Historical AE. Cantona2 (A) vs Fletcher (J)

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The CAF also proves its planes occasionally have teeth as well

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Search planes based at San Francisco report the spotting of an enemy subamrine in the shipping lanes leaving San Francisco. ASW patrol routes are immediately set up and three, two ship task forces are tasked with an intensive patrolling of the area. This will be a combined air and sea operation.

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Synopsis Turn 9

A very, very quiet turn. Other than Pakhoi falling to the Japanese and a failure of our counter attack at Cagayan, the day was largely quiet. Bad weather had most of the airfields within range of the main areas of action socked in. P-40 sweeps in the Philippines only found one A6M2, which they promptly shot down over Vigan.

CV Lexington finally made Pearl Harbour, her crews will have two days of R n R while her escorts will receive minor overhauls, as a replenishment force loads up. She will then join the Enterprise in a cruise into the Fiji/New Caledonia area. Their presence there will coincide with the arrival of the much slower transports that have already departed from the West Coast.

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Turn Synopsis 10

Japanese submarines and surface raiders are once again active in Samoan waters. Two Japanese surface raiders were eluded in the dead of night off Pago-Pago. However, the moonless night that aided the merchants also made the job of preying submarines much easier. The troop carrier Katoomba was attacked twice and was sunk at approximately 03:45. A few miles further east and at 05:36 the 4620 ton, Isthmian Cargo class freighter Dakotan was also sunk by enemy subs. CINCPAC has made the redployment of one of Pearl's Catalina Squadrons to Pago-Pago a priority. Another light transport was sunk in the early dawn light off Bali.

Japanese troops continue their advance southwards on Luzon. IJAAF bombers attacked the 11th PA Infantry Division at San Fernando while Clark Field was once again heavily bombed. These raids however were not enough to dissuade B-17's from Clarke from attacking enemy units on the road to Bayombong. Dadjangas on Mindanao was also occupied by enemy forces. A task force headed by the Houston will make a high speed run into Dadjangas and then steal away south to revictual at Darwin. Air search and submarine observations indicate enemy shipping in and around Dadjangas.

In China, the Japanese bridgehead on the road to Changteh was beating back. Over 26 enemy tanks and armoured vehicles were left smoking on the river bank as the 8th Corps of 20th Group Army struck in the early hours of the morning. The CAF provided some meagre support that fought through patrolling Nates. Two enemy fighters were claimed by the 17th Fighter Squadron flying from Changsha, the 7th and 8th kills of this unit.

Georgetown was once again subjected to very heavy air raids. The Japanese have been sending in their bombers unescorted and an ambush has been planned for tomorrow. Buffaloes of 453 Squadron at Kuala Lumpur will fly LRCAP over Georgetown in the hope of surprising the enemy planes. Intell has also picked up several signals in the area of a large task force carrying the 33rd Infantry Division to Bangkok. A couple of Dutch submarines have been detahced from picketing Singora and Patani and have sailed into the Gulf of Siam to intercept this convoy as it approaches Bangkok.

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Submarines and Raiders in Samoan Waters

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USN ships will attempt to engage the enemy at Dadjangas.
Task Force 401 comprised of:

CA Houston (Flag)
CL Marblehead
CL Boise
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Stewart

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8th Corps throws back Japanese tanks and armoured cars back over the river to Ichang. 87th Corps is moving to support, but aerial recon suggests more troop movements from Ichang.

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Ships lost last turn

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Turn Synopsis 11

The USN Asiatic fleet sailed into Dadjangas just before dawn as planned. The Houston led her charges at full speed and surprised a Japanese transport unloading troops, escorted by a solitary destroyer. Despite being heavily outgunned and outnumbered the brave IJN ship threw herself into battle to protect her charge. Into the fury of the Houston guns she charged. The outcome was never in doubt, but before the Shiokaze sunk she was able to hit three USN ships, a lucky hit on the Barker set her boiler room and fire and the Boise was also moderately damaged. As the sun rose, Japanese survivors from the sunk transport littered the water, while the Barker was detached along with the Stewart and ordered to make Ternate. The rest of the task force was rounding the tip of the Moluccas and heading into the Ceram Sea enroute to Darwin.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Dadjangas at 78,93, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Tenryu Maru, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CL Marblehead
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
DD Barker, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Stewart

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

In China, the Japanese 6th Division, supported by a mass of artillery made a crossing of the Yangtze and routed the 8th Corps, flush from victory yesterday. The mass of Japanese firepower in support of the crossing was the telling factor in this battle. The 8th Corps have been ordered to dig in on the Changteh road, while the supporting 87th Corps have been rerouted into Changteh to join the garrsion there.

Clark Field was once again heavily bombed by 50 bombers. 3 A6M2s were shot down by the dwindling USAAF on Luzon. The remaining units will fight to the end where they stand as the longer they fight the longer the other theatres will have to prepare.

Japanese subamrines were once again active, this time off Soerbaja, where the TK Sunchaser was sunk carrying a full load of fuel that was destined for Kendari.


The Naval action off Dadjangas

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Status of USN Asiatic fleet after action at Dadjangas

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The Japanese 6th Infantry Division makes the western bank of the Yangtze, north of Changteh, 20th December 1941.

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Ships sunk. The xAP Aspia Nomikos succumbed to the damage she received yesterday in Samoan waters from enemy subamrines.

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Turn Synopsis 11

Japanese submarines flout their ship killing abilities in the face, in some cases, of great allied ASW efforts, especially in the air. Sub attacks off Soerbaja, once again, Brisbane and San Francisco. This last one was particularly damaging as the President Coolidge was struck by three torpedoes and sunk with all hands, thankfully it was inbound rather than outbound! With nearly 200 planes flying ASW missions over the area of attack I am disappointed the sub got its attack in. Efforts will have to be stepped up!

Coastwatchers in Wallis Island have spotted what seem like a couple of Japanese auxiliary cruisers to the west of their position. CA Penascola, hunting them in the area, has been ordered NW of its current position off Pago-Pago in a seek and destroy mission. Thr Free French destroyer, La Triomphant is escorting her. No ships are currently traversing these shipping lanes but soon enough the Efate reinforcement units and the 8th Marine Regiment bound for Noumea will be travelling through Samoan waters. CINCPAC want the lanes clear of surface raiders by then.

Heavy air raids once again on Luzon. This time Manila port was hti heavily. Though little, if any damage was done to the port installations, a bomb hit the DD Scout. This RN refugee from Hong Kong, was tied up pier side pumping out flood waters before setting off to the DEIs. The USAAF once again played its cat and mouse game with the IJAAF over the different flash points over Luzon. Though the ultimate battle cannot be won, it is hoped that an attrition battle, no matter how small, will be damaging to the enemy.

In China. Westminster was greeted with the sad and soul destroying news that the Rising Sun now flew over Hong Kong. Morale was at an all time low an not even the news that the Wehrmacht had been beaten back from Moscow could lift the surly mood of Mr Churchill. Japanese troops were also clearing their rear areas around Sinyang while Central Amry troops began to defend Nanyang by digging fortified lines of defence around this critical city. No more movements were detected from Ichang in the direction of Changteh. Sporadic aerial battles and small air raids by the CAF were the only actions fought here. Further to the north, 13th Group Army has ivested Kweisui. I'm taking a leaf out of AdmSpruanc'es AAR, which I'm currently following, and taking it to the Chinese in this northern theatre. If a limited offensive is successful then pressure on the south may be lifted somewhat!

In Northern Pacific water USN subamrines infiltrate themselves into shipping lanes between Sakhalin and Hokkaido. They are the vanguard of Operation Backstage. A daring move by a couple of RCN Auxiliary Cruisers deep into the enemy's backwater area. We hope that his ASW eye is fixed to the West were the Manila subs are making a nuisance of themsleves, and attention is lack here. The only contact was by SS Narwhal that was pinged by enemy patrol boats as she passed Ketoi-Jima. She was undetected and she sailed in the Sea of Okhotsk unimpeded.

Much further to the West, much, much further a crate load of sleek, modern looking fighters began to be loaded on a ship in Cape Town. They constitued the first Hurricane fighters to be sent east. It would be a while until they reached India but at least some qualtive effort was being made.

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Chinese limited offensive, Operation Spruce [:D]

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Current status of Operation Backstage.

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The chase is on in the South Pacific

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The Japanese submarine arm makes itself felt!

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Turn Synopsis 12

A quiet turn other than in Luzon and over Manila where the Port was once again done over. This time two RN destroyers in dry dock were both sunk. For a second day, however, P-40's of the USAAF shot down a number of enemy aircraft in a series of cheeky sweeps all over Luzon. Fight and run was the order of the day, the result a 5-0 in our favour. PTs returning from an unsuccessful raid on Vigan bumped into a substantialy large task force heading south, off Iba. Later on in the day two transports were hit by marauding P-35s and radio intercepts identified several units calling for aid. High command suspects this force will land at Batangas. PTs and one submarine will lie in ambush as the ships approach.

Initial recon at Kweisui suggests that the town is lightly held by collaborationist units and a full blown assault has been ordered for tomorrow. The CAF will support by providing fighter cover over the battle area.

Ground combat at Kweisui (92,35)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9179 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 451

Defending force 1078 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
83rd Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
13th Group Army

Defending units:
1st Ching An Tui Brigade
3rd Ching An Tui Brigade

A large force of enemy shipping has been spotted in the South China Sea off Sarawak. At least one carrier and a battleship have been positively identified. A recon float plane was also seen over Miri during the morning. It is expected that an invasion of Miri is iminient with carrier support.

6th RAA Coastal Artillery Regiment has begun loading on transports and heading to Port Moresby. Extreme caution is advised as the Bass Strait is crossed as enemy submarines have been active in this waterway. Intensive search efforts from Melbourne will support this task force as it traverses the area.

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Miri Invasion?

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Situation on Luzon 23rd December 1941