RE: 1st January 1942

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> After Action Reports >> RE: 1st January 1942

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RE: 1st January 1942 - 10/25/2004 3:59:30 AM

Corvus

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Yeah, I figured that out after a while - though couldn't seem to use the transport planes to move them between islands. Had been taking to switching them to a non-restricted command, shipping them to Java and have been slowly switching them back to ABDA command.

(in reply to Bobthehatchit)

Post #: 31

2nd January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:00:19 AM

Corvus

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2nd January

In a surprise move, Allied air forces in the Bay of Bengal region went on the offensive. Almost seventy P-40B and P-40E fighters returned to Rangoon, along with the Blenheim IF night-fighters. The Blenheims kicked off the new approach with an night attack on Tavoy that took out a pair of scout planes.

From the Japanese lack of response, it seemed they may have departed Tavoy to aid the effort further south.

In further good news for the Allies, it appeared the Japanese carrier fleet had traversed back through the straits and was heading east away from Singapore, much to relief of Allied shipping in the Bay of Bengal.

Japanese air attacks for the day targeted Wuchow and the defenders of Johore Bahru and Manila. Chinese fighters were able to down one escort and two bombers during the Wuchow attack and prevented the rest from having any real effect.

The defenders of Manila and Johore Bahru bore up stoically under the continuing raids that only caused light casualties. Artillery fire from Japanese ground forces was of more concern.

The Japanese staged fresh invasions in their continuing expansion, this time at Buka south of Rabual and at Tarakan in Borneo. The base at Buka is hardly large enough to be of much use, but is a useful stepping-stone in the Japanese expansion south towards Guadalcanal.

The Japanese force at Menado in Sulawsei was able to force the surrender of the Dutch garrison of around 3500 men.

< Message edited by Corvus -- 10/25/2004 2:08:07 AM >

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 32

3rd January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:00:49 AM

Corvus

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3rd January

Another night raid from Blenheims on Tavoy bagged a pair of bombers destroyed and a half dozen more damage. Despite this provocation, the Japanese ignored Rangoon, which was now defended by around seventy-five fighters. Instead they raided Mandalay with over sixty bombers and twenty-five Zero escorts. Mandalay was being used as a base by more Blenheims due to overcrowding at Rangoon. Three were destroyed during the raid, and a half dozen more damaged.

The Japanese invasions forces continued to push south from Rabual, landing at Shortlands, which is halfway between Rabual and Guadalcanal. Allied command has ordered the 808th EAB and 161st USA RCT to make for Guadalcanal to garrison it. In the meantime, Allied air and naval forces are to keep an eye on the Japanese and prevent them landing at Guadalcanal before the US forces if at all possible.

In addition to Shortlands, another invasion took place, this time at Brunei as the Japanese continue their efforts to capture Borneo. Allied commanders are happy to let them expend their efforts on the hard to defend outer islands while building on their forces on Java. A lot of the outlying Islands have been evacuated and their troops used to garrison Batavia and Soerabaja. Allied comamnders are confident that it will take a major invasion to knock out Java due to the air, ground and sea assests in place. It is speculated the Japanese currently do not have the capacity to do this, given one hundred thousand troops are tied down outside Singapore, and nearly as many are involved in the Philippines.

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 33

4th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:01:22 AM

Corvus

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4th January

Nighttime is proving the Allies best opportunity for success, with the cover of darkness negating many of the Japanese�s advantages. The SS Trout made a successful torpedo attack during the night against a cargo ship just off of Japan, while the Blenheims once more raided Tavoy, destroying a pair of Zeros on the ground.

The PTs in the Philippines were once more in action during the night. Moving from Manila to Puerto Princesa, they came upon a Japanese tanker by itself. Pouring hundreds of rounds of 20mm and .50cal ammo into it, they left it a blazing wreck.

Bad weather limited the air campaign to a pair of raids on Johore Bahru by the Japanese, which saw four Sonia bombers brought down by AA gunners. The bad weather and AA fire made accurate bombing extremely hard, resulting in few casualties and little damage.

The Japanese troops that had landed at Brunei were able to capture the base in a ferocious assault that forced the non-combat troops based there to fall back.

A task force departed Townsville during the day, headed to patrol the waters near Guadalcanal while cargo ships are on route to land supplies and fuel for future troop arrivals. The task force comprises of the RAN cruisers Australia, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide, the RAN destroyers Stuart and Voyager, the RNZN cruisers Achilles and Leander and the Free French destroyer Le Triomphant.

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 34

5th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:01:53 AM

Corvus

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5th January

Night actions against Tavoy resulted in five more bombers being blown up. The Japanese have ceased all operations against Rangoon despite the weather having lifted in the region enough for attacks to have been able to go ahead.

The Chinese and Japanese traded air attacks during the day, with the Chinese coming out on top. They lost only one bomber compared to three bombers, one fighter and one scout plane for the Japanese.

The Allied naval task force leaving Australia for the Guadalcanal region was attacked by a Japanese submarine three hundred miles off Cairns. The RNZN light cruiser Achilles was fired at with a single torpedo, but was able to avoid the attack. Allied destroyers hunted for the submarine but were unable to locate it.

Allied scout planes report sighting of two more Japanese submarines between New Guinea and Rabual. Three ASW patrols were dispatched into the seas east of Queensland to hunt down the submarines and make it safe for Allied transport shipping.

Chinese infantry advancing from the north arrived in Hanoi during the day, eagre to attack. Just a small IJA base force of non-combat troops garrisons Hanoi. If the Chinese are successful in capturing Hanoi, then three Japanese units east of Hanoi will be cut off due to Nanning also being in Chinese hands.

The US PT boats operating in the Philippines headed south with the aim of meeting up with Dutch PTs at Balikpapan. The combined force will number 17 PT boats and are expected to be very active hunting in the islands of the NEI and the Philippines.

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 35

6th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:02:22 AM

Corvus

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6th January

The Australian, New Zealand and French ships heading to Guadalcanal came across a fourth Japanese submarine operating in the region. They dropped a number of depth charges and report that they defiantly hit. There has been no official conformation if the sub was lost.

The sub that had fired on the task force the previous day retaliated by attacking one of the ASW patrols hunting it. The RAN minesweeper Townsville was hit by a single torpedo and sunk not long after. Other ships on ASW patrol were unable to catch and destroy the sub.

The Rangoon-Tavoy region saw extremely heavy and deadly fighting during the day. Blenheims once more raided Tavoy overnight, taking out another five planes. The Japanese retaliated during the day with a massive raid of over sixty bombers escorted by one hundred and ten fighters. Fifty P-40s intercepted the raid, at first engaging the Nates and Oscars who were flying at a lower altitude. What followed was a butchery of the inferior planes, with thirty enemy fighters downed for the loss of just one P-40. Even as this one-sided battle was going on, the Zeros dropped in and reversed the tables, downing around twenty P-40s for the loss of just six Zeroes. The P-40s were able to destroy just one Sally as they were tied up by the enemy escorts so much, and as a result the Japanese were able to bomb fairly accurately, destroying eight Allied planes on the ground, including four of the RAAF Hurricane MkII fighters that had just been railed in to join the defence.

Over sixty thousand Japanese troops have advanced on Clark Field in what seems to mark the first serious effort by the Japanese to capture the base. They held off attacking, being content to shell the defenders, as they did at Manilla and Johore Bahru. Allied commanders are pleased that so many Japanese are tied down at these locations and not involved in operations elsewhere.

The 25th and 29th Chinese Corps attacked and easily overran the defenders of Hanoi, reportedly sustaining only two casualties in the process. They intend to press and capture Haiphong where the IJA garrison from Hanoi escaped to. The 67th Chinese Division is only three miles from Hanoi and will take over garrison duties there.

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 36

7th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:02:51 AM

Corvus

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7th January

Despite both sides suffering heavy losses the previous day, both air forces went into action again around Tavoy and Rangoon. First it was Allied night raids that took out three enemy planes and then it was the Japanese turn to attack Rangoon again in force, though reduced from the previous day. The familiar patterns took place, with first the Nates and Oscars being mauled before the Zeros arrived to maul the Allies. This time though three Hurricane II fighters joined the P-40s. The Allies scored twenty-six air victories, eight of them being Zeroes, the highest for some time. In return fifteen Allies planes were shot down and another nine lost on the ground.

The S-46 and Sculpin both torpedoed transports during the night, the Sculpin confirming that the cargo ship it had hit had gone down. The Sculpin later on also torpedoed a tanker before being forced to flee a pack of escorting minesweepers and patrol boats.

Fresh Japanese troops landed at Tarakan to join previous landing parties. The two troop transports involved had a single minesweeper escort, and were interrupted by the US PTs in the region. After one of the transports took a few minor hits the Japanese broke off and departed the region.

The three US carriers that had been docked at Pearl for some time departed during the day, with a sizeable cruiser and destroyer escort. Their first port of call will be Suva before they plan to press on towards Guadalcanal to cover the landings there. However they have been ordered to depart should the Japanese carriers be spotted in the region. Search planes and Coastwatchers have been keeping an eye out in the region, but have only seen a few transports and auxiliaries plying the islands.

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 37

8th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:03:23 AM

Corvus

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8th January

Allied submarines and PT boats kept up their recent good work, with further attacks during the night and into the day. The submarines successfully attacked three transports, with one confirmed to have sunk. The PT boats chased down after the Japanese ships that had fled the day before, using the dark of nighttime to close to 1000 yards before firing. The MSW Tokuho Maru #5 positioned itself between the troop transports and the PT boats and took the brunt of the fire, eventually breaking apart and sinking. Its sacrifice did allow the two troop transports to escape, though one had been damaged and set on fire before it was able to flee.

Bad weather closed in on Tavoy and Rangoon, with only the night raid able to take place. Blenheims accounted for two more enemy planes, but it is not enough to slow the constant stream of enemy planes when the weather is good.

The Chinese had an unfortunate day in the air. First during there attack on Canton they lost one SB-2c bomber and completely failed to hit their target. Then when a raid by unescorted Sonias hit Wuchow airfield, one of the I-153c fighters on CAP was brought down by a Sonia. The Japanese bombs were far more accurate, destroying one IL-4c on the ground and damaging seven more.

Heavy bombing raids were launched against Johore Bahru, with around one hundred bombers hitting the defences at various times of the day. Commonwealth AA gunners were able to extract some revenge though, accounting for seven bombers destroyed and many more damaged.

The Japanese captured Miri near Brunei. The small RN force that had garrisoned Brunei had been forced to retreat here, but were forced to surrender when the Japanese attacked. Over six hundred POWs were taken.

The valiant defenders of Rabual who had slowly been retreating towards Gasmata came under a ferocious attack by Japanese forces. Only two thousand Aussies were present, and were attacked by over four thousand Japanese. The Japanese were beaten back with shocking casualties of over five hundred men lost. The Australians report only 32 dead.

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 38

9th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:03:57 AM

Corvus

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9th January

During the night, the US submarine SS Porpoise was operating in the South China Sea in what had been a successful hunting ground for transports. Instead what the captain of the Porpoise spotted was not a transport but the flat top of a Japanese carrier. Before he had an opportunity to fire upon it, the Porpoise was forced to dive as destroyers escorting the carriers hunt for him.

After a long period of absence, the Japanese carrier fleet has been spotted, far from the destination of the American carriers. The waters they are traversing though are thick with US submarines and Allied commanders one or two may get a shot off.

The air battles in Burma take a surprising and happy twist for the Allies. The Blenheim night raid takes out seven enemy planes, while ground crews prepare for the expected retaliatory raid from Rangoon. Except it does not occur, despite weather being decent enough for them to do so. Instead a force flies out of Bangkok, comprising of forty-three Sally bombers and an escort of fourteen Oscars. In addition to the small group of P-40s that react to the raid, RAAF Hurricanes and RAF Buffalos attack. The carnage caused amongst the Japanese planes is terrible, with two Oscars and twenty-one Sally bombers destroyed. Oscar fighters are able to bring down six Buffalos, while the bombers take out two Hurricanes, one Blenheim and one P-40E on the ground. For once the Allies have a significant victory over Rangoon, but only because the Zeroes are absent.

The bomber and artillery bombardments of Manila, Clark Field and Johure Bahru continue, with little likelihood of ground attacks by either side anytime soon.

Chinese troops in operation trying to close the pocket between Nanning and Hanoi drive back a small IJN base force, while two Chinese Corps arrive at Haiphong to destroy the small Japanese force there.

The Japanese launch another attack on the Australians near Gasmata, this time in a more cautious manner. The Australians hold out again, though casualties were light on both sides.

< Message edited by Corvus -- 10/25/2004 10:58:25 PM >

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 39

10th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:04:56 AM

Corvus

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10th January

Allied submarines shadowed the Japanese carriers throughout the night and day, but none got close enough to be able to fire torpedoes.

The Rangoon-Tavoy battle followed the lead of the previous days, but losses were very light for both sides. Blenheims took out five enemy planes during the night before the Japanese launched a raid from Bangkok comprising of Ki-21 Sally bombers and Ki-43-Ib Oscar fighters. The small Allied CAP shot down one Oscar and four Sallys for the loss of one Buffalo, with half the Sallys turning back when attacked. Those that did press on were only able to take out one Blenheim on the ground.

Japanese bombers launched heavy raids against the Chinese in the Haiphong region as well as the usual raids on Johore Bahru, Clark Field and Manila.

A new Japanese landing took place at Kavieng just to the northeast of Rabual, continuing the Japanese expansion through the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon islands.

In something of a surprise, Japanese troops launched a series of attacks across the front. Again they clashed with the Australians in the Bismarck Archipelago and once more they were repulsed, suffering losses three times higher than the Australians.

They also went on the offensive at Hanoi and Haiphong. Japanese infantry forces stormed Hanoi and drove the Chinese division out, while the two Chinese Corps approaching Haiphong were driven back by the defenders. The Chinese pulled back to regroup and wait for the forces advancing from Nanning.

The Japanese who had landed near Tarakan made a minor probe against the defenders but quickly pulled back after each side suffered only a handful of casualties.

The biggest surprise came when the Japanese decided to attack the defenders at Johore Bahru to try and force an end to the stand off outside Singapore. With almost one hundred thousand troops available from four divisions, a tank regiment and an independent brigade they were confident of success, but hadn�t counted on the resilience of the forty thousand Commonwealth defenders, drawn from two Australian brigades, six Indian brigades, the FMSV brigade, the SSVF brigade and support elements. Casualties on both sides were very high, with around one thousand Japanese and nine hundred Commonwealth soldiers lost.

< Message edited by Corvus -- 10/25/2004 10:58:41 PM >

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 40

11th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:05:28 AM

Corvus

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11th January

Allied commanders once more decided to pull allied air power out of Rangoon. The shortage of available replacements meant that one more big raid could finish off the defenders for some time.

Coastwatchers operating from Lae on the north coast of New Guinea spotted a Japanese transport just off the coast during the night. During the day Japanese soldiers could be seen making wading ashore. Despite the reports the Coastwatcher was able to give as to the location of the Japanese ship, low clouds meant Port Moresby based Beauforts were unable to launch a strike.

The SS Seawolf attacked a Japanese troop transport during the night, surfacing to engage with guns and torpedoes. They set it on fire, but the Japanese fought back, causing some minor fires about the submarine when they hit with their AA guns.

A Japanese air raid on Kweilin by unescorted Sonias saw Chinese pilot Chinese pilot R Chong credited with his 2nd, 3rd and 4th kills, and is on the verge of becoming the first Chinese ace of the war. Chinese pilots brought down two other Sonias, while another was credited to AA gunners

Chinese bomber pilots have been making regular runs against Japanese ground forces in the Wuhan region. Normally these have had little effect, but of late their improved experience has result in more accurate bombing.

Heavy air raids were inflicted on Johure Bahru, Manila and Clark Field, including one of over one hundred and thirty Kate bombers from the Japanese carriers off the north coast of the Philippines against Clark Field that cause heavy losses amongst the defenders. At none of these places did the Japanese press the attack on the ground, though they were successful in capturing Tarakan. The small Dutch battalion there, little more than company in strength was forced to withdraw and is retreating down the coast to join other Dutch forces at Balikpapan.

In a relief to the Allies, significant reinforcements started to arrive, with many more due. A number RAF and USAAF ground crew units arrived, ready to establish new airfields across the theatre. The 3rd New Zealand Division and 30th Australian Brigade also became available for use. Plans are afoot to send the 30th Australian Brigade to help garrison New Guinea, while the New Zealand Division is most likely to be used garrisoning south sea islands like Fiji and New Caledonia.

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 41

12th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:06:00 AM

Corvus

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12th January

During the day, the first major sea and air reinforcements arrived in theatre, despite plans to knock out the Germans first. A destroyer and three submarines became operational in the NEI and the RAN light cruiser Hobart arrived at Sydney. The British sent the battleship Royal Sovereign and its escorts, while for the USN the carrier Yorktown, its escorts and three submarines were pronounced ready for service at San Francisco. Six RAF squadrons equipped with Hurricane fighters arrive in India, much to the relief of hard pressed fighter pilots in the region.

The Dutch submarine SS KXI operating in the Malacca Straights surfaced during the night to attack a Japanese transport. It took two torpedos as well as rounds from deck guns and was left blazing.

The morning remained quite in the air, with aside for a few scout missions, only the Chinese flying a few light bomber raids on Japanese troop positions. The afternoon saw a few raids by the Japanese against a number of targets, but they were uniformly light and inflicted little damage. The sole aircraft lost all day by either side was a Sally bomber shot down by AA gunners during a light raid on Rangoon.

A Japanese submarine operating in the Java Sea was positioning itself for an attack on Allied troop transports carrying soldiers when the escorting destroyers located it by sonar then depth charged it. The debris field that resulted confirmed it had been destroyed.

Japanese and Australian troops continued near Gasmata to clash as rear guard troops battled with advancing Japanese troops. The Australians are still some thirty miles from reaching Gasmata. Meanwhile the Japanese who had landed near Lae occupied the town and Allied commanders are expecting them to build up their forces there.

Japanese forces lost heavily during a clash in China. The 1st VM Division tried to break out of the encirclement the Chinese were setting up, but were cut down in droves. They were forced to fall back further into the encirclement.

< Message edited by Corvus -- 10/25/2004 10:59:02 PM >

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 42

13th January 1942 - 10/25/2004 4:06:33 AM

Corvus

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13th January

The newly arrived reinforcements were quickly issued orders to move towards the front. The RN ships were ordered to join the fleet at Diamond Harbour, while the USN ships headed for Pearl Harbour. The Hurricanes were loaded on trains to head for the Diamond Harbour and Chandpur region, while the RAF 221 Base Force and its support elements were also dispatched for Diamond Harbour.

The US ordered the 111th Aviation Regiment and base to Umnak Island near Dutch Harbour, the 71st Aviation Regiment was to head for Midway to expand the airfield there, while the 51st Aviation Regiment was to head to the southwest Pacific via Peal Harbour, though the exact destination was yet to be determined. Guadalcanal was the most likely candidate.

Ceylon saw a large number of Allied planes arrived, delivered by shipping after their long journey from the NEI, after arriving their first from Singapore and the Philippines. There were a small number of Vildebeest, Wirraways and Catalinas, but the most important arrival was 48 P-40E fighters from the 24th FG.

TF 1069 arrived at Port Moresby, dropping off supplies and fuel ahead of the arrival of the 30th Australian Brigade, making its way along the coast. The danger of Japanese submarines in the region was made evident when an Australian ASW patrol returning to Townsville located and depth charged a Japanese submarine lurking near a channel through the Great Barrier Reef.

The Australian/New Zealand/French task force operating near Guadalcanal came under light attack from long-range level bombers from Truk. None hit, but the group has been ordered towards New Caledonia until the US carriers arrive, who are currently passing Canton Island to the east.

Another clash between Australians and Japanese saw the Japanese driven back once more with losses estimated at three times higher than the Australians. Allied commanders are hoping to find a way of rescuing these brave troops.

The Japanese judged the time was right to attack Johore Bahru again, but once more it was beatan back, although this time losses were far heavier for the Japanese and far lighter for the Allies. The concern for the defenders is not so much being over run for now, but that they will run out of supplies.

< Message edited by Corvus -- 10/25/2004 10:59:19 PM >

(in reply to Corvus)

Post #: 43

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