Greetings:
This weekly update thread will keep all 2 of you (hehe) appraised of the situation in the Pacific from the Allied point of view. Occasionally, I shall post some things when they happen, but most of the time I shall limit myself to weekly to semi-weekly reports. The reason is that there is usually not that much really going on of great import. Neither of us tend to fly around in spectacular fashion or anything like that. Most operations have buildups and dead time in between. So, off we go!
The war started off with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Large numbers of PBYs were destroyed on the ground and both the California and the Tennessee were sunk by magazine explosions from 800kg bombs. Other than that, the losses/damage were not severe. Within the end of the week, an escort convoy departed for the West Coast with 5 battleships, 3 cruisers (heavy and light) and a few damaged DD/DMSs and 4 undamaged DDs and 2 ARs; this convoy is escorted by two 4 ship ASW groups. It is about to split up for dispersion in repair ports. The only BB that was unable to join was the Maryland; her system damage was too high to accompany it. After 1 week of repair at Pearl, she is still at around 73 % damage; initially she was at 75. Additionally, the PBY squadrons have been brought up virtually to full strength and are starting to deploy out to outlying island chains like the Palmyra and Canton areas.
The 25th Division has been split into its regimental groups and are preparing to move to defend the following areas; Johnston, Palmyra and Canton. The 3rd segment is on the way to Canton as of the writing of this report. The others should be leaving in a matter of days. There have been sub float plane recons of Johnston and Midway.
Various and sundry convoys with supplies, fuel, oil and aviation groups are at sea heading for either Pearl, Pago Pago and Sydney. None have seen any enemy shipping nor aircraft as of yet.
In the Philippines, large Japanese landings reported at Appari and Lesgapi. The Appari force has moved on and taken Tugagaro (sp). Other than 2 PA divisions at Naga, 1 at Manila and the 2 retreating from the north, the whole Philippine command is basically at Clark; building forts and avoiding the malaria elsewhere. A fighting retreat from Naga is planned, with the main group holding at Clark for as long as possible. The B17 group and squadron have been evacuated south; the other fighters have left also, except the large P40 group which is fighting on, contesting the air for now.
Surabaya in Java is building up nicely. Supply and Engineers flow there from the other locations that have been pulled in. 2 of the engineers are from the PI; they will work on Java for now, but are planned for Darwin. Additionally, Darwin has received the RN engineer from Hong Kong; it was evacuated by the RN DDs starting on the 8th. It is now there rebuilding, while the DDs continued on toward Sydney and repair. Oil is being collected from Palembang and the other locations and is being sent toward Tjilijap and reloading on 18k tankers that are arriving from India and Australia. Force Z sits temporarily at Batavia, waiting for opportunities to arise. A lot of the shipping that is working in the Java Sea are the refugees from the Philippines. There was a fortuitous 2 day period of thunderstorms on the 8th and 9th. These enabled the ships from Manila and Naga to escape the Jap onslaught. Also, the DDs from Hong Kong cut thru the Sulu Sea during the storms and avoided the Jap forces.
In Malaya, the Japanese have shown up with over 3 reinforced Divisions and are marching down both sides of the peninsula. Currently Kuantan and Taiping are being held, but we expect to be forced back to Malacca by the end of the next week. The Japs are concentrating their air here on the front lines; Singapore has not been really hit yet and the airgroups there are ok. The naval strike planes are mainly flying naval search to avoid being caught on the airfield, build experience and occasionally get a hit on a merchant.
Finally, in the India/Burma area, the usual plan is in effect (at least my usual plan).
SE Asia HQ has transferred to Calcutta; 3 Indian Corps HQ is now in Calcutta and planning for Mandalay, where it will fly to when transport arrives. All merchant shipping has been delegated to recovering fuel and removing it from front line bases. My only other shipping losses have been here, as a large removal convoy from Rangoon was caught and savaged a bit. But, some fuel and the RAF HQ here was removed. Elsewhere, fuel from Chandpur, Diamond Harbor, Madras and Trincomalee have been moved to Columbo and back to Bombay/Karachi on the empty supply ships filling up Columbo. Elements of the 18th UK are expected here in around 2 weeks.
Now, as to the naval/air operations currently going on, there is only one thing to say, subs. We have sunk at least 5 merchants with around 4-5 more hit and severely damaged during this week. In addition, just yesterday, the O16 caught up to the CVE Taiyo off Kuching and put a fish in her. The enemy radio constantly complains about them and their depredations. Air wise, it seems that the planes currently have more success on search mode; hopefully this will change as experience is gained. In addition, the Jap is being very careful to avoid large concentrations of Allied air currently. His operations seem to be confined to the northern and western Borneo; and the Menado and Morotai region. I think the pasting that he received last time in the Java area has made him more cautious and he is planning on setting up more and larger airfields in the area before pressing the issue. At least, that is my interpretation of the situation.
That’s about it. In China, there are some minor skirmishes in Nanning and north of Changsha he crossed the river with 3 divisions. I think that he is trying something there, so reserves are moving up to support the Changsha position. Nothing else appears to be active here other than these.
See you next week.
Tabpub
Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning
December 26, 1941
The day after Christmas and Santa is notably absent. 2 submarines are now listed on the missing roles; Seawolf and Salmon. One was lost off Saigon, the other off Cam Rahn. For the near future, only the Dutch and English boats will operate in the South China Sea.
Concurrent with this decision, shipping shall cease out of Toobali from now on. There is a large presence of I-Boats in the Java Sea and there are not enough escorts to really cover them. But, even worse, with the occupation of Kuching there are now Zero and Nell contingents based there, which are making life impossible for unescorted freighters.
Palembang is covered by some 2 fighter squadrons, so loading will continue there. Shipping will have to try to time departure and arrivals there in the future to coincide with weather and air cover readiness.
On the Malay Peninsula, the Jap advance has reached Kuantan on the east coast and Taiping on the west. Plans have been followed to retreat gradually down the peninsula to Singapore, trying to avoid a large engagement.
In the Philippines, the enemy is 60 miles out of Manila and 120 miles from Clark Field.
There are still around 30 P40s and 2 PBY Squadrons working out of the area there. There are 3 damaged subs that are doing supply runs into Bataan from local islands nearby that have not fallen to the enemy.
Burma remains fairly quiet. The Victoria Point base garrision has reached Moulmein with a Jap unit right on their tails. The Burma Rifles (1 and 2) cover the approaches from Raehang, where there are 4 units reported. P40’s and one Blenheim squadron are bombing them at every opportunity in an attempt to slow them up.
POW and Repulse have moved toward Tjilijap due to the increased IJN air presence in Borneo. The American and Dutch contingents are based out of Surabaya. B17 squadrons out of Surabaya have bombed the airbase at Kuching, but with little effect as yet. Work is being done on expanding the facilities at Surabaya in an effort to improve this.
Finally, in the Central Pacific one regiment of Army troops is approaching Canton Island. 2nd Marine is boarding transports for Pearl, along with the 2nd Marine Defense Battalion. This convoy is covered by Saratoga, Colorado and 12 DDs. Upon their arrival, the remaining 2 Army Regiments will proceed to Johnston and Palmyra Islands. Then 2nd Marine will ship to Suva, Tahiti. There are 2 convoys heading to Sydney, with the Bomb Groups allocated for SEAC and SWPAC. They are about 24 days out from landfall. It is hoped that they can move to the Darwin area and provide support for the operations in the DEI area before the situation there deteriorates.
As to enemy intentions, it seems that a carrier group of undetermined strength is starting to move into the New Hebrides area. Currently, there are no forces there to opposed this and shipping shall have to avoid the area if they move there in force. Other than that, no other indications of the next moves by the enemy has been determined.
Until next week,
Tabpub
The day after Christmas and Santa is notably absent. 2 submarines are now listed on the missing roles; Seawolf and Salmon. One was lost off Saigon, the other off Cam Rahn. For the near future, only the Dutch and English boats will operate in the South China Sea.
Concurrent with this decision, shipping shall cease out of Toobali from now on. There is a large presence of I-Boats in the Java Sea and there are not enough escorts to really cover them. But, even worse, with the occupation of Kuching there are now Zero and Nell contingents based there, which are making life impossible for unescorted freighters.
Palembang is covered by some 2 fighter squadrons, so loading will continue there. Shipping will have to try to time departure and arrivals there in the future to coincide with weather and air cover readiness.
On the Malay Peninsula, the Jap advance has reached Kuantan on the east coast and Taiping on the west. Plans have been followed to retreat gradually down the peninsula to Singapore, trying to avoid a large engagement.
In the Philippines, the enemy is 60 miles out of Manila and 120 miles from Clark Field.
There are still around 30 P40s and 2 PBY Squadrons working out of the area there. There are 3 damaged subs that are doing supply runs into Bataan from local islands nearby that have not fallen to the enemy.
Burma remains fairly quiet. The Victoria Point base garrision has reached Moulmein with a Jap unit right on their tails. The Burma Rifles (1 and 2) cover the approaches from Raehang, where there are 4 units reported. P40’s and one Blenheim squadron are bombing them at every opportunity in an attempt to slow them up.
POW and Repulse have moved toward Tjilijap due to the increased IJN air presence in Borneo. The American and Dutch contingents are based out of Surabaya. B17 squadrons out of Surabaya have bombed the airbase at Kuching, but with little effect as yet. Work is being done on expanding the facilities at Surabaya in an effort to improve this.
Finally, in the Central Pacific one regiment of Army troops is approaching Canton Island. 2nd Marine is boarding transports for Pearl, along with the 2nd Marine Defense Battalion. This convoy is covered by Saratoga, Colorado and 12 DDs. Upon their arrival, the remaining 2 Army Regiments will proceed to Johnston and Palmyra Islands. Then 2nd Marine will ship to Suva, Tahiti. There are 2 convoys heading to Sydney, with the Bomb Groups allocated for SEAC and SWPAC. They are about 24 days out from landfall. It is hoped that they can move to the Darwin area and provide support for the operations in the DEI area before the situation there deteriorates.
As to enemy intentions, it seems that a carrier group of undetermined strength is starting to move into the New Hebrides area. Currently, there are no forces there to opposed this and shipping shall have to avoid the area if they move there in force. Other than that, no other indications of the next moves by the enemy has been determined.
Until next week,
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning
December 31st, 1941 New Year’s Eve
The celebrations are muted this year with the outbreak of war in the Pacific, yet there are things to be pleased about:
There are still only 2 allied submarines missing in action; meanwhile, they and their comrades have accounted for 14 confirmed sinkings of Jap vessels. 7 by USN, 2 by the RN and 5 by the RNN. Most have been in the South China Sea area, mainly off Japanese invasion areas. The larger USN boats have been staying mainly in deep water, running patrol routes based on ship sightings or radio intercepts. The S boats and Dutch boats with their higher maneuverability are tasked with the shallower waters.
Meanwhile, IJN boats have lost 3 of their number, 2 off Midway and 1 in the Java Sea.
There are currently 4 IJN boats sighted in the Java sea and there is a 3 ship DD group attempting to pursue these raiders. IJN boats have sank 2 ships near the Sunda Strait by Batavia recently, one of which was the Merula, laden with 18k tons of Palembang crude. The sinkings by Midway were due to the IJN persistence in remaining in the area; PBYs from Midway shortened their search range to maintain the contact and a 4 DD group prosecuted them successfully with one DD torpedoed; she is currently heading to PH, with the remaining DDs escorting her in.
Zeroes from Kuching have swept the skies over Palembang twice over the recent week. In response, a squadron of the AVG has moved there from Burma to bolster the defense of the port. Also, the 19th BG has been operating against Kuching from Surabaya. In 2 raids, they have had some success, destroying some 5-10 planes on the ground and disrupting his operations here. The 19th has received 2/3rds of their new “E” models and are working them up as I write this; the final squadron should be equipped within the week. The 24th FG, another PI refugee group, is replacing lost planes in Surabaya. They currently have 7 ready/10 damaged P40’s and are set to receive more.
In Malaya, the Japanese advance has reached Malacca. Here all the units of the Malayan Army have joined, less 3 Brigades (22nd Australian, 1st and 2nd Malay). They hope to hold the Japanese West Coast advance up until they receive reinforcements. Then retreat to Johore and finally to Singapore. Some cadre units have been flown out by air to Palembang, where they then march overland to Teleoktebetong to board APs for the ride back to the SEAC area.
The Philippines is starting to get to the end phase. Large enemy contingents are in Manila and others are in the Lingayen area. Most of the best combat units of the USAFFE are in Manila. The IJA bombarded last turn, but 2 of the above units were not there at the time. They are marching there this day; hopefully, the IJA will attack without knowing they are there and blunt themselves. In Lingayen, one PA division remains to hold up the Jap advance for now.
Burma – have been pushed away from Raehang. BFF holds the line north of Moulmein, while the other ground elements proceed toward Mandalay. Rangoon defense force and one Indian Brigade will remain to defend Rangoon.
All other operations proceed as stated before. No current fix on main enemy carriers; Kates ground attacked in the PI from a group east of Luzon; this is presumed to be his light carriers. 3 subs that were within 120 miles are now moving to maintain contact.
Any questions? Just post them if you like; I know that I don’t go into great detail on most things, but if you are curious about something, I can expound.
Tabpub
The celebrations are muted this year with the outbreak of war in the Pacific, yet there are things to be pleased about:
There are still only 2 allied submarines missing in action; meanwhile, they and their comrades have accounted for 14 confirmed sinkings of Jap vessels. 7 by USN, 2 by the RN and 5 by the RNN. Most have been in the South China Sea area, mainly off Japanese invasion areas. The larger USN boats have been staying mainly in deep water, running patrol routes based on ship sightings or radio intercepts. The S boats and Dutch boats with their higher maneuverability are tasked with the shallower waters.
Meanwhile, IJN boats have lost 3 of their number, 2 off Midway and 1 in the Java Sea.
There are currently 4 IJN boats sighted in the Java sea and there is a 3 ship DD group attempting to pursue these raiders. IJN boats have sank 2 ships near the Sunda Strait by Batavia recently, one of which was the Merula, laden with 18k tons of Palembang crude. The sinkings by Midway were due to the IJN persistence in remaining in the area; PBYs from Midway shortened their search range to maintain the contact and a 4 DD group prosecuted them successfully with one DD torpedoed; she is currently heading to PH, with the remaining DDs escorting her in.
Zeroes from Kuching have swept the skies over Palembang twice over the recent week. In response, a squadron of the AVG has moved there from Burma to bolster the defense of the port. Also, the 19th BG has been operating against Kuching from Surabaya. In 2 raids, they have had some success, destroying some 5-10 planes on the ground and disrupting his operations here. The 19th has received 2/3rds of their new “E” models and are working them up as I write this; the final squadron should be equipped within the week. The 24th FG, another PI refugee group, is replacing lost planes in Surabaya. They currently have 7 ready/10 damaged P40’s and are set to receive more.
In Malaya, the Japanese advance has reached Malacca. Here all the units of the Malayan Army have joined, less 3 Brigades (22nd Australian, 1st and 2nd Malay). They hope to hold the Japanese West Coast advance up until they receive reinforcements. Then retreat to Johore and finally to Singapore. Some cadre units have been flown out by air to Palembang, where they then march overland to Teleoktebetong to board APs for the ride back to the SEAC area.
The Philippines is starting to get to the end phase. Large enemy contingents are in Manila and others are in the Lingayen area. Most of the best combat units of the USAFFE are in Manila. The IJA bombarded last turn, but 2 of the above units were not there at the time. They are marching there this day; hopefully, the IJA will attack without knowing they are there and blunt themselves. In Lingayen, one PA division remains to hold up the Jap advance for now.
Burma – have been pushed away from Raehang. BFF holds the line north of Moulmein, while the other ground elements proceed toward Mandalay. Rangoon defense force and one Indian Brigade will remain to defend Rangoon.
All other operations proceed as stated before. No current fix on main enemy carriers; Kates ground attacked in the PI from a group east of Luzon; this is presumed to be his light carriers. 3 subs that were within 120 miles are now moving to maintain contact.
Any questions? Just post them if you like; I know that I don’t go into great detail on most things, but if you are curious about something, I can expound.
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning
January 5th, 1942
Nothing momentous over the last few days; the campaign in Malaya continues and the Allied forces are still on the short end of the stick, Japanese Naval Air assets are moving around the southern seas with impunity, Manila and the Clark Field Complex are still in USAFFE hands, 2nd USMC Division arrives in PH and it and the Pacific Scouting Force prepare to head south to Fiji and points west.
Sub operations on both sides has muted somewhat. Most of the Japanese surface forces seem to busy digesting their gains. Their subs seem to be aggressively patrolling the Java Sea and have several scouts out in the Central Pacific area.
Jap air operations find gaps in the weather to run 2 major operations. One, over Singapore, starts out well for the Allies, but turns sour quickly. First, this occurred:
01/04/42
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 27
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 33
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 16 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed, 10 damaged
It was nice to see an even fight for a change…but then the real op hit home…..
01/04/42
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 123
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 31
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 35 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 6 destroyed, 13 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 18 destroyed, 10 damaged
Swordfish: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Wirraway: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 30
Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
As you might note, the runway hits were not exceptional, but the targeting on the torpedo planes approached smart bomb accuracy. Of course, there were no search planes out from these squadrons, as they were attempting to inderdict some Jap shipping in Kuantan.
The loss statements were NOT exaggerated….
Earlier in the week, 180 miles to the north, these battles occurred at the Malacca Line:
01/02/42
Ground combat at Malacca
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 57386 troops, 652 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 21870 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
823 casualties reported
Guns lost 25
Vehicles lost 3
Allied ground losses:
693 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
And then this:
01/03/42
Ground combat at Malacca
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 56464 troops, 618 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 18586 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
363 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Malaya Army HQ had been hoping that the Malacca position would hold for longer than this. In addition, due to the defeat there, the remnants of the force are retreating slowly down the peninsula. We hope that a stand can be made at Johore, allowing the fortification of Singapore to be built up some more. It is nearing 7 as we speak.
The other air operation that we mentioned earlier was run out of the Jap base of Kuching; it took advantage of the thunderstorms and a lax cap of 1/3 to penetrate the defenses at Balikpapan. The heavily stricken AK succumbed to her wounds.
01/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 15
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Luzon, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Magallanes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
In the Coral Sea, what is presumed to be the Naval Strike Force has been loitering between Cooktown and Port Moresby. In addition, what is at least 1-2 CV(L) is heading south through the northern section of the Banda Sea, about 300 miles east of Kendari.
Original presumption was that these forces intend to meet near Darwin and then proceed to sweep the Java Barrier. New indications do not contraindicate this, but believe that the main Strike Fleet is covering an operation in Southern New Guinea; either Milne Bay or PM is presumed to be the target. It would then probably head NW toward the Dutch holdings. Time will tell….
The defense of Manila is simply a beautiful thing. It shows the effect of fatigue, disruption and preparation (and a bit of slight of hand) to its best. Here are the CRs for the area over the last week ( they are in reverse chronological order). There is one missing for the 1st, the Japs hit the 20k men there with a deliberate attack and were repulsed severely. That force was the 41, 51, 91 PA Divs; the Marine Rgt, the US 31st RCT and the PS RCT assigned to Manila. After the initial attack was repulsed, the Marines, 91st and the 31st RCT went back to Clark:
01/05/42
Day Air attack on 41st PA Division, at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 65
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
01/05/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 84914 troops, 820 guns, 160 vehicles
Defending force 10719 troops, 126 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
01/04/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 91337 troops, 829 guns, 162 vehicles
Defending force 10814 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
=============================================
01/03/42
Day Air attack on Corregidor M Fortress, at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 75
Ki-15 Babs x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
01/03/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 85020 troops, 835 guns, 159 vehicles
Defending force 12134 troops, 141 guns, 2 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
=============================================
01/02/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 90926 troops, 889 guns, 158 vehicles
Defending force 11443 troops, 167 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
810 casualties reported
Guns lost 30
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
384 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
=============================================
12/31/41
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 87898 troops, 947 guns, 165 vehicles
Defending force 21057 troops, 272 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
It is hoped that the defense of the Philippines can hold out for the foreseeable future.
As said above, the 2nd USMC heads south in the next few days to bolster the defenses in the South Pacific. Air reinforcements continue toward Australia and the future shipment of air base forces to SWPAC is increased to highest priority. Additionally, the 3 squadrons of the 19th BG are fully manned and ready to fly; target Kuching, effort – Maximum. Surabayas’ AFs are not fully expanded (still at 4 – 50%), but the attempt must be made to stymie the IJ Naval Air in this area. This strike will (weather permitting) be at 19k feet. It is a demonstration; one or two of these to get any defensive CAP looking up….and then low level raids with tactical bombers transferred in to closer AFs . One can only propose; you know who disposes…..Surface forces continue to hold in Tjilijap and Surabaya, waiting to attempt to blunt the Jap main effort in the area and blunt it.
Well, I hope that I have something more good to relate to you all in the near future.
Tabpub
Nothing momentous over the last few days; the campaign in Malaya continues and the Allied forces are still on the short end of the stick, Japanese Naval Air assets are moving around the southern seas with impunity, Manila and the Clark Field Complex are still in USAFFE hands, 2nd USMC Division arrives in PH and it and the Pacific Scouting Force prepare to head south to Fiji and points west.
Sub operations on both sides has muted somewhat. Most of the Japanese surface forces seem to busy digesting their gains. Their subs seem to be aggressively patrolling the Java Sea and have several scouts out in the Central Pacific area.
Jap air operations find gaps in the weather to run 2 major operations. One, over Singapore, starts out well for the Allies, but turns sour quickly. First, this occurred:
01/04/42
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 27
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 33
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 16 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed, 10 damaged
It was nice to see an even fight for a change…but then the real op hit home…..
01/04/42
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 123
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 31
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 35 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 6 destroyed, 13 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 18 destroyed, 10 damaged
Swordfish: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Wirraway: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 30
Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
As you might note, the runway hits were not exceptional, but the targeting on the torpedo planes approached smart bomb accuracy. Of course, there were no search planes out from these squadrons, as they were attempting to inderdict some Jap shipping in Kuantan.
The loss statements were NOT exaggerated….
Earlier in the week, 180 miles to the north, these battles occurred at the Malacca Line:
01/02/42
Ground combat at Malacca
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 57386 troops, 652 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 21870 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
823 casualties reported
Guns lost 25
Vehicles lost 3
Allied ground losses:
693 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
And then this:
01/03/42
Ground combat at Malacca
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 56464 troops, 618 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 18586 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
363 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Malaya Army HQ had been hoping that the Malacca position would hold for longer than this. In addition, due to the defeat there, the remnants of the force are retreating slowly down the peninsula. We hope that a stand can be made at Johore, allowing the fortification of Singapore to be built up some more. It is nearing 7 as we speak.
The other air operation that we mentioned earlier was run out of the Jap base of Kuching; it took advantage of the thunderstorms and a lax cap of 1/3 to penetrate the defenses at Balikpapan. The heavily stricken AK succumbed to her wounds.
01/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 15
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Luzon, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Magallanes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
In the Coral Sea, what is presumed to be the Naval Strike Force has been loitering between Cooktown and Port Moresby. In addition, what is at least 1-2 CV(L) is heading south through the northern section of the Banda Sea, about 300 miles east of Kendari.
Original presumption was that these forces intend to meet near Darwin and then proceed to sweep the Java Barrier. New indications do not contraindicate this, but believe that the main Strike Fleet is covering an operation in Southern New Guinea; either Milne Bay or PM is presumed to be the target. It would then probably head NW toward the Dutch holdings. Time will tell….
The defense of Manila is simply a beautiful thing. It shows the effect of fatigue, disruption and preparation (and a bit of slight of hand) to its best. Here are the CRs for the area over the last week ( they are in reverse chronological order). There is one missing for the 1st, the Japs hit the 20k men there with a deliberate attack and were repulsed severely. That force was the 41, 51, 91 PA Divs; the Marine Rgt, the US 31st RCT and the PS RCT assigned to Manila. After the initial attack was repulsed, the Marines, 91st and the 31st RCT went back to Clark:
01/05/42
Day Air attack on 41st PA Division, at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 65
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
01/05/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 84914 troops, 820 guns, 160 vehicles
Defending force 10719 troops, 126 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
01/04/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 91337 troops, 829 guns, 162 vehicles
Defending force 10814 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
=============================================
01/03/42
Day Air attack on Corregidor M Fortress, at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 75
Ki-15 Babs x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
01/03/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 85020 troops, 835 guns, 159 vehicles
Defending force 12134 troops, 141 guns, 2 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
=============================================
01/02/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 90926 troops, 889 guns, 158 vehicles
Defending force 11443 troops, 167 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
810 casualties reported
Guns lost 30
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
384 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
=============================================
12/31/41
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 87898 troops, 947 guns, 165 vehicles
Defending force 21057 troops, 272 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
It is hoped that the defense of the Philippines can hold out for the foreseeable future.
As said above, the 2nd USMC heads south in the next few days to bolster the defenses in the South Pacific. Air reinforcements continue toward Australia and the future shipment of air base forces to SWPAC is increased to highest priority. Additionally, the 3 squadrons of the 19th BG are fully manned and ready to fly; target Kuching, effort – Maximum. Surabayas’ AFs are not fully expanded (still at 4 – 50%), but the attempt must be made to stymie the IJ Naval Air in this area. This strike will (weather permitting) be at 19k feet. It is a demonstration; one or two of these to get any defensive CAP looking up….and then low level raids with tactical bombers transferred in to closer AFs . One can only propose; you know who disposes…..Surface forces continue to hold in Tjilijap and Surabaya, waiting to attempt to blunt the Jap main effort in the area and blunt it.
Well, I hope that I have something more good to relate to you all in the near future.
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning
January 7th, 1942
Big news of the day: KAGA is operating in the north Banda Sea area supporting the Jap move on Kendari. SS TARPON was DC’d by her escorts on the 6th between Kendari and Menado. On the 7th, she caught up to the group 60mi East of Kendari, but was unable to prosecute an attack. She only suffered 10% damage in the depth charging, so is continuing to hold the contact. Around 4 subs are converging on the area from N and W, but will take approximately 2 days to arrive.
Now, to the other sectors:
Malaya/Singapore: The defeated Malayan Army continues to trudge south toward “safety” in Johore. A minor air strike goes in to attempt to slow down the pursuing Japs:
01/07/42
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards Division, at 22,47
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 5
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
Buffalo I x 3
Blenheim IV x 9
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
7 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
On the 6th, the first major operation by the 19th BG goes in at Kuching; results disappointing. CR only shows damage to attacking bombers, but at day’s end, 2 were shown lost to A2A. Group stood down on the 7th, and is scheduled to go in again on the 8th at 14,000. In addition, a flight of Demon was transferred to Singkawang to escort the next attack. Results for the 1/6 flight:
01/06/42
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 4
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 14
B-17E Fortress x 30
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 14 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
9 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
2 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
Here is the log for the operations around Kendari. The garrison has not been reinforced and the town is expected to fall to the enemy as soon as they begin their attack.
01/07/42
Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 1
=============================================
01/07/42
TF 12 troops unloading over beach at Kendari, 33,71
Japanese ground losses:
712 casualties reported
=============================================
01/07/42
TF 12 troops unloading over beach at Kendari, 33,71
Japanese ground losses:
332 casualties reported
=============================================
01/07/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 13000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Kashiwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 13000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Runway hits 2
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
01/06/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 5
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 4 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Yudachi
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
01/06/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 51
B5N Kate x 48
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Liran, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Belawan, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
01/06/42
Day Time Surface Combat, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 1
DD Murasame, Shell hits 4
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
Allied Ships
PT PT-31, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT PT-32, Shell hits 65, and is sunk
PT PT-33, Shell hits 79, and is sunk
=============================================
01/06/42
Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
Runway hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
This came in late; landing at Milne Bay by the transport force that we have been observing in the Solomon Sea. The area between PM and Cooktown is crawling with Japanese ships; BB Kirishima positively ID’d and presume that there are at least 2 fleet CV here from amount of carrier planes that sank a AK in Port Moresby a couple of days ago. PM is occupied by the at start forces and has only received one shipment of supplies. Hopefully, it is not on his immediate target list, as there is nothing that I can do to impede his operations here. There are 3 subs in the area that will try to penetrate his screens in the next 2-3 days. One, the SHARK, is sitting in the Torres Strait to cover against any move to the west; the others (GRENADIER and GAR) will move in on the Japs.
01/07/42
TF 20 troops unloading over beach at Gili Gili, 56,94
Japanese ground losses:
398 casualties reported
On the other side of the Pacific, a little cat and mouse ensues down by Jarvis Island (between Christmas and Canton):
01/07/42
Day Air attack on TF at 108,94
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Mauna Loa
PT PT-24
DMS Elliot, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Day Air attack on TF at 108,94
Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
PT PT-22
PT PT-42
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
01/06/42
Day Air attack on TF at 108,94
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AVD Ballard
TK Larry Doheny
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
The first attack was on the 6th, vs. a SDPP convoy which then evaded to the east. The attacks on the 7th were against a PHPP convoy that I ordered there hoping that he would try to engage in surface combat against the other convoy. As you might notice, this convoy is out of Pearl (hence PH) and heading to Pago Pago (hence the PP in the convoy designator) It is one AK loaded with fuel, a division of 4 DMS’ and the entire complement of the PH PT squadron (12, as I remember). They are going to PP to provide local defense for that and other bases in the area.
I have ordered three 3 ship divisions of PTs to move 120 miles out along the current path of the convoy. Hopefully, they will engage this group of raiders before the main body of the convoy. This raider group was spotted 3 days ago 180mi E of Baker Island by PBYs; that report only showed 1 ship, but has now moved up to 3. I am supposing that this is a CS type escorted by 2 cruisers (based on the attacks by 10 Jakes and 8 Petes).
Immediately after the attacks on the 6th, Bill Halsey came to my office; he began by demanding to be sent down after this group, and as I sat silently, he started to plead. Not wanting to see Bill beg anymore, I authorized his ENTERPRISE TF to go after these raiders. He immediately set out at high speed and is now 700 miles south of Pearl; one more full days steaming will bring him to Jarvis and within long range of the current location of the raiding ships. Hopefully, with both Dauntless squadrons providing a total of 16 search aircraft, he will be able to find and hit the enemy tomorrow, especially if they move deeper into the area seeking targets.
On the PI front, continued good news from Manila, they continue to hold the ground vs. 4 Japanese Divisions. A pretty good job for 2 PA Divisions and a PA RCT with no fortifications. I will be sending in a formation or two from Clark to reinforce though. His forces from Lingayen have not moved on Clark as of yet, as I have sent a PS RCT north and they are “interfering” with his movement so far. Here are the results for the last 2 days:
01/07/42
Day Air attack on Corregidor M Fortress, at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 54
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Day Air attack on 51st PA Division, at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 91349 troops, 831 guns, 161 vehicles
Defending force 10776 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
1382 casualties reported
Guns lost 31
Vehicles lost 7
Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Guns lost 15
=============================================
01/07/42
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1940 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 93061 troops, 778 guns, 153 vehicles
=============================================
01/06/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 84964 troops, 824 guns, 159 vehicles
Defending force 10793 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
Other notes:
LEX and SARA remain in Pearl for the escort of the upcoming PROMETHEUS transport of the 2nd Marines to Fiji, scheduled for next week.
Submarine patrols are not spotting much moving anywhere right now; seems the Jap transports are not where they are right now, or they are building up to another operation.
Ships damaged in the PH attack are being repaired at a good pace. On the average, about 3-4 points have been removed from the BBs since they drydocked 2 weeks ago. Lesser classes are repairing even faster in the LA and SD yards. MARYLAND is at 70 in PH; her repair is slowed by the continual traffic in and out of PH and the work done on routine repairs to these ships. When she repairs to around 8-10 knots in speed, she will head to the coast herself.
Finally, in around 6 days, a whole slew of equipment, planes and men arrive around the globe. Cant wait….8^)
Tabpub
Big news of the day: KAGA is operating in the north Banda Sea area supporting the Jap move on Kendari. SS TARPON was DC’d by her escorts on the 6th between Kendari and Menado. On the 7th, she caught up to the group 60mi East of Kendari, but was unable to prosecute an attack. She only suffered 10% damage in the depth charging, so is continuing to hold the contact. Around 4 subs are converging on the area from N and W, but will take approximately 2 days to arrive.
Now, to the other sectors:
Malaya/Singapore: The defeated Malayan Army continues to trudge south toward “safety” in Johore. A minor air strike goes in to attempt to slow down the pursuing Japs:
01/07/42
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards Division, at 22,47
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 5
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
Buffalo I x 3
Blenheim IV x 9
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
7 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
On the 6th, the first major operation by the 19th BG goes in at Kuching; results disappointing. CR only shows damage to attacking bombers, but at day’s end, 2 were shown lost to A2A. Group stood down on the 7th, and is scheduled to go in again on the 8th at 14,000. In addition, a flight of Demon was transferred to Singkawang to escort the next attack. Results for the 1/6 flight:
01/06/42
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 4
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 14
B-17E Fortress x 30
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 14 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
9 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
2 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 19000 feet
Here is the log for the operations around Kendari. The garrison has not been reinforced and the town is expected to fall to the enemy as soon as they begin their attack.
01/07/42
Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 1
=============================================
01/07/42
TF 12 troops unloading over beach at Kendari, 33,71
Japanese ground losses:
712 casualties reported
=============================================
01/07/42
TF 12 troops unloading over beach at Kendari, 33,71
Japanese ground losses:
332 casualties reported
=============================================
01/07/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 13000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Kashiwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 13000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Runway hits 2
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
01/06/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 5
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 4 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Yudachi
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
01/06/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 51
B5N Kate x 48
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Liran, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Belawan, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
01/06/42
Day Time Surface Combat, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 1
DD Murasame, Shell hits 4
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
Allied Ships
PT PT-31, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT PT-32, Shell hits 65, and is sunk
PT PT-33, Shell hits 79, and is sunk
=============================================
01/06/42
Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
Runway hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
This came in late; landing at Milne Bay by the transport force that we have been observing in the Solomon Sea. The area between PM and Cooktown is crawling with Japanese ships; BB Kirishima positively ID’d and presume that there are at least 2 fleet CV here from amount of carrier planes that sank a AK in Port Moresby a couple of days ago. PM is occupied by the at start forces and has only received one shipment of supplies. Hopefully, it is not on his immediate target list, as there is nothing that I can do to impede his operations here. There are 3 subs in the area that will try to penetrate his screens in the next 2-3 days. One, the SHARK, is sitting in the Torres Strait to cover against any move to the west; the others (GRENADIER and GAR) will move in on the Japs.
01/07/42
TF 20 troops unloading over beach at Gili Gili, 56,94
Japanese ground losses:
398 casualties reported
On the other side of the Pacific, a little cat and mouse ensues down by Jarvis Island (between Christmas and Canton):
01/07/42
Day Air attack on TF at 108,94
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Mauna Loa
PT PT-24
DMS Elliot, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Day Air attack on TF at 108,94
Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
PT PT-22
PT PT-42
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
01/06/42
Day Air attack on TF at 108,94
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AVD Ballard
TK Larry Doheny
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
The first attack was on the 6th, vs. a SDPP convoy which then evaded to the east. The attacks on the 7th were against a PHPP convoy that I ordered there hoping that he would try to engage in surface combat against the other convoy. As you might notice, this convoy is out of Pearl (hence PH) and heading to Pago Pago (hence the PP in the convoy designator) It is one AK loaded with fuel, a division of 4 DMS’ and the entire complement of the PH PT squadron (12, as I remember). They are going to PP to provide local defense for that and other bases in the area.
I have ordered three 3 ship divisions of PTs to move 120 miles out along the current path of the convoy. Hopefully, they will engage this group of raiders before the main body of the convoy. This raider group was spotted 3 days ago 180mi E of Baker Island by PBYs; that report only showed 1 ship, but has now moved up to 3. I am supposing that this is a CS type escorted by 2 cruisers (based on the attacks by 10 Jakes and 8 Petes).
Immediately after the attacks on the 6th, Bill Halsey came to my office; he began by demanding to be sent down after this group, and as I sat silently, he started to plead. Not wanting to see Bill beg anymore, I authorized his ENTERPRISE TF to go after these raiders. He immediately set out at high speed and is now 700 miles south of Pearl; one more full days steaming will bring him to Jarvis and within long range of the current location of the raiding ships. Hopefully, with both Dauntless squadrons providing a total of 16 search aircraft, he will be able to find and hit the enemy tomorrow, especially if they move deeper into the area seeking targets.
On the PI front, continued good news from Manila, they continue to hold the ground vs. 4 Japanese Divisions. A pretty good job for 2 PA Divisions and a PA RCT with no fortifications. I will be sending in a formation or two from Clark to reinforce though. His forces from Lingayen have not moved on Clark as of yet, as I have sent a PS RCT north and they are “interfering” with his movement so far. Here are the results for the last 2 days:
01/07/42
Day Air attack on Corregidor M Fortress, at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 54
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Day Air attack on 51st PA Division, at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
01/07/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 91349 troops, 831 guns, 161 vehicles
Defending force 10776 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
1382 casualties reported
Guns lost 31
Vehicles lost 7
Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Guns lost 15
=============================================
01/07/42
Ground combat at Manila
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1940 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 93061 troops, 778 guns, 153 vehicles
=============================================
01/06/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 84964 troops, 824 guns, 159 vehicles
Defending force 10793 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
Other notes:
LEX and SARA remain in Pearl for the escort of the upcoming PROMETHEUS transport of the 2nd Marines to Fiji, scheduled for next week.
Submarine patrols are not spotting much moving anywhere right now; seems the Jap transports are not where they are right now, or they are building up to another operation.
Ships damaged in the PH attack are being repaired at a good pace. On the average, about 3-4 points have been removed from the BBs since they drydocked 2 weeks ago. Lesser classes are repairing even faster in the LA and SD yards. MARYLAND is at 70 in PH; her repair is slowed by the continual traffic in and out of PH and the work done on routine repairs to these ships. When she repairs to around 8-10 knots in speed, she will head to the coast herself.
Finally, in around 6 days, a whole slew of equipment, planes and men arrive around the globe. Cant wait….8^)
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning
January 17th, 1942
A rapid exchange of moves between the antagonists has moved us to this date. The Banda Sea is still the “hot spot” among all, with this current engagement being the most recent:
01/17/42
Day Air attack on TF at 36,76
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 15 destroyed, 20 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
The 93rd BS out of Darwin spotted the Jap formations 480 miles to the north; with 6 planes out on search from the squadron, 9 planes went out to engage. As you can see, they encountered fierce resistance from the carriers CAP; 7 Forts were downed by the fighters and one succumbed to the flak, but the remaining Fort was able to hit the Shoho.
It is doubtful that this level of loss can be sustained, so the squadron has been ordered to limit attacks to ships that come closer than 300 miles to the airbase. On the other hand, perhaps this will make the Jap rethink his position in this area.
Now to recap the situation in the rest of the Pacific:
Malaya: One Indian Brigade that was left in Johore was overrun by the Japanese Army, as the rest of the Malayan Army retreated to Singapore, blowing the causeway behind them. The shape of the garrison is not good; around 450 AS is the strength of the units there, mainly from the fortress, 2 Malayan Brigades and the unused 22nd Australian Brigade. The 27th Australian is being loaded on 2 AKs to attempt to move to Palembang while the weather in the area is inclement. All the aircraft that were based in Singapore have left, either to the Burma/India theater or to Palembang. The air operations were draining the supply levels quickly and there is little chance of re-supply in the future. Plus, the level of Jap air commitment to the area makes maintaining an air presence here almost impossible.
Kuching: the 93rd BG has been running operations against this airfield around every other day. In terms of success, I would say that it is a breakeven affair so far. Fortress losses have been about ½ of the Japanese plane losses. This is expected to improve in the following days, as the airfield at Surabaya has been improved to level 5 recently and should allow the Forts to carry full bomb loads. There is a large group of shipping here, with at least 1 battleship present. It is believed that they are awaiting either more air superiority to arrive or the carriers from the south to move up.
Kendari: The bad guys have Kendari and the Naval Air there has made the Maccassar Strait impossible for surface shipping. 2 of their victims are docked in Balikpapan with over 80 sys damage; the 24th FG (P40E) which was covering this area have rebased to Surabaya. The PAF Aviation and 803 EAB fragments that were in Balikpapan are being moved to Surabaya by sub transport and Lodestar air transport. They were brought there by a combo of subs PBYs from Bataan.
Coral Sea: The Japanese presence has temporarily disappeared; either they have moved into the air gap in the Coral Sea or back to the Solomon Sea. Hope to determine the location soon; the chance that they might operate against my supply lines could be disruptive to say the least.
Line-Phoenix Islands: The incursion against my supply lines has been terminated. It was a CS (Mizhuo, I believe) and a DD. Halseys’ TF caught up with them SW of Palmyra Island; the DD ate 7 bombs and sank immediately, while the CS was hit by 6. Searches the following day and 2 subs in the area for the next 3 days found no sight of the CS; she is presumed to have sunk.
Manila: The defense of the Philippine capital continues! The resupplied Jap forces try another all out attack on the 2 PA Divisions in the capital and are repulsed again.
01/17/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 90415 troops, 773 guns, 153 vehicles
Defending force 15481 troops, 142 guns, 1 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
1239 casualties reported
Guns lost 46
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1
Another PA division (41st, I believe) is moving to reinforce Manila. I am holding the main force at Clark. The 1st PA is moving to Clark from Bataan, and the 21st is moving to San Marcellino to attempt to eliminate a Jap unit that is there.
Earlier in the week, the Jap forces in Lingayen had moved into Clark, but an immediate shock attack drove them out before they could get a foothold.
Other notes:
2nd Marine Division is on the move toward Fiji, along with the South Pacific HQ. LEX and SARA are escorting them and they are around Christmas right now.
All 3 of the Aviation Units and Base Forces that arrived at SF are on their way to their destinations.
Maryland (69sys) is heading for the West Coast yards; probably LA, as the cruisers that were there should be finished by the time she reaches there.
The 2 large aircraft convoys have reached Australia. The 7thBG is reequipping with their LB30s; the other is swapping for their new B25s and is 2/3rds completed. When completely finished, they will move to support the North and East coasts of Australia for the moment. Until sufficient aviation support arrives though, it is difficult to use them efficiently.
Tabpub
A rapid exchange of moves between the antagonists has moved us to this date. The Banda Sea is still the “hot spot” among all, with this current engagement being the most recent:
01/17/42
Day Air attack on TF at 36,76
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 15 destroyed, 20 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
The 93rd BS out of Darwin spotted the Jap formations 480 miles to the north; with 6 planes out on search from the squadron, 9 planes went out to engage. As you can see, they encountered fierce resistance from the carriers CAP; 7 Forts were downed by the fighters and one succumbed to the flak, but the remaining Fort was able to hit the Shoho.
It is doubtful that this level of loss can be sustained, so the squadron has been ordered to limit attacks to ships that come closer than 300 miles to the airbase. On the other hand, perhaps this will make the Jap rethink his position in this area.
Now to recap the situation in the rest of the Pacific:
Malaya: One Indian Brigade that was left in Johore was overrun by the Japanese Army, as the rest of the Malayan Army retreated to Singapore, blowing the causeway behind them. The shape of the garrison is not good; around 450 AS is the strength of the units there, mainly from the fortress, 2 Malayan Brigades and the unused 22nd Australian Brigade. The 27th Australian is being loaded on 2 AKs to attempt to move to Palembang while the weather in the area is inclement. All the aircraft that were based in Singapore have left, either to the Burma/India theater or to Palembang. The air operations were draining the supply levels quickly and there is little chance of re-supply in the future. Plus, the level of Jap air commitment to the area makes maintaining an air presence here almost impossible.
Kuching: the 93rd BG has been running operations against this airfield around every other day. In terms of success, I would say that it is a breakeven affair so far. Fortress losses have been about ½ of the Japanese plane losses. This is expected to improve in the following days, as the airfield at Surabaya has been improved to level 5 recently and should allow the Forts to carry full bomb loads. There is a large group of shipping here, with at least 1 battleship present. It is believed that they are awaiting either more air superiority to arrive or the carriers from the south to move up.
Kendari: The bad guys have Kendari and the Naval Air there has made the Maccassar Strait impossible for surface shipping. 2 of their victims are docked in Balikpapan with over 80 sys damage; the 24th FG (P40E) which was covering this area have rebased to Surabaya. The PAF Aviation and 803 EAB fragments that were in Balikpapan are being moved to Surabaya by sub transport and Lodestar air transport. They were brought there by a combo of subs PBYs from Bataan.
Coral Sea: The Japanese presence has temporarily disappeared; either they have moved into the air gap in the Coral Sea or back to the Solomon Sea. Hope to determine the location soon; the chance that they might operate against my supply lines could be disruptive to say the least.
Line-Phoenix Islands: The incursion against my supply lines has been terminated. It was a CS (Mizhuo, I believe) and a DD. Halseys’ TF caught up with them SW of Palmyra Island; the DD ate 7 bombs and sank immediately, while the CS was hit by 6. Searches the following day and 2 subs in the area for the next 3 days found no sight of the CS; she is presumed to have sunk.
Manila: The defense of the Philippine capital continues! The resupplied Jap forces try another all out attack on the 2 PA Divisions in the capital and are repulsed again.
01/17/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 90415 troops, 773 guns, 153 vehicles
Defending force 15481 troops, 142 guns, 1 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
1239 casualties reported
Guns lost 46
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1
Another PA division (41st, I believe) is moving to reinforce Manila. I am holding the main force at Clark. The 1st PA is moving to Clark from Bataan, and the 21st is moving to San Marcellino to attempt to eliminate a Jap unit that is there.
Earlier in the week, the Jap forces in Lingayen had moved into Clark, but an immediate shock attack drove them out before they could get a foothold.
Other notes:
2nd Marine Division is on the move toward Fiji, along with the South Pacific HQ. LEX and SARA are escorting them and they are around Christmas right now.
All 3 of the Aviation Units and Base Forces that arrived at SF are on their way to their destinations.
Maryland (69sys) is heading for the West Coast yards; probably LA, as the cruisers that were there should be finished by the time she reaches there.
The 2 large aircraft convoys have reached Australia. The 7thBG is reequipping with their LB30s; the other is swapping for their new B25s and is 2/3rds completed. When completely finished, they will move to support the North and East coasts of Australia for the moment. Until sufficient aviation support arrives though, it is difficult to use them efficiently.
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning
January 27th 1942
Here is a quick recap to catch all you readers up on the action for the last 10 days. I am sure that Herb has greater detail in his thread, as it seems that he posts there quite a bit. As the action speeds up here, I shall try to keep abreast of it for you.
India: Operation DENY has emptied all the major ports around the Bay of Bengal of ridiculous amounts of fuel that they possessed. Most has been brought back to Bombay. Colombo continues to build up, as do the Indian Army units that have decent experience and morale. Two RAF HQs and their attached units have arrived in Calcutta and Dacca areas. Expect to be operational in 1 week. With that in mind, SEAC has queried ABDA and Aus. Command about the whereabouts of the 19th and 7th BG; they were to have arrived in SEAC area this week. Both ABDA and Aus. Command claim to have taken temporary command of the Wings due to the emergency situation in the Java Barrier (see below). SEAC strenuously requests the release of these 2 wings as they have their own little crisis in Burma (see below).
Burma: Things are starting to go bad here, like a banana that has been on the counter for a couple of days in the sun…
The land forces continue to screen the Jap advance, but the force against them is building. 1 Jap unit is 120 miles north of Rangoon and 5 more are 60 miles behind it. When they link up (presume that these are 2 Divisions with attached troops) they will have a preponderance of force here. Then the BFF and the other two brigades will have to move north to Mandalay. Speaking of Mandalay, the Japs have made the air there theirs! In a series of attacks, led by Naval Zeroes, they have cleared the air of Allied fighters. Here are the Combat reports for these two actions:
01/26/42
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 76
Ki-48 Lily x 47
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 11
P-40B Tomahawk x 25
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 54 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 31 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 25 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
8 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
After this attack, the AVG squadrons and the 39s moved out to recover, they were down to 1/3 strength. A P40E squadron (formerly from PI) moved in to replace them:
01/27/42
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 80
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 12
Ki-48 Lily x 44
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 19
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 38 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 15
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
After this savaging (19 40Es shot down) they retired to India to recoup. This is the reason that SEAC wants the BGs that are assigned to it, to attack the buildup of Jap air force in Rangoon. Current planes do not have the range to do this efficiently. Other than that, all that SEAC can do here is wait until it has more massive fighter presence to go up against this threat. Also, pressure is being put on the Chinese to release some of there NCAC Divisions to this front. Gen. Stilwell, commanding NCAC, indicates that one Division has left Yunnan province for northern Burma this day. It has been the first one that has met his requirements for release, in that it had 0 disruption and less than 5 fatigue and readiness was over 70/100. As other Divisions meet this, they will proceed down the Road.
China: A swirling little fight around Nanning. The 2 Corps that had been besieging the city were displaced a week ago. In response, 2 corps from Wuchow moved to support them. One has been defeated just across the river SW of Wuchow, but two more corps are moving toward this line and we hope to force the attacking Jap Division back toward Nanning. Meanwhile, judicious studying of our “Bohdi” code breaking system has spotted a trend of units moving toward Yenen. Coupling this with indications that there are several units “planning” for Yenen, there has been a move to reinforce the Province. In addition, a counter offensive is planned toward Kaifeng; this will kick off either in one month or when the Jap offensive breaks out. Hopefully, this will either make good time against weak opposition or require Jap reinforcement, taking away from their attacks.
NORPAC/CENTPAC: Other than the Jap coming in at night and landing on Attu in the Aleutians, nothing to report.
SOPAC: 2nd Mar. Div. continues its move toward Fiji. Most of the planes assigned to SOPAC in the initial planning are now based in the area. Heavy Jap recon sub presence in the area, but only the loss of one TK to report so far.
Australia and Solomons/NG: Under the cover of a force containing at least 2 fleet carriers, the Japs have landed and taken Port Moresby and Milne Bay. The 30th Australian Brigade, which was to reinforce the PM position, had only arrived a few days before and was still marching to Brisbane to embark. The entire Eastern Seaboard is on alert. The combined Aust/NZ squadrons are moving to Auckland to escort the move of an NZ brigade to Noumea to secure the SLOC to America. A large Aviation Unit (51st, I believe) is on fast transports to Australia and is about 1/3 of the way there. The CVs that are escorting the Marines will pick them up south of Fiji and bring them to Australia. The 71st Aviation is being “stolen” from CentPac and being sent to Fiji in the near future. The 111th Aviation, originally planned for NorPac, is unloading in PH now, prepatory to proceeding to Midway Island. An RCT (161st?) is about to unload on Midway to bolster the defenses there. As more RCTs become available, or perhaps the 40th NG Division in LA, they will move to relieve the elements of the 25th that are holding Johnston, Palmyra and Canton Islands; thereby freeing that Division for more missions of an offensive nature undetermined as yet.
DEI & Northern Australia: Major FU (think SNAFU) a couple of days before. I am sure that the Jap radio is crowing about it, but it can be revealed that an American Squadron was virtually eliminated in the south Banda Sea, off Timor. The Japanese made simultaneous landings at all three base areas in Timor and took the island in 3 days. The American Asiatic Squadron ( CA Houston, CLs Marblehead and Boise and 8 DDs) were in the area and under the command of ADM Furlong, USN. With the known presence of two Jap CVs in the area (KAGA and AKAGI), they were down near Derby refueling. After the bombardment of Darwin (which had little effect, as it was spotted coming in and the planes left Darwin), the ships were ordered to move toward Darwin, hugging the coast to support against another attempt. Unfortunately, the Admirals current standing orders were unchanged, so when the landings at Koepang were discovered, he went there seeking surface engagement. By the time the Kendari based Betties, the CV air groups, and Jap surface force were done, there were only 4 four pipers left, one badly damaged. They hid in Koepang harbor for one day, and then all left the next, each bearing some men from the garrison and all on different bearings. 3 made it out successfully, the 4th, USN Pope, was sunk by Kate bombers off Wangipu, northwest of Koepang. POPE was the heavily damaged one and little hope was given the POPE….(hehe).
The 2 HvyBmbt units in Darwin (7th BG and 93rd BS) have retired inland. There are at least 4 Jap CV in the waters 400 miles north of Darwin and without sufficient fighter cover, these bombers cannot expect to operate in this area. The 7th might be sent to Surabaya to relieve the 19th BG, which has had little luck in its attacks against the Kuching air complex over the last 7 days. The 19th would then proceed to its original destination of India to support the ground forces there.
Philippines: Good news here! With the failure of his attacks, General Herbiesan has withdrawn to bases (Lingayen and Naga), evidently to resupply and gain replacements. Using this opportunity, three operations were set out.
One: 21st PA Division moves on and retakes San Marcellino, ejecting a mortar regiment from there; Afterwards, 2/3rd s of the 21st move back to Clark.
Two: 91st PA Division and a PS RCT move SE of Manila; the 91st then moves north to Lamon Bay and retakes the area, finding 4000 tons of Jap supply. The 91st is now attempting to move back to Manila, as the PS RCT report Jap unit in its area now.
Three: With the main Jap army in Lingayen the two US tank battalions move on Tuguegarao, where intel only indicates one unit. One of the battalions has been bombed heavily and slowed, but both are within one day of the area. If this does nothing other than draw the attention of the Jap air force, it will still be a help to the Clark defenders, giving them time from the constant bombardments that have been slowing construction of defenses there.
Sub Campaign: Lost a Dutch sub yesterday, she was trying to penetrate a CV group. Another was hit hard north of Kuching and has about a 50/50 chance of making Palembang…70 flotation damage. I have quite a few subs in the 20-40 damage range that are now moving to repair yards to the rear; I don’t feel that Surabaya will long be a safe repair harbor as it has been so far. New subs are coming (6 arrived in the last 10 days), but most of them will be slated for the Central and South Pacific. There are some S boats coming out that will be sent to Australia for local operations, but that is sometime in the future.
As always,
Tabpub
Here is a quick recap to catch all you readers up on the action for the last 10 days. I am sure that Herb has greater detail in his thread, as it seems that he posts there quite a bit. As the action speeds up here, I shall try to keep abreast of it for you.
India: Operation DENY has emptied all the major ports around the Bay of Bengal of ridiculous amounts of fuel that they possessed. Most has been brought back to Bombay. Colombo continues to build up, as do the Indian Army units that have decent experience and morale. Two RAF HQs and their attached units have arrived in Calcutta and Dacca areas. Expect to be operational in 1 week. With that in mind, SEAC has queried ABDA and Aus. Command about the whereabouts of the 19th and 7th BG; they were to have arrived in SEAC area this week. Both ABDA and Aus. Command claim to have taken temporary command of the Wings due to the emergency situation in the Java Barrier (see below). SEAC strenuously requests the release of these 2 wings as they have their own little crisis in Burma (see below).
Burma: Things are starting to go bad here, like a banana that has been on the counter for a couple of days in the sun…
The land forces continue to screen the Jap advance, but the force against them is building. 1 Jap unit is 120 miles north of Rangoon and 5 more are 60 miles behind it. When they link up (presume that these are 2 Divisions with attached troops) they will have a preponderance of force here. Then the BFF and the other two brigades will have to move north to Mandalay. Speaking of Mandalay, the Japs have made the air there theirs! In a series of attacks, led by Naval Zeroes, they have cleared the air of Allied fighters. Here are the Combat reports for these two actions:
01/26/42
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 76
Ki-48 Lily x 47
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 11
P-40B Tomahawk x 25
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 54 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 31 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 25 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
8 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
After this attack, the AVG squadrons and the 39s moved out to recover, they were down to 1/3 strength. A P40E squadron (formerly from PI) moved in to replace them:
01/27/42
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 80
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 12
Ki-48 Lily x 44
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 19
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 38 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 15
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 17000 feet
After this savaging (19 40Es shot down) they retired to India to recoup. This is the reason that SEAC wants the BGs that are assigned to it, to attack the buildup of Jap air force in Rangoon. Current planes do not have the range to do this efficiently. Other than that, all that SEAC can do here is wait until it has more massive fighter presence to go up against this threat. Also, pressure is being put on the Chinese to release some of there NCAC Divisions to this front. Gen. Stilwell, commanding NCAC, indicates that one Division has left Yunnan province for northern Burma this day. It has been the first one that has met his requirements for release, in that it had 0 disruption and less than 5 fatigue and readiness was over 70/100. As other Divisions meet this, they will proceed down the Road.
China: A swirling little fight around Nanning. The 2 Corps that had been besieging the city were displaced a week ago. In response, 2 corps from Wuchow moved to support them. One has been defeated just across the river SW of Wuchow, but two more corps are moving toward this line and we hope to force the attacking Jap Division back toward Nanning. Meanwhile, judicious studying of our “Bohdi” code breaking system has spotted a trend of units moving toward Yenen. Coupling this with indications that there are several units “planning” for Yenen, there has been a move to reinforce the Province. In addition, a counter offensive is planned toward Kaifeng; this will kick off either in one month or when the Jap offensive breaks out. Hopefully, this will either make good time against weak opposition or require Jap reinforcement, taking away from their attacks.
NORPAC/CENTPAC: Other than the Jap coming in at night and landing on Attu in the Aleutians, nothing to report.
SOPAC: 2nd Mar. Div. continues its move toward Fiji. Most of the planes assigned to SOPAC in the initial planning are now based in the area. Heavy Jap recon sub presence in the area, but only the loss of one TK to report so far.
Australia and Solomons/NG: Under the cover of a force containing at least 2 fleet carriers, the Japs have landed and taken Port Moresby and Milne Bay. The 30th Australian Brigade, which was to reinforce the PM position, had only arrived a few days before and was still marching to Brisbane to embark. The entire Eastern Seaboard is on alert. The combined Aust/NZ squadrons are moving to Auckland to escort the move of an NZ brigade to Noumea to secure the SLOC to America. A large Aviation Unit (51st, I believe) is on fast transports to Australia and is about 1/3 of the way there. The CVs that are escorting the Marines will pick them up south of Fiji and bring them to Australia. The 71st Aviation is being “stolen” from CentPac and being sent to Fiji in the near future. The 111th Aviation, originally planned for NorPac, is unloading in PH now, prepatory to proceeding to Midway Island. An RCT (161st?) is about to unload on Midway to bolster the defenses there. As more RCTs become available, or perhaps the 40th NG Division in LA, they will move to relieve the elements of the 25th that are holding Johnston, Palmyra and Canton Islands; thereby freeing that Division for more missions of an offensive nature undetermined as yet.
DEI & Northern Australia: Major FU (think SNAFU) a couple of days before. I am sure that the Jap radio is crowing about it, but it can be revealed that an American Squadron was virtually eliminated in the south Banda Sea, off Timor. The Japanese made simultaneous landings at all three base areas in Timor and took the island in 3 days. The American Asiatic Squadron ( CA Houston, CLs Marblehead and Boise and 8 DDs) were in the area and under the command of ADM Furlong, USN. With the known presence of two Jap CVs in the area (KAGA and AKAGI), they were down near Derby refueling. After the bombardment of Darwin (which had little effect, as it was spotted coming in and the planes left Darwin), the ships were ordered to move toward Darwin, hugging the coast to support against another attempt. Unfortunately, the Admirals current standing orders were unchanged, so when the landings at Koepang were discovered, he went there seeking surface engagement. By the time the Kendari based Betties, the CV air groups, and Jap surface force were done, there were only 4 four pipers left, one badly damaged. They hid in Koepang harbor for one day, and then all left the next, each bearing some men from the garrison and all on different bearings. 3 made it out successfully, the 4th, USN Pope, was sunk by Kate bombers off Wangipu, northwest of Koepang. POPE was the heavily damaged one and little hope was given the POPE….(hehe).
The 2 HvyBmbt units in Darwin (7th BG and 93rd BS) have retired inland. There are at least 4 Jap CV in the waters 400 miles north of Darwin and without sufficient fighter cover, these bombers cannot expect to operate in this area. The 7th might be sent to Surabaya to relieve the 19th BG, which has had little luck in its attacks against the Kuching air complex over the last 7 days. The 19th would then proceed to its original destination of India to support the ground forces there.
Philippines: Good news here! With the failure of his attacks, General Herbiesan has withdrawn to bases (Lingayen and Naga), evidently to resupply and gain replacements. Using this opportunity, three operations were set out.
One: 21st PA Division moves on and retakes San Marcellino, ejecting a mortar regiment from there; Afterwards, 2/3rd s of the 21st move back to Clark.
Two: 91st PA Division and a PS RCT move SE of Manila; the 91st then moves north to Lamon Bay and retakes the area, finding 4000 tons of Jap supply. The 91st is now attempting to move back to Manila, as the PS RCT report Jap unit in its area now.
Three: With the main Jap army in Lingayen the two US tank battalions move on Tuguegarao, where intel only indicates one unit. One of the battalions has been bombed heavily and slowed, but both are within one day of the area. If this does nothing other than draw the attention of the Jap air force, it will still be a help to the Clark defenders, giving them time from the constant bombardments that have been slowing construction of defenses there.
Sub Campaign: Lost a Dutch sub yesterday, she was trying to penetrate a CV group. Another was hit hard north of Kuching and has about a 50/50 chance of making Palembang…70 flotation damage. I have quite a few subs in the 20-40 damage range that are now moving to repair yards to the rear; I don’t feel that Surabaya will long be a safe repair harbor as it has been so far. New subs are coming (6 arrived in the last 10 days), but most of them will be slated for the Central and South Pacific. There are some S boats coming out that will be sent to Australia for local operations, but that is sometime in the future.
As always,
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
Japanese Setbacks in the PI and China!
January 29th, 1942
Things really haven’t changed much over the last 2 days on the oceans.
The Jap mainline carriers appear to be heading toward a rendezvous 400-500 miles N of Darwin. There really isn’t much for me to do about this force; it probably has as much airpower in it as the entire Australian/DEI/Indian area has. Ok, about as much; but it’s still a lot. So, the B17 and 24 groups retire to Charter Towers and Alice Springs, where they will rest, reinforce and wait for the next opportunity to rebase.
There is a small Jap TF of AKs and at least one DD that have approached the coast near Whyndham. I think that this is a feint, as no troops appear landed; but, I have no troops near by to investigate, as Whyndham was abandoned earlier in the year. I think that even if he is landing troops, I really don’t care that much right now. If he really means to make a fight of it in Northern Australia in early 42, so much the better for him.
Meanwhile, there have been two battles that will raise a smile to the lips of those that support the free world: The first is in China, part of the Nanning Campaign.
On the 26th, the Japanese attacked a single corps that was trying to cover for the other 2 corps moving from their defeat in Nanning toward Wuchow:
01/26/42
Ground combat at 41,39
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 20665 troops, 244 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 8155 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
3 Days later, 2 fresh corps and one of the retreating corps arrive and the results are slightly different…..
01/29/42
Ground combat at 41,39
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 20655 troops, 239 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 20967 troops, 153 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
3921 casualties reported
Guns lost 68
Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
There was some reports of cheering in Chunking.
Also, in the Philippines, things are not all going the Japanese way either:
Earlier I wrote that the two tank battalions from the USAFFE were moving to Tuguegarao. Upon reaching it, the one unit reported there was 3 small NLFs, with no apparent fortifications and they immediately launched an attack. The Japanese bombarded, but with little effect:
01/29/42
Ground combat at Tuguegarao
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1525 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2380 troops, 0 guns, 159 vehicles
=============================================
01/29/42
Ground combat at Tuguegarao
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2380 troops, 0 guns, 159 vehicles
Defending force 1660 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Tuguegarao base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
217 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
=============================================
The defeated units retreated to Aparri, with the tank battalions in hot pursuit. They will be launching an immediate attack on the 30th. Their blood is up and they believe that they face only base troops. The dawn will provide the answers to these questions. Meanwhile, everything else is in order and there are no impeding problems on the horizon.
Things really haven’t changed much over the last 2 days on the oceans.
The Jap mainline carriers appear to be heading toward a rendezvous 400-500 miles N of Darwin. There really isn’t much for me to do about this force; it probably has as much airpower in it as the entire Australian/DEI/Indian area has. Ok, about as much; but it’s still a lot. So, the B17 and 24 groups retire to Charter Towers and Alice Springs, where they will rest, reinforce and wait for the next opportunity to rebase.
There is a small Jap TF of AKs and at least one DD that have approached the coast near Whyndham. I think that this is a feint, as no troops appear landed; but, I have no troops near by to investigate, as Whyndham was abandoned earlier in the year. I think that even if he is landing troops, I really don’t care that much right now. If he really means to make a fight of it in Northern Australia in early 42, so much the better for him.
Meanwhile, there have been two battles that will raise a smile to the lips of those that support the free world: The first is in China, part of the Nanning Campaign.
On the 26th, the Japanese attacked a single corps that was trying to cover for the other 2 corps moving from their defeat in Nanning toward Wuchow:
01/26/42
Ground combat at 41,39
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 20665 troops, 244 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 8155 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
3 Days later, 2 fresh corps and one of the retreating corps arrive and the results are slightly different…..
01/29/42
Ground combat at 41,39
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 20655 troops, 239 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 20967 troops, 153 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
3921 casualties reported
Guns lost 68
Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
There was some reports of cheering in Chunking.
Also, in the Philippines, things are not all going the Japanese way either:
Earlier I wrote that the two tank battalions from the USAFFE were moving to Tuguegarao. Upon reaching it, the one unit reported there was 3 small NLFs, with no apparent fortifications and they immediately launched an attack. The Japanese bombarded, but with little effect:
01/29/42
Ground combat at Tuguegarao
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1525 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2380 troops, 0 guns, 159 vehicles
=============================================
01/29/42
Ground combat at Tuguegarao
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2380 troops, 0 guns, 159 vehicles
Defending force 1660 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Tuguegarao base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
217 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
=============================================
The defeated units retreated to Aparri, with the tank battalions in hot pursuit. They will be launching an immediate attack on the 30th. Their blood is up and they believe that they face only base troops. The dawn will provide the answers to these questions. Meanwhile, everything else is in order and there are no impeding problems on the horizon.
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
Small Jap landing near Wyndham
January 31st, 1942
The end of January is upon us. Just a few things have changed since the last update.
Hudsons and temporary refugee Martins bomb the force that landed a small contingent on the shore 60 miles East of Wyndham. One ship is confirmed sunk, another damaged heavily. Meanwhile, the large force of CVs continues to hang about 600 miles NE of Darwin, although, it appears that they are closing in slowly. A small squadron of ships was intercepted leading them, possibly a Bombardment force setting up for the next day.
Here is the result of that attack:
01/31/42
Sub attack at 38,83
Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Sawakaze
CL Kitakami
Allied Ships
SS Saury
Meanwhile, the 19th BG goes back to Kuching with 36 planes: they run into 18 Zeroes and 9 Nates and suffer 6 losses. They are planning to return on the morrow, but at 35000 ft. The group is not able to suffer this rate of loss for long, yet they still must fly to inhibit the Jap forces there.
With the aquistion of Singapore, the tankers that have been working out of Palembang are quitting the area. Unfortunately, the weather was not bad and they were attacked by sea and air; perhaps they should have stayed in the harbor under direct aircover. Here is a summary of the air/sea actions in that area over the last 2 days:
01/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 19
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 13
Brewster 339D x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 damaged
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
TK Talang Akar
MSW Bendigo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
01/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 5
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 13
Brewster 339D x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
MSW Eland Dubois
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
01/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
Brewster 339D x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied Ships
MSW Jan van Amstel
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
01/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 4
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
Brewster 339D x 3
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
TK Anastasia
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
01/31/42
Sub attack near Muntok at 21,55
Japanese Ships
SS I-153
Allied Ships
TK Angelina, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Jan van Amstel
=============================================
01/31/42
ASW attack near Muntok at 21,55
Japanese Ships
SS I-153
Allied Ships
MSW Burnie
01/31/42
Sub attack at 21,58
Japanese Ships
SS I-124
Allied Ships
AK Dukat, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
=============================================
01/31/42
Sub attack at 21,58
Japanese Ships
SS I-124
Allied Ships
TK Anastasia, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Burnie
But, forces out of Palembang get some licks in to balance the equation somewhat:
01/31/42
Day Air attack on TF at 22,51
Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 6
Wirraway x 7
Brewster 339D x 4
Beaufort V-IX x 10
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
Plus, one of his DDs gets tangled up in the old minefield at Singapore; I guess he was in a hurry to get in or something:
=============================================
01/30/42
TF 84 encounters mine field at Singapore (23,50)
Japanese Ships
MSW W.19
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
MSW W.4
DD Amagiri, Mine hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Finally, the 2 tank battalions that reached Aparri have met the end of the road; there was a full infantry division there, which was totally unexpected. Their attack was repulsed, of course and before the troops could withdraw, the Japs closed the back door at Tuguegarao. They are now trapped there and have been ordered to hold on for as long as possible, attacking until they lose the ability.
=============================================
01/29/42
Ground combat at Aparri
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2030 troops, 0 guns, 136 vehicles
Defending force 29559 troops, 103 guns, 1 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 13
Elsewhere, support units and air units continue to move forward. A B17 BG stages to Canton, heading for the SoPac area. A convoy containing a P40 and P39 FG is within weeks of Australia, bringing sorely needed front line fighters to the area. In Australia itself, the 7th BG is waiting in Alice Springs, to see if the Japs try to bombard Darwin. Additionally, a BG(light) of 63 B25s is forming in Sydney; currently assigned to SEAC (as is the 7th), Australia Command is holding them in theater for now, until the situation in the North is resolved.
2nd MarDiv is 2 days out of Suva, they will provide security for the area; Americal arrives in SF in about a week and sufficient shipping is either in place or on the way to handle them. They will embark immediately for Noumea to reinforce the base there. The 14th NZ brigade is currently enroute for that port and should arrive in a week. These forces, with the increasing air presence that is building in the area, should be sufficient to prevent any easy Jap advances in the area. With the current situation in the PI, it is doubtful that the Jap High Command has enough troops available to pursue any large offensive this far south at the current time.
If there is any further information that any of you are interested in, please feel free to ask.
Tabpub
The end of January is upon us. Just a few things have changed since the last update.
Hudsons and temporary refugee Martins bomb the force that landed a small contingent on the shore 60 miles East of Wyndham. One ship is confirmed sunk, another damaged heavily. Meanwhile, the large force of CVs continues to hang about 600 miles NE of Darwin, although, it appears that they are closing in slowly. A small squadron of ships was intercepted leading them, possibly a Bombardment force setting up for the next day.
Here is the result of that attack:
01/31/42
Sub attack at 38,83
Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Sawakaze
CL Kitakami
Allied Ships
SS Saury
Meanwhile, the 19th BG goes back to Kuching with 36 planes: they run into 18 Zeroes and 9 Nates and suffer 6 losses. They are planning to return on the morrow, but at 35000 ft. The group is not able to suffer this rate of loss for long, yet they still must fly to inhibit the Jap forces there.
With the aquistion of Singapore, the tankers that have been working out of Palembang are quitting the area. Unfortunately, the weather was not bad and they were attacked by sea and air; perhaps they should have stayed in the harbor under direct aircover. Here is a summary of the air/sea actions in that area over the last 2 days:
01/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 19
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 13
Brewster 339D x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 damaged
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
TK Talang Akar
MSW Bendigo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
01/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 5
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 13
Brewster 339D x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
MSW Eland Dubois
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
01/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
Brewster 339D x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied Ships
MSW Jan van Amstel
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
01/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 4
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
Brewster 339D x 3
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
TK Anastasia
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
01/31/42
Sub attack near Muntok at 21,55
Japanese Ships
SS I-153
Allied Ships
TK Angelina, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Jan van Amstel
=============================================
01/31/42
ASW attack near Muntok at 21,55
Japanese Ships
SS I-153
Allied Ships
MSW Burnie
01/31/42
Sub attack at 21,58
Japanese Ships
SS I-124
Allied Ships
AK Dukat, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
=============================================
01/31/42
Sub attack at 21,58
Japanese Ships
SS I-124
Allied Ships
TK Anastasia, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Burnie
But, forces out of Palembang get some licks in to balance the equation somewhat:
01/31/42
Day Air attack on TF at 22,51
Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 6
Wirraway x 7
Brewster 339D x 4
Beaufort V-IX x 10
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
Plus, one of his DDs gets tangled up in the old minefield at Singapore; I guess he was in a hurry to get in or something:
=============================================
01/30/42
TF 84 encounters mine field at Singapore (23,50)
Japanese Ships
MSW W.19
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
MSW W.4
DD Amagiri, Mine hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Finally, the 2 tank battalions that reached Aparri have met the end of the road; there was a full infantry division there, which was totally unexpected. Their attack was repulsed, of course and before the troops could withdraw, the Japs closed the back door at Tuguegarao. They are now trapped there and have been ordered to hold on for as long as possible, attacking until they lose the ability.
=============================================
01/29/42
Ground combat at Aparri
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2030 troops, 0 guns, 136 vehicles
Defending force 29559 troops, 103 guns, 1 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 13
Elsewhere, support units and air units continue to move forward. A B17 BG stages to Canton, heading for the SoPac area. A convoy containing a P40 and P39 FG is within weeks of Australia, bringing sorely needed front line fighters to the area. In Australia itself, the 7th BG is waiting in Alice Springs, to see if the Japs try to bombard Darwin. Additionally, a BG(light) of 63 B25s is forming in Sydney; currently assigned to SEAC (as is the 7th), Australia Command is holding them in theater for now, until the situation in the North is resolved.
2nd MarDiv is 2 days out of Suva, they will provide security for the area; Americal arrives in SF in about a week and sufficient shipping is either in place or on the way to handle them. They will embark immediately for Noumea to reinforce the base there. The 14th NZ brigade is currently enroute for that port and should arrive in a week. These forces, with the increasing air presence that is building in the area, should be sufficient to prevent any easy Jap advances in the area. With the current situation in the PI, it is doubtful that the Jap High Command has enough troops available to pursue any large offensive this far south at the current time.
If there is any further information that any of you are interested in, please feel free to ask.
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Small Jap landing near Wyndham
February 3rd, 1942
It is really starting to heat up, both on the Palembang and Darwin fronts. Heavy Jap carrier presence N of Darwin, but no airstrikes as of yet. Just some bombardment runs, that really don’t do a lot. Elements of 2 divisions landed at Darwin, identified as the 38th and 21st? Land based airstrikes don’t have much effect yet, but the mines and submarines are starting to have a bit of an effect. The coming days will tell, but the Japs can probably take Darwin with no problem and might try to clean up the entire coast. Infantry and Cavalry formations are moving to isolate this area, while the submarine force will work over his supply lines.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/03/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 43 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 43 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Teikei Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
286 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 68 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW Choun Maru #21, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ataka Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.15
AP Nachisan Maru, Mine hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fubuki
DD Manazuru
DD Chidori
DD Shinonome
Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
162 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW W.15, Shell hits 3
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Chidori
AP Higashiyama Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
767 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 5 encounters mine field at Palembang (20,55)
Japanese Ships
DD Oshio, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
CA Atago, Mine hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 35,82
Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Suzukaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Shigure
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kasumi
DD Urakaze
CV Kaga
Allied Ships
SS O23, hits 2
Flooding at around 30 by 2 type 95 DCs; she will head for Perth to fix up
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 34,61
Japanese Ships
PC Shonan Maru #17
PC Ch 3
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
PC Takunan Maru #5
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Kyo Maru #11
Allied Ships
SS Sailfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Palembang, at 20,55
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Do 24K-2: 2 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CA Takao
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
Allied Ships
TK Angelina, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
1340 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 5
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 43 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 43 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 68 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese Ships
MSW W.15
DD Chidori
DD Fubuki, on fire
AP Nachisan Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
139 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki, on fire
AP Hokusho Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Chidori, Shell hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
661 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 5 encounters mine field at Muntok (21,55)
Japanese Ships
DD Arashio
BB Haruna, Mine hits 1
I hope that this ruins her month…..--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 34,61
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 3
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
PC Takunan Maru #5
PC Shonan Maru #17
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Kyo Maru #11
Allied Ships
SS Sailfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
Ki-21 Sally x 113
Ki-15 Babs x 6
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 7 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
Port hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 15th Tank Regiment, at 50,27
Allied aircraft
I-153c x 37
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x I-153c bombing at 2000 feet
19 x I-153c bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th Chinese Corps, at 51,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 7
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 27th Chinese Corps, at 50,27
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 9
Ki-15 Babs x 1
Allied aircraft
I-16c x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 7 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st PA/A Division, at 43,50
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 67
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,81
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 6
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Samidare
DD Yudachi
DD Asagumo
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,82
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 2
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CA Mikuma
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 7000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 27
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome, on fire, heavy damage
AP Heiku Maru
MSW W.15
AP Higashiyama Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hawaii Maru
AP Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Nachisan Maru, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Konzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at San Marcelino
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 2584 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1272 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 44 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE San Marcelino base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,27
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 2040 troops, 0 guns, 142 vehicles
Defending force 9064 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 6
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 8196 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 14927 troops, 82 guns, 12 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4718 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 34874 troops, 311 guns, 67 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Coastal defense subs proceed to Palembang to cordon it off.
6 subs work the waters N of Darwin, trying to intercept some transports; there are too many escorts to try for a shot at a carrier right now.
With the carriers in the area, there is no chance for utilizing any remaining surface units; they will stay in Java under air cover and await opportunities.
2nd Marine Division lands at Fiji; Americal Division has arrived and will start loading tomorrow when it has accumulated supplies. Other support units are on the way to their assigned bases.
Burma still relatively quiet; a moderate bombing campaign against his leading elements is all that is going on there.
Yenen is under threat. An armored regiment has crossed the river and driven back the screening corps. Airstrikes ordered against it and more plans in place to secure the area. 2 more corps are within days of the city and 2 more are enroute, about 2 weeks travel time away.
Tabpub.
It is really starting to heat up, both on the Palembang and Darwin fronts. Heavy Jap carrier presence N of Darwin, but no airstrikes as of yet. Just some bombardment runs, that really don’t do a lot. Elements of 2 divisions landed at Darwin, identified as the 38th and 21st? Land based airstrikes don’t have much effect yet, but the mines and submarines are starting to have a bit of an effect. The coming days will tell, but the Japs can probably take Darwin with no problem and might try to clean up the entire coast. Infantry and Cavalry formations are moving to isolate this area, while the submarine force will work over his supply lines.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/03/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 43 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 43 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Teikei Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
286 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 68 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW Choun Maru #21, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ataka Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.15
AP Nachisan Maru, Mine hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fubuki
DD Manazuru
DD Chidori
DD Shinonome
Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
162 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW W.15, Shell hits 3
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Chidori
AP Higashiyama Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
767 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 5 encounters mine field at Palembang (20,55)
Japanese Ships
DD Oshio, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
CA Atago, Mine hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 35,82
Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Suzukaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Shigure
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kasumi
DD Urakaze
CV Kaga
Allied Ships
SS O23, hits 2
Flooding at around 30 by 2 type 95 DCs; she will head for Perth to fix up
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 34,61
Japanese Ships
PC Shonan Maru #17
PC Ch 3
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
PC Takunan Maru #5
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Kyo Maru #11
Allied Ships
SS Sailfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Palembang, at 20,55
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Do 24K-2: 2 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CA Takao
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
Allied Ships
TK Angelina, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
1340 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 5
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 43 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 43 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 68 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese Ships
MSW W.15
DD Chidori
DD Fubuki, on fire
AP Nachisan Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
139 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki, on fire
AP Hokusho Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Chidori, Shell hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
661 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 5 encounters mine field at Muntok (21,55)
Japanese Ships
DD Arashio
BB Haruna, Mine hits 1
I hope that this ruins her month…..--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 34,61
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 3
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
PC Takunan Maru #5
PC Shonan Maru #17
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Kyo Maru #11
Allied Ships
SS Sailfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
Ki-21 Sally x 113
Ki-15 Babs x 6
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 7 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
Port hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 15th Tank Regiment, at 50,27
Allied aircraft
I-153c x 37
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x I-153c bombing at 2000 feet
19 x I-153c bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th Chinese Corps, at 51,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 7
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 27th Chinese Corps, at 50,27
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 9
Ki-15 Babs x 1
Allied aircraft
I-16c x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 7 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st PA/A Division, at 43,50
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 67
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,81
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 6
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Samidare
DD Yudachi
DD Asagumo
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,82
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 2
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CA Mikuma
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 7000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 27
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome, on fire, heavy damage
AP Heiku Maru
MSW W.15
AP Higashiyama Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hawaii Maru
AP Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Nachisan Maru, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Konzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at San Marcelino
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 2584 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1272 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 44 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE San Marcelino base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,27
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 2040 troops, 0 guns, 142 vehicles
Defending force 9064 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 6
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 8196 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 14927 troops, 82 guns, 12 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Darwin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4718 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 34874 troops, 311 guns, 67 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Coastal defense subs proceed to Palembang to cordon it off.
6 subs work the waters N of Darwin, trying to intercept some transports; there are too many escorts to try for a shot at a carrier right now.
With the carriers in the area, there is no chance for utilizing any remaining surface units; they will stay in Java under air cover and await opportunities.
2nd Marine Division lands at Fiji; Americal Division has arrived and will start loading tomorrow when it has accumulated supplies. Other support units are on the way to their assigned bases.
Burma still relatively quiet; a moderate bombing campaign against his leading elements is all that is going on there.
Yenen is under threat. An armored regiment has crossed the river and driven back the screening corps. Airstrikes ordered against it and more plans in place to secure the area. 2 more corps are within days of the city and 2 more are enroute, about 2 weeks travel time away.
Tabpub.
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Small Jap landing near Wyndham
February 4th, 1942
Darwin holds against the 1st attack against it from the 38th and 21st IJA Divisions; the have worn down the positions, but the defending ground forces are in good shape so far. No evacuation yet; though the contingency plans exist. The nearest reinforcements are nowhere near (closest is Townsville, 3rd Australian Div.) and lacking supporting bases sufficiently close and protected to Darwin, the fall of the position is probably inevitable; especially with the naval/naval air assets that are in position for the Japanese.
Here is a summary of yesterdays’ action near Darwin:
02/04/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
118 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Shinko Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
AP Chicago Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
291 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
=============================================
02/04/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Manazuru
AP Hawaii Maru
AP Chicago Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
216 casualties reported
=============================================
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 8
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Shirashika Maru
AP Reiyo Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 17
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Chidori
AP Hawaii Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Anzan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Shinko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Matsukawa Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Burisuben Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
02/04/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25888 troops, 310 guns, 66 vehicles
Defending force 15036 troops, 86 guns, 13 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3
Japanese ground losses:
452 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 1
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF at 36,83
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 18
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
02/04/42
Night Time Surface Combat, near Derby at 24,85
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
Allied Ships
AK Johanne Justesen, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
=============================================
02/04/42
Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed, 9 damaged
PBY Catalina: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Martin 139: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Wirraway: 6 destroyed, 6 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
Allied ground losses:
659 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 5
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 23
Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 6
Port supply hits 6
=============================================
02/04/42
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
H6K4 Mavis x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 2 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF at 24,84
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
The defenders of Northern Australia are causing some minor grief to the Japs, but not enough to forestall them at this point. All we can do is delay the situation for as long as possible and use the air and sub forces to cause damage to his shipping. I hope to sink as much shipping as possible to make this incursion painful to him.
Elsewhere, just 2 ineffective bombing runs; one in Burma that hits like 2 guys and a cocoanut and at Kuching where 19 Forts at 35k feet miss the runway, but hit one Sonia. One Fort crashes on landing back at Surabaya, making the days mission pointless.
Lastly, two new directives from CincPAC:
One: New submarines will perform their first war patrols in the Banda/Timor Sea Zone; subs currently in that area are assigned to there until further notice. The remaining operational subs in ABDA area will remain in the Java/Batavia area.
Two: There are now two large personnel convoys at sea (20k+ men aboard); all assets are to provide cover and protection for these convoys. Once they are successfully at their destinations, then the situation will be reassessed.
Long term plans are still in the early stages.
SWPAC will join with Australian Command to plan the following: first; the defense of the Australian continent; second, the re-conquest of either Northern Australia or New Guinea, depending on the situation at that time.
SoPac units will safeguard the convoy routes; with the arrival of the 1st Marines, then the move to either pressure the Solomons or Gilberts becomes a possibility.
CentPac stands to defend and prepare to support any Gilberts/Marshalls operations.
NorPac, upon the arrival of sufficient RCTs and air units, will proceed to secure the entire Aleutian chain and recover Attu.
SEAC will continue to delay the Jap advance in Burma, primarily relying on the ground forces that are present there with as much airpower as can be safely projected there. The RN will stand by to prevent the Japanese from using the Bay of Bengal without committing significant combat ships. Newly arriving ground forces will move into the reserve and/or move to significant locations to train and prepare defenses.
ABDA ground, air and naval will continue to defend Java to the end. If possible, there will be evacuees and ships are set aside for this contingency. Surabaya is the strongpoint and is currently stronger than Singapore was at the beginning of the attack on it. It is getting stronger everyday.
Lastly, in China, Chiang is pleased to continue to hold on to his current territory and react to Jap advances and blunt them. Currently, Yenen is coming under pressure. It will be defended and a counter stroke mounted from the Homan area to draw Jap forces away from the attack or prevent further reinforcements of the area.
I will update this prognosis section around once a month, in addition to the regular updates.
Tabpub
Darwin holds against the 1st attack against it from the 38th and 21st IJA Divisions; the have worn down the positions, but the defending ground forces are in good shape so far. No evacuation yet; though the contingency plans exist. The nearest reinforcements are nowhere near (closest is Townsville, 3rd Australian Div.) and lacking supporting bases sufficiently close and protected to Darwin, the fall of the position is probably inevitable; especially with the naval/naval air assets that are in position for the Japanese.
Here is a summary of yesterdays’ action near Darwin:
02/04/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
118 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Shinko Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
AP Chicago Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
291 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
=============================================
02/04/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Manazuru
AP Hawaii Maru
AP Chicago Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
216 casualties reported
=============================================
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 8
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Shirashika Maru
AP Reiyo Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 17
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Chidori
AP Hawaii Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Anzan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Shinko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Matsukawa Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Burisuben Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
02/04/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25888 troops, 310 guns, 66 vehicles
Defending force 15036 troops, 86 guns, 13 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3
Japanese ground losses:
452 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 1
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF at 36,83
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 18
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
02/04/42
Night Time Surface Combat, near Derby at 24,85
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
Allied Ships
AK Johanne Justesen, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
=============================================
02/04/42
Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed, 9 damaged
PBY Catalina: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Martin 139: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Wirraway: 6 destroyed, 6 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
Allied ground losses:
659 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 5
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 23
Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 6
Port supply hits 6
=============================================
02/04/42
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
H6K4 Mavis x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 2 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
02/04/42
Day Air attack on TF at 24,84
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
The defenders of Northern Australia are causing some minor grief to the Japs, but not enough to forestall them at this point. All we can do is delay the situation for as long as possible and use the air and sub forces to cause damage to his shipping. I hope to sink as much shipping as possible to make this incursion painful to him.
Elsewhere, just 2 ineffective bombing runs; one in Burma that hits like 2 guys and a cocoanut and at Kuching where 19 Forts at 35k feet miss the runway, but hit one Sonia. One Fort crashes on landing back at Surabaya, making the days mission pointless.
Lastly, two new directives from CincPAC:
One: New submarines will perform their first war patrols in the Banda/Timor Sea Zone; subs currently in that area are assigned to there until further notice. The remaining operational subs in ABDA area will remain in the Java/Batavia area.
Two: There are now two large personnel convoys at sea (20k+ men aboard); all assets are to provide cover and protection for these convoys. Once they are successfully at their destinations, then the situation will be reassessed.
Long term plans are still in the early stages.
SWPAC will join with Australian Command to plan the following: first; the defense of the Australian continent; second, the re-conquest of either Northern Australia or New Guinea, depending on the situation at that time.
SoPac units will safeguard the convoy routes; with the arrival of the 1st Marines, then the move to either pressure the Solomons or Gilberts becomes a possibility.
CentPac stands to defend and prepare to support any Gilberts/Marshalls operations.
NorPac, upon the arrival of sufficient RCTs and air units, will proceed to secure the entire Aleutian chain and recover Attu.
SEAC will continue to delay the Jap advance in Burma, primarily relying on the ground forces that are present there with as much airpower as can be safely projected there. The RN will stand by to prevent the Japanese from using the Bay of Bengal without committing significant combat ships. Newly arriving ground forces will move into the reserve and/or move to significant locations to train and prepare defenses.
ABDA ground, air and naval will continue to defend Java to the end. If possible, there will be evacuees and ships are set aside for this contingency. Surabaya is the strongpoint and is currently stronger than Singapore was at the beginning of the attack on it. It is getting stronger everyday.
Lastly, in China, Chiang is pleased to continue to hold on to his current territory and react to Jap advances and blunt them. Currently, Yenen is coming under pressure. It will be defended and a counter stroke mounted from the Homan area to draw Jap forces away from the attack or prevent further reinforcements of the area.
I will update this prognosis section around once a month, in addition to the regular updates.
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
Darwin Teeters on the Brink!!!
February 8th, 1942
Here is the synopsis for the last 4 days.
Darwin is on the verge of falling; last attack was nearly it, they were just thrown back by the last reserves. One engineer unit has left the area and all the other units are ordered to evacuate the area. Hopefully, they will be able to break contact with the enemy.
Other than the Darwin front, things are relatively quiet. The Japs have taken Kuala and Sabang and are moving on Medan in Sumatra. No actions in the PI and his moves on Yenen have stalled. Here is a description of an attack by the Jap in the Yenen Campaign:
=============================================
02/07/42
Ground combat at 51,26
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 7711 troops, 83 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 8918 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
1012 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Here are the Combat reports for the Darwin area; as you will see, we fought as hard as we could for the place, but the amount of land air and naval forces arrayed here are too much at the moment:
02/08/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Yura
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
Allied ground losses:
1600 casualties reported
Guns lost 43
Vehicles lost 13
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 6
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
02/08/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 196
=============================================
02/08/42
TF 196 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 196 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
=============================================
02/08/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
351 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 2
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 1
=============================================
02/08/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Yura
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
Allied ground losses:
587 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
02/08/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 39261 troops, 331 guns, 80 vehicles
Defending force 8864 troops, 14 guns, 1 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
=============================================
02/07/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1430 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 44673 troops, 348 guns, 110 vehicles
=============================================
02/07/42
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Yawata Maru
Allied Ships
SS S-37
=============================================
02/07/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 196
=============================================
02/07/42
TF 196 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 196 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
=============================================
02/07/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 32354 troops, 332 guns, 16 vehicles
Defending force 14347 troops, 66 guns, 13 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
02/06/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4232 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 43833 troops, 359 guns, 76 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
=============================================
02/06/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 85
TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
34 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Kureha Maru #3
AP Shinai Maru, Shell hits 2
Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
=============================================
02/06/42
TF 85 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki, heavy damage
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 85
20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
=============================================
02/06/42
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
=============================================
02/06/42
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 43
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
=============================================
02/06/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37973 troops, 333 guns, 78 vehicles
Defending force 14370 troops, 68 guns, 13 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
=============================================
02/05/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4125 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 42981 troops, 359 guns, 77 vehicles
=============================================
02/05/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
=============================================
02/05/42
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Nagano Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
=============================================
02/05/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 154
TF 154 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese ground losses:
126 casualties reported
=============================================
02/05/42
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Nagano Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 105
D3A Val x 38
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
19 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3
LB-30 Liberator x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
LB-30 Liberator: 12 destroyed, 16 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Matsukawa Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Burisuben Maru, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
02/05/42
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Kyokusei Maru
AP Heiku Maru
MSW W.15
DD Fubuki, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
=============================================
02/05/42
ASW attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
MSW W.15
DD Fubuki, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
=============================================
02/05/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 31888 troops, 338 guns, 65 vehicles
Defending force 14859 troops, 76 guns, 13 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Allied ground losses:
242 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Here is the synopsis for the last 4 days.
Darwin is on the verge of falling; last attack was nearly it, they were just thrown back by the last reserves. One engineer unit has left the area and all the other units are ordered to evacuate the area. Hopefully, they will be able to break contact with the enemy.
Other than the Darwin front, things are relatively quiet. The Japs have taken Kuala and Sabang and are moving on Medan in Sumatra. No actions in the PI and his moves on Yenen have stalled. Here is a description of an attack by the Jap in the Yenen Campaign:
=============================================
02/07/42
Ground combat at 51,26
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 7711 troops, 83 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 8918 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
1012 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Here are the Combat reports for the Darwin area; as you will see, we fought as hard as we could for the place, but the amount of land air and naval forces arrayed here are too much at the moment:
02/08/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Yura
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
Allied ground losses:
1600 casualties reported
Guns lost 43
Vehicles lost 13
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 6
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
02/08/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 196
=============================================
02/08/42
TF 196 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 196 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
=============================================
02/08/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
351 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 2
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 1
=============================================
02/08/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Yura
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
Allied ground losses:
587 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
02/08/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 39261 troops, 331 guns, 80 vehicles
Defending force 8864 troops, 14 guns, 1 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
=============================================
02/07/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1430 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 44673 troops, 348 guns, 110 vehicles
=============================================
02/07/42
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Yawata Maru
Allied Ships
SS S-37
=============================================
02/07/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 196
=============================================
02/07/42
TF 196 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 196 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
=============================================
02/07/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 32354 troops, 332 guns, 16 vehicles
Defending force 14347 troops, 66 guns, 13 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
02/06/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4232 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 43833 troops, 359 guns, 76 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
=============================================
02/06/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 85
TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
34 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Kureha Maru #3
AP Shinai Maru, Shell hits 2
Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
=============================================
02/06/42
TF 85 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki, heavy damage
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 85
20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
=============================================
02/06/42
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
=============================================
02/06/42
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 43
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
=============================================
02/06/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37973 troops, 333 guns, 78 vehicles
Defending force 14370 troops, 68 guns, 13 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
=============================================
02/05/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4125 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 42981 troops, 359 guns, 77 vehicles
=============================================
02/05/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 68
TF 68 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
=============================================
02/05/42
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Nagano Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
=============================================
02/05/42
Coastal Guns at Darwin, 36,84, firing at TF 154
TF 154 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 36,84
Japanese ground losses:
126 casualties reported
=============================================
02/05/42
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Nagano Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 105
D3A Val x 38
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
19 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3
LB-30 Liberator x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
LB-30 Liberator: 12 destroyed, 16 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Matsukawa Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
=============================================
02/05/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Burisuben Maru, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
02/05/42
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
AP Kyokusei Maru
AP Heiku Maru
MSW W.15
DD Fubuki, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
=============================================
02/05/42
ASW attack near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese Ships
MSW W.15
DD Fubuki, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
=============================================
02/05/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 31888 troops, 338 guns, 65 vehicles
Defending force 14859 troops, 76 guns, 13 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Allied ground losses:
242 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Darwin Falls!!
February 9th, 1942
Darwin falls.
These two words sum up what is the lowest point of the campaign to date.
Using 2 divisions and what amounts to around 2/3rds of the Imperial Fleet, the Japanese have taken Darwin. Destroyed during the retreat were 13 Liberator bombers that couldn’t be repaired before the defeat of the land forces. But the rest of the Group is reforming at Alice Springs and the ground units at Darwin were able to pullout almost entirely before the fall. Only one base force is there when the final attack goes in.
=============================================
02/09/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
199 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
02/09/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
392 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Runway hits 2
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
02/09/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 40005 troops, 323 guns, 111 vehicles
Defending force 2210 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 168 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Darwin base !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 19 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
=============================================
Several days have passed since this; I have to get caught up! Expect another multi day summary later tonight.
Tabpub
Darwin falls.
These two words sum up what is the lowest point of the campaign to date.
Using 2 divisions and what amounts to around 2/3rds of the Imperial Fleet, the Japanese have taken Darwin. Destroyed during the retreat were 13 Liberator bombers that couldn’t be repaired before the defeat of the land forces. But the rest of the Group is reforming at Alice Springs and the ground units at Darwin were able to pullout almost entirely before the fall. Only one base force is there when the final attack goes in.
=============================================
02/09/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
199 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
02/09/42
Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
392 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Runway hits 2
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
=============================================
02/09/42
Ground combat at Darwin
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 40005 troops, 323 guns, 111 vehicles
Defending force 2210 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 168 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Darwin base !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 19 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
=============================================
Several days have passed since this; I have to get caught up! Expect another multi day summary later tonight.
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
Northern Australia is not Australian anymore....
February 14th, 1942
Well, the campaign for N. Australia is not a defense anymore, it is a buildup for a counterattack; he has taken all the cities there, but our overall losses were light.
Base forces from Derby are heading to Perth, where short/medium range a/c are forming up and there is around 150 AV support there. Alice Springs has a base force there, and 2 of the refugee BFs and the Darwin Def. Brigade from Darwin head there. A cavalry brigade and armored regiment are moving from the south to reinforce here. From the East Coast, the 3rd Aust. Div. and 30th Aust. Brig. move to counter any Jap advance
Right now, I would have to think that I am in defensive mode right now, as the lack of close airfields would make me advance into his air power w/o any cover of my own.
B17s out of Charter Towers find a Jap unit landing in the gulf 500 miles south of Darwin and bomb it at maximum range….these guys are good..
02/13/42
Day Air attack on 32nd NLF , at 38,91
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
Other than a sub attack here and there for both sides, not much going on. Have to imagine that he is prepping for Palembang and Java. His carrier group is “south” of Java, about right where the Ocean is in Indian Ocean. He is cleverly staying out of range of most of my landbased air right now. Presume that he is proceeding against the shipping based/coming out of Tjilijap; orders are given for them to scatter. Force Z, that has been sheltering in said port heads in the direction of Columbo at high speed. I don’t have enough quality fighters to cover it sufficiently. The Dutch contingent remains at Surabaya under the cover of most of the Java based fighters, behind a massive minefield.
They will remain there and defend to the death the Dutch interest in this area. Hopefully this will tie down a lot of the Japanese forces for the next month or so. He is probing the defense lightly currently; my B17 group has not been overly effective and thoughts are in mind to send them on to India to support the air campaign in Burma. Here are some examples of what has been going on, first from Mandalay and secondly in the Java area:
02/14/42
Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 32,32
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 16
Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 10
Hurricane II x 26
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Lysander I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hurricane II: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 7000 feet
11 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
19 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
02/13/42
Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 32,32
Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 10
Hurricane II x 25
Beaufort V-IX x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 20
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 7000 feet
11 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
20 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
02/11/42
Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 32,32
Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 12
Hurricane II x 30
Beaufort V-IX x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 23
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 7000 feet
12 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
20 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 7000 feet
2 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
3 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
02/13/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 22,65
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 13
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 4 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied Ships
ML Prins van Oranje
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
02/11/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Tjilitjap at 19,62
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AK Compagnia Filipinas, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Anakan
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
Well, the campaign for N. Australia is not a defense anymore, it is a buildup for a counterattack; he has taken all the cities there, but our overall losses were light.
Base forces from Derby are heading to Perth, where short/medium range a/c are forming up and there is around 150 AV support there. Alice Springs has a base force there, and 2 of the refugee BFs and the Darwin Def. Brigade from Darwin head there. A cavalry brigade and armored regiment are moving from the south to reinforce here. From the East Coast, the 3rd Aust. Div. and 30th Aust. Brig. move to counter any Jap advance
Right now, I would have to think that I am in defensive mode right now, as the lack of close airfields would make me advance into his air power w/o any cover of my own.
B17s out of Charter Towers find a Jap unit landing in the gulf 500 miles south of Darwin and bomb it at maximum range….these guys are good..
02/13/42
Day Air attack on 32nd NLF , at 38,91
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
Other than a sub attack here and there for both sides, not much going on. Have to imagine that he is prepping for Palembang and Java. His carrier group is “south” of Java, about right where the Ocean is in Indian Ocean. He is cleverly staying out of range of most of my landbased air right now. Presume that he is proceeding against the shipping based/coming out of Tjilijap; orders are given for them to scatter. Force Z, that has been sheltering in said port heads in the direction of Columbo at high speed. I don’t have enough quality fighters to cover it sufficiently. The Dutch contingent remains at Surabaya under the cover of most of the Java based fighters, behind a massive minefield.
They will remain there and defend to the death the Dutch interest in this area. Hopefully this will tie down a lot of the Japanese forces for the next month or so. He is probing the defense lightly currently; my B17 group has not been overly effective and thoughts are in mind to send them on to India to support the air campaign in Burma. Here are some examples of what has been going on, first from Mandalay and secondly in the Java area:
02/14/42
Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 32,32
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 16
Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 10
Hurricane II x 26
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Lysander I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hurricane II: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 7000 feet
11 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
19 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
02/13/42
Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 32,32
Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 10
Hurricane II x 25
Beaufort V-IX x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 20
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 7000 feet
11 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
20 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
02/11/42
Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 32,32
Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 12
Hurricane II x 30
Beaufort V-IX x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 23
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 7000 feet
12 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
20 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 7000 feet
2 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane II bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
3 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
02/13/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 22,65
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 13
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 4 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied Ships
ML Prins van Oranje
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
02/11/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Tjilitjap at 19,62
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AK Compagnia Filipinas, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Anakan
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
Major setback in the Dutch East Indies...
As you might have read in the companion thread by Herbie, my oppo, the DAF has had major setbacks over the last week or so. Right now, I am too down in the mouth and drunk to really write about it well; in fact, just writing this much is making me head for another beer (leaves keyboard...<sound of bottletop coming off>...ah....) That's better...
On sunday, I shall take the time to give all of you (yes, all ten...) a proper AAR report without just regurgitating combat reports at you..oh, did I mention the air disaster at mandalay...didn't think so...that will be in there also...
Ta ta.
Tabpub (who is suffering from a beer induced headache right now)
On sunday, I shall take the time to give all of you (yes, all ten...) a proper AAR report without just regurgitating combat reports at you..oh, did I mention the air disaster at mandalay...didn't think so...that will be in there also...
Ta ta.
Tabpub (who is suffering from a beer induced headache right now)
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
PALEMBANG UTTERLY DESTROYED!!!! FILM AT 11!!
March 24th, 1942
Dang, I have neglected this thing for a while; sorry to any readers that have been wondering. A combination of being sick and not having anything good to report I guess…. I will cover the situation in each area and then try to get back on a good posting schedule. So, starting India and working around the clock…
India/Burma:
In India, the reinforcements are moving to bolster the Ceylon area. 18th and 2nd Divisions are in place, with the re-constituted 1st and 2nd Malayan Brigades. The Malayans were withdrawn with 1/3 of their strength and are now up to 50%+. This should be enough of a ground garrison for this area. On the mainland, 4 of the Indian Divisions are over or near 50% strength, up from the 33% that they were at in December. At this rate, they should be at full strength around June or July. The tank brigades are distributed around the sub-continent; one at Karachi, one to Bangalore and the other to Dacca. It is probably unlikely that any Japanese move against India will be happening, but I feel better safe than sorry here.
In Burma, there is a stalemate. The Japanese advance has stopped at the line of Akyab-Pagan for the last few weeks. No attempt was made to defend Akyab; let the Japs sit at the end of a trail with difficult supply lines. Currently believe that both the 33rd and 55th Divisions are located there. Up around Mandalay, the original units from Southern Burma, reinforced by a Chinese Division that was flown in, cover the 2 hexes across the river from Pagan. Currently, this is enough to discourage the 2+ Japanese Brigades in Pagan from making a move on Mandalay. In addition, another Chinese Division has been flown into Lashio and will march to Mandalay. There are two more behind it marching to Lashio cross country.
China:
The battle is around Wuchow. There are about 2 divisions attacking Wuchow, with 4 more trying clear the areas south and southwest of the city. 2 Chinese Corps have interdicted the hex between Wuchow and Canton, trying to cut down on the supplies to the forces in Wuchow. Hopefully, in a week, the forces in Wuchow will be able to push the Japanese out of position. Meanwhile, an operation around the Hwang Ho river is preparing and will launch on time on April 1.
Philippines:
Both Clarke and Manila have been invested by the enemy. Prospects not good, initial Jap attacks were beaten back with heavy losses on the enemy, but there are not enough supplies to maintain a counterattack. At the current rate of supply loss, we should be able to hold out to the middle of April. After that, your guess is as good as mine.
North and Central Pacific:
Other than the enemy occupation of Attu, there is nothing going on here for the foreseeable future. 3 CV (Enterprise, Saratoga and Hornet) await upgrades in PH.
South Pacific:
90% of the preparation here is done. Americal Division is in Noumea; 2nd Mar is in Suva and the other positions are covered sufficiently. Engineers are almost done with the expansion of Pago Pago. Next will be Suva, which should be done in a month; and then finally Noumea. Then it will be a question of when/where an offensive move will occur.
There are 2 divisions set to be arriving in theater in 3 months that will enable moves to be made here. Meanwhile, Yorktown and Lexington are sailing around New Zealand avoiding a very heavy IJN sub presence between Noumea and Auckland. They will move to Sydney to provide support for operations in this area.
Southwest Pacific:
Japan holds the north of Australia. They also have New Guinea. As much as I would like to take back the NG bases, I believe that we have to re-capture N. Australia. In that vein, the American 32nd Division will be arriving here in approximately 45 days. Then, a total of 5 divisions plus additional support units will move to retake the north. Ideally, this will be timed with the South Pacific move, making the Japanese try to respond to two simultaneous moves.
Dutch East Indies:
Palembang fell today. But, the demolition was QUITE successful! My report indicated 611 of 700 oil points destroyed and over 750 resources. But, sources in the IJ government indicate that the destruction was total; 699 oil gone and 899 resources.
Elsewhere, Java is still secure and Balikpapan is held by us. Surabaya is very secure behind a massive minefield. About a week ago, 3 Jap DDs entered the bay, evidently on a test of the position. All 3 hit mines and two ended up sinking, either on their own or due to air action the next day. Subs are constantly shuttling up to Batavia to build up the mines there, currently around 200 and rising. The air force is staying out of the air, trying to preserve craft and pilots for the upcoming defense of the island. We expect that Batavia will be the site of the first landing. The plan is for a regiment to remain on station outside of Batavia, avoiding air and sea bombardments; then, when the landing occurs, it will move to Batavia. Hopefully, this will cause it less losses during the early period of the attack.
Sub Warfare:
Has slackened way down; with over 15 units either in or heading for long term repair, we don’t have enough on line to effect Japanese shipping. Right now, the bulk of the force, the Dutch, English and older US boats are working the western end of the Java Sea, covering Batavia. A division of boats is covering the Darwin area, trying to intercept any reinforcements/supplies to the area. A division of S boats is halfway to Brisbane to bolster the sub forces there. 5 older boats are awaiting repair in PH; when done, they will resume their mining campaign in the Marshalls. Narwhal has been very successful here, engaging and sinking at least two merchants in Kwajalein Lagoon while dropping mines there. When I find a spot for Narwhals’ commander in new construction, he will have a new boat.
Until next time,
Tabpub
Dang, I have neglected this thing for a while; sorry to any readers that have been wondering. A combination of being sick and not having anything good to report I guess…. I will cover the situation in each area and then try to get back on a good posting schedule. So, starting India and working around the clock…
India/Burma:
In India, the reinforcements are moving to bolster the Ceylon area. 18th and 2nd Divisions are in place, with the re-constituted 1st and 2nd Malayan Brigades. The Malayans were withdrawn with 1/3 of their strength and are now up to 50%+. This should be enough of a ground garrison for this area. On the mainland, 4 of the Indian Divisions are over or near 50% strength, up from the 33% that they were at in December. At this rate, they should be at full strength around June or July. The tank brigades are distributed around the sub-continent; one at Karachi, one to Bangalore and the other to Dacca. It is probably unlikely that any Japanese move against India will be happening, but I feel better safe than sorry here.
In Burma, there is a stalemate. The Japanese advance has stopped at the line of Akyab-Pagan for the last few weeks. No attempt was made to defend Akyab; let the Japs sit at the end of a trail with difficult supply lines. Currently believe that both the 33rd and 55th Divisions are located there. Up around Mandalay, the original units from Southern Burma, reinforced by a Chinese Division that was flown in, cover the 2 hexes across the river from Pagan. Currently, this is enough to discourage the 2+ Japanese Brigades in Pagan from making a move on Mandalay. In addition, another Chinese Division has been flown into Lashio and will march to Mandalay. There are two more behind it marching to Lashio cross country.
China:
The battle is around Wuchow. There are about 2 divisions attacking Wuchow, with 4 more trying clear the areas south and southwest of the city. 2 Chinese Corps have interdicted the hex between Wuchow and Canton, trying to cut down on the supplies to the forces in Wuchow. Hopefully, in a week, the forces in Wuchow will be able to push the Japanese out of position. Meanwhile, an operation around the Hwang Ho river is preparing and will launch on time on April 1.
Philippines:
Both Clarke and Manila have been invested by the enemy. Prospects not good, initial Jap attacks were beaten back with heavy losses on the enemy, but there are not enough supplies to maintain a counterattack. At the current rate of supply loss, we should be able to hold out to the middle of April. After that, your guess is as good as mine.
North and Central Pacific:
Other than the enemy occupation of Attu, there is nothing going on here for the foreseeable future. 3 CV (Enterprise, Saratoga and Hornet) await upgrades in PH.
South Pacific:
90% of the preparation here is done. Americal Division is in Noumea; 2nd Mar is in Suva and the other positions are covered sufficiently. Engineers are almost done with the expansion of Pago Pago. Next will be Suva, which should be done in a month; and then finally Noumea. Then it will be a question of when/where an offensive move will occur.
There are 2 divisions set to be arriving in theater in 3 months that will enable moves to be made here. Meanwhile, Yorktown and Lexington are sailing around New Zealand avoiding a very heavy IJN sub presence between Noumea and Auckland. They will move to Sydney to provide support for operations in this area.
Southwest Pacific:
Japan holds the north of Australia. They also have New Guinea. As much as I would like to take back the NG bases, I believe that we have to re-capture N. Australia. In that vein, the American 32nd Division will be arriving here in approximately 45 days. Then, a total of 5 divisions plus additional support units will move to retake the north. Ideally, this will be timed with the South Pacific move, making the Japanese try to respond to two simultaneous moves.
Dutch East Indies:
Palembang fell today. But, the demolition was QUITE successful! My report indicated 611 of 700 oil points destroyed and over 750 resources. But, sources in the IJ government indicate that the destruction was total; 699 oil gone and 899 resources.
Elsewhere, Java is still secure and Balikpapan is held by us. Surabaya is very secure behind a massive minefield. About a week ago, 3 Jap DDs entered the bay, evidently on a test of the position. All 3 hit mines and two ended up sinking, either on their own or due to air action the next day. Subs are constantly shuttling up to Batavia to build up the mines there, currently around 200 and rising. The air force is staying out of the air, trying to preserve craft and pilots for the upcoming defense of the island. We expect that Batavia will be the site of the first landing. The plan is for a regiment to remain on station outside of Batavia, avoiding air and sea bombardments; then, when the landing occurs, it will move to Batavia. Hopefully, this will cause it less losses during the early period of the attack.
Sub Warfare:
Has slackened way down; with over 15 units either in or heading for long term repair, we don’t have enough on line to effect Japanese shipping. Right now, the bulk of the force, the Dutch, English and older US boats are working the western end of the Java Sea, covering Batavia. A division of boats is covering the Darwin area, trying to intercept any reinforcements/supplies to the area. A division of S boats is halfway to Brisbane to bolster the sub forces there. 5 older boats are awaiting repair in PH; when done, they will resume their mining campaign in the Marshalls. Narwhal has been very successful here, engaging and sinking at least two merchants in Kwajalein Lagoon while dropping mines there. When I find a spot for Narwhals’ commander in new construction, he will have a new boat.
Until next time,
Tabpub
- Attachments
-
- burningrefinery.jpg (19.86 KiB) Viewed 176 times
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
Japanese Carriers hit Auckland!! Civilian deaths in the 100's!!
April 1, 1942
India/Burma:
Still quiet, which is currently fine by me. Have to be satisfied with local air raids for the moment. Plan to use the English Fleet to support the recapture of N. Australia, but that is not scheduled for quite a while.
China:
The swirling battle around Wuchow now focuses on the area 60 miles east of the city. Here, the victorious Japanese forces from the prior battle in the area between Wuchow and Canton are continuing the advance to the NE. The defenders from that battle have been reinforced by a fresh corps and have held the initial attack at 1-1. There is one more corps on the way and hopes to be there tomorrow to strengthen the defense.
Meanwhile, to the north, the “Spring Rain” offensive launches. It is a 6 corps effort to gain dominance in the center of the country. Initial goal is the securing of the line Homan - Kaifeng. If this succeeds, then a subsidiary attack from Ichang to the east will launch to support the flank of this effort.
Philippines:
No changes as of yet. Japanese continue with artillery and air bombardments.
North and Central Pacific:
Saratoga gets her upgrade, adding 20mm cannons, adding about 300 AAA value.
South Pacific:
Most of the Jap CVs seem to be in the area between NZ and Noumea; they punish the port of Auckland. Several AKs are sunk and the rest are severely damaged. Lex and Yorktown are heading to Sydney, to refuel, rearm and upgrade under the cover of ½ the LBA in Australia. CVE Hosho reported hit hard by Liberators out of Noumea. 4 subs are working the target and are all within 0-120 miles of the last contact. The Liberators don’t have enough support to operate from Noumea for extended time; after 3 or 4 days of operations, there are only 4 operational out of 48. These 4 withdraw to Suva. No transports appear to be in the area, so it appears that this is only a raid.
DEI:
Japanese paratroopers land at Kragen. Two Dutch Regiments have moved there and forced them out of the base. They are now working on eliminating them from the island.
That’s it for this week in WitP. New day just came in, have to go process it. See you later.
Tabpub
India/Burma:
Still quiet, which is currently fine by me. Have to be satisfied with local air raids for the moment. Plan to use the English Fleet to support the recapture of N. Australia, but that is not scheduled for quite a while.
China:
The swirling battle around Wuchow now focuses on the area 60 miles east of the city. Here, the victorious Japanese forces from the prior battle in the area between Wuchow and Canton are continuing the advance to the NE. The defenders from that battle have been reinforced by a fresh corps and have held the initial attack at 1-1. There is one more corps on the way and hopes to be there tomorrow to strengthen the defense.
Meanwhile, to the north, the “Spring Rain” offensive launches. It is a 6 corps effort to gain dominance in the center of the country. Initial goal is the securing of the line Homan - Kaifeng. If this succeeds, then a subsidiary attack from Ichang to the east will launch to support the flank of this effort.
Philippines:
No changes as of yet. Japanese continue with artillery and air bombardments.
North and Central Pacific:
Saratoga gets her upgrade, adding 20mm cannons, adding about 300 AAA value.
South Pacific:
Most of the Jap CVs seem to be in the area between NZ and Noumea; they punish the port of Auckland. Several AKs are sunk and the rest are severely damaged. Lex and Yorktown are heading to Sydney, to refuel, rearm and upgrade under the cover of ½ the LBA in Australia. CVE Hosho reported hit hard by Liberators out of Noumea. 4 subs are working the target and are all within 0-120 miles of the last contact. The Liberators don’t have enough support to operate from Noumea for extended time; after 3 or 4 days of operations, there are only 4 operational out of 48. These 4 withdraw to Suva. No transports appear to be in the area, so it appears that this is only a raid.
DEI:
Japanese paratroopers land at Kragen. Two Dutch Regiments have moved there and forced them out of the base. They are now working on eliminating them from the island.
That’s it for this week in WitP. New day just came in, have to go process it. See you later.
Tabpub
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
Sumatra nears the end.
April 9, 1942
The hot spot is the Coral Sea; since the strike at Auckland, the Japanese fleet has been proceeding to the north, pursued by every available sub in the area.
Around 15 subs have formed a line and have had several contacts with the enemy, but no attacks have been pressed home. The enemy air presence is high, as they know that they are hunted. One sub, Trout, has been damaged in these efforts.
It would seem that the Japanese HQ has thought better about the efforts here and is withdrawing for the moment. This will give the Lexington and Yorktown time to recover from the installation of their new AA guns at Sydney. Additionally, a large base force is headed to Noumea, which will solidify the position there; allowing more planes to operate there and begin the domination of the Coral Sea.
India/Burma:
Nothing new here, other than the arrival of 4 C47 Squadrons over the last week; they have moved to Dacca and will start the process of helping to supply the Mandalay Line and give China some much needed assistance.
DEI:
4 AKs dash into Teleotekbeong? and load up 4 units of the former Palembang garrison, virtually under the nose of the fast approaching Imperial Guard Division. If the weather doesn’t clear, they should be able to make the high sea south of Java. Elsewhere, the island awaits the inevitable Jap attack. Our theory is that nothing will happen until the divisions in Sumatra finish there and then they will move onto Batavia. The ABDA subs are doing yeoman work, laying mines and patrolling the Java Sea; they can hope to make the Japanese pay to the hilt to get on the island.
Philippines:
The Manila – Clark line continues to hold and the 51st PA Division is about to move south from Lamon Bay to the area between Manila and Naga. This should discomfit him somewhat.
China: The campaign for Wuchow goes on and on. Here is a look at it currently. The forces in Wuchow outnumber the Japanese, but not enough to force him out. The Japs are spreading the line, trying to find a weak spot.
The hot spot is the Coral Sea; since the strike at Auckland, the Japanese fleet has been proceeding to the north, pursued by every available sub in the area.
Around 15 subs have formed a line and have had several contacts with the enemy, but no attacks have been pressed home. The enemy air presence is high, as they know that they are hunted. One sub, Trout, has been damaged in these efforts.
It would seem that the Japanese HQ has thought better about the efforts here and is withdrawing for the moment. This will give the Lexington and Yorktown time to recover from the installation of their new AA guns at Sydney. Additionally, a large base force is headed to Noumea, which will solidify the position there; allowing more planes to operate there and begin the domination of the Coral Sea.
India/Burma:
Nothing new here, other than the arrival of 4 C47 Squadrons over the last week; they have moved to Dacca and will start the process of helping to supply the Mandalay Line and give China some much needed assistance.
DEI:
4 AKs dash into Teleotekbeong? and load up 4 units of the former Palembang garrison, virtually under the nose of the fast approaching Imperial Guard Division. If the weather doesn’t clear, they should be able to make the high sea south of Java. Elsewhere, the island awaits the inevitable Jap attack. Our theory is that nothing will happen until the divisions in Sumatra finish there and then they will move onto Batavia. The ABDA subs are doing yeoman work, laying mines and patrolling the Java Sea; they can hope to make the Japanese pay to the hilt to get on the island.
Philippines:
The Manila – Clark line continues to hold and the 51st PA Division is about to move south from Lamon Bay to the area between Manila and Naga. This should discomfit him somewhat.
China: The campaign for Wuchow goes on and on. Here is a look at it currently. The forces in Wuchow outnumber the Japanese, but not enough to force him out. The Japs are spreading the line, trying to find a weak spot.
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Sumatra nears the end.
Here is the picture of the sub chase mentioned above:
- Attachments
-
- CVhunt.jpg (28.97 KiB) Viewed 176 times
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Sumatra nears the end.
...and the Wuchow situation map...
- Attachments
-
- china4842.jpg (26.29 KiB) Viewed 176 times
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...