Tristanjohn vs ChezDaJez: Lemur's Scen 15

[Tristanjohn]

26 April 1942

British bombers out of Chandpur continue to pound on the leading Japanese elements which continue to advance on Akyab.

[Tristanjohn]

Meanwhile, Allied headquarters at Port Moresby did not deny that this lonely outpost on the western shore of Papua, New Guinea, is beginning to resemble the "Malta of the Pacific" in its crucial role to help stem the tide of Imperial aggression.

Yesterday, as the Japanese boldy steered yet another invasion fleet toward New Guinea's eastern shoreline, bombers based on Port Moresby rose into the air and delivered a resounding blow for freedom.

[Tristanjohn]

The action was furious as the American bombers did their thing.

[Tristanjohn]

At the end of the morning's fight, the reports filtering in from the pilots of these stalwart planes were encouraging.

[Tristanjohn]

In the afternoon, Port Moresby redoubled its effort.

[Tristanjohn]

With vengeance on their minds, the American bombers gave no quarter as they swooped down for the kill.

[Tristanjohn]

Time and again the Japanese troop transports were pummeled by death.

[Tristanjohn]

Again and again the American bombers roared in . . .

[Tristanjohn]

. . . and when the smoke had finally cleared . . .

[Tristanjohn]

. . . the Japanese invasion fleet simply was no more.

[Tristanjohn]

In the aftermath of this epic battle, Japanese casualties included Hakusan Maru and Igasa Maru as known to be sunk. Further details were not available.

[Tristanjohn]

28 April 1942

Yesterday saw the bombers stationed on Port Moresby continue to savage the Japanese landing force on the eastern shore of Papua, New Guinea. Beaufort torpedo bombers this time sent their warning that Allied interests in the region are sound and will not be surrendered without a fight.

[Tristanjohn]

Meanwhile, a task force of American aircraft carriers swept into the Gilbert Islands like a typhoon, and before the sleeping Japanese at Makin Atoll knew what had hit them at least three crusiers, two of them of the heavy variety, and a destroyer, were damaged to an unknown extent. In the same raid, United State Navy planes bombed various shipping at Tarawa, a godforsaken atoll some 100 miles south of Makin. Details of this action were not available, except that more enemy shipping was taken under fire.

[ChezDaJez]

The good news at Makin is that all the ships will fight another day. Indeed the 2 CAs were not as heavily damaged as first feared. One will certainly need some yard time but the other is virtually unscathed. The CL is returning to Japan for an "extended period." Her hull is sound but she could do with some new upperworks.

The Americans did pay for their impudence. 15 Zeros intercepted the inbound strike consisting of 9 F4Fs, 140 SBDs and 45 TBDs. They managed to skirt the escorts and claimed 26 SDBs and 8 TBDs downed. After action analysis indicated the true number was 10 SDBs and 3 TBDs. No Zeros were lost.

The Americans managed to locate and strike a resupply convoy headed for Lae. 2 APs and 1 PG were sunk with the other AP sinking after landing her troops.

However, in a running 2-day battle in the Indian Ocean near position 5,36, Mini-KB attacked a large Allied convoy steaming west. Exact damage reports are unavailable however 4 AKs and 2 APs were positively torpedoed with at least 2 of the AKs sinking immediately. The next day, AK Empire Raven was struck by 2 torpedoes (sank next day) and AK Kalani with 9 bombs and 3 torpedoes. The ship disappeared in a blinding flash. A MSW, the Bombay was also struck by torpedoes and sunk.

B-17s have been active throughout the Coral Sea area of late and while their effectiveness has diminished since their debut in the locality, they still get an occasional hit as witnessed by one of my DEs receiving relatively minor damage from a 500lb GP bomb. The crew is looking forward to shore leave in Hong Kong.

It is now the last day of April 1942. This month, relatively quiet on the whole, has seen the Japanese continue mopping up by-passed bases as the Americans begin to flew their muscle in the southern SRA, Coral Sea and Central Pacific. Sooner or later, the Americans will come in force. Where, we don't know but Japanese defenses are firming fast. There are currently no plans for any further major expansions unless a truely magnificent opportunity presents itself. Mopping up will continue so as to deny the Allies any potential staging or refueling points behind my lines.

Chez

[Tristanjohn]

29 April 1942

Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson was quoted today as saying, "Regardless of what the front-line troops hear from Tokyo Rose, the defenses at Darwin, Port Moresby, the entire eastern seaboard of Australia, the port of Noumea, and other key bases in the south and central Pacific theaters continue to build up feverishly in anticipation of yet another major Japanese aggressive thrust which would we expect to be unleashed sometime before this summer."

Asked if there were any truth in the rumor that peace overtures had been said to be whispered around the Washington lunch rooms, Stimson curtly replied, "That's a joke, right?"

[Tristanjohn]

29 March 1942

First they search. Then they find.

[Tristanjohn]

And finally . . . they bomb.







B-17s have been active throughout the Coral Sea area of late and while their effectiveness has diminished since their debut in the locality, they still get an occasional hit as witnessed by one of my DEs receiving relatively minor damage from a 500lb GP bomb. The crew is looking forward to shore leave in Hong Kong. --Tokyo Rose

Right. [:D]

[Tristanjohn]

30 April 1942

Reports out of China yesterday were not all good. The Chinese forces which had invested the industrial city of Yenen for the past three weeks were forced to fall back by the Japanese garrison.

[Tristanjohn]

In Burma, against all odds the remainder of the force which held out stubbornly at Rangoon continued its remarkable retreat toward the port city of Akyab, as a spirited rearguard action [:D] was fought by the 3rd Caribineers against overwhelming numbers of crazed Japanese.

[Tristanjohn]

4 May 1942

Yesterday was dark for the Allies as Japanese air power struck out and bombed two separate convoys, causing grievous damage. The first attack occured off the coast of Burma where the enemy found and decimated a convoy of merchants returning from a relief operation to the threatened port of Akyab.