Fighting continues another day in China. Phillipino forces retreat in Mindinao!

ACTION SUMMARY: Fighting continued in China today as the Japanese continued their enveloping movement on Changsha. Chinese divisions on all fronts near Changsha have been withdrawing from their trenches and had been making excellent pace on their marches. Meanwhile, intelligence reported three more divisions of the Japanese Kwantung Army marching directly on Changsha from 70 miles away.

Ground fighting in Malaya continued near Georgetown as the Fullback convoys there and at Victoria continued their evacuation throughout the day. In continuing defiance, the RAF launched a series of air raids against the Japanese transports in the South China Sea. One raid met with severe losses at the hands of Japanese Army fighters recently deployed to the newly captured airfield at Khota Bharu. Fifteen aircraft were downed in a single raid against the transports at Khota Bharu, but a torpedo hit was scored against the heavy cruiser Kumano. Another raid sank a Japanese transport off the coast of Southern Indochina.



Japanese Army Air Force raids scored better results in their sorties by ravaging Manila Bay. The enemy, having caught wind of the transports anchored off Bataan, launched a 30+ plane raid against the transports unloading supplies in support of Operation Redoubt. Two transports were sunk there. Off Manila itself, three more transports were sunk. The Allies returned the favor today by sinking two Japanese subs off the West Coast. In total, four Japanese subs have been sunk in the past two weeks.



In Mindinao, the 101st Phillipino Division was met with a hard-hitting Japanese advance from their beaches in the south. For the second time in two weeks, the 101st has fallen back, and now Japanese forces are threatening the Allied B-17 airfields at Calagayan. The U.S.S. Houston, which has been in dock at Cebu, is departing from port and is moving west to join ADBA forces in the Java Sea. She will be the only heavy cruiser there, and her 8 in. guns will give a long reach to my thinly armed forces there.



Submarine forces I had first deployed from PH to Canton Island have refueled and are now fanning out toward the Gilbert Islands just as the Enterprise group is prepared to launch the first carrier strike of the war for the U.S. Force Z, or at least what is left of it, is replenished and now moving for repairs to Ceylon, then to dry dock at Karachi. Both the battleships are as good as destroyed for the next 2 to 3 months as they get badly needed repairs.

That's it. Here's the warroom:

Japanese blasting through Chinese lines! Phillipino divisions cut off!

ACTION SUMMARY: The Japanese continued to blast away at Chinese defenses today along three fronts. NW of Changsha, the situation turned grave when almost 50,000 troops of the Japanese 3rd, 6th and 39th Divisions drove into the scattered lines of the 168th Chinese division, sending the peasant conscripts into the shelter of Changsha. Three Chinese cavalry divisions, having force marched to the scene, still hold the strategic crossroads just 60 miles west of today's scene of disaster.



SE of Changsha, a weaker Japanese offensive was beat off despite larger numbers of Japanese close air support dominating the skies. Meanwhile, the Japanese offensive widened in Canton province where two Japanese division began their opening drive on Hengchow. Three Chinese reserve divisions are moving to meet the threat.



With the looming danger of nearly 80,000 Chinese troops being trapped in Changsha with low supplies and no hope of a breakthrough relief, General Chiang Kai Shek ordered a withdrawal west from the city. This is another troubling development in the third week of the Japanese onslaught throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Elsewhere, fresh Japanese landings in the Phillipines cut off two native Allied divisions in southern Luzon. They are marching north to breakthrough to Manila, but already Gen. MacArthur is expressing little hope that the defenders of Southern Luzon can breakthrough to Manila in order to join in Operation Redoubt's defense of Bataan. There, at the Allied fortress of Bataan, mountains of supplies are being unloaded in jungle supply dumps. Already, three brigades are pulling back from the forward defensive line at Clark AFB. Two more Phillipine divisions are marching across the mountains from NE Luzon to avoid being cutoff. After three weeks of consolidating on the beaches, the Japanese divisions in northern Luzon have shown uncharacteristic caution.

The Japanese Army Air Forces, however, have shown more dash than their bayonets as fresh air attacks from Formosa sank two American destroyers and two transports in Manila Bay. The enemy is still unaware that the few transports fifteen miles off Bataan are conducting an important mission for the Allied defense of the Phillipines.

Fighting continued in Malaya as Fullback tranports began evacuating base personnel from Victoria. Additional transports hove into view in Georgetown even as British and Indian Commonwealth forces were fighting a delaying action in the jungles forty miles inland.

CINCPAC announced a new operation today, Operation Ivy, whereby long range submarine forces are being concentrated at a forward base in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. From there, they set on patrols directly south of the Japanese Home Islands in order to intercept Imperial shipping from their newly acquired posessions in the DEI and Malaya. Elsewhere, a bombardment of Jolo by an ADBA fleet of 2 light cruisers and five destroyers had dismaying results. The ADBA fleet returned to Balikpapan unmolested.

Here's the warroom:

Chinese feeling pressure of Japanese offensive in Central China.

ACTION SUMMARY: Fighting continued around the central Chinese city of Changsha as approximately three Japanese divisions engaged some nine Chinese on two fronts NW and SE of the city. In a bid to choke off the valiant defenders of Changsha, the enemy is advancing under cover of dive-bombers that continue to harrass the Chinese entrenchments day and night. NW of the city, a Japanese assault incurred nearly 1,500 casualties in just a few hours of fighting.

As the threat against Chang Kai Shek's hold on Central China continues to worsen, the China Command ordered the forward deployment of three fighter groups and one bomber group to Humen and Henghchow where they can offer close air support. The battle developing around Changsha appears to be the heaviest ground fighting yet, and it continues to heat up. But with little aerial reconnaisance for the Chinese forces, there is little to tell how many Japanese divisions are following up.



In addition to air units, three Chinese divisions are pulling back near Hengchow to shorten lines, and deliberate flanking advances are being made by two brigades from the city itself.

Elsewhere, activity was very quiet in every sector. Poor weather across the Pacific curtailed air operations on both sides, giving the Allied flotilla in Manila a day's reprieve to continue their Redoubt operations ferrying supplies to the Bataan fortress. Japanese warships (including a handful of heavy cruisers) continue to prowl about the Phillipines, waiting like sharks for any Allied vessels that sortie from Manila Bay.

ADBA's Task Force 3 continues to sail up Borneo's coast for a night-time bombardment of the Jolo Airfields. A Japanese sub was sunk NE of Pearl Harbor, and another was depth charged off Los Angeles. Three Fullback convoys reached their destination, including two at Andaman. The other convoy is already evacuating Victoria on the west coast of the northern Malay Peninsula.

That's it. Here's the war room:

British retreat from Kuantan! Saratoga narrowly dodges Jap torpedoes!

ACTION SUMMARY: The noose continued to tighten around the Phillipines today as the Japanese swung their cruiser task force overnight over to a position SW of Luzon to threaten the Operation Redoubt buildup in Manila Bay. There, transports of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet are desperately ferrying supplies across Manile Bay to the fortress at Bataan and Corregidor for the inevitable siege. Additionally, Japanese transports were spotted off west Luzon, and a another major cruiser force was spotted in the S. China Sea also headed for Luzon. The enemy may force the bay, which could cost him. Coastal defenses around Bataan include powerful fortifications sporting 8 inch batteries.

Still, nothing can stop the enemy from the air where low-flying Betty's torpedoed another supply-laden transport and a destroyer off Manila. "Kate" torpedo bombers also sank a minesweeper north of Jolo. The threat from the Jolo airfields continues to annoy me. As such, I've ordered an overnight bombardment of the airfields from an ADBA squadron of two light cruisers and five destroyers. They will speed from Balikpapan at high speed and shell the airfields by night. This is risky, because not only am I exposing my ADBA defensive assets to air strikes, but they be kicking the Jap forces in the Phillipines right in the chin just as they are clenching their jaws on Luzon. Still, it is important that I keep some offensive initiative when I can. B-17 strikes are faring poorly against the Jolo airfields, so these measures must be taken.

A bullet was dodged today when the Saratoga narrowly missed a torpedo spread fired by a Japanese sub some 500 miles west of San Francisco. The sub was promptly depth charged and sunk. Elswhere, Operation Congo is ready for her first mission. The U.S.S. Enterprise will be making a high speed run towards the Maelop airfield in the Gilberts to deliver a 60 plane air strike. Then she will retire for replenishment. As for the Lexington, I am moving her towards Pago Pago for operations further south. The idea of Operation Congo is keep the enemy aware that I've got fight in me in both the central and south Pacific.

Ground losses were suffered today at Kuantan where the British garrison was driven back towards Singapore. Only Jahore across the Singapore Straits is left to defend the British fortress.



Fighting continued around Georgetown, and the Japanese launched a massive offensive in division strength against the Chinese salient at Changhsa. Chinese divisions are on the march from Chungking to meet the threat. Changsha could develop into a major battle if the Japanese follow through on their offensive gains made so far.



In other areas, Fullback convoys are reaching their primary destinations at both Andaman (where reinforcements are being delivered) and Victoria and Georgetown (where evacuations are planned). I've begun strategic bombing of Japanese refineries in Thailand, but they've produced little result in the past three days. Key Stone convoys are still moving along towards Australia. No trouble with them since a Jolo strike sank an AK two days ago. A Jap sub did manage to torpedo the Dutch destroyer van Ghent in the Java Sea. I've dispatched two ADBA destroyers to intercept the sub, but the van Ghent is so severely damaged, I'm considering sending her to Karachi altogether. Too bad, because I will need every destroyer I can get in the next two months.

Here's the war room:

Allied naval losses heavy in the Phillipines. Noose tightens around embattled U.S. forces.

ACTION SUMMARY: It appears that my enemy is intending to isolate the Phillipines before he makes his major advances in Luzon and Mindinao. So far, his troops have been sitting at their beachheads in northern and southern Luzon. But today the Japanese air fleets in Formosa launched fresh raids against Clark AFB, and seven major low-level torpedo attacks against my ships anchored in Manila Bay. There, six transports were sunk, two destroyers damaged, and the destroyer U.S. Scout was sunk.



Dutch and American bombers in Borneo and Mindinao failed to make a dent in the Japanese airfield at Jolo Island, where torpedo bombers struck a squadron of minesweepers I was evacuating from Manila Bay.

And worse, a major Japanese fleet was sighted off southern Luzon where it sank three AK's (transports) and a TK (tanker) during the night. This is disconcerting, because if he sailed that squadron into Manila Bay, I could do little to stop it. The entire warship contingent of the Asiatic Fleet is deployed with the ADBA squadrons, the nearest of which is in eastern Borneo. To send my ADBA assets into the Phillipines would be suicide, especially with the Japanese torpedo bombers based at Jolo.



Allied naval activity include the depth charging of a Jap sub off of San Diego. Dutch subs torpedoed two transports off Kuantan, and an American sub sank an AK off Leyte. The Japanese lack in ASW capability is beginning to show itself in spite of the poor torpedoes carried by American subs.



As it were, here's the new Phillipines situation.



A counter-attack in brigade strength at Kauntan failed to dislodge the Japanese from their beachhead, the IJN having disgorged 20,000 men onto the Malayan beaches in less than two days. The Indians lost heart and fell back with few losses. Fighting at Georgetown continued, and five Chinese corps began marching to new positions defending the approaches to Changsha.

As of today, my Pacific Command has designated my central and southern Pacific operations accordingly. Operation Bolo is the reinforcement of my Central Pacific outposts, namely Midway and Wake Island. Already, convoys are enroute with supplies, and one 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division is enroute to Wake. Operation Congo is the offensive buildup in the Southern Pacific centered on Canton Island. This is where the Enterprise and Lexington TF's are headed for before making a high speed run to launch air raids against the Marshalls.

Here's the war room:

Japanese invade Malaya from Taiwan! Chinese withdraw in defeat!

ACTION SUMMARY: The Imperial Japanese Army launched a series of ground offensives across East Asia today. Advancing across the Thai border, the 8th Japanese Infantry Division began its advance towards Georgetown in upper Malaya, opposed only by an Indian Brigade.



Off Kuantan in Southern Malaya, an Japanese armada of transports began disgorging the 16th Division onto the beaches under cover of fierce naval fire. A Dutch subs did manage to penetrate the DD screen to torpedo a transport there. Taking nearly 1400 casualties in the landing, I've ordered the 14th Indian Division to counter-attack. This is the first such counter-attack after one week of war.



In Changsha, five corps of infantry is threatened to be cut off by a Japanese thrust if division strength NW of the city. A Chinese brigade of some 8000 men was driven from the field in fierce fighting. Changsha is an important crossroads in Central China that could be the target of a major Japanese offensive. Without sufficient aerial reconnaisance, it is difficult to know how many Japanese divisions are on the move.



Japanese air raids continued throughout the day as Clark AFB, Manila and Singapore came under heavy attack from large bomber formations. My B-17's launched a 10 bomber raid against Jolo, which itself had sunk one of my gunboats off of Borneo. Force H-K has once again slipped from my grip as it was spotted this morning moving NE off the west coast of Luzon, having made a sudden turn for the north. It is possible Force H-K is retiring from battle for repairs in Japan.

Here's the War Room:

Hong Kong falls to daring Japanese assault! Garrison surrenders!

ACTION SUMMARY: The British Empire is dealt a severe blow following the surrender of Hong Kong. After one week of fighting down the Kowloon Peninsula, the Japanese assaulted Hong Kong island itself, netting over 12,000 prisoners in a surprise shock attack during the evening.

Elsewhere, Force H-K continues to move eastward. No doubt she is heading for repairs at Truk in the Carolines. I've deployed six submarines to barrier her entry through the Surigao and Mindinao Straits. He may also have Force H-K bombard my B-17 airfields in Mindinao on their way to Truk. Aside from a massive air raid on Singapore, a few low-level air attacks against Chinese troops, and the Hong Kong debacle, the enemy is unusually quiet... particularly on the ground in the Phillipines. This is allowing me the opportunity to enact Operation Redoubt.

This operation is the deliberate fallback to the Bataan fortress. Already, intracoastal convoys are building up a stockpile of supplies there. The enemy is foolishly allowing my transports to continue this buildup by not bombing the Manila dockyards. In fact, they have not been bombed in three days, in spite of the fact I have no more air cover in Luzon (Clark AFB is a smoldering ruin). All the same, Redoubt is seeing the withdrawal of engineering teams and AA batteries to the Bataan peninsula, a march of 100+ miles. It will take a week to make those arrangements.

Fullback and Keystone convoys continue unimpeded, though Jap subs have been spotted moving into the Java Sea. These are worth fearing, because the Japanese have superior torpedoes. British and American torpedoes are plain duds. Only the Dutch subs have scored any success at all.

The Saratoga has left drydock in San Diego! She is now bound for PH with an escort of a CL and three DD's.

This allows me to plan some serious offensive operations against the enemy. To facilitate this, I will begin a buildup of the South Pacific staging areas, centered around Canton Island, Pago Pago and Espiritu Santu. This buildup will take months, and could be interrupted by a Japanese Central Pacific offensive, which is entirely possible. Wherever the KB shows up... where ANY Jap carrier shows up, that's where his next offensive will be.

So I've deployed the Enterprise and Lexington towards Canton Island where they will replenish and strike west to raid Japanese bases in the Marshalls. Risky, but I need to retain some initiative.

Elsewhere, convoys are moving to reinforce Wake with a brigade from the 24th Infantry Division. Two Australian CL's are headed to Rabaul, and Force Z continues to move into the Indian Ocean for replenishment.

Here's the war room:

Japanese battleships retreat! Major air raids reported today!

SUMMARY ACTION: My opponent got cold feet. Force H-K, suffering from increased air attacks by the Dutch Air Force, withdrew north and east at high speed. Dutch bombers delivered a torpedo and bomb into the Kongo, and another bomb into the CA Atagi. Widening the gap between his BB's and the ABDA armada by 150 miles through the night, his fleet was spotted by Dutch seaplanes Sunday morning steaming eastwards just off the coast of Borneo towards the Phillipines. The Kongo just seemed to walk off the torpedo hit! None of the subs in my exit barrier managed to intercept. Allied intelligence has reason to believe Force H-K intends to bottle up what remains of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in Manila Bay.

As a response, I have ordered all my submarine forces to bar the approaches to Manila Bay from the S. China Sea. Almost 20 subs approach in multiple task groups to meet the challenge. Meanwhile, Operation Fullback continues to load up her forces up for the reinforcement of the Andamans. The first Operation Key Stone transports have departed Celebes removing valuable fuel and supplies to Australia.

It seems the Japanese have increased her air missions. Both Changsa and Hong Kong suffered their first bombing raids, and Singapore was rocked by a 100+ bomber raid. Clark AFB also suffered air attacks, but the base has already been marginalized as a key airbase.

As for the ADBA armada, the threat from Force H-K has diminished. I have dispersed the fleet to bar the approaches to the Java Sea. Three groups of 2-3 CL's each are deployed at Pembang, Balikpapan and Batavia, all within one day's sailing from a central concentration point. I've also dispersed single destroyer patrols further east towards Celebes to warn of approaching Jap TF's that may have sailed from Truk.

A major disappointment that the enemy withdrew his fleet. But it was also wise on his part. I'd gloat all day about how a mongrel force of Allied light cruisers smashed a Japanese battleship force.

The KB has disappeared altogether, last spotted moving westwards about 350+ miles north of Midway. She may be heading for or near the Kuriles for replenishment before making another sortie. It will be at least another two weeks before it makes its presence known.

The B-17's had their first mission over Jolo, but failed to do any damage.

Here's the warroom:

Allied armada ready to take on Japanese for decisive Java Sea battle!

ACTION SUMMARY: Praise heaven! The ADBA force is now concentrated into an awesome force of two battleships, nine light cruisers and twenty four destroyers from four nations. We are ready to meet the Japanese Force H-K in the decisive battle for the Dutch East Indies! Intelligence reports ten ships in his force, though these reports could be unreliable because of poor weather conditions.

Minefields are being laid behind his fleet. The sub barrier is closing in. And best of all, after over 100 sorties by my bombers, their level-bombing has paid off three hits. The Haruna took one bomb, the Kongo two. This is all on top of the Haruna having taken a bomb on December 8th. The speed of his fleet is reduced. I'll be surprised if he's still willing to advance on my ADBA fleet. Here's the sitrep:


As Nelson said, no man can do wrong by bringing his ship alongside the enemy.

In other news, the Japs have landed at Davao in Mindinao. Only a Phillipino division is there to resist, but the presence of a Japanese fighter and bomber group at Jolo is a bad portent. An unseen Jap light carrier had ferried over around 25 Zero fighters and Kate torpedo bombers to Jolo. I found out the hardway when gunboats patrolling the Phillipine islands were attacked in a massive raid. Luckily, my opponent did not know I had a significant number of B-17's at an airfield at northern Mindinao. I have now ordered them to conduct a massive raid on Jolo to destroy his bombers on the ground. Dutch bombers on Borneo have been ordered to conduct the same mission.

Here's the sitrep there:


The removal of all available aviation fuel and oil from the DEI to Australia and India has been designated Operation Keystone. Elsewhere, I am organizing a convoy to convey the 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry to Wake Island along with supplies and aviation fuel. This will be probably supported by at least one carrier. I have reason to think that any Japanese designs in the central pacific will have to involve either Wake Island or Canton Island. As such, I'll be organizing a relief expedition to Canton as well.

Not much elsewhere. Fighting continues with the Japanese advances into Malaya and Hong Kong. There is currently a stalemate in Luzon as the Japanese are not currently advancing. As it were, I am consolidating my defensive positions there.

Here's the war room:

ABDA forces on collision course with Japanese fleet!

Action Summary: Battle seems imminent between the Force H-K and the ADBA fleet desperately concentrating with Force Z in the Java Sea. Force H-K is 'my' Allied term for Force Haruna-Kongo, named after the two battleships in the Japanese task force bearing down hard on my scattered forces like a viscious bastard of a bird-of-prey. Day and night, nearly eighty Allied piece-of-shit aircraft have sortied against the Jap fleet and scoring no hits. I've sortied minesweepers to mine the straits behind his passage. The sub barrier is almost in place. But shit, that won't stop him from clobbering my fleet into the sea. Is it worth the confrontation? If he smashes me here, he can land unopposed across the entire DEI without ever worrying about the ABDA warships. Should I run? I see no replenishment task force behind him. Is it too late to run?

Damn he wants blood.

Nothing else going on. The KB threat to my Lex-Enterprise groups is dimishing. Looks like they won't force the passage between Midway and Frigate Shoals. The Death Star continues to move NW. My carriers are heading back to Pearl for replishment, and to consider what is next in my Central Pacific strategy, which is non-existent right now.

Dutch tankers and transports are loading as much aviation fuel as they can throughout the DEI. I'll be taking it all to Darwin. Use it or lose it.

My B-17's in Mindinao are finally doing some good. Though the force is not as powerful as I would have hoped (so many B-17's damaged at Clark, still not repaired), they struck two transports off the Luzon. The Japs continue to mass forces on the Luzon beaches. They haven't moved inland yet. I'm preparing to give battle at Clark AFB by moving two tank battalions forward from Bataan. They include about fifty Stuart tanks total.

Subs around Luzon still have done nothing to engage the enemy anchorages. Weather is bad all across the SW Pacific.

Japs have also forced a landing on Makin. It was unopposed. No USN personnel were there. I've also spotted a major convoy moving down the South China Sea. It is possible this convoy is moving towards Borneo, or it could be reinforcing Jap forces advancing down the Malay peninsula towards Singapore. A x3 sub wolfpack I had ordered to reinforce the Malay barrier (designed to trap Force H-K) is being held back to intercept this convoy.

No other major operations. I'm returning the HMS Hermes to port after noted delays in the loading operations at Calcutta for Fullback. She'll replenish and put back to sea once the transports are fully loaded, and they'll all make for the Andaman Islands.

Here's the war room:

Wake Marines repel invaders! Khota Bharu falls! Japanese and Allied fleets headed for collision course!

Action Summary: A few submarines attempt to engage the Jap transports in the Phillipines and Malaya, but could not get close enough to score any hits. Luckily, none were lost to DD escorts. Khota Bharu finally fell, driving my Indian brigades southwards down the peninsula towards Singapore. Best news all day was that Marines on Wake Island have repelled the Japanese invasion force. They boarded their transports and hightailed south. Semper Fi! First good news since the sneak attack at PH!

Meanwhile, there is trouble brewing off Malaysia's shore as this morning's intel reports that the Haruna and Kongo TF is continuing to move SW. This creates a sense of urgency knowing my opponent is going balls to the wall by sailing straight towards my ADBA concentration point. So I've ordered every available ship up to steam in Borneo and Java, and they are to organize into a single surface action group. This force, if able to concentrate, will include x5 CL's, two BB's and 12+ destroyers. It is a formidable force, but I think it would still be destroyed in open battle with the Japanese TF.

But the Japanese TF is out of range of shore-based cover, including his recon flights from French Indochina. His recon coverage is no greater than the seaplanes his battleships can keep aloft. That means I can see him a lot better than he can see me. I've also ordered my Dutch and RAF bomber sorties to drop altitude to 5,000' in order to improve their chances in hitting the enemy TF. They've been flying sorties against the battleships all day, but without luck. Lastly, I've arranged a new sub barrier of x3 SS's, with another wolfpack enroute from the Phillipines.

So in the next three turns, I may fight the biggest naval battle since Jutland against a brave Japanese admiral risking his vanguard force of BB's to smite my Force Z BB's.

Elsewhere, I'm loading an Indian brigade, supplies and aviation fuel in Calcutta for transport to Andaman as part of the Op Fullback. A covering force of the British light carrier HMS Hermes and escort of CL's has departed from Ceylon. As for the KB, it is moving slowly at 10 kts. NE of Midway. I'm adjusting my sub movements, but it looks like the Lex and Enterprise are in the clear. They will still round Johnston Island to meet with escorts before returning to PH. As for enemy sub activity, it looks as though PH is clear. An ASW force from San Diego couldn't engage an enemy SS spotted off the Catalina Islands.

I've organized for transports to begin ferrying over a massive stockpile of supplies to Bataan. My men should have plenty to eat in order to fight off the Japanese for another four months. No activity in China but recon flights. The battle continues to rage in Hong Kong. Op Full Back continues to see the withdrawal of two brigade from Rangoon to Mandalay. I am considering fortifying Canton Is. as the lifeline between PH and the South Pacific.

Here are is the War Room. Won't bother to post the AAR's today.

U.S.S. Boise blasts Jap transports in Phillipines!

ACTION SUMMARY: It's been a bad day for Allied forces on the ground. The Japanese have captured three base facilities on Luzon. They have also captured a small base on Jolo Island. While December 7th was dominated by air raids, December 8th sees the naval action heating up.
First the light cruiser (CL) Boise, steaming off Palawan on Dec. 7, sped toward the Japanese beachhead at Jolo Island. She caught two transports anchored off the island disgorging their troops, sinking one and critically damaging another. She then broke off and continued SW to join the ABDA forces concentrating off Java.

That was the one naval success. On December 8th, I see my major naval assets all under threat. The Lexington and Enterprise are now speeding SE from their positions south of Midway to join with a SAG group sailing from PH. They will meet just off Johnson Island in case my opponent gets racy with his KB force and races south between Midway and Frigate Shoals. If he knows my carriers are there, he should. I'm moving subs into position to cover my carrer TFs' retreat.

And there is Force Z, which I'm not sure is in "oh shit" trouble or not. The BB Haruna and Kongo (recon flights report a third BB) along with 1 heavy cruiser (CA) and a few DD's were spotted moving SW at high speed just east of Singapore. He is definitely searching for my wounded battleships rather than keeping them at Khota Bharu to support his landings. About eight air strikes were launched from Borneo and Singapore throughout the day and into the evening against his BB's without success.

By nightfall, however, recon flights reported his TF turned southeast... probably to move out of range of my Swordfish torpedo planes at Singapore, which had already damaged the Haruna. I've moved a Dutch sub to intercept. An escort force of a CL and three DD's is following behind the Repulse TF while the wounded Prince of Wales is barely 150 miles from Singapore. Here is the situation as it stands:


The Battle for the Phillipines is heating up with my sub groups moving in on the beachheads. Dutch subs are in position to guard the approaches to Borneo. A destroyer TF I had cruising the central Phillipines is being recalled to Manila. I'll be attempting a risky withdrawal of Gen. MacArthur and Admiral Hart's staff (12,000 men!) at high speed to Australia. Obviously I can't take all his cooks and typists. I did not expect the Japanese to capture these Luzon bases so quickly.


Elsewhere, I have a convoy TF enroute to the Espiritu Santo in the S. Pacific loaded with an engineering battalion. The Japanese continued to assault Hong Kong and Khota Bharu. Wake Island has held off successive Japanese assaults for a second day and holed three ships, including a CL. Semper Fi! Guam fell easily.

I've also deployed about x4 ASW TF's of 3-4 DD's each to clear out the entrances to PH before my carriers arrive back hom. A Jap sub was spotted off San Diego. Three ASW TF's were deployed from the West Coast to watch for these subs. They are gripping the West Coast with panic.

There is lots of recon flights over central China, which leads me to believe my opponent is following up his victory at Nanchang by advancing westard toward Changsa, though I have no planes in China that have the range to find out if his divisions are marching.

Meanwhile, Operation Fullback has stumbled upon a logistical problem. I have no DD's to escort my transports to Andaman. The ONLY two DD's in the Bengal Sea I sent on a replenishment mission to just south of Andaman, in case the Prince of Wales needs a drink on her way back to Ceylon. My forces continue to withdraw from Rangoon. Here is the situation:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 38,59

Japanese Ships
AP Ryoyu Maru #21, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
AP Sangetsu Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Boise

Japs secure foothold in Luzon! Asiatic fleets deploy!

December 8, 1941

The Japanese have landed in brigade strength at four beachheads on Luzon, three of in the north. Two Phillipino divisions in the north and one in the south are dug in waiting for the enemy to advance. Since they have no vehicles, no air cover, and would be advancing into range of naval guns, it would be foolish to advance. I have ordered the submarine forces of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet to attack the beachheads where the Japanese are probably unloading second-line troops and supplies by now. Twenty-five submarines in six "wolfpacks" have put to sea from Cavite. The rest of the 4 DD's at Cavite have set sail for the ABDA fleet concentration in Java, though they may make a night run against the Japanese landings on Jolo Island by night. I've also deployed some gunboats to patrol the waters of the central Phillipines.

I've also set the homebases for the entire Asiatic fleet to the ADBA command bases in Java and Darwin, Australia. They are still under Hart's command, however. MacArthur's HQ and Hart's Asiatic Fleet HQ will stay in the Phillipines for now since they provide operational support to my units in the area. The moment it gets rough, I'll evacuate the HQ's and other essential personnel (particularly engineering units) for Australia.

As for Admiral Phillips's Force Z, I have put it to sea. The Prince of Wales took a torpedo hit that reduced her speed to 16 kts. The Repulse can still make 23 knots. I've split the BB's into two groups, each escorted by a CL and a handful of DD's. The Prince of Wales will make for Batavia before sailing west for Ceylon for repairs. Renown will sail for the ADBA staging area where all my warships are concentrating in this theatre. Hopefully she can make minor repairs there before being the centerpiece of a Java Sea battlegroup. This seriously hurts my prospects for bringing the Japanese to battle when they invade oil-rich Borneo.

I've ferried over an entire group of 25+ B-17's from Los Angeles to Hawaii. I will continue to leap them to the Southern Pacific theatre where they may be in range of Japan's outer island perimeter. I'll shuttle their aviation support in Catalina flying boats. Meanwhile, damage to my B-17's at Clark AB is worse than thought. I managed to transfer only 3 B-17's to Mindinao! Seventeen of the rest were damaged and are being repaired. All 30+ Tomahawk fighters flying from Manila have been transferred to Mindinao. The Phillipino and American forces in Luzon are now sacrificial lambs without aircover, dug in to slow the Japanese drive toward Manila.

Lastly, Operation Fullback was launched whereby I replace two brigades at Rangoon with two deployed at the Thai border. The Rangoon brigades shift north to the Mandalay-Ledo defensive zone meant to guard the Burma Road. An important element of Fullback will be fortifying the Andaman Islands. I'll be loading base personnel, engineers and coastal defense units tomorrow to Andaman. This will always keep a British naval and air threat in the Japanese rear if they advance on Mandalay and Leto. Seeing as how annoying this may be for him, he may attempt to invade the Andamans, which may force a major naval confrontation. So it will be nice if the PoW battlegroup can limp back to Ceylon and repair in time. I expect it will be another two months before the Burma theatre heats up.

WAR!! Japanese launch treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor!!

In the worst act of military treachery ever contemplated, land, sea and air forces of the Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack on the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor and upon her overseas possessions. Simultaneously, the Japanese launched an invasion of Malaya with the intention of advancing on Singapore.

Summary: Japanese air raids opened the day with three devastating raids on Singapore, Clark AFB in the Phillipines, and Pearl Harbor. The two British BB's of Force Z were hit in Singapore to my dismay. Cloud cover over Luzon allowed for only two B-17's destroyed, though my CAP (combat air patrol) suffered grievously in defending against the bombers. This was worthy consolation for my BB's in Singapore taking hits. As for Pearl Harbor, only the Oklahoma and California were not terribly damaged. My other six BB's took tremendous damage, though none were thankfully sunk. Pearl Harbor (PH), however, lost a significant amount of aircraft.

Almost none of my subs were in position to repel the enemy landing forces. A Dutch sub torpedoed an AK (transport) off the main Japanese beachhead in Malaya at Khota Bharu. An American sub torpedoed another AK off southern Luzon. The Japs were still able to secure four major beachheads in Luzon, having already placed at least three brigades ashore. Three Phillipino divisions were in no position to contest the beachheads. The Japanese also managed to land an entire division at Khota Bharu, defended by an Indian division of poor morale. British bombers from Singapore swarmed towards the Japanese fleet off the Malaya beachheads where two hits were scored on the BB Haruna.

Landings were also made at Batan Island, Jolo Island, Wake and Guam. Only the handful of Navy personnel at Batan could not hold through the day. Wake held off gloriously as it did in history against the first waves of a Japanese SNLF (Jap Marine) regiment. Wake's coastal gunners also put a pretty good hurt in a Jap light cruiser and destroyer.

Meanwhile, Japanese forces in China began their attack into Kowloon w/ two divisions of 22,000 men and advanced against Hong Kong, defended by only 13,000 men. Heavy fighting is reported against British lines in the New Territories there. Meanwhile, my 4th Chinese Corps was battered by a massive Japanese assault at Nanchang. The battle there was lost, and my useless Chinese peasants are fleeing towards Changsa.

I will discuss my counter-strategy tomorrow, and make my turn for December 8th. The most important orders I will issue for the day is the withdrawal of my B-17's and all remaining fighter craft in the Luzon to Mindinao in the Southern Phillippines.

Here is the situation map at the HQ war room:

The President has been briefed. Now lets kick some ass.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/07/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 26,45

Japanese Ships
AK Atutasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 7
PG Tatsumiya Maru
MSW W.2
MSW W.1
PC Shimushu

Allied Ships
SS KXII



Dutch sub off Malaya torpedoes a Maru!

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported


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Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 94

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 7 destroyed, 37 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 2
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Not good. He went straight after the port facilities. The weather was not in my favor. Force Z took a serious blow on my only two capital ships in Singapore. So much for my plan to concentrate them with the Dutch fleet. Should I make them run SW? Is there a base in Java that can repair these babies? Or should I withdraw them all the way to Ceylon? Churchill would think me a coward.

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 1000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 1000 feet
26 x G3M Nell bombing at 1000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
11 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
11 x G3M Nell bombing at 1000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
10 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet


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Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
G3M Nell x 36
G4M1 Betty x 22
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-35A x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 6 destroyed
P-35A: 7 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 9 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 2 destroyed



Gray weather has never made for a more beautiful day at Clark AFB, at least for the B-17's there. They survived. Now they get shipped south. Fighter CAP took heavy hits though.

Allied ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 117

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G3M Nell bombing at 10000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 10000 feet
7 x G3M Nell bombing at 10000 feet
18 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 10000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 112,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 76
D3A Val x 109
B5N Kate x 143

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
P-26A x 3
P-36A Mohawk x 5
P-40B Tomahawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A Val: 6 destroyed, 41 damaged
B5N Kate: 12 destroyed, 58 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
P-26A: 6 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 12 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 40 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 6 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 17 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 7 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 5, on fire
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Selfridge, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shaw, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1
AVD Thornton, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AV Wright, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1
BB California, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1
AP St. Mihel, Torpedo hits 1, on fire



What can you do? Six BB's critically damaged. At least none sunk. Lost lots of planes though.

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 95

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
26 x B5N Kate bombing at 1000 feet
25 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
24 x B5N Kate bombing at 1000 feet
16 x B5N Kate bombing at 1000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
18 x B5N Kate bombing at 1000 feet
24 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
24 x B5N Kate bombing at 1000 feet
23 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
23 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 7
Buffalo I x 26
Blenheim IV x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 2



Biplanes v. BB Haruna. Scored two hits!

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Swordfish bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 15000 feet
2 x Swordfish bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Blenheim I bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanchang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 25007 troops, 251 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 7457 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
587 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Allied ground losses:
284 casualties reported
Guns lost 9



Cowards!

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Additional operational considerations

By now, I'm just playing out too many wargames in my head. Throw all ideas and plans out the door once the shooting starts. As Moltke said, no plan survives the first shot fired. But there are few tactical and operational considerations that I'll be taking into account early in the wargame:

- In previous simulations, I had noted that the twin-engine Betty bombers were able to wreak considerable havoc on idle transports in port when flying at low-level as torpedo bombers. It will be tough evacuating my Brits and Dutch from Malaya and East Indies with the pall specter of Jap air superioriy hanging so near. Should I really evacuate them? Not only do I risk my transports being blasted out of their anchorages, but I would also be dislodging my troops from their fortified positions to load aboard their transports. Of course, divisions can be split into brigades, and one brigade can fight a rearguard action. I'll have to investigate the anchorages in Western Malaya to see which one will facilitate loading best.

- I am concerned about "Force Z." Previous simulations had shown my two BB's in Singapore getting the shit bombed out of them at low-altitude. Historically, the Betty bombers flew too high to hit the BB's while they were still docked. If they survive unscathed, I'll be withdrawing them southwards to concentrate with the Dutch. This would seem "gamey," as such a transfer would have been politically impossible before the ADBA command was formed. But then again, even Adm. Phillips knew that sending his BB's to contest the Jap beachheads in Eastern Malaya was a suicide mission. Still, my Admiral Phillips will not be making the same mistake... that is if he still has BB's on the morning of Dec. 7th.

- No question about it. B-17's stationed in Luzon will be transferring south to Mindinao if they survive the first strike. Again, somewhat "gamey." MacArthur had a tight CinC's prerogative on the B-17's, and did nothing with them but let them get the shit bombed out of them on the ground. If I move them to Mindinao with aircover, then Jap land-based airpower in Taiwan will have a very tough time getting to them. It could mean he will bring the KB down to the Phillipines to pound those airfields, which he may do anyway.

- The KB. This early war menace of six carriers, almost 500 planes, is scary. If Wake Island is not taken in the first day, it and Midway will take beating from her planes. At this point, it could be safe for him to split his KB into two or three divisions to place them where needed. This could be to crack my defenses in the South China Seas, assist in the invasions of Rabaul/New Guinea, or deter my carrier raids against his Central Pac line. The latter could mean a carrier battle. But I also see him keeping his carrier force together if he finds out Force Z escaped to meet with her Dutch and American allies in Java. That would be the wisest course for him. If Force Z can concentrate at Java, I'll have a pretty powerful fleet of 2 BB's, 4+ CA's, 5+ CL's and 12+ DD's. Not to mention the CVL Langley! With that fleet hanging out of range of Jap land-based airpower, he might find a need to bring the KB down to Borneo.



Robert and I have sorted out our email problems, and I should see the results of December 7th by tonight.

War Plan Orange

My defensive strategy is more or less historical in concept. At the beginning of the war, the Japanese are just too powerful, too prepared. Their task forces (TF's) are formed up and at sea. My units are scattered and off-guard. His goal consists of two important strategic objectives:

1. To secure the resource rich Dutch East Indies (DEI)
2. To extend the Central Pacific defensive perimeter of islands

Achieving these objectives as part of a timely operational framework is critical for my opponent. He must secure the Southern Resources Area (SRA) and fortify his island perimeter against my counter-offensive, expected to reach its full commitment by August of 1942. Until then, he has the advantage. I expected my opponent to execute his war plans in three stages:

1. FIRST STAGE:
- Disable the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor
- Secure the Allied outposts at Guam, Wake I., and the Gilbert Archipeligo
- Secure beachhead on the Phillipines
- Secure beachhead on the Malaya Peninsula
- Dislodge the Chinese salient at Changsa
- Secure a foothold in the Southern Resource Area, namely Borneo

2. SECOND STAGE:
- Occupy Singapore, Dutch East Indies, and crush the last Phillipines resistance
- Offensive into New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
- Offensive into Burma against the Burma Road supplying the Nationlist Chinese
- A 'specialized' offensive designed to bring the U.S. Pacific Fleet to decisive battle and destroy it (i.e. a Midway-style battle)

3. THIRD STAGE: Several options exist for the Japanese in this stage. Even if they are able to defeat the U.S. Pacific Fleet in decisive battle, it is unlikely they would have the resources to execute most of these options. This is especially so seeing as they should be expending resources in fortifying their island defensive perimeter. Historically, the only "third phase" operational commitment the Japanese made was its Icho-Go offensive of Spring '44 in Southern China, and a half-starved offensive into Assam, India.



As for my war plans, I can do little to avert him achieving success in the First Stage. As such, I can retain no initiative, but only respond as follows:

1. FIRST STAGE ALLIED RESPONSE:
- Move my air groups from Luzon to Mindinao in the Southern Phillipines.
- Withdraw the Royal Navy's Force Z group from Singapore to Java
- Concentrate a surface action group of Dutch, British and American ships at Java
- Agressive carrier raids against outlying Japanese islands to retain initiative
- Fall back from Burmese Coast to Ledo and Mandalay to defend Burma Road
- Make the Nips pay for every ground they take

2. SECOND STAGE ALLIED RESPONSE:
- Withdraw bypassed British forces in Malaya to Burma and Ceylon
- An American offensive designed to bring the Japanese to an attritional battle (i.e. a Guadalcanal-style battle), possibly in the South Pacific.
- Australian offensive into New Guinea or Timor Archipeligo.
- Guarding the southern overseas supply routes at all costs
- Guarding the approaches to India at all costs

I do not have a plan against my opponents third stage designs, likely because there is little certainty as to what the strategic conditions will be like by then. It is by then that the tide may turn in my favor, either through a crushing "Midway" style decisive battle, or a "Guadalcanal" style attritional battle. In the meantime, I have to make him pay for every inch of ground, and throw off his initiative as much as I can by making unexpected attacks. We both share the disadvantage of historical tendency, and the advantage of historical hindsight. It is the latter I must take advantage of.

So it is December 6, 1941.

I am "unaware" that the Kido Butai (the "KB") is lurking some 150 miles NW of Oahu. This is the Japanese "Deathstar" that in the early months of the conflict my opponent would do wise to keep concentrated, using it to deliver powerful blows to crack the nut of my Allied defensive perimeter. It would be insane for my two carriers to engage the six-carrier KB.



My two carrier groups, the Lexington and Enterprise are south of Hawaii enroute to Midway and Wake to deliver fighter contingents to my defensive perimeter. My local commanders in Hawaii have spotted Jap mini-subs around Oahu. The radio transmission reports show immense comm activity from Truk Island, Palau, Formosa and Hanoi.

The stalemate continues in China where the Nationalist Chinese hold a precarious defensive line, with a salient at Nanchang where one Chinese corps is fighting on the ground. At the foot of the salient is Changsa, defended by 20,000 men of two corps and one division. I would expect my opponent to launch an offensive there to "pinch off" the salient at Nanchang.



"Force Z," Churchill's token commitment to deterrence, is docked at Singapore and consists of Adm. Phillip's battleships (BB's) Prince of Wales and Renown. Dutch Adm. Doorman's Dutch fleet is concentrating at Java. The U.S. Asiatic fleet, commanded by Adm. Hart, has a meager force of two cruisers and a handful of destroyers. It is dispersed throughout the Southern Resource Area (SRA).

America is a sleeping giant at this time. I await my opponent's moves.

The Sleeping Giant

This "blog" is meant to show the operational and strategic results of a Pacific War I am fighting using the game "War in the Pacific" from Matrix Games. Fought day-by-day, from Karachi to San Francisco, from the Bering Strait to Aukland, NZ, this simulation will be quite and undertaking. It is also an experiment in decision-making based on the following factors, made more fluid by the grueling uncertainties of war as recreated by the gaming engine:

1. Initiative
2. Logistics
3. Decisiveness / Command cycle
4. Intelligence collection and analysis
5. Risk v. Results
6. Interior lines v. Schwerpunkt
7. Force parity
8. Geostrategic strong-points

Throughout, I'll be discussing my full pattern of decision-making (as Allied) as best I can in fighting my opponent (Robert Drahda of San Antonio, TX) via email across the length and breadth of the Pacific. I expect this war to resemble in little way to the historical war in the Pacific except where the Japanese strategic objectives are concerned. It is 100% important for my opponent to secure resources and either defeat me in decisive battle, or to make it so costly to dislodge him from his possessions, that he will have met his "victory conditions."