Dec 14, 1941
The EOJ has attacked British, Australian and Dutch facilities and military units throughout the Pacific area.
Jap activity seems focussed in 4 areas : Malaya, the Phillipennes, South Central Pacific, and Hawaii.
In Hawaii, the IJN launched a massive carrier raid, sinking 1 BB and damaging numerous other ships. We sent out several raids of very low strength against their fleet, hitting nothing and losing a number of aircraft. Current location of Jap carriers is unknown. Situation very unclear.
The Prince of Wales was sunk off the coast of Malaya. All fleet units in Singapore except the Repulse are being sent to Java, where they will join American and Dutch fleet units and form a group for the protection of Indonesia.
In Malaya we will attempt to hold in front of Singapore.
In the US theater the South Pacific SoPac command is formed around American Samoa, but has few forces.
Our efforts are for the moment focussed on the Hawaiian area for if that is lost the war is lost as well. US naval units on the west coast will consolidate in SF, while all units in Hawaii will consolidate at PH. CentPac dispatches a Marine Bn to Canton Island. Air units are dispersed and redistributed.
end
Dec 21, 1941.
ABDA Command, Soerbaja. A combined fleet of British, American, Australian and Dutch ships is now operating out of Java under British Admiral Phillips.
All air forces are withdrawn from Malaya and PI, as enemy air superority seems complete. Malayan units are split between Java and Burma, while American air units in PI head towards Townsville, stopping for this week in Kendari as Australian airfields and command infrastructure are not ready for them.
Malayan forces still retreating to Kuala Lumpur, in PI nearly all ground forces are boxed in and retreating towards Bataan.
In Hawaii we continue to train aircrews and will form a carrier battlegroup next week. The Yorktown is still not in theater, so we have only 3 carriers. Once assembled at PH, we will form one 2 carrier group, and one 1 carrier group. Our AA is suffcient to cover only about 2 carrier groups, which will leave some surface units left over for transport and surface combat missions.
Dec 28, 1941
Our efforts to withdraw remaining naval units from PI failed, and we lost a number of merchant ships, destroyers, APs and a light cruiser to air attack there.
SigInt shows that CFHQ (the enemy fleet with heavy carriers) is now in Kavieng, which was occupied by the Japanese last week. Hawaii is probably safe for now as the enemy is concentrating on consolidating a position around the Raubal area.
During the week several enemy landings were made in Indonesia, some of which were attacked by our aircraft. We scored few hits and no serious damage. Our pilots are not trained sufficiently.
Initiative remains with the Japanese. We have too few airgroups and certainly too few carriers to consider serious offensive action. Immediate goals are to delay the inevitable in PI and Malaya, continue to operate the surface group and various air units in and around Java with the hope of inflicting casualties or delaying enemy landings, building up the Hawaii area so as to make an enemy action there impossible, and creating a chain of defended islands forward of Hawaii. Once all that is done, we then need to secure US-AUS communication by building up SoPac in the Samoa - Espiritu Santo region. In Australia itself, the Port Moresby - Cairns channel must be defended, so airgroups retreating from PI are now being relocated in Cairns, Townsville and Port Moresby; this group includes one squadron of Dauntlesses and two of B-17s.
We have an active carrier group in Hawaii now comprising the Lexington and Saratoga. The Enterprise remains in port training aircrews. We expect enemy action to focus in the Raubal area.
Jan 4, 1942
Numerous enemy landings in the Raubal area confirm enemy intentions in that area. Possible enemy will be attempting to cut off the US-AUS link before we can mobilze forces to defend.
Hong Kong continues to hold out, along with Malaya, while in the PI enemy landings at Lingayen Gulf have reduced us to Bataan. Previous attempts to send supplies to the area were futile, so SWPac is informed they are on their own there. Meanwhile SWPac has taken over command of the area around Port Moresby. Additional land units are enroute to the Port itself.
In Burma Rangoon cannot be supplied due to enemy air activity, land forces there are hard pressed to contain the enemy. We are activating a air combat and surface group in Ceylon to attempt a resupply of our troops there.
Enemy naval activity in Indonesia was attacked by our air again this week, with some success in the sinking of a landing craft full of troops.
In Hawaii, our carrier and surface group will be moving to Johnston Island in preparation for raids in the Marshalls. Our intent is to draw off enemy forces from attacks in the Raubal area and slow their southward progress until SoPac can be reinforced.
Jan 11, 1942
Numerous enemy landings again in the Raubal area, including Buka and Green Islands in the Solomons chain. The AUS Lark Bn continues to hold Raubal itself, but this cannot continue much longer. Enemy seems intent on moving into the Solomons chain in strength, IJCFHQ remains at Kaveing but we have no intel on their direction other that what we can presume from their landings.
Malaya and PI continue to hold.We cannot evacuate anyone from Malaya because in the first place we have only two transports in Ceylon, and in the second place those transports would likely be sunk by enemy air. Evacuation of anyone from PI is totally out of the question. However, SEAC command has decided to land in the Andaman Islands with part of 29 BDE, and build up the airfield there with Engineers.
The large question now is what to do with the 2 US CGs in the Hawaii area. Some question the value of air raids in the Marshalls from Johnston Island in view of the enemy's move in the Solomans. We have identified all of the enemy's heavy carriers in that area. Enemy land based air strength is not yet decisive there as well. Decision, move one CentPac CG fleet to American Samoa with the intent on slowing up enemy advance and possibly inflicting losses on enemy carrier groups. The second and weaker CG will remain in Hawaii as a reserve. CentPac HQ is transferred to the Lex/Sar Carrier group.
During this week, we will have deployed ground forces to all islands from Midway to Samoa, including all of the Hawaiian Islands. We would do more, but we have a tremendous shortage of transport all over the theater.
In the ABDA area, we are please to report that the Repulse is almost fully repaired in Java. Repulse has a great number of AA gunmounts, and will be a valuable addition to any fleet. We consider moving it to Australia.
Jan 18, 1942.
Kuala Lumpur and Raubal have both been occupied by enemy troops. The Lark BN at Raubal fought valiantly, but the enemy landed 4 regiments of troops there this week.
Our carrier group is deployed in American Samoa, shortly joined by several cruisers and destroyers from AUSNZ. Spruance has orders to react over a wide distance to enemy moves in SoPac area, but remains the Fleet HQ for CentPac there. Unfortunately, with the fall of Raubal, SigInt has lost track of IJNCFHQ.
Bataan is not doing well. Few supplies means the area will be lost, possibly within the next 2 weeks.
We occupied Andaman Islands and will be landing Engineers there next week.
Jan 25, 1942
Rangoon has fallen and the enemy advances to Mandalay, where we have deployed everything we can to stop them.
IJNCFHQ appears to be deployed in PI now, indicating new enemy intentions in the western Pacific somewhere. Probably against Borneo and Java, where we can oppose them only with a light suface group and land based air from precariously held islands. We believe they may be refitting, preparing for action in the coming weeks. This is a welcome break for us.
We now focus on establishing a strong chain of air and land garrisoned islands stretching from PH to Samoa, and from there to Espiritu Santo and Townsville. A number of transport groups are enroute, while Spruance's carrier group sits at Samoa to react to any enemy moves there.
The situation in Malaya and PI remains critical, but inevitable.
Feb 1, 1942
IJNCFHQ is operating against Borneo, and has taken another area there. We will trade parts of Indonesia for time to build up the US-AUS linkage.
Malaya and PI situation continues critical.
With the withdrawal of IJNCFHQ to PI, we are sending Spruance on a raid against Raubal. While there is a not insignificant risk of attack by land based air units, the huge numbers of surface ships in the area are too tempting a target to let slip. We are hopeful that we can catch the enemy unprepared and still in the act of deploying land based air to the area. Halsey's group will also move down to Samoa to support operations the following week.
Feb 8, 1942
No change in Malaya or PI.
Major enemy carrier units were active against Borneo, Java and Sumatra this week, and were engaged by our land based air. Unfortunately our bombers could not get through against the large numbers of enemy fighters protecting their vessels. However, no landings took place. We expect landings in the area next week.
Spruance's carrier group changed course to New Georgia island instead of Raubal due to fears of enemy air. His group encountered no enemy to attack, and was not itself attacked. This is a good sign. Halsey will this week move up to Green Island and attempt to locate and destroy enemy ships and suppress enemy airfields. within a week or two, both carrier groups should be able to hit Raubal.
Efforts continue to solidify the US-AUS chain. Air groups have arrived in Samoa.
Feb 15, 1942
Halsey's raid on Green Island was costly to the aircrews, with more than half of the planes lost. We were fortunate that the group took no significant damage from air attack. The enemy's fighters are extremely well trained and we suffered many lost aircraft as a result. However, we did do some damage to enemy air capability in the area. New Georgia was lost to an enemy landing. Halsey will return to Ellice this week while Spruance engages in intensive training for his aircrew. We will launch a bigger attack in the weeks to come.
IJNCFHQ still located in Borneo, SigInt reports enemy looking to occupy entire Island. Java situation becoming precarious.
No change in Malaya, Burma, PI.
Feb 22, 1942
Malaya and PI down to one base area each; Singapore and Bataan. Singapore has plenty of supplies and some chance of support from Batavia / Java. PI has no chance. Hong Kong, which continues to hold, is also well beyond our ability to resupply.
IJNCFHQ is in Miri, and Borneo has now been completely occupied by the enemy. ABDA command lacks any transport at all, so evacuation of troops on islands other than Batavia or Java is simply not possible. We expect further enemy moves by their heavy carriers in that area. We have intelligence that suggests enemy carrier strike at Palembang, followed possibly by invasion, for this week. We move all the Dutch airgroups in Indonesia to attempt to cause some damage on their carrier groups. The Indomitable and Hermes carrier group and the surface group in Trincomalee will also move to Palembang. We are willing to sacrifice a large portion of that fleet to score some hits on the enemy heavy carrier groups. Supported by land-based air, we believe we have a fair chance of doing that.
Our greatest concern at the moment, however, is the lack of men in AUS and the South Pacific. Despite the fact that we have been "building up" actually we have been building up from absolutely nothing.
Halsey and Spruance continue training operations in the Ellice Island area.
March 1, 1942
IJNCF launched actions against Java, including several carrier strikes, and a landing in the Flores area. Our land based air scored little damage but did shoot down several enemy fighters. Enemy carrier air attempted to strike the surface group at Soerbaja and scored several hits, none critical. We have this week lost track of the carrier groups, but believe them to be in Saigon.
In Burma the situation appears to have stabilized with Allied forces holding Mandalay and enemy forces in Rangoon. We have reached air parity in that area and launch strikes against Rangoon airbases and depots from several airbases.
In the New Guinea area, enemy forces continue landings on the north coast of New Guinea, protected by land-based air from Raubal, Truk, and several other islands.
Despite the losses in Halsey's carrier group, which have now been made good, there is a noticeable improvement in the quality of the aircrew there, validating the practice of training through attack missions. The carrier groups will attack Kwajalein and Maloelap airfields this week to provide experience and diversion for the SWPac landings on Rossel and other islands.
This week we will begin landing garrison forces at several islands near NG, including Rossel Island, from the Aus 7BDE.
March 8, 1942
The enemy and ourselves are trading blows in different parts of the Pacific theater. IJN attacked in the Sumatra area, invading Bangka Island, where our LBA attempted to score some hits. Few of our bombers got through to the enemy carriers, none scored a hit. The invasion group on Bankga was hit substantially, damaging a light cruiser and sinking a transport, but not enough to halt the landing there.
We do not have enough quality airgroups or surface units in Java / Sumatra to oppose the enemy. Nevertheless, withdrawal is not possible at this time, as the actions there are buying time for the solidification of the USAUS link.
Halsey and Spruance hit Maloelap island, sustaining superficial damage to one carrier, but decimating the enemy LBA with flak and fighter action. Again, they will train and consolidate at Ellice, and then attack again in 2 weeks.
We take note that the naval construction battalion we were sending to the SoPac area has disappeared.
MacArthur is taking over some islands in the SoPac area, and landing Aus battalions to supplement SoPac efforts. Air groups from the US are now arriving, as well as other engineer battalions.
Mar 15, 1942
Japanese troops have landed on and occupied a part of Sumatra, and forced the surrender of Percival at Singapore, spelling the beginning of the end of ABDA's ability to exert control over events. Enemy forces are now within striking range of the north coast of Australia, so MacArthur is sending additional brigades to that area. Some air groups may be shifted there as well.
Once again, our land based air in the ABDA area was ineffective. We may now have to shift some troop carrier capability to Darwin to evacuate some units there, but that decision is being deferred.
Mar 22, 1942
We have lost track of the enemy heavy carriers group. One enemy carrier has been spotted in the New Guinea area, giving us cause to suspect a change in tactics by the enemy.
Accordingly, we are planning no operations at the present time.
The convoy system out of Los Angeles is disorganized, last week no supplies were moved. We are moving several groups of MCS from scattered locations back to LA.
Mar 29, 1942
IJNCFHQ is now in Sumatra, and intel reports they plan an invasion of Java itself this week. We relocate Australian Hudson bombers to Java from Ambon, temporarily leaving the coast of Australia only slighly protected.
US Carrier groups will raid Raubal this week in force. We expect heavy resistance, but we have confidence in the aircrew to hold off enemy aircraft. Targets are task forces and ships in port.
AAR - Dec 41 to June 42
AAR - Dec 41 to June 42
Last time I checked, the forums were messed up. 
April to Mid-June, 1942
April 5, 1942
A good week for the Allied cause.
Halsey's carrier forces hit Raubal hard, practically wiping out the enemy aircraft there. No enemy ships or task forces were located. The Enterprise suffered minor damage and must retire for several months for repairs.
The enemy landed on Java at Batavia, forcing the Dutch troops to retreat. However, two enemy carriers from a light carrier group were heavily damaged and nearly sunk. This was accomplished by the re-deployed Hudson bombers. We doubt we can hold the area for long, but again we continue to buy time.
Most interestingly, China's efforts to move to the relief of Hong Kong actually succeeded by taking Canton, and now the enemy troops there are themselves cut off. It may even be possible to deploy additional British troops in Hong Kong, along with airgroups from Burma. However it will take several months for this to occur because troops from Burma must march overland along the Burma Road. We have deployed Dakota transports in Hong Kong in the hopes of resupplying the desperate troops in Bataan.
ABDA surface forces will move from Broome to Tjjtlap on the basis of intelligence that further enemy naval moves are planned there.
April 12, 1942
ABDA fleet units engaged a major enemy surface fleet at Tjitlajap and inflicted very heavy damage on numerous ships in a surprise night action off the coast. Enemy battleship Yamato was present and suffered heavy damage with 45 hits reported. An enemy light cruiser was sunk. ABDA fleets suffered serious damage but the fleet is still underway and prevented the enemy landing attempt.
We also sent a suface fleet to the Rangoon area, which caused serious disruption to enemy ground forces there and destroyed 11 aircraft.
Dakotas stationed at Hong Kong in fact airlifted supplies to Bataan, the first relief for those forces since the enemy attacks in December.
Continued enemy focus on Java may mean an opportunity. We are sending Spruance's carrier group to Port Moresby. It may be possible to hit enemy ship concentrations in Hollandia, location of the south seas fleet, or even attempt to hit enemy carrier task forces operating around Java. Halsey's group is split, with the Enterprise heading to SF for repairs and the Yorktown remaining in the SoPac area.
April 19
Enemy continues action at Tjilajap, landing another division there. We are forced to withdraw the surface fleet due to continuous enemy air attacks sinking one of our light cruisers.
The decision has been made to send Spruance to Tjitlajap. He goes now, with orders to stand off the port and destroy enemy task forces. To assist this move, land based Dauntlesses from Port Moresby are being flown to Java, and the surface group at Ceylon will sail. An extremely risky move, but we must not let slip the opportunity to inflict serious losses on the enemy.
Hong Kong is reinforced with additional air units including Wellington bombers to interdict enemy ship movements in the South China Seas.
April 26, 1942
Multiple confused engagements around Tjilajap, but most importantly our carrier group was undamaged. Numerous enemy ships were sunk or damaged including several destroyers, destroyer escorts, troop carriers and merchants, but enemy carrier groups stayed out of range of ours, and our small land based airforces were unable to penetrate their CAP screen. While the numbers of enemy ships damaged was not small, it will not significantly influence the as yet unknown outcome of the Battle for Java.
There are 7 LCUs at Tjilajap, so as a precaution we are moving air groups to the last outpost, Soerbaja.
May 3, 1942
Tjilatjap has fallen. All troops retreated to Soerbaja. There were no naval actions this week, but we did lose the destroyer Fantastque to enemy air action. Our current intent is to attempt to hold Soerbaja, so no plans are made for evacuation of troops there.
We are regrouping naval forces at Broome and Ceylon, but we no longer have intel on the enemy's intentions. The enemy has interior lines, in that they can deploy for an attack on the Solomons before our carrier groups can concentrate there, but Halsey is there with the Yorktown and the Hornet should be there in one week.
We raided Haiphong harbor with LBA from Burma based at various Chinese bases, sinking several MCS.
May 10, 1942.
Confirmed that IJNCFHQ is now no longer in either the Indonesia or NG/Solomons area, but we still don't know where it is.
CentPac HQ is with Spruance's fleet in Broome, with a target of Soerbaja as a last ditch attempt to defend that last hold in Java. Spruance is supported now by Admiral Doorman's surface group of the remaining Dutch, British, and American cruisers and destroyers from ABDA command.
Elsewhere the strategic situation appears to have stabilized. The enemy has made no new landings in the Solomons chain, and instead is one by one marching down the NG north coast. In Burma, the enemy has been unable to take Mandalay and we have air superiority there, while at the same time hitting Haiphong harbor with aircraft. We have been unable to reinforce Hong Kong with LCUs, which has now become a critical base due to the fact that it is linked with Allied Chinese forces. The entire Chinese airforce and some LBA from Burma are in and around HK for support and interdiction, while 2 IND BDES are moving overland through Chinese territory to assist at HK.
The Central Pacific area has been very quiet. We have a chain of islands with a Marine BN, and one Wildcat and one Dauntless squadron set to NI each; Midway, Johnston, Palmyra, Canton, Ellice, Espiritu Santo. Only at Canton Island do we lack a Dauntless squadron. Along this chain we have searchplanes based to cover all approaches to Hawaii or Samoa. Espiritu Santo (ES) is now the HQ of SoPac, and has in addition a B-17 squadron and a seaplane squadron. Most of the aircrew have decent training, but probably still not a match for the enemy carrier pilots. We have a new Raider battalion in SF which we will base at Palmyra with APDs, looking to raid any enemy islands that lack air protection.
Until we determine the location of the enemy heavy carriers group, we must be very cautious. The enemy has lost a number of AP ships, and had several of their light carriers damaged significantly in the Indonesian battles, so our expectation now is that when the enemy makes a significant move outside of their range of LBA, it will be their heavy carrier group without significant support. We have 5 carriers now, with 4 operational as the Enterprise remains in SF and will likely be there for several more months.
May 17, 1942.
Into the Jaws of Death all men eventually are fed.
While SigInt cannot confirm it, we now believe based on sightings reports that CFHQ is in Batavia. Once again, the enemy landed 4 LCUs at Soerbaja without a reaction from us, so this week we send the Broome group to Soerbaja to assist the defense there. Should the enemy carriers react, it could be a dark day.
All other preparations and operations : Strengthening the USAUS link, reinforcing HK, bombing Haiphong continue. Americal Division arrives in ES this week, along with 6 additional airgroups in AS.
May 24, 1942
Soerbaja has fallen. We must evacuate the remaining troops there. Unfortunately all airgroups located there have been destroyed.
Despite this bad news, we can take stock of the fact that during this week Spruance cruised around Soerbaja and inflicted heavy damage on enemy ships. Combined with desperate LBA strikes, something on the order of a dozen MCS, APS, DD and DE ships each went down, and most importantly a Ryuho class light carrier was sent to the bottom. This is our first enemy carrier sinking of the war.
The enemy's heavy carrier group was in the vicinity of Soerbaja but enroute to points east and did not have enough time to turn around and engage Spruance.
All told the battle for Indonesia has been costly for the enemy, both in terms of lost time and in actual casualties. We estimate a total of about 40 MCS lost, about a dozen APs, about a dozen destroyers and DEs, several cruisers, one battleship, one carrier, along with about an equal number of those same classes damaged and out of action for at least several months. Other areas in the Pacific have also caused enemy losses that were not insignificant.
The major operation that we need to undertake immediately is the evacuation of the remaining ground troops in Java. Spruance will cover this. At the moment all transport is busy with USAUS link operations. Numerous transports and other ships will be gathering in Darwin over the next two weeks. We are unsure whether the troops can hold out that long.
May 31, 1942
Some tense moments for Spruance as two waves of 70+ Betty bombers each attacked his group, our CAP was light and most of the bombers got through, but we escaped with only very minor damage thanks to our heavy AA. Spruance withdrew to Darwin.
A sub sank an enemy escort carrier in the Maccassar strait. Once again we have a strategic situation where most enemy fleets except for their heavy carrier group have suffered some damage.
CFHQ is in Batavia, meaning the enemy is intent on clearing Soerbaja, and possibly hitting Timor and Ambon. Our transports are not yet in a position to attempt evacuation.
With Nicobar Island now built up and servicing Hurricaines, we can pound Rangoon with surface units, which we are doing about twice a month, causing damage to enemy installations there. Haiphong continues to be a target for our airgroups throughout SEAC and China, with the enemy having lost probably 30 MCS over the last couple of weeks there. Unfortunately our IND Bdes in Canton cannot move to HK due to lack of supply in China.
June 7, 1942
Still trying to assemble transport in Darwin. I fear we will be too late.
Enemy transports have been spotted in the Shortland area, so Halsey will cruise up there to protect that island and Guadalcanal.
The USAUS link is fairly solid now, with each island in the chain having airgroups, and every other island having a seaplane group. All are garrisoned.
CentPac is going to raid Makin atoll this week as both that Island and Tarawa are outside of reported enemy aircover.
Enemy carrier groups still loitering in Indonesia.
June 14, 1942
All but one transport group has been called off from attempting to get to Darwin to evacuate the Blackburn Regiment from Soerbaja. Last week all allied troops except Blackburn and a Dutch BN surrendered. It is unlikely we can get there in time.
The failure to evacuate the area is attributable to the mistake of not having at least one sufficient transport command operating with ABDA. ABDA command has been shut down, with all areas taken over by MacArthur's SoWestPac.
The Makin attack was not successful, and the 2nd Raiders were evacuated off the beach.
Aside from the failure at Soerbaja, event appear to have reached equilibrium Enemy making some moves in the Solomons.
Our goals now are to hold Ambon and Timor without committing our carrier groups, continue to develop the Hong Kong/Bataan situation.
Offensively, we believe we have an opportunity to push back the enemy in the Rabaul area. We need to bring down to combat regiments and the 1 MAR DIV from SF. In the meantime Samoa and Espiritu Santo are held by USA Divisions.
Staff has tentatively worked up Plan Rainbow for offensive action in the Solomons. The release of transports from the Indonesia operations have provided capability that we must now use before the enemy recovers from the losses of the Indonesia operations.
Rainbow-A is a combined SWPac SoPac operation involving simultaneous landings at Lae, Shortland and New Georgia. Lae landing will be by Aus 7 Div. Shortland and New Georgia by SoPac units. The operation cannot proceed until LCUs in SF have moved down to Espiritu Santo. However, until then, Halsey is charged with the protection of Shortland by carrier groups. AUS 7 Div is currently in Melbourne, so ships are going this week to pick it up for staging at Townsville.
Rainbow-B involves landings at Lae and Shortland only. Rainbow-C involves only Shortland.
Which plan will be implemented depends on events in the coming weeks.
A good week for the Allied cause.
Halsey's carrier forces hit Raubal hard, practically wiping out the enemy aircraft there. No enemy ships or task forces were located. The Enterprise suffered minor damage and must retire for several months for repairs.
The enemy landed on Java at Batavia, forcing the Dutch troops to retreat. However, two enemy carriers from a light carrier group were heavily damaged and nearly sunk. This was accomplished by the re-deployed Hudson bombers. We doubt we can hold the area for long, but again we continue to buy time.
Most interestingly, China's efforts to move to the relief of Hong Kong actually succeeded by taking Canton, and now the enemy troops there are themselves cut off. It may even be possible to deploy additional British troops in Hong Kong, along with airgroups from Burma. However it will take several months for this to occur because troops from Burma must march overland along the Burma Road. We have deployed Dakota transports in Hong Kong in the hopes of resupplying the desperate troops in Bataan.
ABDA surface forces will move from Broome to Tjjtlap on the basis of intelligence that further enemy naval moves are planned there.
April 12, 1942
ABDA fleet units engaged a major enemy surface fleet at Tjitlajap and inflicted very heavy damage on numerous ships in a surprise night action off the coast. Enemy battleship Yamato was present and suffered heavy damage with 45 hits reported. An enemy light cruiser was sunk. ABDA fleets suffered serious damage but the fleet is still underway and prevented the enemy landing attempt.
We also sent a suface fleet to the Rangoon area, which caused serious disruption to enemy ground forces there and destroyed 11 aircraft.
Dakotas stationed at Hong Kong in fact airlifted supplies to Bataan, the first relief for those forces since the enemy attacks in December.
Continued enemy focus on Java may mean an opportunity. We are sending Spruance's carrier group to Port Moresby. It may be possible to hit enemy ship concentrations in Hollandia, location of the south seas fleet, or even attempt to hit enemy carrier task forces operating around Java. Halsey's group is split, with the Enterprise heading to SF for repairs and the Yorktown remaining in the SoPac area.
April 19
Enemy continues action at Tjilajap, landing another division there. We are forced to withdraw the surface fleet due to continuous enemy air attacks sinking one of our light cruisers.
The decision has been made to send Spruance to Tjitlajap. He goes now, with orders to stand off the port and destroy enemy task forces. To assist this move, land based Dauntlesses from Port Moresby are being flown to Java, and the surface group at Ceylon will sail. An extremely risky move, but we must not let slip the opportunity to inflict serious losses on the enemy.
Hong Kong is reinforced with additional air units including Wellington bombers to interdict enemy ship movements in the South China Seas.
April 26, 1942
Multiple confused engagements around Tjilajap, but most importantly our carrier group was undamaged. Numerous enemy ships were sunk or damaged including several destroyers, destroyer escorts, troop carriers and merchants, but enemy carrier groups stayed out of range of ours, and our small land based airforces were unable to penetrate their CAP screen. While the numbers of enemy ships damaged was not small, it will not significantly influence the as yet unknown outcome of the Battle for Java.
There are 7 LCUs at Tjilajap, so as a precaution we are moving air groups to the last outpost, Soerbaja.
May 3, 1942
Tjilatjap has fallen. All troops retreated to Soerbaja. There were no naval actions this week, but we did lose the destroyer Fantastque to enemy air action. Our current intent is to attempt to hold Soerbaja, so no plans are made for evacuation of troops there.
We are regrouping naval forces at Broome and Ceylon, but we no longer have intel on the enemy's intentions. The enemy has interior lines, in that they can deploy for an attack on the Solomons before our carrier groups can concentrate there, but Halsey is there with the Yorktown and the Hornet should be there in one week.
We raided Haiphong harbor with LBA from Burma based at various Chinese bases, sinking several MCS.
May 10, 1942.
Confirmed that IJNCFHQ is now no longer in either the Indonesia or NG/Solomons area, but we still don't know where it is.
CentPac HQ is with Spruance's fleet in Broome, with a target of Soerbaja as a last ditch attempt to defend that last hold in Java. Spruance is supported now by Admiral Doorman's surface group of the remaining Dutch, British, and American cruisers and destroyers from ABDA command.
Elsewhere the strategic situation appears to have stabilized. The enemy has made no new landings in the Solomons chain, and instead is one by one marching down the NG north coast. In Burma, the enemy has been unable to take Mandalay and we have air superiority there, while at the same time hitting Haiphong harbor with aircraft. We have been unable to reinforce Hong Kong with LCUs, which has now become a critical base due to the fact that it is linked with Allied Chinese forces. The entire Chinese airforce and some LBA from Burma are in and around HK for support and interdiction, while 2 IND BDES are moving overland through Chinese territory to assist at HK.
The Central Pacific area has been very quiet. We have a chain of islands with a Marine BN, and one Wildcat and one Dauntless squadron set to NI each; Midway, Johnston, Palmyra, Canton, Ellice, Espiritu Santo. Only at Canton Island do we lack a Dauntless squadron. Along this chain we have searchplanes based to cover all approaches to Hawaii or Samoa. Espiritu Santo (ES) is now the HQ of SoPac, and has in addition a B-17 squadron and a seaplane squadron. Most of the aircrew have decent training, but probably still not a match for the enemy carrier pilots. We have a new Raider battalion in SF which we will base at Palmyra with APDs, looking to raid any enemy islands that lack air protection.
Until we determine the location of the enemy heavy carriers group, we must be very cautious. The enemy has lost a number of AP ships, and had several of their light carriers damaged significantly in the Indonesian battles, so our expectation now is that when the enemy makes a significant move outside of their range of LBA, it will be their heavy carrier group without significant support. We have 5 carriers now, with 4 operational as the Enterprise remains in SF and will likely be there for several more months.
May 17, 1942.
Into the Jaws of Death all men eventually are fed.
While SigInt cannot confirm it, we now believe based on sightings reports that CFHQ is in Batavia. Once again, the enemy landed 4 LCUs at Soerbaja without a reaction from us, so this week we send the Broome group to Soerbaja to assist the defense there. Should the enemy carriers react, it could be a dark day.
All other preparations and operations : Strengthening the USAUS link, reinforcing HK, bombing Haiphong continue. Americal Division arrives in ES this week, along with 6 additional airgroups in AS.
May 24, 1942
Soerbaja has fallen. We must evacuate the remaining troops there. Unfortunately all airgroups located there have been destroyed.
Despite this bad news, we can take stock of the fact that during this week Spruance cruised around Soerbaja and inflicted heavy damage on enemy ships. Combined with desperate LBA strikes, something on the order of a dozen MCS, APS, DD and DE ships each went down, and most importantly a Ryuho class light carrier was sent to the bottom. This is our first enemy carrier sinking of the war.
The enemy's heavy carrier group was in the vicinity of Soerbaja but enroute to points east and did not have enough time to turn around and engage Spruance.
All told the battle for Indonesia has been costly for the enemy, both in terms of lost time and in actual casualties. We estimate a total of about 40 MCS lost, about a dozen APs, about a dozen destroyers and DEs, several cruisers, one battleship, one carrier, along with about an equal number of those same classes damaged and out of action for at least several months. Other areas in the Pacific have also caused enemy losses that were not insignificant.
The major operation that we need to undertake immediately is the evacuation of the remaining ground troops in Java. Spruance will cover this. At the moment all transport is busy with USAUS link operations. Numerous transports and other ships will be gathering in Darwin over the next two weeks. We are unsure whether the troops can hold out that long.
May 31, 1942
Some tense moments for Spruance as two waves of 70+ Betty bombers each attacked his group, our CAP was light and most of the bombers got through, but we escaped with only very minor damage thanks to our heavy AA. Spruance withdrew to Darwin.
A sub sank an enemy escort carrier in the Maccassar strait. Once again we have a strategic situation where most enemy fleets except for their heavy carrier group have suffered some damage.
CFHQ is in Batavia, meaning the enemy is intent on clearing Soerbaja, and possibly hitting Timor and Ambon. Our transports are not yet in a position to attempt evacuation.
With Nicobar Island now built up and servicing Hurricaines, we can pound Rangoon with surface units, which we are doing about twice a month, causing damage to enemy installations there. Haiphong continues to be a target for our airgroups throughout SEAC and China, with the enemy having lost probably 30 MCS over the last couple of weeks there. Unfortunately our IND Bdes in Canton cannot move to HK due to lack of supply in China.
June 7, 1942
Still trying to assemble transport in Darwin. I fear we will be too late.
Enemy transports have been spotted in the Shortland area, so Halsey will cruise up there to protect that island and Guadalcanal.
The USAUS link is fairly solid now, with each island in the chain having airgroups, and every other island having a seaplane group. All are garrisoned.
CentPac is going to raid Makin atoll this week as both that Island and Tarawa are outside of reported enemy aircover.
Enemy carrier groups still loitering in Indonesia.
June 14, 1942
All but one transport group has been called off from attempting to get to Darwin to evacuate the Blackburn Regiment from Soerbaja. Last week all allied troops except Blackburn and a Dutch BN surrendered. It is unlikely we can get there in time.
The failure to evacuate the area is attributable to the mistake of not having at least one sufficient transport command operating with ABDA. ABDA command has been shut down, with all areas taken over by MacArthur's SoWestPac.
The Makin attack was not successful, and the 2nd Raiders were evacuated off the beach.
Aside from the failure at Soerbaja, event appear to have reached equilibrium Enemy making some moves in the Solomons.
Our goals now are to hold Ambon and Timor without committing our carrier groups, continue to develop the Hong Kong/Bataan situation.
Offensively, we believe we have an opportunity to push back the enemy in the Rabaul area. We need to bring down to combat regiments and the 1 MAR DIV from SF. In the meantime Samoa and Espiritu Santo are held by USA Divisions.
Staff has tentatively worked up Plan Rainbow for offensive action in the Solomons. The release of transports from the Indonesia operations have provided capability that we must now use before the enemy recovers from the losses of the Indonesia operations.
Rainbow-A is a combined SWPac SoPac operation involving simultaneous landings at Lae, Shortland and New Georgia. Lae landing will be by Aus 7 Div. Shortland and New Georgia by SoPac units. The operation cannot proceed until LCUs in SF have moved down to Espiritu Santo. However, until then, Halsey is charged with the protection of Shortland by carrier groups. AUS 7 Div is currently in Melbourne, so ships are going this week to pick it up for staging at Townsville.
Rainbow-B involves landings at Lae and Shortland only. Rainbow-C involves only Shortland.
Which plan will be implemented depends on events in the coming weeks.
Last time I checked, the forums were messed up.
Mid June to Late August, 1942
June 21, 1942
Halsey was just in the nick of time at Shortland, wiping out an enemy force attempting a landing there. Enemy air attacks in response were weak and shot down well away from the carriers. He returns this week.
Transports have finally arrived at Darwin. Unfortunately CFHQ is still at Batavia, and we cannot risk a withdrawal attempt in the face of the undamaged enemy heavy carrier group. Sadly we must consign remaining troops at Soerbaja to their fate.
To support Ambon and Timor, we will move AUS 7BDE up to Darwin, with a move planned after RAINBOW. Rainbow plans now substitute Guadalcanal for New Georgia.
Bad news from the home front. Due to a parts mix-up, no TBD Devastators have been produced for about 2 months, and we are just now converting some other factories to Devastator production. We have only 50 in reserve, enough to supply only about one carrier group for a few weeks of action.
Due to this, only Halsey will be participating in the preparations for Rainbow. Spruance will continue to guard the Timor / Ambon area. Once we get TBD production back up, Spruance will rejoin Halsey and Rainbow will commence.
1 MAR is being boarded in SF this week. Bataan forces are at full readiness and launching a full scale attack on their besiegers.
The Enterprise and Wasp, now comprising a 3rd Carrier Group, is in SF training aircrew. We don't have the surface units to create a third CG, but we can use Enterprise and Wasp as a reserve to rotate our frontline CGs when they need rest or more training.
June 28, 1942
Yet another enemy amphibious attack was wiped out at Shortland. Significantly, numerous enemy air squadrons attacked Halsey, but with very few bombers in each wave. None got through and none came close to the carriers. Even a surface group we sent to New Georgia was barely touched, though a Betty did get a torpedo into the North Carolina, damaging her significantly.
Phillipene defenders at Panay surrendered to a landing by the Jap 1 Div. The Bataan attack did not dislodge the siege, so it will be some time before that can be tried again.
One of our subs sank an escort carrier off the coast of western New Guinea.
Command has decided to move forward Rainbow and push through an operation this week. We are going to implement Rainbow-B, with landings at Shortland and Guadalcanal by SoPac, but in addition Spruance will be brought over from Darwin to hit Rabaul. We believe that the enemy air strength has been depleted, and numerous enemy ships are reported in the harbor there, so we have an opportunity to deal a significant blow to surface craft of all types.
Update : MacArthur has reported that he can in fact land USA 158 RCT this week at Lae. We have authorized a go ahead for this, and switch to Rainbow A. Darwin surface units will patrol Lae under SWPac command.
Update : SigInt reports enemy amphibious forces positively identified enroute to Lae
The plan is now as follows :
Lae : 158 RCT, Crace Suface Group (Lae has not yet been enemy occupied)
Shortland : Americal DIV, Scott Surface Group (Shortland has never been enemy occupied)
Guadalcanal : 37 DIV, 1 Wildcat, 1 Dauntless Sqdrn (Guadalcanal has never enemy been occupied)
Rabaul : Spruance CG, Halsey CG : Task Forces, Ships in Port
Santa Cruz : 1 PBY Sqdrn (engineers already there)
Other operations are also going on, including massive reinforcements now from SF as our transports have arrived there, loaded and turned around.
We are going to make one feeble attempt to withdraw Blackburn from Soerbaja, which is down to 80 men.
July 5, 1942
Lae and Guadalcanal landing groups enroute. Americal DIV landed at Shortland. Amazingly, the evacuation operation at Soerbaja was successful, and the gaunt, haggard men of the Blackburn Regiment boarded the APDs and are now enroute to Timor. The group was attacked by IJA Nates, no bombers. It remains to be seen whether the evacuation group will yet make it to Timor.
Our CG attacks on Rabaul netted one heavy carrier sunk, most likely the Soryu, a Fuso-class BB, and a light cruiser. Enemy bombers were low in number, as expected, but enemy naval fighters decimated our fighter groups forcing Halsey to withdraw. Spruance has remained south of Rabaul, but now we have identified CFHQ in Woleai, posing a threat to our operations there.
With Halsey and Spruance both depleted and Yamamoto in Woleai, there is a serious risk of heavy naval casualties in the coming week. Nevertheless, with enemy LBA bomber strength so low, we must press on. More Dauntlesses are being sent to Shortland now that it is secure. Santa Cruz, Guadalcanal and Shortland now all have fighter and dive bomber groups.
As a diversion, 2nd Raiders will land at Nauru.
July 12, 1942
We were just beaten to Lae by 2 regimental sized units of IJA and IJN, hence 158 RCT was unable to clear the area. Decision now needed as to whether to evacuate 158 RCT or press on by landing 7 AUS DIV in a week or so.
Operations against Guadalcanal and Shortland were completely successful, but enemy bombers damaged BB New Mexico. She remains operational.
The Blackburn Evacuation group put in a Timor without being further attacked, and the men of Blackburn Rgt got some welcome rest and hot food, as well as some replacements.
Rainbow was mostly successful having only failed to secure Lae before enemy troops arrived. In the context of the current situation in the Solomon / Admiralty islands, Lae is not important anyway. Enemy bomber strength is insufficient to prevent our operations in strength. Therefore, staff has been directed to come up with a new plan aimed at neutralizing the entire Raubal area, and providing a base for operations in the So/SWPac area. The requirements for this strategy are as follows :
1. Eliminate the threat to USAUS link.
2. Eliminate or Reduce the threat to Northern Australia.
3. Provide a secure base for operations against the inner defense perimeter of EOJ (this is a line running from Marcus Island to Morotai.
For all of these requirements, Emirau Island is the key. Holding that area simultaneously with Nauru and a base along the North / Central NG coast will cut off all enemy troops south of Emirau.
The question then becomes, how do we get to Emirau Island in sufficient strength safely? The answer is to take an island within air range of Emirau that can be built up to a good sized airbase and port.
For the time being then, our operational directives are as follows :
SWPac
1. Continue to hold Ambon and Timor
2. Engage in raids in NG and SE Indonesia to keep enemy airfields and task forces depleted.
3. Prepare sufficient resources and bases to permit operation to take one or two bases along NG Central Northern coast to support Emirau operation.
Consonant with this, 158 RCT is being withdrawn to Townsville this week.
SoPac
1. Hold Shortland and Guadalcanal.
2. Take Nauru island.
3. Conduct raids to keep enemy airgroup strength depleted.
4. Build up existing bases to support invasion to capture enemy held base within air range of Emirau Island.
Unfortunately, for the next month or so our ability to conduct carrier raids will be limited by the lack of torpedo bomber replacements.
So far in this war we have positively identified 4 enemy carriers sunk, including 1 heavy carrier, 2 light carriers, and 1 escort carrier. Estimated remaining enemy strength, including ships completed since December 1941 are :
7 Heavy Carriers
2 Light Carriers
1 Escort Carrier
Against this we have
6 Fleet Carriers
1 Escort Carrier (currently without aircraft)
2 British Carriers (equivalent of about 1 US heavy carrier).
The enemy no longer has a decisive advantage in carrier strength. However, we need to be aware that attempting to implement the Emirau operation while the enemy Heavy carrier group exists poses a great risk. Therefore a strategic goal is now to seek out the enemy heavy carrier group and deal a decisive blow to it. SigInt reports that CFHQ is now planning operations against Ambon, so for the next 6 weeks or so both currently existing Carrier Groups (4 carriers) will attempt an ambush there.
This week Spruance will raid Hollandia while Halsey moves to Townsville and thence to Darwin.
July 19, 1942
The Hollandia raid netted only a number of enemy merchant ships.
Enemy Heavy Carrier groups positively identified in Kendari, only a few hundred miles from Ambon. Enemy intention at Ambon seems very clear now.
Surprisingly, due to our air operations out of Hong Kong, which hit Taiwan this week, our supply convoys are now getting through to Bataan.
We simply don't have the resources to do much towards the Emirau plan in the coming weeks. Our third carrier group, weak in AA, is moving to ES this week. Enemy in the South Seas area is planning offensive action against Buna and Gona, and we cannot oppose this with carrier air or even reinforce the area because we cannot cover with carrier until the Ambon situation is clarified. We are re-embarking 158 RCT for destination Port Moresby where it can move overland to Buna. Our transports and groups are too widely scattered and dispersed on other operations.
For this week we are concentrating on Ambon. All available B-17 groups are based in Darwin for naval interdiction. Spruance is low on fuel and cannot assist at Ambon, and so must make for the nearest port with fuel, Port Moresby. From there he goes to Darwin. The 3rd Carrier Group is headed for Townsville, where it could assist next week in the defense of Ambon. Halsey, meanwhile, is directed to Ambon with orders to avoid the superior enemy carrier group and focus on defeating any landing attempt there. Once all carrier groups are in place, we can then attempt to engage enemy carriers supporting Ambon. A light surface group is going to Ambon also, to cover a supply convoy.
Various transports are reorganizing the SoPac defense arrangements, and several transport groups are heading back to SF to pick up additional combat forces.
While we have transport capability in Darwin, the AUS 7BDE has only just now moved up and cannot be embarked in time to reinforce Ambon this week.
July 26, 1942
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Enemy Heavy Carrier group sighted off Kendari.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Halsey launches attack on enemy landing group at Ambon. 6 MCS and 3 destroyers sunk.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Our small suface group bungled into an enemy heavy surface group and was destroyed in a short action against enemy BBs and Cruisers.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : B-17s from Darwin locate and strike enemy heavy carrier group. 3 hits reported but no smoke or fire.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : B-17s also strike enemy light carrier group, again scoring superficial damage.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Enemy suface group bombards Ambon causing heavy damage.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : B-17s again strike at another carrier group, causing heavy damage to one CVL.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Enemy amphibious forces land at Ambon, suffering heavy casualties in the first wave.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Enemy ground troops break through defenses and occupy the airbase at Ambon.
Overall, a failure at Ambon, though we suffered no damage to our carrier groups.
Decision must now be taken whether to evacuate Ambon or not. Loss of Ambon puts the Emirau plan in danger as the enemy will be able to reinforce NG with impunity, making the "left hook" of the encirclement plan much more risky if not impossible. We have a brigade we can land at Ambon, but our carrier groups must now guarantee air superiority over the island, and this means we must engage and defeat the enemy carrier groups. One item in our favor is the base at darwin, which last turn inflicted some hits on the carrier groups, but also shot down about a dozen of their Zero carrier fighters. On the negative side, if we are to fight at Ambon, we will have the threat of land based air not only from that place, but from other bases around it. So far, enemy LBA has proven ineffective due to low numbers, but this could change at any moment.
Staff has decided to fight it out at Ambon.
SWPac will provide all ground troops and LBAGs, and remain in control of the area. SWPac surface group under Crace to hit Ambon this week and regroup in Darwin. SWPac to embark 7AUS Div next week for invasion Ambon. SWPac to embark 7 AUS BDE and supplies this week to land at Ambon for reinforcement. Further reinforcement including but not limited to 2 US Army Divisions.
SoPac to provide one carrier group for reaction to enemy moves and a surface group drawn from ES including US Battleships. SoPac to move Navy PBY catalina to Darwin.
CentPac to provide one carrier group air cover remaining on station Ambon.
Enterprise and Wasp to remain in reserve at Darwin.
August 2, 1942
7 BDE was landed at Ambon, but unable to capture the airbase as against 2 enemy Brigades. Halsey engaged small enemy surface forces attempting to reinforce the enemy at Ambon, sinking a number of ships and forcing a withdrawal. Spruance also reacted, sinking an amphibious group. Suface group bombards enemy troops and airbase at Ambon, causing heavy damage to their airgroup. Battleships have yet to arrive.
An enemy invasion group headed towards Port Moresby around the eastern tip of NG was engaged by air and destroyed.
32nd US Army Div and 7 AUS Div are embarking this week from Townsville destination Ambon. We shuttle supply to the island to help the troops outside the enemy held airbase.
SWPac HQ relocated to Darwin.
August 9, 1942
B-17s pound the enemy at Ambon, while our battleships and amphibious groups land this week. Tense moments for all 3 involved commands, to say nothing of the entire Allied side.
Several more enemy groups attempting to land or supply at Ambon were engaged by carrier air and destroyed. We now believe enemy ground forces are in fact out of supply.
SigInt reports that 300+ ships are in the port of Menando, a few hundred miles north of Ambon. Instead of protecting the landings, Halsey and Spruance will attack Menando, while Mitscher's Enterprise group protects the landing forces at Ambon. We hope to be able to deal a blow to the enemy fleet at Menando which will be decisive.
FLASH : TF 59 Carrier Group (Mitscher) detects and launches surprise attack on enemy heavy carrier group of 4 carriers. 4 enemy carriers hit, smoke and fire reported on one. Enemy counterstrike damages both US carriers.
FLASH : Halsey and Spruance attack Menando port and task forces comprising a few cruisers and large numbers of MCS, infliciting heavy damage.
FLASH : Battleship task forces also detected and attacked near Menando, causing damage.
August 16, 1942
Not quite the decisive victory over the enemy carrier group that we had hoped for, but enemy carriers were heavily damaged and their airgroups suffered casualties that we believe it is unlikely they can replace. Since the war started, the enemy has lost 176 MCS, 0 TK, and 45 AP.
The raids on Menando cost the enemy heavily in merchant and support ships, as several battleships and cruisers were sunk or heavily damaged, and numerous destroyers and at least one AV also sent to the bottom. Combined Fleet HQ has retreated to Balikpapan, well protected by LBA.
Our land forces now outnumber the enemy significantly on Ambon, but we are unable to crack their defense. We have two more divisions we could land, but this would totally strip our SoPac defenses and waste forces that we need for the Emirau operation. Instead, we decide to continue ferrying supplies to Ambon, isolating the enemy from reinforcement or resupply with carrier air, and pounding the island with B-17s.
Halsey takes over command of SoPac, leaving McCain as air commander, so Spruance and Mitscher now command the two active carrier groups. The Enterprise must one again go to SF for repairs, along with the Hornet.
Our sub commanders note Significantly fewer enemy MCS moving supplies in the Pacific theater, under 400 spots reported in the latest figures. CINCPAC is taking over command of sub deployment.
August 23, 1942
A great victory for the Allies. In an all out attack, the ground forces under the command of Lt. Gen. Swift recaptured the airbase at Ambon, driving the enemy into the jungle. Our earlier assessment that the enemy troops were unsupplied proved correct.
Mitscher and Spruance continued pounding enemy surface craft in the Ambon area, sinking a dozen MCS.
The Japanese on Bataan landed the vaunted JAP 1 DIV and attempted to break Wainwright's lines, but they were unsuccessful and suffered more casualties than they inflicted.
This week we will be on the defensive to allow our aircrew and fleet units to rest and regroup a bit. The Emirau operation looks possible now and planning continues.
Our new second priority is the relief and support of Bataan. With our troops still holding Canton, Hong Kong, and Bataan, we can contemplate operations which would not only relieve Bataan, but would also effectively cut the Japanese holdings in two, sliced through the middle by HK, Bataan, Ambon, and another base somewhere between Ambon and Bataan. Davao, in the Phillipenes, or the old Leper Colony at Morotai are options -- though some of the staff seem to be pushing for Davao for reasons of health rather than military tactics.
Halsey was just in the nick of time at Shortland, wiping out an enemy force attempting a landing there. Enemy air attacks in response were weak and shot down well away from the carriers. He returns this week.
Transports have finally arrived at Darwin. Unfortunately CFHQ is still at Batavia, and we cannot risk a withdrawal attempt in the face of the undamaged enemy heavy carrier group. Sadly we must consign remaining troops at Soerbaja to their fate.
To support Ambon and Timor, we will move AUS 7BDE up to Darwin, with a move planned after RAINBOW. Rainbow plans now substitute Guadalcanal for New Georgia.
Bad news from the home front. Due to a parts mix-up, no TBD Devastators have been produced for about 2 months, and we are just now converting some other factories to Devastator production. We have only 50 in reserve, enough to supply only about one carrier group for a few weeks of action.
Due to this, only Halsey will be participating in the preparations for Rainbow. Spruance will continue to guard the Timor / Ambon area. Once we get TBD production back up, Spruance will rejoin Halsey and Rainbow will commence.
1 MAR is being boarded in SF this week. Bataan forces are at full readiness and launching a full scale attack on their besiegers.
The Enterprise and Wasp, now comprising a 3rd Carrier Group, is in SF training aircrew. We don't have the surface units to create a third CG, but we can use Enterprise and Wasp as a reserve to rotate our frontline CGs when they need rest or more training.
June 28, 1942
Yet another enemy amphibious attack was wiped out at Shortland. Significantly, numerous enemy air squadrons attacked Halsey, but with very few bombers in each wave. None got through and none came close to the carriers. Even a surface group we sent to New Georgia was barely touched, though a Betty did get a torpedo into the North Carolina, damaging her significantly.
Phillipene defenders at Panay surrendered to a landing by the Jap 1 Div. The Bataan attack did not dislodge the siege, so it will be some time before that can be tried again.
One of our subs sank an escort carrier off the coast of western New Guinea.
Command has decided to move forward Rainbow and push through an operation this week. We are going to implement Rainbow-B, with landings at Shortland and Guadalcanal by SoPac, but in addition Spruance will be brought over from Darwin to hit Rabaul. We believe that the enemy air strength has been depleted, and numerous enemy ships are reported in the harbor there, so we have an opportunity to deal a significant blow to surface craft of all types.
Update : MacArthur has reported that he can in fact land USA 158 RCT this week at Lae. We have authorized a go ahead for this, and switch to Rainbow A. Darwin surface units will patrol Lae under SWPac command.
Update : SigInt reports enemy amphibious forces positively identified enroute to Lae
The plan is now as follows :
Lae : 158 RCT, Crace Suface Group (Lae has not yet been enemy occupied)
Shortland : Americal DIV, Scott Surface Group (Shortland has never been enemy occupied)
Guadalcanal : 37 DIV, 1 Wildcat, 1 Dauntless Sqdrn (Guadalcanal has never enemy been occupied)
Rabaul : Spruance CG, Halsey CG : Task Forces, Ships in Port
Santa Cruz : 1 PBY Sqdrn (engineers already there)
Other operations are also going on, including massive reinforcements now from SF as our transports have arrived there, loaded and turned around.
We are going to make one feeble attempt to withdraw Blackburn from Soerbaja, which is down to 80 men.
July 5, 1942
Lae and Guadalcanal landing groups enroute. Americal DIV landed at Shortland. Amazingly, the evacuation operation at Soerbaja was successful, and the gaunt, haggard men of the Blackburn Regiment boarded the APDs and are now enroute to Timor. The group was attacked by IJA Nates, no bombers. It remains to be seen whether the evacuation group will yet make it to Timor.
Our CG attacks on Rabaul netted one heavy carrier sunk, most likely the Soryu, a Fuso-class BB, and a light cruiser. Enemy bombers were low in number, as expected, but enemy naval fighters decimated our fighter groups forcing Halsey to withdraw. Spruance has remained south of Rabaul, but now we have identified CFHQ in Woleai, posing a threat to our operations there.
With Halsey and Spruance both depleted and Yamamoto in Woleai, there is a serious risk of heavy naval casualties in the coming week. Nevertheless, with enemy LBA bomber strength so low, we must press on. More Dauntlesses are being sent to Shortland now that it is secure. Santa Cruz, Guadalcanal and Shortland now all have fighter and dive bomber groups.
As a diversion, 2nd Raiders will land at Nauru.
July 12, 1942
We were just beaten to Lae by 2 regimental sized units of IJA and IJN, hence 158 RCT was unable to clear the area. Decision now needed as to whether to evacuate 158 RCT or press on by landing 7 AUS DIV in a week or so.
Operations against Guadalcanal and Shortland were completely successful, but enemy bombers damaged BB New Mexico. She remains operational.
The Blackburn Evacuation group put in a Timor without being further attacked, and the men of Blackburn Rgt got some welcome rest and hot food, as well as some replacements.
Rainbow was mostly successful having only failed to secure Lae before enemy troops arrived. In the context of the current situation in the Solomon / Admiralty islands, Lae is not important anyway. Enemy bomber strength is insufficient to prevent our operations in strength. Therefore, staff has been directed to come up with a new plan aimed at neutralizing the entire Raubal area, and providing a base for operations in the So/SWPac area. The requirements for this strategy are as follows :
1. Eliminate the threat to USAUS link.
2. Eliminate or Reduce the threat to Northern Australia.
3. Provide a secure base for operations against the inner defense perimeter of EOJ (this is a line running from Marcus Island to Morotai.
For all of these requirements, Emirau Island is the key. Holding that area simultaneously with Nauru and a base along the North / Central NG coast will cut off all enemy troops south of Emirau.
The question then becomes, how do we get to Emirau Island in sufficient strength safely? The answer is to take an island within air range of Emirau that can be built up to a good sized airbase and port.
For the time being then, our operational directives are as follows :
SWPac
1. Continue to hold Ambon and Timor
2. Engage in raids in NG and SE Indonesia to keep enemy airfields and task forces depleted.
3. Prepare sufficient resources and bases to permit operation to take one or two bases along NG Central Northern coast to support Emirau operation.
Consonant with this, 158 RCT is being withdrawn to Townsville this week.
SoPac
1. Hold Shortland and Guadalcanal.
2. Take Nauru island.
3. Conduct raids to keep enemy airgroup strength depleted.
4. Build up existing bases to support invasion to capture enemy held base within air range of Emirau Island.
Unfortunately, for the next month or so our ability to conduct carrier raids will be limited by the lack of torpedo bomber replacements.
So far in this war we have positively identified 4 enemy carriers sunk, including 1 heavy carrier, 2 light carriers, and 1 escort carrier. Estimated remaining enemy strength, including ships completed since December 1941 are :
7 Heavy Carriers
2 Light Carriers
1 Escort Carrier
Against this we have
6 Fleet Carriers
1 Escort Carrier (currently without aircraft)
2 British Carriers (equivalent of about 1 US heavy carrier).
The enemy no longer has a decisive advantage in carrier strength. However, we need to be aware that attempting to implement the Emirau operation while the enemy Heavy carrier group exists poses a great risk. Therefore a strategic goal is now to seek out the enemy heavy carrier group and deal a decisive blow to it. SigInt reports that CFHQ is now planning operations against Ambon, so for the next 6 weeks or so both currently existing Carrier Groups (4 carriers) will attempt an ambush there.
This week Spruance will raid Hollandia while Halsey moves to Townsville and thence to Darwin.
July 19, 1942
The Hollandia raid netted only a number of enemy merchant ships.
Enemy Heavy Carrier groups positively identified in Kendari, only a few hundred miles from Ambon. Enemy intention at Ambon seems very clear now.
Surprisingly, due to our air operations out of Hong Kong, which hit Taiwan this week, our supply convoys are now getting through to Bataan.
We simply don't have the resources to do much towards the Emirau plan in the coming weeks. Our third carrier group, weak in AA, is moving to ES this week. Enemy in the South Seas area is planning offensive action against Buna and Gona, and we cannot oppose this with carrier air or even reinforce the area because we cannot cover with carrier until the Ambon situation is clarified. We are re-embarking 158 RCT for destination Port Moresby where it can move overland to Buna. Our transports and groups are too widely scattered and dispersed on other operations.
For this week we are concentrating on Ambon. All available B-17 groups are based in Darwin for naval interdiction. Spruance is low on fuel and cannot assist at Ambon, and so must make for the nearest port with fuel, Port Moresby. From there he goes to Darwin. The 3rd Carrier Group is headed for Townsville, where it could assist next week in the defense of Ambon. Halsey, meanwhile, is directed to Ambon with orders to avoid the superior enemy carrier group and focus on defeating any landing attempt there. Once all carrier groups are in place, we can then attempt to engage enemy carriers supporting Ambon. A light surface group is going to Ambon also, to cover a supply convoy.
Various transports are reorganizing the SoPac defense arrangements, and several transport groups are heading back to SF to pick up additional combat forces.
While we have transport capability in Darwin, the AUS 7BDE has only just now moved up and cannot be embarked in time to reinforce Ambon this week.
July 26, 1942
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Enemy Heavy Carrier group sighted off Kendari.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Halsey launches attack on enemy landing group at Ambon. 6 MCS and 3 destroyers sunk.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Our small suface group bungled into an enemy heavy surface group and was destroyed in a short action against enemy BBs and Cruisers.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : B-17s from Darwin locate and strike enemy heavy carrier group. 3 hits reported but no smoke or fire.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : B-17s also strike enemy light carrier group, again scoring superficial damage.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Enemy suface group bombards Ambon causing heavy damage.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : B-17s again strike at another carrier group, causing heavy damage to one CVL.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Enemy amphibious forces land at Ambon, suffering heavy casualties in the first wave.
FLASH FLASH FLASH : Enemy ground troops break through defenses and occupy the airbase at Ambon.
Overall, a failure at Ambon, though we suffered no damage to our carrier groups.
Decision must now be taken whether to evacuate Ambon or not. Loss of Ambon puts the Emirau plan in danger as the enemy will be able to reinforce NG with impunity, making the "left hook" of the encirclement plan much more risky if not impossible. We have a brigade we can land at Ambon, but our carrier groups must now guarantee air superiority over the island, and this means we must engage and defeat the enemy carrier groups. One item in our favor is the base at darwin, which last turn inflicted some hits on the carrier groups, but also shot down about a dozen of their Zero carrier fighters. On the negative side, if we are to fight at Ambon, we will have the threat of land based air not only from that place, but from other bases around it. So far, enemy LBA has proven ineffective due to low numbers, but this could change at any moment.
Staff has decided to fight it out at Ambon.
SWPac will provide all ground troops and LBAGs, and remain in control of the area. SWPac surface group under Crace to hit Ambon this week and regroup in Darwin. SWPac to embark 7AUS Div next week for invasion Ambon. SWPac to embark 7 AUS BDE and supplies this week to land at Ambon for reinforcement. Further reinforcement including but not limited to 2 US Army Divisions.
SoPac to provide one carrier group for reaction to enemy moves and a surface group drawn from ES including US Battleships. SoPac to move Navy PBY catalina to Darwin.
CentPac to provide one carrier group air cover remaining on station Ambon.
Enterprise and Wasp to remain in reserve at Darwin.
August 2, 1942
7 BDE was landed at Ambon, but unable to capture the airbase as against 2 enemy Brigades. Halsey engaged small enemy surface forces attempting to reinforce the enemy at Ambon, sinking a number of ships and forcing a withdrawal. Spruance also reacted, sinking an amphibious group. Suface group bombards enemy troops and airbase at Ambon, causing heavy damage to their airgroup. Battleships have yet to arrive.
An enemy invasion group headed towards Port Moresby around the eastern tip of NG was engaged by air and destroyed.
32nd US Army Div and 7 AUS Div are embarking this week from Townsville destination Ambon. We shuttle supply to the island to help the troops outside the enemy held airbase.
SWPac HQ relocated to Darwin.
August 9, 1942
B-17s pound the enemy at Ambon, while our battleships and amphibious groups land this week. Tense moments for all 3 involved commands, to say nothing of the entire Allied side.
Several more enemy groups attempting to land or supply at Ambon were engaged by carrier air and destroyed. We now believe enemy ground forces are in fact out of supply.
SigInt reports that 300+ ships are in the port of Menando, a few hundred miles north of Ambon. Instead of protecting the landings, Halsey and Spruance will attack Menando, while Mitscher's Enterprise group protects the landing forces at Ambon. We hope to be able to deal a blow to the enemy fleet at Menando which will be decisive.
FLASH : TF 59 Carrier Group (Mitscher) detects and launches surprise attack on enemy heavy carrier group of 4 carriers. 4 enemy carriers hit, smoke and fire reported on one. Enemy counterstrike damages both US carriers.
FLASH : Halsey and Spruance attack Menando port and task forces comprising a few cruisers and large numbers of MCS, infliciting heavy damage.
FLASH : Battleship task forces also detected and attacked near Menando, causing damage.
August 16, 1942
Not quite the decisive victory over the enemy carrier group that we had hoped for, but enemy carriers were heavily damaged and their airgroups suffered casualties that we believe it is unlikely they can replace. Since the war started, the enemy has lost 176 MCS, 0 TK, and 45 AP.
The raids on Menando cost the enemy heavily in merchant and support ships, as several battleships and cruisers were sunk or heavily damaged, and numerous destroyers and at least one AV also sent to the bottom. Combined Fleet HQ has retreated to Balikpapan, well protected by LBA.
Our land forces now outnumber the enemy significantly on Ambon, but we are unable to crack their defense. We have two more divisions we could land, but this would totally strip our SoPac defenses and waste forces that we need for the Emirau operation. Instead, we decide to continue ferrying supplies to Ambon, isolating the enemy from reinforcement or resupply with carrier air, and pounding the island with B-17s.
Halsey takes over command of SoPac, leaving McCain as air commander, so Spruance and Mitscher now command the two active carrier groups. The Enterprise must one again go to SF for repairs, along with the Hornet.
Our sub commanders note Significantly fewer enemy MCS moving supplies in the Pacific theater, under 400 spots reported in the latest figures. CINCPAC is taking over command of sub deployment.
August 23, 1942
A great victory for the Allies. In an all out attack, the ground forces under the command of Lt. Gen. Swift recaptured the airbase at Ambon, driving the enemy into the jungle. Our earlier assessment that the enemy troops were unsupplied proved correct.
Mitscher and Spruance continued pounding enemy surface craft in the Ambon area, sinking a dozen MCS.
The Japanese on Bataan landed the vaunted JAP 1 DIV and attempted to break Wainwright's lines, but they were unsuccessful and suffered more casualties than they inflicted.
This week we will be on the defensive to allow our aircrew and fleet units to rest and regroup a bit. The Emirau operation looks possible now and planning continues.
Our new second priority is the relief and support of Bataan. With our troops still holding Canton, Hong Kong, and Bataan, we can contemplate operations which would not only relieve Bataan, but would also effectively cut the Japanese holdings in two, sliced through the middle by HK, Bataan, Ambon, and another base somewhere between Ambon and Bataan. Davao, in the Phillipenes, or the old Leper Colony at Morotai are options -- though some of the staff seem to be pushing for Davao for reasons of health rather than military tactics.
Last time I checked, the forums were messed up.
.
Late August to Late October, 1942
August 30, 1942
Enemy fleet carriers moving into the Rabaul area, and we note increased enemy air activity around Lae, Buna, Milne Bay. Nevertheless, we must clear Ambon before redeploying forces. We move additional airgroups into this area, having just recently expanded the Buna airfields. Milne Bay is also being worked on.
Spruance and Mitscher will attack Menando, supported now by LBAG from Ambon. Menando still has a number of task forces and ships in port.
September 6, 1942
Despite the fact that Catalinas identified a carrier group in Menando, of 2 enemy carriers, the squadron were launched but could not find the group in heavy fog. Instead they concentrated on the hapless Katori light cruiser, which was destroyed.
We regroup this week, still exploring Bataan relief options while waiting for Ambon to be cleared.
September 13, 1942
Our heavy surface group protecting Ambon surprised an enemy resupply attempt in a night action, sinking the entire group of 4 destroyers and 4 DEs, though 8 MCS got away after losing two. The brave enemy destroyer captains managed to put a torpedo into Scott's flagship New Mexico, damaging it.
Mitscher sank 3 cruisers and 3 light cruisers and a destroyer in Kendari.
We are still waiting for Ambon to be cleared before proceeding with other actions. Kendari is reported occupied by engineers only, so that may be a landing target of opportunity.
September 20, 1942
Mitscher raided Menando and unfortunately blundered into the entire enemy heavy carrier group in the act of moving to that port. We struck first sinking the Shokaku, but the counterstrike sank the Saratoga, our first loss of a carrier in the war.
Ambon is still not cleared. However, it is well supplied and now bases 3 combat air squadrons plus a PBY squadron.
CFHQ is still located in Menando, near where Mitscher was engaged last week.
With Ambon relatively secure, and a good number of reinforcements now arriving in Espiritu Santo, it is time to assess the next phase of operations. Staff has engaged in debates over 3 basic plans.
1. Plan Emirau - the Isolation of Rabaul and Kavieng.
2. Plan Bataan - the relief of Bataan and Isolation of Indonesia.
3. Plan "Cave-In" - the Isolation of the South Seas and breaking of the EOJ "Inner Defense Perimeter".
All of these operations are estimated to take at least 6 months. Plan Emirau was discussed earlier, as was Plan Bataan. Plan Cave In is a new idea.
The basic outcome of Cave In is to create access to Japan for air raids, and involves a complete strategic shift. In this plan, Allied forces outside of the CBI (China-Burma-India) theater would comprise two gigantic pincers, one operating from Indonesia / Western New Guinea, the other operating from CentPac areas such as Midway. The "Left Hook" under MacArthur would seize western and northern New Guinean bases, and possibily some additional bases in Indonesia such as Halmahera or Morotai, and from that point operate against the Palau/Yap/Ulithi chain and eventually seize that. The Right Hook of CentPac would seize first Wake Island, and from there operate against the Marianas - Saipan and Guam. Should both hooks succeed in taking at least one Island in the final push, all enemy holdings south of the Marianas would be isolated. SoPac's job here would be to keep enemy attention focussed on Rabaul and cause attrition.
Among the strategic shifts needed would be a total withdrawal of B-17 squadrons in order build up the air fleet and eventually switch production to B-24s which have a range capable of hitting Japan from the Bonin Islands, which could be rather easily seized once Cave In was concluded. A rapid build up and deployment of bombers against Japan proper in mid-1943 could bring the war to an end much sooner than would be otherwise possible.
All three plans share at least one common geographic : the seizure of bases in and around the western end of New Guinea. This is why Ambon was so important. Holding this one island with a good base give us multiple opportunities change the strategic picture. It would also be possible to commit SoPac to Plan Emirau as a means of keeping the enemy engaged in the south. Meanwhile CentPac, which has seen very little action since Pearl Harbor, would now have "something to do" by preparing for the initial step of Cave In by taking Wake.
All of that being said, the question remains how and when. With numerous enemy carriers in the Ambon area, and SigInt reporting that CFHQ is planning action against Ambon, we must continue to attempt an ambush of their fleet, and prevent reinforcement of the island. For now, where we shift resources commands and HQs has much more to do with the overall Cave In concept than immediate needs.
For the moment we need to begin building up CentPac area to provide the Right Hook. The Lady Lex will withdraw to Pearl, to join with The Big E and Wasp currently in drydock there. As the new Essex class carriers are completed, CentPac can form a powerful group with ground troops provided by 2 MAR DIV.
SW and SoPac naval forces are consolidated around Mitscher's SoPac carrier group of the Hornet and Yorktown, a surface group with two battleships supported by cruisers and destroyers, and "MacArthur's Navy" of Australian and US ships under Scott (currently patrolling off Ambon). SW and SoPac immediate goals are to continue to prevent reinforcement of Ambon, and make preparations (including gathering intel) to land at any one of the western New Guinea bases which are currently enemy held.
September 27, 1942
The situation is interesting at Ambon. We hold the airbase securely with the AUS 7 DIV, the US 32 INF DIV, 7 AUS BDE, some reserve Dutch units, and an American engineer unit. The enemy forces on the island are now reduced to two brigade or battalion commands, and each week the enemy sends convoys of some sort from Menando to attempt resupply and reinforcement. This week, those attempts were not successful. Over the last several months, since the Ambon battle began, the enemy has lost a great number of transports and troops, and had major fleet units either sunk or heavily damaged.
Apparently the enemy surface forces are now too weak to challenge ours, and their carrier group is unwilling to risk providing cover at Ambon while we hold the airbase.
We sent a surface group to bombard Kwajalein, which was successful in getting through and hitting the airbase hard.
Our greatest weakness, strategically, is the lack of trained airgroups to secure our forward bases. This is the result of the earlier battles at Soerbaja and Ambon, where we lost 8 airgroups when those bases were overrun. We have a number of those airgroups at Townsville, but they are in need of training. For example we hold Buna and Milne Bay with larger airbases, but we don't have enough trained fighter groups to put there.
October 4, 1942
Not much to report this week.
Enemy pattern continues at Ambon : they attempt to reinforce, we destroy or turn back those attempts. Our airbase is expanded and we now base 2 Marauder airgroups there, and this week will attempt a port attack against Mendari, where their carriers continue to loiter.
Raiders going in at Nauru this week. This operation is intended to both continue our pattern of enagement and distraction in SoPac, as well as provide some foundation for the right hook.
Lack of trained airgroups continues our stall in SoPac for offensive operations like landings at Green Island and so forth.
We are looking afresh at the Burma theater for possible offensive action. We bombarded Moulmein last week and discovered no enemy ground troops there. We have two divisions available in Ceylon for landings. Taking Moulmein would cut off Rangoon, and trap approximately 3 enemy divisions. We send transports off to prepare to embark those divisions and also to Dacca and Calcutta to pick up engineers and part of the para bde to support the landings. Meanwhile both 14th Army and Burma HQ have something like 12 divisions in Mandalay.
FLASH : Ambon island ground units have completely eliminated enemy troops, JAP General Kanda comits suicide.
October 11, 1942
The go-ahead is given for the Moulmein operation.
Enemy still active at Ambon attempting to land new troops, they were turned back.
We are pulling out the AUS 7 DIV and US 32 INF DIV at Ambon to begin creating a reserve for the left hook.
FLASH : Moulmein is captured.
FLASH : Enemy carriers sortie from Menando and strike at Ambon airfield. Mitscher reacts, and launches a strike on the enemy carriers.
FLASH : Mitscher's bombers and torpedo bombers score massive damage on two enemy heavy carriers, and we suspect they are sunk. Confirmed, Kaga and Shokaku sunk.
FLASH : Dakota transport aircraft drop supplies at Moulmein.
October 18, 1942
We capture Bangkok. Attacks at Mandalay encounter difficulties, but do inflict damage on the enemy.
FLASH : Mitscher, attacking Menando, launches a 134-plane strike on another enemy carrier group consisting of two heavy carriers and one light carrier. All three enemy carriers are hit and badly damaged, possibly sunk. Enemy aircraft from Kendari sneak through with 4 Bettys and score a lucky hit on the Hornet. Hornet remains operational but must be withdrawn eventually. Mitscher launches two more strikes, one at a transport group, another at the carrier group hit earlier. Two enemy carriers are still afloat, but hit hard again. Reports come in that the Zuiho, Junyo, Hiyo, and Hosho are sunk.
FLASH : Mandalay attack gaining ground, enemy casualties heavy.
October 25, 1942
We calculate 6 enemy carriers sunk in the last two weeks, solely by Mitscher's group (Hornet / Yorktown).
Tally is now 6 enemy heavy carriers, 4 light carriers, 1 carrier escort. We cannot but be happy with this set of circumstances.
The enemy shows signs of cracking throughout the Pacific, especially in view of the loss of Moulmein and Bangkok. We are still looking at the Cave In operation, and may now accellerate the timetable. If so, our initial step will be thrown by the left hook, with landings in western New Guinea at Sorong and an advance on Manokwari. With these bases held, we can then look to land at one of the islands in the Inner Defense perimeter by the left hook, while CentPac looks to land at Wake Island as a springboard to the Marianas.
Enemy fleet carriers moving into the Rabaul area, and we note increased enemy air activity around Lae, Buna, Milne Bay. Nevertheless, we must clear Ambon before redeploying forces. We move additional airgroups into this area, having just recently expanded the Buna airfields. Milne Bay is also being worked on.
Spruance and Mitscher will attack Menando, supported now by LBAG from Ambon. Menando still has a number of task forces and ships in port.
September 6, 1942
Despite the fact that Catalinas identified a carrier group in Menando, of 2 enemy carriers, the squadron were launched but could not find the group in heavy fog. Instead they concentrated on the hapless Katori light cruiser, which was destroyed.
We regroup this week, still exploring Bataan relief options while waiting for Ambon to be cleared.
September 13, 1942
Our heavy surface group protecting Ambon surprised an enemy resupply attempt in a night action, sinking the entire group of 4 destroyers and 4 DEs, though 8 MCS got away after losing two. The brave enemy destroyer captains managed to put a torpedo into Scott's flagship New Mexico, damaging it.
Mitscher sank 3 cruisers and 3 light cruisers and a destroyer in Kendari.
We are still waiting for Ambon to be cleared before proceeding with other actions. Kendari is reported occupied by engineers only, so that may be a landing target of opportunity.
September 20, 1942
Mitscher raided Menando and unfortunately blundered into the entire enemy heavy carrier group in the act of moving to that port. We struck first sinking the Shokaku, but the counterstrike sank the Saratoga, our first loss of a carrier in the war.
Ambon is still not cleared. However, it is well supplied and now bases 3 combat air squadrons plus a PBY squadron.
CFHQ is still located in Menando, near where Mitscher was engaged last week.
With Ambon relatively secure, and a good number of reinforcements now arriving in Espiritu Santo, it is time to assess the next phase of operations. Staff has engaged in debates over 3 basic plans.
1. Plan Emirau - the Isolation of Rabaul and Kavieng.
2. Plan Bataan - the relief of Bataan and Isolation of Indonesia.
3. Plan "Cave-In" - the Isolation of the South Seas and breaking of the EOJ "Inner Defense Perimeter".
All of these operations are estimated to take at least 6 months. Plan Emirau was discussed earlier, as was Plan Bataan. Plan Cave In is a new idea.
The basic outcome of Cave In is to create access to Japan for air raids, and involves a complete strategic shift. In this plan, Allied forces outside of the CBI (China-Burma-India) theater would comprise two gigantic pincers, one operating from Indonesia / Western New Guinea, the other operating from CentPac areas such as Midway. The "Left Hook" under MacArthur would seize western and northern New Guinean bases, and possibily some additional bases in Indonesia such as Halmahera or Morotai, and from that point operate against the Palau/Yap/Ulithi chain and eventually seize that. The Right Hook of CentPac would seize first Wake Island, and from there operate against the Marianas - Saipan and Guam. Should both hooks succeed in taking at least one Island in the final push, all enemy holdings south of the Marianas would be isolated. SoPac's job here would be to keep enemy attention focussed on Rabaul and cause attrition.
Among the strategic shifts needed would be a total withdrawal of B-17 squadrons in order build up the air fleet and eventually switch production to B-24s which have a range capable of hitting Japan from the Bonin Islands, which could be rather easily seized once Cave In was concluded. A rapid build up and deployment of bombers against Japan proper in mid-1943 could bring the war to an end much sooner than would be otherwise possible.
All three plans share at least one common geographic : the seizure of bases in and around the western end of New Guinea. This is why Ambon was so important. Holding this one island with a good base give us multiple opportunities change the strategic picture. It would also be possible to commit SoPac to Plan Emirau as a means of keeping the enemy engaged in the south. Meanwhile CentPac, which has seen very little action since Pearl Harbor, would now have "something to do" by preparing for the initial step of Cave In by taking Wake.
All of that being said, the question remains how and when. With numerous enemy carriers in the Ambon area, and SigInt reporting that CFHQ is planning action against Ambon, we must continue to attempt an ambush of their fleet, and prevent reinforcement of the island. For now, where we shift resources commands and HQs has much more to do with the overall Cave In concept than immediate needs.
For the moment we need to begin building up CentPac area to provide the Right Hook. The Lady Lex will withdraw to Pearl, to join with The Big E and Wasp currently in drydock there. As the new Essex class carriers are completed, CentPac can form a powerful group with ground troops provided by 2 MAR DIV.
SW and SoPac naval forces are consolidated around Mitscher's SoPac carrier group of the Hornet and Yorktown, a surface group with two battleships supported by cruisers and destroyers, and "MacArthur's Navy" of Australian and US ships under Scott (currently patrolling off Ambon). SW and SoPac immediate goals are to continue to prevent reinforcement of Ambon, and make preparations (including gathering intel) to land at any one of the western New Guinea bases which are currently enemy held.
September 27, 1942
The situation is interesting at Ambon. We hold the airbase securely with the AUS 7 DIV, the US 32 INF DIV, 7 AUS BDE, some reserve Dutch units, and an American engineer unit. The enemy forces on the island are now reduced to two brigade or battalion commands, and each week the enemy sends convoys of some sort from Menando to attempt resupply and reinforcement. This week, those attempts were not successful. Over the last several months, since the Ambon battle began, the enemy has lost a great number of transports and troops, and had major fleet units either sunk or heavily damaged.
Apparently the enemy surface forces are now too weak to challenge ours, and their carrier group is unwilling to risk providing cover at Ambon while we hold the airbase.
We sent a surface group to bombard Kwajalein, which was successful in getting through and hitting the airbase hard.
Our greatest weakness, strategically, is the lack of trained airgroups to secure our forward bases. This is the result of the earlier battles at Soerbaja and Ambon, where we lost 8 airgroups when those bases were overrun. We have a number of those airgroups at Townsville, but they are in need of training. For example we hold Buna and Milne Bay with larger airbases, but we don't have enough trained fighter groups to put there.
October 4, 1942
Not much to report this week.
Enemy pattern continues at Ambon : they attempt to reinforce, we destroy or turn back those attempts. Our airbase is expanded and we now base 2 Marauder airgroups there, and this week will attempt a port attack against Mendari, where their carriers continue to loiter.
Raiders going in at Nauru this week. This operation is intended to both continue our pattern of enagement and distraction in SoPac, as well as provide some foundation for the right hook.
Lack of trained airgroups continues our stall in SoPac for offensive operations like landings at Green Island and so forth.
We are looking afresh at the Burma theater for possible offensive action. We bombarded Moulmein last week and discovered no enemy ground troops there. We have two divisions available in Ceylon for landings. Taking Moulmein would cut off Rangoon, and trap approximately 3 enemy divisions. We send transports off to prepare to embark those divisions and also to Dacca and Calcutta to pick up engineers and part of the para bde to support the landings. Meanwhile both 14th Army and Burma HQ have something like 12 divisions in Mandalay.
FLASH : Ambon island ground units have completely eliminated enemy troops, JAP General Kanda comits suicide.
October 11, 1942
The go-ahead is given for the Moulmein operation.
Enemy still active at Ambon attempting to land new troops, they were turned back.
We are pulling out the AUS 7 DIV and US 32 INF DIV at Ambon to begin creating a reserve for the left hook.
FLASH : Moulmein is captured.
FLASH : Enemy carriers sortie from Menando and strike at Ambon airfield. Mitscher reacts, and launches a strike on the enemy carriers.
FLASH : Mitscher's bombers and torpedo bombers score massive damage on two enemy heavy carriers, and we suspect they are sunk. Confirmed, Kaga and Shokaku sunk.
FLASH : Dakota transport aircraft drop supplies at Moulmein.
October 18, 1942
We capture Bangkok. Attacks at Mandalay encounter difficulties, but do inflict damage on the enemy.
FLASH : Mitscher, attacking Menando, launches a 134-plane strike on another enemy carrier group consisting of two heavy carriers and one light carrier. All three enemy carriers are hit and badly damaged, possibly sunk. Enemy aircraft from Kendari sneak through with 4 Bettys and score a lucky hit on the Hornet. Hornet remains operational but must be withdrawn eventually. Mitscher launches two more strikes, one at a transport group, another at the carrier group hit earlier. Two enemy carriers are still afloat, but hit hard again. Reports come in that the Zuiho, Junyo, Hiyo, and Hosho are sunk.
FLASH : Mandalay attack gaining ground, enemy casualties heavy.
October 25, 1942
We calculate 6 enemy carriers sunk in the last two weeks, solely by Mitscher's group (Hornet / Yorktown).
Tally is now 6 enemy heavy carriers, 4 light carriers, 1 carrier escort. We cannot but be happy with this set of circumstances.
The enemy shows signs of cracking throughout the Pacific, especially in view of the loss of Moulmein and Bangkok. We are still looking at the Cave In operation, and may now accellerate the timetable. If so, our initial step will be thrown by the left hook, with landings in western New Guinea at Sorong and an advance on Manokwari. With these bases held, we can then look to land at one of the islands in the Inner Defense perimeter by the left hook, while CentPac looks to land at Wake Island as a springboard to the Marianas.
Last time I checked, the forums were messed up.
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madflava13
- Posts: 1501
- Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2001 10:00 am
- Location: Alexandria, VA
If it was my war to run, I'd go for the "Cave-In" Op... I'm thinking of the destruction those B-24s will cause on the Japanese economy, as well as the points you need to win - Civilian casualty points are essential for victory in my experience.
Sounds like you have everything going well - I'm enjoying the AAR, keep posting!
Sounds like you have everything going well - I'm enjoying the AAR, keep posting!
"The Paraguayan Air Force's request for spraying subsidies was not as Paraguayan as it were..."
Hartman : You know, of all the game systems that have come out over the last 10 years, the Grigsby ones stand out as, well, you know. Better than most. Maybe, all things considered, the best.
However, with UV coming out in the next few days, I'm not sure I'll get to finish this before getting immersed in that. We'll see. More coming though.
However, with UV coming out in the next few days, I'm not sure I'll get to finish this before getting immersed in that. We'll see. More coming though.
Last time I checked, the forums were messed up.
Please keep on posting ... helps us through the long long long next week.Originally posted by dgaad
However, with UV coming out in the next few days, I'm not sure I'll get to finish this before getting immersed in that. We'll see. More coming though.
But you're right: I guess I myself will not begin a PacWar game just now (of all times!). Hope they really ship UV soon.
Hartmann
Late October, 1942 to Late January, 1943
NOTE : Revised War Diary Entry for October 25.
Operation Cave In, the beginnings.
October 25, 1942
We calculate 6 enemy carriers sunk in the last two weeks, solely by Mitscher's group (Hornet / Yorktown).
Tally is now 6 enemy heavy carriers, 4 light carriers, 1 carrier escort. According to our intelligence this leaves the enemy fleet with 2 heavy carriers, 0 light carriers, and 1 carrier escort. Our assessment of earlier battles also leads us to conclude that of the remaining 2 heavy carriers, only 1 is probably operational.
We cannot but be pleased with the last two weeks. Japanese naval air power has been dealt a decisive blow. With the loss of Moulmein and Bangkok in the east, the enemy military machine shows signs of strain and crack. This causes us to accellerate the timetable for Cave-In, as follows :
NOV 42 : Operation Left Hook I will capture Sorong and advance to Manokwari, establishing airbases.
DEC 42 : Operation Right Hook I will capture Wake Island.
JAN 43 : Operation Left Hook II will capture one of either Palau, Yap or Ulithi. Operation Right Hook II will capture one of either Guam Tinian or Saipan.
MAR 43 : Operation Cave In will aim for both Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands. Bombing of the Japanese Home Islands will then begin.
November 1, 1942
Mitscher took additional hits on both carriers withdrawing to the safety of Darwin. Both the Hornet and the Yorktown must be withdrawn for repairs, leaving the US pacific fleet without an active carrier group. The enemy airbase at Kendari continues to function despite being hit with hundreds of bombers, and was the source of this misfortune.
We are in the ironic position of now having dealt a decisive blow to the enemy carrier fleet, we actually have zero operational carrier groups ourselves now, as all carriers are in for repairs. Nevertheless, we will rely on powerful surface groups to cover the Sorong landings, which are going next week.
Additional forces moving to Moulmein, an Indian tank brigade. Enemy has moved troops to Bangkok, 2nd Imperial Guard Division reported.
November 8, 1942
Not a great deal of action this week.
Kendari was hit hard again, including a surface bombardment, the airbase was hit.
We are redeploying our surface groups. MacArthur's Navy will remain in the Ambon area, but the heavy surface group now operating there will go to Espiritu Santo and join up with new units from San Francisco. This will be split into two bombardment groups, and start hitting targets throughout the SoPac area, in an effort to draw enemy attention there while the left and right hook operations are built up.
We continue to gain ground at Mandalay, but haven't yet pushed the enemy to Rangoon. Getting sufficient supplies in to the Mandalay area is problematic, so we are forced into a continuous attrition battle.
The 2nd Raiders took Nauru.
We've decided to reorganize the entire carrier fleet at Pearl, with a view to creating 2 very powerful carrier groups with the largest rational number of AA gunmounts per task force. So all carriers and their support are now enroute to Pearl.
The Sorong landing goes this week, covered by the Ambon Suface Group, and Ambon LBAG.
FLASH : Sorong landing completely successful, unopposed. 7 AUS and US 32 INF land.
FLASH : Enemy taking a new interest in Bataan, lands another Amph brigade and sends a bombardment surface group.
FLASH : Kwajalein and Eniewetok bombarded by surface groups from Johnston Island, significant damage to air and ground units.
FLASH : Enemy attacks at Bangkok, we are on the defensive.
November 15, 1942
Operation Left Hook has begun. Sorong captured, but it will be another week before the troops can move on Manokwari.
Our fleet reorganization at Pearl has brought to a halt nearly all naval operations, as we prepare for Right Hook and distractions in the Rabaul area. New P-38 aircraft are coming into the experienced groups in the SoPac and SWPac areas, along with more back in the States training.
FLASH : Enemy responds at Sorong with a very heavy surface fleet and one weak carrier group. Our efforts to resupply at Sorong are aborted.
November 22, 1942
Fleet reorganization still underway, not all ships assembled.
Sorong still unsupplied, so the troops can't move. The enemy heavy surface group is a problem which we are now trying to solve with LBAG. Also bringing Dakotas in to supply Sorong from Ambon, which is supplied.
November 29, 1942
Enemy 2 Guards Division has recaptured the bases at Bangkok.
Sorong now being supplied by air, enemy heavy surface group hit by Marauders and some damage was inflicted. Fleet reorg still underway.
December 6, 1942
Enemy surface group at Sorong was forced to retire by strong air attacks. US 32 INF DIV now advances on Manokwari.
Situation in Burma about the same, we continue to wear down the enemy at Mandalay. The withdrawal of many British surface units has severely reduced our ability to take Rangoon.
US Fleet reorg still underway.
FLASH : Breakthrough at Mandalay, Allied units now advancing on Rangoon.
December 13, 1942
CentPac creates a carrier group and a heavy bombardment group, both destined for Wake Island. Operation Right Hook has begun. Two smaller bombardment groups will hit Eniewetok and Kwajalein. Some weeks are needed before 2 MAR is ready to invade Wake.
Troops in Burma, Mandalay, advance on Rangoon.
FLASH : Apparent enemy transport group heading for Sorong was attacked by our LBA from Ambon and wiped out. Estimated enemy brigade lost.
FLASH : Enemy 21 INF DIV, in another transport group, manages to get ashore after losing most of their transports.
December 20, 1942
Right Hook forces raid Eniewetok, Kwajalein and Wake Island, but our ampibious forces are still lingering in SF. We estimate we can land at Wake sometime around January 15.
Left Hook now occupies Sorong and Manokwari.
Intel reveals that Tinian and Palau are lightly held, and we will keep gathering intel on the 6 target IDP islands in the coming weeks.
December 27, 1942
2 MAR is now embarked for Midway.
We continue to hit multiple targets in CentPac's Right Hook operation, enemy air response is weak.
Burma developments genrally good, but we haven't occupied Rangoon yet.
January 3, 1943
Wake Island is now being subjected to day and night bombardment by a carrier air group and a heavy bombardment group. 2 MAR is on the way to Midway, should arrive in Wake the week after next. Enemy resistance is light. 33 INF DIV also deployed at Midway, and will send a battlegroup along with the landing force.
Situation in Burma remains stable, we continue to inflict casualties.
In SoPac, all transport is gathering at Espiritu Santo, where 1 MAR DIV plus support units will execute a landing in support of Cave In, probably at Green Island.
FLASH : 3rd BRI INF DIV lands at Rangoon, turns the tide. Rangoon captured, 4 enemy divisions are trapped and cannot retreat.
January 10, 1943
The Wake Attack Group will land in Wake the week after next. Meanwhile, Wake is completely isolated and bombarded nightly. Our first operational squadron of B-24 bombers is now deployed at Midway, and striking enemy land forces on Wake.
The new Fletcher class destroyers are becoming more numerous. These are the most powerful AA destroyers in the fleet, greatly enhancing AA for carrier protection.
January 17, 1943
Never have so many men been embarked or performing operations at once on so many ships.
Wake Island : two carrier groups, a heavy bombardment group, amphibious group containing 1 MAR and 32 INF div.
Green Island : two bombardment groups, an invasion group of 1 MAR and support units.
Eniwetok and Kwajalien : a bombardment group each.
Wotje Island : 2nd Marine Raiders engaging in a diversion attack.
Burma : some 10 Allied divisions closing the trap of 5 depleted enemy divisions.
In addition to all this, several ground formations still enroute to various locations to provide strategic follow on forces in each pincer.
January 24, 1943
Despite the immense pounding the enemy has taken on Wake Island, the Marines were unable to clear the beach. The 33rd US INF DIV is still on Wake guarding our small beacheads, but the Marines have withdrawn in order to regroup at Midway for another strike. Great fear permeates the command staff that we may lose the men in the 33rd's battlegroup. We are sending some APDs with supply for those men, but it may not be enough.
Meanwhile 1 MAR cleared Green Island rather easily, wiping out the enemy engineer battalion there.
FLASH : US battlegroup on Wake Island surrenders.
FLASH : New record for sinkings set by US Subs, 19 in a single week.
January 31, 1943
Despite our best efforts convoys are still getting through to the enemy at Wake. We will try again this week for a successful landing. If this one doesn't work, CentPac is going to call off this aspect of Right Hook and look elsewhere. Additional bombardment groups will join the effort at Wake.
FLASH : JAP 2nd Division is defeated at Moulmein and retreats to Bangkok.
FLASH : US Forces land on Wake with a vengeance. Enemy defenders wiped out, Wake falls.
Operation Cave In, the beginnings.
October 25, 1942
We calculate 6 enemy carriers sunk in the last two weeks, solely by Mitscher's group (Hornet / Yorktown).
Tally is now 6 enemy heavy carriers, 4 light carriers, 1 carrier escort. According to our intelligence this leaves the enemy fleet with 2 heavy carriers, 0 light carriers, and 1 carrier escort. Our assessment of earlier battles also leads us to conclude that of the remaining 2 heavy carriers, only 1 is probably operational.
We cannot but be pleased with the last two weeks. Japanese naval air power has been dealt a decisive blow. With the loss of Moulmein and Bangkok in the east, the enemy military machine shows signs of strain and crack. This causes us to accellerate the timetable for Cave-In, as follows :
NOV 42 : Operation Left Hook I will capture Sorong and advance to Manokwari, establishing airbases.
DEC 42 : Operation Right Hook I will capture Wake Island.
JAN 43 : Operation Left Hook II will capture one of either Palau, Yap or Ulithi. Operation Right Hook II will capture one of either Guam Tinian or Saipan.
MAR 43 : Operation Cave In will aim for both Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands. Bombing of the Japanese Home Islands will then begin.
November 1, 1942
Mitscher took additional hits on both carriers withdrawing to the safety of Darwin. Both the Hornet and the Yorktown must be withdrawn for repairs, leaving the US pacific fleet without an active carrier group. The enemy airbase at Kendari continues to function despite being hit with hundreds of bombers, and was the source of this misfortune.
We are in the ironic position of now having dealt a decisive blow to the enemy carrier fleet, we actually have zero operational carrier groups ourselves now, as all carriers are in for repairs. Nevertheless, we will rely on powerful surface groups to cover the Sorong landings, which are going next week.
Additional forces moving to Moulmein, an Indian tank brigade. Enemy has moved troops to Bangkok, 2nd Imperial Guard Division reported.
November 8, 1942
Not a great deal of action this week.
Kendari was hit hard again, including a surface bombardment, the airbase was hit.
We are redeploying our surface groups. MacArthur's Navy will remain in the Ambon area, but the heavy surface group now operating there will go to Espiritu Santo and join up with new units from San Francisco. This will be split into two bombardment groups, and start hitting targets throughout the SoPac area, in an effort to draw enemy attention there while the left and right hook operations are built up.
We continue to gain ground at Mandalay, but haven't yet pushed the enemy to Rangoon. Getting sufficient supplies in to the Mandalay area is problematic, so we are forced into a continuous attrition battle.
The 2nd Raiders took Nauru.
We've decided to reorganize the entire carrier fleet at Pearl, with a view to creating 2 very powerful carrier groups with the largest rational number of AA gunmounts per task force. So all carriers and their support are now enroute to Pearl.
The Sorong landing goes this week, covered by the Ambon Suface Group, and Ambon LBAG.
FLASH : Sorong landing completely successful, unopposed. 7 AUS and US 32 INF land.
FLASH : Enemy taking a new interest in Bataan, lands another Amph brigade and sends a bombardment surface group.
FLASH : Kwajalein and Eniewetok bombarded by surface groups from Johnston Island, significant damage to air and ground units.
FLASH : Enemy attacks at Bangkok, we are on the defensive.
November 15, 1942
Operation Left Hook has begun. Sorong captured, but it will be another week before the troops can move on Manokwari.
Our fleet reorganization at Pearl has brought to a halt nearly all naval operations, as we prepare for Right Hook and distractions in the Rabaul area. New P-38 aircraft are coming into the experienced groups in the SoPac and SWPac areas, along with more back in the States training.
FLASH : Enemy responds at Sorong with a very heavy surface fleet and one weak carrier group. Our efforts to resupply at Sorong are aborted.
November 22, 1942
Fleet reorganization still underway, not all ships assembled.
Sorong still unsupplied, so the troops can't move. The enemy heavy surface group is a problem which we are now trying to solve with LBAG. Also bringing Dakotas in to supply Sorong from Ambon, which is supplied.
November 29, 1942
Enemy 2 Guards Division has recaptured the bases at Bangkok.
Sorong now being supplied by air, enemy heavy surface group hit by Marauders and some damage was inflicted. Fleet reorg still underway.
December 6, 1942
Enemy surface group at Sorong was forced to retire by strong air attacks. US 32 INF DIV now advances on Manokwari.
Situation in Burma about the same, we continue to wear down the enemy at Mandalay. The withdrawal of many British surface units has severely reduced our ability to take Rangoon.
US Fleet reorg still underway.
FLASH : Breakthrough at Mandalay, Allied units now advancing on Rangoon.
December 13, 1942
CentPac creates a carrier group and a heavy bombardment group, both destined for Wake Island. Operation Right Hook has begun. Two smaller bombardment groups will hit Eniewetok and Kwajalein. Some weeks are needed before 2 MAR is ready to invade Wake.
Troops in Burma, Mandalay, advance on Rangoon.
FLASH : Apparent enemy transport group heading for Sorong was attacked by our LBA from Ambon and wiped out. Estimated enemy brigade lost.
FLASH : Enemy 21 INF DIV, in another transport group, manages to get ashore after losing most of their transports.
December 20, 1942
Right Hook forces raid Eniewetok, Kwajalein and Wake Island, but our ampibious forces are still lingering in SF. We estimate we can land at Wake sometime around January 15.
Left Hook now occupies Sorong and Manokwari.
Intel reveals that Tinian and Palau are lightly held, and we will keep gathering intel on the 6 target IDP islands in the coming weeks.
December 27, 1942
2 MAR is now embarked for Midway.
We continue to hit multiple targets in CentPac's Right Hook operation, enemy air response is weak.
Burma developments genrally good, but we haven't occupied Rangoon yet.
January 3, 1943
Wake Island is now being subjected to day and night bombardment by a carrier air group and a heavy bombardment group. 2 MAR is on the way to Midway, should arrive in Wake the week after next. Enemy resistance is light. 33 INF DIV also deployed at Midway, and will send a battlegroup along with the landing force.
Situation in Burma remains stable, we continue to inflict casualties.
In SoPac, all transport is gathering at Espiritu Santo, where 1 MAR DIV plus support units will execute a landing in support of Cave In, probably at Green Island.
FLASH : 3rd BRI INF DIV lands at Rangoon, turns the tide. Rangoon captured, 4 enemy divisions are trapped and cannot retreat.
January 10, 1943
The Wake Attack Group will land in Wake the week after next. Meanwhile, Wake is completely isolated and bombarded nightly. Our first operational squadron of B-24 bombers is now deployed at Midway, and striking enemy land forces on Wake.
The new Fletcher class destroyers are becoming more numerous. These are the most powerful AA destroyers in the fleet, greatly enhancing AA for carrier protection.
January 17, 1943
Never have so many men been embarked or performing operations at once on so many ships.
Wake Island : two carrier groups, a heavy bombardment group, amphibious group containing 1 MAR and 32 INF div.
Green Island : two bombardment groups, an invasion group of 1 MAR and support units.
Eniwetok and Kwajalien : a bombardment group each.
Wotje Island : 2nd Marine Raiders engaging in a diversion attack.
Burma : some 10 Allied divisions closing the trap of 5 depleted enemy divisions.
In addition to all this, several ground formations still enroute to various locations to provide strategic follow on forces in each pincer.
January 24, 1943
Despite the immense pounding the enemy has taken on Wake Island, the Marines were unable to clear the beach. The 33rd US INF DIV is still on Wake guarding our small beacheads, but the Marines have withdrawn in order to regroup at Midway for another strike. Great fear permeates the command staff that we may lose the men in the 33rd's battlegroup. We are sending some APDs with supply for those men, but it may not be enough.
Meanwhile 1 MAR cleared Green Island rather easily, wiping out the enemy engineer battalion there.
FLASH : US battlegroup on Wake Island surrenders.
FLASH : New record for sinkings set by US Subs, 19 in a single week.
January 31, 1943
Despite our best efforts convoys are still getting through to the enemy at Wake. We will try again this week for a successful landing. If this one doesn't work, CentPac is going to call off this aspect of Right Hook and look elsewhere. Additional bombardment groups will join the effort at Wake.
FLASH : JAP 2nd Division is defeated at Moulmein and retreats to Bangkok.
FLASH : US Forces land on Wake with a vengeance. Enemy defenders wiped out, Wake falls.
Last time I checked, the forums were messed up.
Okay guys : I'm getting UV tomorrow according to emails I've received from the shipping department.
However, I have played the game up to April 43 and will be posting the AAR sometime in the next couple hours. Wake was not counterattacked, and Operation Cave In was executed. I won't give away the story
However, I have played the game up to April 43 and will be posting the AAR sometime in the next couple hours. Wake was not counterattacked, and Operation Cave In was executed. I won't give away the story
Last time I checked, the forums were messed up.
UV arrived : so here is the final installment, unless the CD doesn't work in which case I'll be back.
February 7, 1943
We are technically behind schedule now with Operation Cave-In, due to heavy enemy resistance on Wake which has since been eliminated. Additionally, no progress has been made by MacArthur's Left Hook due to the shortage of landing and surface craft, which has prevented him from even landing an engineer into Sorong.
The negatives are balanced by the British operations in Burma, which have decisively defeated 6 enemy divisions, with 5 of those completely cut off and starving outside Rangoon.
Another positive development is that, since the capture of Wake, there are no enemy aircraft patrols detected around the six IDF islands. This means that we have "broken though" in a strategic sense.
Some adjustments to the battle plan are now needed.
March is now the scheduled month for Right and Left Hook II. Transport moving to Australia to allow movement of MacArthur's forces. CentPac forces will consolidate at Wake this week, but the rest of the month and by March 15, a landing will take place against one of the Inner Defense Perimeter bases.
Focus of operations between now and that date is to determine the best landing places for Cave In, tentatively set now against Yap and Tinian, followed by Guam and Ulithi. Once at least two, preferably 4 of these bases are held, then its on to the Bonin Islands for the start of the bombing campaign.
To make find out which islands would be best to invade, we will be sending the carrier battlegroups foward after reorg in Wake, and launching Raider invasions with one of 3 available raider battalions.
We are aware of two enemy carriers which have been spotted by our search aircraft in the Indonesian Basin, and they have been engaged by our fighters. They are not rated by command as a serious threat.
FLASH : One enemy division eliminated at Rangoon.
February 14, 1943
Several factors limit our ability to follow up the Wake victory. While our convoys can reach Wake, replacements dont appear to be arriving timely to the fleet carrier pilots. Also, the heavy casualties in 33rd Division following the loss on the beachead renders that division unsuitable for further amphibious operations.
So, unfortunately, no serious operations are planned this week while transports go to collect additional troops, and MacArthur consolidates and builds up a powerful force for his pincer.
FLASH : Bangkok falls in a lightening assault by British and Indian troops under Alexander.
February 21, 1943
The forces gather.
At Wake we now have two carrier groups led by Mitscher and Spruance, with extremely powerful AA gunmounts, and we have two bombardment groups with 4 battleships apiece, some with the 16 inch guns. All four of these groups will be heading to the Marshalls, hitting 4 of those islands. The goal is to neutralize enemy air, and distract from our main purpose of landings at either Tinian, Saipan, or Guam by CentPac. Other CentPac groups are pulling in troops from Hawaii and other areas. Preliminary intelligence indicates that the main attack, when delivered, should be a 3 division amphibious assault.
MacArthur is gathering troops from all over the So and SWPac areas in Townsville, including the now available New Zealand division.
B-17 and B-24 bomber groups are being deployed to assist with airbase neutralization at long range.
February 28th, 1943
CentPac raiding targets this week are the Marianas Islands of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, involving 2 Carrier battlegroups and two bombardment groups. We are testing the defenses. Intel is suggesting with each week that passes that Tinian is the preferred invasion target.
March 7, 1943
Raids generally successful though we lost one light cruiser to air attack.
6 enemy formations were identified at Saipan, making it a relatively poor target for amphibious invasion at this time. We continue with raids and intelligence gathering.
MacArthur still in preparation for his efforts. He has suffcient force to both land in New Guinea with the objective of taking Wewak, along with a landing at Palau, Yap, or Ulithi. Engineers landing finally at Sorong to build up air near the Marianas.
The Navy Corsair is now in production, giving us a superior fighter aircraft at long last.
Our B-17s are now hitting Truk.
March 14, 1943
Massive naval and ground forces are now or will within days present in Townsville and Wake Island, as follows :
Wake Island’s “Right Hook” Group
2 Carrier groups
2 Surface groups
2 MAR DIV
2 MAR Raider Bn
24th, 31st, 33rd, 40th US Inf Divs
Townsville / Cairns “Left Hook” Group
5th, 9th, 11th AUS Inf Divs
3rd NZ Inf Div
1st Aus Armd BDE
3rd NZ Inf BDE
41st US Inf Div
112th US Cav Rgt
We still believe that the target for Right Hook should be Tinian, and therefore beginning this week, the entire invasion group except the transports will move there and begin hitting that island.
For Left Hook, the situation is more complicated. Engineers have only just begun to improve the airfield at Sorong, so an invasion will either have to brave the risk or use carrier air. There are still relatively powerful enemy surface forces which are in the vicinity of Sorong and Ambon Island.
Staff believes it may be possible to have sequential invasions of Tinian, followed by Ulithi, if carrier air moves down to cover the landings immediately after Tinian is secured. LBA based in Hawaii is now on standby for rapid redeployment to Tinian to help us get air superiority in the area. In fact, only sequential invasions are probably possible, not simultaneous ones.
Tinian will be targetted by the Marine Division on Wake supported by 2 US Army divisions. Unfortunately, as earlier mentioned, the Army divisions are not as experienced.
FLASH : Elements of US 43 Div from Espiritu Santo capture Buka Island unopposed.
FLASH : All task forces of CentPac converge in the Tinian area, massive bombardment and strikes.
March 21, 1943
3 Divisions now enroute to Tinian.
In MacArthur's area, a New Zealand Bde will land at Lae and begin moving up the coast. All other preparations in that area are looking to support the Left Hook operation sometime in the next 2 weeks.
FLASH : Tinian Amphibious Group lands and captures Tinian versus heavy opposition. Airgroups rushed to Tinian to support ground operations and establish air superiority over Tinian.
March 28, 1943
THE JAPANESE INNER DEFENSE PERIMETER HAS BEEN CRACKED. TINIAN SECURED.
Now we must establish air superiority over the island. Once that is done, the transports will go to Australia and pick up MacArthur's force.
FLASH : 3 enemy infantry divisions eliminated at Rangoon.
FLASH : NZ forces land at Madang, unopposed.
April 4, 1943
Transport Group now moving down to Townville to pick up Right Hook forces. CentPac carrier groups raiding all known airfields from Tinian south, to cover the movement.
FLASH : Most raids successful in neutralizing enemy airfields. Enemy bombers at Gasmata manage to sink one of the battleships in the SoPac area.
April 11, 1943
Transport Group still enroute to Townsville, but we hope to load approximately 5 divisions from there to hit Ulithi, and possibly one other target.
NZ troops have captured Wewak against miniscule enemy resistance.
Kavieng airfield continues to be a problem in our rear.
Operations is currently considering the capture of Makin, Tarawa and Eniewetok to shorten our USAUS lines of communication. This would free up a number of squadrons on the old Chain defense line in front of Hawaii.
FLASH : B-24 Liberators in Tinian have struck Tokyo for the first time.
April 18, 1943
Transport group still enroute to Townsville.
We will insure with additional raids that all enemy airbases south of Tinian are unable to interdict the transport group which will move from Australia to one of the Cave In targets.
February 7, 1943
We are technically behind schedule now with Operation Cave-In, due to heavy enemy resistance on Wake which has since been eliminated. Additionally, no progress has been made by MacArthur's Left Hook due to the shortage of landing and surface craft, which has prevented him from even landing an engineer into Sorong.
The negatives are balanced by the British operations in Burma, which have decisively defeated 6 enemy divisions, with 5 of those completely cut off and starving outside Rangoon.
Another positive development is that, since the capture of Wake, there are no enemy aircraft patrols detected around the six IDF islands. This means that we have "broken though" in a strategic sense.
Some adjustments to the battle plan are now needed.
March is now the scheduled month for Right and Left Hook II. Transport moving to Australia to allow movement of MacArthur's forces. CentPac forces will consolidate at Wake this week, but the rest of the month and by March 15, a landing will take place against one of the Inner Defense Perimeter bases.
Focus of operations between now and that date is to determine the best landing places for Cave In, tentatively set now against Yap and Tinian, followed by Guam and Ulithi. Once at least two, preferably 4 of these bases are held, then its on to the Bonin Islands for the start of the bombing campaign.
To make find out which islands would be best to invade, we will be sending the carrier battlegroups foward after reorg in Wake, and launching Raider invasions with one of 3 available raider battalions.
We are aware of two enemy carriers which have been spotted by our search aircraft in the Indonesian Basin, and they have been engaged by our fighters. They are not rated by command as a serious threat.
FLASH : One enemy division eliminated at Rangoon.
February 14, 1943
Several factors limit our ability to follow up the Wake victory. While our convoys can reach Wake, replacements dont appear to be arriving timely to the fleet carrier pilots. Also, the heavy casualties in 33rd Division following the loss on the beachead renders that division unsuitable for further amphibious operations.
So, unfortunately, no serious operations are planned this week while transports go to collect additional troops, and MacArthur consolidates and builds up a powerful force for his pincer.
FLASH : Bangkok falls in a lightening assault by British and Indian troops under Alexander.
February 21, 1943
The forces gather.
At Wake we now have two carrier groups led by Mitscher and Spruance, with extremely powerful AA gunmounts, and we have two bombardment groups with 4 battleships apiece, some with the 16 inch guns. All four of these groups will be heading to the Marshalls, hitting 4 of those islands. The goal is to neutralize enemy air, and distract from our main purpose of landings at either Tinian, Saipan, or Guam by CentPac. Other CentPac groups are pulling in troops from Hawaii and other areas. Preliminary intelligence indicates that the main attack, when delivered, should be a 3 division amphibious assault.
MacArthur is gathering troops from all over the So and SWPac areas in Townsville, including the now available New Zealand division.
B-17 and B-24 bomber groups are being deployed to assist with airbase neutralization at long range.
February 28th, 1943
CentPac raiding targets this week are the Marianas Islands of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, involving 2 Carrier battlegroups and two bombardment groups. We are testing the defenses. Intel is suggesting with each week that passes that Tinian is the preferred invasion target.
March 7, 1943
Raids generally successful though we lost one light cruiser to air attack.
6 enemy formations were identified at Saipan, making it a relatively poor target for amphibious invasion at this time. We continue with raids and intelligence gathering.
MacArthur still in preparation for his efforts. He has suffcient force to both land in New Guinea with the objective of taking Wewak, along with a landing at Palau, Yap, or Ulithi. Engineers landing finally at Sorong to build up air near the Marianas.
The Navy Corsair is now in production, giving us a superior fighter aircraft at long last.
Our B-17s are now hitting Truk.
March 14, 1943
Massive naval and ground forces are now or will within days present in Townsville and Wake Island, as follows :
Wake Island’s “Right Hook” Group
2 Carrier groups
2 Surface groups
2 MAR DIV
2 MAR Raider Bn
24th, 31st, 33rd, 40th US Inf Divs
Townsville / Cairns “Left Hook” Group
5th, 9th, 11th AUS Inf Divs
3rd NZ Inf Div
1st Aus Armd BDE
3rd NZ Inf BDE
41st US Inf Div
112th US Cav Rgt
We still believe that the target for Right Hook should be Tinian, and therefore beginning this week, the entire invasion group except the transports will move there and begin hitting that island.
For Left Hook, the situation is more complicated. Engineers have only just begun to improve the airfield at Sorong, so an invasion will either have to brave the risk or use carrier air. There are still relatively powerful enemy surface forces which are in the vicinity of Sorong and Ambon Island.
Staff believes it may be possible to have sequential invasions of Tinian, followed by Ulithi, if carrier air moves down to cover the landings immediately after Tinian is secured. LBA based in Hawaii is now on standby for rapid redeployment to Tinian to help us get air superiority in the area. In fact, only sequential invasions are probably possible, not simultaneous ones.
Tinian will be targetted by the Marine Division on Wake supported by 2 US Army divisions. Unfortunately, as earlier mentioned, the Army divisions are not as experienced.
FLASH : Elements of US 43 Div from Espiritu Santo capture Buka Island unopposed.
FLASH : All task forces of CentPac converge in the Tinian area, massive bombardment and strikes.
March 21, 1943
3 Divisions now enroute to Tinian.
In MacArthur's area, a New Zealand Bde will land at Lae and begin moving up the coast. All other preparations in that area are looking to support the Left Hook operation sometime in the next 2 weeks.
FLASH : Tinian Amphibious Group lands and captures Tinian versus heavy opposition. Airgroups rushed to Tinian to support ground operations and establish air superiority over Tinian.
March 28, 1943
THE JAPANESE INNER DEFENSE PERIMETER HAS BEEN CRACKED. TINIAN SECURED.
Now we must establish air superiority over the island. Once that is done, the transports will go to Australia and pick up MacArthur's force.
FLASH : 3 enemy infantry divisions eliminated at Rangoon.
FLASH : NZ forces land at Madang, unopposed.
April 4, 1943
Transport Group now moving down to Townville to pick up Right Hook forces. CentPac carrier groups raiding all known airfields from Tinian south, to cover the movement.
FLASH : Most raids successful in neutralizing enemy airfields. Enemy bombers at Gasmata manage to sink one of the battleships in the SoPac area.
April 11, 1943
Transport Group still enroute to Townsville, but we hope to load approximately 5 divisions from there to hit Ulithi, and possibly one other target.
NZ troops have captured Wewak against miniscule enemy resistance.
Kavieng airfield continues to be a problem in our rear.
Operations is currently considering the capture of Makin, Tarawa and Eniewetok to shorten our USAUS lines of communication. This would free up a number of squadrons on the old Chain defense line in front of Hawaii.
FLASH : B-24 Liberators in Tinian have struck Tokyo for the first time.
April 18, 1943
Transport group still enroute to Townsville.
We will insure with additional raids that all enemy airbases south of Tinian are unable to interdict the transport group which will move from Australia to one of the Cave In targets.
Last time I checked, the forums were messed up.
'Seems like the Japs are resigning' - This is the one thing I really didn't like (hated is way to strong of word here) about Pac War. Once hyou've bloodied the nose of the IJN, they just give up. I usually get 2 maybe 3 major surface battles during the war. Even if i don't sink many IJN ships, the only times after these major battles that I get into any others, is only by accident.
Oh, well, UV and WITP sound as if thier respective AI's will rememdy this.
Oh, well, UV and WITP sound as if thier respective AI's will rememdy this.