by Row, David
The U-boats taking part in 'Drum Roll' are surprised to find peacetime conditions on the U.S. coast, with lighthouses and marker buoys still lit. In addition, there is no radio silence and positions of merchant ships are frequently given away in radio communications. These conditions and the inexperience of the USN escort vessels lead to a loss of 150,000 tons of shipping in the first month of the operation.
Jan 14th
Following their seizure of Kirov yesterday, Soviet forces recapture Medya, on the central front northwest of Kaluga, driving a wedge between two Panzer divisions.
The headquarters of the USAAF's Far East Air Force transfers from Darwin in Australia to Malang in Java. Three squadrons of the 7th Bombardment Group, equipped with B-17's, begin operations out of Singosari in Java. The USAAF hope that they will be able to slow the Japanese advance into the area by attacking their convoys. Although the RAF are somewhat dubious of the ability of the USAAF to engage ships at sea, there is hope that with sufficient reconnaissance the aircraft can do considerable damage if the convoys can be caught in harbour. The main problem the Allied air forces have is the distances involved; until the Japanese invaders at Labuan can be destroyed, it is not practical to base Beaufighters (the preferred aircraft for convoy interdiction) close enough to the Japanese convoy routes.
A Japanese naval force leaves Guam, destination Rabaul in New Britain.
The Japanese army sends 27 Sally bombers, escorted by 15 Oscar fighters, to raid Rangoon in Burma. With ground activity in Malaya temporarily halted to allow Yamashita's divisions to reorganise, the army is hoping that the heavy air defences shown in Malaya mean that Burma has only been left with light defences. To a certain extent, they are correct; Malaya is more heavily and more effectively defended in the air than is Burma. However since the build-up started in the Far East the Burmese air force has not been completely neglected, and while the radar coverage is not comprehensive as it is in southern Malaya there is at least coverage of the major targets such as Rangoon.
The RAF in Burma is rather surprised they have not been attacked earlier; this is thought to be due to the steady losses the Japanese air force has been suffering in Malaya. The fact of the raid is a worry to Alexander, as it implies that the Japanese air force has replaced its losses. The time given to the RAF has allowed the air defences of the country to be improved considerably since the beginning of December. Although no more Sparrowhawks or Beaufighters over the original squadron of each have been delivered (the need for these aircraft in Malaya has meant all fresh aircraft have been sent to Singapore), there is now support from the Flying Tigers (flying US P-40's), and four squadrons of Hurricanes (diverted from the supplies originally intended for Russia) are now operational.
The attack is spotted on radar, although the operators are still inexperienced and it takes longer than expected to get the defenders into the air. The result of the raid is that some damage is done to the dock area of Rangoon, only one bomber being shot down by the AA. In the air battle that takes place over the city, the Japanese lose four Oscar fighters and another six Sallys for the loss of four Hurricanes and two P-40's, with another four aircraft damaged.
Bomber command resumes their campaign against German industry with a heavy raid by 300 planes on Hamburg, causing considerable damage to the dockyards and the railway system.
Jan 15th
In Russia, Army Group Centre (Field Marshal von Kluge) evacuates the Kaluga sector and takes up winter positions 20 miles further west. While Hitler is still insisting on holding ground wherever possible, the realities of the Russian winter is forcing some backwards movement to more suitable positions onto the German Army.
Troops of the Japanese 55th Division advance into Burma north of Mergui. The aim is to reduce a possible attack by the British which would cause problems for the Japanese army attacking into Malaya. The British only have light forces this far into Burma, as the narrow strip of land abutting Thailand has always been seen as indefensible against serious attack. The attack is supported by the Japanese air force, and due to the distance from the British airfields it is difficult to mount any practical defence. The RAF in Burma responds to the previous day's attack, and this new invasion, with raids by Blenheim bombers on some of the Japanese airfields in Thailand. Four Blenhiems and three escorting Hurricanes are shot down for the loss of four Oscars in the air, but a number of Japanese aircraft are destroyed on the ground and disruption caused to their operations.
The British ground forces start a slow retreat up the narrow peninsula, destroying roads and bridges as they go to slow the Japanese attack. There is concern that they could be cut off by an attack further north; in this case it is hoped to evacuate the men by sea, and light coastal craft have been assembled at Rangoon with this in mind.
Jan 16th
Three USAAF LB-30 Liberators based at Singosari Airdrome on Java, staged through Kendari Airdrome on Celebes Island, attack Tarakan Airdrome on Tarakan Island. Two of the bombers are damaged by Japanese aircraft and both are further damaged when they crash land in remote places. These are the first missions of the Liberator, and the USAAF is disappointed to find that the heavy bomber is having such difficulty defending itself without fighter escort.
Japanese submarines continue mining the approaches to Darwin, as seventeen P-40's of the USAAF's Far East Air force use the port as a staging area to reach Java.
In northern Malaya Yamashita mounts a limited attack on the eastern part of the Imperial defence line, hoping it might not be as well defended as he has found the western part to be. Unfortunately for him it is, and after probing attacks against Australian and Indian troops he pulls back to his start lines having lost some 500 men.
In Borneo, the Allies mount a full-scale attack against the original Japanese invasion. Despite having to withdraw some of the men planned for use, they still outnumber the Japanese over 2:1, and have the advantage of air support. The Japanese are also very short of supplies, especially artillery shells, having been forced into far more extensive actions than had been originally planned. As a result the attack makes good progress, although the attackers suffer heavily from the fanatical defence and the Japanese lines are finally broken by a shore bombardment by Admiral Crace's heavy cruisers. By nightfall the attackers are confident that they will have eliminated the positions in a few days.
Jan 17th
Hitler has been busy removing some of the Generals he sees as having failed him by not achieving victory in Russia. He sacked Field Marshal Walter von Brauchitsch on the 19th of December and took the opportunity to make himself C-in-C of the army. General Guderian was sacked on Christmas Eve for a withdrawal in defiance of Hitler's orders.
Field Marshal von Leeb, the commander of Army Group North, resigned yesterday after Hitler refused permission to retreat from Demyansk where 100,000 men are nearly surrounded. Another Field Marshal, von Bock of Army Group Centre, was relieved on 20 December at his own request because of stomach trouble brought on by his failure to take Moscow. Field Marshal von Rundstedt of Army Group South was sacked for telling Hitler it was madness not to retreat after the loss of Rostov. Today von Reichenau, who took over from von Rundstedt, died when his plane crashed while flying him to Leipzig for a staff meeting. Hitler is now in supreme command.
A heavy series of raids by French medium bombers out of Malta causes considerable damage to Italian installations and airfields in Sicily. This comes as a surprise to the Italians - the area around Malta has been relatively quiet of late, and as a consequence the defences in Sicily are rather caught by surprise. The raids target ports and airfields in particular, causing the Italian command to start to worry at the possibility that this is a prelude to further action or even an invasion.
On Bataan, the II Corps counterattacks to restore the western portion of the line, and makes limited progress. The U.S. 31st Infantry, moving north from the Abucay Hacienda area, reaches the Balantay River on the left but is unable to make much headway on the right. Reserves move fo
rward to plug a gap between the assault battalions. The Japanese encircling column begins an unopposed march down the Abo-Abo River toward Orion. In the I Corps area, the defenders of Moron fall back under enemy pressure to a ridge south and southeast of Moron.
The Japanese Carrier Striking Force sails to participate in operations in the Bismarck Archipelago.
The Japanese air force continues to make raids into Burma, although General Yamashita protests that they should be concentrating on Malaya - he sees Burma as an unnecessary diversion at this point in the campaign. The raids do cause the RAF to lose a number of aircraft on the ground, and damage is caused to Rangoon again, with a steady trickle of losses in the air for both sides. So far the RAF in Burma is confident that they can cope with this level of attack, particularly as substantial reinforcements of Hurricanes are on their way via the Middle East.
Using the dark of the moon for concealment, Operation Stiletto kicked off last night, using two British and three US submarines. They slip up the east coast of Malaya, reaching the Thai border after dark. Using small boats the submarines put some 200 commandos and volunteers ashore in ten groups. The men head for the vital rail line that goes down the coast, along which the bulk of Yamashita's supplies are being transported. Their main aims are any parts of the railway that will be difficult to repair - bridges, cuttings, any part where an explosion can collapse rock onto the line, as well as the line itself.
While the Japanese have guards along the line, they view it as an easy post, mainly to deter the local population from doing anything. They are completely unprepared for the raiding parties that slip out of the dark and slit their throats before planting explosives on the track. The raiders fall back to their submarines that night, only losing nine men in total. The submarines head out from the coast and then submerge to prepare to sit out the day on the bottom. By the time the men are heading back to their boats, the handful of men left to detonate the charges see the rail line cut in at last 22 places, many of them in positions that will be difficult to repair, as well as taking down a number of bridges. The only disappointment to them is the lack of any trains running - they would have dearly loved to blow a bridge with a train on it. Yamashita's already tight logistical situation just got a lot worse.
Jan 18th
Burma's Prime Minister, U Maung Saw, was arrested in Haifa when his plane touched down while he was returning to Burma from talks with British representatives. He had been trying unsuccessfully to secure a British promise of Burmese independence in return for supporting the war effort. The nationalist U Maung Saw is unpopular with the British authorities, who see him of suspect loyalty. This suspicion is now justified, because he contacted Japan's legation in Lisbon on his return flight. He was unaware that Britain had broken Japanese codes and knew of these overtures.
The Allies continue to mop up the Japanese forces at Labuan, at the cost of considerable losses themselves; the Japanese infantry fight to the last, and the RAN cruisers have had to withdraw southward after an abortive attack from some ten Japanese bombers - although the cruisers escaped without damage, they were considered too valuable to risk on just a fire support mission.
A Japanese convoy anchors at Sandakan in northern Borneo. Due to bad weather (monsoon rains and wind), the convoy remains in the port during the day. As a result of the weather, the Japanese troops had not unloaded and so did not take the effectively undefended port, but the Allies are now aware of its presence. Admiral Crace asks permission from Somerville to engage in a night attack, which is given. His force moves north up the western coast that day, and by 2300 is in position to launch an attack on the ships. His light carrier holds twelve SeaLance and twelve Cormorants, and all are launched (with some difficulty in the poor weather).
Due to the limited preparation, not all the planes manage to find the port - six of the Cormorants never manage to locate it, and have to head back to the carrier. The remaining aircraft spot the anchored transports illuminated by their flares. They only spot two transport ships, and the dive bombers are found not to be needed as the torpedo planes sink both of them. Gunfire is noticed from a number of large fishing boats also in the harbour (these had been carrying many of the men), and the aircraft strafe these, setting some on fire before they withdraw. Crace sets sail southwards after recovering his aircraft, to get under cover of the fighters at Kuching before the Japanese air force has a chance to respond. While the strike has destroyed the invaders equipment and most of their supplies, it has only killed a few of the troops who were being carried on the fishing boats. With only their small arms now available the Japanese commander now has to decide whether to land or retreat the next morning.
Jan 19th
Reports from Sandakan indicate the Japanese only have a few hundred men ashore, and with the pockets around Labuan finally wiped out, 400 Ghurkhas, on any transport that can be found, set off for the port that afternoon in the hope of surprising the Japanese before they can be reinforced.
Nine USAAF Far East Air Force B-17's out of Singosari Airdrome on Java are dispatched to attack shipping at Jolo Island in the Philippine Islands. Three aircraft abort due to weather but the remaining six bomb the ships and then land at Del Monte Field on Mindanao Island in the Philippines, which is still under American control.
Intelligence reports (mainly traffic analysis) indicate that the Japanese carriers are at sea and heading somewhere. At the moment, there is no idea where they are, the force maintaining radio silence. However Somerville has to assume that they might be headed for Singapore, and in any case the increasing Japanese activity in the Dutch East Indies requires some sort of response (if only to make the Japanese more cautious and slow them down). It helps that the Pillar convoy is due to arrive off Ceylon tomorrow morning; he intends to use a substantial force to escort it to Singapore and then reinforce Crace.
Chapter 10 - The Bismark Archipelago
Jan 20th
Mozhaisk, about 60 miles west of Moscow, falls to the Russian army.
Major General Brett, Commanding General US Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA), halts ferrying of aircraft from India to the Netherlands East Indies. The USAAF has been sending heavy bombers to Java by way of Africa and India, but the Japanese are able to inflict prohibitive losses on the aircraft on the last stops of the route by interception from newly acquired airfields close to Java. Since Singapore is still considered safe, and with the Japanese air force currently occupied in the north and in Burma, the bombers will operate from the RAF bases in southern Malaya until it is possible to safely move them further forward. Park warns that the operations will be limited due to shortages of aviation fuel, although the keenly anticipated convoy does have a tanker carrying more.
A Dutch Dornier flying boat spots a small vessel off the coast of Samboaja, heading for Balikpapan, Borneo. The flying boat lands near the vessel, the motor boat Parsifal, and takes aboard a two Dutch officer captured on Tarakan Island and three Japanese soldier-interpreters, flying them to Balikpapan. They carry a message from the Japanese to the Balikpapan Garrison Commander, demanding that the oil refinery installations there be handed over to the Japanese Army without being damaged; this offer is refused by the Dutch commander and the three Japanese were returned to their units.
Ninety Japanese carrier-based aircraft from the aircraft carriers HIJMS Akagi, HIJMS Kaga, HIJMS Shokaku and HIJMS Zuikaku attack Rabaul on New Britain Island in the Bismark Archipelago, causing serious damage. No. 24 Squadron RAAF loses six aircraft (three shot down, one wrecked after take-off and two damaged in crash landings) leaving two Wirraways in commission. The squadron commander sends the following message to Northeast Area HQ: "Two Wirraways useless in defence. Will you now please send some fighters?" Kavieng on New Ireland Island is also attacked by air but by a smaller force.
The U.S. Second Marine Brigade (Brigadier General Larson) arrives at Pago Pago on Tutuila Island, America Samoa, in transports SS Lurline, SS Matsonia, and SS Monterey, along with cargo ship USS Jupiter and
ammunition ship USS Lassen, to protect that portion of the important lifeline to Australia. Cover for the operation is provided by Task Force 8 (TF 8) formed around aircraft carrier USS Enterprise 6) (Vice Admiral Halsey) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Fletcher) formed around aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. The two carrier task forces then set course for the Japanese-held Marshalls and Gilberts to carry out the initial raids on the enemy's defensive perimeter. There is growing political unrest at the scale of these essentially defensive actions far from the action taking place in the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies; while some defence of the islands is required, some see it as too heavy and taking away the men available to fight the Japanese before they overrun the Dutch East Indies as they already have the Philippines. At least one political opponent of Roosevelt has been heard to comment 'when we surrender to the Japanese we will at least have the best-defended rear areas in the world'.
General Yamashita receives his engineers' reports on the damage to the rail line, and it is very bad news for his campaign. Thailand is not overabundantly supplied with material to repair the railway (although it is pointed out that some existing rail lines could be cannibalised for track), but the biggest problem will be the repair of vital bridges and the clearing of a number of landslides that have swept away or covered the track. The commandos had proved quite exuberant with their use of explosive. The estimate is that most of the track can be repaired in two weeks if given full priority, but the bridges will take longer. While all available Thai resources are 'volunteered' to help, the net effect will be to cut supplies by this route to 10% for the first two weeks, then to 50% for another 2-3 weeks before the line is fully operational again. As the RN and RAF are still sinking over 30% of his shipping, this is depressing news, and means that it will not be possible to undertake any major offensive operations for at least two weeks, and quite possibly longer. He orders his engineers to start repairs immediately, conscripting any Thai people or materials they need; in the meantime, he orders his supply officers to source all the army's food from Thailand, in order to allow his limited logistical train to concentrate on ammunition and equipment. This will cause resentment and soon worse among the Thai population and the political opposition.