昭和17年12月25日、ビルマ戦線でもニューギニア戦線でも夜間空襲はお休みでした。かわりにCA Dorsetshire、Canberra、Australiaの英豪重巡3隻と軽巡3隻によるダーウィンへの艦砲射撃がありました。ダーウィンの哨戒機もチモール島クーパンからの哨戒機もこの艦砲射撃TFの接近を探知していなかったため、リプレイを眺めながら少し驚きました。奇襲に成功した連合軍TFは準備も万端、水偵を弾着観測に飛ばし、重巡だけでなく軽巡と駆逐艦も艦砲射撃に参加しました。しかし、Airbase supply hits 1、Runway hits 4、Port hits 2と命中弾はごく少数でした。飛行場では5機がdisabledになりましたが破壊された機体はなく、またダーウィンに駐屯している第38師団の16deviceがdisabledになっただけで、飛行場と港の被害は朝には修理が完了していました。
ウエーク島での戦闘など、戦艦の参加した艦砲射撃を経験してしまうと、重巡による艦砲射撃はかなりしょぼく感じてしまいます。それにしても、今晩のは命中弾が少なすぎたことが被害が少なかった原因だと思われますが、どうしてこんなに命中弾が少なかったのかは謎です。陸攻の配備されているダーウィンへの艦砲射撃ですから、連合軍側も心配しながら送り出したと思うのですが、その割りに戦果が少なく、がっかりだったんではないでしょうか。ただ、コンバットリポートには艦砲射撃を受けた地上部隊の名前が表示されていて、そこには38th/A Divisionと38th/B Divisionがあるのに38th/C Divisionの名前が見当たりません。連合軍側にもこの情報は伝わっているでしょうから、ダーウィンの日本側守備隊の兵力が一個師団の3分の2程度であることが判明したのが今回の艦砲射撃の一番の収穫だったでしょう。
オーストラリア北西部の現状はご覧の通りです。連合軍は10月頃から小兵力の地上部隊を派遣して、Derby、Broome、そしてWyndhamと日本側の根拠地を順次占領してきていました。これらの根拠地には日本側の部隊は駐屯していなかったので、無血開城となりました。占領後にそのまま守備隊として配備するのかと思ったのですが、連合軍側も派遣した部隊を撤退させてしまいました。
オーストラリア北西部へは陸路での東海岸からのサプライの補給が困難です。オーストラリア中央部のdot baseの飛行場を大きく拡張して、サプライの流れる量を増やせば補給できるそうですが、いまのところそういった動きはありません。また海路でこのあたりにサプライを輸送するのも、クーパンとダーウィンに陸攻が配備されている現状ではやはり困難。そう判断して連合軍もこれらの根拠地を放置することにしたのだと思います。
ずっとこのまま連合軍が放置してくれるのなら、連合軍に占領されたままでもいいのですが、将来的には連合軍がこの方面に本腰を入れる事態も想定できないわけではありません。そこで、占領されたBroome、Derbym、Wyndhamをごく小兵力の上陸で奪還する作戦を計画しました。シンガポールを出発した上陸船団はちょうどクーパンの北西のヘクスまできています。このところオーストラリア西岸での連合軍TFの動きがなかったため、軽巡一隻の護衛で行かせるつもりだったのですが、かなり甘い判断でしたね。2-3日ほど上陸船団の出発が早いか、艦砲射撃TFの出発が遅いかしていれば、洋上で出くわして殲滅されていたかも知れません。
天のご加護か、最悪の事態は避けられました。艦砲射撃を行ったTFは行方知れずで今日のマップにも表示されていませんが、パース方面に全速力で帰還中だろうと思います。再度ダーウィン方面にやって来るとしても弾薬の補充をしてからでしょうから、しばらく先のはなし。かえって安心して上陸作戦ができるかなと思うので、上陸船団にはそのまま予定の進路をとらせることにしました。
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 25, 42
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ASW attack near Truk at 112,104
Japanese Ships
DD Kishinami
DD Kasumi
DD Asagumo
Allied Ships
SS Gar, hits 1
SS Gar is sighted by escort
Gar diving deep ....
DD Kasumi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Asagumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kasumi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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Sub attack near Namlea at 76,107
Japanese Ships
AO Shiretoko
AO Notoro
AO Naruto
PB Naruto Maru #3
Allied Ships
SS Stingray
SS Stingray launches 4 torpedoes at AO Shiretoko
Stingray diving deep ....
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged
H8K1 Emily: 1 damaged
A6M3b Zero: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CL Perth
CL Achilles
CL Leander
DD Norman
DD Napier
DD Stuart
Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 2
CA Dorsetshire firing at 38th/B Division
CA Canberra firing at 38th/B Division
CA Australia firing at 38th/A Division
CL Perth firing at 38th/B Division
CL Achilles firing at 38th/A Division
CL Leander firing at 38th/A Division
DD Norman firing at Darwin
DD Napier firing at 38th/A Division
DD Stuart firing at 38th/A Division
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Morning Air attack on 3rd Motor Brigade, at 71,128 , near Wyndham
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Changteh , at 81,50
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 29
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 damaged
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 30
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Changteh , at 81,50
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Liuchow , at 74,55
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 17
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Liuchow , at 74,55
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 17
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Liuchow , at 74,55
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Changteh , at 81,50
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 35
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 18
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
19 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 3rd Motor Brigade, at 71,128 , near Wyndham
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 16
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Liuchow , at 74,55
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Changteh , at 81,50
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Liuchow , at 74,55
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 16
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Maizuru 3rd SNLF, at 57,129 (Port Hedland)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 12
A-29 Hudson x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Mitchell II bombing from 7000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
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Afternoon Air attack on 3rd Motor Brigade, at 71,128 , near Wyndham
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 13
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 17
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Afternoon Air attack on Kunming , at 69,48
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15
No Japanese losses
Airbase supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 61937 troops, 605 guns, 246 vehicles, Assault Value = 2180
Defending force 164021 troops, 641 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4844
Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
35th Division
110th Division
70th Division
36th Division
32nd Division
12th Army
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
16th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd War Area
Red Chinese Army
6th Group Army
7th Group Army
34th Group Army
22nd Group Army
8th Group Army
5th War Area
4th Group Army
19th Chinese Base Force
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