LJN 28-29th January 1942
Kido Butai strikes at Noumea!
Shokaku launching planes
A large chunk of the American Cruiser fleet has been destroyed today, as Japanese Carrier planes managed to achieve a second suprise attack in the space of two months on the Americans.
Several Cruisers, many destroyers and even more Merchant and tanker ships where caught peacefully docked in the quiet south pacific base, the attack lasted a matter of hours as wave after wave of Japanese aircraft attacked the port, of the underdeveloped base.
"We have insufficient bomber aircraft, and a non existant fighter airforce here, places like Midway, Pearl and Fiji have been higher on the list of reinforcement. We had nothing to deter a Japanese attack here, let alone an invasion" The garrison commander commented.
Indianapolis hit
At the end of the attack the Cruisers Indianpolis, Penscola and Louisville where beyond repair and where evacuated, before they sunk within hours of one another.
Three destroyers and countless AK's and Tankers have also been sunk or damaged in the raid,it is a further set back to any American counterattack.
Singapore falls
British surrender at Singapore
Today the British finally agreed to the Japanese terms of Surrender for the important and once mighty Malayan naval base, the Commonwealth forces have surrendered and are being marched into prison camps, a few hours later the first Japanese ships sailed into the long empty harbour. It is expected the Japanese will use this base as a staging point for an Invasion into Java, and possibly an Invasion of India.
The loss of the naval base, only completed in 1941 will come as a massive blow to the allies hopes in the Pacific, and to the allied war effort in general.
Battle of Celebes sea
The Japanese Battleship Hyuga hit by Torpedo
A fierce air and naval battle has occured over and in the Celebes sea and Makassar straights.
The battle begun with Japanese battleships, presumably the same taskforce which hit Tarakan to support invasions there a few days prior, was sighted steaming towards Balikpapan presumably to hit the airfield there once again. The ships where spotted by search planes from the Carrier Hermes.
The airfield was once again flattened as the Japanese pounded the base once again in the space of a month, but while the Japs did this, a strike was leaving the decks of the hermes, consisting of 15 Swordfish torpedo bombers and escoriting sea gladiators. The bombers met the Japanese Battleships as they where leaving, heading back to Davao.
The swordfish managed to score two torpedo hits on two Battleships by the end of the raid, the Hyuga and the Yashimiro where confirmed hit, and burning as the British left the scene, no major damage is presumed to be inflicted, but it is a result none the less.
The British's fortunes where about to chance though, there own taskforce had been spotted by Japanese patrol planes flying from Davao, and a Japanese retailitory strike was scrambled from Davao, consisting of Many Betty G4M1 bombers escourted by the A6M2 Zero the Sea Gladiators on Cap over the British carrier stood no chance.
Japanese retaliation
After the feirce attack had ended the Hermes was left burning furiously black smoke billowing from fires within the ruined ship, it has taken on a sharp list of 28 degrees and the ship seems doomed after three torpedo hits, the damage however has stabilished after brilliant work by the ships damage control crews, and could make it back to the nearby port of Balikpapan quiet easily, it is a case of whether the extensive flood damage can be contained.
The Battleship Revenge also took three torpedos in the attack, and is also similarly damaged and could just as possibly make it back to Balikpapan.
Other news
SS Plunger hits AP Keizon Maru with 2 shells and 2 torps, Japanese troops on board NW of Kwajalien
SS I-70 Sunk by Allied ASW
Japanese take Homan
PS: Phew.... now i can be a little less guility trading new turns with gilles.
