eastwards. As they proceeded on their course they were attacked by massed waves of our aircraft with the following results:

BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ise, Bomb hits 2
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Yamato
CA Haguro
CA Tone, Bomb hits 1

Whilst our planes were airborne, carriers launched an attack on Batavia:

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 13 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A Val: 8 destroyed, 31 damaged
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 16 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 5 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed
C-47 Dakota: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port hits 3

Seeking to move in whilst our air defences were stretched the Japanese admiral sent in his transports to land at Batavia. We still had planes in reserve:

AP Daaban Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Katori Maru, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kimishima Maru, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kofuku Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Konan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Koshu Maru #3, Bomb hits 1
AP Koshu Maru #3, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Otake Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

As of latest reports some 2,000 troops of the 38th Division have been landed and are clinging onto a slender beachhead. There are six troopships in various stages of sinking attempting to put other troops ashore and we will finish these off in the morning at first light. Intelligence has retrieved the bodies of enough enemy to be sure that at least two divisions and several combat brigades were destined for this operation, most have not survived the sinking of the troopships.

We expect that the KB will have to retire soon to replenish, all other shipping was last seen on courses heading away from the area of conflict. We may, gentlemen, have beaten off a major attempt by the Japs to regain their offensive momentum, lost months ago.