tocaff
Posts: 4781
Joined: 10/12/2006 From: USA now in Brasil Status: offline
|
December 25, 1942 Christmas Day Intel 35th Brigade is located at Rangoon. 6th NLF is located at Thursday Island. 2659 men are based at Taejon. 7905 men are based at Sendai. 19th Division is located at Mishan. 37th Division is located at Changsha. Radio transmissions detected at Nanning. South Seas Det. is located at Gili Gili. 43rd Construction Battalion is located at Rangoon. Elements of the 70th Division are located at Nanchang. Elements of the 110th Division are located at Changsha. 28640 men are based at Tsitsihar. Recon F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Pagan 1 LCU 1420/0/0 Catalina I takes recon photos of Wyndham 9 LCUs 35700/109/0 Combat S-36 spotted and attacked an AK 47 miles from Darwin. She scored 2 torpedo hits, causing the AK to break up and sink rapidly. The submarine Searaven underwent an ASW attack near Brunei. She sustained some broken light bulbs and a ruptured gasket on a valve, but other than that and frayed nerves she continues towards her new home port. 110 X B-17E and 96 X B-24D attacked Tulagi in a mid morning raid. Four of each plane type were damaged and moderate damage was done to the port, it's facilities and supply dumps. The Japanese attacked Dacca with 87 X Zero and 36 X Tony, which were challenged by the CAP consisting of 38 X Hurricane. The dog fighting was savage and 32 of the Hurricanes went down while the Japanese were thought to have lost 4 X Zero (1 damaged) and 4 X Tony destroyed. “How can we get more experience when our planes are inferior death traps?” asks a survivor at the debriefing. A Japanese bombardment attack near Wyndham caused light Allied casualties while the Allied gunners found the mark and inflicted very heavy loses on the Japanese. Allied commanders are watching their supplies dwindle and hope that the three divisions approaching Wyndham from Derby will be able to retake the town and reopen the supply lines. Time is always in such short supply. Baker Island reported a Betty having circled the base a few times before moving off. Another Betty appeared later in the day and followed the same routine. Lang's crew, with an assist from the O'Bannon, has lowered the level of flooding and managed to increase her speed. It's now expected that late tomorrow or early on the 27th they will make Pearl Harbor. This news is better than any gift found under a Christmas Tree. Patrol flights covering the Coral Sea have again spotted the Japanese convoy as it sprints towards safer waters. It's about 137 miles SW of Gili Gili, heading SE at 13 knots. It's doubtful if any Allied subs will be able to intercept, but LBA is on full alert. Tarpon increases speed in an effort to cut off the convoy. The feeling among the crew is electric as they anticipate action. Ed scans the horizon marveling at the might of the TF that he commands. Just the thought of impending action invigorates him. This is what I was born to do, he thinks. His thought then turns towards Bill and he wonders if O'Bannon made it to Midway. He knows that the Navy finally released an AR to be stationed at Midway, but it won't help the DDs that struck the mines during the Wake Island bombardment. He wonders if there are plans to retake Wake as he feels that FDR wants something to feed the American people, and fast. A victory is what is needed and he intends to do his part to deliver it. Pearl Harbor sees yet another convoy bound for Operation Snowball's staging area depart. A massive amount of men, machines, fuel and supplies are being gathered to throw at the Japanese. A victory must be had. Another day, another candle for the menorah. “Your brother should be here lighting the candles,” Elaine's father says. She just nods in agreement and her mother starts to cry. Pete, Sylvia, Jac and Milt have exchanged presents and hugs with each other. The two women are amazed that Pete has managed to get them stockings. “I thought there was no silk available for these,” says Jac. “All of the silk is going for parachutes I was told,” adds Sylvia. Pete smiles and says, “Where there's a will there's a way.” Milt eyes his present, a bottle of single malt, and offers Pete a nip. Dave and Sandy are alone for their holiday meal and before eating they pray for Bill's and all the other men off fighting the war safety. Sandy begins to cry and her father tries to comfort her. The German 6th Army have now exhausted their supply of 12,000 horses and the hunger among the troops grows. There is heavy fighting around their perimeter. Convoy JW-51A arrived at Murmansk with no loses. Victory Points Japan 18354 Allied 6648
_____________________________
|