Busting Fortress Palembang - PTBS (J) vs Grollub (A)

[PT boat skipper]

DATE: 15 JAN 1942

TO: GHQ

FROM: KB 1

TEXT: ALLIED CARRIERS DISCOVERED NW MACASSAR. FULL STRIKE LAUNCHED. WE ARE UNDER ATTACK. CV AKAGI IS ON FIRE. BB NAGATO HIT BADLY.

[PT boat skipper]

KB 1 (ADM NAGUMO)

Enemy losses:
1 CV (Enterprise) major damaged (sunk?),
1 CV (Lexington) on fire (fuel explosion).
1 CA (Canberra) damaged
1 CL (Hobart) severely damaged
1 DD (Vendetta) damaged

Own losses:
1 CV (Akagi) medium damage, no flight op possible
1 CV (Kaga) damage
1 BB (Nagato) major damage
1 CVL (Ryujo) damage, flight op might be possible
2 DD (Murasame, Hatsushima) damage

[Capt. Harlock]

Enterprise sunk in the second month of the war?? Okay -- this is going to be a little different from the usual sequence. [:D]

[PT boat skipper]

15 jan 1942


Combined Fleet
The first carrier battle happened today as two enemy carriers suddenly appeared NW of Makassar (southeast of Borneo). Initial combat reports from Adm Nagumo (KB1) indicates that our own CAP was rather ineffective, despite clear weather over KB1. Over 60 enemy divebombers attacked and hit several ships, most notable Akagi and BB Nagato. The sacrifice of Combined Fleet's flagship BB Nagato most likely saved Akagi and Kaga from being sunk/severely damaged. Due to the presence of many enemy subs in the area, the possibility of losing Nagato tomorrow might be as high as 50%. The possibility of losing one carrier is perhaps 25%.

However, Adm Nagumo also reports that the two identified enemy carriers (Enterprise and Lexington) were hit and are most likely incapable of further flight operations. The enemy lost at least 60 aircraft, especially fighters and torpedo bombers.

Nonetheless KB1 will withdraw to the north as three of the four carriers have sustained damaged. The risk of operating close to several enemy airfields is too high.
Additional reinforcements (two CVEs) have been ordered to reinforce KB1.

Due to the enemy appearing in full force, 16th Army TFs are, for the moment, withdrawing to the north. This does not include the Balikpapan units, since they have already disembarked and have begun advancing from Samarinda.

In order to regain the initiative, 2nd Fleet has been ordered to launch an ALL-OUT surface attack.

11th Air Fleet has been ordered to provide massive LR CAP over the two main attack TFs:

TF MUTSU (BB Mutsu, CA Ashigara, CA Chokai, 4 DDs)
TF MIKUMA (CA Mikuma, 2 CL, 8 DDs)(this was actually a fast transport TF - a SNLF is still embarked)

Furthermore, two additional (unspotted) TFs (TF Kuma (a suiraisentai) and TF Haguro) will cover the withdrawal of KB1, BB Nagato as well as two 16th Army transportation TFs. This is in case the allies also launch their own surface attack, which intelligence assume they will do as it fits the offensive spirit displayed so far. However, the imperial japanese navy is well trained in night fighting and it is time to teach the enemy a lesson in naval warfare!

See map below.



China Expeditionary Army
13th Army reports that they have succeded to cross the river. They then shock attacked the enemy frontline and won a great victory!

Up to seven chinese corps are in danger of being isolated as Operation Dragon King continues.
The victorious 17th Division and 11th Brigade will now advance to nearby Pingsiang (where the enemy retreated).



Ground combat at 82,55 (near Pingsiang)(ASSUALT ACROSS RIVER)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 17855 troops, 140 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 640
Defending force 16390 troops, 140 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 556

Japanese adjusted assault: 657
Allied adjusted defense: 192
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1399 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6260 casualties reported
Squads: 106 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 126 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 40 (10 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Units retreated 4

[PT boat skipper]

16 Jan 1942

[Capt. Harlock]

A Long Lance into the Big E? [X(] This is going to get messy . . .

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

A Long Lance into the Big E? [X(] This is going to get messy . . .

Sweet! [8D]

[PT boat skipper]

16 Jan 1942

2nd Fleet attack (Battle of Makassar, 2nd day)
Intensive sea battles are reported. A complete report will be posted below.

The following has been confirmed regarding enemy losses: one carrier confirmed SUNK (Enterprise), one carrier (Lexington) severely damaged, severel DDs and a couple of cruisers damaged, and finally one heavy cruiser severely damaged (the last one by an air strike from KB1).

Own losses: 2nd Fleet, Mikuma TF, has lost one CL (Izuzu) and four DDs. Another CL (Naka) and one DD are in sinking condition. Those losses will be clarified by 2nd Fleet in another post below.

2nd Fleet has been ordered to continue the attack operation.

Combined Fleet reports that BB Nagato is actually in a pretty good shape (despite getting hit yesterday by two torpedos and severel bombs). In fact, Nagato has overtaken KB1 withdrawing northwards. KB1 reports that all carriers can now make at least 23 knots.

11th Air fleet reports that 30+ enemy aircraft (dutch fighters and US divebombers) have been shot down during an air attack on 2nd Fleet (Mutsu TF). No own losses.

16th Army has been ordered by Southern Army to split into two formations; the western formation will land on western JAVA in one week, while the smaller eastern formation will complete the conquest of Borneo as well as Makassar.



Burma
Several xAPs at Rangoon were hit again by the 3rd Air Division. Intelligence cannot comprehend what the allies are doing there since they are losing many valuable ships.



China Exp Army
1st Army has advanced along the road to Sian and reached the next chinese defence position. An all-out attack will be launched the day after tomorrow.

[PT boat skipper]

16 jan 1942 - 2nd Fleet Battle Report

The enemy did not move northwards in an "offensive spirit" as intelligence had suggested. This meant that the enemy carriers were well protected with several layers of CA/CL/DD screens.


1st contact: Mutsu TF
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,106, Range 9,000 Yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 9,000 yards Not a good start.

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
CA Chokai
CA Ashigara
DD Yukikaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Shigure
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Fanning


2nd contact: Mutsu TF (extra DDs)
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,106, Range 6,000 Yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 6,000 yards
DD Inazuma launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Marblehead at 6,000 yards
DD Inazuma launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Voyager at 6,000 yards

Japanese Ships
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 2
DD Voyager, Shell hits 1


3rd contact: Mikuma TF
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 64,106, Range 12,000 Yards
Sakiyama, Shakao crosses the 'T'

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CL Naka
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio
DD Arashio
DD Asagumo
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 1
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Fanning


4th contact: Mikuma TF
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 64,107, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio
DD Arashio
DD Asagumo
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 1
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 1


5th contact: Mikuma TF
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,107, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio
DD Arashio
DD Asagumo
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 2
CA Chicago
DD Craven
DD McCall, Shell hits 2, on fire


6th contact: Mikuma TF
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,107, Range 11,000 Yards
Sakiyama, Shakao crosses the 'T'

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CL Naka
CL Isuzu, on fire
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio
DD Arashio
DD Asagumo
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 2
CL Leander, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Perth
DD Benham
DD Flusser, Shell hits 2, on fire


7th contact: Mikuma TF
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,107, Range 10,000 Yards
Getting, F.E. crosses the 'T'

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 2
CL Naka, on fire
CL Isuzu, on fire
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio
DD Arashio
DD Asagumo
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1
DD Stuart


8th contact: Mutsu TF
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,106, Range 9,000 Yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 9,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
BB Mutsu fires at CL Marblehead at 9,000 yards
CA Ashigara launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Voyager at 9,000 yards
DD Sagiri launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Voyager at 9,000 yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CA Chokai
CA Ashigara
DD Yukikaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Shigure
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
DD Voyager, Shell hits 1


9th contact: Mikuma TF vs enemy carriers
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,107, Range 11,000 Yards
CV Enterprise sunk by DD Asagumo at 4,000 yards
CA Portland collides with DD Drayton

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 4 destroyed
TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 12 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CL Naka, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, heavy fires, heavy damage (perhaps the fires went out of control during this battle?)
CV Enterprise, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA Chester
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
DD Gridley
DD Ellet
DD Dunlap
DD Mahan, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Lamson, Shell hits 2, on fire


10th contact: Mikuma TF (-)
Day Time Surface Combat, near Salajar at 66,108, Range 24,000 Yards
The Mikuma TF is suddenly divided into two groups. The Mikuma TF (-) is then, in this encounter, stopped from withdrawing northwest and instead decide to withdraw to the east (out of LR CAP)!

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 2
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio
DD Arashio
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CL Leander
CL Perth
DD Benham, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Flusser, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage


11th contact: 2nd Mikuma TF (-)
Day Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,106, Range 25,000 Yards
This TF manage to withdraw to the northwest as planned, but since it is a new TF, there is NO LR CAP assigned to this TF.

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Shell hits 3
DD Stuart, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


1st enemy air attack: 2nd Mikuma TF (-)
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 64,104
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Those aircraft came probably from Kendari.

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 7
F4F-3A Wildcat x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
SBD-2 Dauntless x 19
SBD-3 Dauntless x 5

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shikinami, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, heavy fires


2nd enemy air attack: 3rd Mikuma TF (-)
Morning Air attack on TF, near Salajar at 66,108
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Those DDs were apparently in another detached TF.

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7
TBD-1 Devastator x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Maikaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage


3rd enemy air attack: 3rd Mikuma TF (-)
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Salajar at 66,108
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7
F4F-3A Wildcat x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
SBD-2 Dauntless x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12
TBD-1 Devastator x 8

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Arashio, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Asagiri, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asashio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage


4th enemy air attack: 3rd Mikuma TF (-)
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Salajar at 66,108
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Asagiri, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk


5th enemy air attack: Mutsu TF
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Donggala at 66,99
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 22
A-24 Banshee x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 8 destroyed
A-24 Banshee: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged
A-24 Banshee: 2 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
BB Mutsu


KB1 air attack[/b]
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 65,106
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 20

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10
F4F-3A Wildcat x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires



SUMMARY:
More than 30 long lance torpedo salvos launched, and only one observed hit (CV Enterprise).
The failure to retreat as planned, and the division of the Mikuma TF, meant that no air support (fighters) were available. Thus enemy aircraft once again inflicted severe losses. However, CA Mikuma and 2 DD did manage to escape.
Finally, one enemy CV was sunk and another was confirmed to be severely damaged.


END

[PT boat skipper]

17 jan 1942

Southeast Borneo-Makassar area
2nd Fleet reports that no enemy warships has been encountered. Makassar was bombarded:

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 7 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged
F4F-3A Wildcat: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships (Mutsu TF)
BB Mutsu
CA Ashigara
CA Chokai

Combined Fleet reports that CV Kaga (KB1) was hit by one torpedo. Minor damage sustained. Since KB1 carriers are damaged, the air groups (Akagi & Kaga) will support 11th Air Fleet, operating from land bases.

Furthermore, the submarine flottilla operating in the JAVA-TIMOR island chain reports only two pairs of DDs heading southwest (from Makassar area). An enemy force (with one PG?) is however spotted moving northwest toward JAVA (from west of TIMOR).



Jaluit
4th Fleet reports that two enemy cruisers bombarded the port. One small minewseeper sunk.



Malaya/Sumatra
3rd Air Division, 1st Sentai conducted a sweep over Oosthaven and shot down about 12 enemy fighters. Both AVG1 and AVG2 are located at Oosthaven (AVG3 is located in China/Changsha).

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 23
Buffalo I x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed


25th Army will launch the attack on Singapore tomorrow.



China Exp Army
1st Army will launch a shock attack tomorrow.

[PT boat skipper]

18 jan 1942

SINGAPORE is captured!
Early this morning 25th Army (5th and 18th Divisions) crossed the strait into Singapore island. The enemy surrendered during the afternoon. Losses are very light and about 75 percent of all facilities at Singapore are undamaged. Minesweepers are on its way to clear the main shipping channel to the port.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84) - Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 33268 troops, 447 guns, 274 vehicles, Assault Value = 1138
Defending force 11383 troops, 200 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 176

Japanese adjusted assault: 1087
Allied adjusted defense: 145
Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore !!!

Allied aircraft losses: Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
785 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 115 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
11175 casualties reported
Squads: 207 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1258 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 67 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 218 (218 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 57 (57 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 12

Defending units:
2nd Malay Battalion
SSVF Brigade
1st Malay Battalion
3rd SSVF Battalion
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
AHQ Far East
Singapore Base Force
109th RAF Base Force /1
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
Malayan Air Wing
Singapore Fortress
1st ISF Base Force /1



China Exp Army
1st Army defeated the enemy.

Ground combat at 86,42 (near Loyang) - Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 40566 troops, 364 guns, 170 vehicles, Assault Value = 1353
Defending force 14848 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 424

Japanese adjusted assault: 992
Allied adjusted defense: 466
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1617 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 167 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2496 casualties reported
Squads: 204 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 213 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 25 (5 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Units retreated 5



2nd Fleet/Southern Fleet/Combined Fleet
Intelligence reports that it is highly likely that Lexington sank today. This means that the Battle of Makassar (15-16 january) was a major japanese naval victory.

Sunk ships
CV Enterprise
CV Lexington (most likely)
CA Salt Lake City (probably)
CL Hobart (probably)
2 DDs (probably)
CL Naka
CL Isuzu
5xDDs

Damaged ships
Several CAs
CV Akagi
CV Kaga
BB Nagato
CVL Ruujo
2 DDs



11th Air Fleet
Air Search reports one enemy repair ship one hex to the north of Koepang (west Timor) heading northeast. Several submarines are alerted.



Luzon
14th Army will launch the 3rd major attack in 3-4 days.

Clark Field (79,76) - Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5235 troops, 342 guns, 357 vehicles, Assault Value = 1830
Defending force 35572 troops, 539 guns, 528 vehicles, Assault Value = 733

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)



Summary
Today, the Empire of Japan took the lead in victory points.

[aaffins]

Just read through your AAR, glad you are posting it as it seems like a very interesting game. I have not read a ton of these, but this seems like about as aggressive as an allied can be. He's obviously made Sumatra a very tough nut for you, but if you can handle it without it taking forever and having Palembang wrecked you would have an opportunity to really push him hard.

[PT boat skipper]

ORIGINAL: aaffins

Just read through your AAR, glad you are posting it as it seems like a very interesting game. I have not read a ton of these, but this seems like about as aggressive as an allied can be. He's obviously made Sumatra a very tough nut for you, but if you can handle it without it taking forever and having Palembang wrecked you would have an opportunity to really push him hard.

Thanks! Yeah, it is very interesting. It is also a slow moving game. SUMATRA is going to be very interesting (see OPLAN TORA above). The challange is to keep the operational tempo. JAVA will be next...

[aaffins]

Yeah once you control Batavia and Soerbaja you control all the major bases in the region so supply will become a big issue for him, particularly once you capture Cocos Island to prevent airgroups for ferrying in and out. I know Palembang generates supply, do you know if it is enough to sustain what must be several divisions worth of troops he now has in position on Sumatra?

I would try to implement the airdrop you mentioned in plan b as soon as you can. If all those units he currently has stationed at Oosthaven get to Palembang and dig in you could be looking a long siege, which deprives you of oil and could lead to heavy damage to the refineries.

[PT boat skipper]

19 jan 1942


Luzon
The next attack by the 14th Army will be launched in 48 hours.



East of Borneo
Southern Fleet reports about 30 enemy submarines near Tarakan-Samarinda.

16th Army will attack Balikpapan tomorrow.



Sumatra
3rd Air Division reports that the 9th Indian Division is located at Palembang.

Southern Fleet has begun the operation to capture western JAVA.

About 20 4E bombers (B-17E) bombed Muntok air base. Three Zeros destroyed on the ground (CV Kaga fighter group).



China Exp Army
The enemy (AVG/3) has established local air superiority around Changsha. About 12 aircraft lost today.

Operation Dragon King continues. A SITMAP will be provided tomorrow.



4th Fleet
The next operation has begun and the 144th infantry regiment is embarking at Truk.



Combined Fleet: CL Boise is reported to have been sunk near Tandjoengpinang on Dec 18, 1941.

[PT boat skipper]

ORIGINAL: aaffins

Yeah once you control Batavia and Soerbaja you control all the major bases in the region so supply will become a big issue for him, particularly once you capture Cocos Island to prevent airgroups for ferrying in and out. I know Palembang generates supply, do you know if it is enough to sustain what must be several divisions worth of troops he now has in position on Sumatra?

I would try to implement the airdrop you mentioned in plan b as soon as you can. If all those units he currently has stationed at Oosthaven get to Palembang and dig in you could be looking a long siege, which deprives you of oil and could lead to heavy damage to the refineries.

He might have moved additional supplies into Sumatra as well. The next phase is to isolate Sumatra by capturing western JAVA. Then plan B should be executed (as of now). The entire 25th Army will soon be available for operations on Sumatra - I will also, as soon as practical, make a few (unopposed) minor landings in northern Sumatra and see if he moves some forces away to the north.

[PT boat skipper]

20 jan 1942


Luzon
The next attack by 14th Army will be launched in 24H.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5235 troops, 342 guns, 355 vehicles, Assault Value = 2401
Defending force 35592 troops, 537 guns, 528 vehicles, Assault Value = 735

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled




East of Borneo

16th Army
The attack at Balikpapan - river crossing and para drop - reduced the forts to 0. A second attack will be made in 1-2 days.

Landings were sucessfully made at Macassar, and an attack will be made tomorrow. However, Southern Fleet and 2nd Fleet are engaged by many submarines, aircraft and a single dutch DD.


2nd Fleet
One dutch DD (Van Ghent) guarded the approach to Makassar. It swept passed the escorting suiraisentai after a short battle and then attacked the transports AND escorts very effectively:

Japanese Ships
DD Satsuki
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
APD Shimakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yugao, Shell hits 1, on fire
PB Shosei Maru
xAK Nagara Maru
xAK Matsukawa Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Toho Maru
xAK Takao Maru
xAK Imizu Maru
xAK Asahisan Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Kensin Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (SUNK)
xAK Mikage Maru
xAK Shinko Maru
xAK Toko Maru
xAK Yamayuri Maru
xAK Taian Maru
xAP Yoshino Maru
xAP Atsuta Maru
xAP Kanzyu Maru
xAP Baikal Maru

Allied Ships
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 1

Then, CL Kuma was hit and damaged by a torpedo from a dutch submarine.

Eventually, the heavy cover intervened:

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CA Chokai
CA Ashigara
DD Yukikaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 7, and is sunk


Finally some 20 A-24 Banshees attacked the transports, but LR CAP (11th Air Fleet) shot down several as well as many escorting dutch fighters. Only one smaller transport was hit and damaged.




Sumatra/Java

3rd Air Division
Severel fighter sweeps were made at Oosthaven. Loss ratio are about 4 to 1.

About 17 B-17E hit Muntok again. This time a fighter unit with 9 Ki-44 Tojo defended the airfield. Four Ki-43s were destroyed on the field.


Southern Fleet
The first submarine was lost today (I-153). It sank southeast of Port Blair. RO-33 was unable to tow the crippled submarine to a nearby port.

[PT boat skipper]

21 jan 1942


Luzon
The attack (3rd) will be launched by 14th Army tomorrow.

Clark Field (79,76)
Attacking force 63479 troops, 833 guns, 456 vehicles, Assault Value = 2499
Defending force 35579 troops, 537 guns, 528 vehicles, Assault Value = 737


West of Borneo
3rd Air Division conducted fighter sweeps above Oosthaven.

1st sweep (by 1st Sentai)
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 8
Buffalo I x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


2nd sweep
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


2 B-17E (out of ten) were shot down over Muntok by Kaga Air Group.


16th Army (west) is waiting for KB1 (Three CVEs and 50 Zero fighters) to catch up. KB1 will provide LR CAP when the landings on western JAVA take place in a few days.


East of Borneo
16th Army (east) captured Makassar (incl the airfield):

Allied aircraft losses - Enterprise's and Lexingon's air wings
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F2A-3 Buffalo: 7 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed
F4F-3A Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
748 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Assaulting units:
24th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
34th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
Makassar Garrison Battalion
Makassar Base Force


11th Air Fleet attacked the following TF south of JAVA, near Tjilatjap:

Allied Ships
AMC Manoora, Torpedo hits 1
AM Abraham Crijnssen
xAP Kedah, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Kelantan, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Southern Fleet
The enemy used about 10 patrol aircraft (Catalinas) to attack shipping northwest of Makassar. One empty xAK hit by one torpedo. This useage however means that the transportation TF and the heavy cover force, and the suiraisentai, are no longer spotted by the enemy. The three TFs are heading southwest towards Bandjermasin (southern Borneo).

The enemy has massed 40-50 submarines between Java and Makassar. There are no enemy submarine activites reported elsewhere.

RO-33 sink one xAK near Port Blair (it probably had unloaded supplies).


China Expeditionary Army
Se SITMAPS below.

[PT boat skipper]

The enemy is in full retreat to the west. 1st ARMY will advance to the open terrain east of Sian.

[PT boat skipper]

The enemy is withdrawing to the west.