Fantasque Time Line (France Fights On) - English Translation
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4857
June 30th, 1942
Kokoda Track, Eora Creek - Arriving at Eora Creek with A Company, 49th Battalion, Lt. Col. Owen and his veterans of the 39th Battalion find a site that would make any defender dream. The small village of Eora sits on a flat ledge on the side of a spur called Bare Ridge. The large creek of Eora running northward receives a tributary at the foot of Bare Ridge, so the village is surrounded by water on three sides.
The trail from Kokoda descends from a high ridge to the north of the village, crosses the creek 1,200 meters from it by a stump bridge, follows the creek and then crosses it again by a second bridge bridge before climbing to the village, while a loop goes around Eora through the village's vegetable gardens and heads for the top of Bare Ridge, further south.
Owen places his 39th Battalion in the village, across the slope. The A/49th is placed a mile further on, covering the trail around the village ("garden" trail). The B/49th Company
is further down, covering the nearest bridge. The C/49th Company is still a little further, on a steep slope which dominates the track at a point where, following the torrent, it crosses 400 meters of relatively flat terrain (a rare luxury in the region). Arranged with the C, the machine gun platoon of the 49th takes the first bridge in enfilade. All available mortars are concentrated behind the village, on the flat top of Bare Ridge. "Even I, a civilian, could see that the Japanese were going to have a serious problem," says Shane Bradford, the press photographer, who always accompanies the Australians.
Kokoda Track, Eora Creek - Arriving at Eora Creek with A Company, 49th Battalion, Lt. Col. Owen and his veterans of the 39th Battalion find a site that would make any defender dream. The small village of Eora sits on a flat ledge on the side of a spur called Bare Ridge. The large creek of Eora running northward receives a tributary at the foot of Bare Ridge, so the village is surrounded by water on three sides.
The trail from Kokoda descends from a high ridge to the north of the village, crosses the creek 1,200 meters from it by a stump bridge, follows the creek and then crosses it again by a second bridge bridge before climbing to the village, while a loop goes around Eora through the village's vegetable gardens and heads for the top of Bare Ridge, further south.
Owen places his 39th Battalion in the village, across the slope. The A/49th is placed a mile further on, covering the trail around the village ("garden" trail). The B/49th Company
is further down, covering the nearest bridge. The C/49th Company is still a little further, on a steep slope which dominates the track at a point where, following the torrent, it crosses 400 meters of relatively flat terrain (a rare luxury in the region). Arranged with the C, the machine gun platoon of the 49th takes the first bridge in enfilade. All available mortars are concentrated behind the village, on the flat top of Bare Ridge. "Even I, a civilian, could see that the Japanese were going to have a serious problem," says Shane Bradford, the press photographer, who always accompanies the Australians.
4859
June 30th, 1942
Barbarossa
- Northern sector and Baltic Sea
A major crisis develops in the entire sector commanded by Voroshilov, where the Germans once again show themselves to be the master tacticians in the art of modern warfare while the Red Army is far from having completed its training.
From the bridgehead of Jekelopils, the German forces rush on the Soviet rear.
The LVI. Panzerkorps of Von Manstein, reinforced by the SS Totenkopf division, rushes due east, towards Rezekne. The city is reached around 19:45 but, in the absence of air support, cannot be taken by storm. The 121st ID, of the IInd Corps, goes down along the eastern bank of the Dvina, towards Plavinas, which is taken during the night. These events are a death threat for the 29th and 7th Armies of Sobennikov. In the late afternoon, Sobennikov begins to extract his forces from the Daugavpils area and withdraw them to the northeast.
In the Curonian Spit, German troops take Saldus after heavy fighting and begin to advance towards Sabile. On the west coast, the 291. ID attacks Liepaja, which is shelled by the cruisers Emden, Köln and Leipzig, escorted by the destroyers Z-25 and Z-30.
...
- Central sector
There too, the Wehrmacht masters give the lesson.
Leaving the XII Corps (General Schroth) to deal with the defenders of Bobrouisk, Guderian sinks towards Moghilev. The attempts of Soviet counter-attacks launched in the afternoon are easily repulsed.
At the same time, PanzerGruppe 3 (von Hoth) launches a double attack: on the one hand in direction of Molodetchno, northwest of Minsk, threatening to cut the Soviet forces from the Ostrovec-Soly-Smorgon region, and further north, in the M'adel-Postavy region, in the direction of Polotsk.
This new offensive plunges the Soviet HQ into disarray. At noon, Tymoshenko orders troops from the Soly-Smorgon region to withdraw to Minsk and prepare a "solid defense" of the city.
But PanzerGruppe 3 does not march directly to Minsk. It seeks to encircle most of the 1st Belorussian Front. The 129th Rifle Division tries to slow the German advance near M'adel-Postavy, but it is soon overwhelmed. However, Hoth's troops progress in a much less spectacular way than Guderian's, because he is much less well supported by the Luftwaffe - which cannot be everywhere.
...
- Southern sector
In the north, PanzerGruppe 1 reaches around noon the outer defenses of Novograd-Volynskiy, mainly held by "reinforced" battalions of the 7th Fortified Region and paratroopers. Numerous and well entrenched anti-tank guns then start to take a heavy toll on the German armor. By evening, von Kleist's forces had lost nearly 90 tanks, without even being able to break through the first line of defense.
Further south, von Stülpnagel's men encounter increasing resistance, but manage to take Dunaevtsy shortly before nightfall. This loss is a wake-up call for Kirponos. With Dunaevtsy in German hands, Khmel'nitskiy could be threatened and the Soviet forces that had advanced to Lvov might be cut off. The front's commander asks General Muzychenko to move the 6th Army to the south and to organize a defense line southwest of the South Bug (Yuzhniy Bug).
At the end of the day, Kirponos decides to call the Stavka to ask what to do with the bulk of the forces located in the Brody-Berejany area. The answer of Shaposhnikov is very irritated. The chief of staff had hoped that Kirponos would prepare a more mobile and aggressive defense against von Stülpnagel's offensive: "How is it that your mechanized units [or rather what is left of them...] are still inactive? We must immediately form a strong group to the west of the 6th Army, in order to flank the fascist forces!"
However, north and south of Kishinev, the units of the Odessa Front (Col. Gen. Tyulenev) still hold on tightly along the Prut, despite the 11th Army's offensive. But they have to face a new enemy: the German LII Corps s (belonging to the 17th Army) attacks from the northern bank of the Dniestr and approaches Mogilev-Podolskyi, while the XI Corps resumes its offensive on the southern bank in the direction of Soroki and the LIV Corps, exploiting the gap of the XI Corps, bypasses Edinet and takes the Prut line from behind.
The Fortified Regions of Mogilev-Podolskyi and Kishinev are threatened with encirclement while the Stavka, which has other priorities, refuses any reinforcement to Tyulenev.
Barbarossa
- Northern sector and Baltic Sea
A major crisis develops in the entire sector commanded by Voroshilov, where the Germans once again show themselves to be the master tacticians in the art of modern warfare while the Red Army is far from having completed its training.
From the bridgehead of Jekelopils, the German forces rush on the Soviet rear.
The LVI. Panzerkorps of Von Manstein, reinforced by the SS Totenkopf division, rushes due east, towards Rezekne. The city is reached around 19:45 but, in the absence of air support, cannot be taken by storm. The 121st ID, of the IInd Corps, goes down along the eastern bank of the Dvina, towards Plavinas, which is taken during the night. These events are a death threat for the 29th and 7th Armies of Sobennikov. In the late afternoon, Sobennikov begins to extract his forces from the Daugavpils area and withdraw them to the northeast.
In the Curonian Spit, German troops take Saldus after heavy fighting and begin to advance towards Sabile. On the west coast, the 291. ID attacks Liepaja, which is shelled by the cruisers Emden, Köln and Leipzig, escorted by the destroyers Z-25 and Z-30.
...
- Central sector
There too, the Wehrmacht masters give the lesson.
Leaving the XII Corps (General Schroth) to deal with the defenders of Bobrouisk, Guderian sinks towards Moghilev. The attempts of Soviet counter-attacks launched in the afternoon are easily repulsed.
At the same time, PanzerGruppe 3 (von Hoth) launches a double attack: on the one hand in direction of Molodetchno, northwest of Minsk, threatening to cut the Soviet forces from the Ostrovec-Soly-Smorgon region, and further north, in the M'adel-Postavy region, in the direction of Polotsk.
This new offensive plunges the Soviet HQ into disarray. At noon, Tymoshenko orders troops from the Soly-Smorgon region to withdraw to Minsk and prepare a "solid defense" of the city.
But PanzerGruppe 3 does not march directly to Minsk. It seeks to encircle most of the 1st Belorussian Front. The 129th Rifle Division tries to slow the German advance near M'adel-Postavy, but it is soon overwhelmed. However, Hoth's troops progress in a much less spectacular way than Guderian's, because he is much less well supported by the Luftwaffe - which cannot be everywhere.
...
- Southern sector
In the north, PanzerGruppe 1 reaches around noon the outer defenses of Novograd-Volynskiy, mainly held by "reinforced" battalions of the 7th Fortified Region and paratroopers. Numerous and well entrenched anti-tank guns then start to take a heavy toll on the German armor. By evening, von Kleist's forces had lost nearly 90 tanks, without even being able to break through the first line of defense.
Further south, von Stülpnagel's men encounter increasing resistance, but manage to take Dunaevtsy shortly before nightfall. This loss is a wake-up call for Kirponos. With Dunaevtsy in German hands, Khmel'nitskiy could be threatened and the Soviet forces that had advanced to Lvov might be cut off. The front's commander asks General Muzychenko to move the 6th Army to the south and to organize a defense line southwest of the South Bug (Yuzhniy Bug).
At the end of the day, Kirponos decides to call the Stavka to ask what to do with the bulk of the forces located in the Brody-Berejany area. The answer of Shaposhnikov is very irritated. The chief of staff had hoped that Kirponos would prepare a more mobile and aggressive defense against von Stülpnagel's offensive: "How is it that your mechanized units [or rather what is left of them...] are still inactive? We must immediately form a strong group to the west of the 6th Army, in order to flank the fascist forces!"
However, north and south of Kishinev, the units of the Odessa Front (Col. Gen. Tyulenev) still hold on tightly along the Prut, despite the 11th Army's offensive. But they have to face a new enemy: the German LII Corps s (belonging to the 17th Army) attacks from the northern bank of the Dniestr and approaches Mogilev-Podolskyi, while the XI Corps resumes its offensive on the southern bank in the direction of Soroki and the LIV Corps, exploiting the gap of the XI Corps, bypasses Edinet and takes the Prut line from behind.
The Fortified Regions of Mogilev-Podolskyi and Kishinev are threatened with encirclement while the Stavka, which has other priorities, refuses any reinforcement to Tyulenev.
4860
June 30th, 1942
Gibraltar - The convoy for Russia raises anchor at dawn, escorted by the cruisers Colbert (A) and Tourville, La Galissonnière and Marseillaise, the CT Vauquelin, the 1,500 ton destroyers Simoun, Tramontane, Typhon, Le Mars and Ouragan and the Hunt class DEs HMS Middleton and RHS Krite.
Gibraltar - The convoy for Russia raises anchor at dawn, escorted by the cruisers Colbert (A) and Tourville, La Galissonnière and Marseillaise, the CT Vauquelin, the 1,500 ton destroyers Simoun, Tramontane, Typhon, Le Mars and Ouragan and the Hunt class DEs HMS Middleton and RHS Krite.
4862
June 30th, 1942
Sparta - After discussions with General Auchinleck and Admiral Cunningham, General Giraud authorizes the launching of Operation Ajax on July 2nd. As a prelude, the allied bombers launch two raids against the Italian positions on the island of Zanthe (Zakynthos).
Sparta - After discussions with General Auchinleck and Admiral Cunningham, General Giraud authorizes the launching of Operation Ajax on July 2nd. As a prelude, the allied bombers launch two raids against the Italian positions on the island of Zanthe (Zakynthos).
4863
June 30th, 1942
Peloponnese campaign - Including the Giuliani and Reichenfels, the Allies destroyed in June six cargo ships engaged in the supply of Axis troops in the Peloponnese.
Of the four other losses, three are Italian freighters sunk by submarines: Capo Arma (3,712 GRT), sunk on the 7th by the MN La Sultane (CC Kraut)*, Sant'Antonio (ex-Yugoslav
Anton, 1,480 GRT), sunk on 23rd by HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.S. Mackenzie)** and finally Regulus (1,085 GRT), sunk on the 24th by the MN Amazone (LV Verdavaine). The fourth loss is a German freighter victim of the Allied air force, the Savona (2,120 GRT), sunk during a night bombardment of Brindisi on the 26th by a mixed Franco-British formation from Malta.
Finally, a seventh ship was lost by accident on the 19th in the port of Patras. The cargo of gasoline cans from the Italian cargo ship Avionia (1,122 GRT) caught fire during unloading.
As it was also carrying ammunition (the lack of ships leads to some carelessness), it had to be scuttled to avoid an explosion.
* This was the second success in two months, after the Italian freighter Bolsena (2,384 GRT) sunk on May 18th of that year.
** This was its fifth success of the year 1942.
Peloponnese campaign - Including the Giuliani and Reichenfels, the Allies destroyed in June six cargo ships engaged in the supply of Axis troops in the Peloponnese.
Of the four other losses, three are Italian freighters sunk by submarines: Capo Arma (3,712 GRT), sunk on the 7th by the MN La Sultane (CC Kraut)*, Sant'Antonio (ex-Yugoslav
Anton, 1,480 GRT), sunk on 23rd by HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.S. Mackenzie)** and finally Regulus (1,085 GRT), sunk on the 24th by the MN Amazone (LV Verdavaine). The fourth loss is a German freighter victim of the Allied air force, the Savona (2,120 GRT), sunk during a night bombardment of Brindisi on the 26th by a mixed Franco-British formation from Malta.
Finally, a seventh ship was lost by accident on the 19th in the port of Patras. The cargo of gasoline cans from the Italian cargo ship Avionia (1,122 GRT) caught fire during unloading.
As it was also carrying ammunition (the lack of ships leads to some carelessness), it had to be scuttled to avoid an explosion.
* This was the second success in two months, after the Italian freighter Bolsena (2,384 GRT) sunk on May 18th of that year.
** This was its fifth success of the year 1942.
4864 - June naval losses, comparaison to OTL
Allied losses
SN L-1 Leninets (Leninets-class submarine), sunk by German aircraft off Pillau (OTL sunk in October 1941)
SN Strogy (Stroroyevoy-class destroyer), sunk by German aircraft in the Baltic Sea (OTL survived the war, decom. 1964)
SN Strashny (Stroroyevoy-class destroyer), sunk by German S-Boots off Saaremaa (OTL survived the war, decom. 1960)
SN Otvazhny (Ognevoy-class destroyer), mined off Saaremaa (OTL completed only in 1948, decom. 1966)
SN Minsk (Leningrad-class destroyer), sunk by German S-Boots in the Battle of Liepaja (OTL survived the war, decom. 1958)
SN Spokoiny (Stroroyevoy-class destroyer), sunk by German S-Boots in the Battle of Liepaja (OTL never completed/launched)
SN Skory (Stroroyevoy-class destroyer), sunk by German S-Boots in the Battle of Liepaja (OTL mined in August 1941)
SN Shch-303 (Shchuka-class submarine), sunk by German patrol boats off Gdynia (OTL survived the war, decom. 1945)
SN Shch-308 (Shchuka-class submarine), mined off Gdynia (OTL sunk in October 1942)
SN Shch-311 (Shchuka-class submarine), sunk by the KGM T-10 off Pillau (OTL sunk in October 1942)
SN S-6 (S-class submarine), sunk by the KGM S-77 off Pillau (OTL sunk in August 1941)
USS S-27 (S-class submarine), ran aground at Amchitka as OTL
SN Yakov Sverdlov (Novik-class destroyer), mined in the Gulf of Riga (OTL mined in August 1941)
Axis losses
NMS Marasti (Vifor-class destroyer), sunk by Soviet I-16 and Yak-1 aircraft in the Raid on Constantza (OTL survived the war, decom. 1961)
NMS Regele Ferdinand (Regele Ferdinand-class destroyer), sunk by Soviet I-16 and Yak-1 aircraft in the Raid on Constantza (OTL survived the war, decom. 1961)
MM Veniero (Provana-class submarine), sunk by British aircraft off the Azores (OTL sunk on the same day but in the Med)
KGM Z-27 (Type 1936A-class destroyer), mined during the Battle of Liepaja (OTL sunk in December 1943)
NMS Sborul (250t-class torpedo boat), sunk by Soviet I-16 and Yak-1 aircraft off Sulina (OTL survived the war, decom. 1958)
SN L-1 Leninets (Leninets-class submarine), sunk by German aircraft off Pillau (OTL sunk in October 1941)
SN Strogy (Stroroyevoy-class destroyer), sunk by German aircraft in the Baltic Sea (OTL survived the war, decom. 1964)
SN Strashny (Stroroyevoy-class destroyer), sunk by German S-Boots off Saaremaa (OTL survived the war, decom. 1960)
SN Otvazhny (Ognevoy-class destroyer), mined off Saaremaa (OTL completed only in 1948, decom. 1966)
SN Minsk (Leningrad-class destroyer), sunk by German S-Boots in the Battle of Liepaja (OTL survived the war, decom. 1958)
SN Spokoiny (Stroroyevoy-class destroyer), sunk by German S-Boots in the Battle of Liepaja (OTL never completed/launched)
SN Skory (Stroroyevoy-class destroyer), sunk by German S-Boots in the Battle of Liepaja (OTL mined in August 1941)
SN Shch-303 (Shchuka-class submarine), sunk by German patrol boats off Gdynia (OTL survived the war, decom. 1945)
SN Shch-308 (Shchuka-class submarine), mined off Gdynia (OTL sunk in October 1942)
SN Shch-311 (Shchuka-class submarine), sunk by the KGM T-10 off Pillau (OTL sunk in October 1942)
SN S-6 (S-class submarine), sunk by the KGM S-77 off Pillau (OTL sunk in August 1941)
USS S-27 (S-class submarine), ran aground at Amchitka as OTL
SN Yakov Sverdlov (Novik-class destroyer), mined in the Gulf of Riga (OTL mined in August 1941)
Axis losses
NMS Marasti (Vifor-class destroyer), sunk by Soviet I-16 and Yak-1 aircraft in the Raid on Constantza (OTL survived the war, decom. 1961)
NMS Regele Ferdinand (Regele Ferdinand-class destroyer), sunk by Soviet I-16 and Yak-1 aircraft in the Raid on Constantza (OTL survived the war, decom. 1961)
MM Veniero (Provana-class submarine), sunk by British aircraft off the Azores (OTL sunk on the same day but in the Med)
KGM Z-27 (Type 1936A-class destroyer), mined during the Battle of Liepaja (OTL sunk in December 1943)
NMS Sborul (250t-class torpedo boat), sunk by Soviet I-16 and Yak-1 aircraft off Sulina (OTL survived the war, decom. 1958)
Wew, finally caught up. At certain points you were posting faster than I can read. Great work.
Quick question, it's probably something lost in translation, but what does it mean when the French are talking about their zinc? Also out of curiosity, you said that you're only translating 2/3 to 3/4 of the work (totally understandable) but what sort of stuff is missing in the untranslated parts?
Quick question, it's probably something lost in translation, but what does it mean when the French are talking about their zinc? Also out of curiosity, you said that you're only translating 2/3 to 3/4 of the work (totally understandable) but what sort of stuff is missing in the untranslated parts?
Thanks!
It’s slang for their planes/aircraft.
The areas that fall under the categories of Information (mainly radio and newspaper stuff, since the most important stuff is already shown in the « usual » areas), Escapes (Not really that relevant, maybe I’ll translate the prominent ones once I finish catching up, which won’t be for a little while), « Fabrice » (these are little stories of individual characters which would be drowned in a flow of events and therefore hard to keep up with. Same thing, I’ll maybe translate them later), Belgians/Swiss (their main feats are incorporated into the main sections anyways) and a lot of annexes which are absolutely massive to translate (for example there’s a 50 page section on Bataan and Corregidor and a 20 page one on Finland, or another one listing a boatload of aircraft specifications on 15 pages, so same thing, I’ll probably translate them, but once I’ve finished catching up).
All in all, 3/4ers of the work should be covered for the « catching up » phase.
I’m trying to keep a pace of at least 10 days/day (work permitting) and at least 1 day/day on weekends or field mission days.
The aim is to have finished 1942 by the end of July but it might be a bit ambitious considering what is coming up...
It’s slang for their planes/aircraft.
The areas that fall under the categories of Information (mainly radio and newspaper stuff, since the most important stuff is already shown in the « usual » areas), Escapes (Not really that relevant, maybe I’ll translate the prominent ones once I finish catching up, which won’t be for a little while), « Fabrice » (these are little stories of individual characters which would be drowned in a flow of events and therefore hard to keep up with. Same thing, I’ll maybe translate them later), Belgians/Swiss (their main feats are incorporated into the main sections anyways) and a lot of annexes which are absolutely massive to translate (for example there’s a 50 page section on Bataan and Corregidor and a 20 page one on Finland, or another one listing a boatload of aircraft specifications on 15 pages, so same thing, I’ll probably translate them, but once I’ve finished catching up).
All in all, 3/4ers of the work should be covered for the « catching up » phase.
I’m trying to keep a pace of at least 10 days/day (work permitting) and at least 1 day/day on weekends or field mission days.
The aim is to have finished 1942 by the end of July but it might be a bit ambitious considering what is coming up...
Thanks! Guess not missing out on a ton. Your pace is amazing, I know it is a MASSIVE project and I've been wanting for years to read it-I even started the first few. posts with G translate a few years back but it was messy. I can be patient!
The rest of July sounds quite exciting, I bet it's a lot of big campaigns on the Eastern Front, the rest of Pericles, second battle of Singapore and maybe even Midway or Watchtower, it's a busy month.
July's program is the renewed German offensive in the USSR, Operations Pericles and Ajax, Operation Pedestal and the Malacca Dash, the start of the Japanese counter-offensive in Singapore, the Kokoda Track campaign and McArthur's last stand.
Watchtower isn't scheduled to start for this month, and due to the damage sustained by the Japanese fleet, Midway has been butterflied.
4867
July 1st, 1942
Alger - As a meeting of the Council of Ministers is about to end, General De Gaulle asks to speak. The participants, who had been practicing it for two years immediately suspect that this is not an incidental matter.
- Mr. President of the Council, Gentlemen..." begins the General, with a slight hesitation that hardly resembles him. "It is my duty to inform you of the fact that the services of the Ministry of War in charge of the morale of the troops currently receive from units made up in whole or in part of soldiers from the colonies engaged since June 1940, the echoes of a concern which seems to be shared by most if not by all of these men. It seems that these men would like to see the realization of other than by a title of citizenship, of little use for the moment, the fact that France now considers that they have the same rights as its metropolitan nationals.
As for the duties, they consider, with some reason, that they have been submitting to them for two years with an ardor that does honor to our flag. As the national holiday approaches, it occurred to me that this might be a good time to demonstrate in a tangible way that our government is responding to this expectation. It seems to me that a few years ago some measures were planned by the government of the time, without being able to succeed..." De Gaulle concludes, turning slightly to Léon Blum. This one seizes the ball.
- Certainly. In 1936, Mr. Maurice Viollette, Minister of State in my government, had planned to give French nationality to an elite of 25,000 Algerian natives approximately. But the alliance of circumstance of the local notables had made the deal fail, to my great regret.
- Mr. Viollette could perhaps take up the file again in order to take into account the specific aspirations of our new citizens," says Paul Reynaud.
- Certainly," Blum enthuses. "He is no longer young, but he is all the more respected, and the indigenous population will be able to see that he is a man who has been attentive to their problems for a long time. I propose that you create for him the position of Under Secretary of State... let's say, "in charge of the indigenous population acceding to full citizenship for acts of war."
- Perfect," agrees Reynaud. "What do you say, General?
- That it's an excellent idea. Although the title of his position seems to me to be a bit... administrative. But I think that he will soon be called "Minister of the citizens by the blood spilled".
According to a recent biography of Georges Mandel (Le Moine de la Politique, by Nicolas Sarkozy, 1994), the latter would have noted in the evening of this meeting that the General had then the air of the cat who sees the mouse coming all alone between his paws. In fact, we know today that De Gaulle had discreetly approached Viollette before this Council meeting. In any case, the subject was launched, and the first measure proposed seems to have been taken independently of the Minister of War. He can push further.
- That said, you will understand, Gentlemen, that I have been lately particularly attentive to everything that could enlighten me on the current state of mind of the colonial populations, inasmuch as this state of mind conditions the recruitment of our Armies. I therefore received with the greatest interest Mr. René Maran, who was sent to me by Mr. Félix Eboué, governor of Equatorial Africa, whose competence and untiring devotion to France you are well aware of. [Here again, we know today that it was De Gaulle who, on the advice of Marius Moutet, Minister of the Colonies, had first asked Félix Eboué for information on this subject]. Mr. Maran is a former Colonial Administrator who was fired from the administration for having published a novel denouncing precisely the way in which our colonies are administered. Aggravating circumstance no doubt, this novel had won the Goncourt Prize. You may remember, gentlemen, that I myself have published a few years ago one or two works which did not please my hierarchy, while at the same time being highly regarded... [Smiles around the table, especially since several of the ministers, including Blum and Reynaud, had indeed read and appreciated Colonel de Gaulle's works at the time]. I had not had the honors of the Goncourt nor suffered the indignity of being expelled, but I felt some kinship with Mr. Maran, even though he was of West Indian origin. [In fact, René Maran became an advisor for native troops in the War Department]. Finally, I have verified his statement thanks to other precise, reliable and concordant sources and with the precious help of Monsieur Moutet. [He has been smiling broadly for a few moments now.]
Well, gentlemen [suddenly there is no trace of lightness in the voice, which becomes hoarser], if what I have learned is correct, if half of what I have learned is correct, it seems to me that the honor of Fighting France and of this government requires the abolition of the Code de l'Indigénat and the system of forced labor. The former contravenes the republican principle that a man should be judged according to his acts and not according to his origin. The second is simply a kind of survival of slavery. I would like to point out here that Monsieur Moutet worked, alas without success, before the war, to obtain the abolition of these laws. It is time to put an end to it!
These abolition measures can be openly credited to the voluntary commitment of a large number of voluntary commitment of a great number of men under the French flag, showing that the enlisted men have not only won for themselves the citizenship which puts them in the shelter of the Indigénat, but that their courage benefits everyone, which will reinforce their prestige and that of our Armed Forces.
Announced at the right time - and what better time to find than July 14th? - these measures will show that France, even though it is in a historically unique and seemingly hopeless situation that would seem hopeless for any other nation, does not abandon its secular civilizing and liberating mission. They could not fail to have on the peoples of the Maghreb, Black Africa and Asia, but also on the peoples of the whole world, whether they live free or under constraint, an immense impact."
After this "immense impact" that resounds in the boardroom, the General suddenly pauses, gauging the reactions of the room. Blum and Mendès are close to applauding, but it was a given, and the important thing is not there. Mandel growls: "Abolishing the Indigénat, like that, in the middle of a war! Have you thought about the reactions of the colonists, the administrators..." Mendes then, sweetly:
"Don't tell us that you fear they will listen to the speeches of Laval's henchmen, who will still speak of a government of africans, for africans..." Mandel, stung: "Certainly not! But such an administrative upheaval would require to be solidly organized and closely supervised. One cannot impose such a task on the services of the Ministry of the Colonies, whose activity is essentially devoted to the daily management or to the satisfaction of the needs of the Defense. [The Ministry of Colonies, officially renamed since the beginning of 1941 as the Ministry of Overseas France, has in fact been attached to the Defense since Japan entered the war]. Moreover, it is not an insult the personnel of this ministry to say that they do not have the proper political competence necessary for such a delicate task.
- I am afraid so," Reynaud acknowledges. "This is a serious obstacle, General, isn't it?
De Gaulle looks embarrassed for a moment, then, as if the light had come to him: "No doubt, Mr. President of the Council. But, under these conditions, would I dare to propose to you to attach the Ministry for Overseas France to the Ministry of the Interior? The services of the Interior unfortunately have much less work to do with the metropolitan departments, and no one here doubts the great capacities of the Minister of the Interior, who will be able to implement this reform in an exemplary manner for the future of the country and its colonies, with the support, I am sure, of Monsieur Moutet."
Marius Moutet stands up, beaming: "I have already stated, Mr. President of the Council, Gentlemen, that a colonial regime is not viable when it cannot be animated from within by the indigenous people who should benefit from it. What more beautiful symbol of the right of the natives to manage than the integration of the Colonies into France within the Ministry of the Interior, at a time when the new French citizens will see their aspirations defended by a new ministry and where the odious regime of the Indigénat is abolished! It is with joy that I will work under the authority of the Minister of the Interior."
The biography of Mandel by N. Sarkozy informs us again: the Minister of the Interior is perfectly aware that he has been outmaneuvered, but cannot help but be both honored... and admiring. Besides, how could he refuse such a proposal? His master Clemenceau, who was always a virulent anti-colonialist, would he not have approved? This is why, when Reynaud approves the idea and turns to him, he could only stand up and declare, "I will strive to be worthy of the country's trust."
There remains an obstacle: Henry de Kérillis does not resign himself. "Before the war, these measures were one of the battle horses of the Communists. I know that, Mr. Hitler having had the good taste to attack the USSR, the French Communist Party is in the process of regaining an appearance of respectability. But it is a great gift to welcome the return of this prodigal son, who has nevertheless missed during three years to the war effort, by killing the the fattened calf and applying his policy! I think it would be better to encourage him to be modest!"
De Gaulle then turns to him and, in his warmest voice: "I am pleased to see that we are in perfect agreement on this point: the Communists must be encouraged to be modest. This is precisely why it is important to deprive them of the formidable lever of opinion represented in the Colonies by the Indigenat and forced labor. If we abolish them, the CP will not be able to hide behind these scarecrows to make people forget that it defected as soon as the German-Soviet pact was signed and until the launching of the German attack on Russia...".
Caught at his own game, Kerillis remains silent. This time, the case is heard. For those who had not yet understood, De Gaulle's political apprenticeship is complete. It is true that he had had, for two years, excellent teachers and equally remarkable examples in the Council!
Alger - As a meeting of the Council of Ministers is about to end, General De Gaulle asks to speak. The participants, who had been practicing it for two years immediately suspect that this is not an incidental matter.
- Mr. President of the Council, Gentlemen..." begins the General, with a slight hesitation that hardly resembles him. "It is my duty to inform you of the fact that the services of the Ministry of War in charge of the morale of the troops currently receive from units made up in whole or in part of soldiers from the colonies engaged since June 1940, the echoes of a concern which seems to be shared by most if not by all of these men. It seems that these men would like to see the realization of other than by a title of citizenship, of little use for the moment, the fact that France now considers that they have the same rights as its metropolitan nationals.
As for the duties, they consider, with some reason, that they have been submitting to them for two years with an ardor that does honor to our flag. As the national holiday approaches, it occurred to me that this might be a good time to demonstrate in a tangible way that our government is responding to this expectation. It seems to me that a few years ago some measures were planned by the government of the time, without being able to succeed..." De Gaulle concludes, turning slightly to Léon Blum. This one seizes the ball.
- Certainly. In 1936, Mr. Maurice Viollette, Minister of State in my government, had planned to give French nationality to an elite of 25,000 Algerian natives approximately. But the alliance of circumstance of the local notables had made the deal fail, to my great regret.
- Mr. Viollette could perhaps take up the file again in order to take into account the specific aspirations of our new citizens," says Paul Reynaud.
- Certainly," Blum enthuses. "He is no longer young, but he is all the more respected, and the indigenous population will be able to see that he is a man who has been attentive to their problems for a long time. I propose that you create for him the position of Under Secretary of State... let's say, "in charge of the indigenous population acceding to full citizenship for acts of war."
- Perfect," agrees Reynaud. "What do you say, General?
- That it's an excellent idea. Although the title of his position seems to me to be a bit... administrative. But I think that he will soon be called "Minister of the citizens by the blood spilled".
According to a recent biography of Georges Mandel (Le Moine de la Politique, by Nicolas Sarkozy, 1994), the latter would have noted in the evening of this meeting that the General had then the air of the cat who sees the mouse coming all alone between his paws. In fact, we know today that De Gaulle had discreetly approached Viollette before this Council meeting. In any case, the subject was launched, and the first measure proposed seems to have been taken independently of the Minister of War. He can push further.
- That said, you will understand, Gentlemen, that I have been lately particularly attentive to everything that could enlighten me on the current state of mind of the colonial populations, inasmuch as this state of mind conditions the recruitment of our Armies. I therefore received with the greatest interest Mr. René Maran, who was sent to me by Mr. Félix Eboué, governor of Equatorial Africa, whose competence and untiring devotion to France you are well aware of. [Here again, we know today that it was De Gaulle who, on the advice of Marius Moutet, Minister of the Colonies, had first asked Félix Eboué for information on this subject]. Mr. Maran is a former Colonial Administrator who was fired from the administration for having published a novel denouncing precisely the way in which our colonies are administered. Aggravating circumstance no doubt, this novel had won the Goncourt Prize. You may remember, gentlemen, that I myself have published a few years ago one or two works which did not please my hierarchy, while at the same time being highly regarded... [Smiles around the table, especially since several of the ministers, including Blum and Reynaud, had indeed read and appreciated Colonel de Gaulle's works at the time]. I had not had the honors of the Goncourt nor suffered the indignity of being expelled, but I felt some kinship with Mr. Maran, even though he was of West Indian origin. [In fact, René Maran became an advisor for native troops in the War Department]. Finally, I have verified his statement thanks to other precise, reliable and concordant sources and with the precious help of Monsieur Moutet. [He has been smiling broadly for a few moments now.]
Well, gentlemen [suddenly there is no trace of lightness in the voice, which becomes hoarser], if what I have learned is correct, if half of what I have learned is correct, it seems to me that the honor of Fighting France and of this government requires the abolition of the Code de l'Indigénat and the system of forced labor. The former contravenes the republican principle that a man should be judged according to his acts and not according to his origin. The second is simply a kind of survival of slavery. I would like to point out here that Monsieur Moutet worked, alas without success, before the war, to obtain the abolition of these laws. It is time to put an end to it!
These abolition measures can be openly credited to the voluntary commitment of a large number of voluntary commitment of a great number of men under the French flag, showing that the enlisted men have not only won for themselves the citizenship which puts them in the shelter of the Indigénat, but that their courage benefits everyone, which will reinforce their prestige and that of our Armed Forces.
Announced at the right time - and what better time to find than July 14th? - these measures will show that France, even though it is in a historically unique and seemingly hopeless situation that would seem hopeless for any other nation, does not abandon its secular civilizing and liberating mission. They could not fail to have on the peoples of the Maghreb, Black Africa and Asia, but also on the peoples of the whole world, whether they live free or under constraint, an immense impact."
After this "immense impact" that resounds in the boardroom, the General suddenly pauses, gauging the reactions of the room. Blum and Mendès are close to applauding, but it was a given, and the important thing is not there. Mandel growls: "Abolishing the Indigénat, like that, in the middle of a war! Have you thought about the reactions of the colonists, the administrators..." Mendes then, sweetly:
"Don't tell us that you fear they will listen to the speeches of Laval's henchmen, who will still speak of a government of africans, for africans..." Mandel, stung: "Certainly not! But such an administrative upheaval would require to be solidly organized and closely supervised. One cannot impose such a task on the services of the Ministry of the Colonies, whose activity is essentially devoted to the daily management or to the satisfaction of the needs of the Defense. [The Ministry of Colonies, officially renamed since the beginning of 1941 as the Ministry of Overseas France, has in fact been attached to the Defense since Japan entered the war]. Moreover, it is not an insult the personnel of this ministry to say that they do not have the proper political competence necessary for such a delicate task.
- I am afraid so," Reynaud acknowledges. "This is a serious obstacle, General, isn't it?
De Gaulle looks embarrassed for a moment, then, as if the light had come to him: "No doubt, Mr. President of the Council. But, under these conditions, would I dare to propose to you to attach the Ministry for Overseas France to the Ministry of the Interior? The services of the Interior unfortunately have much less work to do with the metropolitan departments, and no one here doubts the great capacities of the Minister of the Interior, who will be able to implement this reform in an exemplary manner for the future of the country and its colonies, with the support, I am sure, of Monsieur Moutet."
Marius Moutet stands up, beaming: "I have already stated, Mr. President of the Council, Gentlemen, that a colonial regime is not viable when it cannot be animated from within by the indigenous people who should benefit from it. What more beautiful symbol of the right of the natives to manage than the integration of the Colonies into France within the Ministry of the Interior, at a time when the new French citizens will see their aspirations defended by a new ministry and where the odious regime of the Indigénat is abolished! It is with joy that I will work under the authority of the Minister of the Interior."
The biography of Mandel by N. Sarkozy informs us again: the Minister of the Interior is perfectly aware that he has been outmaneuvered, but cannot help but be both honored... and admiring. Besides, how could he refuse such a proposal? His master Clemenceau, who was always a virulent anti-colonialist, would he not have approved? This is why, when Reynaud approves the idea and turns to him, he could only stand up and declare, "I will strive to be worthy of the country's trust."
There remains an obstacle: Henry de Kérillis does not resign himself. "Before the war, these measures were one of the battle horses of the Communists. I know that, Mr. Hitler having had the good taste to attack the USSR, the French Communist Party is in the process of regaining an appearance of respectability. But it is a great gift to welcome the return of this prodigal son, who has nevertheless missed during three years to the war effort, by killing the the fattened calf and applying his policy! I think it would be better to encourage him to be modest!"
De Gaulle then turns to him and, in his warmest voice: "I am pleased to see that we are in perfect agreement on this point: the Communists must be encouraged to be modest. This is precisely why it is important to deprive them of the formidable lever of opinion represented in the Colonies by the Indigenat and forced labor. If we abolish them, the CP will not be able to hide behind these scarecrows to make people forget that it defected as soon as the German-Soviet pact was signed and until the launching of the German attack on Russia...".
Caught at his own game, Kerillis remains silent. This time, the case is heard. For those who had not yet understood, De Gaulle's political apprenticeship is complete. It is true that he had had, for two years, excellent teachers and equally remarkable examples in the Council!
4868
July 1st, 1942
Barbarossa
- Northern sector
With the support of the Luftwaffe, von Manstein succeeds in taking Rezekne after a whole day of hard fighting. From there, the German offensive is launched in two directions. The LVI. PanzerKorps has to rush towards Pskov, in the north, to prevent the Soviets from re-establishing a defensive line. The II. Corps should drive towards Polotsk, in the south-east, to join with the forces of Army Group Center and carry out an extensive encirclement. II Corps has only infantry units at its disposal, von Leeb orders von Manstein to surrender his 22. Panzer Division. Faced with von Manstein's protests, von Leeb announces that the 3. ID (mot), drawn from the reserve of Army Group North, is made available to the LVI. PanzerKorps as compensation.
However, the VVS considerably increase the pace of their operations in an attempt to slow down the German forces. They suffer heavy losses.
On his own initiative, Vatutin orders the 1st Army to withdraw behind the Dvina and to counter-attack towards Plavinas to retake the city. More respectful - too respectful - of the hierarchy, Sobennikov asks for permission to withdraw to a Pskov-Polotsk line, but Voroshilov, unable to admit that he has misused the forces under his command, stubbornly refuses. To block von Manstein's breakthrough, he orders Pavlov to send the 48th Army (General Akimov) and the two anti-tank brigades of the second echelon to Rezekne.
In Curonian Spit, too, the situation of the Soviet forces deteriorates, although a little less quickly than on von Manstein's side. The German 18th Army advances north. At the end of the day, Liepaja is threatened with encirclement. Berzarin authorizes the 67th Rifle Division and the other defenders to withdraw to Ventspils "after destroying all the port installations" - which is done during the night.
...
- Central sector
North of Minsk, PanzerGruppe 3 takes Postavy in the morning and continues towards Polotsk.
But its advance is slowed down by the difficult terrain and the Soviet defenders.
The infantry of Army Group Center having suffered heavy losses in blocking Tymoshenko's attacks, the composition of von Hoth's forces is unbalanced, which does not facilitate the elimination of the Soviet units that try to stop them.
In the south, the fighting gradually ends in Bobruisk, where the Soviet forces surrounded will resist until nightfall. At this time, Guderian has already reached Moghilev, where the bridges over the Dnieper have been destroyed. However, on the western bank, the defenses are weak, and the city is soon in German hands. Guderian then decides to continue north along the river towards Orsha, with the XLVII. PanzerKorps and the XXIV. PanzerKorps. At the same time, he sends under the supervision of Lemelsen the XLVI. PanzerKorps (General von Vietinghoff-Scheel) towards the south, in the direction of Gomel - but Gomel is on the left (east) bank of the river.
Tymoshenko's situation is disastrous. All his units are threatened with encirclement.
He orders the forces around Minsk to prepare for "a prolonged defense" and decides to evacuate the inhabitants. In addition, he asks the Stavka for large reinforcements to the Orsha-Vitebsk-Polotsk line, in order to stop the German offensive towards the "isthmus" between the Dnieper and the Dvina (between Orsha and Vitebsk) and to keep the contact with the North-Western Front.
...
- Southern sector
On both sides, attention is focused on the battle for Novograd-Volynskiy. Von Rundstedt asks the Luftwaffe to provide maximum support to von Kleist's forces and German bombers hammer the Soviet defenses all morning before the resumption of the attack, at 14:30. But despite the bombing, the anti-tank defenses are still effective. It is true that Luftflotte 4 lacks dive bombers and ground attack aircraft. In the absence of Ju 87s, dive-bombing is entrusted to the Ju 88s of KG 54 and KG 51. For ground attack, the I and II/Sch.G1, which had 87 Hs 123 on 15 May, have only 27, reinforced by 12 Bf 109E Jabos.
When the battle diminishes in intensity, around 22:30, the first line of defense is finally broken but the Germans have lost 79 more tanks. During the night, the 1st Airborne Corps falls back to the second line of defense.
In the center of the Ukrainian Front, von Reichenau's 6th Army is too weakened to pose a threat to the Soviet forces. Rokossovsky can therefore without concern withdraw some units from Brody to try to form a mobile group at Chepetovka, as soon as Kirponos authorizes it. But this authorization arrives too late for the movements to start before nightfall.
Further south, von Stülpnagel's forces progress towards Vinnitsa when they encounter Muzychenko's 6th Army west of Volkovintsy. At this point, LIX Corps is very tired and had lost contact with the Hungarian Corps, slowed down by the destruction done by the Soviets northeast of Dunaevtsy. If Konev's forces had already been regrouped, the German 17th Army would have been very vulnerable to a counterattack. But Kirponos' orders, given in response to Shaposhnikov's criticism, come too late and Konev is still gathering the remnants of his mobile forces - a weakened armored brigade of the 68th Mechanized Corps and what remains of the 44th Cavalry Division.
Fortunately for him, the Luftwaffe is occupied in the north and the Hungarian air force (even if it is supported by the Slovaks) is too weak to seriously impede its movements.
In the southern part of the front, heavy fighting continues around Kishinev and on the upper course of the Dniester.
...
Black Sea
Aircraft of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet attack the port of Constantza at night without causing any damage. A DB-3F is shot down by flak.
Barbarossa
- Northern sector
With the support of the Luftwaffe, von Manstein succeeds in taking Rezekne after a whole day of hard fighting. From there, the German offensive is launched in two directions. The LVI. PanzerKorps has to rush towards Pskov, in the north, to prevent the Soviets from re-establishing a defensive line. The II. Corps should drive towards Polotsk, in the south-east, to join with the forces of Army Group Center and carry out an extensive encirclement. II Corps has only infantry units at its disposal, von Leeb orders von Manstein to surrender his 22. Panzer Division. Faced with von Manstein's protests, von Leeb announces that the 3. ID (mot), drawn from the reserve of Army Group North, is made available to the LVI. PanzerKorps as compensation.
However, the VVS considerably increase the pace of their operations in an attempt to slow down the German forces. They suffer heavy losses.
On his own initiative, Vatutin orders the 1st Army to withdraw behind the Dvina and to counter-attack towards Plavinas to retake the city. More respectful - too respectful - of the hierarchy, Sobennikov asks for permission to withdraw to a Pskov-Polotsk line, but Voroshilov, unable to admit that he has misused the forces under his command, stubbornly refuses. To block von Manstein's breakthrough, he orders Pavlov to send the 48th Army (General Akimov) and the two anti-tank brigades of the second echelon to Rezekne.
In Curonian Spit, too, the situation of the Soviet forces deteriorates, although a little less quickly than on von Manstein's side. The German 18th Army advances north. At the end of the day, Liepaja is threatened with encirclement. Berzarin authorizes the 67th Rifle Division and the other defenders to withdraw to Ventspils "after destroying all the port installations" - which is done during the night.
...
- Central sector
North of Minsk, PanzerGruppe 3 takes Postavy in the morning and continues towards Polotsk.
But its advance is slowed down by the difficult terrain and the Soviet defenders.
The infantry of Army Group Center having suffered heavy losses in blocking Tymoshenko's attacks, the composition of von Hoth's forces is unbalanced, which does not facilitate the elimination of the Soviet units that try to stop them.
In the south, the fighting gradually ends in Bobruisk, where the Soviet forces surrounded will resist until nightfall. At this time, Guderian has already reached Moghilev, where the bridges over the Dnieper have been destroyed. However, on the western bank, the defenses are weak, and the city is soon in German hands. Guderian then decides to continue north along the river towards Orsha, with the XLVII. PanzerKorps and the XXIV. PanzerKorps. At the same time, he sends under the supervision of Lemelsen the XLVI. PanzerKorps (General von Vietinghoff-Scheel) towards the south, in the direction of Gomel - but Gomel is on the left (east) bank of the river.
Tymoshenko's situation is disastrous. All his units are threatened with encirclement.
He orders the forces around Minsk to prepare for "a prolonged defense" and decides to evacuate the inhabitants. In addition, he asks the Stavka for large reinforcements to the Orsha-Vitebsk-Polotsk line, in order to stop the German offensive towards the "isthmus" between the Dnieper and the Dvina (between Orsha and Vitebsk) and to keep the contact with the North-Western Front.
...
- Southern sector
On both sides, attention is focused on the battle for Novograd-Volynskiy. Von Rundstedt asks the Luftwaffe to provide maximum support to von Kleist's forces and German bombers hammer the Soviet defenses all morning before the resumption of the attack, at 14:30. But despite the bombing, the anti-tank defenses are still effective. It is true that Luftflotte 4 lacks dive bombers and ground attack aircraft. In the absence of Ju 87s, dive-bombing is entrusted to the Ju 88s of KG 54 and KG 51. For ground attack, the I and II/Sch.G1, which had 87 Hs 123 on 15 May, have only 27, reinforced by 12 Bf 109E Jabos.
When the battle diminishes in intensity, around 22:30, the first line of defense is finally broken but the Germans have lost 79 more tanks. During the night, the 1st Airborne Corps falls back to the second line of defense.
In the center of the Ukrainian Front, von Reichenau's 6th Army is too weakened to pose a threat to the Soviet forces. Rokossovsky can therefore without concern withdraw some units from Brody to try to form a mobile group at Chepetovka, as soon as Kirponos authorizes it. But this authorization arrives too late for the movements to start before nightfall.
Further south, von Stülpnagel's forces progress towards Vinnitsa when they encounter Muzychenko's 6th Army west of Volkovintsy. At this point, LIX Corps is very tired and had lost contact with the Hungarian Corps, slowed down by the destruction done by the Soviets northeast of Dunaevtsy. If Konev's forces had already been regrouped, the German 17th Army would have been very vulnerable to a counterattack. But Kirponos' orders, given in response to Shaposhnikov's criticism, come too late and Konev is still gathering the remnants of his mobile forces - a weakened armored brigade of the 68th Mechanized Corps and what remains of the 44th Cavalry Division.
Fortunately for him, the Luftwaffe is occupied in the north and the Hungarian air force (even if it is supported by the Slovaks) is too weak to seriously impede its movements.
In the southern part of the front, heavy fighting continues around Kishinev and on the upper course of the Dniester.
...
Black Sea
Aircraft of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet attack the port of Constantza at night without causing any damage. A DB-3F is shot down by flak.
4869 - Losses of the First Battle of Singapore and the Malaya Campaign
Evolution of the Allied and Japanese troops in Malaya and Singapore from December 8th 1941 to July 1st 1942
Initial forces - December 1941
Japanese: 150,000.
Allies: 190,000.
First part - The Singapore route (battle of the borders; battle of Kedah and Perak; Battle of Central Malaya; 1st Battle of Johor)
December 8, 1941 to March 31, 1942
- Japanese casualties: 16,000 dead from all causes (including 4,000 in hospital)
30,000 sick and wounded survived (17,000 returned to unit, 10,000 assigned to secondary missions, 3,000 invalids sent back to Japan)
Heavy equipment losses: 50 tanks, 150 guns.
- Allied losses: 11,000 dead from all causes
52,000 sick and wounded (37,000 returned to their units, 9,000 assigned to secondary missions, 6,000 invalids evacuated)
6,000 natives returned to their villages
50,000 men evacuated for various reasons (technical personnel...)
Losses of heavy equipment: 50 tanks, 200 cannons.
- Japanese reinforcements: 77,000 men.
- Allied reinforcements: 35,000 men.
- Net result: 208,000 Japanese and 155,000 Allies.
Part II - First Battle of Singapore (and 10-day truce)
April 1 to May 14, 1942
- Japanese casualties: 33,000 dead from all causes (including 6,000 in hospital)
40,000 sick and wounded survived (27,000 returned to their units, 8,000 assigned to secondary missions, 5,000 invalids sent back to Japan)
Heavy equipment losses: 100 tanks, 600 guns.
- Allied losses: 15,000 dead from all causes
36,000 sick and wounded (22,000 returned to their units, 10,000 assigned to secondary missions, 4,000 invalids evacuated)
Heavy equipment losses: 60 tanks, 110 guns.
- Japanese reinforcements: 17,000 men.
- Allied reinforcements: 6,000 men.
- Net result: 187,000 Japanese and 142,000 Allies.
Part III - 2nd Battle of Johor
May 15 to June 30, 1942
- Japanese losses: 9,000 dead from all causes (including 1,000 in hospital)
14,000 sick and wounded survived (10,000 returned to their units, 2,000 assigned to secondary missions, 2,000 invalids sent back to Japan)
Heavy equipment losses: 30 tanks, 150 guns.
- Allied losses: 3,000 dead from all causes
15,000 sick and wounded (10,000 returned to their units, 4,000 assigned to secondary missions, 1,000 invalids evacuated)
Heavy equipment losses: 40 tanks, 60 guns.
- Japanese reinforcements: 27,000 men.
- Allied reinforcements: 6,000 men.
- Net result: 203,000 Japanese and 144,000 Allies.
Total losses from December 8th 1941 to June 30th 1942
- Japanese losses: 58,000 dead from all causes (including 11,000 in hospital)
84,000 sick and wounded survived (54,000 returned to their units, 20,000 assigned to secondary missions, 10,000 invalids sent back to Japan)
Heavy equipment losses: 180 tanks, 900 guns.
- Allied losses: 29,000 dead from all causes
103,000 sick and wounded (69,000 returned to their units, 23,000 assigned to secondary missions, 11,000 invalids evacuated)
Heavy equipment losses: 150 tanks, 370 guns.
Forces as of July 1st, 1942
Japanese: 203,000.
Allies: 144,000.
Initial forces - December 1941
Japanese: 150,000.
Allies: 190,000.
First part - The Singapore route (battle of the borders; battle of Kedah and Perak; Battle of Central Malaya; 1st Battle of Johor)
December 8, 1941 to March 31, 1942
- Japanese casualties: 16,000 dead from all causes (including 4,000 in hospital)
30,000 sick and wounded survived (17,000 returned to unit, 10,000 assigned to secondary missions, 3,000 invalids sent back to Japan)
Heavy equipment losses: 50 tanks, 150 guns.
- Allied losses: 11,000 dead from all causes
52,000 sick and wounded (37,000 returned to their units, 9,000 assigned to secondary missions, 6,000 invalids evacuated)
6,000 natives returned to their villages
50,000 men evacuated for various reasons (technical personnel...)
Losses of heavy equipment: 50 tanks, 200 cannons.
- Japanese reinforcements: 77,000 men.
- Allied reinforcements: 35,000 men.
- Net result: 208,000 Japanese and 155,000 Allies.
Part II - First Battle of Singapore (and 10-day truce)
April 1 to May 14, 1942
- Japanese casualties: 33,000 dead from all causes (including 6,000 in hospital)
40,000 sick and wounded survived (27,000 returned to their units, 8,000 assigned to secondary missions, 5,000 invalids sent back to Japan)
Heavy equipment losses: 100 tanks, 600 guns.
- Allied losses: 15,000 dead from all causes
36,000 sick and wounded (22,000 returned to their units, 10,000 assigned to secondary missions, 4,000 invalids evacuated)
Heavy equipment losses: 60 tanks, 110 guns.
- Japanese reinforcements: 17,000 men.
- Allied reinforcements: 6,000 men.
- Net result: 187,000 Japanese and 142,000 Allies.
Part III - 2nd Battle of Johor
May 15 to June 30, 1942
- Japanese losses: 9,000 dead from all causes (including 1,000 in hospital)
14,000 sick and wounded survived (10,000 returned to their units, 2,000 assigned to secondary missions, 2,000 invalids sent back to Japan)
Heavy equipment losses: 30 tanks, 150 guns.
- Allied losses: 3,000 dead from all causes
15,000 sick and wounded (10,000 returned to their units, 4,000 assigned to secondary missions, 1,000 invalids evacuated)
Heavy equipment losses: 40 tanks, 60 guns.
- Japanese reinforcements: 27,000 men.
- Allied reinforcements: 6,000 men.
- Net result: 203,000 Japanese and 144,000 Allies.
Total losses from December 8th 1941 to June 30th 1942
- Japanese losses: 58,000 dead from all causes (including 11,000 in hospital)
84,000 sick and wounded survived (54,000 returned to their units, 20,000 assigned to secondary missions, 10,000 invalids sent back to Japan)
Heavy equipment losses: 180 tanks, 900 guns.
- Allied losses: 29,000 dead from all causes
103,000 sick and wounded (69,000 returned to their units, 23,000 assigned to secondary missions, 11,000 invalids evacuated)
Heavy equipment losses: 150 tanks, 370 guns.
Forces as of July 1st, 1942
Japanese: 203,000.
Allies: 144,000.
4870
July 1st, 1942
Battle of Singapore - III
Malaya - A precarious calm reigns on the front.
The Commonwealth troops holding Singapore and the southern part of the state of Johore are still isolated, but their position remains very strong. On the other side, the Japanese army is gradually gaining little by little in power, not without difficulties. The remnants of the five divisions that had attacked in April (5th, 9th, 18th, 27th and Imperial Guard) are reinforced and reorganized every day. Two divisions (33rd and 56th) have joined them and another (71st) is supporting them in the north of Malaya. They can rely on the Thai army (whose 2nd ID is in Burma and two other divisions in Cambodia and Laos) and on other Japanese troops deployed in Southeast Asia: in Thailand (12th ID), in Burma (55th ID), in Cochinchina and Annam (23rd ID and two thirds of the 7th) as well as in Tonkin (22nd and elements of other units).
Above all - and this is the difference that makes the Japanese troops gradually gain the advantage: they are supplied with food, weapons and ammunition. On the contrary, in Singapore, Lord Gort has already been informed that before the end of September, supplies would be exhausted, both for the troops and for the civilian population.
"The British held an east-west front line from approximately Kota Tinggi on the east coast to Layang Layang by the Johore River - the plantation area to Sungei Sayong - the Ayer Hitam junction - the junction and the RAF field at Yong Peng - the crossroads of the Bukit Penlandok pass - the port of Batu Pahat and the Batu Pahat lighthouse on the west coast.
Apart from the fortress artillery units and disparate garrison units (the latter mostly in charge of covering these) the bulk of Lord Gort's forces consisted of five divisions.
- 21st British ID (Scottish): 63rd (Highlands) Brigade, 1st Malaya Brigade, 1st and 3rd Singapore Brigades*.
- 25th British ID (Western): 137th (Staffordshire) Brigade, 138th (Lincoln & & Leicester) Brigade, 64th (Lancashire) Brigade, 2nd Singapore Brigade.
- 9th Indian ID: 21st and 22nd Indian Brigades, 1st Chinese Brigade.
- 11th Indian ID: 15th and 28th Indian Brigades, 2nd Chinese Brigade.
- 17th Indian ID: 12th, 44th and 45th Indian Brigades.
Of course, we must not neglect the elements of the 1st Armoured Division AIF divided between these forces according to the needs (three battalions... or what was left of them), nor of course the companies of Chinese scouts of the legendary Dalforce.
From the point of view of quality, these troops ranged from formidable but often tired veterans, to inexperienced volunteers. The May-June operations in Johor had, however, ensured a certain homogeneity.
.........
On the other side, the Japanese 25th Army held all of Malaya north of Johor State, the railroad and main road corridor to Kluang, the corridor from Kluang to Jemaluang and
Mersing, the triangle Mersing-Endau-Bukit Langkap and the corridor from Jemaluang to the Mawai/Sedili Besar area.
To avoid having to worry about a possible British operation in the north of the region, the defense of the rear communication lines of the 25th Army (roads, railroads, ports and airports, military and civilian equipment necessary for supply) was entrusted to 7th Army (12th, 55th and 71st Divisions), in cooperation with the forces of the Kingdom of Thailand. After the failure in March-April on the Sittang, the 55th Division was installed in the occupied part of Burma, along the Salween River, with the 2nd Thai Division. These units were reinforced by the 12th Division, coming from the Kwantung Army, with two artillery regiments and an armored regiment, which deployed in Thailand, while the 71st Division, also from China, was gradually deployed in northern Malaysia, in the Perak/Kedah area and as cover against British actions from the island of Penang.
The heavy losses suffered in Singapore in April-May, added to those suffered in Johor in May-June (see Singapore losses), had forced the Allies to disband or reorganize many units.
The Japanese, on the other hand, had maintained the veteran units of the 25th Army by incorporating most of the non-divisional units that had arrived in Malaya through Endau-Mersing. This resulted in the maintenance against the Commonwealth troops of the five infantry divisions of the original order of battle (5th, 9th, 18th, 27th and Guards) and the 1st Armored Brigade, reinforced by the 33rd and 56th Infantry Divisions.
After the Singapore truce, the 5th and 18th Divisions, along with most of the support units, had been withdrawn to central Malaysia to rest, reorganize and re-equip. These were Yamashita's best divisions and the terrible losses suffered in Singapore had been hard felt. Since then, the fighting in Johor had allowed the men to gain some combat experience. The gradual return of about 2,000 men, veterans of the border battles who had been wounded in the fighting and who had completed their convalescence, had been welcome. By July 1st, these two divisions had regained their nominal manpower and the amalgam was between the reinforcements and the veterans, most of whom were the least reckless and ambitious of the men and officers who had made up the two divisions seven months earlier.
The other three divisions that had attacked Singapore and the 1st Armored Brigade had received treatment and their personnel had been more or less reconstituted (except for the Guard and the Armored Brigade, which had only 75% of their personnel). In total, as of July 1st, Japanese forces preparing to attack Singapore totaled 203,000 men, against 144,000 men on the Allied side (overall figures including all personnel, combatants and non-combatants).
But the material aspect was another matter. The five divisions that had attacked Singapore had lost almost all of their initial supplies of guns, tanks, transports and other heavy equipment. By July 1st, half of this equipment had been replenished, except for the heavy artillery and engineer units, which had not yet recovered any of their equipment. Ammunition stocks were at best partially reconstituted and the reorganization of the rear lines was far from complete. The importance of the naval and air support put in place with the help of the Imperial Navy could not compensate for these shortcomings. This is why there was no question of launching a new offensive before several weeks.
At the same time, special efforts were made to improve medical services and food supplies. Indeed, the study of Japanese losses in the first part of the campaign had shown that the quality of food had been a major factor in the high rate of illness and the low rate of recovery. Having been unable to seize large stocks of British rations, the troops had to make do with boiled or steamed rice, with very little fresh meat, fish or vegetables. Attempts to feed them with large quantities of pineapples and coconuts picked on the spot had certainly allowed to vary the menus and provided some vitamins, but they also caused painful intestinal problems. Worse: the consumption of the meat of sick horses, if it had brought proteins, had been responsible for numerous cases of bacterial or parasitic infections.
These problems were exacerbated on the island of Singapore, when the units' kitchens and their medical stations had to move to unsanitary areas. The men, malnourished and often ill, had lost their fighting qualities.
While their general condition was deteriorating, the ever-increasing demands of the command had been responsible for a massive mortality. At the end of the fighting and the beginning of the truce, many weapons had been abandoned, not because the men were running away, but because they were no longer able to carry them, and most of the draft and pack horses had been killed.
Finally, no attack on Singapore was possible until the lost boats were replaced. This is why, as soon as he returned from his injury, Yamashita had launched a general requisition of everything that floated in the region and even in Indonesia and Indochina!
(From War and Peace in Southeast Asia, by Pascal Nguyen-Minh, op. cit.)
* The three Singapore Infantry Brigades (SIBs) were formed from the Straits Settlements Volunteer Brigade (SSVB) and the Hong Kong & Singapore Infantry Regiment (HKSIR).
Battle of Singapore - III
Malaya - A precarious calm reigns on the front.
The Commonwealth troops holding Singapore and the southern part of the state of Johore are still isolated, but their position remains very strong. On the other side, the Japanese army is gradually gaining little by little in power, not without difficulties. The remnants of the five divisions that had attacked in April (5th, 9th, 18th, 27th and Imperial Guard) are reinforced and reorganized every day. Two divisions (33rd and 56th) have joined them and another (71st) is supporting them in the north of Malaya. They can rely on the Thai army (whose 2nd ID is in Burma and two other divisions in Cambodia and Laos) and on other Japanese troops deployed in Southeast Asia: in Thailand (12th ID), in Burma (55th ID), in Cochinchina and Annam (23rd ID and two thirds of the 7th) as well as in Tonkin (22nd and elements of other units).
Above all - and this is the difference that makes the Japanese troops gradually gain the advantage: they are supplied with food, weapons and ammunition. On the contrary, in Singapore, Lord Gort has already been informed that before the end of September, supplies would be exhausted, both for the troops and for the civilian population.
"The British held an east-west front line from approximately Kota Tinggi on the east coast to Layang Layang by the Johore River - the plantation area to Sungei Sayong - the Ayer Hitam junction - the junction and the RAF field at Yong Peng - the crossroads of the Bukit Penlandok pass - the port of Batu Pahat and the Batu Pahat lighthouse on the west coast.
Apart from the fortress artillery units and disparate garrison units (the latter mostly in charge of covering these) the bulk of Lord Gort's forces consisted of five divisions.
- 21st British ID (Scottish): 63rd (Highlands) Brigade, 1st Malaya Brigade, 1st and 3rd Singapore Brigades*.
- 25th British ID (Western): 137th (Staffordshire) Brigade, 138th (Lincoln & & Leicester) Brigade, 64th (Lancashire) Brigade, 2nd Singapore Brigade.
- 9th Indian ID: 21st and 22nd Indian Brigades, 1st Chinese Brigade.
- 11th Indian ID: 15th and 28th Indian Brigades, 2nd Chinese Brigade.
- 17th Indian ID: 12th, 44th and 45th Indian Brigades.
Of course, we must not neglect the elements of the 1st Armoured Division AIF divided between these forces according to the needs (three battalions... or what was left of them), nor of course the companies of Chinese scouts of the legendary Dalforce.
From the point of view of quality, these troops ranged from formidable but often tired veterans, to inexperienced volunteers. The May-June operations in Johor had, however, ensured a certain homogeneity.
.........
On the other side, the Japanese 25th Army held all of Malaya north of Johor State, the railroad and main road corridor to Kluang, the corridor from Kluang to Jemaluang and
Mersing, the triangle Mersing-Endau-Bukit Langkap and the corridor from Jemaluang to the Mawai/Sedili Besar area.
To avoid having to worry about a possible British operation in the north of the region, the defense of the rear communication lines of the 25th Army (roads, railroads, ports and airports, military and civilian equipment necessary for supply) was entrusted to 7th Army (12th, 55th and 71st Divisions), in cooperation with the forces of the Kingdom of Thailand. After the failure in March-April on the Sittang, the 55th Division was installed in the occupied part of Burma, along the Salween River, with the 2nd Thai Division. These units were reinforced by the 12th Division, coming from the Kwantung Army, with two artillery regiments and an armored regiment, which deployed in Thailand, while the 71st Division, also from China, was gradually deployed in northern Malaysia, in the Perak/Kedah area and as cover against British actions from the island of Penang.
The heavy losses suffered in Singapore in April-May, added to those suffered in Johor in May-June (see Singapore losses), had forced the Allies to disband or reorganize many units.
The Japanese, on the other hand, had maintained the veteran units of the 25th Army by incorporating most of the non-divisional units that had arrived in Malaya through Endau-Mersing. This resulted in the maintenance against the Commonwealth troops of the five infantry divisions of the original order of battle (5th, 9th, 18th, 27th and Guards) and the 1st Armored Brigade, reinforced by the 33rd and 56th Infantry Divisions.
After the Singapore truce, the 5th and 18th Divisions, along with most of the support units, had been withdrawn to central Malaysia to rest, reorganize and re-equip. These were Yamashita's best divisions and the terrible losses suffered in Singapore had been hard felt. Since then, the fighting in Johor had allowed the men to gain some combat experience. The gradual return of about 2,000 men, veterans of the border battles who had been wounded in the fighting and who had completed their convalescence, had been welcome. By July 1st, these two divisions had regained their nominal manpower and the amalgam was between the reinforcements and the veterans, most of whom were the least reckless and ambitious of the men and officers who had made up the two divisions seven months earlier.
The other three divisions that had attacked Singapore and the 1st Armored Brigade had received treatment and their personnel had been more or less reconstituted (except for the Guard and the Armored Brigade, which had only 75% of their personnel). In total, as of July 1st, Japanese forces preparing to attack Singapore totaled 203,000 men, against 144,000 men on the Allied side (overall figures including all personnel, combatants and non-combatants).
But the material aspect was another matter. The five divisions that had attacked Singapore had lost almost all of their initial supplies of guns, tanks, transports and other heavy equipment. By July 1st, half of this equipment had been replenished, except for the heavy artillery and engineer units, which had not yet recovered any of their equipment. Ammunition stocks were at best partially reconstituted and the reorganization of the rear lines was far from complete. The importance of the naval and air support put in place with the help of the Imperial Navy could not compensate for these shortcomings. This is why there was no question of launching a new offensive before several weeks.
At the same time, special efforts were made to improve medical services and food supplies. Indeed, the study of Japanese losses in the first part of the campaign had shown that the quality of food had been a major factor in the high rate of illness and the low rate of recovery. Having been unable to seize large stocks of British rations, the troops had to make do with boiled or steamed rice, with very little fresh meat, fish or vegetables. Attempts to feed them with large quantities of pineapples and coconuts picked on the spot had certainly allowed to vary the menus and provided some vitamins, but they also caused painful intestinal problems. Worse: the consumption of the meat of sick horses, if it had brought proteins, had been responsible for numerous cases of bacterial or parasitic infections.
These problems were exacerbated on the island of Singapore, when the units' kitchens and their medical stations had to move to unsanitary areas. The men, malnourished and often ill, had lost their fighting qualities.
While their general condition was deteriorating, the ever-increasing demands of the command had been responsible for a massive mortality. At the end of the fighting and the beginning of the truce, many weapons had been abandoned, not because the men were running away, but because they were no longer able to carry them, and most of the draft and pack horses had been killed.
Finally, no attack on Singapore was possible until the lost boats were replaced. This is why, as soon as he returned from his injury, Yamashita had launched a general requisition of everything that floated in the region and even in Indonesia and Indochina!
(From War and Peace in Southeast Asia, by Pascal Nguyen-Minh, op. cit.)
* The three Singapore Infantry Brigades (SIBs) were formed from the Straits Settlements Volunteer Brigade (SSVB) and the Hong Kong & Singapore Infantry Regiment (HKSIR).
- Status