The Master and the Student - Tankerace vs. Terminus

[Tankerace]

17 June 1926, New York Times

A Quiet Day in the Pacific...

Today was a fairly quiet day in the Pacific, the only action to speak of was the Philippine Reserve Division being thrown out of Davao.
However, the political climate is heating up. Today, the Chinese government ordered its destroyers fitted with depth charges. Off Shanghai, Japanese vessels (presumably submarines) have enforced a blockade off the port, probably to deny the US Asiatic Fleet access to its dockyards. The Chinese government issued a note to the Japanese government, declaring "While it is the desire of the Chinese government to remain neutral, should any Japanese ship violate the 3 mile limit of Shanghai, or should any Chinese vessel come under attack by Japanese ships, then the Chinese goverment will consider itself at war with the Empire of Japan."

Today the British government again issued a letter of neutrality to both the American and Japanese governments, citing that "any ship of a military nature that docks in a port of the British Empire will have 76 hours to make repairs of a non military nature. Ships that do not leave after 76 hours will be interned, and only be repatriated after the cesation of hostilities, or should this government become a belligerent in the conflict. Vessels of a non military nature, carrying only supplies, may dock and refuel at any port. However, they too must depart within 76 hours or risk internment by this government."

[Terminus]

Two submarine actions were the news of the day. West of San José, in the Philippines, the American destroyer Sicard was torpedoed by an IJN submarine. Later in the day, American submarine S-40 torpedoed the IJN gunboat Yodo, about 40 miles west of Inchon. Both vessels were able to continue, albeit damaged.



On the diplomatic front, His Imperial Majesty's Government responded to the Chinese and British notes of yesterday by repeating its earlier stance that Nippon has no desire to involve any other nations in the conflict, but that no offensive military action by any neutral country against our forces or territory would be tolerated.

[Tankerace]

A Fairly quiet turn... Sicard is moderately damaged.... Doubtful without yard time she can make China, so she'll probably have to be interned in Borneo.

As to the Yodo... hard to imagine a small gunboat taking a 21 inch torpedo and still steaming away.

In other news, the USAAS has ordered all squadrons to begin a rigorous training program, in preparation for overseas duty.

[Terminus]

Our advance detachments reached the enemy aerodrome at Clark Field today, finding it abandoned. Scouts have reported that the enemy appears to be preparing to make a final stand among the fortifications on the Bataan peninsula.

In the southern part of Luzon, 18th Division has caught up with enemy rearguards retreating from Naga. An attack will commence tomorrow.

[Tankerace]

A fairly slow turn to the observer, but several things happening behind the scenes. All Luzon forces are now inside the new defensive perimeter (save one), and our USAFFE friends are preparing quite a few surprises for the Japanese.

In other news, the main Japanese fleet is still unaccounted for.... this is very disconcerting.

[Terminus]

Our forces on Luzon spent another day securing the locations so cravenly abandoned by the enemy. Clark Field is now ours, and will soon be the base for Nipponese aircraft. Heavy siege artillery and engineer units are being brought forward in anticipation of the fight for the enemy's fortress Bataan.

South of Manilla, the 18th Division is driving the ragged remnants of the enemy's southern grouping before it, and expects to enter the Philippino capital shortly.

As for the location of our main battleline... "I'll never teeell..."[:D]

[Tankerace]

20 June 1926, New York Times.

Gunboat Sacremento faces internment in Hong Kong!

The gunboat Sacremento, damaged at the battles of San Marcelino, made port today at Hong Kong. Her flooding damage was extreme, but today it has been brought under control. The British government in the city has reminded the captain that he must depart by June 22nd, or she will be interned there. The captain has assured him that the gunboat will leave, although the destination is not clear. "To protect her crew and the neutrality of our waters," cited a British official, "Two British destroyers will accompany her out of the territorial limit, and will escort her 60 miles out, to ensure that she leaves."

Clark Field Falls!

Clark Field today fell to Japanese forces. However, the base had been abandoned, its trops (along with all others) having withdrawn to the aptly named Fort Necessity on Bataan. A USN base force was further routed into Manila by a Japanese division. Cut off, this unit has orders to put up only "enough of a fight to save honor", and then to surrender.

Japanese Mine Pearl Harbor!

Last night some dark shapes were observed in the waters off Oahu, and they were immediately thought to be submarines - friendly submarines. However, a patrolling civilian yacht notice a mine broach the surface, apparently its cable having snapped. Minesweppers were immdeatly despatched to clear the minefield, and all convoys and naval squadrons were warned of potential submarine activity in the area. In addition, Pearl Harbor Naval Air Station has requested some non rigid blimps be brought over from the Atlantic, to facilitate the finding and destruction of these submarines.

[Terminus]

The lull continues. More of our troops are streaming ashore on the north coast of Luzon, in preparation for the coming assault on Bataan. In the south, 18th Division continues to advance towards Manilla, slightly hampered by the lack of infrastructure.

At sea, the only news was several rounds of ASW combat off Aparri, where our destroyers are looking to make US submarine S-34 the second boat to be sunk in this war.

[Tankerace]

Sorry for the delay, was a bit under the weather yesterday.

Another slow day, characterized mainly by failed sub and ASW attacks, and stocking supplies for the siege of Bataan. The main event is yet to come.

[Terminus]

We continue to pull together units for the storm on Bataan. 18th Division reached Manilla today, preparing to destroy the few enemy forces present.

A spokesman for the War Department today stated that, "the assault on the enemy redoubt at Bataan will come when we are good and ready. Time does not work for the Americans, but for us".

[Tankerace]

Another slow turn, with lots of hidden action on both sides.

Late last night, the Gunboat Sacremento left Hong Kong after her seaworthyness was ensured. She is now enroute to duty in China.

Today, a convoy of Fuel from Manila today arrived in an unamed China port used by the Asiatic fleet. The 10,000 tons will go along way to ensuring continued operations in the theater.

Also today, the War Department has ordered that Midway Island be built up iinto a large Air Station and a submarine base. The whereabouts of the Japanese fleet is still unknown.

[Terminus]

Manilla, Laoag and Cotabato have been secured in the past 48 hours, and the pitiful remnants of American and Philippino forces there have been scattered.

Off Batan Island, the enemy gunboat Sacramento was torpedoed, but unfortunately not sunk. She left Hong Kong prematurely...[:D]

In the meantime, more troops continue to stream into Luzon. This operation will not be rushed.

[Tankerace]

24 June 1926, New York Times

Manila Captured!

Today, the city of Manila, capital of the Philippines, was captured by the Japanese 18th Division. A small rearguard of American troops, cut off from the main force of Bataan, has taken refugre in Lamon Bay.

While not unexpected, the capture of the city has provided a severe blow to the morale of the US Army.


Gunboat sunk!

The gunboat Sacremento, which had left Hong Kong just a day and a half prior, was today torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. The ship remained afloat through the rest of the day, but was finally scuttled owing to damage. Her crew has been picked up by the submarine S-32.


Gunboat Sacremento off China, circa 1924.

Jap Battlefleet Discovered!

On a routine patrol in the Marianas, the submarine R-2 managed to penetrate the anchorage at Saipan. Japanese destroyers made a heroic effort to force her out, but the submarine managed to spot one of Japanese newest dreadnoughts, of the Kaga type. The submarine withdrew in the night, and then her commander bravely reentered the harbor in an attempt to torpedo the battleship. Unsuccesful, she again retreated, and when surfaced later in the day, sent the following wireless message:

"Jap battleship Kaga Type discovered at Saipan. Believe large elements of fleet with her. Several escorts indicate large fleet concentration."

It is unclear what the US Navies plans are to combat this threat, or if they will defer until a alter date.


Kaga Type Dreadnought spotted of Saipan.


Submarine R-2 Being photographed by a T3M torpedo plane as she leaves Pearl Harbor, 10 June, 1926.

[Terminus]

Imperial submarine No. 47 torpedoed the minesweeper USS Lapwing near Midway Island today, and left her listing precariously, low in the water.

American submarine R-2 was heavily depth charged near Saipan, in an effort to teach her captain not to go sniffing around our anchorage.

[Tankerace]

Relatively silent turn, lots of ASW action. Lapwing may or may not survive her torpedo hit.... But the R-2 is still on station, barely damaged.

[Terminus]

Lots of commotion on the ocean today. Starting at Midway, our submarines accounted for two enemy minesweepers, the USS Tanager and Oriole both confirmed sunk.

Moving west, another IJN submarine detected enemy surface forces moving towards Wake Island. Whether or not this is a reinforcement attempt for the island, a probe, or a serious attempt to engage our main battleline is unclear, but the submarine nonetheless put a torpedo into the side of the destroyer USS Edsall, leaving her dead in the water.

Off Luzon, a third submarine action damaged the enemy freighter Sarangami seriously. Later in the day, one of our battle squadrons, containing no less than six battleships, found the sorry remnants of the US Asiatic Fleet, cruisers Huron and New Orleans and three destroyers, all damaged to one extent or other.

The gunfire advantage notwithstanding, the enemy force managed to escape, but not before all their ships sustained heavy damage. There's always tomorrow...

[Tankerace]

A Heavy day of naval action... and it cost me a transport, 2 tin cans (Edsall and William B. Preston), and a minesweeper, for nothing in return.


However, the 15th US Infantry Regiment has just executed a rough 500 miles forced march from Tientsin to Shanghai... and has orders to commence firing on the positions of the Japanese troops encamped there. The US Government will agree to a truce, whereby the Japanese troops at Shanghai must be pulled out by sea no later than July 1. If they are not, then the 15th will have orders to drive them out by force.


Machinegun Team of K Company, 15th Infantry, preparing to open fire.

[Terminus]

Today, American artillery at Shanghai gave the lie to yesterday's "offer" of a "truce", when they subjected the barracks of the Shanghai SNLF to a prolonged artillery bombardment. While casualties were slight, it showed very clearly what everyone should think of our foe and their "offers".



At sea, the American destroyer USS Bulmer was sunk by three submarine torpedoes about 100 miles east of Wake Island. Unfortunately, another spread fired at the battleship Idaho missed.

(Interesting that I have no problem sinking destroyers and minesweepers, but can't hit big battleships and -cruisers).

[Bill Durrant]

(Interesting that I have no problem sinking destroyers and minesweepers, but can't hit big battleships and -cruisers).

Hey, it's a piece of cake in late 1922[:D]

[Terminus]

For you...