Iberian Wars : Cantona2 (AFB) vs Fletcher

[Fletcher]

FROM: MARSHALL SUGIYAMA, IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY GENERAL STAFF HQ, TOKYO.
TO: GENERAL TERAUCHI, SOUTHERN AREA ARMY, SAIGON, INDOCHINA.
SUBJECT: UNITS UNDER SOUTHERN AREA ARMY DIRECT COMMAND, TO SHIP ORDERS.
DATE: DEC 7TH 1941.


NAVY TRANSPORTATION BUREAU REPORTING FOLLOWING TO SHIP ORDERS FOR YOUR UNITS UNDER SOUTHERN ARMY AREA DIRECT COMMAND.

- 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION WILL BE LOADED AT OSAKA (XAP ASAMA MARU, XAP BUENOS AIRES MARU, XAP HAZI MARU AND XAP GOYO MARU DOCKED AT OSAKA, AND XAP KAMAKURA MARU & XAP SUWA MARU WILL ARRIVE TO OSAKA FROM TOKUYAMA) TO HEAD SOUTH SEAS AND CAPTURE PORT MORESBY.

- 28TH SHIPPING REGIMENT HAVE BEEN LOADED AT OMINATO WILL RENDEZVOUS WITH THE PORT MORESBY ASSAULT UNIT (XAP KANZYU MARU, E HACHIJO).

- 1ST RAIDING REGIMENT HAVE BEEN LOADED AT KAGOSHIMA INTO XAP AMAGISAN MARU AND XAK TOKAI MARU. THEY WILL BE PLANNING TO PORT BLAIR AND WILL HEAD TO BANGKOK. 1ST JAAF RAIDING SPECIAL UNIT WILL FLY TO THIS BASE.

- 21st INFANTRY DIVSION (LGEN TANAKA) WILL PLAN TO KOEPANG (TIMOR) AND WILL BE LOADED AT SHANGAI WHEN RELEAVED. THE FOLLOWING SHIPS ARE HEADING SHANGAI: XAP KONGO MARU (FROM TAICHU), XAP SHANGAI MARU, AND XAP UKISHIMA MARU (BOTH FROM NAGOYA), XAP TATSUTA MARU (FROM TSINGTAO), AND XAP TERUKUNI MARU, XAP HUSIMI MARU AND XAP KAMO MARU (ALL THREE FROM PESCADORES IS.). WILL RENDEZVOUS WITH FLEET DETACHMENT NO. 1 AT PALAOS ISLAND.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: GEN. IMAMURA, HITOSHI. XVI ARMY. PALAOS ISLAND.
TO: GEN. TERAUCHI, SOUTHERN AREA ARMY HQ. SAIGON.
SUBJECT: MINDANAO EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
DATE: DEC.7TH 1941


THE FOLLOWING ORDER TO SHIP HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED FOR THE UNITS UNDER MY DIRECT COMMAND:

- 8TH TANK REGIMENT EMBARKING AT XAK MAKASSAR MARU AND XAK SHISEI MARU WILL HEAD TO CAGAYAN. WILL RENDEZVOUS WITH DESDIV (YAMAKAZE, KAWAKAZE, UMIKAZE AND SUZUKAZE.

- SASEBO 2ND SNLF (COMBINED FLEET) EMBARKING AT XAP HAKONE MARU, ESCORTED BY CM YAEYAMA, WILL HEAD TO CAGAYAN.

- 146TH INFANTRY REGIMENT WILL BE EMBARKED AT XAK KYUSHYU MARU, XAK TENRY MARU, XAK TEIRYU MARU AND XAK NITTAI MARU (ALL OF THEM AT ANCHOR AT BABELDAOB PORT).

- XVI ARMY HQ, 17TH F.A. REGIMENT AND 1ST INDEPENDENT ENGINEER RGT. WILL BE EMBARKED WHEN DOCK LIMITS LET US.

- KURE 2ND SNLF WILL BE LOADED IN FAST TRANSPORT SHIP TO HEAD TO DADJANGAS.

NAVY CRUISER WILL SUPPORT LANDINGS AT CAGAYAN AND DAVAO.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LGEN. SAMADA, SIGERU, XIII ARMY, SHANGAI.
TO: GEN. HATA, SINROKU. CHINA EXPEDITIONARY ARMY HQ, NANKING.
SUBJECT: SOUTH MAIN OFFENSIVE.
DATE: DEC 7TH 1941.


XIII ARMY O.O.B. TO WENCHOW OFFENSIVE

XIII ARMY HQ. (AT SHANGAI)
17 DIVISION / B (AT SHANGAI)
17 DIVISION / C (AT SHANGAI)
116 DIVISION (AT ANKING)
4TH MORTAR BN (AT SHANGAI)
2ND MIXED INF. REGIMENT (AT SHAOING, WHEN RELEAVED BY NCP UNIT)
20 MIXED BRIGADE (86,50)

SHANGAI FORCE AND 116TH WILL DEPARTURE AT ONCE TO SHAOING. 20TH MIXED BRIGADE WILL MOP UP THE MAIN ROAD TO NANCHANG TO CHUSIENH.

AIR SUPPORT FROM NANCHANG.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: CPT ICHIMIYA, YOSHIYUKI. aboard HIJMS ASHIGARA. HONG KONG BLOCADE FORCE.
TO: VADM TAKAHASHI, IKIMATSU. 3rd FLEET HQ. TAKAO.
SUBJECT: ENEMY ENGAGED.
DATE: DECEMBER 8TH 1941.

NIGHT SURFACE COMBAT NEAR HONG KONG AGAINST ENEMY CARGO SHIPS HEADING SOUTHWEST.
POSITION: 76,64.-
MOONLIGHT: 85 %
VISIBILITY: 8,000 YARDS

DD MATSUKAZE COLLIDES WITH HIJMS MAYA BEFORE READINESS FOR COMBAT.
DAMAGE REPORT ON HIJMS MAYA: 15 FLOATING (13 MAJOR) AND 4 ENGINE (2 MAJOR)

THREE ENEMY CARGO ILLUMINATED BY OUR SEARCHLIGHTS AND ENGAGED AT 8,000 YARDS.

IDENTIFIED THREE FREIGHTERS (XAK FATSHAN, XAK HANYANG AND XAK NANNING). SEVEN SHELL HITS ON FATSHAN AND 4 MORE ON HANYANG.

NO ENEMY SHIP SUNK.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR KUDO, SHUNSEKU. ABOARD HIJMS INAZUMA. BATANGAS ESCORT FORCE. TAKAO.
TO: VADM TAKAHASHI, IKIMATSU. 3RD FLEET HQ. TAKAO.
SUBJECT: ENEMY DESTROYERS ENGAGED.
DATE: DECEMBER 8TH 1941.

BRITISH DESDIV SPOTTED NEAR TAKAO AT 84,65, GOOD NIGHT VISIBILITY.
THREE SHELL HITS ON DD THRACIAN. NO HITS ON OUR SHIPS. ENEMY DESTROYERS FLEEING AT HIGH SPEED.

DD THRACIAN COLLIDES WITH ONE MINE AT TAKAO !!

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CPT SASAKI, SEIGO, ABOARD HIJMS NATORI. APARRI OBT. FORCE.
TO: VADM TAKAHASHI, IKIMATSU, 3RD FLEET HQ. TAKAO.
SUBJECT: ENEMY DESTROYERS ENGAGED.
DATE: DECEMBER 8TH 1941.

INCOMING MESSAGES RECEIVED FROM PB CHOHAKUSAN MARU REPORTING ONE ENEMY DESTROYER SINKING 1 OF OUR PB NEAR TAKAO AT NIGHT SURFACE COMBAT.
GENERAL QUARTERS AT ALL SHIPS IN THIS TF. WE HEAD INMEDIATLY TO TAKAO NEARBY AREA TO SEARCH ENEMY DESDIV. AT DAY TIME WE SPOTTED SMOKE IN THE HORIZONT. ENEMY SHIPS IDENTIFIED LIKE DD SCOUT AND DD THRACIAN. LAST OF THEM SUNK AFTER 13 SHELL HITS. DD SCOUT SINKS LATER by AERIAL TORPEDOES FROM NELLS.

DAMAGE REPORT:

DD MINAZUKI (1 SHELL HIT): 18 SYSTEM 17 FLOATING, 7 ENGINE.
DD NAGATSUKI (1 SHELL HIT): 17 SYSTEM, 1 FLOATING, 4 ENGINE.

BOTH SHIPS HEADING SASEBO TO BE UNDER REPAIRS.
FOLLOW WITH OUR ESCORT DUTIES WITH APARRI AMPH. GROUP.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LCDR NAKAJIMA, SEIJI. I-155 CO, SUBDIV 18, SUBRON 4. MALAYA WATERS.
TO: VADM SHIMIZU, MITSUO. 6TH FLEET HQ, KWAJALEIN.
SUBJECT: AMC KANIMBLA SINKS.
DATE: DECEMBER 8TH 1941.

ENEMY LARGE AMC SPOTTED NEAR TEREMPA, AT 55,83, WE PROCEED TO ATTACK LAUNCHING 8 TORPEDOES IN MY FIRST SALVO. 1 TORPEDO HIT BUT ENEMY SHIP NOT SINKS. TWO MORE TORPEDOES WERE LAUNCHED WITH 2 HITS AND ENEMY SHIPS SINKS QUICKLY AFTER HEAVY BLOW.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM HASHIMOTO, SHINTARO, KOTA BAHRU INVASION FORCE.
TO: VADM OZAWA, I. SOUTHERN FLEET HQ, ASW COMMAND. CAMRANH BAY.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SUB ATTACK
DATE: DEC 8TH 1941.

ONE ENEMY SUBMARINE HAVE TORPEDOED XAK TAMAKI MARU NEAR SINGORA. 2 TORPEDO HITS. NO IJA CASUALTIES. REQUESTING ASW SUPPORT.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM TODA, TAKEO, 21ST AIR FLOTILLA HQ. TAKAO.
TO: VADM TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET HQ. TAKAO.
SUBJECT: AIR RAIDS OVER P.I.
DATE: DECEMBER 8TH 1941

LAUNCHED FOLLOWING WAVES AGAINST TARGET AT P.I.:

1.- 66 A6M2 SWEEPS CLARK FIELD. ENEMY CAP WITH 37 P-40 AND 1 P-26.
2.- 21 KI-48 BOMBING AF AT IBA. ENEMY CAP WITH 3 P-40. 14 RUNWAY HITS AND 2 AIRBASE HITS / 1 AIRBASE SUPPLY HIT.
3.- 28 A6M2 ESCORTING 13 KI-21 AGAINST CLARK AF. ENEMY CAP WITH 19 P-40 AND 1 P-26. 4 RUNWAY HITS AND 1 AIRBASE HIT.
4.- 06 G4M1 BETTIES ATTACKING AO PECOS. 3 P-40 AT CAP (!!).

OUR LOSSES: 12 A6M2, 5 G4M1 AND 4 KI-48I-B
ENEMY LOST 9 P-40, 1 P-26 AND 2 P-35.

TOMORROW WE WILL BOMB CLARK FIELD WITH HEAVY ESCORT.
LANDINGS AT APARRI UNDER LRCAP UMBRELLA FROM TAKAO / BATAAN IS.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CPT. ETO, T. 77TH SENTAI, DET A. SINGORA. THAILAND.
TO: LGEN SUGAWARA, 3RD AIR DIV HQ. KOMPONCH TRACH.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SHIPPING INTERCEPTED.
DATE: DECEMBER 8TH 1941.


ENEMY SHIP SPOTTED NEAR GEORGETOWN. ATTACKED AT LOW ALTITUDE WITH 14 KI-27B NATE. IDENTIFIED TARGET LIKE XAKL NAM YONG. 1 SHELL HIT AND 7 BOMB HIT. ENEMY SHIP SUNK UNDER OUR EYES.

ENEMY NAVAL/MARITIME TRAFFIC IN THE WEST COAST OF MALAYA WILL BE SHADOWED AND ATTACKED AT ONCE.

LIGHT BOMBERS KI-48I-B HAVE BOMBED GEORGETOWN PORT. XAP HONG SIANG AND XAP KELANTAN WERE SEVERELY DAMAGE AFTER SEVERAL BOMB HITS.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM TODA, 21ST AIR FLOTILLA HQ. TAKAO.
TO: VADM TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET HQ. TAKAO.
SUBJECT: ENEMY FLYING FORTRESS OPS.
DATE: DEC 8TH 1941.

ENEMY HAVE LAUNCHED TWO HEAVY BOMBING OPS. THE FIRST ONE AGASINT BATAN ISLAND AF. 10 KI-27B HAVE TAKE OFF TO INTERCEPT ENEMY BOMBERS UNSUCCESFULLY. NO DAMAGES IN AIR FACILITIES.

ANOTHER AIR ATTACK WITH B-17 AGAINST BABELDAOB AF FACILITIES. ONLY 1 A5M4 AT CAP (!). 10 ENEMY BOMBERS BOMBING UNSUCCESFULLY.
KAWAI DET HAVE BEEN ORDERER TO TRANSFER TO BABELDAOB TO CAP MISSIONS.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM NISHIMURA, TEIJI. LUZON BLOCKADE FORCE. ABOARD HIJMS NAKA.
TO: VADM. TAKAHASHI. 3RD FLEET HQ. TAKAO.
SUBJECT: ENEMY OILERS SUNK.
DATE: DEC 9TH 1941.

ENEMY TASK GROUP INTERCEPTED AT NIGHT NEAR LUBANG (77,78). WITH MOONLIGH 67%, UNDER PARTLY CLOUDY CONDITIONS, VISIBILITY 11,000 YARDS. ENGAGED ENEMY AT 8,000 YDS.

TWO USN OILERS WITH A PG SUNK.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM NISHAMOTO, SHINTARO. SINGORA EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. OFFSHORE SINGORA.
TO: VADM OZAWA, JISABURO. ASW COMMAND. SOUTHERN FLEET HQ. CAMRANH BAY.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SUB
DATE: DEC 9TH 1941

ENEMY SUB ACTIVITY IN OUR AREA. ANOTHER FREIGHTER HAVE BEEN SUNK AFTER TORPEDO ATTACK. REQUESTING ASW AIR OR NAVAL ASSETS TO SUPPORT OUR LANDINGS.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CDR SUGIYAMA, C., APARRI INVASION FORCE. OFFSHORE APARRI.
TO: VADM. OZAWA, JISABURO. SOUTHERN FLEET HQ.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SUB ACTIVITY
DATE: DEC 9TH 1941

XAK YUZAN MARU SINKS AFTER 1 TORPEDO HIT. ENEMY SUBMARINE ACTIVITIES IN OUR AREA. OUR SHIP WAS ATTACKED AT SURFACE. TWO PC HAVE BEEN ATTACHED AT OUR LANDING FORCE TO AVOID MORE SURFACE ATTACK FROM ENEMY. REQUESTING AERIAL OR NAVAL ASW ASSETS.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM TAKAGI, TAKEO. 5TH CARDIV. MINDANAO-BORNEO BLOCKADE FORCE.
TO: ADM. YAMAMOTO, ISOROKU. COMBINED FLEET HQ. KURE NAVAL.
SUBJECT: XAP ROCHAMBEAU SINKS.
DATE: DEC 9TH 1941.

THIS MORNING 12 B5N1 ESCORTED BY 4 A5M4 HAVE TAKE OFF FROM HIJMS RYUJO TO INTERCEPT ENEMY SHIPPINGS SPOTTED IN THE AREA BY OUR FLOATPLANES.

TARGET IDENTIFIED LIKE XAP ROCHAMBEAU AND PG TULSA. 4 TORPEDO HITS ON PASSENGER SHIP AND ANOTHER 4 AT GUNBOAT. BOTH SHIPS SUNKS.

HIJMS NACHI AND HIJMS KUROSHIO DETACHED FROM CARDIV 5 TO SUPPORT LANDINGS AT DAVAO.

WE WILL PROCEED TO BORNEO STRAITS TO ENCLOSE ENEMY SHIPPINGS FLEEING FROM PHILLIPINES.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM OZAWA, JISABURO. SOUTHERN FLEET HQ. CAMRANH BAY.
TO: ADM NAGANO, OSAMI. IMPERIAL NAVY GENERAL STAFF HQ. TOKYO.
SUBJECT: SEALIFT CAPACITY DEPLOYMENT.
DATE: DEC 9TH 1941

EVERY ASSIGNED SHIP ARE HEADING TO DESIGNED ARRIVAL PORTS TO BEGIN WITH OUR CONVOY SYSTEM. SEVERAL ASW UNITS HAVE BEEN ATTACHED TO LOCAL ASW FORCES. CVE HOSHO IS HEADING NORTHERN WATERS ESCORTED BY SEVERAL DESTROYERS LIKE FLAG OF ABOARD ASW COMMANDER. CS CHIYODA AT AMAMI OSHIMA AWAITING SURFACE VESSELS TO START WITH ASW MISSIONS IN WESTERN APPROACHES.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CPT ICHIMIYA, YOSHIYUKI. HONG KONG BLOCKADE FORCE. ABOARD HIJMS ASHIGARA.
TO: VADM. TAKAHASHI, IKIMATSU. 3rd FLEET HQ. TAKAO. FORMOSA.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SHIPS SUNK.
DATE: DEC 10TH 1941.

THE LAST NIGHT ENEMY SHIPS WERE SPOTTED UNDER REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO RAIN, AND MOONLIGHT OF 57%.
SPOTTED THREE LIGHT FREIGHTERS NEAR HONG KONG TRYING TO BLOCKADE RUN. ENEMY SHIPS IDENTIFIED LIKE XAKL CHENGTU, XAKL JOAN MOLLER AND XAKL KANCHOW. ALL OF THEM SUNK.

AT MORNING AN ENEMY MOTOR GUN BOAT DIVISION WAS SPOTTED. IDENTIFIED LIKE MTB-7/8/9/10. ALL OF THEM SUNK. NO DAMAGE REPORTED IN MY SHIPS.

REPORTING COMBAT READINESS:
69% AMMUNITION ABOARD.
88% FUEL ABOAD HIJMS ASHIGARA.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: LTCDR SIMOYAMA H. APARRI INVASION FORCE.
TO: VADM OZAWA, JISABURO. SOUTHERN COMMAND HQ. ASW COMMANDER. CAMRANH BAY.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SUB ACTIVITIES.
DATE: DECEMBER 10TH 1941

XAK MATSUKAWA MARU ATTACKED AT SURFACE BY ENEMY SUB, IDENTIFIED LIKE SS PERCH. 05 SHELL HITS ON MATSUKAWA MARU, SEVERAL MACHINEGUNS HIT ON ENEMY SUBMARINE. TORPEDO BOAT AND ASW DIVISION WITH 3 CH SUBCHASSERS ALERTED IN THE AREA.

DAMAGE REPORT:
SYSTEM 40
FLOOD 3
ENGINE 5
FIRES 32
NO MAJOR DAMAGE ABOARD.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM KONDO, NOBUTAKE. 2ND FLEET HQ. SAMAH. HAINAN.
TO: LGEN SUGAWARA, MICHIO. 3RD AIR DIVISION. KOMPONCH TRACH. THAILAND
SUBJECT: ENEMY HEAVY BOMBERS AT SAMAH.
DATE: DECEMBER 10TH 1941

9 AMERICAN HEAVY BOMBERS HAVE STRIKE SAMAH NAVAL BASE UNDER SEVERE STORMS WEATHER CONDITIONS. ENEMY FLYING ABOUT 11,000 FEET.
XAKL AWA MARU (830 TONS) DAMAGED (45 SYSTEM, 15 FLOAT -15 MAJOR- AND 8 ENGINE) WILL BE AT SAMAH PIER SIDE FOR THE NEXT 15 DAYS.
REQUESTING CAP FOR SAMAH TO AVOID MORE ENEMY RAIDS.
END //

FROM: LGEN SUGAWARA, MICHIO, 3RD AIR DIVISION. KOMPONCH TRACH
TO: VADM KONDO, NOBUTAKE. 2ND FLEET HQ. SAMAH.
SUBJECT: AIR UNIT TRANSFERED
DATE: DEC 10TH 1941.

ORDERS HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED TO 77TH SENTAI DET B UNDER MAJ SUZUKI,S. WITH 12 KI-27B TO DEPLOY TOMORROW MORNING AT SAMAH.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CDR UESUGI, YOSHITAKE, HIJMS USHIO. MIDWAY BOMBARDMENT UNIT.
TO: VADM. NAGUMO, CHUICHI. KIDO BUTAI CINC. ABOARD HIJMS KAGA.
SUBJECT: SHIRIYA SUNK.
DATE: DECEMBER 10TH 1941.

ENEMY CARRIER AIRCRAFTS HAVE STRIKE OUR TG, THIS MORNING, AT 144,81. 34 DIVE BOMBERS SPOTTED WITH LIGHT ESCORT. AO SHIRIYA SUNK AFTER 3 DIRECT HITS WITH 1,000 LBS BOMBS.
WE ARE RUNNING FAST TO NORTHWEST TO DISENGAGE. ALERT MESSAGE SENT TO REPLENISHMENT TF.

END //