You are right, but during WW II, things where a lot different. Communication was much more difficult and in an place like Malaya the only link to the US would be in Singapore. Also the movement of reporters was far more controlled and acces to unit in combat was often denied. For one of the few american reporters to go on long journey to an place in the middle of nowhere whitout some actual combat taken place is very small. The only source of information for the first weeks would de britsh HQ
Malaya What If
- Thread starter Fatboy Coxy
- Start date
Conspiracy mongering, especially ones that have been thoroughly debunked for decades, is utterly unacceptable here.
Cease and desist, now and forevermore.
Coxy, I have to differ with you on this. WW II press censorship by the military was far tighter then we are used to today, a legacy of Viet Nam. At that time all press releases had to go through military censors, with penalty of being sent home, or arrest. If the British Army does not want details about Matador being a spoiling attack, before Japan attacks, those details will not get out until that reporter gets back to the UK. Also there were far fewer reporters in the field then today. U.S. would have maybe 2 each from AP,UPI, NBC, CBS, ABC, and news reel teams.most would get no closer then Division or Brigade HQ on an operation like Matador.
AIUI, the Germans asked to and were allowed to use a cable laid by the US State Department, which ran to the US embassy in Denmark. The US agreed to this provided only diplomatic messages were sent, and provided all messages were sent in clear (with the US keeping file copies of all traffic). In 1917, the Germans somehow persuaded the US to let them send the Zimmerman Telegram in cipher.
The US cable passed through the relay station at Land's End, which the Germans didn't know, where of course the British monitored it (though they never told the US).
Thus when the British presented the ZT to the US, they also presented the ciphertext and showed the decryption. They claimed to have stolen the ciphertext in Mexico. But it was known that Germany was using the US cable, and so the British could know publicly that US would have a file copy of ciphertext. So the US could not only confirm that the ZT was genuine, but that it had been sent using the US cable! That definitely added insult to injury.
Ramp-Rat
Monthly Donor
As the clock slowly counts down the final hours towards the big event, and we await our authors next post, might we take a moment to consider the fundamental differences between Americas principal colony in the region, and the numerous British colonies. The Philippines had been a colony since 1565 first under the Spanish, and then from 1898, as a result of the Spanish American war under the Americans. While the British had been involved in the region since the sixteen hundreds, and mostly in competition with the Dutch. Singapore the centre of their interests in the region, had only been British since 1819, when Sir Stamford Raffles brooked a deal with the Dutch, thus ending the conflict between the two powers. And seeking a British trading base, did a deal with a local Sultan and effectively bought the island of Singapore to be that base. Over time they gained control of more and more of Malaya and Borneo, though the extent of this control varied greatly, and the British were far more comfortable with in most cases a far more relaxed system. That left a lot of power in the hands of local rulers, nor did they as the Spanish had attempt to impose their religion on the local population. Whereas the Americans were looking to eventually foster independence on the Philippines, the British had no such ambitions, they intended to keep hold of their colonies, as they were very profitable. They did introduce a measure of local input into the administration, through a very restrictive local council, which wasn’t democratic but did have some indigenous members. Up until the end of WWI, the British and the Japanese had had a cordial relationship, with the two sides often working together, and the Japanese supporting Britain during WWI, and the British helping the Japanese Navy develop its capabilities, even building a number of capital ships in British yards. However in the post war era, the Americans who had their own ambitions in the region, and determined to split the British away from their relationship with the Japanese, forced the British to abandon their treaty with the Japanese. And then during the Washington Naval Treaty negotiations, worked hard to restrict the size of the Japanese Navy, and reduce the British Navy from its dominant position in the world.
Thus while the Americans were working to reduce Japanese power in the Pacific, and attempting to eliminate the various colonial powers, and thus allow American interests unlimited access to their markets domestic and colonial, while preparing the Philippines for independence. The British had a problem, pre WWI Singapore was just another sleepy colonial outpost, and wasn’t a major military base. Fun fact there had been a mutiny among the Indian troops based there during WWI, and the Japanese sent forces to help end it. The basic plan pre WWI was to build the major naval base in Australia, Sidney was the preferred option, and it was only post war that this changed, and that due to the changes in the international situation that Singapore became the preferred option. Hong Kong was too small and too close to any potential adversary, and even northern Australia was too far away. So despite the myth that the British kept their military short of funds, they didn’t it was just that having decided that they weren’t going to fight a land war in Europe, they spent the majority of their funding on the navy and airforce. Britain spent a massive amount on building a major naval base in Singapore, and erecting defences around it, including larger guns than were emplaced anywhere else in the Empire. The fact that by the outbreak of WWII, technology had moved on and it would have been better to build all weather airfields and equip them with squadrons of fighters, dive bombers and torpedo bombers, wasn’t something that was obvious when the plans were first made. Whereas the Americans who were always in two minds as to what they wanted, but more than the British had been planning for a war against the Japanese from before WWI. Chose not to invest in the defence of the Philippines, and failed to build or reserve the land for a major base. Unlike the other former Spanish colony of Cuba, where there had established a small and inadequate base under American rule at Guantanamo, which lacked the extensive dockyards and maintenance facilities of Singapore. And wasn’t really developed until the Cold War period, and because of the closeness of facilities in the continental United States, never received the investment that a substantial base would require.
Singapore was up until the fall of France and Italian involvement in WWII, basically secure from Japanese invasion, especially by land. The same could be very much said of the Philippines, which without the ability of the Japanese to base aircraft in Indochina and have a staging point for the land forces. Given the distances between Japan and the Philippines, and the lack of the extensive naval infrastructure, such as large transport ships equipped to carry an invasion force, and all the auxiliary shipping required to support such landings. While facing off the threat of the American Pacific Fleet, and the smaller Asiatic Fleet. But the ability of the Japanese to establish bases in French Indochina, and apply pressure on Thailand seriously changed everything. Both the British and Americans IOTL, did very little to bolster their position, and for mostly American political reasons didn’t form an alliance. ITTL, Winston has been persuaded to take the matter seriously, and while the British have very little to spare, he has taken what steps he can. The replacement of the original Governor with a younger and more competent man, the establishment of a totally separate military command based in Singapore, and the movement of the HQ of Naval command from Hong Kong to Singapore. Has along with the appointment of a very competent RAF officer to command all of the resources in the region. Plus diverting what were obsolete equipment in Europe, but still functional in the Far East, to Singapore and Malaysia. And the fact that the administration is basically competent, and realises what it needs to do, and is not living in a world of delusion, like some in the Philippines. And this sums up the basic difference between the British in Malaysia and the Americans in the Philippines, the British had a clear vision of what they wanted, whereas the Americans didn’t. They couldn’t make up their minds whether they were going to abandon the Philippines to their fate as was basically called for in Plan Orange, or attempt to defend them with all the resources available.
RR.
Thus while the Americans were working to reduce Japanese power in the Pacific, and attempting to eliminate the various colonial powers, and thus allow American interests unlimited access to their markets domestic and colonial, while preparing the Philippines for independence. The British had a problem, pre WWI Singapore was just another sleepy colonial outpost, and wasn’t a major military base. Fun fact there had been a mutiny among the Indian troops based there during WWI, and the Japanese sent forces to help end it. The basic plan pre WWI was to build the major naval base in Australia, Sidney was the preferred option, and it was only post war that this changed, and that due to the changes in the international situation that Singapore became the preferred option. Hong Kong was too small and too close to any potential adversary, and even northern Australia was too far away. So despite the myth that the British kept their military short of funds, they didn’t it was just that having decided that they weren’t going to fight a land war in Europe, they spent the majority of their funding on the navy and airforce. Britain spent a massive amount on building a major naval base in Singapore, and erecting defences around it, including larger guns than were emplaced anywhere else in the Empire. The fact that by the outbreak of WWII, technology had moved on and it would have been better to build all weather airfields and equip them with squadrons of fighters, dive bombers and torpedo bombers, wasn’t something that was obvious when the plans were first made. Whereas the Americans who were always in two minds as to what they wanted, but more than the British had been planning for a war against the Japanese from before WWI. Chose not to invest in the defence of the Philippines, and failed to build or reserve the land for a major base. Unlike the other former Spanish colony of Cuba, where there had established a small and inadequate base under American rule at Guantanamo, which lacked the extensive dockyards and maintenance facilities of Singapore. And wasn’t really developed until the Cold War period, and because of the closeness of facilities in the continental United States, never received the investment that a substantial base would require.
Singapore was up until the fall of France and Italian involvement in WWII, basically secure from Japanese invasion, especially by land. The same could be very much said of the Philippines, which without the ability of the Japanese to base aircraft in Indochina and have a staging point for the land forces. Given the distances between Japan and the Philippines, and the lack of the extensive naval infrastructure, such as large transport ships equipped to carry an invasion force, and all the auxiliary shipping required to support such landings. While facing off the threat of the American Pacific Fleet, and the smaller Asiatic Fleet. But the ability of the Japanese to establish bases in French Indochina, and apply pressure on Thailand seriously changed everything. Both the British and Americans IOTL, did very little to bolster their position, and for mostly American political reasons didn’t form an alliance. ITTL, Winston has been persuaded to take the matter seriously, and while the British have very little to spare, he has taken what steps he can. The replacement of the original Governor with a younger and more competent man, the establishment of a totally separate military command based in Singapore, and the movement of the HQ of Naval command from Hong Kong to Singapore. Has along with the appointment of a very competent RAF officer to command all of the resources in the region. Plus diverting what were obsolete equipment in Europe, but still functional in the Far East, to Singapore and Malaysia. And the fact that the administration is basically competent, and realises what it needs to do, and is not living in a world of delusion, like some in the Philippines. And this sums up the basic difference between the British in Malaysia and the Americans in the Philippines, the British had a clear vision of what they wanted, whereas the Americans didn’t. They couldn’t make up their minds whether they were going to abandon the Philippines to their fate as was basically called for in Plan Orange, or attempt to defend them with all the resources available.
RR.
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
Hi Butchpfd, yes things are a lot different now, technology has moved things on such that the 'information war' has to be played out in real time. And I realise my comment 'imbedded' could suggest War Correspondents were working within operational front line units, as they can do now days, but your right, they would only be at Divisional HQ, and allowed to visit units in the field in a controlled way. However it's an interesting point you bring up regarding just how powerful the military censors could be, and in the main I'd readily agree with you. Two very good examples of complete censorship shut down that I can think of are Exercise Tiger, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_Tiger, and the loss of HMS Dasher, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Dasher_(D37).
However the reporting on the loss of Force Z doesn't seem to have had any censorship applied. Now it could be the thing was so hard to contain, the rumour mill perhaps well in front of any censorship control, that they couldn't control it, the event too big to hush up, or the lack of a single overall commander meant effective censorship couldn't be applied, but the damage to British morale in the colony was devastating, and I wonder if they tried.
However, the nuance I'm thinking of, and without the hindsight of Pearl Harbor happening in about three days time (Singapore Time) is that Cecil Brown and the other American War Correspondents would have been very well aware of Thailand's neutrality, a strong segment of the American public still being isolationist, and certainly most Americans not wanting to be drawn into fighting a war to save the British Empire, that every effort to get this news out would be taken. And managing the American Press in Singapore would quickly become a very thorny issue for the British censors. I'd be interested to hear of other peoples views on that.
Still doubtful, as The British government controlled the cable stations. The attack and
loss of Force Z was broadcast by the ships, over open air, and was picked up by Cavite and Corrigidor radio stations as well as relayed to and by the USN destroyer division, which had just reached Singapore, and sent to search for survivors. All focus would be on the action of Force Z, and initial action on the Indochina border. American newspapers would have relegated the Thailand reports to page 5. Front pages and page 3 would have Pearl Harbor and the Philippines, as they historically did.
The Military took control of cable in the Philippines, since the cable to Hawaii entered the P.I. via Corrigidor. Everything going East had to go through U.S. censors, and only Pro Mac Arthur info will get out.
Ramp-Rat
Monthly Donor
Censorship ITTL and ours.
With no independent means of communication, all nations were able to impose a far greater censorship on the various media up until the Vietnam War. And the Americans having gotten badly burned by the press during that conflict, and having seen just how successful the British were in controlling the narrative during the Falklands conflict, decided to implement the same strategy. However since then and with the development of mobile devices and satellite communications, anyone even the troops can with the technology live stream an event from the front line, and thus military censorship is now virtually dead. But back in the nineteen forties governments even the United States government which laboured under the restriction of the First Amendment, were able to impose strict censorship regulations. They varied from those of the strict authoritarian regimes such as the Soviet Union and Germany, where you only got to print broadcast what the propaganda ministry wanted. To the far more relaxed regimes in Britain and the United States, which tended to lay down strict rules about what you could print broadcast, if it was deemed to be information helpful to the enemy, or harmful to the morale of the country. A good example of this is that during the German Vengeance weapon attacks in 1944, because the British were running a deception operation against the Germans, to try to get them to move the target point further back towards the launch point. So the British and overseas papers were not allowed to report where either the V1 or V2’s had landed, it worked hence the South London suburb of Croydon received a real pasting. But the northern suburbs and the central region received far less hits than if the Germans had been able to get reliable information, from the domestic or foreign press on were the V1’s and V2’s were landing.
The situation in Malaysia is very different ITTL to what it was in ours, while in both Time Lines, there was a censorship officer established, it’s implementation IOTL was as was much of the administration lax. ITTL the administration is far more compitant and focused, as has already been mentioned within the Time Line. And unless there is a major disaster such as the sinking of Force-Z, which is being broadcast far and wide in clear, and to an extent observed by one and all. The only information getting out of Singapore will be subjected to strict censorship and just what the authorities want. You can expect it to emphasise all British successes, and play down any Japanese gains, so that you can expect to see the following statements from the government. After the raids into Thailand, “ During the night British forces conducted a number of successful operations against Japanese forces preparing to invade Malaya, and succeeded in disrupting their plans, while inflicting significant casualties on the Japanese.” “British forces having successfully repelled repeated Japanese assaults causing numerous casualties, have retired to pre prepared positions, with minimal casualties.” After the first air raid against Singapore the government will issue a statement, “ The attempted air raid against Singapore was disrupted by the deadicated men of the Anti Aircraft Artillery, and the heroic pilots of the RAF. On the ground the men and women of the Civil Defence Services supported by the Police and Garrison, dealt magnificently with the various incidents. Very little damage was caused and no vital targets hit, a full report of the number of Japanese aircraft destroyed will be released later.” With the information coming in from Pearl Harbour, and later the Philippines, much emphasis will be placed on the relative success of the British against the failures of the United States.
RR.
With no independent means of communication, all nations were able to impose a far greater censorship on the various media up until the Vietnam War. And the Americans having gotten badly burned by the press during that conflict, and having seen just how successful the British were in controlling the narrative during the Falklands conflict, decided to implement the same strategy. However since then and with the development of mobile devices and satellite communications, anyone even the troops can with the technology live stream an event from the front line, and thus military censorship is now virtually dead. But back in the nineteen forties governments even the United States government which laboured under the restriction of the First Amendment, were able to impose strict censorship regulations. They varied from those of the strict authoritarian regimes such as the Soviet Union and Germany, where you only got to print broadcast what the propaganda ministry wanted. To the far more relaxed regimes in Britain and the United States, which tended to lay down strict rules about what you could print broadcast, if it was deemed to be information helpful to the enemy, or harmful to the morale of the country. A good example of this is that during the German Vengeance weapon attacks in 1944, because the British were running a deception operation against the Germans, to try to get them to move the target point further back towards the launch point. So the British and overseas papers were not allowed to report where either the V1 or V2’s had landed, it worked hence the South London suburb of Croydon received a real pasting. But the northern suburbs and the central region received far less hits than if the Germans had been able to get reliable information, from the domestic or foreign press on were the V1’s and V2’s were landing.
The situation in Malaysia is very different ITTL to what it was in ours, while in both Time Lines, there was a censorship officer established, it’s implementation IOTL was as was much of the administration lax. ITTL the administration is far more compitant and focused, as has already been mentioned within the Time Line. And unless there is a major disaster such as the sinking of Force-Z, which is being broadcast far and wide in clear, and to an extent observed by one and all. The only information getting out of Singapore will be subjected to strict censorship and just what the authorities want. You can expect it to emphasise all British successes, and play down any Japanese gains, so that you can expect to see the following statements from the government. After the raids into Thailand, “ During the night British forces conducted a number of successful operations against Japanese forces preparing to invade Malaya, and succeeded in disrupting their plans, while inflicting significant casualties on the Japanese.” “British forces having successfully repelled repeated Japanese assaults causing numerous casualties, have retired to pre prepared positions, with minimal casualties.” After the first air raid against Singapore the government will issue a statement, “ The attempted air raid against Singapore was disrupted by the deadicated men of the Anti Aircraft Artillery, and the heroic pilots of the RAF. On the ground the men and women of the Civil Defence Services supported by the Police and Garrison, dealt magnificently with the various incidents. Very little damage was caused and no vital targets hit, a full report of the number of Japanese aircraft destroyed will be released later.” With the information coming in from Pearl Harbour, and later the Philippines, much emphasis will be placed on the relative success of the British against the failures of the United States.
RR.
Coulsdon Eagle
Monthly Donor
RR - as you say, Croydon took a pasting. My mother still recalls being dug out of an air raid shelter after a V-1 landed in the school playing field.
The Double-X instructed the turned German agents into reporting the V-1 was overshooting London and landing in Hertfordshire & all places north.
Given that town planners in the 60's did more damage to Croydon than the Luftwaffe, the state of Croydon today looks like someone's been bombing it again.
The Double-X instructed the turned German agents into reporting the V-1 was overshooting London and landing in Hertfordshire & all places north.
Given that town planners in the 60's did more damage to Croydon than the Luftwaffe, the state of Croydon today looks like someone's been bombing it again.
At the time, simply throwing them in jail is a valid option. They are US citizens on foreign soil, and in times or areas that a region switches from civil to military control, that gives military and intelligence and even local law enforcement in the region options that they otherwise wouldn't have. You're really failing hard to take into account the time period and basing decisions with how things are done today.
Much of this also really depends on how soon and to what extent British forces conduct operations. As rightly pointed out by others, there could still be a period of several hours between London authorizing an operation and on scene commanders getting it decoded.
Even after senior commanders in Singapore get the green light there can still be a day or so between approval for an operation and the front line units actually starting to carry it out.
RR,
Spot on.. very close to what I believe would come out of Malaya, in TTL. The Philippines will probably at the start stay close to OTL, The disasters at Iba, Clark will be slow walked to the press. The reporters were told that American airfields were attacked by Japanexe forces, while USAAC, suffering some losses Japanese forces were driven off.
However all will go south 2 days later, when in full view if Manila, the Japanese will spend 2 hours bombing and devastating the Cavite Naval Base and dockyard leaving it useless as a base for the Asiatic Fleet.. only 4 P-40s will show up ate the end of the attack, only causing minor damage to Japanese bombers.
Spot on.. very close to what I believe would come out of Malaya, in TTL. The Philippines will probably at the start stay close to OTL, The disasters at Iba, Clark will be slow walked to the press. The reporters were told that American airfields were attacked by Japanexe forces, while USAAC, suffering some losses Japanese forces were driven off.
However all will go south 2 days later, when in full view if Manila, the Japanese will spend 2 hours bombing and devastating the Cavite Naval Base and dockyard leaving it useless as a base for the Asiatic Fleet.. only 4 P-40s will show up ate the end of the attack, only causing minor damage to Japanese bombers.
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Driftless
Donor
Even if Matador (or other large-scale ops) were pre-planned down to the gnat's knuckles, wouldn't there be a bit of a time lag from when Lord Gort says "GO" to when the company and platoon level get their go-aheads? That thought, plus wouldn't there be a sequence of preliminaries: Commando ops*, air strikes, localized artillery barrages, before the first regular infantry steps forth?
Once things start going boom on the frontier, everyone within 20 miles or so, knows big events are underway, but how much detail is shared out across the board (especially to the press?)
* I believe there has been earlier mention of SOE types in Thailand. Now, maybe their task was more in the recon role and less in the sabotage role.
When things go down in Thailand, it sounds like what was planned as a preemptive attack by the British, may run into what was supposed to be a surprise attack by the Japanese, and it becomes a full on meeting engagement, which could go in many different directions!
I was reviewing some December 1941 initial attack headlines, and all the American papers convert the Manila or Honolulu time to U.S. Eastern time .All were Datelined 8 December; Manila, Honolulu or Singapore. From the reports in the first week there would have been no real opportunity for anyone to make a connection to a spoiling attack on the night of 7 December ( Singapore) My thought: San Francisco Examiner ( Real paper) "News Flash ; Singapore ;8 AM, 8 December British High Command; 11:30 PM, 7 December1941, British High command reports British forces engaged the forces of Imperial Japan in the opening hours of the war"
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Hey now thats uncalled for. As if any bomber worth their salt would leave a job as half done as Croydon
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
and
and
Hi Guys, thank you for these contributions, and on reflection, I think I was heading down the wrong path, your right, and I was wrong, thank you for the steer!
MWI 41120517 A Heart to Hart
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
1941, Friday 05 December;
They had arrived on Thursday, about half past six in the evening. The big Catalina, one of five newly acquired by RAF 205 Squadron, touched down in Manila Bay at the end of a 12-hour flight from Singapore. It taxied over to a mooring buoy, where a harbour launch waited, engines idling. The launch took Vice Admiral Layton, his CoS, Capt Collins RAN, and Phillip's Staff Officer, Plans, Cmdr Goodenough RN, to a quayside. There an aide was waiting with a car to take them to the Comandancia, a hotel chosen by Admiral Hart.
A couple of hours later, shaved and showered, and in clean clothes, they were driven to the Manila Hotel where Hart was based. They met him in a private dining room, where he greeted them, first formally by salute, then with a warm smile and handshakes. Hart's other guest was Lt General Douglas MacArthur, C-in-C of US Army forces in the Philippines. It had been a pleasant meal, an ice breaker, to make everyone comfortable, with easy light conversation. Then Hart bade them all goodnight, and let them retire to their hotel, to sleep off the long journey.
The conference, held in the Marsman building, was supposed to start at 11.30 AM the next morning, after a late breakfast, but had been delayed, not convening until nearly 1 PM. The meeting had been born out of the idea, from both Roosevelt and Churchill, that the two navies needed to work together where they could, although Hart and Layton had met before. Layton and his aides were ushered into the room by a US Marine. All present were in their dress uniforms, the whites of the naval officers contrasting with the blood stripe down the blue trouser legs of the Marine orderlies. Besides Admiral Hart and his Navy staff, and the British trio, General MacArthur and a small Army staff were also present. The Dutch had been invited but the short notice meant they hadn't been able to attend.
MacArthur had started the meeting, firstly apologising on behalf of Admiral Hart for the delay, and then sidelining him, by beginning to detail the defences, both provided and planned for the Philippines. His assessment was that the air danger was small, the American and US trained Filipino army could cope with an invasion, and the Japanese could mount one only operation at a time, Malaya or the Philippines. Furthermore, the planned expansion of his forces over the next few months would make them even stronger by next spring. If the Japanese tried it, he'd make them sorry. It was mostly a monologue from MacArthur, although Layton had spoken when asked if the British had considered basing their fleet here in Manila with the US Navy. Leyton had diplomatically replied "We will surely look to take full advantage of any offer if events allow." Thankfully, MacArthur finished with the clock striking 4.30 PM, exclaiming that he'd love to stay but important pressing matters were dragging him away. Everyone stood as MacArthur rose to leave, shook Layton's hand and nodded to Hart, then departed with his aides.
Hart now took over. "Gentlemen, we'll take refreshment now, papers away please. Lieutenant Dawsey, you may call the waiters in. It's only a buffet, and I'm afraid we've lost a bit of time. So with your blessing I'd like to try and gain some back as we've a lot to do. We'll reconvene at 5 PM sharp. Admiral Layton, may I have a word in private with you, please?"
Hart took Leyton's arm and gently led him to an adjourning room, closing the door behind them. "Geoffrey, I can only apologize. Douglas and I have been friends for more years than I'd care to remember, but I'm afraid this command of his has somewhat brought about a regrettable change in him. He didn't use to be so overbearing."
"My dear Tommy, that's quite all right. I understand: I had some inkling that he was somewhat difficult from what Lord Gort told me after he was here last. Thankfully, I don't really have much to do with the chap, that's Gort's affair. I don't think what goes on with the Army should spoil our relationship. We're good friends and we think alike. However, as you said out there, there is quite a lot to get through today, and events are pressing forward at pace, even as we speak."
"Yes, just my thoughts too. Come over here by the window, let me open these two, and enjoy some fresh air. There's Manila Bay, Geoffrey, crammed with merchant shipping. Twenty-eight miles in front of you, at the neck of the bay, lies Corregidor Island, with Fort Mills on it. Along with the other smaller forts, it commands the entrance to the bay. Nothing comes in or goes out without Fort Mills' say-so. Now if you look left, the coastline runs about ten miles before it curls back a couple of miles on the peninsula, so eight miles from us is the Cavite naval dockyard. That is where MacArthur is proposing you station your fleet."
Hart gave a small sign, and gently shook his head. "Geoffrey, what I am about to tell you now must remain between us. If MacArthur, or even Roosevelt, hears of it, I'm finished, up on the beach."
"Not a word shall reach the wrong ear, Tommy. You have my word, not just as a fellow sailor, but as a friend: mum's the word, as we say."
"Thank you. It's complete madness, Geoffrey. The fact is I'm moving everything I can out of here. Otherwise the bay will become the graveyard of the Asiatic Fleet. The defences MacArthur so loudly trumpets are pitiful. He's completely delusional. If the Japanese attack, we're gonna take a hammering. And I don't buy into his idea that the Japanese have to choose one of us. The fact is I think they can take on both of us.
"I'm not saying that Manila could never be used. In time, if we have it, the planned Army, and most importantly Air Force reinforcements, along with an established early warning system with these new radar sets they're sending us, could provide us with a good defence. But as it is, pretty much all my surface fleet is away, a few ships still to go, either in southern Philippine waters, or over off the east coast of Borneo, with the Dutch. I'm still keeping the submarines and their supporting vessels here. I think over a fairly short period of time, their bite will really be felt. We need to confirm our areas of operations. It wouldn't do to have either of us sink the other's submarine."
"Yes, I quite agree," Layton replied. "When hostilities break out, I'll pull back my two submarines currently basing out of Hong Kong, and we'll work on the old agreement. Everything north and east of Vung Ro Bay, just above Cam Ranh Bay, is yours, everything below, mine. And I say 'when', Tommy, because that big convoy of transports, covered by an impressive task force, is not coming down south for tea. The Japanese very much mean business. Phillips has ordered Hong Kong cleared of all merchant ships as a precaution, and he's also asked Helfrich for the two promised Dutch submarines."
"So, you all think war's coming too Geoffrey. Ah, it must be, surely. I mean, by god, what other reason would they be doing it for, occupying Thailand?"
"Well, that's Gort's nightmare, simply an occupation of Thailand, and nothing more, goading us to make a wrong move, become the aggressor, and start a war with Japan, with you still sitting on the sidelines. Would Roosevelt declare war? Could he? Would the American people support that? There's still a strong isolationist movement in your country!"
"The idea of the US defending the British Empire, propping it up, doesn't sit well with many too, Geoffrey. Roosevelt made it quite clear: no American boys fighting other people's wars!"
"Christ, what a mess, Tommy. How did we get here? The only thing I can say with certainty is I won't be worrying about it much longer. Now that Tom Thumb has arrived, I'm being recalled. Quite what their Lordships have in mind for me, I don't know yet, but it won't be running the Navy out here. What about you? Will you stay here?"
"I'm not sure to be honest. So long as I have an operational base here, I guess I will, but I have no idea how long that will be."
"And then, full back to Singapore, or Surabaya?"
"Or even Darwin. Geoffrey, is Surabaya going to be any better than Cavite in two months' time? As for Singapore, well. that's stretching my lines of supply even further. The Navy isn't keen on that idea, although Washington might have other ideas."
"How much will you send south, Tommy?"
"Well, the reason for us delaying today's meeting was the arrival this morning, of two China gunboats, Oahu and Luzon, with Rear Adm Glassford aboard. I was down at Cavite with Rear Adm Rockwell, my new Naval District commander, to meet him. The boats took a battering sailing through a typhoon; I'm half surprised he didn't lose them. Nevertheless, it's yet more work for Rockwell's Naval Base. I told him 'Get as many ships seaworthy as possible, cut corners where you can.' We got Houston away to Panay Island nice and quickly, but only half her planned upgrade was done. Four 1.1" anti-aircraft quad-mounts were added, but the radar unit and four searchlights had to be left unfitted. The four destroyers of DesDiv 59 are in various stages of refit. Now he's trying to get them ready."
"Destroyers, well now, they're on my list of things to ask about, Tommy. Phillips is desperately short of them, and few of them are modern, Force Z is barely covered. Are you able to help in this matter?"
"Yes, I can help, Geoffrey. But first let me reiterate: if I lend him a division of my old four-stackers, they must remain together, and not be disproportionally put at risk. I can't let the Royal Navy fight to the last US destroyer."
"I fully understand, and if the shoe was on the other foot, would propose that myself. The help won't be abused."
There was a knock on the door, and a young ensign entered and saluted. "Begging your pardon, Admiral Hart, Sir, but I have a signal from Singapore for Admiral Layton." Hart nodded, and the ensign handed the paper to Layton, saluted again and left. Layton waited for the door to close, then turned to Hart and asked "Do you mind me reading it now, Tommy?"
"No, not at all," Hart replied. "Be my guest, Geoffrey."
Layton opened the envelope, and read the message, then looked up at Hart. "We have moved to a first degree of readiness; Phillips has put Thracian on a four-hour notice to sail from Hong Kong with the last military personnel to be evacuated. Force Z may sail in the next 24 hours!"
Hart looked thoughtful, and said, "Geoffrey, I'll order the sailing of DesDiv 58 for Singapore immediately, for service under Phillip's command, if I have your word they'll be used as one unit and you don't spare your own destroyers. And tell Phillips, if he sails, I wish him luck."
Layton gave a small smile. "Thanks, Tommy. Let's shake on it. Your help is much appreciated."
"I suppose we'd best get back to our meeting, Geoffrey. There's a lot of planning to do, and little time to do it."
They had arrived on Thursday, about half past six in the evening. The big Catalina, one of five newly acquired by RAF 205 Squadron, touched down in Manila Bay at the end of a 12-hour flight from Singapore. It taxied over to a mooring buoy, where a harbour launch waited, engines idling. The launch took Vice Admiral Layton, his CoS, Capt Collins RAN, and Phillip's Staff Officer, Plans, Cmdr Goodenough RN, to a quayside. There an aide was waiting with a car to take them to the Comandancia, a hotel chosen by Admiral Hart.
A couple of hours later, shaved and showered, and in clean clothes, they were driven to the Manila Hotel where Hart was based. They met him in a private dining room, where he greeted them, first formally by salute, then with a warm smile and handshakes. Hart's other guest was Lt General Douglas MacArthur, C-in-C of US Army forces in the Philippines. It had been a pleasant meal, an ice breaker, to make everyone comfortable, with easy light conversation. Then Hart bade them all goodnight, and let them retire to their hotel, to sleep off the long journey.
The conference, held in the Marsman building, was supposed to start at 11.30 AM the next morning, after a late breakfast, but had been delayed, not convening until nearly 1 PM. The meeting had been born out of the idea, from both Roosevelt and Churchill, that the two navies needed to work together where they could, although Hart and Layton had met before. Layton and his aides were ushered into the room by a US Marine. All present were in their dress uniforms, the whites of the naval officers contrasting with the blood stripe down the blue trouser legs of the Marine orderlies. Besides Admiral Hart and his Navy staff, and the British trio, General MacArthur and a small Army staff were also present. The Dutch had been invited but the short notice meant they hadn't been able to attend.
MacArthur had started the meeting, firstly apologising on behalf of Admiral Hart for the delay, and then sidelining him, by beginning to detail the defences, both provided and planned for the Philippines. His assessment was that the air danger was small, the American and US trained Filipino army could cope with an invasion, and the Japanese could mount one only operation at a time, Malaya or the Philippines. Furthermore, the planned expansion of his forces over the next few months would make them even stronger by next spring. If the Japanese tried it, he'd make them sorry. It was mostly a monologue from MacArthur, although Layton had spoken when asked if the British had considered basing their fleet here in Manila with the US Navy. Leyton had diplomatically replied "We will surely look to take full advantage of any offer if events allow." Thankfully, MacArthur finished with the clock striking 4.30 PM, exclaiming that he'd love to stay but important pressing matters were dragging him away. Everyone stood as MacArthur rose to leave, shook Layton's hand and nodded to Hart, then departed with his aides.
Hart now took over. "Gentlemen, we'll take refreshment now, papers away please. Lieutenant Dawsey, you may call the waiters in. It's only a buffet, and I'm afraid we've lost a bit of time. So with your blessing I'd like to try and gain some back as we've a lot to do. We'll reconvene at 5 PM sharp. Admiral Layton, may I have a word in private with you, please?"
Hart took Leyton's arm and gently led him to an adjourning room, closing the door behind them. "Geoffrey, I can only apologize. Douglas and I have been friends for more years than I'd care to remember, but I'm afraid this command of his has somewhat brought about a regrettable change in him. He didn't use to be so overbearing."
"My dear Tommy, that's quite all right. I understand: I had some inkling that he was somewhat difficult from what Lord Gort told me after he was here last. Thankfully, I don't really have much to do with the chap, that's Gort's affair. I don't think what goes on with the Army should spoil our relationship. We're good friends and we think alike. However, as you said out there, there is quite a lot to get through today, and events are pressing forward at pace, even as we speak."
"Yes, just my thoughts too. Come over here by the window, let me open these two, and enjoy some fresh air. There's Manila Bay, Geoffrey, crammed with merchant shipping. Twenty-eight miles in front of you, at the neck of the bay, lies Corregidor Island, with Fort Mills on it. Along with the other smaller forts, it commands the entrance to the bay. Nothing comes in or goes out without Fort Mills' say-so. Now if you look left, the coastline runs about ten miles before it curls back a couple of miles on the peninsula, so eight miles from us is the Cavite naval dockyard. That is where MacArthur is proposing you station your fleet."
Hart gave a small sign, and gently shook his head. "Geoffrey, what I am about to tell you now must remain between us. If MacArthur, or even Roosevelt, hears of it, I'm finished, up on the beach."
"Not a word shall reach the wrong ear, Tommy. You have my word, not just as a fellow sailor, but as a friend: mum's the word, as we say."
"Thank you. It's complete madness, Geoffrey. The fact is I'm moving everything I can out of here. Otherwise the bay will become the graveyard of the Asiatic Fleet. The defences MacArthur so loudly trumpets are pitiful. He's completely delusional. If the Japanese attack, we're gonna take a hammering. And I don't buy into his idea that the Japanese have to choose one of us. The fact is I think they can take on both of us.
"I'm not saying that Manila could never be used. In time, if we have it, the planned Army, and most importantly Air Force reinforcements, along with an established early warning system with these new radar sets they're sending us, could provide us with a good defence. But as it is, pretty much all my surface fleet is away, a few ships still to go, either in southern Philippine waters, or over off the east coast of Borneo, with the Dutch. I'm still keeping the submarines and their supporting vessels here. I think over a fairly short period of time, their bite will really be felt. We need to confirm our areas of operations. It wouldn't do to have either of us sink the other's submarine."
"Yes, I quite agree," Layton replied. "When hostilities break out, I'll pull back my two submarines currently basing out of Hong Kong, and we'll work on the old agreement. Everything north and east of Vung Ro Bay, just above Cam Ranh Bay, is yours, everything below, mine. And I say 'when', Tommy, because that big convoy of transports, covered by an impressive task force, is not coming down south for tea. The Japanese very much mean business. Phillips has ordered Hong Kong cleared of all merchant ships as a precaution, and he's also asked Helfrich for the two promised Dutch submarines."
"So, you all think war's coming too Geoffrey. Ah, it must be, surely. I mean, by god, what other reason would they be doing it for, occupying Thailand?"
"Well, that's Gort's nightmare, simply an occupation of Thailand, and nothing more, goading us to make a wrong move, become the aggressor, and start a war with Japan, with you still sitting on the sidelines. Would Roosevelt declare war? Could he? Would the American people support that? There's still a strong isolationist movement in your country!"
"The idea of the US defending the British Empire, propping it up, doesn't sit well with many too, Geoffrey. Roosevelt made it quite clear: no American boys fighting other people's wars!"
"Christ, what a mess, Tommy. How did we get here? The only thing I can say with certainty is I won't be worrying about it much longer. Now that Tom Thumb has arrived, I'm being recalled. Quite what their Lordships have in mind for me, I don't know yet, but it won't be running the Navy out here. What about you? Will you stay here?"
"I'm not sure to be honest. So long as I have an operational base here, I guess I will, but I have no idea how long that will be."
"And then, full back to Singapore, or Surabaya?"
"Or even Darwin. Geoffrey, is Surabaya going to be any better than Cavite in two months' time? As for Singapore, well. that's stretching my lines of supply even further. The Navy isn't keen on that idea, although Washington might have other ideas."
"How much will you send south, Tommy?"
"Well, the reason for us delaying today's meeting was the arrival this morning, of two China gunboats, Oahu and Luzon, with Rear Adm Glassford aboard. I was down at Cavite with Rear Adm Rockwell, my new Naval District commander, to meet him. The boats took a battering sailing through a typhoon; I'm half surprised he didn't lose them. Nevertheless, it's yet more work for Rockwell's Naval Base. I told him 'Get as many ships seaworthy as possible, cut corners where you can.' We got Houston away to Panay Island nice and quickly, but only half her planned upgrade was done. Four 1.1" anti-aircraft quad-mounts were added, but the radar unit and four searchlights had to be left unfitted. The four destroyers of DesDiv 59 are in various stages of refit. Now he's trying to get them ready."
"Destroyers, well now, they're on my list of things to ask about, Tommy. Phillips is desperately short of them, and few of them are modern, Force Z is barely covered. Are you able to help in this matter?"
"Yes, I can help, Geoffrey. But first let me reiterate: if I lend him a division of my old four-stackers, they must remain together, and not be disproportionally put at risk. I can't let the Royal Navy fight to the last US destroyer."
"I fully understand, and if the shoe was on the other foot, would propose that myself. The help won't be abused."
There was a knock on the door, and a young ensign entered and saluted. "Begging your pardon, Admiral Hart, Sir, but I have a signal from Singapore for Admiral Layton." Hart nodded, and the ensign handed the paper to Layton, saluted again and left. Layton waited for the door to close, then turned to Hart and asked "Do you mind me reading it now, Tommy?"
"No, not at all," Hart replied. "Be my guest, Geoffrey."
Layton opened the envelope, and read the message, then looked up at Hart. "We have moved to a first degree of readiness; Phillips has put Thracian on a four-hour notice to sail from Hong Kong with the last military personnel to be evacuated. Force Z may sail in the next 24 hours!"
Hart looked thoughtful, and said, "Geoffrey, I'll order the sailing of DesDiv 58 for Singapore immediately, for service under Phillip's command, if I have your word they'll be used as one unit and you don't spare your own destroyers. And tell Phillips, if he sails, I wish him luck."
Layton gave a small smile. "Thanks, Tommy. Let's shake on it. Your help is much appreciated."
"I suppose we'd best get back to our meeting, Geoffrey. There's a lot of planning to do, and little time to do it."
Driftless
Donor
Tom Thumb = Admiral Tom Phillips? Tom Thumb doesn't sound like a term of compliment, even as nickname....