28 August 1942
KB spotted at Shortlands, enemy destroyer squadron raids Rangoon
CENTPAC
We had destroyer-minesweepers in both the bombardment group and the amphibious landing group at Johnston--mines were detected yesterday, fortunately, before anyone had a chance to hit one. The DMSs split off and formed their own minesweeping task force and cleared everything out.
Canton's not going nearly as well. We're just trying to get our boys organized on the beach right now. The enemy has two SNLF units here, which is about equal to our regiment. We can't overcome their forts with numbers like this. Fortunately, with the KB being sighted on other business, I should be able to reinforce and support this operation.
Burma and Thailand
A group of 6 destroyers entered the Rangoon harbor area, shooting up 2 groups of small ASW boats and 2 coastal minesweepers on the way in. They shelled the airbase from the harbor and destroyed 3 planes on the ground, with dozens more damaged.
I doubt it would matter as these shellings just about always happen at night and the offending party disappears by daybreak, but one of my british bomber squadrons here has transitioned to Vengeance dive bombers. We don't have enough naval attack qualified bomber pilots to field the unit just yet, but we're getting close.
The reinforced enemy attacked at Tavoy, but our army held them off, casualties 1436 to 333 favoring us. Big mistake, but we didn't quite inflict enough casualties that I would expect a counterattack to succeed.
Across the Bay near Colombo, a Catalina bombed an enemy submarine trying to slip into our sea lanes.
Sumatra
We managed to get 3 Albacores flying and sent them to Ooshaven, where they torpedoed a cargo ship loaded with fuel. It burned nice, but the Albacores made a one-way trip as Oscars jumped on them as they came off target.
Solomons
The KB and a second task force including heavy cruisers was spotted at the Shortlands. At least they're not going to Canton Island (I'll let Halsey celebrate that fact with an airstrike). Based on the pattern that seems to be emerging here, I think this is probably another evacuation being covered, which means there's an opportunity to hit ships loading troops in port. This is too far away from Milne for dive or torpedo bombers, but I have Hudsons and Fortresses that could make the trip. Before I do that, though, I'm going to probe their defenses with the only fighters I have that can make that trip--a full squadron of 25 P-38s from Milne. If that goes well I'll let them escort the bombers the next day.
Malaya
I'm doing it. The key infantry units for the assault on Johore are only starting to feel the pinch of the supply shortage. And he's clearly desperate for troops all over. I can't confirm that there's more than one actual combat unit on the other side of the channel. And I really don't think I have that much to lose. If the attack fails, it probably alerts him to the fact that Singapore is more vulnerable than he realized, but he might not even have the troops available to exploit that fact. So, better for my men to fight now, while they still have some fight in them. Beats letting them starve and surrendering to the first guy that holds out a loaf of bread to them.
Reinforcements and refits
DM Montgomery beginning refit in shipyard at Sydney
SC PC-579 arrives at Portland
No.41 Sqn RAAF arrives at Townsville (restricted, 6/6 Catalinas)
__________________
|