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"To overcome the intelligent by folly is contrary to the natural order of things; to overcome the foolish by intelligence is in accord with the natural order. To overcome the intelligent by intelligence, however, is a matter of opportunity."
Zhuge Liang
December 8th, 1941
There can be no doubt that catching the Allies off guard with a number of deep penetrating strikes is critical to achieving rapid victory across numerous fronts. If one understands this, it is easier to see why utilizing the surprise attacks on December 7th to their full potential is so important. Only on that day is there available a single advantage that is capable of setting a pace for the entire duration of offensive actions. Those who take their time to restructure and alter the order of battle in that opening day, lose the ability to strike long distances into an unprepared enemy's belly. Such petty details can be corrected at a later time, when such an advantage can no longer be conferred. These opportunities once lost, are lost forever.
Hawaii
The Kido Butai, now divided into the 1st and 2nd Carrier Divisions moves under cover of darkness to a distance of approximately 240 miles from Pearl Harbor. As day breaks, a small contingent of Zeroes sweep the area south of Pearl Harbor in order to determine the enemy's air strength, only a handful of P-40 Warhawks offer resistance and one of these is shot down. None of the Zeroes are lost in the operation. As the day progresses, Allied aircraft spot the 1st Carrier Division, but no strike is launched against the Japanese carriers. The Kido Butai had left the majority of its fighters on alert, actually hoping for such an attempt. Now the carriers will slip away from the Hawaiian theater and begin to cover the next phase of operations.
Philippines
The invasion of Luzon continues, ships and men pour into Iba from the Japanese landing forces. The Allies attempt to disrupt the landings with a squadron of PT boats, but none of the PT boats manages to land a single successful torpedo strike. In the confusion of the battle however, the xAK Keiyo Maru collides with xAK Kurama Maru while attempting to avoid the enemy torpedo salvo, the Kurama Maru sinks from the damage.
Following the brief naval battle, Japanese aircraft launch attacks on Clark Field and Iba. One group of bombers arrives over Iba without an escort and suffers losses, but the rest of the operations are considered successful. Air strikes against Manila are aborted due to poor weather.
Japanese ground forces then launch an attack on the defenses at Iba. The meager defenses are decimated and the base falls to Japan. As the base falls, the Allies are forced to abandon 3 P-40E Warhawks at the airfield.
quote:
Ground combat at Iba (78,75)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 18846 troops, 190 guns, 295 vehicles, Assault Value = 577
Defending force 4193 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 130
Japanese adjusted assault: 751
Allied adjusted defense: 28
Japanese assault odds: 26 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Iba !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
390 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
1208 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Assaulting units:
41st Guard Battalion
47th Infantry Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
Kanno
4th Tank Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
Tanaka
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
14th Army
51st Field AA Battalion
31st Fld AA Gun Co
40th JAAF AF Bn
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Construction Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Const Co
30th Fld AA Gun Co
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Field Construction Battalion
9th JAAF AF Coy
Defending units:
31st PA Infantry Division
1st PI Base Force
Malaya
Landings at Kota Bharu are completed without incident. The Japanese plan to cripple British air power in the area via striking key airfields appears to be paying dividends. Japanese bombers attack Kuantan and level the airfield, damaging and outright destroying several aircraft on the ground.
quote:
Morning Air attack on Kuantan , at 51,79
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
G3M2 Nell x 35
G4M1 Betty x 13
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 3
Allied aircraft
no flights
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 7 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 5 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 58
Close air support is also provided over Kota Bharu to suppress the enemy ground forces and ensure that the attack later in the day succeeds.
quote:
Morning Air attack on 8th Indian Brigade, at 51,75 (Kota Bharu)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 47
Ki-30 Ann x 12
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 9
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 17
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 2
Buffalo I x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
238 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Kota Bharu then falls to our ground forces as planned.
quote:
Ground combat at Kota Bharu (51,75)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 14966 troops, 151 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 561
Defending force 4004 troops, 39 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 106
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 421
Allied adjusted defense: 2
Japanese assault odds: 210 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kota Bharu !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 5 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
2573 casualties reported
Squads: 135 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1
The Allies appear to have either been oblivious to the risks of leaving aircraft at invaded bases, or did not believe that those bases would be seized within such a short time span, as this invasion, much like the capture of Iba yields Allied aircraft abandoned on the ground in the face of ground occupation. Either way, these aircraft will not be able to assist the British in the future defense of Singapore now.
Moluccas and Celebes
Invasions of Kendari and Ambon wrap up after an unsuccessful air attack on the landing forces at Ambon. Japanese ground forces launch their attacks, and Kendari succumbs to the assault.
quote:
Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 2787 troops, 27 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 71
Defending force 962 troops, 15 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
Japanese adjusted assault: 114
Allied adjusted defense: 35
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
491 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
Sasebo 1st SNLF
24th JAAF AF Bn
Defending units:
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Kendari Base Force
The defenders of Ambon manage to hold out for the day, but Japanese engineers manage to breach their fortifications. They are expected to fall within the next two days.
quote:
Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 4668 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134
Defending force 2199 troops, 30 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 51
Japanese adjusted assault: 114
Allied adjusted defense: 70
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)
Japanese ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
15th Naval Guard Unit
16th Naval Guard Unit
6th JNAF Coy
8th JNAF Coy
Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
Ambon Defenses
Ambon Base Force
China
There is no major ground action in China today. Japanese fighters and bombers attack Chinese ground troops once more and cause some minor losses, but every loss confers further advantage to the Japanese efforts in this theater.
Burma
Pegu is sweeped by 9 Zeroes and discovers AVG. The Zeroes gain the upper hand in the engagement.
quote:
Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 9
Buffalo I x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 3 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Those losses will hurt early Allied efforts in the region.
Rabaul
Referred to earlier as the highlight of Japanese opening strategy, Rabaul's early capture is the Japanese gateway to Port Moresby and Northeastern Australia. The crowning achievement of the surprise strategem, Japanese forces manage to take the base a day after landing.
quote:
Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 6654 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 183
Defending force 1787 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 49
Japanese adjusted assault: 72
Allied adjusted defense: 21
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 destroyed
S.23 Empire: 1 destroyed
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Assaulting units:
Kimura Det
Kure 1st SNLF
II/81st Naval Guard Unit
1st JNAF Coy
5th JNAF Coy
2nd JNAF Coy
1st Naval Construction Battalion
Defending units:
A Coy/NG Rifles
Lark Battalion
Rabaul Base Force
Japan has also moved a number of engineering units to the area as well as aviation support. Getting air operations going in this area will be critical to isolating the surrounding bases.
It is also believed that a victorious broadcast by Radio Tokyo as early as December 8th to the Allies will contribute to crippling their morale.
Borneo
Singkawang was previously identified as the most crucial base to capture in the area surrounding Singapore and Palambang, because its large airfield and close proximity to those two key bases allows the Japanese to cut the area off from Allied shipping and begin an aggressive air superiority campaign.
The Allies, apparently aware of the dangers of losing such a base, and eager to strike a blow to the Japanese conducting landing operations there, undertake a daring night raid of the area with Force Z. The Imperial Japanese Navy had planned for such an action and had ordered a task force composed of the battleships Kongo and Haruna, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, and 6 destroyers to steam for Singkawang and cover the invasion fleet.
In the middle of the night under poor weather conditions, both task forces meet. Heading up Force Z are the battleship Prince of Wales and the battlecruiser Repulse, the British also dispatch 3 light cruisers and 4 destroyers.
The combat begins at a mere 3,000 yards, and the Japanese quickly get the better of the engagement as the Kongo and Haruna strike the Prince of Wales multiple times. Meanwhile, the Repulse never manages to make herself an effective factor during the battle. As the cruisers for both sides square off, the Japanese cruisers launch their 61cm torpedoes, with one hitting each of the Allied cruisers. The cruisers are devestated by the attack and slip beneath the waves. By the time the task forces finally break off the engagement, the Prince of Wales is a burning beacon as fires rage across her superstructure.
quote:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 3,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 3
CA Takao, Shell hits 1
CA Atago
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 25, heavy fires
BC Repulse, Shell hits 1
CL Danae, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Dragon, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Durban, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Vampire, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Tenedos
DD Electra, Shell hits 1
DD Express, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
Following the battle, it appears that the Prince of Wales is no longer able to match speed with the Repulse. The two battlewagons separate, with the destroyers Vampire and Elektra remaining with the Prince of Wales in a desperate attempt to screen it from further attacks. Unfortunately for the British warships, the Japanese task force finds them once more before they can escape. The Prince of Wales suffers another agonizing onslaught with the mortal blow being dealt by the Kongo, and finally sinks. It is also believed that the DD Vampire will be unable to reach a safe port in time to avoid sinking.
quote:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 2,000 Yards
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1
CA Takao
CA Atago
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
DD Vampire, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Electra, Shell hits 1
A battleship, 3 light cruisers, and 2 destroyers are sunk, for no loss to the Japanese and only minor damage to her warships. A truly great victory! The Kongo and Haruna will now head back to port in order to repair and rearm.
Singkawang is then seized.
quote:
Ground combat at Singkawang (56,88)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 4115 troops, 21 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 118
Defending force 1226 troops, 9 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 30
Japanese adjusted assault: 113
Allied adjusted defense: 3
Japanese assault odds: 37 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Singkawang !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 5 destroyed
B-339D: 3 destroyed
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
821 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
II/124th Infantry Battalion
III/124th Infantry Battalion
4th Naval Construction Battalion
4th JNAF Coy
97th JAAF AF Bn
Defending units:
West Borneo KNIL Battalion
Singkawang Base Force
Overall
Great progress has been made. The pressure on the Allies must be maintained. A speedy capture of the Philippines and of Singapore would be a boon to Phase 2 operations. With Force Z no longer a threat and Singkawang captured, the invasion of Mersing becomes a real possibility. There is an invasion task force that is bound for Palambang that may now be diverted for this operation.
There are still other plans being hatched elswhere, all has not been revealed yet.
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