Cribtop
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Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
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February 26, 1942
Captain Robert "Bob" Martin of the 2/19th Bttn, 22nd Australian Brigade, surveyed the wreckage of another failed Japanese attack on his position in the waning hours of a warm afternoon in Fortress Singapore. As he panned his binoculars from left to right, shrapnel wounds from a grenade stung him for the thousandth time. Most of the men on the front line, an abandoned cannery become fortified outpost, carried one wound or another. This morning the Japanese had come again as they did every three days or so. He was astonished at the effectiveness of their infiltration efforts and appalled at their willingness to suffer casualties in frontal assaults both day and night. The stench of the dead overwhelmed the smell of fires, expended ammunition and even the rather unpleasant odor emanating from his long shredded uniform. Still, his men had held with pride for weeks of constant bombing and ground assault.
His attention was pulled from the shattered buildings and broken men by two surprisingly clean officers moving up a communications trench leading back to Battalion HQ. "Capt. Martin, I presume?" said the first man, a staff Colonel with a distinctly English accent.
Martin snapped a salute. "Speaking, Sir."
"I'm Merriweather, and this is Major Upton, from AHQ Far East. We are here in person to make sure the cease fire announced by wireless is strictly observed."
"What cease fire? As you can see, we've been a bit busy the past few hours."
"Yes, quite unfortunate but the word hasn't reached all the subordinate commands on either side. Hence our little tour," said the Colonel.
He gestured to Upton, who produced a written order from General Percival informing all British Empire forces of a 24 hour cease fire, effective at 1300 hours.
A few hours too late for some of his men, thought Martin bitterly. It was then that an even darker thought rose unbidden from the pit of his stomach. "Colonel, may I inquire what this is all about?"
"Nothing to concern you, Captain. Use the time to re-provision and rest your men. You can expect further orders from AHQ tomorrow."
Merriweather seemed a decent sort, but acting was clearly not his strong suit. Martin considered his options and decided to risk going a bit beyond the bounds of military decorum. "Colonel, I've got a company down to 30% effectives that have held this ruin for over 15 days. For their sakes, please tell me what's going on."
Upton and Merriweather shared a furtive glance. "Look, Captain, the truth is the Jap 2nd Division finally broke through to the harbor. Our defenses are split in two. AHQ asked Yamashita for a cease fire to... Well, to discuss terms."
The air went out of Bob Martin. It seemed like all the hurts of the past three months, great and small, weighed on him anew with crushing force. "Is that it, then?"
Neither staff officer said a word in reply.
"Right. Well, do me a favor. Move in closer and pretend to talk things over for a few minutes."
"What for, Captain?" asked Merriweather.
"Can't let the men see me crying, Colonel."
Today, the fall of Singapore puts a coda to a black week from the Allied perspective. Despite the valiant defense of the fortress for 11 days past the historical surrender date (ironic that Percival's reputation probably fares a lot better in this virtual reality than it did historically), the enemy has suffered through the surrender of more than 100,000 UK and Chinese troops (51 LCUs) in the space of five days. Cuttlefish's decision not to withdraw any troops meant the fort held out for longer than we are used to in AE. However, he has lost more than is common now that all is said and done.
The base fell with 2:1 odds against zero forts. 33 LCUs surrender, including AHQ Far East, 9th and 11th Indian Divisions, 22nd and 27th Australian Brigades, and air HQs 223 and 224 Group RAF. Recall that six more LCUs were destroyed in the fighting before the base fell, so 39 are lost in total. Japanese units, while fatigued, are all at 95% of TO&E strength and ready for fresh conquests in Sumatra, Java and Oz after a few days' rest. Facilities are captured with about 33% damage. We will repair the Shipyard. Nonetheless, we tip our hats to a brave effort by the Brits here. Cribtop HQ feels more relief than jubilation, but a win is a win. VPs jump to 10,415 vs 6,307 this turn.
Subs
Escorts in a troop convoy bound for Kendari chase off K VII near Batjan. I-1 announces our presence in the Indian Ocean by sinking an xAKL near Koggala.
4th Fleet
No change.
SE Fleet
No change.
14th Army
DA hex 78, 91 (near Cotobato) forces four battered LCUs to retreat with 2:1 odds, casualties 396(34) vs 105(1). We forgot to get out of move mode for this attack and still pull it off. The fall of Cotobato will effectively end combat operations on Mindanao and free up a regiment to rejoin the balance of 56th Division at Singapore.
16th Army
We spotted a DD in harbor at Soerabaja and try a port attack but no joy.
25th Army
Singapore falls and causes Cribtop HQ to issue the following orders. Imperial Guards will ship out to the Burma front. Two divisions will be used to seize northern and southern Sumatra. The remaining two divisions, plus 16th Division coming from Luzon, will invade Java in the company of three armored units. 21st and 38th Divisions will gather at Kendari and then invade NW Oz with three additional tank regiments in tow. All of these ops will commence not later than 10th March to ensure the landings take advantage of the invasion bonus. MKB will be needed to support the invasions. Eventual intention is for the Sumatra Divisions to move to Java to finish off sieges in the company of yet another division we will soon buy out of Kwantung Army.
15th Army
An abandoned Magwe falls to 33rd Division. Oil is captured at 297(3), refineries at 99(1). Nice.
China
DA Pucheng goes off at 26:1 odds, casualties 911(16) vs 184(0). Only a matter of time here.
5th Fleet
We finish unloading supplies at Adak and set course for home.
Other
CS Nisshin and I-29 arrive for duty.
< Message edited by Cribtop -- 6/28/2011 2:38:40 AM >
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