24th December
A further admission from the Japanese government added the DD Yayoi to the list of ships lost at Wake.
In a sign that US submarine commanders are not happy with the number of dud torpedoes they have been firing, they have been taking to surfacing their ships and engaging with deck guns and .50cal MGs to give better chances of success. The Trusty and Tautog both did this during the night, each targeting and setting a cargo ship ablaze. The Tautog did so in a attack less than 100 miles off the coast of Japan.
A Japanese submarine was spotted by an ASW patrol near Pearl, but they had difficulties in locating its exact position. Only one attack was made, though later contacts confirm it wasn’t enough to sink her.
Chinese pilots intercepted and shot down 2 Sonia’s and a Ki-15 Babs during an attack on Kweilin. This is the first time since the war began that fighters have brought down a Babs. Kweilin airfield was hit, but the damage was minor and quickly repaired.
In a surprise change to routine, Japanese planes out of Tavoy bypassed Rangoon and hit Akyab in the morning, where British Buffalos ran into a force of Zeros and Sallys. One Buffalos was lost, but the Japanese could only land one bomb on the runway there.
By afternoon though, routine had returned and once more Rangoon came under heavy attack. 31 Zeros, 13 Oscars and 16 Nates escorted 30 Bettys and 12 Nells. The AVG were able to put 19 Tomahawks up. Nine more Tomahawks were shot down and a 10th blown up by bombs, for the loss of only 5 Nates and two Zeros. The AVG is down to just 13 operational planes.
Japanese bombers also raided the airfields at Medan and Kuala in northern Sumatra, doing light and easily repaired damage. They also went after Allied troops at Cagayan and Clark Field, causing light casualties.
Allied anti-shipping raids saw one troop transport bombed by the Dutch and two cargo ship torpedoed by British Vildebeest.
The RN and RAN ships at Singapore left during the night, heading south at full speed to avoid any Japanese aircraft. They are expected to refuel at Batavia before splitting up.
After being rebuffed on the ground at Johore Bahru, the Japanese dug in and began shelling the defenders, though they appear to yet have ranged in their guns effectively.
They also began shelling the defenders of Manila in preparation for future assaults. An assault at San Marcelino did take place, but despite being outnumbered 3:1, the Filipinos there were able to resist the Japanese advance.
Another assault took place at Rabual, which once more failed to dig out the Aussies. Casualties are beginning to mount though and Japanese troops did damage the fortifications around Rabual leaving some to wonder how much longer it can hold out.
Lets go get out throats cut - a complete Noobs AAR
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
Dec 25th
25th December
Allied air began evacuating from an overcrowded Singapore airfield, a few heading north to Rangoon, while other landed at Rangoon or in the NEI.
There were Japanese troop landings at Rabual for the first time in a while, the Japanese eagre to end the stand off against the Aussies. Despite another large air attack and a ground assault, the Aussies held out. However the Australians are now loosing almost twice as many men in these battles and their fortifications are being slowly reduced. In is now only a matter of time before Rabual falls.
In an attempt to pre-empt the regular Rangoon raids from Tavoy, Blenheim IF night fighters were ordered to attack the airfield in a night raid. While they damaged no aircraft and caused little damage to the airfields, it was a reminder to the Japanese that the Allies can still strike back.
Perhaps as a result, the Japanese only launched one raid against Rangoon during the day, though both sides have been much depleted by the regular battles in the air. Four Tomahawks and two Zeros were lost, while 2 Blenheim I bombers that were shuttling out from Singapore were destroyed on the ground, the lowest casualty rate at Rangoon for some time.
With their ground forcing pressing on Johore Bahru, the Japanese launched a large, seventy plane raid from the air. P-40E Warhawks that had evacuated from the Philippines met them, which came as a shock to the Japanese. They were able to shoot down one Warhawk, but lost four Nates in the process and were able to cause light damage to the airfield. The follow up ground assault saw major losses on both sides – over 500 Allies and almost 1000 Japanese estimated as lost. Japanese engineers were also successful in reducing the defensive fortifications of the Allies.
Dutch AA gunners at disused airfield at Medan brought down two of the Lily bombers that attacked. The regular attacks on Medan have puzzled Allied commanders.
The Dutch carried out the only Allied anti-shipping attack of the day. They hit an already damaged troop transport with a single bomb south of Singapore.
The Allied shipping that left Manila a few days earlier were spotted by Japanese planes and came under repeated attack during the day by Betty and Nell bombers. Not surprising given their height, none of the bombers hit, though one Nell was shot down by AA gunners on board the ships.
Grave fears are held for the 30 ship task force though, as a Japanese fleet containing 5 CVs has been spotted south-east of them, just off the southern tip of Mindanao. Allied commanders do not expect many of the ships to survive the next couple of days.
The carriers had launched a raid on the town of Cagayan in Mindanao that involved over 150 planes. AA gunners brought down a single Val but were unable to prevent extensive damage to the airfield.
A large formation of Betty bombers was spotted high over Chandpur, where they attempted to bomb British transports unloading men and supplies. None were hit, but it is a further concern to Allied air forces in the region, already spread thin by the Rangoon attacks.
Japanese troops in the Philippines were content to simply bombard Allied defenders as they await further troops to move up to the front. With over 60,000 troops converging on Clark Field and Manila, it is expected that it will not be long until major assaults begin. The defenders of Clark Field were able to drive off the Japanese tanks in the first clash seen between armour. 18 Japanese AFVs were knocked out while no US AFVs were lost.
Allied air began evacuating from an overcrowded Singapore airfield, a few heading north to Rangoon, while other landed at Rangoon or in the NEI.
There were Japanese troop landings at Rabual for the first time in a while, the Japanese eagre to end the stand off against the Aussies. Despite another large air attack and a ground assault, the Aussies held out. However the Australians are now loosing almost twice as many men in these battles and their fortifications are being slowly reduced. In is now only a matter of time before Rabual falls.
In an attempt to pre-empt the regular Rangoon raids from Tavoy, Blenheim IF night fighters were ordered to attack the airfield in a night raid. While they damaged no aircraft and caused little damage to the airfields, it was a reminder to the Japanese that the Allies can still strike back.
Perhaps as a result, the Japanese only launched one raid against Rangoon during the day, though both sides have been much depleted by the regular battles in the air. Four Tomahawks and two Zeros were lost, while 2 Blenheim I bombers that were shuttling out from Singapore were destroyed on the ground, the lowest casualty rate at Rangoon for some time.
With their ground forcing pressing on Johore Bahru, the Japanese launched a large, seventy plane raid from the air. P-40E Warhawks that had evacuated from the Philippines met them, which came as a shock to the Japanese. They were able to shoot down one Warhawk, but lost four Nates in the process and were able to cause light damage to the airfield. The follow up ground assault saw major losses on both sides – over 500 Allies and almost 1000 Japanese estimated as lost. Japanese engineers were also successful in reducing the defensive fortifications of the Allies.
Dutch AA gunners at disused airfield at Medan brought down two of the Lily bombers that attacked. The regular attacks on Medan have puzzled Allied commanders.
The Dutch carried out the only Allied anti-shipping attack of the day. They hit an already damaged troop transport with a single bomb south of Singapore.
The Allied shipping that left Manila a few days earlier were spotted by Japanese planes and came under repeated attack during the day by Betty and Nell bombers. Not surprising given their height, none of the bombers hit, though one Nell was shot down by AA gunners on board the ships.
Grave fears are held for the 30 ship task force though, as a Japanese fleet containing 5 CVs has been spotted south-east of them, just off the southern tip of Mindanao. Allied commanders do not expect many of the ships to survive the next couple of days.
The carriers had launched a raid on the town of Cagayan in Mindanao that involved over 150 planes. AA gunners brought down a single Val but were unable to prevent extensive damage to the airfield.
A large formation of Betty bombers was spotted high over Chandpur, where they attempted to bomb British transports unloading men and supplies. None were hit, but it is a further concern to Allied air forces in the region, already spread thin by the Rangoon attacks.
Japanese troops in the Philippines were content to simply bombard Allied defenders as they await further troops to move up to the front. With over 60,000 troops converging on Clark Field and Manila, it is expected that it will not be long until major assaults begin. The defenders of Clark Field were able to drive off the Japanese tanks in the first clash seen between armour. 18 Japanese AFVs were knocked out while no US AFVs were lost.
Dec 26th
26th December
The Allies had a belated Christmas day, with the presents being bad weather and good submarines. Allied submarines attacked one tanker, two cargo ships, and the same troop transport twice. The tanker was later confirmed to have sunk.
Bad weather closed in over Rangoon, giving the defenders some respite and mechanics a chance to get planes operational again. The Japanese bombers at Tavoy instead decided to attack Andaman Island that was completely unoccupied. Allied commanders speculate it was some form of live fire exercise.
The same bad weather also closed in over Sandakan, where the threatened TF that left from Manila was sheltering. With the half dozen Japanese carriers approaching within 100 miles as they steamed between Borneo and the Philippines, it was only the bad weather that saved the ships. Allied commanders do not expect to catch the same break tomorrow.
Japanese bombers launched a raid on Kuala where four P-26a fighters were located. Having escaped the Philippines, they were expecting to be able to rest and recover. Instead two were shot down during the attack by over thirty Japanese planes.
Rabual saw yet another concerted land and air attack on the Australian defenders. Thirty planes hit them, followed up by the ground push that involved more freshly landed troops. In the end the Aussies were forced to withdraw from Rabaul and are expected to retreat further west along the island.
Japanese troop numbers continue to build up outside Johore Bahru, with more than 50,000 taking part in the latest offensive. The fighting was intensive, but the Commonwealth defenders managed to hold out for another day.
The Allies had a belated Christmas day, with the presents being bad weather and good submarines. Allied submarines attacked one tanker, two cargo ships, and the same troop transport twice. The tanker was later confirmed to have sunk.
Bad weather closed in over Rangoon, giving the defenders some respite and mechanics a chance to get planes operational again. The Japanese bombers at Tavoy instead decided to attack Andaman Island that was completely unoccupied. Allied commanders speculate it was some form of live fire exercise.
The same bad weather also closed in over Sandakan, where the threatened TF that left from Manila was sheltering. With the half dozen Japanese carriers approaching within 100 miles as they steamed between Borneo and the Philippines, it was only the bad weather that saved the ships. Allied commanders do not expect to catch the same break tomorrow.
Japanese bombers launched a raid on Kuala where four P-26a fighters were located. Having escaped the Philippines, they were expecting to be able to rest and recover. Instead two were shot down during the attack by over thirty Japanese planes.
Rabual saw yet another concerted land and air attack on the Australian defenders. Thirty planes hit them, followed up by the ground push that involved more freshly landed troops. In the end the Aussies were forced to withdraw from Rabaul and are expected to retreat further west along the island.
Japanese troop numbers continue to build up outside Johore Bahru, with more than 50,000 taking part in the latest offensive. The fighting was intensive, but the Commonwealth defenders managed to hold out for another day.
Dec 27th
27th December
With the arrival at Rangoon of more P-40Es originally from the Philippines, AVG/C was shuttled out to recover and upgraded their planes. The defenders caught another lucky break with heavy clouds over Rangoon for the second day in a row. It didn’t prevent Blenheims making a night raid on Tavoy though, which resulted in two destroyed Oscars.
The Tavoy bombers flew despite the cloud cover at Rangoon, hitting the airfield at Taung Gyi, causing light damage.
The last of the planes from Malaysia/Singapore left, some north to Burma and Ceylon, while the shorter ranged planes landed in NEI where they were to load on transported for transport north.
The taskforce that left Singapore split after refuelling at Batavia. The RN ships were ordered north to Diamond Harbour, while the RAN ships were to head to Darwin.
A Japanese cargo ship off the coast of Bataan ran into a mine. Troops at Bataan could see the ship burning from the shore.
It was the turn of submarines to be hunted during the day, with the Allied SS 020 sunk just off Brunei while the Japanese I-159 was sunk in the Java Sea.
The Manila TF making a run for its life headed south during the night as fast as they could. It paid off, with the Japanese carriers heading north during the night and launching raids on Brunei during the day. The ships did come under attack from land based Betty bombers, but they missed, mainly due to the height they came in at.
Most of the Japanese bombing effort went into repeated raids on Manila and Johore Bahru in which over 250 Allied troops were killed in softening up efforts. Japanese ground troops joined in with bombardments at both places, increasing the casualties amongst the defenders.
Fresh Japanese landings took place at Cagayan in the Philippines and Menado at Sulawesi. Gunners at Cagayan managed to set fire to two landing barges. Allied ground forces began firing bombardments upon the Japanese troops, but with little success.
The Japanese occupied San Marcelino as they continued their push across the Philippines.
With the arrival at Rangoon of more P-40Es originally from the Philippines, AVG/C was shuttled out to recover and upgraded their planes. The defenders caught another lucky break with heavy clouds over Rangoon for the second day in a row. It didn’t prevent Blenheims making a night raid on Tavoy though, which resulted in two destroyed Oscars.
The Tavoy bombers flew despite the cloud cover at Rangoon, hitting the airfield at Taung Gyi, causing light damage.
The last of the planes from Malaysia/Singapore left, some north to Burma and Ceylon, while the shorter ranged planes landed in NEI where they were to load on transported for transport north.
The taskforce that left Singapore split after refuelling at Batavia. The RN ships were ordered north to Diamond Harbour, while the RAN ships were to head to Darwin.
A Japanese cargo ship off the coast of Bataan ran into a mine. Troops at Bataan could see the ship burning from the shore.
It was the turn of submarines to be hunted during the day, with the Allied SS 020 sunk just off Brunei while the Japanese I-159 was sunk in the Java Sea.
The Manila TF making a run for its life headed south during the night as fast as they could. It paid off, with the Japanese carriers heading north during the night and launching raids on Brunei during the day. The ships did come under attack from land based Betty bombers, but they missed, mainly due to the height they came in at.
Most of the Japanese bombing effort went into repeated raids on Manila and Johore Bahru in which over 250 Allied troops were killed in softening up efforts. Japanese ground troops joined in with bombardments at both places, increasing the casualties amongst the defenders.
Fresh Japanese landings took place at Cagayan in the Philippines and Menado at Sulawesi. Gunners at Cagayan managed to set fire to two landing barges. Allied ground forces began firing bombardments upon the Japanese troops, but with little success.
The Japanese occupied San Marcelino as they continued their push across the Philippines.
Dec 28th
28th December
Japanese landings continued through the night at Cagayan and at Manila, where the Japanese ships ran into mines and coastal guns. One cargo ship hit a mine, while three more were hit by shore gunners, along with two patrol boats. One of the cargo ships later sunk.
Another two cargo ships were hit by Allied submarines during the night when they engaged with deck guns.
The night raid on Tavoy by Blenheims failed in its mission, but for the third day running heavy weather at Rangoon protected it from Japanese raids. The Japanese bombers remained grounded for the day, frustrated by the weather.
RAAF Hudsons based on Java made attacks on a task force of Japanese cruisers and destroyers near Kuching but were unable to hit. The Hudson pilots claim that with the new Beauforts that are trickling to frontline units the result would have been different.
Air raids continued on Manila, though far less accurate than the day before, though artillery fire from freshly landed units was more intense.
The Japanese troops at Cagayan attempt to storm the town, but the 101st Filipino Division was able to beat them off.
The Australian troops retreating from Rabaul were followed by Japanese forces and engaged in another sharp clash, which forced them back further.
The first group of ships damaged on December 7th at Pearl arrived at San Francisco to begin repairs.
Japanese landings continued through the night at Cagayan and at Manila, where the Japanese ships ran into mines and coastal guns. One cargo ship hit a mine, while three more were hit by shore gunners, along with two patrol boats. One of the cargo ships later sunk.
Another two cargo ships were hit by Allied submarines during the night when they engaged with deck guns.
The night raid on Tavoy by Blenheims failed in its mission, but for the third day running heavy weather at Rangoon protected it from Japanese raids. The Japanese bombers remained grounded for the day, frustrated by the weather.
RAAF Hudsons based on Java made attacks on a task force of Japanese cruisers and destroyers near Kuching but were unable to hit. The Hudson pilots claim that with the new Beauforts that are trickling to frontline units the result would have been different.
Air raids continued on Manila, though far less accurate than the day before, though artillery fire from freshly landed units was more intense.
The Japanese troops at Cagayan attempt to storm the town, but the 101st Filipino Division was able to beat them off.
The Australian troops retreating from Rabaul were followed by Japanese forces and engaged in another sharp clash, which forced them back further.
The first group of ships damaged on December 7th at Pearl arrived at San Francisco to begin repairs.
Dec 29th
29th December
With the forecast of improved weather over Rangoon, Allied commanders reluctantly decided to pull all operational planes out. Only three damaged P-40Bs belonging to the AVG were left behind. Analysts are suggesting that due to the break caused by bad weather, the Japanese had been able to bring up their strength to such numbers that they could have launched raids against Rangoon with 60-70 fighters – mostly Zeros – and a similar number of bombers. The depleted fighter units at Rangoon would have been mauled and losses would have been heavy amongst bombers on the ground.
Allied commanders believe a couple of days are needed for the fighter units to be rebuilt and for the RAAF units to become sufficiently accustomed to the new Hurricane MkII planes for them to be of use.
It was just as well, as with the lifting of the clouds, the enemy came in force. The morning raid was light, with only around thirty bombers and twenty fighters. Damage to troops and the airfield was light. It was in the afternoon the real raid came, with almost eighty bombers and forty fighters, causing major damage to the airfield and killing over one hundred troops. Oddly no Zeroes were seen in either raid, as if they weren’t expecting serious resistance. Recon planes also set out in the afternoon to try and locate where the Allied planes had relocated.
During the night, a patrol of 5 PT boats operating in the Philippines surprised a Japanese transport fleet near Cagayan. Coming in at high speeds, they fired off a number of torpedoes before opening up with 20mm and .50 cal HMGs. Before the Japanese could return fire, the PTs sped off again, leaving one minesweeper, one barge, two patrol boats and a torpedoed troop transport on fire. Another patrol boat and a troop transport were also hit, but damage wasn’t considered to be heavy.
Japanese bombers raided Wuchow during which one I-16c was destroyed on the ground. The CAP wasn’t able to stop the bombers, but did bring down one Ki-15 Babs doing recce trying to judge damage.
17 carrier borne Vals made a bombing raid on Singapore from the east. Seven were lost to accurate AA gunner fire as they went after the port.
There were repeated raids on Manilla in the continuing pounding of the defenders by air and land. The Japanese held off attacking for another day, though they did conduct unsuccessful ground offensives against Mendao and Cagayan. Both were limited in nature, little more than probes to test the defenders.
With the forecast of improved weather over Rangoon, Allied commanders reluctantly decided to pull all operational planes out. Only three damaged P-40Bs belonging to the AVG were left behind. Analysts are suggesting that due to the break caused by bad weather, the Japanese had been able to bring up their strength to such numbers that they could have launched raids against Rangoon with 60-70 fighters – mostly Zeros – and a similar number of bombers. The depleted fighter units at Rangoon would have been mauled and losses would have been heavy amongst bombers on the ground.
Allied commanders believe a couple of days are needed for the fighter units to be rebuilt and for the RAAF units to become sufficiently accustomed to the new Hurricane MkII planes for them to be of use.
It was just as well, as with the lifting of the clouds, the enemy came in force. The morning raid was light, with only around thirty bombers and twenty fighters. Damage to troops and the airfield was light. It was in the afternoon the real raid came, with almost eighty bombers and forty fighters, causing major damage to the airfield and killing over one hundred troops. Oddly no Zeroes were seen in either raid, as if they weren’t expecting serious resistance. Recon planes also set out in the afternoon to try and locate where the Allied planes had relocated.
During the night, a patrol of 5 PT boats operating in the Philippines surprised a Japanese transport fleet near Cagayan. Coming in at high speeds, they fired off a number of torpedoes before opening up with 20mm and .50 cal HMGs. Before the Japanese could return fire, the PTs sped off again, leaving one minesweeper, one barge, two patrol boats and a torpedoed troop transport on fire. Another patrol boat and a troop transport were also hit, but damage wasn’t considered to be heavy.
Japanese bombers raided Wuchow during which one I-16c was destroyed on the ground. The CAP wasn’t able to stop the bombers, but did bring down one Ki-15 Babs doing recce trying to judge damage.
17 carrier borne Vals made a bombing raid on Singapore from the east. Seven were lost to accurate AA gunner fire as they went after the port.
There were repeated raids on Manilla in the continuing pounding of the defenders by air and land. The Japanese held off attacking for another day, though they did conduct unsuccessful ground offensives against Mendao and Cagayan. Both were limited in nature, little more than probes to test the defenders.
Dec 30th
30th December
Bad weather and thunderstorms grounded air forces across most of Asia. Apart from a few scouting missions, the only combat mission flown during the day was a Chinese raid on Canton. They lost one SB-2c to AA and failed to cause any damage due to thick clouds.
One thing noticed by the Allied patrol planes was the Japanese carrier fleet near Singapore heading west. Analysts suspect it is heading through the straits into the Bay of Bengal. If this is the case, Allied planners fear they that losses may be heavy as they have few assets to counter the carrier fleet with.
Fresh Japanese troops were landed at Cagayan and Manila in the Philippines, though coastal gunners at Manila made them pay a heavy price. Gunfire hit and sunk the minelayer Hirashima, while a caro ship and a troop transport were also set on fire.
The PT boats operating in the Philippines had another successful night. Heading towards Manila under cover of darkness to pick up fresh torpedoes and prey on the Japanese transports in the vicinity, they met a small Japanese group of three troop transports escorted by a minesweeper. Firing off the last of their torpedoes as the closed to engage with their AA guns, they saw the Minesweeper hit amidships by a single torpedo, break in two and immediately sink. One of the troop transports took two torpedoes and many hits from the deck guns as they sped past, leaving it on fire. Later reports indicate that Japanese troops were being rescued from the water, indicating the troop transport may have gone down.
The SS Permit was able to put a single torpedo into a Japanese cargo ship, before being forced to dive by its escorts.
The freshly landed Japanese ground forces at Cagayan joined in launching a major assault on the defenders. Under such pressure, the US and Filipino troops were forced out of Cagayan and back towards Butuan. Low on supplies and with no avenue of retreat, surrender is expected soon.
Bad weather and thunderstorms grounded air forces across most of Asia. Apart from a few scouting missions, the only combat mission flown during the day was a Chinese raid on Canton. They lost one SB-2c to AA and failed to cause any damage due to thick clouds.
One thing noticed by the Allied patrol planes was the Japanese carrier fleet near Singapore heading west. Analysts suspect it is heading through the straits into the Bay of Bengal. If this is the case, Allied planners fear they that losses may be heavy as they have few assets to counter the carrier fleet with.
Fresh Japanese troops were landed at Cagayan and Manila in the Philippines, though coastal gunners at Manila made them pay a heavy price. Gunfire hit and sunk the minelayer Hirashima, while a caro ship and a troop transport were also set on fire.
The PT boats operating in the Philippines had another successful night. Heading towards Manila under cover of darkness to pick up fresh torpedoes and prey on the Japanese transports in the vicinity, they met a small Japanese group of three troop transports escorted by a minesweeper. Firing off the last of their torpedoes as the closed to engage with their AA guns, they saw the Minesweeper hit amidships by a single torpedo, break in two and immediately sink. One of the troop transports took two torpedoes and many hits from the deck guns as they sped past, leaving it on fire. Later reports indicate that Japanese troops were being rescued from the water, indicating the troop transport may have gone down.
The SS Permit was able to put a single torpedo into a Japanese cargo ship, before being forced to dive by its escorts.
The freshly landed Japanese ground forces at Cagayan joined in launching a major assault on the defenders. Under such pressure, the US and Filipino troops were forced out of Cagayan and back towards Butuan. Low on supplies and with no avenue of retreat, surrender is expected soon.
Dec 31st
31st December
The bad weather lifted enough for a few missions to be flown. The Allies worst fears were confirmed when the six carrier Japanese fleet was spotted in the straits between Malaya and Sumatra steaming north into the Bay of Bengal. Twelve Vildebeest, six Swordfish and sixteen RAAF Beauforts form the main Allied anti-shipping capabilities in the region, though some Blenheims and Hudsons could be called in if things get desperate.
Rangoon suffered too light raids during the day, with only fifty planes involved in both. Damage caused was light, and engineers hope to have it repaired soon.
The S-37 made an attack on a Japanese destroyer off the north coast of Borneo, before a dozen other destroyers attempted to sink it. Hit by two depth charges, the S-37 is reportedly suffering engine problems and has taken on a lot of water.
The S-38 was more successful a bit further north when it surfaces and subjected a cargo ship to torpedoes and deck guns. The Swordfish also followed suit against another cargo ship, the Hiyori Maru. Two torpedoes and a number of deck gun rounds were sufficient to sink the ship.
Further Japanese troops were called into the fight at Mendao and Butuan, while landings took place at Mersing near Singapore to add to the near sixty thousand Japanese troops currently besieging the port.
Ground combat at the hot spots across Asia was limited to artillery exchanges, the heaviest being at Manila.
The bad weather lifted enough for a few missions to be flown. The Allies worst fears were confirmed when the six carrier Japanese fleet was spotted in the straits between Malaya and Sumatra steaming north into the Bay of Bengal. Twelve Vildebeest, six Swordfish and sixteen RAAF Beauforts form the main Allied anti-shipping capabilities in the region, though some Blenheims and Hudsons could be called in if things get desperate.
Rangoon suffered too light raids during the day, with only fifty planes involved in both. Damage caused was light, and engineers hope to have it repaired soon.
The S-37 made an attack on a Japanese destroyer off the north coast of Borneo, before a dozen other destroyers attempted to sink it. Hit by two depth charges, the S-37 is reportedly suffering engine problems and has taken on a lot of water.
The S-38 was more successful a bit further north when it surfaces and subjected a cargo ship to torpedoes and deck guns. The Swordfish also followed suit against another cargo ship, the Hiyori Maru. Two torpedoes and a number of deck gun rounds were sufficient to sink the ship.
Further Japanese troops were called into the fight at Mendao and Butuan, while landings took place at Mersing near Singapore to add to the near sixty thousand Japanese troops currently besieging the port.
Ground combat at the hot spots across Asia was limited to artillery exchanges, the heaviest being at Manila.
1st January 1942
1st January 1942
In a matter of great concern to Allied commanders, all sight off the Japanese carrier fleet was lost shortly after they entered the Bay of Bengal.
Of equal concern is that the losses of P-40B and P-40E fighters have been so high that only two P-40E and no P-40Bs are available to replace lost aircraft. Losses sustained by the AVG and other fighter groups in and around Rangoon have been unable to be replaced, and with the likelihood of intense combat against Japanese carrier planes in the future, all fighter defence in the region could be wiped out.
Allied submarines had a good day with three cargo ships torpedoed, one of which was confirmed to have sunk.
Japanese troops continued to land at Mersing and Butuan. There are now almost eighty thousand Japanese right outside Singapore. Apart from a tank regiment and an independent brigade, there are also at least 5 Japanese divisions arrayed against the Commonwealth forces, one of which is the Imperial Guard. The troops at Butuan, including paratroopers, engaged the depleted 101st Filipino Division and the small base engineering units with them and forced them to surrender. All resistance on Mindanao has now ended.
Japanese bombers at Tavoy ignored the abandoned Rangoon, and instead went after the airfields at Akyab and Mandalay. The P-40E fighters based at Mandalay had been ordered to stand down to avoid losses in the air. Only a single plane was lost to the bombing, while the rest are expected to be pulled back further towards Diamond Harbour.
In a matter of great concern to Allied commanders, all sight off the Japanese carrier fleet was lost shortly after they entered the Bay of Bengal.
Of equal concern is that the losses of P-40B and P-40E fighters have been so high that only two P-40E and no P-40Bs are available to replace lost aircraft. Losses sustained by the AVG and other fighter groups in and around Rangoon have been unable to be replaced, and with the likelihood of intense combat against Japanese carrier planes in the future, all fighter defence in the region could be wiped out.
Allied submarines had a good day with three cargo ships torpedoed, one of which was confirmed to have sunk.
Japanese troops continued to land at Mersing and Butuan. There are now almost eighty thousand Japanese right outside Singapore. Apart from a tank regiment and an independent brigade, there are also at least 5 Japanese divisions arrayed against the Commonwealth forces, one of which is the Imperial Guard. The troops at Butuan, including paratroopers, engaged the depleted 101st Filipino Division and the small base engineering units with them and forced them to surrender. All resistance on Mindanao has now ended.
Japanese bombers at Tavoy ignored the abandoned Rangoon, and instead went after the airfields at Akyab and Mandalay. The P-40E fighters based at Mandalay had been ordered to stand down to avoid losses in the air. Only a single plane was lost to the bombing, while the rest are expected to be pulled back further towards Diamond Harbour.
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Bobthehatchit
- Posts: 838
- Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2003 7:15 pm
- Location: GREAT BRITAIN
RE: 1st January 1942
Nice AAR, keep up the good work!
The reason you can't load Dutch or PI troops is because they belong to restricted commands, you will need to pay PP to get them released. Although you can use transport plane to move them around bases in the same command using the Pick up funtions, very useful to rescue ADBA units from some of the Isolated bases.
The reason you can't load Dutch or PI troops is because they belong to restricted commands, you will need to pay PP to get them released. Although you can use transport plane to move them around bases in the same command using the Pick up funtions, very useful to rescue ADBA units from some of the Isolated bases.
"Look at yours before laughing at mine". Garfield 1984.
Wanted: ISDII Low millage in Imperial gray.
Just my 2 pence worth.
I might not be right.
Hell I am probaby wrong.
But thats my opinion for what its worth!
Wanted: ISDII Low millage in Imperial gray.
Just my 2 pence worth.
I might not be right.
Hell I am probaby wrong.
But thats my opinion for what its worth!
RE: 1st January 1942
Yeah, I figured that out after a while - though couldn't seem to use the transport planes to move them between islands. Had been taking to switching them to a non-restricted command, shipping them to Java and have been slowly switching them back to ABDA command.
2nd January 1942
2nd January
In a surprise move, Allied air forces in the Bay of Bengal region went on the offensive. Almost seventy P-40B and P-40E fighters returned to Rangoon, along with the Blenheim IF night-fighters. The Blenheims kicked off the new approach with an night attack on Tavoy that took out a pair of scout planes.
From the Japanese lack of response, it seemed they may have departed Tavoy to aid the effort further south.
In further good news for the Allies, it appeared the Japanese carrier fleet had traversed back through the straits and was heading east away from Singapore, much to relief of Allied shipping in the Bay of Bengal.
Japanese air attacks for the day targeted Wuchow and the defenders of Johore Bahru and Manila. Chinese fighters were able to down one escort and two bombers during the Wuchow attack and prevented the rest from having any real effect.
The defenders of Manila and Johore Bahru bore up stoically under the continuing raids that only caused light casualties. Artillery fire from Japanese ground forces was of more concern.
The Japanese staged fresh invasions in their continuing expansion, this time at Buka south of Rabual and at Tarakan in Borneo. The base at Buka is hardly large enough to be of much use, but is a useful stepping-stone in the Japanese expansion south towards Guadalcanal.
The Japanese force at Menado in Sulawsei was able to force the surrender of the Dutch garrison of around 3500 men.
In a surprise move, Allied air forces in the Bay of Bengal region went on the offensive. Almost seventy P-40B and P-40E fighters returned to Rangoon, along with the Blenheim IF night-fighters. The Blenheims kicked off the new approach with an night attack on Tavoy that took out a pair of scout planes.
From the Japanese lack of response, it seemed they may have departed Tavoy to aid the effort further south.
In further good news for the Allies, it appeared the Japanese carrier fleet had traversed back through the straits and was heading east away from Singapore, much to relief of Allied shipping in the Bay of Bengal.
Japanese air attacks for the day targeted Wuchow and the defenders of Johore Bahru and Manila. Chinese fighters were able to down one escort and two bombers during the Wuchow attack and prevented the rest from having any real effect.
The defenders of Manila and Johore Bahru bore up stoically under the continuing raids that only caused light casualties. Artillery fire from Japanese ground forces was of more concern.
The Japanese staged fresh invasions in their continuing expansion, this time at Buka south of Rabual and at Tarakan in Borneo. The base at Buka is hardly large enough to be of much use, but is a useful stepping-stone in the Japanese expansion south towards Guadalcanal.
The Japanese force at Menado in Sulawsei was able to force the surrender of the Dutch garrison of around 3500 men.
3rd January 1942
3rd January
Another night raid from Blenheims on Tavoy bagged a pair of bombers destroyed and a half dozen more damage. Despite this provocation, the Japanese ignored Rangoon, which was now defended by around seventy-five fighters. Instead they raided Mandalay with over sixty bombers and twenty-five Zero escorts. Mandalay was being used as a base by more Blenheims due to overcrowding at Rangoon. Three were destroyed during the raid, and a half dozen more damaged.
The Japanese invasions forces continued to push south from Rabual, landing at Shortlands, which is halfway between Rabual and Guadalcanal. Allied command has ordered the 808th EAB and 161st USA RCT to make for Guadalcanal to garrison it. In the meantime, Allied air and naval forces are to keep an eye on the Japanese and prevent them landing at Guadalcanal before the US forces if at all possible.
In addition to Shortlands, another invasion took place, this time at Brunei as the Japanese continue their efforts to capture Borneo. Allied commanders are happy to let them expend their efforts on the hard to defend outer islands while building on their forces on Java. A lot of the outlying Islands have been evacuated and their troops used to garrison Batavia and Soerabaja. Allied comamnders are confident that it will take a major invasion to knock out Java due to the air, ground and sea assests in place. It is speculated the Japanese currently do not have the capacity to do this, given one hundred thousand troops are tied down outside Singapore, and nearly as many are involved in the Philippines.
Another night raid from Blenheims on Tavoy bagged a pair of bombers destroyed and a half dozen more damage. Despite this provocation, the Japanese ignored Rangoon, which was now defended by around seventy-five fighters. Instead they raided Mandalay with over sixty bombers and twenty-five Zero escorts. Mandalay was being used as a base by more Blenheims due to overcrowding at Rangoon. Three were destroyed during the raid, and a half dozen more damaged.
The Japanese invasions forces continued to push south from Rabual, landing at Shortlands, which is halfway between Rabual and Guadalcanal. Allied command has ordered the 808th EAB and 161st USA RCT to make for Guadalcanal to garrison it. In the meantime, Allied air and naval forces are to keep an eye on the Japanese and prevent them landing at Guadalcanal before the US forces if at all possible.
In addition to Shortlands, another invasion took place, this time at Brunei as the Japanese continue their efforts to capture Borneo. Allied commanders are happy to let them expend their efforts on the hard to defend outer islands while building on their forces on Java. A lot of the outlying Islands have been evacuated and their troops used to garrison Batavia and Soerabaja. Allied comamnders are confident that it will take a major invasion to knock out Java due to the air, ground and sea assests in place. It is speculated the Japanese currently do not have the capacity to do this, given one hundred thousand troops are tied down outside Singapore, and nearly as many are involved in the Philippines.
4th January 1942
4th January
Nighttime is proving the Allies best opportunity for success, with the cover of darkness negating many of the Japanese’s advantages. The SS Trout made a successful torpedo attack during the night against a cargo ship just off of Japan, while the Blenheims once more raided Tavoy, destroying a pair of Zeros on the ground.
The PTs in the Philippines were once more in action during the night. Moving from Manila to Puerto Princesa, they came upon a Japanese tanker by itself. Pouring hundreds of rounds of 20mm and .50cal ammo into it, they left it a blazing wreck.
Bad weather limited the air campaign to a pair of raids on Johore Bahru by the Japanese, which saw four Sonia bombers brought down by AA gunners. The bad weather and AA fire made accurate bombing extremely hard, resulting in few casualties and little damage.
The Japanese troops that had landed at Brunei were able to capture the base in a ferocious assault that forced the non-combat troops based there to fall back.
A task force departed Townsville during the day, headed to patrol the waters near Guadalcanal while cargo ships are on route to land supplies and fuel for future troop arrivals. The task force comprises of the RAN cruisers Australia, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide, the RAN destroyers Stuart and Voyager, the RNZN cruisers Achilles and Leander and the Free French destroyer Le Triomphant.
Nighttime is proving the Allies best opportunity for success, with the cover of darkness negating many of the Japanese’s advantages. The SS Trout made a successful torpedo attack during the night against a cargo ship just off of Japan, while the Blenheims once more raided Tavoy, destroying a pair of Zeros on the ground.
The PTs in the Philippines were once more in action during the night. Moving from Manila to Puerto Princesa, they came upon a Japanese tanker by itself. Pouring hundreds of rounds of 20mm and .50cal ammo into it, they left it a blazing wreck.
Bad weather limited the air campaign to a pair of raids on Johore Bahru by the Japanese, which saw four Sonia bombers brought down by AA gunners. The bad weather and AA fire made accurate bombing extremely hard, resulting in few casualties and little damage.
The Japanese troops that had landed at Brunei were able to capture the base in a ferocious assault that forced the non-combat troops based there to fall back.
A task force departed Townsville during the day, headed to patrol the waters near Guadalcanal while cargo ships are on route to land supplies and fuel for future troop arrivals. The task force comprises of the RAN cruisers Australia, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide, the RAN destroyers Stuart and Voyager, the RNZN cruisers Achilles and Leander and the Free French destroyer Le Triomphant.
5th January 1942
5th January
Night actions against Tavoy resulted in five more bombers being blown up. The Japanese have ceased all operations against Rangoon despite the weather having lifted in the region enough for attacks to have been able to go ahead.
The Chinese and Japanese traded air attacks during the day, with the Chinese coming out on top. They lost only one bomber compared to three bombers, one fighter and one scout plane for the Japanese.
The Allied naval task force leaving Australia for the Guadalcanal region was attacked by a Japanese submarine three hundred miles off Cairns. The RNZN light cruiser Achilles was fired at with a single torpedo, but was able to avoid the attack. Allied destroyers hunted for the submarine but were unable to locate it.
Allied scout planes report sighting of two more Japanese submarines between New Guinea and Rabual. Three ASW patrols were dispatched into the seas east of Queensland to hunt down the submarines and make it safe for Allied transport shipping.
Chinese infantry advancing from the north arrived in Hanoi during the day, eagre to attack. Just a small IJA base force of non-combat troops garrisons Hanoi. If the Chinese are successful in capturing Hanoi, then three Japanese units east of Hanoi will be cut off due to Nanning also being in Chinese hands.
The US PT boats operating in the Philippines headed south with the aim of meeting up with Dutch PTs at Balikpapan. The combined force will number 17 PT boats and are expected to be very active hunting in the islands of the NEI and the Philippines.
Night actions against Tavoy resulted in five more bombers being blown up. The Japanese have ceased all operations against Rangoon despite the weather having lifted in the region enough for attacks to have been able to go ahead.
The Chinese and Japanese traded air attacks during the day, with the Chinese coming out on top. They lost only one bomber compared to three bombers, one fighter and one scout plane for the Japanese.
The Allied naval task force leaving Australia for the Guadalcanal region was attacked by a Japanese submarine three hundred miles off Cairns. The RNZN light cruiser Achilles was fired at with a single torpedo, but was able to avoid the attack. Allied destroyers hunted for the submarine but were unable to locate it.
Allied scout planes report sighting of two more Japanese submarines between New Guinea and Rabual. Three ASW patrols were dispatched into the seas east of Queensland to hunt down the submarines and make it safe for Allied transport shipping.
Chinese infantry advancing from the north arrived in Hanoi during the day, eagre to attack. Just a small IJA base force of non-combat troops garrisons Hanoi. If the Chinese are successful in capturing Hanoi, then three Japanese units east of Hanoi will be cut off due to Nanning also being in Chinese hands.
The US PT boats operating in the Philippines headed south with the aim of meeting up with Dutch PTs at Balikpapan. The combined force will number 17 PT boats and are expected to be very active hunting in the islands of the NEI and the Philippines.
6th January 1942
6th January
The Australian, New Zealand and French ships heading to Guadalcanal came across a fourth Japanese submarine operating in the region. They dropped a number of depth charges and report that they defiantly hit. There has been no official conformation if the sub was lost.
The sub that had fired on the task force the previous day retaliated by attacking one of the ASW patrols hunting it. The RAN minesweeper Townsville was hit by a single torpedo and sunk not long after. Other ships on ASW patrol were unable to catch and destroy the sub.
The Rangoon-Tavoy region saw extremely heavy and deadly fighting during the day. Blenheims once more raided Tavoy overnight, taking out another five planes. The Japanese retaliated during the day with a massive raid of over sixty bombers escorted by one hundred and ten fighters. Fifty P-40s intercepted the raid, at first engaging the Nates and Oscars who were flying at a lower altitude. What followed was a butchery of the inferior planes, with thirty enemy fighters downed for the loss of just one P-40. Even as this one-sided battle was going on, the Zeros dropped in and reversed the tables, downing around twenty P-40s for the loss of just six Zeroes. The P-40s were able to destroy just one Sally as they were tied up by the enemy escorts so much, and as a result the Japanese were able to bomb fairly accurately, destroying eight Allied planes on the ground, including four of the RAAF Hurricane MkII fighters that had just been railed in to join the defence.
Over sixty thousand Japanese troops have advanced on Clark Field in what seems to mark the first serious effort by the Japanese to capture the base. They held off attacking, being content to shell the defenders, as they did at Manilla and Johore Bahru. Allied commanders are pleased that so many Japanese are tied down at these locations and not involved in operations elsewhere.
The 25th and 29th Chinese Corps attacked and easily overran the defenders of Hanoi, reportedly sustaining only two casualties in the process. They intend to press and capture Haiphong where the IJA garrison from Hanoi escaped to. The 67th Chinese Division is only three miles from Hanoi and will take over garrison duties there.
The Australian, New Zealand and French ships heading to Guadalcanal came across a fourth Japanese submarine operating in the region. They dropped a number of depth charges and report that they defiantly hit. There has been no official conformation if the sub was lost.
The sub that had fired on the task force the previous day retaliated by attacking one of the ASW patrols hunting it. The RAN minesweeper Townsville was hit by a single torpedo and sunk not long after. Other ships on ASW patrol were unable to catch and destroy the sub.
The Rangoon-Tavoy region saw extremely heavy and deadly fighting during the day. Blenheims once more raided Tavoy overnight, taking out another five planes. The Japanese retaliated during the day with a massive raid of over sixty bombers escorted by one hundred and ten fighters. Fifty P-40s intercepted the raid, at first engaging the Nates and Oscars who were flying at a lower altitude. What followed was a butchery of the inferior planes, with thirty enemy fighters downed for the loss of just one P-40. Even as this one-sided battle was going on, the Zeros dropped in and reversed the tables, downing around twenty P-40s for the loss of just six Zeroes. The P-40s were able to destroy just one Sally as they were tied up by the enemy escorts so much, and as a result the Japanese were able to bomb fairly accurately, destroying eight Allied planes on the ground, including four of the RAAF Hurricane MkII fighters that had just been railed in to join the defence.
Over sixty thousand Japanese troops have advanced on Clark Field in what seems to mark the first serious effort by the Japanese to capture the base. They held off attacking, being content to shell the defenders, as they did at Manilla and Johore Bahru. Allied commanders are pleased that so many Japanese are tied down at these locations and not involved in operations elsewhere.
The 25th and 29th Chinese Corps attacked and easily overran the defenders of Hanoi, reportedly sustaining only two casualties in the process. They intend to press and capture Haiphong where the IJA garrison from Hanoi escaped to. The 67th Chinese Division is only three miles from Hanoi and will take over garrison duties there.
7th January 1942
7th January
Despite both sides suffering heavy losses the previous day, both air forces went into action again around Tavoy and Rangoon. First it was Allied night raids that took out three enemy planes and then it was the Japanese turn to attack Rangoon again in force, though reduced from the previous day. The familiar patterns took place, with first the Nates and Oscars being mauled before the Zeros arrived to maul the Allies. This time though three Hurricane II fighters joined the P-40s. The Allies scored twenty-six air victories, eight of them being Zeroes, the highest for some time. In return fifteen Allies planes were shot down and another nine lost on the ground.
The S-46 and Sculpin both torpedoed transports during the night, the Sculpin confirming that the cargo ship it had hit had gone down. The Sculpin later on also torpedoed a tanker before being forced to flee a pack of escorting minesweepers and patrol boats.
Fresh Japanese troops landed at Tarakan to join previous landing parties. The two troop transports involved had a single minesweeper escort, and were interrupted by the US PTs in the region. After one of the transports took a few minor hits the Japanese broke off and departed the region.
The three US carriers that had been docked at Pearl for some time departed during the day, with a sizeable cruiser and destroyer escort. Their first port of call will be Suva before they plan to press on towards Guadalcanal to cover the landings there. However they have been ordered to depart should the Japanese carriers be spotted in the region. Search planes and Coastwatchers have been keeping an eye out in the region, but have only seen a few transports and auxiliaries plying the islands.
Despite both sides suffering heavy losses the previous day, both air forces went into action again around Tavoy and Rangoon. First it was Allied night raids that took out three enemy planes and then it was the Japanese turn to attack Rangoon again in force, though reduced from the previous day. The familiar patterns took place, with first the Nates and Oscars being mauled before the Zeros arrived to maul the Allies. This time though three Hurricane II fighters joined the P-40s. The Allies scored twenty-six air victories, eight of them being Zeroes, the highest for some time. In return fifteen Allies planes were shot down and another nine lost on the ground.
The S-46 and Sculpin both torpedoed transports during the night, the Sculpin confirming that the cargo ship it had hit had gone down. The Sculpin later on also torpedoed a tanker before being forced to flee a pack of escorting minesweepers and patrol boats.
Fresh Japanese troops landed at Tarakan to join previous landing parties. The two troop transports involved had a single minesweeper escort, and were interrupted by the US PTs in the region. After one of the transports took a few minor hits the Japanese broke off and departed the region.
The three US carriers that had been docked at Pearl for some time departed during the day, with a sizeable cruiser and destroyer escort. Their first port of call will be Suva before they plan to press on towards Guadalcanal to cover the landings there. However they have been ordered to depart should the Japanese carriers be spotted in the region. Search planes and Coastwatchers have been keeping an eye out in the region, but have only seen a few transports and auxiliaries plying the islands.
8th January 1942
8th January
Allied submarines and PT boats kept up their recent good work, with further attacks during the night and into the day. The submarines successfully attacked three transports, with one confirmed to have sunk. The PT boats chased down after the Japanese ships that had fled the day before, using the dark of nighttime to close to 1000 yards before firing. The MSW Tokuho Maru #5 positioned itself between the troop transports and the PT boats and took the brunt of the fire, eventually breaking apart and sinking. Its sacrifice did allow the two troop transports to escape, though one had been damaged and set on fire before it was able to flee.
Bad weather closed in on Tavoy and Rangoon, with only the night raid able to take place. Blenheims accounted for two more enemy planes, but it is not enough to slow the constant stream of enemy planes when the weather is good.
The Chinese had an unfortunate day in the air. First during there attack on Canton they lost one SB-2c bomber and completely failed to hit their target. Then when a raid by unescorted Sonias hit Wuchow airfield, one of the I-153c fighters on CAP was brought down by a Sonia. The Japanese bombs were far more accurate, destroying one IL-4c on the ground and damaging seven more.
Heavy bombing raids were launched against Johore Bahru, with around one hundred bombers hitting the defences at various times of the day. Commonwealth AA gunners were able to extract some revenge though, accounting for seven bombers destroyed and many more damaged.
The Japanese captured Miri near Brunei. The small RN force that had garrisoned Brunei had been forced to retreat here, but were forced to surrender when the Japanese attacked. Over six hundred POWs were taken.
The valiant defenders of Rabual who had slowly been retreating towards Gasmata came under a ferocious attack by Japanese forces. Only two thousand Aussies were present, and were attacked by over four thousand Japanese. The Japanese were beaten back with shocking casualties of over five hundred men lost. The Australians report only 32 dead.
Allied submarines and PT boats kept up their recent good work, with further attacks during the night and into the day. The submarines successfully attacked three transports, with one confirmed to have sunk. The PT boats chased down after the Japanese ships that had fled the day before, using the dark of nighttime to close to 1000 yards before firing. The MSW Tokuho Maru #5 positioned itself between the troop transports and the PT boats and took the brunt of the fire, eventually breaking apart and sinking. Its sacrifice did allow the two troop transports to escape, though one had been damaged and set on fire before it was able to flee.
Bad weather closed in on Tavoy and Rangoon, with only the night raid able to take place. Blenheims accounted for two more enemy planes, but it is not enough to slow the constant stream of enemy planes when the weather is good.
The Chinese had an unfortunate day in the air. First during there attack on Canton they lost one SB-2c bomber and completely failed to hit their target. Then when a raid by unescorted Sonias hit Wuchow airfield, one of the I-153c fighters on CAP was brought down by a Sonia. The Japanese bombs were far more accurate, destroying one IL-4c on the ground and damaging seven more.
Heavy bombing raids were launched against Johore Bahru, with around one hundred bombers hitting the defences at various times of the day. Commonwealth AA gunners were able to extract some revenge though, accounting for seven bombers destroyed and many more damaged.
The Japanese captured Miri near Brunei. The small RN force that had garrisoned Brunei had been forced to retreat here, but were forced to surrender when the Japanese attacked. Over six hundred POWs were taken.
The valiant defenders of Rabual who had slowly been retreating towards Gasmata came under a ferocious attack by Japanese forces. Only two thousand Aussies were present, and were attacked by over four thousand Japanese. The Japanese were beaten back with shocking casualties of over five hundred men lost. The Australians report only 32 dead.
9th January 1942
9th January
During the night, the US submarine SS Porpoise was operating in the South China Sea in what had been a successful hunting ground for transports. Instead what the captain of the Porpoise spotted was not a transport but the flat top of a Japanese carrier. Before he had an opportunity to fire upon it, the Porpoise was forced to dive as destroyers escorting the carriers hunt for him.
After a long period of absence, the Japanese carrier fleet has been spotted, far from the destination of the American carriers. The waters they are traversing though are thick with US submarines and Allied commanders one or two may get a shot off.
The air battles in Burma take a surprising and happy twist for the Allies. The Blenheim night raid takes out seven enemy planes, while ground crews prepare for the expected retaliatory raid from Rangoon. Except it does not occur, despite weather being decent enough for them to do so. Instead a force flies out of Bangkok, comprising of forty-three Sally bombers and an escort of fourteen Oscars. In addition to the small group of P-40s that react to the raid, RAAF Hurricanes and RAF Buffalos attack. The carnage caused amongst the Japanese planes is terrible, with two Oscars and twenty-one Sally bombers destroyed. Oscar fighters are able to bring down six Buffalos, while the bombers take out two Hurricanes, one Blenheim and one P-40E on the ground. For once the Allies have a significant victory over Rangoon, but only because the Zeroes are absent.
The bomber and artillery bombardments of Manila, Clark Field and Johure Bahru continue, with little likelihood of ground attacks by either side anytime soon.
Chinese troops in operation trying to close the pocket between Nanning and Hanoi drive back a small IJN base force, while two Chinese Corps arrive at Haiphong to destroy the small Japanese force there.
The Japanese launch another attack on the Australians near Gasmata, this time in a more cautious manner. The Australians hold out again, though casualties were light on both sides.
During the night, the US submarine SS Porpoise was operating in the South China Sea in what had been a successful hunting ground for transports. Instead what the captain of the Porpoise spotted was not a transport but the flat top of a Japanese carrier. Before he had an opportunity to fire upon it, the Porpoise was forced to dive as destroyers escorting the carriers hunt for him.
After a long period of absence, the Japanese carrier fleet has been spotted, far from the destination of the American carriers. The waters they are traversing though are thick with US submarines and Allied commanders one or two may get a shot off.
The air battles in Burma take a surprising and happy twist for the Allies. The Blenheim night raid takes out seven enemy planes, while ground crews prepare for the expected retaliatory raid from Rangoon. Except it does not occur, despite weather being decent enough for them to do so. Instead a force flies out of Bangkok, comprising of forty-three Sally bombers and an escort of fourteen Oscars. In addition to the small group of P-40s that react to the raid, RAAF Hurricanes and RAF Buffalos attack. The carnage caused amongst the Japanese planes is terrible, with two Oscars and twenty-one Sally bombers destroyed. Oscar fighters are able to bring down six Buffalos, while the bombers take out two Hurricanes, one Blenheim and one P-40E on the ground. For once the Allies have a significant victory over Rangoon, but only because the Zeroes are absent.
The bomber and artillery bombardments of Manila, Clark Field and Johure Bahru continue, with little likelihood of ground attacks by either side anytime soon.
Chinese troops in operation trying to close the pocket between Nanning and Hanoi drive back a small IJN base force, while two Chinese Corps arrive at Haiphong to destroy the small Japanese force there.
The Japanese launch another attack on the Australians near Gasmata, this time in a more cautious manner. The Australians hold out again, though casualties were light on both sides.
10th January 1942
10th January
Allied submarines shadowed the Japanese carriers throughout the night and day, but none got close enough to be able to fire torpedoes.
The Rangoon-Tavoy battle followed the lead of the previous days, but losses were very light for both sides. Blenheims took out five enemy planes during the night before the Japanese launched a raid from Bangkok comprising of Ki-21 Sally bombers and Ki-43-Ib Oscar fighters. The small Allied CAP shot down one Oscar and four Sallys for the loss of one Buffalo, with half the Sallys turning back when attacked. Those that did press on were only able to take out one Blenheim on the ground.
Japanese bombers launched heavy raids against the Chinese in the Haiphong region as well as the usual raids on Johore Bahru, Clark Field and Manila.
A new Japanese landing took place at Kavieng just to the northeast of Rabual, continuing the Japanese expansion through the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon islands.
In something of a surprise, Japanese troops launched a series of attacks across the front. Again they clashed with the Australians in the Bismarck Archipelago and once more they were repulsed, suffering losses three times higher than the Australians.
They also went on the offensive at Hanoi and Haiphong. Japanese infantry forces stormed Hanoi and drove the Chinese division out, while the two Chinese Corps approaching Haiphong were driven back by the defenders. The Chinese pulled back to regroup and wait for the forces advancing from Nanning.
The Japanese who had landed near Tarakan made a minor probe against the defenders but quickly pulled back after each side suffered only a handful of casualties.
The biggest surprise came when the Japanese decided to attack the defenders at Johore Bahru to try and force an end to the stand off outside Singapore. With almost one hundred thousand troops available from four divisions, a tank regiment and an independent brigade they were confident of success, but hadn’t counted on the resilience of the forty thousand Commonwealth defenders, drawn from two Australian brigades, six Indian brigades, the FMSV brigade, the SSVF brigade and support elements. Casualties on both sides were very high, with around one thousand Japanese and nine hundred Commonwealth soldiers lost.
Allied submarines shadowed the Japanese carriers throughout the night and day, but none got close enough to be able to fire torpedoes.
The Rangoon-Tavoy battle followed the lead of the previous days, but losses were very light for both sides. Blenheims took out five enemy planes during the night before the Japanese launched a raid from Bangkok comprising of Ki-21 Sally bombers and Ki-43-Ib Oscar fighters. The small Allied CAP shot down one Oscar and four Sallys for the loss of one Buffalo, with half the Sallys turning back when attacked. Those that did press on were only able to take out one Blenheim on the ground.
Japanese bombers launched heavy raids against the Chinese in the Haiphong region as well as the usual raids on Johore Bahru, Clark Field and Manila.
A new Japanese landing took place at Kavieng just to the northeast of Rabual, continuing the Japanese expansion through the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon islands.
In something of a surprise, Japanese troops launched a series of attacks across the front. Again they clashed with the Australians in the Bismarck Archipelago and once more they were repulsed, suffering losses three times higher than the Australians.
They also went on the offensive at Hanoi and Haiphong. Japanese infantry forces stormed Hanoi and drove the Chinese division out, while the two Chinese Corps approaching Haiphong were driven back by the defenders. The Chinese pulled back to regroup and wait for the forces advancing from Nanning.
The Japanese who had landed near Tarakan made a minor probe against the defenders but quickly pulled back after each side suffered only a handful of casualties.
The biggest surprise came when the Japanese decided to attack the defenders at Johore Bahru to try and force an end to the stand off outside Singapore. With almost one hundred thousand troops available from four divisions, a tank regiment and an independent brigade they were confident of success, but hadn’t counted on the resilience of the forty thousand Commonwealth defenders, drawn from two Australian brigades, six Indian brigades, the FMSV brigade, the SSVF brigade and support elements. Casualties on both sides were very high, with around one thousand Japanese and nine hundred Commonwealth soldiers lost.