Fantasque Time Line (France Fights On) - English Translation

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Aegean Sea, 11:30 - The planes of the Aegean Air Force hit again the island of Andros. Douglas DB-73s and P-39Ds work at low altitude, while 60 Hurricanes, Hawk-81/87s and French Spitfires ensure their coverage at altitude. This time, the Luftwaffe does not show itself and the light flak is the only opposition, shooting down two DB-73 and one P-39D. A coaster is sunk by a Yugoslav P-39D in the port of Andros.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Embassy of France in occupied China (Peking), 02:40 (09:10 on December 7th at Pearl Harbor) - Colonel de La Ferté Sénectère, Air Attaché at the Embassy, asks the radio operator to check the decryption of the message received a few minutes earlier. But the answer is the same as the first time: France is at war with Japan! This same Empire of Japan which is currently occupying the city of Peking where it is located... There is reason to swallow more than once before doing one's duty: to warn the ambassador and make sure that Shanghai, Tientsin and Fort Bayard have received the message. The colonel adjusts his hastily put on uniform when he was woken up and heads for Ambassador Cosme's room. What a surprise to find him at the window of the corridor, dressed in in a pair of pyjamas!
"Mr. Ambassador! I have bad news of extreme importance. We...We are..." begins the colonel, his voice choked with emotion.
"We are at war. I know," cuts off Henri Cosme with a diplomatic calm, showing through the window the Japanese troops that have penetrated the Legations District of Peking to
of Beijing to deploy around the Allied embassies.
Most of the allied diplomatic personnel in Peking (including Cosme and La Ferté Sénectère) benefited from the prisoner exchange between the Allies and Japan during the summer of 1942. The rest of them were held in prison camps in China. As for the Chinese employees of the embassies, most of them were massacred.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Fort Bayard (Kouang-Cheou-Wan territory), 02:50 (09:20 on December 7th at Pearl Harbor) - The small team of so-called Japanese observers is taken into custody by the Territory's police force. The French come in numbers (about thirty policemen and riflemen for six Japanese), they expected to find the Japanese asleep or at least to take them by surprise. This was not the case. Although they did not officially have a radio (it was planned to send them one from Hainan in a few days), the Nipponese already seem to be aware of the geopolitical developments in the region, since a short shooting breaks out in the villa where they are staying.
A few minutes later, at the cost of one dead (Japanese) and several wounded (on both sides), the observers have the disgrace of being the first Japanese prisoners of war taken by the Allies. Their leader, Captain Maruyama, flees, but he was arrested before dawn in the company of a Chinese smuggler, whose boat he wanted to use to escape. All of them will join the jails of Fort Bayard where various individuals suspected by Folliot of informing what it is now legal to call the Enemy are already rotting.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Hainan Naval District, 04:00 - Vice Admiral Sunagawa reviews one last time with his subordinates the plan to attack the territory of Kouang-Cheou-Wan. He insists on one point: everything must proceed as planned, without the slightest delay. Victory is certain, but the quicker it is achieved, the greater would be his glory and with it that of the Navy. And the smaller, or even irrelevant, will be the intervention of the Army brigade that is supposed to come to his aid. Supposed to be is the right word, for Sunagawa has not yet contacted General Kou and asked him to move towards the Territory. He had indeed been instructed to act with the support of the Army, but his instructions did not specify when he should call on it! And the vice-admiral intends to wait enough time for the Army convoy to arrive at Fort Bayard only to be greeted by the Navy's banners.
To carry out his plan, Sunagawa had two units at his disposal: the 1st SNLF of Maizuru (Commander Sakata) and Sasebo's 8th SNLF, both of which have about 750 men. The 8th from Sasebo is already operating in the Leizhou peninsula, where it had carried out raids with the main purpose of sending a stream of frightened refugees to hinder the defenders of the Territory. On the other hand, the 1st of Maizuru will embark as soon as the end of the meeting on four small requisitioned coasters. It has to occupy the islands of Nao-Chao and Tan-Hai, despite the minefields that two French mine-sweepers had deployed in the Territory's waters in recent months. In order to achieve this without any damage, Sunagawa relies on plans stolen a few weeks earlier by Japanese agents.
The vice-admiral's general idea is simple: the French have to defend a territory too vast for their meager forces and will have to disperse. The 8th SNLF of Sasebo will move northward across the Nandu River, a sort of tacit red line between the Japanese and the French, which serves as an operational border (the official Franco-Chinese border is about ten kilometers further). It will enter the Territory from the south.
Meanwhile, the 1st SNLF of Maizuru will seize the two large islands of the Bay of the Mandarin, from where its canons will enter the Territory. The bulk of this SNLF will then re-embark to go to the mainland to converge with the 8th of Sasebo towards Fort Bayard and then Che-Kam. Sunagawa's objective is to have taken possession of most of the
Territory by the second day of the war.
The Army will then be allowed to clean up any pockets of resistance east of the Pao Lao Channel and in the small islands of the bay. Such a task should be within the reach of these incompetents!
The victory of the Navy will be resounding and the name of Sunagawa will be honored before the Emperor.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

HQ of the French forces of Kouang-Tchéou-Wan, Fort Bayard, 04:30 - Colonel Artigue summons his company commanders to review the defense of the territory while France has been at war with Japan for two hours. The provisional Lieutenant-Colonel, in practice still a lieutenant and wearing his general's decorations (if Artigue has understood everything, but that's the least of his worries) - in short, Chatilov, in charge of logistics since Gamory-Dubourdeau plays the apprentice maverick, is also present. For the moment, Artigue has not managed to contact his liaison officer at Zhang Fakui to find out which Chinese troops will come to the Territory's assistance, and when, now that the trumpets of war have sounded. In the meantime, the French line is in place.
The 2nd Police Company (Lieutenant Pierre Bernard) and the 1st Military Company (Lieutenant Li) bivouack on the north bank of the Nandu River under the pretext of maneuvers.
They are in the front line. Gamory-Dubourdeau's Engineer Section operates on their rear to prepare traps and ambushes on the only viable road leading to the Territory with the help of volunteers from the village militias. It is hoped that this will delay the inexorable Japanese advance.
On the island of Nao-Chao, the 1st Company of Foreign Volunteers [CVE], commanded by Van Weyenbergh, had installed the bulk of its personnel. The rest is deployed on the small islands and the northeastern part of the Territory, supporting the 2nd Military Company (Lieutenant Chan*).
On the island of Tan-Hai, the closest to the mainland and the largest (its surface area represents more than a quarter of the total area of the Territory), the 2nd Colonial Infantry Company of Captain Deleplanque is deployed.
On the mainland, the 1st Police Company guards the western bank of the Pao Lao Canal and the northern part of the heights delimiting the western border of the Territory. The 1st Colonial Infantry Company (Captain Trinquier) controls the southern part of these heights and the Hills of the Surprise. The Auxiliary Company of Colonial Infantry (Captain Burnouvitch) guards the shore of the Estoc channel (the arm of the sea between the island of Tan-Hai and the mainland). The 3rd Police Company (Lieutenant Pierre Blanchet) guards Fort Bayard itself and the 2nd CVE (Second Lieutenant Rosenfeld) is in reserve. Finally, the 4th Police Company (Lieutenant Egal) occupies Tché-Kam, the old fortified city, the keystone of the French plan: in theory, the French have to lure the Japanese under its walls so that Zhang Fakui's Chinese forces could take the enemy from the rear (when Zhang Fakui decided to show up, Artigue grumbles inwardly).
On the map, the French position looks attractive. But Artigue knows that the map is not the Territory. So he shakes hands with each of his subordinates with the appropriate gravity before sending them back to their posts.

* Li and Chan are the pseudonyms of two of the officers who were among the 23 Chinese nationalists interned in Shanghai in the French Concession and who agreed to be released to go and defend the Territory.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Occupied China, in the night - Tasting little of the procrastination of diplomatic messages, Major Luther Brown, commander of the Tientsin detachment, calls directly on Colonel William W. Ashurst, commander of the last American Marines in China, at the embassy in Beijing. All American concessions in China received the Japanese ultimatum which gave them until 13:00 local time to lay down their arms. Ashurst calls for caution, says he must refer to Ambassador Gauss (who is not in China at the time!). Brown cannot take it anymore: "Colonel, I have just received a message from second lieutenant Huizenga, in Qinhuangdao. His machine guns were in place and with his 21 men he thought he had a real chance of repelling the Japs. What are your orders, sir?
- We have to... adopt a posture...
- That's what we're doing. Our men are in place and ready to carry out orders. What are they?
For long seconds, no sound on the other end of the phone. Or a sigh, perhaps?
Then Ashurst's voice becomes firm: "Accept the Japanese emissaries' offer of surrender.
Not far from there, at the French Embassy, the same scene is played out, with Cosme in the role of Gauss and Major Onno (head of the Colonial Infantry in North China) in the role of Ashurst. The idea of a heroic Franco-American defense, Camerone and Alamo at the same time in the heart of the Middle Kingdom, quickly dissipates. What was the point of killing people?
The French and the Americans do not know it, but their attitude is partly responsible for the serious Japanese mistakes in the rest of the war. It will indeed make the Nipponese believe that their adversaries are incapable of resisting and fighting to the end, whatever the circumstances. Mistakes that will be paid for dearly...

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

In the sky over China, between Shanghai and Fort Bayard, 07:30 - In order for Du Berrier's Ju 52 to make the trip from Shanghai to Fort Bayard, additional fuel tanks had to be installed and to clear the three-engine aircraft of its armament: a 13 mm MG-131 dorsal gun and two 7.92 mm MG-15s on the sides. And the number of passengers was reduced from 18 to 12.
It was without doubt the Junkers 52 with the longest range!
Du Berrier flies economically all night, to avoid running out of fuel. Moreover, the sky over China is not the safest in the world, and after his meeting the day before with General Liu and the Japanese officer, it even looks like an antechamber to hell. The Franco-American takes a deep breath. The day is dawning and in less than an hour he will be at Fort Bayard, where he can find some rest and relaxation.
Come on, everything is fine, the co-pilot and the radio operator know their job and the plane is running like clockwork. The dozen or so volunteers (or supposed volunteers) keep to themselves and their sui generis smell (wonder where Fabre found them!) does not reach the cockpit.
It is then that three black spots appear coming from the direction of Fort Bayard. Three, it is too many to be the French I-16s. In fact, they are Imperial Navy fighters, A5Ms [Claude]. Du Berrier immediately understands that his roundels are no longer protecting him, on the contrary. The battle, the mock battle, is brief. Disarmed, despite several desperate dodging attempts, the Ju 52, riddled with bullets, its right wing on fire, crashes on the ground, while the executors, having done their dirty work, turn away promptly.
The monster of War has just caught up with Hilaire Du Berrier. Seeing the ground getting closer inexorably, the Franco-American thinks - meager consolation - that he, his crew and his passengers will surely not be enough to satiate the creature.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Kouang-Cheou-Wan territory, 07:45 - We went to look for them in the middle of the night where they were, pilots or mechanics, whether they were sleeping in a barracks like Von Rosen or in a so-called pleasure house like Julian. The war was declared. The tiny air fleet of the Territory will have to play its role, as symbolic as it may be. Du Berrier did not return last night from Shanghai with his cargo of volunteers, we hope he made it,without believing it.
The two Polikarpovs take off at dawn to disorganize the inevitable Japanese attack. Their first goal is to allow the departure of an old Sikorsky S-38 seaplane that Uncle Sam generously offered to the Territory, with its pilot, a civilian paid by the government of the United States! It is to facilitate the movements of officials on a mission for Peace. And this is the role he will play - well, except for Peace of course. Eight passengers take place on board the seaplane, personalities of the Territory, Administrator Marty at the head. General Eissautier is untransportable - Dr. Giblin has been formal. Monsignor Deswazières did not wish to leave, preferring to stay with his flock. Lartigue, without illusion, discreetly thanks him: "At least my men and I will have the comfort of religion in the difficult hours that lie ahead."
A quarter of an hour is the duration of the first and last combat of the air force of the Territory to Bail of Kouang-Cheou-Wan on this beautiful morning of December 8th, 1941. Von Rosen and Julian see a real armada arrive - eight Yokosuka B4Y1 biplanes [Jean] escorted by five A5M*. The two small Polikarpov I-16s are flying at full speed, driven by their big engine. Ignoring the fighters, they align each one a bomber and have the satisfaction to see that the old biplanes disintegrate under the blows of their four
machine guns. They have to get out of the way - that's when Julian, true to his reputation as a sky driver hits a second bomber. The two planes crash in a spray of flames.
The Japanese, convinced that the collision is deliberate, will honor him - but Von Rosen is convinced that his comrade wanted to show off, as usual. Or maybe it is his karma, as they say around here...
But for now, one against five, Von Rosen tries to save his skin. He manages to shoot down an A5M before his aircraft catches fire. He then manages to parachute out - better yet, the fight having taken him beyond the limits of the Territory, he is picked up by Chinese of the KMT!**
On its side, the Sikorsky S-38 reaches Haiphong without any problem. This does not mean that its passengers are out of trouble...
During this time, the Japanese planes have the free field. The five remaining B4Y and four A5M will console themselves for their losses by strafing and bombing all day long everything that moves on the roads of the Territory, military and civilians alike.
.........
Around 09:00, the flower of the Sunagawa air force takes off. Covered by the three A5Ms that executed the Ju 52, four B5N1s [Kate] torpedo the poor Béryl, at anchor in front of Fort Bayard in Mandarin Bay. The little auxiliary has almost no crew, most of the sailors having agreed to join the ground forces to defend Fort Bayard. It is a good exercise for the Japanese.; the Béryl is cleanly sent to the bottom (and immediately elevated to the dignity of a cruiser by the Japanese communiqué). Then the B5N1s and their escort will join the noria of planes harassing Kouang-Cheou-Wan.

* As of July 1st, the Hainan Naval District had a total of only four B5N1s. Since then, as the situation deteriorated, eight old B4Ys and eight outdated A5Ms have bolstered the island's defense.
** Six months later, after an odyssey through China, the lucky Von Rosen was eventually led by his rescuers to the 23rd Fighter Group, the CATF unit that had succeeded the AVG's Flying Tigers. He claimed to be French and to be named Derose, which will allow him to finish the war in the 23rd FG - the ex-Flying Tigers were not very careful when it came to adding an experienced pilot to their staff.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

At the edge of the Nandu river (peninsula of Leizhou), 08:30 - Flat on his stomach on a small mound, Lieutenant Bernard has just finished his observation tour. He puts down his binoculars and wipes his forehead soaked by the morning drizzle. Here it is, the war. The troops of the Empire are starting to move. It's not really surprising - after all, if he, Li and Gamory-Dubourdeau were sent to the area, it wasn't to pick strawberries. And Artigue would not have bribed (or sometimes threatened) the local governors to "generously" welcome French troops for "maneuvers" if those troops were to pack up when what everyone in the Territory had been waiting for for months happens.
No, if Bernard feels bitterly surprised, it was that there are many more Japanese than he had expected. It will be necessary however to hold as much as possible, then to withdraw in good order while harassing them to make them fall into the traps of Gamory-Dubourdeau. Finally, we have to join the forces blocking the road to Fort Bayard, on the strip of land between the heights and the Estoc channel. At least, these are Artigue's orders.
For the past few days, Bernard has sometimes let himself think that his chief has some good ones, but when he does, he tries to think of something else. These days, he doesn't know why, he's been thinking about something really exotic: the Desert. Since the declaration of war in 1939, he had dreamed of going into the fire. He regretted not having participated in the triumphs of the summer of 1940 in the sands of Libya and Ethiopia. The police officer mobilized as a reserve lieutenant would have found glory in Africa! But he only had China. And it is in this lost corner that he is finally going to make war.
For several hours, the situation was balanced: the Franco-Chinese positions are well in place and the enemy could not cross the river. It is not for lack of trying, but until
11:30 a.m., all the Japanese attacks are repulsed, even if each time the defenders of the Territory defenders take a little longer to open fire on Sasebo's men. And for good reason: the ammunition reserves are not infinite and all the officers, French and Tonkinese policemen or Chinese militiamen, order to save them, if we do not want to be soon
reduced to throwing rocks at the invader!
Suddenly, the situation turns in favor of the Japanese. One third of the forces of the 8th SNLF from Sasebo have bypassed the Nandu River upstream and is advancing on the Franco-Chinese flank. If the maneuver is predictable, Bernard and Li have few people to counter it and the few militiamen who are supposed to cover the Allied position on this side are overwhelmed.
Around noon, the entire 8th SNLF is able to cross the Nandu. Lieutenant Pierre Bernard falls on the battlefield at the head of his men, fighting with a gun in each hand, until the last moment. It takes a dozen wounds to get the better of him. He will be made Companion of the Liberation...
The first line of defense of Kouang-Tchéou-Wan has held for half a day.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

French Consulate, French Concession in Shanghai, 11:00 - Consul Reynaud, Director Fabre and Major Colonna read the official message sent by General Sawada, commander of the 13th Japanese Army, and Vice Admiral Koga, commander of the China Fleet, both based in Shanghai. In fact, it is an ultimatum: within 48 hours, "the French Concession must be placed under the authority of the official representative of the NEF, Mr. Georges Bonnet". Otherwise, on December 10th, 1941, at 11:00 Shanghai time, the Imperial Army and Navy troops will storm the French Concession. If one has to illustrate the expression "Cornelian dilemma", one should not look far...

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Mandarin Bay, Kouang-Cheou-Wan territory, 12:15 - On his modest flagship, the Hayabusa, Vice Admiral Sunagawa is exultant. The reports of the 8th SNLF from Sasebo reports that his troops have finally crossed the Nandu and he could see in front of him the four boats carrying Maizuru's 1st SNLF which are rushing towards the islands of the bay.
To the west, the two largest ships are going to land 450 men on the island of Tan-Hai, the largest one. In the east, the two others will launch 300 men on Nao-Chao. This afternoon, they will settle down solidly, tomorrow morning, they will take the control of the totality of the two islands. And tomorrow afternoon, a good part of them will embark to assault Fort Bayard! Oh yes, in the meantime, the vice-admiral will have to contact this Korean - Sunagawa groans, he had almost forgotten this detail. Of course, the Army and the Navy only want the glory of the Emperor, but if the Navy was not there to make up for the mistakes of the Army, what would become of the Empire! When we see that they are able to appoint Korean generals! Before waving to this individual, the vice-admiral wants to savor his victory.
Suddenly, an explosion shakes the calm waters of the bay. To the east, one of the coasters stops!
Shortly afterwards, a radio message confirms that it is a mine. A damn mine! However, Sunagawa had been assured that the Intelligence had got hold of the Mandarin Bay minefields! Could the Navy's secret service have failed?
.........
On the mainland, Captain Folliot doesn't know it, but his plan worked. Not as well as in his most optimistic dreams, but it worked. With the agreement of General Eissautier, he had asked the two mine-layers to traverse the bay in all directions, day and night, to hide from an observer where they were actually operating. Then, he had hidden false plans of the minefields in a way that was... accessible. Since it was inevitable that someone at Fort Bayard would end up being bribed by the Japanese spies, so he might as well offer them the information they were looking for on a platter! And one of the Japanese troop transports blew up on a mine that was not where the stolen plans indicated...
But Folliot would not know that. His role as head of intelligence ends with the declaration of war against Japan. There is nothing left to inform - in a few days everything will be over, the Territory will be invaded, it is to be hoped that the Japanese will have paid dearly for it and that elsewhere in the world, French and Allied lives will be spared by this sacrifice. For the time being, Captain Folliot will resume his activities of the end of the Other War in the Corps Francs. He has assembled a group of about fifteen men with which he intends to hinder the enemy as much as possible before, if all goes well, joining the Chinese forces.
.........
Sunagawa is furious!
On Tan-Hai, his troops came up against an unexpectedly good opposition. We are far from the troop of white Russian or Jewish tramps and retarded Chinese peasants portrayed by the Kempetai and the spies of the Imperial Navy! The 2nd Colonial Infantry Company is composed exclusively of professional soldiers, well trained, as well armed as possible and motivated, even if it is by the energy of despair. The elements of the 1st SNLF of Maizuru land on the island, although they are three times more numerous, Captain Deleplanque's men are giving them a hard lesson in tactical efficiency.
As for Nao-Chao... The intact transport heading for the island with two hundred men has stopped in the middle of the bay. Now, its commander asks the vice-admiral for instructions: should we really try to land? Indeed, the other transport is in the process of sinking. With the hundred soldiers it is carrying... The Hayabusa will be reduced to fishing out the shipwrecked!
So, what to do with the second transport destined for Nao-Chao? Send it back to Hainan, as suggested by his first mate? And then what! However, we could not leave it there, all the more so that, from Nao-Chao, a single 75 mm cannon takes it as a target and that its shooting starts to become precise! Too bad, Sunagawa does not like disorder and even less counter-orders, but he will have to make do with it: the intact ship will unload its troops on the mainland. After examining his large map of the Territory and its surroundings, the vice-admiral locates an ideal point: the small town of Lambeicun, about a kilometer north of the Nandu River estuary. It will be necessary to cross all the bay, but while following on a good part of the road taken by the two other boats, so it is probably safe. In the late afternoon, the two hundred men of the 1st SNLF of Maizuru will be able to disembark at Lambeicun and join the troops of the 8th from Sasebo in their march to Fort Bayard.
Vice Admiral Sunagawa's perfect plan begins to fall apart. We'll have to contact the Army, he said to himself, his stomach in knots... Ah, to hell with Nao-Chao! On the way to Lambeicun! Since he wanted to participate in the battle so badly, let the Korean go and have fun with the French minefields to capture this island of misfortune!

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

In the Chinese countryside, not far from Kouang-Tchéou-Wan, 13:45 - The scene could have been played 2,500 years earlier, near the theater of Dionysus, on the south side of the Acropolis of Athens.
A man is beset by thoughts he doesn't understand, blown by a mischievous and tragic choir, as he tries to do his duty...
On the verge of getting stuck in a waterlogged field, the old truck, patched up with bits and pieces is unloaded by some auxiliaries and Chinese militiamen. With the explosives it carries the men have to set up traps for the Japanese advance guard within half an hour. Intendant Gamory-Dubourdeau is supposed to direct the operations, but he seems to be absent. He does not know the reason, but since the beginning of the morning, strange names have been assailing his mind: Bad Tölz, Bolzano, Galicia, Sours... He has trouble concentrating on his task. These names - they are obviously, he thinks, names of places. But where is it? He thinks he remembers that Sours is a small town in Eure-et-Loir, but that's all. If he were there, he thought, he would probably have as much trouble locating the Kouang-Tchéou-Wan! And then, in the middle of these place names, the name of Charlemagne.
Charlemagne, he knew. But why this uneasiness that he now feels when evoking the name of the Frankish emperor?
When a marauding A5M stumbles upon the truck and the little group, the steward is slow to hop into a ditch. A gust mows him down in this field lost in the middle of nowhere, leaving the Franco-Chinese troops of the Nandu River without an officer: Lieutenant Bernard is already dead and Lieutenant Li cannot be found. It is the non-commissioned officers of the Police Company that will lead the coolies, militiamen and former nationalist soldiers with the help of French policemen and gendarmes, in order to delay the advance of the 8th SNLF of Sasebo. A sergeant reports that, in death, Gamory-Dubourdeau has a curious smile on his face, as if he knew that he was going to be awarded a posthumous Legion of Honor.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Paracel Islands (South China Sea), 15:00 - Brigadier General Hong Sa-ik rants.
It has been almost twelve hours since his country, well Japan, is at war, and Vice Admiral Sunagawa has still not contacted him for the combined operation that has been planned weeks ago. His men are on the warpath, the ships ready to sail, but still nothing from Hainan! In the early morning, the general, exasperated, takes the initiative to have all his people on board. But in accordance with the instructions received, he has to wait for a message from Sunagawa to make his way to this Kouang-Tchéou-Wan of which he was unaware of the existence of two months ago!
That Sunagawa took his time to monopolize all the honor of the operation, for him and for the Navy, he can understand it. If he, an Army man, could have made an admiral languish, he would have done so without any problem, but outside a war operation! In the present conditions, such behavior could be harmful to the glory of the Emperor!
For fifteen days, he and his entire brigade have been rotting in the Paracels, waiting for the order to leave for the assault. Indeed, Sunagawa considered, and rightly so, that the Army's brigade would be more responsive by leaving the Paracels than by leaving Taiwan. So why did he have to wait? A thought insidiously invaded his mind: what if, once again it was only because he was Korean?
He breathes wearily and tries to turn away from this thought when his aide comes in with a paper in his hand. The message from Sunagawa, finally! We must make our way to
Kouang-Tchéou-Wan!

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Near Tam-Poum (official frontier of Kouang-Tchéou-Wan), 15:30 - The scene which unfolds before the eyes of Captain Burnouvitch has all the makings of a debacle. For more than an hour his men of the Auxiliary Colonial Infantry Company (or Russian Company) have been seeing the arrival of police officers and militiamen on the run, who speak of an enemy two to twenty times more numerous depending on the version. The Japanese are very close! Gamory-Dubourdeau and Bernard are missing - did they fail miserably or did they have to deal with the entire Japanese Army?
Rosenfeld and his 2nd CVE come to join Burnouvitch's men near the Estoc Channel and Trinquier's 1st Colonial Infantry Company leaves the Mont de la Surprise to stand in reserve for the defense. Now they wait, digging manholes or trench outlines, setting up nests for the all too rare machine guns. Regularly, this work is interrupted by the strafing and bombs of Japanese planes that took turns in a serene sky. Of course, they are few in number and hardly designed for ground support, but their moral effect is disproportionate.
Artigue comes to see for himself, leaving Jobez at Fort Bayard to maintain order.
Chatilov takes care of the logistics - we should not run out of ammunition for this showdown that was not expected until the next day. And still no news from the Chinese, Artigue thinks.
Time is running out. Only two good hours left before sunset. Even if the moon is still large, the night should interrupt the fighting. Normally. But what could be normal around here? wonders Chatilov. He hastily scribbles down the status of the units he receives messages from as the news of the fighting reaches him. He has to manage his meager reserves as well as possible in order to supply everyone with ammunition and supplies to last as long as possible.
Neither on one side nor on the other, one does not suspect that the Japanese are badly gone. In theory at least. The 750 men of the 8th SNLF at Sasebo have suffered significant losses at the Nandu River crossing, and there are barely 600 when they reorganize to attack the Tam Poum sector. Opposite, the disparate forces assembled by the French total nearly 350 men, 450 including the survivors of the fighting on the Nandu. Despite the harassment by Japanese aircraft, they more or less dig in. In 1941, in the era of machine guns and artillery, attacking at 600 to 450 is suicide.
But there is no artillery and few machine guns, most of which are at least twenty-five years old. The confrontation is going to be medieval, without a single cannon shot. The machine-gun fire replaces the sound of drums, but the Japanese have the firm intention to go to the contact, as their doctrine prescribes. The officers would have preferred to wait for the night to attack, but the vice-admiral is in a hurry and the officers are disciplined...
As the sun declines, the assault is launched. The advantage in numbers is small but real. The Japanese are relentless and charge with obstinacy. At several points, elements of the 1stCie d'Infanterie Coloniale have to come and plug the gaps. The rallied soldiers of Bernard and Li's companies also come up to the line and make the soldiers forget their debacle of the early afternoon.
During this time, Artigue has three of his four 75 mm cannons put in battery on the Mont de la Surprise (the fourth is on Nao-Chao), but to shoot into the mass of men would be to hit as many friends as enemies.
As the light fades it seemed that the French victory is certain. It is then that the two hundred men of the 1st SNLF of Maizuru who had landed at Lambeicun launch themselves into the fray. And these fresh men surprise the defenders, some of whom start to run away, or try to.
But, in the evening shadows, another force throws itself into the battle. They shout, they swear, they charge wildly, often armed with a simple pike. Quarrelers more than warriors. A shapeless mass of Chinese peasant-soldiers flank the Japanese attackers and creates a beautiful mess! This is the role they have been given, and they play it as well as they can. The amateur Chinese soldiers are massacred, they are often half a dozen to fall to neutralize a Japanese soldier... And suddenly, fear changes sides. The men of the 8th SNLF of Sasebo - the survivors of the 8th of Sasebo - are exhausted and start to let go despite the screams of their officers who curse them as traitors to the Emperor.
Isolated, those of the 1st of Maizuru cannot take the decision and their officers, disgusted, decide to stop the massacre and to withdraw in good order. When darkness finally reigns on the battlefield, the gates of the Territory are still in French hands.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Tam-Poum, in the night - The din of the battle has died down. The Franco-Chinese held on. But at what price... The 2nd Police Company and the 1st Military Company no longer exist as constituted units. The Russian Company and the 2nd CVE have been severely tested.
The 1st CIC suffered lighter losses... but its leader, Captain Trinquier, wounded leading his men in a counterattack, was taken prisoner by the Japanese.
The French command was decimated. In addition to Trinquier, Lt. Bernard, Intendant Gamory-Dubourdeau and Lieutenant Li are reported missing (Artigue does not know that the first two had been killed).
Intrigued by the providential arrival of the Chinese, Colonel Artigue, Captain Burnouvitch and Second Lieutenant Rosenfeld receive their leaders in the tent that served as the colonel's field headquarters. Burnouvitch's Slavic grip is needed to calm down the south-western blood of Artigue when he discovers that among the Chinese is Lieutenant Li, safe and sound and having exchanged his militia uniform for that of an officer of the Kuo-Min-Tang army! Second Lieutenant Rosenfeld shows the phlegm of an old doctor accustomed to accepting bad news as well as the worst with composure; it is he who asks, after the effect of surprise, some explanations. But it is a tall man dressed in a nice khaki uniform of the KMT who, by way of reply, gives a speech that he has learned by heart: "We did what was best for our people. It is for them that we fought. And we will not fight for anyone else. We will always and by all means fight against foreign attempts to enslave China, rest assured, Colonel."
There is an anti-colonialist claim here that would not have been denied by some minister of the Popular Front, even Father Clemenceau or even André Gide, but really, this evening, François Artigue is not in the mood to discuss politics, especially since he recognized the guy: he was already the protester at the meeting of the village chiefs of Kouang-Tchéou-Wan, a few days earlier. Allies of circumstance: the term really seems more than appropriate.
The KMT is playing its own game, as the attitude of Chinese customs officers since the beginning of the war in Europe had already shown (there was a customs officer in uniform in the Chinese delegation). In the end, it is not so surprising, the important thing is to beat the Japanese... But this does not prevent the colonel from having heartburn that will make him wince until late at night.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

On board the Hayabusa, in Mandarin Bay, 21:30 - Vice Admiral Sunagawa was furious, now he is enraged, and various items in his personal cabin - the one where the torpedo boat's commander usually stays - bear the marks of his rage. Indeed, the 8th SNLF of Sasebo has shamefully retreated! Certainly, after having suffered very heavy losses, but it retreated. This dishonorable conduct will mark all the survivors until their death and beyond! The Vice-Admiral will have to make a lot of circumlocutions in his report to Admiral Nagano, the Chief of Naval Staff, to present the matter in a way that would avoid sullying his name.
And the Korean who is to arrive around noon the next day! With a whole brigade, he will reap without a doubt the glorious fruits of the Navy's efforts... No way! We must redouble our efforts, no matter the losses and the fatigue. During the night, two hundred men of the 1st SNLF from Maizuru will pass from Tan-Hai to the mainland. This will make it possible to constitute a force of six to seven hundred men which will be entrusted to CF Sakata. They would attack in the early morning to take at least Fort Bayard!
On Tan-Hai, there are about two hundred men left from the 1st Maizuru, that should be enough to clean up the island.
As for him, Vice-Admiral Kaneo Sunagawa, of Tottori Prefecture, commander of the Hainan Naval District, he writes his glory (and that of the Emperor of course!) by going to support his men with the guns of the Hayabusa. It is a pity that the B5N1 sank the French ship, a naval victory would have calmed the vice-admiral's nerves a bit.
A little reassured, Sunagawa sits back down at his desk to study the latest reports. Well! A patrol recovered some survivors from the wreckage of the French transport plane
shot down that morning. Among them, the pilot, a man named Du Berrier, who seems to have a remarkable skill in landing his burning plane in a field. Oh oh, his secretary
secretary reports that this individual is wanted by the Kempetai of Shanghai! With a grimace of disgust, the vice-admiral signs the transfer order of the prisoner, better not to give these gentlemen of the Kempetai the slightest reason to bother you*.
Suddenly, a dull explosion interrupts him: the Hayabusa has just hit a mine!
After two long hours of worrying, the water ingress is under control, but the damage is severe. The torpedo boat has to drag itself to Hainan. It is out of action for a long time. And the furniture in the captain's cabin will have to be replaced.

* Hilaire du Berrier was interrogated, tortured and imprisoned for many years in Shanghai. But he survived and, on the day the French consulate in Shanghai reopened, he was there to claim nearly four years of pay! Before leaving for new adventures.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Tourane, Dec. 8, 17:30 p.m. (Singapore, 18:30 - Pearl Harbor, 12:00 - Washington, DC, 05:30) - Eighteen Ki-27 fighters of the 4th Hikoshidan land at Tourane, captured the previous evening by Japanese troops. Thirty minutes later, they are followed by a mixed formation of 12 Ki-51 and 6 Ki-36 ground support and cooperation aircraft.

Alger, December 8th, 12:00 (Pearl Harbor, 12:30 - Washington DC, 18:00) - Paul Reynaud delivers a speech before the National Assembly, in which he asks the elected representatives of the Republic to declare the state of war between the French Republic and the Empire of Japan. The Parliament immediately votes for the declaration of war.

Off the coast of Indochina, December 8th, 18:00 (Singapore, 19:00 - Pearl Harbor, 00:30) - Bad news for Admiral Kondo. The port turbine of the Junyo failed, seriously damaging the transmission. The problem is attributed to a faulty assembly and the inexperience of the engineering team, both of which arethe result of a hasty commissioning. Unable to give more than 15 knots, the large liner converted into an aircraft carrier becomes very vulnerable and can hardly put its planes into action. Kondo has no other solution than to send it back to the Mitsubishi shipyards with two destroyers as escort.

Off the coast of Indochina, December 8th, 21:00 (Singapore, 22:00 - Pearl Harbor, 03:30 - Washington DC, 09:00) - The French submarine Protée (CC Garreau) on patrol south of Hainan Island, detects a large naval formation heading northeast. In 30 minutes, the submarine gains a good firing position by diving. It first launches four torpedoes from its bow tubes and, one minute later, on another target, three 550 mm torpedoes from the central swivel mount.
One of the torpedoes of the first salvo hits the seaplane carrier Kimikawa Maru and causes a large water leak and a violent fire. The second salvo was aimed at the light cruiser
cruiser Naka. It misses, but one of its torpedoes hit the DD Murasame (Shiratsuyu class).
The ship is hit below the bridge and, shortly afterwards, breaks in two and sinks.
At 22:30, the fire that ravages the Kimikawa Maru being visibly impossible to control, Rear Admiral Nishimura decides to scuttle the Kimikawa Maru in order to allow his fleet to resume its journey, because he has to protect another landing. France draws first blood against surface Japanese vessels in the Pacific theatre (the British had already sunk several japanese midget submarines in Singapore earlier that day).
Meanwhile, the Protée is subjected to a violent counter-attack by two Japanese destroyers, which prove to be "aggressive and obstinate", according to Commander Garreau. After two hours of depth chargin, the Protée escapes, but was badly hit. Some of the batteries are cracked and leak acid fumes. At midnight, the commander is forced to surface and head for Haiphong, because according to the last radio signal received, Cam Ranh is under air attack.

Tengah Airfield, Singapore, December 8th, 22:30 (Pearl Harbor, 04:00. - Washington DC, 09:30 - London, 14:30) - Eight Manchesters from Sqn 97 take off for a night raid against airfields in Thailand. The raid was scheduled for the afternoon, but the squadron commander preferred to delay the takeoff to take advantage of the cooler weather. Nine planes are planned for this first raid, but one of them has to give up before taking off, as the left Vulture engine started to lose oil.
Shortly after take-off, another plane has to get rid of its bombs and return to Tengah after a sudden drop in oil pressure. The seven remaining Manchesters attack two airfields, without significant results.
Half an hour later, the Manchesters are followed by 12 Wellingtons of Sqn 223, which attack the same targets, but a little more efficiently.

London, December 8, 15:00 (Pearl Harbor, 04:30) - Winston Churchill announces in the Commons that the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth are at war with Japan. He pledges support to the Commonwealth forces who are "fighting like angry lions" against the Japanese. A few minutes later, Sir Dudley Pound, First Sea Lord, calls Algiers to request air cover for a fast convoy soon to cross the Mediterranean with supplies and reinforcements to Singapore.

Washington DC, December 8th, 10:00 (London, 15:00 - Pearl Harbor, 04:30) - Admiral Stark presents the modified American war plan to President Roosevelt. As a result of losses at Pearl Harbor and news of the physical exhaustion of USAAF units based in the Philippines, the original plan, which called for the capture or neutralization of the Marshall and Caroline Islands before a quick move against Truk, appears impossible. The new plan describes the Pacific Fleet's missions as primarily defensive: supporting the Army in protecting the Hawaiian, Wake, Johnston, and Palmyra Islands and protecting communications by directing and escorting shipping between the U.S. possessions and the 180th meridian, in the direction of New Zealand and Australia. The protection of Fiji, Samoa, and New Caledonia is also considered a priority. There is no longer any question of deploying the Pacific Fleet to defend Guam or the Philippines.
During the explanations given to the President by Admiral Stark, it is learned that Guam has been bombed by Japanese planes.

London, December 8th, 16:30 (Algiers, 17:30 - Pearl Harbor, 06:00) - Winston Churchill calls his French counterpart, Paul Reynaud, to ask him if France could redeploy fighter and bomber units to the Far East - but the answer is negative. "The French Air Force is already heavily involved in maintaining an offensive strategy in the Aegean Sea to prevent German forces from concentrating against Great Britain," Reynaud emphasizes. "Any reduction in the forces protecting Tunisia and North Africa could give the Axis the idea of trying something against Malta or even Tunisia to close the Mediterranean."
Churchill grumbles that France has to assume some responsibility. Also, Reynaud tries not to disappoint his interlocutor too much. Expecting Churchill's request, he has a detailed proposal prepared.
"If Great Britain could deliver 50 Hurricane IIs to the Armée de l'Air, we would be ready to send another Fighter Group and another Bombardment Group to reinforce the Indochina's defenses. The crews will be taken from our general reserve and from certain operational training units. The GB would use Martin 167 Marylands and could leave Algiers-Maison Blanche on December 10th. The CG could be set up at RAF Cairo West depot with Hurricanes stored by the RAF for the Aegean Aegean Air Force, which could be quickly replaced by aircraft from Great Britain."
Churchill sighs that he would think about it.

Alger, December 8th, 18:15 (Pearl Harbor, 06:45 - Washington DC, 12:15) - Plenary meeting of the National Defense Committee. The Minister of War, General Charles de Gaulle, presents a review of the situation. He concludes about the fighting in Indochina: "I know that our troops will honor their flag and that they will make the Japanese pay dearly for their aggression. Unfortunately, I also know that they will fight, and are already fighting, against a much more numerous and well-equipped opponent. I do not think that our units, in spite of all their courage and in spite of a tactical know-how without compared to what it was eighteen months ago, can resist more than six weeks in this situation, although it might be possible to reinforce them from Singapore."
The General pauses, then resumes: "However, anxious as we may be as to the fate of our troops and colonies in the Far East, the most important point is that is that the early entry of the United States into the war against Germany and Italy is now foreseeable. Since the American government has suggested that its policy would give priority to victory in Europe, what Mr. Roosevelt calls a "Europe First" policy, we can look forward to the arrival in North Africa of American Army and Air Force units by the end of February or early March. This could allow us to go on the offensive against Italy as early as the late summer or fall of 1942. And you understand, gentlemen, that it is obviously in Europe, and not in the immensities of the Pacific or Asia, that the fate of the world will then be decided."

Tonkin, December 9th, 01:00 (Singapore, December 9th, 02:00 - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 07:30 - Washington DC, 13:00 - Alger, 19:00) - In the middle of the night, the French units around Lang-Son and Cao-Bang report coordinated attacks by Japanese troops. Some bunkers in the outer circle of their fortifications are already surrounded by enemy troops and communications are cut with other fortified points. The Bataillon Etranger d'Artillerie Légère (BEAL, equipped with 12 field guns of 75 mm), deployed near Lang Son, does its best to repel the attackers. Some of its 75 mm guns fire so fast (trained gunners can reach 20 rounds per minute for a few minutes) that their tubes glow in the night! Explosive shells and machine guns cause heavy losses to the Japanese troops.

Washington DC, December 8th, 17:00 (Alger, 23:00 - Pearl Harbor, 11:30) - Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States, maks a speech to Congress. His famous: "Yesterday, a day that will be remembered as a day of infamy...". This speech does not mention Germany or Italy, which is carefully noted by the German representative in Washington, Hans Thomsen. Immediately afterwards, the senators vote a text establishing the state of war between the United States of America and Japan.

Tonkin, December 9th, 05:30 (Singapore, 06:30 - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 12:00 - Washington DC, 17:30 - Alger, 23:30) - The battle for Cao-Bang and Lang-Son rages. At Cao-Bang, the Japanese troops almost succeed in surrounding the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment. At Lang-Son, however, the other two battalions of the 5th REI, assisted by Vietnamese units recruited on the spot, counter-attack fiercely to free the defenders of the outer line of fortifications. Shortly after dawn, the Japanese artillery, firing from its positions on the other side of the Chinese border, joins the fight.
However, at 0550 hours, twenty Glenn-Martin M-167F light bombers, escorted by 16 P-40C of the AVG, attack these guns and put many of them out of action, at the cost of a twin-engine plane shot down with difficulty by Ki-27s that had escaped the Americans.
Meanwhile, in Tourane, a battalion of the 10th RMIC and two battalions of the 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs Annamites (RTA), supported by the Detachement Motorisé d'Annam (DMA), attack the airfield. The attack progresses satisfactorily at first, as the Japanese are surprised by the presence of tanks among the Franco-Vietnamese forces.
However, Japanese aircraft (Ki-38 and Ki-51) constantly strafe the attackers and some Japanese units resort to the use of suicide squads against the tanks armed with demolition charges. These actions succeed in destroying five M2A4 and two self-propelled gunships. At 08:00, the attack is blocked near the runway.

Malaya, December 9th, 07:00 (Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 12:30) - Two major Japanese raids attack Penang fortress and Alor Setar airfield, each with 27 Ki-21 bombers escorted by thirty Ki-27 and Ki-43 fighters. They are intercepted by 24 Hurricanes in all; the ensuing fighting results in the destruction of seven bombers and six escorts at the cost of six RAF fighters. Alor-Setar is seriously hit, but the bombing of Penang is much less effective. It provokes however a beginning of panic among the local workers.
On the front, cooperation aircraft of the Japanese Army appear in significant numbers over the points where their troops clash with those of the Commonwealth. This is particularly the case at Jitra, where the men of the 7th King's Shropshire Light Infantry (machine gun battalion) and the 7th Loyal Regt (North Lancashire) launch a counter-attack supported by two platoons of Valentine tanks and one of Matilda II.

Cambodia, December 9th, 06:30 (Singapore, 07:30 - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 13:00 - Washington DC, 18:30 - Algiers, December 9th, 00:30) - Japanese and Thai troops cross the new Thai-Cambodian border and attack in the direction of Siem Reap. The main thrust is made by the 6th Field Army (Lt. Gen. Tôji), which includes the 23rd Infantry Division (Lt-Gen. Kanji) and the 7th Infantry Division (Lt-Gen. Nobory), composed of the 13th and 14th Infantry Brigades (25th and 26th regiments on one side, 27th and 28th regiments on the other ). The infantry is supported by the 1st Tank Brigade (Lt. Gen. Yasuoka, 3rd and 4th Tank Regiments) and the 4th Field Artillery Brigade. Most of these units had fought at Khalkhin Ghol, where the 23rd ID had been practically annihilated. Reusing tactics used in China, Japanese forces advance in the wake of the tank units, which operate as a semi-independent vanguard.
On the other side, French forces are preparing to defend Siem Reap, which has been close to see conflict in the previous spring, very close to the new border.

Manila, December 9th, 08:30 a.m. (Indochina, 07:30 a.m. - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 14:00 - Washington DC, 19:30 - Alger, December 9th, 01:30) - While the weather on Formosa prevents again the Japanese planes based there from taking to the air, the planes of the Navy aircraft taking off from the Paracels return to bombing their "traditional" targets. Cavite is attacked by 36 G3M2 and 18 G4M1 attack Clark and Nichols airfields, escorted by 54 A6M2s in total. Both bombings are very destructive. The attackers lose only three bombers and two fighters, in exchange for four USAAF P-40s destroyed (and 11 seriously damaged). Worse still, three B-17s are destroyed on the ground and four others damaged.
General Brereton (commander of the Far East Air Force) reports to Washington that the air force in the Philippines is now almost non-existent and unable to provide any support to the Army.

Cochinchina, December 9th, 08:00 (Singapore, 09:00 - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 14:30) - Saigon and Tan-Son-Nhut are attacked by 27 Ki-21s escorted by 36 Ki-27s and Ki-43s. The French H-75A4 fighters shoot down four bombers and five fighters at the cost of four of their own. The bombing of the airfield largely misses its target, but bombs fall on the "Chinese city" of Saigon, killing more than 50 civilians and spreading panic throughout the city. At 09:00, the governor of Saigon puts martial law into effect.
.........
"Like the day before, Roger and I are early risers, but this time we take off for good. First real war mission. I thought I would be all excited, but it's the opposite: I am surprisingly calm, MacNab style. Each in a different diamond, we climb over the enemy coming from Thailand, or at least from that direction. The hecatomb of yesterday makes us cautious, commander Grandbesançon has formally forbidden us to engage the Japs in combat.
It is the Commandant who leads us to the fray - his experience places us in the sun in the back and higher than the enemies, to attack the bombers from the front, they are the priority targets. But I don't have too much opportunity to show my shooting skills, busy to follow the train of my leader (we started to use the same word as the English) in incredible evolutions, each one tighter than the other. Training to the power of ten!
Sometimes, I release a burst on a stealthy silhouette without thinking of course to apply any correction to the collimator, no time nor spirit. Obviously, it is not very effective. I returned empty-handed, but Marchais, my leader, was pleased with me and consoled me by saying that to return alive and whole from such a mess is already a good start. "(Pierre van Bielt, op. cit.)

Malaya Front, December 9th, 09:30 (Indochina, 08:30 - Pearl Harbor, Dec. 8, 15:00) - RAF Blenheims carry out what the press release calls "a massive attack" (actually 36 planes in three separate formations) against Japanese-held airfields in the south of Thailand. This attack is relatively effective: thus, on one airfield, 11 aircraft are caught on the ground and destroyed (mainly Ki-27 fighters and Ki-51s of the Army). However, Sqn 34 is intercepted by Japanese fighters and loses five of its 12 aircraft in the process.
On the Thai-Malaysian border, the engagement at Jitra turns into a fierce First World War style battle, with infantry offensives, support by tanks, and artillery bombardment and counter-bombardment, the queen of battles. The weight of the Matilda tanks prevent them from advancing, but not from supporting with their fire the lighter Valentine tanks. The 8th Australian Division engages in the fight its 22nd Brigade, an independent armoured company with 16 light M3 tanks and, perhaps more importantly, its two field artillery regiments. As a result, the Japanese artillery, which tries to pound the British counter-attack, finds itself the target of a powerful counter-battery fire!
"In Malaya, the British demonstrated that, if they had not yet assimilated all the lessons of modern warfare, they remembered very well the modus operandi of the previous war! Curiously, at the same time, on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, a battle worthy of the armored duels of the European war was taking place."
(Pascal N'Guyen-Minh, Guerre et Paix en Asie du Sud-Est, tome 1, Paris, 1954).

Cambodia, December 9th, 11:00 (Singapore, 12:00 - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 17:30 - Washington DC, 23:00 - Alger, December 9th, 05:00) - Japanese forces advancing towards Siem Reap areattacked by twenty Glenn of GB I/62 coming from Saigon with their escort of GC II/40. In Phnom Penh, the I/40 was on short alert, in case the situation was bad in the air - which will not be the case, the Japanese and Thai fighters arriving when the bombers leave. One 167-F is nevertheless damaged, so much so that its right gear collapses on landing, making it unavailable for some time.
.........
"At the end of the morning, the situation is the opposite of the day before for Léon, who waits wisely in his zinc that we need him and his colleagues. Because we are on a second mission to escort the Glenns to Cambodia, where things are not going well. On the other hand, in the air, it is very quiet. We will only see enemy fighters from a distance, when we leave. The commander did not want us to go there. Frustrating." (Pierre van Bielt, op. cit.)
.........
An hour later, approaching Siem Reap, Lt. Yasuoka's Tank Brigade encounter elements of the Groupe Blindé Mobile Schlesser (GBMS) head-on.
"The tanks of the 3rd Japanese Tank Regiment, advancing as if in China, with a flower in the barrel, as it were, and were first fired upon by a force of M3F light tanks (with a 47 mm gun) belonging to the GBMS reconnaissance unit and half-tracks equipped with a 75 mm gun. "Well entrenched behind ridges and low walls, we opened fire out of range of their 37 mm or 57 mm and we literally lined them up! It was like a fairground shooting!" said Max Leroux, gunner of one of the half-tracks. More than ten Japanese tanks were destroyed or severely damaged.
In order to avoid what appeared to be an arduous battle, Yasuoka ordered his forces to attempt to turn Siem Reap to the north, while the infantry began to move into the suburbs of the city. Just before noon, the entire 1st Tank Brigade, now advancing in a very elongated formation, was attacked by two armored companies of the GBMS (24 Sav-41), supported by a mechanized company. "It was almost too good," recalls Fernand Naudin, tank commander, veteran (at 24) of the French and Greek campaigns. "We were superior to them in armor, weaponry and especially in tactics." The crews of the Japanese armoured vehicles never faced any of the enemy tanks. In the battle, at least 35 Japanese light and medium tanks were destroyed, without any loss for the French! Warrior code (Bushi-do) or not, the imperial tanks retreated in disorder.
As the GBMS pursued them with a sword in their backs, the 4th Field Artillery Regiment opened fire on the French tanks and Colonel Schlesser ordered them to withdraw to their positions.
During the battle, the GBMS was bombed twice: the first time, in an imprecise way, by some twin-engine Ki-48s, the second by Ki-36s. The latter came closer...to the point that two of them are shot down by the heavy machine guns of .50 mounted on the anti-aircraft half-tracks covering the tanks. Seeing the second one fall, Roger Carmaux, who was piloting Fernand Naudin's tank, turned to him and observed: "Finally, it's not bad to be part of a PanzerDivision!" (P. N'Guyen-Minh, op. cit.).

French Army M3F-1 of Groupement Schlesser, Battle of Siem Reap, 1941

Malaya Front (Kedah), December 9th, 13:30 (Indochina, 12:30) - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 19:00 - Washington DC, December 9, 00:30 - Algiers, 06:30) - Fairey Battle bombers of Sqn 7 and 100 of the RAAF start "sustained raids" against the logistic rear of the Japanese forces attacking Jitra. These are successive attacks by elements of six aircraft every 15 minutes. RAAF Sqn 21 and 30 are supposed to provide cover through random patrols between Jitra and the border. The first two attacks are uneventful: Japanese trucks aredestroyed and at least two advancing columns are dispersed with heavy losses. However, due to the last raid over Butterworth, Alor Setar and Penang, only 12 Hurricanes can be deployed to provide cover. At 14:11, an element of six planes of Sqn 7 (call sign Banjo) is surprised by nine Ki-27. Two of the single-engine bombers are quickly destroyed and two others severely damaged. Six Hurricanes try to intervene and destroy two Japanese fighters before making the mistake of insisting and losing two of theirs.
At 14:40, as the surviving Battle and Hurricane aircraft are reporting for landing at Butterworth, the airfield is attacked by nine Ki-21s flying at medium altitude. It is obvious that the Japanese bombers had been mistaken by the radar operators for retreating RAAF aircraft and only the local flak reacts. However, its fire is precise: two bombers are shot down and one damaged. But the bombs destroy nine planes parked near the field, damage five others and set fire to the fuel pumping system.
In the early afternoon, the Indian forces suffer a violent attack at Kroh. The British general staff considers that this attack was carried out by almost a whole division (in fact two regiments were engaged) and immediately launches the Kroh Special Column (or Krohcol). The Krohcol consists of elements of the 7th Armoured (Queen's Own) Hussars (sent to Malaya by the 7th British Armoured Brigade, whose other units remained in India), with 16 A10 Mk II "Cruiser" tanks and a reconnaissance platoon of 12 Bren carriers, supported by an artillery detachment (8 4.5 inch howitzers, 4 18-pounders, 4 2-pounders anti-tank guns) and a strong infantry core made of the 1st Leicestershire Rgt, the 2nd East Surrey Rgt and the 3rd Field Company (Indian engineers), all taken from the 11th Indian Division. Several A10, relatively lightly armored, ar soon victims of special anti-tank sections, most of them equipped with two 37 mm anti-tank guns, and some "suicide sections" of infantry, using gasoline bottles or demolition charges. However, well supported by the artillery, the British infantry pushes back the two Japanese regiments to their starting line.
During this time, the sky is the scene of numerous fights: the RAAF units, who are fighting as best they could for the control of the local airspace against the more numerous Japanese, lose three Hurricanes, three Battles and two Wirraways to two Ki-27s, a Ki-36 and a Ki-51 from the IJAF. In the long run, the Japanese tactical cooperation aircraft ended up having to accurately direct the fire of the heavy field artillery (150 mm howitzers and 100 mm field guns). These stop the British counter-attack at the end of the day.

South Hainan, December 9th, 13:00 (Indochina time) (Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 19:30 - Washington DC, December 9th, 01:00 am - Algiers, 07:00) - The French submarine Le Héros (LV Lemaire) reports a convoy heading south, towards the Indochina coast. It mentions "A cruiser, 2 destroyers, at least 6 transports". At Cam Ranh, upon receipt of this message, Rear Admiral Régis Bérenger, commander of the Light Attack Squadron, orders his ships to leave, anticipating an attempt to reinforce the Japanese units in Tourane.
The squadron now includes, in addition to the CL Primauguet and the destroyers Léopard, Lynx and Tigre (the Panthère was put out of action by a bombardment), the CL Marblehead and the DesDiv 58 (DD Barker, Bulmer, Parrott and Stewart) of the US Navy. The large CL Boise has not yet arrived at Cam Ranh. However, Berenger prefers to attack without delay to avoid being hit by the planes based in the Paracel Islands and to try to surprise the enemy.
The signal sent by Le Héros is the last one ever received from this submarine. What was its fate? At first, it was believed that it had been the victim of one of the submarine hunters of Nishimura's squadron. However, an examination of Japanese archives suggests that Le Héros was actually surprised at shallow depth by one of the E13A2 seaplanes of the Mizuho and sunk by a bomb while it was preparing to launch another message three hours after its last signal. Perhaps this message, giving more details on the strength of the Japanese squadron, could have avoided a cruel surprise to the Allied light squadron...

Haiphong, December 9th, 14:00 (Singapore, 15:00 - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 20:30 - Washington DC, December 9th, 02:00 - Alger, 08:00) - As the submarine Protée enters the port of Haiphong after having sailed on the surface for 14 hours due to leaking toxic fumes from its batteries, 21 Ki-48s attack the city and the naval installations. The raid is intercepted by AVG fighters, which destroy five bombers and three escort fighters for the loss of two P-40.
The bombardment is however precise. The old aviso Tahure receives two 200 kg bombs and capsizes. The auxiliary minesweeper Jean Riquier (X 37), just returned from laying a new defensive minefield, is also sunk. The Protée is missed by a small margin on two occasions and the shocks inflict cumulative damage to its batteries. Victorious the day before, but seriously wounded, the poor submarine does not go much further...

French Aviso MN Tahure, Indochina campaign, 1941

Moulmein and Victoria Point (Burma), December 9th, 15:00 (Singapore, 16:00- Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 21:30 - Washington DC, December 9th, 03:00) - Burma is as big as half of Europe. North of Rangoon and Mandalay lie mountain ridges covered with an almost impenetrable virgin forest haunted by tigers and from where great rivers flow down. From east to west, these are the Salween, the Sittang and the Irrawaddy, with its tributary the Chindwin; all flow into the Indian Ocean, between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, forming vast swamps populated by sea crocodiles. In the dry season, these rivers form ways of penetration towards the interior, but when comes themonsoon, swollen by the torrential rains, they become impassable barriers.
From mid-May to mid-October, a large part of the country is thus flooded. In 1941, the great Salween, which flows from north to south not far from the Thai border, is not crossed by any bridge and there is only a railroad bridge over the (relatively) small Sittang. No road, of course, but tracks, such as the one that crosses the famous Three Pagodas Pass, on the border with Thailand.
In the southeast, the Burmese territory is extended by a narrow tongue of land that stretches for a thousand kilometers, from Moulmein to Victoria Point, in the Kra Isthmus.
With such a geography that is not conducive to troop movements, it is not surprising that the war first reaches the country by air.
Thus, on December 9th, Imperial Army bombers attack Burma.
At Moulmein, 21 Ki-21s of the 7th Hikodan, escorted by 36 Ki-27s of the 12th Hikodan, bomb the field. Twelve Hurricanes of Sqn 17 and 12 Buffaloes of Sqn 67 take off in haste to oppose the attack. Four bombers and six escort fighters are shot down, against two Hurricanes and four Buffalo. Three Blenheim bombers are destroyed on the ground.
At Victoria Point, due to bad weather, only five Ki-27s of the 11th Sentai find the target - and do not cause any damage.
The Japanese do not stop there. They based the 3rd Hikoshidan in Thailand, with 473 aircraft: 173 fighters (including 59 Ki-43 and 87 Ki-27), 124 twin-engine medium bombers Ki-21, 40 twin-engine Ki-48 light bombers, 39 single-engine Ki-30 light bombers, 50 Ki-51 ground support aircraft, 12 Ki-36 observation aircraft and 35 reconnaissance aircraft (including 11 Ki-46, 24 Ki-15)* 74 aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force (27 Ki-27, 12 Ki-21, 21 Ki-30 and 14 Ki-36). All these forces will have to be divided between the three fronts: Burma, but also Indochina (against which they had the support of forces based in China) and Malaysia (against which they have the support of forces based in the Paracel Islands).
The Thai air force is essentially engaged against the French forces.
Opposite, the allied air units form a curious mix.
The RAF is represented by the 221st Group: Sqn 67 RAAF (16 Buffalos, initially destined for the Dutch forces in Indonesia and mostly flown by New Zealanders), Sqn 17 (16 Hurricane Mk II), Sqn 211 (16 Blenheim IV). These units have just been reinforced by the 12 Blenheim IV of Sqn 60 from Mingaladon (Rangoon).
The Burma Volunteer Air Service is in the process of being re-equipped. It has a total of 62 aircraft (plus 28 reserve aircraft)... And what planes... The Sqn 1 of the BVAS puts in line four prehistoric Boulton-Paul Overstrand bombers (plus two in reserve), six Handley-Page Heyford bombers (plus five in reserve), just as ancient as the Overstrands, and 22 civilian aircraft divided into five "support" flights. The Sqn 2 BVAS has six Hawker Fury fighters (plus eight in reserve), six Hawker Audax light bombers (plus 13 in reserve) and 18 Westland Wapiti divided into six "cooperation" flights. This collection has been gathered by some good souls of the Air Ministry who, touched by the destitution of the BVAS, had the idea to send a certain number of frontline aircraft from the 1930-1935s (such as Hawker Osprey, Audax, Hart and Fury) that had been sent to South Africa and India to equip training centers. A complete census also allowed the recovery of various machines used for target towing, navigation training and other service missions. When properly refurbished, these antiques will be of great service, and not only for morale!
There are also the Chinese... To cover the Burma Road, the ROCAF sent the 9th Air Regiment, which the British call the Chinese OCU (Operational Conversion Unit). This unit is based at "John Haig", a field annexed to Mingaladon. It is indeed a conversion unit, where a few ROCAF veterans convert novice pilots from the ROCAF to the P-40. The regiment has also just received P-400s (a version of the P-39 designed for use below 10,000 feet and without oxygen supply equipment).
Finally, the Indian Air Force has promised to send a Lysander squadron as soon as possible and has provided a number of crews to swell the ranks of the BVAS.

Tonkin, December 9th, 17:00 (Singapore, 18:00 - Pearl Harbor, December 8th, 23:30 - Washington DC, December 9th, 05:00 - Alger, 11:00) - The news of the battle of the
HQ of the Tonkin Division at Haiphong i mixed. The defenders of Lang Son are holding and Japanese forces are being held up by the outer fortified line. Some works were encircled, but they are cleared by counterattacks.
Thus, in order to clear the bunker "Eliane", a few dozen men rallied under the command of Sergeant Klaus Müller, who replaces Captain Carlus, who was seriously wounded and Lieutenant Quittet, who had been killed a quarter of an hour earlier.
"They were officers whom I esteemed and who had never treated me differently from others despite my German nationality, which unfortunately sometimes weighs on me... It was even Carlus who had obtained my nomination to the rank of sergeant. And here I was, the highest surviving officer! On the other side, the Japanese were not even chasing us, they seemed to be sure that we were going to run away like rabbits. I called Corporal José-Luis Ordoñez, a veteran of the Spanish War, "the first round" as he says. "José-Luis, in Madrid, how did you do to push back the fascists, when you had retreated under the numbers?" "We counterattacked with the bayonet, Sergeant! The fascists don't like that!" he said with a wolfish grin. I reply, "It seemed so to me. And those yellow fascists must be the same." Then I shout, "Fix Bayonets!" And I yell, as I have never yelled before, "Charge!" I had to add a lot of words that Mom wouldn't have approved of, in different languages. We were maybe 40 to 100, but believe it or not, Uwe, they all followed me, screaming like crazy! I hear my Germanic accent gives me a lot of authority... Anyway, they ran away when they saw us coming, looking as if they couldn't believe their eyes! Well, they ran away, except for those we caught and skewered... It seems that the soldiers believe that the bayonet charge is a Japanese exclusive, and nobody has taught them to resist such an attack..." (To my Enemy Brother - Letters from a German Legionnaire, by Klaus Müller. Manuscript collected and presented by Uwe Müller -
Paris, 1959; Munich, 1968).
"At Lang Son, casualties were heavy, but morale was high. On the other hand, all radio and field telephone communications with Cao Bang have been broken since mid-day. A Maryland reconnaissance plane, escorted by four P-40s of the AVG, was able to see that the fighting continued, but that the small town was visibly surrounded and that Japanese forces had succeeded in penetrating it. The upcoming fall of Cao Bang could allow the Japanese to march on Thay-Nguyen from the north, cutting off communications with Lang Son and directly threatening Hanoi and the railroad to Kunming. After discussing this with Saigon, the military commander in Hanoi decided to block any Japanese advance from Cao Bang by sending to Bac Can the three battalions of the 9th Colonial Infantry Regiment (9th RIC) and the motorized detachment of Tonkin (DMT)*. This was obviously a calculated risk, for the Japanese army had the means to commit more troops to Lang Son while also attacking from the coastal road.
However, the threat of an enveloping movement from the north is too serious to be ignored." (P. N'Guyen-Minh, op. cit.).

* A company of 12 M2A4 light tanks, a platoon of armored cars with 3 White/Dodge and 1 Citroën-Kégresse P-28, a motorcycle platoon with 11 vehicles and 30 men, a reconnaissance car platoon with 4 Berliet VUDB armored cars, and a platoon of 4 Renault UE31R caterpillars.

 

[Wings]

December 8th, 1941

Various ports in the Americas - The entry of the United States into the war had as an immediate consequence, in addition to the seizure of the only German cargo ship blocked in a port of the Union*, that of all the Italian merchant ships still simply interned in the ports of the American continent, i.e. 37 units**. The largest seizure was made by the United States itself: 15 cargo ships. Next came Brazil, with 11 ships, one of which was sold to the United States (the Conte Grande)***; Mexico, 9 oil tankers ; Colombia, 2 oil tankers, which were promptly sold to the United States.
.........
Phuket (Thailand) - The Italian cargo ships Sumatra, XXVIII Ottobre and Volpi are set on fire and sunk by their crews following the announcement of an imminent British amphibious assault... an alarm that turned out to be false!

* This is the new (1939) Arauca (4,354 GRT, 15 n.), taken at Port Everglades (Florida) and which will be used from 1942 in the US Navy under the name of Saturn (AK-49).
** One liner, 11 tankers, 26 freighters.
*** This 25,661 GRT ship, seized at Santos and sold to the United States on April 16th, 1942, was integrated into the US Navy as the troop transport USS Monticello (AP-61). The ten other ships are all freighters, one of which, the Librato, is only a small coaster (486 GRT).

 

[Wings]

December 9th, 1941

South Atlantic - The U-124 is targeted by a shore battery off the coast of Georgetown, on Ascension Island. The submarine escapes without damage.

 

[Wings]

December 9th, 1941

Alger - For the first time, a North-American NA-73 equipped with oblique cameras is used by the Armée de l'Air. This aircraft, belonging to the first batch of eight delivered in November, was hastily converted into a reconnaissance aircraft at the Algiers-Maison Blanche workshops.
Very fast at low altitude and with a much longer range than the Curtiss Hawk-81 or 87, the aircraft is able to photograph any Axis terrain up to Corsica with minimal risk of being intercepted.