Shattering the Sword AE Edition MkII

[cantona2]

For bklooste. Main line of resistance in China. CD icons represent the strong points on the line. Airfields will be built up on the line and behind it and I will hope to base some RAF Squadrons in China as time progresses. As can just about be seen in the screenie, all Chinese forces to the east of this line are being pulled back except for nuisance and rearguard forces.

[cantona2]

Dutch submarines are operating in a target rich area in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Siam, having chanced upon the main Japanese shipping lanes between thier bridgehead at Malaya and Indo-China. Several Japanese ships have been sunk enroute to the battlezone and several subs have been positioned to intercept any cripples heading to Saigon.

The main action in this seventh day of war has been in the air with Lt Hill of the 2/AVG, shooting down 3 Nates in solo combat over Changsha. He brought down his damaged crate at Henyang to great acclaim from pilots and ground crew alike. The IJA has just realised that it no longer reigns supreme in Chinese skies.

On a sadder note, Hong Kong and its garrison fell to the 38th Japanese Division and its support troops. Damaged ships were scuttled in the harbour and surviving planes found safe haven in the Chinese hinterland.

[CarnageINC]

Good orders for the subs, LOL I totally screwed up mine the first turns, lost a few to 'admin. order' muckups [:@]

[cantona2]

FROM: DD ENCOUNTER PONTIANAK
TO:RN EASTERN COMMAND, TRINCOMALEE, MALAYA ARMY, SINGAPORE
DATE: 14-12-41
SUBJECT: LOSS OF CL DANAE

I REPORT LOSS OF CL DANAE AT 03:45 THIS MORNING DUE TO SUBMARINE ATTACK 20 NM OFF PONTIANAK. REQUEST REINFORCEMENT OF ASW ASSETS TO HUNT DOWN ENEMY SUBS. WARNING SENT TO ABDA COMMAND AT BATAVIA AND FORCE Z AT SOREBAJA TO BE AWARE OF ENEMY SUBMARINE PRESENCE IN THE AREA.

[cantona2]

Extract from, 'The Pacific Campaign Vol 1', by Major Reynolds (ret), Cambridge Press 1977

'...and so it began. The first fortnight of hostilities were relatively quiet considering the surprise achieved by the Japanese forces. These first days were characterised by a speedy advance to Kuantan by recon units in Malaya and a landing on Singkawang on the 19th Decemeber. It was clear to the brass at Singapore that the Japanese would be using the aerodromes there to close any movement of shipping in the Bangka area and begin raids on Java. At the same time light carrier forces had moved into the Sulu Sea and accounted for three light freighters in as many days. It was hoped that the high presence of submarines in the area would strike it lucky and hit one of the enemy's carriers. Indeed, one American submarine (SS Searaven) scored a dud hit on the CVL Ruyjo which compounded a catastrophic error made in US torpedo research in the late 1930's...'

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FROM: EASTERN FLEET, COLOMBO, CEYLON
TO: VADM PHILLIPS, o/c TF 420
DATE: 20-12-41
SUBJECT: INTERCEPT ENEMY SHIPS AT SINGKAWANG

YOU ARE HEREBY ORDERED TO ENGAGE ENEMY SURFACE VESSELS OFF SINGKAWANG. TWO ENEMY BB'S SUSPECTED. PRINCE OF WALES AND REPUSLE SHOULD HAVE ENUGH FIREPOWER TO DEAL WITH ANY EVENTUALITY. ENGAGE AND REITRE AT NIGHT TO BATAVIA FOR REFUELLING AND REARMING.

[cantona2]

The Battle of Singkawang was fought on the night of 21st December 1941 and it proved to be the first encounter between heavy units on either side. Using the advantage of a moonless night, VADM Phillips guided his ships north by north east hugging the coast of Borneo until radar detected a mass of enemy ships to his front. He kept fire until 5,000 yards when the main batteries on the Prince of Wales opened fire on a Japanese battleship. As the roar of the first salvo subsided and the first shells hit the water around the enemy vessel, a myriad of search lights opened up along the Japanese ships revealing a alrge number of surface vessels among which two battleships could be spotted.

Phillips was confident, despite what was arrayed infront of him, that the combined firepower of the Repulse and his own flagship could see off the enemy fleet. The Prince of Wales fired a second salvo and scored a telling hit on one of the enemy battleships. Strangely enough the Repulse had not yet opened up with her main or auxiliary batteries. The enemy however did. The CA Mikuma fired a full broadside and the Prince of Wales and scored three hits on the belt armour but it was the guns of the venerable Kongo that did the telling damage. At a range of 3,500 yards two 36cm shells tore through the POW's armour and exploded amid ships. Damage reports were sketchy but the ship was still fighting and afloat. Her attendant destroyers menawhile were locked in a deadly duel with their Japanese counterparts with the Electra finding the range of and leaving the Nowaki aflame. The POW's 14 inchers managed to score two hits on the Kongo's tower as the second Japanese battleship, the Haruna joined her sister in hitting the Prince of Wales with her secondary armament. Yet again the guns of the Repulse remained silent, something that was to be investigated in a post war inquiry. By battles end the Royal Navy ships turned south and sought temporary refuge at Pontianak where the DD Encounter was detached to escort the POW to Batavia. She had received moderate damage but was still capable of 17 knots.



Status of Prince of Wales (21-12-41)

[cantona2]

Further to the east Jolo Island ahd been captured by the Japanese and intelligence intercepts had picked up signals from an incoming invasion force with the destination of Butuan. 3 Royal Navy destroyers that had originally fled Hong Kong but were now stationed at Cagayan were ideally placed to intercept these ships, this despite enemy air attacks that were suspected to originate from Babeldoab. Elements of the 17th PS have been transferred from Manila to provide air cover.

EDIT: Screenie should read CVL's not CL's

[cantona2]

FROM: EASTERN FLEET, COLOMBO, CEYLON
TO: VADM DOORMAN, ABDA COMMAND, BATAVIA
DATE: 21-12-41
SUBJECT: REINFORCEMENTS FOR JAVA

I REPORT ARRIVAL OF TF 89 AT COLOMBO CARRYING BSQN 3RD HUSSARS FROM ADEN. CL GLASGOW DETACHED AND DE JUNMA ATTACHED AS ESCORT VESSEL. TF 89 WILL DEPART FOR TIJLATJAP, JAVA THIS AFTERNOON.

END

[cantona2]

FROM: WEST COAST HQ, SAN FRANCISCO
TO: LCRD BALLARD, AVP TEAL, SAN DIEGO
CC: LCRD KING, AVP THRUSH, SAN FRANCISCO
DATE: 21-12-41
SUBJECT: CHANNEL ISLANDS SEARCH PLANES

YOUR SHIPS ARE ORDERED TO REDPLOY TO THE CHANNEL ISLANDS AND SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OS2U'S FROM VS-2D14 AND VS-1D14 THAT WILL BE STATIONED THERE TO PROVIDE CLOSE NAVAL SEARCH TO THE APPROACHES TO LOS ANGELES AND SAN DIEGO.

END

OS2U Kingfishers readying for deployment.

[Fletcher]

Hi Jonathan !
Brave for POW ! (only 9 major flood damage after IJN BB/CAs engaged)..
Do you know something about IJN battleships damage ? (how much 356mms hits ?)
Best of lucks !
Ramón

[cantona2]

Ramon,

No idea on the damge done to the IJN battlewagons. Two 14inch hits were recorded during the replay but then again could be FOW. The Nowaki was certainly heavylr damaged by my DD's however. He took Singkawang this turn so hopefully POW can make air cover before his bombers arrive.

[cantona2]

'...so she went down then? Five torpedoes from a cruiser?' Phillips muttered under his breath as he read the message received in the Repulse's ready room earlier. He was already thinking of what to say to the Admirality later. How he was going to explain the loss of the Prince of Wales at Pontianak after he had transferred his flag to the Repulse.

His musings were interrupted as the air raid sirens began to go off in Batavia harbour, followed by the dull thud of the anti-aircraft guns. Phillips run out to the observation deck and trained his glasses skywards. He could see them clearly, G4M2 bombers each carrying a torpedo heading straight for his ship. Smaller aircraft harrassing them all the way, 'Brewsters' he thought. The Dutch fighter planes had received early warning and now pounced out of the sun and onto the Japanese planes, roughly at about 4,000 feet, ready to begin their runs on the battle cruiser.

4 eventually got through, only for another one to succum to the Repulse's ack ack batteries. The three torpedoes launched all missed their mark and a second attack that afternoon meant that in total 18 enemy bombers had been shot down by the Dutch fliers. A crate of scotch courtesy of the Royal Navy was greatly welcomed in their mess that evening.

[cantona2]

The intial Japanese strategy was now easy to see. Singkawang and Jolo Island would provide airbases that would virtually cut all movement southwards from Malaya and the Philippines. Their ground troops would mop up behind them and then they would act as support bases for their push into the DEI's. Yesterday however landings were reported on the north eastern coast of Papua New Guinea and Japanese surface units had been spotted heading to Ambon. Luckily the CL Marblehead was bunkering there and was ordered to intercept with her task force. Though caught off guard, Allied forces were now beginning to react in a more chesive fashion to the spreading tentacles of the Japanese octopus.

[cantona2]

Despite the Japanese capture of Butuan, Cagayan continues to resist. The Hong Kong refugees managed to get among the remaining ships at Butuan and skilful navigation on the part of their Captains meant that the BB Yamashiro was evaded and the RN DD's tore into enemy transports.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Butuan at 80,89, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Edo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AMC Awata Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Meigen Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Horei Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thanet
DD Thracian

[cantona2]

Japanese expansion continued with forrays into the Moluccas area and landings in and around Biak and Sorong. RAAF Hudsons subordinated to ABDA command engaged the Sorong landing forces unsuccessfully and a Japanese battleship in the vicinity of Manado. USN surface units in the area have been ordered to interdict the Sorong invasion force and the CL Marblehead is leading her destroyers there. Meanwhile the Houston and Boise will pursue a Japanese CL TF in the Molucass Straits.

[cantona2]

Finally, 23rd Decmeber saw the war enter Australian waters as enemy submarines in the Torres Straits/Port Moresby area were taergetted by RAN gunboats. Unfortunately the PG Moresby was sunk. The Torres Straits ASW Sqaudron based at Townsville has been put on full alert status.

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre:

USN subs sunk two enemy vessels today despite faulty torpedoes. An escort vessel south of Takao and a light freighter off Soc Trang.

Manila Harbour was heavily hit from the air with the sinking of an S class sub and several ships, including the AS Canopus, were heavily damaged. Likewise in the PI's, what was left of the USAAF was putting up a valiant but ineffective fight against swarms of A6M2 fighters.

In Malaya the IJA was at the gates of Temuloh while two RAF bomber units evacuated to Rangoon. The 18th British Infantry Division has been rediverted to Chittagong as Singapore is now no longer accessible due to the Japanese presence in Singkawang.

[cantona2]

It has not been a good couple of days for the Allied forces across the Pacific. Both USN task forces in the Moluccas area met mixed fates. CA Houston and CL Boise raced to intercept the light cruisers spotted by Dutch float planes only to bump into a substantionally more powerful force comprised of 5 IJN battleships. Outguuned and over powered both ships were sunk but not before both Houston and Boise had damaged the Ise.



The Marblehead task force, ordered to disrupt the Japanese landings on Sorong, locked horns with the escorting IJN ships. A long and protracted battle ensued with inconclusive results. Though the Marblehead's batteries were heavily engaged, USN gunnery left a lot to be desired with only one destroyer hit and susbtantially damaged. The USN suffered a similar fate, with the DD Stewart left on fire.

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FROM: CPT R.J.SANDELL o/c AVG/1st, RANGOON
TO: AVM D.F.STEVENSON, 221 GROUP, DACCA
DATE: 24-12-41
SUBJECT: PROTECTION OF SHIPPING IN RANGOON AREA

SIR,

I REPORT THE SUCCESSFULY DEFENCE OF TWO TF'S TRANSPORTING RESOURCES FROM RANGOON. 11 FIGHTERS (H81-A3) INTERCEPTED A FLIGHT OF 12 G3M2S FROM DIRECTION OF THAILAND. ENEMY TARGETS WERE AFORMENTIONED SHIPS IN IMMEDIATE AREA. 5 ENEMY PLANES CONFIRMED SHOT DOWN, 3 FURTHER PROBABLES. NO LOSSES ON OUR SIDE.

END