The Whale Has Wings Vol 3 - Holding the Barrier (17 page)

400 Ghurkhas, who have travelled around the coast of Borneo on a couple of rather ancient ships found in the harbour after the Japanese defeat at Labuan, finally make an arrival off Sandakan. Given the conditions of the voyage, and the fact that few Ghurkhas can swim, the troops insist on immediately offloading and seeking to attack the Japanese. Aided by information from some of the local police who had escaped the Japanese invasion, as soon as it is dark they infiltrate the town. Shortly afterwards the night is disturbed by gunshots, grenades and the Ghurkha's bloodcurdling battle cry. In a confused action that lasts some hours the Ghurkhas hunt down and kill the Japanese troops, many of whom were initially caught by surprise. The Ghurkhas themselves take over a 100 casualties, but by the morning report that the town is in Allied hands again.

The Japanese attack into Burma halts; the British defenders are not certain if this was just a probing attack, or if in fact the damage to the rail system has caused the Japanese to become more cautious. It had been intended to evacuate the British force by sea, but as the attack seems to have stopped for the moment this is postponed. Alexander expects any serious attack to come in further north (despite the appalling road system available to support it). There is also a small possibility that the force in the south of the 'handle' may be a route into Thailand if the Japanese can be pushed back from Malaya.

The Japanese Eastern Invasion Force lands at Kendari on Celebes Island. A USN seaplane tender, the destroyer USS Childs, is leaving Kendari harbour and spots the Japanese. A rainsquall obscures the seaplane tender for a while, allowing her to avoid two Japanese destroyers. She is attacked by six Japanese aircraft at 0800 hours, but managed to escape to the south. By the evening, Kendari is fully occupied by the Japanese. Most of the Dutch troops are captured by the Japanese; some fight a guerrilla war for a short period, while others try to escape to safer parts of the archipelago. Kendari Airdrome is considered the best in the Netherlands East Indies and is immediately put into operation by the Japanese 21st Air Flotilla. The loss is a blow to the Allies, who had been hoping to build the forces at the airfield up once ground troops could be found to make it secure, but the rapid fall of the Philippines has not allowed them time to find the required men.

USAAF  B-17's based at Malang, Java, and Dutch Martin Model 139WHs and Brewster 339s (the export version of the Buffalo) bomb invasion shipping, sinking a number of transports.

On Bataan, II Corps begins disengaging and withdrawing combat troops. The Japanese maintain pressure on the Philippine Division and attack the covering force, but the bulk of the troops withdraw successfully. The situation in the I Corps area is deteriorating rapidly. The 1st Division, Philippine Army, exhausted by prolonged fighting along the main line of resistance and critically in need of supplies and ammunition, remains under pressure.

As a result of the capture of the first Australian territory by the Japanese (the islands of New Britain and New Ireland off Australian New Guinea, the Combined Chiefs of staff put the port of Darwin under the command of ABDA. Unless the Japanese carrier fleet can be eliminated or at least reduced in strength, the RN does not have the strength to defend Singapore/Ceylon and conduct operations off New Guinea, especially as the location of the Japanese fleet is often undetected until an attack - it is pointed out that there is a lot of the Pacific ocean to hide in. Only the British have radar-equipped planes, and not very many of them. There is also the problem of keeping a large force at sea in the area - Darwin, while useful, is hardly a major fleet base. The best suggestion at present is more air power, in particular reconnaissance planes. After pressure from London the RAF agree to release twelve ASV-equipped Stirlings from Coastal Command - with the current preoccupation of the U-boats off the US coast, these can be spared. It is hoped their range and radar will allow better coverage north of Australia, especially if the US can provide additional Catalinas.

There is some good news for the RAF when they ask about the possibility of more fighters. The Mk8 Spitfire is now in full production, and in addition to increased performance has a much longer range that the earlier models. While the Spitfires are needed in Europe to face the Me109's and Fw190's (and in any case isn't considered suitable for much of the Far East due to its relatively delicate undercarriage), this means that it will be replacing the fighter version of the Whirlwind (it is considerably cheaper to produce). Park has been talking with his old mentor Dowding, and the suggestion is to refurbish the Whirlwinds as the Spitfires replace them, and also modify some to the earlier reconnaissance version. This will give the RAF in Malaya a long-distance fighter, as well as a very fast reconnaissance aircraft. The planes have enough range to fly themselves out, but this is delayed for a few weeks so that the equipment needed to support them can be assembled and sent out. Park is promised the first squadrons before the end of February, although it will take longer to get their support equipment and personnel in place. Park asks that the reconnaissance version is given priority, as he already has support available for that model, and they can be used to replace lost or damaged aircraft.

US Marines land on the island of Samoa to protect it from the Japanese. While it is agreed protection of the islands between Australia and the US is important, there is growing criticism of what is seen as an overly defensive mindset that is deploying the available troops far from any likely Japanese action, as well as tying up the carrier forces on convoy escort duties. The British positions in Malaya make the western route to Australia secure, and while losing an island or two to the Japanese would be inconvenient, the critics point out it would not be a disaster.

Jan 25th

The Thai government declares war on the United States and the United Kingdom.  The governments of Great Britain, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa respond in kind. While Thailand has effectively been at war since the Japanese arrived, this action is seen as a response to growing internal criticism of the Thai government. It remains to be seen if the Thai army will be used in action against Imperial forces.

The Pillar convoy and escort are spotted by Japanese reconnaissance planes as it approaches the coast of Sumatra, heading for Singapore. This has been anticipated by Somerville, and the convoy is escorted by the fleet carriers Illustrious and Bulwark as well as the light carrier Colossus, who keep a heavy CAP over the ships at all times. The RAF in southern Malaya is also on the alert, and raids go in for the next few days onto the Japanese airfields in Thailand to disrupt any concerted action against the vital convoy. The only attack that day is by submarine; a torpedo passes astern of one of the escorting destroyers, and after a short action by the escorts a thick patch of oil and other debris indicates the demises of the Japanese submarine. The British are happy the Japanese don't attempt more in the way of air strikes; it is not known at the time that they are still waiting for more torpedoes (torpedoes are a very heavy item to ship, they require careful handling, and the fragile logistics structure in the area isn't really up to transporting them yet).

The RAF also use the presence of the convoy to stage a heavy raid against the repair work on the Thai railway line, using Beaufighters with 250lb bombs and AP and incendiary shells for their cannon, which prove to be most effective 'train-busters'. The raid is a success - the Japanese are concentrating on the convoy on the other side of the peninsula, and at least three engines and considerable engineering supplies are destroyed. This leads to an increasing number of ever more angry notes from General Yamashita to his air force counterparts. It will also tie up more fighters until the railway is repaired.

The Australian government orders full mobilization. The War Cabinet orders that “all able-bodied white male British subjects” between 18- and 45-years-old should be called up immediately for service. The central government also assumes control of all state budgets. There is some political opposition to this in Australia, but the unified government makes this easy to ignore.

The USAAF Far East Air Force’s 20th Pursuit Squadron, which is preparing to depart Brisbane, Queensland for Port Moresby, New Guinea, is ordered to fly to Darwin, Northern Territory, as quickly as possible for duty in Java. It will be replaced in New Guinea by an RAAF Sparrowhawk squadron. After the events of the last few weeks the Australian aircraft industry has been breaking its records for production of the Sparrowhawk and Beaufighter aircraft, and these will equip new squadrons based in Northern Australia and New Guinea. The British government has also agreed to send 100 Cormorant dive bombers to Australia; these are not currently needed by the carriers as reserves for them are seen as satisfactory, and there is a lack of naval targets in the European theatre. While there were suggestions that they could be used to give the RAF a force of dive bombers, this idea was not looked on favourably in the Air Ministry.

Despite their losses, by dawn the Japanese Assault Unit that landed near Balikpapan has occupied the airfield. Their advance southwards slows as the bridges on the coastal road have been destroyed and the unit does not reach the northern outskirts of Balikpapan City until the night of the 25th. The Dutch garrison troops had been withdrawn and the unit entered the city without a fight. While the main body of the unit was advancing along the road to Balikpapan City, it ran into a Dutch military column attempting to escape from Balikpapan. After defeating this Dutch column, the Surprise Attack Unit proceeded to Balikpapan City. The city was completely occupied during the night of the 25th.

This leads to considerable anger in the Imperial command. They expect the Dutch to at least fight for their territories if they and the Americans are to expend their own people helping them, and the withdrawal in the face of an already badly hit Japanese unit is seen as defeatist.  The plans to hold part of the Dutch East Indies to protect Singapore by defending Sumatra are given precedence over those to hold Java itself as a consequence.

Jan 26th

An advance party from 8th Australian division arrives in Java. It is expected that the rest of the division will soon be committed either to Java or to Sumatra; however the planners are also looking at the possibility of using them further east if necessary to protect Australia.

On Bataan, the Philippine II and I Corps complete their withdrawal to the final defence line on Bataan in the morning, closely followed by the Japanese.

HMS Audacious is formally commissioned. The first of a new class of large fleet carriers, she has been rushed as fast as possible due to the needs in the East (her sister ship Courageous will not be ready until the late summer as a result). She immediately starts her sea trials; it is hoped to have her on her way east in a few weeks. Her air group has been training for some time in readiness, and in order to speed her workup an unusually high proportion of experienced crew from Glorious (currently being used to train crews as well as pilots) have been assigned to her.

Jan 27th

The long-awaited Pillar convoy reaches Singapore. This brings badly needed supplies and replacements, in particular over 100 tanks and replacement aircraft and spares, as well as men - a complete infantry division (the 51st), and two commandos from the Middle East along with their landing craft. It had originally been hoped that this force would allow an attack north to attempt to recover northern Malaya, but the deteriorating position in the DEI and Borneo mean this might not be possible. The convoy also strengthens the Far East Fleet; the fleet carrier Ark Royal is now at Ceylon, and some of the cruisers and destroyers which escorted the ships will remain to strengthen the fleet. The transports will head back as soon as they have been unloaded; they will also carry some non-essential personnel and civilians back to Ceylon as well as supplies of tin and rubber. The troopships will head back to Alexandria, where additional forces are readying to move east.

The Far East Fleet now has four fleet and two light carriers available, and this will allow Somerville to send an aggressive force into the DEI while still retaining enough air power to protect Singapore. While the light carrier Colossus has an experienced aircrew, up till now all their work has been on antisubmarine duties and her aircrew will receive a few weeks training in the local training and tactics before being assessed as fully operational. He also asks if the Australian air wing (currently enjoying Ceylon as their carrier is having her hull mended) could be made available for use from Darwin - this would give a useful defence and search capability over the local sea area until their carrier is fixed. He is also now prepared to release his reserve squadron of Cormorants to be used from land bases - he now has spare aircraft if needed to replenish his airgroups.

Jan 28th

It is decided to make the remaining two brigades of 18th Division available for use in the Dutch East Indies/Borneo area, as they have completed training in the local conditions. The 51st Division will undergo similar training while acting as Alexander's emergency reserve. Given the difficulty in moving around Borneo, mainly infantry will be used, but it is hoped to quickly build up the Imperial force on the island up to some 5,000 men. Given the small size of the Japanese landings it is hoped this will be sufficient, so long as sufficient coastal transport can be obtained. Alexander also allocates them half the landing craft that came with the commandos, to use as coastal transport - in order to supplement this, available coastal shipping and vessels are being commandeered in Borneo and acquired in southern Malaya. While the eastern side of the island is looking problematical, the western and southern areas are, so far, under Allied control.

In the north of Malaya, 7th Australian division, backed by tanks, attacks the Japanese positions in a limited attack. Given the damage to the Thai railroad clearly visible in photographs, Blamey intends to see just how bad the Japanese supply situation is. The attack manages to penetrate some five miles before increasingly intense counterattacks bring it to a halt. As there is now an armour reserve at Singapore, Blamey informs Alexander he intends to press the attack with Australian and Indian troops the next day as well, to see how fragile the Japanese defence is.

At Rastenburg, Hitler decorates the ace pilot Adolf Galland with the Diamonds to the Knight's Cross. Goering is appalled that the jewels are paste.

The Japanese land on Rossel Island, the easternmost island of the Louisade archipelago. The island is located about 490 miles east-southeast of Port Moresby, New Guinea, and 420 miles  west-southwest of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, an ideal position to block shipping from either point. The Japanese immediately begin building an airfield.

Jan 29th

The British offensive in Malaya continues, backed by the RAF who attack both the Japanese airfields and the troops on the ground. The Japanese air force returns the compliment. Aided by fresh Indian troops and a further armoured attack, the Australians advance another three miles, causing a serious dent in the Japanese defensive line. One so severe in fact that overnight the Japanese retire to new positions, leaving a noticeable bulge in their defence line. The Australians also retire slightly in order to give them a better line to hold. While the attack has been successful, the fanatical defence the Japanese have put up is worrying to the staff, who see it as making the re-conquest of northern Malaya expensive - infantry casualties in particular have been high.

Based on the results, the most effective operations seem to be by the tanks, for which the Japanese have no real answer. The need to use the available armoured force to reinforce the defence lines means there is no substantial reserve (even allowing for the reinforcements on Pillar). The staff suggest that unless the Japanese get substantial reinforcements themselves, the best plan might be to wait for the Australian's armoured division, currently packing up in North Africa ready to move, arrives to be the centre of a new attack intended to break the Japanese defence and push them back into Thailand. Given that the need to use his forces to help protect the Dutch East Indies is looking more and more likely, Alexander and Blamey agree that planning will start on this option. This is a disappointment to them, but just pushing the Japanese back to the Thai border won't do much to change the situation in the north; unless the force is available to press on, they consider it best to stay in position and let the Japanese blunt their attacks on prepared defences and their supporting artillery. The continuing need to bolster the Dutch forces is a drain, and Alexander again asks when US ground forces will be available to help.

Imperial General Headquarters orders the Navy to secure Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea and then Tulagi, Solomon Islands. The Army and Navy are ordered to combine their efforts and seize Port Moresby, New Guinea. Both Navy and Army staff officers foresee problems.

The Japanese land at Badoeng Island and Mampawan on Celebes Island in the DEI.

The Combined Chiefs of Staff establish the ANZAC Area, covering ocean expanses between Australia, New Zealand, and the French territory of New Caledonia in the New Hebrides Islands. This area is to be under U.S. naval command

Five-inch (12.7 cm) projectiles containing radio-proximity fuses are test fired at the Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren, Virginia, and 52 percent of the fuses functioned satisfactorily by proximity to water at the end of a 5-mile trajectory. This performance, obtained with samples selected to simulate a production lot, confirmed that the radio proximity fuse would greatly increase the effectiveness of anti-aircraft batteries and leads to immediate small-scale production

Jan 30th

The Japanese invade 314 square mile Ambon Island in the Dutch East Indies, which has the second largest naval base in the East Indies archipelago. The defenders include Dutch troops and the Australian 2/21 Battalion plus supporting troops. During the night of 30 January two Japanese landings are launched; the 1st Kure Special Landing Force lands at Hitu-Iama and the 228th Infantry lands on the southern coast of Laitimor. The defenders are at a disadvantage to contest the landings, only a few Dutch detachments were in the area. At Hitu-Iama on the north coast the defending infantry and machine-gun crews are quickly overwhelmed and bridges on the road leading to the town of Paso are left intact allowing the Japanese to speedily advance south across the Hitu Peninsula. Other landings occurred around Hutumori; the Japanese split westward to the town and northward to Paso using captured Ambonese compelled to act as guides.

Jan 31st

Two small transport ships leave Singapore bound for Darwin with some of the supplies from the Pillar convoy. This includes additional AA guns and material to expand the capabilities of the air base there, such as torpedoes to allow Beaufighters to operate anti-shipping strikes. In addition, two transport planes fly out with spares for the radar at Darwin, which is down to its last electronic tubes for some equipment.

The U.S. Military Mission to USSR, which is to advise and assist Russians on lend-lease matters, arrives at Basra in Iraq; the group subsequently proceeds to Tehran, Iran, where they establish their headquarters.

New Zealand continues to dig in for war by introducing air-raid shelter regulations, and inviting women to join the Emergency Precaution Service as firewatchers. All men must register for the Emergency Defence Corps. So far, the sheep are not being called up.

On Ambon Island 2,000 Japanese troops attack Laha late in the afternoon; they are repulsed by an outnumbered platoon of Australians on the northeast of the airfield.

Task Force 11 (Vice Admiral Brown), formed around the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, departs Pearl Harbor to cover the retirement of TF 8 (Vice Admiral  Halsey) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Fletcher) from the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. 

In preparation for a bombing raid on Japan, Captain Donald B. Duncan, USN, flies to Norfolk, Virginia to make arrangements with Captain Marc A. Mitscher, USN, captain of the USS Hornet,  to have three B-25 Mitchell medium bombers hoisted aboard on the next day for trial takeoffs.

Major General Eaker is designated Commanding General, Bomber Command, U.S. Army Forces in British Isles (USAFBI) and ordered to proceed to the UK.

Feb 1st

The Soviet Army continues its offensive throughout February but with diminishing success as German resistance stiffens with the arrival of reinforcements. Further efforts to break through to Leningrad and Sevastopol are futile, but some success is achieved in other sectors. Soviet forces use the opportunity to reinforce the Crimea area.

On Ambon Island the Japanese capture ten Australian soldiers and bayonet them to death. The Japanese commander says the POWs would be "a drag" on his advance. This is witnessed by two Australian soldiers hiding in the jungle; they will later escape and get back to Allied territory to report the atrocity. A growing number of similar incidents have been reported in various actions, but there is reluctance among the staff to believe that the Japanese are actually acting like this. However as more reports are confirmed, the belief is gaining ground, and the troops are already aware of the stories.

Task Force 8 (Halsey), formed around the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, raids the Marshall Islands concentrating on Kwajalein and Wotje, with the heavy cruiser USS Chester  bombarding Maleolap Atoll.

At Kwajalein, SBD Dauntlesses and TBD Devastators from USS Enterprise sink a transport and damage the light cruiser HIJMS Katori, submarine HIJMS I-23, a minelayer, an auxiliary netlayer, an auxiliary submarine chaser, a submarine depot ship, an oiler, a tanker, and an army cargo ship; in the bombing of shore installations, Rear Admiral Sukiyoshi (Commander Sixth Base Force) dies in combat when an SBD scores a direct hit on his headquarters.

Off Wotje, gunfire from heavy cruisers USS Northampton and USS Salt Lake City sink a gunboat while the destroyer USS Dunlap shells and sinks an auxiliary submarine chaser.

Japanese retaliatory air attacks by six Mitsubishi G3M Nells of the Chitose Kokutai on TF 8 results in damage to USS Enterprise (near-miss of a crashing land attack plane) and heavy cruiser USS Chester (by bomb dropped by a carrier fighter).

Three SBDs are shot down over Roi Island by Mitsuibishi A5M Claude fighters and one “Claude” is shot down by a SBD gunner

TF 17 (Fletcher), formed around aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, raids the Gilbert Islands targeting enemy installations on Jaluit, Makin, and Mili.