Okay, here is the start of my ALT Pacific War TL, based on my November 1, 1940 the War Department wakes up thread. I have made a few changes based on some of the feedback I received (like the POD is now June 26, 1940, with the Fall of France). I have also stayed with the original premise, namely that the United States realized that it WILL be at war sooner rather than later, and against enemies in both Oceans, so I am sure there will be some worthwhile feedback.
NOTE: Entries in Italic are actual events from OTL
September 18, 1931: Mukden Incident – In a carefully staged incident Japanese troops attack Chinese troops (mostly militia) driving them from their base at Muden. Within a year, Japan has de facto control of Manchuria.
January 7, 1932: United States announces that it will not recognize and Japanese imposed government in Manchuria.
January 7, 1937: In the most dramatic act in a series of actions in China, Japanese forces launch unprovoked attacks against Beijing. By July 27 the city and surrounding areas are completely under Japanese control. Open warfare between China & Japan commences.
August 30, 1939: Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, in part to reduce chances of assassination, is named Commander-in-Chief of Imperial Japanese Navy Combined Fleet.
September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland. Europe joins China as a battleground. World War Two begins.
March 1940: 1st YP-38 delivered to USAAF for evaluation tests.
March 11, 1940: U.S. Navy contracts with Bofors for 40mm anti aircraft guns. U.S. Army follows in August. Chrysler obtains contract to build gun under license.
April 14, 1940: United States cautions Japan about any changes in the “status quo” in the Dutch East Indies.
April 25, 1940: CV-7 USS Wasp commissioned.
May 1, 1940, USN Battle Squadron arrives at Pearl Harbor as deterrent to aggression.
May 1, 1940 XF4U-1 Corsair’s first flight.
May 10, 1940: Germany invades Belgium, France, Holland, and Luxemburg.
May 26, 1940: British forces begin evacuation of France at Dunkirk.
June 2, 2940: Dunkirk evacuation ends when last of 345,000 British & French troops reach Great Britain.
June 26, 1940: France Falls
July 20, 1940: President Roosevelt signs Naval Expansion Act.
August 14 1940: Contract let, under July 20 Two Navy Act authorization, for construction of Naval Base and airfield on Wake Island, improvements to current defenses in Hawaiian Islands, Philippines and Midway Island. Similar large contract let to construct large naval base facility, airfields and aircraft shelters on Guam.
September 20, 1940: U.S. codebreakers find way into Japanese “Purple” code system
September 26, 1940: United States extends July 25 embargo of goods to Japan to include scrap iron.
September 27, 1940: Three Nations Pact signed by Germany, Italy & Japan. The Axis is created by this defensive treaty.
September 30, 1940: President Roosevelt meets with Secretary of War Stimson and Secretary of the Navy Knox. President order both men to “Act like the war started an hour ago” when considering procurement contracts. President instructs both men to reduce red tape involved in bringing new arms programs to completion; authorizes Departments to offer bonuses to contractors for bringing new designs to acceptance levels. Using the “blank check” provided by Naval Act, FDR orders Knox to use funds “as necessary” to speed development and certification of upgraded engine designs for any engine that is scheduled for use in any naval aircraft, including “experimental” designs (this allows Knox to provide funding for Army Air Corps engine development programs as these engines have experimental use in future USN aircraft).
October 3, 1940: Secretaries Stimson and Knox meet jointly with Army Chief of Staff Marshall and Chief of Naval Operations Stark. In a short, somewhat tense, meeting the military men are ordered to prevent ANY inter-service rivalry from interfering in the advancement of all weapons programs. Secretary Stimson, with Knox’s concurrence, makes plain that any officer found to be putting his respective service over the needs of the military as a whole will be, at best, retired, and cashiered at worst. Following this meeting, Knox orders Admiral Stark to ensure that the Marine Corps receive a full upgrade of equipment to U.S. standards, including rifles, field radios, and tanks. Knox also reminds Stark that the Marine Corps air arm is an excellent place to field test new aircraft designs before they are “deck qualified”. When Stark protests, Knox notes that he is taking the advice of a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy on the matter, and that the subject is not open for discussion.
October 7, 1940: FDR orders all non essential American personnel out of Far East. U.S. Naval Reserve activated.
October 12, 1940: Royal Navy Swordfish surprise Italian fleet in Taranto Harbor. One half of Italian Battle line sunk or crippled.
Secretary Knox informs Army Secretary Stimson that Pearl Harbor defenses require upgrade. Stimson instructs General Marshal to find ways to improve air defenses of Oahu.
October 22, 1940: Per new orders, USAAF increase orders for P-38 D to 100 aircraft, with $250,000 bonus if twenty-fifth aircraft is accepted for service by April 15 1940, $1,000,000 if all 100 accepted by July 1, 1941. Aircraft are first models to incorporate lessons from air war in Europe regarding crew protection.
November 1, 1940: On strength of test program to date USN order 165 F4U-1.
November 5, 1940: FDR is elected to unprecedented third term in landslide, carrying 38 of 48 states.
November 8, 1940: Office of Secretary of Navy authorizes increase in procurement cost for battleships of South Dakota and Iowaclass to cover cost of adding second shift to construction crews with goal of reducing overall time from keel laying to commissioning by six – eight months. Republican members of key Congressional committees meet with Secretary Knox for several hours prior to authorization being sent.
Department of Navy orders 85,000 M-1 Garands, 2,400 .50 cal M-2 air-cooled machine guns, 9,000 .30 cal M-2 air-cooled machine guns.
December 1940: Production begins on Mistsubishi Model 21 A6M Zero. This model, with folding wingtips, is destined for JNAF carrier forces.
January 7, 1941: Combined Fleet commander Yamamoto presents initial proposal for “Operation Z” as blueprint for operations to secure “Southern Resource Area”. Plan requires six fleet carriers for execution, making earliest possible implementation date mid November 1941.
April 3, 1941: FDR orders significant units of Pacific Fleet, including three BB, four CA and one CV to reinforce Atlantic Squadron in light of increasing likelihood of war with Germany.
March 11, 1941: Boeing engineers are slightly stunned when their B-17E prototype is given an emergency completion priority. Every day is “critical”. The USAAF has, based on early British experience, decided that the current “D” model; just beginning to reach the USAAF operation squadrons, are not adequate for the expected war needs.
March 17, 1941: U.S. Navy solicits proposal for new carrier borne fighter to replace F4F Wildcat as back-up to innovative but unproven F4U. Grumman submits winning design, as much on decades of experience in providing fighters for USN as on design specific merits. Contract to build XF6F signed on September 18th.
First Steel cut for USS Illinois
April 10, 1941: Twenty-Seventh P-38 production model is delivered. Based on initial testing, USAAF orders armament to be changed from four .50 cal machine guns and 37mm low rate of fire cannon with sparse 15 round magazine to four machine guns and one faster firing Oerlikon 20mm cannon with 150 round magazine. Change takes effect with aircraft # 32.
May 6, 1941, XB-47 makes first test flight with P&W Double Wasp engine. Aircraft exceeds all expectations. USAAF order 128 aircraft based on initial flight.
May 15, 1941: 2nd & 3rd Essexclass carriers (CV 10 & 11) laid down. Double shift authorized from initial steel cutting. CV-9 USS Essex also authorized cost for second shift on this date.
May 21, 1941: Second full squadron of P-38D activated. Upon activation of this unit, first operational squadron is ordered deployed to Hawaii. P-38D is establishing reputation as being ungodly fast and equally unforgiving. Initial squadron has lost six aircraft and five pilots before deployment. Lockheed proposed capping P-38D production at 75 airframes with modified version, P-38E to replace “D” model. E models will incorporate new nacelle design that is expected to tame some of the harsher characteristics of twin boomed fighter.
May 26, 1941: CV-8 USS Hornet Commissioned
May 30, 1941: Initial carrier trials for F4U-1 Corsair conclude, with very mixed results. Aircraft is successful in launches and found to have excellent flight characteristics, but design is found to have significant flaws for carrier operations, including landing visibility and landing gear strength. With initial production run already arriving in some numbers, type is given to Marine fighter units to replace Wildcats & Buffalos currently in service. First 24 aircraft sent to San Diego’s North Island facility to familiarize USMC pilots and ground personnel with new fighter.
July 8, 1941: B-17E prototype debuts successfully. Production is immediately ceased on “D” model with “E” model going into emergency production. Lockheed Vega division receives first orders of B-17E on July 14, followed by Douglas on July 23. While initial production is very low, by September 29 USAAF is receiving up to six B-17E models per day. Seventy-five percent of production is immediately sent, sometimes in groups of as few as four aircraft, to Philippines or Hawaii.
July 16, 1941: First ships carrying U.S. Army reinforcements to Luzon arrive. Along with troops these ships bring significant amount of equipment, supplies and munitions. Additional ships will arrive every 5-10 days through mid-November. A total of two full Army divisions, plus one medium & one light armored regiment and two heavy artillery regiments have been added to the Luzon garrison, along with sufficient supplies to provide all U.S. & Philippine troops in Luzon for six months. Some units, generally Philippine Scout formations, of the Philippine army are now equipped with M-1 Garand rifle.
July 25, 1941: Japan announces establishment of a protectorate over Indochina.
July 26, 1941: United States places total embargo on crude oil shipments to Japan. ALL Japanese assets in United States frozen. United States recalls Douglas MacArthur to active duty, placing him in command of all American forces in the Far East.
Imperial Japanese Navy informs Government that it has less than 18 months bunker fuel available. Army estimates total fuel available for less than six months operations.
August 1, 1941: Twelve Corsairs of VMF-211 fly off USS Lexington to new home on Wake Island. Airfield has revetments and/or dug-out shelters for up to 36 fighters, dive bombers or torpedo planes. VMF-211 pilots join some 982 fellow Marines of Marine Defense Battalion One, the squadron’s ground crews and a small naval detachment on the strategic atoll.
FDR embargo’s aviation fuel exports to Japan.
August 4, 1941: Twelve Corsairs of VMF-212 fly off USS Saratoga to air field on Midway.
August 7, 1941: Japanese Prime Minister proposes Japanese/U.S. summit.
August 8, 1941: Aircraft Carrier HIJMS Shokaku commissioned. She is fifth fleet carrier to join IJN
August 27, 1941: First full squadron of B-17E bombers goes operational in Philippines.
September 3, 1941: FDR postpones Summit until major issues have been agreed upon.
September 4, 1941: Japanese cabinet issues so-called Minimum Demands & Maximum Concession declarations. Requires U.S. and Great Britain to allow Japan free hand in Indochina in return for unspecified future accommodations on “China Question”.
United States closes Panama Canal to Japanese flagged vessels.
P-47B models begin to reach USAAF at rate of two per day. First squadron sent to East Coast, second to California, for training and “real world” evaluation of new type. As expected, Double Wasp exhibits teething troubles, especially in fighter application. Pilots love new plane, ground crews loath it.
September 8, 1941: Transport vessels arrive at Guam. Offload U.S. Army reinforcements to USMC Costal Defense Battalion and Marine fighter & dive bomber squadrons. Ships deliver 48 crated P-40D fighters, 18 crated A-20C Havoc bombers to supplement 12 Corsairs and 12 SB2U Vindicator dive bombers already operating from the Island. Transports also deliver short National Guard Division with 12 M3 Lee Medium and 18 M2 Stuart light tanks and two heavy weapon companies to augment costal defenses.
September 12, 1941: Wheeler Field, Hawaii P-38 Squadron begin daily operational patrols.
September 23, 1941: First P-38 Squadron in Far East begins operations at Clark Field, Philippines.
September 25, 1941: Aircraft Carrier HIJMS Zuikaku commissioned. She is sixth fleet carrier to join IJN.
September 28, 1941: Admiral Yamamoto expresses concerns regarding Operation Z based on recent American reinforcement of Pacific bases. Chief of Staff Nagano asks if Combined Fleet commander is recommending that operation be cancelled. Unwilling to abort what he sees as Japan’s only hope to force the United States to accept Japan’s requirements, Yamamoto backs down, stating that he is mainly concerned with the tightness of some parts of the timeline.
October 5, 1941: USS South Dakota commissioned.
October 6, 1941: First P-47B squadron deemed operational at Langley Field, Virginia.
October 14, 1941: Half squadron (three flights) P-47B fighters arrive at Bellows Field, Hawaii for evaluation of type in tropical conditions. Ninth Fighter Squadron pilots, equipped with the newest version of the Tomahawk, the P-40E, are appalled by the huge size of the new aircraft which they had assumed to be a dive bomber or attack bomber. This perception is slightly altered when one of the new P-47s simply runs away from a P-40 opponent during a training exercise.
USAAF orders 192 P-47C.
October 21, 1941: USS New Jersey launched.
October 28, 1941: Second Wheeler Field P-38 squadron arrives in Hawaii. First squadron in Pacific equipped with “E” model. As is common in squadrons operating new aircraft types, squadron has higher than normal percentage of experienced officers and crew chiefs.
November 11, 1941: USS Indiana commissioned.
November 18, 1941: First Steel cut at Philadelphia Naval Yard for USS Montana.
November 21, 1941: General MacArthur leaves the Islands for Washington D.C. for “consultative meetings” following a series of disagreements with General Marshall regarding supply and troop deployments. General Wainwright is placed in temporary overall command of American forces in the region.
November 26, 1941: Kido Butai leaves Kure, Japan for Pearl Harbor.
November 27, 1941: Admiral Start and General Marshal send “war warning” messages to Navy & Army units across Pacific.
November 29, 1941: General Wainwright meets with senior staff to evaluate readiness in case of Japanese attack. Air Corps reports 123 B-17 D & E models operational, 72 P-38 and 96 P-40 fighters also operational. Admiral Hart reviews naval preparations and is ordered by General Wainwright to increase air patrols of Lingayen Gulf and South China Sea north of Luzon in both number and frequency.
December 1, 1941: Admiral Hart orders that all possible forces surge to sea to avoid any chance of units being caught dockside in case of attack.
After a rather acrimonious morning meeting, Admiral Kimmel and General Short, the USN & U.S. Army commanders for Hawaii reach agreement on the meaning of the November 27, 1941 messages. Less a decision to cooperate than a choice to maintain Branch honor, the agreement calls for a status above peace, but short of war. PBY patrols from Pearl Harbor are increased to twice daily and in a full 360 degree arc around the Islands and ready ammunition is to be kept at anti-aircraft batteries on ships in harbor. The half squadron of Marine Corsairs working up on the Island will be maintained in a ready condition at Ewa Field.
Army Air Corps fighters will continue current flying schedule, which is already quite high, as the P-38 & P-47 units are effectively testing their aircraft for serviceability in tropical conditions, but all flights will be conducted with full load outs of ammunition. Army bombers not assisting in search operations will be dispersed to outer islands, with some going as far as Hilo. Army air defense batteries, which have, along with Air Corps fighters, primary responsibility for defense of ships in Harbor will be 50% manned at all times, with other batteries unmanned but under guard with ready ammunition available.
December 2, 1941: USS Enterprise delivers 12 F4U (VMF-211) and 6 SBD (VMB-2) to Wake Island.
First steel cut CV 13 (USS Franklin) & CV-14 (USS Hancock)
December 3, 1941: First steel cut for USS Kentucky.
December 4, 1941: USS Lexington departs Pearl Harbor to deliver 12 F4U to Midway Island.
December 6, 1940: USS Massachusetts commissioned.
I will have December 7 posted in a couple of days. There is a LOT
happening on that day (especially when you include all the December 8th events from across the dateline).
NOTE: Entries in Italic are actual events from OTL
September 18, 1931: Mukden Incident – In a carefully staged incident Japanese troops attack Chinese troops (mostly militia) driving them from their base at Muden. Within a year, Japan has de facto control of Manchuria.
January 7, 1932: United States announces that it will not recognize and Japanese imposed government in Manchuria.
January 7, 1937: In the most dramatic act in a series of actions in China, Japanese forces launch unprovoked attacks against Beijing. By July 27 the city and surrounding areas are completely under Japanese control. Open warfare between China & Japan commences.
August 30, 1939: Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, in part to reduce chances of assassination, is named Commander-in-Chief of Imperial Japanese Navy Combined Fleet.
September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland. Europe joins China as a battleground. World War Two begins.
March 1940: 1st YP-38 delivered to USAAF for evaluation tests.
March 11, 1940: U.S. Navy contracts with Bofors for 40mm anti aircraft guns. U.S. Army follows in August. Chrysler obtains contract to build gun under license.
April 14, 1940: United States cautions Japan about any changes in the “status quo” in the Dutch East Indies.
April 25, 1940: CV-7 USS Wasp commissioned.
May 1, 1940, USN Battle Squadron arrives at Pearl Harbor as deterrent to aggression.
May 1, 1940 XF4U-1 Corsair’s first flight.
May 10, 1940: Germany invades Belgium, France, Holland, and Luxemburg.
May 26, 1940: British forces begin evacuation of France at Dunkirk.
June 2, 2940: Dunkirk evacuation ends when last of 345,000 British & French troops reach Great Britain.
June 26, 1940: France Falls
July 20, 1940: President Roosevelt signs Naval Expansion Act.
August 14 1940: Contract let, under July 20 Two Navy Act authorization, for construction of Naval Base and airfield on Wake Island, improvements to current defenses in Hawaiian Islands, Philippines and Midway Island. Similar large contract let to construct large naval base facility, airfields and aircraft shelters on Guam.
September 20, 1940: U.S. codebreakers find way into Japanese “Purple” code system
September 26, 1940: United States extends July 25 embargo of goods to Japan to include scrap iron.
September 27, 1940: Three Nations Pact signed by Germany, Italy & Japan. The Axis is created by this defensive treaty.
September 30, 1940: President Roosevelt meets with Secretary of War Stimson and Secretary of the Navy Knox. President order both men to “Act like the war started an hour ago” when considering procurement contracts. President instructs both men to reduce red tape involved in bringing new arms programs to completion; authorizes Departments to offer bonuses to contractors for bringing new designs to acceptance levels. Using the “blank check” provided by Naval Act, FDR orders Knox to use funds “as necessary” to speed development and certification of upgraded engine designs for any engine that is scheduled for use in any naval aircraft, including “experimental” designs (this allows Knox to provide funding for Army Air Corps engine development programs as these engines have experimental use in future USN aircraft).
October 3, 1940: Secretaries Stimson and Knox meet jointly with Army Chief of Staff Marshall and Chief of Naval Operations Stark. In a short, somewhat tense, meeting the military men are ordered to prevent ANY inter-service rivalry from interfering in the advancement of all weapons programs. Secretary Stimson, with Knox’s concurrence, makes plain that any officer found to be putting his respective service over the needs of the military as a whole will be, at best, retired, and cashiered at worst. Following this meeting, Knox orders Admiral Stark to ensure that the Marine Corps receive a full upgrade of equipment to U.S. standards, including rifles, field radios, and tanks. Knox also reminds Stark that the Marine Corps air arm is an excellent place to field test new aircraft designs before they are “deck qualified”. When Stark protests, Knox notes that he is taking the advice of a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy on the matter, and that the subject is not open for discussion.
October 7, 1940: FDR orders all non essential American personnel out of Far East. U.S. Naval Reserve activated.
October 12, 1940: Royal Navy Swordfish surprise Italian fleet in Taranto Harbor. One half of Italian Battle line sunk or crippled.
Secretary Knox informs Army Secretary Stimson that Pearl Harbor defenses require upgrade. Stimson instructs General Marshal to find ways to improve air defenses of Oahu.
October 22, 1940: Per new orders, USAAF increase orders for P-38 D to 100 aircraft, with $250,000 bonus if twenty-fifth aircraft is accepted for service by April 15 1940, $1,000,000 if all 100 accepted by July 1, 1941. Aircraft are first models to incorporate lessons from air war in Europe regarding crew protection.
November 1, 1940: On strength of test program to date USN order 165 F4U-1.
November 5, 1940: FDR is elected to unprecedented third term in landslide, carrying 38 of 48 states.
November 8, 1940: Office of Secretary of Navy authorizes increase in procurement cost for battleships of South Dakota and Iowaclass to cover cost of adding second shift to construction crews with goal of reducing overall time from keel laying to commissioning by six – eight months. Republican members of key Congressional committees meet with Secretary Knox for several hours prior to authorization being sent.
Department of Navy orders 85,000 M-1 Garands, 2,400 .50 cal M-2 air-cooled machine guns, 9,000 .30 cal M-2 air-cooled machine guns.
December 1940: Production begins on Mistsubishi Model 21 A6M Zero. This model, with folding wingtips, is destined for JNAF carrier forces.
January 7, 1941: Combined Fleet commander Yamamoto presents initial proposal for “Operation Z” as blueprint for operations to secure “Southern Resource Area”. Plan requires six fleet carriers for execution, making earliest possible implementation date mid November 1941.
April 3, 1941: FDR orders significant units of Pacific Fleet, including three BB, four CA and one CV to reinforce Atlantic Squadron in light of increasing likelihood of war with Germany.
March 11, 1941: Boeing engineers are slightly stunned when their B-17E prototype is given an emergency completion priority. Every day is “critical”. The USAAF has, based on early British experience, decided that the current “D” model; just beginning to reach the USAAF operation squadrons, are not adequate for the expected war needs.
March 17, 1941: U.S. Navy solicits proposal for new carrier borne fighter to replace F4F Wildcat as back-up to innovative but unproven F4U. Grumman submits winning design, as much on decades of experience in providing fighters for USN as on design specific merits. Contract to build XF6F signed on September 18th.
First Steel cut for USS Illinois
April 10, 1941: Twenty-Seventh P-38 production model is delivered. Based on initial testing, USAAF orders armament to be changed from four .50 cal machine guns and 37mm low rate of fire cannon with sparse 15 round magazine to four machine guns and one faster firing Oerlikon 20mm cannon with 150 round magazine. Change takes effect with aircraft # 32.
May 6, 1941, XB-47 makes first test flight with P&W Double Wasp engine. Aircraft exceeds all expectations. USAAF order 128 aircraft based on initial flight.
May 15, 1941: 2nd & 3rd Essexclass carriers (CV 10 & 11) laid down. Double shift authorized from initial steel cutting. CV-9 USS Essex also authorized cost for second shift on this date.
May 21, 1941: Second full squadron of P-38D activated. Upon activation of this unit, first operational squadron is ordered deployed to Hawaii. P-38D is establishing reputation as being ungodly fast and equally unforgiving. Initial squadron has lost six aircraft and five pilots before deployment. Lockheed proposed capping P-38D production at 75 airframes with modified version, P-38E to replace “D” model. E models will incorporate new nacelle design that is expected to tame some of the harsher characteristics of twin boomed fighter.
May 26, 1941: CV-8 USS Hornet Commissioned
May 30, 1941: Initial carrier trials for F4U-1 Corsair conclude, with very mixed results. Aircraft is successful in launches and found to have excellent flight characteristics, but design is found to have significant flaws for carrier operations, including landing visibility and landing gear strength. With initial production run already arriving in some numbers, type is given to Marine fighter units to replace Wildcats & Buffalos currently in service. First 24 aircraft sent to San Diego’s North Island facility to familiarize USMC pilots and ground personnel with new fighter.
July 8, 1941: B-17E prototype debuts successfully. Production is immediately ceased on “D” model with “E” model going into emergency production. Lockheed Vega division receives first orders of B-17E on July 14, followed by Douglas on July 23. While initial production is very low, by September 29 USAAF is receiving up to six B-17E models per day. Seventy-five percent of production is immediately sent, sometimes in groups of as few as four aircraft, to Philippines or Hawaii.
July 16, 1941: First ships carrying U.S. Army reinforcements to Luzon arrive. Along with troops these ships bring significant amount of equipment, supplies and munitions. Additional ships will arrive every 5-10 days through mid-November. A total of two full Army divisions, plus one medium & one light armored regiment and two heavy artillery regiments have been added to the Luzon garrison, along with sufficient supplies to provide all U.S. & Philippine troops in Luzon for six months. Some units, generally Philippine Scout formations, of the Philippine army are now equipped with M-1 Garand rifle.
July 25, 1941: Japan announces establishment of a protectorate over Indochina.
July 26, 1941: United States places total embargo on crude oil shipments to Japan. ALL Japanese assets in United States frozen. United States recalls Douglas MacArthur to active duty, placing him in command of all American forces in the Far East.
Imperial Japanese Navy informs Government that it has less than 18 months bunker fuel available. Army estimates total fuel available for less than six months operations.
August 1, 1941: Twelve Corsairs of VMF-211 fly off USS Lexington to new home on Wake Island. Airfield has revetments and/or dug-out shelters for up to 36 fighters, dive bombers or torpedo planes. VMF-211 pilots join some 982 fellow Marines of Marine Defense Battalion One, the squadron’s ground crews and a small naval detachment on the strategic atoll.
FDR embargo’s aviation fuel exports to Japan.
August 4, 1941: Twelve Corsairs of VMF-212 fly off USS Saratoga to air field on Midway.
August 7, 1941: Japanese Prime Minister proposes Japanese/U.S. summit.
August 8, 1941: Aircraft Carrier HIJMS Shokaku commissioned. She is fifth fleet carrier to join IJN
August 27, 1941: First full squadron of B-17E bombers goes operational in Philippines.
September 3, 1941: FDR postpones Summit until major issues have been agreed upon.
September 4, 1941: Japanese cabinet issues so-called Minimum Demands & Maximum Concession declarations. Requires U.S. and Great Britain to allow Japan free hand in Indochina in return for unspecified future accommodations on “China Question”.
United States closes Panama Canal to Japanese flagged vessels.
P-47B models begin to reach USAAF at rate of two per day. First squadron sent to East Coast, second to California, for training and “real world” evaluation of new type. As expected, Double Wasp exhibits teething troubles, especially in fighter application. Pilots love new plane, ground crews loath it.
September 8, 1941: Transport vessels arrive at Guam. Offload U.S. Army reinforcements to USMC Costal Defense Battalion and Marine fighter & dive bomber squadrons. Ships deliver 48 crated P-40D fighters, 18 crated A-20C Havoc bombers to supplement 12 Corsairs and 12 SB2U Vindicator dive bombers already operating from the Island. Transports also deliver short National Guard Division with 12 M3 Lee Medium and 18 M2 Stuart light tanks and two heavy weapon companies to augment costal defenses.
September 12, 1941: Wheeler Field, Hawaii P-38 Squadron begin daily operational patrols.
September 23, 1941: First P-38 Squadron in Far East begins operations at Clark Field, Philippines.
September 25, 1941: Aircraft Carrier HIJMS Zuikaku commissioned. She is sixth fleet carrier to join IJN.
September 28, 1941: Admiral Yamamoto expresses concerns regarding Operation Z based on recent American reinforcement of Pacific bases. Chief of Staff Nagano asks if Combined Fleet commander is recommending that operation be cancelled. Unwilling to abort what he sees as Japan’s only hope to force the United States to accept Japan’s requirements, Yamamoto backs down, stating that he is mainly concerned with the tightness of some parts of the timeline.
October 5, 1941: USS South Dakota commissioned.
October 6, 1941: First P-47B squadron deemed operational at Langley Field, Virginia.
October 14, 1941: Half squadron (three flights) P-47B fighters arrive at Bellows Field, Hawaii for evaluation of type in tropical conditions. Ninth Fighter Squadron pilots, equipped with the newest version of the Tomahawk, the P-40E, are appalled by the huge size of the new aircraft which they had assumed to be a dive bomber or attack bomber. This perception is slightly altered when one of the new P-47s simply runs away from a P-40 opponent during a training exercise.
USAAF orders 192 P-47C.
October 21, 1941: USS New Jersey launched.
October 28, 1941: Second Wheeler Field P-38 squadron arrives in Hawaii. First squadron in Pacific equipped with “E” model. As is common in squadrons operating new aircraft types, squadron has higher than normal percentage of experienced officers and crew chiefs.
November 11, 1941: USS Indiana commissioned.
November 18, 1941: First Steel cut at Philadelphia Naval Yard for USS Montana.
November 21, 1941: General MacArthur leaves the Islands for Washington D.C. for “consultative meetings” following a series of disagreements with General Marshall regarding supply and troop deployments. General Wainwright is placed in temporary overall command of American forces in the region.
November 26, 1941: Kido Butai leaves Kure, Japan for Pearl Harbor.
November 27, 1941: Admiral Start and General Marshal send “war warning” messages to Navy & Army units across Pacific.
November 29, 1941: General Wainwright meets with senior staff to evaluate readiness in case of Japanese attack. Air Corps reports 123 B-17 D & E models operational, 72 P-38 and 96 P-40 fighters also operational. Admiral Hart reviews naval preparations and is ordered by General Wainwright to increase air patrols of Lingayen Gulf and South China Sea north of Luzon in both number and frequency.
December 1, 1941: Admiral Hart orders that all possible forces surge to sea to avoid any chance of units being caught dockside in case of attack.
After a rather acrimonious morning meeting, Admiral Kimmel and General Short, the USN & U.S. Army commanders for Hawaii reach agreement on the meaning of the November 27, 1941 messages. Less a decision to cooperate than a choice to maintain Branch honor, the agreement calls for a status above peace, but short of war. PBY patrols from Pearl Harbor are increased to twice daily and in a full 360 degree arc around the Islands and ready ammunition is to be kept at anti-aircraft batteries on ships in harbor. The half squadron of Marine Corsairs working up on the Island will be maintained in a ready condition at Ewa Field.
Army Air Corps fighters will continue current flying schedule, which is already quite high, as the P-38 & P-47 units are effectively testing their aircraft for serviceability in tropical conditions, but all flights will be conducted with full load outs of ammunition. Army bombers not assisting in search operations will be dispersed to outer islands, with some going as far as Hilo. Army air defense batteries, which have, along with Air Corps fighters, primary responsibility for defense of ships in Harbor will be 50% manned at all times, with other batteries unmanned but under guard with ready ammunition available.
December 2, 1941: USS Enterprise delivers 12 F4U (VMF-211) and 6 SBD (VMB-2) to Wake Island.
First steel cut CV 13 (USS Franklin) & CV-14 (USS Hancock)
December 3, 1941: First steel cut for USS Kentucky.
December 4, 1941: USS Lexington departs Pearl Harbor to deliver 12 F4U to Midway Island.
December 6, 1940: USS Massachusetts commissioned.
I will have December 7 posted in a couple of days. There is a LOT
happening on that day (especially when you include all the December 8th events from across the dateline).
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