**MESSAGE SENT IN CODED MORSE**
FROM: RAN HQ SYDNEY
TO: AP BARNETT
ATTN SHIPS MASTER NEW ORDERS STOP DOCK AT BRISBANE STOP DO NOT RPT DO NOT MAKE FOR PORT MORESBY STOP ENEMY AIR ACTIVITY HIGH STOP ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF MESSAGE STOP
END MESSAGE
PBEM - Historical Limits: Thayne (allied) vs. SeaWolF K (Japan)
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: Sunday, February 1, 1942
Never argue with an idiot, he will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
RE: Sunday, February 1, 1942
MESSAGE SENT IN CODED MORSE**
FROM: AP BARNETT
TO: RAN HQ SYDNEY
ORDERS PROCEED TO BRISBANE ACKNOWLEDGED. REQUEST PERMISSION TO PROCEED TO CAIRNS AS PER ORIGINAL PLAN.
END MESSAGE
FROM: AP BARNETT
TO: RAN HQ SYDNEY
ORDERS PROCEED TO BRISBANE ACKNOWLEDGED. REQUEST PERMISSION TO PROCEED TO CAIRNS AS PER ORIGINAL PLAN.
END MESSAGE
Monday, February 2, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Monday, February 2, 1942
Henry:
• Pyrrhic Victory at Mandalay
Japan launched another attack against Mandalay yesterday. This time, the Allies were waiting with some of our best squadrons. British Squadron 232, and two of the three squadrons belonging to the American Volunteer Group, were flying CAP over the city.
For once, Japan did not get off unscathed. The British and American pilots shot down 21 Japanese airplanes
However, the allies lost 24 pilots, including FO Kirkpatrick. Other pilots belonging to 232 Squadron reported that Kirkpatrick had down two more Japanese Zeros, bringing his total number of kills up to six, when a Japanese airplane fired into the cockpit. It is believed that Kirkpatrick died instantly; his plane was seen spiraling out of control into the ground.
Not only was the loss of Kirkpatrick a stinging blow to our war efforts, we simply do not have replacements available for the P-40 Tomohawks that were lost in the battle. Japan’s attack took out half of the planes and pilots in this group. It will take over a month to get replacement airplanes to the squadrons.
Because of this, I ordered the two AVG squadrons to return to China where they will once again be under the command of Chang Kai Shek.
Squadron 232 will also retreat from Mandalay, transferring to Chadpur where it will cover missions out of that base.
• DD Lawrence Torpedoed
• AK Idaho Torpedoed
Japanese submarines have had an unusual string of success recently. After two months of war in which they have done little damage – other than striking CV Saratoga, they sank a destroyer today and mortally wounded a transport ship.
DD Lawrence, part of a torpedo squadron delivering the rest of the 2nd USMC Defense Battalion to Canton Island, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine south of the Canton Island and sank. Fortunately, the attack came after the destroyers had delivered their cargo, and was on their way back to Pago Pago.
AK Idaho was hit northeast of Pearl Harbor. Halfway between San Francisco and Hawaii, the ship is unlikely to be able to reach its destination. The transport was fully loaded with cargo at the time of the attack.
Nimitz is sent out four task forces to sweep the waters southwest of Hawaii yesterday. The four task forces were ordered to run along parallel courses, trying to catch Japanese submarines that were known to have been operating in the area.
• AK Achiba with 8th Fighter Group reaches Sydney
• AK Governor Wright nears Port Moresby
The Attack Transport Achiba reached Sydney today without getting itself sunk, delivering the 8th Fighter Group (72x P-39D). The ship is now safely docked and out of danger. Crews will work throughout the night to unload the planes from the city. They will then be transported to Townsville, where they will be uncrated and prepared for use in the defense of Port Moresby.
In spite of the size of the recent Japanese strike against Port Moresby, I have given my support to plans for AK Governor Wright to complete his mission to send supplies to Port Moresby. I believe that this mission will be able to verify whether I could have sent supplies to Singapore with the Japanese air force in the region.
I have some worries that it may have been a bad call on my part refusing to allow relief ships to make the trip to Singapore. I thought that any relief ship would have been sunk, but it might have been possible for a ship to have made the distance and given the defenders important relief.
So far, AK Governor Wright has not suffered any attacks. It is less than 100 miles from Port Moresby at this time.
• Dutch Air Force Scores
The rejuvenated Dutch air force, flying out of Soerabaja, struck the Japanese fleet at Batavia yesterday, scoring hits against two minesweepers that were sweeping the harbor. This represented the first time that the Dutch air force was used in a successful offensive operation since its numbers were depleted from the lack of spare parts and reinforcements.
The Dutch continue to benefit from sending their air units back to Australia for a short stint of rest while they incorporate reinforcements into their units, then returning to the front lines.
The Dutch pilots were surprised to find that there was no enemy combat air patrol over the base, giving them a free run on the minesweepers.
• Japan Gathers Huge Force at Rangoon
Japan is gathering a substantial force at Rangoon. However, for the time being, Japan continues to stay put. While they wait to move into northern Burma, Chinese troops continue to march into Malikii, where British soldiers are preparing for their arrival.
That is in for today.
Thayne[/font]
Henry:
• Pyrrhic Victory at Mandalay
Japan launched another attack against Mandalay yesterday. This time, the Allies were waiting with some of our best squadrons. British Squadron 232, and two of the three squadrons belonging to the American Volunteer Group, were flying CAP over the city.
For once, Japan did not get off unscathed. The British and American pilots shot down 21 Japanese airplanes
However, the allies lost 24 pilots, including FO Kirkpatrick. Other pilots belonging to 232 Squadron reported that Kirkpatrick had down two more Japanese Zeros, bringing his total number of kills up to six, when a Japanese airplane fired into the cockpit. It is believed that Kirkpatrick died instantly; his plane was seen spiraling out of control into the ground.
Not only was the loss of Kirkpatrick a stinging blow to our war efforts, we simply do not have replacements available for the P-40 Tomohawks that were lost in the battle. Japan’s attack took out half of the planes and pilots in this group. It will take over a month to get replacement airplanes to the squadrons.
Because of this, I ordered the two AVG squadrons to return to China where they will once again be under the command of Chang Kai Shek.
Squadron 232 will also retreat from Mandalay, transferring to Chadpur where it will cover missions out of that base.
• DD Lawrence Torpedoed
• AK Idaho Torpedoed
Japanese submarines have had an unusual string of success recently. After two months of war in which they have done little damage – other than striking CV Saratoga, they sank a destroyer today and mortally wounded a transport ship.
DD Lawrence, part of a torpedo squadron delivering the rest of the 2nd USMC Defense Battalion to Canton Island, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine south of the Canton Island and sank. Fortunately, the attack came after the destroyers had delivered their cargo, and was on their way back to Pago Pago.
AK Idaho was hit northeast of Pearl Harbor. Halfway between San Francisco and Hawaii, the ship is unlikely to be able to reach its destination. The transport was fully loaded with cargo at the time of the attack.
Nimitz is sent out four task forces to sweep the waters southwest of Hawaii yesterday. The four task forces were ordered to run along parallel courses, trying to catch Japanese submarines that were known to have been operating in the area.
• AK Achiba with 8th Fighter Group reaches Sydney
• AK Governor Wright nears Port Moresby
The Attack Transport Achiba reached Sydney today without getting itself sunk, delivering the 8th Fighter Group (72x P-39D). The ship is now safely docked and out of danger. Crews will work throughout the night to unload the planes from the city. They will then be transported to Townsville, where they will be uncrated and prepared for use in the defense of Port Moresby.
In spite of the size of the recent Japanese strike against Port Moresby, I have given my support to plans for AK Governor Wright to complete his mission to send supplies to Port Moresby. I believe that this mission will be able to verify whether I could have sent supplies to Singapore with the Japanese air force in the region.
I have some worries that it may have been a bad call on my part refusing to allow relief ships to make the trip to Singapore. I thought that any relief ship would have been sunk, but it might have been possible for a ship to have made the distance and given the defenders important relief.
So far, AK Governor Wright has not suffered any attacks. It is less than 100 miles from Port Moresby at this time.
• Dutch Air Force Scores
The rejuvenated Dutch air force, flying out of Soerabaja, struck the Japanese fleet at Batavia yesterday, scoring hits against two minesweepers that were sweeping the harbor. This represented the first time that the Dutch air force was used in a successful offensive operation since its numbers were depleted from the lack of spare parts and reinforcements.
The Dutch continue to benefit from sending their air units back to Australia for a short stint of rest while they incorporate reinforcements into their units, then returning to the front lines.
The Dutch pilots were surprised to find that there was no enemy combat air patrol over the base, giving them a free run on the minesweepers.
• Japan Gathers Huge Force at Rangoon
Japan is gathering a substantial force at Rangoon. However, for the time being, Japan continues to stay put. While they wait to move into northern Burma, Chinese troops continue to march into Malikii, where British soldiers are preparing for their arrival.
That is in for today.
Thayne[/font]
Tuesday, February 3, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Tuesday, February 3, 1942
Henry:
I have told you before. If I get myself killed, it would be no great loss. Each of us can be replaced.
I wanted to see what Baker Island looked like, so that I can talk about it intelligently. This meant catching a flight. Today was a good day for travel. The skies were clear. The air was calm. I hopped into Lesley and decided to make the trip.
The C-47s from VMR-252 make the trip each day. They fly in, one at a time, about a half hour apart from before dawn until noon. I went out with the first plane, piloted by First Lieutenant Gregory Jones. We kept on his wingtip through the entire trip.
The trip itself took us about three hours. Three hours of seeing nothing below us but a field of blue. You do not realize how much water there is in the world until you have to take a flight like this. Canton and Baker Islands are actually pretty close together by Pacific Islands standards. Still, three hours, at three miles per minute, of nothing but blue above and below.
Baker Island itself is not like any of the other atolls that I have visited. Palmyra and Canton Island consist of a ring of islands – or a long, narrow ring of land -- around a central lagoon. The whole island is several miles long.
In contrast, Baker Island has its central lagoon filled in. It is a large, solid mass with a vast, flat expanse of land in the center. That makes it easy to build an airstrip. Just move the larger rocks and fill in the potholes, put down some matting, and cover it with packed sand.
We let the transport plane take the runway, while we landed in the water near the lighthouse.
Major Dwight Jackson met me when I got off of the airplane, and offered me the grand tour. I politely declined. There was nothing on the island that I could not see from the air.
The crews were busy trying to make a home for themselves, but spent most of their efforts building up their defenses. The infantry unit had a fair number of guns with them. Crews were busy surrounding them with sandbag walls and covering them with camouflage. Elsewhere, they were putting up tents and putting together cots to sleep on.
Baker Island is suffering from the same problem that Canton Island suffered from in its first days after the 2nd USMC Division showed up. Most of the soldiers made it onto shore, but the support staff never made it to shore. They had to leave with the transports. In this case, the support staff never showed up.
Major Jackson has almost no cooks, a very limited medical staff, nobody to help him with mail or with keeping track of ammunition and other essential supplies, no staff of any kind. It would help things around here quite a bit if we could correct the problem. At the earliest convenience, we need to bring in some of the support staff left behind on Christmas Island.
It is not the first priority, however. I discussed with Major Jackson the arrival of the air support units that will soon be coming from Palmyra.
About 40 minutes after I arrived, the first air raid siren went off. The soldiers have built a few foxholes around the island, but there is almost no real shelter here. There are tents. The people are building shelters for the guns before they work on shelters for the people. I’m not sure the soldiers appreciate this. I fear that it makes them feel less worthwhile than the machines.
It turns out that it was just a reconnaissance plane. No doubt, they took a few pictures. The Japanese know that we are here now. I do not know what they expect to do about it. However, the island is significantly vulnerable.
They need anti-aircraft guns and fighter cover, as well as some artillery that can deal with the Japanese navy if it shows up. So, the destroyers have at least three more trips ahead of them.
• Air cover supported by the 115th USAAF Base Force
• Anti-aircraft guns from the 206th USA Coastal Anti-Aircraft Regiment, presently on Christmas Island
• The rest of 40th USA Infantry Division assigned to Baker Island
• VMF-221, presently at Palmyra
Until these things happen, this island is really vulnerable. It would not be able to withstand a concentrated Japanese assault.
There was a second air raid here this afternoon – another spy plane.
The mood here is tense. There is a great deal of speculation around here is that Baker Island that those who come to this island will either be prisoners or dead before the year is half over.
• Destroyer Torpedoed SW of Pearl Harbor
Nimitz sent four task forces into the waters southwest of Pearl Harbor to look for Japanese submarines. The result was a torpedo hit against DD Flusser, about 400 miles southwest of the island.
Flusser was badly damaged by a single Japanese torpedo, and is considered unlikely to make it to shore. Other ships in the task force are picking up the crew and will try to tow the ship into port – if it can stay afloat that long.
AK Idaho, torpedoed northeast of Pearl Harbor yesterday, is also fading fast. It was hit in a part of the Pacific where there are no other ships nearby to help them out.
This means that, not only has Japan hit four ships in the past three days, but has probably sunk all of those ships – two destroyers and two transports.
• Transport Nears Port Moresby
In spite of a recent heavy air raid against Port Moresby, AK Governor Wright reached port and began to unload cargo.
This is actually a test for me. I made the decision not to allow transports to try to reach Singapore becuase I thought that it would be a waste of good ships. I am wondering if that fear could be confirmed at Port Moresby.
So far, AK Governor Wright remains unmolested. It is in port and unloading cargo, as fast as the crew can get the material off the boat and into safe storage locations. If this mission succeeds, I may have to concede that the decision not to supply Singapore would have been wrong. I would never hear the end of that. And, as luck would have it, it is MacArthur under which I am going to be proved wrong.
• Massive Assault on Bataan
The Allied force at Bataan is being pushed steadily back. I still hold to my prediction that it is unlikely to stand beyond the 10th of February.
G2 provided me with a full report on the battle there before I left. According to their information, the defenders at Bataan are facing off against over 130,000 soldiers. Units involved in the attack include:
5 infantry divisions (4th, 38th, 16th, 48th, and 65th)
1 Infantry Brigade (56th)
3 tank regiments (4th, 7th, and 8th)
1 Mortar Battalion (15th)
3 Heavy F. Artillery Regiments (1st, 8th, 17th)
5 Construction Battalions (12th, 36th, 37th, 38th, and 61st)
3 Engineering Regiments (1st, 3rd, 21st)
Until tomorrow,
Thayne[/font]
Henry:
I have told you before. If I get myself killed, it would be no great loss. Each of us can be replaced.
I wanted to see what Baker Island looked like, so that I can talk about it intelligently. This meant catching a flight. Today was a good day for travel. The skies were clear. The air was calm. I hopped into Lesley and decided to make the trip.
The C-47s from VMR-252 make the trip each day. They fly in, one at a time, about a half hour apart from before dawn until noon. I went out with the first plane, piloted by First Lieutenant Gregory Jones. We kept on his wingtip through the entire trip.
The trip itself took us about three hours. Three hours of seeing nothing below us but a field of blue. You do not realize how much water there is in the world until you have to take a flight like this. Canton and Baker Islands are actually pretty close together by Pacific Islands standards. Still, three hours, at three miles per minute, of nothing but blue above and below.
Baker Island itself is not like any of the other atolls that I have visited. Palmyra and Canton Island consist of a ring of islands – or a long, narrow ring of land -- around a central lagoon. The whole island is several miles long.
In contrast, Baker Island has its central lagoon filled in. It is a large, solid mass with a vast, flat expanse of land in the center. That makes it easy to build an airstrip. Just move the larger rocks and fill in the potholes, put down some matting, and cover it with packed sand.
We let the transport plane take the runway, while we landed in the water near the lighthouse.
Major Dwight Jackson met me when I got off of the airplane, and offered me the grand tour. I politely declined. There was nothing on the island that I could not see from the air.
The crews were busy trying to make a home for themselves, but spent most of their efforts building up their defenses. The infantry unit had a fair number of guns with them. Crews were busy surrounding them with sandbag walls and covering them with camouflage. Elsewhere, they were putting up tents and putting together cots to sleep on.
Baker Island is suffering from the same problem that Canton Island suffered from in its first days after the 2nd USMC Division showed up. Most of the soldiers made it onto shore, but the support staff never made it to shore. They had to leave with the transports. In this case, the support staff never showed up.
Major Jackson has almost no cooks, a very limited medical staff, nobody to help him with mail or with keeping track of ammunition and other essential supplies, no staff of any kind. It would help things around here quite a bit if we could correct the problem. At the earliest convenience, we need to bring in some of the support staff left behind on Christmas Island.
It is not the first priority, however. I discussed with Major Jackson the arrival of the air support units that will soon be coming from Palmyra.
About 40 minutes after I arrived, the first air raid siren went off. The soldiers have built a few foxholes around the island, but there is almost no real shelter here. There are tents. The people are building shelters for the guns before they work on shelters for the people. I’m not sure the soldiers appreciate this. I fear that it makes them feel less worthwhile than the machines.
It turns out that it was just a reconnaissance plane. No doubt, they took a few pictures. The Japanese know that we are here now. I do not know what they expect to do about it. However, the island is significantly vulnerable.
They need anti-aircraft guns and fighter cover, as well as some artillery that can deal with the Japanese navy if it shows up. So, the destroyers have at least three more trips ahead of them.
• Air cover supported by the 115th USAAF Base Force
• Anti-aircraft guns from the 206th USA Coastal Anti-Aircraft Regiment, presently on Christmas Island
• The rest of 40th USA Infantry Division assigned to Baker Island
• VMF-221, presently at Palmyra
Until these things happen, this island is really vulnerable. It would not be able to withstand a concentrated Japanese assault.
There was a second air raid here this afternoon – another spy plane.
The mood here is tense. There is a great deal of speculation around here is that Baker Island that those who come to this island will either be prisoners or dead before the year is half over.
• Destroyer Torpedoed SW of Pearl Harbor
Nimitz sent four task forces into the waters southwest of Pearl Harbor to look for Japanese submarines. The result was a torpedo hit against DD Flusser, about 400 miles southwest of the island.
Flusser was badly damaged by a single Japanese torpedo, and is considered unlikely to make it to shore. Other ships in the task force are picking up the crew and will try to tow the ship into port – if it can stay afloat that long.
AK Idaho, torpedoed northeast of Pearl Harbor yesterday, is also fading fast. It was hit in a part of the Pacific where there are no other ships nearby to help them out.
This means that, not only has Japan hit four ships in the past three days, but has probably sunk all of those ships – two destroyers and two transports.
• Transport Nears Port Moresby
In spite of a recent heavy air raid against Port Moresby, AK Governor Wright reached port and began to unload cargo.
This is actually a test for me. I made the decision not to allow transports to try to reach Singapore becuase I thought that it would be a waste of good ships. I am wondering if that fear could be confirmed at Port Moresby.
So far, AK Governor Wright remains unmolested. It is in port and unloading cargo, as fast as the crew can get the material off the boat and into safe storage locations. If this mission succeeds, I may have to concede that the decision not to supply Singapore would have been wrong. I would never hear the end of that. And, as luck would have it, it is MacArthur under which I am going to be proved wrong.
• Massive Assault on Bataan
The Allied force at Bataan is being pushed steadily back. I still hold to my prediction that it is unlikely to stand beyond the 10th of February.
G2 provided me with a full report on the battle there before I left. According to their information, the defenders at Bataan are facing off against over 130,000 soldiers. Units involved in the attack include:
5 infantry divisions (4th, 38th, 16th, 48th, and 65th)
1 Infantry Brigade (56th)
3 tank regiments (4th, 7th, and 8th)
1 Mortar Battalion (15th)
3 Heavy F. Artillery Regiments (1st, 8th, 17th)
5 Construction Battalions (12th, 36th, 37th, 38th, and 61st)
3 Engineering Regiments (1st, 3rd, 21st)
Until tomorrow,
Thayne[/font]
Wednesday, February 4, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Wednesday, February 4, 1942
Henry:
It has been a long time when we had a day like today.
Allied naval losses north of Darwin
• CL Tromp sunk
• CL Boise damaged
• CL Java damaged
Allied naval losses at Port Moresby
• AK Governor Wright sunk with most of its cargo on board.
Japanese losses at Batavia
• Minesweeper sunk
Crusiers
The cruisers belonged to a task force that had delivered supplies to Bali a few days earlier. They were returning home, stopping by to pick up some PT boats in tow.
The Japanese planes came out of Kendari.
This was another set of casualties due to the Japanese ability to fly torpedo planes with a range of over 600 miles against allied shipping. Every time we get a task force within 600 miles of a Japanese controlled base, we have lost ships. BC Repulse. CA Houston.
The rule pretty much has to be -- no ships within 600 miles of a Japanese controlled island -- at least not without carriers, and even then we cannot ensure the safety of the carriers. 60 Japanese Betty bombers with torpedoes are almost certainly going to hit something.
AK Governor Wright
This ship was also sunk by Japanese torpedo planes -- flying out of Rabaul against Port Moresby.
At least this attack answered a morbid curiosity of mine. I wanted to see if I could have gotten supplies to Singapore in spite of Japanese control of the air, by sneaking through a small cargo ship loaded with supplies.
AK Governor Wright made it to Port Moresby, and even managed to unload perhaps ten percent of the supplies it carried. Everything else ended up in the bottom of the ocean.
None of the crew died. They scattered the instant the air raid sirens sounded. It was just the loss of the ship.
The Japanese torpedo bombers -- Nells belonging to Chitose Daitai -- were escorted by nearly 50 Japanese Zeros belonging to Ominato Daitai and Omura Daitai.
I fully expect that this is exactly what would happen if we send a troop transport to Port Moresby with reinforcements. We now really have no way to supply or reinforce Port Moresby other than through air transport and fast naval transport.
With the loss of the cruisers north of Australia, it may be time to reassign the destroyers that remain to northeast Australia for fast transport to Port Moresby.
Tjilitjap Lost
70,000 Japanese troops forced 6,000 Dutch soldiers out of the port of Tjilitjap on the island of Java today as well. This puts Japan in control of the western third of the island. They are now starting to move across the middle, while the Dutch army continues to assemble at Soerabaja for the final showdown.
The Japanese units participating in this push include the following:
• 35th Bde
• 21st Div
• 39th Road Const Btn
• 2nd Div
• 4th Eng Rgt
• 5th Eng Rgt
• 3rd Mtn Gun Rgt
They are moving as quickly as possible. Dutch soldiers set up their defenses at each of these ports, but the Japanese cut through them with complete ease. The fall of Java could not be happening any faster short of a national surrender.
A Measure of Revenge vs. Batavia
The Dutch air force struck against the Japanese force at Batavia today. Japan seemed to have one of the minesweepers that the air force had hit earlier in port undergoing repair.
No more.
Bomb assessment photographs show a minesweeper sitting with only its superstructure above the surface in the harbor at Batavia.
We lost some planes on this raid. This time, Japan had CAP over the island in the form of a squadron of Nates. But, the bombers got through and were able to inflict some damage. Not only did the minesweeper go down, but the photographs show extensive damage to some warehouses and shops in the area near the port. One of the bombs must have hit an ammunition cache. A movie clip from the next bomber in line shows the bomb hitting a building and exploding. After two or three seconds, the whole building erupts in a ball of flame and smoke.
Japan shelled us last night
It is hardly worth mentioning against the other news of the day, but the Japanese rudely woke me from my sleep last night with a naval bombardment of Baker Island.
I was in my bunk, sound asleep, at about 1:30 in the morning local time, when the first explosions erupted on the shore not 100 feet away.
Man, that was frightening.
The air raid at Canton Island, when I was there, wasn't so bad because I was expecting it. Here, there was no warning, just a sudden burst of explosions.
I got a good taste of what the confusion of battle is about. Right away, I could not tell whether we were being bombed or shelled. Was it the start of an invasion? Were we about to be overrun? Maybe it was just an accident and had nothing to do with the Japanese at all.
We knew nothing.
How long does it take to get good information to those who needed it? Major Jackson was awake. Alarms went off. Anti-aircraft guns started to fire into the air, and other guns fired off into the sea in all directions. I was ordering Captain Martin into the pilot's seat to get us out of there -- or he was ordering me to sit down and fasten my seat belt. I cannot honestly say which it was.
While Captain Martin was starting up the engine, I ordered Hammond to get me Major Jackson on the radio.
I asked the first person to answer the radio to report. It seems that headquarters was quickly starting to get an idea of what was going on. There was a single ship, west of the island, firing at us from a distance of at least three miles.
Major Martin was ordering every other battery silenced while the two heavy guns he had turned their barrels toward the west.
Japan did not give them a chance to answer. The ship stopped its shelling and disappeared into the darkness.
G2 informed me that the firing had been done by a single light cruiser, probably testing our reaction. They likely learned a lot about how much fire we were capable of putting up and the ability to fire on the island safely at night.
I quickly learned what was going on, but the rumors continued to float around the island all day. The attacking force was as large as three battleships with support craft, and we had sunk at least two of them. Anti-aircraft gunners insisted on credit for bringing down at least a dozen enemy airplanes -- including those that they had seen crash into the oceans with their own eyes.
It's not that they were lying. They were simply interpreting what they saw through a lens of wishful thinking. It was not easy telling them the truth.
Predictions for Bataan remain fixed
I am still picking February 10th for the fall of Bataan. They have no supplies. The Japanese have been subjecting the defenders to regular shelling. Within the next week they are going to make their push. That is when they are going to discover that the allies have almost no ammunition, and its soldiers are exhausted from the lack of good food, medicine against malaria, and sleep.
I would not be surprised to hear that the defensive line simply crumbles the instant the Japanese start their final push.
I am sorry that I have no good news for you today.
Maybe tomorrow.
Thayne[/font]
Henry:
It has been a long time when we had a day like today.
Allied naval losses north of Darwin
• CL Tromp sunk
• CL Boise damaged
• CL Java damaged
Allied naval losses at Port Moresby
• AK Governor Wright sunk with most of its cargo on board.
Japanese losses at Batavia
• Minesweeper sunk
Crusiers
The cruisers belonged to a task force that had delivered supplies to Bali a few days earlier. They were returning home, stopping by to pick up some PT boats in tow.
The Japanese planes came out of Kendari.
This was another set of casualties due to the Japanese ability to fly torpedo planes with a range of over 600 miles against allied shipping. Every time we get a task force within 600 miles of a Japanese controlled base, we have lost ships. BC Repulse. CA Houston.
The rule pretty much has to be -- no ships within 600 miles of a Japanese controlled island -- at least not without carriers, and even then we cannot ensure the safety of the carriers. 60 Japanese Betty bombers with torpedoes are almost certainly going to hit something.
AK Governor Wright
This ship was also sunk by Japanese torpedo planes -- flying out of Rabaul against Port Moresby.
At least this attack answered a morbid curiosity of mine. I wanted to see if I could have gotten supplies to Singapore in spite of Japanese control of the air, by sneaking through a small cargo ship loaded with supplies.
AK Governor Wright made it to Port Moresby, and even managed to unload perhaps ten percent of the supplies it carried. Everything else ended up in the bottom of the ocean.
None of the crew died. They scattered the instant the air raid sirens sounded. It was just the loss of the ship.
The Japanese torpedo bombers -- Nells belonging to Chitose Daitai -- were escorted by nearly 50 Japanese Zeros belonging to Ominato Daitai and Omura Daitai.
I fully expect that this is exactly what would happen if we send a troop transport to Port Moresby with reinforcements. We now really have no way to supply or reinforce Port Moresby other than through air transport and fast naval transport.
With the loss of the cruisers north of Australia, it may be time to reassign the destroyers that remain to northeast Australia for fast transport to Port Moresby.
Tjilitjap Lost
70,000 Japanese troops forced 6,000 Dutch soldiers out of the port of Tjilitjap on the island of Java today as well. This puts Japan in control of the western third of the island. They are now starting to move across the middle, while the Dutch army continues to assemble at Soerabaja for the final showdown.
The Japanese units participating in this push include the following:
• 35th Bde
• 21st Div
• 39th Road Const Btn
• 2nd Div
• 4th Eng Rgt
• 5th Eng Rgt
• 3rd Mtn Gun Rgt
They are moving as quickly as possible. Dutch soldiers set up their defenses at each of these ports, but the Japanese cut through them with complete ease. The fall of Java could not be happening any faster short of a national surrender.
A Measure of Revenge vs. Batavia
The Dutch air force struck against the Japanese force at Batavia today. Japan seemed to have one of the minesweepers that the air force had hit earlier in port undergoing repair.
No more.
Bomb assessment photographs show a minesweeper sitting with only its superstructure above the surface in the harbor at Batavia.
We lost some planes on this raid. This time, Japan had CAP over the island in the form of a squadron of Nates. But, the bombers got through and were able to inflict some damage. Not only did the minesweeper go down, but the photographs show extensive damage to some warehouses and shops in the area near the port. One of the bombs must have hit an ammunition cache. A movie clip from the next bomber in line shows the bomb hitting a building and exploding. After two or three seconds, the whole building erupts in a ball of flame and smoke.
Japan shelled us last night
It is hardly worth mentioning against the other news of the day, but the Japanese rudely woke me from my sleep last night with a naval bombardment of Baker Island.
I was in my bunk, sound asleep, at about 1:30 in the morning local time, when the first explosions erupted on the shore not 100 feet away.
Man, that was frightening.
The air raid at Canton Island, when I was there, wasn't so bad because I was expecting it. Here, there was no warning, just a sudden burst of explosions.
I got a good taste of what the confusion of battle is about. Right away, I could not tell whether we were being bombed or shelled. Was it the start of an invasion? Were we about to be overrun? Maybe it was just an accident and had nothing to do with the Japanese at all.
We knew nothing.
How long does it take to get good information to those who needed it? Major Jackson was awake. Alarms went off. Anti-aircraft guns started to fire into the air, and other guns fired off into the sea in all directions. I was ordering Captain Martin into the pilot's seat to get us out of there -- or he was ordering me to sit down and fasten my seat belt. I cannot honestly say which it was.
While Captain Martin was starting up the engine, I ordered Hammond to get me Major Jackson on the radio.
I asked the first person to answer the radio to report. It seems that headquarters was quickly starting to get an idea of what was going on. There was a single ship, west of the island, firing at us from a distance of at least three miles.
Major Martin was ordering every other battery silenced while the two heavy guns he had turned their barrels toward the west.
Japan did not give them a chance to answer. The ship stopped its shelling and disappeared into the darkness.
G2 informed me that the firing had been done by a single light cruiser, probably testing our reaction. They likely learned a lot about how much fire we were capable of putting up and the ability to fire on the island safely at night.
I quickly learned what was going on, but the rumors continued to float around the island all day. The attacking force was as large as three battleships with support craft, and we had sunk at least two of them. Anti-aircraft gunners insisted on credit for bringing down at least a dozen enemy airplanes -- including those that they had seen crash into the oceans with their own eyes.
It's not that they were lying. They were simply interpreting what they saw through a lens of wishful thinking. It was not easy telling them the truth.
Predictions for Bataan remain fixed
I am still picking February 10th for the fall of Bataan. They have no supplies. The Japanese have been subjecting the defenders to regular shelling. Within the next week they are going to make their push. That is when they are going to discover that the allies have almost no ammunition, and its soldiers are exhausted from the lack of good food, medicine against malaria, and sleep.
I would not be surprised to hear that the defensive line simply crumbles the instant the Japanese start their final push.
I am sorry that I have no good news for you today.
Maybe tomorrow.
Thayne[/font]
Thursday, February 5, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Thursday, February 5, 1942
Henry:
• DD Flusher sinks
• Battle of Bataan
• Battle of Ambonia
• Air Raids in New Guinea
After yesterday’s losses, today was relatively quiet.
DD Flusher Sinks
The destroyer that Japan torpedoed southwest of Pearl Harbor slipped under the waves last night.
Most of the crew had gotten off the ship during the day. They went over the side and swam away from the boat, where the other destroyers in the squadron picked up the survivors.
The torpedo, as well as the weight of the destroyer itself as different sections filled with water, warped the frame of the ship sufficiently that many of the water-tight doors below sea level were no longer watertight. The crew had hoped that it would quit taking on water, but that never happened.
As evening approached, the situation looked hopeless. Lieutenant Commander Ted Fraser ordered the rescue crews off the boat. He did not want them trapped on the ship where darkness would impede their efforts and risk the well-being of the crew. By 1:00 afternoon, under the light of the stars, water started to clear the deck near the stern. Ten minutes later, Flusher turned over, then went down by the stern.
Battle of Bataan Continues
I hardly have anything to add to this continuing battle. Japan spent the day simply shelling and softening up the allies, who do not have enough ammunition to answer. I think that if Japan were simply to decide to take the risk. Bataan could fall tomorrow. The front-line troops would quickly fire off the last of their ammunition and be forced back.
Battle for Ambonia
Ambonia, in the eastern Dutch East Indies, north of Darwin and just off the tip of the western shore of New Guinea, is the scene of another continuing battle.
At sea, a half-dozen heavy cruisers and at least one battleship pounded shore installations. Naval bombardment is proving to be a particularly effective way of taking down enemy installations. By the end of the day, the naval bombardment inflicted about 300 casualties among a defensive force of 1,900 troops – a loss of 15% of the defensive force. That does not count the disruption and other ill effects of the bombardment. In addition, Japan inflicted significant damage on the port and airbase.
Actually, I do not understand why Japan would do that. They would just have to fix these things up again.
Japan followed up the bombardment with a massive head-on assault of the city defenses. Surprisingly, the Dutch held them off. The Japanese overran many of the forward defenses and, by the end of the day, the Dutch were put in an untenable situation. There is little doubt that they could not withstand another attack like that one. But, they were still holding down.
Tomorrow will be different, unless the Japanese decide that they need to regroup.
MacArthur Continues Air Operations out of New Guinea
Douglas MacArthur is continuing to run offensive air operations out of Port Moresby, attacking Buna and Salamaua today. The damage reports are not particularly impressive. However, the mere fact that the allied bombers are operating in the area, and the Japanese are not being permitted to rest and relax in their newly conquered lands, is its own benefit.
These are not large raids. Shortly afternoon, five Beauforts took off for Buna with a trio of Whirraways as escort. They went over the mountain, then leveled off to hit one of the main plantation buildings at Buna. I told you, Buna is really little more than a pair of plantations close by each other – an airstrip, a small port, and a few buildings lining a single street that might be called a town.
Another five Beauforts, and eight Mitchell bombers, attacked Salamaua. These pilots focused on the airstrip, hoping to put a crater or two in it, and destroy any nearby facilities that might be useful in servicing airplanes.
I am looking forward to the day when we can run larger raids then these out of Port Moresby. However, I continue to doubt that it will remain in allied hands for long.
Australia Supply Problems
About the best way to get troops and supplies to Port Moresby, now that Japan has control of the air, would be to load them onto destroyers and run them to the port at night.
However, running the destroyers takes fuel, and northeastern Australia has used up the bulk of its naval fuel. Townsend has some fuel – perhaps enough to support one operation. Cairns is empty. Cooktown has some naval fuel available. However, all things considered, they do not have enough to fuel the destroyers that would make the run to Port Moresby.
There are two tankers heading into the area, but it will still take a couple more weeks for them to get there. Until then, the cargo meant for Port Moresby is lining up on Northeastern Australia.
Other supplies are getting to these areas. A military cargo ship pulled into Townsend today, and another one will be pulling into Cairns tomorrow. This will give the soldiers there a boost in the supplies they need to defend the place. But neither of these ships carry fuel for the ships operating out of these ports.
For some reason, Australia seems unable to carry sufficient fuel to these ports by train. I would love to hear news of a train with a standard load of 100 railroad cars pulling into Townsend. But, I do not expect to hear such news.
A good piece of news is that the 7th Bomber Group will be arriving at Sydney tomorrow. This group uses LB-30 bombers, about the same as a B-24 liberator, meaning that they are good heavy bombers. Ultimately, they are due to arrive in India. My orders are for them to fly the rest of the way: Sydney -> northern Australia -> Bali -> India.
With luck, they will be in place before Japan starts its push to take over the rest of Burma.
That's the highlights of the day.
Thayne[/font]
Henry:
• DD Flusher sinks
• Battle of Bataan
• Battle of Ambonia
• Air Raids in New Guinea
After yesterday’s losses, today was relatively quiet.
DD Flusher Sinks
The destroyer that Japan torpedoed southwest of Pearl Harbor slipped under the waves last night.
Most of the crew had gotten off the ship during the day. They went over the side and swam away from the boat, where the other destroyers in the squadron picked up the survivors.
The torpedo, as well as the weight of the destroyer itself as different sections filled with water, warped the frame of the ship sufficiently that many of the water-tight doors below sea level were no longer watertight. The crew had hoped that it would quit taking on water, but that never happened.
As evening approached, the situation looked hopeless. Lieutenant Commander Ted Fraser ordered the rescue crews off the boat. He did not want them trapped on the ship where darkness would impede their efforts and risk the well-being of the crew. By 1:00 afternoon, under the light of the stars, water started to clear the deck near the stern. Ten minutes later, Flusher turned over, then went down by the stern.
Battle of Bataan Continues
I hardly have anything to add to this continuing battle. Japan spent the day simply shelling and softening up the allies, who do not have enough ammunition to answer. I think that if Japan were simply to decide to take the risk. Bataan could fall tomorrow. The front-line troops would quickly fire off the last of their ammunition and be forced back.
Battle for Ambonia
Ambonia, in the eastern Dutch East Indies, north of Darwin and just off the tip of the western shore of New Guinea, is the scene of another continuing battle.
At sea, a half-dozen heavy cruisers and at least one battleship pounded shore installations. Naval bombardment is proving to be a particularly effective way of taking down enemy installations. By the end of the day, the naval bombardment inflicted about 300 casualties among a defensive force of 1,900 troops – a loss of 15% of the defensive force. That does not count the disruption and other ill effects of the bombardment. In addition, Japan inflicted significant damage on the port and airbase.
Actually, I do not understand why Japan would do that. They would just have to fix these things up again.
Japan followed up the bombardment with a massive head-on assault of the city defenses. Surprisingly, the Dutch held them off. The Japanese overran many of the forward defenses and, by the end of the day, the Dutch were put in an untenable situation. There is little doubt that they could not withstand another attack like that one. But, they were still holding down.
Tomorrow will be different, unless the Japanese decide that they need to regroup.
MacArthur Continues Air Operations out of New Guinea
Douglas MacArthur is continuing to run offensive air operations out of Port Moresby, attacking Buna and Salamaua today. The damage reports are not particularly impressive. However, the mere fact that the allied bombers are operating in the area, and the Japanese are not being permitted to rest and relax in their newly conquered lands, is its own benefit.
These are not large raids. Shortly afternoon, five Beauforts took off for Buna with a trio of Whirraways as escort. They went over the mountain, then leveled off to hit one of the main plantation buildings at Buna. I told you, Buna is really little more than a pair of plantations close by each other – an airstrip, a small port, and a few buildings lining a single street that might be called a town.
Another five Beauforts, and eight Mitchell bombers, attacked Salamaua. These pilots focused on the airstrip, hoping to put a crater or two in it, and destroy any nearby facilities that might be useful in servicing airplanes.
I am looking forward to the day when we can run larger raids then these out of Port Moresby. However, I continue to doubt that it will remain in allied hands for long.
Australia Supply Problems
About the best way to get troops and supplies to Port Moresby, now that Japan has control of the air, would be to load them onto destroyers and run them to the port at night.
However, running the destroyers takes fuel, and northeastern Australia has used up the bulk of its naval fuel. Townsend has some fuel – perhaps enough to support one operation. Cairns is empty. Cooktown has some naval fuel available. However, all things considered, they do not have enough to fuel the destroyers that would make the run to Port Moresby.
There are two tankers heading into the area, but it will still take a couple more weeks for them to get there. Until then, the cargo meant for Port Moresby is lining up on Northeastern Australia.
Other supplies are getting to these areas. A military cargo ship pulled into Townsend today, and another one will be pulling into Cairns tomorrow. This will give the soldiers there a boost in the supplies they need to defend the place. But neither of these ships carry fuel for the ships operating out of these ports.
For some reason, Australia seems unable to carry sufficient fuel to these ports by train. I would love to hear news of a train with a standard load of 100 railroad cars pulling into Townsend. But, I do not expect to hear such news.
A good piece of news is that the 7th Bomber Group will be arriving at Sydney tomorrow. This group uses LB-30 bombers, about the same as a B-24 liberator, meaning that they are good heavy bombers. Ultimately, they are due to arrive in India. My orders are for them to fly the rest of the way: Sydney -> northern Australia -> Bali -> India.
With luck, they will be in place before Japan starts its push to take over the rest of Burma.
That's the highlights of the day.
Thayne[/font]
- Attachments
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- 19420205Amboina.jpg (32.13 KiB) Viewed 54 times
Friday, February 6, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Friday, February 6, 1942
Henry:
• Japan Captures Amboina
• Assault at Bataan
• AK Idaho Sinks
• Major Air Raid vs. Port Moresby
• 115th Air Base Force Leave for Baker Island
• China Reaches Myitkyina
Japan Conquers Amboina
The Japanese apparently decided that they did not need a rest from yesterday’s major push to take Amboina. At dawn today, they continued their assault.
They continued to support their efforts with naval bombardment. Yesterday’s attacks had forced the Dutch defenders out of many of their best fortifications, so the ships caught the Dutch in the open. They inflicted another 300 casualties during the night. The naval support ended at dawn, right when the next phase of the attack began.
The attack was like that of the previous day. It was an all out assault. Japan simply charged at the lines. The Dutch, this time with no place to hide, were quickly overwhelmed and simply retreated into the jungle.
Japan Assaults Bataan
Japan seemed to be listening to my advice and launched a full attack against the defenders at Bataan as well. I was assuming, with limited supplies available, the army in Bataan would quickly crumble. They fell back, as I said, but they did not collapse – at least not yet. And they delivered worse than they took against the Japanese defenders.
As at Amboina, Japan managed to push the allies out of some of their key defensive locations. This leaves the survivors more vulnerable to a follow-up attack. I cannot say at this point whether Japan will continue to push as they did at Amboina.
As for my prediction that Manilla will fall on or near February 10th, it may come earlier then the 10th, but I would be surprised if it comes any later.
AK Idaho Sinks
AK Idaho, hit by a Japanese submarine half way between San Francisco and Pearl Harbor, succumbed to its wounds yesterday.
Search crews are out looking for survivors, but there may not be any. There is debris scattered over a wide area, suggesting that the cargo ship simply exploded. It is possible that burning oil from the sinking ship reached some of the ammunition on board and blew the ship apart. Anyway, even though the site of the sinking was easy to find, no survivors could be found.
Major Japanese Raid at Port Moresby
Japan continued to make it clear that it will tolerate no attempt to reinforce Port Moresby. It hit the town today with over three dozen Nell and Betty bombers, belonging to the Chitose and Misawa Daitais.
More importantly, the Japanese came in with an escort of over 50 fighters. The cost, for the allies, was 8 Whirraway fighters shot down. Japan, as is becoming depressingly common, lost no airplanes.
The inflicted slight damage on the runway and on the engineers responsible for not only maintaining the field but for trying to build some sort of defense of the city.
The allied airplanes were able to complete their missions – the Japanese raid did not interfere with that. Again, they struck at Buna and Salamaua. The damage inflicted was minimal, other than reminding Japan that we are still here.
I am getting a bit concerned about the amount of supply at Port Moresby. We were able to build up a decent stockpile before Japan moved the Nell and Betty bombers into the area and started taking control of the skies. But those supplies will not last forever.
The supplies that do come in are being flown in by Hudson bombers out of Cooktown, and a couple of Catelinas flying from Cairns. However, this is not going to be enough to prevent the stockpiles at Port Moresby from dwindling.
Air Support Units Ready for Baker Island
About 1,250 soldiers belonging to the 115th USAAF Base Force, presently on Palmyra, crowded onto five destroyers belonging to TF1295 today. My last report says that the destroyer squadron was just leaving the port. They had fired up their motors and they were heading west in single file.
In about three days, they will make it to Baker Island, where they will unload the soldiers. Then, I want to send a fighter squadron in from Canton Island. My preference is for the VMF-221, presently stationed at Palmyra, to make the trip. However, the Wildcats do not have the range to make it from Palmyra to Baker Island, or to any island that would allow them to make it to Baker Island.
However, TF1210, with CV Yorktown and CV Lexington, is in the area. Their new orders are to go to Palmyra to pick up the airplanes, then deliver them to Canton Island. From Canton Island, the wildcats should be able to make the flight to Baker Island and take up position.
The Wildcats should be ready to make the trip at about the time that the air support units are getting situated on the island.
Hopefully, I will be able to take out a couple of the Nell bombers that have been visiting the place.
The C-47s flying out of Canton Island are doing a sufficiently good job keeping Baker Island supplied, and even increasing the size of its stockpile. This may end, however, as soon as the engineers and airplanes arrive. Both take a great deal of supply to keep running.
is presently about 300 miles east of Christmas Island. TF1210 will head off into the waters between Palmyra and Canton Islands.
Destroyer squadron TF1295 picked up about 1,250 soldiers belonging to the 115th USAAF Base Force at Palmyra today. At dark, they
Battle of Bataan Continues
I hardly have anything to add to this continuing battle. Japan spent the day simply shelling and softening up the allies, who do not have enough ammunition to answer. I think that if Japan were simply to decide to take the risk. Bataan could fall tomorrow. The front-line troops would quickly fire off the last of their ammunition and be forced back.
Battle for Ambonia
Ambonia, in the eastern Dutch East Indies, north of Darwin and just off the tip of the western shore of New Guinea, is the scene of another continuing battle.
At sea, a half-dozen heavy cruisers and at least one battleship pounded shore installations. Naval bombardment is proving to be a particularly effective way of taking down enemy installations. By the end of the day, the naval bombardment inflicted about 300 casualties among a defensive force of 1,900 troops – a loss of 15% of the defensive force. That does not count the disruption and other ill effects of the bombardment. In addition, Japan inflicted significant damage on the port and airbase.
Actually, I do not understand why Japan would do that. They would just have to fix these things up again.
Japan followed up the bombardment with a massive head-on assault of the city defenses. Surprisingly, the Dutch held them off. The Japanese overran many of the forward defenses and, by the end of the day, the Dutch were put in an untenable situation. There is little doubt that they could not withstand another attack like that one. But, they were still holding down.
Tomorrow will be different, unless the Japanese decide that they need to regroup.
MacArthur Continues Air Operations out of New Guinea
Douglas MacArthur is continuing to run offensive air operations out of Port Moresby, attacking Buna and Salamaua today. The damage reports are not particularly impressive. However, the mere fact that the allied bombers are operating in the area, and the Japanese are not being permitted to rest and relax in their newly conquered lands, is its own benefit.
These are not large raids. Shortly afternoon, five Beauforts took off for Buna with a trio of Whirraways as escort. They went over the mountain, then leveled off to hit one of the main plantation buildings at Buna. I told you, Buna is really little more than a pair of plantations close by each other – an airstrip, a small port, and a few buildings lining a single street that might be called a town.
Another five Beauforts, and eight Mitchell bombers, attacked Salamaua. These pilots focused on the airstrip, hoping to put a crater or two in it, and destroy any nearby facilities that might be useful in servicing airplanes.
I am looking forward to the day when we can run larger raids then these out of Port Moresby. However, I continue to doubt that it will remain in allied hands for long.
Australia Supply Problems
About the best way to get troops and supplies to Port Moresby, now that Japan has control of the air, would be to load them onto destroyers and run them to the port at night.
However, running the destroyers takes fuel, and northeastern Australia has used up the bulk of its naval fuel. Townsend has some fuel – perhaps enough to support one operation. Cairns is empty. Cooktown has some naval fuel available. However, all things considered, they do not have enough to fuel the destroyers that would make the run to Port Moresby.
There are two tankers heading into the area, but it will still take a couple more weeks for them to get there. Until then, the cargo meant for Port Moresby is lining up on Northeastern Australia.
Other supplies are getting to these areas. A military cargo ship pulled into Townsend today, and another one will be pulling into Cairns tomorrow. This will give the soldiers there a boost in the supplies they need to defend the place. But neither of these ships carry fuel for the ships operating out of these ports.
For some reason, Australia seems unable to carry sufficient fuel to these ports by train. I would love to hear news of a train with a standard load of 100 railroad cars pulling into Townsend. But, I do not expect to hear such news.
A good piece of news is that the 7th Bomber Group will be arriving at Sydney tomorrow. This group uses LB-30 bombers, about the same as a B-24 liberator, meaning that they are good heavy bombers. Ultimately, they are due to arrive in India. My orders are for them to fly the rest of the way: Sydney -> northern Australia -> Bali -> India.
With luck, they will be in place before Japan starts its push to take over the rest of Burma.
China Reinforces Myitkyina
The bulk of the Chinese army has now reached Myitkyania and are prepared to hold the town from the Japanese. A little over 25,000 Chinese troops are currently digging in at Myitkyina, and another 10,000 are due to arrive at the city over the course of the next week.
I’m a bit tired tonight. I think I may be coming down with another flu.
I am growing concerned about the location of the Japanese carriers. It has been quite a while since we had even a hint of where they are, I am worried that they may pop up unexpectedly.
One of the options that I am preparing for is that they sailed past Java and are heading into the Indian Ocean, with plans to attack the British fleet at Ceylon. With all of the open ocean, it is possible for the Japanese to approach the island without being seen. General Pownall is going to start making plans to make sure that there are no allied ships at Ceylon for Japan to sink.
There is one major drawback to this plan. The British carrier force is escorting a huge convoy of supplies to Columbo. Just my luck, the Japanese will arrive while the supply convoy is in port and vulnerable.
Like I said, I am not feeling well this evening, and this will be it for now.
Until tomorrow.
Thayne [/font]
Henry:
• Japan Captures Amboina
• Assault at Bataan
• AK Idaho Sinks
• Major Air Raid vs. Port Moresby
• 115th Air Base Force Leave for Baker Island
• China Reaches Myitkyina
Japan Conquers Amboina
The Japanese apparently decided that they did not need a rest from yesterday’s major push to take Amboina. At dawn today, they continued their assault.
They continued to support their efforts with naval bombardment. Yesterday’s attacks had forced the Dutch defenders out of many of their best fortifications, so the ships caught the Dutch in the open. They inflicted another 300 casualties during the night. The naval support ended at dawn, right when the next phase of the attack began.
The attack was like that of the previous day. It was an all out assault. Japan simply charged at the lines. The Dutch, this time with no place to hide, were quickly overwhelmed and simply retreated into the jungle.
Japan Assaults Bataan
Japan seemed to be listening to my advice and launched a full attack against the defenders at Bataan as well. I was assuming, with limited supplies available, the army in Bataan would quickly crumble. They fell back, as I said, but they did not collapse – at least not yet. And they delivered worse than they took against the Japanese defenders.
As at Amboina, Japan managed to push the allies out of some of their key defensive locations. This leaves the survivors more vulnerable to a follow-up attack. I cannot say at this point whether Japan will continue to push as they did at Amboina.
As for my prediction that Manilla will fall on or near February 10th, it may come earlier then the 10th, but I would be surprised if it comes any later.
AK Idaho Sinks
AK Idaho, hit by a Japanese submarine half way between San Francisco and Pearl Harbor, succumbed to its wounds yesterday.
Search crews are out looking for survivors, but there may not be any. There is debris scattered over a wide area, suggesting that the cargo ship simply exploded. It is possible that burning oil from the sinking ship reached some of the ammunition on board and blew the ship apart. Anyway, even though the site of the sinking was easy to find, no survivors could be found.
Major Japanese Raid at Port Moresby
Japan continued to make it clear that it will tolerate no attempt to reinforce Port Moresby. It hit the town today with over three dozen Nell and Betty bombers, belonging to the Chitose and Misawa Daitais.
More importantly, the Japanese came in with an escort of over 50 fighters. The cost, for the allies, was 8 Whirraway fighters shot down. Japan, as is becoming depressingly common, lost no airplanes.
The inflicted slight damage on the runway and on the engineers responsible for not only maintaining the field but for trying to build some sort of defense of the city.
The allied airplanes were able to complete their missions – the Japanese raid did not interfere with that. Again, they struck at Buna and Salamaua. The damage inflicted was minimal, other than reminding Japan that we are still here.
I am getting a bit concerned about the amount of supply at Port Moresby. We were able to build up a decent stockpile before Japan moved the Nell and Betty bombers into the area and started taking control of the skies. But those supplies will not last forever.
The supplies that do come in are being flown in by Hudson bombers out of Cooktown, and a couple of Catelinas flying from Cairns. However, this is not going to be enough to prevent the stockpiles at Port Moresby from dwindling.
Air Support Units Ready for Baker Island
About 1,250 soldiers belonging to the 115th USAAF Base Force, presently on Palmyra, crowded onto five destroyers belonging to TF1295 today. My last report says that the destroyer squadron was just leaving the port. They had fired up their motors and they were heading west in single file.
In about three days, they will make it to Baker Island, where they will unload the soldiers. Then, I want to send a fighter squadron in from Canton Island. My preference is for the VMF-221, presently stationed at Palmyra, to make the trip. However, the Wildcats do not have the range to make it from Palmyra to Baker Island, or to any island that would allow them to make it to Baker Island.
However, TF1210, with CV Yorktown and CV Lexington, is in the area. Their new orders are to go to Palmyra to pick up the airplanes, then deliver them to Canton Island. From Canton Island, the wildcats should be able to make the flight to Baker Island and take up position.
The Wildcats should be ready to make the trip at about the time that the air support units are getting situated on the island.
Hopefully, I will be able to take out a couple of the Nell bombers that have been visiting the place.
The C-47s flying out of Canton Island are doing a sufficiently good job keeping Baker Island supplied, and even increasing the size of its stockpile. This may end, however, as soon as the engineers and airplanes arrive. Both take a great deal of supply to keep running.
is presently about 300 miles east of Christmas Island. TF1210 will head off into the waters between Palmyra and Canton Islands.
Destroyer squadron TF1295 picked up about 1,250 soldiers belonging to the 115th USAAF Base Force at Palmyra today. At dark, they
Battle of Bataan Continues
I hardly have anything to add to this continuing battle. Japan spent the day simply shelling and softening up the allies, who do not have enough ammunition to answer. I think that if Japan were simply to decide to take the risk. Bataan could fall tomorrow. The front-line troops would quickly fire off the last of their ammunition and be forced back.
Battle for Ambonia
Ambonia, in the eastern Dutch East Indies, north of Darwin and just off the tip of the western shore of New Guinea, is the scene of another continuing battle.
At sea, a half-dozen heavy cruisers and at least one battleship pounded shore installations. Naval bombardment is proving to be a particularly effective way of taking down enemy installations. By the end of the day, the naval bombardment inflicted about 300 casualties among a defensive force of 1,900 troops – a loss of 15% of the defensive force. That does not count the disruption and other ill effects of the bombardment. In addition, Japan inflicted significant damage on the port and airbase.
Actually, I do not understand why Japan would do that. They would just have to fix these things up again.
Japan followed up the bombardment with a massive head-on assault of the city defenses. Surprisingly, the Dutch held them off. The Japanese overran many of the forward defenses and, by the end of the day, the Dutch were put in an untenable situation. There is little doubt that they could not withstand another attack like that one. But, they were still holding down.
Tomorrow will be different, unless the Japanese decide that they need to regroup.
MacArthur Continues Air Operations out of New Guinea
Douglas MacArthur is continuing to run offensive air operations out of Port Moresby, attacking Buna and Salamaua today. The damage reports are not particularly impressive. However, the mere fact that the allied bombers are operating in the area, and the Japanese are not being permitted to rest and relax in their newly conquered lands, is its own benefit.
These are not large raids. Shortly afternoon, five Beauforts took off for Buna with a trio of Whirraways as escort. They went over the mountain, then leveled off to hit one of the main plantation buildings at Buna. I told you, Buna is really little more than a pair of plantations close by each other – an airstrip, a small port, and a few buildings lining a single street that might be called a town.
Another five Beauforts, and eight Mitchell bombers, attacked Salamaua. These pilots focused on the airstrip, hoping to put a crater or two in it, and destroy any nearby facilities that might be useful in servicing airplanes.
I am looking forward to the day when we can run larger raids then these out of Port Moresby. However, I continue to doubt that it will remain in allied hands for long.
Australia Supply Problems
About the best way to get troops and supplies to Port Moresby, now that Japan has control of the air, would be to load them onto destroyers and run them to the port at night.
However, running the destroyers takes fuel, and northeastern Australia has used up the bulk of its naval fuel. Townsend has some fuel – perhaps enough to support one operation. Cairns is empty. Cooktown has some naval fuel available. However, all things considered, they do not have enough to fuel the destroyers that would make the run to Port Moresby.
There are two tankers heading into the area, but it will still take a couple more weeks for them to get there. Until then, the cargo meant for Port Moresby is lining up on Northeastern Australia.
Other supplies are getting to these areas. A military cargo ship pulled into Townsend today, and another one will be pulling into Cairns tomorrow. This will give the soldiers there a boost in the supplies they need to defend the place. But neither of these ships carry fuel for the ships operating out of these ports.
For some reason, Australia seems unable to carry sufficient fuel to these ports by train. I would love to hear news of a train with a standard load of 100 railroad cars pulling into Townsend. But, I do not expect to hear such news.
A good piece of news is that the 7th Bomber Group will be arriving at Sydney tomorrow. This group uses LB-30 bombers, about the same as a B-24 liberator, meaning that they are good heavy bombers. Ultimately, they are due to arrive in India. My orders are for them to fly the rest of the way: Sydney -> northern Australia -> Bali -> India.
With luck, they will be in place before Japan starts its push to take over the rest of Burma.
China Reinforces Myitkyina
The bulk of the Chinese army has now reached Myitkyania and are prepared to hold the town from the Japanese. A little over 25,000 Chinese troops are currently digging in at Myitkyina, and another 10,000 are due to arrive at the city over the course of the next week.
I’m a bit tired tonight. I think I may be coming down with another flu.
I am growing concerned about the location of the Japanese carriers. It has been quite a while since we had even a hint of where they are, I am worried that they may pop up unexpectedly.
One of the options that I am preparing for is that they sailed past Java and are heading into the Indian Ocean, with plans to attack the British fleet at Ceylon. With all of the open ocean, it is possible for the Japanese to approach the island without being seen. General Pownall is going to start making plans to make sure that there are no allied ships at Ceylon for Japan to sink.
There is one major drawback to this plan. The British carrier force is escorting a huge convoy of supplies to Columbo. Just my luck, the Japanese will arrive while the supply convoy is in port and vulnerable.
Like I said, I am not feeling well this evening, and this will be it for now.
Until tomorrow.
Thayne [/font]
RE: Friday, February 6, 1942
From: General D MacArthur
Supreme commander Allied Forces
Southwest Pacific Command
Brisbane
To: Secretary Ethan "Thayne" Lynde
Sir,
I am being forced to fight this war not against one but seemingly two enemies. The first enemy is plain to see, he is small, yellow and tends to yell "Banzai" when attacking.
The second enemy is so what harder to spot but is just as effective, this enemy fights against my war effort using bundles of papers and paper clips, endless banal requests, and does little to send me what I need when I need it.
Mr Lynde, can you not find some other way to get me the troops and supplies that I need and kill of this second paper "enemy" that is slowly strangling my war !
Gen Douglas MacArthur
Commanding.
SWPAC
Supreme commander Allied Forces
Southwest Pacific Command
Brisbane
To: Secretary Ethan "Thayne" Lynde
Sir,
I am being forced to fight this war not against one but seemingly two enemies. The first enemy is plain to see, he is small, yellow and tends to yell "Banzai" when attacking.
The second enemy is so what harder to spot but is just as effective, this enemy fights against my war effort using bundles of papers and paper clips, endless banal requests, and does little to send me what I need when I need it.
Mr Lynde, can you not find some other way to get me the troops and supplies that I need and kill of this second paper "enemy" that is slowly strangling my war !
Gen Douglas MacArthur
Commanding.
SWPAC
Never argue with an idiot, he will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Saturday, February 7, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Saturday, February 7, 1942
Henry:
• Dutch Launch Fruitless Attack Against Jap Shipping
• US, Japan Each Suffer Sub Damage
• Chinese AVG Hunts Jap Airplanes
• Reinforcements for Next Week (including CV Hornet on Wednesday)
• Baker Island Reinforced in 2 Days
Active Air War in Java
• Dutch Air Losses: 12x Brewster 339D
General Wavell ordered strikes against the Japanese ships at Batavia today. The Dutch air force is really putting their heart into this war, but they are getting very little to show for their efforts. The two attacks today cost them twelve fighters. All of the bombers got through and made runs on their targets. However, no hits were scored. The loss of twelve fighters came to nothing.
Actually, half of those fighters were lost trying to defend Soerabaja from a Japanese air attack. The Japs put 50 bombers and 20 fighters into the raid. The fighters were Zeros from F2/Yamada Daitai, while the bombers were Sallys from the 60th, 62nd, and 98th Sentai – or so the people at G2 tell me. The Japanese actually did very little damage.
This, by the way, brings up an issue that has been on my mind recently. In the recent air battle for Mandalay, I heard a report of one of the fighter squadron leaders complaining, “Why are we getting ourselves shot up? We are losing far more in fighters than we are saving in protecting the ground targets.” The comment was sparked by the fact that the string of Japanese raids against Mandalay produced almost no damage to ground targets.
So, I have been thinking, maybe we have been foolish trying to intercept Japanese bombing raids? Billy Mitchell said that airplanes are not defensive weapons, they are inherently offensive weapons. So, maybe we should be focusing more on hitting Japanese targets, than defending Allied targets?
General Wavell actually brought up this same point. He wants to use his Dutch air force to attack Japanese targets. He has stated that he is shifting his focus with respect to air power to the offense.
US. Japan Exchange Blows in Sub War
If the reports are to be believed, the U.S. and Japan each suffered damage to one of its subs yesterday.
American destroyers caught a Japanese submarine southwest of the big island of Hawaii yesterday. The destroyers were escorting elements of South Pacific Headquarters to Pago Pago when the screening force made contact with the enemy submarine. There was no sign that the Japanese ship suffered any serious damage, though two of the destroyers reported that they had a strong contact when they dropped their charges.
The American submarine SS Trembar took a hit from Japanese depth charge attack west of Makin Island. Only one depth charge actually hit the submarine, but it did significant damage – rolling off of the deck and exploding just off the side of the boat. The captain reports that the submarine lost approximately half of its crew when the galley and forward sleeping chambers were flooded. It can still maneuver, and is heading back to Palmyra.
AVG Starts Hunting for Japanese Airplanes
The AVG in China has started to hunt for Japanese airplanes. China is the one place where Japan is not putting up much of a fight in the air. The AVG has been stationed in southern China for over a month now, and has not been able to engage any Japanese airplanes except for the Great Nate Massacre in the end of December.
So, they are venturing out to places like Canton and Haiphong Harbor (near Hanoi, Indochina). The Chinese air force ran another bombing mission against Nanning. Neither their fighters nor their bombers have the capacity to reach the Japanese air bases.
The hunt proved fruitless. There were no Japanese airplanes at Canton to attack. The AVG strafed the airfield a bit, then flew back. Tomorrow, they will try Haiphong. If they fail to draw the Japanese airforce out, they may focus their efforts on more strategic targets instead.
Absent Japanese Carriers Causing Concern
There is still no sign of the Japanese carriers as TF1295 approaches Baker Island. The island has been visited by a Japanese light cruiser from time to time as well. That cruiser probably has a destroyer escort, and might precipitate a surface engagement as the destroyers seek to unload their cargo.
The absence of the Japanese carriers does concern me. I look at the map and wonder where the Japanese may be that they could stay hidden so long. The two targets that come to mind are the shipping lanes from the United States to Hawaii, and Ceylon in the Indian Ocean. Japan can reach both of these targets without us knowing about it.
I am particularly worried about TF1221. This task force contains two badly damaged battleships, BBs West Virginia and Tennessee. The decision was made to move these ships to San Francisco to free up dock space at Pearl Harbor for the carriers Saratoga and Enterprise. Saratoga, recall, was hit by a torpedo at Pago Pago, and Enterprise suffered damage when one of its planes crash-landed on the deck.
BB Maryland is the only remaining Pearl Harbor Day battleship still at Pearl Harbor. Its damage is still too extensive to get the ship to the United States.
Columbo, Ceylon remains vulnerable, with several ships in port. A major Japanese air strike here could do significant damage. As a result, General Pownall has ordered most of the fleet back to Bombay and Karachi, including the carriers Hermes and Indominatable.
Half way up the west coast of India, a new supply convoy is gathering at Penaji. Discussions are under way as to whether to risk sending this convoy all the way to Diamond Harbor. Diamond Harbor has a huge stockpile of supplies, so these reinforcements are not strictly needed. However, it can be argued that it is better to have supplies near the battle lines than to struggle to bring up the supplies later. The problem is, Japan has demonstrated that Diamond Harbor is under its air umbrella.
Reinforcements for Next Week
I would like to go back to the days when my reinforcement list was much longer. I guess, however, that that is out of the question. According to the Navy Department, CV Hornet will be ready for service on Wednesday. That will be a big help.
Sunday, February 8, 1942
• 11 Squadron (12x Blenheim IV) – Madras, India
Monday, February 9, 1942
• BB Resolution at Karachi
• DD Nizam at Karachi
Tuesday, February 10, 1942
• CV Hornet at San Francisco
• TK Mexicos H. Whittier at San Francisco
Wednesday, February 11, 1942
• APDs Manley, McKean at San Francisco
Thursday, February 12, 1942
• DD O’Brien at San Francisco
• Ss S-46 at San Diego
Friday, February 13, 1942
• 22nd Bomber Group (64x B-26B), at Los Angeles for Australia
• DD Decoy at Karachi
• AV Pocomoke at San Francisco
Saturday, February 14, 1942
None
Sincerely,
Thayne[/font]
Henry:
• Dutch Launch Fruitless Attack Against Jap Shipping
• US, Japan Each Suffer Sub Damage
• Chinese AVG Hunts Jap Airplanes
• Reinforcements for Next Week (including CV Hornet on Wednesday)
• Baker Island Reinforced in 2 Days
Active Air War in Java
• Dutch Air Losses: 12x Brewster 339D
General Wavell ordered strikes against the Japanese ships at Batavia today. The Dutch air force is really putting their heart into this war, but they are getting very little to show for their efforts. The two attacks today cost them twelve fighters. All of the bombers got through and made runs on their targets. However, no hits were scored. The loss of twelve fighters came to nothing.
Actually, half of those fighters were lost trying to defend Soerabaja from a Japanese air attack. The Japs put 50 bombers and 20 fighters into the raid. The fighters were Zeros from F2/Yamada Daitai, while the bombers were Sallys from the 60th, 62nd, and 98th Sentai – or so the people at G2 tell me. The Japanese actually did very little damage.
This, by the way, brings up an issue that has been on my mind recently. In the recent air battle for Mandalay, I heard a report of one of the fighter squadron leaders complaining, “Why are we getting ourselves shot up? We are losing far more in fighters than we are saving in protecting the ground targets.” The comment was sparked by the fact that the string of Japanese raids against Mandalay produced almost no damage to ground targets.
So, I have been thinking, maybe we have been foolish trying to intercept Japanese bombing raids? Billy Mitchell said that airplanes are not defensive weapons, they are inherently offensive weapons. So, maybe we should be focusing more on hitting Japanese targets, than defending Allied targets?
General Wavell actually brought up this same point. He wants to use his Dutch air force to attack Japanese targets. He has stated that he is shifting his focus with respect to air power to the offense.
US. Japan Exchange Blows in Sub War
If the reports are to be believed, the U.S. and Japan each suffered damage to one of its subs yesterday.
American destroyers caught a Japanese submarine southwest of the big island of Hawaii yesterday. The destroyers were escorting elements of South Pacific Headquarters to Pago Pago when the screening force made contact with the enemy submarine. There was no sign that the Japanese ship suffered any serious damage, though two of the destroyers reported that they had a strong contact when they dropped their charges.
The American submarine SS Trembar took a hit from Japanese depth charge attack west of Makin Island. Only one depth charge actually hit the submarine, but it did significant damage – rolling off of the deck and exploding just off the side of the boat. The captain reports that the submarine lost approximately half of its crew when the galley and forward sleeping chambers were flooded. It can still maneuver, and is heading back to Palmyra.
AVG Starts Hunting for Japanese Airplanes
The AVG in China has started to hunt for Japanese airplanes. China is the one place where Japan is not putting up much of a fight in the air. The AVG has been stationed in southern China for over a month now, and has not been able to engage any Japanese airplanes except for the Great Nate Massacre in the end of December.
So, they are venturing out to places like Canton and Haiphong Harbor (near Hanoi, Indochina). The Chinese air force ran another bombing mission against Nanning. Neither their fighters nor their bombers have the capacity to reach the Japanese air bases.
The hunt proved fruitless. There were no Japanese airplanes at Canton to attack. The AVG strafed the airfield a bit, then flew back. Tomorrow, they will try Haiphong. If they fail to draw the Japanese airforce out, they may focus their efforts on more strategic targets instead.
Absent Japanese Carriers Causing Concern
There is still no sign of the Japanese carriers as TF1295 approaches Baker Island. The island has been visited by a Japanese light cruiser from time to time as well. That cruiser probably has a destroyer escort, and might precipitate a surface engagement as the destroyers seek to unload their cargo.
The absence of the Japanese carriers does concern me. I look at the map and wonder where the Japanese may be that they could stay hidden so long. The two targets that come to mind are the shipping lanes from the United States to Hawaii, and Ceylon in the Indian Ocean. Japan can reach both of these targets without us knowing about it.
I am particularly worried about TF1221. This task force contains two badly damaged battleships, BBs West Virginia and Tennessee. The decision was made to move these ships to San Francisco to free up dock space at Pearl Harbor for the carriers Saratoga and Enterprise. Saratoga, recall, was hit by a torpedo at Pago Pago, and Enterprise suffered damage when one of its planes crash-landed on the deck.
BB Maryland is the only remaining Pearl Harbor Day battleship still at Pearl Harbor. Its damage is still too extensive to get the ship to the United States.
Columbo, Ceylon remains vulnerable, with several ships in port. A major Japanese air strike here could do significant damage. As a result, General Pownall has ordered most of the fleet back to Bombay and Karachi, including the carriers Hermes and Indominatable.
Half way up the west coast of India, a new supply convoy is gathering at Penaji. Discussions are under way as to whether to risk sending this convoy all the way to Diamond Harbor. Diamond Harbor has a huge stockpile of supplies, so these reinforcements are not strictly needed. However, it can be argued that it is better to have supplies near the battle lines than to struggle to bring up the supplies later. The problem is, Japan has demonstrated that Diamond Harbor is under its air umbrella.
Reinforcements for Next Week
I would like to go back to the days when my reinforcement list was much longer. I guess, however, that that is out of the question. According to the Navy Department, CV Hornet will be ready for service on Wednesday. That will be a big help.
Sunday, February 8, 1942
• 11 Squadron (12x Blenheim IV) – Madras, India
Monday, February 9, 1942
• BB Resolution at Karachi
• DD Nizam at Karachi
Tuesday, February 10, 1942
• CV Hornet at San Francisco
• TK Mexicos H. Whittier at San Francisco
Wednesday, February 11, 1942
• APDs Manley, McKean at San Francisco
Thursday, February 12, 1942
• DD O’Brien at San Francisco
• Ss S-46 at San Diego
Friday, February 13, 1942
• 22nd Bomber Group (64x B-26B), at Los Angeles for Australia
• DD Decoy at Karachi
• AV Pocomoke at San Francisco
Saturday, February 14, 1942
None
Sincerely,
Thayne[/font]
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Sunday, February 8, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Sunday, February 8, 1942
Weekly Summary
Henry:
Just in case you are sharing this with somebody who has not been able to keep track of events to date, I offer my ninth weekly summary. This should give you an idea of what is going on in the war as a whole.
Losses
Naval Losses: 31 Ships
• BC Repulse
• CAs: Houston, New Orleans
• CLs: Du Ruyter, Danae, Tromp*
• DDs: Panther, Flusser*, Lawrence*
• PGs: Isabel, Asheville
• SSs: S-38, KXV
• ASs: Otus, Canopus
• MSW Penguin
• PTs: PT-21, PT-31, PT-32, PT-34, TM-13, TM-14, TM-15
• AP President Madison
• AKs: Steel Voyager, Taurus, Empire Elk; Governor Wright*; Idaho*
• TKs: Gertrude Kellogg, Manataway
* represents a newly sunk ships
Air Losses: 1043 Planes - 115 in the last week
• 474 planes shot down (+86)
• 388 planes destroyed on the ground (+6)
• 25 planes destroyed by flak (+2)
• 156 planes lost due to accident and wear (+11)
Top 20 Air Losses by Type
• 141x P-40B Tomahawk (+9)
• 102x Buffalo
• 72x P-40E Warhawk (+4)
• 69x Hurricane (+13)
• 60x Brewster 339D (+23)
• 56x Whirraway (+27)
• 43x PBY Catalina
• 38x Hudson (+1)
• 37x SB-2c (+9)
• 35x Martin 139 (+1)
• 28x Blenheim IV
• 27x P-36A Mohawk
• 24x P-26A
• 24x Blenheim I
• 19x F4F-3
• 18x P-35A
• 18x Vildebeast IV
• 18x PBY Catelinas (+1)
• 17x CW-21B Demon
• 17x B-17E fortress (new to list)
Today’s score: 32:1. Japan shot down 32 allied airplanes, losing one on airplane to air –to-air combat. Half of these losses where caused when Japanese Zeros ambushed Chinese planes attacking Nanning. Recognizing that the AVG was no longer covering these units, Japanese planes swept down and destroyed 15 Chinese planes.
There is no way to view this development other than as a military blunder on our part. The view was that Japan did not care about the Chinese war and was committing its air units elsewhere. Complacency cost us these 15 planes.
The other losses were largely inflicted on units attempting to defend Port Moresby and Soerabaja. Again, the Japanese Zero escort had little trouble dealing with the defenders. Discussion that we are going to give up trying to defend our bases and use our airplanes primarily for offensive action is growing louder.
Damage Inflicted
The Dutch air force was able to muster hits against two Japanese minesweepers in Batavia – sinking one, and a Japanese submarine southwest of the big island of Hawaii, that probably survived.
Other than that, we still have not been able to do much.
(I get tired of saying this, but it is true.)
North Pacific
We still have not seen any Japanese here. Defenses include:
• MSW Oriole is completing another patrol heading southwest out of Kiska Island. No Japanese spotted. I am wondering about the feasibility of sending some carriers up there.
• AVD Gilles and VP-41 (patrol planes) at Amchikita
• Dutch Harbor has 6,500 troops, but none of them are combat troops. It is also the home of the 11th Air Force HQ, with the 18th fighter squadron. Elements of the 4th USA Regimental Combat Team have loaded onto AP St. Mihel at Anchorage and will be sailing to Dutch Harbor. AP Royal T. Frank is due at Dutch Harbor in three days to set up the North Pacific Headquarters at Dutch Harbor.
• Kodiak has 15,000 troops. The 37th USA Regimental Combat Team arrived at Kodiak in the past week as reinforcements. The 111th Aviation Regiment is also stationed here, along with the 36th and 73rd Bomber Squadrons.
• Anchorage has 8,500 troops. This number is being diminished as troops move forward to Dutch Harbor and Kodiak.
Central Pacific
• Midway: Midway received additional reinforcements in the past week. The island is now as secure as its small size will allow. The most recent units to arrive on the island were the 161st Regimental Combat Team and 217th Coast AA Regiment. Midway is also hosting VB-6, VF-6, and VT-6 while CV Enterprise undergoes refit and repairs at Pearl Harbor.
• Leysaw Island: Construction of an emergency airstrip is going more slowly than expected. I will be happy to see the base finished by March.
• French Frigate Shoals: This island now contains a crude airstrip and port. AV Tangier is servicing VP-21 at this island, and the base is protected by the 205th USA Coastal Anti-Aircraft Regiment, which is about all of the combat troops this little island can hold.
• Baker Island: This island has now been occupied by 1000 soldiers belonging to the 40th USA Infantry Division, and is being supplied by VMR-252 (16x C-47) flying daily out of Canton Island. TF1295 (consisting of 5 destroyers) is on its way with elements of the 115th USAAF Base Force. Once these units arrive later this week, we hope to move VMF-221 to the island to help protect it.
South Pacific
• Canton Island: To reduce overcrowding on this island, AP Ruth Alexander and AP Zeilin are pulling units off that were originally destined for Samoa. AP Ruth Alexander holds 2,000 troops destined for American Samoa, while AP Zeilin will move a third of the Marine division on Canton Island to British Samoa (a.k.a. Upula).
• American Samoa (Pago Pago): The South Pacific Headquarters is now stationed on this island. It is also the home of VF-3, VB-3, and VT-3 from CV Saratoga while that ship is at Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs. 2,000 marines from 2nd USMC Division are due to arrive within the next couple of days. American Samoa is also the home of a South Pacific fleet built around the battleship Colorado.
• Tongatapu: This island is currently the home of the 2nd USMC Parachute Battalion and the 42nd Bomber Group responsible for suppressing Japanese submarine activity from Samoa to Fiji.
• Fiji: This island is the responsibility of New Zealand, who has 16,000 troops stationed here.
• New Caledonia: Remains substantially ungarrisoned. The 102nd USA Regimental Combat Team is on its way, but it will take over a month to arrive. General Patch’s make shift “Americal Division” will be ready to load onto transports in one week. CV Yorktown and CV Lexington are on their way here to help to defend Australia. Also, Nimitz wants to run a raid against Japanese shipping from this area.
Southwest Pacific
• Port Moresby: This is the focus of attention in this front. At present, Port Moresby has a little less than 6,000 troops. No additional reinforcements can reach the port because Japanese airplanes control the skies, and there is no fuel on the northeastern coast of Australia to run an emergency transport.
AK Governor Wright was sunk by Japanese planes as it attempted to deliver supplies to the island. Only a small amount of its cargo was unloaded before the ship sank.
Air units at Port Moresby are regularly being rotated with air units in northeastern Australia. 56x Whirraway Fighters have now been shot down in the defense of the city in two weeks, with little to show for the effort in terms of Japanese losses. These facts are being weighed in considering a new air plan which will be substantially more offensive and less defensive.
• Northeastern Australia: Units that MacArthur wants moved to Port Moresby are being assembled here. Most of the 30th Australian Brigade is at Cairns, and the rest of the unit will arrive before the end of the week. The 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion is a few days behind them. The two units will be dropped off at Cairns until they can be transported to Port Moresby.
(a) There are two tankers on their way with much needed fuel for the ships, but they will not be here for at least another two weeks – assuming that they are not sunk en route.
(b) In addition, three oil tankers will be entering Sydney Harbor in about three days. Much of this can be processed into shipping fuel. However, the refining process will take some time.
(c) Finally, a smaller tanker is bringing fuel that the Dutch had stored at Perth to the east coast of Australia. AO Pecos is about 8-days away from Sydney. However, this fuel will still have to make the additional trop to northeastern Australia to be useful.
The fact that we do not know where the Japanese carriers are leaves open the threat that they may enter the seas east of Australia in order to block the supply lines. Most shipping is heading south to Sydney, rather than using the shorter northern route to Brisbane. This is one of the reasons for the delay in getting supplies to Australia.
ABDA Command
• Dutch Navy Disbanded: The loss of three more cruisers (1 sunk, 2 damaged) near Darwin resulted in a decision to disband the allied navy in the region. The ships are ordered to return to Darwin for fuel, then to make their way to safer ports. It has been decided to go for the port at Perth, given that the Japanese air force has shown significant strength in the area around Port Moresby.
• Sumatra: Japan still controls every port on the northeast side of the island. All ports on the southwest side remain in allied hands for now. The nearby island of Bangka is also now entirely under the control of the Japanese. (Reminder: I use geographical north and south in my reports, as opposed to map-relative north and south).
• Borneo: Japan controls all but three minor bases that have no garrison.
• Sulawesi: Japan has so far only taken control of two regions; the northeast corner around Menado and the southeast corner around Kendari.
• Java: Japan has taken control of the western half of the island. Dutch air forces have been going after Japanese shipping at Batavia, but have so far succeeded only in sinking one minesweeper and damaging another.
• Eastern Islands: Japan has taken control of Amboina after a long fight (much longer than I expected).
Burma
The battle for Burma is beginning. Today, intelligence reports that several Japanese units have left Rangoon, marching north along the railroad. I have been instructed by the British to move the units out of Burma, rather than have another force cut off and eliminated. I am working with General Pownall for an orderly withdraw. However, General Chang Kai Shek would be most unhappy if he heard about the British plans to abandon Burma. China contributed the use of its nine “divisions” specifically because of its own self-interest in preserving the flow of supplies to China.
• Myitkyina: Almost all of the Chinese “Divisions” due to arrive at Myitkyina are now there. The rest will arrive well before the Japanese can fight their way this far north. The Chinese plan on making every attempt to hold this city as long as possible.
• Mandalay: An attempt last week to ambush Japanese airplanes at Mandalay resulted in a number of Japanese casualties. However, the allies ended up losing P-40 aircraft that are in short supply and cannot be replaced. At the moment, Japan is capable of rebuilding its air force better than we are. 35,000 troops sit at Mandalay. However, the 100-plane air force that had been stationed at the base has been forced to withdraw due to overwhelming Japanese air superiority. The AVG units have moved back to China, while the remaining British and American fighter squadrons are now protecting the airfields in northeastern India around Calcutta.
India
• Ceylon: The 18th UK Division is now in Columbo, Ceylon. The 26th Indian Division and the 28th UK FA Regiment have moved from Columbo to Trimcomalee. The air force at Ceylon has also been boosted, mostly by planes operating against Japanese submarines since the sinking of a British freighter last week.
• Dacca: Dacca has become a major air base. It is protected from naval bombardment (inland), and is large enough to maintain the B-17s that are now flying against Burma.
• Bomber Reinforcements: Two bomber groups are headed towards India. The 7th Bomber Group, flying LB-30 four-engine heavy bombers, was unloaded at Sydney yesterday. Crews will put the planes together, then fly them to Bali, and from Bali to India, where they will join with the 4-engine bombers already flying out of India. The 12th Bomber Group (48x B-18A Bolo) will arrive in Columbo by the end of the week. These short-range bombers will move to northern India where they will be able to participate in the battle for Burma which has just started.
China
Chang Kai Shek is continuing to refuse to challenge the Japanese. He retreats wherever Japan puts on a show of strength. Japan has now cleared out most of the Shanghai-Hanoi railroad, capturing the towns of Changsha, Hengchow, Kweilin, and Wuchow, largely without a fight.
This does mean that the Chinese army has withdrawn substantially intact.
Philippines
The Japanese have cornered the Allied army at Bataan. The Allies are trapped with almost no supplies left. I do not expect them to be able to hold out past the middle of the month, and would actually be surprised if they are still there past February 10th, mostly because of the lack of supplies. It was not possible to get the supplies out of Clark AFB before Japan overran the base.
This is how the month of February starts.
Thayne[/font]
Weekly Summary
Henry:
Just in case you are sharing this with somebody who has not been able to keep track of events to date, I offer my ninth weekly summary. This should give you an idea of what is going on in the war as a whole.
Losses
Naval Losses: 31 Ships
• BC Repulse
• CAs: Houston, New Orleans
• CLs: Du Ruyter, Danae, Tromp*
• DDs: Panther, Flusser*, Lawrence*
• PGs: Isabel, Asheville
• SSs: S-38, KXV
• ASs: Otus, Canopus
• MSW Penguin
• PTs: PT-21, PT-31, PT-32, PT-34, TM-13, TM-14, TM-15
• AP President Madison
• AKs: Steel Voyager, Taurus, Empire Elk; Governor Wright*; Idaho*
• TKs: Gertrude Kellogg, Manataway
* represents a newly sunk ships
Air Losses: 1043 Planes - 115 in the last week
• 474 planes shot down (+86)
• 388 planes destroyed on the ground (+6)
• 25 planes destroyed by flak (+2)
• 156 planes lost due to accident and wear (+11)
Top 20 Air Losses by Type
• 141x P-40B Tomahawk (+9)
• 102x Buffalo
• 72x P-40E Warhawk (+4)
• 69x Hurricane (+13)
• 60x Brewster 339D (+23)
• 56x Whirraway (+27)
• 43x PBY Catalina
• 38x Hudson (+1)
• 37x SB-2c (+9)
• 35x Martin 139 (+1)
• 28x Blenheim IV
• 27x P-36A Mohawk
• 24x P-26A
• 24x Blenheim I
• 19x F4F-3
• 18x P-35A
• 18x Vildebeast IV
• 18x PBY Catelinas (+1)
• 17x CW-21B Demon
• 17x B-17E fortress (new to list)
Today’s score: 32:1. Japan shot down 32 allied airplanes, losing one on airplane to air –to-air combat. Half of these losses where caused when Japanese Zeros ambushed Chinese planes attacking Nanning. Recognizing that the AVG was no longer covering these units, Japanese planes swept down and destroyed 15 Chinese planes.
There is no way to view this development other than as a military blunder on our part. The view was that Japan did not care about the Chinese war and was committing its air units elsewhere. Complacency cost us these 15 planes.
The other losses were largely inflicted on units attempting to defend Port Moresby and Soerabaja. Again, the Japanese Zero escort had little trouble dealing with the defenders. Discussion that we are going to give up trying to defend our bases and use our airplanes primarily for offensive action is growing louder.
Damage Inflicted
The Dutch air force was able to muster hits against two Japanese minesweepers in Batavia – sinking one, and a Japanese submarine southwest of the big island of Hawaii, that probably survived.
Other than that, we still have not been able to do much.
(I get tired of saying this, but it is true.)
North Pacific
We still have not seen any Japanese here. Defenses include:
• MSW Oriole is completing another patrol heading southwest out of Kiska Island. No Japanese spotted. I am wondering about the feasibility of sending some carriers up there.
• AVD Gilles and VP-41 (patrol planes) at Amchikita
• Dutch Harbor has 6,500 troops, but none of them are combat troops. It is also the home of the 11th Air Force HQ, with the 18th fighter squadron. Elements of the 4th USA Regimental Combat Team have loaded onto AP St. Mihel at Anchorage and will be sailing to Dutch Harbor. AP Royal T. Frank is due at Dutch Harbor in three days to set up the North Pacific Headquarters at Dutch Harbor.
• Kodiak has 15,000 troops. The 37th USA Regimental Combat Team arrived at Kodiak in the past week as reinforcements. The 111th Aviation Regiment is also stationed here, along with the 36th and 73rd Bomber Squadrons.
• Anchorage has 8,500 troops. This number is being diminished as troops move forward to Dutch Harbor and Kodiak.
Central Pacific
• Midway: Midway received additional reinforcements in the past week. The island is now as secure as its small size will allow. The most recent units to arrive on the island were the 161st Regimental Combat Team and 217th Coast AA Regiment. Midway is also hosting VB-6, VF-6, and VT-6 while CV Enterprise undergoes refit and repairs at Pearl Harbor.
• Leysaw Island: Construction of an emergency airstrip is going more slowly than expected. I will be happy to see the base finished by March.
• French Frigate Shoals: This island now contains a crude airstrip and port. AV Tangier is servicing VP-21 at this island, and the base is protected by the 205th USA Coastal Anti-Aircraft Regiment, which is about all of the combat troops this little island can hold.
• Baker Island: This island has now been occupied by 1000 soldiers belonging to the 40th USA Infantry Division, and is being supplied by VMR-252 (16x C-47) flying daily out of Canton Island. TF1295 (consisting of 5 destroyers) is on its way with elements of the 115th USAAF Base Force. Once these units arrive later this week, we hope to move VMF-221 to the island to help protect it.
South Pacific
• Canton Island: To reduce overcrowding on this island, AP Ruth Alexander and AP Zeilin are pulling units off that were originally destined for Samoa. AP Ruth Alexander holds 2,000 troops destined for American Samoa, while AP Zeilin will move a third of the Marine division on Canton Island to British Samoa (a.k.a. Upula).
• American Samoa (Pago Pago): The South Pacific Headquarters is now stationed on this island. It is also the home of VF-3, VB-3, and VT-3 from CV Saratoga while that ship is at Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs. 2,000 marines from 2nd USMC Division are due to arrive within the next couple of days. American Samoa is also the home of a South Pacific fleet built around the battleship Colorado.
• Tongatapu: This island is currently the home of the 2nd USMC Parachute Battalion and the 42nd Bomber Group responsible for suppressing Japanese submarine activity from Samoa to Fiji.
• Fiji: This island is the responsibility of New Zealand, who has 16,000 troops stationed here.
• New Caledonia: Remains substantially ungarrisoned. The 102nd USA Regimental Combat Team is on its way, but it will take over a month to arrive. General Patch’s make shift “Americal Division” will be ready to load onto transports in one week. CV Yorktown and CV Lexington are on their way here to help to defend Australia. Also, Nimitz wants to run a raid against Japanese shipping from this area.
Southwest Pacific
• Port Moresby: This is the focus of attention in this front. At present, Port Moresby has a little less than 6,000 troops. No additional reinforcements can reach the port because Japanese airplanes control the skies, and there is no fuel on the northeastern coast of Australia to run an emergency transport.
AK Governor Wright was sunk by Japanese planes as it attempted to deliver supplies to the island. Only a small amount of its cargo was unloaded before the ship sank.
Air units at Port Moresby are regularly being rotated with air units in northeastern Australia. 56x Whirraway Fighters have now been shot down in the defense of the city in two weeks, with little to show for the effort in terms of Japanese losses. These facts are being weighed in considering a new air plan which will be substantially more offensive and less defensive.
• Northeastern Australia: Units that MacArthur wants moved to Port Moresby are being assembled here. Most of the 30th Australian Brigade is at Cairns, and the rest of the unit will arrive before the end of the week. The 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion is a few days behind them. The two units will be dropped off at Cairns until they can be transported to Port Moresby.
(a) There are two tankers on their way with much needed fuel for the ships, but they will not be here for at least another two weeks – assuming that they are not sunk en route.
(b) In addition, three oil tankers will be entering Sydney Harbor in about three days. Much of this can be processed into shipping fuel. However, the refining process will take some time.
(c) Finally, a smaller tanker is bringing fuel that the Dutch had stored at Perth to the east coast of Australia. AO Pecos is about 8-days away from Sydney. However, this fuel will still have to make the additional trop to northeastern Australia to be useful.
The fact that we do not know where the Japanese carriers are leaves open the threat that they may enter the seas east of Australia in order to block the supply lines. Most shipping is heading south to Sydney, rather than using the shorter northern route to Brisbane. This is one of the reasons for the delay in getting supplies to Australia.
ABDA Command
• Dutch Navy Disbanded: The loss of three more cruisers (1 sunk, 2 damaged) near Darwin resulted in a decision to disband the allied navy in the region. The ships are ordered to return to Darwin for fuel, then to make their way to safer ports. It has been decided to go for the port at Perth, given that the Japanese air force has shown significant strength in the area around Port Moresby.
• Sumatra: Japan still controls every port on the northeast side of the island. All ports on the southwest side remain in allied hands for now. The nearby island of Bangka is also now entirely under the control of the Japanese. (Reminder: I use geographical north and south in my reports, as opposed to map-relative north and south).
• Borneo: Japan controls all but three minor bases that have no garrison.
• Sulawesi: Japan has so far only taken control of two regions; the northeast corner around Menado and the southeast corner around Kendari.
• Java: Japan has taken control of the western half of the island. Dutch air forces have been going after Japanese shipping at Batavia, but have so far succeeded only in sinking one minesweeper and damaging another.
• Eastern Islands: Japan has taken control of Amboina after a long fight (much longer than I expected).
Burma
The battle for Burma is beginning. Today, intelligence reports that several Japanese units have left Rangoon, marching north along the railroad. I have been instructed by the British to move the units out of Burma, rather than have another force cut off and eliminated. I am working with General Pownall for an orderly withdraw. However, General Chang Kai Shek would be most unhappy if he heard about the British plans to abandon Burma. China contributed the use of its nine “divisions” specifically because of its own self-interest in preserving the flow of supplies to China.
• Myitkyina: Almost all of the Chinese “Divisions” due to arrive at Myitkyina are now there. The rest will arrive well before the Japanese can fight their way this far north. The Chinese plan on making every attempt to hold this city as long as possible.
• Mandalay: An attempt last week to ambush Japanese airplanes at Mandalay resulted in a number of Japanese casualties. However, the allies ended up losing P-40 aircraft that are in short supply and cannot be replaced. At the moment, Japan is capable of rebuilding its air force better than we are. 35,000 troops sit at Mandalay. However, the 100-plane air force that had been stationed at the base has been forced to withdraw due to overwhelming Japanese air superiority. The AVG units have moved back to China, while the remaining British and American fighter squadrons are now protecting the airfields in northeastern India around Calcutta.
India
• Ceylon: The 18th UK Division is now in Columbo, Ceylon. The 26th Indian Division and the 28th UK FA Regiment have moved from Columbo to Trimcomalee. The air force at Ceylon has also been boosted, mostly by planes operating against Japanese submarines since the sinking of a British freighter last week.
• Dacca: Dacca has become a major air base. It is protected from naval bombardment (inland), and is large enough to maintain the B-17s that are now flying against Burma.
• Bomber Reinforcements: Two bomber groups are headed towards India. The 7th Bomber Group, flying LB-30 four-engine heavy bombers, was unloaded at Sydney yesterday. Crews will put the planes together, then fly them to Bali, and from Bali to India, where they will join with the 4-engine bombers already flying out of India. The 12th Bomber Group (48x B-18A Bolo) will arrive in Columbo by the end of the week. These short-range bombers will move to northern India where they will be able to participate in the battle for Burma which has just started.
China
Chang Kai Shek is continuing to refuse to challenge the Japanese. He retreats wherever Japan puts on a show of strength. Japan has now cleared out most of the Shanghai-Hanoi railroad, capturing the towns of Changsha, Hengchow, Kweilin, and Wuchow, largely without a fight.
This does mean that the Chinese army has withdrawn substantially intact.
Philippines
The Japanese have cornered the Allied army at Bataan. The Allies are trapped with almost no supplies left. I do not expect them to be able to hold out past the middle of the month, and would actually be surprised if they are still there past February 10th, mostly because of the lack of supplies. It was not possible to get the supplies out of Clark AFB before Japan overran the base.
This is how the month of February starts.
Thayne[/font]
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- 19420208B..rIsland.jpg (23.89 KiB) Viewed 54 times
Monday, February 9, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Monday, February 9, 1942
Henry
Philippines Lost
There is no surprise in today’s announcement that the Philippine Army surrendered today. They had no supplies left. Japan could have taken the troops days ago if they had pushed their advantage. I am surprised that the defenders had held up as long as they did.
The victory will free up yet another 135,000 Japanese soldiers – the approximate number of troops that participated in the final assault. I have no idea where we will see them next.
The troops to be looking out for are:
• 4th, 16th, 38th, and 48th Divisions
• 56th, 65th Brigade
• 4th, 7th, and 8th Tank Regiments
• 15th Mortar Battalion
• 1st, 3rd, 21st Engineer Regiment
• 1st, 8th, and 17th Heavy Artillery Regiment
• 12th, 36th, 37th, 61st Construction Battalion
• 38th Road Construction Battalion
Japan has already launched a major offensive in Burma. I doubt that they will need reinforcements there. The assault in Java is also going Japan’s way. Their invading army outnumbers the defenders by over three to one.
I have talked to General Pownell about the possibility that Japan will send these units to Ceylon. Another possible target is Port Moresby or the South Sea Islands. I have warned MacArthur to expect an assault on Port Moresby, and Nimitz to expect to have to defend the South Pacific.
Typical Day in the Air War
Today’s air war signified what the allies have suffered since the start of the war.
Japan launched a huge air raid against Soerabaja that went uncountered. The raid involved over 100 bombers. Most of them were Sallys belonging to the 60th, 62nd, and 98th Heavy Sentaies and the Betty Bombers of G1/Takao Daitai. They were escorted by a couple dozen Zero fighters. Wavell did not challenge the Japanese. Yet, the bombers did not do much damage. There was slight damage done to the runway, and little more.
Japan also attacked Port Moresby with 50 fighters and 20 Betty bombers. There were 15 Wirraway fighters defending the base, all of which were either damaged or destroyed.
The only air raid that we managed to launch yesterday was a small attack from Port Moresby to Buna, which did no significant damage.
Japan Moves Up Central Burma
The Japanese army has moved about 100 miles up into central Burma. The British army is not putting up much of a fight. General Brooke has commanded their orderly retreat from Burma rather than to have another unit lost.
I would have loved to have defended Mandalay. However, an examination of the geography around the city suggests that the Japanese would likely cut them off and prevent their retreat to India. To prevent their isolation, the units will retreat as Japan approaches the city.
Still, Chang Kai Shek is going to force the defense of Myitkyina. Some of the British and Indian units in Burma will join them there. The others shall retire to India, to Imphal and Kohima.
Baker Island Reinforced
Destroyer TF1295 deposited elements of the 115th USAAF Base Force on Baker Island. They were joined by the 18th Fighter Group. The reinforcements will help to solidify the defenses of the island.
Thayne[/font]
Henry
Philippines Lost
There is no surprise in today’s announcement that the Philippine Army surrendered today. They had no supplies left. Japan could have taken the troops days ago if they had pushed their advantage. I am surprised that the defenders had held up as long as they did.
The victory will free up yet another 135,000 Japanese soldiers – the approximate number of troops that participated in the final assault. I have no idea where we will see them next.
The troops to be looking out for are:
• 4th, 16th, 38th, and 48th Divisions
• 56th, 65th Brigade
• 4th, 7th, and 8th Tank Regiments
• 15th Mortar Battalion
• 1st, 3rd, 21st Engineer Regiment
• 1st, 8th, and 17th Heavy Artillery Regiment
• 12th, 36th, 37th, 61st Construction Battalion
• 38th Road Construction Battalion
Japan has already launched a major offensive in Burma. I doubt that they will need reinforcements there. The assault in Java is also going Japan’s way. Their invading army outnumbers the defenders by over three to one.
I have talked to General Pownell about the possibility that Japan will send these units to Ceylon. Another possible target is Port Moresby or the South Sea Islands. I have warned MacArthur to expect an assault on Port Moresby, and Nimitz to expect to have to defend the South Pacific.
Typical Day in the Air War
Today’s air war signified what the allies have suffered since the start of the war.
Japan launched a huge air raid against Soerabaja that went uncountered. The raid involved over 100 bombers. Most of them were Sallys belonging to the 60th, 62nd, and 98th Heavy Sentaies and the Betty Bombers of G1/Takao Daitai. They were escorted by a couple dozen Zero fighters. Wavell did not challenge the Japanese. Yet, the bombers did not do much damage. There was slight damage done to the runway, and little more.
Japan also attacked Port Moresby with 50 fighters and 20 Betty bombers. There were 15 Wirraway fighters defending the base, all of which were either damaged or destroyed.
The only air raid that we managed to launch yesterday was a small attack from Port Moresby to Buna, which did no significant damage.
Japan Moves Up Central Burma
The Japanese army has moved about 100 miles up into central Burma. The British army is not putting up much of a fight. General Brooke has commanded their orderly retreat from Burma rather than to have another unit lost.
I would have loved to have defended Mandalay. However, an examination of the geography around the city suggests that the Japanese would likely cut them off and prevent their retreat to India. To prevent their isolation, the units will retreat as Japan approaches the city.
Still, Chang Kai Shek is going to force the defense of Myitkyina. Some of the British and Indian units in Burma will join them there. The others shall retire to India, to Imphal and Kohima.
Baker Island Reinforced
Destroyer TF1295 deposited elements of the 115th USAAF Base Force on Baker Island. They were joined by the 18th Fighter Group. The reinforcements will help to solidify the defenses of the island.
Thayne[/font]
RE: Sunday, February 1, 1942
TO GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
FROM GENERAL ALAN BROOKE
RE RAAF SQNS IN INDIA
SITUATION CRITICAL ALL THREE SQNS ARE TO REMAIN IN INDIA UNTIL IT IS CLEAR WHERE THE MAIN JAPANESE STRIKE WILL LAND.
ONLY IF THE JAPANESE THREATEN THE AUSTRALIAN MAINLAND WILL THEY BE SENT TO AUSTRALIA.
6TH AND 7TH DIVISIONS ARE NOW EN ROUTE SYDNEY PLEASE ENSURE STRONG COVERING FORCE TO COVER LAST 1,000 NM
DESERT SITUATION STABILISING ROMMEL STOPPED AT GAZALA. 9TH DIVISION MAY BE RELEASED FROM MID EAST IF NEXT PUSH CONTAINED. DECISION WILL BE REVIEWED AT COMBINED COS 15TH MAY 1942
THIS HAS BEEN AGREED AT COMBINED CHIEFS OF STAFF.
ALAN BROOKE
FROM GENERAL ALAN BROOKE
RE RAAF SQNS IN INDIA
SITUATION CRITICAL ALL THREE SQNS ARE TO REMAIN IN INDIA UNTIL IT IS CLEAR WHERE THE MAIN JAPANESE STRIKE WILL LAND.
ONLY IF THE JAPANESE THREATEN THE AUSTRALIAN MAINLAND WILL THEY BE SENT TO AUSTRALIA.
6TH AND 7TH DIVISIONS ARE NOW EN ROUTE SYDNEY PLEASE ENSURE STRONG COVERING FORCE TO COVER LAST 1,000 NM
DESERT SITUATION STABILISING ROMMEL STOPPED AT GAZALA. 9TH DIVISION MAY BE RELEASED FROM MID EAST IF NEXT PUSH CONTAINED. DECISION WILL BE REVIEWED AT COMBINED COS 15TH MAY 1942
THIS HAS BEEN AGREED AT COMBINED CHIEFS OF STAFF.
ALAN BROOKE
Tuesday, February 10, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Tuesday, February 10, 1942
Henry
• Attack of Jap Carriers: Java Sea
General Wavell launched an attack against a task force consisting of at least three Japanese carriers in the Java Sea, just southeast of Borneo, early today. However, intelligence reports suggest that the strike had no effect.
The attack met with resistance from approximately three dozen Zero fighters identified as belonging to DI-1, CI-1, CII-1, and EIII-1 Daitais.
11 Brewster 339D and 7 CW-21 Demons flew ahead of the bomber force, where they encountered three dozen Japanese Zero fighters. In the dogfight that followed, Dutch planes were able to shoot down only one of the Japanese zeros.
The raid cost the Dutch air force two dozen airplanes. These include 8x Hudson, 8x TIVa, 4x Brewster, 3x Martin, and 1x Demon.
Pilots report that they were able line up on several of the Japanese ships. An examination of the photographic and video evidence taken during the fight positively identified CVLs Shoho and Zuiko, CVE Hosho, BBs Nagato, Fuso, and Yamashiro, and CA Myoko, all coming under attack. However, there is no reliable evidence of a hit being scored on any of the ships.
• Japan Lands in Southern Sumatra
Japanese forces are now occupying both of the major (if that is the right word) ports in southeastern Sumatra -- Benkolen and Padang. The garrisons were removed from these islands and transported to Bali, except for a token force that retreated into the woods when the Japanese showed up.
• Baker/Canton/Samoa being watched
The area from Baker Island to Samoa is all experiencing Japanese activity.
Baker Island was again shelled by a Japanese light cruiser last night, destroying two of the Tomahawks stationed there and inflicting slight damage on the runway. Engineers on the island were able to quickly repair the damage. The island also suffered overflights from Nell reconnaissance planes. Radar tracking suggests that they are flying out of the Japanese airfield at Tarawa.
In addition, Japanese flying boats, probably supported by Japanese submarines, flew over Canton Island and Samoa today. On Canton Island, the Japanese would have noticed our efforts to reduce the overpopulation here by removing elements of the 2nd USMC Division. They were loaded onto Destroyer Task Force 1272 for transport to British Samoa to the south. We also have two transport ships here today unloading several thousand tons of cargo to be used in the island's defense.
At American Samoa, Japan may have noticed that AP Ruth Alexander of Task Force 1104 was unloading additional elements of the 2nd USMC. With these forces, these islands become secure from all but a major Japanese assault on the region.
• Australians Attack on Buna
Allied pilots launched another attack on Buna today. The initial damage reports that I have received did not tell of any significant damage. Nor was there any sign of Japanese ships in or near the port. The Port Moresby air force was only able to get 10 bombers in the air (almost entirely Beuforts), supported by five Whirraways.
In return, Japan continues to monitor our progress at Port Moresby using reconnaissance aircraft out of Lae.
• Hudsons Interdict Japs in Buna
While Japanese forces continued to move north in Buna, the British attempted to interdict by sending over 20 Hudson bombers against the force. Light damage was inflicted as the Japanese move inland. Forward units of the Japanese army have now reached 150 miles up the valley.
General Pownall is concerned about the practicality of holding the central part of the country. Military experts report that Japan can approach Mandalay in such a way that any retreating army would be forced towards China, rather than India. The only way found to avoid being caught in such a trap would be to surrender Mandalay to the Japanese and retreat early. General Pownall is considering giving orders to this effect.
I have informed the General that I would prefer that he save the city and his troops. However, if he feels he cannot hold against the Japanese, that it would be better to have the troops in India than in China, where supplies for future operations and the possibility of reinforcement are limited.
Further north, at Myitkyina, all but one of the nine Chinese divisions promised for the defense of that city (and the supply route to China) have now arrived and are setting up defemses.
• G1 Kenoya Daitai practicing at San Jose, Philippines
Spies in the Phillipines report that G1 Kenoya Daitai, a Betty bomber group, has been practicing its bombing skills by targeting facilities still in allied control at San Jose. Approximately 2 dozen Japanese planes take part in the raid. Defenders at San Jose have nothing to fire back with, giving the Japanese a perfect opportunity to train recruits on actual bombing operations.[/font]
Henry
• Attack of Jap Carriers: Java Sea
General Wavell launched an attack against a task force consisting of at least three Japanese carriers in the Java Sea, just southeast of Borneo, early today. However, intelligence reports suggest that the strike had no effect.
The attack met with resistance from approximately three dozen Zero fighters identified as belonging to DI-1, CI-1, CII-1, and EIII-1 Daitais.
11 Brewster 339D and 7 CW-21 Demons flew ahead of the bomber force, where they encountered three dozen Japanese Zero fighters. In the dogfight that followed, Dutch planes were able to shoot down only one of the Japanese zeros.
The raid cost the Dutch air force two dozen airplanes. These include 8x Hudson, 8x TIVa, 4x Brewster, 3x Martin, and 1x Demon.
Pilots report that they were able line up on several of the Japanese ships. An examination of the photographic and video evidence taken during the fight positively identified CVLs Shoho and Zuiko, CVE Hosho, BBs Nagato, Fuso, and Yamashiro, and CA Myoko, all coming under attack. However, there is no reliable evidence of a hit being scored on any of the ships.
• Japan Lands in Southern Sumatra
Japanese forces are now occupying both of the major (if that is the right word) ports in southeastern Sumatra -- Benkolen and Padang. The garrisons were removed from these islands and transported to Bali, except for a token force that retreated into the woods when the Japanese showed up.
• Baker/Canton/Samoa being watched
The area from Baker Island to Samoa is all experiencing Japanese activity.
Baker Island was again shelled by a Japanese light cruiser last night, destroying two of the Tomahawks stationed there and inflicting slight damage on the runway. Engineers on the island were able to quickly repair the damage. The island also suffered overflights from Nell reconnaissance planes. Radar tracking suggests that they are flying out of the Japanese airfield at Tarawa.
In addition, Japanese flying boats, probably supported by Japanese submarines, flew over Canton Island and Samoa today. On Canton Island, the Japanese would have noticed our efforts to reduce the overpopulation here by removing elements of the 2nd USMC Division. They were loaded onto Destroyer Task Force 1272 for transport to British Samoa to the south. We also have two transport ships here today unloading several thousand tons of cargo to be used in the island's defense.
At American Samoa, Japan may have noticed that AP Ruth Alexander of Task Force 1104 was unloading additional elements of the 2nd USMC. With these forces, these islands become secure from all but a major Japanese assault on the region.
• Australians Attack on Buna
Allied pilots launched another attack on Buna today. The initial damage reports that I have received did not tell of any significant damage. Nor was there any sign of Japanese ships in or near the port. The Port Moresby air force was only able to get 10 bombers in the air (almost entirely Beuforts), supported by five Whirraways.
In return, Japan continues to monitor our progress at Port Moresby using reconnaissance aircraft out of Lae.
• Hudsons Interdict Japs in Buna
While Japanese forces continued to move north in Buna, the British attempted to interdict by sending over 20 Hudson bombers against the force. Light damage was inflicted as the Japanese move inland. Forward units of the Japanese army have now reached 150 miles up the valley.
General Pownall is concerned about the practicality of holding the central part of the country. Military experts report that Japan can approach Mandalay in such a way that any retreating army would be forced towards China, rather than India. The only way found to avoid being caught in such a trap would be to surrender Mandalay to the Japanese and retreat early. General Pownall is considering giving orders to this effect.
I have informed the General that I would prefer that he save the city and his troops. However, if he feels he cannot hold against the Japanese, that it would be better to have the troops in India than in China, where supplies for future operations and the possibility of reinforcement are limited.
Further north, at Myitkyina, all but one of the nine Chinese divisions promised for the defense of that city (and the supply route to China) have now arrived and are setting up defemses.
• G1 Kenoya Daitai practicing at San Jose, Philippines
Spies in the Phillipines report that G1 Kenoya Daitai, a Betty bomber group, has been practicing its bombing skills by targeting facilities still in allied control at San Jose. Approximately 2 dozen Japanese planes take part in the raid. Defenders at San Jose have nothing to fire back with, giving the Japanese a perfect opportunity to train recruits on actual bombing operations.[/font]
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- 19420210E..JavaSea.jpg (54.71 KiB) Viewed 54 times
Wednesday, February 11, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Wednesday, February 11, 1942
Henry
JAPANESE CARRIERS NEAR BAKER ISLAND
As I report below, Japanese carriers are nearing Baker Island, and I have ordered the airplanes off. I suspect that Japan will level the island over the course of the next two days (not that it is not level enough), or occupy it. Either way, things look bad for the 2,000 troops stationed there.
The loss of the Dutch airforce today, combined with the tremendous losses suffered in India, continue to make me worry that we have no hope of gaining control of the air from the Japanese. And, as long as they have control of the air, they can do whatever they want. It simply seems increasingly futile to attempt to fly missions in the face of Japanese fighters, or to put up our own fighters in the hopes of intercepting Japanese missions. Everything we try results in the death of another three dozen pilots and the loss of yet another three dozen airplanes.
The second attack on the Japanese carriers described below illustrates the point.
• 2nd Attack of Jap Carriers: Java Sea
Mechanics at Madang, Java, worked throughout the night trying to piece together enough airplanes for another strike against the Japanese carrier force in the Java Sea, in case they should try to approach Java. From the reports that I received, the troops belonging to 2 DAF Aviation, and the 18th DAF Base Force performed heroic work. They scavenged damaged airplanes that returned from the previous raid and used every trick available to them including the proverbial bubble gum and bailing wire.
As dawn approached, they had 36 working airplanes sitting on the runway. The attack force consisted of 15x Brewster and 6x Demon fighters flying escort. They flew ahead of 5x TIVa, 3x Martin, 3x Hudson, and 4x Beaufort bombers.
Shortly after dawn, a Dutch Do 24d-2 spotted the Japanese carrier force 250 miles northwest of Soerabaja. The planes took off, forming up over the base, and then headed off to the northeast.
The attack again proved unsuccessful, and two-thirds of the strike force was wiped out.
According to the pilots, there were two opportunities to inflict significant damage on the enemy -- both of which ultimately failed. Four Beauforts carrying torpedoes lined up on CVL Ryojo. However, the carrier was able to dodge the entire series. Four TIVa bombers carrying torpedoes similarly formed up in a strike on CA Myoko (according to aerial photographs), and were brought down or damaged by flak.
Later the afternoon, the Dutch put a dozen planes back in the air for another strike. Against three dozen Japanese Zeros, these planes did not have much of a chance.
In short, the Dutch air force in Java no longer exists -- other than seaplanes to be used for gathering intelligence. There are still Dutch squadrons in Timor -- 19 fighters and 13 bombers at last report -- with half of the bombers being Australian airplanes.
The Dutch Air Force ground support squadrons have been ordered to piece together what airplanes they can and to have them flown to Timor to join the rest of the air force there.
• Japan Clears Shanghai-Hanoi Railroad
Japanese units cleared out the last Chinese resistance on the railroad connecting Shanghai with Hanoi today. They caught up with the rear elements of Chinese units that were already in retreat, given General Chang Kai Shek's refusal to confront the Japanese directly.
Japanese units participating in this last phase of the operation include:
- 6th, 15th, 32nd, 34th, 39th, and 116th Divisions
- 13th Tank Regiment
- 8th Engineer Regiment
- 15th Road Construction Battalion
- 1st and 4th Mortar Battalion
- 14th Field Artillery Regiment
- 5th RF Gun Battalion
• SS KX hits 2 transports in 1 day
SS KX, a Dutch submarine under the command of Lieutenant Commander de Back, hit two Japanese transports west of Ambonia in the eastern portion of the Dutch East Indies yesterday.
They delivered their first blow just after dawn against a task force starting its workday making a trip north out of the port. After hitting the transport, SS KX ran for cover from two Japanese PG boats escorting the transport.
The submarine then returned to the same waters to see if it could inflict some more damage and, perhaps, finish the job if the ship was still afloat. Instead, it found a fresh convoy escorting yet another troop transport just as the sun was setting. Its torpedo reportedly hit the Japanese ship further astern, setting off fires and secondary explosions, perhaps as fuel ignited on the ship.
• Jap Carriers Nearing Baker Island
Intelligence informs me that Japanese carrires are again approaching Baker Island from the northwest.
As a result, I have ordered all ships away from Canton Island with the exception of one transport presently unloading supplies. I am continuing to take Admiral Nimitz advice not to be too timid and that war involves risks, so I will see what equipment I can get unloaded.
I have also ordered the air force off of Baker Island back to Canton Island for now, since it is too small to put up anything other than a token resistance.There is a possibility that Japan intends to occupy the island. With only 2,000 defenders, Japan, with its carrier force and a likely bombardment force to help out, could certainly succeed in this task if it tried.
Last night, Baker Island again came under fire from the same Japanese cruiser sailing these waters. Again, it inflicted minor damage to the facilities and destroyed yet another Tomahawk.
While the loss of the Tomahawk is of little consequence in itself, it has important strategic implications. Given that I have been allocated only 10 Tomahawks per month for the entire Pacific Theater, I have been wanting to have the whole of the available supply shipped to Chang Kai Shek in China, for use by the American Volunteer Group. Losses elsewhere make it difficult for me to achieve that objective. This was the major problem with the air battle at Mandalay not too long ago, Our losses matched the Japanese. However, we lost Tomahawk airplanes that cannot be replaced. We are also suffering a severe shortage of Warhawks to use in upgrading Tomahawk squadrons.
At our present loss rates, I expect that we will never have a P-40 squadron at full strength until well past the end of the year.
• AVG Units strike Haiphong Harbor
The American Volunteer Group in China launched a strike against Haiphong Harbor today. However, bomb assessment reports were disappointing. The damage to Japanese facilities appears to have been minimal. The fighters were mostly sent to look for Japanese air units in the area and to draw them into combat. No Japanese units took the bait -- perhaps because there were none to do so.
• Australians Pilots defend central Buna
Australian pilots continue to fly interdiction missions on the roads leading up through central Burma. The pilots have been ordered to do what they can to knock out bridges and slow traffic along the road. Todays intelligence reports suggest that the strike today hit among units of the 6th Tank Regiment, presently about 120 miles north of Rangoon in central Burma. It is a part of a substantial Japanese army consisting of at least two divisions (reinforced) making the march up the Burma road.
25x Hudson bombers took off from Dacca to participate in today's implementation of this operation. Casualties inflicted on the enemy were probably light, since the bombers were aiming to damage the road and bridges rather than destroy men and machines. Still, intelligence officers report that there was good evidence of a Japanese tank destroyed in the operation on the approaches to one of the bridges.
• Japan Continues to Occupy Java
Japan moved into the central-Java town of Madioen today with a force of approximately 15,000 troops. The Dutch had abandoned the city, hoping to conserve their strength for a prolonged defense of Soerabaja. Military intelligence watching the Japanese advance reports that Japan committed the following troops to the assault:
- 35th Brigade
- 2nd and 25th Division
- 4th and 5th Engineering Regiment
- Imperial Guards Division
- 3rd Mountain Gun Regiment
• Japanese Occupation of the Dutch East Indies Continues
Japanese forces occupied three significant ports in the Dutch East Indies. Intelligence reports that Japan is now in control of two ports in southern Sumatra, and an important resource center in western New Guinea known as Sorong.
(a) 15th Naval Guards occupied Benkolen in eastern-South Sumatra
(b) 16th Naval Guards occupied Padani, in central-South Sumatra
(c) 23rd Naval Landing Force takes Sorong[/font]
Henry
JAPANESE CARRIERS NEAR BAKER ISLAND
As I report below, Japanese carriers are nearing Baker Island, and I have ordered the airplanes off. I suspect that Japan will level the island over the course of the next two days (not that it is not level enough), or occupy it. Either way, things look bad for the 2,000 troops stationed there.
The loss of the Dutch airforce today, combined with the tremendous losses suffered in India, continue to make me worry that we have no hope of gaining control of the air from the Japanese. And, as long as they have control of the air, they can do whatever they want. It simply seems increasingly futile to attempt to fly missions in the face of Japanese fighters, or to put up our own fighters in the hopes of intercepting Japanese missions. Everything we try results in the death of another three dozen pilots and the loss of yet another three dozen airplanes.
The second attack on the Japanese carriers described below illustrates the point.
• 2nd Attack of Jap Carriers: Java Sea
Mechanics at Madang, Java, worked throughout the night trying to piece together enough airplanes for another strike against the Japanese carrier force in the Java Sea, in case they should try to approach Java. From the reports that I received, the troops belonging to 2 DAF Aviation, and the 18th DAF Base Force performed heroic work. They scavenged damaged airplanes that returned from the previous raid and used every trick available to them including the proverbial bubble gum and bailing wire.
As dawn approached, they had 36 working airplanes sitting on the runway. The attack force consisted of 15x Brewster and 6x Demon fighters flying escort. They flew ahead of 5x TIVa, 3x Martin, 3x Hudson, and 4x Beaufort bombers.
Shortly after dawn, a Dutch Do 24d-2 spotted the Japanese carrier force 250 miles northwest of Soerabaja. The planes took off, forming up over the base, and then headed off to the northeast.
The attack again proved unsuccessful, and two-thirds of the strike force was wiped out.
According to the pilots, there were two opportunities to inflict significant damage on the enemy -- both of which ultimately failed. Four Beauforts carrying torpedoes lined up on CVL Ryojo. However, the carrier was able to dodge the entire series. Four TIVa bombers carrying torpedoes similarly formed up in a strike on CA Myoko (according to aerial photographs), and were brought down or damaged by flak.
Later the afternoon, the Dutch put a dozen planes back in the air for another strike. Against three dozen Japanese Zeros, these planes did not have much of a chance.
In short, the Dutch air force in Java no longer exists -- other than seaplanes to be used for gathering intelligence. There are still Dutch squadrons in Timor -- 19 fighters and 13 bombers at last report -- with half of the bombers being Australian airplanes.
The Dutch Air Force ground support squadrons have been ordered to piece together what airplanes they can and to have them flown to Timor to join the rest of the air force there.
• Japan Clears Shanghai-Hanoi Railroad
Japanese units cleared out the last Chinese resistance on the railroad connecting Shanghai with Hanoi today. They caught up with the rear elements of Chinese units that were already in retreat, given General Chang Kai Shek's refusal to confront the Japanese directly.
Japanese units participating in this last phase of the operation include:
- 6th, 15th, 32nd, 34th, 39th, and 116th Divisions
- 13th Tank Regiment
- 8th Engineer Regiment
- 15th Road Construction Battalion
- 1st and 4th Mortar Battalion
- 14th Field Artillery Regiment
- 5th RF Gun Battalion
• SS KX hits 2 transports in 1 day
SS KX, a Dutch submarine under the command of Lieutenant Commander de Back, hit two Japanese transports west of Ambonia in the eastern portion of the Dutch East Indies yesterday.
They delivered their first blow just after dawn against a task force starting its workday making a trip north out of the port. After hitting the transport, SS KX ran for cover from two Japanese PG boats escorting the transport.
The submarine then returned to the same waters to see if it could inflict some more damage and, perhaps, finish the job if the ship was still afloat. Instead, it found a fresh convoy escorting yet another troop transport just as the sun was setting. Its torpedo reportedly hit the Japanese ship further astern, setting off fires and secondary explosions, perhaps as fuel ignited on the ship.
• Jap Carriers Nearing Baker Island
Intelligence informs me that Japanese carrires are again approaching Baker Island from the northwest.
As a result, I have ordered all ships away from Canton Island with the exception of one transport presently unloading supplies. I am continuing to take Admiral Nimitz advice not to be too timid and that war involves risks, so I will see what equipment I can get unloaded.
I have also ordered the air force off of Baker Island back to Canton Island for now, since it is too small to put up anything other than a token resistance.There is a possibility that Japan intends to occupy the island. With only 2,000 defenders, Japan, with its carrier force and a likely bombardment force to help out, could certainly succeed in this task if it tried.
Last night, Baker Island again came under fire from the same Japanese cruiser sailing these waters. Again, it inflicted minor damage to the facilities and destroyed yet another Tomahawk.
While the loss of the Tomahawk is of little consequence in itself, it has important strategic implications. Given that I have been allocated only 10 Tomahawks per month for the entire Pacific Theater, I have been wanting to have the whole of the available supply shipped to Chang Kai Shek in China, for use by the American Volunteer Group. Losses elsewhere make it difficult for me to achieve that objective. This was the major problem with the air battle at Mandalay not too long ago, Our losses matched the Japanese. However, we lost Tomahawk airplanes that cannot be replaced. We are also suffering a severe shortage of Warhawks to use in upgrading Tomahawk squadrons.
At our present loss rates, I expect that we will never have a P-40 squadron at full strength until well past the end of the year.
• AVG Units strike Haiphong Harbor
The American Volunteer Group in China launched a strike against Haiphong Harbor today. However, bomb assessment reports were disappointing. The damage to Japanese facilities appears to have been minimal. The fighters were mostly sent to look for Japanese air units in the area and to draw them into combat. No Japanese units took the bait -- perhaps because there were none to do so.
• Australians Pilots defend central Buna
Australian pilots continue to fly interdiction missions on the roads leading up through central Burma. The pilots have been ordered to do what they can to knock out bridges and slow traffic along the road. Todays intelligence reports suggest that the strike today hit among units of the 6th Tank Regiment, presently about 120 miles north of Rangoon in central Burma. It is a part of a substantial Japanese army consisting of at least two divisions (reinforced) making the march up the Burma road.
25x Hudson bombers took off from Dacca to participate in today's implementation of this operation. Casualties inflicted on the enemy were probably light, since the bombers were aiming to damage the road and bridges rather than destroy men and machines. Still, intelligence officers report that there was good evidence of a Japanese tank destroyed in the operation on the approaches to one of the bridges.
• Japan Continues to Occupy Java
Japan moved into the central-Java town of Madioen today with a force of approximately 15,000 troops. The Dutch had abandoned the city, hoping to conserve their strength for a prolonged defense of Soerabaja. Military intelligence watching the Japanese advance reports that Japan committed the following troops to the assault:
- 35th Brigade
- 2nd and 25th Division
- 4th and 5th Engineering Regiment
- Imperial Guards Division
- 3rd Mountain Gun Regiment
• Japanese Occupation of the Dutch East Indies Continues
Japanese forces occupied three significant ports in the Dutch East Indies. Intelligence reports that Japan is now in control of two ports in southern Sumatra, and an important resource center in western New Guinea known as Sorong.
(a) 15th Naval Guards occupied Benkolen in eastern-South Sumatra
(b) 16th Naval Guards occupied Padani, in central-South Sumatra
(c) 23rd Naval Landing Force takes Sorong[/font]
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RE: Wednesday, February 11, 1942
I was pleasantly surprised seeing updates to your excellant AAR. Welcome back. I have missed reading the updates for this AAR.
Thursday, February 12, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Thursday, February 12, 1942
Henry
This was certainly one of the most combat-intensive days of the war so far.
• The Japanese carrier force sank ships near Canton Island
• Army bombers out of Port Moresby struck a Jap transport east of Lae
• Soerabaja, Java was shelled by a task force consisting of nearly an estimated nine capital ships, then hit by a 100-plane bombing force during the day.
• A fighter sweep consisting of about 65 Japanese Zeros eliminated 3 fighter squadrons at Dacca, India.
• Jap Carriers Attack Canton Island
This is the second time that I sat out an air raid on Canton Island. This one was much less frightening.
Instead of beaching AK Mormacdove, we allowed the pilot and crew to take it to sea, thinking that the Japanese may focus their attention on Canton Island itself, and ignore the ship. Instead, the opposite happened. The Japanese ignored the island and focused on sinking AK Mormacdove, which it did, about 10 miles east of here.
Our fighters tried to protect the ship and for their efforts we lost 10 fighters -- 4x P-40B and 6x F4F-3, inflicting no damage on the Japanese carrier planes.
Our patrol craft spotted the Japanese forces about 240 miles northwest of here, between us and Baker Island.
I fear that Japan is starting an operation with the intention of taking Baker Island as its own. In addition to the attack here, two Jake flying boats scanned Baker Island today, coming in from the west. Intelligence reports a fleet in that direction, about 300 miles off, heading toward Baker Island, consisting at least a couple capital ships. I suspect that the purpose of the carriers is to run interference and to make sure that the landing force can land on Baker Island unhindered.
I am not going to risk ships against such a strong Japanese force. It would be suicide. Some of the officers here are quite angry at me, saying that I have signed the death warrant for 2,000 allied soldiers on Canton Island. I'm afraid that I lost my temper. When Lt. Colonel Pappas said that to me, I snapped back, "And if that is not enough to you, how many more names would you like me to add to that death warrant?"
In consultation with Nimitz, we are beefing up the air force here at Canton Island. We are sending the Bolo bombers away -- they will likely do little good. Plus, we are bringing in the fighter squadrons belonging to CV Saratoga and CV Lexington. If the Japanese make another strike, I hope that we can put up a fight.
Surprisingly, AK Admiral Halstad, though it left port only a day ago, remains undetected. Our maps show the AK only 300 miles away from the Japanese carrier force. I think that is within range of a Japanese strike. However, they have not seen it. It is a rare bit of luck.
• Air Strike Hits Jap Ships At Dampier Straight
Allied patrol planes found a Japanese convoy sailing through the Dampier Straight and launched a successful air strike against it.
Dampier Straight is a thin body of water separating New Guinea, near the Japanese-occupied port of Lae, and the island of New Brittain, where Rabaul sits on the other end.
The strike force consisted of 11x Beauforts and 8x B-25 bombers escorted by 17x P-39. They encountered no enemy defenses over the ships. So close to Lae, it was expected that the Japanese would be providing fighter cover.
While the P-39s kept watch, the bombers made their runs. The attack reportedly left three ships burning. Two of the target ships were troops transports -- one of which was hit by two bombs, while the other suffered five direct hits. The third ship struck was a patrol gunboat that took a single hit that appeared to inflict significant damage.
There were no reports that any of the ships were sinking, however. Allied intelligence continued to search for signs of radio traffic that may indicate that any of the ships were lost.
The Japanese countered this strike with a 75-bomber raid on Port Moresby airfield. General McArthur, having ordered a more aggressive air campaign that attempted targeting enemy assets more than defending our own, had no airplanes covering the field. Still, the Japanese dropped their bombs from such a great height (at least 3 miles according to reports) that they inflicted very little damage.
The exchange definitely favored McArthur.
• Soerabaja Pulverized
The Japanese task force that Wavell had been trying to sink opened up on the Dutch port of Soerabaja last night. The coastal guns returned fire and, if the reports are to be believed, inflicted damage on four of the attacking ships. Two of the ships -- though, by their size, only light cruisers, erupted in flame. This made them tempting targets in the night, at least until they sailed out of range.
The damage on the allied side, however, was significant. Wavell reported the loss of nearly 2000 soldiers from the bombardment, dead and wounded. He also lost some of his supplies when shells struck ammunition caches and warehouses. However, he reported that supplies would not be a problem.
The most significant loss, in terms of defending the city, was the loss of several fixed defenses he had set up around the city. These were the places that Japan targeted, and they proved themselves to be excellent marksmen. In hitting these defenses, several artillery batteries that would have been used in the upcoming battle for Soerabaja were destroyed.
Afterward, Japan attacked the city with nearly 100 Sally bombers -- identified as members of the 60th, 62nd, and 98th Heavy Saitai's operating out of Batavia. Compared to the damage done by the ships the night before, the bombers did little more than stir the dust.
Still, Wavell says that he plans on holding the city for as long as he can against the oncoming Japanese army -- now about 150 miles east of Soerabaja.
• Major Japanese sweep of Dacca
Intelligence estimates that around 65 Japanese Zeros took place in a massive air raid on Dacca today. The British put up about 3 dozen defenders -- Hurricanes, Warhawks, and Lysander fighters. The Japanese shot down 14x Hurricanes, 12x Lysanders, and 7x Warhawks -- the precious Warhawks for which there are no replacements left.
Allied intelligence estimates that Japan lost 11x Zeros in the exchange -- six to air-to-air combat, and another 5 that were likely too badly shot up to make it back to their airbase at Rangoon.
• Air Losses Mounting
I am growing increasingly concerned about the numbers of airplanes we are losing. In the last three days, the air force has lost over 110 airplanes. I again continue to stress that we cannot continue to withstand losses at this rate.
Throughout the entire Pacific Theater, I have no more Buffalo or Brewster 339D fighters. I have run out of spare Hudson and Martin bombers, as well as TIVa torpedo planes. I have used up all of the spare Warhawks and Tomahawks. I am down to a reserve stock of 37x Hurricanes.
I fear that it is time to send out a general order to simply refuse to challenge the Japanese fighters in the air until we have built up our numbers once again. As soon as the Japanese figure this out we can expect that important bases such as Port Moresby and Dacca, India, will be prime targets for Japanese bombing missions. They will try to force us either to fight to defend these bases or lose them -- or, which would certainly be their preference -- that we defend them until we have nothing left to defend with, and then lose the bases anyway.
Until Tomorrow
Thayne[/font]
Henry
This was certainly one of the most combat-intensive days of the war so far.
• The Japanese carrier force sank ships near Canton Island
• Army bombers out of Port Moresby struck a Jap transport east of Lae
• Soerabaja, Java was shelled by a task force consisting of nearly an estimated nine capital ships, then hit by a 100-plane bombing force during the day.
• A fighter sweep consisting of about 65 Japanese Zeros eliminated 3 fighter squadrons at Dacca, India.
• Jap Carriers Attack Canton Island
This is the second time that I sat out an air raid on Canton Island. This one was much less frightening.
Instead of beaching AK Mormacdove, we allowed the pilot and crew to take it to sea, thinking that the Japanese may focus their attention on Canton Island itself, and ignore the ship. Instead, the opposite happened. The Japanese ignored the island and focused on sinking AK Mormacdove, which it did, about 10 miles east of here.
Our fighters tried to protect the ship and for their efforts we lost 10 fighters -- 4x P-40B and 6x F4F-3, inflicting no damage on the Japanese carrier planes.
Our patrol craft spotted the Japanese forces about 240 miles northwest of here, between us and Baker Island.
I fear that Japan is starting an operation with the intention of taking Baker Island as its own. In addition to the attack here, two Jake flying boats scanned Baker Island today, coming in from the west. Intelligence reports a fleet in that direction, about 300 miles off, heading toward Baker Island, consisting at least a couple capital ships. I suspect that the purpose of the carriers is to run interference and to make sure that the landing force can land on Baker Island unhindered.
I am not going to risk ships against such a strong Japanese force. It would be suicide. Some of the officers here are quite angry at me, saying that I have signed the death warrant for 2,000 allied soldiers on Canton Island. I'm afraid that I lost my temper. When Lt. Colonel Pappas said that to me, I snapped back, "And if that is not enough to you, how many more names would you like me to add to that death warrant?"
In consultation with Nimitz, we are beefing up the air force here at Canton Island. We are sending the Bolo bombers away -- they will likely do little good. Plus, we are bringing in the fighter squadrons belonging to CV Saratoga and CV Lexington. If the Japanese make another strike, I hope that we can put up a fight.
Surprisingly, AK Admiral Halstad, though it left port only a day ago, remains undetected. Our maps show the AK only 300 miles away from the Japanese carrier force. I think that is within range of a Japanese strike. However, they have not seen it. It is a rare bit of luck.
• Air Strike Hits Jap Ships At Dampier Straight
Allied patrol planes found a Japanese convoy sailing through the Dampier Straight and launched a successful air strike against it.
Dampier Straight is a thin body of water separating New Guinea, near the Japanese-occupied port of Lae, and the island of New Brittain, where Rabaul sits on the other end.
The strike force consisted of 11x Beauforts and 8x B-25 bombers escorted by 17x P-39. They encountered no enemy defenses over the ships. So close to Lae, it was expected that the Japanese would be providing fighter cover.
While the P-39s kept watch, the bombers made their runs. The attack reportedly left three ships burning. Two of the target ships were troops transports -- one of which was hit by two bombs, while the other suffered five direct hits. The third ship struck was a patrol gunboat that took a single hit that appeared to inflict significant damage.
There were no reports that any of the ships were sinking, however. Allied intelligence continued to search for signs of radio traffic that may indicate that any of the ships were lost.
The Japanese countered this strike with a 75-bomber raid on Port Moresby airfield. General McArthur, having ordered a more aggressive air campaign that attempted targeting enemy assets more than defending our own, had no airplanes covering the field. Still, the Japanese dropped their bombs from such a great height (at least 3 miles according to reports) that they inflicted very little damage.
The exchange definitely favored McArthur.
• Soerabaja Pulverized
The Japanese task force that Wavell had been trying to sink opened up on the Dutch port of Soerabaja last night. The coastal guns returned fire and, if the reports are to be believed, inflicted damage on four of the attacking ships. Two of the ships -- though, by their size, only light cruisers, erupted in flame. This made them tempting targets in the night, at least until they sailed out of range.
The damage on the allied side, however, was significant. Wavell reported the loss of nearly 2000 soldiers from the bombardment, dead and wounded. He also lost some of his supplies when shells struck ammunition caches and warehouses. However, he reported that supplies would not be a problem.
The most significant loss, in terms of defending the city, was the loss of several fixed defenses he had set up around the city. These were the places that Japan targeted, and they proved themselves to be excellent marksmen. In hitting these defenses, several artillery batteries that would have been used in the upcoming battle for Soerabaja were destroyed.
Afterward, Japan attacked the city with nearly 100 Sally bombers -- identified as members of the 60th, 62nd, and 98th Heavy Saitai's operating out of Batavia. Compared to the damage done by the ships the night before, the bombers did little more than stir the dust.
Still, Wavell says that he plans on holding the city for as long as he can against the oncoming Japanese army -- now about 150 miles east of Soerabaja.
• Major Japanese sweep of Dacca
Intelligence estimates that around 65 Japanese Zeros took place in a massive air raid on Dacca today. The British put up about 3 dozen defenders -- Hurricanes, Warhawks, and Lysander fighters. The Japanese shot down 14x Hurricanes, 12x Lysanders, and 7x Warhawks -- the precious Warhawks for which there are no replacements left.
Allied intelligence estimates that Japan lost 11x Zeros in the exchange -- six to air-to-air combat, and another 5 that were likely too badly shot up to make it back to their airbase at Rangoon.
• Air Losses Mounting
I am growing increasingly concerned about the numbers of airplanes we are losing. In the last three days, the air force has lost over 110 airplanes. I again continue to stress that we cannot continue to withstand losses at this rate.
Throughout the entire Pacific Theater, I have no more Buffalo or Brewster 339D fighters. I have run out of spare Hudson and Martin bombers, as well as TIVa torpedo planes. I have used up all of the spare Warhawks and Tomahawks. I am down to a reserve stock of 37x Hurricanes.
I fear that it is time to send out a general order to simply refuse to challenge the Japanese fighters in the air until we have built up our numbers once again. As soon as the Japanese figure this out we can expect that important bases such as Port Moresby and Dacca, India, will be prime targets for Japanese bombing missions. They will try to force us either to fight to defend these bases or lose them -- or, which would certainly be their preference -- that we defend them until we have nothing left to defend with, and then lose the bases anyway.
Until Tomorrow
Thayne[/font]
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Friday, February 13, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Friday, February 13, 1942
Henry
As you know, I put absolutely no stock in myth and superstition. If bad things happen on Friday the 13th, there is still nobody to blame but the person who made it happen.
Our Friday the 13th turned out to be fairly lucky.
• Japanese Leave Canton Island
We were not attacked here on Canton Island today. The Japanese carriers retreated, heading north towards Baker Island, blocking the eastern approaches to the island.
I am still saying that Japan plans to either take it or blast it to bits. Four capital ships were spotted this evening just 50 miles northwest of the island. The Japanese carrier force is 200 miles to the east.
Now, if Japan wanted to simply bombard the island, they could have done that easily enough by now. The carriers could have practiced their bombardment techniques. There are capital ships accompanying the carriers. No . . . Japan wants the island intact for its own use.
I have a full list of troops on the island. It contains 2,352 names; you may need to make use of it in a couple of days.
We are directing all naval traffic away from Palmyra and Canton Islands as well, in case Japan intends to strike out at us.
Further south, elements of the 2nd USMC Division now occupy American and British Samoa, adding to the security of these two locations – if Japan should try to continue this aggression.
I am not going to pretend that we can hold these places if Japan makes a determined attempt to take them. However, it would definitely require a determined effort.
• Japan Approaches Soerabaja, Java.
The Japanese army is now within a few miles of Soerabaja. General Wavell says that he is ready for the defense of the city.
The original plan also called for having an air force at Bali. However, that air force was spent attempting to destroy a Japanese carrier force that sailed the Sea of Java.
I have heard some suggestions that the Japanese performed this mission on purpose, to draw our air force into an attack where it can be destroyed. If this is true, this was a risky way of accomplishing this. We did get several shots against the carriers. I do not think the Japanese would consider the loss of a carrier to be worth the destruction of the Dutch air force. I do not think that the Japanese considered the possibility that its carriers would come under such a determined assault. However, the Japanese oversight proved to work in their favor.
I am also concerned with keeping the airfields in the region open long enough to get the 7th Bomber Group through the area. The 7th Bomber Group has been promised to the Southeastern Asia. Rather than ship the planes to India, it is thought that the long-range four-engine bombers can best be transported by landing them on airfields in Dutch East Indies. However, while the airplanes are stopped at these Dutch East Indies airfields, they will be vulnerable to Japanese naval and air bombardment, as well as put at risk from a Japanese invasion.
The elements of the 7th Bomber Group are presently flying missions in Australia, while ground crews assemble the airplanes. Once the airplanes for the three bomber squadrons have been assembled, they will begin their 2-day flight to India.
Meanwhile, Japan prepared its eventual assault on Soerabaja with two heavy bombing missions today. The first mission consisted of about 2 dozen Lily bombers. Fifty Sally bombers flew the second mission. Both missions dropped their bombs from an altitude of nearly 4 miles, so their damage was minimal.
• Japan Reaches Taung Gyi
In Burma, the Japanese army has reached the resource-rich area of Taung Gui, 300 miles up the valley from the port of Rangoon. Japanese forces have also approached within 100 miles of the strategically important city of Mandalay, half way up the valley.
General Pownall has continued to express concern about the possibility of Japan cutting off the route of retreat for the Mandalay defenders. He has a very real concern that Japan may be able to force the defenders to China through Lashio, rather than allowing them to retreat to India.
His concern is so great that he has been asking me for permission to pull the troops out and allow Mandalay to fall to the enemies. It is such an important point, I am extremely reluctant to allow Japan to have it without a fight. However, I have promised to trust the local commanders.
• China Raiders Continue to Pound Nanking
Escorted by the American Volunteer Group once again, Cjomese bombers have targeted Nanning airfields for yet another strike. Nanning is about the only city within range of the Chinese bombers, so there are few options as to where they will attack. Still, Japan has made only sporadic attempts to defend the city.
This is causing me to think that, perhaps, Japan does not have sufficient air force to cover all of its bases, and has decided to leave the Chinese bases open. I would like to exploit this. However, at this point, I cannot. We cannot get enough supply to China to operate bomber missions.
We are in the process of shipping more transport squadrons to India to use in transporting additional equipment to China. If we can get the flow of supplies to China up to a decent level, we will try transfer some bomber squadrons to China to take advantage of these conditions. The closest of these transport squadrons is about 5 days’ travel from Sydney, Astralia. The planes will then be transported across Australia and loaded onto waiting ships to be carried to Ceylon, then to northeastern India.
• Australia Gets Key Supplies
Australia is now benefiting from the arrival of some key supplies, with additional help just a few days away.
Three tankers full of oil arrived at Sydney Harbor a couple years ago. The oil has now been unloaded and it being put to use supplying the Australian economy. Refineries are turning much of the oil into much needed shipping fuel, airplanes, and military equipment.
Just off shore, three transports are carrying three fighter groups.
- The 35th Fighter Group is 2 days away from Sydney.
- The 49th Fighter Group is 4 days away from Sydney.
- The 54th Fighter Group is 5 days away from Sydney.
- The 26th Field Artillery Regiment will reach Brisbane in 3 days
- 150,000 tons of military supplies will reach Sydney in 6 days
- A fuel tanker 6 days away from Brisbane
This will be the beginning of the buildup of Sydney.
It is, at best, a start.
Thayne[/font]
Henry
As you know, I put absolutely no stock in myth and superstition. If bad things happen on Friday the 13th, there is still nobody to blame but the person who made it happen.
Our Friday the 13th turned out to be fairly lucky.
• Japanese Leave Canton Island
We were not attacked here on Canton Island today. The Japanese carriers retreated, heading north towards Baker Island, blocking the eastern approaches to the island.
I am still saying that Japan plans to either take it or blast it to bits. Four capital ships were spotted this evening just 50 miles northwest of the island. The Japanese carrier force is 200 miles to the east.
Now, if Japan wanted to simply bombard the island, they could have done that easily enough by now. The carriers could have practiced their bombardment techniques. There are capital ships accompanying the carriers. No . . . Japan wants the island intact for its own use.
I have a full list of troops on the island. It contains 2,352 names; you may need to make use of it in a couple of days.
We are directing all naval traffic away from Palmyra and Canton Islands as well, in case Japan intends to strike out at us.
Further south, elements of the 2nd USMC Division now occupy American and British Samoa, adding to the security of these two locations – if Japan should try to continue this aggression.
I am not going to pretend that we can hold these places if Japan makes a determined attempt to take them. However, it would definitely require a determined effort.
• Japan Approaches Soerabaja, Java.
The Japanese army is now within a few miles of Soerabaja. General Wavell says that he is ready for the defense of the city.
The original plan also called for having an air force at Bali. However, that air force was spent attempting to destroy a Japanese carrier force that sailed the Sea of Java.
I have heard some suggestions that the Japanese performed this mission on purpose, to draw our air force into an attack where it can be destroyed. If this is true, this was a risky way of accomplishing this. We did get several shots against the carriers. I do not think the Japanese would consider the loss of a carrier to be worth the destruction of the Dutch air force. I do not think that the Japanese considered the possibility that its carriers would come under such a determined assault. However, the Japanese oversight proved to work in their favor.
I am also concerned with keeping the airfields in the region open long enough to get the 7th Bomber Group through the area. The 7th Bomber Group has been promised to the Southeastern Asia. Rather than ship the planes to India, it is thought that the long-range four-engine bombers can best be transported by landing them on airfields in Dutch East Indies. However, while the airplanes are stopped at these Dutch East Indies airfields, they will be vulnerable to Japanese naval and air bombardment, as well as put at risk from a Japanese invasion.
The elements of the 7th Bomber Group are presently flying missions in Australia, while ground crews assemble the airplanes. Once the airplanes for the three bomber squadrons have been assembled, they will begin their 2-day flight to India.
Meanwhile, Japan prepared its eventual assault on Soerabaja with two heavy bombing missions today. The first mission consisted of about 2 dozen Lily bombers. Fifty Sally bombers flew the second mission. Both missions dropped their bombs from an altitude of nearly 4 miles, so their damage was minimal.
• Japan Reaches Taung Gyi
In Burma, the Japanese army has reached the resource-rich area of Taung Gui, 300 miles up the valley from the port of Rangoon. Japanese forces have also approached within 100 miles of the strategically important city of Mandalay, half way up the valley.
General Pownall has continued to express concern about the possibility of Japan cutting off the route of retreat for the Mandalay defenders. He has a very real concern that Japan may be able to force the defenders to China through Lashio, rather than allowing them to retreat to India.
His concern is so great that he has been asking me for permission to pull the troops out and allow Mandalay to fall to the enemies. It is such an important point, I am extremely reluctant to allow Japan to have it without a fight. However, I have promised to trust the local commanders.
• China Raiders Continue to Pound Nanking
Escorted by the American Volunteer Group once again, Cjomese bombers have targeted Nanning airfields for yet another strike. Nanning is about the only city within range of the Chinese bombers, so there are few options as to where they will attack. Still, Japan has made only sporadic attempts to defend the city.
This is causing me to think that, perhaps, Japan does not have sufficient air force to cover all of its bases, and has decided to leave the Chinese bases open. I would like to exploit this. However, at this point, I cannot. We cannot get enough supply to China to operate bomber missions.
We are in the process of shipping more transport squadrons to India to use in transporting additional equipment to China. If we can get the flow of supplies to China up to a decent level, we will try transfer some bomber squadrons to China to take advantage of these conditions. The closest of these transport squadrons is about 5 days’ travel from Sydney, Astralia. The planes will then be transported across Australia and loaded onto waiting ships to be carried to Ceylon, then to northeastern India.
• Australia Gets Key Supplies
Australia is now benefiting from the arrival of some key supplies, with additional help just a few days away.
Three tankers full of oil arrived at Sydney Harbor a couple years ago. The oil has now been unloaded and it being put to use supplying the Australian economy. Refineries are turning much of the oil into much needed shipping fuel, airplanes, and military equipment.
Just off shore, three transports are carrying three fighter groups.
- The 35th Fighter Group is 2 days away from Sydney.
- The 49th Fighter Group is 4 days away from Sydney.
- The 54th Fighter Group is 5 days away from Sydney.
- The 26th Field Artillery Regiment will reach Brisbane in 3 days
- 150,000 tons of military supplies will reach Sydney in 6 days
- A fuel tanker 6 days away from Brisbane
This will be the beginning of the buildup of Sydney.
It is, at best, a start.
Thayne[/font]
- Attachments
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- 19420213Burma.jpg (90.24 KiB) Viewed 54 times
Saturday, February 14, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Saturday, February 14, 1942
Henry
Baker Island fell to the Japanese today. I’ll get to that story a little later. First, I have some paperwork to file – namely, the weekly reinforcement schedule.
• Reinforcement Summary for Next Week
I have been notified that the following units will be officially transferred to my control over the course of the next week. Of these, I am particularly grateful for the use of the newly formed Americal Division under General Patch. Transport ships are waiting as we speak to carry these units to New Caledonia.
Sunday, February 15, 1942
• BB Ramills, Karachi
• APD Colhoun, San Francisco
Monday, February 16, 1942
• None
Tuesday, February 17, 1942
• APD Little, San Francisco
• SS Greenling, San Francisco
• Americal USA Division, San Francisco
Wednesday, February 18, 1942
• SS Grouper, San Francisco
• AK Empire Cato, Karachi
Thursday, February 19, 1942
• No 34 RAAF Squadron. (16x C-47 Dakota), Brisbane
• AK Empire March, Karachi
• 811th Engineer Aviation Battalion, San Francisco
Friday, February 20, 1942
• 7th Air Force, San Francisco
• No 35 RAAF Squadron. (16x C-47 Dakota), Melbourne
• 113 Squadron (16x Blenheim IV), Lucknow
Saturday, February 21, 1942
• No. 9 RNZAF Squadron (16x Hudson I), Wellington
• VMSB-241 (16x SBD Dauntless), Seattle
• DD Norman, Karachi
• AK Empire Lionel, Karachi
• Japan Occupies Baker Island
Japan took Baker Island today. We were on the radio to those who were holding the island until the end.
The defenders sent their first report shortly before dawn, saying that the Japanese navy had opened fire. The bombardment force included three battleships – that raked the island from one end to the other. The defenders did not have enough time to put their guns under bunkers that would have protected them from this type of shelling, so the Japanese were able to systematically blow the defensive guns away. Casualties piled up – dead and wounded numbered in the hundreds. There were no safe places – no underground bunkers – to take the wounded. Everybody was exposed, in the open. There was almost nothing that could be done for the wounded.
The landing force itself waited a while, coming ashore just before 9:00. According to reports, the 52nd Naval Guards attacked on the east side of the island. Baker Island is only 1 mile in diameter, and almost all of that had to be used for a runway. As a result, the Japanese only had to punch through a small outer rim of defenses, then they were on the runway, and were free to approach the rear of the other defenses.
The 53rd Naval Guards came ashore an hour later on the opposite side of the island, near the beacon -- or, what was left of it. As the only structure on the island, it got hit hard by the Japanese shells until it collapsed. The defenders on the west side had Japanese on land behind them, and Japanese coming in by sea ahead of them.
The most frustrating thing is that we had three dozen B-17s sitting here ready to strike at the Japanese invasion force. However, we got hit by gale-force winds out of the north. blowing across our runway. The wind pushed waves above the tops of the wheels of some of the disbursed bombers. So, our bombers did not take off. Some of the soldiers here wondered aloud what gods we had offended that they would send this storm against us at this time.
By noon, the battle was over. The survivors surrendered. At last report, there were 450 dead and wounded Allied soldiers by the time the battle was over. We were unable to gather names. The rest laid down their arms.
The final estimates are that the Japanese suffered about 300 casualties trying to take the island. There was also some celebration at a shot that hit the deck of a PG boat as it came in close to strafe the defenders.
There has been some debate going on here now concerning tomorrow’s bombing run. Should we bomb the island and risk hitting prisoners? Some say that they would rather be dead than in the hands of the Japanese, and would want the allies to attack if it was them on that island. For my part, I said that they should go after the Japanese ships -- particularly the carriers. Baker island is not going anywhere. We will have plenty of opportunity to bomb it.
There is also some debate going on as to whether we are next, here at Canton Island. We are not going to be as easy to take as Baker Island was. We have 15,000 soldiers still here – most of them marines. We have had two months to put our guns and our soldiers in more solid defenses. Canton Island will not be such an easy target.
• McArthur Continues Aggressive Air Campaign from Port Moresby
McArthur continued flying aggressive air campaigns out of Port Moresby, this time striking directly at Lae. Several of the ships damaged in yesterday’s bombing run had sought refuge at Lae. The mission cost 5x P-39 Airacobras. The attackers claimed one Zero for their efforts, and the B-25s were able to attack the ships in the port. However, we have no reports that any additional damage was scored against the Japanese navy.
• Bombing Campaign against Soerabaja Continues
The Japanese are continuing their bombing campaign against Soerabaja, Java, while their armies move into position for a ground assault. Soerabaja was hit today by over five dozen Sally bombers from the 60th, 62nd, and 98th Heavy Saitais flying out of Batavia, and four dozen Lily bombers of the 75th and 89th Light Saitais flying out of the newly captured bases at Madioen in central Java.
The Japanese continue to make their runs at very high altitudes – 4 miles or more – keeping allied casualties to a minimum.
• Japan Sweeps for Guerillas in Sumatra Jungle
Japan launched an operation to sweep the jungles of western Sumatra for Dutch soldiers who had taken to the jungle. Radio reports from the soldiers were garbled. We did learn that the 81st Naval Guards, Ikaisai Special Naval Landing Force, Yokusuka 4th Special Naval Landing Force, and Kainan Guards Special Naval Landing Force participated in the sweep. However, allied intelligence reports that they are not sure of these names, given the poor quality of the transmission.
Japan managed to surround and force the surrender of the bulk of the guerilla force that was being organized. I would expect no more reports to reach us from eastern Sumatra.
• Japan Occupies Taung Gyi, Burma
The Japanese 14th Tank Regiment rolled into Taung Gyi today without opposition and took control of the town and all of its facilities. This area is rich with resources that will certainly help the Japanese war effort. Therefore, orders have gone out to the bomber squadrons in India to hit these targets at the first available opportunity.
Bomber command in India has been working through the last week identifying targets and familiarizing pilots with the lay of the land, so we expect successful missions. Our first priority will be the war resources. Japan started this war out of a thirst for resources, so that is what we will seek to deny them.
That’s it for today.
Tomorrow, I feel that I should pay a visit to the 115th USAAF Base Force at Palmyra, and the 40th USA Infantry Division at Christmas Island. It was their brothers who were killed and captured at Baker Island. I think I need to face them. There will be some people complaining about why these units were put in a place we could not defend. I'll have to remind them of Hong King, the Philippines, Malaya and Singapore, Rangoon, and 30,000 soldiers waiting for the end at Soerabaja in Java, about Rabaul and Wake Island.
Our job is to buy time for bases like Palmyra and Christmas Island to become forts. "They bought you precious days, maybe weeks. Honor their sacrifice by using that time well." That will be the theme of my speech.
I hope that I can make it sound convincing.
That is, if this wind quits blowing and I can take off tomorrow.
Thayne[/font]
Henry
Baker Island fell to the Japanese today. I’ll get to that story a little later. First, I have some paperwork to file – namely, the weekly reinforcement schedule.
• Reinforcement Summary for Next Week
I have been notified that the following units will be officially transferred to my control over the course of the next week. Of these, I am particularly grateful for the use of the newly formed Americal Division under General Patch. Transport ships are waiting as we speak to carry these units to New Caledonia.
Sunday, February 15, 1942
• BB Ramills, Karachi
• APD Colhoun, San Francisco
Monday, February 16, 1942
• None
Tuesday, February 17, 1942
• APD Little, San Francisco
• SS Greenling, San Francisco
• Americal USA Division, San Francisco
Wednesday, February 18, 1942
• SS Grouper, San Francisco
• AK Empire Cato, Karachi
Thursday, February 19, 1942
• No 34 RAAF Squadron. (16x C-47 Dakota), Brisbane
• AK Empire March, Karachi
• 811th Engineer Aviation Battalion, San Francisco
Friday, February 20, 1942
• 7th Air Force, San Francisco
• No 35 RAAF Squadron. (16x C-47 Dakota), Melbourne
• 113 Squadron (16x Blenheim IV), Lucknow
Saturday, February 21, 1942
• No. 9 RNZAF Squadron (16x Hudson I), Wellington
• VMSB-241 (16x SBD Dauntless), Seattle
• DD Norman, Karachi
• AK Empire Lionel, Karachi
• Japan Occupies Baker Island
Japan took Baker Island today. We were on the radio to those who were holding the island until the end.
The defenders sent their first report shortly before dawn, saying that the Japanese navy had opened fire. The bombardment force included three battleships – that raked the island from one end to the other. The defenders did not have enough time to put their guns under bunkers that would have protected them from this type of shelling, so the Japanese were able to systematically blow the defensive guns away. Casualties piled up – dead and wounded numbered in the hundreds. There were no safe places – no underground bunkers – to take the wounded. Everybody was exposed, in the open. There was almost nothing that could be done for the wounded.
The landing force itself waited a while, coming ashore just before 9:00. According to reports, the 52nd Naval Guards attacked on the east side of the island. Baker Island is only 1 mile in diameter, and almost all of that had to be used for a runway. As a result, the Japanese only had to punch through a small outer rim of defenses, then they were on the runway, and were free to approach the rear of the other defenses.
The 53rd Naval Guards came ashore an hour later on the opposite side of the island, near the beacon -- or, what was left of it. As the only structure on the island, it got hit hard by the Japanese shells until it collapsed. The defenders on the west side had Japanese on land behind them, and Japanese coming in by sea ahead of them.
The most frustrating thing is that we had three dozen B-17s sitting here ready to strike at the Japanese invasion force. However, we got hit by gale-force winds out of the north. blowing across our runway. The wind pushed waves above the tops of the wheels of some of the disbursed bombers. So, our bombers did not take off. Some of the soldiers here wondered aloud what gods we had offended that they would send this storm against us at this time.
By noon, the battle was over. The survivors surrendered. At last report, there were 450 dead and wounded Allied soldiers by the time the battle was over. We were unable to gather names. The rest laid down their arms.
The final estimates are that the Japanese suffered about 300 casualties trying to take the island. There was also some celebration at a shot that hit the deck of a PG boat as it came in close to strafe the defenders.
There has been some debate going on here now concerning tomorrow’s bombing run. Should we bomb the island and risk hitting prisoners? Some say that they would rather be dead than in the hands of the Japanese, and would want the allies to attack if it was them on that island. For my part, I said that they should go after the Japanese ships -- particularly the carriers. Baker island is not going anywhere. We will have plenty of opportunity to bomb it.
There is also some debate going on as to whether we are next, here at Canton Island. We are not going to be as easy to take as Baker Island was. We have 15,000 soldiers still here – most of them marines. We have had two months to put our guns and our soldiers in more solid defenses. Canton Island will not be such an easy target.
• McArthur Continues Aggressive Air Campaign from Port Moresby
McArthur continued flying aggressive air campaigns out of Port Moresby, this time striking directly at Lae. Several of the ships damaged in yesterday’s bombing run had sought refuge at Lae. The mission cost 5x P-39 Airacobras. The attackers claimed one Zero for their efforts, and the B-25s were able to attack the ships in the port. However, we have no reports that any additional damage was scored against the Japanese navy.
• Bombing Campaign against Soerabaja Continues
The Japanese are continuing their bombing campaign against Soerabaja, Java, while their armies move into position for a ground assault. Soerabaja was hit today by over five dozen Sally bombers from the 60th, 62nd, and 98th Heavy Saitais flying out of Batavia, and four dozen Lily bombers of the 75th and 89th Light Saitais flying out of the newly captured bases at Madioen in central Java.
The Japanese continue to make their runs at very high altitudes – 4 miles or more – keeping allied casualties to a minimum.
• Japan Sweeps for Guerillas in Sumatra Jungle
Japan launched an operation to sweep the jungles of western Sumatra for Dutch soldiers who had taken to the jungle. Radio reports from the soldiers were garbled. We did learn that the 81st Naval Guards, Ikaisai Special Naval Landing Force, Yokusuka 4th Special Naval Landing Force, and Kainan Guards Special Naval Landing Force participated in the sweep. However, allied intelligence reports that they are not sure of these names, given the poor quality of the transmission.
Japan managed to surround and force the surrender of the bulk of the guerilla force that was being organized. I would expect no more reports to reach us from eastern Sumatra.
• Japan Occupies Taung Gyi, Burma
The Japanese 14th Tank Regiment rolled into Taung Gyi today without opposition and took control of the town and all of its facilities. This area is rich with resources that will certainly help the Japanese war effort. Therefore, orders have gone out to the bomber squadrons in India to hit these targets at the first available opportunity.
Bomber command in India has been working through the last week identifying targets and familiarizing pilots with the lay of the land, so we expect successful missions. Our first priority will be the war resources. Japan started this war out of a thirst for resources, so that is what we will seek to deny them.
That’s it for today.
Tomorrow, I feel that I should pay a visit to the 115th USAAF Base Force at Palmyra, and the 40th USA Infantry Division at Christmas Island. It was their brothers who were killed and captured at Baker Island. I think I need to face them. There will be some people complaining about why these units were put in a place we could not defend. I'll have to remind them of Hong King, the Philippines, Malaya and Singapore, Rangoon, and 30,000 soldiers waiting for the end at Soerabaja in Java, about Rabaul and Wake Island.
Our job is to buy time for bases like Palmyra and Christmas Island to become forts. "They bought you precious days, maybe weeks. Honor their sacrifice by using that time well." That will be the theme of my speech.
I hope that I can make it sound convincing.
That is, if this wind quits blowing and I can take off tomorrow.
Thayne[/font]
- Attachments
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- 19420214Baker.jpg (27.73 KiB) Viewed 54 times
Sunday, February 15, 1942
[font="Courier New"]Sunday, February 15, 1942
Henry
My weekly summary, for those who might have access to these records who do not want to read through 70 daily reports.
Losses
Naval Losses: 32 Ships (1 ship in the past week)
• BC Repulse
• CAs: Houston, New Orleans
• CLs: Du Ruyter, Danae, Tromp
• DDs: Panther, Flusser, Lawrence
• PGs: Isabel, Asheville
• SSs: S-38, KXV
• ASs: Otus, Canopus
• MSW Penguin
• PTs: PT-21, PT-31, PT-32, PT-34, TM-13, TM-14, TM-15
• AP President Madison
• AKs, Large: Steel Voyager, Mormacdove*
• AKs, Small: Taurus, Empire Elk; Governor Wright; Idaho
• TKs: Gertrude Kellogg, Manataway
* represents a newly sunk ship
Air Losses: 1221 Planes - 178 in the last week
• 624 planes shot down (+150)
• 398 planes destroyed on the ground (+8)
• 32 planes destroyed by flak (+7)
• 169 planes lost due to accident and wear (+13)
Top 20 Air Losses by Type
• 154x P-40B Tomahawk (+13)
• 110x Hurricane (+41)
• 102x Buffalo
• 80x P-40E Warhawk (+8)
• 78x Brewster 339D (+18)
• 73x Whirraway (+17)
• 56x Hudson (+18)
• 43x PBY Catalina
• 40x Martin 139 (+5)
• 37x SB-2c (+9)
• 28x Blenheim IV
• 28x CW-21B Demon (+11)
• 27x P-36A Mohawk
• 25x F4F-3 (+6)
• 24x P-26A
• 24x Blenheim I
• 19x TIVa (new addition)
• 19x Catalina 1 (new addition)
• 18x P-35A
• 18x P-39D (new addition)
• 18x Vildebeast IV
Reserves of the following airplane types have been totally drained:
• Brewster 339D
• Buffalo I
• Catalena I
• I-16 Type 24
• Lockheed 212
• Martin 139
• P-39D Airacobra
• P-40B Tomahawk
• P-40E Tomahawk
• TIVa
There are 22x Hurricanes crated in India in reserve.
These losses are entirely unsustainable. I have sent news to all commands to view all air losses as irreplaceable until the war machinery can get up to speed. We simply are not going to engage the Japanese except on terms that are to our advantage.
In the mean time, offensive bombing operations will continue against targets of opportunity – targets with little air-to-air defense.
Damage Inflicted
Military intelligence estimates the losses suffered by the Japanese to be the following
Naval Losses: 13 ships
• 1x Destroyer
• 7x Submarines
• 1x Minelayer
• 2x Minesweeper
• 1x Cargo ship
• 1x Troop transport
Air Losses: 330 Airplanes
The air loss numbers include those shot down in air to air combat, flak, and destroyed on the ground. It does not include operational losses, which are substantially unknown.
Summary By Region
North Pacific
In order to pull Japanese forces out of the South Pacific, Roosevelt has ordered a significant attack on north Pacific islands -- specifically the Kurile Islands. The hope is that Japan will see themselves as being vulnerable to an attack from this direction, and will move assets to the north. CVs Enterprise and Hornet have been assigned to this mission.
Present deployment, from the furthest outpost to Anchorage
• Kiska: Near the tip of the Aleutian Islands, MSW Oriole performs frequent patrols to the southwest to see if Japan is trying to get through the open waters.
• Amchikita: 250 miles east of Kiska, AVD Gilles and VP-41 (12x PBY) to patrol the approaches to Alaska.
• Dutch Harbor: 400 miles east of Amchikita, 14,000 troops, 24x P-36A.
• Kodiak: 350 miles northeast of Dutch Harbor
Stationed units: 15,000 troops, 32x Bombers.
• Anchorage: 6,500 troops.
• Nome: 6,500 troops.
Central Pacific
Since the start of the war, Japan has taken Wake Island and, this week, Baker Island. Nothing else has come under threat.
Engineers have built a crude port and airstrip at French Frigate Shoals, and are working on another at Laysan Island (400 miles southeast of Midway). These airstrips will allow us to ferry shorter-range aircraft from Hawaii to Midway. The Laysan Island strip will be completed in early March.
There are just under 80,000 troops on the Hawiian Islands, with garrisons at Pearl, Hilo, Kona, and Lahina. The 27th USA Infantry Division is on Big Island. This week, the 102nd USA Regimental Combat Team will occupy Lihu, 100 miles west of Pearl Harbor. These units will prevent Japan from easily landing on these islands and threatening Pearl Harbor.
Palmyra: 15,000 troops, 50x fighters, 100x bombers
Christmas Island: 19,000 troops, no air units.
I consider these islands to be at risk, now that Baker Island has fallen. For atolls, these islands are fairly large, capable of holding more troops than places like French Frigate Shoals and Midway. Engineers are working to fortify the islands.
Johnson Island: 4,500 troops. This island is also at risk. With a fairly well developed airfield, it would be useful for Japan to keep Hawaii in check. It needs reinforcements.
South Pacific
The area has been quiet, except for two carrier raids on Canton Island, and submarine floatplanes taking a look around Canton, Samoa, and New Caledonia.
Given the possibility that Japan may capture these islands, I have ordered that the troops spend their efforts fortifying the islands rather than building up facilities that could fall in enemy hands. The only work to be done on the infrastructure is that airfields should at least be able to handle land-based bombers. Beyond that, fortifications are all that matter.
• Canton Island: 15,000 troops, 50x fighters, 100x bombers. This island is now on the front lines now that the enemy has captured Baker Island. Supply will be by transport aircraft flying from Samoa to the south and emergency transport, because of the threat of Japanese air attack.
• Samoa (Pago Pago): 15,000 troops split between American (10,000) and British (5,000) Samoa. Also, 50x fighters and 15x bombers, as well as support planes. Both are American responsibility. The South Pacific Headquarters is now stationed on this island. It is also the home of VF-3, VB-3, and VT-3 from CV Saratoga while that ship is at Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs. 2,000 marines from 2nd USMC Division are due to arrive within the next couple of days. American Samoa is also the home of a South Pacific fleet built around the battleship Colorado.
• Tongatapu: 3,500 troops, plus 60x bombers flying ASW missions along the route from Samoa to Fiji.
• Fiji: 16,000 troops (New Zealand), 15x bombers.
• New Caledonia: 4,000 troops. Until the Americal Division gets here (in about 1 month) there is little that can be done here. Efforts are being made to get as much supply to Australia as quickly as possible, just in case Japan manages to cut off the supply routes. The Americal Division will be made available tomorrow and will be immediately shipped to New Caledonia.
Southwest Pacific
As mentioned above, I am very much concerned that Australia will be cut off from supplies, so I am ordering supplies to Australia as fast as the ships can be loaded. This week, 150,000 tons of supplies are due at Sydney.
Australia has suffered a severe shortage of fuel, and that has prevented the reinforcement of Port Moresby. This week, three tankers delivered oil to Sydney, and another tanker will be delivering fuel to Brisbane. At this point, efforts will be made to send reinforcements to Port Moresby.
• Port Moresby: 5,500 troops, now sits under the Japanese air umbrella out of Rabaul and Lae. Still, McArthur has been launching offensive air operations out of the city, striking at least 7 ships (2x troop transport, 1x patrol gunboat, and 4x barges) as well as damaging facilities at Buna and at Gasmata (on the southern coast of New Britain). Transport planes flying out of northeastern Australia keep it well supplied.
• Air Force: The Air Force in the Southwest Pacific is about to experience a significant boost, with the arrival of 3 USA fighter groups from the United States (to add to the 2 USA fighter groups already in Australia). In addition, the Dutch have created a refuge for their air force at Adelaide in southern Australia. The Dutch hope to use this facility to train replacement pilots and to provide Australia with a reserve air force of perhaps as many as 150 planes.
• 6th and 7th Australian Division: The 7th Australian Division is now in the Indian Ocean under heavy escort and is approaching the west coast of Australia. It is due to dock in Sydney in about 3 weeks. The 6th Australian Division is still in the Middle East.
• North Australian Navy. Ships docked at Darwin took another hit from Japanese long-range bombers today, severely damaging CL Boise and DD John D. Edwards. All remaining ships have been ordered to safer ports, by way of Perth (given the power of Japanese long-range bombers at Rabaul). The two damaged ships will have to remain behind until their damage is repaired -- if they do not get sunk in the mean time.
ABDA Command
For all practical purposes, Japan controls all of the dutch East Indies except for the region from Timor to the middle of Java.
• Java This is where the fighting is being done. Japan destroyed the Dutch air force by drawing it out to attack a carrier force and shooting down over 50 Dutch airplanes in 2 days -- losing only 1 Zero fighter in exchange. This leaves the ground forces open.
There have been daily bombing raids on Soerabaja, but they have been from very high altitudes and inflicting little damage. Serious damage was done by a naval bombardment during the week that inflicted nearly 2,000 casualties and destroyed nearly 50 defensive guns. However, Soerabaja is left with 30,000 well-rested troops and a heavy stockpile of supplies. It should be able to hold out for a while.
Japan does have over 60,000 troops at Soerabaja and 150 bombers, but the Americans in the Philippines held out against similar odds for weeks. I expect that the Dutch will be able to keep up the fight at least through the end of the month.
• Bali Bali, off the eastern coast of Java, has 10,000 troops and has been vigorously building defenses on this small island. It is hoped that this island will slow the Japanese advance even more as it has to make preparations to reduce and then attack this island. Efforts have been made to ensure that the island has the resources to endure a siege.
• Timor Timor has been largely abandoned, except for a token force at Koepang, on the western tip. The airfield here continues to be used to watch Japanese movements and to ferry airplanes to eastern Java. It is hoped that we can muster enough of a force in eastern Java (particularly Bali) to slow the Japanese down.
• Aru Island Like Bali, the plan is to fortify this island in the hopes that it will serve as a breakwater for the Japanese advance. At present, it has 6,000 troops similarly working to build up the defenses for the island in preparation for a Japanese attack. The thinking is that an attack here will buy time to further reinforce Darwin and northern Australia. Also, Aru will draw air and surface bombardment attacks away from Darwin.
Burma
In the past week, Japan has moved about 300 miles up central Burma. They have captured Taung Gyi, southeast of Mandalay in central Burma, and are moving into Pagan, southwest of Mandalay. The main army is nearing Mandalay itself.
I believe that we are going to abandon the city. My military experts agree that if we fight to hold the place, Japan can maneuver so that the troops in Mandalay end up getting trapped there, having no route for escape other than to China. There, the troops would do little good. Therefore, to ensure that they can safely retreat to India, they will be retreating out of Mandalay as the Japanese approach.
With the capture of Taung Gyi, strategic bomber squadrons that have moved to India from the Philippines will go to work making sure that the life of the average Japanese soldier in Burma is nasty, cruel, brutish, and short. Our plans will be to continue to avoid the heavy fighter concentrations at Rangoon and to focus on the fringe bases -- Taung Gyi, Pagan, and Lashio (once it becomes a Japanese base). When we return to Burma (which I am thinking may happen in the summer of 1943), we will take these areas first and use them to provide air cover for the rest of the operation.
Ceylon
I would like to have it be known that the British have 35,000 troops on Ceylon -- including the 18th UK Division -- to resist any Japanese invasion of this island. We also have 15 fighters and 65 bombers, with 10 more fighters at the nearby Indian town of Madras. As is being done elsewhere, these units have been told to focus on fortifying their positions first, and not to build up infrastructure that might fall into enemy hands.
There are troops stationed at every port on the east shore of India -- including (from south to north) 6,500 at Mannargudi, 3,500 at Madras, and 2,500 at Yanam.
China
Japanese forces finished their project of clearing the Shanghai-Hanoi railroad this past week. The rest of the Chinese army is now locked in the interior. This will, of course, allow Japan to ship war materials from southeast Asia to ports much nearer to Japan, and drop off supplies from Japan in ports in China for rail transport to Hanoi, Bangkok, and Singapore.
They accomplished this substantially with the help of Chang Kai Shek, who refused to put up anything more than a token resistance to the Japanese advance.
Thayne[/font]
Henry
My weekly summary, for those who might have access to these records who do not want to read through 70 daily reports.
Losses
Naval Losses: 32 Ships (1 ship in the past week)
• BC Repulse
• CAs: Houston, New Orleans
• CLs: Du Ruyter, Danae, Tromp
• DDs: Panther, Flusser, Lawrence
• PGs: Isabel, Asheville
• SSs: S-38, KXV
• ASs: Otus, Canopus
• MSW Penguin
• PTs: PT-21, PT-31, PT-32, PT-34, TM-13, TM-14, TM-15
• AP President Madison
• AKs, Large: Steel Voyager, Mormacdove*
• AKs, Small: Taurus, Empire Elk; Governor Wright; Idaho
• TKs: Gertrude Kellogg, Manataway
* represents a newly sunk ship
Air Losses: 1221 Planes - 178 in the last week
• 624 planes shot down (+150)
• 398 planes destroyed on the ground (+8)
• 32 planes destroyed by flak (+7)
• 169 planes lost due to accident and wear (+13)
Top 20 Air Losses by Type
• 154x P-40B Tomahawk (+13)
• 110x Hurricane (+41)
• 102x Buffalo
• 80x P-40E Warhawk (+8)
• 78x Brewster 339D (+18)
• 73x Whirraway (+17)
• 56x Hudson (+18)
• 43x PBY Catalina
• 40x Martin 139 (+5)
• 37x SB-2c (+9)
• 28x Blenheim IV
• 28x CW-21B Demon (+11)
• 27x P-36A Mohawk
• 25x F4F-3 (+6)
• 24x P-26A
• 24x Blenheim I
• 19x TIVa (new addition)
• 19x Catalina 1 (new addition)
• 18x P-35A
• 18x P-39D (new addition)
• 18x Vildebeast IV
Reserves of the following airplane types have been totally drained:
• Brewster 339D
• Buffalo I
• Catalena I
• I-16 Type 24
• Lockheed 212
• Martin 139
• P-39D Airacobra
• P-40B Tomahawk
• P-40E Tomahawk
• TIVa
There are 22x Hurricanes crated in India in reserve.
These losses are entirely unsustainable. I have sent news to all commands to view all air losses as irreplaceable until the war machinery can get up to speed. We simply are not going to engage the Japanese except on terms that are to our advantage.
In the mean time, offensive bombing operations will continue against targets of opportunity – targets with little air-to-air defense.
Damage Inflicted
Military intelligence estimates the losses suffered by the Japanese to be the following
Naval Losses: 13 ships
• 1x Destroyer
• 7x Submarines
• 1x Minelayer
• 2x Minesweeper
• 1x Cargo ship
• 1x Troop transport
Air Losses: 330 Airplanes
The air loss numbers include those shot down in air to air combat, flak, and destroyed on the ground. It does not include operational losses, which are substantially unknown.
Summary By Region
North Pacific
In order to pull Japanese forces out of the South Pacific, Roosevelt has ordered a significant attack on north Pacific islands -- specifically the Kurile Islands. The hope is that Japan will see themselves as being vulnerable to an attack from this direction, and will move assets to the north. CVs Enterprise and Hornet have been assigned to this mission.
Present deployment, from the furthest outpost to Anchorage
• Kiska: Near the tip of the Aleutian Islands, MSW Oriole performs frequent patrols to the southwest to see if Japan is trying to get through the open waters.
• Amchikita: 250 miles east of Kiska, AVD Gilles and VP-41 (12x PBY) to patrol the approaches to Alaska.
• Dutch Harbor: 400 miles east of Amchikita, 14,000 troops, 24x P-36A.
• Kodiak: 350 miles northeast of Dutch Harbor
Stationed units: 15,000 troops, 32x Bombers.
• Anchorage: 6,500 troops.
• Nome: 6,500 troops.
Central Pacific
Since the start of the war, Japan has taken Wake Island and, this week, Baker Island. Nothing else has come under threat.
Engineers have built a crude port and airstrip at French Frigate Shoals, and are working on another at Laysan Island (400 miles southeast of Midway). These airstrips will allow us to ferry shorter-range aircraft from Hawaii to Midway. The Laysan Island strip will be completed in early March.
There are just under 80,000 troops on the Hawiian Islands, with garrisons at Pearl, Hilo, Kona, and Lahina. The 27th USA Infantry Division is on Big Island. This week, the 102nd USA Regimental Combat Team will occupy Lihu, 100 miles west of Pearl Harbor. These units will prevent Japan from easily landing on these islands and threatening Pearl Harbor.
Palmyra: 15,000 troops, 50x fighters, 100x bombers
Christmas Island: 19,000 troops, no air units.
I consider these islands to be at risk, now that Baker Island has fallen. For atolls, these islands are fairly large, capable of holding more troops than places like French Frigate Shoals and Midway. Engineers are working to fortify the islands.
Johnson Island: 4,500 troops. This island is also at risk. With a fairly well developed airfield, it would be useful for Japan to keep Hawaii in check. It needs reinforcements.
South Pacific
The area has been quiet, except for two carrier raids on Canton Island, and submarine floatplanes taking a look around Canton, Samoa, and New Caledonia.
Given the possibility that Japan may capture these islands, I have ordered that the troops spend their efforts fortifying the islands rather than building up facilities that could fall in enemy hands. The only work to be done on the infrastructure is that airfields should at least be able to handle land-based bombers. Beyond that, fortifications are all that matter.
• Canton Island: 15,000 troops, 50x fighters, 100x bombers. This island is now on the front lines now that the enemy has captured Baker Island. Supply will be by transport aircraft flying from Samoa to the south and emergency transport, because of the threat of Japanese air attack.
• Samoa (Pago Pago): 15,000 troops split between American (10,000) and British (5,000) Samoa. Also, 50x fighters and 15x bombers, as well as support planes. Both are American responsibility. The South Pacific Headquarters is now stationed on this island. It is also the home of VF-3, VB-3, and VT-3 from CV Saratoga while that ship is at Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs. 2,000 marines from 2nd USMC Division are due to arrive within the next couple of days. American Samoa is also the home of a South Pacific fleet built around the battleship Colorado.
• Tongatapu: 3,500 troops, plus 60x bombers flying ASW missions along the route from Samoa to Fiji.
• Fiji: 16,000 troops (New Zealand), 15x bombers.
• New Caledonia: 4,000 troops. Until the Americal Division gets here (in about 1 month) there is little that can be done here. Efforts are being made to get as much supply to Australia as quickly as possible, just in case Japan manages to cut off the supply routes. The Americal Division will be made available tomorrow and will be immediately shipped to New Caledonia.
Southwest Pacific
As mentioned above, I am very much concerned that Australia will be cut off from supplies, so I am ordering supplies to Australia as fast as the ships can be loaded. This week, 150,000 tons of supplies are due at Sydney.
Australia has suffered a severe shortage of fuel, and that has prevented the reinforcement of Port Moresby. This week, three tankers delivered oil to Sydney, and another tanker will be delivering fuel to Brisbane. At this point, efforts will be made to send reinforcements to Port Moresby.
• Port Moresby: 5,500 troops, now sits under the Japanese air umbrella out of Rabaul and Lae. Still, McArthur has been launching offensive air operations out of the city, striking at least 7 ships (2x troop transport, 1x patrol gunboat, and 4x barges) as well as damaging facilities at Buna and at Gasmata (on the southern coast of New Britain). Transport planes flying out of northeastern Australia keep it well supplied.
• Air Force: The Air Force in the Southwest Pacific is about to experience a significant boost, with the arrival of 3 USA fighter groups from the United States (to add to the 2 USA fighter groups already in Australia). In addition, the Dutch have created a refuge for their air force at Adelaide in southern Australia. The Dutch hope to use this facility to train replacement pilots and to provide Australia with a reserve air force of perhaps as many as 150 planes.
• 6th and 7th Australian Division: The 7th Australian Division is now in the Indian Ocean under heavy escort and is approaching the west coast of Australia. It is due to dock in Sydney in about 3 weeks. The 6th Australian Division is still in the Middle East.
• North Australian Navy. Ships docked at Darwin took another hit from Japanese long-range bombers today, severely damaging CL Boise and DD John D. Edwards. All remaining ships have been ordered to safer ports, by way of Perth (given the power of Japanese long-range bombers at Rabaul). The two damaged ships will have to remain behind until their damage is repaired -- if they do not get sunk in the mean time.
ABDA Command
For all practical purposes, Japan controls all of the dutch East Indies except for the region from Timor to the middle of Java.
• Java This is where the fighting is being done. Japan destroyed the Dutch air force by drawing it out to attack a carrier force and shooting down over 50 Dutch airplanes in 2 days -- losing only 1 Zero fighter in exchange. This leaves the ground forces open.
There have been daily bombing raids on Soerabaja, but they have been from very high altitudes and inflicting little damage. Serious damage was done by a naval bombardment during the week that inflicted nearly 2,000 casualties and destroyed nearly 50 defensive guns. However, Soerabaja is left with 30,000 well-rested troops and a heavy stockpile of supplies. It should be able to hold out for a while.
Japan does have over 60,000 troops at Soerabaja and 150 bombers, but the Americans in the Philippines held out against similar odds for weeks. I expect that the Dutch will be able to keep up the fight at least through the end of the month.
• Bali Bali, off the eastern coast of Java, has 10,000 troops and has been vigorously building defenses on this small island. It is hoped that this island will slow the Japanese advance even more as it has to make preparations to reduce and then attack this island. Efforts have been made to ensure that the island has the resources to endure a siege.
• Timor Timor has been largely abandoned, except for a token force at Koepang, on the western tip. The airfield here continues to be used to watch Japanese movements and to ferry airplanes to eastern Java. It is hoped that we can muster enough of a force in eastern Java (particularly Bali) to slow the Japanese down.
• Aru Island Like Bali, the plan is to fortify this island in the hopes that it will serve as a breakwater for the Japanese advance. At present, it has 6,000 troops similarly working to build up the defenses for the island in preparation for a Japanese attack. The thinking is that an attack here will buy time to further reinforce Darwin and northern Australia. Also, Aru will draw air and surface bombardment attacks away from Darwin.
Burma
In the past week, Japan has moved about 300 miles up central Burma. They have captured Taung Gyi, southeast of Mandalay in central Burma, and are moving into Pagan, southwest of Mandalay. The main army is nearing Mandalay itself.
I believe that we are going to abandon the city. My military experts agree that if we fight to hold the place, Japan can maneuver so that the troops in Mandalay end up getting trapped there, having no route for escape other than to China. There, the troops would do little good. Therefore, to ensure that they can safely retreat to India, they will be retreating out of Mandalay as the Japanese approach.
With the capture of Taung Gyi, strategic bomber squadrons that have moved to India from the Philippines will go to work making sure that the life of the average Japanese soldier in Burma is nasty, cruel, brutish, and short. Our plans will be to continue to avoid the heavy fighter concentrations at Rangoon and to focus on the fringe bases -- Taung Gyi, Pagan, and Lashio (once it becomes a Japanese base). When we return to Burma (which I am thinking may happen in the summer of 1943), we will take these areas first and use them to provide air cover for the rest of the operation.
Ceylon
I would like to have it be known that the British have 35,000 troops on Ceylon -- including the 18th UK Division -- to resist any Japanese invasion of this island. We also have 15 fighters and 65 bombers, with 10 more fighters at the nearby Indian town of Madras. As is being done elsewhere, these units have been told to focus on fortifying their positions first, and not to build up infrastructure that might fall into enemy hands.
There are troops stationed at every port on the east shore of India -- including (from south to north) 6,500 at Mannargudi, 3,500 at Madras, and 2,500 at Yanam.
China
Japanese forces finished their project of clearing the Shanghai-Hanoi railroad this past week. The rest of the Chinese army is now locked in the interior. This will, of course, allow Japan to ship war materials from southeast Asia to ports much nearer to Japan, and drop off supplies from Japan in ports in China for rail transport to Hanoi, Bangkok, and Singapore.
They accomplished this substantially with the help of Chang Kai Shek, who refused to put up anything more than a token resistance to the Japanese advance.
Thayne[/font]
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Speedysteve
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RE: Sunday, February 15, 1942
Good to see you back Thayne [:)]
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