I don't know if I like that latter part that much...seems like any highly placed members of the military, government, or war industries should be allowed, encouraged even, to do themselves and save us the time and money.
Eisenhower in the Pacific: Part 1 The Shoestring Warriors of Luzon
- Thread starter galveston bay
- Start date
Guardian54
Banned
True, but they can implicate others and reveal things that would otherwise go unknown.
It'll probably look like almost everyone above the rank of captain in the IJA getting it, but spending some money to get most of Asia to have a better impression of you, and to gain more voter confidence at home by showing their government seeks justice above expedience, is a worthwhile venture in building markets for goods and services, or in building public support for future endeavors (including say re-election).
an edit to the most recent chapter... I had forgotten about the 4 minesweepers the Filipinos have left (former US Navy ships, in OTL all remained until the end at Bataan) plus surviving small craft from the Coast Guard in the central islands.
a couple off nice finds
Its been a few years since I had access to either of these works
https://www.amazon.com/Corregidor-Fortress-James-H-Belote/dp/0060102810
https://www.amazon.com/Corregidor-American-Alamo-World-War/dp/0815410859
Which I read and reread a number of times
But I did find a couple of excellent online sources for everyone to enjoy
http://cdsg.org/list-of-american-mi...n-batteries-manial-subic-baysthe-phillipines/
this first one has PDFs that can be downloaded and have excellent maps of the facilities and batteries
this next one as a large number of links that I am still exploring
http://corregidor.org/_admin/CTN_central/ctn_undersiege_index_composite.htm
Once I finish with the struggle at Bataan I will be moving on to a full treatment of Corregidor (the bombardment of which has been underway for months as of mid April 1942)
Its been a few years since I had access to either of these works
https://www.amazon.com/Corregidor-Fortress-James-H-Belote/dp/0060102810
https://www.amazon.com/Corregidor-American-Alamo-World-War/dp/0815410859
Which I read and reread a number of times
But I did find a couple of excellent online sources for everyone to enjoy
http://cdsg.org/list-of-american-mi...n-batteries-manial-subic-baysthe-phillipines/
this first one has PDFs that can be downloaded and have excellent maps of the facilities and batteries
this next one as a large number of links that I am still exploring
http://corregidor.org/_admin/CTN_central/ctn_undersiege_index_composite.htm
Once I finish with the struggle at Bataan I will be moving on to a full treatment of Corregidor (the bombardment of which has been underway for months as of mid April 1942)
Good stuff! You may wish to troll through this site: http://corregidor.proboards.com/ , as it contains many bits of information worth knowing. While reading it I found that the M1916 37mm gun was used in the PI campaign, along with Vivian Bessiere rifle grenades and stokes mortars, all of WWI vintage.
A Last Desperate Sortie: The Final Battle of the Asiatic Fleet (part 1)
A last desperate sortie: The final battle of the Asiatic Fleet
The remains of a Fleet
While the Army was fighting a grinding battle to delay the Japanese for as long as possible on Bataan, the majority of the ships of the Asiatic Fleet have been sunk, damaged or otherwise driven away from the Philippines. But a small remnant of the US Navy, along with the survivors of the Philippine Coast Guard remained. A small force consisting of a pair of minesweepers and various lightly armed converted fishing boats and yachts provided support at Panay and Cebu for the movement of troops to dispersed stay behind locations around the central and southern islands. The Cebu Force finally meets its end on April 18 when a Japanese invasion fleet of several cruisers, numerous destroyers and escorts as well as 30 transports, supported by land based aircraft land 20,000 troops at Cebu and Panay, capturing the last base outside of Bataan and also destroying the last of the American and Filipino warships and armed craft in the central and southern islands.
This invasion also results in the destruction of 2 divisions of the Philippine Army, which surrender a total of 10,000 men. Just as sadly, the rescue attempt of General Ord and his senior staff from Cebu by the USS Perch results in the loss of that submarine somewhere between Cebu and Rabaul. Postwar it is believed the ship suffered a collision at sea as her shattered hull is found in the San Bernadino Strait. The Japanese also take Del Monte Airfield at the same time, completing the job of eliminating formal resistance everywhere but Manila Bay.
A Desperate Plan
Following the Good Friday Offensive (2nd Bataan), Captain Enrique Jurado, Commander Jose Andrade, the senior officers of the Philippines Coast Guard and Lieutenant Commander John Morrill (USN, their advisor) come up with a plan to evacuate some of the troops off Bataan and land them in southern Luzon after a discussion with General Wainwright regarding the desirability of getting some of the veteran troops out to form cadres for a larger partisan war. Commander Earl Sackett, commander of the Canopus and the senior naval officer present, helps the men finalize the plan before he is ordered out along with General Wainwright on April 13. Those officers and others are evacuated on April 17 by the submarines Skipjack and Seawolf.
Operation Mayari
For two weeks leading up to April 17, the 3 light transports (converted civilian coasters), as well as 2 US Navy ships are fitted out to carry as many wounded on stretchers as can be placed aboard them. The steamers will carry 6,000 wounded and seriously ill aboard all three ships, with another 1,000 Filipino soldiers too shell shocked for further service to care for them. The US Navy ships will act as tugs should they need it as well as carrying some of the sick and wounded as well. Their destination is the evacuation hospital at Cebu from which they can be sent on to villages throughout the central Philippine Islands. The three darkest nights of the month are April 17-19, and ships are loaded the night of the 17th, even as 2 American submarines are taking off personnel and delivery supplies at Mariveles.
As normal, the next morning the ships of the Bataan Force are hidden under camouflage and again escape detection by the Japanese. A final confirmation order is received from Admiral Ballinger and General Eisenhower authorizing Operation Mayari (named for the Tagalog Goddess of the Moon) and Operation Tala (Tagalog Goddess of the Stars).
Slipping through the minefields in the darkness of a new moon, the 5 ships assigned to Operation Mayari escape detection and manage to almost get to Cebu before destroyer patrols of the oncoming Cebu Invasion Force detect and capture the unarmed ships (all of which are marked with a Red Cross as well). Through poor luck the attempt fails. However one of the few remaining Ducks at Cebu spots the oncoming fleet, and the fate of the hospital ships, and a message is sent to Australia and Corregidor reporting events.
Operation Tala
On the morning of April 6, General Lim meets with General King and General Wainwright and proposes a plan. In his estimation the next Japanese attack is going to bring about a collapse of the front as the most of the troops are exhausted, artillery ammunition is down to a few rounds a gun, most of the armored vehicles are gone or barely operational, and there are few reserves left. Lim proposes that a picked force built around volunteers from the Scouts and National Army be formed into a regiment and that it infiltrate through Japanese lines and make their way through the jungle north to the Zambales Mountains. However Wainwright has already been given another proposal from the Navy and he discusses it with Lim, who agrees that a breakout south along the coast to Balayan Bay offers potential. The remnants of the Navy will beach themselves in the shallows, and the troops aboard will disembark and make their way by hard march away from the Lake Taal area into the jungles and mountains of southern Luzon. The sailors will join in with the infantry and with any luck some may be able to escape further south using small craft to other islands.
The plan is the hallmark of desperation, but as defeat and capitulation is certain, Wainwright is willing to approve it and he forwards it to Australia where it is given authorization. Lim sends a call for volunteers and gets over 10,000, allowing him to pick and choose. The Scouts in particular are forthcoming, and he picks 1,500 of them including all of the Filipino survivors of the 26th Cavalry (250 in all fit for duty). The rest are from the Philippine Army, along with 25 US Army junior officers and senior enlisted men, including a number of signal corps personnel. In all 2,500 men form the 4th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Army) and in 10 days are hurriedly formed into a unit. Whenever possible squads and platoons are grouped around men from their original units, and when possible so are companies and battalions. They are moved by truck to Mariveles, and for two days are fed up as much as possible to build up their strength and then on the night of April 18 begin loading above the Canopus.
Meanwhile the remaining ships of the Asiatic Fleet are given last minute hurried maintenance by the skilled crew of the Canopus, many of whom are being left behind. The Marines petition to be included and 90 volunteers supplement the crews of the gunboats and minesweepers. Last minute repairs manage to get 3 of the PT boats into combat readiness, although the fourth is too worn out and is used as a source for parts for the others.
The remains of a Fleet
While the Army was fighting a grinding battle to delay the Japanese for as long as possible on Bataan, the majority of the ships of the Asiatic Fleet have been sunk, damaged or otherwise driven away from the Philippines. But a small remnant of the US Navy, along with the survivors of the Philippine Coast Guard remained. A small force consisting of a pair of minesweepers and various lightly armed converted fishing boats and yachts provided support at Panay and Cebu for the movement of troops to dispersed stay behind locations around the central and southern islands. The Cebu Force finally meets its end on April 18 when a Japanese invasion fleet of several cruisers, numerous destroyers and escorts as well as 30 transports, supported by land based aircraft land 20,000 troops at Cebu and Panay, capturing the last base outside of Bataan and also destroying the last of the American and Filipino warships and armed craft in the central and southern islands.
This invasion also results in the destruction of 2 divisions of the Philippine Army, which surrender a total of 10,000 men. Just as sadly, the rescue attempt of General Ord and his senior staff from Cebu by the USS Perch results in the loss of that submarine somewhere between Cebu and Rabaul. Postwar it is believed the ship suffered a collision at sea as her shattered hull is found in the San Bernadino Strait. The Japanese also take Del Monte Airfield at the same time, completing the job of eliminating formal resistance everywhere but Manila Bay.
A Desperate Plan
Following the Good Friday Offensive (2nd Bataan), Captain Enrique Jurado, Commander Jose Andrade, the senior officers of the Philippines Coast Guard and Lieutenant Commander John Morrill (USN, their advisor) come up with a plan to evacuate some of the troops off Bataan and land them in southern Luzon after a discussion with General Wainwright regarding the desirability of getting some of the veteran troops out to form cadres for a larger partisan war. Commander Earl Sackett, commander of the Canopus and the senior naval officer present, helps the men finalize the plan before he is ordered out along with General Wainwright on April 13. Those officers and others are evacuated on April 17 by the submarines Skipjack and Seawolf.
Operation Mayari
For two weeks leading up to April 17, the 3 light transports (converted civilian coasters), as well as 2 US Navy ships are fitted out to carry as many wounded on stretchers as can be placed aboard them. The steamers will carry 6,000 wounded and seriously ill aboard all three ships, with another 1,000 Filipino soldiers too shell shocked for further service to care for them. The US Navy ships will act as tugs should they need it as well as carrying some of the sick and wounded as well. Their destination is the evacuation hospital at Cebu from which they can be sent on to villages throughout the central Philippine Islands. The three darkest nights of the month are April 17-19, and ships are loaded the night of the 17th, even as 2 American submarines are taking off personnel and delivery supplies at Mariveles.
As normal, the next morning the ships of the Bataan Force are hidden under camouflage and again escape detection by the Japanese. A final confirmation order is received from Admiral Ballinger and General Eisenhower authorizing Operation Mayari (named for the Tagalog Goddess of the Moon) and Operation Tala (Tagalog Goddess of the Stars).
Slipping through the minefields in the darkness of a new moon, the 5 ships assigned to Operation Mayari escape detection and manage to almost get to Cebu before destroyer patrols of the oncoming Cebu Invasion Force detect and capture the unarmed ships (all of which are marked with a Red Cross as well). Through poor luck the attempt fails. However one of the few remaining Ducks at Cebu spots the oncoming fleet, and the fate of the hospital ships, and a message is sent to Australia and Corregidor reporting events.
Operation Tala
On the morning of April 6, General Lim meets with General King and General Wainwright and proposes a plan. In his estimation the next Japanese attack is going to bring about a collapse of the front as the most of the troops are exhausted, artillery ammunition is down to a few rounds a gun, most of the armored vehicles are gone or barely operational, and there are few reserves left. Lim proposes that a picked force built around volunteers from the Scouts and National Army be formed into a regiment and that it infiltrate through Japanese lines and make their way through the jungle north to the Zambales Mountains. However Wainwright has already been given another proposal from the Navy and he discusses it with Lim, who agrees that a breakout south along the coast to Balayan Bay offers potential. The remnants of the Navy will beach themselves in the shallows, and the troops aboard will disembark and make their way by hard march away from the Lake Taal area into the jungles and mountains of southern Luzon. The sailors will join in with the infantry and with any luck some may be able to escape further south using small craft to other islands.
The plan is the hallmark of desperation, but as defeat and capitulation is certain, Wainwright is willing to approve it and he forwards it to Australia where it is given authorization. Lim sends a call for volunteers and gets over 10,000, allowing him to pick and choose. The Scouts in particular are forthcoming, and he picks 1,500 of them including all of the Filipino survivors of the 26th Cavalry (250 in all fit for duty). The rest are from the Philippine Army, along with 25 US Army junior officers and senior enlisted men, including a number of signal corps personnel. In all 2,500 men form the 4th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Army) and in 10 days are hurriedly formed into a unit. Whenever possible squads and platoons are grouped around men from their original units, and when possible so are companies and battalions. They are moved by truck to Mariveles, and for two days are fed up as much as possible to build up their strength and then on the night of April 18 begin loading above the Canopus.
Meanwhile the remaining ships of the Asiatic Fleet are given last minute hurried maintenance by the skilled crew of the Canopus, many of whom are being left behind. The Marines petition to be included and 90 volunteers supplement the crews of the gunboats and minesweepers. Last minute repairs manage to get 3 of the PT boats into combat readiness, although the fourth is too worn out and is used as a source for parts for the others.
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authors notes: This is a major departure from OTL. I base the possibility on several factors:
1. A more aggressive defense as fought so far
2. The condition of the men and ships is better than OTL due to pre war and initial wartime preparations
3. More training and much more experience for the Filipino naval personnel pre war and since the war began
4. Morrill was pretty damned heroic (read about his efforts to swim back to his ship and scuttle it to prevent capture while under shell fire in the final days of Corregidor)
5. The troops are fit enough for make for the hills if they can penetrate the Japanese lines. At this point they cannot make their way overland so it is by sea or nothing.
6. Better intelligence from existing stay behind personnel telling the garrison what is at Balayan Bay
7. The historical days in question were actually the New Moon period
But finally, I think it is a more fitting fate for the ships than simply scuttling them, although it is definitely going to create more short term casualties as nearly a third of those people died in Japanese prison camps historically it maybe not as many in the long run.
Also poetic license
1. A more aggressive defense as fought so far
2. The condition of the men and ships is better than OTL due to pre war and initial wartime preparations
3. More training and much more experience for the Filipino naval personnel pre war and since the war began
4. Morrill was pretty damned heroic (read about his efforts to swim back to his ship and scuttle it to prevent capture while under shell fire in the final days of Corregidor)
5. The troops are fit enough for make for the hills if they can penetrate the Japanese lines. At this point they cannot make their way overland so it is by sea or nothing.
6. Better intelligence from existing stay behind personnel telling the garrison what is at Balayan Bay
7. The historical days in question were actually the New Moon period
But finally, I think it is a more fitting fate for the ships than simply scuttling them, although it is definitely going to create more short term casualties as nearly a third of those people died in Japanese prison camps historically it maybe not as many in the long run.
Also poetic license
Naval Forces 16th Naval District
Senior Officer Afloat: Commander Jose Andrade (PCG) Lieutenant Commander John Morrill (USN)
all crews are mixed USN/USMC/Philippine Coast Guard
Task Group 1 (Morrill)
Minesweepers: Quail, Finch
both are Lapwing class minesweepers, 950 tons, crew 78, 2 x 3 inch guns, 2 x heavy machine guns, 4 medium machine guns, speed 14 knots,
Group 2 (Jurado)
Submarine tender Canopus
5870 tons, crew 330, 2 x 5 inch guns, 4 x 3 inch guns, 5 heavy machine guns, 9 medium machine guns, speed 13 knots, carries 8 small craft, fitted out to carry 2,500 troops
most of her specialists (she is after all a repair as well as support ship) have been ordered off to Corregidor where their skills are in high demand. The remaining original USN crew are navigation and engineering crewmen, with some damage control crew as well. The rest are Filipinos or Marines to handle the guns and operate the small craft. Aboard are 2,500 volunteers of the 4th Infantry Regiment (PA)
Gunboats Mindanao, Luzon, Oahu
The Oahu was sunk by Japanese air attack on April 9, 1942 when several near misses and a direct hit sent her to the bottom after she flooded. Survivors were reassigned to other ships
Mindanao
560 tons, crew 65, 2 x 3 inch guns, 10 medium machine guns, speed 15 knots,
Luzon
500 tons, crew 80, 2 x 3 inch guns, 10 medium machine guns, speed 16 knots
none of these ships have seen drydock in months, so due to fouling from marine growth and general wear and tear, none can exceed 12 knots
Task Group 3 (Commander Astrada)
PT Boats
PT 32, 35, 41, each 40 tons, crew 15, 4 heavy machine guns, 2 light machine guns, 4 torpedo tubes
speed 36 knots (originally higher but see above)
Coast Artillery Support:
Fort Mills (Corregidor) several M1917 barbette mounted 12 inch guns (range 30,000 yards)
Fort Drum (El Fraile Island) 4 M1909A 14 inch guns (range 19,000 yards)
Fort Hughes (Cabello Island) 2 M1909A 14 inch guns
Fort Frank (Carabio Island) 2 M1909A 14 inch guns,
also numerous 12 inch mortars, 155 guns, searchlights and an extensive minefield
There are no star shells available for the Coast Defense guns
Destination: Port of Batangas, Batangas Bay, Batangas, Luzon
(current garrison: 1 company Japanese infantry from 65th Infantry Division, plus 1 battery light artillery and assorted support troops, 400 Japanese troops total at Batangas,)
Japanese blockade force Manila Bay Patrol (Rear Admiral Ifune)
4 x W class minesweepers (W1, W2, W3, W4)
each 600 tons, crew 97, 2 x 4.7 inch guns, 1 x 3 inch AA gun, 2 MMG, plus depth charges, speed 20 knots
2 x Patrol Boats (ex Shimakaze, ex Nadakaze, old destroyers) (PB1, PB2)
each 1,650 tons, crew 148, 2 x 4.7 inch guns, 8 x 25 mm AA, depth charges, speed 20 knots
4 Patrol Boats (ex Momi class old destroyers) (PB31, PB32, PB34, PB35)
each 935 tons, crew 72, 2 x 4.7 inch guns, 6 x 25 mm AA, depth charges, speed 18 knots
2 Light Cruisers (Tenryu, Tatsuta)
each 3,848 tons, crew 327, 4 x 5.5 inch guns, 1 x 3 inch gun, 2 heavy machine guns, 6 torpedo tubes,
(30% of the ships above are at Subic Bay refueling or taking on provisions, the remainder are organized into 3 groups, guarding the Southern and Northern Channels (minesweepers and patrol boats) or as interception force (the cruisers) further offshore
air support (out of Subic Bay) 12 float planes (none are initially in the air at the time of the action)
distance patrol: 8 Otori class torpedo boats, 4 Chidori class torpedo boats (patrolling the central islands) (basically fast patrol boats, 600-800 tons, with 3 inch guns, torpedoes, depth charges and speed of 30 knots) (2 Chidori class ships intercepted the April 18 break out by the medical evacuation convoy)
Senior Officer Afloat: Commander Jose Andrade (PCG) Lieutenant Commander John Morrill (USN)
all crews are mixed USN/USMC/Philippine Coast Guard
Task Group 1 (Morrill)
Minesweepers: Quail, Finch
both are Lapwing class minesweepers, 950 tons, crew 78, 2 x 3 inch guns, 2 x heavy machine guns, 4 medium machine guns, speed 14 knots,
Group 2 (Jurado)
Submarine tender Canopus
5870 tons, crew 330, 2 x 5 inch guns, 4 x 3 inch guns, 5 heavy machine guns, 9 medium machine guns, speed 13 knots, carries 8 small craft, fitted out to carry 2,500 troops
most of her specialists (she is after all a repair as well as support ship) have been ordered off to Corregidor where their skills are in high demand. The remaining original USN crew are navigation and engineering crewmen, with some damage control crew as well. The rest are Filipinos or Marines to handle the guns and operate the small craft. Aboard are 2,500 volunteers of the 4th Infantry Regiment (PA)
Gunboats Mindanao, Luzon, Oahu
The Oahu was sunk by Japanese air attack on April 9, 1942 when several near misses and a direct hit sent her to the bottom after she flooded. Survivors were reassigned to other ships
Mindanao
560 tons, crew 65, 2 x 3 inch guns, 10 medium machine guns, speed 15 knots,
Luzon
500 tons, crew 80, 2 x 3 inch guns, 10 medium machine guns, speed 16 knots
none of these ships have seen drydock in months, so due to fouling from marine growth and general wear and tear, none can exceed 12 knots
Task Group 3 (Commander Astrada)
PT Boats
PT 32, 35, 41, each 40 tons, crew 15, 4 heavy machine guns, 2 light machine guns, 4 torpedo tubes
speed 36 knots (originally higher but see above)
Coast Artillery Support:
Fort Mills (Corregidor) several M1917 barbette mounted 12 inch guns (range 30,000 yards)
Fort Drum (El Fraile Island) 4 M1909A 14 inch guns (range 19,000 yards)
Fort Hughes (Cabello Island) 2 M1909A 14 inch guns
Fort Frank (Carabio Island) 2 M1909A 14 inch guns,
also numerous 12 inch mortars, 155 guns, searchlights and an extensive minefield
There are no star shells available for the Coast Defense guns
Destination: Port of Batangas, Batangas Bay, Batangas, Luzon
(current garrison: 1 company Japanese infantry from 65th Infantry Division, plus 1 battery light artillery and assorted support troops, 400 Japanese troops total at Batangas,)
Japanese blockade force Manila Bay Patrol (Rear Admiral Ifune)
4 x W class minesweepers (W1, W2, W3, W4)
each 600 tons, crew 97, 2 x 4.7 inch guns, 1 x 3 inch AA gun, 2 MMG, plus depth charges, speed 20 knots
2 x Patrol Boats (ex Shimakaze, ex Nadakaze, old destroyers) (PB1, PB2)
each 1,650 tons, crew 148, 2 x 4.7 inch guns, 8 x 25 mm AA, depth charges, speed 20 knots
4 Patrol Boats (ex Momi class old destroyers) (PB31, PB32, PB34, PB35)
each 935 tons, crew 72, 2 x 4.7 inch guns, 6 x 25 mm AA, depth charges, speed 18 knots
2 Light Cruisers (Tenryu, Tatsuta)
each 3,848 tons, crew 327, 4 x 5.5 inch guns, 1 x 3 inch gun, 2 heavy machine guns, 6 torpedo tubes,
(30% of the ships above are at Subic Bay refueling or taking on provisions, the remainder are organized into 3 groups, guarding the Southern and Northern Channels (minesweepers and patrol boats) or as interception force (the cruisers) further offshore
air support (out of Subic Bay) 12 float planes (none are initially in the air at the time of the action)
distance patrol: 8 Otori class torpedo boats, 4 Chidori class torpedo boats (patrolling the central islands) (basically fast patrol boats, 600-800 tons, with 3 inch guns, torpedoes, depth charges and speed of 30 knots) (2 Chidori class ships intercepted the April 18 break out by the medical evacuation convoy)
authors notes:: General Ord dies, but he lived a lot longer than OTL
more later this week....
more later this week....
Barry Bull
Donor
Would the later guerrilla operations and Japanese pacification operations be penned out in this thread? Or are we close to the end of this one?
The Guerrilla Campaign will be alluded to at various points over the course of the war and will get a chapter when the Liberation of the Philippines is covered
This particular story ends with the Fall of Corregidor
sorry, still dealing with real life stuff
so sorry but a delay will continue for a bit as there as only some many hours a day
so sorry but a delay will continue for a bit as there as only some many hours a day
