Eisenhower in the Pacific: Part 1 The Shoestring Warriors of Luzon
- Thread starter galveston bay
- Start date
So glad for the 4th Marines, now Colonel Howard doesn't have to surrender the regiment.
Perhaps ittl, when they removed the forward part of her flight deck and supports they were not scrapped just stored away. Also maybe some AA, replace the 5"51's, with 1.1" AA
Best case, Langley could transport aircraft on her full length deck, possibly with wings removed. But they would need to be winched off at a proper port. Spare parts and other equipment could be stored below.
Even if the aircraft could be flown off, I doubt Langley has sufficient accommodations for pilots and maintenance crews. And if any planes need inspection/minor repair before takeoff, that would probably have to be done on the flight deck.
Even if the aircraft could be flown off, I doubt Langley has sufficient accommodations for pilots and maintenance crews. And if any planes need inspection/minor repair before takeoff, that would probably have to be done on the flight deck.
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true, and her elevator would have to be reinstalled
looks like she will remain a seaplane tender
"true, and her elevator would have to be reinstalled"
I don't think that will be that difficult. A large (or a couple large) hydraulic pistons pushing a flat platform is all it is. If there isn't enough space or some other technical reasons it cant use hydraulics, a powered chain lift type hoist will work as well.
I don't think that will be that difficult. A large (or a couple large) hydraulic pistons pushing a flat platform is all it is. If there isn't enough space or some other technical reasons it cant use hydraulics, a powered chain lift type hoist will work as well.
ABDA Command forms
While the Japanese attack the Philippines and Malaya, the Allies are forced to develop a response.
The ABDA Fleet
The sudden outbreak of war and invasion of Malaya catches the British naval reinforcements still en route. By December 12, while the fleet is still approaching the Singapore (a 2200 nautical mile trip with zig zagging), Singapore is forced to admit that the Japanese have air superiority. Admiral Tom Phillips is ordered to return to Colombo and await reinforcements by Dudley Pound, who has learned of the American losses to air attack at Pearl Harbor and already is well aware of Royal Navy losses at Crete and Greece a mere 8 months before.
Phillips is ordered put together a battle force to reinforce the Dutch, Australians and Americans in the defense of the Malay Barrier, but the bulk of his force is to remain in the Indian Ocean. Vice Admiral Layton, who was en route home, is ordered to remain as well and to take command of forces in the Indian Ocean, while Phillips will be in overall command of British and Commonwealth naval forces in the East Indies and Indian Ocean.
In Washington, Churchill and Roosevelt are discussing the problems of dealing with the Japanese, as well as the Axis powers in Europe, and the strategy of “Germany First” remains the over riding principal. Only such forces as can be spared are to be sent to fight the Japanese, aside from such forces as are needed to shore up weaknesses at critical locations such as India, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska.
The Americans, with the help of Australia, New Zealand and what forces the Free French have are to be responsible for the defense of Australia and Hawaii, as well as the communications between them. The British will be responsible for India, Burma and the sea lanes to that area. Between them however is the Malay Barrier and the important resources of the Southwest Pacific. The Dutch and British are determined to defend their possessions to the last, and while the Americans are prepared to fight as long as possible they are less willing to commit further resources when Australia and Hawaii are a much higher priority.
But the Battles of Midway, Kure Atoll and Albay Gulf show that the Japanese can be fought and hurt, and the successful defense of Midway and the initial rebuffs of the Japanese at Wake Island show that they can be beaten. A new Allied command is created, the ABDA Command (American, British, Dutch, Australian) with Wavell in overall command and Admiral Phillips in command of naval forces, with British command in Malaya, Dutch command in the Dutch East Indies and Eisenhower in command of the Philippines and American Army forces in Australia (which serves as a staging point for the Philippines).
Meanwhile Phillips orders the battle cruisers Repulse and Renown, along with 2 heavy cruisers, 4 light cruisers and 5 destroyers to Batavia where it will link up with the Dutch forces under Admiral Helfrich and his small fleet of 2 light cruisers and 7 destroyers. Privately the US Navy considers Phillips to have an impossible mission.
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The flagship of the ABDA Fleet January 1942
The ABDA Fleet
The sudden outbreak of war and invasion of Malaya catches the British naval reinforcements still en route. By December 12, while the fleet is still approaching the Singapore (a 2200 nautical mile trip with zig zagging), Singapore is forced to admit that the Japanese have air superiority. Admiral Tom Phillips is ordered to return to Colombo and await reinforcements by Dudley Pound, who has learned of the American losses to air attack at Pearl Harbor and already is well aware of Royal Navy losses at Crete and Greece a mere 8 months before.
Phillips is ordered put together a battle force to reinforce the Dutch, Australians and Americans in the defense of the Malay Barrier, but the bulk of his force is to remain in the Indian Ocean. Vice Admiral Layton, who was en route home, is ordered to remain as well and to take command of forces in the Indian Ocean, while Phillips will be in overall command of British and Commonwealth naval forces in the East Indies and Indian Ocean.
In Washington, Churchill and Roosevelt are discussing the problems of dealing with the Japanese, as well as the Axis powers in Europe, and the strategy of “Germany First” remains the over riding principal. Only such forces as can be spared are to be sent to fight the Japanese, aside from such forces as are needed to shore up weaknesses at critical locations such as India, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska.
The Americans, with the help of Australia, New Zealand and what forces the Free French have are to be responsible for the defense of Australia and Hawaii, as well as the communications between them. The British will be responsible for India, Burma and the sea lanes to that area. Between them however is the Malay Barrier and the important resources of the Southwest Pacific. The Dutch and British are determined to defend their possessions to the last, and while the Americans are prepared to fight as long as possible they are less willing to commit further resources when Australia and Hawaii are a much higher priority.
But the Battles of Midway, Kure Atoll and Albay Gulf show that the Japanese can be fought and hurt, and the successful defense of Midway and the initial rebuffs of the Japanese at Wake Island show that they can be beaten. A new Allied command is created, the ABDA Command (American, British, Dutch, Australian) with Wavell in overall command and Admiral Phillips in command of naval forces, with British command in Malaya, Dutch command in the Dutch East Indies and Eisenhower in command of the Philippines and American Army forces in Australia (which serves as a staging point for the Philippines).
Meanwhile Phillips orders the battle cruisers Repulse and Renown, along with 2 heavy cruisers, 4 light cruisers and 5 destroyers to Batavia where it will link up with the Dutch forces under Admiral Helfrich and his small fleet of 2 light cruisers and 7 destroyers. Privately the US Navy considers Phillips to have an impossible mission.
The flagship of the ABDA Fleet January 1942
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authors notes:
Strictly speaking Eisenhower has little influence on the ABDA. But how well the ABDA fleet does definitely has influence on him.
Singapore is already untenable as a fleet base as within days the British have lost control of the air over the Malaya Peninsula and after the pasting Cavite and Subic Bay have already received, not to mention the harsh lessons of the Hawaiian Campaign (again see Battle at Dawn) and of course the British experience at Crete and Greece, they have to rely on Java where the Dutch still control their own airspace and which can be reinforced by air units en route from Britain and the United States.
The British are relying on the phrase... "Give me a fast ship, for I intend to go into Harms Way"....(paraphrased of course but the book "In Harms Way" remains one of my favorite World War II novels and the movie, aside from the terrible effects in the final sea battle, remains one of my favorite World War II movies)
Strictly speaking Eisenhower has little influence on the ABDA. But how well the ABDA fleet does definitely has influence on him.
Singapore is already untenable as a fleet base as within days the British have lost control of the air over the Malaya Peninsula and after the pasting Cavite and Subic Bay have already received, not to mention the harsh lessons of the Hawaiian Campaign (again see Battle at Dawn) and of course the British experience at Crete and Greece, they have to rely on Java where the Dutch still control their own airspace and which can be reinforced by air units en route from Britain and the United States.
The British are relying on the phrase... "Give me a fast ship, for I intend to go into Harms Way"....(paraphrased of course but the book "In Harms Way" remains one of my favorite World War II novels and the movie, aside from the terrible effects in the final sea battle, remains one of my favorite World War II movies)
While the Japanese attack the Philippines and Malaya, the Allies are forced to develop a response.
The ABDA Fleet
The sudden outbreak of war and invasion of Malaya catches the British naval reinforcements still en route. By December 12, while the fleet is still approaching the Singapore (a 2200 nautical mile trip with zig zagging), Singapore is forced to admit that the Japanese have air superiority. Admiral Tom Phillips is ordered to return to Colombo and await reinforcements by Dudley Pound, who has learned of the American losses to air attack at Pearl Harbor and already is well aware of Royal Navy losses at Crete and Greece a mere 8 months before.
Phillips is ordered put together a battle force to reinforce the Dutch, Australians and Americans in the defense of the Malay Barrier, but the bulk of his force is to remain in the Indian Ocean. Vice Admiral Layton, who was en route home, is ordered to remain as well and to take command of forces in the Indian Ocean, while Phillips will be in overall command of British and Commonwealth naval forces in the East Indies and Indian Ocean.
In Washington, Churchill and Roosevelt are discussing the problems of dealing with the Japanese, as well as the Axis powers in Europe, and the strategy of “Germany First” remains the over riding principal. Only such forces as can be spared are to be sent to fight the Japanese, aside from such forces as are needed to shore up weaknesses at critical locations such as India, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska.
The Americans, with the help of Australia, New Zealand and what forces the Free French have are to be responsible for the defense of Australia and Hawaii, as well as the communications between them. The British will be responsible for India, Burma and the sea lanes to that area. Between them however is the Malay Barrier and the important resources of the Southwest Pacific. The Dutch and British are determined to defend their possessions to the last, and while the Americans are prepared to fight as long as possible they are less willing to commit further resources when Australia and Hawaii are a much higher priority.
But the Battles of Midway, Kure Atoll and Albay Gulf show that the Japanese can be fought and hurt, and the successful defense of Midway and the initial rebuffs of the Japanese at Wake Island show that they can be beaten. A new Allied command is created, the ABDA Command (American, British, Dutch, Australian) with Wavell in overall command and Admiral Phillips in command of naval forces, with British command in Malaya, Dutch command in the Dutch East Indies and Eisenhower in command of the Philippines and American Army forces in Australia (which serves as a staging point for the Philippines). Admiral Frank Fletcher, who did well at Midway, is ordered to take is cruiser Indianapolis and 4 destroyers to Darwin where he will take command of the Pensacola and the remaining ships of the Asiatic Fleet. The Marblehead, which was en route home, is ordered to Darwin as well. Also ordered to Australia are a pair of support ships carrying ammunition and torpedoes for the Asiatic Fleet as well as critical spares.
Meanwhile Phillips orders the battle cruisers Repulse and Renown, along with 2 heavy cruisers, 4 light cruisers and 5 destroyers to Batavia where it will link up with the Dutch forces under Admiral Helfrich and his small fleet of 2 light cruisers and 7 destroyers. Once Fletcher arrives he will come under the command of Phillips and add his 4 cruisers and 12 destroyers (including the 8 remaining destroyers of the Asiatic Fleet). Privately the US Navy considers Phillips to have an impossible mission. None of these forces are available before the end of January however.
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The flagship of the ABDA Fleet January 1942
I am hoping that the supply ships for the Asiatic Fleet carry a reasonable number of MK X, torpedoes for the S-Boats and 4 pipers. It would be nice for the USN to have some effective torpedoes, even if on 4 pipers and S-Boats
vl100butch
Donor
What happens if the Dutch can hold on to Java? The Japanese are going to have a much harder time ITL doing everything they want to do and just because they get hold of Luzon doesn't mean they'll be able to control all of the PI...
I don't think there was any new production of those, just existing stocks. It was all newer marks after 1940
The Mk VIII and XI were the WWI era and 1920s units used with Destroyers
At least there is some proper capital ships in the SEA region, even though they are old.
The largest ships in the ABDA IOTL were a few light cruisers and one heavy cruiser, so it is better.
StephenColbert27
Banned
Seems like the improved performances early on from OTL have made both the Brits and USN more willing to commit resources. Interesting to see how things continue to diverge from OTL