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11th January

Allied commanders once more decided to pull allied air power out of Rangoon. The shortage of available replacements meant that one more big raid could finish off the defenders for some time.

Coastwatchers operating from Lae on the north coast of New Guinea spotted a Japanese transport just off the coast during the night. During the day Japanese soldiers could be seen making wading ashore. Despite the reports the Coastwatcher was able to give as to the location of the Japanese ship, low clouds meant Port Moresby based Beauforts were unable to launch a strike.

The SS Seawolf attacked a Japanese troop transport during the night, surfacing to engage with guns and torpedoes. They set it on fire, but the Japanese fought back, causing some minor fires about the submarine when they hit with their AA guns.

A Japanese air raid on Kweilin by unescorted Sonias saw Chinese pilot Chinese pilot R Chong credited with his 2nd, 3rd and 4th kills, and is on the verge of becoming the first Chinese ace of the war. Chinese pilots brought down two other Sonias, while another was credited to AA gunners

Chinese bomber pilots have been making regular runs against Japanese ground forces in the Wuhan region. Normally these have had little effect, but of late their improved experience has result in more accurate bombing.

Heavy air raids were inflicted on Johure Bahru, Manila and Clark Field, including one of over one hundred and thirty Kate bombers from the Japanese carriers off the north coast of the Philippines against Clark Field that cause heavy losses amongst the defenders. At none of these places did the Japanese press the attack on the ground, though they were successful in capturing Tarakan. The small Dutch battalion there, little more than company in strength was forced to withdraw and is retreating down the coast to join other Dutch forces at Balikpapan.

In a relief to the Allies, significant reinforcements started to arrive, with many more due. A number RAF and USAAF ground crew units arrived, ready to establish new airfields across the theatre. The 3rd New Zealand Division and 30th Australian Brigade also became available for use. Plans are afoot to send the 30th Australian Brigade to help garrison New Guinea, while the New Zealand Division is most likely to be used garrisoning south sea islands like Fiji and New Caledonia.

12th January

During the day, the first major sea and air reinforcements arrived in theatre, despite plans to knock out the Germans first. A destroyer and three submarines became operational in the NEI and the RAN light cruiser Hobart arrived at Sydney. The British sent the battleship Royal Sovereign and its escorts, while for the USN the carrier Yorktown, its escorts and three submarines were pronounced ready for service at San Francisco. Six RAF squadrons equipped with Hurricane fighters arrive in India, much to the relief of hard pressed fighter pilots in the region.

The Dutch submarine SS KXI operating in the Malacca Straights surfaced during the night to attack a Japanese transport. It took two torpedos as well as rounds from deck guns and was left blazing.

The morning remained quite in the air, with aside for a few scout missions, only the Chinese flying a few light bomber raids on Japanese troop positions. The afternoon saw a few raids by the Japanese against a number of targets, but they were uniformly light and inflicted little damage. The sole aircraft lost all day by either side was a Sally bomber shot down by AA gunners during a light raid on Rangoon.

A Japanese submarine operating in the Java Sea was positioning itself for an attack on Allied troop transports carrying soldiers when the escorting destroyers located it by sonar then depth charged it. The debris field that resulted confirmed it had been destroyed.

Japanese and Australian troops continued near Gasmata to clash as rear guard troops battled with advancing Japanese troops. The Australians are still some thirty miles from reaching Gasmata. Meanwhile the Japanese who had landed near Lae occupied the town and Allied commanders are expecting them to build up their forces there.

Japanese forces lost heavily during a clash in China. The 1st VM Division tried to break out of the encirclement the Chinese were setting up, but were cut down in droves. They were forced to fall back further into the encirclement.

13th January

The newly arrived reinforcements were quickly issued orders to move towards the front. The RN ships were ordered to join the fleet at Diamond Harbour, while the USN ships headed for Pearl Harbour. The Hurricanes were loaded on trains to head for the Diamond Harbour and Chandpur region, while the RAF 221 Base Force and its support elements were also dispatched for Diamond Harbour.

The US ordered the 111th Aviation Regiment and base to Umnak Island near Dutch Harbour, the 71st Aviation Regiment was to head for Midway to expand the airfield there, while the 51st Aviation Regiment was to head to the southwest Pacific via Peal Harbour, though the exact destination was yet to be determined. Guadalcanal was the most likely candidate.

Ceylon saw a large number of Allied planes arrived, delivered by shipping after their long journey from the NEI, after arriving their first from Singapore and the Philippines. There were a small number of Vildebeest, Wirraways and Catalinas, but the most important arrival was 48 P-40E fighters from the 24th FG.

TF 1069 arrived at Port Moresby, dropping off supplies and fuel ahead of the arrival of the 30th Australian Brigade, making its way along the coast. The danger of Japanese submarines in the region was made evident when an Australian ASW patrol returning to Townsville located and depth charged a Japanese submarine lurking near a channel through the Great Barrier Reef.

The Australian/New Zealand/French task force operating near Guadalcanal came under light attack from long-range level bombers from Truk. None hit, but the group has been ordered towards New Caledonia until the US carriers arrive, who are currently passing Canton Island to the east.

Another clash between Australians and Japanese saw the Japanese driven back once more with losses estimated at three times higher than the Australians. Allied commanders are hoping to find a way of rescuing these brave troops.

The Japanese judged the time was right to attack Johore Bahru again, but once more it was beatan back, although this time losses were far heavier for the Japanese and far lighter for the Allies. The concern for the defenders is not so much being over run for now, but that they will run out of supplies.