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HMS Resolution -> REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL GENERAL STAFF 9/12/41 (7/30/2009 5:17:36 AM)
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Present:
General Alan Brooke, CIGS
Admiral Dudley Pound, 1SL
Air Marshall Charles Portal, CAS
Winston Churchill, PM
SITUATION REPORT
PEARL HARBOR
Despite lingering for three days off of Pearl Harbour, the Japanese proved unable to sink a single American battleship at anchor, proving once again the viability of the capital ship, even in the age of the aeroplane. The aviation depot ship USS Hulbert, cargo ship USS Antares, and the small coastal minesweepers Condor and Crossbill were sunk on the 8th by Japanese aeroplanes. However, on the 9th, American MTBs made a daring nighttime sortie and attacked a group of Japanese oilers and destroyers, torpedoing Ken'yo Maru twice and setting two other oilers on fire while losing only a single MTB, PT-22. The Japanese withdrew during the day of the 9th, launching further strikes on Pearl Harbor. Their total casualties are estimated as 29 Navy 99 torpedo planes, 18 Navy 97 dive bombers, and 1 Navy 0 fighter.
WAKE ISLAND
On 9 December, the USS Lexington launched two air strikes against a Japanese invasion force off-shore, sinking the armed merchant cruisers Kinryu Maru and Kongo Maru, heavily damaging the old destroyer Kisaragi, and hitting the cruiser Tatsuta with a single bomb. The Lexington is returning to Pearl Harbor, but two of her escorting 8"-gun cruisers and destroyer support have been detached for a surface action to finish off any remaining Japanese ships. Some infantry are now ashore at Wake, but are bereft of heavy gun support as of yet.
PHILLIPINES AND HONG KONG
After heavy attack by level bombers, the local defence flotilla, consisting of HM Ships Scout, Thanet, and Thracian, proceeded towards Manilla but on 9/12/41 were diverted to the NW coast of the Phillipines to attempt an intercept of Japanese landing forces. Four American destroyers proceeded independently. Our three ships encountered a Japanese force with a light cruiser and several destroyers, and after a brief engagement wherein Scout and Thanet were lightly hit, our ships managed to damage the destroyers Samidare and Natsugumo. The latter ship's forward turret was destroyed by a direct hit as our forces withdrew. The Americans report also engaging this force, suffering engine damage to the USS Pope but causing a small internal explosion on Murasame and also hitting Natsugumo again.
On the morning of the 9th, the retiring American ships fell upon an invasion convoy, sinking the minesweeper W-18 and two patrol boats. The minesweepers W-10 and W-12 were left burning. Unfortunately the USS John D Ford and USS Pillsbury were both heavily damaged in this action.
Immediately following, our forces also made contact, and sank the minesweeper W-17, two submarine chasers, and the cargo ship Hawaii Maru. The Bunzan Maru was left heavily damaged, as were the minesweepers W-9, W-11, and W-12.
Two American submarines, the Pickerel and the Salmon, report faulty torpedoes after failed attacks on this same convoy. Regrettably, the Japanase secured a lodgement, despite our best efforts.
MALAYA AND INDIA
Efforts continue to prepare Addu Atoll for a fallback position should Admiral Richmond's worst-case estimates come true.
Prince of Wales and Repulse are now safely away from Singapore. We are contemplating how best to employ these powerful heavy units.
Kota Bharu has fallen to the Japanese. Only weak resistance has as yet been offered by our forces, but we trust the situation will stabilize.
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