Matrix Games Forums

Office of the Naval Attache
US Embassey
Tokyo, Japan
Dec 6, 1941

John,

You've heard me mention Harry Niles before. Well, he's come up with a wild one this time. As you know, he has friends within the Imperial Japanese Navy. Through his dealings with these people, he has become convinced that the Japanese intend to attack the Hawaiian Islands "very soon". I wouldn't pass this on, except for the fact that you and I both know that we don't know where the Japanese First Air Fleet is bound.

I know, I know... consider the source. Harry Niles.

Can we afford not to give it some thought?

Roy



Well, a long awaited moment has arrived (for me, at least). I am starting my first WITP PBEM, vs Chez Da Jez. I'm interested in playing within historical limits, he is as well. I'm hopeful for a fun game. I'm also a bit nervous - having only played the AI for the last 2 1/2 years, have I developed a lot of bad habits? We shall see...


These are the house rules:


1. Sub doctrines off
2. Fog of War on
3. Advanced weather on
4. Allied damage control on
5. Historical 1st turn off
6. PDU on
7. Variable setup OFF
8. Dec 7 surprise on
9. Variable replacements +/- 15 days
10. Auto subs off
11. Auto facility expand off
12. Auto airgroup upgrade off
13. Accept air/ground replacements off.


Naval Issues:
1. No more than 6 ships per ASW TF.
2. Capital ships can only refuel/rearm at level 5 or greater bases unless an AE/AO/TK are present. All ships can refuel at level 3 ports but must immediately return to a level 5 or greater in order to rearm (this is to allow a fleet running on fumes to receive fuel, but force it to go the the proper size port for rearming).
3. No more than 6 PT boats per TF. The TF may not contain any other ship except AK/TK/AO/AGP for fuel purposes while transiting.
4. Japanese ships and subs may not patrol closer than 4 hexes to the approaches to Aden. No such restriction for Panama.
5. Subs may rearm/refuel at level 3 or greater ports when an AS is present (No AS stationed at level 1 or 2 ports).
6. No IJN ships may move through the Malacca Straits until Singapore falls or after the Japanese capture a port on Malaya's western coast.
7. Naval bombardments may only be conducted on bases within range of friendly bombers.
8. No blockading of friendly ports using multiple 1-2 ship TFs composed of transports. Warships ok.
(This is designed to prevent the opposing player from preventing bombardments by using a bunch of non-warships to eat up ops points)
Land Forces and Invasions:
1. No invasions of non-dot/base hexes.
2. Japanese Kwantung Army forces must pay PP to leave Manchuria.
3. No landing of troops by submarine for the purpose of cutting off supply lines.
4. Allied player may not evacuate USAFFE/ABDA forces units until either Clark or Manila have fallen for USAFFE forces, or an invasion south of Luzon/northeast coast of Borneo/Celebes Sea and until either Soerabaja or Batavia have fallen for ABDA forces. This does not prevent redeployment of Dutch forces within the NEI.
5. All resource/oil centers must be garrisoned with a LCU after capture.

6. Troop assault points on atolls limited to port+airfield size X 100. So if a base has a lvl 4 port and level 4 airfield, the max APs you could have would be 800. Islands are limited to port+airfield size X 150.All other bases limited to port+airfield size X 200. US West coast, Karachi and Japanases main islands exempt Rule rejected, subject to future review.

Production
1. Japanese production limited to 1200 aircraft per month until 1944. Max of 1800 per month after.
2. Japan may not expand of any one aircraft facility to more than 200% of its starting size..
Note: Should have been 200% not 100%. 100% would mean no expansion. <In other words aircraft facilities may double their starting size but no more>

Aviation Training and Operations
1. No training of pilot's using backwater enemy bases (including China) until 1/44. This will not prevent a player from using an enemy base on the front line for training prior to 1/44.
2. Players may not over stack any airfield by more than 115% and still conduct offensive missions (same limitation as with carriers). Overstacking is considered to be # aircraft = AF size X 50. So a level 4 airfield could handle a maximum of 230 aircraft and still conduct offensive missions. Transports/patrol/recon are included in the equation. Sea planes are exempt.
3. 2E bombers may not operate from airfields smaller than level 4.
4. 4E bombers may not operate from airfields less than level 5.
5. B-29s may not operate from any airfield less than level 7.
(Note: for rules 3-5, bombers may operate from airfields one level smaller but are limited to the equivalant of one BG i.e. 48 aircraft)
6. Aircraft requiring an airfield larger than level 1 may not transfer or stage to a level 1 airfield.
7. CAP my not be set greater than 60% except for single carrier TFs. Land bases included.
8. No night bombing by more than one unit except for B-29s after 6/44.
9. 4E bombers set to Naval attack must also have 50% naval search set. EXCEPTION: 4E bombers that start in the PI are exempt until after transferring out of PI.
10. 4E bombers may not bomb below 10K feet except for B-29 night attacks on Japan. However B-29s may not operate below 5000 ft for those missions.
11. 2E bombers may not conduct attacks below 1000' until 1/43.
12. No Corsairs on US carriers until 1/44.
13. Only allied B-18 units allowed to upgrade to 4E bombers except where historically done.

Japanese First Turn Limitations
1. All Japanese invasions on turn one or two must occur under cover of land or sea based air. (I.E. the invasion site must be bombed). No Japanese invasion force allowed within 10 hexes of any invasion site when not under cover of land or sea based air.
2. All turn 1 and 2 Japanese bombardments must be indirect support of landing forces.




It seems like a lot of rules, but they're mostly common sense. On top of these, I have a series of personal rules, such as no allowing replacements unless a resupply TF has arrived from either Aden or the West Coast. I limit the number of ships that can replenish at any base per day, as well as the number of ships that can load cargo. I have further loading restrictions in act for the first few weeks of the war, to simulate how it took the US a while to get the wheels of war turning. I will not move NoPac units out of the NoPac area without paying the PP to change their HQ.

Wish me luck!

good luck !

Dec 7, 1941
0757

Enemy air raid, Pearl Harbor. This is no drill.





Dec 7, 1941
0812
CinCPac
Pearl Harbor Naval Base
Oahu, Hawaii

Hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl Harbor. Details to follow.


Kimmel

Pearl Harbor Naval Base
7 Dec, 1941
1830

At approximately 0745 today, a large force of Japanese carrier borne aircraft, estimated at 350-400 aircraft from a task force
reported to be 150 nm NNW of Pearl Harbor, struck the military installations and shipping on the island of Oahu. Naval and army air bases were heavily damaged, but retain some serviceability though all but a handful of our aircraft were either destroyed or damaged. The fleet at rest in Pearl Harbor has been crippled for the most part, though no major assets have been sunk, nor are expected to sink.

At the time the attack occured, only a very few of our squadrons were on alert. Most personnel had been given the day off. Search assets have located the enemy fleet, but neither the navy nor the army have anything left with which to reply.

Naval Losses:

22 PBY Catalina
8 SBD-3 Dauntless
4 F4F-3 Wildcat
1 SB2-U Vindicator
OS2U-3 Kingfisher

PT-20
PT-30

Damaged:

49 PBY
14 SBD-3
9 SB2-U
6 OS2U-3


Ship est repair time

BB Arizona, 14 mos
BB Maryland, 12 mos
BB California 10 mos
BB Tennessee 8 mos
BB Pennsylvania 8 mos
BB Nevada 7 mos
BB West Virginia 5 mos

AVD Thornton 5 mos
DM Montgomery 5 mos
DM Gamble 5 mos
CL Detroit 5 mos
DD Cassin 4 mos
AR Rigel 5 mos
CL Helena 5 mos
CA New Orleans 5 mos
CA San Francisco 4 mos
DD Schley 2 mos

Should the Japanese fleet decide to attack again tomorrow, there are few pursuit type aircraft remaining for defense.

Operational Aircraft

6 F4F-3
9 PBY
2 SB2-U
1 OS2U-3


This office has yet to receive full reports on the army air forces. What few search aircraft we have are tracking the movements of the enemy, and have reported several enemy submarices in the area.


Reported enemy losses:

11 Zero fighters
11 Kate torpedo bombers
12 Val dive bombers

it is estimated that nearly half of the enemy aircraft sustained damage of some sort, but the numbers above reflect our best estimates of their destroyed aircraft.



TFs 55 & 56
Admirals Halsey and Brown have been ordered to sweep south towards Canton Island. Should the Japanese strike force move southwards towards them, they are to retire. The size of the enemy air strike today certainly could not have come from fewer than 5 enemy CVs. Since the IJN custom is to operate in Air Divisions of 2 CVs each, we believe that there are 6 CVs in the strike force. It is with regret that I state that I do not believe that the Enterprise and Saratoga would do anything other than be sunk should they encounter this force.

Husband E Kimmel,
CinCPac








Ft, Shafter
Oahu, Hawaii
7 Dec, 1941
1915

A Japanese naval fleet released an unprovoked but devastating air attack upon our Oahu bases today. The airfields are heavily damaged, but partly operational. Nearly all runways will need at least resurfacing, and over half of the aircraft servicing facilities have been destroyed.

Aircraft losses:

P-26A: 4 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 12 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 24 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 7 destroyed
C-47 Dakota: 3 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 3 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 3 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed

Aircraft damaged:

P-40B 40
P40E 11
P36A 17
P26A 7
B18A 15
A20B 6
B17D 6
B17E 9
C47 10


Operational aircraft as of 1800

P40B 3
P40E 0
P36A 1
P26A 0
B18A 5
A20B 1
B17D 1
B17E 1
C47 1

We have verified 5 enemy aircraft shot down by our pilots.


Walter Short
Comm Gen'l
Dept of Hawaii





Situation in Hawaiian area, 1800, Dec 7, 1941

8 December, 1941
HQ USAFFE,
Manila, PI


Japanese air forces struck the Philippine Islands today. Two major airstrikes were conducted against Clark Field, and a strong fighter force swept the skies over Manila. The facilities at Clark Field are in shambles and we have lost significant numbers of aircraft today. Our pilots performed moderately well today, claiming 2 enemy aircraft shot down and losing 4 in air-to-air combat.

Air losses at Clark Field today including PAF assets:

P-26A: 5
P-35A: 6
P-40B: 5
B-17D: 2

Aircraft damaged:

P26A 9
P35A 11
P40B 14
B17D 14

Aircraft based at Clark operational as of 1800, Dec 8, 1941 (local time)

P26A 0
P35A 0
P40B 1
B17D 1

We have 57 P40E aircraft operational from bases at Manila and Lingayen, as well as 24 naval PBY search aircraft operating from Manila and Bataan.

Enemy forces invaded and captured Batan Is today. Large fleets have been seen near the Japanese bases in Formosa and SE of Legaspi. The forces under my command are prepared to give the invader a hot reception, and plan to drive him into the sea. Our situation would be greatly enhanced should the promised reinforcements arrive promptly.

Douglas MacArthur
Gen'l, commanding
USAFFE

HQ
Malaya Command
Singapore
8 Dec, 1941

Malaya came under siege today, with Japanese forces landing at Khota Bahru and Mersing. Heavy air raids were made on Khota Bahru, Singapore and shipping in the South China Sea. Both airfields were lightly damaged.

Our air forces struck back at the enemy invasion fleets, with uncertain results. Commonwealth air losses are heavy.

With the landings at Mersing, the Malayan Army is in danger of being cut off from Singapore. The 27th Bde AIF has been ordered from Johore Bahru to reinforce the 22d Bde AIF that has been resisting the invasion. Should this not drive the enemy back, the troops in northern Malaya will use Georgetown as their center of operations.

We urgently request the rapid redeployment of the 18th Division from India to Singapore, as well as any air assets that can be forwarded. Fortress Singapore can hold if given the opportunity.

A. E. Percival, Lt Gen'l





Hong Kong
8 Dec, 1941

Today Hong Kong fortress was attacked by Japanese light bombers. Light damage was done by them, and our gunners claimed 10 enemy aircraft.

This morning Japanese troops moved into position to attack the Gin Drinker's Line. Our position is strong if given succor in the form of reinforcements and supplies. In light of this fact, we have to ask why the Royal Navy has seen fit to withdraw all naval surface forces from the fortress today. Both troop and civilian morale have taken a hit form the sight of the navy sailing not to fight but rather to run.

I understand that commonwealth shipping in the area has been under heavy attack, with several ships lost.

C. Wallis, Brig. Gen'l

Like your format bradfordkay. Good luck, I'll be reading!

8 Dec
0900
Wake Island

At dawn we discovered a large force of Japanese transports with escorts off our shores. Our defensive batteries scored several hits on their ships, but were unable to prevent the landing. Significant numbers of enemy troops have made it ashore. The issue is much in doubt. The Corps can be very proud of the example her Marines are making.

S. Keith, Lt Col
114 USAAF Base Force





1815
8 Dec, 1941
Pearl Harbor Naval Installation
Oahu, Hawaii



A storm front passed through the Hawaiian Isles today, so that may have prevented the Japanese fleet from duplicating yesterday's assault. Repairs to the airstrips and shipping are underway, but there is a lot of cleaing up to do. Several ships will have to be returned to stateside dockyards, but I recommend waiting until the sub menace is greatly diminished before doing so. Yesterday we reported estimated time of repairs for our major vessels. In pumping out said ships, we are finding greater damage than originally estimated. I shall update the estimates when the crews are finished.

We received a report at 0040 that USS Tambor engaged a Japanese invasion fleet at Wake Island. She reported encountering numerous small ASW craft with the transports and her attack was ineffectual. Unfortunately, the ASW attacks by the invasion force screen were not ineffectual. Tambor reports serious flooding and is attempting to return to Pearl. There are no vessels in the area that can provide any assistance.

The island of Guam was occupied by forces of the empire of Japan today. Our shipping had left the island's ports yesterday.

Wake Island defense forces surrendered to invading Japanese forces estimated to be two brigades this afternoon. Lost was a detachment of the 1st Marine Defense Battalion, the 114th USAAF Base Force and a detachment of 6 F4F-3 Wildcat fighters from VMF-211. Let us not allow their sacrifice to have been made in vain.


H. Kimmel, Adm.




1430
9 Dec, 1941
Melbourne, Australia

ANZAC forces are scattered throughout the region and are not yet ready to meet an attack. Fortunately, there has been none as of yet. 2/1 Independent Company has been ordered to withdraw from the exposed port of Kavieng. All available transport is being diverted to Kavieng to embark the troops for Milne Bay. 7th Brigade is embarking upon proper transports in Brisbane harbour for Milne Bay as well. Our engineer training programs are in full swing, but it will be a long time before they pay fruit. We have asked the United States for any and all assistance. They have promised to establish a major base of operations in Australia, with all commensurate air and land forces.

T. A. Blamey, Gen'l




1700
9 Dec, 1941
Manila, PI

The Japanese landed to no opposition at Tuguegarao this morning. I can't believe that this is a major landing, as this port is too small to disembark any significant numbers. I believe that the objective is to put into operation the airfield there, as this is the largest airfield north of Clark Field. I am holding back the USAFFE forces to prevent being cut off by the real landing, believed to be headed for Lingayen. If I were to receive any bomber reinforcements I could make that airstrip untenable for the Japanese. The few aircraft I have remaining are unlikely to cause much damage.

Japanese forces also landed at the port of Naga in southern Luzon today. This move is of greater concern, as the port facilities there can support a sizable force. We have two PA Reserve Divisions blocking the highway from Naga to Manila, so at present the threat is not substantial. More US regular troops would be quite helpful. IS there any word on which units are being sent my way?

A small IJN task force bombarded the airbase at Cagayan this evening, but no transports have been spotted. The attack was ineffectual, and the AAF boys promise to make the ships pay for their temerity.

Douglas MacArthur,
Commanding Gen'l,
USAFFE





1945
9 Dec, 1941
Singapore


Large numbers of enemy aircraft, estimated to be in excess of one hundred twin engined bombers, raided Singapore again today, causing more extensive damage to our airfields. Our aircraft losses were minimal, as we have minimal numbers of aircraft to lose.


The Japanese have continued to land troops at Khota Bahru and Mersing today, estimated numbers being 22k and 35k men respectively. Our artillery bombarded the landing sites, but do not appear to have dome much good. Certainly our gunners are supposed to be better trained than that.

The 27th BDE, AIF, was ordered to reinforce Mersing, but no movement has been reported. I expect orders to be carried out with alacrity, especially in times of crises. If these colonials cannot perform better than this, the Japs will be on the shores of Johore Strait in no time.

One bit of good news. The Dutch submarine K XII put two torpedoes into a transport off Mersing this afternoon. Being as the Japanese have already landed substantial forces there already, intelligence estimates that the troops lost on this transport are probably either valuable construction crews or aircraft mechanics. If the Dutch can do such good work, why can't the RN?

A. E. Percival,
Lt Gen'l



2100
9 Dec, 1941
Columbo, Ceylon

This headquarters will be embarking upon transports tomorrow, bound for the port of Chittagong. It is my belief that we can control the war in southeast asia more readily from that location. I intend to make it the focal point of our defense of India and the main support base for our Burmese troops.

Having interviewed several officers recently returned from southern Burma, I have determined that should the Jap force the crossing of the Salween River, our forces in Rangoon would be cut off from the road to Mandalay. I have ordered them to present me with a plan to relocate their base of operations to Mandalay.

Japanese battleships bombarded our forces at Kuching, in Sarawak this afternoon. I can only surmise that a landing will soon follow suit. The NEIAF has promised to oppose any landings vigorously, the Malayan RAF squadrons are currently busy.

LT Gen'l Pownall
SEAsia Command

I like your format to Bradforkay. Keep up the good writing!

10 Dec, 1941
Manila, PI


Today the Japanese landed at Lingayen. I believe that this will be the focus of the main thrust against central Luzon. The 21st PA Reserve Division has been ordered to delay the invaders in order to allow our troops to improve the defenses at Bataan and around Clark Field. This landing has had the possible effect of unhinging the defensive position at Bagiuo and definitely threatens to cut off the 11th PA Reserve Division and the 86th US Field Artillery Battalion at San Fernando. Enemy fifth columnists may be in action, as we seem to be having trouble getting into communication with the forces in San Fernando.

Enemy aircraft continue to strike at Luzon airfields with relative impunity. Reported losses or the day are 6 P40s and 1 B17 against the destruction of a single Zero fighter. Pilot morale is plummettig as a result of the lack of performance against the flyers of Nippon - or is it the lack of morale is causing a significant deterioration of performance among our pilots?


Douglas MacArthur
Commanding Gen'l, USAFFE






10 Dec, 1941
Cavite, Luzon, PI

The lack of effectual air cover has compromised the ability of the navy to conduct operations in the Philippine Archipelago. The Imperial Japanese Navy is operating in large numbers in the area, with a comfirmed sighting of the CVL Ryujo east of Naga and unconfirmed reports of another carrier TF operating in the South China Sea southwest of Manila.

Nearly all Asiatic Fleet submarines have put to sea on war patrols, but I have received no reports of successful operations as of yet. USS Skipjack failed to report as scheduled. She had been ordered to patrol northwest of Manila; it is entirely possible that she ran into the Lingayen invasion escort.

It is known that the escorting fleet at Lingayen intercepted two squadrons of RN MTBs attempting to join the Asiatic fleet from their base at Hong Kong, as well as the gunboat HMS Moth and m/v Soochow - both also trying to reach Manila from Hong Kong. Japanese carrier type torpedo bombers sank the British Minelayer HMS Redstart off Lingayen this evening.

I have ordered the John D Ford and the patrol craft Napa to escort the Langley south into the NEI, in preparation of returning to the US west coast. The Langley is too old and slow to serve anywhere near the front lines, but should still provide useful service behind the front lines. This is all dependant, of course, on whether she successfully runs the blockade. If she does, the submarine tenders will follow as I believe that it is going to be quite difficult to get torpedo carrying supply convoys into Manila in the near future.

T. C. Hart, Adm
Cmmdr, Asiatic Fleet







10 Dec, 1941
Batavia, Java, NEI


Japanese forces landed at Kuching in Sarawak today. T.IVs out of Singkawang managed to hit one transport, but the likelihood of defeating the invasion is slight. The performance of the British Commonwealth air forces out of Malaya has been abysmal, resulting in no damage to the Kuching invasion forces.


A P Wavell, Gen'l
commander ABDA forces





10 Dec, 1941
Singapore


The 27th Bde, AIF has reached the line at Mersing, reinforcing the 22d Bde, AIF. Further redeployment of troops from central Malaya have been ordered, but the speed of response is still not what is desired in such a crises. I find it difficult to stomach that officers of the British Empire cannot conduct operations in a more organized manner than what we have seen so far.


Gen Wavell at ABDA command has informed me that the dutch submariners rescued a few survivors from yesterday's transport sinking, among them a few tank crewmen. This is interesting news, that the Jap feels that armoured units are viable in the jungles of Malaya. My own advisors have confidently told me that Malaya is unsuitable terrain for armoured warfare.


Khota Bahru fell this evening, with the remnants of the 8th Indian Bde, the Federated Malayan States Volunteer Bde, and the 3rd ISF base force retiring through the central highlands towards Malacca.

A. E. Percival
Lt Gen'l

10 Dec, 1941
Pearl Harbor
Oahu, Hawaii


More and more enemy subs have been spotted in Hawaiian waters. I do not beleive that this indicates an increase in enemy sub activity, but rather an increase in the activity level of our own search aircraft. ASW TF 1026 reports the sinking of a Japanese fleet boat between Niihau and Johnson Is.

Submarines Thresher and Pollack both sighted enemy carrier torpedo aircraft east of Midway. Whether this indicates that the Kido Butai (as I have learned that the IJN calls its main carrier strike force) is withdrawing or not is yet to be determined, but that is the impression I have received.

An enemy sub has been spotted near Baker Island headed for Canton Island. This is disturbingly close to where Admiral Halsey's carriers are operating. Let us hope that this is merely a coincidence.

Admiral Bellinger with the Saratoga is three days out of San Diego, headed to a rendezvous with the Indianapolis, Pensacola and a fleet oiler near Christmas Island. He will then continue to move to join Halsey's forces if everything goes to plan.



H. Kimmel, Adm
ComCenPac






11 Dec, 1941
Manila, PI



Japanese troops landed at Davao this morning, supported by 4 battleships with two light carrier task forces steaming offshore. During the initial stages of the attack the covering surface task group caught the dutch minelayer Golden Leeuw prepairing to lay a defensive minefield, hitting her with two Long Lance torpedoes. The resulting explosion illuminated a sizable invasion fleet, though it is uncertain whether said illumination helped the PA troops fight the enemy or caused a severe loss of morale at the sight of the size of the invasion fleet.

Tuguegarao and Naga both fell to the enemy today, as expected since they had been left undefended. The 41st PA Reserve Division has been ordered to move from Lucena to Tarlac, as reports show the Naga force is substantially smaller than the northern Luzon invasion forces. It has been decided to leave only the 51st PA Res Div at Lucena to delay the southern Luzon invasion force.

Air attacks upon our installations continue unabated. Clark Field is still out of commission, but all other air installations are in good repair. Half of our bomber force is located at Clark Field, and is thus unable to take to the air. The remaining fighteres at Clark Field have been dismantled and shipped by rail to Nichols Field, where we hope to get them back into the fight much more quickly than if we were to allow them to wait for the runways at Clark to be repaired. The B17s are too large for the Philippine railway system, and so they must wait, though our engineers are looking into the situation.

If reinforcements are not forthcoming soon, the landings at Davao indicate that some thought must be given to evacuating valuable personell. At present we have far more aircraft mechanics in the PI than aircraft for them to ply their trade. If you cannot get me the aircraft I need, can you at least authorize the evacuation of these troops?


Douglas MacArthur
Gen'l
USAFFE





11 Dec, 1941
1945
Cavite Naval Station
Luzon, PI

The naval situation in the PI region is heating up.

The escort carrier Taiyo has been sighted 180nm W of Bataan, in position to strike at any shipping that may try to flee Manila. With minimal air assets on hand, it will be up to our submariners to eliminate this threat.

The light carrier Ryujo was sighted this evening 120nm E of Butuan, with an unidentified carrier operating another 60nm SW of Ryujo. These are apparently operating in support of the invasion of Mindanao, and are poised to intercept shipping between the eastern NEI and the Philippines.

The patrol craft Napa was torpedoed in the early morning hours by an enemy sub while escorting the Langley out of the entrance to Manila Bay, but the fact that the Taiyo's air strikes during the day hit the freighters Taurus and Si Kiang leads me to believe that the Langley continued unsighted. She still has the Ford serving as an escort. Until the Taiyo threat has been dealt with the evacuation cannot proceed.

Due to the lack of aircraft in the PI, the OS2U-3 Kingfishers of VJ-10 have been tasked with attacking enemy shipping as opposed to jsut shadowing it. This morning they managed their first hit on an enemy ship. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.


S-36 reports having put a torpedo into a troop trnasport, but she was heavily damaged in the ensuing barrage from the escorts. She is making way for Lamon Bay for emergency repairs.



T. C. Hart, Adm
Cmmdr, Asiatic Fleet





11 Dec, 1941
Batavia, Java, NEI


Air strikes against the invasion fleet at Kuching have continued, though the results have been disappointing.

Force Z has been refueled at Batavia and shall move forward to Pontianak in preparation for attacking the invasion fleet at Kuching. The Kirishima and Hiei have been sighted there, but most other Japanese battleships have been accounted for (the Kongo and Haruna are at Mersing, the Ise, Hyuga, Fuso and Yamashiro are at Davao - leaving only the Nagato and Mutsu unsighted today), so we feel that Force Z stands a good chance at causing serious damage here. The fly in the ointment will be the Taiyo carreir group. It is in position to arrive off Kuching in about two days, so an attack there by our forces could be a risky move.

The Houston surface task group has finished refueling at Balikpapan and is rebasing to Tarakan for the time being. This move could place them in a trap by the three carrier task groups, so continued aerial reconnaisance is crucial.


A P Wavell, Gen'l
commander ABDA forces




11 Dec, 1941
Singapore


Little has changed today. The 22d and 27th Bdes AIF are holding the line at Mersing and other units are moving as ordered. The situation is critical in that should Mersing fall, the army will be cut off from fortress Singapore.

The commonwealth air forces continue to strike at Japanese shipping, with desultory results so far. Let us hope that they improve their aim before we run out of bombs and torpedoes.


A. E. Percival
Lt Gen'l





11 Dec, 1941
Colombo, Ceylon


Prince of Wales, Repulse and escorts have been assigned to ABDA command, and constitute the powerful Force Z. There are, however, four enemy battleships and two carriers spotted in the South China Sea, so it is to be hoped that ABDA will use Force Z carefully.

Exeter has joined with the light cruisers Dragon and Durban (as well as the Australian destroyer Vampire) at Batavia and awaits the arrival of the Hong Kong destroyer squadron, which has finished refueling at Balikpapan.

The minelayer tender Prome has been sent under escort to Soerbaja, where it is to be hoped that she can perform greater service than sitting in harbour at Colombo.

Two freighters are loading ammunition in Colombo harbour and are bound for Java, where the ordnance is likely to be needed soon. The fast freighter Empire Star is transitting the Suez Canal, loaded with replacement aircraft pulled from stocks in Alexandria. Her immediate destination is COlombo, though the aircraft are destined for Malaya and the NEI.

J. Sommerville, VAdm
Eastern Fleet

Okay, I'm not very good at graphics programs as of yet. I hope to improve as the game progresses, but bear with me. Let's see if we can read the notes I've placed on this screenshot.

This is the situation in the PI at the end of the Dec 10 turn (Dec 11 in the PI in my AAR - it's on the west side of the international date line). There are three carrier task forces on this map. The Taiyo (+ another?) is west of Bataan, while the Ryujo and another carrier TF are east of Mindanao. The Ise, Hyuga, Fuso and Yamashiro are bombarding Davao, and there is a cruiser TF sitting off Cebu now (it had previously visited Cagayan).


Obviously it will be difficult for shipping to pass into/out of the PI, and equally dangerous for the Houston surface task group to contend with landings in this area. Great care must be taken to maximize the use of this TF and not waste it in a useless guesture.

Here's the Hawaiian waters on Dec 10. It appears that the KB is withdrawing to the west. Bound for where????

I have two more ASW TFs preparing to leave Pearl. One will tackle the waters to the north, and the other will help clear the lanes to the south. I didn't want to put them to see if the KB was still in striking distance.

1125
Dec 11, 1941
Midway Is

VP21 sighted enemy carrier force approx 300nm NEbyE Laysan Is, headed SW. All island defenses ready.

R Gray, LtCol USAAF






1840
Dec 11, 1941
120nm west of Baker Is
Task Force 56
USS Enterprise

Shortly after dawn our search aircraft spotted a group of enemy naval vessels headed SE towards Howland Is. TFs 55 & 56 launched all available dive bombers in several waves throughout the day, claiming many hits on what appear to be fast minelayers. Aerial photos confirm ships loaded with troops. Am closing on the enemy force tonight, hoping to finish them off with torpedo bombers.

W. Halsey, VAdm




1035
Dec 12, 1941
off Taytay Is.


Sighted enemy cruiser, Maya class. One solid hit with Mk10 torpedo.

W.G. Chappel, LtCmdr
USS S-38





1855
Dec 12, 1941
Cavite Naval Station

The Imperial Japanese Navy is continuing to tighten the noose around the Philippine Islands. The light carrier Ryujo has moved southwest into the Celebes Sea in an apparent attempt to intercept any shipping involved in evacuations (either that, or in support of new invasions). The Taiyo has moved SW along Taytay Is, in position to intercept shipping or move to support forces at Kuching (or invasions at Brunei/Miri).

One more freighter was sunk by carrier torpedo bombers today, and the tanker Manatawney was severely damaged as well.

Houston TF has been ordered to Soerbaja, as its intended cruise area is well covered by enemy carrier aircraft.

T. C. Hart, Adm
Cmdr, Asiatic Fleet






1920
Dec 12, 1941
Manila, PI


Davao fell to invading forces today. The defenders fell back on Dadjangus, but have been ordered to move to Cagayan.

An enemy attack at Lingayen was repulsed today by the 21st PA Res Div. There appears to be no movement as of yet from either the Tuguegarao or Naga landings.

P40s from Manila claim to have hit a Japanese transport off Lingayen with bombs, and B17s out of Cagayan claim a hit on a light escort vessel at Davao.

D. MacArthur, Gen'l
USAFFE





12 Dec, 1941
Batavia, Java, NEI

Kuching fell today. Sarawak force surrendered, but 107 RN Base Force is attempting to withdraw to the port of Singkawang.

With the Taiyo TF moving SW from Luzon towards the west coast of Borneo, orders for the recall of Force Z were issued this evening. The base has been lost, and the danger of damaged ships being caught by carrier aircraft is too high.

Air strikes continued against enemy invasion fleets, with the T.IV flights claiming a couple of bomb hits on the battleship Kongo and a single hit on the heavy cruiser Takao at Mersing as well as a torpedo hit on a transport at Kuching.

A P Wavell, Gen'l
commander ABDA forces






Here we see Halsey's aircraft attacking a TF of fast MLs loaded with troops. Were they headed for Howland, Baker or Canton? With the KB still north of French Frigate Shoals, I do not believe they will make it to any destination beyond Howland Is (maybe a few might slip under the waves at Baker Is).

It looks like it was an attempt to grab a lightly defended (or undefended island) on the cheap. I guess that real estate just went up in price...

The PI on Dec 11 turn (Dec 12 in PI in AAR).

You can see the Japanese carrier TFs are moving to close the escape route. We really need to send them home, but haven't made it through their defenses yet.

Sorry about that, chief! I uploaded the previous day's photo on that last page. Here's the correct one.

Dec 12, 1941
1845
Pearl Harbor

This morning aircraft from TFs 55 & 56 pressed home their attack on the Japanese force near Howland Is. Aerial photos indicate that the minelayers Tsugaru and Okinoshima have been comfirmed as sunk, pilots claim two more. Halsey claims that the photographs also show a fairly high number of men in the water, indicating that the ships were carrying an occupation force.

Signals analysists have located a radio source approx 480nm NE of Buka, off BOugainville Is. This is not likely to be enemy carriers, as nearly all the known carriers in the Japanese NAvy have been accounted for in recent days. We believe this to possibly be another fast transport force, but can only venture WAGs as to its destination. Recommend requesting the Aus 7th Bde be diverted from Milne Bay to Luganville, and 2/3 Ind Coy be loaded on fast transport for Noumea.

A sizable enemy task force, believed to be the Kido Butai, is 240nm SWbyW Laysan Is, headed SW. Probable destination, Kwajalein, but this could also be a move towards Halsey's ships.

This evening TF 1110 was attacked a few hundred miles southwest of San Francisco by a submarine and the ammunition ship Lassen was hit by a single torpedo. She is not expected to make port. It is imperative that West Coast Command aircraft mount a vigorous ASW campaign off our main ports. We cannot allow the enemy submarines to intercept our vital shipping.

H. Kimmel, Adm
ComCenPac





Dec 13, 1941
1900
Manila, PI

Enemy aircraft continue to dominate the airspace over the Philippines. Our fighters from Nichols Field suffered heavily in aerial encounters, losing eight aircraft today whilst claiming only a single Zero. Pilot morale is plummetting, as the men have started to attribute mystical qualities to the Japanese fighter planes.

The IJN light carriers have moved deeper into the Celebes Sea towards the Bornean oil ports of Tarakan and Balikpapan, sinking several supply ships as they sweep the sealanes into the Sulu Sea.

The Japanese army broke the line at Lingayen this morning, and are driving through San Carlos towards Rosales in the Luzon plain. This move has cut off the forces defending Lingayen (21st PA Res Div, 86th US Fd Atty Bttn, 8th PAF Base Force), forcing them to retreat through San Fernando towards Baguio. These troops are in danger of being cut off from the rest of the USAFFE forces. The 11th and 71st PA Res Divisions at Baguio have been ordered to make haste for the line at Rosales. It is to be hoped that they reach this important junction before the Japs do.

Douglas MacArthur
Gen'l
USAFFE






13 Dec, 1941
1840
Batavia, Java, NEI

Japanese medium bombers are operating from the airbase at Kuching today, using torpedoes very effectively against shipping in the area. The NEIAF does not have any bombers with the range to reach Kuching from any of their airfields, and so it is going to require either Blenheims from Malaya or B17s from the PI to counter this threat.

A P Wavell, Gen'l
commanding ABDA forces





13 Dec, 1941
2030
Singapore

The enemy has been biding his time so far on the Malayan front, with no attempts so far to expand his toeholds. His aircraft continue to whittle away at the Malayan air forces, which have produced little about which we can cheer.It is imperative that more modern types of aircraft be provided. The Brewster Buffalo - while a strong aircraft - cannot reach the enemy bombers before they release their loads. Few of our fighters have been lost in the air, but many on the ground.

A. E. Percival
Lt Gen'l







Here's the unidentified radio source. One has to wonder where its destination lies. Is it headed for Buin/Shortlands, Lunga, Luganville or Noumea? Considering those minelayers seemed to be headed for Canton Is instead of Baker, it appears that Chez likes to throw the long bomb.

Unfortunately, I noticed this after sending the turn back to him, so I've lost a day in responding. The TF with the 7th Aus Bde is off Rockhampton right now, so I will turn it towards Luganville and increase to flank speed. I'll load the 2/3 Ind. Coy onto an 18 knot transport and send it at flank speed to Noumea. I hope that this will be enough, as I have nothing else within reach.

Kido Butai moves south:

Sorry, only 1 pic per post.

Submarine hits replenishment TF headed for Halsey. AE Lassen at 47 sys, 91 flot, and 46 fires.

Japanese break the line at Lingayen, our forces retreat away from Clark Field! This might have completely unhinged the defensive line. Landing at Lingayen instead of San Fernando or Vigan was a very smart move on Chez' part.

One PAF Division had been tasked with holding the mountain hex at Baguio, another has been moving from San Fernando through Baguio towards Clark Field (strangely the game allowed the 86th US Fd Atty Bttn to move from San Fernando into Lingayen, but I was unable to order the 11th PA Res Div to do the same!). It is possible that the Japanese force at Lingayen will move into Clark before any of these troops can. If so, three divisions and one artillery battalion will be completely cut off - half the Philippine Army on Luzon!