i checked my calendars, and all of them say June comes after May.
Thanks stoker! What a big clusterf*&k!
I'll have to fix this ASAP
Scott versus Kaleun. Major Victory!
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Major battle in the IO
Thanks stoker! What a big clusterf*&k!
I'll have to fix this ASAP
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
.June 1st 1942.
The Japanese continue to land forces at Koepang and Lautern. Shore defense batteries at Lautern score 6 hits on one of the transports, xAKL Tonegawa Maru.
June 2nd 1942
Continued enemy landings at Koepang and Lautem. Our old friend Tonegawa Maru takes another shore defense cannon hit.
Our friends, the destroyers stationed at Darwin take a swipe at the invading force al Lautern. The unescorted transports take a big hit.
xAK Hakodate Maru, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
xAK Nansin Maru, Shell hits 37, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Nittei Maru, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
xAK Shoho Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Taibun Maru, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Tone Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
xAK Uyo Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK Yuzan Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK Yubari Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
xAKL Yagi Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
xAK Okuni Maru, Shell hits 40, and is sunk
xAK Azuchisan Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Amakusa Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 2
DD Parrott
DD Pope
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Decoy
DD Encounter
DD Fortune
DD Isis, Shell hits 1
DD Nestor
DD Nizam
Enemy carrier aircraft attacked the retreating destroyers but only one torpedo bomber was in the raid and its single torpedo missed its fast moving target.
Japanese ground attacks were carried out at Koepang, where an all out attack failed to win any ground; at Semarang where the base was captured by the Japanese and the defenders beat a retreat; at Singapore, the Japansese shock attack reduced the defenses to 1 and took 3400 casualties at a cost of 1700.
In Lautem, the defenders attacked the landing forces with odds of 2:1 and caused 450 losses to 238 for the allied side.
The Japanese continue to land forces at Koepang and Lautern. Shore defense batteries at Lautern score 6 hits on one of the transports, xAKL Tonegawa Maru.
June 2nd 1942
Continued enemy landings at Koepang and Lautem. Our old friend Tonegawa Maru takes another shore defense cannon hit.
Our friends, the destroyers stationed at Darwin take a swipe at the invading force al Lautern. The unescorted transports take a big hit.
xAK Hakodate Maru, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
xAK Nansin Maru, Shell hits 37, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Nittei Maru, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
xAK Shoho Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Taibun Maru, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Tone Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
xAK Uyo Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK Yuzan Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK Yubari Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
xAKL Yagi Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
xAK Okuni Maru, Shell hits 40, and is sunk
xAK Azuchisan Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Amakusa Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 2
DD Parrott
DD Pope
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Decoy
DD Encounter
DD Fortune
DD Isis, Shell hits 1
DD Nestor
DD Nizam
Enemy carrier aircraft attacked the retreating destroyers but only one torpedo bomber was in the raid and its single torpedo missed its fast moving target.
Japanese ground attacks were carried out at Koepang, where an all out attack failed to win any ground; at Semarang where the base was captured by the Japanese and the defenders beat a retreat; at Singapore, the Japansese shock attack reduced the defenses to 1 and took 3400 casualties at a cost of 1700.
In Lautem, the defenders attacked the landing forces with odds of 2:1 and caused 450 losses to 238 for the allied side.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
Have to start being careful now. We are only about two months behind the actual game. Must make sure no classified information is given to the enemy.
Cato, the censor.
Cato, the censor.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 3rd 1942
While the Japanese continue to land and reinforce their bridgehead at Koepang, in Lautem, the allied forces launched a new all out attack against the Japanese invaders. 18:1 odds resulted in 544 Japanese losses at a cost of 75 allied casualties. The enemy forces, identified as the Kimura Detachment and the 148th Infantry regiment are confronted by the 16th Australian brigade, 2nd KNIL AA battalion and the 2nd RAN Base force for support. Cautious optimism may be the word of the day.
June 4th 1942 Two British carriers attacked!
Determined to prevail, the Japanese brought BB Hyuga and Fuso to support their landing at Lautem. Joined by a light cruiser the ships bombarded the allied positions quite ineffectively. The night bombardment was followed by another amphibious landing. The defensive coastal guns scored hits on two troop transports. Elements of the Japanese 54th Division landed, with some losses.
Japanese forces landed at Merak.
Meanwhile, near Tjilatjap, a tragic mistake cost the British dearly.
In the Java sea, near Batavia, Dutch recon identified a replenishment task force.
An air combat task force, including the two carriers Illustrious and Formidable was sent to attack the oilers and hinder the operations of the Japanese carriers that have been harassing the allied efforts at Timor.
The two carriers came under attack by 40 Kate torpedo bombers and 46 dive bombers escorted by 28 Zero fighters. Only 12 Martlet II fighters scrambled to intercept, the rest having already left to escort the Royal Navy strike. Only one allied fighter was lost during the ensuing air combat, while the enemy lost 3 bombers and had 29 damaged. Unfortunately for the Royal Navy, enough bombers got through to hit Illustrious with 10 Bombs and Formidable with 4. The Royal Navy carriers have armored decks so the bomb damage was limited but the Kates managed to hit each carrier with two torpedoes apiece. The heavy cruiser Dorsetshire was also hit by a single bomb and light cruiser Java received two torpedoes.
The Royal Navy strike, composed of 5 Albacore and 11 Swordfish biplanes, escorted by 6 Martlet fighters encountered the Japanese task force and 10 fighters. Only one Swordfish and 2 Albacores got through to launch torpedoes, although none of them scored.
A second, unescorted strike of 5 Albacores appeared soon afterwards. Intercepted by 8 enemy fighters, only one Albacore launched a torpedo at Zuikaku but the carrier evaded the fish.
Tokyo Rose claimed two carriers, and two cruisers sunk. The Royal Navy has not offered any further comments, although, at this distance from the closest shipyard, there is not much hope for the stricken carriers.
An enemy attack on Singapore was repelled.
At Lautem, the 16th Australian Brigade attacked once again the enemy invaders.
While the Japanese continue to land and reinforce their bridgehead at Koepang, in Lautem, the allied forces launched a new all out attack against the Japanese invaders. 18:1 odds resulted in 544 Japanese losses at a cost of 75 allied casualties. The enemy forces, identified as the Kimura Detachment and the 148th Infantry regiment are confronted by the 16th Australian brigade, 2nd KNIL AA battalion and the 2nd RAN Base force for support. Cautious optimism may be the word of the day.
June 4th 1942 Two British carriers attacked!
Determined to prevail, the Japanese brought BB Hyuga and Fuso to support their landing at Lautem. Joined by a light cruiser the ships bombarded the allied positions quite ineffectively. The night bombardment was followed by another amphibious landing. The defensive coastal guns scored hits on two troop transports. Elements of the Japanese 54th Division landed, with some losses.
Japanese forces landed at Merak.
Meanwhile, near Tjilatjap, a tragic mistake cost the British dearly.
In the Java sea, near Batavia, Dutch recon identified a replenishment task force.
An air combat task force, including the two carriers Illustrious and Formidable was sent to attack the oilers and hinder the operations of the Japanese carriers that have been harassing the allied efforts at Timor.
The two carriers came under attack by 40 Kate torpedo bombers and 46 dive bombers escorted by 28 Zero fighters. Only 12 Martlet II fighters scrambled to intercept, the rest having already left to escort the Royal Navy strike. Only one allied fighter was lost during the ensuing air combat, while the enemy lost 3 bombers and had 29 damaged. Unfortunately for the Royal Navy, enough bombers got through to hit Illustrious with 10 Bombs and Formidable with 4. The Royal Navy carriers have armored decks so the bomb damage was limited but the Kates managed to hit each carrier with two torpedoes apiece. The heavy cruiser Dorsetshire was also hit by a single bomb and light cruiser Java received two torpedoes.
The Royal Navy strike, composed of 5 Albacore and 11 Swordfish biplanes, escorted by 6 Martlet fighters encountered the Japanese task force and 10 fighters. Only one Swordfish and 2 Albacores got through to launch torpedoes, although none of them scored.
A second, unescorted strike of 5 Albacores appeared soon afterwards. Intercepted by 8 enemy fighters, only one Albacore launched a torpedo at Zuikaku but the carrier evaded the fish.
Tokyo Rose claimed two carriers, and two cruisers sunk. The Royal Navy has not offered any further comments, although, at this distance from the closest shipyard, there is not much hope for the stricken carriers.
An enemy attack on Singapore was repelled.
At Lautem, the 16th Australian Brigade attacked once again the enemy invaders.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 5th. 1942
Japanese attack on Koepang reduces fortifications to second level.
Japanese forces capture Prome.
June 6th 1942
Japanese forces continue to come ashore at Lautem, however the 6” shore defense guns keep scoring hits on enemy transports. In Koepang, on the west side of Timor, the Japanese launched a massive attack that was repelled with heavy losses among the sons of the sun.
A strong Japanese attack in Singapore reduced the last fortifications and achieved almost equal losses among both sides. It appears that the Gibraltar of the East will not last much longer.
Merak was captured by the enemy yesterday.
In unrelated news, a large destroyer task force attempted to escape the Japanese lake that the Java Sea has turned into. It did not come out too well. A flight of dive bombers found the fast steaming task force with predictable results:
DD Nizam, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Pope, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Paul Jones, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Isis, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Parrott, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nestor, Bomb hits 1, on fire
In the afternoon, the Vals returned, scoring 2 additional hits on DD Encounter that sinks, and one more hit on Paul Jones, Decoy and Nestor.
Japanese attack on Koepang reduces fortifications to second level.
Japanese forces capture Prome.
June 6th 1942
Japanese forces continue to come ashore at Lautem, however the 6” shore defense guns keep scoring hits on enemy transports. In Koepang, on the west side of Timor, the Japanese launched a massive attack that was repelled with heavy losses among the sons of the sun.
A strong Japanese attack in Singapore reduced the last fortifications and achieved almost equal losses among both sides. It appears that the Gibraltar of the East will not last much longer.
Merak was captured by the enemy yesterday.
In unrelated news, a large destroyer task force attempted to escape the Japanese lake that the Java Sea has turned into. It did not come out too well. A flight of dive bombers found the fast steaming task force with predictable results:
DD Nizam, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Pope, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Paul Jones, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Isis, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Parrott, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nestor, Bomb hits 1, on fire
In the afternoon, the Vals returned, scoring 2 additional hits on DD Encounter that sinks, and one more hit on Paul Jones, Decoy and Nestor.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 7th 1942.
Djokjakarta fell to Japanese attack yesterday.
A renewed attack on Singapore failed to take the city.
Near Lautem, Dutch submarine SS O24 attacked an enemy convoy hitting one of the escorts, the E boat Uruyame with two torpedoes and sinking it.
A second Dutch boat, the KIX launched an attack on CV Zuikaku. Its two torpedoes missed but the plucky submarine escaped unscathed.
June 8th 1942
US fleet class submarines have had a tarnished war history up to now. Plagued by unreliable torpedoes as the skippers claim, or by unskilled skippers as the Naval bureau claims, they lag behind the Dutch boats in success.
However even a blind squirrel will find an acorn in a forest every once in a while. SS Pickerel torpedoed the Japanese destroyer tender Gyoko Maru near Taliaboe yesterday.
The Japanese launched an amphibious attack on Dadkangas yesterday.
And again an attempted an all out attack on Singapore was, once again, repelled by the defenders.
In Timor, both at Koepang and Lautem, there was only sporadic artillery fire exchanged between both sides.
Djokjakarta fell to Japanese attack yesterday.
A renewed attack on Singapore failed to take the city.
Near Lautem, Dutch submarine SS O24 attacked an enemy convoy hitting one of the escorts, the E boat Uruyame with two torpedoes and sinking it.
A second Dutch boat, the KIX launched an attack on CV Zuikaku. Its two torpedoes missed but the plucky submarine escaped unscathed.
June 8th 1942
US fleet class submarines have had a tarnished war history up to now. Plagued by unreliable torpedoes as the skippers claim, or by unskilled skippers as the Naval bureau claims, they lag behind the Dutch boats in success.
However even a blind squirrel will find an acorn in a forest every once in a while. SS Pickerel torpedoed the Japanese destroyer tender Gyoko Maru near Taliaboe yesterday.
The Japanese launched an amphibious attack on Dadkangas yesterday.
And again an attempted an all out attack on Singapore was, once again, repelled by the defenders.
In Timor, both at Koepang and Lautem, there was only sporadic artillery fire exchanged between both sides.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 9th 1942. Allies to go on offensive soon, Nimitz promises.
Yesterday, the Japanese landed in Tacloban and attacked again in Singapore where they were repelled with heavy casualties. At Lautem two of their heavy cruisers bombarded the allied lines. That the battleships did not was only due to the timely attack of a Dutch submarine that kept the bigger ships occupied most of the night.
Also at Lautem the allied defenders attacked again the Japanese invaders. The reports talk of 500 enemy casualties at a cost of only 76 allied.
However, today, in Pearl Harbor, Adm Chester Nimitz spoke to the press.
“The people are tired,” he said, “we are tired. Tired of defeat, tired of withdrawals, tired of seeing the enemy advance.
I have come to tell you that it is time. It is time to stop retreating.
It is time.
I can tell you that, at last, a sizeable force has been assembled at an undisclosed base. Even as I speak, ships, warships, support ships and aircraft carriers are crossing the Pacific heading for that base. Tankers, support ships transports. All of them converge on a little spot in the map where a division of US Marines, and a second division of the US army await them.
It is time.
By next month, I shall announce the successful conclusion of our first amphibious assault.
The first. Not the last.”
Yesterday, the Japanese landed in Tacloban and attacked again in Singapore where they were repelled with heavy casualties. At Lautem two of their heavy cruisers bombarded the allied lines. That the battleships did not was only due to the timely attack of a Dutch submarine that kept the bigger ships occupied most of the night.
Also at Lautem the allied defenders attacked again the Japanese invaders. The reports talk of 500 enemy casualties at a cost of only 76 allied.
However, today, in Pearl Harbor, Adm Chester Nimitz spoke to the press.
“The people are tired,” he said, “we are tired. Tired of defeat, tired of withdrawals, tired of seeing the enemy advance.
I have come to tell you that it is time. It is time to stop retreating.
It is time.
I can tell you that, at last, a sizeable force has been assembled at an undisclosed base. Even as I speak, ships, warships, support ships and aircraft carriers are crossing the Pacific heading for that base. Tankers, support ships transports. All of them converge on a little spot in the map where a division of US Marines, and a second division of the US army await them.
It is time.
By next month, I shall announce the successful conclusion of our first amphibious assault.
The first. Not the last.”
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Zuiho sunk!
June 10th. 1942
Yesterday, the enemy continued landing in Palenbang. Amphibious assault also took place in Kalidjati in what seems an attempt to divide Java in two.
In Lautem, the allies continued pressing the invaders, slowly pushing them into the sea.
June 11th 1942
Sometimes a ship just has bad luck. The seaplane carrier Chiyoda came under submarine attack off Kendari. SS S-47 launched four torpedoes at her but missed. While evading the US submarine however, the seaplane carrier stumbled upon SS KXIV. The Dutch submarine launched two torpedoes and scored with both of them! Scratch one CS.
The enemy captured Dadjangas, while combat continues at Koepang and Lautem.
June 12 1942 SS 47 Redeems herself!
Yesterday, SS-47 redeemed her failure from the 10th. This time the light carrier Zuiho approached the stalking submarine. She launched four torpedoes at the carrier and scored with two!
On the other hand, after a heroic struggle, Singapore finally fell to the enemy.
Yesterday, the enemy continued landing in Palenbang. Amphibious assault also took place in Kalidjati in what seems an attempt to divide Java in two.
In Lautem, the allies continued pressing the invaders, slowly pushing them into the sea.
June 11th 1942
Sometimes a ship just has bad luck. The seaplane carrier Chiyoda came under submarine attack off Kendari. SS S-47 launched four torpedoes at her but missed. While evading the US submarine however, the seaplane carrier stumbled upon SS KXIV. The Dutch submarine launched two torpedoes and scored with both of them! Scratch one CS.
The enemy captured Dadjangas, while combat continues at Koepang and Lautem.
June 12 1942 SS 47 Redeems herself!
Yesterday, SS-47 redeemed her failure from the 10th. This time the light carrier Zuiho approached the stalking submarine. She launched four torpedoes at the carrier and scored with two!
On the other hand, after a heroic struggle, Singapore finally fell to the enemy.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![8|]
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 13 1942.
An enemy invasion is on the way at Tacloban and a Japanese assault captures Makassar and Tjepoe.
June 14th 1942
Allied forces withdrew yesterday from Makassar.
June 15 1942, Allies strike back.
Japanese forces may be running rampant all over the Dutch East Indies but there is one island where things are not going their way. In Timor, at Lautem, an allied Battleship task force, including the British Warspite and the US Navy’s New Mexico, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Maryland, bombarded the invading forces. In the morning, the allied 17th and 16th Australian Brigade, the 6th Australian Division Cavalry regiment and auxiliaries hit the enemy consisting of the 148th Infantry Regiment, Kimura Detachment and portions of the 54th infantry Division. Losses were about even.
June 16th 1942. Allied attack continues at Lautem.
The Allies attacked enemy positions at Lautem yesterday, enemy losses reported as 22o vs 50 allied casualties.
In a related piece of news, this reporter will continue his work from Suva, closer to the front.
An enemy invasion is on the way at Tacloban and a Japanese assault captures Makassar and Tjepoe.
June 14th 1942
Allied forces withdrew yesterday from Makassar.
June 15 1942, Allies strike back.
Japanese forces may be running rampant all over the Dutch East Indies but there is one island where things are not going their way. In Timor, at Lautem, an allied Battleship task force, including the British Warspite and the US Navy’s New Mexico, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Maryland, bombarded the invading forces. In the morning, the allied 17th and 16th Australian Brigade, the 6th Australian Division Cavalry regiment and auxiliaries hit the enemy consisting of the 148th Infantry Regiment, Kimura Detachment and portions of the 54th infantry Division. Losses were about even.
June 16th 1942. Allied attack continues at Lautem.
The Allies attacked enemy positions at Lautem yesterday, enemy losses reported as 22o vs 50 allied casualties.
In a related piece of news, this reporter will continue his work from Suva, closer to the front.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 19 1942 Suva is a crowded muggy place.
The port is crowded with shipping, mostly cargo ships and escorts. The combat naval forces must be occupied somewhere else for they are not here. Also absent are all those marines that left the West coast months ago. Between swatting mosquitoes, I was able to find out that the allied forces in Lautem are driving the enemy back into the sea. The latest allied assault resulted in 290 enemy losses, with no allied casualties.
June 20 1942 Darwin attacked!
Enemy carrier aircraft, dive bombers and torpedo bombers have attacked Darwin. BB Revenge reportedly was hit by 4 bombs and is on fire.
The allies are still on the offensive in Lautem.
And something is definitely up. There are all kinds of rumors of an upcoming allied offensive. Think weeks, not months, said an unidentified colonel who shall remain unnamed.
Tomorrow, I have managed to wrangle a seat on a Catalina flying to Noumea. Maybe I’ll find out something there.
The port is crowded with shipping, mostly cargo ships and escorts. The combat naval forces must be occupied somewhere else for they are not here. Also absent are all those marines that left the West coast months ago. Between swatting mosquitoes, I was able to find out that the allied forces in Lautem are driving the enemy back into the sea. The latest allied assault resulted in 290 enemy losses, with no allied casualties.
June 20 1942 Darwin attacked!
Enemy carrier aircraft, dive bombers and torpedo bombers have attacked Darwin. BB Revenge reportedly was hit by 4 bombs and is on fire.
The allies are still on the offensive in Lautem.
And something is definitely up. There are all kinds of rumors of an upcoming allied offensive. Think weeks, not months, said an unidentified colonel who shall remain unnamed.
Tomorrow, I have managed to wrangle a seat on a Catalina flying to Noumea. Maybe I’ll find out something there.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 20th 1942
I’ve arrived at Noumea and the Marines are not here either. The harbor is filled with ships, some unloading supplies, some just sitting there. Information gleaned from some idle merchant sailors indicates that their ships are waiting for fuel to arrive before heading back to the West Coast.
The BBC announced a Japanese amphibious attack on Palenbang and that Hurricanes have splashed several Betties at Port Blair.
The Australian news announced another strong allied assault at Lautem; it appears the Japanese are reaching the end of their supplies there.
June 21st 1942
Kavieng fell to Japanese attack yesterday. A strong enemy assault was repelled at Koepang and the daily attack at Lautem pushed the enemy further back.
June 24 1942
While I still do not know where the 1st Marine Division is, except that it is not at Suva or Noumea, and rumor has it that it is not at Luganville either, information released today places the allied carrier Yorktown at Sidney.
The rumors of impending allied offensive action coupled with the presence of at least one US carrier at Sidney may indicate that, for once, I may be at the right time and place to report on some action.
I’ve arrived at Noumea and the Marines are not here either. The harbor is filled with ships, some unloading supplies, some just sitting there. Information gleaned from some idle merchant sailors indicates that their ships are waiting for fuel to arrive before heading back to the West Coast.
The BBC announced a Japanese amphibious attack on Palenbang and that Hurricanes have splashed several Betties at Port Blair.
The Australian news announced another strong allied assault at Lautem; it appears the Japanese are reaching the end of their supplies there.
June 21st 1942
Kavieng fell to Japanese attack yesterday. A strong enemy assault was repelled at Koepang and the daily attack at Lautem pushed the enemy further back.
June 24 1942
While I still do not know where the 1st Marine Division is, except that it is not at Suva or Noumea, and rumor has it that it is not at Luganville either, information released today places the allied carrier Yorktown at Sidney.
The rumors of impending allied offensive action coupled with the presence of at least one US carrier at Sidney may indicate that, for once, I may be at the right time and place to report on some action.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 25th 1942 Lautem cleared of enemy forces!
In another setback for the Japanese imperialist plans, the enemy invading force at Lautem has finally been destroyed. In the Island of Timor, only in Koepang do the enemy forces still hold terrain.
June 26th 1942 1st Marine appears!
The mystery of the 1st Marine Division is resolved. Yesterday, a transport task force bearing the 1st Marine Division arrived at Luganville and began unloading the troops.
The BBC announced today that allied forces withdrew yesterday from Palembang under Japanese attack.
June 28th, 1942 At Luganville.
With most of the press corps, I arrived today at Luganville. The US SPAC command under VAdm Skip Lockwood is located in this island, right at the front lines of the South Pacific action. The nearest Japanese outpost is at Guadalcanal Island, not too far away.
At a briefing today, Adm. Lockwood announced the name of the upcoming allied operation. Operation Shoestring.
The target however remains unnamed although the press corps is betting on Guadalcanal and Tulagi.
In another setback for the Japanese imperialist plans, the enemy invading force at Lautem has finally been destroyed. In the Island of Timor, only in Koepang do the enemy forces still hold terrain.
June 26th 1942 1st Marine appears!
The mystery of the 1st Marine Division is resolved. Yesterday, a transport task force bearing the 1st Marine Division arrived at Luganville and began unloading the troops.
The BBC announced today that allied forces withdrew yesterday from Palembang under Japanese attack.
June 28th, 1942 At Luganville.
With most of the press corps, I arrived today at Luganville. The US SPAC command under VAdm Skip Lockwood is located in this island, right at the front lines of the South Pacific action. The nearest Japanese outpost is at Guadalcanal Island, not too far away.
At a briefing today, Adm. Lockwood announced the name of the upcoming allied operation. Operation Shoestring.
The target however remains unnamed although the press corps is betting on Guadalcanal and Tulagi.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
July 29th 1942. Updates.
As this goes to press, I am at sea, with the Shoestring invasion force. Under a news blackout, I am only allowed to mention that the name of the target is “Mosquito Island” which probably describes two or three thousand islands in this region.
Two battleships, Hyuga and Fuso bombarded Koepang yesterday.
I am allowed to release some information on the disposition of forces in this theater.
Port Moresby, an important port in the southern coast of New Guinea is held by the 41st Infantry division, assisted by the Australian Port Moresby Brigade. The US SWPAC is also headquartered here with the USN Forward Air CenPac. Additional support troop s and base forces make this garrison solid and impregnable.
As this goes to press, I am at sea, with the Shoestring invasion force. Under a news blackout, I am only allowed to mention that the name of the target is “Mosquito Island” which probably describes two or three thousand islands in this region.
Two battleships, Hyuga and Fuso bombarded Koepang yesterday.
I am allowed to release some information on the disposition of forces in this theater.
Port Moresby, an important port in the southern coast of New Guinea is held by the 41st Infantry division, assisted by the Australian Port Moresby Brigade. The US SWPAC is also headquartered here with the USN Forward Air CenPac. Additional support troop s and base forces make this garrison solid and impregnable.
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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
At Timor, after clearing Lautem and Dili of enemy forces, only Koepang remains in dispute. The Japanese are not willing to let this port go and keep bombarding the defenders and bringing up reinforcements and supplies.
At Darwin, loaded in their transports, the 19th Australian Batallion and the 2/4 MG bn, await their departure to reinforce the besieged garrison.
Nearby, in Kendari, an enemy carrier force waits, or so the high command believes. Also nearby, a surface combat task force hides.
At Darwin, loaded in their transports, the 19th Australian Batallion and the 2/4 MG bn, await their departure to reinforce the besieged garrison.
Nearby, in Kendari, an enemy carrier force waits, or so the high command believes. Also nearby, a surface combat task force hides.
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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: Major battle in the IO
June 30th 1942 At sea.
Where are the enemy carriers? That is the question that Alex Vandergrift ponders in his cramped office on the flagship of TF 124, the invasion fleet. In CV Saratoga, V Admiral Mitscher ponders the same question, as does Cpt Withers on the bridge of Oklahoma, commodore of the bombardment task force.
Vandergrift briefed us today on one of the objectives of Shoestring, apart from seizing the mosquito filled island.
“The Japanese want to fight our carriers now, when they have the advantage of numbers. If they are to have a chance to win, they must destroy our carriers now. Thus we expect them to sortie their carriers and bring them to battle.”
It is in that brief period of time, when the enemy carriers and attention is away from Timor, when the Australians plan to deliver the 19th battalion to Koepang.
Fingers are crossed all over the Southwest Pacific.
Where are the enemy carriers? That is the question that Alex Vandergrift ponders in his cramped office on the flagship of TF 124, the invasion fleet. In CV Saratoga, V Admiral Mitscher ponders the same question, as does Cpt Withers on the bridge of Oklahoma, commodore of the bombardment task force.
Vandergrift briefed us today on one of the objectives of Shoestring, apart from seizing the mosquito filled island.
“The Japanese want to fight our carriers now, when they have the advantage of numbers. If they are to have a chance to win, they must destroy our carriers now. Thus we expect them to sortie their carriers and bring them to battle.”
It is in that brief period of time, when the enemy carriers and attention is away from Timor, when the Australians plan to deliver the 19th battalion to Koepang.
Fingers are crossed all over the Southwest Pacific.
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- Carriers.jpg (182.73 KiB) Viewed 401 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: It is on!
July 3rd 1942: It is On!
After 7 months of constant retreats and defeats, the US Navy is on the offensive. Today, the battleship Oklahoma and the heavy cruisers Pensacola and Louisville opened fire on the island of Guadalcanal occupied by the Japanese. It is here, in the Solomon Islands where the allies begin their march on the Japanese empire. Shortly before dawn, the 1st Marine Division boarded their landing craft and set out for the forested island. A short distance behind the task force, the 2nd wave composed of the Americal Division, follows.
Meanwhile, Japanese forces land and occupy Shortlands.
After 7 months of constant retreats and defeats, the US Navy is on the offensive. Today, the battleship Oklahoma and the heavy cruisers Pensacola and Louisville opened fire on the island of Guadalcanal occupied by the Japanese. It is here, in the Solomon Islands where the allies begin their march on the Japanese empire. Shortly before dawn, the 1st Marine Division boarded their landing craft and set out for the forested island. A short distance behind the task force, the 2nd wave composed of the Americal Division, follows.
Meanwhile, Japanese forces land and occupy Shortlands.
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- Solomons.jpg (388.68 KiB) Viewed 401 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: It is on!
July 4th 1942. Guadalcanal falls.
The 1st Marine Division, together with the 137 USA Base force, and the 2nd USMC field artillery battalion defeated and destroyed the Japanese defenders of Guadalcanal. Since the operation was a complete success, Vandergrift ordered the second wave, the Americal Division to attack the island of Tulagi instead.
The US Navy carriers attacked enemy transports supplying the Japanese invasion of Shortlands. SBD 3 Dauntless and TBF 1 Avengers attacked the enemy ships and scored. xAK Kamikaze Maru succumbed to 7 bomb hits, xAK Tenyo Maru sunk by one torpedo and 2 bomb hits. The minelayer cruiser Tokiwa was hit by 2 bombs as was the patrol boat Nagata Maru. The destroyer Yunagi was damaged by one bomb hit and the minelayer cruiser Okinoshima was crippled by 5 bomb hits.
Not everything is good news today. Our British friends report the loss of Mandalay in Burma. All the friendly troops had been evacuated however.
The 1st Marine Division, together with the 137 USA Base force, and the 2nd USMC field artillery battalion defeated and destroyed the Japanese defenders of Guadalcanal. Since the operation was a complete success, Vandergrift ordered the second wave, the Americal Division to attack the island of Tulagi instead.
The US Navy carriers attacked enemy transports supplying the Japanese invasion of Shortlands. SBD 3 Dauntless and TBF 1 Avengers attacked the enemy ships and scored. xAK Kamikaze Maru succumbed to 7 bomb hits, xAK Tenyo Maru sunk by one torpedo and 2 bomb hits. The minelayer cruiser Tokiwa was hit by 2 bombs as was the patrol boat Nagata Maru. The destroyer Yunagi was damaged by one bomb hit and the minelayer cruiser Okinoshima was crippled by 5 bomb hits.
Not everything is good news today. Our British friends report the loss of Mandalay in Burma. All the friendly troops had been evacuated however.
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- Burmafront.jpg (658.47 KiB) Viewed 401 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: It is on!
July 5th 1942.
The Americal Infantry Division, together with the 131st and 148 artillery battalions began landing at Tulagi yesterday. At Lunga, the airfield is operational and we have been informed that CVE Long Island is approaching the island with a flight of fighters.
Some more good news. CV Saratoga and CV Wasp are both in transit to the SW Pacific. The arrival dates have not been made public though.
Meanwhile, in Koepang, the allied forces comprising the 19th Australian Brigade, remnants of the Dili Detachment, the Timor Garrison Bn, 2/9th Field regiment and 6th heavy AA are facing the determined attack of the Japanese 33rd and 54th Divisions and 86th Naval garrison. Though outnumbered the allied warriors are not undaunted as reinforcements are loaded at Darwin, ready to come to their aid.
However, air recon showed enemy carriers nearby, waiting to pounce.
The Americal Infantry Division, together with the 131st and 148 artillery battalions began landing at Tulagi yesterday. At Lunga, the airfield is operational and we have been informed that CVE Long Island is approaching the island with a flight of fighters.
Some more good news. CV Saratoga and CV Wasp are both in transit to the SW Pacific. The arrival dates have not been made public though.
Meanwhile, in Koepang, the allied forces comprising the 19th Australian Brigade, remnants of the Dili Detachment, the Timor Garrison Bn, 2/9th Field regiment and 6th heavy AA are facing the determined attack of the Japanese 33rd and 54th Divisions and 86th Naval garrison. Though outnumbered the allied warriors are not undaunted as reinforcements are loaded at Darwin, ready to come to their aid.
However, air recon showed enemy carriers nearby, waiting to pounce.
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- CarriersatKendari.jpg (227.62 KiB) Viewed 401 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: It is on!
July 6th 1942.
Tulagi fell yesterday to the Americal Division. The enemy forces have withdrawn into the jungle around the base and will have to be rroted out.
A Japanese battleship force has been spotted in the Macassar strait steaming southwest. It is thought that they may be part of a move against Koepang.
July 7th 1942.
The BBC announced yesterday that the 19th Australian Battalion and the 2/4 MG bn have disembarked at Koepang. The task force sneaked into harbor as the attention of the Japanese was distracted by the events in the Solomons.
In Tulagi, the Americal Division is conducting operations to eliminate the 61st naval guards that garrisoned the island. The enemy is stubborn and the terrain favors defense so it may take some time.
July 8th 1942 The best laid plans.
Sometimes you have to wonder on which side God is. The successful invasion of Lunga and Tulagi gave the US Navy a size 4 airfield at Lunga. Saratoga and Wasp are en-route to the SWPAC and no further offensive operations are planned for the near future aside from the on-going support of the defenders of Koepang. COMSWPAC therefore decided to send Yorktown and Hornet to Pearl for overdue upgrades that had been delayed due to the desperate need for these carriers. While cruising in the direction of the Hawaiian Islands, somehow, an enemy submarine managed to sneak in through the destroyer screen and fired a spread of torpedoes at Yorktown striking the carrier with one of them. The carrier survived the encounter, although its stay in the shipyard at Pearl will be longer than planned.
In Koepang, the allied transports withdrew from the harbor and a Japanese force steamed in with troops and supplies for the enemy forces. To make things worse, a second task force of unidentified ships was noted standing off to the NW.
Tulagi fell yesterday to the Americal Division. The enemy forces have withdrawn into the jungle around the base and will have to be rroted out.
A Japanese battleship force has been spotted in the Macassar strait steaming southwest. It is thought that they may be part of a move against Koepang.
July 7th 1942.
The BBC announced yesterday that the 19th Australian Battalion and the 2/4 MG bn have disembarked at Koepang. The task force sneaked into harbor as the attention of the Japanese was distracted by the events in the Solomons.
In Tulagi, the Americal Division is conducting operations to eliminate the 61st naval guards that garrisoned the island. The enemy is stubborn and the terrain favors defense so it may take some time.
July 8th 1942 The best laid plans.
Sometimes you have to wonder on which side God is. The successful invasion of Lunga and Tulagi gave the US Navy a size 4 airfield at Lunga. Saratoga and Wasp are en-route to the SWPAC and no further offensive operations are planned for the near future aside from the on-going support of the defenders of Koepang. COMSWPAC therefore decided to send Yorktown and Hornet to Pearl for overdue upgrades that had been delayed due to the desperate need for these carriers. While cruising in the direction of the Hawaiian Islands, somehow, an enemy submarine managed to sneak in through the destroyer screen and fired a spread of torpedoes at Yorktown striking the carrier with one of them. The carrier survived the encounter, although its stay in the shipyard at Pearl will be longer than planned.
In Koepang, the allied transports withdrew from the harbor and a Japanese force steamed in with troops and supplies for the enemy forces. To make things worse, a second task force of unidentified ships was noted standing off to the NW.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu