Letters from a Prime Minister

[1275psi]

28 March

From
Commanding officer, CA Pensacola
to
CICPAC

Report of proceedings, Naval engagement Lunganville Area

At 0900 hours I was steaming in line ahead , Destroyer Selfridge 2000 yards ahead, Destroyer Phelps
1000 yards, approximately 40 miles North of Lunganville.
The crew was at 2nd degree of readiness, effecting repairs from self induced damage from
the nights quick engagement against the 3 small Japanese AKs sunk at 1200 hours.
All Systems were reported good, and Main Gun ammunition was at 100%

At this time, bearing 090 degrees, and coming almost on opposite course, a Japanese task force of
6 vessels was sighted hull down.
They immediately came about, on an approximate parallel course at a range of approx. 12000 yards

I was able to immediately identify them as CL Yubari, CL Kashima, a modern Fubuki class DD, and elderly
Mutsuki class DDs

As The Kashima has a top speed of only 18 knots, and the Japanese appeared determined to keep
her in the line, I ordered full speed, and opened fire
I Ordered course and speed adjusted to open the range, but to maintain all gun arcs

Initial Japanese shooting was good, My ship struck 3 times by light shells, but with no
damage, armour defeating all 3 hits.
Gunnery from Pensacola was superb, and I wish to recommend Gunnery Officer Smith for
a decoration. CL Yubari was engaged first, and hit by 2 8 inch shells within 4 minutes of
battle start. She burst into flame and fell away.
I ordered target shifted to Kashima, at a range of 8000 yards, and again 8 inch hits
were observed.

At approx. 0915, DD Selfridge was struck by a Torpedo.
I manoeuvred past her as she slowed. During this time she was struck by multiple hits, and was clearly
in trouble
I ordered Phelps to circle her and make smoke, she broke away at 0922.
No Japanese ships engaged either vessel again, Selfridge sinking at 1020 hrs, Phelps
successfully rescuing survivors

The Japanese line, less Yuburi (falling rapidly astern as well, attempted to close the range.
Unencumbered by tactical distractions, I was able to fight my ship to full advantage.
At 0932, we again struck Kashima, then the Fubuki DD (twice), range now at 16000 yards.

For the next 10 minutes the fight curved steadily south (see Navigators report) with range steadily
increasing .
We hammered the Kashima with out harm, striking her with no less than 8 more 8 inch shells,
the ship sinking at this time.

At this point, CL Yubari was considerably south of us, burning.
Gunnery however, struck her twice at 21000 yards, and a destroyer at 23000 yards.

Yuburi at this stage disappeared, and I believe sank.

All 8 inch ammunition expended, I found the Phelps sailing south at 1300 hours, and commenced my retirement.

The ship performed brilliantly. The 8 inch Gunnery was devastating, especially operating
outside the enemy ships range.

recommendations............





From
CICPAC
to
Suva Command:

If the Japanese are using a ship like the Kashima as a Cruiser in a combat Task force
in your area, then they are hurting for cruisers already
Estimate 2 heavy, 1 light cruiser operating in South Pac area.
Plan accordingly.

[1275psi]

29 March

The nightmare for Prime Minister Ford becomes reality.
Japan lands , and captures Busselton, some 120 odd miles south of Freemantle.
At least 2 divisions come ashore, along with artillery, support, engineers.

There are expectations that at least one more will land soon.

Nimitz too, receives a shock. Washington is cold today, but it is this news that
gives him the chills. Cold bay falls.
No surprise there, a regiment verses a division. But for the entire garrison to
surrender?.
The Allies are being chewed up, unit by unit.

Japan is going where it wants, picking the fights and the odds it want.

He must do something, anything, to de rail him

"The President is ready to see you sir"
In his briefcase, a rough draft of this General Blamey's idea. Madness. But the
only bloody thing that might work.

[1275psi]

Out of story for moment

Will this invasion trigger Winstons reinforcements?
If so, how arrive?

If they turn up at the Cape, how do the Aussies actually go about getting them?

Ta, in advance

[PaxMondo]

No, the line is east west (map orientation) at Brisbane. West Aus is way north of that. Adelaide will definitely trigger. I don't think Port Augusta will though. The line is north of Adelaide and South of Brisbane IIRC.

[Ian R]

trigger line

Nyet.

The line runs from about Brisbane (maybe one hex south of) to about Adelaide or Port Augusta or somewhere over there in South Australia.

You have to ship them onto the map. Park a few big 'liner' APs down there to load the personnel and pack all the equipment on AKs that would be hauling supplies to Melbourne anyway.

Edit - What Pax said.

[BBfanboy]

The line is indeed the one immediately south of Brisbane.
Check fcharton's AAR for discussion on what units are in the package and where they arrive. I think some came at Aden and some at CT.
EDIT: I found the posting from when the IJA landed in Australia and François listed off the units that he got as emergency reinforcements.

tm.asp?m=3955133&mpage=4&key=

[1275psi]

Thankyou guys

Multiple turns received tonight, no time for AAR update.
As you can guess, Johns excited!

[1275psi]

30 March 42

The outback.
Even to a great many Australians, this is just some sort of vague concept. Its
something on the other side of the mountains, or somewhere North of the Murray River.
Only a very small proportion of the Nation really know what this term, the outback,
really means.

Jack Ford, and his Companions in the 75th RAAF,is steadily finding out.

A flight to Katherine. Easy. Another to Alice. Harder
But then, then the train. A long train, every single car a flat one. A fighter per
car, wings folded, a tarp hastily tied over it.
For the pilots, the ground staff?. Do the best that you can mate.

Three days lumbering south, the train only rarely getting above 40 miles an hour.
The blazing heat, lack of water, lack of every bloody thing.
A right turn before Adelaide, and then West.
Across the plain.

Across the outback.
Endless. Endless flatness, endless brown, endless scrub, endless desert.
Sweating, turning brown. Trying to crap in a bucket, trying to beat the flies to
your food.
Trying to beat the boredom.

He is asleep when the train stops. It must be late, for it is cold, the sky clear,
the stars so bright he felt that he can touch them.

Where the hell are they?
Kalgoorlie.......

There are other men here. Dimly Jack can see trucks, and, thank God, a mobile crane already
moving towards the first plane.
Turnball, the ball of energy that he always is, is moving from carriage to carriage.
The field, apparently, is over truking there.
HQ over truking there. Get the planes Truking off the cars now.

But most disturbing of all.
The enemy are landing at Esperance, so get a bloody move on!


John Ford too, is feeling the strain
They are following the Enterprise,, 1000 yards off her Port Bow. No problem.
Except that every five minutes Enterprise abruptly changes course. If she is not
Zig Zagging, she's chasing the wind, launching, or recovering aircraft.
And Napier must maintain position.

Napiers Navigator Must maintain that position.

But today, a new dimension.
They are headed south now, target Diego Garcia.
The American Admiral, apparently, has decided that Enterprise at least, is going
to get back into the war.



The news reaches 7th Division near dusk.
Jason is supervising the digging of trenches when he hears
"The little yellow Barsteds have invaded oz!"
"We know that, Port Headland"

"No!, not a bloody raid, the real thing!, an entire Army near Freemantle!"

Freemantle?. An Army?
Who in the hell is going to stop a whole Army?, the chocko's?, those Militia?
A wave of helplessness rises in him.
Australia?....and they are sitting here?
What in the hell for?

[1275psi]

30/3

Pensacola's glory lasts but a day.
Just after 3 am, CA Aoba, Kinugasa, 9 destroyers attack her.
No Ammunition
Not enough speed.

Her Captain turns towards them, "Ï will ram"
But she is pounded under long before she ever gets the chance.


Liberators strike Hong Kong
BB Kongo takes a bomb.

[1275psi]

30/3

"Yes Jim?"
The Prime Minister is stopped just outside the chamber. Question time approaches.
There are a million things to think of, to plan for.
The wolves are circling. Here in the house. Everywhere. And if the speaker
thinks he is only thinking of the slant eyed ones, he is so ignorant...

"Sir, a moment"
"I only have a moment"
"I must ask, a national War Cabinet........have you thought to reconsider it?"
"NO!"

A war Cabinet?, to share the war with that barsted Tony?, those leering we told you so's??
NO. Never!

NO, I will do this my Bloody selF

[1275psi]

From
Prime Minister Ford
To
Prime Minister Winston.

As per our agreement, and as per your assurances, I now insist that you either
A/ Immediately release first Australia Corp back to Australian Command
B/ In addition, release 9th Division
C/ Send the fleet south

Upon your response Australia's continued loyalty to the Empire rests.
Failure to act may well see this country fall out of the war.

Sincerely
Ford

[1275psi]

From
Former navy person
to
POTUS

.......and so we are in a pickle. Undoubtedly the Australians are right to call
for their men. But we still have 4 Japanese Divisions prepping for India (although I begin to
doubt this)
However, the Japanese are dominating the West coast of Australia, and the Indian ocean
One American Carrier is not going to do it.
Can you help?, possibly offer a new American division, transport availability not withstanding?
.............and yes, Warspite is probably best utilised by you at tis time........

[1275psi]

31st Of March

Kalgoorlie is under a rare cloudy sky, bringing relief from the sun.
75th Squadron struggles to bring their planes online, their sister unit the 77th shares
the same ones.
There is only one crane. Few trucks. The field is 5 miles away. Parts are missing, Jacks own plane
is essentially ready, if he can find 6 spark plugs, Oh, and some fuel.
On the flip side, there are troops here, the brown canvas of 1st Australia Army nestled
about the mine entrances (and how many of those opal mines now hide far more valuable things?)
There is also a good number of AA emplacements, and even a few Militia troops.

But there is no hiding, ignoring something else.
The air of panic that hovers over all.

The Japanese are landing at Esperance. In strength. 2 Divisions, plus extras.

A nation is in trouble.

[1275psi]

31/3/42
There is bitter air combat in the Aleutians.
Car Div 5 zeros are engaged, but, are the carriers still there?

Port Moresby too see's air fighting, the field is damaged, planes are killed
on both sides.
Its defenders watch the battles above them, and sharpen their bayonets. It must be
their turn soon.

But its Esperance that draws all attention
61 Kates pound the shipping trapped there, and then the troops pour ashore.
There is nothing to stop them.

[1275psi]

31/3/42

Adelaide

Blamey studies the map.
4 divisions. At least.
The problem is simple. If he dispatches the army across the plain, on that single
rail, will they win the race to Kalgoorlie?

If they don't........destruction of an army ensured.
Defeat.
How in the hell do I explain to the Prime Minister that I am going to
have to give up half the country?

[1275psi]

1st April

The carriers supporting the Perth area invasion now strike the city itself.

Japanese Cruisers are spotted near Noumea, no troops are landed.

Napier approaches Diego Garcia, still part of the enterprise task force

Jack and 75th RAAF are declared operational for tomorrow. 100 percent CAP is ordered for Dawn.
Jeffery Ford (still with both legs (we will wait and see, the doctor had said, we will
wait and see) is transferred to Prince Rupert

An extraordinary session of Parliament is scheduled for the morrow.
A great many in Canberra wonder if the Prime Minister will emerge from it still in power.

[1275psi]

2nd April

It is around 3 AM, cold, dark, almost silent. The men of 75th squadron are gathered around
the very, very crude kitchen facilities, waiting for whatever the cooks can rustle up.

Jack waits in line with the rest of them.
He is tired. God, they are all tired. He stinks. They all stink, how long since he had a shower?
His plane, lines up at the end of the sorry excuse of a field .
A rough bulldozed widening of one of the local roads, almost indistinguishable from the ground
surrounding it.

But suddenly more valuable than all the gold buried in the land around here.

The Japs are going to come. Zeros have been spotted over Esperance. Perth has been hit.
How will they do?

The scran line begins to shuffle forward, the smell of bacon fills the still air.
Men begin to perk up, even smile, a joke or too fills the silence

"Hey....do you hear that?"
They all pause.
Engines
Aero engines

"JAPS!"

Invisible in the dark, they bombers sweep overhead.
About them, the world crashes into violence, 6th RAAF AA has not been caught un awares..


jack sprints down the field, his plane 300 yards away, every fibre of his being waiting for the whistle
of the bombs
But there are no bombs

Just the blood curdling cry

"Look out!!!, Paratroopers!!!"

[kaleun]

Hmm, Bilbow tried this on my game

[1275psi]

3rd April

"Prime Minister?"
He pauses. On the other side of the door, he can hear the murmur of the chamber.
The pit they call it. In a moment, he has to enter, and do battle .
Does he have the numbers?.......

"Yes, what is it?"
"Cable from Winston sir, marked urgent"

"Ïll take it in my office"

Moments later he sits on his chair in the silence. The cable lies in its envelope, un opened.

So much, so much depends on what is inside it.
4 divisions, 4 enemy divisions, keeps hammering in his mind.

He opens the envelope.

From
Winston
to
Prime Minister Ford

I have conferred with....................




It takes three minutes to read the cable.
Another 5 to take it all in.

He crumples it into a ball, places it into his pocket.
And strides to the Chamber.
Its clear on what he must do now.

[1275psi]

3rd of April

Damnation. Damnation, damnation. Have the enemy twinged? Do they know?

The commander of the Americal division reads the intel report.
Enemy convoy unloading target hex. Number and nature of troops unknown........


A difficult gamble suddenly becoming almost impossible.

A gamble that must still be taken nevertheless.