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Combat
replay file (no longer maintained here - emailed)
Game
file (no longer maintained here - emailed)
Combat Reports
- Dec 12-14 1943 CVE Kaiyo
now ready for service (Tokyo, 10 points damage); air to air war reasonably
quiet with the allies losing 32 aircraft month to date and Japan 30; the
allies must be planning their next move…
- Dec 9-11 1943 All
resistance on Espiritu Santo is over as the last remaining Japanese troops
surrender
- Dec 6-8 1943 SS Land
Lance sunk of the SW coast of Nagasaki, by Destroyer squadron led by DD
Yakase; carriers at Truk now fully re-supplied with aircraft, and CV
Shinano arrived Tokyo for fleet action – carrier forces need to
re-evaluated
- Dec 3-5 1943 Carrier
air reinforcements approach Truk, too late to send the fleet south to help
beleaguered troops on Luganville; attack in China continue
- Nov 30-Dec 2 1943
Deliberate attack at Chungking resulted in losses for Japan of 3K troops
while allies lost 2K and the defense was determined to be at level
6…something happening? Luganville
remains under siege and cut off as carrier forces at Truk are being
re-enforced from Tokyo; SS RO-61 was lost gallantly defending Luganville
- Nov 27-29 1943 Forces
attacking Ledo were repulsed; 24K Japanese soldiers died at Chungking in a
massive firefight to the detriment of 10K Americans; attacks were ordered
ongoing at this 2-1 ration; an American submarine was spotted off the SE
coast of Borneo…looking for new supply routes? Luganville, on Espiritu Santo, was lost to the Allies though
Japanese forces remain on the island continuing the defence
- Nov 24-26 1943 Forces
engaged at Luganville (see below) as attacks intensified; defenses beaten
down (from 9 to 6) so expecting unyielding attacks in the next week;
additional carrier forces are unable to reinforce the island due to lack
of coordinating air reinforcements from Japan not due for at least 10
days…by which time it could be too late…
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- Nov 21-23 1943 CVE
Tokyo damaged; being repaired.
Additional carrier born aircraft (fighters and torpedo bombers)
ordered to the south pacific to reinforce weakened units in the area
(Truk); CV Shinano due 27 days; Allied submarine activity now focusing off
the west coast of Japan; ASW units were ordered to intercept and converge
in the area
- Nov 18-20 1943 Yet
more allied troops landed on Espiritu Sanu; though the Americans seem
happy to bombard than attack the now cut off Japanese forces on the
island; SS RO-34 was hit 5 times while attempting to strike the allied
landing craft near the base
- Nov 15-17 1943 19
Allied aircraft lost for 65 Japanese over the carrier based defense of
Espiritu Santu…still no Allied land attack…
- Nov 12-14 1943 No
Japanese air losses reported!
Additional troops ordered to Iwo Jima
- Nov 9-11 1943 CVE
Casablanca reported sunk! Allied
forces cannot be repelled off Espiritu Santu
- Nov 6-8 1943 The
initial allied attack (November 6th) at Espiritu Santu took
place with stalemate:
![](./war_files/image007.jpg)
![](./war_files/image009.jpg)
and the attack was
repulsed; Japan initiated its own attack to try to push the allies back into
the sea.
- Nov 3-5 1943 CVE
Casablanca hit by 3 250lb bombs and a torpedo by the arriving carrier
force; though news of the approaching allied force was also received;
troops spotted on Espiritu Santu at 14K;
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- Oct 31-Nov 2 1943 ASW
operations in the south of Japan was effective; SS Escado was hit 5 times;
as was SS Steelhead; DD Bancroft was reported sunk; and CVE Cassablanca
evaded numerous air attacks off Espiritu Santu; 27K allies are now on the
island; the bomber and fighter squadrons were moved off the island; the
carrier strike forces are approaching…allies lost 107 aircraft this month;
Japanese 218
- Oct 28-30 1943 While
the Imperial carrier fleet is weakened in the central Pacific, the large
allied carrier attack there had screened an invasion of Espiritu Santu
with 12K allied troops; now the Japanese carrier resources in the area are
weakened, but defense has to be undertaken; 3 supply vessels were also
lost; additional strike air resources were ordered to Kwajalein to help
reinforce the weakened carrier units (not participating in the defense of
Espiritu Santu)
- The defense of Espiritu Santu; joint carrier
forces from Truk and Kwajalein to converge NE of the invasion force;
carrier force based at Kwajalein however is not active with CV Taiho;
depleted of aircraft the carrier was ordered to Japan for refit of
aircraft; however the joined force does consist of 4 fleet CV carriers, 2
CVE’s and 1 CVL for a combined total of 355 aircraft
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- Oct 25-27 1943 The BB
Washington was spotted (Oct 25) off the west coast of Espiritu Santu;
Additional US surface units were spotted later in the day in the same
area:
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- Japanese air units were ordered to attach but
no damaged was reported; the carrier squadron returning to Kwajalein was
intercepted by an allied carrier force; the Japanese struck first but a
wall of fire (87 F4Fs) met the Imperial attackers and many Japanese
aircraft and crewmen were lost (37)
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- Later on October 26th it became
clear that another allied carrier was operating off the coast of Espiritu
Santu when carrier born aircraft defended a force from the island:
- The retreating Japanese carrier force, no
longer protecting the supply force, left it to the mercy of the larger
aggressive American carrier force.
As a consequence, the damage was predictable, and high:
![](./war_files/image023.jpg)
and
in the afternoon:
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- Over the three days the Japanese lost 87
aircraft (MTD 180) and the Allies 27 (MTD 92); and 6 Japanese supply ships
were sunk
- Oct 22-24 1943 One
Imperial AK was lost due to submarine activity on 22nd; as was
one allied AK in the central Pacific; SS Binefish was reported sunk; the
submarine had been hit several times October 3rd; Battle of
Tuvalu October 23 1943 – allied air units from possibly 3 American
carriers attacked a Japanese supply force in the south pacific damaging
badly the light cruiser CL Kitakami;
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- Attacks continued on the 24th,
leading to a massive strike against the cruiser CA Suzuya, though oddly
without fighter protection…..
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- Oct 19-21 1943 8
Allied submarines operating off the southern Japanese coast; CL Mobile was
sunk by the raiding carrier force in the south east pacific, screening the
supply routes in the region; the cruiser was itself escorting several
allied supply ships
- Oct 16-18 1943
Massive Japanese air losses – 37 – mostly around Espirito Santo
- Oct 13-15 1943 9
allied air lost – MTD 38; 3 Japanese MTD 18; re-supply covered by carrier
force operating in the south east pacific…
- Oct 10-12 1943 SS Ray
hit twice off the south coast of Japan by ASW force led by DD Shiranuhi
though a minesweeper was lost in the attack; SS Shark hit once near
Kwajalein, by ASW led by DD Shigure; again 3 more hits the next day; Some
allied supply force was spotted moving North toward Singapore; a large air
force intercepted and mailed the force; all sunk!
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- Oct 7-9 1943 9 allied
submarines now off the south coast of Japan; CVE Copahee spotted S/SE of
Tarawa, attacked by long range bombers, lost trace of location since; SS
Tullibee 4 hits (task force led by DD Yukaze) south of Japan, lost a
minesweeper; SS Ray 9 hits (task force led by Fumizuki) south of Japan,
lost another minesweeper; DD Wakatake lost due to submarine activity off
the south
- Oct 4-6 1943 Seven
allied submarines now operating off the south coast of Japan in a more
even spread east to west…
- Oct 1-3 1943 The
allied attack on Ledo was pushed back; SS Tullibee was hit twice (led by
DD Fumizuki), south east of Kagoshima; SS Bonefish was hit 6 times a day
later by the same destroyer force; SS Balao was reported sunk – she was
hit September 10th by DD Shiranuhi, off the south coast of
Japan, on her retreat to the east; allied air losses were 5; Japanese 6
- Sept 28-30 1943 The
Allies stormed Ledo again with 30K troops; the Japanese, with 70K troops,
held them off and prepared to attack; allies lost 3 air for a MTD today of
78; the Japanese lost 4 for a MTD today of 78
- Sept 25-27 1943 SS
Steelhead hit 8 times off the south of Japan by ASW force led by DD
Furnizuki; allied air losses 9 (MTD 75) and Japan 21 (MTD 75); withering
carrier attacks on Espititu Santu are bleeding the fighter cover over the
base; additional fighter units were ordered transferred from Japan;
additional fighter and bomber squadrons were ordered from the homeland to
Pago Pago also…
- Sept 22-24 1943 8
Subs are patrolling off the south coast of Japan; additional ASW units
were ordered to the area; naval damage has escalated as shown in the
report below:
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- Sept 19-21 1943 CVE
Kaiyo returns safely to Tokyo with 94% fire damage; Truk carrier force
re-fuels at Truk (very limited fuel) and heads south
- Sept 16-18 1943 7
Allied submarines operating off the south coast of Japan in wolf pack like
formation; CVE Kaiyo continues to limp home east of the wolf pack toward
Tokyo; CVE Taiho ordered west to avoid operating submarine force; 5 allied
aircraft lost for a month to date total of 58; for Japan it was 4 and MTD
45.
- Sept 13-15 1943 Sept
13, CVE Kaiyo is hit enroute to Truk; orders were sent to return to base
for repairs.
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- Sept 10-12 1943 Sept
10th; SS Balao was struck 2 reportedly, by ASW fleet led by DD
Shiranuhi, off the south coast of Japan, where 6 allied submarines were
reportedly operating as a wolf pack; 30 F4F’s and 18 SBD Dauntless Dive bombers
attacked Pago Pago from the West; the 16 land based Zero’s tried to defend
the base; Japan lost 5 Zeros and the allies 3 SBDs; a follow up attach
occurred later on in the afternoon and the Americans lost another 2 SBD’s
evening the score for the day, though the Army reportedly lost 50 service
men and some heavy guns; the attack on Chungking resumed; 380K Japanese
versus 203K allies; in the attack the Japanese lost 12K and the allies 2K;
no attack breached the strong defensive perimeter; it is not clear how the
allies remain supplied; the allied attack at Ledo was repulsed; the 20th
and 23rd Indian Divisions, the 254th and 255th Indian
Tank Brigade, and 7th Armored Division were pushed back from
the area;
- Sept 11th – SS Aspro was struck
twice off the south coast of Japan, by another ASW force led by DD Yukaze;
The carrier strike force screening the re-supply to Pago Pago was
traversing south east of the Gilbert’s, and intercepted an allied troop
transport fleet! The carrier force
attached mercilessly and scored many hits:
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- As a result of the attack the DD Wilson and DD
Clarke were sunk!
- Sept 12th; 6 subs operating off the
south coast of Japan
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- Due to overwhelming local superiority in
carrier units in the vicinity the Japanese carrier force was ordered to
withdraw; additional fuel supply shortages in Truk, Siapan, and Kwajalein
will enforce limited operations in the area until supplies can be
distributed
- Sept 7-9 1943 9
Allied air (27 month to date) and 1 Japanese (9) were lost; the Army at
Chungking suffered a defeat losing 10K to 2K mean in renewed fighting
about 300K men were attacking 200K allies; the Allies had renewed an
offensive in Ledo but ordered were issued to repulse the allied; around
30K Japanese face 20K allies; the Navy voiced concern to HQ that at this
particular time, they were particularly stretched. Several fleet units including two CS
(including Chitose) and two BB (Fuso, Yamashiro) were being ordered to
Osaka for refit and conversion; this leaves the perimeter forces thinner
than usual though additional reinforcement units were being ordered from
Tokyo; CVE Kaiyo (capacity 24) is about to dock at Tokyo ready for service;
the Kwajalein carrier force is screening a supply run to the south
pacific; and the carrier force at Truk is screening a supply run to
Espiritu Santu; only one carrier remains in research in the central and
south Pacific area; and Truk remains dangerously low on fuel!
- Sept 4-6 1943 4
Allied aircraft were lost (18 for the month) and 5 Japanese (8); CVE Unyo
was spotted by allied submarine spotter NE of Wake, screening the supply
force; 6 subs operating south of Japan in hunter pack form – ASW units
were ordered to converge in the area; CS Chitose (Siapan), BB Fuso and BB
Yamashira (Truk) were ordered to Osaka for upgrading; CVE Kaiyo (24) is
due from the construction yard in 7 days
- Sept 1-3 1943 SS
Bluefish suck off the south coast of Hong Kong; Allied air losses 14 to
Japanese 3; 5 allied submarines spotted of coast of Japan; carrier strike
force en route from Truk to Espiritu Santu was recalled since the allied
carrier forces have evacuated the area and no trace of direction or
situation; re-supply operations undertaken in the South Pacific screened
with carrier force from Kwajalein
- Aug 29-31 1943 SS
I-64 off Espirity Santo sunk by allied ASW patrols; bombardment of the
area continues; the main carrier strike force leaves Truk reinforced with
fleet carrier Zuikoku; 29th Chinese Corp and 67th
Chinese Division surrender, around 7K troops, north of Hanoi; allied air
losses were 1 for the 3 day period for a total of 110 for the month; for
Japan it was 4 and 229
- Aug 26-28 1943 SS I-2
sunk off the West coast of Espiritu Santu attacking an landing force;
Allied forces congregating on Espiritu Santu: 4 CV’s, 4 BB’s, 9 CA/CL,
2DD; bombardment of the location resulted in devastation of the area; HQ
can only surmise an allied landing is imminent while Japanese carrier
forces are too far to the North to impact the batter though orders have
been sent; allies lost 4 aircraft (109 for the month); Japanese 27 –
mostly on the ground at Espiritu Santu (225 for the month)
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- Aug 23-25 1943 SS
I-24 was hit six times off the coast of Efate due to strong allied ASW
activity in the area; with the active carrier tactics it would seem that
the Allies are surmounting a strong offensive in the area; SS I-62 was
reported lost; 5 allied was shot down for 66 Japanese – a huge blow as the
allied carrier forces in the Coral Sea remain active; weaker local forces
that had been dispatched to the area did not succeed in forcing the
Americans to withdraw though some nominal strikes may cause the allies to
re-think their immediate position in the region.
August
23rd – Japanese carrier force engages the allied forces NE of
Espiratu Santu:
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77 Japanese bombers and torpedo planes screen by 12
Zero’s attacked the American carrier group – engaged by 49 Hellcat fighters;
the Japanese force suffered huge losses – 41 attack craft and 10 fighters. For the losses the Japanese was able to
inflict some damage on the American carrier group:
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Both
the CV Hornet and CV Wasp were hit by bombs and were seen on fire.
- Aug 20-22 1943 The
Japanese carrier strike force out of Truk is closing in on Efate – and
only one allied carrier has been spotted…is this a trap or have the allies
really left themselves weakened in the local area; air losses for the
month: Allied 103, Japanese 132; combat in Chungking resulted in losses
for the Japanese of 15K to the allies losses of only 1500,
- Aug 17-19 1943
Operational air losses for the allies was 10; 25 to the Japanese; combat
was ordered at Chunking; On the 19th 20 Zero’s accompanied 9
Helen’s based at Espiritu Sanu to attack what was thought to be an allied
carrier force screening some supply route to Efate. 31 Wildcats and 9 Tomahawks met the
force and rebuffed it completely with 17 Zero’s being shot down and 1
bomber; the allies losing one aircraft only.
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- Aug 14-16 1943
Chunking – attacks continue and Japanese lost 8,500 men and the allies
2,500 men; overall combat strength remains at over 390K men versus 215K
allied troops; On the 14th the allied light carrier CVL Belleau
Wood was spotted off Efate and fierce air attacks ensued over Espiritu
Santu and Efate. Theater losses
for the Japanese amounted to 41 aircraft lost to 21 on the Allies side;
though command of the air was and is maintained in China where allied losses
are mounting; most of the Japanese losses were in the South. Multiple air losses took place on both
sides and later on the 16th
it was clear that the allies are amassing some offensive force in
the South Pacific:
![](./war_files/image055.jpg)
As a consequence a Japanese carrier force was
ordered to intercept from Truk:
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·
Aug 11-13 1943 Massive air
sweeps over Chunking resulted in heavy allied air losses – for the three days
theater losses amounted to 42 to the Japanese 22; SS Gato operating near
Kwajalein was hit 4 times by Japanese ASW units; allies lost a supply ship in
Coral Sea and Japanese one south of Hong Kong; deliberate attacks were ordered
again at Chunking
·
Aug 8-10 1943 The Imperial
Japanese Army decided to attack the massive allied force again at
Chungking. The deliberate attack
resulted, in the first day, of losses for the Japanese of about 23K men while
the allies, entrenched, lost 4K men.
The allied responded the next day with their own deliberate attack
resulting in losses of 12K with Japan losing about 1K. Over the two days the losses totaled 24K
Japanese and 16K allies. Imperial HQ
believes this loss rate can be sustained in order to break the allied
defensives and orders were given to keep the attack up. Several Japanese supply ships were hit and
sunk in aggressive allied submarine activity south of Saigon (hitherto not
subject to much allied submarine activity, as well as south of Hong Kong. SS I-162 on station in the Coral See struck
an allied supply ship that since disappeared off radar. The air units on Espiratu Santu spotted the
CLV Belleu Wood off the south coast of Efate and severely denuded her of air
cover (while the light carrier slipped away) and this at the same time as the
Japanese carrier strike force was retreating after covering the re-supply force
not on station at Espiratru Santu – an opportunity was therefore lost to hit
the allied carrier a fatal blow.
Strangely several allied supply ships were spotted moving NE of
Singapore and were harassed by Japanese air out of Singapore, though no losses
were reported.
August 8th 1943 CVL Belleau Wood spotted
off the south coast of Efate
(note Japanese carrier strike force is off to the
north east of this attack
covering a
re-supply run to Espiratu Santu
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·
Aug 5-7 1943 Air raids
over Akyab continue; Allies lost 5 aircraft, Japanese 6
·
Aug 2-4 1943 SS Swordfish
struck twice off the south coast of Japan; 3 Allied air craft reported lost for
4 Japanese; re-supply to Espiratu Santu is approaching target
·
July 30-Aug 1 1943 Night
time bombing of Akyab continued; allies losses for the three days were 6
aircraft to the Japanese 3; an allied sub believed to be the SS Seahorse hit a
support vessel south east of Lae, hitting it with 3 shells and 2 torpedoes;
another submarine thought to be the SS Cranelle was operating off the south
coast of Bataab hitting another support vessel
·
July 27-29 1943 In the
last three days the Japanese lost 3 aircraft from operations in the Burma area
to the allied 7; Akyab remained under night time bombing threat while Rangoon
was spared; 23 Zero’s from Rangoon swept Calcutta and met 8 allied fighters and
5 fighter bombers coming off the best; night time strategic bombing was ordered
from Rangoon over India with 56 Betty’s to see what kind of reception the local
air forces receive; a large re-supply force was dispatched from Truk to
Espiratu Santu; Guam defenses (currently 2,700 first line and 5,000 second line
men) is about to receive reinforcements from the mainland
·
July 24-26 1943 SS
Albacore hit 9 times (shells) from DD Hamakaze off the east coast of Tori
Shima, south of Tokyo; 4 allied to 4 Japanese air losses; Rangoon spared night
time bombing though Akyab took heavy beating
·
July 21-23 1943 Allies
lost 3 aircraft and Japanese 0 in last 3 days, though two supply ships were hit
and sunk in quick succession east of Okinawa
·
July 18-20 1943 Allies
lost 11 aircraft and Japanese 2 in last couple of days; allied forces at Ledo
were finally repulsed by 60K Japanese troops!; SS Swordfish hit twice off the
west coast of Japan
·
July 15-17 1943 Night time
bombing of Rangoon continued though damage was light; the night attacks
intensified over Akyab however; air losses fell to a local low with only 7
Allied planes list and 9 Japanese; With the arrival of the 116th
Infantry Division at Ledo, instructions were ordered to change organization (to
Burma HQ) and initiate a shock attack – forces in the area are approximately
17K first line and 55K second line; the Allies appear to be no stronger than
10K first line
·
July 12-14 1943 Night time
bombing of Rangoon and Akyab continued though less damage was reported in the
last couple of days; allies reportedly lost 14 aircraft to the Japanese 7 in
the last 3 days; 47th Infantry Division (or half of it so far) was
ordered to base at Saigon; Imperial Headquarters is not altogether sure where
to deploy this large unit (8K first line troops and 15K second line) but being
based out of Saigon will give the Imperial HQ flexibility into China, India, or
Burma as needed
·
July 9-11 1943 Disturbing
reports came in from the front on July 9th. 6 Allied bombers, believed to be Liberators,
attacked Rangoon by night and repeated the exercise the following 2
nights. On the second attach two
Japanese aircraft were destroyed on the ground. This attack highlighted to HQ the weak anti-air defenses in the
region; additional AA units were ordered to the area. Through the three days the allies lost 10 aircraft, and Japanese
12. Forces near Ledo continue to build;
additional army units are being called up from the reserve area: 47th
Infantry Division consisting of 8K first line troops and 15K second line and
support personnel is being freed up from Tsingtao; also the 64th and
65th Infantry Divisions consisting of 10K first line troops is also
being freed up from Nanching; an allied cruiser squadron was spotted south of
Kwajalein but forces were not ordered to intercept at this time
·
July 6-8 1943 Akyab was
attacked during the day by air from India; CAP hit the Beaufighers hard (8
lost); overall allied air losses were reported at 33; Japanese air losses
(including 8 over Tricomolee and 6 over Noumea); 10K allied troops were spotted
north of Hanoi!
·
July 3-5 1943 Relative
quiet over Kohima less than 20 plans lost on each site; SS Caplin hit 4 times
and SS Nautilus 1 hit off the south coast of Japan; CLAA Oakland reported sunk;
air attack over Tricomolee was not successful with over 13 bombers lost
·
June 30- July 2 1943 The
allies lost 50 aircraft versus 59 by the Japanese over Kohima and Chungking in
3 more days of painful attrition; Kohima is back to 38 fighter cover; all 12
zero’s were lost over Noumea by an error that sent them from Efate
·
June 27-29 1943 A focus on
fighter sweeps over Kohima (with less focus on bombing) led to success in the
last couple of days; Japanese fighter sweeps led to a total of 50 allied losses
for 15 Japanese fighters; however Kohima remains effectively re-suppliers with
upwards of another 30 fighters on hand including Spitfires; fighter sweeps were
also proving useful over Chungking as heavy allied losses were again reported;
large army reinforcements are preparing for relocation from Tokyo attached to
the 4th Fleet
·
June 24-26 1943 No allied
submarine attacks in the last couple of days though at least 7 are operating in
the home waters; 44 air losses were reported in attacks over Kohima though 14
allied fighters were lost; if reinforcements are still supplied this should
lead to an erosion of allied air cover in the next week or so leaving the city
open to attack; night fighters and anti-air were ordered to Akyab
·
June 21-23 1943 The
cruiser squadron approaching Rabaul headed north east but was struck from air
attacks based out of Rabaul and Kavieng.
The CLAA light anti air cruiser Oakland was struck several times on the
21st and was left by the rest of the allied force that sped further
north east, comprising the CL Denver.
Later attacks on 22nd resulted in additional hits on the CL
Denver and also the destroyer DD O’Bannon. Reports were noted that the force
comprised some troop carriers but the destination is not known. Troops were put on high alert in the region.
![](./war_files/image061.jpg)
There was a breakthrough
on June 21st in the air over Kohima. Combined air attacks with strong fighter escort finally broke the
back of the allied air defense at Kohima.
Despite heavy losses over the last few days on 21st, an
attack from Akyab resulted in 17 allied planes shot down. This should lead to protracted efforts from
the allies to reinforce the area.
![](./war_files/image063.jpg)
- June 18-20 1943 SS
Pargo struck again hitting another convoy ship; the second hit 2 days ago
sunk; SS Pargo was also reported hit; 8 enemy subs are not operating again
and another convoy ship was damaged.
Two cruisers and troops ships were attacked moving north east, just
south of Milne Bay; and a destroyer squadron was attacked moving north of
Tarawa; despite ongoing heavy air losses over Kohima attacks were ordered
to continue, and to intensify – we cannot give up the offensive in Burma!
- June 15-17 1943 SS
Pargo hit two different supply convoys sinking two vessels in as many
days, off the south coast of Japan; another 7 or 8 allied subs were
spotted; combat intensified in Ledo as Japanese reinforcements are
beginning to reach the area; a heavy AA unit was ordered North in Burma
top help fend off the increasing air attacks north of Rangoon
- June 12-14 1943 8
Allied submarines where spotted off the south coast of Japan again; air
units on the Burma border took a bashing but upwards of 50 bombers and 30
fighters were active over Kohima; hopefully the ongoing attrition can push
the British air force back into India…
- June 9-11 1943
Reports were received (again) of upwards of 8 allied submarines operating
off the south coast of Japan; and reports came in of losses of 25 Betty
Bombers on attacks on Kohima; remarkably the allies have reinforced the
air at Kohima and something like 20 Hurricanes were reported where before
there had been only 3 for several months; steps were taken to replenish
the lost resources and additional fighter cover was ordered in order to
continue the attacks; addition air was ordered toward Chungking
- June 6-8 1943 No
report
![](./war_files/image065.jpg)
- June 3-5 1943 Reports
were received of between 6 and 8 allied submarines operating off the south
coast of Japan; head quarters is assuming that the allied submarine force
is back up to strength and targeting re-supply vessels; SS Mingo was hit
once off the coast of Japan; AA units are relocating from China to Burma;
Chinese Air units are re-organizing in Canton and being reinforced;
additional air units are re-organizing in Rangoon
- May 31-June 2 1943
Carrier force screening reinforcements over Akyab attacked India (allied
naval activity at Chandpur) and suffered heavy losses
- May 28-30 1943 Allied
submarine strikes north of Guadalcanal and hits a transport ship; an ASW
operating from Rabaul lead by DD Makigumo struck the intruding allied
submarine 5 times to send her packing; allied relief air forces strengthen
Kohima– Hurricane numbers now approach 24!
- May 25-27 1943 Allied
submarine activity close to home shores remains unimpeded; additional air
units were ordered for ASW duty off the south coast of Japan; 35th
Infantry Division (8K men) is approaching Ledo which should, according to
intelligence reports, give the local Japanese commander a majority over
the allies; an additional 13K are also en route; additional troops (via
Peking?) are ordered to Kwajalein
- May 22-24 1943 In
increased air attacks over Chungking from Kweiyang (new deployment of 26
dive bombers) and Wuhan, Japanese lost 26 aircraft to the allies loss of
3!
- May 19-21 1943
Reports came in now if 7 active allied submarines in the seas south of
Japan highlighting the recent increase in activity on the side of the
allied; another submarine was spotted north of Manila; additional ASW
forces were ordered from Manila and Japan; 21 VAL’s attacked Thursday
Island over two days and smashed 2 Catalina flying boats on the ground
- May 16-18 1943
Japanese supply ship AK Hamburg Maru was hit 11 times and torpedoes once
by allied submarine SS Muskallunge on May 16th and sank on the
17th; with this bad news in hand the news from the south
pacific was also depressing; the two Japanese carrier forces sent to
intercept the allied carrier force attacking Canton was not able to
intercept the intended target before it slipped away, presumably
east. Truk is also facing
immediate difficulty due to lack of fuel so the southern force was ordered
west to cover the Guadalcanal reinforcements (additional fuel is en route
to TruK); the second carrier squadron was ordered back to Kwajalein but it
is feared that this attempt near the Phoenix Islands as exposed the
strategic advantage having those carriers at the edge of the outer
perimeter; the allied might now focus a decision action against a specific
known target…Also news came in from Ledo; despite the increased tank and
gun reinforcements, an attack on the entrenched allies showed that they
had more tanks and guns than the Japanese army; despite the ongoing
reinforcements, the allies are keeping ahead of our efforts….
- May 13-15 1943 100 allied
planes attacked the units re-supplying Canton in the Pheonix
Islands; two carrier fleets were ordered to converge in the area from
Kwajalein and the other was on station near Gudalcanal; Ledo was ordered
to attack with the recent addition of new tank forces with more moving up;
and the landings on Admiralty Islands were ordered to attack also
- May 10-12 1943 An
important oil supply ship (TK Akane Maru) was sunk off the west coast of
Japan approaching the homeland; fleet BB Yamato is but 38 days away;
substantial troop forces are due to be released from training and to the
army for operations within the next month
- May 7-9 1943 An
Allied supply ship, damaged in recent air attacks north of Australia,
reported sunk; 31st Infantry Division was ordered from Shanghai
to Akyab (to help reinforce the Indian frontier; additionally another 10K
troops are re-supplying through China toward Ledo
- May 4-6 1943 Allied
supply ship, damaged in recent air attacks north of Australia, reported
sunk
- May 1-3 1943 SS I-174
sunk off the NE coast of Tricomalee by 3 allied destroyers, accompanying
(reportedly) 3 allied battleships running a supply ship through to front
lines; SS Billfish hit off the south coast of Japan; another Japanese
supply ship torpedoed south of Japan
- April 28-30 1943 AK
Empire Bunting reported sunk north of Singapore; Japanese spotters
reporting activity on Admiralty Island; forces dispatched from Tokyo
- April 25-27 1943 Two
allied supply ships sink – 1 south of Singapore; 1 east of Port Moresby;
several allied forces were spotted and engaged by large air forces from
Singapore and Port Moresby
May 25 1943
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May 26th 1943
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- April 22-24 1943 no report (in UK at the time)
- April 19-21 1943 Two
more supply ships hit (light damage) off the south coast of Japan;
additional ASW units were ordered to defend shipping lanes
- April 16-18 1943 Now
four American submarines were reported in and around Japan; another supply
ship was shelled east of Japan
- April 13-15 1943 Two
American submarines were spotted off the south coast of Japan – perhaps
another wave of attacks is imminent
- April 10-12 1943 Allied
AP sinks south pacific from previous operations
- April 7-9 1943 38K
Japanese and 16K allied soldiers were reported dead after fierce fighting
broke out in Chungking again; an allied CV was spotted east of the Phoenix
Isalnds presumably to attack the re-supply route to Poga Poga in the South
Pacific; the carrier squadron screening the re-supply at Espiratu Santu
was ordered east to intercept
- April 4-6 1943 The
minor skirmish in the air over Efate blew up into a major engagement! The Japanese carrier strike force,
screening the re-supply to Espiratu Santu, happened onto a cruiser
squadron (reports suggest 6 allied CA’s!) re-supplying Efate! Several allied supply ships were badly
mauled, with some damage (1 hit each) reported on CA Wichita and another
light cruiser; no damage was reported aboard any Japanese ships; overall
allied losses to air to air was reportedly 44 aircraft and to Japan a loss
of 38 was reported; with air units remaining strong and re-supply of Efate
underway, the carrier force was ordered to remain in the area; allied
submarine activity was noticed north west of Rabul as SS Hoe hit a supply
ship in the area; additionally a shock attack by the allied units at Ledo
was repulsed; about 400 tanks are to converge on Ledo in the next couple
of weeks; see Battle
of New Hebrides
- April 1-3 1943 Air
combat in Efate held its own with losses on both sides amounting to 15
aircraft in the 3 day attack
- March 29-31 1943
March 29th – 47th Chinese Corp surrenders (6,000 men
killed or captured); March 30th – 96th and 14th
Chinese Corps surrenders (13,000 men killed or captured); March 31st
98th Chinese Corp surrenders (3,000 men killed or captured)
bringing to a close the battle for Yunan with 25K Chinese men killed or
captured; 21K front line and 62K reserve tropps with 1000 guns are freed
to now push in into Burma and relieve the forces at Imphal and Ledo; 17th
Division remains in reserve at Shanghai; the newly constituted 4th
Fleet with fleet carrier CV Taiho was ordered to Kwajalein with supporting
vessels; large re-organization of forces entering Burma
- March 26-28 1943 93rd
Chinese Infantry Corp surrenders south of Yunan, reportedly 8K allied
troops were taken into captivity; a new carrier strike force was ordered
to converge on Kwajalein from newly constituted CV Taiho and CVE Shinyo
reinforced with fleet carrier CV Zuikaku from Tokyo
- March 23-25 1943 Good
and bad news for the Imperial Navy.
Two badly damaged supply ships sank; they were attacked east of
Formosa out side the operating range of the Japanese ASW. The fleet carrier Taiho reported for
duty- carrying 74 aircraft including 27 new M5 Zekes; fleet strategists
were planning a new carrier strategy and basing of the resources now at
its disposal; 38th Chinese Infantry Corp surrenders near Yunan
- March 20-22 1943 No
report – away on business
- March 17-19 1943
Allied submarine activity around Japan has subsided in recent days;
additional reports came in of two recent allied losses – the SS Skipjack
and SS Peto; from a higher of over 10 allied submarines operating in the
inland sea and surrounding area, the concerted ASW combat units have
forced the allies to all but withdraw from that offensive at this time
- March 14-16 1943 SS
Peto reportedly hit another 5 times off the south coast of Japan; CVE
Shinyo (33 capacity) was released into service in Tokyo for deployment
- March 11-13 1943
Allied submarine activity around Japan has subsided – only 3 reports were
received in the last couple of days; CVE Shinyo is due to arrive Toyo in
the next few days
- March 8-10 1943 SS
Peto was struck 3 times off the south coast of Japan
- March 5-7 1943 SS
I-19 sunk limping back toward Tokyo; daylight attacks over Darwin halted
as losses again mounted even at higher altitudes; air force instructed to
replenish and try again at an even higher altitude
- March 2-4 1943 Ledo
was bombed from India – would seem as if allied air raids out of India are
increasing; Allied cruiser Dorsetshire reported sunk on her way back to
Ceylon; high level strategic bombing was ordered over Darwin to see if
attacks from as high as 14000 and 15000 feet are effective
- February 27-March 1 1943
SS I-29 badly damaged (8 hits) off Brisbane coasts vainly looking for the
allied carrier force that has now slipped away; SS Swordfish hit 3 times
off the West Coast of Japan
- February 24-26 1943
SS I-19 was very badly damaged and SS I-164 also during the submarine
squadron attack on Brisbane port; reports of 4 allied carriers, 2
battleships, 8 cruisers and 2 destroyers were received causing concern
high up in the Imperial Navy ranks
- February 21-23 1943
CVE Nassau reported sunk off Norfolk Islands attempting to return to the
East coast of Australia after her mauling a few days ago; SS Peto hit
twice off the south coast of Japan; 26K Japanese troops reported dead
after yet another attempt to unhinge the Chinese army at Chungking; CVE
Sangamon spotted off to the east of the Gilbert Islands…where headed it
was not clear or why; navel intelligence reports that 2 allied carriers
and 8 cruisers were stationed at Brisbane and preparing to sail – a mass
of Japanese submarines are closing in on the location including I-164;
I-19; I-27; and I-29
- February 18-20 1943
SS Tarpon and SS Permit, 2 allied subs operating off the south coast of
Japan, were reported sunk; additional resources were switched to the much
needed Nakajima engines
- February 15-17 1943
See Situation Report for February 15th; combat in Chungking has
ground to a halt with massive losses on both sides in the last couple of
days (30K Japanese and 20K allied losses); land based bombers from
Espiritu Santu follow up the previous days carrier attack and hassle the
retreating American carriers; Japanese submarines in the area have been
ordered to intercept the damaged carrier force; 2 transports were lost;
Ledo remains under siege and there are no signs of a reinforcement plan
for the beleaguered troops
Initial Japanese attack at Chungking, February 15th
1943
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Allied counter-attack on February 16th
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- February 12-14 1943
Japanese carrier forces engaged allied carrier forces off the north east
coast of Efate in the south pacific.
The initial scuffle resulted in a late afternoon attack by the
Japanese on the 14th.
Over 100 torpedo and dive-bombers with 40 screening fighters
attacked – discovering the CV Hornet, CV Saratoga (1 hit, on fire), CVE
Nassau (4 hits, badly damaged, on fire) and CVE Long Island. Despite the difference in size of force
(Japanese had 4 fleet carriers with good CAP support from 2 CVE’s and
CVL’s) the combat result was not strategic; only on CVE was likely damaged
to the point it may be lost; 2 allied fleet carriers seem operational in
the south. The Japanese carrier
force was ordered to retreat to replenish its air loss. During the one combat, the Japanese
lost 25 Zeros, 26 Vals, and 17 Kates – a very high loss rate to the allied
CAP losses of only 16 fighters. See “Battle of Efate”
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- February 9-11 1943
Night Air operations were cancelled – no strategic aims were being met
(scored) over Darwin or India despite changes in altitude attacks; air
units were ordered to engage with navel forces; significant allied carrier
forces were reported in the south Pacific – Noumea reported 2 carriers
(CV) and Efate a CVE with 3 battleships; attacks on Espiratu Santu led to
damage to the airbase – by 24 Dauntless Divebombers and 10 Avengers; the
Japanese carrier force on mission in the south east Pacific was ordered to
engage; SS Skipjack was hit 3 times (south coast of Japan); SS Seal was
sunk; another supply vessel was lost;
- February 6-8 1943
(see: Combat February 6 1943.doc) The Battle of Sumatra (presumed target)
continues with more naval/air combat; surface units screening some
invasion force was repulsed between Malaya and Sumatra with minimal air
losses reported;
![](./war_files/image083.jpg)
SS
Whale was sunk off the Japanese south coast and yet another Japanese supply
vessel was sunk
- February 3-5, 1943
(see: Combat Singapore Feb 5 1943.doc) Allied submarine activity continues
off the south coast of Japan but at a lower level of activity than in
recent weeks; SS Soulpin is reported sunk; SS O16 (off the NE coast of
Java) struck TK Kaijo Maru twice with torpedoes damaging her badly; she
sank February 1st; SS Pompon (East Tianan) struck TK Kyoko Maru
with one torpedo; SS Spearfish (South Celebes) struck AP Otori Maru with 3
shells and 3 torpedoes (so the report claims) though no news of her
sinking (or surviving) has been received since the first mayday; the
battle of Imphal continues – the 14th Indian Division and 44th
Indian Brigade were repulsed; the battle of Ledo also continues and
reports were received now of 254th and 255th Indian
Tank brigade attacking; forces are on the way but taking a long time to
relieve the embattled force; strangely an allied navel force was spotted
off the south coast of Singapore (how did it get so far before being
spotted!) and air units from Singapore attacked in force sinking the
cruiser CL Glasgow and CLAA Capetown; other units were damaged; initial engagement
reported here:
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- January 31-February 2,
1943 SS Narwhal was hit 5 times and sunk off the coast of Japan by an
ASW force led by DD Nenohi; Burma war is building; 10K allies were spotted
at Imphal (Japan has 15K men and 450 tanks); Ledo is surrounded by 10K
allies (15th Indian Division?) and only has 7K men and 250
heavy guns; reinforcements are headed toward Ledo but may not get there in
time before additional allied troops arrive
- January 28-30, 1943
SS Permit was hit 4 times and set on fire off the south coast of Japan –
the ASW surface fleet let by DD Shiratsuyu; also on 28th SS
Sculpin was hit 3 times and also set on fire by the same ASW force; SS
Harder was attacked a lone supplier transport AP Rakato Maru – sinking the
ship callously with 2 torpedo strikes surfacing and then finishing her off
with 5 shell hits; SS Waho was struck again 3 times and reportedly set on
fire with DD Yakaze leading the ASW forces off the coast; SS Whale was hit
3 times by an ADW force led by DD Nanohi; land forces from Rabaul captured
a town Akawe west of Rabaul; the battle of Ledo continued on 28th
with an shock attack by the Japanese before the allies could prepare
completely for their offensive; 23K Japanese with small arms attacked 13K
allies – and pushed land forces back out of Ledo with some losses on both
sides; land forces broke from Yunan, recently captured and drove north to
break open the second supply route to Burma and besieged Ledo – and in so
doing destroying the BR Burma Corp – 1200 allied men killed or captured;
on 29th SS Permit was again hit – 3 additional times led by DD
Yakaze; an “oiler” TK San Pedro Maru sunk from wounds inflicts a few days
ago off the east coast of Tianan; The battle for Ledo continued the next
day with the late arrival of an allied tank force – that, arriving late,
attacked Ledo alone and without engineering support (!); 300 allied tanks
attacked and were repulsed, 25 losses were reported; ordered to reinforce
Ledo by the newly opened southern supply route (from Yunan) are 2nd,
6th, and 14th Tank Armies – comprising 400+ tanks
along with the 22K man strong 35th Infantry Division that is
progressing over the first supply route from Changtu; 31st
Infantry Division (attack rating 500) is due Shanghai 38 days away along
with the launching of the BB Yamato
- January 25-27, 1943
SS Waho was struck twice on 25th and SS Permit twice also on 26th
as Japanese ASW combat increases off the south coast of Japan; another
‘oiler’ was badly damaged south of Takao…
- January 22-24, 1943
Yunan, China, finally falls into Japanese hands with the loss of 5K
Japanese and the death or capture of between 60-90K allied troops!
Submarine combat continues in and around Japan; SS Nautilus (Jan 22) was
reported hit and set on fire by DD Yakaze; again hit the next day 23rd
by DD Nenohi; and again on 24th 5 times by DD Ushio; SS Saury
was hit 5 times and damaged badly on 22nd by DD Harusame off
the coast of Soerabaja, Jave; and again on the 23rd the
submarine was blown out of the water with 19 hits; 12 Beauforts flew a
bombing sortie from Chandpur to Akyab- where a small fighter force of
Nates attempted to hold off the attach – the first of its kind – perhaps
signaling a change in tactics by the allies to a more offensive posture;
to reinforce this a surprise land attach at Ledo was repulsed – 17K allied
troops faced a prepared position defended by 27K Japanese troops with
tanks – so this time the attack was held in check; TK San Ramon was lost
as she limped back to Japan from damage inflicted by a torpedo some time
ago; I-2 and I-17 are both limping back from the screening efforts around
Midway – where strong allied surface resources and keeping Japanese
submarine activity at bay
- January 19-21, 1943
Reports are now in that there are 10 allied submarines off the south coast
of Japan! Diamond Harbor night
bombing at 13,000’ finally scores a hit; instructions were sent out for
all city bombing at night to continue now at 12,000’; allied submarines were
hit (south coast of Japan) as follows: SS Garb 2 hits; SS Albacore 4 hits
and on fire; SS Whale 6 hits
- January 16-18, 1943
No report
- January 13-15, 1943
Combat in central China subsided due to recent heavy losses on both sides;
allied submarine attacks of the south coast of Japan continue to
intensify; the TK Huzisan Maru, struck by 2 torpedoes January 10th
did not make it to Japan and sank from her wounds; the DD Wakatake – leading
one ASW force, struck SS Seal 7 times (depth charges), and then later
spotted and reported hit SS Gato 3 times; and on January 15th
also struck SS Nautilus 2 hits also; DD Ushio, another ASW force,
reportedly struck SS Wahoo 3 times; no reports of sunken submarines
however were made so the extend of the damage is unknown at this time;
reports suggest that as many as 7 allied submarines are now operating off
the south coast of Japan; close to Takeo, east of Japan, SS Snook hit AP
Yawata Maru with 3 shells and she sank immediately due to an explosion in
the engine room that broke the ships back; additional ADW forces were
directed to the area as losses – weekly losses – cannot be sustained for
any time due to the inability of the Japanese economy to replace the ships
as fast as they are sunk though at this time, the Imperial Merchant
Ministry reports large reserves and 99% of pre war fleet remains
operational; night bombing of Darwin and Diamond Harbor (India) proved
ineffective; replacement air resources were pushed to Ambiona and
instructions issues to continue the night raids but at a much reduced
altitude – from 20,000 to 12,000
- January 10-12, 1943
20K Japanese reported dead on January 10th as fierce fighting
erupted at Chunking; 10K allies were eliminated in early reprisal attacks
the next day; there seems no way to break down the strong defense position
around the city; large engineering forces are needed (but where form?); 19
bombers (Betty’s) were lost over Darwin to 10 Spitfires and 12 Wiraways –
despite attacking from 20,000 feet; the recent strategic bombing campaign
against India and Australia has tapered off in favor of an attempt to
damage air fields defending those areas; this plan has now backfired as
heavy air losses have been sustained by the Japanese air arm over the last
month or so; orders were issued to continued the attack during night hours
and to seek to damage the air bases so that allied defenses will be
reduced to a minimum; the allies reportedly had 4 submarines operating off
the Japanese southern coast – now 3 ASW surface fleets patrol the waters
and additional destroyer escorts were ordered from China back to Japan; TK
Huzisan Maru suffered 2 torpedo hits and is now limping back to Japan;
Jimbu Maru was reported sunk – not surprisingly from her massive 12 shell
hits reported earlier in the week
- January 7-9, 1943 3
Allied submarines are operating off the southern coast of Japan – ASW
units have been ordered to increase patrols of this area; AP Shoto Maru
was struck with 2 torpedoes by SS Harder, and sunk; AK Jimbu Maru was hit
by 12 shells from SS Nautilus; 8 Betty’s were lost over Diamond Harbor –
an error sent a weakened force from Akyab and the Hurricanes based there
had a field day; on 8th 70 Betty’s attacked from Rabaul and the
weight of numbers took a toll on the enemy fighter cover scoring some few
hits on the air base from 20,000 feet, higher than usual
- January 4-6, 1943
Air forces in Burma changes targets and paid the price; 23 Betty’s
attacked Diamond Harbor; 10 were shot down by the 23 Hurricanes that
defended the base; the CVE Nassau was spotted (later with cruiser support)
moving quickly east around the Solomon’s though speed and lateness of
information meant that the Japanese had no chance to react, despite
bombing runs from Rabaul that scored no hits; Allied submarine combat
continues to make progress south and west of Japan – with hits scored
against AK Koyu Maru (3 shells, 2 torpedo’s) by SS Scamp which was later
reported sunk; AK Takaoka Maru (3 shells, 2 torpedo’s) by SS
Scorpion. On the 5th,
SS I-10 was sunk by an ASW force comprising DD Norman and CL Glasgow near
Thurs Island – again too far remote
from carrier operations; retaliation from land based air at Rabaul however
did manage to score some damage against a
strong surface fleet moving near Thursday Island – CA Exeter (0), CL
Birmingham (3 250lb bomb hits), CLAA Captown (0), AK Empire Trust, and CL
Glasgow (3 bomb hits also). On 6th
allied submarine activity struck again – AK Kenryu Maru was hit with 3
shells
- January 1-3, 1943 50
Betties attacked Calcutta from Rabaul – 14 Spitfires defended the city and
shot down 4 bombers; Darwin was bombed from Amboina with 47 bombers and
the 20 fighters defending the city shot down 10 bombers; DD Lang was hit
by a Japanese torpedo (SS I-157) off the coast of Cairns; off the coast of
Japan an ASW force intercepted the submarine SS Argonaut and struck her
with 2 depth charges; DD Lang was hit a second time on January 2nd;
likewise the SS Argonaut was struck 5 more times and reported sunk;
another 3 Betty’s over Calcutta and another 8 over Darwin were lost
- December 29-31 1942
Allied sub attacked several supply ships at Kendari; ASW forces ordered to
the South did not prevent any allied submarine activity – additional plans
are required to base some ASW forces in the South West extreme perimeter;
one supply ship was sunk; another damaged; officially Japanese (29,154
points) claimed a decisive victory against the Allies (6,273) to December
31 1942
- December 26-28 1942
Allied submarine activity continues on the increase, sough of Japan as
well as along trading and supply routes to Borneo and Celebes; additional
ASW forces have been ordered to the area; the bombing of Darwin is about
to re-commence
- December 23-25 1942
Changtu, the third remaining Chinese stronghold, falls and 20K allies
killed or capture for the loss of 1,000 Japanese; 47 allied planes also
destroyed in the capture of the city; 20+ Japanese bombers lost over
Chandpur as allies build up fighter protection at the Indian border;
allied submarine activity increasing throughout the perimeter – 2 supply
vessels hit close to Japan also; Amboina now has 54 bombers ready for the
increased bombing of Port Darwin with another 20 bombers due to arrive in
the next few days; Rangoon is being built up for another mass attack on
Chandpur – this time with 54+ bombers (in the next couple of days); DD
Walke was sunk (9 bomb hits) from the Japanese bombers based at Rabaul; DD
Ellet was reported sunk from the attack a few days ago
- December 20-22 1942
The Japanese army losses approached 14K at Chunking as the lack of
engineers is proving pivotal in the battle as the Chinese has very strong
defenses (7); air forces (3 separate groups) are being re-cycled through
Truk to replenish lost units; the first 26 betty’s arrived at Amboina
- December 17-19 1942
Additional allied ships were sunk as they struggled to withdraw from the
Marshall Islands; the AV Curtis and AVD McFarland were sunk; DD Ellet was
hit 3 times; as was AE Pyro; night air raids were experienced in Burma
(from India) as well as in the south of the Coral Sea (our units close to
Noumea); additionally an allied force was spotted off the south coast of
Gili Gili and strong air resources attacked from the new base at Port
Moresby (24 VALs and 24 Helens); hitting CLAA San Juan with a 250lb bomb;
DD Walke was hit 3 times and DD Lang also once; the carrier force,
returning from the Marshall Island, was ordered to Gili Gili to attack the
withdrawing allied force (the lack of allied carriers is assumed at this
point)
- December 14-16 1942
The Japanese carrier strike force located at Truk, instructed to proceed
south east to intercept possible allied forces heading to the Marshall
Islands, discovered a poorly protected allied navel fleet and sunk CA
cruiser Astoria and DD Destroyer Ralph Talbot; a supply ship sunk on her
way back to Japan for repairs
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First Strike, December 15th
1942 AM – CA Astoria reported sunk just after this attack
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Follow up in the afternoon
of December 15th 1942
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Ongoing attacks during the
morning of December 16th 1942 – DD Ralph Talbot reportedly sunk
after this engagement
- December 11-13 1942
SS S-3 was hit 3 times off the south coast of Japan! CA Astoria was
spotted headed north east from south of Rabual; a carrier fleet was
ordered to intercept to the east of Rabaul; Truk now achieved a port
upgrade (9)
- December 8-10 1942
Allied submarine activity south of Japan and west toward Batan continues
to increase as additional supply vessels remain in a constant state of
readiness for attacks; additional ASW forces were ordered to patrol the
area
- December 5-7 1942
Kiyo Maru (6 hits) was badly damaged by (reportedly) SS Haddo (1 hit) off
the south coast of Batan; additional ASW forces were ordered to the area
- December 2-4 1942
About 180K Japanese troops are entrenched at Chungking facing a determined
Chinese army about the same size…
- November 29-December 1
1942 Gili Gili falls! Last
vestiges of Chinese troops in the interior (25th Core)
surrendered with the removal of another 5K allied troops; 2nd,
6th and 14th Tank Regiments (460 tanks) were freed
up and ordered North to assist in the attach at ChungKing; reports came in
that Britain had to withdraw a cruiser and two destroyers back to the
Mediterranean
- November 26-28 1942
21K or so allied troops (comprising 3rd War Area, 4th,
7th, 10th, 14th, 23rd, and 32nd
Army Groups, and 21st, 28th, 50th, and 91st
Army Corps) were destroyed or taken prisoner north of Nanning, China; this
group represented one of the last remaining allied forces behind the front
that threatened the rear area of the Japanese army; efforts toward
Chungking continued to mount as 15K troops and the newly arrived 51st
Tank Brigade (144 tanks) closed in on that location; note 31st
Division comprising a total of 22K troops will arrive in about 100 days
near Shanghai; the 9th DAF force was destroyed at Pinrang,
Celebes, that has now fallen under Japanese rule
- November 23-25 1942
Allied losses continue at Chungking with another 3,300 losses (to Japanese
reported losses of 400); SS Sawfish operation SE of Hong Kong struck an
empty supply ship with 3 shells (AP Katuragi Maru) that is now limping
back to Japan; ASW forces are needed to reinforce the area; troops
undertook the attack of Pinrang, Celebes
- November 20-22 1942
Another 4K allied troops died in frustrated conditions in Chungking; the
large 3rd Tank Army was ordered south from Sian toward
Chungking
- November 17-19 1942
Combat in China is proving costly; 10K Imperial troops lost in fierce
combat at Chungking; another 5K Yunan; submarine SS I-3 lost off the coast
of Guadalcanal from combat in the south; SS RO-68 of the south east coast
of Panaji, India took damage from CA Exeter operating in the area; 1st
Army and 60K troops ordered to assist in the battle of Cungking; should
arrive there in 6 days; Tarawa about to receive additional air units to
increase visibility on southern perimeter
- November 14-16 1942
Another supply ship was sunk off the east coast of Formosa as it is clear
that allied submarine activity is increasing in the area
- November 11-13 1942
SSI I-74 took 2 shell hits and 2 torpedoes off the east coast of Borneo;
all damaged submarines (>10) are being ordered to return to base in
Japan; excess repair facilities are standing idle and allied anti-submarine
activities are increasing causing the need to replenish the submarine
fleet; Ongoing combat at Chunking resulted in the loss of 8K Japanese
troops; allied forces to the East surrendered, that had previously
concerned China HQ; East of Tianan (SE of Hong Kong) SS POGY struck a
supplier ship, hitting it 4 times from surface shells and 2 torpedoes
- November 8-10 1942
Combat continues in central China though allied losses amount to 6K troops
every 3 days to only a few hundred Japanese; reports were made at Imperial
HQ that the massive 3rd Tank Army is due to commence operations
out of Peking in 4 days
- November 5-7 1942 A
Japanese submarine, on station off the east coast of Noumea, was depth
charged over 13 times by an allied destroyer squadron moving east with a
supply ship; reinforcements (subs) were ordered to the area; the carrier
force based out of Truk has arrived in the central pacific 6 days after
the allied attack; HQ are concerned over the inability to center strong
forces fast enough at the outer reaches of the perimeter defense; a
re-evaluation is under way of for the potential of creating a fast attack
carrier force closer to the SE edge of the perimeter; an allied cruiser
was reported spotted in the sea north of the Philippines; a cruiser
squadron led by an Imperial Battleship was ordered from Tokyo to
intercept;
- November 2-4 1942
Another supply vessel sank as a result of the allied carrier activity last
week; Japanese carriers are approaching the area; 1st Army is
now marching on Chungtu; Allies have over 100K man and 500 guns at Yunan;
SS RO-64 is sunk of Chandpur by 2 allied destroyers; October turned out to
be the worst month of the war as Japanese air losses mounted (as a
percentage to Allied) by 5% (mostly from southern pacific operations) as
well as army losses (as a percentage to allied) by 1%; additionally navel
losses (as a percentage) increased by 2% over the month; the silver lining
was that supply remained at 1.8M (still close to June highs) as well as
fuel at 4.7M (still close to highs of 4.8M in May of 1942
-
October 30-Nov 1 1942
Central Pacific – 2 or more allied carriers struck a re-supply force for
the outer perimeter defense line
-
October 27-29 1942 –
No report
- October 24-26 1942 20K Japanese troops ordered
from Sian to Changtu; bombardment of Gili Gili has commenced
- October 21-23 1942 Sabang, north Sumatra,
captured by the Japanese; a Japanese supply ship was sunk west of the
Phoenix islands, that was supplying Pago Pago; allied forces were repulsed
at Imphal; float plane squadrons were ordered from Japan to outer edges of
the defense perimeter; 10K Japanese and 5K allied troops reported dead in
ongoing fighting around Chungking; additional bombers were ordered to the
South West to expand the strategic bombing of Darwin
- October 18-20 1942
Allied forces at Ledo were repulsed but reports are coming in of allied
reinforcements approaching the area; Battle of Kunming, the city under
siege for the last 9 days, ended as Chinese troops retreated leaving the
city in Japanese hands; navel forces were ordered from Truk to bombard
Gili Gili (with carrier screen) to assist the impending land battle
- October 15-17 1942
no news report – traveling to UK
- October 12-14 1942
no news report – traveling to UK
- October 9-11 1942 no
news report – traveling to UK
- October 6-8 1942
Padang, vacated by the allies, on the West Coast of Sumatra, captured;
bombing of Darwin continues though little strategic damage is being
achieved; Japanese lost a troop ship off the south coast of Japan from a
submarine attack thought to be by SS Runner; Chungking in China saw
continued bloody fighting – 200K Japanese troops are locked with 186K
allies defended well (Fort 9); the flanking force to the south east at Ichang
was beaten back and now held by a superior Japanese force so this initial
worry for Imperial Headquarters should abate; the 18th Division
(based in Java), was ordered to reinforce Singapore and this will take a
week or so; tropps and air forces in Rangoon were finally transferred over
to the Burma Area HQ
- October 3-5 1942 The
allied Carrier CV Illustrious, that had evaded tracking forces, was
reported sunk! Benkolen, on the
south west coast of Sumatra, was captured (10K Japanese versus 1K allies);
Tacloban, in the Philippines, was captured though it was an empty enemy
base; Kunming in China reported 5K allied troops dead in ongoing fighting;
allied troops withdraw from Impahl (presumably due to them noting
significant Japanese reinforcements arriving);
- September 30-October 2
1942 SSI I-165 was sunk after being hit (6) by DD Decoy; tracking lost
sight of the Illustrious; two SS were sent to Rangoon
- September 27-29 1942
The carrier force moved north and intercepted the British carrier CV
Illustrious on September 28th 30 miles south of Chandpur;
additional fighter cover was extended from Chandpur (about 30 Hurricanes)
and the air attack, late in the day, was heavily mauled; of the 30 Zero’s
in the screen, 14 were lost; of 37 Val’s 33 were lost; of the 42 Kate’s,
22 were lost; of the allied air defense 16 Hurricane’s were downed; thankfully
the heavy cost was “worth it” with the allied carrier reportedly hit four
times with 250kg bombs and 2 torpedoes and she was set on fire; the BB
Warspite was also hit with 3 bombs and 1 torpedo; the carrier force lost
track of the injured Allied force, presumably slinking westward (now
harried by 2 Japanese submarines) and in the withdrawal south, two
Japanese raids on Chandpur proved fruitless as additional loses in plans
were realized for no net gain; the battle at Imphal remains in stalemate
though 200 Japanese tanks are closing in; and in Chungking, the allies
lost another 5,000 mean in a fruitless attack; additional Japanese army
units, sent from the recent battle in Java, have landed at Benkolen, on
the west coast of Sumatra
- September 24-26 1942
An allied carrier was spotted approaching Chandpur presumably covering
additional troop landings; the carrier strike force based out of
Singapore, itself covering the landings of the 53rd Infantry Division
in Rangoon, was ordered to intercept; additional submarines are in the
area and also ordered to intercept; additional air reinforcements were
sent to the island off the west coast of Rangoon in the Bay of Bengal; The
Japanese submarine, SS I-2, on station in Fiji, was badly damaged and is
withdrawing back to Japan for repairs; 20 or so Japanese planes where shot
down over Noumea from the base at Espiritu Santu – if these losses
continue the air doctrine in the deep south pacific will have to change; allied
attacks on the Chinese city of Chungking continued, the Japanese taking a
more defensive posture; 5K allied troops died in one attack on September
24th; additional forces have been ordered to Imphal that were
driving north from Rangoon
- September 21-23 1942
Japanese air forces were ordered to rest (Darwin) but a significant number
of planes were list in the South Pacific on September 21; 53rd
Division closes in on Rangoon; 2nd Division, on operations in
Java, was ordered to south Sumatra to clear up remaining enemy activity;
additional forces from the Java operations were ordered east to build up a
strong base at Kendari, Sulawesi
- September 18-20 1942
Bombing of Darwin continues; alone with Effate (1 allied plane shot down);
as well as Gili Gili; Chungking in China will prove troublesome now that
Japanese Imperial forces had penetrated so deeply: 81K offensive Japanese
versus 210K defensive Chinese resulting in a loss of 10K Japanese on their
first offensive; Chinese retaliation on 19th and 20th
September though resulted in 11K losses on their side; could be stalemate
though additional guns are on the way to reinforce the smaller Imperial force
- September 15-17 1942
Bombing of Darwin continues; 53rd Division assembling at
Rangoon under carrier protection with orders to reinforce Imphall
- September 9-11 1942
Japanese Army holds Imphal but allied forces are mounting; additional
Japanese troops are moving north along the coast to cut off the allied
forces; Malang was captured in Java, the last allied stronghold; 49 air
craft were destroyed along with the allied forces on the island; CVE Chuyi
was ordered from Tokyo to Truk to enable the southern fleet to operate two
carrier squandrons
- September 6-8 1942
Japanese forces recapture Telekbetoeng, southern Sumatra; additional
landings take place on Java at Panamakasam; Imperial Japanese Naval
Headquarters was about to order the re-combination of the main carrier
forces in order to create a fast attack force to be located at Kwajalein;
however orders were not issued though drawn up; it was felt, at the last
minute, that is it better to wait for the allies to make the first move
than to split the forces up into smaller organizations; there over 600
strike air craft between Japan and Truk so it only requires the allies to
make their first move before the Imperial fleet responds
- September 3-5 1942
Orders were given to the remaining 53 Infantry Division to meet up with
the Java contingent; 2nd Area Army was ordered from Japan to
Manilla
- August 28-30 1942
Nothing to report!
- August 25-27 1942
Suppliers were ordered urgently for the Burma Army (14th)
withdrawing to Akyab; a carrier screen force was ordered from Singapore to
cover the supply run
- August 22-24 1942
Imperial forces (14th army) approaching Chandpur, disorganized
and not orchestrating their attack, were repulsed by superior allied
armored forces; the army is retreating back to Akyab where additional
suppliers and troops are en route from Japan; significant allied air was
spotted on Efate also – encroaching on the outer rim of the defense
perimeter…reinforcements are landing in Java
- August 19-21 1942
Japanese submarine activity in and around Chandpur proved effective! An allied troop transport Empire Avocet
was shelled and torpedoed (3) and sunk; a destroyer thought to be the DD
Porter was also hit in the attack; the submarine was ordered back to base
to rearm and refuel; additional submarine forces were ordered to base in
Singapore to continue the attack in the Indian Ocean; strong allied armor
attached and forced a temporary retreat on the Japanese army on the road
to Chandpur but the Japanese armor had not yet assembled in force; the
local leaders were ordered to re-engage the allies and try to force their
way through; Impahl remains in Japanese hands but the position is far from
solid; additional air support resources were ordered to the area; the 53rd
Infantry Division is approaching Soerabaja along with other troops from
the Philippines; the carrier force sojourning in the south east pacific is
returning to Truk not finding any allied naval forces to engage
- August 16-18 1942
Japanese intelligence reported that 30K allied troops are located west of
Soerabaja in Java; according the 53rd Infantry Division, en
route from Osaka to Rangoon was diverted (it was at Singapore refueling);
remaining troop concentrations around the perimeter remain reasonably
strong – between 2K and 4K troops located at most critical points; in
India 8K troops are approaching Chandpur; A British BB and DD was spotted
by one of the Imperial Japanese Fleet submarines operating close to
Chandpur; allied submarine SS Haddock was suck off the south coast of
Tokyo; main carrier strike force remains on station in the deep south east
pacific; additional (manual) cargo fleets were ordered to Borneo and other
locations in order to increase oil and resource transfers to the home
islands
- August 13-15 1942
Finally, Soerabaja in South East Java fell, removing the last major
eastern pacific base the allies had; 10 allied aircraft were destroyed
before they could withdraw; also in China the slow drive west brought
Kwaiyank into the fray and she too fell to the Japanese as 100K troops
battled the smaller 34K allied army; the Japanese lost 4K men but took the
city – finally…the carrier force from Truk remains en route deep into the
south east pacific looking for a fight; CVE Chuyo is launched in Tokyo and
immediately fitted out with fighters
- August 10-12 1942
Battle of Imphal ends quickly as 22,000 strong Japanese army overruns a
weak allied force; 12 Spitfires destroyed on the ground; additionally, and
worryingly for Imperial Headquarters, the allies, with a force of
(reportedly) only 500 men re-captured Telockbetoeng, on the Southern tip
of Sumatra; additional forces have been dispatched to re-capture this base
though it offers no strategic value to the allies; concerted ASW was noted
in the South Pacific and reports of a sighting came in for CVE Long Island
and BB Idaho; the main carrier strike force was ordered south from Truk to
recon the area
- August 7-9 1942
Imperial forces finally engage the allies at Imphal, representing the
farthest most penetration of the Japanese in Burma of the war so far;
additional land forces including tanks and headquarters are coming up from
the rear; first strategic losses were claimed against the allies as land
based bombers finally got through the defenses in and around Darwin;
additional land based bombing runs were ordered against other Australian
targets
- August 4-6 1942
Allied troops have landed on the south tip of Sumatra; Japanese forces in
the region are currently engaged south on Java though some troops were
dispatched to engage the invasion to determine strength for type
- August 1-3 1942 The
53rd Infantry Division was relocated under the Burma Area HQ
and 1/3rd of the forces where ordered from Kure to Rangoon; the
balance of the force will be moved to Rangoon and the Singapore area in
the next couple of weeks to reinforce the Burma front; the allies are
likely to move against Rangoon, or Singapore, before the end of the year
in order to stave off defeat in the West
- July 29-31 1942
Imperial forces continue their
march South in Java; few casualties noted in the last couple of days;
orders issued to relocate significant strike (land) forces from previous
battle areas to more flexible deployment areas (over 7,000 troops on Daveo
need to be moved to Truk)
- July 26-28 1942 3
allied troop carriers were sunk off the south coast of New Guinea as the
US tried to reinforce land units in Milne Bay by effective air attacks from
Rabaul
- July 23-25 1942
Kuching, Borneo, finally falls into Japanese hands eliminating the last
allied force on the island; an American submarine was sunk off the coast
of Singapore; 2 more Japanese troop ships sank on from the troubled
invasion of Java; 25th Army continues is successful drive south
on Java
- July 20-22 1942
Gasmata in the Solomon’s (south west of Rabaul) fell into Japanese hands
as allied troops on the island retreated north; 2 Japanese troops ships
were sunk and another 5 badly damaged during the continued landing
operations in Java
- July 17-19 1942
Tjilitjap, on the Western side of Java, fell to Imperial land forces
driving south from Batavia; an allied troop transport was sunk by the
marauding carrier force in the Java Sea
- July 14-16 1942
Allied destroyer DD John D Edwards was sunk in the Java Sea by the carrier
strike force covering operations on Java; the force has enjoyed a happy
time operating in the Java Sea and surrounding area with little trouble
from allied air
- July 11-13 1942 The
quiet of the last couple of days was ruptured by a bloody massacre at
Sining, north China; Japanese Imperial Army forces had been pushing deep
into China in the North East for weeks and finally came up on the city
where 16K Chinese troops were stationed; a massive battle took place and
the Japanese forces “shocked” the allies and took the city, destroying
what remained of the Chinese army in the North; Japanese planners can now
look to how to re-deploy substantial forces south and west to build up the
defense of Burma and secure south central China; two allied submarines
were sunk – one off the coast of Manila and another near Borneo
- July 8-10 1942 The
quiet period in the war continues; reports of the American Battleship BB Ohio with supporting ships 1 CA
and several DD east of Baker Island were reported; the carrier strike
force was put to chase out of Truk; the other carrier strike force sortied
from Singapore with an supporting bombardment fleet headed for Soerabaja,
South East Java, to screen a landing force out of Manila – they should
rendezvous 3 days hence; 6 damaged destroyers located at Singapore were
ordered to return to Japan (3 Nagoya, 3 Tokyo) for much needed repairs as
the repair services at Singapore are over loaded at present
- July 5-7 1942 Two
Japanese subs were lost – one off the coast of Ceylon (shadowing a British
fleet consisting of the CV Illustrious) and another off the coast of Java;
additional reinforcements were ordered hastily to Batavia, North Java
- July 2-4 1942 An
allied submarine was depth charged and hit 4 times off the coast of Tokyo;
troops landed at Sorong on the extreme NE coast of New Guinea; and the
British Carrier Illustrious was spotted off the coast of Ceylon though no
other reports of her movement were noted; forces in south Java are facing
strong opposition (reported 18,000 allied troops!); addition forces were
ordered from Tokyo to Tarawa, and Pelau; air are now based in the South
Pacific monitoring traffic east of Fiji and approaching from the South
East Pacific
- June 29-July 1 1942
Bali falls – and with it 50 allied aircraft not able to withdraw in time
- June 26-28 1942 A
sad couple of days saw the Japanese Imperial Fleet lose 4 troop transports
on their journey back to Japan – badly mauled in the Java Operations of
the last few weeks; with this stiff penalty, the Japanese forces were
somewhat aggrieved with the news that Ledo, in Burma, fell on 28th
finally cutting the supply line between the British Army in India and the
Chinese forces already on the back-foot in the north; an allied submarine
was sunk off the coast of Singapore, believed to be SS O20; and finally a
delayed attack on Pontianak, on the west coast of Borneo, concluded with
the capture of the town and combat now continues inland; additional troops
landed at Bali also;
- June 23-25 1942 An
error by the Japanese Imperial Navy left a force of 8 troop carriers
trying to unload its store of land units at Soerabajas, South East Java,
without any protection; the unfortunate situation was capitalized on by
the small allied base as it sortied from the harbour a lone destroyer, DD
Van Ghent; this lone destroyer fought off the invasion plan severely
damaging 4 of the ships and putting the other 4 on fire; the local
Japanese foreces were convinced they were under attack by a large surface
fleet!
- June 20-22 1942 The
Japanese Navy is slowly suffering an unacceptable attrition rate in the
Java Seas; as the Western Carrier Strike Division withdraws to Singapore
to rearm and re-fuel, the weakly defended troop carriers attacking in the
north and south of Java are taking attack upon attack; 4 transports were
heavily damaged in the south while landing at Soerabaia; another 2 in the
north; overall 4 were lost in the last couple of days with another 4
likely not to make it back to Japan; 2 troublesome allied submarines SS
Truant, and KVXII (?) were sunk near Singapore – freeing up operational
activities; one depth charged and the other sunk by planes from Singapore
itself; Darwin was bombed for the first time from the new base at Ambiona;
Jambi, west coast of Sumatra, was captured by a small force without a
struggle – though the surprised landing forces were happy to find 31
allied aircraft on the ground undefended – and they were duly destroyed;
HQ is calling for additional build up of supplies at Manila in preparation
for a major move south and west to finish of Java operations
- June 17-19 1942 The
Japanese Navy inflicted great damage on the allied naval forces operating
in and around the Java Sea. The
Java Sea operations resulted in several engagements – surface combat as
well as carrier strikes, resulting in the sinking of 4 Allied troop
carriers, 2 patrol boats, and 4 destroyers – Alden, Kortenear, Whipper,
and one other; Japanese DD Hatsyuki was hit twice during a fierce
engagement with allied patrol boats off the NW coast of Borneo; an allied
submarine was also sunk SS O19; land forces continued to push Chinese and
allied forces west in China; and a bombing raid over Midway (from Wake)
though offensive resulted in a significant proportion of bombers destroyed
– recognizance is needed more than aggressive operations.
- June 14-16 1942
Muntik was captured; carrier squadron at Truk fully rested and now
represents 5 carriers (Shokaku, 2 other fleet carriers, a light carrier
and escort); the Singapore squadron is ordered south into the Java Sea
again to screen additional landings ordered at Sperabaia, Java; additional
air support is now landing at the southern most reaches of our defensive
perimeter
- June 11-13 1942 The
carrier force stationed at Singapore, ordered to screen operations NE of
Java, found two allied troop forces – one withdrawing from Borneo. Both took heavy damage – sinking AK
Bisayas, AS Holland, MSW Lark, AK Poelau Bras, AVD Childs, AK Paz; Batavia
fell under renewed pressure (21K Japanese troops forcing 17K allied troops
to withdraw westward; 15 allied planes were lost
- June 8-10 1942 The
rewards for recent intelligence and planning by IJN HQ paid off
handsomely; in the South, Port Moresby fell to the continued onslaught;
the Carrier strike force stationed at Truk sortied south and additionally
CA San Francisco and CA Portland along with several destroyers were sunk
in and around Gili Gili; in the West, the Strike force forayed into the
Java Sea and struck at Allied shipping in and around Java and Sumatra
sinking several troop ships; and the surface squadron stationed at
Singapore struck South East at Kuching, NW Borneo, where an allied surface
fleet had been spotted presumably reinforcing and supplying one of the
remaining land forces on Borneo; headed by BB Kirishima and BB Mutsi,
several destroyers and troop or supply ships were sunk; bombardment of the
port then took place; overall a very productive couple of days.
- June 5-7 1942
Stalemate continues in Batavia and PM though reinforcements are en route;
Singapore Carrier force dispatched to cover additional landings at Batavia
(fully refitted); Southern Carrier force dispatched to intercept two
Allied BB and CA squadron spotted NE of Gili Gili – that continues to
cause concern of additional landings at PM; CV Hiyo was launched in Tokyo,
refitted and ordered (after the usual sea tests) to the South to reinforce
the Southern Carrier Strike force; CVE Unyo (30) was refitted in Japan
with fighters; with the current arrangement the IJN operates with three
large strike forces each comprising about 100 attack plans and 100
fighters (Singapore, Truk, and Tokyo)
- June 2-4 1942
Stalemate in Batavia and PM; two Japanese troop ships sunk from a surprise
attack by the American fleet near PM consisting of 5 Cruisers spotting the
San Francisgo ago and Portland; the main strike force based at T was
ordered out to intercept with additional forces sent to the PM area; the
north strike force arrived back in Singapore and re-fitted and is ready
for operations; though combat in and around Batavia remains troublesome;
land forces are moving toward PM, Batavia, Rangoon, and to the South
Eastern edge of the Japanese perimeter
- May 30-June 1 1942 A
quiet 3 day period as main strike forces return to port and carrier
squadrons are re-assigned; Japanese losses total one submarine (SSI-124
that has strayed too close to Australian port Darwin); additional troops
orders to Truk for ongoing operations around PM; as well Rangoon (Tank
battalions from Manila); as wall as Java; Additional carrier CVE Unyo
ships out of Tokyo to be re-fitted with fleet carrier CV Hiyo now only 8
days away – we will have enough forces now to screen 4 strike forces!
- May 27-29 1942 DD
Sands, the last of the allied fleet operating in the Coral Sea was sunk;
along with another MSW Cuttack, sunk in port at Tricomalee; landings took
place at Pontianak, West Borneo, and also Upola, near Poga-Pago thus
creating a corridor monitoring the flow of allied materials from Hawaii
and West Coast of US and Australia.
- May 24-26 1942 DD
Selfridge and CL Raleigh were found and sunk in the remaining battle of
the Coral Sea; additional forces landed (and are do to land) at PM though
the attack was launched; DD Pope was also sunk escaping from the attack on
Butuan, Mindanao; Henchow, China, was also captured; a general advance was
ordered in China; two ships were torpedoed at Tricomalee also – MSW Cromer
(sunk) as well as PG Astor; Carrier forces were ordered to refit at
Singapore; and the Kaga and Agaki back to Toyko for repairs; the Shokaku
ordered south to cover
- May 21-23 1942 The
quiet after the storm! The
northern strike force withdrew south west and in so doing sank the CA
Newcastle at Panaji, India; DD Arrow was also damaged in the attack (3
bombs, 2 torpedo’s) and later sank; Medan, Sumatra, and Shortland Island
were captured; Kendari, Sulawesi, also fell
- May 18-20 1942 A
much quieter couple of days but for the fruitless searches of the task
force operating in the Indian Ocean for the damaged British carrier;
though almost half o the air forces have been lost in the main attack and
subsequent follow up attacks on Bombay and surrounding ports; the force is
to withdraw south west and refuel and await events; Pago-Pago was captured
(east of Fiji) completing a south eastern corridor of islands now to be
reinforced with engineers in order to build up the air defense; CL
Newcastle was sunk in Ponaji, India; and finally Palambang, east coast of
Sumatra, was captured; Kandari landings on Sulawesi took place; along with
Shortlands, south of Rabaul; Repulse was hit twice by the main western
strike squadron also
- May 15-17 1942 May
15th – Battle of the Arabian Sea; a Japanese strike force,
hunting for the British fleet, located the carrier squadron comprising the
fleet CV Formidable, CV Indomitable, Battle Cruiser Repulse, and several
other surface screens. The CV
Hiryu, CV Soryo, CVE Zuiho, and CVL Shoho engaged the British fleet. CAP operated with about 50 Zero’s and
the initial attacking wave consisted of about 50 dive bombers and 50
torpedo planes with about 40 screening fighters. The British attacked first with a large wave of Swordfish
with screening fighters. However
the Japanese CAP was more than ample to the task – no British plane got
through the screen. The first
attack on the British carrier fleet left the Formidable with several major
hits, one of which blew up an ammo store below decks. Later on in the afternoon the wave
returned though with no response from the British. Both the Formidable and Indomitable
were badly damaged and the Repulse was also hit. The returning air force reported that the CV Formidable had
been sunk, after taking 2 250kg bombs and 7 torpedo’s. The CV Indomitable sneaked away after
reportedly taking 3 bomb and 3 torpedo hits. On May 16th the attack force located CA Newcastle
and damaged her with a single bomb hit;
·
More troops landed at Port Moresby, and incorrectly at Medan,
Sumatra – these latter troops were supposed to land and reinforce the attack
further south; additional troops from Singapore were ordered now to assist; the
attack in Batavia remains tenuous – despite troop numbers being the same as the
enemy, the lack of suppliers will make this attack unreliable – additional
troops and suppliers are needed immediately.
·
The Battle of the Coral sea opened on May 17th.
After covering more troops landing on Port Moresby the southern area air strike
force withdrew to the south only to locate the approaching American fleet
comprising fleet carriers CV Lexington and CV Yorktown. Again, the allies
responded first with a massive strike of 50 Dauntless dive-bombers and 30
Devastators; however, for some inexplicable reason, the force arrived over the
Japanese carriers with no fighter escort. The amassed CAP of 76 Zero’s had a
field day – all but 12 of the enemy planes were destroyed and not one hit was
scored on the Imperial fleet. The returning Japanese strike force comprised 16
Zero’s screening 10 Val’s and 9 Kate’s – a very meager force considering the
size of the Japanese fleet. This wave, arriving over the Allied force in the
morning, was met by 54 Wildcat’s operating CAP. Over half the Japanese wave was
destroyed but the remaining attack was enough to strike a bomb below decks on
the Lexington, which luckily exploded an ammo storage room and put the ship out
of action for the afternoon. The allied fleet was not able to muster an attack
in the afternoon and a second Japanese wave slammed into the retreating Allied
force. This time 30 Zero’s screened 40 Val’s and 50 Kate’s – a much healthier
arrangement. Attrition was costly but the attack rammed home the advantage. The
bulk of the screen and a third of the bombers were destroyed but the two fleet
carriers were torn to pieces and sunk under the weight of attack.
·
Lastly, additional
reports were received that another carrier squadron was moving from Hawaii to
Noumea – which might endanger the forces in Luganville and Lunga, though
current attentions may yet fall on the Marshall Islands; Imperial HQ ordered
the southern strike force to re-fuel at Rabaul and continue to screen the
landings at PM – PM needs to be the primary focus in the south;
·
May 12-14 1942 Additional
landings took place Batavia (Java) and
Port Moresby; forces finally managed to hold onto ground at PM though with
reinforcements 2 days away or more this will be hard to hold; Batavia
operations look in jeopardy as recent reinforcement attempts were beaten back
and with the main West Strike Squadron operating in the Indian Ocean meager
allied CAP is preventing progress in this sector; Lae, New Guinea, was captured
as was Canton Island; additional landings took place Madang, and Aitape on New
Guinea
·
May 9-11 1942 Landings
were initiated at Lae and Port Moresby; Carrier strike on the afternoon of May
9th over Gili Gili (in support of PM operations) resulted in the
sinking of TK Zealender, dropping troops off at Gili Gili; allied battleship
was later spotted and a large surface squadron dispatched to remove the threat;
CV Junyo arrives in the area late on 11th to meet the current strike
forece ordered to again sally into the Corral Sea looking for allied carriers;
CA Pensacola also later sunk; Bankhe, NE Sumatra, was captured; though forces
attacking Batavia and Java are under strength at present and requested
reinforcing; the western carrier strike force is due to attack India in the
next couple of days
·
May 6-8 1942 Japanese
carrier based planes coordinated from land based bombers at Singapore intercepted an allied surface
fleet led by light cruiser CL De Ruyter 1,350 mile soth of Singapore. The resulting attack was damaging – and good
news for Japan who had heard repeated recent reports of continuous allied
bombing of forces in and around Bakara Sumatra and Java.
![](./war_files/image101.jpg)
The second day attack continued to harass the
damaged allied fleet with the following results; Forces lost in and around the
Battle for Java include several cruisers and destroyers on both sides including
the DeRuyter.
Landings
at Cayagan, Mindanao, leading the capture of the base; additional forces land
at Palembang, Java; CA Pensacola spotted at Gili Gili but plans continues to
invade Port Moresby.
·
May 3-5 1942 Forces
landed at Bankha and took casualties;
invasion of Sumatra starts; Japanese forces capture Roxas, south of Manila,
destroying 55 Warhawks and 16 PBY Catalina’s; foreces also landed at Bankha –
the invastion of Java also commences
·
Apr 30-May 2 1942 18 Betty’s
stationed at Singapore were lost in a fruitful raid over Java ahead of the army
landings; 26 Buffalo with 15 Bleneims
and Vilderbeast appeared in Java in the last few days on raids, spotting out
approaching forces; all the more reason why Java must be taken out of the war
sooner rather than later; Buna was captured (East coast New Guinea) along with
Changshu in China (57K troops pushing some 21K Chinese back; Kavaieng (NE
Rabaul) was also taken. Several ships were
lost – 2 allied minesweepers (Tanager and Finch) while the Japanese lost I-30
(Noumea, spotting Yorktown and Enterprise), along with DD Harukaje (Java
operations). With two American Fleet
carriers spotted, additional landings in the Coral Sea area were stepped up,
with support from the Carrier fleet. CV
Junyo was ordered re-fitted for operations and ordered south to reinforce the 4th
Fleet at Truk. The Western Carrier
division was ordered to prepare to launch into the Indian Ocean in order to
look for the remaining British fleet.
The Andaman Island off the West Coast of Rangoon was also taken (as a
long range air base).
·
Apr 27-29 1942 Kweilin
southern China, fell at last to Japanese troops forcing the allies further
back; though 100,000 troops have been spotted deep in China…causing worry to
the Expeditionary HQ; reinforcements were ordered to Buna, and smaller
expeditionary forces to attack several locations along the north east coast of
New Guinea; troops landed at Kavieng, north of Rabual; and another forces was
dispatched to Admiralty Island; another force also to Canton Island – this
providing an air shield to inbound forces toward Australia; Changsha, China –
allies lose 3000 troops in a vein deliberate (though foolhardy) attack;
additional troops have been dispatched to the east coast of Java.
·
Apr 24-26 1942 Akyab,
Burma (south coast) captured – troops orders further to the North; troop
carriers approaching Truk for re-fuelling for onward journey to Port Moresby;
Allies and Japanese both lose a troop carrier; Allies lose Princess Negros
(Philippines) and Japanese a Maru returning from Buna
·
Apr 21-23 1942 Amboine,
Mindaneo, falls; several allied troop carriers also sunk trying to leave from
the Manila zone – namely AK Ethel Edwards (4 hits from aircraft newly stationed
at Manila); TK Gertrude Kellogg 4 hits; and AK Palawan 7 hits; Japanese lose AK
Samson Maru returning from Philippines to Tokyo – previously damaged unable to
get to safety
·
Apr 18-20 1942 Singapore
falls! 16,000 allied soldiers dead or
captured; 10 allied air destroyed and DD Vampire scuttled; Kuachung secured in
north west China; several troop ships sunk withdrawing from Manila (AK
Compagnia Filipinas, Bomb hits 1, on
fire, heavy damage; TK Gertrude
Kellogg, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage; AO Pecos, Bomb hits 2, on fire,
heavy damage; AK Palawan; AO Trinity, Bomb hits 2, on fire,
heavy damage; AK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage) ;
build up of forces in Buna, and Amboina (MSW Whippoorwill and TK Mindanao sunk
off the east coast), as well as Luganville (planned);
·
Apr 9-11 1942
Daveo, Mindanao captured; Mersing, Singapore captured; and Luganville, South
Solomon’s, captured!
·
Apr 6-8 1942
San Jose, Philippines, captured; La Shio, deep in Burma, captured; Singkawing,
west coast of Borneo, captured; Jolo, small island between Mindanao and Borneo,
captured; Canberra Maru (damaged at landing at Bataan) sinks on journey home
·
Apr 3-5 1942 Myitkyina, deep in North West
Burma, falls to Japan; siege of Singapore set back as some Japanese forces
forced to withdraw (that will be ordered to join the attack on Mersing in order
to conclude that effort); SS I-154 (east of Santa Cruz Island) and SS I-21 (30
miles from home base returning from San Francisco mission) lost; Minesweeper
Banbury sunk off the east coast of Australia
·
Mar 31-Apr 2 1942 Bataan falls 2 days after
Manila! 31K allied troops dead or
captured Chinese forced to retreat from Ichang as Imperial forces in Northern
China force left wing and now central line forward into China; allied
minesweeper sunk west of Townsville, Australia
·
Mar 28-30
1942
British light carrier CVL Hermes spotted in Bombay – two submarines attacked
and though both were sunk by fierce anti-sub attacks, one managed to hit the
carrier with a torpedo; she was reportedly on fire; Manila, in the Philippines,
finally falls! 27,000 allied men
reportedly died or were captured; another troop carrier was lost on returning
from Bataan to Tokyo
·
Mar 25-27 Mandaly
captured
·
Mar 22-24
1942 Rabaul collapses under weight of Japanese assault; CL Kashi gets hit
by mines east of Singapore; Lamon Bay, Luzon, falls to the Japanese; a sneaky
Patrol Boat force attacked a weak invasion force headed to southern Philippines
and 2 troop carriers were badly damaged, and later sunk
·
Mar 19-21
1942 DD Express sunk, stationed off the Singapore coast; DD Encounter
damaged; DD Dunlap also damaged’ CA San Francisco spotted; lost SS I-23;
Sandaka, West coast of Borneo, falls to Japan
·
Mar 16-18 1942 Allies score a victory near
Singapore with the sinking of the cruiser CA Mikuma that was screening a troop
carrier fleet; land forces closes in on Singapore; Rabaul bombed and forces
landed at Lunga, Guadalcanal; intelligence suggests that allies are focusing on
Midway protection (!) though Imperial Naval strategy is allowing for a carrier
fleet just north west of Midway to strike should any force attempt to penetrate
the outer defenses
·
Mar 13-15 1942 DD Stronghold, stationed off
the Singapore coast, was sunk by naval air strikes; Sian in Northern China fell
to Imperial assault and further turns the left flank of the Chinese army;
Johore Bahnu, the entrance to Singapore island, also fell to a landing force on
the western approaches
·
Mar 10-12 1942 Tarakan in Singapore and Clark
Air force Base in the Philippines fell to Japanese attacks; Allied air remains
strong in Burma
·
Mar 7-9 1942 Finally the exploits of the
ever-evading light cruiser CL Mauritius comes to a close; a third sortie near
Singapore leaves the ship with another 2 torpedo hits and she sinks! DD Elektra
also is sunk; Taytay in the Philippines captured, and Malacca
·
Mar 4-6 1942 Allied destroyers Tenedos and
Vendetta sunk off the coast of Singapore; light cruiser CL Mauritius again hit
by another torpedo; forces moving south in Singapore, and closing in on Manila
·
Mar 1-3 1942 Pagan, Borneo fell to the
continuing Burmese invasion. Several other land battles reportedly made
progress; Allies spotted a transport fleet off the West Coast of Singapore
peninsular, and the light cruiser CL Mauritius and 3 Destroyers attacked and
sunk Japanese DD Kasumi; later the next day the light cruiser and her destroyer
escort was spotted by Imperial air forces and attacked; the cruiser was hit
with 2 torpedoes and DD Vendetta by 1; off the coast of Hawaii Japanese
submarine RO-64 was hit twice
·
Feb 26-28 1942 Miri, Borneo, fell to the
Japanese; Georgetown in Malaya also with over 15,000 allied casualties; Kuala
Lumpur, despite strong defenses, also fell; and also Homan, China - forcing
36,000 Chinese troops back
·
Feb 23-25 1942 Naga, south peninsula of the
Philippines, falls to the Japanese and reportedly several supply ships
scuttled; rather more fighters lost in Burma than the Imperial Army would
want....
·
Feb 20-22 1942 Japanese lose SSI-168 during
the Wake invasion but suffer low casualties overall; Wuchow captured in China -
38,000 troops attacked a Chinese force of 20,000; Heavy cruiser Houston was
attacked by Imperial Naval forces South of Palau and sunk
·
Feb 17-19 1942 Wake falls into the hands of
the Japanese! A fierce ongoing battle at Tuguegarao on the north east coast of
the Philippines has ended with the allies annihilated - 6,800 troops were
present though reports of 20,000 dead were received at HQ! Taung Gyi, in Burma,
also fell to the Imperial Army. Allies lost several troop carriers torpedoed in
the last couple of days: TK Angelina, and AK Montanes; Chinese troops managed a
minor rebuff of a Japanese thrust, though little change is expected along the
border (I see you moving your troops dad!)
·
Feb 14-16 1942 Taiping, Malaya, falls to the
Japanese; as does San Marcelino in the Philippines; allied shipping suffers: ML
Prins van Oranje sunk; torpedo hits reported on AK Siaoe, and TK Angelina in
the south seas
·
Feb 11-13 1942 SSI-26 sunk off the east coast
of Hawaii by a very enthusiastic sub-hunting force
·
Feb 8-10 1942 Forces west of Rangoon overrun
allied troops (report was of over 8,500 men lost though reports suggested
forces present were nearer 3,500!); DD John D Ford sunk (previous action); SSI
I-158 lost due to mischievous allied destroyer tactics near and around Hawaii;
Allies lost another troop/supply ship AP Mauban
·
Feb 5-7 1942 Yenen, China, overrun by Japanese...though
15 fighters were lost flying out of Rangoon
·
Feb 2-4 1942 Samarinda, southern Borneo,
captured by the Japanese; 5 allied aircraft destroyed; Japan lost a troop
carrier; CA Chokai damaged with a single bomb off the north coast of Borneo;
Allies lose 2400 men in deliberate attach at Homan, China; 4th Mongolian
Cavalry routed by allies and retreats in Northern China
·
Jan 30-Feb 1 1942
·
Jan 27-29 1942 Allied forces withdraw from
Alor Star in northern Malaya (westward) and Rangoon, Burma, falls with loss of
5,700 men and 15 aircraft; 2 allied transport ships sunk in surface fleet off
the south coast of Borneo
·
Jan 24-26 1942 Allied forces withdraw toward
Singapore in Malaya; and Westward from Homan in China
·
Jan 21-23 1942 Alor Star, Northern Malaya,
falls to the Japanese while Chinese forces withdraw from Yenen
·
Jan 18-20 1942 Balilapapn, south Borneo, falls
to the Japanese; 4 allied troop carriers scuttled to prevent capture;
minesweeper Bittern also sinks. 4000 Japanese die in futile attach at
Tuguegarao, Philippines. Japanese land forces in China receive a drubbing and
withdraw toward Nanching...Japanse air force not responding to orders to attack
the Chinese army!
·
Jan 15-17 1942 First surface engagement south
of Borneo, Japanese BB Nagato, with CA Haguro, another CA and several
destroyers of the Southern fleet, screening a landing force, engaged an allied
force comprising CL Marblehead, CL Boise, and 5 destroyers (Paul Jones,
Stewart, Barker, Bulmer, and Parrot). Allied fleet was surprised at night - all
ships sent to the bottom with light casualties inflicted on the Japanese....
·
Jan 12-14 1942 Japanese capture Moulmein,
Borneo peninsular; lose SS I-123; allies lose minesweeper, and sub KXVII; and
lose 5,000 troops in Wuchow, China
·
Jan 9-12 1942 Japanese lose SS I-22, and an
AP; Allies lose SS KXVII and retreat from Laoag Base, north eastern Philippines
·
Jan 6-8 1942 Allied forces withdraw toward
Burma; 2 Japanese destroyers sunk
·
Jan 3-5 1942 Allied forces withdraw toward
Burma
·
Dec 31-Jan 2 1942 (in the UK at the time)
·
Dec 28-31 1941 Japanese lose two subs close to
Hawaii, and a troop carrier and US forces lose a Destroyer Downes
·
Dec 25-27 1941 Japanese capture Toboali,
Sumatra; lose several subs and 3 destroyers in a disastrous bombardment of
Manila, though Allies lose 4 transports in the battle
·
Dec 22-24 1941 Japanese attack withdraws from
Wake)
·
Dec 19-21 1941 Japanese lose 3 troop carriers
attempting landing Java)
·
Dec 16-18 1941 Brunie, Bornea falls; Victoria
Point, Burma falls; first Japanese naval casualty
·
Dec 13-15 1941 Tavoy, Burma falls
·
Dec 10-12 1941 Hong Kong falls