AmiralLaurent
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Joined: 3/11/2003
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21-24 March 1942
Northern Pacific
The convoy seen on the 20th has been followed all four days by Glens of various submarines. On the 23 this convoy turned and its destination now seemed to be Dutch Harbor. Japanese officers calculated that a fast cruiser force starting at one from PH may intercept this convoy without being too close of Anchorage and Dutch Harbor airfields and the same evening the CA Tone and 3 CL (Abukuma, Tatsuta and Tenryu) left PH at full speed northwards. The intercept will take place in the day hours of the 26. Submarines saw again the convoy on the 24 and it kept the scheduled course.
Central Pacific
Recon flown over Palmyra in the morning of the 21st showed a fully active base, with 47 P-39D and 30 P-40E flying CAP. But the KB, which was cruising 240 miles north of the island, was not sheduled to launch any raid but was only waiting American raids. The first came in the morning, 9 B-25C escorted by 20 P-39D and 26 P-40E. They faced a CAP of 98 Zeroes, but the battle was so one-sided that half the Japanese units didn't engage. 6 Zeroes were shot down (3 by P-40E, 2 by P-39 and 1 by a B-25) but they repulsed the attack and shot down 26 P-40E, 16 P-39D and 4 B-25C. Another smaller raid was launched in the afternoon with 18 P-40E, 9 P-39D and 4 B-25C. 89 Zeroes raced to intercept and again not all found targets. 3 P-39D, all 18 P-40E and one B-25C were shot down before the surviving American turned back. The only losses were 2 Zeroes shot down by P-39s. So the total score was 68 Japanese victories for 8 losses. Two Japanese pilots scored their 11th victory in this battle. But recon syill reported 156 American aircraft (56/12/84) so 2 BB, 4 CA, 3 CL and 6 DD were ordered to bombard the airfield during the night, while the KB will reamin at the same place to wait the troop convoy and the resplenishment TF.
But orders were garbled and the planend bombardment didn't take place, the ships either sailing NW towards Japan. As no air raid was planned against Palmyra and that Americans launched no raid either, the 22 was very quiet. The 23 was much the same with all Japanese TF gathering 180 miles NE of Palmyra, that launched again no raid. 51 Zeroes flew a sweep from Johnson and reported no CAP over Palmyra.
The next day the Japanese hammer fall on the poor Palmyra defenders. During the night, 4 BB, 4 CA, 3 CL and 6 DD pounded the airfield and destoryed on the ground 47 P-39D, 15 P-40E and 7 PBY, hitting 2334 men, 41 guns and 5 vehicles. 312 shells hit the base, the supply dumps or the runways. It was no wonder that a new sweep from Johson in the morning with 41 Zeroes (4 Zero units were in Johnson, two flew each of the two sweeps over Palmyra) found no opposition. In the afternoon, 91 Vals and 56 Kates from the KB bombed the attol. 9 more planes (6 P-39D, 2 PBY, 1 P-40E) were destroyed, 5 men hit and 50 more hits scored on the airfield and port. All Japanese aircraft returned to the carriers. And then the Japanese transports arrived off the atoll and the landing started. The whole island was burning and no return fire was experienced but an AP hit a Mk 16 mine (she was not heavily damaged and should made it to Pearl) while 1324 men were lost or disabled during the landing due to heavy surf. The 48th and 56th Div and the 1st Eng Rgt stormed the island and met very little resistance. Only the 102nd USN and 115th USAAF BF were holding the atoll and they surrendered quickly. Only 12 Japanese were hit by American bullets and they rounded 5700 prisonners. On the airfield were captured 19 P-39D, 3 PBY and 1 P-40E (total ground losses here this day: 101 AC). The base was totally wecked (damage 62/95/86). It seems that for once recon overestimated the strenght of the garrison, that was reported to be of 12-15000 men.
The easy victory leaves both Japanese divisions in a good state. The 56th Div will be brought back to Pearl as planned, while the 48th Div will remain on Palmyra, help the 1st Eng Rgt to repair the base and occupy the tiny atolls around (Washington, Fanning and ?) with small detachments carried by TF TF of 2 DD each. The 48th Div and the 1st Eng Rgt received orders to prepare for Suva.
Four transports with 5000 supplies were detached from the convoy and sailed to Christmas, where a Emily Chutai arrived in the evening. This atoll should become an active patrol base.
The KB airforce is in good shape and has been given a new target. A convoy of at least 4 APs has been sighted by a patrol plane 400 miles S of Christmas and the KB and a surface TF will chase it, before retuning to Palmyra and wait for the troops for the next atoll invasion (Pago-Pago) in April (the delay is due to the lack of APs in the area, the APs that will be used for Pago-Pago are the same than those that are currently off Palmyra). The BBs will remain in Palmyra.
The four Zero Daitai of Johnson Island will rest and then scatter. Two will go to PH and two fly westwards to DEI.
Farther east the CA Ashigara was returning from her raider cruise when an Hawai-based Emily reported an Allied convoy 1000 miles ENE of Christmas Island. The Ashigara and 2 submarines were diverted to chase it and the CA intercepted it at sea in the afternoon of the 24. The place was exactly 1260 miles of Lahaina and Nells based here were given naval attack orders but they didn't fly.... as excepted. The convoy was composed of 12 unsecorted TKs. The Ashigara engaged at 22000 yards and fired her last torpedo load (missing) and all 8in shells of her forward turrets, then closing at 15000 yards to fire with her 5in guns. She heavily damaged 2 TKs, put 2 others on fire and hit more slighty 2 others. Two 3in shells fired by the TK bounced on her. Then the convoy escaped. Ahsigara and the submarines will try to hit it again tonight and then return to PH for repairs and refuelling.
Another convoy was seen and followed by Glens for 2 days 2500 miles S of California but won't be chased. On the 21 two of the Japanese submarines patrolling off California were seen by Allied aircraft and changed of patrol area.
In Hawaii, ML continued to lay mines off PH (now 4700 mines) while Japanese MSW were busy, but rather inefficient, off Hilo and Lahaina. On the 23, a TF of 7 subs laid mines off Hilo and was attacked by some planes but escaped without damage. Two new wrecks, the AK Atltantic and Argus, were identified in PH port.
In the evening of the 24 a convoy was created in PH to bring supplies, a Const Bn and an IJN Base Force to Palmyra. Also 4 TK returning to Japan were recalled and will be used to carry fuel between Hawaii and the atolls.
Southern Pacific
The 5 DDs sent to Rabaul swept the waters near the port on the night of the 20-21 but found nothing and returned to Truk. The next day the I-174 reported a CA 180 miles south of Rabaul. The Nell Daitai based in Truk received naval attack orders but didn't fly the next day, even if the CA was reported off Rabaul.
An Emily flew recon over Canton from Baker Island on the 22 and reported a CAP of 22 P-40E, 2 units (5500 men), 38 AC (10/15/13), 1 BB and 2 other ships in the port and a convoy (3 AP, 2 unidentified) off the atoll.
Pago-Pago Allied airfield rose to size 3 on the 23. Emilies should have reconed the place but didn't fly the 23 and 24 due to bad weather.
On the Japanese side, the troop convoy finished to unload a BF and 2 SNLF in Tarawa and sailed north. A 10000-supply convoy is now unloading. 9 Emiles arrived in Tarawa in the evening of the 24 from Johnston Island.
Philipinnes
During the night of the 20-21, the 3 DD off Legaspi once again bombarded the base and once again missed. Later in the day 21 Ki-21 from Aparri bombed the 101st USAAF Base Force here and hit 40 men. But the attack order had not reached the 16th Naval Gd Unit and it didn't attack this day. The next day the 101st USAAF BF was again bombarded by 15 Ki-21 (41 casualties) and then attacked by the Japanese troops and surrendered, adding 1000 POWs to the Japanese growing camps. The 16th Naval Gd then marched north for garrison duties at Naga while the 3 DDs were sent south to DEI.
More north Japanese engineers are expanding Lingayen airfield, that became size 2 on the 21st. The plan is to have a size 4 airfield here to support the final battles on Luzon. Aparri is becoming a training center for Nates, that bombed almost daily the 71st PA Div in San Marcelino starting from the 22. On the 24th 17 Ki-21s from Aparri bombed Bataan, just to check still only one unit was there, but AA shot down one.
DEI
Recon aircraft flew over Kai Island on the 21st and reported that the AP was gone but that 5000 men held the island ! Maybe it was not a trap after all...The Ki-30 sent to Amboina to attack this elusive AP were sent to Banjarmasin to fly ASW.
On the 22nd, a Japanese patrol boarded a local sailboat and occupied the tiny island of Labao, SE of Maumere. And 9 LB-30 from Darwin flew to Amboina to attack ships but were attacked by 18 Zeroes that shot down 2. The other bombed and missed 2 CAs. This day Japanese engineers expanded Menado airfield to size 5 (I should have stopped them before).
In the afternoon of the 23 7 LB-30 again tried to attack Amboina but were repulsed by 17 Zeroes and one of the damaged bombers fell during the return leg.
The 24 was uneventful.
During all this period, 3 Ki-15 Babs were shot down by fighters. They probably all fell over Soerabaja that is protected by about 30 Brewster 339 and a dozen of Hurricanes. I have not enough Zeroes to sweep this place but I'm waiting the reinforcements coming from Johnston Island.
No operations is planned right now except a submarine still chasing damaged ships from Java north of the Australian port of Derby and two warships bringing some SNLF troops to Morotai to occupy the island.
Sumatra - Malaya
The 23rd Bde landed in Kuching on the 21st. Coastal defences fired 334 shells and hit 10 ships, damaging 4 APs and 2 PGs (but all should make it to Singapore). 1119 Japanese and 243 Allied were hit during the landing. The place was held by the Sarawak Force and the 107th RN Base Force). It was bombed the next night by 4 CA and 2 CL, that hit 200 men, and then taken by the 23rd Bde. 3300 British surrendered, 79 Japanese were hit in the final assault. The 23rd Bde then at once boarded ships to return to Singapore. The target it is preparing since a month is Medan (and its oilfields).
Also on Borneo the Imperial Guard troops landed in Singkawang tried to eliminate the Dutch Bn threatening the base but renounced after two days, that saw 9 Japanese and 41 Dutch casualties. Both units are of equal strength.
More Japanese troops continued to arrive from Jambi in Palembang and the Allied garrison was identified: 2 Dutch infantry batallions and 6 Dutch and British BF, 15 000 men. The 25th Army had here 4 Div, 1 Eng Rgt and 2 Tk Rgt and will pound and surround the place before actualling attacking it. The surrounding started on the 22 when 11 Tabbies dropped paratroops from SIngwakang over Teloekbetoeng, the most southern Sumatra base, that was undefended. The plan was then to have the Tk Rgt in Palembang march south to this base, so surorunding Palembang on the south, but they didn't move, probably because the hex is an Allied ZOC, so the para of Teloekbetoeng were ordered to march north. The hex W of Palembang will be occupied by a SNLF that is marching in the jungle since 2 weeks allready and will arrive in 2 days. It is hoped that tanks may arrive here faster via the trail starting from the hex S of Palembang.
Medium bombers were ordered to bombard troops in Palembang since the evening of the 21 but flew no missions. On the 22 the only raid to this area was launched by 36 Oscars that strafed the PT boats off the port but missed. The PT then retreated to Batavia. Palembang airfield was bombed on the 23 and 24 by SIngapore-based KI-21 but for low results and at the cost of two bombers shot down by AA.
The 22 was a clear weather day, a rare occurence those last weeks, and Batavia was hit by two raid of Singapore Nells with Zero escort (27 Zeroes and 20 Nells in the morning, 52 and 22 in the afternoon). There was no CAP but AA shot down 5 Nells. Bombs destroyed on the ground 2 Martin 139, 1 Do24, 1 Demon and 1 Catalina. Nells and Zeroes rested the other day (one of the 2 Zero Daitais flew north to Burma). One Zero shot down over Singapore a Catalina I from Batavia on the 24.
Allied submarines continued to be attacked around Singapore. The damaged SS HMS Trusty sank on the 21 east of Nicobar Islands after being hit the days before in Malacca Straits. The Dutch SS KXVI was hit once by a Ki-30 on the 23 and twice by a Ki-48 and a Ki-30 W of Jambi.
The convoy carrying a new Eng Rgt to Palembang wasn't attacked and will arrive tomorrow. The surface TF that supported Kuching landings (4 CA, 2 CL, 8 DD) is escorting it and will pound Palembang and intercept attacking PT boats. Also Nates from Jambi and Zeroes from Singapore will LRCAP it tomorrow.
On the 23 a Glen reported 3 CA and 1 DD SW of Ceylon, sailing SE. It may be a sortie of the Royal Navy to take part in the DEI campain, perhaps even with British CVs. Naval patrols have been increased.
Burma
Nothing happened on the 21 but the next days were sunny and a lot of activity took place in the air and on the ground.
The 22nd opened with a sweep of 22 P-40B from Dacca to Mandalaya that met nothing. The Japanese planes (28 Ki-21 and 32 Zeroes) were at the same time flying to Akyab, which was defended by 12 Hurricanes. The Japanese fighters shot down 9 for 2 losses. Bombers were undisturbed and scored 11 hits on the airfield. At the same time 69 Blenheim IV from Dacca (escorted by 30 Buffaloes) bombed Mandalay, hitting 19 men, 1 gun and 12 times the airfield.
This day the 33rd Div crossed the river SE of Myitkyina and defeated the BBF Bde, repulsing it towards Yunan. 191 Japanese and 24 Allied fell during the assault. The BFF retreated behind another river and joined a group of four other Allied units, mainly Chinese. 2/3 of the 33rd Div will hold the Burmese frontier against these, 1/3 will return to Myitkyina.
But the main news of the day were that a British unit was seen on the railway W of Myitkyina ! One Tk Rgt was also moving westwards from this town to patrol the rail, the 3 other there were ordered to follow it to clean the rail line.
The same day recons reported that 2 of the 3 units chased from Pagan weeks ago finally managed to cross the jungle and reach Akyab. The 55th cDiv convoy is still moving north towards this base and will land on the 29th..
In the evening 36 Nates (arriving from Menado) and 27 Sallies (from Bangkok) reinforced Rangoon.
The 23 began as the day before with an uneventful sweep of 22 P-40B over Mandalay. 27 Ki-21 and 9 Zeroes again attacked Akyab and met no CAP, destroying a Hurricane on the ground and scoring 8 hits. 61 Allied bombers (13 Il-4c, 8 B-17C, 10 Blenheim IV and 30 B-17E) from Asansol bombed Myitkyina, scoring 13 hits on the airfield and disabling 21 men and 1 gun.
This day Allied engineers expanded the size of Dacca airfield to 7... And 3 Allied units were reported W of Myitkyina, where Japanese tanks have not yet arrived. The lost Bde E of Taung Gyi marched north towards Lashio and the SNLF defending Taung Gyi was sent to Mandalay while the Naval Gd Unit in Mandalay was ordered to move north along the railway to find any Allied units.
In the evening 27 Zeroes were sent from SIngapore to reinforce Rangoon but one pilot was killed in a crash during the flight.
On the 24th the daily raid against Akyab (32 Ki-21 and 26 Zeroes) met again no CAP but was more efficient than before, destroying 7 Hurricanes on the ground, hitting 6 men and scoring 38 hits on the airfield. Myitkyina was again bombed by 53 Allied bombers (12 Blenheim IV, 15 Il-4c, 6 B-17C, 20 B-17E) that scored 44 hits, disabling 145 men and 1 gun.
Japanese recon identified the 45th Indian Bde W of Myitkyina and the 38th Chinese Corps SE of the town. One British unit W of the town marched W during the day, the 2 other were joined in the hex by 3 Japanese Tk Rgt. These will wait for reinforcements.
In the evening 36 Nates and 54 Zeroes flew from Rangoon to Mandalay. The Nates will fly ground attack, the Zeroes CAP over Mandalay. 15 Zeroes remained in Rangoon to cover the city and were joined by 36 Oscars from Malaya. The Sallies will raid Akyab without escort tomorrow.
China
In China, the routine around Yenen (Japanese artilley pounding the twon, Chinese artillery firing at troops W of it and Oscars of 65th Sentai attacking troops north of it) was broken on the 23 when the defenders of Yenen (52 000 men) launched a deliberate attack against the Japanese besiegers (143 000 men) due to bad orders given. 5500 Chinese fell in this attack against only 245 Japanese. The Japanese jumped on this opportunity and attacked the next day, while the two ENg Rgt resting in Chengting at once marched back to Yenen and that medium bombers were orderd to support the attack. None flew but the attack was nevertheless a success (at 5 to 1, reducing forts to level 4). 1160 Japanese and 500 Chinese fell on this day. The attack will continue and it is excepted that Yenen will fall in the next week.
Bad weather and the fear of the AVG slowed down the bombing campain. Homan and Ichange airfields were bombed on the 22 by Ki-49 and Ki-51 from Wuhan and slightly hit. On the 23 35 Ki-51 and 7 Kates from Canton bombed Wuchow ressources, claiming 12 hits (real results not known). 11 Zeroes from an oeprationnal training unit arrived on the 23 in China and will be used to escort raids.
Japanese engineers expanded Nanchang airfield to size 4.
Japan
The SS USS S-35, sitting 120 miles SE of Tokyo, was engaged twice on the 23 and the 24 by an ASW group made of 2 APD and 4 PG but wasn't hit or even depth charged.
Two convoys were formed on the 24 to carry 2 IJN BF, 5 Naval Gd Units, supplies and fuel to Hawaii, and then to atolls more south. The CVE Unyo joined one of this convoy with 36 Ki-51 (for ASW in Hawaii) aboard.
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Printable Version
RE: Singapore fell (27 February 1942) - 
I have never fully understood how to sweep enemy mines in UV or WITP 
that is showing the last turn in PI. 
, we are waiting for your update.
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