The American World War: Conflagration

NoOneFamous:

So a great read, some questions, comments:

Is this about right TTL verses OTL for U.S. ships:
Alaska class BC's - are these what OTL Saratoga/Lexington would have been as BC's or something smaller?

BB's:
Washington per OTL only it gets built - another Colorado.
South Dakota, Indiana - per OTL class of 1918 cancelled by OTL Washington Naval Treaty.

Iowa, Delaware - OTL 1918 South Dakota's Montana, Massachusetts.

Montana, North Carolina - last two OTL 1918 South Dakota's - per wiki OTL 53, 54 are Iowa and Massachusetts.

TTL Wisconsin, Alabama = OTL North Carolina, Washington.

TTL Florida = OTL South Dakota.

Guessing TTL Massachusetts is next or saved up to be lead ship in TTL Iowa class perhaps.

CV's:
Essex class - same as OTL only comes in earlier?

No TTL version of OTL Wasp then with two Rangers - less messing around and straight to regular carriers?

Also - is it as appears Baltimore's and Clevelands OTL come early, as well as AA cruisers like San Juan?

Correction?: Last post you've got South Dakota as part of both TF20 and TF24.

Does the U.S. field Dauntlesses this timeline?

Financing all this before WW2 - guess war bonds get sold early and often - lots of debt.

Between the big navy already and the huge army compared to OTL - U.S. seems more mobilized in 1940 than OTL 1943 US, or Germany 1942.

British questions:
The Griffin/Hunter wiki ref: looks like a little bit like an FW190 in flight - assume that it has a bigger engine than the 840 HP in the wiki?
 
Wow Layman! I'll see if I can answer your questions/comments. Where in PA?

The Lexington BCs became carriers, these Alaskas are an earlier version of the ones in OTL.

ITTL, the WNT allowed slightly more tonnage, hence more ships.

Yep, the Essex class is showing up a little earlier, along with the cruisers you mentioned.

That was a typo on my part and I'll fix it.

The Dauntless will be showing up.

Since 1917, the US has fought in WWI and two wars with Mexico, hence the larger armed forces, plus of course the US has expanded in size. Plus the US has a national service requirement.

The Griffin has the bigger engine.
 
NoOneFamous:

Beaver Falls area - just north of Pittsburgh.

Based on when they are built and how many -was why I'd think they might look like a smaller OTL Lexington/Saratoga BC's.

Guns taken off the shelf maybe 3 twin 16" .45 calibre turrets of the kind on the Colorado.

OTL Alaskas took a long time getting finally built over the 12" .50 caliber guns.
 
[FONT=&quot]JOINT ANGLO-AMERICAN-FRENCH [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]PRESS RELEASE[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][1][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]AUGUST 10, 1940[/FONT]

After weeks of negotiations, the Western Allies have agreed to a new command structure. All Allied Forces based in England or operating in the Atlantic will fall under the command of the Supreme Allied Commander Western Europe.

Field Marshal Sir Claude Auckinleck, British Army, is the new Allied Supreme Commander. Admiral Harold Stark, USN, is the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander. The Allied Ground Forces Commander is General Dwight Eisenhower, USA. The Allied Air Forces Commander is the RAF’s Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles Portal. The Allied Naval Commander is Admiral Sir John Tovey, RN.

Meanwhile in the Mediterranean, the new command is known as the Allied Mediterranean Command.

French General Henri Giraud is the Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean. General Sir William Gott is the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander. General Sir Richard O’Connor, the victor of North Africa is the Allied Ground Forces Commander. Admiral Royal Ingersoll, USN is the Allied Naval Commander. General Henri Closterman, French Air Force, is the Allied Air Forces Commander.

BEBC WORLD NEWS[2]
JULY 22, 1940

Good evening, this is London. The Japanese offensive aimed at wrestling control of the Chinese city of Shanggao away from the Chinese Army has entered its second week. While there are no confirmed casualties, unofficial sources put the Japanese losses at over 3,000 dead, wounded or missing. Chinese casualties have topped 10,000 killed, wounded, sick or captured. There appears to be a serious viral infection spreading among the Chinese troops.

CANADIAN ARMY
ORDER OF BATTLE[FONT=&quot][3][/FONT]
JULY 25, 1940

1st Canadian Army
Lieutenant General Harry Crerar

I Corps (UK)

1st Canadian Infantry Division
2nd Canadian Infantry Division
1st Canadian Armored Brigade

II Corps (Canada)

3rd Canadian Infantry Division
4th Canadian Infantry Division (Forming)
5th Canadian Infantry Division (Forming)

SHAPE INTELLIGENCE
REPORT ON GERMAN ARMY ORDER OF BATTLE
WESTERN EUROPE[4]
AUGUST 1, 1940

High Command West (OB West) HQ: Paris
Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt

Army Group A (Belgium, Holland & Norway) HQ: Rotterdam
Field Marshal Wilhelm List

Army Group Reserves:

IV Panzer Corps

4th German Panzer Division
7th German Panzer Division
10th German Panzer Grenadier Division

German 1st Army (HQ: Antwerp)
General Johannes Blaskowitz

Army Reserves

3rd SS Infantry Division

III Corps

2nd German Infantry Division
6th German Infantry Division
79th German Infantry Division
83rd German Infantry Division

XVII Corps

3rd German Panzer Grenadier Division
18th German Infantry Division
26th German Infantry Division
60th German Infantry Division

German 20th Mountain Army (Norway) HQ: Oslo
General Eduard Dietl

Army Reserves

5th SS Panzer Grenadier Division

IX Corps

19th German Infantry Division
75th German Infantry Division
78th German Infantry Division
98th German Infantry Division

XV Mountain Corps

1st German Mountain Division
3rd German Mountain Division
6th German Mountain Division

Army Group B (HQ: Rennes)
Field Marshal Fedor von Bock

Army Group Reserves

VII Panzer Corps

11th German Panzer Division
14th German Panzer Division
20th German Motorized Division

German 4th Army (HQ: Caen)
Field Marshal Gunther von Kluge

Army Reserves:

2nd SS Infantry Division

II Corps

15th German Infantry Division
32nd German Infantry Division
110th German Infantry Division (forming)

XX Corps

8th German Infantry Division
21st German Infantry Division
46th German Infantry Division
59th German Infantry Division

XXIII Corps

17th German Infantry Division
18th German Motorized Division
302nd German Infantry Division (Static) (forming)
305th German Infantry Division (forming)

6th Army (HQ: Bordeaux)
Field Marshal Walther von Reichenau

Army Reserves

110th German Infantry Division

VIII Corps

22nd German Air Landing Division (reforming)
28th German Infantry Division
141st German Reserve Infantry Division
177th French Volunteer Infantry Brigade (forming)

XXIX Corps

29th German Infantry Division
163rd German Infantry Division
164th German Infantry Division
169th German Infantry Division

9th Army (HQ: Marseilles)
General Otto Colinburg

Army Reserves

57th German Infantry Division

V Corps

35th German Infantry Division
52nd German Infantry Division
206th German Infantry Division
719th German Infantry Division (Static)

XL Corps

39th German Infantry Division
205th German Infantry Division
709th German Infantry Division (Static)
716th German Infantry Division (Static)

EXCERPT FROM
JAPAN AND THAILAND SIGN TREATY
THE NEW YORK STANDARD[5]
AUGUST 4, 1940
By Stephen Fein

The Japanese Empire and the Government of Thailand signed a defense treaty yesterday. This treaty allows the Imperial Japanese Government to base aircraft, ships and troops in Thailand and commits each nation to defending the other if attacked. There has been no official reaction by the US Government.


US NAVY PRESS RELEASE[FONT=&quot][6][/FONT]
AUGUST 7, 1940

Today, the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, signed the order for the construction of the President Class battle cruisers. At this time the Navy is planning on building 6 ships tentatively named:

USS John Adams
USS James Madison
USS James Monroe
USS Andrew Jackson
USS Thomas Jefferson
USS Abraham Lincoln

EXCERPT FROM
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS PROTEST US ACTIONS
THE NEW YORK STANDARD[7]
AUGUST 8, 1940
Stephen Fein

Both the Thai and Japanese Governments made official protests yesterday in Washington DC over the Roosevelt Administration’s decision to stop sales of petroleum products and scrap metals to both nations.

The Administration responded by saying that when the two nations embraced peace instead of war, then the embargoes would be lifted.

VOICE OF THE AMERICAS[FONT=&quot][8][/FONT]
NEWS BROADCAST
AUGUST 10, 1940
WAR CRIMES TRIAL DRAWS

TO A CLOSE

Mexico City. The lawyers for the six accused German saboteurs rested today after the week long trial. The six stand accused of murdering Colonel Charles Willoughby, providing arms and other supplies to the Mexican rebels and spying for Germany. If found guilty on the murder and spying charges; they will be executed by hanging. Mrs. Willoughby, the widow of the late Colonel Willoughby, has been present for the trial and is expected to return to the United States after the trial.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE[FONT=&quot][9][/FONT]
AUGUST 18, 1940

Berlin. Representatives of Germany, Italy and Japan met today in Berlin. The three parties signed a treaty that states they "will stand by and co-operate with one another in... their prime purpose to establish and maintain a new order of things... to promote the mutual prosperity and welfare of the peoples concerned.

AUGUST 19, 1940

Good Evening, this is London.

In London today, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound retired today. He is being replaced as First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, former Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet and victor of the Battle of the Ionian Sea.

Today in Mexico City, US occupation authorities executed four of the six Germans accused of murder, spying and various other crimes. They were found guilty six days ago and sentenced to death. Their legal representatives appealed for clemency from the Military Governor who denied their appeal. The other two have been sentenced to life in prison.

The Chinese Government has confirmed that the city of Shanggo has fallen to the Japanese Army. Casualties are rumored to be high on both sides.

Meanwhile, the German and Italian Air Forces continue their nighttime bombings of London and other major cities.

The Greek Government has confirmed that Italian artillery, based in occupied Albania, has been firing on Greek territory; fortunately there have been no Greek casualties. The Italian Government has explained that they are firing on Albanian terrorist positions inside Greece.

CLASSIFIED US NAVY
REPORT ON THE GERMAN
BATTLESHIP BADEN[11]
AUGUST 22, 1940

Since breaking out from the Mediterranean in July, the Baden has sunk approximately 23,500 gross metric tons of merchant ships. She also engaged and sank the French cruiser Colbert. It is not known if the Colbert was able to damage the Baden. She was last seen August 17 by the Argentine battleship Moreno. It is believed that the Baden has crossed into the Pacific and may be attempting to reach Japan.

All Allied shipping and warships have been notified about the possible location of the Baden. Since France has few naval vessels in the Eastern & Central Pacific, all Allied ships have been ordered to steam away from all ships flying the French naval ensign.

CLASSIFIED US ARMY REPORT
ON PHILIPPINE ARMED
FORCES CAPABILITY[12]
SEPTEMBER 1, 1940

Army:

Philippine Scouts: These are the very best and brightest Filipinos in service. This command has been using Scouts to beef up and train other Filipino units.

Infantry: The 1st & 2nd Philippine Infantry Regiments are the best serving in the Filipino Army.

The 2nd, 4th, and 6th Regiments are of average quality and should perform well in combat if ably led.

The 3rd Regiment is composed primarily of the sons and nephews of Philippine Government officials. It is not considered an effective unit despite our best efforts.

The 9th, 10th, & 11th Regiments, Philippine Army Reserves; are still in the process of being formed and are not considered combat capable.

Engineers: The 2 active (7th & 8th) and the reserve (12th) engineer regiments are highly trained and motivated. They should do well.

Cavalry: Unfortunately, the 1st Cavalry unit, like the 3rd Infantry, is considered a playboy unit. This unit is rated as below average.

Air Corps

All the squadrons of this command fly outdated and obsolete aircraft and it is recommended that they transition in to more modern aircraft.

1st Attack Squadron: The aircraft, the Curtis Falcon A-3, flown by this unit are only capable of carrying 600 lbs of bombs and half the aircraft are grounded at any one time due to maintenance issues.

The 4th Observation Squadron had grounded 2/3 of its aircraft due to a serious lack of spare parts. The remaining planes only fly once a week, weather permitting.

The Keystone B-6 bombers of the 2nd & 3rd Bombardment Squadrons are in poor flying condition. Fortunately replacements are on the way.

The P-26 pursuit planes of the 1st & 2nd Pursuit Squadrons are the best maintained aircraft in the PAC. However, they are not able to intercept any current known Japanese aircraft. The planes of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron are in poor shape and rarely get off the ground.

The average Filipino soldier is considered loyal, but there are too many incompetent and corrupt officers who should be weeded out. However, since most of these individuals are politically connected, they are almost impossible to remove from their positions.


ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY
ORDER OF BATTLE[13]
SEPTEMBER 5, 1940

Atlantic Fleet

Battle Squadron (Scapa Flow)

Battle cruiser: HMCS Drake
Heavy Cruisers: HMCS Winnipeg
Light Cruisers: HMCS ST. John, HMCS Thunder Bay
Destroyers 8

Convoy Command

Destroyers: 4
Frigates: 8
Sloops: 16

Pacific Squadron

Light Cruiser: HMCS Birmingham
Destroyers: 2
Frigates: 3

Building:

HMCS Ontario (Winnipeg class)
HMCS Edmonton (Winnipeg class)
HMCS Kingston (St. John Class)
HMCS Mocton (St. John Class)
HMCS Peterborough (St. John class)
10 frigates

UBC NEWS[14]
SEPTEMBER 8, 1940

The Italian Embassy in Athens delivered a demand from Benito Mussolini to the Greek Government demanding that Greece stop harboring Albanian terrorists and to turn over the Zagori region to Italy to prevent the alleged terrorists from using that region.

The Greek Government has responded by ordering a full mobilization of its armed forces. Prime Minster Churchill has stated that “The Cradle of Democracy shall not fall into Hitler’s hands!”

PHILIPPINE ARMY AIR CORPS GETS NEW
BOMBERS
MANILA TIMES[15]
SEPTEMBER 11, 1940
By Simon Vandenberg


The aircraft carrier USS Alamo arrived in Manila Harbor today carrying 22 Martin B-10 bombers on deck. An additional 30 crated bombers are arriving tomorrow aboard a chartered cargo ship.

These bombers will replace the Air Corps obsolescent B-6 bombers and should provide an effective deterrent to any hostile attacks.

Replacements for the Air Corps pursuit planes have been requested and Air Corps officials have received word that they will be arriving before the end of the year.


UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE
ORDER OF BATTLE[16]
SEPTEMBER 15, 1940

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

United States Air Force Europe (HQ: High Wycombe)

8th US Air Force (HQ: Bushy Park)

3 Heavy Bombardment Groups (1 B-24, 2 B-17)
3 Medium Bombardment Groups (B-25)
1 Reconnaissance Group (Hudson, RB-17, RB-23)

9th US Air Force (HQ: RAF Burtonwood)

6 Pursuit Groups (1 Spitfire, 1 P-39, 1 P-39 converting to Corsair, 3 P-40)
1 Transport Group (DC-3)

MEDITERRANEANTHEATER OF OPERATIONS

3rd US Air Force (HQ: Cairo)

2 Heavy Bombardment Groups (B-24)
1 Medium Bombardment Group (B-25)
4 Pursuit Groups (1 P-39, 3 P-40)
1 Transport Group (DC-3)
1 Reconnaissance Group (Hudson)

ALASKAN AIR COMMAND

1 Composite Group (P-40, B-18, L-10)

PANAMANIAN AIR COMMAND

Panama Canal Air Force (HQ: Albert Field)

1 Light Bombardment Group (B-18)
1 Pursuit Group (P-40)

UNITED STATES

1st US Air Force (HQ: Langley AFB)

1 Medium Bombardment Group (B-26)
1 Transport Group (L-10, Boeing 247, C-58, DC-3)
5 Pursuit Groups (2 Corsair, 3 P-40)

2nd US Air Force (Bremerton)

2 Heavy Bombardment Groups (B-24)
2 Medium Bombardment Groups (B-25)
4 Pursuit Groups (P-40)
1 Transport Group (DC-3)

4th US Air Force (HQ: Mexico City)

2 Light Bombardment Group (B-18)
1 Medium Bombardment Group (B-25)
2 Pursuit Groups (P-40)

6th US Air Force (HQ: Eglin AFB)

5 Heavy Bombardment Groups (4 B-17, 1 B-24)
3 Light Bombardment Groups (B-18)
4 Medium Bombardment Groups (B25)
6 Pursuit Groups (2 Corsair, 4 P-40)
1 Transport Group (DC-3)

HAWAII

Hawaiian Air Force (HQ: Hickam AFB)

2 Heavy Bombardment Groups (B-17)
1 Light Bombardment Group (B-18)
2 Pursuit Groups (P-40)
1 Reconnaissance Group (RB-23)

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

Far Eastern Air Force (HQ: Clark Field)

1 Heavy Bombardment Group (1 B-17)
1 Light Bombardment Group (B-18)
1 Pursuit Group (P-36/P-40)
1 Reconnaissance Group (RB-23, Hudson Pitcairn OP)

8TH AIR FORCE PRESS RELEASE[17]
SEPTEMBER 17, 1940


Last night B-25 bombers, in conjunction with RAF bombers hit German military installations in occupied France, Our bombers hit their targets and all of our bombers returned to base without any losses. We have been able to determine that our bombers did destroy their targets.

GERMAN PROPAGANDA
BROADCAST[18]
SEPTEMBER 18, 1940

“This is Jairmany calling! Jairmany calling! Jairmany calling! You American boys of the 8th and 9th Air Forces, it appears Mr. Roosevelt has sent you off to war without proper equipment. Those toys you call fighters cannot stand up to German fighters. Our fighter pilots feel sorry for you when they shoot you out of the sky. Your B-25 bombers paid our valiant German troops a visit last night in France. It is a pity that you missed your targets and hit poor innocent French civilians. The ten bomber crews who had the misfortune to be shot down had to be rescued from angry French mobs. They are now enjoying German hospitality. I would suggest that you write home to your mothers and girlfriends and tell them good bye.”

BEBC NEWS[19]
OCTOBER 1, 1940

Good evening, this is London. And now for the news:

His Majesty King George VI was slightly injured yesterday while inspecting the bomb damaged East End. He sprained his ankle and will recover in due course.

Thailand’s King Rama VIII dissolved his government yesterday and asked the Japanese Ambassador for help in forming a new government with closer ties to the Japanese Empire.


CLASSIFIED MEMORANDUM
REGARDING SEPTEMBER 30
COMMANDO RAID[20]
OCTOBER 2, 1940

TO: Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke
CC: Field Marshall Auchinleck, SACEUR
FROM: Admiral of the Fleet Keyes, Director of Combined Operations
RE: Operation Joker

Sir, I have the honor to report on the initial results of Operation Joker. As you are aware, this was a raid by No. 2 Commando in conjunction with Norwegian resistance forces on the headquarters complex of the German 19th Infantry Division.

The raid was a partial success. We were unable to capture an Enigma machine or any codes. Our forces were able to destroy most of the German headquarters. We were able to capture fifteen German prisoners, including the Divisional Commander, Major General Otto von Choltiz. Regrettably, I am saddened to report that General von Choltiz died from his wounds en route back to the United Kingdom.

More detailed report to follow.

DAILY BRIEFING FOR
GENERAL DANIEL VAN VOORHIS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
UNITED STATES FORCES, FAR EAST[21]
OCTOBER 15, 1940

Briefer: Colonel Thomas Springer

Good morning General.

As of this morning, we have 18,755 troops including 12,000 Philippine Scouts. We should be at strength of 23,800 by the end of the month.

We have 78 operational bombers, both B-17 and B-18. We have 177 operational fighters. Only half of the B-17s are currently operational due to a lack of spare parts. We have notified Washington and we have been promised the spare parts. Right now, engineers are building revetments, but only about a third of the bombers and half of the fighters have their own revetments.

We have captured several Japanese nationals trying to sneak into classified areas. They claim to be lost. We need your permission to expel them from the country.

We have seen an increase of Japanese over flights in the last three weeks. The Japanese Army is now in total control of Thailand.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
ORDER OF BATTLE
(GROUND FORCES)[22]
OCTOBER 20, 1940


FLEET MARINE FORCES ATLANTIC

I Marine Amphibious Corps (Brawdy, Wales)

1st US Marine Division
2nd US Marine Division

1st US Marine Parachute Brigade (-) (Paris Island)
4th US Marine Brigade (Veracruz)

FLEET MARINE FORCES PACIFIC

II Marine Amphibious Corps (San Diego)

3rd US Marine Division
4th US Marine Division (forming)

2nd US Marine Brigade (Pearl Harbor)
4th US Marine Regiment (Subic Bay PI)

TRUE STORIES
OF THE RESISTANCE[23]
By Jamie Belinda Hunicutt
Province Books
1980

The Netherlands (October 26, 1940)

Westervoort, 2am local time. The young woman and the older man (who pretended to be her father around other people) hurried away from the string of barges on which they had just planted 40 lbs of TNT near the load of aviation fuel bound for the Luftwaffe base in Rotterdam. A loyal citizen had arranged for the tug boat to break down here, where she and her “father” managed to sneak aboard and plant the explosives.

During the day, Miss “Sarah ter Horst” was a teacher of French and German at the local high school. At night she and her “father” led a group of 20 local men and women determined to carry out the fight against the Germans. Sergeant Brill’s brother (who was a member) lived in the town and vouched for each and every member of the resistance group. As far as Sergeant Brill’s brother knew (he hadn’t seen his brother in the decades since he had joined the Army), “Sarah” was his niece.

As far as the world knew, she was dead. She had been visiting the troops on the border when the Germans came in. Sergeant Brill had managed to get her to Arnhem, where she was supposed to board a plane to Sweden. Just before she gotten on, she had given her seat up to a Jewish friend of hers. The plane had just cleared the runway when it had been shot down. She and Brill had been fighting the Germans ever since.

Thus far, they had managed to kill 18 German soldiers (she had killed 5 of them herself) and caused mayhem and damage to the Germans. Tonight’s raid would cause even more damage to the Germans. Thankfully tomorrow was Sunday, she needed the sleep and she still had papers to grade for Monday.

An hour later, as she was going to sleep, she heard the barges going up in flames. Her Royal Highness Princess Marie Sophia, youngest daughter of Queen Wilhelmina, slept the sleep of the victorious.

[1] Library of Congress

[2] BEBC World News, July 22, 1940

[3] Canadian Army archives

[4]SHAPE archives

[5] New York Standard , August 4, 1940

[6] US Navy archives

[7][7] New York Standard August 8, 1940

[8][8] VOA August 10, 1940

[9] Library of Congress

[10]BEBC News

[11] USN archives

[12] US Army archives

[13] RCN archives

[14] UBC News, September 8, 1940

[15] Manila Times, September 11, 1940

[16] USAF archives

[17] USAF archives

[18] Library of Congress

[19] BEBC News October 1, 1940

[20] SHAPE archives

[21][21] US Army archives

[22] USMC archives

[23]True Stories of the Resistance; Hunicutt, JB; Province Books, 1988
 
OPERATION MOONSHINE
THE DIEPPE RAID
A UBC SPECIAL REPORT
NOVEMBER 1, 1972

Chet Huntley: Good evening, as you can see I am standing on a beach. This is no ordinary beach and it isn’t even an American beach. This is the beach at Dieppe, France and 32 years ago today, thousands of young British and American Marines stormed ashore in what many military historians regard as a practical lesson in returning to France for good. Tonight, we look at what happened here and hear from some of those who participated in this raid, we will also be hearing from official American, British and German documents on what happened this bloody day in 1940.

The planning for Operation Moonshine began in the Headquarters of Combine Operations for a corps sized landing on the French coast to seize a French port to see how difficult one would be to capture. A number of ports including Cherbourg, Ostend and Dunkirk were considered and rejected. Eventually Dieppe was selected. German defenses were believed to have consisted of a single German infantry regiment in and around Dieppe with 2 coastal artillery batteries completed and four more under construction. Nearby was the rest of the German 305th Infantry Division. The 305th Infantry Division was a static unit. The division was composed of older reservists with little motorized transport and World War One artillery. What transport they did have was mostly horse-drawn.

The original Allied plan had the I Marine Amphibious Corps with the 1st US Marine and 2nd US Marine Divisions with Royal Marine Commando companies attached making the landing and the Royal Marine Division following. That plan was shelved due to a severe lack of landing craft and a new one submitted. The Allies now planned on using the 1st Marine Division with the 2nd US Marine Regimental Combat Team augmented by the 2nd Marine Tank Battalion and the 4th Marine Battalion (1st Regiment) (Colored) with the 3rd RM Battalion in reserve and the 3rd US Marine RCT, augmented by the 3rd Marine Battalion (12th Regiment) (Colored) with the 5th RM Battalion in Reserve. The 1st Marine RCT would be the Division reserve.

The 1st Royal Marine Commando Company would land on the Division’s left flank with orders to take out the German coastal artillery and machine guns that could wreck havoc on the main landing beach. The German coastal artillery battery had 2 105mm artillery pieces and it was believed one 170mm. The 3rd RM Commando Company would land on the right flank destroy the machine gun positions and the coastal artillery positions currently under construction there, then travel one half mile inland to a Luftwaffe radar station and capture, retrieve classified items and then destroy the German radar station.

Elements of the US 8th & 9th Air Forces, RAF Bomber and Fighter Commands would provide support to the Marines. The 1st Marine Air Group would be providing close air support. The 1st MAG had been a thorn in the side of British Allied Air Forces Commander, Sir Charles Portal. He felt, that the Marines air power belonged under his command, of course the US Navy and Marines felt otherwise. In an attempt to override the local Americans, he took his case all the way to President Roosevelt. Roosevelt, at first was leaning towards Portal, but after talking it over with Thomas Holcomb and Ernest King, decided against him.

Portal did have a problem with his fighters. Most would be operating at the end of their operating range. To compensate for this, he wanted several aircraft carriers to provide air support for the landings. Major General William Rupert, Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, thought the idea was a bad one. Both Royal Navy and US Navy carrier admirals refused to send their carriers into the narrow confines of the English Channel.

The 1ST Marine Division would land and seize the port (destroying all items of value to the Germans) and hold it for 8 hours before withdrawing. German forces were expected to number no more than 8,000 in the area (3,000 in Dieppe itself and the rest within 1 hour of Dieppe) and it was expected that air power could hold off any German reinforcements.

The invasion force left their ports just after dark on October 31, 1940. By luck or by fate, the convoys had managed to avoid stumbling on any German convoys or warships. By 0400 the Royal Marine Commandos were boarding their landing craft. They would have two hours to get into position and destroy the German machine gun and coastal artillery positions.

0512 Captain William Collins, RM, Commanding Officer 3rd RM Commando Company. My lads came ashore in the right spot and after getting ourselves sorted out, we were able to take out the German machine gun positions without any losses to themselves.

0540. Lieutenant Paul Moorehead, RM, Executive Officer, 1st RM Commando Company. We came ashore less than one half mile from our assigned beach, but we were able to take out 2 of the 4 German machine gun nests when surprise was lost just after 0540.We lost 30 men including the CO before we were finally able to silence the remaining machine gun posts. We came under some accurate fire from the coastal artillery battery which kept us at bay until dawn. Once dawn broke, our American Marine FAC was able to call in USMC air support in the form of the only Marine Squadron flying the A-31 Vengeance dive bombers. The Marine A-31’s were able to sufficiently damage the coastal artillery guns to prevent them from firing. Three A-31s were lost to AA fire from the ground. After the guns were silenced, we were able to secure and hold the German positions.

At 0530 the six American Sims class destroyers began firing on the known German defenses. There was almost no German counter battery fire.

At 0600, the first wave consisting of the 1st and 2nd Marine Battalions stormed ashore to fierce German resistance. Staff Sergeant Edward Hulka, HQ Company, 1st Marine Battalion was among those who stormed the beach at Dieppe

Staff Sergeant Hulka: We hit the beach at 0600 right on time, not bad for the swabbies. Actually when I say we hit the beach, it was the other way around. We came ashore into some pretty heavy machine gun fire. It was pure chaos. I was able to gather together a squad of Marines and slowly after a period of time, we were able to knock out several enemy positions. We prisoners including several members of the Waffen SS. Afterwards; I spoke with a buddy of mine in Intelligence, turns out that the II Battalion (Motorized) of the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler had moved into the area the day before to train in anti-invasion tactics! Talk about lousy timing.

It was nearly 0700 by the time the officers got off their butts and were listening to their NCOs about getting things organized and off the beach. Colonel Griffith, 1st Battalion CO and the senior Marine on the beach, had called the ships and ordered the 2nd wave in a little later than what they were scheduled for.

0715: Lieutenant Roy Hale, Jr. I was leading the lead flight of A-31 Vengeance dive bombers on close air support. We got a call from a FAC with some Royal Marines and they needed help silencing a German coastal artillery battery. We dropped in from 5,000 feet and dropped our bombs on target, my plane was hit by AA fire, but I was able to make it back to base. Unfortunately, we lost the skipper and a few others when they hit the target minutes after we did.

The 4th Battalion and the B Company, 2nd Marine Battalion, landed in the second wave by 0730. The tanks had a very rough time with the chert pebbles on the beach (half of the tanks were knocked out as they tried to make their way across the beach.)

Major Ralph Houser. I was the XO of the 2nd Marine Tank Battalion and I came ashore with the B Company and immediately, I saw how hard it was for our Shermans on those blasted pebbles. The German anti-tank gunners were picking us off like ducks. My crew and I were able to knock out two anti-tank guns when our tank was hit and when I woke up, I was on my way back to England aboard a hospital ship.

0800: Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington led VMF 115 over the French coast to provide air cover for the mud marines below. They had been under attack by German dive bombers and fighters making strafing runs. Spotting some Stukas coming out of their dives, he led the Devil Dogs into the attack. Over the next few minutes, the Devil Dogs, flying Wildcats, shot down all six of the Stukas.

By 0800, orders had gone out to all German Army units in the area that the Allies were attempting to land in force at Dieppe. Field Marshall Rundstedt put his entire command on alert and notified Hitler.

Among the units heading towards Dieppe was the infantry platoon led by SS Untersturmfuhrer Paul Weber. Starting out in trucks, attacks by US B-25 Mitchells soon forced them to rethink those plans.

Weber. The company loaded up and headed towards Dieppe, we had already run the Allies out of Europe and we had every expectation of doing it again. The first attacks came when we were about an hour away from Dieppe. We could see the smoke rising from the town and we began encountering French civilians fleeing from the fighting. Minutes later, we heard the rumble of aircraft engines and saw 3 or 4 twin engine enemy bombers flying just above the trees coming straight at us! These American bombers came in at us really fast; they dropped their loads almost on top of us. They killed more French civilians then they killed of us. We lost 3 dead in my platoon and another 20 in the rest of the company. There had to be at least 100 dead civilians. The bombs had cratered the road and damaged our trucks. It was time to walk into battle. As the Americans were leaving the area they were being chased by our fighters.

0845 (Over Dieppe). Colonel Adolph Galland, Commander JG21 (21st Fighter Wing), was attacking an American B-25 that had just attacked an Army convoy (He didn’t know it was actually an SS convoy and he wouldn’t have cared). While the rest of his flight was going after other bombers, he was attacking one that had a naked lady painted on the nose. As he was attacking the bomber, he regretted having to damage such a wonderful piece of art, but this was war and he had a job to do. Diving from above he saw the plane taking hits, but obviously the Americans had built some sturdy planes. He and his wing man, climbing from beneath were finally able to cause fatal damage to the plane which quickly went into the ground exploding in a massive fireball. Galland and his wing man turned around and headed home for more fuel and ammo.

0845 (Dieppe beachhead).The first of the three Medals of Honor was earned around this time. Lance Corporal Oral Roberts, in command of his squad after the squad leader was killed, was badly wounded by machine gun fire. As he lay in the sand, directing the fire of his men, a German hand grenade landed among his men. Without hesitation, he smothered the grenade with his body. He died instantly, but saved his men.

Huntley: It was about this time, that I came across Brigadier General Holland Smith, Howling Mad is what his men called him, behind his back of course. He had come ashore in the first wave and was trying to get things organized. He had received some shrapnel wounds and killed a few Germans himself. (He was having a hard time, despite their best efforts the Allied air forces and the US destroyers off shore were having little impact on the fighting ashore. The Allied planes were inflicting heavy casualties on German reinforcements, but were unable to help the advance off the beach.) After what seemed like hours (turns out it was less than 20 minutes after I met up with General Smith), he was finally able to gather enough Marines together to breach the German defenses.

Corporal De Forrest Kelley was a radio operator aboard a B-25 of the 11th Bombardment (Medium) Squadron operating out of RAF Waddington in England. His squadron was committed to the battle just before 8am. His plane cross the French coast south of Dieppe, they were ordered to attack German forces moving towards Dieppe. “From the time we crossed the coast I could hear reports from other bombers that were being shot to pieces by German fighters. I don’t mind telling you that I was scared out of my mind.” We spotted what looked like a formation of German tanks heading towards Dieppe, so the skipper changed course and went in to drop our load. It was a trap. German AA gunners were waiting for us and shredded the port engine and killed the skipper and badly wounded the co-pilot. He brought the plane around and we headed back towards the channel when he ordered us to jump. That was enough for me; I was able to jump out of the plane. Fortunately after I made it to the ground, I was able to avoid the Germans and was found by members of the French resistance.

Huntley: By 9am, it was obvious that the raid was not going well. General Smith radioed out to General Rupert and asked for the commitment of the 3rd Royal Marines and the 4th Marine Battalion. He also advised against the commitment of the 3rd Marine RCT until he could get things organized on the beach.

0915 hours: As the Marines were getting organized, Major Boyington lead his squadron back over Dieppe. From what he had heard, they had killed a lot of Germans, unfortunately, too many dead mud Marines would be staying in France. He spotted a flight of Stukas diving on the LCVPs coming in to land. He took his Wildcats in after the Stukas. Thirty seconds later, his six chattering 50 caliber Browning machine guns was sending his third kill of the day into the Channel.

Unfortunately for him, he did not spot the Me-109 that shot down his wingman and then came after him. He tried to get away from this German, but his opponent was doing his best (and doing a great job) of sticking with Boyington. After a few minutes of this the German pilot managed to put enough cannon shells into Boyington’s engine, that he was forced to hit the silk.

Opening his canopy, Boyington jumped out over the beach, hoping that he wouldn’t get shot in his chute by the mud Marines or his pursuer. Watching Boyington jump from his plane, Colonel Adolph Galland began looking for his next victim.

Boyington: I landed a few feet away from a Negro Marine platoon advancing on the Casino. I was handed an M1 and some ammo and joined their unit. Their orders were to probe beyond the Casino and pinpoint German positions and call in the planes.

0930 Hulka: We were finally able to take casino, but we had lost nearly 1/3 of the company. I was now commanding 2nd Platoon. I was ordered to send out scouts to see if we could get out of the casino and into the town.

Captain Collins: Even though the radar station was only a half mile from the coastal artillery position, we had the devil’s own luck in getting there. We kept running into small pockets of German troops, including some Waffen SS. We finally saw the radar station when the damn thing blew up! I ordered my lads back to the beach to withdraw.

0945: Inside the Casino Navy Chaplain Lt. William Fox was administering the last rites to a dying German soldier when a hand grenade flew into the room. Chaplain Fox, without hesitating, grabbed the grenade and threw it back out. Continuing where he left off, Fox finished the rites and moved onto the next man.

Meanwhile back on the beach, General Smith, had sent his aide back out to the command ship with his recommendations for continuing the assault. The 2nd Marine RCT’s assault companies had lost close to 50% of their combat Marines. Smith recommended that the 2nd Marine RCT hold the beachhead while the 1st and 3rd Marine RCTs land and continue the assault. General Rupert agreed to land the 3rd RCT; he saw no need to land the 1st.

0955: The Marines of the 3rd RCT began loading into the landing boats. Among the Marines was 19 year old Private James “Jim” Gaffney, Jr.

Gaffney: I was so glad to get off that transport! A lot of the boys had been seasick and I was praying to get off that tub! I was scared as all get out about going into combat, but most of our NCOs had seen combat in Mexico and told us to keep cool and everything would be fine.”

The arriving Marines began landing amid a German artillery barrage fired from artillery just outside of Dieppe. Despite the best efforts of the Allied Air Forces, the Germans were able to fire effectively into the beachhead most of the morning.

1000: Hulka: Our scouts had reported back that German infantry and armor were advancing towards the Casino. Infantry we could deal with. Tanks were a different matter. We had grenades and satchel charges, but no anti-tank weapons. The brass didn’t think we would need any, besides we would have our own tanks, except they couldn’t get the damn things off the beach! The only good thing was we were getting reinforced by fresh marines who were bringing more explosives with them.

Corporal Kelley: I had been picked up by members of the 7th Resistance Regiment, one of General De Gaulle’s outfits. They couldn’t get me back to the American lines due to all the incoming German reinforcements, so we proceeded back to their HQ and I joined up with them for awhile.

Huntley: The Marines were coming ashore and moving forward as fast as they could while at the same time, the Germans were doing the same and the Germans were winning. Allied intelligence had not picked up the arrival of the SS Division the day before, plus there were other Germans in and around Dieppe on liberty. They were quickly gathered up into ad hoc units. All told there were about 21,000 German troops in the immediate vicinity of Dieppe.

Weber: We had made it to the outskirts of Dieppe when we ran into an Army major gathering up army and Luftwaffe personnel into a battle group. We ignored them and continued on into town. Pretty soon we ran into some serious sniper fire, we weren’t sure if these were Americans or French stay behinds, but they held us up for 20 or 30 minutes until we could root them out. We never caught them because as soon as my men got close, they would literally vanish.

1030: Hulka: The first German tanks arrived about this time, they were 2 Panzer Is and a single Panzer II and no infantry support. We got lucky this time. We had prepared some of our satchel charges and some of the boys ran out behind the tanks and threw the satchel charges at them. We took out the 2 Panzer Is, but the other tank was able to get out of the area, we lost 2 of my Marines. At this point we were joined by a flyboy Major with a platoon of black marines. I was so happy to see them. They had orders to probe into the town, I wasn’t about to let them go without tagging along.

Boyington: I wanted to go forward, but I was told by a Marine Staff Sergeant that I would get in the way and that I should remain behind and “observe” That was the polite way of telling me to get out of their way and let them do their jobs. I watched as they started moving beyond the Casino.

Hulka: we moved down the road from the Casino towards the docks, that was when we ran into some heavy machine gun fire. We were quickly pinned down. Every time we tried to outflank them, we ran into more heavy fire. This way was blocked but good. We fell back towards the Casino and waited for reinforcements.

1100 Captain Robert Cushman. I came ashore with my company and was told to lead the breakout from the Casino. We were to hurry because the Germans were reinforcing faster than we expected. We arrived at the Casino just in time to help beat off a German attack.

Hulka: The first attack caught our returning scouts by surprise and the 3 of them went down in a hail of gunfire. Chaplain Fox simply ran out and dragged the nearest one to safety. I guess the Germans were shocked because no one fired at him. The second time around however, they began firing at him, but missed as he dragged the second Marine to safety. Unfortunately for the Padre, the third time was not a charm, they were waiting for him. We gave him as much covering fire as we could, but he was gunned down as he reached the third Marine.

Cushman: I witnessed Chaplain Fox’s actions and I was proud to recommend the Medal of Honor for him after the battle. He was a brave man.

Weber: We arrived near the Casino and spotted an American patrol and shot them down like dogs. Then to our immense surprise, an American comes running out and drags one American and then another to safety!! We were shocked at first, but we finally killed him. It was only afterwards that we found out he was a priest. We had orders to stop the American advance and hold our ground. I could see that the Americans were in complete possession of the Casino and my platoon wasn’t going to root them out. That was when we heard the roaring of the engines.

1130 Brigadier General George Stratemeyer had been leading his B-24s on an unusual mission for his bombers; they were flying in direct support of ground forces taking part in the Dieppe invasion. They were to drop their bombs on the town (it was hoped that the locals had cleared out when the fighting started) and open a hole for the Marines to break out into the town.

Weber: We saw these planes coming in at around 500 feet. Our anti-aircraft guns were firing on them, but they kept coming on. I saw their bomb bay doors open and all hell broke loose on us. Bombs were coming down everywhere, I found a hole and jumped in and prayed to the Virgin Mary.

Boyington: We heard and then saw the bombers; I could see that they were cutting it close, that if they weren’t careful, we could get bombed as well. Well, they weren’t careful and the Casino got hit. As soon as I saw the bomb bay doors open, I yelled for everyone to run for it. About 1/3 of the men with me made it out of the Casino before it was hit by bombs. Those stupid Army Air Force bombers killed about 100 of our own men! We started digging out the survivors; fortunately, none of the Germans in the immediate vicinity were able to put up much of a fight.

Weber: When I came to there was a very dirty black man standing over me, he had already taken my weapons and told me to stand up. I couldn’t understand him, but I did understand what his rifle was telling me. The four survivors of my platoon were marched down to the beach and put into a landing craft along with a hundred other prisoners. The ship immediately put to sea. I was pleased to see that the Army fellows had managed to kill a good number of Americans as they stormed ashore. As the ship was going out into the Channel, we were strafed by a couple of German fighters. They injured a few of us but didn’t sink us. My war was over. I spent a month in England before they shipped me off to the US to spend the rest of the war there.

Cushman: I was able to scrape together enough men to form a composite company and I had them setting up defensive positions for when the Germans attacked again. I asked Major Boyington if he would go back to the beach and get us some reinforcements. No sooner had he left than the 3rd Battalion, 2nd RCT came through our lines and marched off in the direction of the docks.

Huntley: The 3rd Marines were able to make it a mile further into town before running in to a massive German counter attack which included tanks and infantry. The German counter attack forced the Marines back before they and the 2nd Marines launched their own counter attacks. For the next three hours, Germans and Americans fought in some of the bloodiest hand to hand combat seen on the European continent. At 2pm, General Rupert gave the order to withdraw. When the Marines fell back, the Germans were in no hurry to pursue them.

By 4pm, the last of the Marines had departed. General Smith was the last man off the beach; he would later be awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership on the beach. Of the 300 Royal Marines involved, 32 were killed, 41 wounded and 3 were taken prisoner. Of the 16,000 Marines involved; 2400 were killed, 3300 wounded and 122 were taken prisoner. November 1, 1940 was the one of the bloodiest days in Marine Corps history.
 
ANC RADIO SPECIAL REPORT[1]
NOVEMBER 1, 1940

Earlier this morning, United States Marines landed on the coast of France in what Navy Department officials are calling a large scale raid. It is not known how many Marines are taking part in this raid on the French port of Dieppe, nor is it known how many casualties, if any, the Marines have suffered.
GERMAN PROPAGANDA

BROADCAST[2]
NOVEMBER 2, 1940

“This is Jairmany calling! Jairmany calling! Jairmany calling! Yesterday a group of American Marines landed in France without our permission. Well you boys know what happens when someone uninvited shows up, you beat them up and that is what we did to you Marines. Our forces sent you boys packing with a bloody nose to Mamma Next time call ahead and let us know you are coming so we can have the prison camps ready.”

EXCERPTS FROM

WORLD WAR II
IN THE PACIFIC
CHAPTER VI: BUILDUP TO WAR -
NOVEMBER 1940[3]
By Dr. Christopher Hall
Louisville Press
1999

Since the mid 1930s, Japan had been planning for a war in the Pacific and while China had been a distraction and the Soviet Union a concern, planning had never really stopped. Planning for the Pearl Harbor and Panama Canal attacks began on Admiral Yamamoto’s orders after the British raid on the Helgoland Bight.

The Japanese planned three attacks on US territories 1) The Philippines, 2) Pearl Harbor, and 3) the Panama Canal. By attacking the Philippines, Japan would remove the US garrison and gain valuable resources for Japan. By attacking Pearl Harbor, the US Pacific Fleet would be removed from the equation. And by destroying the Panama Canal, US naval reinforcements would have to come into the Pacific via the tip of South America.

The Philippines would be handled mainly by the Japanese Army and Army Air Force with some help from the Navy. Pearl Harbor would be attacked by Japanese Naval Forces, and the Panama Canal would be attacked by freighters packed with high explosives. To avoid the ships being inspected, the holds would have diplomatic seals on the hatches to prevent the Americans from entering.

Thailand’s armed forces would send troops to China which would free up Japanese forces for operations against the Western Allies. The Japanese believed that the Thais could hold their own against the “inferior” Chinese troops.

BEBC NEWS[4]
NOVEMBER 6, 1940

Good evening, this is London. In response to the Argentine Government’s expelling of the American and British Ambassadors from Argentina, both the US and British Governments have demanded that Argentina’s ambassadors leave Washington and London immediately.

Earlier this afternoon, Argentina upped the stakes by demanding that both nations’ embassies be closed within thirty days.

In other news..

TRUE STORIES
OF THE RESISTANCE[5]
By Jamie Belinda Hunicutt
Province Books
1985

France (November 10, 1940)

Corporal De Forest Kelley, US Army Air Forces, was crouched down in a farmer’s field 40 km east of Dieppe. He had joined up with De Gaulle’s people after being shot down over Dieppe. Right now he wished he was back in his nice big bomber, this ground pounder stuff was for the infantry!

Right now he and his “squad” (De Gaulle’s resistance cells called themselves squads) were waiting for the weekly air drop from England. This drop was supposed to provide grenades, explosives and ammunition for their weapons. They had seen some combat with German troops The Germans had been sweeping the area looking for Marine stragglers and shot down airmen like him. Thus far they had not found him.

This air drop would give them the supplies they needed to raid a German supply depot not too far from here. This cell had had some minor successes in the past and they had hopes to do better.

They heard the sound of engines in the air and the men lit the signal fire…

At roughly the same time, the Westervoort resistance cell was coming back from sabotaging parked German trucks (they had slit the tires of 18 trucks) and planting some explosives. If all went well, the Germans were in for a nasty surprise when they started those trucks in the morning.

INTERNAL US ARMY AIR
FORCE MEMORANDUM[6]
NOVEMBER 15, 1940

To: General George C Marshall

From: Lieutenant General Arnold

Re: P-40 replacement

As the General is well aware, the P-40 fared badly in combat against front line German fighters and the Army Air Force was forced to purchase a number of Chance Vought’s F4U Corsairs as an interim measure until more advance Air Force fighters came in to mass production.

I am pleased to inform you that beginning December 1, the Lockheed P-38 will be put into squadron service here in the US and then in Europe and North Africa. The remaining P-40s will be withdrawn to training units here in the States or front line combat units in the Pacific and Far East. They should be superior to any Japanese fighters.

COPY OF A LETTER
OF REPRIMAND TO
COLONEL RUFUS S. BRATTON, USA[7]

To: Lieutenant Colonel R.S. Bratton

From: Brigadier General Carter Clarke; Head, Military Intelligence Section

Date: November 22, 1940

Subject: Insubordination

On November 18, 1940 you disobeyed my direct order not to discuss your personal opinion regarding Japanese intentions with President Roosevelt and General Marshall. You were ordered to present the official report of this department and instead disobeyed orders by presenting your opinions.

Your actions discredit your uniform, the Military Intelligence Section and the Army.

You will be transferred from this command as soon as a replacement can be found for you.

Signed

BG C. Clarke

EXCEPRT FROM
THEY DIDN’T LISTEN[8]
By Colonel Rufus S. Bratton, USA (Retd)
Round House Books
1966

By mid November the signs were all there. We had reports of increased activities by known and suspected Japanese spies in the Philippines, Hawaii, the Panama Canal and here in the US. Japanese planes kept “accidentally” straying into Philippine air space. We had reports of suspected Japanese submarines spotted near Pearl Harbor and the Panama Canal. Taken separately, the reports didn’t mean much, taken together; they added up to one thing – war. But the problem was no one was reading all of the reports. I read most of them, the ones I could get my hands on, but every time I attempted to raise the alarm, my superiors shut me up. Brigadier General Carter Clarke, the Head of the Military Intelligence Section was looking for an excuse to get rid of me, and I provided it.

On November 18, 1940 I briefed both the President and General Marshall, the Army Chief of Staff. I was supposed to brief them on the official MI assessment of Japanese intentions. Instead, I predicted war was about to break out in weeks and that the Japanese would be in a position to really do some damage. That was all Clarke needed, I was reprimanded and banished from Washington. I was sent south to Mexico where I couldn’t do any more damage. As the world knows, my assessment was pretty close.

EXCERPT FROM
ROYAL NAVY SUBMARINES
AT WAR 1914-2000[9]
By Sir Jason Unger
Columbia Books
2002

Just before dusk on November 20, 1940, HM Submarine HMS Thrasher, the Royal Navy’s first snorkel equipped submarine, entered the Baltic in search of German ships. The journey through the Skagerrak and the Kattegat had not been easy. They were able to slip through the German minefields and avoid the patrol boats, but the cost in nerves had been high. One of the engine room ratings had lost his nerve and had to be sedated (he would be transferred off the boat once they made it back to England)

Lt. Commander Thomas Kelly had orders to sink any German flagged merchant vessel or warship that he came across. He was not to enter the territorial waters of the neutral countries surrounding the Baltic. He could not attack any neutral flagged vessel even if it was coming out of a German or Polish port. He was to spend as much time in the Baltic as his supplies would allow.

November 22: Kelly had a grim smile painted on his face as he watched through the periscope as the 2nd German merchant ship to be attacked in the last 22 hours slip beneath the waves. Aside for two smaller patrol boats, the only other warship sighted had been flying the Swedish flag.

November 23, the ship they were trailing had been picked up by the hydrophones several hours before. Due to the fog, they had spotted her yet, but they knew she was nearby. The XO was of the opinion that since they knew where she was and she was in torpedo range, they should just fire. Kelly gave the order to surface the ship; perhaps they would have better luck spotting her. Minutes went by without seeing her, but they heard engines off to port, it sounded like they were traveling parallel. Just then a lookout spotted a light, with his submarine closing in, they were able to pick up the brightly lit ship, and painted amidships, was a rather large red cross, they had been stalking a hospital ship! They immediately dived, not sure if they had been spotted, but Kelly turned the sub 180 degrees around and moved as fast as they could go. They had been spotted, but the crew of the General von Steuben had mistaken her for a U-boat.

November 24, Kelly had been woken up by his XO at 0530, the sun was rising and they had spotted a German U-boat on the surface. From all appearances, they were undetected. Battle stations torpedo was the word and Kelly decided that 2 fish should be used. If they were lucky, the Germans would never know what hit them.

Minutes later the two torpedoes were launched. Based on the sudden flurry of activity on board the enemy sub, they had heard the launch, but they were too late! The first torpedo hit just below the conning tower, the second hit towards the stern. The sub quickly went under. As Captain Kelly was looking through his periscope at the sinking sub, there was a sudden explosion and he was thrown to the deck. Jumping up, he looked through the periscope and saw a flying boat turning around and heading for their position, they had been spotted!!

Ordering full ahead while taking her as deep as she could go without bottoming out, Kelly was hopeful they could escape before German surface vessels arrived on scene. He ordered a change in course away from the German coastline, which hopefully would throw off his pursuers.

November 25. The Thrasher had managed to avoid any further pursuit for the last day, but Kelly had let several worthwhile targets slip by to give him and his crew some breathing room. They had encountered the von Steuben again, but this time they didn’t surface. However, around 10am on the 25th, the hydrophones picked up the screws of a large surface vessel (cruiser size or better). By 11am, they had picked up a heavy cruiser being escorted by 6 or 7 torpedo boats. Kelly didn’t know it, but he and his crew were witnessing the shakedown cruise of Germany’s newest P Class heavy cruiser the Prinz Karl August. She had been launched three days before and the heavy escort was because of the Thrasher and because Grand Admiral Raeder was on board the cruiser. Getting into an effective firing position was difficult but not impossible. After three hours, Kelly and his crew managed to get into position. Thanks to the large numbers of ships in the area, the German sonar operators were unable to get a fix on the Thrasher before she fired her torpedoes. The Thrasher had slipped by the nearest torpedo boats and launched a full spread of 8 torpedoes. Three hit 2 separate torpedo boats, blowing them out of the water. The remaining torpedoes smashed into the hull of the Karl August. Admiral Raeder, touring the aft engine room, was killed instantly when a torpedo hit that compartment. Of the 1,000 crew on board, only 350 survived to be pulled out of the water. The Thrasher lasted four more hours before finally being crippled and trapped on the bottom of the Baltic. Finally Kelly ordered his crew to abandon ship. Only four men died during the engagement.

When Hitler heard about the sinking of the Karl August, he ordered that no more warships larger than destroyer be built. The Karl August had two sister ships – Prinz Johann Georg (80% completed) and Konig Charles (32% completed) – under construction. Hitler gave permission for the completion of the Johann Georg, but ordered the cancellation of the Konig Charles. This was the end of the German surface fleet. Orders had been given for the keel laying of the Frederick the Great, the first H Class battleship, those orders were quickly rescinded.

EXCERPTS FROM
WORLD WAR II
IN THE PACIFIC – BUILDUP
TO WAR[10]
DECISION FOR WAR
DECEMBER 2, 1940
By Dr. Christopher Hall

Bluegrass Books
1988

The Emperor had called in Prime Minister Tojo and his cabinet to hear if everything was prepared. He had wanted to hear the final choices of the first targets to be hit. Among the targets would be the Panama Canal, Pearl Harbor, the American bases on Guam, Midway Island and Wake, the Philippines, Malaya, Burma, and the Dutch East Indies.

While the Allies had both White and Native troops, their equipment was old and obsolete, their air power was a joke (although the American B-17s were formidable, they were few in number.) The largest Allied warships were 3 battle cruisers (1 Dutch, 1 American & 1 Australian), plus smaller cruisers and destroyers, and they were not organized into an effective fleet. They had no aircraft carriers closer than Pearl Harbor (the sole Royal Navy carrier, HMS Furious, was being repaired in Freetown after a collision with an RN destroyer).

Both the Army and Navy commanders felt that the war would be over by May15 if the war started on January 1. However, Admiral Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief Combined Fleet, felt that if Japan did not force America to its knees by the end of 1941; eventually, Japan would have to make peace with the Americans. His radical views were ignored.

After more discussions, the date was set as January 1, 1941 for combat operations to begin.

EXCERPT FROM

AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN
THE MILITARY[11]
1900-2000
By Patricia Murray
Bloody Bucket Press, 2003


WORLD WAR II

By late 1940, African-Americans were becoming more accepted in the US military. The Army had divisions of African-American troops. Most of the officers however, were white. The US Army Air Force had begun accepting African American pilots; they would be formed in all black transport, light bomber and pursuit squadrons. They would not have command over white troops, although white troops of inferior rank were expected to treat said superior black officers with respect. The Navy was allowing African-Americans to join the engineering and gunnery departments. They were not allowing African-American pilots or line officers. The Marines were accepting African-American enlisted personnel, but again no officers. These Marines were kept in segregated units.

EXCERPTS FROM WORLD WAR II
IN THE PACIFIC – BUILDUP
TO WAR[12]
ON THE MOVE
By Dr. Christopher Hall

At dawn on December 9th, 1940 two Japanese freighters set out from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands bound for the Panama Canal. Operation Z was underway. Only 2 men on each freighter knew what the actual mission was. The ships were flying the flag of Nationalist China and officially they were bringing gold to pay for war supplies. As far as the ships’ crews knew, they were transporting Japanese Marines to attack the Panama Canal. In addition, there were 20 agents of the Japanese Secret Police on each ship to ensure that nothing would go wrong during the 3 week voyage to the Panama Canal.

Meanwhile in Japan, IJN warships were in the middle of extensive resupply efforts and crew rotations. The same was happening in army bases across the Japanese Empire. The Empire was preparing for war.

BEBC NEWS BROADCAST[13]
DECEMBER 7, 1940

Good Evening, this is London.

In aerial combat over Southern England, American and British pilots shot down 73 German fighters and bombers for the loss of only 10 Allied fighters.

Stockholm Radio is reporting on the death of the German Navy’s Commander-in-Chief Grand Admiral Conrad Albrecht in a plane crash several days ago. Admiral Albrecht had been appointed to replace the late Admiral Raeder who died last month from a heart attack. His new replacement is reported to be Grand Admiral Karl Donitz.

Meanwhile Japanese negotiators are working in Washington DC in an effort to smooth over relations between Japan and the United States.

Moscow Radio is reporting that Murmansk has fallen to loyalist Russian forces; however, Leningrad continues to hold out.

Radio Athens is reporting that the last Italian forces have been pushed back into Albania. Greek Army officials are reported to have begun preparations for invading Albania.

CLASSIFIED US NAVY
REPORT ON THE GERMAN
BATTLESHIP BADEN[14]
December 10, 1940

Since last report on this topic, the Baden has continued to surprise, harass and sink Allied shipping.

The Baden surprised and sank the South African Minesweeper M17 off Cape Town on August 30. She then proceeded to sink 8 merchant ships (28,200 tons) in the area before leaving to avoid the inevitable air attacks.

Three days later, she appeared off the port city of Toliara, Madagascar and bombarded the harbor for over an hour. When she left, 3 patrol boats and 6 merchant ships had been sunk, 4 more damaged and the harbor was in flames.

We know that she was in the Indian Ocean sinking another 24,550 tons on merchant shipping. Despite the best efforts of HMAS Leviathan, and the Royal Navy units based in Singapore, she slipped past Singapore and is now believed to be in Japan refueling and re-arming.

EXCERPT FROM
NEUTRAL NATIONS OF
THE SECOND WORLD WAR[15]
By Nicole Williams

JAGUAR PRESS
1976

After the Baltic Republics and other former Soviet States gained their freedoms, the United Kingdom moved swiftly to recognize them and open diplomatic missions in their capitals. Because these nations were very friendly with Nazi Germany, these diplomats were on a tight leash. However, the military attaches and intelligence operatives were able to slip out and gather intelligence on German activities. By mid December, they had been able to report back to London of the buildup of German forces in these countries. By their best guesses, they were predicting a German invasion of Russia in the spring.

EBS NEWS SPECIAL REPORT[16]
DECEMBER 16, 1940

War has broken out in South America between Argentina and Brazil. Reports coming out of the US Embassy in Rio De Janerio state that Argentine battleships were bombarding the city. There have been scattered reports of Brazil’s battleships being sunk while steaming towards the capital. There has been no word from President Vargas since the attack has begun. The Brazilian radio stations have been broadcasting mobilization orders for the Brazilian Army.

When we have more information, we will broadcast it immediately.

EXCERPTS OF CLASSIFIED
MEMO TO PRESIDENT
ROOSEVELT FROM ADMIRAL LEAHY,
CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT[17]
December 17, 1940

Mr. President, We can ship 1 Armored and 3 Infantry Divisions within the next week to Brazil. We can also deploy 4 Pursuit and 3 Light Bombardment Groups within the week as well. In talks with Admiral King, they can send a Carrier Task Force and the 3rd Marine Division.

Intelligence indicates that the Germans are actively assisting the Argentine government and they had U-boats ready to ambush both Brazilian battleships.

Argentine ground forces have not yet crossed the border, but it is only a matter of time before they do.

TOP SECRET RADIO
MESSAGE FROM
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
US ARMED FORCES FAR EAST TO
GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL[18]
DECEMBER 21, 1940

General,

Over the last 2 weeks, Japanese over flights have increased by a factor of 50%. Japanese “fishing trawlers” have been caught near or just inside restricted areas. Under the current rules of engagement issued by the War Department, we are not allowed to fire only intercept and detain if possible. I am requesting permission to change those rules to fire upon non-American/Filipino forces invading restricted areas.

Respectfully,

Van Voorhis.

TOP SECRET RADIO MESSAGE
FROM GENERAL GEORGE C MARSHALL
TO GENERAL DANIEL VAN VOORHIS[19]
DECEMBER 22, 1940

General, by order of the President, you are not to attack or provoke the Japanese. We have no desire to be in a shooting war with them. You do have permission to defend the Philippines against all aggressors.

Merry Christmas

GCM

MEMO FROM
LIEUTENANT GENERAL THOMAS HOLCOMB TO
COMMANDER FLEET MARINE FORCE PACIFIC[20]
DECEMBER 23, 1940

You are hereby directed to transfer the following units. 1st Marine Defense Battalion (currently stationed at Pearl Harbor) to Guam; the 3rd Marine Defense Battalion (currently in San Diego) to Wake & Midway Islands; 4th Marine Defense Battalion (currently being transferred to your command) to Pearl Harbor with detachments to Palmyra and Johnston Islands. You will deploy these units on the first available transport.

You will notify this headquarters once these transfers are completed.

TRUE STORIES
OF THE RESISTANCE[21]
By Jamie Belinda Hunicutt
Province Books
1985

December 25th 1940. It may have been Christmas, but Westervoort resistance cell was hard at work. Earlier this morning, they had found out that a “special” German convoy was passing through the area, and Princess Marie Sophia was determined to take it out (after all, if this was a valuable commodity to the Germans, then their war effort would be hurt).

She did not realize that her secret was out. They had been passing along shot down Allied pilots and aircrew to other resistance groups in an effort to get them back to Allied territory. Among those officers debriefing the escapees, were several senior Dutch officers. They were able to piece together accurate descriptions of the Princess and realized that she had survived the invasion. They were still debating on whether or not to inform the Queen.

The convoy was scheduled to pass the town of Angeren which was where the ambush would take place. They planted explosives alongside the road, and when the convoy was passing, would detonate them, they would then go in and finish off the survivors and take what supplies they could.

They were all in place by 5pm (the convoy would pass through at 5:30) and were getting impatient, when at 5:27pm, the convoy rolled into sight. This was not what they were expecting – two staff cars being escorted by an armored car and a small truck. The armored car was in the lead, followed by the staff cars and the truck. The bomb was detonated just as the armored car was driving by; the car was flipped over and landed 10 feet away killing the crew. The front staff car was badly damaged and the occupants killed. Two captured German machine guns opened up on the truck while the rest of the resistance fighters opened up on the staff car. Princess Maria Sophia personally shot the elderly gentleman in the car, while the other 3 men in the car died under a hail of bullets. In a matter of a few minutes, the killing was over.

In all 18 German soldiers died, including Field Marshall Gerd von Rundstedt, Commander-in-Chief, West.

EXCEPRT FROM THE
POST WAR INTERROGATION
OF SS OBERESTSTANNFUHRER
HEINZ BARTH[22]

Interrogator: Let’s discuss the actions of your company on December 26, 1940 in the town of Angeren.

Barth: We had received orders from Himmler that the Hitler wanted reprisals for von Rundstedt’s death on Christmas Day. We were informed that the bandits were hiding in the town. They were to be arrested, tried and executed. We later found out that the terrorist group had already left the area.

Interrogator: So why didn’t you give chase?

Barth: Because we were ordered to make an example of the town. And that is what we did.

Interrogator: There were 2,000 people living in that town before your unit arrived. Three days later, there were 768 still living. Tell me about the Saint John the Baptist Church.

Barth: That was early on the 2nd day of the exercise. A large number of people had broken the curfew and had gone to the church. I decided to remove them. That they died while trying to escape doesn’t matter. The church was cleared.

Interrogator: You and your unit murdered over 300 people in that church, don’t you feel any remorse?

Barth: Remorse for doing my job? (Subject at this time began laughing).

Author’s note: Heinz Barth was found guilty on 500 counts of murder and executed in 1945.

EXCERPT FROM THE LAST STAND OF THE ALAMO:
THE SINKING OF THE USS ALAMAO
AT THE START OF WORLD WAR II[23]
By Commander William Hammond, USN
Longhorn Press, 2002

The light carrier USS Alamo had been dispatched from Pearl Harbor on a transport mission. She was carrying 46 P-40s; the convoy she was in was also bringing spare parts, ammunition and troop reinforcements. They were expected in Manila by January 2.

Early on the morning of the 28th, the convoy picked up an unwelcome guest. A Japanese patrol plane had been spotted shadowing them. Unfortunately (over the objections of the Alamo’s skipper and CAG), the Alamo was in no position to launch her own fighters. In order to make room for the P-40s, the Alamo’s fighters were partially disassembled down in the Hanger Deck. It would take several days to reassemble them.). While they were within B-17 range, they were not yet within range of Army fighters which was worrisome.

What they did not know was they were now a target of the bomber squadrons of the IJN’s Takao Kokuta. Nor did they know that their ship had only days to live.

EXCERPT FROM
AN OPERATIONAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTHERN
TASK FORCE IN THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR[24]
By Richard Liddick
Paisley House 2002

Immediately after the assassination of President Vargas by German agents, advance elements of the Argentine Army crossed the Argentine/Brazilian border, their initial target was the port city of Porto Alegre.

Major General Omar Bradley was given command of the Southern Task Force (US IX Corps) which would be composed of the 3rd Marine, 33rd Infantry, 42nd Infantry, 49th Armored and 94th Infantry (CLD) Divisions. General Bradley would also command the Army Air Force units in the theatre.

The Navy’s Task Force 14 with the carriers Lexington and Saratoga sailed within hours of the President’s go ahead.

Navy planners estimated that within 2-3 weeks, the Army forces would be in Brazil fighting the Argentine invasion.

BEBC NEWS[25]
DECEMBER 31, 1940

Good evening this is London.

The Brazilian Government has confirmed that the town of Porto Alegre has fallen to advancing Argentine forces.

His Majesty King George VI and Prime Minister Churchill inspected American, Australian, Canadian and British troops today wishing them a Happy New Year and wishes for the war to end soon with an Allied victory.

In other news..

EXCERPTS FROM
WORLD WAR II
IN THE PACIFIC – BUILDUP
TO WAR[26]
OPENING SHOTS
By Dr. Christopher Hall

The Americans

The Japanese Government decided on a declaration of war thirty minutes prior to the opening shots being fired; mainly to placate Emperor Hirohito’s distaste for such a “less than honorable “act. Unfortunately for the Japanese, the car carrying the two Japanese negotiators, Ambassador Nomura and Special Representative Kurusu, was hit by a drunken truck driver. Ambassador Nomura was killed instantly and Kurusu was badly injured. The declaration of war was delivered three hours after the events at the Panama Canal and Pearl Harbor.

Panama Canal (12:30pm local time, January 1, 1941)

The two ships of Operation Z had made it through the US Coast Guard inspection teams late on the afternoon of December 31, 1940. The ships were registered as Nationalist Chinese merchant ships bringing gold to the US to pay for war supplies. The teams had conducted thorough inspections. Each team had noted the three sealed compartments on each ship. After being told they were vaults full of gold and traveling under the auspices of the Chinese Government, wax seals over the hatches and welded shut, the team leaders reported back to their superior. The senior inspecting officer (a USCG captain) wanted to inspect those compartments, but after consulting with the senior State Department official assigned to the PCZ, allowed the ships to pass. The senior "Chinese" government officials on board each ship was informed that official protests would be made to the Chinese government.

By 12:30 pm, the "Chein Yang" (actually the Akebono Maru) was nearing the Pedro Miguel Locks while the "Shao Yang" (the Kasi Maru) had cleared the Miraflores Locks. The subsequent investigation made some of the following conclusions. The timers were set about 30 minutes beforehand. The body of the Akebono Maru's Captain was recovered. An autopsy indicated he had been bayoneted to death indicating he had not been cooperative. No one survived on either ship.

Both ships went up with 30 seconds of each other, destroying both sets of locks as well as the village of Pedro Miguel causing over 400 deaths and blocking the canal.

Meanwhile, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor had begun a short time earlier.

Pearl Harbor - The fleet was in port on this Wednesday morning, recovering from the New Year’s Eve celebrations the night before. Of course the whole Pacific Fleet was not in port. A small task group consisting of the light carrier USS Alamo, light cruiser USS Flint, and 3 destroyers were escorting a Philippines bound convoy. The USS Ranger was being refitted in San Diego. Admiral Halsey had taken the carrier USS Essex, the battle cruiser USS Baja, the cruisers New Orleans, Portland, and San Diego plus seven destroyers on a delivery mission. They had transported Marine fighter squadrons to Wake and Midway Islands and were expected back at Pearl Harbor on the 2nd.

There were six battleships, eleven cruisers, eighteen destroyers, eight submarines, and 42 other ships in harbor at the time of the attack. In addition, there were approximately 400 aircraft – 160 of them fighters – stationed in Hawaii at the time of the attack.

The port was slowly waking up that morning after a long night of celebrating the New Year. Yes, the US was at war with Germany, but that was in the Atlantic and this was sleepy, quiet Pearl Harbor. Nothing ever happened here.

The Japanese had committed the six carriers of their First Air Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Nagumo. In addition, six mini-submarines were supposed to slip into the harbor and attack ships during the attack. In the original plans for the attack, it was proposed that the IJN land 3 IJA Infantry Divisions, this idea was quickly shot down.

Approximately 15 minutes before the first wave of attack planes crossed the coast, 2 army privates, hung over and very late for duty, turned on their SCR-270 radar and picked up the first wave of the attack. They tried telephoning the operations center, but the lone lieutenant on duty there had taken the phone off the hook and was sleeping.

At roughly the same time, a flight of P-40s on dawn maneuvers was taken by surprise by the first wave’s Zero fighters and all were quickly shot down. The first shots of the war had been fired. Minutes later, the destroyer USS Ward sank a Japanese mini-sub trying to get into the harbor. Still, no word had reached higher authorities; such officials could have brought the defenses to a higher state of alert.

At 7:50am, Commander Fuchida led his first wave planes against the airfields at Ford Island, Barber’s Point, Hickham and Wheeler Fields, plus of course the battleships moored at Battleship Row. Surprise was total and complete.

Admiral Husband Kimmel, Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet was just climbing aboard the USS Pennsylvania, the fleet’s flagship when the first torpedo bombers launched their torpedoes. He was the first high ranking official to order the fleet out to sea. He was killed minutes later when bombs destroyed the Flag Bridge and everyone inside.

Rushing to his flag bridge several minutes after the attack began, Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd on board the USS Nevada, radioed ashore ordering word of the attack to be sent worldwide. Admiral Kidd (later to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership during the attack) set about getting the Fleet to sea. As the Senior Officer Afloat, the task was his and his alone, especially after looking at the burning Pennsylvania and realizing that Kimmel probably went down with her.

During the first few minutes of the attack, a grand total of 17 P-40s and 5 Buffaloes managed to get into the air. All five Buffaloes were shot down within minutes of getting into the air. Of the 17 P-40s, six were shot down by the Japanese, four more by US AA fire. The remaining seven, some badly damaged, managed to shoot down 3 Zero fighters, 6 Kate torpedo bombers and 7 Val dive bombers. .

Unfortunately it was too little, too late. By the time the first wave had left, the Pennsylvania was burning from stem to stern and being abandoned; the California was settling on the bottom of Pearl Harbor; and the Oklahoma had capsized. The Maryland and Nevada were the only 2 undamaged battleships and they were in the process of raising enough steam to get out of the harbor.

The air fields were not in much better shape. Over half of the planes on the ground had been destroyed or damaged during the first wave’s attacks.

The second wave arrived at 8:30am and they concentrated their attacks on the Maryland, Nevada Wheeler and Barber Point air fields, Schofield Barracks and the dry docks. The Maryland, hit repeatedly, had to be beached to prevent her from blocking the harbor. The Nevada did break out to sea along with a few cruisers and destroyers. Wheeler Field was knocked out as an operational base with Barber Point and Schofield Barracks were both severely damaged.

The casualty figures were high on the American side; 3,018 military personnel were killed, 33 US civilians also died; 2,188 military personnel were wounded as were 77 civilians. The Navy lost 3 battleships, 2 cruisers and 3 destroyers. Dry-dock One had been badly damaged and would take some time to repair. Of the 400 aircraft on the island, 270 were damaged or destroyed. Japanese casualties were light – all 5 midget submarines were lost as well as 42 Japanese aircraft.

Word of the attack quickly spread around the US Military’s chain of command and bases around the Pacific. The single Marine Company on Midway Island was brought to full combat readiness. There were three squadrons of aircraft on the island at that moment – 1 Marine fighter squadron flying Wildcats, 1 Navy patrol squadron flying Catalinas and 1 transient Army Air Force B-17 squadron en route to the Philippines.

The Americans on Wake Island were feeling very lonely. Aside from the single Marine Fighter squadron flying Wildcats, there was a composite Marine company, 77 naval personnel and 334 civilian contractors.

The largest American garrison outside of Hawaii of course was in the Philippines. Upon receiving word of the attack, General Van Voorhis ordered his command to activate War Plan Orange-5. The Philippine Division would fall back onto Bataan and hold the peninsula until the Pacific Fleet arrived with reinforcements, while the majority of the Philippine Army would fall back on Batangas City, an important communications hub. There, the defenders would be a link between the Bataan defenders and the small American-Filipino force under the command of Brigadier General William F. Sharp on Mindanao. And of course, both the PAAC and US Army Air Force would defend the air over the Philippines and take the war to the Japanese. Man (in this case, the US Army) plans and God laughs.

Philippine President Quezon had serious problems with WPO-5; for starters, the plan gave much of his country over to the Japanese. He also felt that his army would be able to defeat the Japanese as they landed. He would turn out to be a thorn in the side of General Van Voorhis.

At the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, the battle cruiser USS Puerto Rico was paying a courtesy call at the Royal Navy base at Singapore. Admiral Hart ordered the skipper to join forces with the RN Squadron based at Singapore – HMS Malaya; the light cruisers HMS Ajax and HMS Penelope; and four D class destroyers. The carrier HMS Furious, the heavy cruiser HMS York and 4 more D class destroyers were in Sydney Harbor waiting for a Singapore bound convoy to form up.

In Philippine waters were the heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City, the light cruiser USS Tallahassee, and six Clemson class destroyers – USS Branch, USS Long, USS Manson, USS Stewart, USS Tracy, USS Welborn C. Wood. There were also six submarines and eighteen PT boats, plus another dozen support ships.

The Philippine Navy consisted of the PNS Luzon, the ex-USS Dyer, a Wilkes class destroyer and six PT Boats.

THE BRITISH

British and British Empire forces were scattered around the Far East. The small Royal Indian Navy was concentrated in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal on convoy duty.

The Royal Navy’s Far East Squadron was scattered between Singapore and Australia. The British Malaysia garrison consisted of the British Indian Army’s III Corps and the British 10th Infantry Division, which had been partially stripped. Several of its battalions had been sent back to the UK and they had not been replaced. The Division was at 60% of its authorized strength. The RAF’s No.9 Group consisted of a mixture of old (Vildabeasts) and new (Hurricane) aircraft.

The Hong Kong garrison was hopelessly out numbered. The one fighter squadron and 1 Infantry brigade (1 British, 1 Royal Marine & 2 Canadian infantry battalions) were not expected to hold out for very long.

The Royal Australian Navy was primary concentrated in Australian waters; however the destroyer HMAS Voyager was in Singapore. The majority of the Australian Army was in Europe or North Africa. One Brigade Group was in the process of being transferred to Singapore.

The minuscule Royal New Zealand Squadron was in the process of escorting the 4th NZ Brigade Group to the United Kingdom. The New Zealand Army was still in the process of expanding. With the loss of the New Zealand Brigade in Paris, the New Zealanders were switching over from an all volunteer force to a conscripted force.

THE DUTCH

General Hein ter Poorten was the Commander-in-Chief of all Dutch Forces in the area. His ground forces included Royal Dutch East Indies Army comprising of the 1st Dutch Colonial Division, 8th Dutch Infantry Division, three additional colonial infantry regiments, and 2 artillery brigades composed of obsolete and worn out artillery pieces. His air force consisted of nearly 400 obsolete aircraft. The Dutch East Indies Navy was commanded by Admiral Conrad Helfrich with Vice Admiral Karl Doorman commanding the sea going forces which consisted of the battle cruiser HMNLS Amsterdam, two light cruisers (HMNLS De Ruyter & Java), six destroyers and 4 operational submarines.

[1] ANC Radio

[2][2] Library of Congress

[3] World War II in the Pacific, Hall, Dr. Christopher, Louisville Press, 1999

[4] BEBC News November 6, 1940

[5] ibid

[6][6] USAF archive

[7] Colonel Rufus S. Bratton archives

[8] They Didn’t Listen; Round House Books, 1966

[9] Royal Navy Submarines at War, Unger, Sir Jason Columbia Books, 2002

[10] World War Two in the Pacific- Buildup to War; Hall, Dr. Christopher, Bluegrass Books, 1988

[11] African Americans in the Military, Murray, Patricia; Bloody Bucket Press 2003

[12] Ibid

[13] BEBC News December 7, 1940

[14] US Navy archives

[15] Neutral Nations of the Second World War; Williams, Nicole; Jaguar Press 1976

[16] EBS News December 16, 1940

[17] FDR Memorial Library

[18] US Army archives

[19] Ibid

[20] USMC archives

[21] ibid

[22] UN War Crimes Tribunal archives

[23] The Last Stand of the Alamo; Hammond, William; Longhorn Press, 2002

[24] An Operation History of the Southern Task Force in the South American War; Liddick, Richard, Paisley House, 2002

[25] BEBC News, December 31, 1940

[26] Ibid
 
Fascinating tale. You're doing a wonderful job, here. Yesterday, I spent a few hours reading through Part 1.

I am now hooked. I have been jonesing all day, waiting for you to post this episode.

I await the next installment.


Chris
 
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Wow...so it looks like DeForest Kelley has a wilder career than James Doohan ITTL! And nice touches for the two different fronts of WWII. Let's hope the Philippines or Wake hold out longer...
 
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